This week was a loooong one. I had fun (the TAPS event), but work? yeesh. Let’s not go there. I try to take it one day at a time but it’s tough when the work crap from yesterday bleeds into today and tomorrow.
But let’s focus on pleasanter things!
I’ve been on a quest to destash, as you likely already know. Recently I’ve managed to sell several stash items via Ravelry, which is great! So far I’ve only swapped once since being on the yarn diet–I traded my pink RubySapphire yarn for some camel colored Louet Gems Opal, which arrived today. These will be perfect for future work socks. 
Other than that, I have not acquired any new yarn. I can hardly believe that I’ve managed to remain true to the yarn diet and not buy yarn for almost three months. I know I’ve saved so much money by abstaining (hehe) and that’s a good feeling. I wish I had destashed more to date, but when I look at my “tossed or traded” page on Ravelry, I realize how much yarn I’ve unloaded in recent weeks, so I’m not doing too badly.
I finally made it to the municipal center to fill out my paperwork for my second job at the library. Originally I had an appointment to do this on Tuesday afternoon, but the HR lady canceled that morning (which ended up working out really well because I was able to drive up to the TAPS event earlier than I would have, if I had gone to the appointment). So this morning before going to my regular job, I went down and filled out probably a dozen different forms–employee info sheet, W-4 form, direct deposit form, release for criminal background check, and several others I don’t even remember now. When I thought I was finished, I took them to the HR lady and then she said, “ok, now I’m going to send you down the street to the police station…”
Me: 
“…where they’re going to fingerprint you…”
Me:
“…just so we can make sure you’re not an axemurderer!”
Seriously, she actually said that. Granted, she was joking, but wow…so after driving up and around and down the street no less than three times in attempts to find the police station, despite the fact that she had given me a map of the whole area, I finally found it, parked across the street, and walked to the police station (in the rain–drizzle, more like), where I was FINGERPRINTED. All ten digits, then the eight main digits (everything except my thumbs)…yikes! It was a little weird. I’ve never been fingerprinted AT A POLICE STATION, just for a job! But then again, it’s at the library, which is a city job, so…I understand. And now I can say that I’ve been fingerprinted like a common criminal or something, sheesh. 
Then I had to go back to the HR building to finish more paperwork, yay. When all that was finally done, the HR lady said, “oh, and there’s one more thing…” to which I said, “oh…?” (mug shots, mayhap?) And then she said, “You get a shirt and a lanyard, as our way of saying welcome!”
Now that’s pretty cool. And it’s a nice polo shirt with the VA Beach Library logo embroidered on the front. sweet! 
Turns out that I’ll have to go back one *more* time to get my photo taken for my ID badge–I’m not sure why we didn’t do that today, but she said I would come back after I “get going” at the job. Maybe to give me a little bit of time in case they decide I suck at the job and they want to can me. 
phew! What a process, and I haven’t even worked my first shift there yet!
After that, I went to my normal job, which wasn’t too bad today. Maybe the people who usually bother me over email were relaxed since the weekend was near.
After work, I went to Barnes & Noble to use a coupon they emailed me–I swear, B&N owns my book-loving soul. They send me coupons once every week/week and a half, it seems. And actually, I think the more I shop there, the more coupons they send. Just the other day, they sent me a 50% off coupon (!), which I used to buy 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders for eight bucks! The way I see it, not only are knitting books allowed on the yarn diet, but I’ve built up such a pattern library that I have NO excuse not to use up my stash. I’m trying to be strategic about the yarn diet, really I am!
Anyway, I’d been wanting to read The Celestine Prophecy, so that’s what I used my 10% coupon on today. One of my sisters read it years ago and recommended it, plus I’d heard other good things about it, so I figured I’d give it a shot.
I know I should patronize the library instead (maybe once I start working there I’ll actually use it?), but I must be one of those people who has a “thing” for new books. And not just the smell of them (though new book smelling is definitely one of my quirks).
Speaking of books, can anyone recommend a good reference to start reading up on existentialism? I found one at B&N (it’s cheaper on Amazon) but I’ll check if the library carries it before I buy it. I’ve been on a quest to read up on that, but am unsure where to start. Wikipedia isn’t really helping me much.
This week has been so rainy and autumnal, but still warm most days. I’m waiting for the weather to turn completely and be cool or even cold. Even so, the rain is a nice change…it’s challenging to drive in, especially on the interstate–I passed yet another accident today on the way home. But I think this weekend, as it’s my last “free” weekend before my second job begins, I’ll spend it relaxing inside, re-watching my Ghost Hunters DVDs and The Number 23 which arrived from Netflix today (kc, have you seen it yet? I remember you mentioned you wanted to!), working on my Secret of the Stole (I’m behind one clue–I think #4 was posted today but I’m barely into #3), and just kicking back!
This one is way closer, and guess what? They want to interview me for a *nights and weekends* position!
