January 15th, 2009

Near year new you? It's doubtful. After some poking and prodding (I respond well to "Dance monkey, Dance!") it's time to update. I suppose I've kept you all in the dark long enough.

Not much has changed as of late, and by that, I of course mean that my life is now radically different. The great educational institution of the University of Florida has deemed me ready to bear their certificate of higher education. And it only took me four and a half years. I've got a bachelor of science degree in Agricultural Operations Management with an emphasis in Environmental Systems Management, along with a minor in Geography, and a certificate in Meteorology and Climatology. The last bit of my college career was a big of a slough, and I'm proud to say I don't miss it too terribly.

These last few weeks have been some of the greatest. I'm still working part-time (20 hours a week) typing my fingertips off (it's only taken me 30 seconds to type this far). The other 148 hours of my time remaining are being spent sleeping, eating, sitting, cycling, and becoming one hell of a tennis pro on the Wii.

But I am looking for further employment. Know any opportunities? I'm a hard worker for sure! (No heavy lifting please.) My specialty is inserting unnecessary parentheticals into self-gratifying text.

I am enjoying the amount of free time though. I've got my schedule down to a science:

7:15 - wake up
8:00 - at work
10:35 - take a pee break
12:10 - leave work
12:30 - eat lunch (veggie burger and salad, please)
early afternoon - sit around on the couch watching the Travel channel
mid-afternoon - bike ride!
5:00 done showering, time to start dinner.
7:00 start the three hours of Law & Order
10:00 bedtime

Stalk away! I welcome any and all attention.

Now I agree, on the surface, this may seem like an awful lot of free time, and an awful squandering of such. But hey, I'm a recent graduate who can't find meaningful employment. Occasionally, if I'm feeling really feisty, I'll try to out-predict the morning weatherman. This occasionally gets heated, and I've been known to throw soft objects at the television.

The weather has finally grown cold as of late, giving me some wonderful opportunities to wear scarves, which are by far my favorite fashion accessory. I'm pretty cute in a scarf too, but then again, you probably already know that.

And of course, before I forget, I must remember to head all three loyal readers over to Dan and Nathalie's online store, Camp Cupboard. During their recent visit to the area, Dan and Nathalie were kind enough to leave some of the wares with me (which I apparently drastically underpaid them for -- do I owe you guys some money?). I must say, after having gone through about a dozen cycling caps (this one has a weird brim, this one is too shallow, this one smells funny...) I've finally found one that seems just about perfect. I got a lighter weight wool cap. It fits like a dream and has just a big of natural stretch (no elastic needed!). The brim is the perfect width, depth, and radius. I honestly don't know how they did it.

But beyond that, check out their base layers. Now I know what you're thinking, a base layer is a base layer right? Apparently not. Stuck between the choice of a sleeveless polyester layer that chokes me (seriously, they all do) and a long sleeve base layer that keeps wetness in better than it keeps warmth, I've found myself reaching for this new silky smooth lightweight wool sleeveless base layer a full five out of the last six days I've ridden (hey, it's wool! Just let it dry overnight and it's fine to wear tomorrow). I've never found anything so warm, yet breathable. But fabric choices aside, the cut is superb. The open neckline and perfectly sized/shaped armholes are amazing.

But enough shilling -- Paula Deen is about to fry something, and that deserves my unbroken attention. If you need me, I'll be here. On the couch.

P.S. I dropped my phone a bunch and it's basically stopped working. If you've tried to get in touch with me and it hasn't worked, chances are that's why. I should have a new one in my hand in about four days though, so I'll talk to you then. If we're still on speaking terms, that is.