I am highly favored to wake up and experience a day like this. It didn't start off too extraordinary, just an english muffin for breakfast and Windy City Live on television before work.
Less than an hour into my work day and I am approached by a bearded stranger named Marvin. Marvin is looking for a book about diets for your blood type to give to his cousin. We don't have it but I went ahead and put in the order for him. You would think that would be the end of the story, but Marvin doesn't see it that way. He keeps smiling and talking and my interest is piqued. I wish that you all could see him, he has a medium build, just jeans, baseball hat and a t-shirt, a FULL beard, a bald head (I bet he used to have locs) with a very nice smile, a patterned Hezbollah type of scarf, a little kabbalah string around his wrist and an arrowhead charm around his neck. Something about him was instantly nostalgic and familiar. He looks like he jumped off an Al Green album cover from 1976, pointing and grinning. I could see him in the 80's, hanging out on an air force base with my dad in Germany, with little gym shorts and tall striped tube socks.
We talked about Chicago, family, and balancing work and school. When he called his cousin to tell her about the book and other random family information, he handed me the phone. I talked to his cousin for almost 10 minutes. Her name is Shekentha, and she thinks that we should all go out for coffee soon and she invited me to her birthday party. I told her that her cousin kept smiling at me and I didn't know what to do about it, she said his smile does have that effect on people. This man is a trip. Before we exchanged numbers he explained that his schedule is jam packed and he prefers texting with people, so I won't be holding my breath on any extended late night conversations. It was nice to connect to someone today, it really was one of the highlights.
When I picked up my phone at lunch time, I saw that I had a missed call from the Johnson Publishing Company, they offered me the job!! There it is, two birds in the hand. I can work at the bookstore and the archives, giving myself a little more financial stability. First thing in the morning, I will be calling Coleman and Rebecca and withdrawing myself for consideration. Those will be tough calls because I feel like they might have staked their reputations in support of me, I suppose it is better to let them know sooner than later. I had a great talk in the lunch room with Brittany and Curtis.
When I get back to the trade desk, I am asked to look up a few books for a Mr. Wayne Winter. We didn't have his books but he said that he would be remiss if he didn't ask me which church I go to. I explained my situation and how I have been exploring different options in Hyde Park, he said that his was non-denominational and they had services at the Illinois Institute of Technology on Sunday mornings. I will definitely be checking that one out. He gave me his wife's phone number in case I wanted to talk to someone about religion in the meantime. I thought that was very kind of him, it let me know it was really about the religion and nothing tawdry.
The last king to visit me was Mr. Ford who had plans to recruit me in his entrepreneur training program. He asked me about college and how I felt about making money in new ways. I told him that I wasn't business oriented, but that was a nice sales pitch. Then he got a little indignant and said it wasn't a pitch, he was just trying to prepare young people for this tricky economy and show them how to become independently wealthy. I wished him luck and said that I would call when his books arrived. The rest of the afternoon was uneventful, other than the fact that my favorite pack of cookies experienced a price hike. They added one cookie to the sleeve and raised the price 20 cents, which was embarrassing for me when my dollar didn't cut it, it is good that I am down with the cafe crew. I bet that Caitlyn would not have been able to walk away with those cookies like I did.
I'm still pushing through my Susanna Clarke novel, and ABC Wednesdays didn't disappoint. Today was definitely a good day.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Day 78 - 50/50
I have no excuse for not posting last night. I was watching the Ken Burn's Prohibition documentary on PBS, which was fascinating because so much of the drama took place in Chicago. 1925 Chicago had Al Capone, flappers, jazz, murder, sex, hypocrites, fugitives, crime syndicates and alcohol, what more do you need? I tried to watch Jay Leno, but Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries were on, and I had to turn it off. I try hard not to be a hater, but they are so stupid, I don't know what brought them together but I doubt that it will be enough to keep them together. I love celebrity nonsense, but they don't even pretend to be normal, it seems like they stalk cameras instead of the other way around, that's enough about them. I went to sleep with barely a notion of turning on the computer.
