Every now and again I find myself in need to declare the day broken. Today, is one of those days.
Broken doesn't necessarily mean a bad day, though the two go hand in hand. One just seems to be hitting brick walls, fail whales, and new problems everywhere.
In the space of an hour:
1) I learned that the first bagel I'd permitted myself to eat in MONTHS (braces) had loosened one of the brackets, turning a 20 minute check up into a 40 minute ordeal including getting those lip stretchers stuffed in my cheeks. Not fun. I used to eat 3-4 bagels a week. Whine.
2) I walked out of that appointment to verify that yes, my car was making a really odd shuddering/squeak--but only on right turns. Left turns seem to be fine. Called and scheduled an appointment with my resident car doctor on Friday morning.
3) Which meant my optometrist had to be changed. TG for day planners and cell phones. Got that moved in the space of time it took to wait on my coffee.
4) Arriving back at work, a coworker fussing with a pump bottle of lotion splutted all over me.
Today is broken. And it's nowhere near over yet.
I swear as soon as the braces are off it's going to be all bagels all the time. Now, if you'll excuse me, my peppermint scented self has to try and get a few things done without breaking them.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Episode 17: The Two Walking Arm in Arm
Spent the weekend with my best friend and was amused to see various assumptions made about us.
Most interestingly came the first night at the bar. We were sitting at the bar, our body language fully towards each other, focused on nothing but catching up. But the guy who kept trying to crouch in over my shoulder apparently missed that. I kept scooting closer, shifting my shoulders, and this guy wouldn't back off. Even a slight elbowing seemed to not deter him. I wasn't up for making a scene so I didn't condone any particular action from my male counterpart but we both had some serious comments to make when he decided to go drool on some other chick.
Seriously, sweetheart, I ask you, in whose world is that kind of behavior suddenly going to elicit a female to turn around and say "oh, where have you been all my life? I love you!" Sorry Mr. Middle Aged Dude Whose Had a Few Too Many, I'm already with someone.
When you're out together, people address you as a couple, no matter what kind of relationship you really have. I'd forgotten about this. Certainly I noticed it when we went out with Mom and Dad ( but there waiters and passersby couldn't decide if we were two married couples or mom/dad and the kids. But put a male and female out together and poof, practically a married couple, minus the rings. I only actually was asked about "my husband" twice, however that's a high number in my book when I had no jewelry on either hand.
It was a split between being the old married couple (added to by the fact, he pointed out that we both have "old" hobbies) and being "kids" out and about. I caught some glances wondering what we were up to, not so much out past curfew but seeming more carefree and youthfully bouncing from activity to activity. And coming back to the hotel soaking wet because we got caught in a rainstorm between here and there. That, of course, was the day I was wearing capris and a white shirt.
And for the weekend, I didn't mind being "married."
Most interestingly came the first night at the bar. We were sitting at the bar, our body language fully towards each other, focused on nothing but catching up. But the guy who kept trying to crouch in over my shoulder apparently missed that. I kept scooting closer, shifting my shoulders, and this guy wouldn't back off. Even a slight elbowing seemed to not deter him. I wasn't up for making a scene so I didn't condone any particular action from my male counterpart but we both had some serious comments to make when he decided to go drool on some other chick.
Seriously, sweetheart, I ask you, in whose world is that kind of behavior suddenly going to elicit a female to turn around and say "oh, where have you been all my life? I love you!" Sorry Mr. Middle Aged Dude Whose Had a Few Too Many, I'm already with someone.
When you're out together, people address you as a couple, no matter what kind of relationship you really have. I'd forgotten about this. Certainly I noticed it when we went out with Mom and Dad ( but there waiters and passersby couldn't decide if we were two married couples or mom/dad and the kids. But put a male and female out together and poof, practically a married couple, minus the rings. I only actually was asked about "my husband" twice, however that's a high number in my book when I had no jewelry on either hand.
