Even smiling makes my face ache

Mmm, I love the smell of lemming in the morning, I blame kuro_neko:
( Harry Potter Personality Quiz )

Can I just say "Ow"? I think I reached the limits of my physical endurance at least twice this weekend, which is pretty impressive if you think about it. Got up bright and early Saturday to get some stuff packed into my Bug from the house and take Aelf to Uhaul to pick up the truck. We started packing it up at 11:30 and help arrived around noon-ish to lend a hand. I got to be smug about being right regarding the bookcases standing upright in the truck (I have truly fearsome spatial senses, my days as a curator honed them to perfection). Then many of us stood back to allow lil_m_moses and forkmonkey to work their organizational and strapping magic on the rest. In all there was plenty of room, but given that she was moving into a single bedroom it kind of follows.

Everyone took off around 1:30 or so, though lil_m_moses had to grab a part for Aelf's bed frame so I waited at the house for her while Aelf took off. Got on the road myself not too long thereafter and went through the usual Saturday afternoon nonsense on 17 before getting a call from Aelf. The truck had broken down on the 1 offramp!!!

She told me to go ahead to the new place and wait for her there as Uhaul was supposed to be sending someone along to fix it. I did as instructed (I had all of her frozen goods with me, so it's actually wise that I did go on ahead) and met some of the family she's moving in with. Really sweet and gracious people. I settled in her new room and enjoyed the lovely breeze while reading through my latest DS9 novel. Time continued to creep along until finally around 5 I called Aelf to hear her nearly in tears and saying the police were going to tow the truck.

I silently cursed Uhaul and all their agents, but was glad that at least she was going to be getting off that damn off ramp and would be back at the new place so I could take her for food and then back home. Neither of us had eaten since that morning and were starved. Fortunately she arrived not too much later with the world's slowest tow truck driver. Once that was all straightened out we got advice on good local restaurants and head over to Dharma's, an exquisite natural foods place. We both had a lovely meal and Aelf vowed she'd be eating there a lot.

After a quick stop or two we headed back home and made it around 9 or so that evening. Fortunately the family had agreed to help her move in the next morning so after showers we both gratefully collapsed on the nearest horizontal surface and mostly passed out. Of course the cats were just bad enough to make sure we didn't sleep too soundly or late, but we both had long days on Sunday so it wasn't too horrible.

Got her off the next morning and headed down to the house for a major cleaning orgy. I got a disturbing amount done, including cleaning all the carpets and floors, my bathroom, and a good deal of the front living room as well. I kinda wished I'd brought along my camera, as everything looked amazing. Loaded up my car (again) and stopped by Cosentino's for much needed food. Then, utterly exhausted, I finally got to go home, lug as much as I could in the house, take a nice cool shower, and make myself some food (at last!). I still have a trunkfull of stuff, but I'll deal with that tonight.

Also got most of my bookcase loaded up and some more boxes broken down. Ultimately, though, I think I'm pretty doomed space-wise. Most of my stuff is just going to have to stay in boxes until I find a bigger place. But I think I've figured out how to fit it into my bedroom in such a way that I can reclaim my living room and still have a functional place to sleep. Pray for me.

God hates shrimp

An absolutely fascinating piece over at the Slacktivist's blog:
The Abominable Shellfish-
Why some Christians hate gays but love bacon

Highly recommended reading!