Yesterday was pretty good. Work was busy and I was off by 2:15. I was feeling restless so I called Coleman and asked if he wanted to go to the movies. Silly me, he is a grown up who works all day and doesn't have time for movie on a week night. He said that we could go another time. I decided to go anyway and see the new Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen movie, 50/50. The critics said that it made cancer, funny. I would like to take issue with that point, cancer is miserable for anyone who has seen it first hand. Maybe I am a glutton for punishment but that movie just pulled my heart out. When he has to go in for his surgery and he reaches for his mom, I lost it. It was a good movie, there were a few funny parts but overall it left me feeling depressed. I never used to cry at movies, but now I am a big sap, maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, between this and The Help, I might need to start carrying around a little box of Kleenex.
After the film, I went to wander around Target. That might sound boring, but this Target is in the South Loop and it is two stories high, on top of two floors of parking garages. The parking lot at the top gives good views of the city, and there are high rise buildings all around the store. A campus of Columbia College is located over here, so there are all kinds of interesting people to see. I have been looking at Craiglist and other apartment finders for places in the South Loop. It is so close to the museums, Soldier Field, and the trains, it has an urban feel without being as congested as the north side. However, it is more expensive than Hyde Park, I will just keep looking. In Target, I bought some groceries and avoided the Halloween candy aisle. The man at the register, Gabriel, was talking me up. I was telling him that groceries are so expensive. He said that is why you get a man take care of them for you. I was like really?? Then he said that if I let him take me out, I wouldn't have to worry about it. That's funny, because it would never happen. He wasn't really my type. I loaded the car and headed home. I paid attention to the signs this time and didn't park on a street that was being cleaned on Wednesday. As I was walking in the house, I realized that I had made it in time to catch the DWTS results...poor Kristin.
Yesterday was pretty good. Work was busy and I was off by 2:15. I was feeling restless so I called Coleman and asked if he wanted to go to the movies. Silly me, he is a grown up who works all day and doesn't have time for movie on a week night. He said that we could go another time. I decided to go anyway and see the new Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen movie, 50/50. The critics said that it made cancer, funny. I would like to take issue with that point, cancer is miserable for anyone who has seen it first hand. Maybe I am a glutton for punishment but that movie just pulled my heart out. When he has to go in for his surgery and he reaches for his mom, I lost it. It was a good movie, there were a few funny parts but overall it left me feeling depressed. I never used to cry at movies, but now I am a big sap, maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, between this and The Help, I might need to start carrying around a little box of Kleenex.
After the film, I went to wander around Target. That might sound boring, but this Target is in the South Loop and it is two stories high, on top of two floors of parking garages. The parking lot at the top gives good views of the city, and there are high rise buildings all around the store. A campus of Columbia College is located over here, so there are all kinds of interesting people to see. I have been looking at Craiglist and other apartment finders for places in the South Loop. It is so close to the museums, Soldier Field, and the trains, it has an urban feel without being as congested as the north side. However, it is more expensive than Hyde Park, I will just keep looking. In Target, I bought some groceries and avoided the Halloween candy aisle. The man at the register, Gabriel, was talking me up. I was telling him that groceries are so expensive. He said that is why you get a man take care of them for you. I was like really?? Then he said that if I let him take me out, I wouldn't have to worry about it. That's funny, because it would never happen. He wasn't really my type. I loaded the car and headed home. I paid attention to the signs this time and didn't park on a street that was being cleaned on Wednesday. As I was walking in the house, I realized that I had made it in time to catch the DWTS results...poor Kristin.
Monday, 3 October 2011
Day 77 - Pumping and Jumping
I had an unexpected lunch with Coleman today. I had planned to eat my lunch in the cafeteria and read my book, and here he comes. I was happy for the company and he blew me away with the range of topics that he expounded on. First off, he says that I am still in contention for the position. They are interviewing candidates for another position, and will be making a decision about this one soon. He says that the committee's concern is not whether I can do the job but if it is at all connected with where I want to be. That is a little re-assuring. He says that I would need to convince them that this job is going to move me in the right direction...not sure how I am supposed to do that when the interview is over. They should be letting me know something by the end of the week.
