Like a Good Book

I was supposed to meet Shiri for shopping yesterday, but it didn't work out at the end - but i still had the car and some free time, and my boss went back to being the little bitch he is so I up and went at 16:00 and went to check out the second floor of Ayalon mall. The did a very nice job with it, it's quite large and the ceiling is incredibly tall, and the shops are very nice.

Went into Desigual, but didn't try anything on (I would have bought half the shop, and I don't need the clothes or the hole in my bank account it would have made). I'm really happy they brought it here, though.

Got myself a nice little outing pouch, for small change and one or two cards if I want to take a very small bag when I go out and also a new dress for the Seder night (shocking pink, knee length, V-neck, some scrunches at the front, just the way I like them - and it was only 200 NIS).

I still had energy after having dinner there so I braved the drive and the mess I knew would greet me, an headed to Ikea at Rishon.

I had a few things in mind for that, and I was able to get some of them, but a bed and a folding table will have to be from somewhere else. I also took a look at their new lines of bookcases and I don't think i'll have a problem come the time I'll get my own place (hopefully that day isn't far. I'm starting to feel the need).

I ended up with a shelf + hooks for my room (my room has no more storage space - I have tons of stuff - so I looked at my ever-closed-window and went "hmmmm. I could put a shelf with hooks above that!"), a few more small shelves for stacking books next to my bed, some new big boxes, coat hangers and a side table for our living room (the last one was unceremoniously trashed because it was peed on by the late monster that was Bisi, and since it was made of cardboard it drank up all the piss...).

My only problem was getting the things to the car. Luckily, they have staff members who stand in the loading area, so I let one of them look after my cart while I went to fetch the car.

Got everything in and drove off feeling accomplished and full of adrenalin. I actually built the side table upon arriving at home (took me maybe 15 minutes) and sat down to watch a movie with my dad, which was a mistake since I planned on going to work today, the movie ended late and the daylight saving hour change was tonight.

Only dragged myself out of bed at 7, and got here a bit after 8. will only be here until 12:00, I think, and then off to enjoy this heat. I missed the sun.

So yesterday morning I was still semi-fine, even though the cough has taken a turn for the worse, and I decided I didn't need the stink-eye from my boss, so I braved the weather, which was truly horrible, and went to work.

After being somewhat productive for a few hours, I finally realized that the headache, coughing and breathing difficulty were not going away, so I called it quits, and packed up to go home. The walk to the bus station was... interesting, since by then it was cold, windy and SUPER FUCKING DUSTY, but I made it and also made it home pretty fine. I did, however, crashed right on the sofa the moment I made it home, and didn't get up until my mom came back. By then I was positive I was running a fever, because I was shaking like hell and my fingernails were blue.

My mom made me something to eat and some tea and I drifted in and out of sleep for the entire afternoon on the sofa, with a different array of cats on different parts of me (Truffle really wanted to sit on my chest and she also cuddled next to me, and Dolce and Ginger both took turns on my legs and sometimes the sides of my feet). My fever went up and then down, so I was cold and hot on intervals. Super fun times, I can tell you that. I did watch some TV with my parents, and went to sleep. Fortunately, the cough is a bit subdued, so I was able to fall asleep quite quickly.

I woke up without a fever today but the headache is still here (no doubt due to the coughing, stuffy nose and weather), and food tasted bad, so I don't know. But I can sit upright, which must be an improvement.

*~*

Other things:

I haven't really written in a while, even though I've had plenty to write about. It was, what, two weeks ago H. and I went to the Idan Haviv concert? Which was great, but it marked the beginning of one of my busiest weekends EVER.

It was a beautiful Friday, that one after the concert (maybe I'll actually be able to post pictures from the concert today), but it was full to the brim - work, drive up to KY with H., photography session with her and the pup, and game night at Opher and Shiri's.

Saturday was packing H's apartment, and that was long, hard and tiring, and also included a drive up to her parents' at KY, unpacking and keeping the pup busy while her mom got everything out of the way and into the wardrobe. I only made it home on 22:00 that day, and the fatigue and exhaustion dragged with me for the better part of last week. I only shook it off in the weekend, when I was able to actually sleep.

I had a deal with myself to not leave the house last weekend, but obviously it didn't work. Met Netalie for brunch Friday morning, and we proceeded to walk around TA, and I drove to Visit H. that afternoon. I also managed to squeeze in a visit to my grandma and was planning on going to see a movie but the one I wanted to watch had no more tickets, so I passed. Saturday was mostly quiet, but we did go out to lunch at Brasserie.

