Hey, mister, where you headed? Are you in a hurry? (I need a lift to happy hour.)

We'll start this morning off with some random observations I've made since the last time I was here. So here is your Daily Dose of Things That Don't Really Matter But That Give You Something To Think About While You're Bored At Work.

Or

Elizabeth's List of Things That Make You Go, "Hmmm. . ."

1. You know the smell of nail polish fumes? It's a very distinctive smell. I'm a little concerned, because after I did my nails this morning (because I was down to worn black polish that really just screamed, "Teenaged emo angst!"), I brushed my teeth, putting my hand in the general vicinity of my nose, and I noticed that my polish didn't smell like normal polish. It smells like some combination of house paint and varnish. So I'm a little concerned that it's going to burn through my fingernails.

2. I? Am maybe the whitest girl in the entire world. I don't mean that in the "I dance and look like I'm having a seizure" kind of way (even though, incidentally, I do.), but I mean it in the "Oh my God, the sun is literally reflecting off of my skin" kind of way. I got into my car this morning, wearing a skirt, and so it hiked up a little when I sat down. It was then that I caught sight of, truly, how pale I am. I'm wondering if it comes across in a kind of delicate Victorian doll kind of way or in the, "Hey, that chick kind of looks dead" kind of way. All I know is that if I were back in the time when Native Americans were called Savages and the Europeans were being so irritating, commandeering land and everything so they got scalped for being white, I'd be the first one in line. Or maybe I'd be so pale, they'd think I was some kind of deity and make me their queen. I really can't be certain. Too bad the only thing the sun does to me is torch me to a crispy fried sizzle, so I can't do much about the lack of melanin. It's just my lot in life, I suppose. But if you're ever stranded on a deserted island and you're desperately looking for something to reflect the sun to catch the attention of passing aircraft? You'd better hope I'm there with you. That's all I'm saying.

3. Laundromats are some of the sketchiest places ever during the day. At night? They're downright terrifying. A large Hispanic population uses the one that I use. I have nothing against them. All I'm saying is that it's unnerving to sit and listen to people speak rapid-fire in a language you don't understand. I'm not so self-centered that I think they're sitting there talking about me. . .but what if they are? I'd like to know what they're saying. Actually, on second thought, no. I probably don't.

4. Running is good for you. Not having air conditioning is good for your electric bill. Going out running and then coming back to an apartment without an air conditioner? Not so good.

And those, ladies and gentlemen, are your Things That Make You Go, "Hmmm."

So yesterday, I finally met this woman, Nikki, who I've spoken to several times and for whom I did press for her ballet school. Every time someone from The Peak goes and talks to her, she mentions how much she loves me. And that always makes me feel good. So I went with CousinCasey to take some pictures for a story that she did and when CousinCasey told her who I was, she goes, "I LOVE you!" and gave me a big hug. Generally, I don't like being hugged by people I don't really know, but it was kind of awesome. I love being appreciated. She also gave me a little thank you card and it had a ticket to the ballet school's recital, which is being held Saturday. I will definitely be going, and I'm also going to write a story about it.

Also, I took some awesome pictures. So there's that. While I was doing that, I was thinking about how much I need a better camera so I can start taking real pictures and maybe one of these days do it professionally.

Oh, and a grad tab update. Something happened in pre-press, which caused ads to be shifted around and moved to different pages, and that, somehow, caused a page that was supposed to be in color to be in black and white. That wouldn't have been such a bad thing except it was a page with one of the big high schools' class pictures on it, and both of those were supposed to be in color. You'd have to understand the rivalry between these two schools to understand why this was such a big deal. Luckily, I was able to prove that wasn't my fault, so at least I'm not in trouble.

Also, there was an ad congratulating school #1 in school #2's section. Which, again, you wouldn't think would be such a big deal, but around this county, it's a huge deal. People are probably really, really pissed. Incidentally, it's not the students that care so much as parents and alumni. Go figure.

Finally, two of the ads said, "Congratulations to the Class of 2007!!"

I'm sure the Class of 2007 thanks them for the congratulations, but are probably also pretty confused as to for what they're being congratulated.