Today my Grandma went to heaven!
Everyone look skyward and give her a wave. I know she is happy to have moved on, and I am happy for her.
On a lesser note, I also started school today, and it was not as horrible as I expected. I even got a high-five from my contracts professor for answering the question correctly that Coretta Scott King sued for conversion.
I know its the beginning of a long journey and I'm not sure how much I'm going to always love it, but it is what it is.
Georgie found her way to the top of the kitchen cupboards for a better view and is curled up there right now.
Nick
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Jenny, Jenny, Who Can I Turn To...
So Jennifer has left us, and we are sad. Luckily, it was a mostly allergen free trip for Jenny as the Alen A350 cleaned the apartment air full speed, full time. Even Georgie was shocked, because she thinks she is allergic to herself.
Plus, Jen accidentally left a dress behind, and we think that is an omen. She will be back with a job in hand.
It has been a busy week with Chris' arrival on Tuesday and Jennifer's on Wednesday. We were able to walk the mall and see the new organic vegetable garden on the south White House lawn. No sign of Michelle tilling the soil. Georgie has yet to see the garden, but she doesn't travel out of doors unless it is between 65 and 72 degrees, slightly cloudy, with a light breeze. Naturally it's been too hot for her to join us.
No sign of the rest of the Obamas, either. Still on summer vacation avoiding the fecal bacteria infested waters off Martha's Vineyard. I can't blame them. Georgie commented that the locals are so full of BS it finally seeped into the water. Not sure which locals she referred to.
We did our best to avoid the heat, but there is no better way to see the city than to walk it, so we were mostly unsuccessful. My future classmate Lindsey joined us on Thursday for the National Zoo. At first, things were fine. A little hot, but O.K. We saw the pandas, big cats, and the aviary. Now fully drenched, we checked out Lindsey's apartment in Adams Morgan and met her cat Meeko. She showed me the Adams Morgan Vet Hospital (which is EXPENSIVE) that Georgie has demanded I take her to, because the neighborhood is more eclectic than where we live. It is also a closer walk than the Dupont clinic, so I guess I can oblige her. I'm just trying to avoid 15th and S where Kal Pen got robbed.
So, yes, ok, we hadn't really "eaten" anything and it was time to get something to eat. We rode the connector to Georgetown, which is a lovely area, but lacking in shade and congested with shoppers taking in the summer sun. Needless to say, whilst waiting in line at Georgetown Cupcakes for their - you guessed it - famous cupcakes, Lindsey fainted backward onto the front door, and then onto the not-so-soft surely historical brick sidewalk.
It was chaos as the woman behind us shouted for someone to call 911 (it ended up being me) and the store staff clamored to get involved. They revived Lindsey after a second fainting spell, during which the lady behind us shouted "She needs sugar! She needs sugar!" and the counter guy, now trying to revive Lindsey, responded "We're in a cupcake store."
The famous lady from TLC proclaimed this happened "at least once a week." We wondered, then, why water was suddenly available to all those waiting in line, as it had not before.
No more matter; all was well. After a peanut butter swirl cupcake and some juice, as well as a check-over from the ambulance crew (they came because the store had called, as well), Lindsey was set free, so we took her to Chipotle. Not, though, before collecting our free 16 cupcakes and complementary waters. The ambulance crew also got free cupcakes. Lesson learned: If you want free Georgetown Cupcakes, just faint!
I'll note the true purpose for visiting the Gtown neighborhood was to scout out the office location of Jennifer's interview. The cupcakes were merely a by-product. Jenny's interview, as relayed to Chris and Georgie and Me, went swell. Jen felt iffy. But Georgie reminded her the east coasters are all business and no small talk and that she'd just have to get over the harsh personalities. I thought this comment ironic.
As for other activities we've fit into the past week, the newly revamped (or at least, it seems to be newly revamped) Smithsonian Museum of Natural History made it on the list. The oceans exhibit is quite spectacular, with spherical moving movie screens and a giant whale displayed above the gallery.
There was, of course, the requisite bar celebration on Friday night.
Now we're on for a couple more days until school starts up. Georgie called in sick at the beauty shop. She is sick of sweeping up the hair, and I asked her if she knew that is what I do every day cleaning up after her. No response. I'm not sure how much longer this job is going to last her.
My blow-up mattress has a hole in it, so I'll be on a piece of foam until the bed is delivered Tuesday. Lucky for Georgie she likes the windowsill. Or the cardboard box.
Plus, Jen accidentally left a dress behind, and we think that is an omen. She will be back with a job in hand.
It has been a busy week with Chris' arrival on Tuesday and Jennifer's on Wednesday. We were able to walk the mall and see the new organic vegetable garden on the south White House lawn. No sign of Michelle tilling the soil. Georgie has yet to see the garden, but she doesn't travel out of doors unless it is between 65 and 72 degrees, slightly cloudy, with a light breeze. Naturally it's been too hot for her to join us.
