Today I spent some time just thinking about the first couple years I lived in Chicago.  It was a great time.  I almost wish that I could relive it, just to appreciate it more.  [And, of course, it would be nice to do a few things differently.]

Some of the things I miss:

Me: Okay I made a character.  What do I do?
Tim: Just wait there, I will find you.
Me: These two guys came up to me and are talking to me.  How do I talk to them?
Tim: Hang on… almost there…
Me: Now they are dancing.  I am so confused.

Of course, I do not miss:

But you get the gist.  This isn’t to say that I am unhappy where I am now, far from it, but every once in a while I get injected with some sort of nostalgia virus and miss certain things.  It is a little like those times when you remember an old TV show from your childhood and get the urge re-watch it.  I would recommend getting it on Netflix though, as you will most certainly regret buying it.  Buying Dinosaurs might sound like a good idea now, but after the second or third “Not the Mama!” you will probably just shut it off.

I like to tease Mr. W that Higgs boson is real and the magical answer for everything because this bothers him.  For example, when we finally discover Higgs boson, we will be able to teleport!  Higgs boson will end world hunger!  And now, Higgs boson will make it possible for me to relive past experiences at my leisure!

Just wait, it’ll be a thing.

Never before have I really had to share my things.  Not that I’m bad at sharing [at least, I don't think I am] it’s just that it’s not my default mindset.  Mr. W is always reminding me that it’s not “mine” and “his” anymore, but “ours”.  Especially in regards to money.  It’s going to take some getting used to.

Him: Let’s order something for dinner tonight.
Me: Sure.  I have some money.  Want me to pay?
Him: How about *we* pay with the joint account?
Me: Oh yeah!

So yeah, definitely a change.

I’ve been in the new apartment for a week now and it’s great.  I don’t think there is a straight line in the place, but it feels like home.  I also need to get used to being able to put my things wherever I want.  I keep getting frustrated because there’s no place for something in the bedroom before realizing that I have an entire apartment to find a place for it.  Now I just need to stop getting sick long enough to finish getting all my stuff in there and unpacked.

Speaking of sick–I had food poisoning yesterday.  Mr. W and I wracked our brains trying to figure out where I could have gotten it [especially since we ate all of the same things over the weekend and he was fine], but couldn’t come up with anything.  Mom says that’s how it goes sometimes with her and my dad as well.  Perhaps I just have a weaker stomach / digestive whatsit than Mr. W?  Feeling better today, albeit a little weak.  And hey, I lost five pounds!

Me: Think how much weight I would lose between now and the wedding if I just got food poisoning once a week!
Paige: Yeah, but that would suck.  Go with bulimia.  You won’t have to miss work and will only have to throw up three times a day.
Me: That sounds much better than food poisoning!
Paige: Usually bulimia is never the answer, but it is clearly the better choice here.

Yeah, yeah–I realize it’s been a month since last I wrote. My bad.

Things with Mr. W are continuing to go really well, despite my roommates’ wishes to the contrary. Paige told me that even though she wasn’t the biggest Mr. W fan, she is proud of me for “sticking to my guns”, so to speak. The old Teri would have caved under the pressure I’m getting a long time ago, and she thinks it says something that I am still dating him. I think it’s simply that I finally came to the realization that this is my life, and my happiness will no longer be determined by others but by myself. If someone can’t handle it…well, then that’s their problem, now isn’t it?

All in all, 2010 looks to be a fantastic year. I will be finished with grad school in June/July which is right about the same time I will be out of debt (with the exception of the student loans, damn them).

Paige and I have been watching Dexter, which I had never before seen. We are two episodes shy of completing season one, and I am enjoying it very much. I am also enjoying the fact that I knew who the Ice Truck Killer was also immediately after meeting him, thus proving that my brain’s suspicious paranoia is useful still.

I have started a new project which pretty much confirms my dorkiness for all time. I’ve started a Microsoft Access database for my books–what I own, what I’ve read, and what I want to read. I call it the Bookbase. I figure it will be helpful in keeping me from buying duplicate copies of books (which has happened before and annoys the snot out of me) and keeps a running wishlist in case someone wants to surprise me with a little something-something (and this is only the tiniest bit of a hint–a baby hintlet, if you will).

Also, T-minus twelve days ’til The Cranberries concert!  I am so flipping excited.  What do you think the odds are of my getting backstage to get their autographs?  Or my picture with them?  I’ve looked for backstage passes but haven’t seen any.  Perhaps if I sneak back there or something… This may be the first concert I’ll be kicked out of.

Because it’s me there won’t be a lot of detail blogged here, but last night I ended things with Mr. W.  I’m not going to go into all the explanations because I’ve already done that enough for the two of us, but I knew I should mention it.

—

In happier, less important news:  Paige came with me to the UPS store to ship my hated Macroeconomics textbook.  She started reading a sign depicting things they will not ship.  Among the things is a picture of a dog. Of course this leads to conversation about how she wants to try and ship a dog, you know to see if she could get it past them.

Me: I can just see you bringing in a package. They’re filling out a packing slip and a bark comes from the box…
Paige: I would play it off and say, “Sorry, that was me. I had chili for lunch.”
Me: Then frantic scratching starts and you’re caught.
Paige: If I was gonna do this I’d go all out and ship a mastiff or something. [makes a really low woof sound] “Man that chili is not sitting well!”

So the fluorescent urine will take some getting used to. We are talking highlighter yellow here, I kid you not.

I mentioned the development to Paige:
Paige: “You could really mark some territory with that.  People would be all ‘what is that?!’ and stay the hell away.  You should do a perimeter around the apartment building.”
Teri: “Only you would say that.  Most people would be all ‘ew, gross’.  You?  ’Mark that shit!’”

The new diet is going really well. It’s only ten days in, but I’ve noticed some things immediately.

*Lost 7 pounds
*Appetite has decreased
*No cravings for junk food
*No more headaches (used to get at least a couple a week)
*No bloated feeling

And, since I started taking the vitamins two days ago:
*More energy
*Less tension
*Neon pee

A couple people have commented on how impressed they are with my ability to stick to this diet [the no granulated sugar, especially], but I assure you it’s not hard at all. As eating junk food is negatively cyclical, so is eating good food positively cyclical. In simplest terms, eating good food makes you want to eat good food. Once you start it becomes the easiest thing in the world.

The shots of fish oil are another matter entirely. Since I can’t swallow pills, my vitamin, calcium/magnesium, and omega-3 supplements are in liquid [read, "gross"] form. The fish oil tastes entirely of the orange flavor that has been added, thankfully, but has tiny chunks in it. I choose to believe that these chunks are the orangeness, and don’t you dare intimate otherwise.

Seriously, don’t.  I will come over there mark something–don’t think I won’t.