(no subject)

Turns out the car trouble was fairly minor. There was a problem with the wiring to the starter, which wasn't too pricey to fix. Had them check the belts, too, while they were in there, as there's been a strange intermittent whining kind of noise when on the road. The serpentine belt was pretty cracked up, and would have needed replacing soon, so I just had them do that, too.

All told, it was only about $130; since I'd had horrible visions of needing to come up with $5-600 when it was sitting there last night, I feel like I got off lucky!

Chipotle!

For those in Minnesota, Chipotle is helping local food shelves with a food drive today (June 5th).

Bring any two non-perishable food items to Chipotle, and get a free burrito! (Obviously, if you want to give more they won't complain!)

So far they're just doing this in Minnesota (Twin Cities metro, out to St. Cloud), but if it's a success they're looking at implementing it around the country.

shower meme, from schpahky

1. How do you know when you are in love?

That's hard, because so many of the things that first come to mind are as much about being in lust as being in love, and it's often impossible to tell the difference early on.

When it comes down to it, I think you know it's love when you feel more complete when you're together, without feeling any less whole as a person when you're apart. Perhaps even feeling more whole in yourself than you used to. You know you're in love when being together leaves you feeling refreshed and grounded, even when you're apart; even when you're worried or uncertain about what's happening in your lives.

I've been thinking about how to answer this one for a couple of days now, and I still don't think this is quite successful in conveying my thoughts.


2. Do you feel you fit the astrological stereotypes of Libra?

Pretty much, I think. Then again, I'm not sure... maybe I'm not, really. What's your thought on it?

But really... I've got both Libra sun and moon, with Aquarius rising.

I sure don't have the tact one would expect from a stereotypical Libran! My skill with web development type stuff fits both the artistic and logical qualities, and I love doing research, which also seems (to me) to be a very Libran sort of thing. Not sure where my stubborn streak fits in, though; maybe that's more an Aquarian issue?

Balance has become more important to me over the years, though I'm still working on figuring out how to be more balanced in my own life. I used to have a terrible time making decisions, but I'm getting better about that. I can still agonize over a choice with a thoroughness that disturbs non-Librans, though!


3. What does LJ mean to you?

Especially in the last couple years it's become important as a connection to real people. Since being laid off a couple years ago I've mainly been getting freelance and contract work, and working from home. The lack of funds often keeps me home, as well. I'm not out and around people as much anymore- or at least I wasn't, before I started spending more time with Peter!

While that solitude is kind of nice from time to time, when it's nearly all of the time it gets old fast, and the lack of contact with other people becomes wearing.

LJ is a window on the world for me, and a connection to people. It lets me keep in touch with friends that I sometimes otherwise lose touch with, and has introduced me to people I never would have met otherwise. LJ reminds me to write, both to others and for myself. It's a cross between a conversation, letters, a journal, and a nagging writing prof. ;)


4. If you could live anywhere in the continental U.S. other than where you are, where would you live?

I don't really know; my thoughts usually turn to places in Europe when I think of living somewhere else.

I like the area around Little Traverse Bay in Michigan. It's gorgeous there, and feels very comfortable. The air is so clean and clear, and the artesian springs are still amazingly pure. Sadly, it's mainly summer homes, so much of the economy is based on tourism. It's can be a sparse, hand-to-mouth life for the year 'round residents.

I used to think I wanted to live in a city; then I went to Germany and after three months in Stuttgart I knew I needed to be closer to open land. Finished high school in my (smallish) hometown, and got sick of being surrounded by open land. Moved to the city- but close to a river lined with parks and trees, and found that kind of thing was pretty close to what I really wanted: The benefits of a major metro area, but not so huge as to have that claustrophobic feeling of being packed in with too many other people, while still having an immediate connection to the land and nature.

No matter what, it would have to be a place with actual, distinct seasons. I may bitch about the cold or the heat, but life wouldn't seem right without the seasonal cycle!


5. What is a passion of yours that embarrasses you?

I can't really think of any that embarrass me. I've a few that remind me I'm a little, ah, "different", but that's about as far as it goes.