Working

One thing that is great about working again is that I get to catch up on my blog reading. It's funny how I had all the time in the world for six months and I rarely even got to Ajax's blogg. But, now that I have a steady 9-5 job I have lots of time to read.

Work Clothes
I absolutely, cannot stand having to put on fancy clothes only just to sit in them for 8 hours a day. It drives me crazy. So crazy that I get uber stressed out about having to figure out what to wear. Usually what I do is I follow the guidelines for awhile and then I slowly integrate something inappropriate, like giant platform boots. Or something forbidden, like jeans. At my last job we weren't supposed to wear jeans, except for on "casual friday" (god, that is so lame), and about a year into working there I said outloud, "this is lame" and then I just wore them whenever. You know what? Jeans are not gonna prevent me from doing my job. They did, however, label me as a rebel and rule breaker. WhatEVER!

So, to prevent myself from going crazy, I decided to create a uniform of sorts for my new job! A uniform, you say!?! Yes. I went out and bought 7 pairs of black pants from The Gap and a various selection of long sleeve, black, knit shirts and sweaters and the occasional black button shirt, a pair of dansko shoes called "JAZZ,"and about a dozen pairs of black socks. This way I can just get up and put on basically the same thing every day, I know what I look like it in it, I know that it all fits and I know that I will be comfortable. I know, it sounds a little extreme or maybe boring. But not really. There is no standing around in front of your closet trying to decide what to wear*. There are no multiple wardrobe changes and most importantly, no regrets. Girls know what this is. When you put something on in the morning and then you get to work and you realize that you feel like the biggest ass in what you are wearing? No regrets.

Menlo Park
My new job is in Menlo Park. Kind of a drag to commute, but not so bad. One thing exciting is that I get to explore new shopping areas. So far, the Stanford Mall kicks ass! Hi? FOUR high-end anchor stores? Not only Macy's and Nordstroms, but Nieman Marcus AND Bloomingdales. Saweeeet! I also love fancy grocery stores and was psyched to be close to an Andronico's (even tho its just a Molly Stones in disguise, which is just a cheaper version of Whole Foods).

Last night I met my Woodside Friends for dinner in Menlo Park on "the strip" aka Santa Cruz Ave. I got there a little early and walked around looking at all the little shops. My verdict about Santa Cruz Ave is that it is full of shops where people don't actually buy stuff. Like persian rug shops, and high end galleries and clothing stores and those weird stores that when you walk into, you think they have a theme but as you look around you realize that they really don't. It's just a store full of high-priced unrelated stuff like candles and wallets?

Ok, let's get my work on.


*actually this isn't true...ridiculous as it sounds, I have actually switched long sleeve black shirts while getting dressed becuse one wasn't "right."