High in Sugar

As I've mentioned, this week is crazytown at work, but it's also had some highlights.  Tuesday night, the young female attorney here had won a free happy hour at The Public House, so we used that opportunity to celebrate our Goodbye to the East Side.  We drank fast and well, and I had four beers in an hour and a half, which got me good and drunk.  I cabbed it home and was in bed by 10:30, but yet still hungover the next day.  It's really a speed game, as evidenced by my slow burn last Saturday compared to Tuesday night.

Hike came over for dinner last night, and I made that Harvest Pizza from the Beer Pairing Party (since he didn't get to try it that day) with salad.  He thought the salad was delicious (it was just lettuce, yellow pepper, cuke, tomato, toasted pine nuts, and my special sauce) and the pizza was AMAZING, and we watched tv and hung out for the evening.

This weekend is about to begin.  Tonight I am exhausted after not sleeping well last night, and staying up past my bedtime anyway, so I will hopefully do some laundry and then just relax.  Tomorrow evening I have a movie date with Schmillie, then some 16 (Love) Handles fro yo, then home at a reasonable hour, and then Sunday evening is the Knicks game with Hike.  That should be a lot of fun, since he's a huge fan and super psyched about it.

And that's what's going on in my manic panic head today.  Happy weekend, lovers.

Brews & Bros

Wow, I've been silent.  I apologize.  Work has been crazy; they upgraded all of our computers and our server last weekend, so this week has been a mess of putting out fires and dealing with the move and ordering new furniture and insurance certificates for deliveries in the new building, etc., etc, etc.  I am a bit stressed but I feel that things are mostly under control, and it'll be nice to be done with the move and look AWESOME, but yeah, not so much playtime this week.

What can we catch up on?  Last weekend was great.  Friday evening I went over to Schmate's apartment for wine with the Munchers, since Schmauren was visiting from Boston.  It was a lovely evening of ladies, wine and cheese (these are a few of my favorite things), and then when Schmate's sisters arrived in town, the other three of us headed downtown for a few more beers, then Schmauren and I cabbed it back to my place, got giant sandwiches at the deli on the corner as well as delicious Dorito flavors and Cinnamon Bun Ben & Jerry's (best when eaten in the same mouthful as Sweet & Spicy Chili Doritos).  Then bed (separately but at my apartment).  Then Saturday we grocery shopped, made our Harvest Pizza for the Autumn Beer Pairing Party (butternut squash and sage sauce, topped with mozz, blue cheese, prosciutto, carmelized onions), got cleaned up and headed to Schmess' house.  We had fifteen people there, and it was great!  My favorite beer was:


I very much recommend it for fall and into the winter.  And then a small group of us hit The Sparrow, and then on my way home I heard from Shmannon that the crew that had left to see Pee Wee on Broadway was coming back and going to Sweet Afton, so I met up with them for one more beer.  10 hours of drinking and not really drunk, my friends.

Boy-wise, the party was interesting.  Hike was in touch all day but couldn't make it after all.  So the Marine was there, and boy did he get belligerently drunk.  I'm still not sure how EVERYONE else drank him under the table, but he was saying mean things, calling me a bitch (actually he'd slur "Stephanie, you're so attractive...and you're such a bitch,") and word came out that he has a girlfriend who is living in Italy, and he was basically flirtateous and then quickly became an asshole.  It was so strange, as I'd never seen him like that.  Finally as the party was winding down, Schmess and I went to a bar with her boyfriend, two of his co-workers, and the Marine, and apparently while I was in the restroom at one point, the Marine very quietly puked INTO HIS PINT GLASS OF BEER.  Yeah...then he left and went across the street to the beer garden for dancing?  He wouldn't listen to us telling him to get in a cab, so there's a point where you just have to let them go.  Especially if they're stubborn Marines.  I'm not really sure what the right thing to do there was, but after being verbally abused for a few hours, I was ready to let him go.

Sunday I just relaxed at home and got my nails done and worked on a freelance editing project.  I wasn't too hungover, weirdly, but most of the drinking was sort of slow and I got more sleepy than silly on Saturday, which was probably for the best.  It was a great weekend, and so good to have Schmauren back in town for a brief visit -- it felt like she never left.

Ok, more on this week, etc. in the next post!

His Eye is on the Spaaaaaa-rooooow

Ho hum, it's a mellow Tuesday afternoon.  Not much to report, but now that I'm Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit of blogging, I wanted to get my daily fix.

In other news, I am quitting smoking, though I don't feel like my motivation is exactly where it should be.  I bummed one cig today, but otherwise it's nic gum for me.  I know intellectually I don't want to smoke, but it just seems like I can (always) wait a little longer to stop.  And it's not even that great, it's just a cruel mistress, that nicotine. 

I'm supposed to have a date with Rockabilly tomorrow after work, but so far I haven't heard from him about specific plans.  I wonder if it'll just go away?  I wouldn't be upset if it did, and I'm waiting to let him make the overture.  It's strange since we only talked for about 10 minutes when we met, and we've had some text conversations, but that's it.  I'm the opposite of invested, so we'll just see if I hear from him.  He's also been OK at keeping in touch, just sort of at the last-minute about things, so that might be what's happening.

OH, let's talk about Sleeve for a second.  After the "things will be different" conversation, then "oops I forgot we made a date again" night that he came over, he ignored my invitation on that Saturday to come out and drink pumpkin beer, so when he texted Sunday to say "sorry, I wasn't looking at my phone last night" I just said "Why am I not surprised."  And that was the last convo!  It was over a week ago now!  I am kind of glad that I don't have to try to stop talking to him again, that it just stopped, but man, I wasn't even that mean so I'm surprised he went away.  I'd certainly been meaner before!  Anyway, I am happy that the caliber of men I'm spending time with/talking to has improved recently.  Aren't you proud of me?

I guess that's it today.  Tonight I have dodgeball at an early enough time that I think we'll be able to hang out and have some beers afterwards, so that should be fun.  I can see my engaged boyfriend and the military man I have a crush on, and that's always nice.  And I know I'm not writing down my food today, but once again I don't know what I'm having for dinner -- probably a salad from the deli before the afternoon is over so I can be tided until the beer drinking starts.  It's not ideal.

Oh that reminds me--for dinner last night, I ate the other half of a cheeseburger and fries from my dinner on Sunday night (that made me sick), and it hurt my tummy again!  It wasn't quite as bad, but I don't know if I need to avoid the red meat or the cheddar or the fries.  I think I can have limited fried things without problems (I had fries last Wednesday on the date, even), so maybe I can't eat meat?  Or was this burger particularly dangerous?  The hurting started like before I even finished eating, so it's clearly an immediate reaction.  I hope I don't have to go back to the doctor.

Hellooooo lovers.  How are we?

Let's talk weekend.  Friday night I went home with Schmillie for a yummy, healthy dinner that she made, which was a whole-grain tortilla wrap with chicken, kale, onions and tomatoes, and a little manchego.  So good for us.  Then we went to the Brooklyn Ethical Society (wine in tow, in a water bottle) to see a friend play bass. We caught the end of the "first act" who was really good (and the boy was cutish), then the second act was terrible and the leader of that band was just really cocky and also, after they'd played a song or two, he turned one way in the spotlight and we realized he had a giant goiter on his cheek. Then we could not stop laughing (Schmils was crying) so we waited outside the room until they were done sucking. Then friend's band was good and he sang and it was fun. Then we went to a bar for a beer (and I could have possibly had a love connection with the accordion player but I didn't have the energy) before heading home on the subway like good (tired) girls.

Saturday I met Schmammi for brunch at Il Bambino, which was lovely and chatty and we compared online dating notes, then we walked to my library so I could get the book club book (and one non-fiction about the creators of Nancy Drew! I'm so excited!), then she got the train and I walked home for room cleaning and a nap. Hike and I were texting and he had plans with friends in Astoria that night and asked if I'd want to come along, and though he didn't know the exact plans, he'd keep me posted. I wanted to have a drink with Schmeather and/or Schmannon, but Schmeather was meeting someone in Manhattan and Schmannon was going to a wedding, so I hung out at home for awhile, taking a bubble bath, reading, and having an upset stomach (I don't know why!) Al called to see if I wanted to play pool, but I ignored it.  I may be mean, but I have to be, right?

Around 9:30 Hike texts again and his friends had decided to go into the city but he stayed in Astoria, so we made plans to meet up for beers. (I was feeling better by then.  I chewed Tums, swallowed Gas-X, and something seemed to work.) He picked me up in his Altima (oh yeah) and we went to Sunswick. It was an awesome date two. We drank Pumking beer, talked non-stop, enjoyed the live music, made fun of Frenchies sitting near us, bonded with the bartenders, and were increasingly romantic.

Then Sunday I spoke to Mex (I tried to call Saturday and he gave me this whole text rigmarole about how he was busy and he'd call Sunday, and I said it wasn't fair that it was on his schedule, and he told me to pick a time Sunday so it'd be on my schedule, and I was like whatever, I don't know when on Sunday but we'll talk.) He apologized for texting, I said I'd like him to delete my number and I don't want to talk to him while he's drinking (I meant like in general drinking, in his life, but I think it came across as literally while he's drunk, but whatever), and he said he thought of that too so that it wouldn't happen again, so he'd do it when we hung up. And that was mostly it -- he said he's been "thinking" about the drinking problem and trying to be better, but yeah, heard that before. But instead of getting into it I just thanked him (for agreeing to delete) and said goodbye. It was fine and I was plenty distracted by the Hike thing to be too sad.  And Schmillie's the one who advised me to call him and ask him to delete, and I think it was a good idea.  I don't want to live with the threat of a looming Mex-Text Bomb (aka a burrito?) over my head.

