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Having not updated much in the past month or so, I thought an explanation might be in order. I officially no longer have a computer that will run long enough to make using it even remotely worthwhile. So, in the meantime, Martha has created an account on her (working) laptop so that I can do some basic web surfing....

It has been a long few weeks. First, my desktop starting making a nice grinding noise - this is probably the tenth time in the last month or so. I wasn't really suprised, though it does piss me off that computers cost so much but barely last three years. Anyway, after screwing with it for hours, I've discovered that the hard disk is slowly slipping into the ether... Right now the tasks I am 'allowed' to perform involve browing the web with Firefox (IE won't work). It also crashes if I try to watch a movie or listen to sound, so even web surfing is a little tough. A few days later, my laptop started failing again - it now heats up and locks after about five minutes of use. I got so frustrated that I punched it yesterday (which coincidentally did more damage to my hand than the computer). I think I may throw it off my fourth-floor balcony sometime soon.

And of course, I cannot afford to buy another computer. Between the two of us, money is tight, as I'm sure it is for most of the quickly evaporating middle class.

Speaking of money.... I had an interesting job offer. From GU. I was asked last week if I would like to take a 1-year position at the Doha, Qatar campus. While there is a somewhat substantial increase in pay while over there, this comes at a very bad time, with the wedding in May. I don't think we could afford to move away right now. I haven't officially said no yet, but I think I'm going to next week. While it would be interesting, I just don't think now is the right time for it. Though I have to admit, leaving DC is becoming more and more appealing to both Martha and I.

On another note, Martha and I had the Charles Shaw Shiraz and it was pretty damn good. Much, much better than the zinfandel that we had. It makes me wonder if maybe it had turned or something.

So, that's life in my world. As usual, nothing really exciting going on.

Posted by Jeremy Sarnovsky at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One thing I "discovered" when I moved to Washington, DC is Trader Joe's. I am aware that these stores exist throughout the country - including near where I grew up. The thing is, I had never actually been in one until I moved to our nation's capital. I've been a few times now (although I really should go more), and I have to say, it is a pretty great store.

I'm really not the type of person who worries about all-natural foods, organics and what have you, but the one thing that gets me about Trader Joe's is how cheap everything is. When I go there, I usually pay about a dollar less on everything I normally buy at the grocery store. Milk, cereal, beef, mandarin orange chicken stir fry. I wonder why they are so much cheaper....

Martha and I made a trip to the Trader Joe's in Bailey's Crossroads yesterday because we were at the Bed, Bath and Beyond buying a table cloth (yawn). We went over to TJs, and the first thing I noticed was the horrible stench emanating from the store. Honestly, it smelled like a barn yard. Now at first I thought it was just me, but Martha confirmed the stench... At that point I was a little worried about purchasing anything from a store that smelled, quite honestly, like an elephant had just taken a nasty turd on aisle three. (Clean up in Aisle 3!)

I tolerated the smell so we could get some of the cereal I like (Triple Berry O's), and so Martha could get her mandarin orange chicken, and we also pruchased some wine. I should have been suspicious of this wine, as it was on sale for $3.99 a bottle, but we've always had good luck at TJs... That was not the case this time, however. We bought two bottles of "Charles Shaw" wine - a Chardonnay and a Shiraz. The first thing I noticed when we opened the Chardonnay is that it smelled like dirty feet. It didn't taste much better. (Or it could have, but I just couldn't get over the smell.) It was horrible. Martha and I couldn't even drink half a glass before we poured it out. We haven't tried the Shiraz yet, but if it is anything like the Chardonnay, it is going to be a waste of $8. I feel sorry for the guys I saw buying a box of the stuff...

So that's it. If you go to Trader Joe's, stay away from the Charles Shaw wine.

Posted by Jeremy Sarnovsky at 02:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)