Blogger meet-up

After years of communicating via blogs and facebook, and one failed attempt to meet up when I was in California (it's always a good idea to make sure you write down the right phone number when attempting to meet up with someone in another state), I finally had the chance to meet Julie! She was in Milwaukee for a conference last week and happened to have a chunk of free time on her last day... a train ride later, I was back in Wisconsin and talking (and eating & drinking) nonstop. :)

After an hour or so of chatting it up in the hotel lobby, we made our way to Sake Tumi for some sushi and drinks. Let me just tell you about the awesomeness that is this restaurant - the atmosphere, the crowd, the food, the Goodbye Kitties! Seriously, it is such a great place (and as Julie mentioned, their website sooo does not do it justice!). I was a bit shocked to find such a place in Milwaukee as the last time I hung out in that area, we ended up eating at Cousins (there really was nothing else around... granted, the last time I was down there was oh, maybe in 1998ish). :P


The Viva La Mexico roll, along with a delicious Goodbye Kitty.


Mmmmm... nigiri.


The decadent and oh-so-lovely tempura pound cake with ice cream.

After a few hours (two? three? four? I completely lost track!), we made our way through a nasty snowstorm to the Blu Bar Lounge. It was mellow, had a great view of the city (although we couldn't see too much, thanks to the storm), and had a menu filled with "sassy martinis." It was the perfect way to end the night.

Of course, the restaurant & bar weren't the only good things - Julie is definitely one awesome chica! We spent the night swapping unbloggable stories and giggling like a bunch of thirteen-year-old schoolgirls. I'm so glad I was finally able to meet her and can't wait until we have the chance to see each other again!


How can you not enjoy a night that involves one blogger making another blogger take a photo of Poseidon with a pierced nipple in a bathroom stall? ;)

Update

Thanks to everyone who contacted me about the unbloggable situation; I really do appreciate all of the support. The situation is still not anything I can discuss here for the same reasons as before - it's still in limbo & it's really not something that should be floating around on the internet for anyone to see (especially anyone else who is involved). However, I will say that I am not about to lose my job (as several of you asked); actually, the US has nothing to do with my job. Although things are slightly out of control at school (this deserves a post of its own), things are fine in that arena.

I also appreciate all of you who opened up to me about your own experiences with therapy (and I'm glad to hear so many of you have had such good experiences). My uncertainty still stems from the doubt that rehashing painful/negative experiences is actually beneficial. I've met with the therapist three times now and each time I've left feeling worse than I did at the beginning of the appointment. I also haven't felt like we've really accomplished anything; we haven't discussed anything that I haven't already said to my friends (or pseudonymously on the 'net). However, I do like ZaPaper's idea that mulling over the past is actually about being future-oriented. I'll give it a few more appointments and then reevaluate.

Other than the US that is threatening to completely change my life, I'm doing quite well. There are new episodes of Gossip Girl, the snow has all melted, I'm starting a kickboxing class with Diana in two weeks, AND I get to see the hotness that is Morrissey in person next weekend. What more could a girl ask for? ;)

Last night...

I was felt up by a gay man, told I have "fantastic boobies" by two more, tried Scotch for the first time*, and posed for an obscene amount of drunken photos (which must never be seen by anyone). I was also hit on (aggressively) by the only straight man in a gay club (Lorenzo said he wanted to be my lover - LOL!) and didn't stumble into bed until 4:30 this morning (sans Lorenzo :P).




*I'm sorry, Dr. BH, but I have to say I hated it... I'm not a big fan of the taste of gasoline. :)

Random

• The unbloggable situation is still going strong. There's still no resolution or no timeline for a resolution. At this point, I'm mostly numb. There's still a lot of anger and fear (mostly of the unknown), but I've pushed those feelings away so that I can get through the days without being completely on edge. I have no idea what's going to happen and if I spend too much time thinking about it, I'll panic - there are so many aspects of my life that may be negatively affected (depending on the outcome of the situation) and the thought of potentially having to make major changes is overwhelming.
  
  
• I've met with the therapist twice. I wouldn't say anything good has come out of it, but we haven't done much yet - mostly just the standard get-to-know-you stuff. I'm meeting with her again on Friday and we're supposed to talk about an action plan (whatever that means in therapist talk). I don't feel particularly connected to her yet, but I don't dislike her (which is definitely a good sign). She listens well & has made some interesting points thus far (based on the limited info we've discussed). I'm just trying to keep an open mind about it... even though I'm still not fully convinced anything good will come out of it (this is mostly because rehashing painful things is not pleasant & talking about them over and over tends to to make me feel worse instead of better).
  
  
• I am so tired of co-workers showing up to work when they are sick & highly contagious. Two people who had stomach viruses came to work last week because it was the last week before finals and they just couldn't stay home because it wouldn't be fair to the students (whatever!!). Well, they each spent the day running to the bathroom and my office mate and I spent the day disinfecting every doorknob and chair with Lysol and anti-bacterial wipes. We don't want your damn viruses, assholes!
  

• My car is sucking me dry. Last week, it was new front & rear brakes ($400). This week, it's a new engine mount ($390). There's also a short list of other things that need to be fixed, which will cost approximately $1500. The good news is that none of these things need to be fixed immediately and won't cause a breakdown (or any major damage) if I don't get them done right away. The bad news is that they do need to be done. I bought my car new in 2000 - it's now reached the point in which everything needs to be serviced. I knew this would happen eventually; I just didn't think all the parts would wear out at the same time!
  
  
• Classes end tomorrow and the new term starts next week. Between meetings and other assorted crap that has to be done between now and then, I basically have a three-day weekend between terms. Not cool.
  
  
• A student just emailed me to ask if she could possibly turn in the papers that were due in January and February (she didn't turn in anything all term) because she can't afford to get an F in the class. Sigh.
  

Favorites

My favorite flowers in my favorite vase... a much nicer sight than the crapload of snow outside.

How much longer until spring??