This week was fine until yesterday. The cough was getting better and I went to do some serious shopping Tuesday. Sale season, so I got two pairs of shoes, three bras, four long-sleeved shirts and tons of cosmetics. The shirts and shoes were half off, but since my shoes are extremely expensive, I still payed an arm and a leg for them. The bras are always expensive, unfortunately.

I was lucky with the cosmetics, though. I ran into a salesperson (a guy!) who actually knew what he was doing. I knew I needed refills for at least three items, and I also got a night cream. He gave me tons of tips on usage, and when I got home and tried some, and thanked him silently. He also gave me loads of tiny stuff for travel, which is always fun.

I think I'll go see if there's anything fun to watch on TV, and if not try and be productive with easy things, like the photographs or even catching up on my own shows ("Banshee" really bummed me out last week, and I'm super behind on everything, from "Person of Interest" to "The Americans")

Work was hard this week. My boss doesn't seem to understand that mocking people will not make him more popular at the branch, and that being cutesy afterword doesn't change what he said before. I told him before his mocking wasn't nice to hear, but he brushed it off, and it seems I'm speaking to the wall.

The culmination was on Thursday, when we were evacuating the lab (since it's due to start renovations on Sunday). Needless to say, it was completely last minute and we worked our asses off to get everything done in one day, instead of starting at the beginning of the week and, y'know, actually being able to move afterwords (have you ever tried to carry car jack? The big kind? Yeah, heavy and annoying). None of us was really thrilled to come to work on Friday, so we put our backs to it and managed to get everything done. During lunch we got take out, and sat, about 7 of us, in my room (which usually holds 5 workers and some stuff for testing and will now include another person, another desk and stuff to check. Can of Sardines), and Boris came back from being outside. The look on his face when he saw all of us there, and the extra mess and no-place-to-move was so funny I laughed out loud, and got yelled at for it (it was for maybe 5 seconds that I laughed). Michal said, and she's right, that Asaf is jealous of us being together, but I'm seriously fed up with reprimanding about being happy once in a while.

I feel like I work and work and work and all he sees are the little things that he thinks are crap. I'm not looking for constant pats on the back, but I would love to be able to do my job without being constantly interrupted with unimportant requests, without being the scapegoat for everything shitty that happens with my work, and without being so damn swamped that even with all the extra time I still can't everything done.

I hate getting the stink-eye when I leave when I am actually supposed to, the constant remarks about "working half a day" when I get to work at 7:00 and leave at 17:00, about the fact I always have to explain why I'm not working Fridays.

Fun times at work, yes it is.

Different stuff include my dad's birthday today (60!), which means he got a care package, and pancakes in the morning, and my mom is making a strawberry cake for him. I'm also scanning all kinds of photos of him to make him a presentation for his big party at the end of the month. I'll also have to write something down. I need to get started, because it's gonna take me AGES.

I also got some stuff from Strawberry.net, which I hope will be here soon, and I'm still waiting for some Kickstarter stuff and Erin's package, and I bought three really cool necklaces yesterday at the Dizengoff Center's Designer Boutique.

I really wish the weekend was longer. Then again, it's passover the week after this one.

I started my new job this week at the Standard Institute. The best thing I can say is that I feel at home. Everyone have been really nice, I don't mind the overtime (Asaf, my old boss from M. Gold is the head of the branch, and he made it very clear to me I need to do the overtime) and I'm super glad it's in Tel Aviv. 45 minutes by bus and I'm there, and no changes of buses, train, taxis or whatnots. I can't believe how much that's enjoyable.

( Headcount )

I spent most of my time reviewing the standards' files and getting some information gathered about importing policies...

And that was my first week. Next week is short, with Memorial day on Monday (half day's work) and Independence day on Tuesday (oh! Turns out a full day is 8.5 hours, so every minute beyond that is overtime, which is nice). Gonna have some fun this week... :)

*~*

Had loads to do today - gave my doctor a visit to get conformation for work that I'm healthy and she decided I needed blood tests (I doubt I'll do them - I hate them and I feel fine, and I had blood work two years ago). I really hate when she gives me blood tests. It makes me woozy for the entire day.

