Things I have learned today

1. My car sometimes doesn't like to start. Apparently, it just needs me to step on the gas while turning over, but this seems somehow counterintuitive. Anyway, it tried to do the "I'm not starting" thing this afternoon on the turnpike on my way to Virginia and I was like, no car. Don't do that here. I still have three and a half more hours of driving before I'm even close to anyone I know. Good think I have AAA.
2. Airport area hotels--sometimes a reasonable deal. I'm staying at a Hyatt Place, with a little suite for about $60 a night. It's 12 miles farther northwest from where Dennis lives, but it's nice and not full of bedbugs. Woohoo! Also, free internet. Slow, but free. So that works out.
3. There are at least two types of bike trainers, which is this neat little gadget that allows you to use your bicycle as a stationary bike indoors. Both attach to the rear wheel of your bike with some kind of little spinner thing for resistance. One wears the tires down, the other runs on the rims. They're unfortunately kind of expensive, so I'm still looking.

Things that are AWESOME

1. Spending time with your BFF's. Word. I spent some serious girl time with Gena and Zara this weekend. (independently... so time with Gena and time with Zara, not time with both. Though that would rock too.) Old friendships are often the best kind and rekindling them or keeping them going is a process.
2. HP7.2, which I saw a second time with Z this weekend. Though it still makes me cry. :(
3. New sweatshirt and boots. Shopping was productive and relatively reasonable.
4. Not having to work Sundays. Which I won't have to do anymore after the end of the month. Woo!

Awesome

Things that are awesome this week:

1. Turkey bacon. It's like bacon, but slightly better for you. This comes with the caveat that turkey bacon is gross when it's not cooked right, like this morning's at IHOP. Disappointment.
2. Getting to see my boyfriend AND my best friend in the same day, however brief. This also counts for last week.
3. Combining Benadryl cream AND hydrocortisone cream for ultimate bed bug itch stoppage. These bites are like a thousand times worse than the rashes I get from Tide. Of course the combination is probably making my skin turn into some kind of radioactive sludge or something. At least it doesn't itch.
4. Unfailing loyalty from someone else's dog. One of Julie's labs hasn't left my side since I got here. Kinda cute in a sad, he probably misses his family kind of way.

Things I've learned this week...

1. Bed bugs suck. Straight up. They sprayed for them in Dennis's apartment last Thursday, but since I've been here, I've been eaten enough to look like I have the chicken pox. Or maybe just regular pox. Except only on my right arm and foot.
2. You can jump start a car with a corroded battery. Not necessarily should, but you can. Or, you can use one of your AAA calls to have them come and jump start your boyfriend's car instead. Membership is already worthwhile.
3. The BEST chicken salad sandwich in the world can be found at Union Station in DC. Amazing.

More later.