So then I Skyped with Britch for a bit, napped, then met Schmannon and Schmeather at Mad Donkey for a beer and a burger, then I got sick in a bathroom way and went home. I was watching Fringe, and Hike texted and we chatted a little bit, and then I went to bed.  I am really excited that he's been so communicative with me -- he hasn't really given me time to worry about him disappearing.  Not that that means he won't, but so far I've been very sane with this thing, if I do say so myself.

I'm pretty crushy here, but we'll see how it goes. It feels so new and different with him, and that's good. I don't think I'm ahead of myself, though...but I'm enjoying it!  And then I have a date on Wednesday with someone else (not from online), so that should at least give me a distraction IN CASE I get too worked up over Hike.  Hike knows about the date, too, so no secrets or possible guilt problems. 

Tonight I need to do some laundry and that's my main, very exciting plan.  The week will be busy-ish again with dodgeball tomorrow night and then a date on Wednesday, and HOPEFULLY a third date with Hike in my future.

Just When You Think You've Gotten Away With It

My office is a ghost town today!  I have a feeling I'll be enjoying the bounty of the internet quite a bit.  I also tracked down the lady singer from the Avett Brothers concert, so I'm checking out her Youtube offerings, though there is not much.  What do you think?



The Munchers are discussing starting a month-long self-improvement game, that involves setting personal goals and getting points for reaching them.  It's sort of a competition, but with friendly encouragement included.  I think we're still working on details, but if it doesn't take off soon, I'll start on my goal list myself.  One of my items is to track my food again, so we'll be returning to that shortly.  In fact, I can do it today, though I don't know what I'm having for lunch yet.  I let myself buy (and I get one of those a week!)

So last night was a much-needed night in.  I got home and Skyped with Britch for an hour and a half or so, and we got all caught up and my psyche feels more balanced again.  Hike texted me during the day and I was pleased.

Oh right, so other than the fact that I need to trim down a bit for myself, as well as work these muscles again, as I can tell I'm not as flexible as I used to be, I also want to make sure I'll feel OK taking off my clothes in front of Hike or someone like him.  Ha, this is why I always liked slightly chubby guys, I think.  Hike is really fit and seems smooth and it makes me nervous to be all jiggly and lumpy.  So yeah, another motivating factor.  I mean, who knows if it'll happen, but I must get prepared.

As I was falling asleep last night (early! finally!), I was thinking about the Mex situation, and how I'll handle it when I'm more seriously dating someone new.  As in, how I'd talk about it, or what I'd do if we ran into him in the neighborhood.  I think the latter would make me very uncomfortable and I'd want to leave the establishment (if it were indoors), but I am not sure how to explain that to a suitor.  It's not that I want Mex back in my life, or that I still have romantic feelings for him, but I just still have a lot of pain and anger about what he did.  And I feel like that will seem as if I'm too hung up on it, and I probably AM too hung up on it, but I don't know what to do.  I mean, I'm progressing, I just don't want to turn somebody new off.  Anyway, I'm not looking for an exact answer, I'm just mulling this over. 

So right, then at 5:30 this morning I am awakened by a text message.  My phone just beeps once and doesn't usually wake me up, but I must've been rolling over or something so I wasn't as asleep.  Anyway, it's Mex (and we haven't talked in awhile now -- maybe nearly 2 months?) and he said "You were right."  I immediately roll my eyes and think "Oh god, the baiting of an alocoholic," because my friends who are more experienced with the disease have taught me about this.  Then the second thing I think is "Oh god, does he have an STD or something else horrible?"  (I wasn't entirely awake, obviously, and I am a worrier by nature, as you know.)  So I respond "About?"  Dumb move, Stevie.  He then is like "Oh, u r awake!" etc.  He misses me, he wants to see me, and then he tried calling, and I ignored it all.  The last one was just a pleading "baby" and for fuck's sake, man.  It was him crying wolf, being wasted, and being lonely, and it's sad.  I will say it's slightly better that I wasn't entirely awake at the time, because when I woke up for real this morning, it sort of just seemed like a bad dream.  (And I later dreamed about snakes, so you know, they connected.)  And I'm also encouraged that I'm not totally messed up by hearing from him, or hearing such things from him.  I'll admit it's nice to know that I'm not missing out on anything, as he's still a drunk, desperate loser, and it's also nice to know that YEAH it's not that easy to get over me, shithead.  But you know, in general I don't want to think about it much, and I think I can accomplish that.

Right, that happened.  But onwards.  The weekend should be great, and nice and cold and fall-ish!  Today I have fun lunch plans with the two local Munchers, and then tonight I'm going to Park Slope to see a friend's band with Schmillie, and at first I was thinking "Oh, I'm too old and tired," but then I realized that 1) I miss her and 2) I don't have much else planned this weekend, so that's lame.  Tomorrow I'm having brunch at Il Bambino in Astoria with Schmammi (where I didn't get to go on my brunch date last weekend), and that's it so far.  I know Mars (my date from Monday) has a wedding in NJ this weekend, so he won't be around, but perhaps Hike will want to meet up.  That would be lovely.  Happy Friday!

Food today:
B - Honey Bunches, coffee, milk
L - soup & half sandwich at 'Wichcraft
D - TBD
S - beer tonight

I'll Pommes Your Frites

Stevie, reporting for duty.  Let's talk about last night.

Before the date began, I met up with my old boss in publishing, the fabulous MoMo.  We had a drink at Bill's (aka Bill's Gay Nineties), I met her ex-boyfriend, and we caught up for an hour.  I wish we had longer, but she'll be back in town soon.  She's so supportive and fun, and I miss her.

The Avett Brothers concert was amazing. The curtains opened on LANGHORNE EFFING SLIM, my boyfriend and Schmillie's ex-boyfriend, singing solo, then the Avetts come out and it's great, and they have some other guests throughout the night (including this woman with an amazing voice who I can't find online, and I want to listen to more), and Langhorne comes back for a few songs, and they talked about how when you play Radio City, you bring your family, and it was just awesome. They played for two hours, they kept up a good pace, and it was totally worth the ticket price.  Here's Langhorne, swoon:

My date Hike was sweet, nice, fun, etc. It was a really great night. And he's not the type I'm used to, but I think that's also good. He just seems happy and together and not too serious, and also so clean-cut. So why not try it, right? It's funny sort-of liking two boys at once, because I get flashes of "Oh I have to decide," but I DON'T. Especially since who knows if either will actually ask me out again. It's fun dating multiple people, as long as none are too serious, which obviously they're not now.

And I need to drop these 10 pounds again.  He seems pretty in-shape, and I don't want to be worried about getting nekkid...with anyone, I suppose.  I'm not putting all my eggs in his breadbasket!  Must stop that line of thinking!

Blah Blah Blah

Aw, Mars just texted and told me to have a good time at the show tonight.  That is sweet and slightly makes up for the NO answer he gave me.  Maybe he won't disappear?

Oh, and the guy from brunch on Saturday asked me to go to a movie sometime this week, but I said "Hey thanks, but I don't think we had the right chemistry.  It was nice to meet you, and I wish you the best!"  That's a gentle rejection, right?  I wanted to say "Put your napkin on your lap and then we'll talk," but that makes me feel too much like my mother.

The Mice Are Playing

I've accomplished very little real work today so far, and it's thrilling.  I'm also counting down the eight hours until I will be seeing my boyfriends, The Avett Brothers, at Radio City.

It will also be my first date with Hike from OKC.  I think it should at least be fun, as he seems nice and friendly, and he'd have to be pretty awful to ruin my experience with those bearded boys above.

Last night's dodgeball game was depressing, as we only had 6 people show up so we all got worn out pretty quickly, especially as we're one of the worst teams so we're constantly fighting for our lives.  I hate half my team, though, and I think they're just giving up.  Thanks, assholes.  Also I caught one ball where the force made me fall back onto my butt, and now my left butt hurts.  Maybe I'll ask my date to massage it?  :)

I did talk to the engaged friend, and of course HE knows and loves the Avett Brothers.  I had a moment of thinking "shoot, I should have asked him, " but then I realized that would be sort of pointless.  It's better to at least have a date, even if it may not work out.  It was all part of my plan that barely happened.  (I am probably jinxing myself right now.)

In other news, my dear old boss is in town for business, and I think I'll be able to swing by and see her at happy hour before I meet up with Mike.  MoMo is in the house, and I'm excited.

So wish me luck, and I'll report back tomorrow.

When It Rains, It Pours...and It's Raining Men

How many more cliches would fit there?  Come on, contribute, dear readers!

Let's catch up.  Well, Friday night I went home to relax after a busy-ish week, so that was uneventful, though there was delicious Indian food involved. Oh, but a guy who I wasn't so into on OK Cupid sent me a second message, and since I was catching up on my emailing there, I decided to give it a shot.  He had asked me to text him, and he wanted to get a drink that night but I said I was staying in, and so we made brunch plans. I liked the idea because it was less sexy than evening plans and I like brunch. So Saturday I met him for a nice outdoor brunch at Brick Cafe, and he was sweet but I wasn't feeling it, especially physically. He didn't really have a chin (or shoulders to speak of), he was only a little taller than me, he left his cloth napkin on the table the entire time, he asked me if the "Proscuitto and Buffalo Mozzerella Panini" meant there was chicken in it (because of the word buffalo), etc.  He also was very gung-ho about us going out again, and a bit touchy, and I let him kiss me goodbye with his mushy lips. He was going to visit his mom in NJ to pick pumpkins for the weekend so said he'd text me when he got back yesterday. But then he texted me Saturday afternoon about how much he liked me, and how I was easy to talk to, laugh with, and cute!  Nice but sad when you don't like the guy, right?  I was considering a second date just to make sure, but now I'm not.  Plus, he didn't text me last night so that's good!  It's uncomfortable turning men down.  I still have this nagging feeling like I should be grateful for their interest, you know?  Oh, the perils of being a teen with low self-esteem.

