Thursday night we received notification that our complex’s clubhouse, pool, and exercise room were ready for their debut. Yesterday from 4-6 in the evening they were holding a wine and cheese party in the clubhouse to hand out keys and celebrate. I figured I had nothing else to do and I did want my key so I headed on over around 4:30 after work. I sat down at the bar, started to have some wine and soon ended up in conversation with a few other women in the complex and one of their husbands.

I also ended up in a debate about Wal-Mart with one of the employees boyfriends and another resident as well. And no, it was not due to the amount of wine I had, I really just cannot stand Wal-Mart. So much so, that I won’t even link to them as I speak their horrid name.

We easily cleaned off the few bottles of wine there, and I discovered a red that I actually don’t mind. It was Layer Cake Malbec. Mmmm. Not that bad. They had a sparkling white, but it was a brut and not that exciting but still not horrible. I got a giggle out of everyone staring oddly at the cheeses with “odd colored rines.”

At 6 when they kicked us out because office hours were over, we all decided we were not done hanging out. Elisa and Brittany and I headed out in my car for some drinks while Kayla walked her dog. While in the fruit section for an orange, we discovered that there are actually red Bartlett pears. Did anyone else know this? I have an interesting photo of Elisa showcasing the pears, but I’ll post just the pears instead.

We all met up at my house along with Elisa’s husband and ordered pizza from Barros (mmmm) and played RB2 and had some drinks. It was so much fun that we all decided to have a chili party next Friday. Kayla and I will be making chili, and there will be some desserts and drinks (yummy).

The best part I think is when we all exchanged phone numbers and emails on napkins when we all had our blackBerrys sitting out well within reach.

I found balance today by finding some potential new friends. I also had the courage to go do something by myself, which might be hard to believe for people, but I really do have a hard time doing that in a social setting.

I have determined that I need to start scheduling visits from friends and family. This is probably the best form of motivation for me to get my house in tip top shape.

So, if anyone would like to visit, realistically I can start accepting visitors the week before Thanksgiving. Let me know, and get your dates in now. I have a nice warm place and am expecting (and hoping) it becomes the new vacation spot for my crew

Need some enticing?

• I live in Tempe, which is home to ASU as well as a new light rail system.
• Tempe is close to Phoenix and Old Town Scottsdale (which has a Fashion Square that could compete with the East Coast).
• Botanical Gardens and the Zoo are open year round (and are comfortable) because of the gorgeous weather.
• There are plenty of parks where you can just stop and climb a mountain.
• I am within driving distance of a day trip to the Grand Canyon.
• Heated outdoor pool in the winter… mmmmmmm
• I have Rock Band 2
• and last but not least… ME!!!!

Eric is in town for a couple days to house hunt. We took this opportunity, combined with the fact that my items had indeed arrived early, to put the band back together for the first time last night.

Yesterday afternoon, I stopped by Gamestop on my way to work to pick up a copy of Rock Band 2 (no I don’t have the drums yet, don’t ask.. it’s a heart wrenching story). Then yesterday night, we created a new band in RB2, recreated our old characters and got rolling. I didn’t have a chance to import the RB1 songs in nor did I have my wireless yet to completely update and download the songs I get with my RB2 purchase, but we had a blast.

I completely love some of the new songs and have to admit I have no clue what that damn Elvis Costello song is. I passed it purely on luckily humming the right notes.

During practice, we learned that spatulas can be used as bottle openers, especially when the three you have, are not in any of the boxes opened frantically in search of a way to open the Heineken.

Also noted, Barrios pizza is FANTASTIC.. but I highly recommend avoiding the garlic bread… it’s not the best.

I’m currently doing a really long update for my PS3 and hopefully will have a better version of RB2 to play with soon!