Changes!

Fall has finally come to Los Angeles, and I am positively euphoric about it. Made soup last weekend (chicken sausage, garbanzo bean and veggies) and will make some more tomorrow (beef with barley). It's not that cold--highs in the 70s--so I am enjoying sleeping with the windows open, burrowed under the down comforter. Walking to the farmers' market on Tuesday, I was practically skipping with joy about the weather. And then I remembered that the tomatoes I bought the week prior kind of sucked. Ah well. The one good thing about summer has come to an end.

Teaching freshman composition is more fun than I could have imagined. Most days, I am nearly giddy after teaching-- it's such a rush. It's hard, but I love working with freshmen and their writing. I'm already rethinking whether or not I want to return to academic publishing as I had planned post-MA.

Visits, Adventure, Etc.

Just got home from a road-trip with my guy-- visited family and friends in Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Drove through Nevada and Wyoming, and little corners of Arizona and Iowa. I really enjoyed all the wide open spaces and dramatic landscapes, something I sorely miss in Los Angeles. And of course, all the family and friends. In fact, I saw all but a few members of my family. I visited with: both brothers, both parents, my sole remaining grandparent (maternal grandfather, age 92!) plus my step-grandmother (his wife of 13 years), all four of my cousins, five of their six offspring, and both of my uncles. Plus bunches of Bill's family. It was nice-- I really enjoy my family, and it was nice to visit by road trip, which takes the pressure off quite a bit. A few days of family, followed by a day in the car listening to audiobooks (Sarah Vowell, best ever) really does the body good.

Wednesday, my graduate school adventure begins!

The Joys of Unemployment

Oh, friends, let me tell you how delightful I am finding unemployment.

I spent 11 days in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania/NYC area and saw friends and family, the Pennsylvania Dutch, and the trashiest place known to mankind (the Wildwood boardwalk). There is a reason so many reality show contestants come from the Jerz.

Then, back to LA, where I have gone to yoga, to the beach in the middle of the day on bicycle, to a movie at mid-day, to San Diego to drink beer and look at animals, and so on. I've read three books, and I've seen my first episode of Ellen. It's especially fun as Bill is in a less intense school period so we can have even more fun than usual!

The new economy

So today I am using my work time to read the archives of Chowhound's Table Manners, and I am now back in the 2007s. In case you think I am overly slothful, I will note that I am skimming and not reading every column. I am also getting laid off next month and working on an incredibly annoying project, so I suppose I am not highly motivated.

It is interesting to see the advice given back in those more prosperous times. I just read a column where we were told that brown-bagging it at work will damage your career, and another that stated taking your leftovers home from a date or a business meal is a major no-no. Granted, I work in an office where restaurants are inaccessible so most people brown-bag it. And as someone that endeavors to fiscal and environmental responsibility, I can't bear to see food go to waste. In either case, I can't imagine an advice columnist giving similar advice now.

The Pleasure of the Layoff

Friends, I have volunteered to be laid off. We are letting something like 14% of the staff go, 20% in my department, and one of them will be me. I am glad of this, as it means that I will be spending my summer before graduate school getting paid and yet not going to work. Great news.

However, Bill will be at home mostly, deep within his own graduate work, and I won't lie, my summer presence is not thrilling to Bill. Apparently, I will serve as a distraction. He has even suggested taking me to daycare.

So, I am now excitedly planning my summer activities.

There are a couple of LA presses that I think I will contact about interning with;
I will sign up for at least one month's worth of unlimited yoga and become a bona fide yogini;
I will use all of my grown-up connections to score house/pet/plant/baby-sitting gigs;
I will visit friends and family in the following cities: Allentown and Philadelphia, PA; Clinton and Somerset, NJ; New York City, NY;
I will make a significant dent in my comprehensive exam reading list;
I will register to be an extra and hope to spend the day standing around on set;
I will continue to explore southern California;
I will sell random crap and too-big clothes on eBay.

I think that sums it up, although I am sure I will come up with many more goals and activities for my unemployed summer!!

Buying books

So, I've been killing my considerable downtime at work these days reading a blog, The Non-Consumer Advocate. Basically, a blog about living extremely frugally. She goes so far as to buy nothing new but consumables, and she drastically limits her purchase of those, too. I like to think I do pretty well with making responsible shopping decisions, but I know I could do much better. Hence these thrift-minded posts.

