Adventures of a Tofu Slut

I had lunch outside yesterday! And no, I wasn't magically transported to Mexico. It's not like it was all that warm, but it was sunny, and warm enough to hang outside for an hour, without a coat even. This has been the weirdest two months, weather-wise. I hear it's been the hottest on record, and I totally believe it. Today, I couldn't find my socks again after dance class, and my feet weren't even cold.

I've realized that I approach dance class and French class the same way - I tend to want to stick in the beginning levels, because I'm very strong at the basics. I've been practicing both, but mostly I just do basic grammar exercises or drill the basic moves, without moving onto the stuff that actually challenges me. And while it's true that a strong foundation will make the rest easier, I think I need to find a new way to practice, some way to actually move forward.

You know, in my brain there was a logical progression between those two thoughts, but now I have no idea what it was. Sorry!

LOOK I AM STILL ALIVE.

But just barely. With so many people away right now, I feel like I'm running a one-woman library. Which would be fine, except that there is enough to do for a staff twice our normal size.

Wait! Come back! I promise, no more boring work talk.

Things which I learned yesterday

Being at a French organization when France is doing...something in the World Cup is not smart. It was very loud. But anyway, I had my first French class last night, which was fun. I was sitting next to my exact opposite - someone who has a vast quantity of words stored in her brain, but can never remember any grammar. Together we managed a vaguely coherent dialogue (remember those? it's like grade 9 all over again!) on the terribly exciting subject of shopping.

So far the class seems easy. It's a bit deceptive, though - I've never been in a language class that felt above my level, but that doesn't mean I remember anything I learn, or am able to use it later. It doesn't really matter, though, since I'm here to get better comprehension and more fluency, which I'm terrible at no matter what level. I am gaining skills in surreptitious guzzling of water, though - we're not supposed to have food or drink in the classrooms, but I JUST CAN'T DEAL.

(I also can't deal with my lunch, which just collapsed all over me. Sigh.)

Colour me unsurprised

I have so much more tolerance for annoyance during Fringe season. Last night, while attempting to buy passes, the poor volunteer's mouse kept freezing, and there was DRAMA, and the other office person had no suggestions other than "clean it", and the guy was getting embarassed and frantic, clutching my credit card in his hand as if to hide the fact that he hadn't been able to DO anything yet. And I stood there and smiled beatifically. Because it's FRINGE! And everything is good. Plus it's totally awesome weather for fringing, unlike last year, which reduced me to tears any number of times. Not that that's hard to do - I cry at everything! Go me! - but still. I have all my Fringe update sites bookmarked (including your blog, girldetective), I have multiple programs, I have people who want to see a few shows, I have far more excitement than is healthy.

Here, have another song: Or, actually, don't, because I can't get it to load, and lunchtime is over. Later, skaters.

I spent the weekend feeling restless and somewhat down, and couldn't quite figure out why. I wasn't bored, per se, although the weekend certainly wasn't a whirlwind of excitement, unless you count actually getting to do laundry finally as exciting, which most sane people wouldn't. In fact, I thought I was pretty content, puttering around the apartment, buying groceries at the 15 different places I need to shop at in order to get everything I want, going to the gym, watching the last of my Season 4 Buffy DVDs, bitching at my non-existent internet connection. But when I talked to my parents on Sunday night, and I realized I had nothing interesting to say about the last week, something hit me, and I entered a violet funk*.

I think I have it figured out, though. It's almost September. Worse, it's almost September and nothing is changing in my life. It's been 2 1/2 years since I finished grad school, and I'm still not used to not being a student. I measure my life in school years rather than calendar years, and I feel like things should start over every September with new and exciting (well, at least new) activities. And school supplies, of course. Who can resist the lure of new school supplies?

So this morning, after the tiniest of nudges from sarcasma, I signed up for a continuing ed German course. And I tell you, I feel much better. I'm going back to school! September means something again (well, October, but the concept is still the same)! Plus I'm definitely going to have to buy new pens.

*Not as bad as a blue funk, but still pretty sucky

( Also, you all hate me, apparently )