Apparently, I have a really good memory.

Three** years ago, I went to a friend's birthday party in Pasadena. Also at this party was my friend's apartment manager, an attractive middle-aged chap with really interesting ideas. We talked and flirted all night, and he seemed very interested in me. But I was already dating John by this time, so I decided not to pursue him any further. I remember him and that night very specifically -- what he was wearing, what we talked about, and how much he seemed to like me.

Yesterday, I ran into him at our mutual friend's housewarming party. He didn't remember me at all! Not my name, not my face, not anything about that night three** years ago. What's up with that?

It happens all the time -- I can meet someone swing dancing, for example, then remember them when we dance together again 2 years later. I never forget a face, but I usually also remember their name, where we danced the first time, and a few small facts about them. But when I say, "Hi Ken! Yeah, we've danced together before -- you're from Simi Valley and you go to Cal State Northridge," they respond with a wide-eyed, frightened look. It also happens at Rufus Wainwright concerts, when I get "overly" friendly with fellow fans who have forgotten that we camped out together for tickets a few years back.

So, what is the deal? Am I forgettable? Do I just have a freakishly good memory? Or are people just not paying attention?

*Edited to add:

**Edited for fact correction.

Via Sexy Losers, which, like so many awesome things, is NSFW.

Palm trees grow, the rents are low...

It's a renters market, baby! Today, John and I signed a lease on a new apartment, and gave our 30-days notice for our current apartment.

Our current apartment is beautiful, but just too small. We're crowded in by our own stuff, and John and I can't move from room to room without getting in each other's way. We also got started on the wrong foot with the management when a slew of annoying renovations began just as we were moving in.

The new place is superior in so many ways! It has a garage, a washer and dryer, tons of floor space and storage space, and is still well within our budget!

Things I'm looking forward to:

-Not listening to my upstairs neighbors stomping around, listening to loud grunge music, and leaving their alarm clock buzzing for hours.
-Not circling around searching for parking; not paying for parking tickets when I leave my car on the wrong side.
-Not listening to/smelling everyone's laundry exhaust; not scrounging for quarters on laundry day.
-Importantly: space, the final frontier!

Things I'm not looking forward to, but I hope will be worth it:

-Packing.
-Hauling box after box upstairs in the hot sun.
-Unpacking.
-Changing my address -- oh wait, we have a PO Box! Whoopee!

On the bright side, at least I don't have pesky work/school getting in the way of moving! :)

You know, I haven't stayed in a place longer than 2 years since I left my parents' house after college. I've gotten pretty good at moving over the years, but I hope this next apartment sticks!

DONE!

After 2 straight weeks of studying, I took my comprehensive exams today. 8 hours of testing in 1 day!

My hand and neck hurt from hunching over the desk and writing, but I think I did okay. But did I pass? We shall see!

In the meantime, I'll be focusing on budgie-related arts and crafts, cleaning the apartment, and updating my blogs. :) Will catch up with you all soon!