I don't know how we got here, but he told me how women need to empower ourselves, starting by not taking our husband's names when we marry, not settling for men who can't contribute equally or more financially, and not being in dramatic and unfulfilled relationships. He had an interesting point about looking at the dominant groups in culture if you want to improve your station. Whatever the rich, heterosexual, white, males in our population are doing, going to college, travelling, playing golf, we should all get on board. He did concede that his opinions may be part of the reason that he is single. He told me that he always says what is on his mind, and he doesn't have tolerance for excuses, especially for the men that he dates. As a Black man, he can't stand the recurring lament that they have more challenges than anyone else, he is out here pumping and jumping to make a living and they should be too. I asked him if he would date a starving artist, he said no, he better be an art professor or selling his work for high prices. All I could say was wow! He is quite a character. I really should make a more concentrated effort to hang out outside of work.
I spent the evening watching Dancing with the Stars, downloading music and reviewing my notes from the copyright lecture that I attended a few weeks ago. I skyped with my good friend Joseph tonight and he gave me the standard kick in the bum (figuratively) that I didn't ask for. I was explaining my job situation and some of my frustrations, and he basically told me to stop lamenting and think rationally about what I want. He did admit the Johnson Publishing Company vs. University of Chicago issue was tough, but I need to have my mind made up for any possible scenario. I blame Joseph's pragmatism and poise on his degree in hotel and restaurant management. He always knows what to say and the etiquette for these professional situations, I'm jealous and he is smug, but we manage to get along. He has an incredible amount of faith in me and whenever we get off the phone, I feel empowered to keep on looking for that ideal position.
I don't know how we got here, but he told me how women need to empower ourselves, starting by not taking our husband's names when we marry, not settling for men who can't contribute equally or more financially, and not being in dramatic and unfulfilled relationships. He had an interesting point about looking at the dominant groups in culture if you want to improve your station. Whatever the rich, heterosexual, white, males in our population are doing, going to college, travelling, playing golf, we should all get on board. He did concede that his opinions may be part of the reason that he is single. He told me that he always says what is on his mind, and he doesn't have tolerance for excuses, especially for the men that he dates. As a Black man, he can't stand the recurring lament that they have more challenges than anyone else, he is out here pumping and jumping to make a living and they should be too. I asked him if he would date a starving artist, he said no, he better be an art professor or selling his work for high prices. All I could say was wow! He is quite a character. I really should make a more concentrated effort to hang out outside of work.
I spent the evening watching Dancing with the Stars, downloading music and reviewing my notes from the copyright lecture that I attended a few weeks ago. I skyped with my good friend Joseph tonight and he gave me the standard kick in the bum (figuratively) that I didn't ask for. I was explaining my job situation and some of my frustrations, and he basically told me to stop lamenting and think rationally about what I want. He did admit the Johnson Publishing Company vs. University of Chicago issue was tough, but I need to have my mind made up for any possible scenario. I blame Joseph's pragmatism and poise on his degree in hotel and restaurant management. He always knows what to say and the etiquette for these professional situations, I'm jealous and he is smug, but we manage to get along. He has an incredible amount of faith in me and whenever we get off the phone, I feel empowered to keep on looking for that ideal position.
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Day 76 - Accepting what is, Striving for what could be
I was uber lazy today. I got up at 9:00, had a glass of orange juice and then went back to sleep. Who does that? I finally got up and got dressed around 11:30 and had a baked sweet potato. I watched some Jersey Shore and got ready to go to the Oriental Institute. I had planned to meet Rob there this afternoon to watch a film about archaeology. He couldn't make it because his church function lasted longer than he thought it would. I watched the film anyway and toured the museum afterwards. The close up of the winged bull with a human head wall carving frightened me. The figure is about 16 feet tall and stands alone in a dimly lit gallery. I felt like it was going to come to life at any moment. I visited the Seminary Co-Op bookstore, and it was amazing. The store is tucked away downstairs and all the books are stacked haphazardly on these makeshift wooden shelves. The aisles were narrow and long and form a veritable underground labyrinth. I wanted to stay longer but I was hungry so I eased my way back home.
I talked to Rob for a little bit this afternoon and received a sample of his take on women, apparently we are a manipulative gender who play the victim card too much. He tried to back track but it was too late, I went into a diatribe about gender inequality and damage done in the socialization of girls at an early age. I like healthy debate, and it was nice to not dwell on the current disappointments in his life. I also talked to my sister, and a couple of other friends today and the entry title sums up the theme from all of our conversations.
