It was a good thing, too, because I was a little bit cranky that the kitchen was a mess. We definitely need to establish a better system for emptying the dishwasher, etc. But we're getting there!
OK, time to get down to serious business. I am really at a loss for words with respect to the American Idol girls last night. Well, obviously I'm not at a loss for words -- that's never actually happened to me -- but I just don't really know what to make of it. I thought they were all pretty lousy. Irish Chick was good, but she is totally not my style, at all. I thought the girl in the blue dress, who sang Hopelessly Devoted, was excellent. The judges were not impressed, though. Nobody else really did anything for me, at all. Kristy Lee Cook was good but she seemed totally inauthentic doing R&B (especially with her little "Yes!" jump / fist pump when the judges said she was good), but I look forward to hearing her sing some country. And I am as frustrated as Simon and everyone else is with the Britney-impersonating Opera Singer Girl. She clearly has talent -- where is it when she comes on stage? I think the problem is that she just hasn't really figured out what her personality is.
Biker Chick is also just not doing it for me. Fiance likes her, but we both agreed that she was no good last night. The pretty girl with the little 'fro -- I can't remember her name but she is the one who had laryngitis and really long legs -- was totally forgettable last night. I have no idea what she sang. Ramiele was OK, not great. Ditto Alexandrea (whose name I will continue to pronounce Alexandria, like the ancient city, because her pronounciation is messed up). I know there were more girls, but I have no idea who they were. Oh, Asia'h (don't get me started on that apostrophe) was also just okay.
Overall, I was much more impressed with the guys than with the girls. Don't get me wrong -- I personally can't carry a tune in a bucket (not that that stops me from karaoke, to the embarrassment of my friends), so please understand that it is a given that I am impressed with all of these people. Every one of them can really really sing. But in terms of American Idol, I was unmoved by the girls last night. I'm quite interested to see what happens tonight.
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So, pretty much my life right now is about drooling over my niece and nephews, making dinner, stressing about a messy kitchen, receiving and appreciating romantic gestures from Fiance, playing with new gadgets, and watching American Idol. I seriously used to be very cool. I went out on weeknights! I drank! I flirted with boys! I had a lot of fun. Seriously, ask anyone. Well, ask anyone I went to law school with, at least (I was in my cool prime).
I'm getting married in 86 days. Obviously I am madly, nauseatingly, ridiculously in love with Fiance, who I am certain was custom-made for me. I am really excited to spend the rest of my life with him (if he were standing over my shoulder right now he'd remind me that it's not just the rest of our lives -- it's ETERNITY). I can't help feeling, though, that getting married means I'm OLD. All I've ever wanted my whole life was to meet Fiance, get married, settle down, and start making babies. I love that stuff. I live for that stuff. I long for that stuff. But now it's here and it's like ... wow. I'll never live alone again, never come stumbling in at 3am and go to bed with my eyeliner on and my teeth unbrushed, leaving a trail of dirty clothes from the door to the bed, neglect the dishes for 3, 4, sometimes 5 days ... Basically my Pig Days are over. I think this is what men usually fret about when they are settling down, but I guess I'm not your typical girl. And I'm not exactly fretting, either ... just sort of taking in the fact that I am at a huge turning point in my life.
In related news, for those of you who were concerned, my engagement ring safely arrived in Altoona, PA, where the jeweler is customizing my wedding band. Of course, between the time he gave me an estimate and today, the price of precious metals has gone way up. Naturally, that includes platinum. So, my wedding band is going to cost about 30% more than I was originally quoted. I think I'm going to go with it anyway. The fake engagement ring has been doing a fine job. It would probably do a better job if I didn't tell everyone that it's fake.
One really cool thing about getting married is that people send you presents. We're still 2 months and 25 day (approximately) from our wedding day, and we've already received all of our everyday place settings, a couple of platters, a vase, some bowls, and various other crystal stuff. It's pretty neat. Luckily I scored a super fabulous china cabinet from a crazy lady in my neighborhood -- it's antique, mahogany, and was $75. Most of the presents are in there; the rest are in the guest room.
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I'm pretty sure most people who read this blog know me IRL (that's "In Real Life," for the uninitiated). But, if you don't, it might surprise you that despite my prolific blogging, I actually have a real job, as a real lawyer, in a real firm. I'm here about 10 or 11 hours a day, which is not bad, as lawyer life goes. I don't get paid very much, but it's enough. I've had some frustrations over the past two years, but overall, I like it. I adore the partner I work for -- he's smart, he's fair, and he has a fun personality -- and I have some terrific coworkers. I am one of only 4 women in a 20-attorney firm, and that's actually alright by me. Girls are annoying (sorry, I know that's not PC or whatever, but ask me if I care). Lately, my biggest work-related gripe has to do with the admins. Ours are just awful. One of them is sweet but totally incompetent. She gets attitude once in a while, but generally she is bearable. Just don't ask her to do anything more complicated than make copies. Another is very competent but lazy, and has the worst attitude of anyone I've ever met. She talks to me and to the other associates as if she's our boss, refuses to do what we ask, walks away or turns her back while I'm speaking, cuts me off as I'm explaining something, and is generally a terrible person to work with -- unless you're a partner. Then she's prompt, cheerful, and competent. Kind of makes it tough to complain to the partner about the admin, when he thinks she walks on water. I am trying really hard to figure out how to deal with her. I'm morally opposed to just being a total bitch to her, but that might be the most effective way. I've tried just being firm and serious with her, which is only effective for about 45 minutes. I've complained to the admin coordinator, who is a lovely woman, but I'm not sure it did any good.
At least I have the admin coordinator, and, finally, mercifully, the firm hired a fantastic paralegal. She's bright, she's very pleasant, she is concerned about getting the job done right, and she's just a dream to work with. Coincidentally (or maybe not) she's Orthodox Christian (like me), so I have all kinds of wishful thoughts about going to vespers with her during Holy Week if I can't get to Bay Ridge in time. We shall see.
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My credit card company called this morning, to verify that my card hadn't been stolen. Ummm ... nope. All of that spending was done by yours truly. I used it to buy gifts for my bridesmaids (no I'm not going to tell you!), and I sorta kinda bought a TV from BestBuy yesterday. It was on sale! I found it on Gottadeal.com, my favorite website ever. It's a 15" LCD flat screen, for the bedroom.
It was only $199 plus tax, and it will replace the 13" tv/vcr combo I bought with high school graduation money for $150 in 1999. I think it will be a nice upgrade. I'll move the old tv to the guest room, but probably won't run cable in there for a while, unless we ever actually put an elliptical machine in there like we keep thinking about doing. The thing is, I don't think we'll do that until after the wedding ... and at that point, what's my motivation to get in shape?
Alright ... time to get down to business. :)
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