Saturday afternoon I napped for HOURS and it was great, then met up with Schmess for seasonal beers and dinner at Sweet Afton, then we went to Blackbird's for more beers and wings (what?) and it was a fun night but nothing crazy. I made the adult decision to go home from McCaffrey's (our last stop, hi Al) when she did, as opposed to trying to play pool all night. I was proud of myself. Sunday I was on a Mad Men mission, as we have a Time Warner appt on Thursday and they may have to take our cable box, which means the DVR would be gone. I watched nearly all of season 3 and most of what's aired of season 4. Ohhh yeah. Oh, and I'd heard from another OK Cupid guy, let's call him Mars, and he had to work Monday but wanted to get a drink after.

So Monday I e-mail Mars my phone number, so he texts and we make plans. He's living in College Point, Queens for the time being (rent-free at a friend's) but has lived in Astoria and will come back around Christmastime.  He parks his car at the 36th Ave stop (my stop!) for work commuting. Anyway, we made plans to meet over at Mad Donkey on 36th Ave. Then I got a mani/pedi/wax, baked chocolate zucchini bread to bring into work today, then got ready for my date. He is super cute (to me) -- tall, bearded, blue eyes, slight tummy, jeans, plaid shirt. He seems quieter and a bit more acerbic than I might like, but we'll see, as it could have been first-date nerves. We had a similar sense of humor and had lots of pop culture stuff in common. He was very gentlemanly with buying the beers and the appetizers, and we just slowly had two beers with food and left around 8:30. He asked if we should head out to try and beat the rain, but it had already started when we walked out, so he said "maybe in the deli..." and walked away only to come back with an umbrella. He was going to walk me home but we realized his car was parked on our way, so we go to the car and he drove me the rest of the blocks.  I picked Britney Spears off of his iPod, then he played me Brooks & Dunn while saying he hates country, and he kissed me outside my apartment in the car. I'm the one that broke the kiss because it was GOOD and I needed it to be chaster for now. :) Also he had just been teasing me and I had something to say in return. Anyway, I'd say I 65-70% like him, and I'd definitely go out with him again, but no plans were discussed. SO CUTE THOUGH.

Tonight is dodgeball at mothereffing 9:15 pm, and tomorrow is my Avett Brothers concert at Radio City.  Rockabilly told me yesterday he doesn't think it's his style of music, but he wants to go out next week (as he's out of town this weekend.)  Did I mention he's a vegan who doesn't want children?  I already told him I wouldn't marry him, so at least that's out of the way.  We're doing drinks/dinner on Wednesday, but that meant I needed a date for the show.  I actually texted Lars (to thank him for a good time, ostensibly) and he was reasonably chatty so I invited him, but he looked them up and ALSO didn't think it was his thing (wtf, guys?) so I asked this other OKC guy I'm chatting with, Hike.  Hike's now my date, and we're having dinner beforehand.  It's not an ideal first date but whatever, I'm achieving goals.

And for those keeping score, that's:
3.5 dates in one week (if we're counting Wednesday - Wednesday)
3 kisses (so far), 1 good one
0 slutty mistakes

I think it's a good scoreboard.  Obviously I don't want to keep up this pace for very long, but it's fun, and it makes me not worry so much about Lars REJECTING ME for the concert but then being vaguely flirty in the texting.  (He said he should also do laundry on Wednesday.  I said "Oh how sweet, I come second to laundry."  We tease like that.  He responded "Hmm, do you not want me smelling clean?"  That sort of implies I'd be smelling him later, right?) 

Well anyway, this is the news.  I'm sort of sleepy thinking about it all.  How soon can I retire?

Fishing in the Wrong Pond

Friends! Romans! Countrymen!

I've been avoiding you, I'm sorry.  I haven't been ready for the necessary amount of reflection to post here, which is silly, but my brain wants to be a hermit sometimes lately.  I think I've been a little sad and lonely and lethargic, and I was having some strange stomach pains that were helping me feel like DYING, but I think they've gotten better.  I probably can't allow myself as much cheating on how I should be eating with Crohn's.  Suck.

So the weekend.  Friday I was home from work with a weird side pain that had gotten worse since Wednesday.  But Thursday night it had gotten really steady and dull (as opposed to just sharp when I coughed/laughed/laid on it) and I also had a near-pass out at home.  I'm glad the roomie was there, as I sort of zombie walked into the living room, feeling like I was about to lose it (with the ringing ears, sweats, nausea symptoms) and she freaked out about what color I was and ended her phone convo to get me water and watch me try to stay conscious for a bit.  It went away after about 15 minutes, but she put me in bed and took my temperature and it was very nice to have a nurse.  And she actually called a nurse friend of hers to explain my pain and that reaction and see if we should go to the ER...but the nurse said if I didn't have a fever, I could probably wait until the morning.  So I saw the doc Friday morning, and she sort of laughed at me for thinking I might have a hernia (I don't know) and also didn't explain the fainting, but said to eat a bland diet and rest.  So after the doctor, I did some work from home while propped on pillows on my bed, then made two different zucchini soups (well, a lentil soup recipe from Schmillie with bonus zuc) and a chocolate zucchini bread. It was fun and productive but it took all afternoon. At night I was pretty exhuasted, so in lieu of meeting Schmess and her sister for dinner, I watched Mad Men and then went to bed.

Saturday I felt pretty normal so I took advantage of the weather and weeded out our front garden plot. It looks great, and I think my favorite part is trimming hedges. Then I got cleaned up (and trimmed my own hedges, heh) and went over to Schmeather's to meet she and Shmannon for some hanging out/beer/falafel pitas, then we went out to Sunswick (where I had two pumpkin beers that were 9% abv...you know where this is going) and then Mad Donkey (another Astoria bar), and then I decided to head into the city to go to a friend's 40th bday party (my old friend from dodgeball...that i hooked up with years ago) and so I saw some of the old crew there, and we played pool (it was at Amsterdam Billiards) and it was nice. Roomie was there with a friend, but I was mingling so I didn't get over-roomied. I also met this rockabilly-type guy and asked him to be my date for the Avett Bros concert next week -- what? Now I'm not sure if I really want him to, but I have his number and we texted a little that night. Anyway, I left the party and was trying to meet back up with Schmannon and Schmeather, but Schmeath had picked up an Austrian and Schmannon had picked up a guy she hooked up with last week, and then Al texted me and wanted to play pool, so I went to meet Al and play pool. It was fun, but man, guys are disgusting. Not Al, but all other men, really. My cabdriver (who was just nice and not sexual) asked me on a date before dropping me off (I SAID NO) and then the other guys at the dive bar just felt it was OK to make creepy comments to me, so that's awesome. Al kept saying to tell him if someone was causing a problem, but it's not like I actually wanted anyone to fight, I was just getting annoyed at men in general. I know, not fair, but it was a bad run of creepers. Anyway, pool, Al being mushy and in love with me, a bit of bar cuddling/kissing, then he we walked me home and made me have a relationship conversation (it's so weird being on the other end of this) where I said as little as possible but apologized for hurting his feelings. Though now I remember he was also being very sexually complimentary and I won't disturb you with what he said, but lord, I feel weird having my vagina complimented in a bar.  AMIRIGHT?  And then bed at 4 am.


Sunday I was hungover and watched more Mad Men and Kick-Ass in bed and ordered Chinese and that's about it. At least I felt productive up until then, but I no longer wish to deal with hangovers in any other way but total laziness. Schmannon and Schmeather were back out and wanted me to come, but I couldn't imagine. Also I was super sore from weeding, so that's it.
 
And then Monday brought a rainy cold day and another tummy ache, so it was home after work and right into pj's and a Veronica Mars marathon.  Last night I had dodgeball, which was frustrating, as half of my team doesn't try very hard and no one wanted to go out afterwards.  Actually, that part was OK, as I was home and am not hungover today, just sleepy from staying up too late on the phone.  But my team is annoying, except for the three friends (two from kickball), and two of them were out of town and the third, engaged friend's FIANCE was there.  Lameballs.
 
So today my spirits are up but my eyelids are droopy, and so let's hope it goes quickly at work.  Let's also try to figure out what I need to change so that I don't want to run away to a farm somewhere. 

It's a Wrap-Up

Hmm, this is becoming more of a weekly thing, and I don't like that. 

Let's talk about last weekend!  Well, it was mostly uneventful.  I had a very aggravating day at work on Friday as I was trying to teach work stuff to the new receptionist and it wasn't going well.  I usually consider myself a clear communicator, but I guess I have expectations of general intelligence that are off-base in this case.  At least write down what I'm saying so you don't have to ask me 10 times, amiright?  Anyway, Schmillie thankfully talked me into getting a drink after work, which turned into like six drinks and I took a cab home after midnight.  Or rather, to McCafferty's in Astoria to meet Schmannon, her date Flick, and that guy I'd taken home two weeks ago, Pal.  I mean, he works there, so he was there.  She'd warned me before I arrived that he had talked to her about me, and how he didn't think I liked him very much.  Aww, but true.  Anyway, I was way too drunk, so I got sick on the sidewalk around the corner (I know.  I'm 17.) and then got gum, then went inside to see the gang and drink water.  It was nice and chill, but unnecessary probably.  More on this in a minute.  Oh, and Pal was very attentive and nice, so it wasn't awkward (I don't think), but I felt a little bad.  I don't mean to be a jerk, but he was sort of puppy-ish about me, like keeping an eye on me and touching me unnecessarily and bringing me a chair and stuff.  He texted me after I got home (um, at 4 am) to say it was good to see me, and I said likewise.  I mean, he's a nice guy, so we can be friends.