It was a split between being the old married couple (added to by the fact, he pointed out that we both have "old" hobbies) and being "kids" out and about. I caught some glances wondering what we were up to, not so much out past curfew but seeming more carefree and youthfully bouncing from activity to activity. And coming back to the hotel soaking wet because we got caught in a rainstorm between here and there. That, of course, was the day I was wearing capris and a white shirt.
And for the weekend, I didn't mind being "married."
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Episode 16: Wardrobe Awareness
I have just pleasantly come to the realization that there is an entire section of my wardrobe devoted to the exclamation "Damn!"
And I will definitely be fabulous all weekend. Now we just pray for a little sunshine.
And I will definitely be fabulous all weekend. Now we just pray for a little sunshine.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Episode 15: Only Women Wait?
I've managed to achieve my late twenties with a healthy dose of cynicism.
And I have to wonder, how is it that so many men I meet, of similar age to myself or within a comfortable dating bracket (-2/+7 years) have a) already been married and divorced, b) already had children, c) had at least one fruitless engagement.
Did these men not get the memo about being yourself and living your own life before you joined yours to another person's? Was that a females only memo? I know a number of women who have managed to reach the end of their third decade without anyone falling to one knee, wearing a white dress, or creating new life.
So many sour grapes you say? Perhaps. It just seems such a disappointment to know that while I could find more to life than self-identification in a relationship and that I chose not to settle because "time was running out," apparently the men were all running out.(1)
I'm not saying other long term relationships aren't a part of growing and maturing. Certainly it's not all been first dates on the search for Mr. Right. Assuming I ever find him or decide that marriage is my briefcase, baby. But should I expect, at this spinsterish age of mine, that the best I can do is someone who already picked someone else for life long commitment? And now is no longer with that person?
One of my oldest and dearest friends, a guy, is a lot like me in the dating life respect--we've both had relationships that were serious and where the idea of marriage might have been a little more concrete than usual, but far from anything involving shiny jewelry. And I would say we both have full lives with strong family and friend connections, accomplishments personally and professionally, and adventures enough to make for a few stories that need to be edited depending on who is in the room.
Mayhap I should just marry him, he seems to be one of the last of an elusive breed: the un-previously-committed male over 25. But why spoil a good friendship with marriage. :-p
(1) Of course, I remember the young man I was not-dating at the end of college. Maybe it's a not such a surprise I didn't head right for wedding bells. My first love, but not the one.
And I have to wonder, how is it that so many men I meet, of similar age to myself or within a comfortable dating bracket (-2/+7 years) have a) already been married and divorced, b) already had children, c) had at least one fruitless engagement.
Did these men not get the memo about being yourself and living your own life before you joined yours to another person's? Was that a females only memo? I know a number of women who have managed to reach the end of their third decade without anyone falling to one knee, wearing a white dress, or creating new life.
So many sour grapes you say? Perhaps. It just seems such a disappointment to know that while I could find more to life than self-identification in a relationship and that I chose not to settle because "time was running out," apparently the men were all running out.(1)
I'm not saying other long term relationships aren't a part of growing and maturing. Certainly it's not all been first dates on the search for Mr. Right. Assuming I ever find him or decide that marriage is my briefcase, baby. But should I expect, at this spinsterish age of mine, that the best I can do is someone who already picked someone else for life long commitment? And now is no longer with that person?
One of my oldest and dearest friends, a guy, is a lot like me in the dating life respect--we've both had relationships that were serious and where the idea of marriage might have been a little more concrete than usual, but far from anything involving shiny jewelry. And I would say we both have full lives with strong family and friend connections, accomplishments personally and professionally, and adventures enough to make for a few stories that need to be edited depending on who is in the room.
Mayhap I should just marry him, he seems to be one of the last of an elusive breed: the un-previously-committed male over 25. But why spoil a good friendship with marriage. :-p
(1) Of course, I remember the young man I was not-dating at the end of college. Maybe it's a not such a surprise I didn't head right for wedding bells. My first love, but not the one.
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