Sneezing in Pittsburgh

Wow! It has been a gosh-darn while! Uncool, Leni, so uncool.

Since I've last posted, I have moved to Pittsburgh, started grad school, lost my job, been broken up with, started dating again, started writing two young adult novels, and played a heckload of darts.

Will be updating here more often as I am now on summer break (much to come on the passings of June in the next few days: recap of Bonnaroo '11, OBX, and the great karaoke revelation).

I live in Squirrel Hill: an adorable little neighborhood that begs for the use of the word "quaint." The variety of restaurants and local markets give me an opportunity to explore a variety of cuisines and cooking styles. One of my particular favorites is The Silk Elephant. Reasonably priced thai tapas and an excellent wine selection (though, the last time I went I ordered a cucumber martini that wasn't too shabby either!).

My lease is ending soon, and as much as I've grown to love my little Squirrel Hill haven, I will be moving out towards the Dormont area. The past few months, I've grown closer with people out in that direction, and it makes more sense to be out there rather than twenty minutes away. I am hoping to rent a full-blown house with two other people.

This, of course, gives me a false sense of grown-up-ness. As though renting a house is the same as owning one and therefore I have earned my almost-27-year-old status.

Blech. That reminds me that my birthday is this Friday. I love birthdays, and this year I am having a themed party, though I am not sure that anyone will be participating in my awesome idea--"Dress As Your Favorite Comic/Sci-Fi Character." Easy, right? Put on a pair of undies and call yourself Leni-Woman: Defender of Mispronounced Names or whatever. I'd accept it for creativity points.

Anyway, I can't believe that I'm almost thirty. Making more progress than I have in the past few years, but it's been slow at best. Stupid recession. Stupid collapsing retail empires. Stupid...stupidness.

Yep. That's maturity for ya.

Love,
Leni-I've-Had-Too-Many-Energy-Drinks-Cat