You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression

Last week I made the worst first impression I've ever made, which, if you know me, is saying something.

My supervisor was taking a new employee around the office and I stood up to introduce myself. But my foot was stuck in the tangle of computer cords under my desk, so when I stood up, I tripped and fell forward towards the new employee, with hand outstretched and a look of panic on my face, no doubt. Meanwhile, the computer mouse was flying across my desk, knocking over pens and coffee mugs.

And when I finally composed myself enough to say "Hello, my name is Adele," all that came out was a raspy squeak because I had lost my voice.

Well, perhaps he will remember my name after all that.

Things That Made Me Stop Walking and Take a Photograph

Small details on the streets of D.C. that I find amusing:

I like this guy.

 A bow tie hanging from a fence on a Monday.  Someone had fun at a fancy party.

 Strange.  But what if this is true?  And that crazy chick has been posing as Courtney all these years?  Conspiracy theorizing.

Voiceless

I used to feel for people with allergies, in a sort of "Oh, I am so sorry that is happening to you, but this sort of thing doesn't happen to me" way.

Well, it's happening to me now. I lost my voice and couldn't speak above a whisper all weekend. I don't know if it was allergies or a cold, but it was bothersome. I couldn't talk, but there were so many things I wanted to say.

Things started getting rough on Friday, but by that night my voice was a tortured-sounding goose honk. I went to a party and while carrying around my press package in a folder, guests kept coming up to me and asking where their table numbers were and it was all I could do to squeak out, "I don't work here. I am a reporter."

When I woke up on Saturday, I tried to say something and nothing happened at all. But I decided this would not stop me from my Saturday plans, no. I still went to an 8:30 a.m. breakfast at Eastern Market, volunteered (although I couldn't yell at the kids so it wasn't as fun), rode my bike to Hains Point and around town, went out dancing, all with no voice.

Whispering in loud dimly-lit bars turned out to be the trickiest part. I tried to communicate by typing notes on my iPhone, but the conversation moved too quickly and I was just left waving around a phone with inane remarks on the screen like "Do you like Ke$ha?"

It appears that it is getting better, phew! I am sure everyone around me will be happy too, now they can once again hear my sage remarks and witty repartee.Or maybe the laryngitis was a welcome respite.

This Might Be Me in Shirt-Form

Stripes? Check. Bow? Check. Glasses? Check.

It's from Zara, and of course I had to get it. I went in looking for work clothes and this is what I bought instead. Practicality is over-rated. But I had to ask myself the question I always end up asking while shopping: "Is this too Avril Lavigne?"

Nowhere In Particular

I forgot to post this picture I took during my fall trip to San Francisco.

Mild Blessings, Volume 1

For a change, I'm going to switch it to minor tidings of good will. I'm in a generous mood.

• May you lose one of your favorite earrings then find it on the sidewalk in front of your house. With the earring back still attached!
• May your dentist call and with profuse apologies, ask to reschedule an appointment that you didn't even know you had and would've missed.
• May you run into a frenemy from high school whom you haven't seen in awhile and note that he/she has gained at least 20 pounds since you last spoke. Duly noted.