Tariequa and Jeanetta stress that this is a recession. People are not guaranteed a college degree, a new home, a spouse, 2.5 kids, and a nest egg. It is necessary to find joy where I am and not postpone all happiness until these uncertain benchmarks are met. Desmond and I have had some important conversations that acknowledge our feelings but don't try to force an unrealistic commitment on each other. I haven't stopped having dreams and ambition, but there are certain things that I am not going to do. I'm not going to take a job that I will hate, so that I can spend more money on things that I don't really need. I am not going to spend time with people that I don't like so that I'm not alone. The solution is to keep looking for a great job that I will enjoy and seek people that I will be able to engage with, and I'm working on both.
Amazing Race and 60 minutes were good, I can't believe that guy who climbed up the side of a rock, thousands of feet in the air without any assistance. He was like a real life Spiderman. 307/782 on Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, it is getting better.
I talked to Rob for a little bit this afternoon and received a sample of his take on women, apparently we are a manipulative gender who play the victim card too much. He tried to back track but it was too late, I went into a diatribe about gender inequality and damage done in the socialization of girls at an early age. I like healthy debate, and it was nice to not dwell on the current disappointments in his life. I also talked to my sister, and a couple of other friends today and the entry title sums up the theme from all of our conversations.
Tariequa and Jeanetta stress that this is a recession. People are not guaranteed a college degree, a new home, a spouse, 2.5 kids, and a nest egg. It is necessary to find joy where I am and not postpone all happiness until these uncertain benchmarks are met. Desmond and I have had some important conversations that acknowledge our feelings but don't try to force an unrealistic commitment on each other. I haven't stopped having dreams and ambition, but there are certain things that I am not going to do. I'm not going to take a job that I will hate, so that I can spend more money on things that I don't really need. I am not going to spend time with people that I don't like so that I'm not alone. The solution is to keep looking for a great job that I will enjoy and seek people that I will be able to engage with, and I'm working on both.
Amazing Race and 60 minutes were good, I can't believe that guy who climbed up the side of a rock, thousands of feet in the air without any assistance. He was like a real life Spiderman. 307/782 on Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, it is getting better.
Saturday, 1 October 2011
Day 75 - Back by Popular Demand
Work was easy today because Trent was the only manager on duty. I'm pretty sure that he would let anything short of fire, flood or blood slide. I got a text message at 3:00 from Lauren that said, your BFF, Natay wants to know when you are coming home. Do I detect a little resentment? I hope not. Natay is her little sister, and I pick and choose when I want to hang out with them. That little girl better remember where her bread is buttered. At the same time, I like talking to her, she can be funny when she is not being shy.
I remember how my mom would be so good with kids, she especially liked the precocious and curious children. The crazy part is that she had no tolerance for bad behavior and would scold any child in her vicinity who was not acting properly. I used to ask her why she thought kids flocked to her when she was mean to them. She said she didn't know, but adults were the same way. I think that it boils down to kids loving attention, and if they behaved she could bring herself to their level in the form of playing pretend, coloring or making jokes, she was a big kid herself.
I think that kids like me for the most part, I just haven't mastered the "not letting them run all over me" part. I talked to Natay for a little bit and then Lauren had to take her home. I walked to the grocery store with plans to get ingridients for clam chowder, but I couldn't find any reasonably priced chicken broth, so I settled on some ground beef and pretzel rolls for some homemade hamburgers. My meal was delicious, and Lauren went to play tennis, so I had the house to myself again. He's just not that into you, was on so I would call it a good night.
I remember how my mom would be so good with kids, she especially liked the precocious and curious children. The crazy part is that she had no tolerance for bad behavior and would scold any child in her vicinity who was not acting properly. I used to ask her why she thought kids flocked to her when she was mean to them. She said she didn't know, but adults were the same way. I think that it boils down to kids loving attention, and if they behaved she could bring herself to their level in the form of playing pretend, coloring or making jokes, she was a big kid herself.
I think that kids like me for the most part, I just haven't mastered the "not letting them run all over me" part. I talked to Natay for a little bit and then Lauren had to take her home. I walked to the grocery store with plans to get ingridients for clam chowder, but I couldn't find any reasonably priced chicken broth, so I settled on some ground beef and pretzel rolls for some homemade hamburgers. My meal was delicious, and Lauren went to play tennis, so I had the house to myself again. He's just not that into you, was on so I would call it a good night.
