Dream of Beauty

Back in the States for a few days. Saw a Welsh flag flying side-by-each with an American one, and then I saw the greatest bumper sticker possibly ever. At first, I just saw 'JESUS' and thought it was going to be lame and preachy, until I got closer and realised that it said 'JESUS would slap the shit out of you'.

Yesterday was mine and Rita's one year anniversary, by the way. It feels at once much shorter and much longer than that - less than two months until the wedding (ack!). Cue far-too-long list of things that need to be done. I don't know what I'd do without Rita, really. It isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but it's good. Really good. I feel . . . I dunno, almost like I'd jinx it if I talk about it too much? That, and it's hard for me to describe this kind of absolute contentment I've found.

Had two job interviews today, both for part-time. One is during business hours, the other was evenings and weekends. The former was offered to me outright, and I wish I could take it, but since I don't have anything permanent yet, I can't commit to the time necessary. The latter I'll hear back about on Tuesday. And still on the hook for an office job with Dad's firm, but I have no idea when I'll hear about that or how likely it is that I'll get it.

Got some writing to do tomorrow.

Yep, off to visit Rita in the States for a few days (until Friday), without much internets. Sorry, Caitlin, I know I fail at friend. Will talk to you when I get back, pinkie swear. Looking forward to a break, though, some time to just relax and read and write. The last week or so has been stressful.

We do have the house (yay!) but I don't have a job (boo), but I did have an encouraging interview with a headhunter on Thursday. After I get back from the States (and after Pride - networking opportunities, hopefully?), I'm going to head down to the new neighbourhood and wander around. Look for something part-time, figure out where the GO station is, the library. The lake. Well, I know the lake is there, it's kind of hard to miss, but how far away it is and whether or not there's a beach or a walking trail or anything.

I am without a fiancee again. Well, she's gone away. Not forever. Just until Thursday. So really, it isn't that bad. Just a little bit of moping around looking pathetic and sad, I promise. Teensy bit. Really.

The visit was . . . great. Things went really well with my parents. Dad didn't get as much of a chance to get to know her, because he was busy with work and golf and Rotary, as usual. But Mom really did. They both really like her. The best night, and the night that really helped Rita, I think, is the one where my cousin Jo randomly showed up. She lives nearby, and will just drop in when she's in the neighbourhood. She's also Mom's Avon lady. This time, we had just sat down to dinner (Indian takeaway, om nom) when she knocked on the door, so she ended up staying and eating with us (Mom, Rita, MK, and me), and then we all just sat around the table and talked for an hour.

This would be the cousin Jo that is fondly remembered by my friends as "the one who gets drunk and hugs random truckers".

My family's pretty awesome.

So wedding stuff is coming along. Every conversation I have eventually comes around to the wedding. But we're doing good. The venue is booked for both ceremony and reception. The officiant is reserved, and they'll be getting in touch within the next few days. My sister/wedding planner/Maid of Honour is on the trail of a caterer. One wedding dress has been bought (not mine). The invitations just need to be printed and mailed out. The guest list is more or less complete - my dad keeps adding people, oy.

There are 136 names on the guest list.

We have planned for sixty to seventy guests.

I don't know how this math is going to work out. Our wedding logic is not Earth logic.

Still no job, and still no house. Came across a couple of sketchy classifieds for personal secretaries, including one that required "an open mind", "some weekend and after-hours", "discreet about duties", and "two recent photographs". Do have a list of houses that I passed along to our real estate agent friend, hopefully I'll get a few showings.

Dad said today that he thinks I've lost weight since I've been home. I think maybe? I've been trying. The weight-loss thing is hard, but more necessary than ever. Going to try getting on the bike more, and for longer. I have been trying to control my portions and my snacking. This week has been pretty bad. Only one bike ride, and I've eaten out four or five times rather than eating at home.

But I'll do it.