The Disturbing Evidence of Ali's Adulthood

I drink coffee every morning, and I like it strong, damn it.

Nine times out of ten, I cook dinner at home, on the stove. Often there are more than 5 ingredients involved.

I visit nytimes.com pretty much everyday. The book reviews are the best.

I have a commute. I'm up before six in the morning to catch an early train.

I buy cat litter. For my cat. I have a cat.

When I was a kid I used to dislike granola bars because they were supposedly so nutritious, and therefore groossss. Now I like granola bars because they are supposedly so nutritious, and therefore mmmmtasty.

I have olive oil in my cupboard. I will have to restock soon. I have plenty of Basalmic vinegar, however.

I give a shit about taxes.

My heart goes pitter-patter when I see a sign that says "SALE!" anywhere that sells home decor.

At work I say things like "Let me get my contact at the manufacturer on the phone and I'll see why you weren't cleared for tax exemption," and "I just received your credit application and will send it right away, but could you tell me the address of your corporate office for me to add to our records?"

I have friends that enjoy drinking wine that costs more than five dollars and doesn't come in a jug.

I miss college. SO MUCH. To any friends still in college: Nap while you can, children. Gather zzz's while ye may.

Sometimes, when I see a really cute baby drooling on some tired-looking woman's shoulder, I think "I want one!" Only sometimes, though. Strangely enough, I never think "I want one!" when I see a tired-looking woman with a wedding ring.

I don't own a television, and I'm fine with that.

Actually, I really miss TLC and the Discovery Channel. Especially the documentaries on people with weird medical conditions. This is just further proof of grown-upidness.

NPR seems so much less snotty to me now. Sometimes I think it's downright enjoyable to listen to.

I look at the tag before putting an item of clothing in the washing machine...and seperate my colors from my whites.

Teenagers seem so damn needlessly loud.

My mom is right about a lot more things than she used to be...even if what she told me hasn't changed at all.

I now prefer orzo to speghetti. HANDS DOWN. None of that fork-twirling crap for me!

I haven't spent any time on AIM since before I left New Hampshire.

I have cried over finances. I HAVE FINANCES. Finances blow.

Unless it's the weekend, I need to be in bed by eleven to be even remotely useful the next day (due to the necessity of rising so early). I remember staying up until three AM because I knew the next day was a "sleep til noon" occasion; I remember staying up until three AM even if I knew the next day wasn't.

I always heard grown-ups saying that lawyers and politicians were the scum of the earth but had no clue why this was the case. Now I know, and kids will here me saying the same thing and I will envy them their confusion.

I find myself clucking my tongue and shaking my head when I read the news (every day). 'The News' used to be a boring old thing that only dads could stand. Now it's an important thing that I try to talk about with everybody.

Calories matter.

I like to make lists. When I cross something off, I waggle my head in a satified matter and make a little "hrrmph" sound of positive finality.

Solid plans make me happy. Spontaneity is scary if it happens Monday through Friday.
Note: Spontaneity after 5 PM is acceptable on Fridays...see what I mean?

Lately I have been lamenting the fact that I don't yet own a turkey baster or cheese grater (but Christmas is cooommmming! *rubs palms together excitedly*).

I like to play cards with nifty people and the cards don't have fish on them. There is rarely slapping at piles or calling 'bullshit.' I want somebody to teach me how to play Cribbage.

My aresenal of 'comfortable' underwear is expanding (though this has much to do with the fact that I don't have a boyfriend presently).

I make my bed pretty much every day. I keep my apartment tidy. Yes, tidy. If it's messy, I get all fidgety and can't concentrate. There was once a time when I would use the piles of clothes strewn around the room as napping platforms. *sigh*

Crossword puzzles ARE SO MUCH FUN.

None of my cosmetic products contain sparkles or smell like fruit punch or bubble gum.

I have legitimately used the term "brazen hussy."

RECAAAAP!

Here is a note I wrote on MAY 13th, 2009:

"In two days my boyfriend James and I will be setting off in our station wagon, packed with all the belongings we can fit inside, and driving 2,000 miles to Denver. I definitely did not plan on leaving this fast (I just graduated last Saturday) but I potentially have a great job out there waiting for me and if I want it I need to take the initiative and go get it. Denver offers far more opportunity for cheap housing and jobs than any city around here and thought I don't want to say goodbye to New England but at the same time I don't want to become jaded; I want to spend time away in some place new so that I can come back here and be so happy to see all my trees, cows, and barns again. I love all of you and I don't want to leave any of you, but if there is a time to do this, it is now.

As I mentioned earlier, James is coming too. This is good, because I don't have to make the trip alone and he's from that area originally so he wants to help me get settled and show me what Colorado has to offer. Though incredibly overwhelmed, I am immensely excited...I've always wanted to take a cross country road trip; I just wish I could haul all of you with me. My car is beat up and old but we got it checked out and $250 later they said it's good to go.

I'll be taking my camera and I'll be making notes the whole way, and I PROMISE I will not lose touch with you just because I'm way out there. I want to share this with my favorite people, and if doesn't work out, I can always come back. ALSO, you bitches better come out and visit me. The apartment I'm looking at is mere blocks away from the park, Denver Zoo, lots of shopping, and a couple museums. It will be easy to stay busy.

Okay, well I have lots more packing to do before Friday...if it's at all possible to say goodbye in person, I'd definitely like to do so. My phone is on, so call if you want to."

Okay, so the trip was successful, I now live in Denver, I have a job working at the local rape crisis center, and life is weird and busy and still happening. The reason I've posted this is because now I may actually have time to blog again, and not only that, I may actually have things to blog about. For example, in the last two days I've been hugged by a religious black pirate and hit on by a shy Mexican man: "Do you have time, miss?" "Oh, um, sure! *looks at cell phone" "It's 4:13." "Oh, okay. Hey..." *blushes and looks away* "Miss, are you...are you single?".

And that's just a taste of things to come. Oh my yes.