476 reasons to NEVER buy a house or try to move a week before Christmas.

House 11_23 017
Originally uploaded by whiskotangey.

If it weren't for the whole "camping out like white trash" aspect of things as they stand today, I'd probably be REALLY excited about having a brand new house. I've never had a brand new house before. You'd think I'd be over the moon with excitement. You'd think.

In retrospect, attempting to close escrow on December 16th wasn't the brightest of ideas. Of course, if we'd actually closed on the 16th then we would have had all kinds of help moving on the 17th and things would be way more put-together than they are now. And we would have had all kinds of time on the 18th to put things away in their new places, and get situated. And we would have had a little time on the 19th to relax and enjoy our new home. But no.

We actually closed on the 20th. It's been raining ever since. It gets dark here at about 4:30. Moving sucks.

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I done gone moved, y'all!

Goodbye to California

Hello Washington.

Color me happy.

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Seattle, anyone?

WARNING: This Is Not A Drill.

Well... maybe it is.

Am I really ready for this much weather?

My naturally curly hair is screaming NO! But the rest of me is more in the "you bet your sweet ass!" camp.

We'll see.

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No, I am not winking at you...

It's a twitch. Seriously.

It's been happening all day today, and yesterday. It feels like the entire area below my left eye is attempting to exit, stage left, from my face. Repeatedly. And quickly.

I was kind of hoping that it wasn't too noticeable, but when your coworker asks you "What the heck is happening with your eye?" (and making this face) I think it's safe to assume it's not going unnoticed.

And though I had absolutely no idea until just now, there's actually a name for my condition (besides "Stressed Out To The Point of Homicide" or "Exhausted Beyond Recognition", of course). Fortunately, the prognosis is good, and this procedure will not become part of my daily routine.

Apparently, I need more sleep.

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Project Wendy

OK. I have tonight's episode of Project Runway paused right now (how the hell did I live without TiVo anyway?) because I have to get this out:

I hope Wendy Pepper wins the whole damn thing, if for no other reason than that she's the only person in the entire group who has a firm grip on reality. She may not have the most "raw talent", but she's for damn sure the smartest businesswoman in the bunch, which will serve her well in the real world of the fashion business.

Oooh - hey! Did you see that? That word there, that starts with a 'B'? It's a business, people, not a lovefest. For real. But to hear these clowns tell it, not only would they not sell their souls for fame and fortune (but they'll subject themselves to grocery store chic challenges?), but they also respect each other and are deeply committed to world peace and ending world hunger. What a big steaming pile! The jealousy in the room is palpable, even on pause. And all of the clawing for territory in the moral high ground is making me sick to my stomach. Can these idiots be serious??

The way I see it, both Kara and Wendy are both just vanilla enough to make it at Banana Republic, so style-wise it's pretty even. Jay, while fun to watch, just does not scream "Banana Republic" to me. His walleyed confessionals have been some of my favorite parts of the show, but I don't think it's a good fit. Truth be told, I just don't get his style, so I'm not laying any money on his odds.

Bottome line is this: Wendy had to have something to work with besides just ambition, which she's chock full of, or they'd never have put her on the show. Casting stereotypes might work for Survivor, but in this particular environment, at least a modicum of tallent is required. I mean, why they put that worthless sack Robert in the mix is still beyond me (women are like classic sports cars??) because his talent was a little suspect right fromt he get-go. Face it - all the talent in the world might get you onto the runway, but without some business savvy to kick it into high gear, it ain't going anywhere except K-mart.

And, just as a side note, she looks freaking fabulous. GO WENDY!

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In Name Only

I will never cease to be amazed by this kind of thing. And that's all I'm going to say, lest I be cast down to hell in the very handcart dragged across the plains by my ancestors for being a judgemental bitch.

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Genius Loves Posthumus Grammy Awards!

This year's Grammy Awards Winner's List made me smile this morning. I didn't watch the show, but now I wish I would have.

I'm in love with Maroon 5 - Secret is one of the sexiest songs I've heard in a long time. Can't wait for their next album.

The Diary of Alicia Keys entered my CD player right after it was released, and didn't leave until months later. Considering the fact that I only have a single CD slot in my car, I'd say it was a favorite. (listening to it now, in fact) It was the very first album I added to my iPod when I got it in October, and is permanently on the "most played" list.

The Los Lonely Boys album came to me as a featured selection from BMG because I'm lazy and I neglected to reply in time to stop it from being sent. I usually just send them right back, but I really like Heaven, so I opened it. I'm not as fond of it as I was initially, but it's good.

And now we come to my most favorite winner of the night: Ray Charles.
I've only come to properly appreciate Ray Charles in the last few years. I don't own Genius Loves Company yet, but I used to look at it at Starbuck's all the time. See, I've stopped spending money on things that aren't necessities. It's a long story, but suffice it to say that I have a problem. A BIG PROBLEM. Anyway, I think I'm going to blow off my promise, and buy the damn thing now. If I can get it on iTunes, it's a done deal, though I'm probably not that lucky.

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