Anyway, I mostly buy used books. And I'm not talking the "like new" books found used on Amazon. I am talking 25¢ books at thrift stores and library book sales. I am usually content to choose my next book from a stack of acquired books of interest, rather than seeking out a specific title. Plus, last year I had the great fortune to attend BookExpo America, where I got dozens of advances that I am still working through. So, I almost never buy new books. And while the Kindle excites me on an intellectual and professional level, I personally shudder at the idea of spending $10 per book with no escape.

But... I work in book publishing! I love books, and I want writers to be compensated for their work. I do feel some guilt about my book-thrift (hence this post), but certainly not enough to buy new on principle, as some of my colleagues do. Plus, when I love a book, I buy new copies for gifts.

The Frugality vs. Living Balance

As a few of you know, this fall will find me heading back to school. Which means that Bill and I will go from living on a paltry non-profit salary and a meager grad student fellowship to a meager grad fellowship and an even-more-meager grad student fellowship. In a very expensive city.

So, I am thinking hard about what cuts I can make, especially now that I still have a steady income (knock on wood) that covers my basic needs with room for a (very) little extra. I consider myself a fairly thrifty person. I am an awesome budget shopper, at least when it comes to clothes (seriously, I dare you to find someone better), but I've become that way mainly to compensate for my recreational shopping habit. So yes, I rarely spend more than $15 on shoes, but I spend that $15 a lot more than I should.

I am a value-conscious grocery shopper, but I admit that I will spend a few extra dollars on some cheeses that perhaps don't belong in the refrigerator of someone with my means. In general, I feel proud of my financial acumen-- after all, I don't have credit card debt, I've never defaulted on my student loans, and I contribute to my 401k (although so far that hasn't paid off).

However, I like to eat out, have a few drinks, go shopping, travel, go to events, take yoga classes, etc. I took a financially ill-advised but unforgettable trip to Peru last year (that I paid off a few months later). I don't really want to give up those experiences, but I do think it's time I figure out a way to manage my spending and cut it back.

I'm not sure how I want to manage that-- I think a more strict budget is in order. I'm toying with the idea of moving to a cash-based existence-- maybe ditch the credit/debit cards-- and give myself a weekly cash allowance? I love my credit card rewards but I think might be a good idea to get out of the habit of charging all of my groceries (even if I pay the bill in full). I have to say, the idea of rejecting dinner or drinks with a friend because it doesn't fit into my budget seems like a strange and horrible concept, but I think it's the only way I can get through the next two years.

Infrequent readers, how do you budget?

Diet

Yep, I am on a diet. I have decided to blog about it. Here.

Harumph, family

For those of you that do not know my younger brother, Nathan, and do not read his blog...I will share with you his reply to my question about what he might like for Christmas:

"knowledge, recordings of argentine folklore (that's music), a book you'd think I'd like or graffiti, things vampire related, a knife of the maximum legal size.""you may teach me a difficult skill you have in lieu of a present.but you graduated from liberal arts college so I am not sure you have any."

Anyway, now you see how hard my life is. Also, I've been sick since I posted about toilet seat covers... the revenge of the germs?

$3.99 I'm going out of my mind.

A few weeks ago I did two things in the wine aisle of Whole Foods that I try never to do: buy wines that cost less than $7 (because then you can't just grab something from the rack to take to a friend's house) and buy wines because the label is cute (because that's embarrassing).

But this label was so cute, and not cute like penguins! Just a tiny smidge of tasteful cuteness that suggests a real wine for real grown-ups.

See?

And, it's $3.99. However, you probably don't think it's cute, and Bill already said it tastes "interesting."

See also my messy counter? Stop judging. I swear the wine is good.

Holidays!

I don't like this late Thanksgiving, it makes the rest too cluttered. Only a few weeks, for instance, to buy Candy Cane Joe-Joes.

My coming weekends are full, and I don't know when I will find the time to make cookies, or for elaborate truffle-making projects like last year. Which is probably for the best, because though my truffles were tasty, they were not especially attractive (fine motor skills are not my forte), nor were they cheaper than the store-bought kind.

Yes, I am distressed because there is simply not enough time for holiday eating* this year. What of it?


*Please note, I did spend a full 40 minutes at the gym today, exercising. That must buy me several pounds of stilton and chocolate.