Anyway, that meant Saturday was a bust -- or should I say, a nice lazy day of Mad Men and delivery greasy food and catching up on DVR.  (I'm overwhelmed by my DVR right now.  So many shows.)  Sunday was similar, but I did get out to run some errands and get a mani/pedi/back massage AND I finally decided to go back to eyebrow waxing.  I'd decided like six years ago that I'd just tweeze and it'd be cheaper, but I think that was before I realized how cheap it was in NYC and also before I realized I can't get them even on my own.  So I've turned over the eyebrow reigns, and it feels GOOD.  They're a little thinner than I had them, but I think it looks OK.  She chastised me for tweezing too much in the middle -- I guess you're only supposed to have a two-finger width there and I have three.  But I also have bald patches in my brows, so I'm going to try to let the middle grow but it may look insane.  Fun!  Oops, I digress...

Sunday night I set up my OKCupid profile so I can begin internet dating again.  I'm e-mailing a couple of boys now, and I'm still pretty hopeful about the thing.  I'm mostly reaching out to guys in Astoria, too, unless I see someone I really like in Manhattan.  I probably will expand, but I'm just starting with my neighbors -- I really like dating someone close by.  I'm eager for the actual dating to start, but I have to be patient.

And last night was our first dodgeball game of the season.  It was really fun!  Well, I got a little frustrated at some of my teammates, mostly the ditziest of girls who sassed me when I tried to help her understand the gd rules...but we know I can be competitive.  Then the after-game drinking at the bar was awesome.  It's at The Irish Rover, which is kind of far from me, Astoria-wise, but they give you your third drink as a buyback, and everybody in the league is really friendly and social.  I like a few of my teammates a lot, too, and I made best friends with a guy Snick who I'd met once before a couple weeks ago but who I talked to the most last night.  I would think we had something going on except that he's ENGAGED.  It's a bit confusing as to why he'd be so friendly, but I'm not going to worry about it.  He bought all my beers and insisted on walking me home at 1 in the morning, as he and I were the last ones to stay from our team, and we ended up hanging out and doing whiskey shots with the yellow team.  (Their toast before drinking?  "Yellow snow.")  Oh, and our team is blue -- actually baby blue.  And named Shaved by the Ball.  Anyway, Snick didn't do anything inappropriate but is vaguely flirtatious and very nice.  I made a point to talk to him about the boys I was checking out at the bar though, to be very clear on the friendship line.

Oh, so yes, there are a few cute options in my league, and two of them approached me last night, so the seeds have been planted.  We'll see.  There's also a few flirtatious boys who are not so cute, but it's still fun.  I think this league is all about flirting, really.  And balls.

Right, I was going to talk about my drinking problem.  Mainly the problem is that once I get going, I'm not good at stopping -- I so don't care that it's late or that I'll be hungover, I just want to stay out, have fun, and not miss anything.  But then the next day I feel miserable and a bit depressed at my worthlessness.  I realize this behavior is silly and a bit harmful, so I need to try to be more disciplined even through my 3-drink haze.  I don't know how to accomplish this yet, but the first step is recognition, right?

And Sleeve is still texting me.  Last Wednesday after a bottle of wine, I'd said something to him about how he wasn't going to say goodbye, just go silent, and he said I was the one walking away.  Which is not true, and what?  Crazy.  So I clarified and then it was quiet again until Saturday, when I got a "What's up babe?" text, and I ignored it.  Then I got another one last night and he asked if he was on the ignore list, so I said no, I tried to talk about what I want and you weren't having it, and he said he was having it, so I said well, do something about it.  And he made a sexual comment and I Shut.It.Down.  I told him no sexting.  Obviously I shouldn't talk to him at all, but I miss the communication, so whatever.  I also like speaking so plainly about how this is his fault.  I don't know, I'm back to finding it vaguely entertaining.

So that's the haps!  Tonight is book club for The Help, which should be a good one, AND we're meeting at this rooftop bar near my office that I've been wanting to try forever, so I'm pumped.  Also really tired, as I went to sleep at 2 am, but I'll make it and then go to bed early tonight.

Thump Day

Well, it's only Wednesday...I've done worse.

I had a lovely outdoor lunch of pizza and gelato in the sun, and now I'm ready for a nap.  But at least my to-do list at work has eased up a bit, so I have had time to catch up on some internet fun today.  I'm going to write this and then proceed with some heavy lifting, as I'm packing up boxes to send to storage before our big office move this winter.  I'm stressed about the scheduling and the work required, which is still kind of vague, but once we get a handle on the details and get the thing locked down, I'll be able to relax and git 'er done, so to speak.

This week has been quiet.  I've worked late the past two evenings, and on Monday just relaxed with more Veronica Mars, and then last night I made a Cream of Zucchini soup in order to make use of some of the five pounds of zucchini we have from our CSA.  I haven't really eaten it yet, but I tasted it and it's delicious.  It has milk, broth, brown rice, zucchini, and onion, and that all gets blended until smooth, and then you add more shredded zuc for texture, sour cream, and chopped fresh dill.  I also added some diced turkey bacon so it would have more protein and be a satisfying and healthy lunch.  I'm pretty excited about it, especially as though I'm not officially doing Weight Watchers, I try to keep an eye on my "points" eaten during the week, as that's how I've learned to judge the appropriate meal options.  It's basically a balancing act right now between my healthy work-week eating and my terrible weekend eating...unfortunately, I need to cut back more on the weekend, so I can lose these DAMN FIVE POUNDS.  Ok, or ten or fifteen.  Whatever.

I was worried things would be awkward with Smee, but on Monday he stopped by my cube first thing and smiled and started to say something but I was on the phone (I'm so busy and popular), so then I went to say hi when I was free.  I just asked how the rest of his weekend was, and we said how hungover we both were on Saturday, and he said something like "which may explain why I said..." and I just said don't worry about it, and it's been fine and smiley since.  (And I'm not sure which thing he was referencing exactly, as he may have wanted to just reject me further, but maybe not.  He seems to just generally feel guilty for certain admissions. (God, now I want to make an emissions joke, but I'll refrain.))  Which is good, because we had to spend Monday and Tuesday afternoon together in the conference room hunched over a project together.  Our arms would brush occasionally...oh butterflies.  But in a nice way, like in a "I'm confident in where I stand here, and I don't really know that I want more and can't have it anyway, so I will enjoy your giant crush on me" way.  (Ok, fine, a mutual crush that ebbs and flows.)

Remember I told you that I texted Sleeve about wanting more on Sunday?  He didn't respond to that, but texted me the usual "What's up babe?" on Monday.  So I asked if he'd gotten that text, and he said yeah, I'm sorry.  And I said "Don't be, I just want this to move one way or the other, and I don't think that's crazy, do you?"  He replied, "No, I agree."  And only that...but I haven't heard more from him, so I guess that means no actual hanging out.  What a strange bird. 

So now I'm free and clear of dumb man distractions, which is mostly good.  I did realize that I get more sad about the past when there's no boy to daydream about, but hey, sometimes I also get excited about who I'm going to meet.  I've got my photo selection ready for my online dating profile, now I just have to find the time to write the thing, preferably when I'm in a witty and clever mood.  Hopefully the stars will align this weekend.

But for now, I am looking forward to drinks tonight with Schmess (and maybe Schmannon) at Il Bambino in Astoria.  And panini (panino?)  And then tomorrow evening is Harpie dinner at Schmags' new Brooklyn digs, which I haven't seen yet.  It'll be great, and I won't worry about getting home late.  (Though the theme is celebrating the aged, so maybe being crotchety about that would be appropriate?)  I'm making

[SPOILER ALERT, HARPIES]

the appetizers, and I sort of forced it to fit the theme, but I'm using crescent roll dough (the waning moon represents old age) as a shell in mini-muffin tins with smoked gouda (like old people are smoked?) and pancetta (aged?) baked with garlic powder (old people smell like garlic?)  We'll see how it turns out. 

Enjoy the remainder of your fall-tinged week, darlings!

Slip Slidin' Away

...is what this week has done.  How are we?  Everyone around here survive the "tornado" aka nasty thunderstorm last week?  It was just hard rain in Astoria, so I was surprised to hear of the damage done further east and south.  A few of my colleagues were affected -- one lost two car windows, and the other lost his patio furniture.  It could definitely have been worse, and I'm glad they're safe.

So last weekend seems like a long time away, but for posterity, I'll give you a recap.  Friday night I had a lovely mending evening with Schmillie.  We got tacos, drank lots of wine, tried on dresses and broke her sewing machine halfway through a dress-to-apron project.  I hope it's fixable, Schmills.  It was a great night, with all the magic of henna light but less murder poop pie scenarios.  Then Saturday I met up late with Schmannon for some pool at our current favorite old-man bar.  We were totally getting smoked by the real pool sharks, but we had lots of fun and made new friends.  She picked up a very cute pool pro, and I determinedly found someone to make out with myself.  Actually, I brought him home at 6 am, which always bodes well, doesn't it?  Anyway, I kicked him out shortly thereafter, and then slept for most of Sunday.  He was a very sweet guy, but I had one of my sudden snaps of "no longer into it," and then was just not interested.  I don't think we have a lot in common, plus he was really sweaty, and it grossed me out.  So of course he called me that afternoon.  I texted him that night, but then he called Monday to tell me not to call him for some reason that I couldn't understand as the voicemail broke up, but I mostly wanted to say that I wasn't exactly looking to date.  And between you and me, I'm not looking to date a drummer who works in a bar.  Yes, I'm a snob.

