The benefits of finally getting around to the Advance Reader's books floating around my house

Girls- (and possibly Ari, although I think you'd enjoy it far less)

Drop whatever you are doing and go out and get Hothouse Flower and the 9 Plants of Desire by Margot Berwin.

No, seriously, do it NOW.

It's rare that a book engrosses me enough to not only nearly miss my stop on the train, but also lose out on several hours of sleep just so I could finish it... in a day.

And there was much rejoicing

Hey Rachel, you can post now!

I somehow ended up designated poster Re: Adem's BDayBBQ.  I think I volunteered.  Or maybe I was drugged.  Or hypnotized.  Or there was a shiny object.  

Ooooh, shiny object.

There was much food and much rejoicing.  Any night is good that starts out with chocolate-covered figs and strawberries with a blueberry port reduction for the sauce.  Also Cajun Shrimp Fettucine. Mmmm.  And fiesta dip and homemade guac, and cake.  

Christina played a bunch of songs.  She has mellowed out her voice.  There are no longer moments where you're (or at least I'm) convinced someone is strangling a cat.  John seemed particularly taken with her music.  

We all played "Fill in the Blanks of Ari's Life" since all of us seem to be getting different bits and pieces of your story.  You need to post more damn it. Putting together a puzzle not knowing who has what piece is more complicated than all of our over-taxed brains can handle.  And it will only get worse one the girls to to Vegas and kill brain cells not just with mass amounts of alcohol, but from lack of oxygen when they forget to breathe while watching gyrating manflesh at Thunder from Down Under.

All in all the party was fun, all were well fed. Steffie channeled an overgrown breech baby. (yes I did mean to say breech) It lacked the frenetic haphazard energy of an Ari party, of course, but then again it was an Adem-Channeling-Billy-Mays party.

In other News: The Meghan Files

• Cute boy at softball last week- must pursue, even if he reminds me of Pete.
• It's hella fucking humid.
• I have been invited to participate in a threesome, expect an update about all things awkward this weekend.  But there will be cheesesteak, so not all will be lost.
  
• OkCupid keeps showing me Jeff as a "User you might like".  Must beat Staff Robot to death.  
• There are 7 people in the world right now doing their best Tony the Tiger impersonation  for an audience comprised of a pair of scissors, a can of crushed tomatoes and a plastic hanger.

Ok, so maybe I don't hate my job

Basically, I said "I need more money," and *poof* - I got a raise.  Then I said "I can't work here unless you also pay my commute" and *poof* - Metrocard, LIRR, tolls, and gas all paid (my boss doesn't even get her Metrocard paid).  I said I wanted less hours, and suddenly I'm only working 20 a week.  Honestly, this place LOVES me.

An hour later, the mom of my tutee calls, saying that her daughter is in love with me and may perhaps build a shrine to me (she's 7) and she sincerely hopes all the company's tutors are just like me.  My boss told her boss (the Director of the program) who told THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENTIRE FLIPPIN' COMPANY.  That's right - he now thinks I'm amazing.

Then they hired Dan.  And I aced my 2nd teaching exam w/out ever taking an ed course.  Best.  Day.  Ever.