Tue Aug 23 - Yesterday, as a friend and I exchanged emails back and forth about our histories, I came to a startling realization about myself that could be somewhat depressing. I never realized how few actual (public) dating relationships I'd been in, over the years, since I'd never tried to put it in words like that. And bless my dear friend, I got the most supportive email this morning that made it all better again.

I have to say, a true friend is the biggest treasure ever. When you find a true friend, nurture that friendship and keep it growing. It is so worth it.

Okay, schmaltzy observation: OFF. *giggle*

Oh, actually, speaking of best friends, Kristin phoned last night. We had a lovely one-hour chat to catch up on the past several months of our lives. She's the friend with whom I usually exchange voicemail messages. One of us calls the other every month or two and says, "Hi, I'm just calling to check in and let you know I'm not dead yet. Still alive. Hope to hear from you. Check in sometime." And both of us do this. (In fact, sometimes we just leave the short version of the message, "Hi. Not Dead Yet. Bye!") So it was doubly nice that we both had chatting time free for one another. Most typically one of us will be driving for over an hour or so and we'll call the other to see if they can chat and keep us from being bored while driving. Love her!

It turns out she has switched to a split shift for her work, and I'm actually somewhat jealous. Sounds like it might be fun to work this shift. She works 2-6 pm on Mon-Fri at the office, and works 10 pm - 2 am from home Sun-Thu. This gives her that lovely 6-10 pm break to hang out with friends in the evenings, and then she works from home for the 2nd half of the day 5 times a week. What a really cool schedule! And ah, what a nice commute! I love jobs in the tech sector. We have such great options available to us.

Yesterday I mentioned that I just couldn't be bothered to leave the house for laundry, and you might be wondering why I don't just do laundry at our apartment complex. I could, but the facilities are only open from 9-9 every day. The other advantage to going to the laundromat is that there are so many machines that I can do two loads at the same time.

Well, this morning I got to enjoy multi-tasking more than usual. While the laundry was washing, I filled my gas tank and bought some breakfast. I had time to "lounge" around [read: sit in the car, listening to the radio] while enjoying my coffee and breakfast sandwich before switching the clothes to the dryer. Then, while that cycle continued, I went down to the car wash on the corner and got my car washed and vacuumed. Again, lounging around over coffee, and getting something clean at the end. What a lovely lovely morning!

Now I'm back at the office, pounding out an entire training manual in just 3 days left before the deadline, so it's off to work I go!
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I realized partway through the day that the only way to meet my work deadline was to work late and skip band tonight, if not also on Thursday. I've taken Friday off work in order to go camping on a "Dyestuff's Retreat and Workshop" which I've nicknamed "Hippy Dippy Fiber Things In The Woods With Women." Actually, there will be some guys there too, but we will be over-represented with women. I'm hosting "Coffee Bar of Splendooooor" every morning, and my only plans are to take an excess of photos for the workshop hosts in order to supplement their marketing materials and website photos. That reminds me, I should create a blanket permission slip for everyone to sign at the retreat, so that we have all the photo releases on hand. Several times she's hosted retreats, taken photos, and then the participants never sent in their release forms so she couldn't use the best group pictures.

Besides these plans, I'm thinking about taking some white silk that I've been saving for an old project a gabazillion years ago and dying it in the Indigo pot. I'll end up with some stunning blue cloth and the bad memories will be replaced with new wonderful ones. I should just double-check that there will be room enough for this project.
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Oh! Massively cool impulse purchases today!!
Medieval Tailor's Assistant: Making Common Garments 1200-1500 by Sarah Thursfield

and
Hispanic Costume: 1480 - 1530 by Ruth M. Anderson (no image available)

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To wrap up this evening, I did skip out on band to work late, then also got my checkbook balanced again and lots of bills paid or scheduled for payment tomorrow. (Somehow I misplaced my checks in my room and didn't put them back where they belong in my large knapsack.) So I'm feeling organized and on top of things again. Time to drive home and relax.

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Recently Reading: Neil Gaiman's "American Gods"
Recently Watching: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Recently Listened to: Tori Amos "Boys for Pele"