Anyway, last week was pretty calm.  On Monday I talked to Sleeve for two hours and we made a plan that he'd walk me back from the bank on Tuesday.  (Oh, did I tell you this?  I ran into him in my bank on Friday and Monday -- we work near each other and apparently our offices both use the same one.  Weird.)  So it was this big plan of our "first date" (ha) etc., then comes Tuesday and I text him when I'm going (as planned) and he says his boss already went and he can't get out of work.  Neat.  This guy is insane, as he's so into me and the plan when we actually make a plan, then blows me off.  And makes me text him first before he tells me?  Anyway, it was less of a surprise at this point, but still mind-boggling.  Of course there's still sexy texting all week, but at this point it's just entertainment for me, or at least it was this past week.  It's not really entertaining anymore.  I hear from him every day, but I just said (literally, just now) that it's getting frustrating for me and I want more.  We'll see if he responds to that one.  (And I kept it vague as to whether I want more from him or just more.  But it's weird to get a dirty text message from him when I'm out with another boy I'm interested in, you know?)

Wednesday night I met my new dodgeball team for drinks.  Our first game is this Tuesday, but it was supposed to be a meet-and-greet of sorts.  It was fun!  I liked the two new guys I met, and there was a guy from my kickball team who was fun to see again, and then Schmannon stopped by and Schmess came later.  Plus, two of the three boys were cute.  Bonus.

Friday was pretty quiet at work, with some people out due to the storm's consequences, and so Smee came by and asked me to lunch.  I didn't realize it was just the two of us until we were walking out!  It made me a little nervous, but it was really nice.  We sat at the bar at The Ginger Man and ate and had a few beers, and made it a long Friday date lunch, actually.  I mean, it was datish in that we were like totally facing each other and having good conversation and he paid.  So we get back to the office after two, and I said, um, can we go back at 5?  He said totally.  So yeah, we left at 5 and went to a bar across the street on 36th, The Archive, as it was a bit quieter and had more room.  Um, then we got drunk.  I think I got home at midnight.  I'd started with pumpkin beer at lunch, which isn't the lightest, and then had Blue Moons, and he'd switched to Ketel One and tonic.  It was still fun, but I am embarrassed by one emotional moment I had where he'd said he was wondering if I'd be wanting more than my current job -- like a more challenging one.  I hate when I'm drunk and something triggers a response that brings tears to my eyes and I have NO CONTROL.  I know it freaks people out and I hate it, so yeah, that happened, but I just apologized profusely and he was all worried, and I tried to change the subject.  Argh.  I clearly have buried issues about not living up to my potential.  Damn it.  And then later (after things had returned to normal), I did tease him about the Frisbee Freakout.  He played dumb at first.  I was like, fine, but I think you know something'sok, I like you.  I do.  I really like you.  But it can't happen," or something like that.  He said that imagine if when they offered to make him partner, and he'd have to say "By the way, I'm dating your Office Manager..."  I said I'd already figured that was the situation, but I was surprised he'd have to tell them, but he said he would.  I guess it is a very small and close office, so I can see it.  It wasn't really upsetting, since I'd already figured it out, but it's still sobering to hear it out loud.  (Ha, not that sobering though.)  We left soon after, and he walked me to a cab.  We texted a little bit while I was going home, and agreed that it sucked, and he asked if we were OK, and I said yes, I think so, but asked what he thought.  He said that we talked about it so he feels OK.  Which made me feel less like I'd pressed the issue, as he seemed happy to have cleared the air, and we all know I like to do that.  Even if later I feel over-aggressive paranoia.

Saturday I felt awful and hungover and stayed in bed all day, watching tv and sleeping.  I've been in a funk all weekend, and I don't think it's directly because of that, but just in general I feel like I'm narrowing options without really finding new ones.  (Oh, Al called a few more times during the week and texted once, so I finally just texted on Saturday that it wasn't a good time for me dating-wise, but that he was sweet, and I'd look forward to running into him again.  He said sweet.)  It's good that I'm not trying to date any of these guys, but I also am discouraged that no one is really going to be what I'm looking for.  Well, enough of that, but I'm still sort of sad.  At least I did laundry and cleaned the house a bit today, so I feel like a sort-of normal member of society.

I'm sure there's more to mull over, but that's the main haps and this is long enough.  Until next time...

Boyz in the Hood

So a few updates on the men in my life…ha.  Maybe then men in my peripheral vision is a better way of putting that…?

I texted with Sleeve a bit on Friday night, while drinking Nancies and feeling saucy.  He was flirty, calling me “f*cking cute” and telling me he thinks about me constantly, which is laying it on a bit thick…  but it’s nice to hear/read.  But nothing since then, so I wonder if it’s tapered off.  It’s amusing for what it is, but that’s not much.  And because I have such faith in men lately, I sort of wonder if he’s got a girlfriend.  I know the night I met him, his friends were teasing him about some girl, but it seemed like it was an ex.  Still, in hindsight, I don’t really know.  I won’t be too upset if he disappears, as I’m not too into him anyway, but I will miss someone sending me sweet nothings.

AND THEN, so Smee and I have this flirty friendly thing going, but as I’ve said all along, it’s never clearly crossed the friendship line which made it safe and still fun.  I mean, you know I’m mostly into him, but I also have my hesitations and it was again nice to not have anything to decide or figure out, just enjoy.  Especially as just this past weekend I was talking about how it had cooled off a bit recently…which was fine.  

ANYWAY, yesterday was the usual, some convos, he comes by to ask me how Boston was, I yammered to him about something later, he comes to get me to eat lunch with them in the conference room (because the guys all go buy something, and I pack, so when they get back he comes to tell me they’re back so I can come eat with them), etc.  At lunch he was telling me how some guy who was in the office on Friday afternoon (who used to rent space there and was clearing some stuff out) had given Smee a Frisbee from the second Charlie’s Angels movie…to which I reply “Full Throttle?” and then smacked my forehead.  We laughed about how I actually know the name of it, even though I never saw it.  And then the conversation moves on.

I go to the bank in the afternoon, as usual, and when I’m back, the Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle Frisbee is on my desk.  It was cute, and timely, as I had just seen a homeless guy covered in his own puke on the sidewalk and could use something funny.  So I go to his doorway (where I often stand when we chat as I pass by), and smile knowingly, and he smiles, and it’s cute, and then his expression changes and he says “Oh, but it doesn’t mean anything…” and I was confused and said “What?!” and he was sort of stumbling over his words (and I’m sure my very expressive face looked sort of horrified) and he said, “Well, I just value our friendship so I wouldn’t…” and I was like “WHAT?!” and then he said nevermind, and I gave him a look like he was crazy, and then I said “I thought it was nice…and I needed that after [homeless guy puke story].”  I was trying to change the subject as quickly as possible…and he was bright red.  That was it, the conversation trailed off, I walked away, but as I was turning, said “Oh, and I don’t know what you’re talking about,” and then gave a flirty smile over my shoulder.  UM, WHAT?  I know my reaction was weird, but it was even weirder that he said that AFTER GIVING ME A FRISBEE.  I mean, come on!  Oh, and then he needed my help with the postage meter about 20 minutes later, and we awkwardly pretended nothing had happened.

I initially felt rejected and angry, because how/why could he give me a “let her down easy” speech after putting a damn Frisbee on my desk?  Did he think I was somehow being inappropriate?  Did I misread the situation?  But I didn’t even do anything yesterday!  I did send him a link to Lazy Sunday as he had never seen it, but that’s not exactly a proposition.  I was very sure we were both on the same page, and frankly, I still am.  So my poor friends had to let me work through this verbally last night when we went to the (hot, fun) Yankee game (thanks guys!), and their opinions were varied, but basically they thought he was freaked out and I should just act normal and NOT try to clear the air (because you know I want that), but they’re right.  I also wondered later on if perhaps he was so freaked out himself that he sort of went to the opposite, defensive place, and maybe it wasn’t as negative about me as it seemed.  I realize I sound like I’m rationalizing, but it doesn’t make sense, especially after today.  I was pretty cold towards him, just skipping any social interaction and when he got me for lunch (like normal) I just said “Oh, ok!” and didn’t smile or anything.  Yes, that sounds like things boys don’t notice, but he noticed.  At lunch I sat far away from him (as opposed to across, like I usually do) and he watched me all lunch.  Normally he does that and we make lots of eye contact with special smiles, but today that only happened once because I accidentally looked at him and he beamed at me.  I told my paralegal friend there about it, and she thought he was acting like he felt like a dick, and he kept wanting my attention and would look to see if I was watching while telling any story or whatever.  Yes, she may just be being a good girlfriend, but I know he was watching me.  I’m not crazy, internet!

Basically it was a totally strange way to bring up the topic, but at least he’s the one that brought it up and I can play it cool right now.  I’m still not sure what it means about what he’s thinking, but it’s not really my problem, I guess.  It seems he’s not sure what he’s thinking, either, but I’m going to (for once in my life) sit back and not worry about the implications of it all.  I guess my worst-case scenario was that he thought I was in puppy love with him and he needed to give me a talking-to, but I really don’t think that’s the case.  My job is to look HOTT at work and see what/if anything happens.

From 6 Boys to 5 Napkins

What a lovely two days of FALL PREVIEW weather!  Yes, I know it's raining, but it's in the sixties.  There is a cool breeze.  There are sweats to wear.  It's delightful.  And today is extra delightful because I got a kiss and a hug before I left for work.  I walked out of my front door at the same time as my downstairs hot chef neighbor, and we said hello, and crossed paths on the sidewalk in front of our house.  (He has a separate entrance for the basement apartment.)  As I walked by, I said "Have a good day!" and he sort of grabbed me for a hug and cheek kiss, and I made a surprised noise and he laughed.  It was cute and impulsive, and made me smile all the way to work!  Besides, he's hot.  Though there is some speculation from the more manly Italian neighbors that he's gay.  It didn't help that he came home late Friday night with a dude, but they could've just been having a man sleepover!  And I don't really care either way...just kiss me with that stubbly cheek, dude.  And cook me some mussels.

