Hiatus

I know; I took a small break from blogging. But I'll return shortly. Don't give up on me, yet!

...March is Almost Over!

Where did the month go? Count down to St. Patrick's Day and it's gone. Celebrated the week like the proverbial "rock star". An amazing party at one of my favorite salsa club in the OC. Special thanks to my PARTNER IN CRIME for putting an amazing night together; and also to RZ for making it all happen. There were special "guest stars" from LA and the IE, which is a trek for a Tuesday night party. U guys rock!! Two more parties prevailed at Tapa's and Granada's where more surprises were in store and the week just kept rolling.

The actual day, well, I went to work, boo! But at 6 p.m. heading to Jimmy Bone's sang Irish tunes (Sunday, Bloody Sunday of course!) with my other PICs and Hec-toe too. Relished in my first experience with PCH Dogs, Wiernerschnitzel who? Ended the evening with more cocktails in the one of the finest oasis in the OC.

But less not forget, my new buddy, Nikole who celebrated having the same "luck of the Irish" birthday! She relayed that her parents did not name her after the saint, but instead came up with the unique spelling of her name due to a stop at KFC before the birth. Thanks to the drive up person who took her father's order, named Nikole! Alrighty then.

Off to San Francisco......

...Half a Day to St. Patty's Day

The clock is ticking before my birthday. I'll start the day meeting my favorite man, Santa and end the day at Jimmy Bones in Orange with friends. C u there!

.....Some Tips

One of my salseras send these tips to me.

Five tips for a woman....

1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.
2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.
3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you.
4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.
5. It is important that these four men don't know each other.

..There Goes Brett

I read the paper on March 5th stating that Brett Favre was retiring from the Green Bay Packers after 17 seasons. Cheeseheads everywhere are saddening by the news, I'm included. I started watching Brett and Reggie in the early 1990; memories of me driving to Coto de Caza at 9:30 a.m. to ensure we would be on time for kickoff promptly at 10 a.m. Then Missy was born and before she knew the color green exist, she laid on Craig's sofa sleeping with her GB cheerleader's outfit. He would watch her when Brett had the ball to see if Missy would have her arms outstretched over her head. If this occurred, it was surefire sign that Brett was taking the ball to the end zone. There was the turnaround trip to SF for an afternoon of 49ers gleaming over the narrow win over GP. Oh I can't forget the dive bar in Laguna Niguel; me in my 1st trimester, laying my head down on the bar for a second during the 2nd quarter and not awakening until the middle of the third. Yep, I heard screaming the whole time; those 9er fans were not going to win that game, but I was tired!

I gave up Brett and the Packers after the divorce, giving the "Former" the covenant "Cheesehead" and the "Packer Fan, yes I am" tshirt. It was only fair. But I'll never forget those years of rooting for the team. There was a beautifully written quote about Brett. He had “intuition, toughness and resilience” and those are the qualities I most admired about him and myself.

Farewell Brett....one of my heroes!

The Trek to Arizona

I kept my promise for my New Year's resolution. My first trip in 2008 is to Phoenix, AZ. I planned the trip at the end of January, very excited to visit a college friend of mine that I hadn't seen in almost 2 years. Who knew it would be approximately 1 hr and 18 minute from the OC. You can barely get to Los Angeles in traffic in that time.

Breathtaking rock formations, crystal blue skies and luckily, cool & crisp weather. I visited Chandler today. The hotel San Marcos is beautiful, somewhere I would like to stay if the opportunity to visit occurs again. The city was scarce of people for the entire population seemed to have gathered at the annual ostrich festival. We did drive by the area for the festival, but it was too congested and I wasn't feeling the "carnival" feeling. Walking along the pathway,drinking a Java Chip latte, several ostriches made from mosaics, fur, rhinestones; limitless in creativity and materials, perched at store fronts.

An observation for reasons why people don't live in the Los Angeles area. I had mild congestion, thanks to the Santa Ana winds from earlier this week, feeling very nasally. Thanks to the desert air, I'm almost back to normal. Too bad I couldn't keep my original return flight for 3/26/8. I would be surely cured by then.

...Questions to Ponder

If you're pondering a date with a beautiful male originally from New York with a bit of an edge to him, what questions would you ask? Here were some of mine:

1. What part of New York do you hail from?
2. What brought you to the Golden State?
3. Do you think there is a distinct difference between NY & LA?
4. Do you conceal a weapon?
5. Do you have any bullet holes?

Yes, all the questions were answered cleverly. I can't believe he let me get away with the last two, but that's how we roll. He enjoyed my devilish humor and didn't take offense. We'll see each other again!

..Yippy Countdown to St. Patty's Day

Oh what will the day entail? Lots of folks will be heading to their favorite Irish pub/bar. I never knew how popular St. Patrick's Day was until I moved to Orange County. I knew it was my birthday and it didn't seem such a big deal in L A County. Lines poured out of O'Hara's and Kasey's in Orange my first year here. And as time went on, people would invited to their homes for a good cornbeef and cabbage meal, compliments to my birthday. For the record, I've not indulged in the meal, maybe this year.