Friday, 30 September 2011
Day 74 - Spock Ears and Long Lunches
Today was a very nice day, filled with a new beginning and not surprising but sad nonetheless ending.
Starting with the bad news, Zach has been fired. All of his tardiness and dodging of responsibility caught up with him, and Saturday is his last day. I thought that he handled it very well, he told me that if he was a manager he would have fired himself too. The fact that he worked there at all was ridiculous. He doesn't have a car, and lives outside of the city, so he had to travel 4 miles to a train stop, ride the train for 45 minutes and then walk a mile to the bookstore. All for a minimum wage part time job. I think that it would have been hard for anyone to sustain. He has ears like Spock, he is charismatic, and he was funny, I'm going to miss him. This is one instance when facebook can be used for good instead of evil.
On a positive note, my lunch with Teresa was very nice. We went to a local cafe and the club sandwhich that I ordered was amazing. I told her about my quasi-disastrous interview at The University of Chicago, and she completely understood. She currently works for the university and has observed how snotty the faculty can be to anyone who is not working in an academic field. She plans to work in her current position for a few years and then transition to something that is closer to her interests. I have been thinking that if I don't get that position, I would be dodging a bullet, and if they offered it to me, I might decline. I would be struggling to prove myself all the time and constantly battling a negative perception. I don't really know what I'm going to do, but I was glad to get her perspective on it. The conversation flowed to the contrast between how people act in Arizona versus the behaviors out here. We have had some similar experiences and it was good to reflect, share and laugh about it.
Since I took an extra long lunch, I stayed later at work. By the time I got home, watched a couple episodes of Mad Men on the Roku, twisted up my hair, talked on my phone, had a few dance breaks courtesy of Beyonce and Drake, I was not feeling too bad about my Friday night at home.
Starting with the bad news, Zach has been fired. All of his tardiness and dodging of responsibility caught up with him, and Saturday is his last day. I thought that he handled it very well, he told me that if he was a manager he would have fired himself too. The fact that he worked there at all was ridiculous. He doesn't have a car, and lives outside of the city, so he had to travel 4 miles to a train stop, ride the train for 45 minutes and then walk a mile to the bookstore. All for a minimum wage part time job. I think that it would have been hard for anyone to sustain. He has ears like Spock, he is charismatic, and he was funny, I'm going to miss him. This is one instance when facebook can be used for good instead of evil.
On a positive note, my lunch with Teresa was very nice. We went to a local cafe and the club sandwhich that I ordered was amazing. I told her about my quasi-disastrous interview at The University of Chicago, and she completely understood. She currently works for the university and has observed how snotty the faculty can be to anyone who is not working in an academic field. She plans to work in her current position for a few years and then transition to something that is closer to her interests. I have been thinking that if I don't get that position, I would be dodging a bullet, and if they offered it to me, I might decline. I would be struggling to prove myself all the time and constantly battling a negative perception. I don't really know what I'm going to do, but I was glad to get her perspective on it. The conversation flowed to the contrast between how people act in Arizona versus the behaviors out here. We have had some similar experiences and it was good to reflect, share and laugh about it.
Since I took an extra long lunch, I stayed later at work. By the time I got home, watched a couple episodes of Mad Men on the Roku, twisted up my hair, talked on my phone, had a few dance breaks courtesy of Beyonce and Drake, I was not feeling too bad about my Friday night at home.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Day 73 - It's Cathartic
After careful thinking and a tweaking of the privacy settings, I have decided to continue with my blog. It is cathartic for me. There are still very personal elements of my life that will not be published on here, when I look back on the things that I have written I don't think it is too incriminating. Even if no one ever read it, it is important to me that it exists. This speaks to why I love archives so much, they reflect the authenticity of a moment, before our memories omit data and fill in the blanks with details imagined. If this blog was ever released to all the people that are mentioned in it, they would know how they impacted me. When I read it, I can remember my experiences clearly and try not to repeat the same mistakes. I still keep a written journal, which is completely out of control compared to the content of this blog. Also, in this digital format, I can sort and organize ideas and search for particular instances, much easier than a traditional journal. It also gives me something to commit to every night while I am in this state of flux.
