[Super Duper Fantastic] ISFP/INFP. 4w5. World Explorer. Super Hero. Rose-colored Glasses.

One evening, my sister and I ended up at Green Apple Books. And it was on this fateful evening that I picked up ~$60 in sale/used books. In dollars, it’s not a lot. However, when most are on sale or are used, that’s a lot of books. They were quite heavy! The most recent client is a bus ride from home, so I have been filling up on some of my recent purchases: Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In less than a week’s bus rides, I was finished with the first book. The second, I’m about halfway through.

I really enjoy Sedaris’ writing style. It’s subtle humor. You’re reading along, la-la-la, and then he makes a funny. It’s great. I’ve been reading with post-it notes in case I find something interesting/ funny/ possibly touching. Here’s what I’ve stickied:

p23: “…we witnessed what we would later come to recognize as the rejuvenating power of real estate. It’s what fortunate couples turn to when their sex life has faded and they’re too pious for affairs. A second car might bring people together for a week or two, but a second home can revitalize a marriage for up to nine months after the closing.”

p140: “Movie characters might chase each other through the fog or race down the stairs of burning buildings, but that’s for beginners. Real love amounts to withholding the truth, even when you’re offered the perfect opportunity to hurt someone’s feelings.”

p166: “We tried explaining the benefits of a nice long cry – the release it offered, the pity it generated – and he laughed in our faces. The rest of us blubbered like leaky showerheads, but for him water production was limited to sweat and urine. His sheets might be wet, but the pillow would remain forever dry.”

I was really disappointed in how little I was reading. I’m glad that I am able to work on it now. BART rides to work will be shorter, but I’m sure I will figure something out. 2008 is just around the corner. There is so much I want to accomplish in the year. I feel like I haven’t DONE a whole lot in 2007, but at the same time, my life is so different from what it was a year ago. By the end of 2008, I will be on my way to recovering from orthognathic surgery. That’s exciting and scary all rolled into one!

Last night, I got together a group of girls for the night out. Several hours were spent at Bourbon & Branch, a 1920′s speakeasy. The drinks were tasty, and the atmosphere was perfect for relaxing and pushing aside troubles. It was worth the price, especially with such great company. Since we did not make reservations, we ended up in the “library” portion of the establishment. Passwords, secret doors – it was awesome.

There are plans in the works for another girls’ night out in the area. I’m rather excited that it worked out so well. Everyone got along. Sometimes I feel like a line, connecting dots. It is such a great feeling when things work out so well. These may be my happier moments.

My sister recently introduced me to this song: Almost Lover. I love her voice, and the lyrics – I can relate.

Almost Lover – A Fine Frenzy

Your fingertips across my skin
The palm trees swaying in the wind
Images
You sang me Spanish lullabies
The sweetest sadness in your eyes
Clever trick

Well, I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you’d want the same for me

[Chorus]
Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I’m trying not to think about you
Can’t you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should’ve known you’d bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

We walked along a crowded street
You took my hand and danced with me
Images
And when you left, you kissed my lips
You told me you would never, never forget
These images

No

Well, I’d never want to see you unhappy
I thought you’d want the same for me

[Chorus]
Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I’m trying not to think about you
Can’t you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should’ve known you’d bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

I cannot go to the ocean
I cannot drive the streets at night
I cannot wake up in the morning
Without you on my mind
So you’re gone and I’m haunted
And I bet you are just fine

Did I make it that
Easy to walk right in and out
Of my life?

[Chorus]
Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I’m trying not to think about you
Can’t you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should have known you’d bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

It’s just one big circle. The things I complain about once will resurface and come back. It’s just a matter of time. The last time I whined about my feet was in July 2006. Pasted this from my YELP review of a shoe store.

1) Too big: difficult to shoe shop for. What ends up happening is that because of this minor detail, I will end up buying more shoes than I will ever wear. I see a size that fits, and it looks okay? Better buy it before they don’t make ‘em in my size anymore! I know that at my height, one would expect bigger feet because otherwise I’d just fall over from being disproportionate. However, it seems that they are even bigger than what other ladies my height have.

I thank my parents for being so generous, but they could certainly have provided in OTHER areas… not my feet! *EHHEM*

2) Flat feet, resulting in over-pronation [http://www.strabell.com/scripts/flatfeet.asp]: These big feet hurt because pressure is being applied to all the wrong spots. That’s why those foot massages are AMA-ZING!

3) Morton’s toe [http://www.strabell.com/scripts/mortonstoe.asp]: As if my feet aren’t already large enough on their own, the second toe has to go and make a big deal out of itself. I would probably be half a size smaller if it weren’t for you!

I went shoe shopping yesterday. Purchased a pair of Brooks. Hopefully I will run in 2008. *fingers crossed* The salesperson, Joey, was cute, helpful and friendly. *sigh*

The Darjeeling Limited – a film about the mucked up relationship between siblings that eventually works out. Of course there are other pieces – their relationship with the parents, being abandoned, dealing with death and letting go. I’m a bit slow, so drawing the lines in the film came much later. Dysfunctional in a typical Wes Anderson fashion. I liked it, especially as the storyline picked up. A Sunday evening well spent.

