Thursday I had lunch downtown with the aunt I hadn’t seen since age 11. We have both changed a lot! I was also able to meet my half-uncle for the first time, his wife, their son (my cousin) and his wife. We had a really good time. For all my life I haven’t had close extended family, and it’s been a kind of empty spot for me. It has made me treasure these meetings even more, and made me envious of those who have close grandparents, cousins, etc to take for granted. I want to keep up the communication as much as I can, and not let these bonds deteriorate.

I found out that my great-aunt had a small part in “Sister Act”(s) 1 and 2. She played a bitchy nun! I will have to actually see these now.

After lunch, I exited the air-conditioned hotel and went back to the new place. The roomie and I then headed to BloodBath&Beyond and Trader Joe’s to stock up and take advantage of precious car-having.

I had a haircut at six, and thoroughly appreciated the scalp massage and relaxation in my awesome zen-like salon hidden away in Hayes Valley. I spent most of my time in the chair reading a trashy gossip rag. Aw yeah.

Friday morning we went on yet another shopping trip. IKEA and Home Depot! My first trip to IKEA in over a year. I checked out sofas and I think I have settled on the sand-colored TOMELILLA loveseat, to be purchased at the end of this week. It will be cool to not have to sit on the floor in our apartment anymore.

My mom arrived later that afternoon, and since my feet were AGAIN killing me, I insisted on relaxing awhile before we went out for Middle Eastern food with Brian. I had amazing filo-wrapped spinach mushroom triangles. And hummus. We sat outside next to a fig tree.

SATURDAY! More work to be done, more punishment for my feet and legs and everything. More hot heat. My mother, my roommate, and I all drove over to the old place to gather up another big carload of stuff and otherwise clean and throw things away. I started getting massively frustrated. This sour, non-rested mood would last until end-of-day Sunday. After several hours at the old apartment, mom and I went out for a small lunch, then walked around in Noe Valley a bit. This was followed by more collapsing onto the floor back in the new apartment.

Sunday. Got up stupidly early (7am) to prepare to go over to the old place again to paint my red-walled bedroom landlord-white. It was a nice four hours alone with my transistor radio, listening to NPR and getting lots of arm exercise. Bad techno guy downstairs started up the oontz-oontz around 10am, so I gave up on setting things down gently; dropping broomhandles and footstools to the empty floor, which actually makes quite a racket when there’s no furniture in the room.

Got done painting and wanted to sleep so bad. Head and tummy both hurt. I looked like total shit, hair falling out of my ponytail, arms flecked with latex paint. Didn’t care, and rode the train home. I had a tuna sammich and watched the A’s-Giants game, and Eric Byrnes hitting for the cycle, which was sweet.

All the days seemed to be so incredibly long. Even Friday seems forever ago. I still feel like I don’t know what time it is, I still feel a weight of stress. The flat is full of boxes and trash. We won’t have internet for another week. But I did a load of free laundry and that rocked. I get to see my man again tonight, that will be awesome.

But I expect my life will not attain routine, order, and normalcy for another two weeks. At least the worst is over. My roommate and I are both overjoyed to be at last out of that tiny, dirty, noisy apartment and off of that filthy, dangerous street.

I’ve got to find a way to relax, though. I hope to have time to take a very long bath soon.