Shoddy Umbrellas, Life Under Netflix

This morning I awoke to find the city covered in a thick layer of shit. I'm not sure how xtina got to work as she left me our one household umbrella which happened to turn inside out on my way to the bus stop - in the comical fashion that it does on television weather reports and commercials for jamaica. Work is feeling like bethany today. I've got my ipod plugged into the speakers and my only source of tasks was an hour and a half late this morning.

In netflix news- justin has accepted my friend invitation. I like this feature so if anyone reading this has a netflix account, we can be netflix bff. We recently watched 'Time Indefinite,' another film from Ross McElwee - a documentary filmmaker we're into these days. If you haven't seen anything from him, get 'Sherman's March.' We also liked 'Half Nelson,' despite it teetering on the cliched theme of "teacher learns from students as students learn from teacher." I loved, however, just how brokenness of the protagonist and dialogue and setting. Beautiful. Also, we are the last two people in the country to fall in love with 'Six Feet Under.' The show, not the metal band. One season down, four to go.

Yesterday, in a rare occurance, Xtina and I had the same day off. We walked through the neighborhood. I purchased a french connection blazer from crossroads trading co. ($15!)and Xtina bought "a heartbreaking work of staggering genious" by dave eggers because the more I think about it, the more I liked it. Finally, we went to a local tatoo parlor (religious iconography themed) and, after 6 1/2 years, got my earring taken out. I'm not sure why I was nervous, he simply grabbed it and popped it out - In an establishment with which I have nothing in common by a young man with whom I have nothing in common. My new job requires that I can't have it in case we meet with "a more conservative philanthropist." She was, on the phone, very apologetic about it and concerned that I was offended they would even suggest the removal. I was not.

This Friday is Ben's 'Friday the Thirteenth' party. I'm hoping it will take me back to the days of social optimism I experienced upon moving here. I need to meet some new people. Next Wednesday Xtina and I are going to see the Decemberists and My Brightest Diamond and the immediately following Friday (20-22) we will be returning to Grand Rapids for the weekend. We hope to see you there. Yes you.