Goodbye, Sofa
Boxes packed = 0
Temperature = 65 degrees, unspectacular.
Suitcases the Czech ladies managed to wedge into my car going to the airport today = 9
Factoid of the day = Virginia is the 35th biggest state in the Union by square mileage, and 80% of it is forest.
***
Just got back from my weekend excursion to Richmond (Virginia, not on-Thames, though the two are apparently twin towns: that must create some interesting exchange trips..), home of the Confederacy, NASCAR, large tobacco companies, Ella Fitgerald, Warren Beatty, and as of Saturday, my furniture.
When I arrived in the US three years ago, I spent my very first night in Richmond. The following morning I was escorted by my local guide round the key sights of Richmond: namely, Home Depot, Target and CostCo.
This was quite an appropriate initiation, given that most Darden people only went to Richmond - which is about 65 miles away - for one of two reasons: 1) to interview at Circuit City or Capital One (both HQ'ed there); or 2) to shop at Target. I am definitely guilty on the second count, and indictable on the first, on the grounds that even I have taken the CapOne King's shilling when I did some consulting for them earlier this year.
But now there are additional reasons to visit. Just under one trillion of my classmates landed jobs at C1 or Circuit City in Richmond, and most of them are now happily ensconced in luxurious houses in leafy suburbs, with a choice of luxury spare bedrooms for me to sleep in. One of these houses is owned by Dave and EnglishHelen: and is now the new home of the little bits and pieces of furniture I have accumulated since I've been in the US.
Fortunately what could have been a sad day turned into a fun weekend. I had a few brief moments communing with my bed and sofa for the very last time, but Dave and EnglishHelen kept me far too busy trying to identify the mystery plants in their yard, splashing our clothes with bleach for a trendy 1980s look, and gambling on how many hours late Bob The Dawg was going to be for dinner.
***
BobTheDawg was on fine form (hi Bob). He was actually only 45 minutes late, which was a world record. Five minutes before he is due somewhere, BobTheDawg has this peculiar habit of deciding to clean a carburettor, paint someone's house, or rewire his stereo. Knowing this, I had promised to clean SapphireTheCat's litter box out with my bare hands if he showed up before 8, and he very nearly called me on it.
The food was great at the place we went out to: ate half a dozen Virginia oysters (factoid: the oyster is the state mollusc of Virginia - yeah, I know I said it was the clam yesterday but I looked it up and I was wrong) and a whole trout (the state fish) with herbs. Although I drew the line at accompanying this feast with milk (the state beverage), this outburst of Virginia patriotism must have overwhelmed me because I managed to leave my purse behind at the restaurant, complete with all my ID, credit cards, ATM card, everything. I didn't realize until I got back to Middleofnowheresville and went to the bank this afternoon.
Temperature = 65 degrees, unspectacular.
Suitcases the Czech ladies managed to wedge into my car going to the airport today = 9
Factoid of the day = Virginia is the 35th biggest state in the Union by square mileage, and 80% of it is forest.
***
Just got back from my weekend excursion to Richmond (Virginia, not on-Thames, though the two are apparently twin towns: that must create some interesting exchange trips..), home of the Confederacy, NASCAR, large tobacco companies, Ella Fitgerald, Warren Beatty, and as of Saturday, my furniture.
When I arrived in the US three years ago, I spent my very first night in Richmond. The following morning I was escorted by my local guide round the key sights of Richmond: namely, Home Depot, Target and CostCo.
This was quite an appropriate initiation, given that most Darden people only went to Richmond - which is about 65 miles away - for one of two reasons: 1) to interview at Circuit City or Capital One (both HQ'ed there); or 2) to shop at Target. I am definitely guilty on the second count, and indictable on the first, on the grounds that even I have taken the CapOne King's shilling when I did some consulting for them earlier this year.
But now there are additional reasons to visit. Just under one trillion of my classmates landed jobs at C1 or Circuit City in Richmond, and most of them are now happily ensconced in luxurious houses in leafy suburbs, with a choice of luxury spare bedrooms for me to sleep in. One of these houses is owned by Dave and EnglishHelen: and is now the new home of the little bits and pieces of furniture I have accumulated since I've been in the US.
Fortunately what could have been a sad day turned into a fun weekend. I had a few brief moments communing with my bed and sofa for the very last time, but Dave and EnglishHelen kept me far too busy trying to identify the mystery plants in their yard, splashing our clothes with bleach for a trendy 1980s look, and gambling on how many hours late Bob The Dawg was going to be for dinner.
***
BobTheDawg was on fine form (hi Bob). He was actually only 45 minutes late, which was a world record. Five minutes before he is due somewhere, BobTheDawg has this peculiar habit of deciding to clean a carburettor, paint someone's house, or rewire his stereo. Knowing this, I had promised to clean SapphireTheCat's litter box out with my bare hands if he showed up before 8, and he very nearly called me on it.
The food was great at the place we went out to: ate half a dozen Virginia oysters (factoid: the oyster is the state mollusc of Virginia - yeah, I know I said it was the clam yesterday but I looked it up and I was wrong) and a whole trout (the state fish) with herbs. Although I drew the line at accompanying this feast with milk (the state beverage), this outburst of Virginia patriotism must have overwhelmed me because I managed to leave my purse behind at the restaurant, complete with all my ID, credit cards, ATM card, everything. I didn't realize until I got back to Middleofnowheresville and went to the bank this afternoon.
posted by alranson | 4:01 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home