Last Friday [same day as the opera], my braces were adjusted. They took out the previous bands and wires, and replaced them with just a new wire. No rubber bands! I think that the previous set was for moving teeth, and this set is for keeping them planted and straight. It actually didn’t hurt as badly as I thought it would, so I ended up going out for dim sum. The original plan was to grab jook [rice porridge]. Luckily, I could have something a bit more filling.

Currently at a client I’d been working on before. They hired someone new, so things are slowly turning around and taking shape. It’s definitely a more pleasant environment to be in. The staff I brought in is from Indonesia. I have to admit – we sorta look like we could be related. She’s got that whole tall Asian with Class III malocclusion [an underbite] thing going. We discussed orthodontics and oral surgery over lunch today – woohoo! She is looking into getting it done too, so it’s good to be able to make additional use of my experience.

Spread the joy, right?

I think I looked better in my red dress this year than when I purchased and wore it for the first time two years ago. Received quite a few compliments on it – THANKS! You know how to make a girl feel fabulous about herself. Prior to the party, I was in panic mode. Didn’t even want to leave the house. When I first bought it and wore it to a New Year’s Eve party, someone else at the party had the same dress on. Can you imagine how traumatizing that was?

Anyway, photos here: Holiday Party @ YBCA – 12/5/2007

I should stop in and buy a dress now for a party several years down the line – hah!

Of all weekends, this has been the most relaxing and least committed. I didn’t just sit at home, but there were no plans set in stone days/weeks in advance.

I went to see The Missing Peace exhibit at the YBCA with MJ. Works from 88+ artists, capturing the essence of the Dalai Lama and his mission of peace, were on display. Even though we had been in the same building space just a few nights before, we hadn’t taken the chance to view the exhibit. So a relaxing Saturday afternoon with the exhibit, followed up by tea and conversation, was perfect.

In the evening, I went over to Faithy’s place to create tree ornaments. Our supplies consisted of tampons, macaroni, construction paper, Sharpie markers, etc. I will never look at tampons the same way again – so much tree-decorating potential! My creation ended up looking something like an angel with tentacles. Yeah, bizarre. Others were a bit more creative and artistic.

Today, Donna and I had dim sum with Victor and Leanne. It was catch-up time since they only recently moved back to the area. I hadn’t really seen them since the last time we played catch-up, which was probably back when we were still in college. Not entirely awkward, and chances are we will see them again very soon. They dropped us off at home, and I spent the rest of the afternoon shuffling things around in the room. Definitely need more motivation to clean.

Tonight, we will be watching The Darjeeling Limited, so I’ll probably write about that tomorrow. Daily blogging is tough.

Went to see an opera last night, The Rake’s Progress – a 3-act opera by Igor Stravinsky. It was extremely last minute. I arrived at 7:45 in jeans because I had no time to go home to change. Probably offended a few people as a result. I overheard a lady scoffing about how the younger generation now comes to the opera in jeans. Okay, lady – make that assumption. I just didn’t have time to go home and change. If I didn’t show up at the opera in jeans, my co-worker wouldn’t have gone at all, even though he has purchased the entire season.

Someone pulled the fire alarm before the show began, so we ended up waiting out in the cold for a bit. That was about as eventful as it got. For a more interesting take on this particular opera, read Charlise’s entry here.

I don’t know much about how the singing and expressions should be. Did find the scene changes and the set itself to be pretty entertaining. This was my second time at the opera. It still hasn’t pulled me in, but at least I’m being exposed.

My poor excuse of an entry today – WOO! Friday’s Feast questions: here!

Appetizer: What was the last game you purchased?

I don’t really buy games. If anything at all, it would probably be some discounted board game from Barnes and Noble or something.

Soup: Name something in which you don’t believe.

I try not to be a pessimist, so I am always hopeful. I don’t believe in closing one’s mind completely to new ideas.

Salad: If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?

Someone not bratty or snotty. :) I don’t know who that would be. I’m sure there’s a list out there of ideal employers. But really – who wouldn’t want to work for themselves?

Main Course: What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?

Things don’t always work out, even if you put the time and effort into them. It’s a sad truth, but you can only move ahead and take what you’ve learned and apply it for future reference. At least it’s a lesson learned and not a repeated mistake – possibly.

Dessert: Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.

Soothing music. Not too hot. Not too cold. Pillows. A massage chair or bed. An area with good lighting and a comfy place to curl up with a book.

Amusing Story of the Night: While my name is not “April,” apparently I look like someone named “April,” and this one gal [Hi Lily!] was “starstruck” upon encountering me. She now has a photograph with me on her camera, and she will wonder tomorrow [when she is sober] why she has a photograph with this ridiculously tall girl in a red dress. And she will realize that I am not “April,” and I will feel sorry for having led her on…

Can’t imagine anyone being starstruck by ME!? I guess it might be how some people feel when I run up to them with a wide gaping hole for a mouth, finger pointing at them. LOL.