* This is what a pug looks like when it gets dangerously close to the lens.

I went to E.'s for a second Thanksgiving. I had my first Thanksgiving with my parents on Thursday, but it was rather uneventful as it was only my parents and myself. Oh well. Anyway, it was fun to see E. again and it was fun to be around her family because they're just so funny. I can only remember one of the memorable phrases from the evening...her mom said to E.'s sister, 'What? Do my slippers intimidate you?' One of the memorable events of the night was when E's sister and boyfriend ended up head-butting each other when grabing for a spoon in a rousing game of well, Spoons. E.'s boyfriend also cut his finger during that game and refused to put an Elmo band aid on it.

* No purpose for this picture. The bird made me post it. It swears it doesn't have the flu.

So yes. Exciting week. I went to California for about 26 hours and came back. I did some maddening volunteer work, which will go far more efficiently when I begin work on it at home. And, I did a little work at my craptacular job. But, today was my last day, so that's an upside. Next week should be a whole new week of exciting. I start a new temp job, interview (again for the 5th time, this time in German!) for a job, and see some friends. Huzzah! What more could a girl ask for? (Hello!?! A spectacular job offer, five dollars and conversation!)

So yes. California. Imagine me on the 101 in a rental mini-van. Ha. It actually turned out ok. I didn't hit, ding or hurt anyone. I did however exploit that mother-f#cker, but that's what rentals are for, right? I drove around for an hour just because I didn't have to be at the airport for a while. And, the manner in which I drove it...well, lets just say I wouldn't let anyone near my car if I knew they would drive it like that. I just hope the company pays for that hour of mileage...otherwise, I'll just tell them I got lost or something. My excuse is I've never been to California before.

The interview. This time it was in person. And, it was 4 hours long. After 3 phone 'conversations,' an interview and an upcoming/pending phone interview in German, I had better have a good shot at this job...and a kick-ass offer, too. Otherwise, this is the nastiest joke to play on someone. Frankly, after one of the interviewers told me that they have free coffee in the morning at the coffee shop when you walk in (it's like your very own person Caribou, if you will...for free!), I fell in love with the company. We're talking that 'I'll stalk you, look you up on the internet, call you on the phone just to hear you answer' kind of love. Or at least, those of you with caffeine addictions could understand this. So, now that I've talked about the company and the job...I'm sure I've jinxed it. Great. Well, it was nice while it lasted.

I saw 'Walk The Line' last night and I loved it. It's the kind of movie where you walk out of the theatre and want to learn how to play the guitar so you can go on the road and tour. In the movie, Joaquin makes you love him- and well, frankly he's so captivating it's hard not to love him. But, the point being Johnny and June had this pure love with each other, which most of us hope to one day stumble upon.

The funny thing, in watching the movie was that I didn't realize how many songs I recognized of Cash's music. I guess my parents and grandparents played his music my whole life, and I just never realized who it was singing.

If you liked that movie about Elvis that they always play on VH1, which my mom has watched over and over again, you'll love this movie.

So, I'm at this point where I'm not sure if I'm suppose to 'go ahead and make a leap...live life to the fullest...' or, if I should be a bit more cautious in hope of a bitter 'pay-off' later. I do not like making decisions when the decision is very difficult, has a high failure rate and can only in the end kick me in the ass. I suppose some of my decisions have kicked me in the ass anyway, but in my upcoming decision, I'm feeling pretty shaky. E. told me that I can't sit and wait around for something bad to happen just so I can justify not going. At the same time, if I go...and something bad does happen, I'll feel the wrath of it even if it is only the weight of my guilt.

I'm vague about my situation right now because I'm not sure what is going to happen. I'm not sure if I'll have the opportunity to go anywhere, yet. Well, not until the end of the week, at least. So, I'll continue to be vague...because that is how it is my friend.

The one thing I am sure of, at this very second, is coffee. There is a coffee shop near Macalester where you can get a bottomless cup of good coffee. You can sit there, drink your coffee and feel as bohemian or urban as you want to. And, their fries are pretty darn good, too. I just wished I lived a bit closer to it now. I also wish I was an exchange student studying somewhere in the world. When I am abroad, I feel more a part of the world we're all living in than when I am here at home. I feel as if I accomplish more and am somehow more interesting as a person. Well, there's aways graduate school...

Clinton was good. I'm sure he's heard that before. And, I can now attest to it.

But, really. I had an entertaining evening listening to Clinton's ideas on the world and I really appreciate the manner in which he explains himself. He is able to explain what he thinks in a simple way. My favorite comment of the night went something like this: 'It's easier to kick down a barn than it is to build one.'

On another note, I can say I'm proud to live in the Twin Cities now because of The Current. The Current has become my favorite radio station and I listen to it almost all day and night. They play everything I like, but would never hear on the radio like Sondre Lerche. And, they play tons of other stuff that I've never heard of, but love like the $20 you didn't know you had but find in your pocket when you're broke. You can listen to it online too, so look it up. It's a Minnesota Public Radio station.

Clinton. Yes, Clinton. He's coming to Minnesota and I have a ticket to see him this Saturday. I got my friend up at 7am a couple of weeks ago to stand in line and wait for tickets. She couldn't believe I got her up at 7am on her birthday to stand in a line and wait for a ticket when she could have been sleeping instead. But, I was pretty serious. He's become such an icon in American politics, he's just someone I'd like to see in person. Well, in person with hundreds of other people.
I was at the mall yesterday because my Dad was interested in seeing something at the craft fair there. Well, no luck. No craft fair. So, he went to Sears and checked out snowblowers and I wondered why in the world anyone would put Christmas decorations up on Halloween. The mall was already prepared for Christmas on Halloween. I remember, back in the day...you know...a few years ago when Christmas started around Thanksgiving. The unofficial rule was that you began preparing for the following holiday slightly before or after the preceding holiday had passed. Apparently, this rule was thrown out and you can prepare for any holiday you please as long as it is no more than 11 months before the holiday actually arrives...