Anyway, let's talk about what I've been up to.  Friday I was so tired after all of Thursday's excitement that I went home with a nap in mind.  My neighbor on the other side, a young married dude, was out on their stoop with his neighborhood friends (as they all grew up in Astoria) drinking beer and tequila.  I've met most of them before, and we all said hi when I got home from work.  Married Neighbor (MN) offered me a beer, but I passed, saying I had drank all day the day before.  So I tried to nap and failed for like 90 minutes, then watched The Invention of Lying, and anytime I'd go out for a smoke, MN would ask me to come over.  (He's very nice, by the way, and I like him and his friends.  I've gone to a 4th of July party there before.  I was just in pj's and not feeling social.)  Finally I caved and ran in to put on a bra under my sleepshirt/dress thing, and then sat down with them and started in on the Bud Lights.  I was out there till 4:30, my friends.  They were all really nice, though MN became Drunk MN and began telling me how I'm hot, and he'd massage my shoulders/leg, put his hat on me, play with my hair, etc., but I was treating him a bit like a pesky child and just trying to brush it off, as he was so wasted he could barely speak.  One of the other boys, Sleeve, used to live in my first Astoria apartment, in the basement unit.  His mom owned the building and was my landlord, so I've known him forever, though we never really spoke too much.  Anyway, he and I talked a lot, and he wants me to play on his fall softball team, and he wants to cook me dinner, and we were making all of these sorts of plans that people do.  He got my number, and more on this shortly.  All in all, it was such a good time.  I was in pj's, without makeup, hanging out with six dudes (half were married), most of whom complimented me at some point.  I was told I was hot and I met a boy.  I mean, that's a pretty good night, right?

So after everyone leaves at about 4:30, Sleeve and I were texting and he was saying he wished he would've kissed me, and I was so cute, etc.  Being drunk, I said well, maybe you should come back here and kiss me now.  Then he calls, and he's all like "Oh my god, I want to kiss you for hours, but if I come over there we won't just kiss, and I want to do this the right way.  I like you, I want to take you out.  Let's hang out tomorrow afternoon around 3 or 4, ok?" etc.  He's also more graphic but I will spare you.  A word about Sleeve:  He's a big Italian American dude, he boxes, he plays a lot of sports, he's loud and full of swagger around his guy friends, he makes gross jokes, and it half turns me off and half turns me on.  I'm also only medium attracted to him, but we'll see -- I like his body, because he's tall and strong, but I have to see the face again I think.  Basically he's not the type I'm used to, but I'm willing to see what happens.  It's nice, though, because I'm not very wrapped up in it, just curious.  So it's not getting to me yet.

So SATURDAY.  I sleep until about 10, which was not long enough but hungover me can no longer sleep in.  I meet Schmess for brunch at Vesta, which was delish, then head back home to bed.  I think I have plans with Sleeve, but I don't set an alarm.  I'm awakened at 4:30 pm by a text from him, saying he'd slept that whole time, he was exhausted.  We just text chatted for a little while, with no mention of hanging out.  Finally later, I was getting ready to head to Schmillie's BIRTHDAY PARTY, and I sent him one to say I was leaving soon, and ask if he was coming with me.  (This had been discussed previously.)  No immediate response, so I happily set off to Brooklyn.  He texted while I was en route to say he was at his Mom's (I knew he was possibly going to go see her, as she lives in NJ now), and maybe we could meet up later.  Meh.

So Schmillie's party was at The Richardson in Williamsburg.  It was so great!  I was the first to arrive, which gave me time to fully check out the surroundings, and I really liked the bar.  They had very fun old-fashioned cocktails and a very tempting food menu, and it was very speakeasy-ish in decor.  Then everyone arrives, and Schmillie can tell you more about it here, but she looked lovely and sexy and it was good to see her friends who I now consider my own, as well as hang out with Schmannon and Schmerin.  Then I was fading fast at midnight, so shared a cab back to Astoria with Schmannon and went right to bed. 

Sunday I woke up at a reasonable hour, had some coffee, and got inspired by the rainy weather and lack of internet at home to take myself to the movies!  First, I called my Grandma to wish her a happy birthday a week late.  I'm terrible.  My mom had reminded me to call, but then I forgot, then when I'd remember it'd be at like 11 pm or while I was out drinking, which are not good times to call your 84-year-old grandmother.  Then I texted Sleeve to say that I'd gone home right after the party, as I was so tired, and asked about his visit with his mom.  Anyway, then Eat Pray Love!  I really liked it.  I had read the book, so I knew what to expect, and I always love Julia Roberts.  She just makes me happy.  I realize the movie doesn't solve life's problems and is another sort of consumer-driven religious grab bag (yes, I read you, critics), but basically it's a nice story with beautiful scenery, and I did really relate to some points the main character makes.  The idea of pouring so much of your love into your significant other that you lose yourself, or that you have nothing left when it ends, and things like that.  Things about holding something back for yourself.  Things about Javier Bardem.  The movie spoke to me a bit, and it was very good timing.  Then, because I love myself so much, I took myself out for linner at 5 Napkin Burger, as they just opened a location by the Astoria movie theater.  OH MY GOD.  Go.  I got the Original burger with Tuscan fries, and sat at the bar, and contemplated my good fortune.  I also took half home for later.  Then a quick stop at the grocery store, before heading home to watch Disk 1 of The Brothers Donnelly, because I like the man candy. 

All in all, a wonderful weekend.  I alternately felt flattered by men, loved by friends, and treasured by myself.  (Sorry, gag.)  But I'm having a lot more good days and feel like I'm really excited about where I am and where I'm going in life, and I haven't had that for awhile.  So anyway, thanks for letting me vent all that mushy stuff.

Last night I Skyped with Britch, which was lovely.  Hopefully we'll get back to doing it frequently enough so that we don't have to talk for three hours to just catch up.  I ate plums and peaches from our CSA, which are just divine, and I sat around in sweats and loved the temperature.  Oh, and then Sleeve finally texts me (after no response on Sunday) and says "What's up babe??"  Right.  I text back a little later and say what is up, which is Catching up on tv, eating plums, and wishing I were at a bonfire.  And ask what is up with him.  Basically.  Then no response again.  So he seriously just sent me a What's up babe text with no follow-up.  Man, I don't get this guy's approach.  I feel like he could've been so money after that "I want to do this right and take you on a date thing" and now he's screwing it up.  I mean, that was sort of a golden ticket for the actual date.  Oh well, I feel a sort of detached bemusement, so we'll see what happens. 

I'm working on blurring out the faces of a picture of Smee and I from the golf outing...so look for that soon!  I mean, I guess it's pointless if you can't see our faces, but whatever.  Happy Tuesday!  And don't worry all you cold-weather haters, summer will be back at the end of the week.

The Stevie Centennial

This is my 100th post!  Yes, that's exactly why I waited so long to put one up.  I was building anticipation!

I will try to catch you up briefly on where in the world I've been this summer...I think we'll go back to our old friend, the bulleted list.