No sign of the rest of the Obamas, either. Still on summer vacation avoiding the fecal bacteria infested waters off Martha's Vineyard. I can't blame them. Georgie commented that the locals are so full of BS it finally seeped into the water. Not sure which locals she referred to.
We did our best to avoid the heat, but there is no better way to see the city than to walk it, so we were mostly unsuccessful. My future classmate Lindsey joined us on Thursday for the National Zoo. At first, things were fine. A little hot, but O.K. We saw the pandas, big cats, and the aviary. Now fully drenched, we checked out Lindsey's apartment in Adams Morgan and met her cat Meeko. She showed me the Adams Morgan Vet Hospital (which is EXPENSIVE) that Georgie has demanded I take her to, because the neighborhood is more eclectic than where we live. It is also a closer walk than the Dupont clinic, so I guess I can oblige her. I'm just trying to avoid 15th and S where Kal Pen got robbed.
So, yes, ok, we hadn't really "eaten" anything and it was time to get something to eat. We rode the connector to Georgetown, which is a lovely area, but lacking in shade and congested with shoppers taking in the summer sun. Needless to say, whilst waiting in line at Georgetown Cupcakes for their - you guessed it - famous cupcakes, Lindsey fainted backward onto the front door, and then onto the not-so-soft surely historical brick sidewalk.
It was chaos as the woman behind us shouted for someone to call 911 (it ended up being me) and the store staff clamored to get involved. They revived Lindsey after a second fainting spell, during which the lady behind us shouted "She needs sugar! She needs sugar!" and the counter guy, now trying to revive Lindsey, responded "We're in a cupcake store."
The famous lady from TLC proclaimed this happened "at least once a week." We wondered, then, why water was suddenly available to all those waiting in line, as it had not before.
No more matter; all was well. After a peanut butter swirl cupcake and some juice, as well as a check-over from the ambulance crew (they came because the store had called, as well), Lindsey was set free, so we took her to Chipotle. Not, though, before collecting our free 16 cupcakes and complementary waters. The ambulance crew also got free cupcakes. Lesson learned: If you want free Georgetown Cupcakes, just faint!
I'll note the true purpose for visiting the Gtown neighborhood was to scout out the office location of Jennifer's interview. The cupcakes were merely a by-product. Jenny's interview, as relayed to Chris and Georgie and Me, went swell. Jen felt iffy. But Georgie reminded her the east coasters are all business and no small talk and that she'd just have to get over the harsh personalities. I thought this comment ironic.
As for other activities we've fit into the past week, the newly revamped (or at least, it seems to be newly revamped) Smithsonian Museum of Natural History made it on the list. The oceans exhibit is quite spectacular, with spherical moving movie screens and a giant whale displayed above the gallery.
There was, of course, the requisite bar celebration on Friday night.
Now we're on for a couple more days until school starts up. Georgie called in sick at the beauty shop. She is sick of sweeping up the hair, and I asked her if she knew that is what I do every day cleaning up after her. No response. I'm not sure how much longer this job is going to last her.
My blow-up mattress has a hole in it, so I'll be on a piece of foam until the bed is delivered Tuesday. Lucky for Georgie she likes the windowsill. Or the cardboard box.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Georgie's Big Move
Yes, the beginning of the promised blog! My sister-in-law, the blog master, has created something quite spectacular with her South African blog (and I’ll admit, the locale and main topic are quite a bit more exciting than those of this blog), but she has inspired me to create my own. And what with the source material being such a wellspring of inspiration, I’ll have much to work from. Pictures and graphics to come. You can expect this blog to be filled with all things Georgie, since she seems to be the star of the show anyway. Heck, she may even pop in from time to time and paw out an entry. She’ll gab about anything: from politics and religion to beer and cigarettes. [She is ardently against smoking, and a champion of the First Lady's ("Michelle"as she is referred to in this household) anti-child obesity campaign. More on that later…]
Apologies in advance for her political tirades. She is opinionated and doesn’t care what you think.
Apologies in advance for her political tirades. She is opinionated and doesn’t care what you think.
So I thought this could be a fun and efficient way of keeping in touch as we descend into the law school abyss of studying, studying, studying. Yes, you heard it. WE. Georgie decided to join me in my study of the law. She has been accepted part-time to the Georgetown University Law Center for Cats and is working the other half as a beauty shop assistant.
The trek to DC was arduous (for the drivers, that is). I sat in the back and kept kittie company while Dad and Mom took care of the chauffeuring. We had the Acadia packed to the brim (couldn’t take my special mattress cover…Georgie is NOT happy) and wouldn’t you know the apartment is still rather sparse. But that is only because it is so much more spacious than what I could have envisioned. Just a few homey touches, though, and it will be a perfect place to camp out the next year or so.