Also went to consult with an optometrist in Netanya with my glasses saga (he said I would need to get new glasses with closer focal than what I have now to stop my eyes from straining, and that it would be a longer time to get used to them because I've had these for too long). Hopefull it'll work this time.

I also managed to drop by the port market and get some nice stuff and get a burrito at the mexican place I love.

And now I'm off to dive a bit into Society 6.

I had some good work done today.

My Diana F 120 film needed developing, so I set about in search for a place that does that. My first stop was in a big store in Alenbi where they informed me that no, they don't develop 120 color film but only B/W but another store in Alenbi does. Also, they suggested I glue the crack on my old Olympus since I'll have no other way to get it fixed because parts aren't being sent to Israel anymore and it's quite an old camera. I bought a few films extra to have (ISO 100, 400 and 800) and went to the store they pointed me to, where they happily took my film and told me to come back two hours later. They also repeated the glue suggestion from the same reason.

Took off towards Dizengof Center, where I went ot buy shoes as my old snickers are not as stable as they once were. Got a nice pair at Adidas, and as it turns out, I seem to be size 41 in these kind of shoes. Weird.

Anyway, Also got some body scrub at Soap (nice little promotion next to the store had me picking my favorite scent and reach into a box and get some kind of present and I got 20% discount, so very nice) and some crossword puzzle magazine and the latest National Geographic - cover page being about drones...

Took a turn in SOHO, nothing caught my eye, made it to iStore to find out that (as much as I expected) my ipod isn't worth the bother or money of fixing it and went to lunch. Moon had, as usual, very good sushi and very bad service but I really wasnted that sushi and when the Agadashi Tofu took forever they took off 30% of the cost.

Walked back to Alenbi (all by foot - true it's not that far but all together and the way back with parcels it can be annoying - lucky thing I had a good mood and good weather) and got my developed film and the CD with the photos scanned.

Made it home by 16:30 and took a look at the photos - I knew there were some I stupidly didn't take the lens cap off for (first time with this camera - needs getting used to) and those I took inside the Market needed longer exposure or a more open shutter but a few turned out nice and one of the double exposure is sweet as hell (obviously it's Udi's). I learned a lot by looking at them and I think I'll do a better job next time. Also, I need a shutter release for it, and when I get the Fuji I'll get one for that as well.

( The better photos from the Diana, Jerusalem area )

Two rounds at the Accessories Market resulted in:

* Two bags, from "Clemantina". One of which I've been drooling over for some time now - turquoise - and the other is small evening one in black (as weird as it seems, I haven't one in black - I like color too much). She also threw in a small make up case with the purchase, which makes her extra awesome.

I've a thing for Israeli designers - not only the designs are good to great at most cases, but the quality of the things is that much better than the stuff made in China (like most of the stuff found in big chain stores) and you can find anything that fits - for me it also means great bags not made out of leather. I can't even begin to describe how frustrating it can be trying to find a good bag not made out of leather outside this country, unless you go straight for the Kipling-Mandarina Duck-Stella McCartney trio, and those can be pricey as hell.

[I saw a wonderful bag by SM when I was in New York, but it was before the time I could afford one...Well, I don't know if I can afford one now... *check* Nope, not yet.]

I've known the designer for some time now, but it's the first time I've bought something for myself - Both Netalie and Danielle got bags from her. Which also made the buy extra fun.

* Pair of earrings made out of some plastic strip rolled into itself, from the same designer I bought my groovy necklace from last time (the earrings match, but the two put together are too much, so I'll either go with one or the other).

Again, I really like the designer, and we spent some time talking both last time and this one, and her designs are special, not just pretty, and the fit me perfectly (I get a ton of compliments with her necklace). Who other than an Israeli designer would roll plastic strips into jewelery, I ask you?

* Small hair comb with flowers on it. This one was just plain sweet. I don't have any hair ornaments, but this one was just sweet and it looked great.

* A gold and basalt necklace, which was the most expensive of the lot but it's gorgeous and delicate, and fits right into my skin tone and will work well with all my necklines for work (and for the elegant type of evens).

It's been 5 years, I think, since the Market started. I've been going from the very beginning, and part of the fun for me (and my mom, who goes with me almost every time) is talking to the designers - some of them already know us well. I always go at least twice, having so many people to go with, and I always seem to manage buying great stuff.

Until the next time.

Our maid was due today, so I packed myself out of the house. Visited Soho's annual sale, with no items bought (a very weird first, but I only went to mark it as done, not so much as to buy stuff - since I'm still at home and see myself leaving only quite a long time from now there was no point).