Against Toilet Seat Covers

I do not believe that toilet seat covers do anything, save soothe the neuroses of germ-a-phobes, create unnecessary waste, and perhaps clog toilets.

When I hear the rustle made by these immaterial materials, I think unkind thoughts about your evident disregard for the earth, your sexual proclivities, and your mental capabilities.

Did you miss the day in the 3rd grade when we talked about how itty-bitty bacteria is? Do you think paper you can see through keeps your bits safe? Would you consider wrapping a dick in tissue paper to be a step up from going bareback? If you are surrounded by ants, do you think putting up a chain link fence might help keep them away? Do you hate trees, or perhaps your plumber?

The answer, my friends, is "no." No to substituting a colander for a goldfish bowl and no to toilet seat covers.

November 5th, 2008

The day Ruth spent sitting at her desk, getting teary-eyed while reading about old black people who voted for Obama.

Public transit, why suck so hard?

I don't want to own a car. I currently own a totaled car that will someday soon turn into a check from an insurance company.

Bill has a perfectly nice car, a flexible schedule, and a kind heart. I have a perfectly nice carpool to work several days a week, and an interest in living without a car.

After experiencing the wonders of Philly Car Share with Margaret last year, I thought, oh, maybe there is a car just a few blocks away from me that I can grab from time to time. Alas, LA does not have a similar program save an unhelpful zipcar program through the universities.

I then rethought the bus or bike route to work. Bicycling frightens me as I'd have to ride down a strip of high traffic, bike-laneless road before arriving to work, plus I don't want to be sloppy or smelly at work (anymore than I am now, anyway).

I could take two buses to work, but that would take me nearly two hours.

My best idea so far? Ride bike 3 miles, take bus 45 minutes.

I live, by the way, just 7 miles from work.

Yikes!

Smell

Someone I used to know in grade school recently sent me a friend request on Facebook today, and, upon seeing his name, I instantly recalled how he smelled-- wrong, sweet, different, pungent.

Kind of amazing, as I haven't thought of him for a decade plus, and I didn't care for him at all when I knew him. Obviously he wasn't my favorite classmate, being so smelly and all.

Of course I accepted his friend request, because he was good-natured and besides, I was probably mean to him. Accepting his friend request is my ticket to redemption.

Jury Duty!

I've lived in LA for over two years, voted in numerous elections, and hadn't been called for Jury Duty. Plus, my employer pays unlimited Jury Duty, so it's really no skin off my back.

Finally, my summons came yesterday.

I. literally. cannot. wait.

I have been smiling all day about the fun I will have. I know, apparently I might not even have to go in. You are "on call" for a week. And even if I go in, I might not get picked.

If I get picked (aka win), I promise you, County of Los Angeles, that I will be the best juror EVER. And in the meantime, I hope to enjoy at least a day at the downtown courthouse, catching up on my reading and heading to Little Tokyo for lunch.

Autumn!

Today is the first day of Fall. Not only does that mean I will be less likely to find the outdoor temperature unsatisfactory, it means that it is almost time for my most favorite of snacks:

Candy Cane Joe Joe's from Trader Joe's. Minty cookie, I love you.

Sarah Palin

Every time I read something about Sarah Palin (which has been rare in the past week or two-- I'm officially over her), I think to myself "...is bringing the LOLZ." And then I wonder if I've understood that internet expression properly.

And even though I've been officially over Maureen Dowd for several years, I've found myself reading her column again as of late.

But tell me, these quotes from Dowd's column yesterday are surely bringing the lolz:

1) "The latest news from Alaska is that the governor keeps a tanning bed in the Juneau mansion. As The Los Angeles Times pointed out, when Palin declared May 2007 Skin Cancer Awareness Month in Alaska, the press release explained that skin cancer was caused by 'the sun and from tanning beds.'"

2) "I talked to a Wal-Mart mom, Betty Necas, 39, wearing sweatpants and tattoos on her wrists. She said she’s never voted, and was a teenage mom 'like Bristol.' She likes Sarah because she’s “down home” but said Obama 'gives me the creeps. Nothing to do with the fact that he’s black. He just seems snotty, and he looks weaselly.'"

Chocolate Souffle

It is my assertion that the Chocolate Souffle is the greatest dessert of all time. The textural pleasure: molten center meets toothy crust. Rich bittersweet chocolate, unblemished by flour. It is a dream come to life in chocolate.