Weekend 1

Weekend 1 – Last Minute

So, as a responsible adult, I set my alarm for 8:15am the night before, so I can get enough rest and still make the 9am last call for shirt washing/pressing. Naturally, I spent most of the morning wasting time (thank you FB and YouTube)… and only by 10:30am, while finishing cereal, I remembered that there actually IS a purpose to waking up at a decent hour. Except that the purpose is now past due. The dry cleaners in Addison Circle and EVERY dry cleaners in the area seems to have the 9am last call for same day jobs, since they all send them out. Somehow I end up finding a place that has their own machine and was willing to do something on Saturday. Prior to then, I decide that I still have time to go War Walking (or searching for free internet. To my great surprise, it was a lot more difficult to find it then I expected. Wi-Fi was found behind Pastazio’s, the pizza place from Thursday, and that is where I posted “Day 2”.

By the time I arrive to the cleaners, it seems like I nearly missed this train too. The guy said they are closing soon, but I talked him into doing one shirt. Win. Barely.

From Russia With Love. Next I end up calling around and finding some tailor near by. Sounded pretty Hispanic on the phone, so I don’t think much of it. Texas, right? Golden Thimble Tailors, I walk in – classical music playing, and this lady walks out from the back.

After telling her I just called, I catch her accent. Not too thick, but thick enough for me to know my own J Russian indeed, in Dallas since 1974. So now I have a tailor, Lucy, a Russian one at that. Well, as it turns out, Ukranian – Odessa =) And tailored pants in less than 2 hours. Definitely win. It also seemed like her mom is working there as well. And the leftovers from обед (obed) just screamed Russia.

Ceviche. Lunch was a quick chips and tapas at a cantina right by the tailor. Modelo and Ceviche at the bar… ah now that was definitely success too.

The tart nature reminded me of marinated селёдка (seledka) a bit. To me, at least, that’s a good thing.

Favors. While writing this bit at the tailor, conversing with a customer and Lucy, it turns out that Lucy’s assistant needs a ride one stop light down. Naturally I cannot say no, especially considering that the lady just finished my pants. So I bring her to the nail salon. At the end of the trip, she asks me if I’m Russian or Jewish. Priceless moment (for those who still maintain that Jewish is a religion. I suppose it really depends where you are - in Russia it is definitely more cultural rather than religious. Aparently, Lucy is Russian, but her husband is Jewish.

Indecision. The rest of the day I attempted furniture shopping for the first time in my life. Wow. Up until this day, I did not realize how difficult it is to pick furniture. I suppose I’m just a perfectionist… with a big spender taste, but no check to keep with it. I was only able to find just one out of four major items. A table with chairs. Which is good progress.

On a whim. Afterwards, I decided to cruise down closer to uptown, but without much success. Then I figured I need some sort of lagniappe, so I decided why not call my friend and see if she is up for a movie. So I drive way out to Lewisville (30 minute North/West). And me and La Quenta go see Toy Story 3. It was AWESOME.

Sunday. I drive about 40 mins North to the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox church. It was kind of nice to see an actual church building with some clearly Russian people there. It was about half Americans and half FSU. The priest was very much like Fr. Alexander back in Mobile (and they actually knew each other). Good experience.

Afterwards, I decide to go furniture shopping, and this time, hopefully with a purpose. I.E. not look at coffee tables BEFORE getting a bed and a couch. La Quenta was interested in coming out and sharing her opinion, which helped greatly with my particularly indecisive perfectionist approach. So when I looked at the bed and came to the conclusion that it is what I WANT, especially so at that price, I decided that is it.

It did take a dinner with a glass of wine to make the final push… but seriously, ladies and gents, if you find something and you feel it is right – just do it! Chances are, it will be too late if you think twice. So I bought it. Now I have to get it to my house some time. After the furniture store, we walked around the SMU area, which is apparently known to be snob central of the entire SOUTH. At least according to a random NOLA guy we met at West Elm… an interior designer working as a sales guy at a furniture store. Recession.

Afterwards, we just walked around Mockingbird Station area and enjoyed the sunset. On the way to the car, there was an F355 in the lot. Naturally, I had to take a picture of it. And to complement a fine vehicle, conveniently, I had a nice lady right next to me.

The day was success. Except for the ending. I recalled that I needed to fill out some online paperwork BEFORE my first day. FAIL. So I scurry over to the business center, only to learn that some guy and some drag queen occupied the two working computers. It didn’t seem like they would get off any time soon. FAIL. Next I end up running around the Addison circle trying to find internet somewhere, without luck… and without juice in my laptop battery. So I turn in. Decide to wake up at 6am and do it then. So in the end, I managed to procrastinate BEFORE I started working.