• Last week I was away on vacation, and spent some time in Traverse City, MI (home of my Grandma) and also in Toledo, OH, my hometown.  It was very relaxing and outdoorsy.  In TC, we spent lots of time at the bay, throwing a tennis ball around in the water or lying on the beach.  We lazily tubed down the Platte River.  We ate well and often.  To combat some of that, my dad and I took a 25-mile bike ride through vineyards on the peninsula (between Traverse's East and West Bays of Lake Michigan), with the vineyard at the highest point as our goal (and then back home).  Check it out--there was a gorgeous view, and I tasted some sweet cherry wine.  We'd borrowed the bikes from my Gram's neighbor, and the downside was that mine wouldn't change gears for the uphill part of the ride (until I figured out how to kick the chain over myself)...so by the end, I had a very strained tendon on my right knee, but I healed in 24 hours.  I also fell off into the bushes at the side of the road once, but it's because I'm short (not because of the Cherry Wine!  Shut up, Dad!) -- I was stopping the bike and it tipped downhill (to my right) and my toes couldn't touch the ground on that side, so whoops.  I think that's where I got what appears to be a Poison Oak scratch on my leg... 
• Once back in Toledo, I spent lots of time with some of my best friends from high school and their adorable 2-year-old, who began calling me Princess (as well as Stephanie.)  I'm not sure what started it, but I encouraged it by calling him Princess as well, so it provided me with lots of amusement.  We took him to the pool one day, and he was terrified of the water (despite the turtle water wings I'd brought him), but he eventually made it in.  He also learned the hard way not to run by the pool, as he fell on the concrete and scraped himself a little.  Luckily Aunt Stephanie was the nearest to him, so I scooped him up and made it better, and got extra cuddle time as a reward.  (As long as I can give him back when it's cranky pre-nap time, I love pretending to be a parent.)  I spent time with the family at home, too, getting my nails did with my mom, going out to dinner, and finally making use of my parents' fire pit on my last night there.  Gorgeous.
• All in all, it was a great break and I really needed all that nature time.  Still, with so much downtime, I found myself back in some very painful thought cycles about the whole Mex breakup/cheating/lying/being a bastard thing.  It's really just rage and pain at this point, but I'm upset that I'm still mired in it.  I'm sure seeing him after his return to town (as he was away for a month in Minnesota, which was lovely for me) didn't help, but it wasn't like we made up or anything.  I guess I'm nice in person because I'm not used to being a combative bitch (are you surprised?) but I'd rather he just not exist, so that's been wearing on me. 
• I'm sure the other reason for that is because I was lacking some male distraction on vacation, which sucks because ideally I wouldn't need one to be OK, but clearly that's not the case. 
• So back to town and back to my male distractions, whee!  While I never heard from Montana, I still think of him fondly and wonder if someday, when/if he moves back to town, we will reconnect.  I know he's not perfect but he was so lovely for a brief time, so whatever happens, I'm very thankful to have met him and rebounded with him.  (I should write cards for Hallmark.)  Blackbeard is back to being pretty darn charming (after a bout with walking pneumonia which made him very quiet and withdrawn.)  My OTHER work boyfriend is also in play.  Have I talked about him yet?  He's the one I talk to more, and who makes mooney eyes at me a lot, and clearly finds me thrilling, but I'm not quite as physically attracted to him.  That said, he was diagnosed with diabetes last spring and has had to make some big lifestyle changes (so it'll go away) and he's getting much cuter.  (I know, I know, I'm terrible, but it's not that serious!  He's almost cured!)  So really, I think I'm getting in on the ground floor here, and things will only be improving.  We've started Blackberry Messaging (BBMing) occasionally, and we just blush at each other a lot in the office.  When everybody eats lunch in the conference room, I always look up to find him staring at me.  He actually has told me he loves me, but more in a work context, which sounds weird.  We were complaining about a few bad receptionists here in the past, and he said something like, "...except you.  I love you."  Blushy blush...even if he's just talking about my mad phone-answering skillz.  And I have a story about yesterday, too, but let's start a new bullet point:
• I was annoyed because the new receptionist that I'm training isn't quite as detail-oriented as I am, and she'd failed to finish one part of a project that was needed by a certain time and now I was having to rush to help finish it.  I get cranky about these things.  I briefly told him what was going on (or vented, fine) and he said "Well, not everybody can be like you..." and I THOUGHT HE WAS MOCKING ME.  I have been around my family too much lately, as they like to tease me about being perfect and they call me The Queen sarcastically.  I mean, most of you know me, right?  It's not off-base that I'm a bit controlling or whatever, and I usually think I'm right.  Fine, so what, who cares.  But so when he said that, I said "Oh no, do I come off like that?!  I don't mean to!" and he was all confused and I said "Oh, you're being serious?  I thought you meant I was acting like a know-it-all!" and he said "No!" and oops, awkward laughing, walking away.  So when I was heading home, I stopped in his office to say goodnight (like I sometimes do, shut up), and I just said "I apologize for not taking the compliment well...I've been around my family too much lately, so I thought you were teasing me."  And he said "What?! No.  I was laughing about that afterwards -- you're the last person who would act holier-than-thou."  And I said "Tell that to my brother," and yadda yadda it was fine, and I thanked him for the compliment and couldn't make eye contact and got all red.  So I like him a little, and I think we have a thing going on, but it may never materialize as you know, it's a tiny office.  Still, it's refreshing because he's seen me act like an idiot, or be stressed out, or be on top of things, or hungover, and he still looks at me like I'm just amazing and it's disarming.  So it's nice to have some flirtation during the day, not to mention two eligible bachelors to enjoy. 
• What should we call him?  So far I can only think of mean names, like The Other One.  Or Diabetes.  That's terrible.  Hmm...TBD.
• Otherwise, the summer has been fun and busy with softball, kickball, etc.  I'm eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies from my CSA, and recently discovered the joys of Sugar Plums.  They're real!  Not just in a Christmas song! (Though now I can't find them on the internets, so maybe my CSA made up that name...) 
• I also have to drop the 4 pounds I gained on vacation, but I think my diet will mostly take care of that, like it usually does.  I have NOT been exercising, at the gym at least, because this heat makes me want to do nothing.  After having two extracurricular games a week and sweating for hours, my free nights are usually spent catching up on DVR in front of the AC.  This is naughty, I know, but I am not beating myself up too much.  I will want to do more when the temperature is more reasonable again (see: 25-mile bike ride in Northern Michigan, where it's in the 70/80s and not humid.) 
• Schmauren moved to Boston.  Mex is a monster who should move away/die.  Britch has been MIA in Laos for six weeks.  While these things made me a bit lonely, I am happy to say that I've extended my social circle a bit and also gotten to spend more time with my best friends outside of my borough.  I'm spent more social time with both Schmess and Schmannon, who I met through Schmauren.  Schmess and I are on the same kickball team and even hit the town a few Saturdays ago.  We did quite well on the man-meeting front, though she has a boyfriend so was just my wing, until I hit my wall and decided I suddenly hated the guy I had been talking to for an hour.  Hello, Irish Goodbye.  Schmannon was very generous and took me with her to a Cheap Trick concert a few weeks ago!  We got tipsy on vodka-iced tea-lemonade things and yummy Southern food first, and then laughed along with middle-aged Long Islanders at Cheap Trick, and then left early once Squeeze started playing.  (Who? Exactly.)  We must make a pool date soon, YOU HEAR ME?
• Annndddd, I've been traveling to Brooklyn to spend time with my favorite sapphic ladies, Schmillie and the lovely Schmobly.  (Haaa.)  We went to a Brooklyn Cyclones game on July 4th (with Schmannon) and then Schmannon and I rode the Cyclone TWICE while the gays rode their gay ferris wheel, and another weekend we took public transportation to the beach (indeed!), and yet another time we had a lovely bison burger BBQ hosted by the magnanimous Schmevor.  I love nothing more in the summer than sitting around someone's patio, drinking and bullshitting and watching it grow dark.

That seems to cover most of it, and besides, I'll need to save some material for my upcoming MORE REGULAR posts, I promise.  I've missed you, and I hope you haven't given up on me.  Happy 100th Birthday, b-word!

Oh world, I missed you.  BUT the good news is that a receptionist started on Monday, so now I'm saved from answering the phones and jumping up when the doorbell rings and I can focus on my new job solely.  I also managed to re-arrange the cubecastle so that any pedestrians walking past can no longer see my monitor.  I'm very proud of myself, and I think I pulled it off so it seems like I just made more space (and am not a creepy porn-at-work pervert or anything.)  The downside (or maybe still an upside) is that the young summer intern in the cube next to me gets to hear all my animal noises of frustration that I make without realizing it, because I am an 80-year-old man.  I think it's part of relationship-building, personally.  I do get to listen to his fratty apartment/roommate troubles by overhearing his phone conversations, too, so I think we're even.

What else is new?  Where was I last?  Oh right, the week after my brother's visit.  So I have an update on Montana... After my last post about the sporadic texting, he called me on Wednesday night, and we chatted a bit. He was out with friends and wanted me to come, but I was in for the night, so he asked me out for lunch on Thursday. He wanted to take me to this place in Union Square because they have a shrimp dish he loved, and he said we'd take a cab from my office so it doesn't take too long. And then he said he had a plan for Thursday night, and he'd tell me about it at lunch, but he made sure I was free. So then I went to sleep and he'd texted later to tell me to "Bring a change of clothes to work tomorrow and a bathing suit. Work clothes, though the suit is optional." WHHAAAA? This was fun and exciting and made the planner in me very nervous. But it was rather charming, and I didn't think he's going to murder me or he wouldn't tell me to bring work clothes, right?

So then we had a very nice lunch, and he kissed me hello and goodbye. His plan was to go to Connecticut right after work that night. His mom lives there and her condo has a pool, and he said we'd hang out with his friends and sleep either at his mom's or friends'.  And I'd take an early train back.  He said "It may not be a good plan because it's far..." and I said it sounded like an adventure and he also said something about how he knows I don't know him that well, but I said I liked the spontaneity.  I did say I couldn't stay up all night and he said "No, we'll go to bed at 10."

So we took the train to Stamford. It was so fun -- we hung out with his friends, an engaged couple, and we stayed at their apartment.  It ended up that I didn't meet his mom -- she is a teacher and there was graduation yesterday and then an "after party" so she wasn't at her place, and we just went straight to the pool anyway, where it was empty and surrounded by trees and condos and sat at a table and ordered sandwiches and played in the water and stuff, then back to the friends' apartment when the pool closed and watched tv/hung out there (with their neighbors, too), and then bed. Twin bed in the extra bedroom with no A/C but a fan. He made good use of some ice cubes, let me tell you.

I took a 9 am train back (they'd dropped me at the train station) because I'd previously cleared coming into work an hour late, so I had a bit more sleep time. We did not go to bed at 10, but maybe 1, then stayed up till 3 having fun (and he said that he should've made us go to bed earlier, too, but I agreed it's hard when people are having fun and drinking beer) and then I didn't sleep much until after the sun came up, then I dozed a bit. But his friends were really nice and hospitable and it sort of felt like being home in Ohio. And he's just adorable and very sweet and I may have had bite marks on my back.  So, you know, score.

He's just very mellow but attentive.  I like the combination of rough-around-the-edges dude and sweetness.  And bearded blue-eyes, you know.  We decided to talk on the phone while he's in MT and said we "like" each other, so we'll see what happens. Yeah, I'm also trying not to get ahead of myself, but I don't feel too crazy about it -- I'm in a good spot.  I think.  But I'd be in a better spot if he calls me soon.  He actually first asked me to call him, but I'd rather not be first, because I'm a girl and self-conscious.  Still, I'll give it till the weekend and then perhaps reach out.  WHAT DO WE THINK ABOUT THIS, readers?  I should be more optimistic probably, but I always have a Plan B.

WOW LONG STORY, sorry.  I don't know that much else is very newsworthy.  Schmauren moved to Boston on Saturday, so I'm in denial about that.  Wahhh.  Britch is also in Laos for six weeks, which means even less communication than when she was in London!  And also, I hope she doesn't get a communicable disease. 

