So, Friday found me out geocaching again, trying to find that furshlugginer cache that continues to elude me (no link because geocaching.org seems to be down). As I was wandering about in the woods, my cell phone rings. It’s a recruiter: would I be available for a phone interview in three hours. Oh hell yeah! So I rushed home, printed out a copy of my resume, as well as the detailed two-page (!) job description and a copy of my notes from an earlier discussion with the recruiter. This one’s a doozy – a job in the pilot plant of Great Lakes Chemical Company, in Lafayette, Indiana. Oh man, I’d be all over that! It’s a perfect location for us – rural, which Dan likes, reasonably close to cities, which I like, and close to Chicago, which we both like.

So I chatted with the guy from GLCC for about 40 minutes, and I think we established a pretty good rapport. He stressed that they’re early on in the process and he had more candidates to talk to so he couldn’t start talking about invitations to visit or anything (if fact, I’ll bet I was the first candidate he talked to), but I think my chances are still pretty good. I should hear something within the next week or so. This would be a great job, a great location, and great pay. Keep your paws crossed!

I was riding on a high after that, so I was quite happy when we got an invite from me_not_you to join him and wildmouse for dinner Friday night. The reason for the occasion was Janelle’s final day of the school year – she’s a counselor at a local public high school, and really busts her butt yet receives very little recognition. It was definitely a reason to celebrate (we’ll celebrate more later this week with a shopping trip for Joseph Schmidt truffles and some tasty champagne!). We went to Biaggi’s, which was OK – think Olive Garden’s food in a better setting and slightly more expensive and you’ll be pretty close. We made it an early night, since Takaza had gotten up ridiculously early. Seeing him standing over me wide awake, showered, and bouncy at 6 AM was a truly surreal experience 🙂

Saturday was a downer. We were going to catch a canine Frisbee competition, but it was drizzly all morning and when we went to check it out, they had cancelled it due to rain. Argh! So we went and got breakfast, then bummed around the house for the rest of the day and watched accumulated TiVo goodness. Donald ICQ’d and suggested dinner, so we invited them over. I threw together a quick marinade and tossed a cut-up chicken into it ((canola oil, white wine vinegar, marjoram, shallots, garlic – no salt since the chicken was already brined), Dan, made some delicious mashed potatoes, and I steamed some green beans – simple, but yummy. For dessert, it was a run through a torrential downpour to Silvia D’Italia’s for gelato.

Today was even lazier. Watched some TiVo (highlights from about 8 Great Chefs of the World and learning to make sushi on East Meets West), went to the grocery store for the week’s shopping, and then watched some more TiVo (A couple of eps of Insomniac, as well a couple of Ground Forces). I grilled up some burgers and our roommate joined us for dinner, and Dan made some tasty cinnamon chip scones. A nice evening all around.

Two down notes from the weekend: First off, starting Thursday night my right knee started hurting. It got progressively worse until by Friday night I could barely move it. It’s gotten a little better – as long as I keep moving it, I can walk and get around through the soreness, but if I stop and sit for a while, moving it again it torture. I plan to see the doctor about it tomorrow.

Second, word on the CarolinaFurs mailing list is that Perro‘s apartment flooded last night in the midst of all the rains that swept through the area. Apparently his rug is soggy, but at least got back power early this afternoon. He got off lucky, because apparently the buildings in his complex (which are presumably further downhill) will have to be demolished. Our thoughts are with ya, mutt, and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help!