Headed over to "Donkey" for a burrito, and ate it in the car, since the place was packed as hell. Great burrito, but next time I think I'm going to ask no chilly - it burned my tongue really well today.

After that I had a small debate with myself, but then just drove over to Ramat Aviv and headed for the World Press Photo. It was pretty meh this year, and seemed smaller somehow (even though I think I remember saying the same thing last year, so I might be wrong). I usually like the international exhibition more than the "Local Testimony" one, but this time...

See, I have no photo stuck in my head from the WPP save one - of the world's largest cave in Vietnam (a definite vacation destination in the future), and even that one isn't about the photo but about the place.

There is one piece from the LT exhibit I keep playing in my head, though. It's a video piece, not video art (which I pretty much despise) - of a man dancing in the fountain created by a fire hydrant which was hit by a car some time before. The man was later recognized as a dancer and choreographer, but in those moments of dance he seems like a little boy, dancing, not in the rain, but in the summer's sprinklers. It was very obviously a modern dancer, no doubt, but the act of dancing in a fire hydrant's fountain is not an act of an adult.

It reminded me of that sensation, of the summer's heat, and the sound of the sprinklers, going this way and that, and you wait for them to hit just the right place and you walk into the rain of it, and the smell it spreads and the sound it emits - it was so lively, that sensation in that moment. It was beautiful, pure joy, and at the end he just lay there, in the water, soaked through and through (as he was withing seconds of going into the stream).

...and that's why I go back every year. For these moments.

Had a very productive day. I went out to get my hair cut (looks all 20's now, love it to bits) and on the way back I dropped off my new pants at the seamstress for hem shortening (yes, more clothes... But those are the last few! I swear, oh mighty bank account! And I won't go back to Honigman for that GORGEOUS red coat...).

When I got home I went through my room for junk and hanged the laundry, got through one of the e-courses for work and I'm in the middle of (finally) organizing the pictures from Paris (even though I think I'm going to postpone the last bits for tomorrow, it's extremely annoying combining pictures from three different camera).

...and I think I'll go have dinner. I'm meeting Abigail tomorrow for a bit of shopping (for her! For her!), Thursday morning is reserved for Danielle and Friday morning I'm meeting Muna in TA.

Busy week (had breakfast with Lilach yesterday as well). Fun!

(And the best fun is not working and getting paid fully...)

Another successful day with spending money, even more so than on Tuesday. Within 45 minutes of arriving at Azrieli I left with four bras, one pair of boots and one pair of flat everyday shoes and without 3000 NIS.

Quite a quota, I'll say.

And that pretty much concludes the "must" shopping list I had for a few weeks now. My favorite bra completely ripped yesterday (well, it was almost 5 years old, and it was working hard...) so it was really necessary to get to Lea London for new bras. It was very quick and easy - I just walked in, told the saleslady what size I was and she pulled out about 10 bras for me to try on. Being quite trained with bra trying I was out of the trying booth with my favorites in a matter of minutes and with the smallest amount of help from her.

The shoes was quite easy as well, after procrastinating about whether to get the Originals or something a bit cheaper, I said to myself "Fuck it" and got two pairs for the sole purpose of keeping my feet in working condition and actually be able to go to work with a dress.

I just love it when TV shows go puck-puck-BOOM.

"Hunted" is very good. It's British, so don't expect any quick solutions, but that's the great part. Awesome characters, awesome kick assery (I'll never be tired of watching small cute girls beating the shit out of three guys twice her size) and the twisty plot is quite riveting. I strongly recommend.

In other news, I finished four books these past two weeks and I'm closing in on the fifth (Three Stephanie Plum novels, "The Perks of being a Wallflower" and "One night, Markovitz"). I've enough time on the bus and the service taxi to actually read.

Work is still a mess, but I've started taking things into my own hands a bit more and I've actually got some work done this week (e-courses).

And the weather is being nasty. White. The sky are supposed to be blue.

Got a party tonight and a party tomorrow night, and "DressCode" fair this afternoon. I don't think I'll buy something, I did get a dress, a shir and a jacket this week but I still like going.

And the end of the month is the Accessories market.

And December I'll be in Huston, it seems.

And February until April as well. I'll miss Purim, Passover and the Independence day, not to mention my mom's and cousin's birthdays.