It is funny how all of my students pronounce although as althought. I like the idea of an althought. It’d be a phrase that starts with Yes, but. Althought. I like the idea, but I don’t deal well with yes, buts. Ben and I went to a concert on Saturday. It was one of those gigs that start at 11 and go on and on and on. The band (Autechre) had 15 opening acts. And, quite amusingly, they all sucked to an equal degree of suck. So Ben and I braved the smoke filled rooms and just sat outside and chatted. It’s funny to think that we pretty much are attached to the hip and still have things to talk about. I have been doing some thinking lately about my social life/interactions and I think that the one great truth I have found is this: I am done wasting my time. I spent so much time in Ohio reverting into myself, that now I need a really good reason to come out and play. I think that part of the reason Angela and I have been drifting apart is that we’re on two different rides in this great amusement park that is life (Queen of metaphors!). And whereas before we could always find a common ground at the air hockey table, right now I need something else. I am done with the chitchat, in a way. I am so busy not going crazy with my idiocy, that I cannot spare the energy to talk about anything that doesn’t interest me. It’s so superbly selfish and twisted, it has to be my idea. And so that is my great revelation of the week, courtesy of very bad music by untalented DJs. 

As for the rest of me that doesn’t deal with great truths, life is ok. I have refrained from murdering any children (oh but my fingers itch so badly…) and I have taught some pretty good English, methinks. I have been knitting a lot, which helps with the going crazy factor. And now I’m in the market for a new fridge. All things considered, I shouldn’t have grounds to complain. All things considered, that’s not going to stop me from complaining. 

The title is courtesy of a hideous 90s song that managed to end up on one of my mixed tapes. As my luck would have it, Ben found it and him and Matt became obsessed with this song. And, to this day, it comes echoing from the naughty part of my brain and I cannot help but blurt out such catchy lyrics. Help me, Jeebus.

It is Friday! And this week I have a right to throw in that !, because I have an entire week of working under my belt. I met most of the kids I will be teaching except for 2 of them. I like most of them. There is one little girl who can’t stand me. She is quite hilarious in her hatred. Fortunately, I only have 2 more lessons with her. The rest are awesome. Who would’ve thunk it!

We survived a week without water and finally have our hot water back. Amedeo strikes again! He went through the whole trouble of cleaning the water heater, but it turned out to be just a clogged filter. He told me "Ha! You could’ve had your hot water back on Tuesday", I kept my cool and smiled (I seem to have self control! That’s news to me.). He only charged us $150 (when I handed him €150, he gave me back the 50 and said "dollars!"). I love the man. We talked for over an hour, while he sprayed himself and the entire balcony with water.

I am very tired today. I haven’t slept enough last week. Too many things to do, not tired enough at night.

I had an interview on Wednesday, for an office assistant position. I really like this journalist woman that came in half way through my interview (it was in a news agency). In my quest to enjoy things more, I am constantly on the prowl for interesting people and she fit my criteria. I have no idea if I have a chance in hell for this position (it would be way awesome if I did), but I really liked her. I will let a couple weeks go through and then try to contact her. It is weird, this habit I have of stalking people. I have been so deprived in the last 5 years and Rome does get so lonely with no friends… I hope that defense holds in court. 

Tomorrow I am knitting and then eating with fellow Ravelers. For now, I must go slay some mana wyrms.

Oy vey! Life is good. I don’t know why exactly, but why ruin it by overanalyzing.

I am knitting away on my socks (that’s plural for not just one sock, sucker, I’m knitting 2 at once!). I love the thought of making both feet happy at once. Now I don’t have to make the left one feel less than the right one. I’m for equal socks, equal rights. I’m the Rosa Parks of sock knitting. I’m getting carried away by my own dumb.

I finally managed to drag Ben to the knit café on Saturday. The oranges were awesome. I love the little place we meet at, but the lack of lighting does get to me after a while. Also, I am terrible in social situations anymore, so I find it hard to follow the 19 different conversations going on. I’ll learn. I had a really deep conversation with the awesome Cristina (I somehow want to spell that with a K) at the very end, which was very interesting.  

On Sunday I invited Cara over to my mom’s amazing terrace and we knitted away the entire afternoon. Then I had my regularly scheduled Sunday pizza and, after arriving home, I spent the rest of the evening working on a .pdf for Ben. Turns out I fudged it up and had to redo it this morning. People, stop cutting into my knitting time!

This afternoon I teach from 3 to 4.30 and the next lesson is from 6.30 to 8. I am hoping to move the latter up to 4.45 so I can mayhaps make it to the knit café in Trastevere.

I am also happy to report my nightmares have stopped harassing me. Not entirely and not completely, but enough so I don’t have to consider not sleeping a viable option.