Friday: got stuck downtown because of *&^%# Figgy Pudding caroling contest and took forever to get home. Wait and ride were made pleasant and delightful by lack of snow and a nice elderly lady conversing with me about everything from skiing to volunteering in the Peace Corps in Malawi. Went over to a friend's and watched Floored by Love (it sucked, but it was fun to make fun of it).

Saturday: Went wetsuit shopping and found ones! O'Neill. You were so right, calvarez! ETA: I told my mom that when it fits properly, she should feel like a superhero.

Evening I went to a Pat Graney thingie at a woman's correctional facility called Keeping the Faith. It was intense, inspiring, sad and I'm still processing.

Sunday: Went to Urban Craft Uprising fair. Managed to buy only two things; I was impressed with my restraint. ETA: Also, bought a fushia velvet blazer I had been lusting after for weeks at the consignment store. It fit like a glove. Today, I am dressed like a total preppy from the '80s, with my green pants and pink jacket.

Walked a co-worker around my neighborhood, picked up Your Blues Ain't Like Mine (which was recommended to me by jelazakazone since the author, Bebe Moore Campbell just died) from the library, and went to our second swing dance lesson. We are making new friends, which impresses the hell out of both of us. Making friends shouldn't feel like some huge mystery or challenge, but somehow it is. Even for an extrovert like me.

Also, sparkle_shortz told me about Daily Candy, and I got my first missive for Seattle. This was the first find. Check out the crayons.

I only need 2 more people to get a free thingie from Jacqua. The deadline is TODAY.

Also, for those of you into handicrafts, check out this site with all types of felted desserts. Warning: music plays on this site, and it isn't pleasant (at least, not to my ears)!

Remember last week when we talked about renting v. owning? I found this nifty cost of housing calculator. Now tell me I'm nuts to rent in the market I live in.

Speaking of finances, I was thinking about budgets the other day. I have never had an actual budget, per se. I just see if I have enough money in my bank, and if I do, I buy what I want. If I don't have it, I don't buy it. I just decide a de facto amount to put in my savings, but I don't really itemize what I would need for all my various wants and needs. If you care to share, I'd be curious to hear how you handle money in terms of budgeting and how well that has worked for you.

For those of you who do not read sdn's journal, I bring you:
the knitted digestive tract. And I thought the uteri (sp?) were bad ...