I had my interview at Johnson Publishing Company this morning. I drove down there and arrived extra early and spent time in the 70's inspired lobby of this building. The walls had wood paneling, there was a giant geometrically patterned rug on the floor, and very sleek low to the ground red leather sectional couches. A very modern and abstract blob shaped sculpture protruded from the wall and the elevator doors stayed open on the first floor until someone called them up. I met with Mindy and Leigh who have been contracted to quickly process the 3600 linear feet of photographs and ephemera in the company's collection. They explained that they were targeting students and recent grads for this project because they can't offer alot of benefits, but it is good trench work experience for people in my position. I agreed, I also learned how they came to their position, and it was cool to see how they arrived at archives, one from a history background, the other from an art background.
Between the three of us, there was a training in content, in format, and in process. It does go to show that there are many ways to arrive at a chosen career path. My quick walk through the filing cabinets and opening random drawers revealed photographs of random celebrities like Robin Williams and Nelson Mandela. It was fascinating to me, but they stressed that the people they hire will need to be very focused and quickly, yet accurately get through as much of the files as possible. The interview was quick and informal, and I am very optimistic that they will be giving me an offer.
From there, I went to spend my Target gift card and finally buy a big winter coat at Burlington Coat Factory. Shopping was fun, I found all kinds of good deals. It was raining, but that was okay. By the time I got back to Hyde Park, found something to eat and returned my materials to the library, I was ready for a nap. I have to work on Friday and Saturday, so I didn't feel bad for making the most of my day off. After the nap, I decided to re-structure my closet. Now the jackets are all lined up from light to heavy. Next comes the sweaters and cardigans, then the button up shirt, finally the skirts and dressy tops. I folded up all the summer dresses and placed them in the hanging shelves, below the scarves, purses and belts. All the jeans and pants are folded in another set of hanging shelves. I put more items in the chest of drawers and I am content with the re-newed sense of order.
I wrote thank you letters to the interview committee from University of Chicago, watched X-Factor and Grey's Anatomy, and cooked my last pita pizza tonight. Tomorrow is an early day, maybe I will get through a few pages of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell before I go to bed tonight, I'm determined to finish it even if I haven't picked it up in weeks, what a shame...
I had my interview at Johnson Publishing Company this morning. I drove down there and arrived extra early and spent time in the 70's inspired lobby of this building. The walls had wood paneling, there was a giant geometrically patterned rug on the floor, and very sleek low to the ground red leather sectional couches. A very modern and abstract blob shaped sculpture protruded from the wall and the elevator doors stayed open on the first floor until someone called them up. I met with Mindy and Leigh who have been contracted to quickly process the 3600 linear feet of photographs and ephemera in the company's collection. They explained that they were targeting students and recent grads for this project because they can't offer alot of benefits, but it is good trench work experience for people in my position. I agreed, I also learned how they came to their position, and it was cool to see how they arrived at archives, one from a history background, the other from an art background.
Between the three of us, there was a training in content, in format, and in process. It does go to show that there are many ways to arrive at a chosen career path. My quick walk through the filing cabinets and opening random drawers revealed photographs of random celebrities like Robin Williams and Nelson Mandela. It was fascinating to me, but they stressed that the people they hire will need to be very focused and quickly, yet accurately get through as much of the files as possible. The interview was quick and informal, and I am very optimistic that they will be giving me an offer.
From there, I went to spend my Target gift card and finally buy a big winter coat at Burlington Coat Factory. Shopping was fun, I found all kinds of good deals. It was raining, but that was okay. By the time I got back to Hyde Park, found something to eat and returned my materials to the library, I was ready for a nap. I have to work on Friday and Saturday, so I didn't feel bad for making the most of my day off. After the nap, I decided to re-structure my closet. Now the jackets are all lined up from light to heavy. Next comes the sweaters and cardigans, then the button up shirt, finally the skirts and dressy tops. I folded up all the summer dresses and placed them in the hanging shelves, below the scarves, purses and belts. All the jeans and pants are folded in another set of hanging shelves. I put more items in the chest of drawers and I am content with the re-newed sense of order.
I wrote thank you letters to the interview committee from University of Chicago, watched X-Factor and Grey's Anatomy, and cooked my last pita pizza tonight. Tomorrow is an early day, maybe I will get through a few pages of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell before I go to bed tonight, I'm determined to finish it even if I haven't picked it up in weeks, what a shame...