That said, this past weekend was a nice quiet one after so much activity.  Friday night I crashed early to recover from Connecticut.  (That sounds weird -- has anyone had to recover from Connecticut ever before in history?)  Saturday I fed a friend's kitties and played with them for awhile, then got a fancy facial with a gift certificate I received for Christmas -- it was so relaxing and amazing.  Then home for Netflix and bed.  Sunday I did some cleaning and organizing at home and avoided going outside in the heat as much as possible, and that's it!  Last night was Harpie dinner, and it was as delicious as always (though low-carb this time), but my stomach still got very angry with me, and is still a little upset today.  I hate that it holds a grudge.

Tonight I should hit the gym if I can hold up my motivation (and if my stomach calms down), and tomorrow night I have a 5:30 softball game and a 6:30 kickball game, so I may only make it to the bar-end of kickball, but we'll see.  I hope the weather forecast is right and it's cooler tomorrow -- I may die if it's 90 degrees.  This upcoming weekend should be good and social again, so life is pretty grand.  I clearly heal from heartbreak via a rebound, so thank goodness that process is happening.  I haven't talked to Mex in two and a half weeks, and I've fully realized my anger and his selfishness, so I feel good about moving on and away from him entirely.  I mean, it icks me out to think otherwise.  Anyway, FINALLY I have some optimism back. 

Food isn't worth getting into today -- normal breakfast and then lunch salad is all I have.  Gross leftover Trader Joe's chicken sausage ravioli is waiting for dinner.  (Seriously, don't buy it.  It's mushy and bland.)  I will say that I weighed myself at some point over the weekend and I'm still pretty much in the same zone, so that's good news after the brother-visit-pig out.  I hope to be more regularly blogging again, too, so get ready for inane reports of my office managing days!

Schweddy Balls

The air conditioner is broken in our office today, and I.Am.Dying.  Or at least, getting stupider.  I can't seem to focus on anything and my eyes feel heavy and slow.  (Wait, am I just having a stroke?)

Anyway, happy new week!  How were our weekends?  Mine was great but also full of delicious, stomach-ache inducing foods.  My brother landed on Thursday evening and then I cooked our one relatively healthy meal of the weekend -- Trader Joe's pesto chicken and couscous with salads.  Friday we commuted together into Manhattan and got breakfast (he bought me my first bagel in a year), and then he walked around midtown while I worked, and we met for lunch (I guess I ate a salad then, so it's OK), and then I got to leave work early at 3 pm since our server crashed, so more touristy stuff up by Rockefeller Center and Fifth Ave.  I'd also somehow hurt my ankle/shin region from kickball (what?) so I had to keep sitting on benches like an old, but it was nice.  We went to the Lower East Side for dinner, and were going to hit the Meatball Shop until we discovered that they didn't have their air conditioning on...lame.  So we found a cute little Mexican spot on Allen called Mole (add a mental accent mark there) and had yummy tacos in the cool air.  Then home to relax and get to bed.

Saturday we were lazy and hung around at home.  I ate a healthy breakfast of strawberries, skim milk, and granola, and he bagel-ed it up.  Around 4 pm we met up with Schmauren and Co. for her going-away drink party at Crocodile Lounge.  Free pizza, lots of friends, and silly pictures were had by all.  And since we started so early, we also got home before midnight to the air conditioning and beds.  Sigh.  Sunday we headed out for a fantastic brunch at Sanford's, where I had Crab Cakes Benedict and he had a Steak Skillet.  Full and hot, we decided to see a movie and keep cool for the afternoon, so we checked out Get Him to the Greek.  It was better than I expected, and pretty funny!  There were a few too many raunchy jokes for my comfort while sitting next to the bro, but it was fine.  Then home to relax (and a nap for me), then we ordered Petey's Burger delivery for supper and watched 2012, which I realllllly liked!  I'd had low expectations of that, too, as it's an action movie and I didn't hear good things, but I found it really suspenseful and entertaining.  And then bedtime, and he left Monday morning to head back to Ohio.  All in all it was a good visit and I'm glad we weren't too touristy, as I was worn out from last week.  I was sad to see him go, but it's nice to have some alone down-time again this week.

So last night was supposed to be Schmauren's first attempt at open-mic stand-up comedy, but SO SADLY they cancelled the open mic.  I still am waiting to hear the routine, but we went and played some pool instead with friends (including Shmannon), so it was fine.  And I felt very well-behaved, as I only had two beers and then we left at 9 pm!  I mean, that's really the best way to go on a Monday night.  Tonight I have NO PLANS WHEEE so I want to do laundry as I have all these towels and bedding that are taking up hamper room and also catch up on my DVR, and then tomorrow night we're having one last Muncher Dinner, at least while we all live in the city.  The plan was to hit up the Boat Basin, but as the forecast is for 91 degrees, we may have to rethink an outdoor venue.  I'll miss my kickball game, but depending on when I head back to Astoria, I could say hi to my teammates at the local bar. 

There's been some sparse texting with Montana, and I can't tell if it's sparse because he's just not that into me or because he's a spacey boy.  I am trying to reign in my over-communicative nature as well as my over-analytical nature, and sometimes it's working. :)  I think in terms of actual contact, I haven't been too aggressive, but I do feel like I am because my brain is trying to manipulate the situation to see him again.  Anyway, the last thing was that he said couldn't come out last night as he was in Connecticut visiting his mom, but that he'd be back in the city late tonight or tomorrow.  So it's sort of up to him at this point to try to see me, but I guess I'll respond that I'm mostly around except for dinner tomorrow.  ALL I WANNA DO IS HAVE SOME FUN.  Why is this so difficult?  Why isn't his vacation entirely centered around seeing me??

Ok, today's food isn't worth talking about since I don't know what most of it will be, and I have a dentist appointment at 1 pm, sucky...but at least that office should be air conditioned, right? 

Once More Into the Breach

Oh dear, it's been over a week.  I apologize, little ones.  So busy!  So tired!  Let's see...last weekend I went out on Friday night with Schmauren and Lillie to Crocodile for free pizza and beer, then we headed over to support Lillie's girlfriend Erin's comedy night at Comixxxxx, the Comedy Club for Bedbugs.  It was strange but very entertaining.  (Sort of kidding about the bugs, but our hostess for the evening's routine included a bit about having them, which CREEPED ME OUT.)  Home late, then slept in on Saturday and lolled about until it was time to head to Brooklyn to see the Boston friends' band play again at Pete's Candy Store.  The Drummer was quite affectionate with me, hugging and scratching my back and arm-arounding and stuff, but yet, no kissing, except once on the cheek.  Granted, there wasn't really any private-time opportunity for that, but it was not quite what I was expecting, though it was lovely.  I felt sort of smooshy, you know?  It was a great time with Schmauren and Co., and after the set a smaller group of us went to Barcade, ate some strangers' birthday cake and played strange retro arcade games.  It was thrilling.  Then cab home for more lolling about (and tons of movies) on Sunday.

Monday night I was potentially going out with the Firefighter, but after texting me on Saturday to ask if we could decide at the last minute on Monday since he was "so busy," he never called on Monday.  So I'll stop trying to convince myself we'd have anything in common and let that one go.  Instead I ran errands and relaxed at home, as Tuesday night I had a softball game and then Wednesday night we had our first kickball game of the season, which was followed by pitchers of Bud Light and then flip cup ANDDDDD Stevie finally breaking her two-year Mex-only sex streak. 

Yeah, I said it.  I made a new friend at kickball, ok?  He used to live in this area but has lived in Montana the past four years, and was visiting his sister in Queens, though he's moving back here (to New York) at the end of summer.  I'd co-opted him to play on our kickball team since we were low on players, and then we talked a lot at the bar.  (I mean, he has a reddish brown beard and is from Montana.  What could I do?)  And then he got my number.  And then he said he wanted to kiss me.  And then I found out his middle name is Ashley, he is in a band, and he'll sing me silly songs in the middle of making out, and he also seems to kind of blurt out whatever he's thinking, which is endearing.  (Or he has Asperger's...)  Basically it was so hott, so sweet, so affectionate, so complimenty, and a complete 180 from what I'd experienced recently.  I'm really very happy with that decision, I have to say.  I had terribly cheesy happy songs in my head all day yesterday, and in theory (we'll see what happens) I'm supposed to see him again next week (since I can't bring him home with bro sleeping on the couch...)



I guess we can call him Ashley, for b-word purposes.  Or the Leprechaun?  Schmauren met him, too, so she can vouch for his attractiveness (I hope.)

Anyway, so I didn't sleep much on Wednesday night and then my brother arrived yesterday from Ohio for a visit.  I was exhausted so we had a mellow night -- I made dinner and then we took a walk in the 'hood and got some groceries and then bed time!  Today I've left him to wander midtown armed with a cell phone and a map, and we're meeting for lunch and then obviously after work.  I want to take him somewhere fun for dinner, and then we'll see where the night takes us.  (Can it take me to bed early again?  I still feel out of it.)

Work has been busy but good, though yesterday the server went down at 2:30 pm, so while I had time to write to you, I didn't have the resources.  My legs seem constantly sore -- my thighs from catching at softball (on Wednesday and Thursday) and my shins from kickball (yesterday and today) and my knee from scraping it while sliding at softball and I'm sure some of it's from some acrobatics with the Leprechaun.  So what, who cares?

Annnnd I ate Chipotle for lunch yesterday, and a cinammon rasin bagel with low-fat cream cheese for breakfast today.  It's going to be an eating weekend, so I'm not going to get into the food stuff, but I missed talking at you!