Suburbia

Well, I'm officially in the 'burbs. After my first (exhausting) day of work today, I drove "home" and unpacked my bags. I'm staying in corporate housing, which is in a pre-fab new development. It's perfectly nice and serviceable, but devoid of character.

I then spent an hour and $200 at the super huge grocery store, which was pretty empty - surprising to me, for whom the supermarket was always an exercise in maneuvering the crowds and fighting for parking. Especially on a Monday evening!

Because the housing is furnished only with the "daily necessities," I had to buy things like dish soap. And soap soap.

So, I've settled in and started watching television, which is irritating me because the cable doesn't come with a DVR. I have to watch television live! And sit through the commercials! I feel confined to my couch.

Who-per Bowl Sunday

Why the heck is The Who performing at the Super Bowl halftime show? These songs from Tommy are nice and all, but it's 2010!

That's right, I'm watching the Super Bowl from my hotel room in Quincy, MA. I've just scarfed down a hamburger and a plate of buffalo wings, which were an indulgence because it seemed sporty and appropriate today.

It's a pretty dull Super Bowl Sunday. I've spent some time working out in the fitness center, filled out the paperwork required by my new employer, clipped my fingernails and toenails and caught up on some e-mailing. I'd much rather be at the bar in SF, yelling at the Super Bowl stupidity at Beetle's happy hour party with Roommates A&J, Lucy Ricardo and the rest of the gang. Alas...

One-way ticket

So, I flew to Boston this morning on a one-way ticket from San Francisco. It was much sadder and more surreal than I expected it to be, and I can't fully admit that I am no longer a San Francisco resident.

Going through security was a hassle because my bags were over the weight limit (Hello! I'm moving cross-country! What do you expect?) and I had to pay a ridiculously high fee. Also, I had a Nalgene bottle full of pens that TSA seemed very concerned about for several minutes but ultimately let me go through.

The flight, thankfully, was uneventful and I made it to Boston on time, even though the Mid-Atlantic region is experiencing the blizzard of the century. I find myself now at Reebs's house, where I'm spending the night. We had a lovely dinner in her neighborhood (hopefully, soon to be my neighborhood) and I've learned how to wear a scarf, hat and mittens again. Oy. Fortunately, I think we've consumed a few bottles of wine since my arrival a few hours ago!

Pack it up, pack it in

I had a pretty blah birthday yesterday, spending most of it packing up my clothes, moving furniture around and cleaning house. It was a rather ordinary day and kind of made me sad, thinking about the remaining hours I have in San Francisco.

There are now five suitcases, filled with clothes, in my home but not all of them can go with me tomorrow. Let's hope we can figure out the rest of the move logistics soon!

Farewell SF, goodbye 33

To commemorate my birthday and this little cross-country move, I decided to designate yesterday evening as my farewell party. I told a bunch of people that I'd be at Blackbird for happy hour and hoped that people would show up.

Fortunately for me, a lot of my friends came to wish me well and I had the chance to see a lot of great people one last time before I move away. There was my usual posse, friends from undergrad, a couple of cousins, friends from childhood and high school, some business school chums, a few colleagues from my most recent employer, a group from the employer before that and even one from the company I worked for in DC! All facets of my life were represented in one little bar, and it was kind of surreal to see all the groups of people mingling.

And as reluctant as I was to do anything for my birthday, I'm glad I did. It was good to feel loved and I'm really going to miss so many people. After all, eight years is not a short amount of time living in a city...

I don't like the way English tastes on my tongue

I headed over to BoomKat's house last night to watch the season premiere of Lost with a bunch of friends with whom I worked two jobs ago. It's kind of a rag-tag group of folks, with some die-hard fans who theorize, dig up internet clues and consume every ancillary bit of merchandise available. Others, like me, enjoy the ride but cannot be bothered to spend more than an hour or two each week with the castaways.

But over some pizza, beer and apple pie, we got sucked right back into the craziness, the mythology and the confusion! I'm eager to see how the season unfolds, but really, I'm anxious for answers!

Goodbye guacamole

To celebrate my impending departure and birthday, Lil' Bro' Panda!!!!, his main squeeze, Puppy and I met up for some Mexican food - a cuisine I'll surely miss in New England. And we certainly didn't hold back during the ordering process, opting for some delish guac that was made tableside, queso, carnitas, scallops, a beef filet, chile relleno, several fruity margaritas (blackberry!) and a few sides.

Yes, we were properly stuffed, but I'm not sure when I'll next get to have good Mexican food. Or see my brother and his girlfriend.