It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

The weather really is fantastic down here. Clear blue skies, 70 degree temps, light breeze. It just makes me want to run around with no shoes on.

Sorry about the extended absence, but I had (and may still suffer from) the most severe case of writer's block. I still don't think this entry will be that interesting, but hey, we'll roll with it.

So, I got engaged. That's the big news, obviously. Also, my parents have started talking to my fiance pretty cordially, so that's an improvement. I'm graduating in May, another biggie. And I'm talking to people about jobs. It's interesting, to say the least.

Actually, I'm gonna expound on that last one. Most of the jobs I'm going for are university-research / government positions. Pretty tame stuff. There is one major problem, though. Both the U.S. House and Senate decided in mid-November last year to cut out early and go home and campaign. One small problem, though. They had yet to pass appropriations for fiscal year 2007. So, instead of actually doing their job, they just extended the appropriations from 2006. That might be okay, except for the fact that they left out all the earmarks. If you didn't know, earmarks are where all but the basic infrastructure funding comes from. What this has to do with me is that I've had three different potential bosses say, "Your resume looks great, your transcript is impressive, I've got the work for you, I just don't have the money to pay you." I'm sure you can imagine how frustrating that is. Grrr. Stupid fuckheads on Capitol Hill. I know, I've worked there. There are some nice people, but 80% of the people in those marble halls? Total fuckheads.

*Breathe* Serenity now.

But besides that, I've also moved into a new place. It's cute and brick and has narcissus blooming all around it. And hardwood floors. And central heat. And more than 300 square feet. It's awesome. I'll post some pictures as soon as I get around to taking them. My cat is loving it, what with all the careening around corners and under furniture on all the shellac. It's quite amusing, even when she slams into the dining room table at full speed at 3 am. It's endearing, I swear.

I can't think about anything else, so we'll call it a post.

Yay for spring!