Listening: Grrl by Dios Malos was on earlier (took me really listening to the lyrics to make me realize exactly how bitter that song is), an acoustic cover of Kelly Clarkson's Since U Been Gone by Ted Leo is on now.

Reading (perhaps quality): Guernica: The Biography of a Twentieth-Century Icon by Gijs van Hensbergen

Reading (definitely pulp): Read the CityPaper, before using it as packing material.

Drinking: Black Cherry Citrus Fresca.

January 22, 2006
afternoon

Hat Day was a blast last night - have no pictures (would love a smaller digital camera - or a larger going-out purse - or friends who send out digital photos) but everyone looked great and good times were had. Stayed at Millie and Al's for a while, went dancing with JennyB, LA, et al at Chief Ike's, then came back late late and met up with the Fitzpatrick Sisters at Millie and Al's again. Good good fun.

Still packing here (no surprise, eh?).

This morning I could not handle it and slept late, got some breakfast, then ate it in my room (the only one untouched by packing) and resolutely read and did nothing productive until early afternoon. I think I really needed that - feel almost energized to round up another bit of packing today.

I also dozed off and had some strange dreams in this one recurring series I have where I'm watching Celebrity Death Match fights taking place in a desert in what appears to be a Dali painting. They're actually pretty interesting until Christopher Walken is a contestant because he just walks up and sucks the soul from his opponent and the fight is done in nothing flat.

Soul sucking and resolute ignoring aside, things are coming together.

(above) Evidence of my not-so-mad packing skillz. Between the Bounce box, the peacock Vogue page, and the feather from my Peter Pan hat its clear there's no unifying visual or functional theme here. Though Carol would say the Clairol box is clear proof I'm due to color my hair.

(above) Packing materials and weights. Definitely need a small box to get those things out of here.

Best moment packing so far: dancing as I wrapped and packed plates while Come Out and Play by the Offspring played far too loud. That song totally takes me back to a million fraternity parties in college, and the wreck of my apartment makes an appropriate visual reminder as well.

Happiest-for-the-cat-but-annoying-for-me-moment: opening the fridge and knocking over the cat food container and having it spill all over (and I mean all over) the kitchen floor. I swore and she ran over to eat from this new bounty. Then I had to laugh.

Makes-me-wonder-if-I'm-some-sort-of-control-freak moment: talking with the woman across the hall who is also moving at the end of the month, looking into her apartment as she stood at the open door and not seeing any packing materials nor anything packed. I'm worried I may not finish in time and I have close to another week. Are other people just faster at this packing thing than me?

(above) As you can see, some progress has been made. I've got the kitchen about half done.

(above) I have left some things intact until a little later. Seen here really blur-ily is my Christmas tree along with the things-on-the-table-to-be-packed.

It's 9pm and I'm tapped for the night. There's a half packed box on the dining room table but if this whole thing has taught me anything its that there will always be a half packed box on the table.

(above) The current packed boxes. Doesn't look like a ton from this photo but those boxes are two deep and the big ones are hiding another section. Still have some empties but I'll have to see what I can pick up tomorrow to supplement.

Doing (life and related tasks): Hat wearing (last night), bike short and old 5K race shirt wearing (today). Oh, and packing.

Doing (crafty stuff): Need need need to get on my valentines so that those can go out. Assuming I can find my address book in time.

Wanting: To feel like things are really getting done. Maybe some help with the packing (even though I've refused everyone who has asked).

Anticipating: Next week after all the things are moved into the apartment, Anna has semi-adjusted, the old apartment has been cleaned and emptied and I can get into actually making the new place work.