Journey began at home in Kansas, then Missouri, and then Illinois via-St. Louis, plus a quick stop in Richmond, Indiana, overnight. Next morning we were on our way again through Ohio, the little tip of West Virginia, eastern Pennsylvania, then more West Virginia again, and then finally Maryland where we reached our temporary destination of Gaithersburg. It wouldn’t have been a trip with Mom if we didn’t rush to the nearest Catholic Church in Gaithersburg for Mass, and then dinner at a local tex-mex eatery where I yet again counseled Mom and Dad on the benefits of a plant-based diet.
Dad must have been listening and held off on the beloved ice cream. It was a night of rest before we were off again the next morning to see the Newseum (quite fancy), National Gallery of Art (awesome renovated 18th century French galleries) and the Smithsonian Museum of American History (where I tried to accuse Dad of ripping the most outrageous fart I have ever heard in a public place in my life. Luck would have it an elderly woman was traipsing by at that very moment, and YES, I DO believe that Dad is innocent when he declares he would NEVER do such a thing in public). Plus, the look of shock on his face gave it all away. God isn’t shocked when thunder rolls.
Oh, and yes, it was odorless. It must have followed her. Or else evaporated into the exhibit on the history of electricity or some such subject (yes, Dad chose this one).
Come Monday it was time to move in to the lovely studio in Dupont Circle. Just a short, non-stressful drive through beautiful northwest DC (those of you who know where I’m being facetious will have to help the others…). I noticed stately homes, lush vegetation, the entrance to the national zoo, and embassy row – famous neighbors! - and then…my apartment building!
Mom and Dad were incredibly helpful to the stressed out Nick as he moved what remains of his life into this new studio. Déjà vu of Nashville, TN four years ago. But a new city. New school. New chapter (as Dad has said).
After some pizza on Connecticut Avenue, I bid the folks farewell. And then I was feeling sad.
It couldn’t last for long as I had to continue getting the remainder of my things in some sort of order. My best friend Chris would be joining me the following day (now on the day that I write this EXTRA long blog).
Chris’ flight arrived early, and luckily I was at the airport to greet him. He has come in search of work, and hearing that DC is one of the finest markets in the fledgling economy, he took me up on my offer to join me as roomie here in the big(ger) city. Fingers crossed and rosaries prayed for his quick job offer.
We spent a busy day taking stock of what we needed in the apartment, and then trekking to Columbia Heights to Target (its not as convenient and fabulous when you have to carry what you buy past the screaming anti-White People protestors, onto the metro at peak hours, switch trains, and then four blocks back to your residence in the blazing heat of Global Warming). Plus, the cabs don’t take credit here. LAME. But we managed to acquire some much needed essentials, such as a shower curtain, coffee maker, lamp, blow-up bed for Chris (and I, too, am waiting on a bed to be delivered, so it’s a blow up for me until arrival next week), and some other odds and ends. We reprieved in the air-conditioning, and then set off on foot to Trader Joes for some groceries – another trek. When you have beer and wine, it’s a little bit heavy to tote back 10 blocks. But you do what you have to do.
Now, the answer to the question many have asked and many others are surely wondering: How is Georgie?
Georgie, although she wishes she could tell you herself, would have me let you know if she took the time to think of others, that she is fine. Yes, the adjustment is difficult. An 18 hour + vehicle journey. (I asked her if she would have preferred the plane?) Three different places in four different nights. Two hotel rooms. A new apartment she will have to share with two other people. Only three rooms to explore. It’s been traumatizing to say the least. But I have explained that in order for her to improve her future, she has to downsize and make sacrifices in the present. Especially in this economy. She complained that we couldn’t go to Marbella with Michelle now that we’ll be neighbors. How does one get on that guest list?
To sum it up, she is taking the change hard. But I’ve promised her a glittering future.
For now, she is content to mope about and look longingly out the windows. She has tried to hide her enthusiasm for the brand new cat tree her Granpda made for her for her 1st birthday, but I have seen her once or twice clawing at the carpeted posts and batting at the hanging mouse.
And while we’re on that topic, I’ll extend my thanks to Mom and Dad for sharing their 30th anniversary with me (or shall I say, giving it up to me) by hauling my rear out here and busting it to make sure Georgie and I got off on the right foot. You read that right – they love Georgie. You know they do. Even Mom. But she probably wouldn’t admit it. What other grandparents make cat trees for their grandkittens?
So help me wish them a belated happy anniversary. Thirty years is older than I am. And we’re glad for that.
And so I’ll sign off for now. Jennifer, another great friend of mine, is flying in tomorrow for an interview with an architecture firm in Georgetown. I think we’ll have to go see the exorcist house when we stake out their offices. Wish her luck and send your good thoughts her way – she deserves this! And Georgie and I would love another friendly face in the city. You can expect we’ll be hitting it hard and seeing the sights, so a loaded blog entry is in the near future.
Until then!
Nick n G
P.S. Many thanks extended to all the well-wishers. Co-workers, friends, family…I’ll be missing you. Come visit!
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