Day 2

The day began with at least half a dozen snoozes of the alarm. The goal was to get up as though I was going to work and make a test-drive. The simulation was deferred by an hour. But either way, made it to Capital One with no delay. Everything was looking much more refreshing today, since the rain cleared, and even the sun started peeking through.

Breakfast. So on the way back, I decide to stop by near work at some coffee shop. First thought - some Starbucks has got to be around. To my great surprise, I still have YET to see Starbucks, and even though I'm in the seemingly upscale part of town, not a single SB in sight.

I end up going to this casino-looking place, called Cafe Express.

For a second I was worried my attire was a little weak (jeans/flipflops). The reality was considerably less snobish. The selection was quite ample with typical breakfast sandwiches. I went with fresh fruit and a muffin with a coffee for 10 bucks. Seemed fair. The coffee selection was very PJs/Starbucks, except they had syrups next to the sugar and mint leaves next to the lemons. Now THAT was fresh. Hearning Euro House on the speakers was also a welcome change to the emo garbage they play in NOLA coffee shops. Plus having a couple older business-looking gentlemen chatter away in front of a laptop about profitability and depreciation - well that was pretty too.

Overall - great morning, and a good preparation for the busy day to follow. The rest of the day was occupied running around town with Toll Tag stuff, insurance, inspection, and of course, my regular close-of-the night spot, Target. Remember the great roads I was boasting earlier? Well you can’t have just good stuff – it has to balance somewhere. The balance is tolls. North Dallas Tollway will be my primary road of travel, and as name would have it, you have to pay for it. Yet again, to my great surprise, the visit to the toll place was not particularly unpleasant nor lengthy. Best part, nobody was rude to me. Quick and efficient – the way we dream bureaucracy to be one day. In all fairness, it’s probably not true bureaucracy – I’ll be at the DMV next week, so I’ll let you know how it really is.

Intermission. Then came a little lagniappe, before I left the house, I decided a quick strum on the guitar is in order. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rdIeBOOUoo

Lunch at a neighborhood Italian place, Antonios. $13 Lunch Entree.

And of course, the obligatory bathroom-mirror shot. The purpose here is to illustrate the presence of various extras (mouthwash, lotion, cologne?) and the LACK of a shady pseudo-concierge homeless guy trying to convince you that you need all of those things just so he can get a buck from you. For the ladies unaware of such things - it is particularly common in New Orleans, typically in clubs.

The Insurance. So now since I’m my own man, I have to pay my own bills. So the auto insurance, which averaged to something like $600/6mos in NOLA (and that is being on my mom’s policy) ran the bill up to $460/6mos for full coverage! Now that was a pleasant surprise. To add to the good – the State Farm office was literally across the street from the Italian restaurant, where I was having my lunch. Mixed-use development = win. Note such an attractive rate was in part due to me buying a $150/6mos renter’s insurance policy.

The DMV. Almost. I couldn’t actually take care of the DMV stuff until I had my inspections done. Wow, now this is a huge minus for Houston/Dallas areas. I have never seen or even heard of such stringent regulations on cars. They had a DYNO there for cars 95 and older! A friggin DYNO! Fortunately, for 40 bucks and a good verbal exchange I passed. And I got a free car wash. Success.

As I was near my all-time favorite shopping spot, I decided it’s about that time. 200 dollars later, I leave just before 9. So I came to a conclusion that I am an indecisive perfectionist, with a dash of ADD. What a combination… Instead of trying to buy a bed, table, or a couch, I spent at least a half an hour at the electronics section. Naturally, I had to stop by Dollar Tree after Target, as I realized all of my dishes are still in transit until Monday. For a dollar I picked up a pretty attractive glass (Made in Italy, mind you!). Win.

The supper was obtained at a certain pizza shop near Target. Despite the minor typo on their window print, the owner turned out to be a really cool Venezuelan kid. Came home and enjoyed some Tron with my calzone. For some strange reason, at 11:30p I still had energy, so I decided to apply it to a good purpose and measure the house. Midnight. Out.

//A

Now I need to get me some rest so I can accomplish some actually relevant shopping tomorrow. IKEA here I come! Rooms To Go, and whatever other appropriate locales may come up on the way. Honestly, worst comes to worst – I’m back at Target. They have plenty of decent stuff.