Because you know what a class ring stand looks like. Yes, you do.

And other stuff I did today. Short version: TODAY WAS AWESOME.

Although, I’d be lying if I said I was looking forward to two interviews on the same day, both of which took place in the hot middle of the city. After more than enough nervous wibbling, I went anyway.

The first interview was a cinch to get to, and situated in an office park that frankly qualifies as beautiful, unlike most office parks. It went OK. A different person than I spoke to interviewed me, and I got the feeling she didn’t want to do it. I still gave it my best shot. Then, I went for a walk about the block, because I like trees and sculpture and also I was a bit peckish. Turns out, I was only a matter of yards from a bistro I used to love. I knew it was closed, but seeing it again, still empty, filled me with sadness and a longing for chicken salad sandwiches. So, I went in the place across the street.

I no longer miss the old bistro as much as I used to. The salad I had for lunch was honestly one of the best I’ve ever had. Fresh greens with bacon, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, goat cheese and spicy chicken? Yes, please. I could eat another one right now. It was downright luscious. 

While I ate, I happened to overhear the two women at the table besides me talking about their office. So, after I had finished, I neatened myself up in the restroom and asked them if they needed any office assistants. They didn’t, but they offered to show my resume around, which they totally didn’t have to do. So, that went well besides being totally delicious. However, I still found myself with some hours to kill until my next interview. I drove up the street where the nav system promised a consignment shop. Well, that turned out to be a bust, but wandering around the shops nearby was not.

First, I came across a lovely linens shop, wherein the owner encouraged me to touch everything, and frankly, who wouldn’t enjoy that? Mmm, silky things. And a $15,000 mirror encrusted with Swarovski gems. We talked about beading for awhile, and I updated her crystal color chart from memory because that’s just kind of what I do. I am so in love with the one chair there. I think I might have to go back and get it once I have a job. And some sheets, pricy as they may be. She had some that match my accent wall dead on. /interior decorator

Just around the corner from her, I discovered a lovely little gallery. The owner and I spent a long time talking about the endless road construction and loving swirly glass things. Some of which weren’t even that expensive, though many of them looked like vulvas or penises, though that’s art I suppose. I promised to do some Fishmas shopping with him, besides that I really want to bring my sister down there. He was so nice! And, he had a dog. A King Charles, no less, who decided I was worthy of bestowing belly rubs. 

After that, I did eventually wind up in the consignment shop, and was not impressed. By then, it had come up on time to leave for the second interview, so I ducked in the local AJs to freshen up in the bathroom. As I was struggling with my hair, a lady walked in and said, as she too took to a mirror. “This humidity is just the worst for curly hair!” To which I agreed, bemoaning a bit that I was on my way to a job interview no less. She reached into her pocket book and handed me a hair tie. “Here. Put your hair back until you get there. It’ll be much better, I promise!”

I am so keeping that hair tie in my pocket book from now on. 

Oh, and while that was going on, “Give A Little Bit” by Supertramp had come on the radio. 

My second interview? I think that was the best one I’ve given, ever. I made myself sound perfect if I do say so myself. Also, there was actual conversation with laughter between me and the two people interviewing me. One is a beader. I happened to be wearing her favorite color. And OHMIGOSH the place sounds heavenly to work for. The drive is beautiful. Everyone treated me so well. The job? Making everything RIGHT. I want to work there, I really do. I’m all out of digits to cross.

On the way home, I stopped for a berry tea and the clerk spent the whole time fixing mine talking about how much she loved said berry tea and she made mine with love. Delicious love. I drove home with the music up too loud, watched Charlie try to eat Mum’s foot and then jumped in the pool to watch the clouds get all golden and Baroque painting.

And that’s what adventures are all about. You don’t have to go far or put yourself in danger. You just have to say yes to the world.

We make yakitori last night on a charcoal grill. Scrumptious! Messy and time-consuming, but scrumptious. Mum’s not much for Japanese food, but she inhaled hers, so I think we’ll do it again once the weather cools down some. Hot grill and hot sun is a bad combination.

I don’t talk about it a lot, but Dad writes too. He has a secret project. Sometimes, we talk about writing together in general terms. Sunday, he said something about writing a mystery wherein the culprit is some random person, ergo the reader can’t possibly guess whodunit. I had to tell him I beat him to the punch, although not quite to the effect and plot he had in mind. We stared at each other for a moment, and laughed. If we both end up publishing that scenario, even different takes, well, that’s pretty cool if you ask me. 

After this, and dinner, I got to watch more Baccano! With starphotographs*. That show is so awesome. It’s like someone took a crowbar and jammed awesome into it. I’m going to be kinda sad when it’s over, y virtue of there being no more and such. I won’t be sorry I watched it. starphotographs*and I talked about including the same torture technique in things we each wrote, then acting sassy about it if anyone brought the similarity up. Hurray for plans!

Still working on that business for RaTs and trying to get the 80’s toy discussion back on track. I have to do a bit of sewing and possibly make another purchase or two. It’s going to be mad cute.

Tomorrow, I’ll be down at the bead store. I have the sneaking suspicion it’ll be my last time. On one hand, I’m going to miss the place if things work out for me with that second interview. On the other, JITTERS. JITTERS EVERYWHERE.