As a salsera, I will be celebrating early, dancing at TJ's the week before. Who knows how many salsa clubs I'll hit between the 10th and the 17th. Anyone care to join me?

And One More Thing....

So I thought I was free from the Sandwich Guy; never underestimate a desperate person. A familiar number appearred on the cell and I didn't think anything of it, until I heard the voice. "Um yes, who am I speaking to? said the voice. I was already annoyed; you're calling me and you don't the number you dialed. It took me a second, but I knew who it was.

The next 2 minutes were brief. He played like he didn't know it was my number he dialed; using some lame excuse. Quickly, he asked how I was doing as if we were buddies catching up on the week's events. I was not amused. He says, "I get the impression from our last conversation, you don't want to talk with me any longer". Yep, that would be correct, Sandwich boy. The call ended.

But he just couldn't let it go. Two hours later, a forwarded text message about making mistakes in life and learning from them. Basically a last ditch effort for me to reconsider. "WE HAVE A CONNECTION!!!" he included. And that's why the decision was made easily. He didn't get me or the situation. I think he tried to fit me in some mode he had in his mind. We didn't even make it to coffee for goodness sakes! Have a good life, Sandwich Guy!

...Out of the Mouths of Babes

"Boys are for girls enjoyment", by Missy @ 11 yrs old.

V Day...Many Happy Returns!

I thought I heard everything, but I was floored when this story was relayed to me. It’s Valentine’s Day, a woman gives her debit card to her boyfriend to purchase a gift for her. Uum, does he not have his own money? I digress. Apparently not or he’s just plain smart. He was at the store, attempting to make the purchase and was declined. The information was relayed to her but she didn’t want to know the amount or where her “beloved” was shopping.

One would hope that she received this impressive piece of jeweler, purchased at Zales and that she was wowed! We'll never know. But, honey get a clue. He's NOT WORTH IT!!!!

This tales reads all wrong! First she compromised her account. Secondly, she compromised herself. There’s not enough love in the world that should make someone this desperate. But there are endless stories of women looking for love in all the wrong places.

Sandwich Guy...Gone

There's always a story but I spare you the details. Sandwich Guy....you're outta here! Delete!

BTW..thanks to my bouncer buddy @ Tapa's for lending an ear and giving solid advice!

Sandwich Guy

I had the official phone call from "sandwich guy" this past weekend. Pleasant conversation and things seem to go well. But on Monday, I received 2 text messages around 6 a.m.; wtf! But to aggraviate the situation, I received 3 phone calls between 9-10 a.m. I actually answered one not knowing about the 1st call. We chatted for a moment, which was ok. But I was perplexed receiving another call 20 minutes later; I didn't answer!

Is "sandwich guy" socialy inept or a potential stalker? Friends are leaning towards the latter since the guy hasn't asked me out yet. T says to give him til this weekend and if nothing, consider him out the door. Tick tock!

...Aargh Countdown to V day

Only a few hours before the most nauseating day of the year occurs. I'm trying hard not to be a hater! Some acquaintances are having an "anti V day party" but I can't imagine how that going to be. Luckily I wasn't invited.

Cheer up ol' gal. I have a date with a girlfriend and we'll be dancing the light fantastic. Now that I think of it, I received "xoxoxo" text from a couple letting me they are thinking of me and I'm their valentine. And there's Missy too. Hhmm, maybe the day won't be so bad after all.

I just can't wait for St. Patrick's Day!!!!

...Say What?

Do you ever wonder why people tell you things that you may not want to hear? I’ve been questioning this phenomenon lately, since it happens to me often. Many would say that it’s because you have a kind face, a sympathetic ear and appear trustworthy. This may all be true, but with those credentials, does it warrant for others to share their dark tales and deep secrets to virtual strangers? Is there safety within anonymity? Baring their soul(s), as the confidante, are you a friend now?

Imagine my shock, while sitting with an acquaintance during a barbecue, he announces that he has one testicle. The conversation did not warrant bearing one’s soul but he felt the need, as he says, to be “honest and wanted me to get to know him better”. Uum, ok. Or how about during phone call with a colleague today, she blurts out the night before random meeting of an old boyfriend she hadn’t seen in 20 years. She share details that I didn't want to particularly want to hear.

The stories vary from the ridiculous to scary, but each participant tells it with such passion. I often look around my neck to see if I have a collar (sainthood should be just around the corner). I ask friends do they experience this kind bizarre storytelling. Each one shakes their heads, giggling...knowing that I'm the rare exception. Well, at least I have stories to share, names withheld to protect the innocent!

...Risk Adverse

Can you find love if your adverse to change?

I've observed a woman who has never been married but wants to have a successful long term relationship. Admittedly, she doesn't like to date and her laundry list of do's/don't for the ideal mate, in a word, is immense. Self described as very anal retentive, she can't really have roommates. By the way, she is resistant to change.

So I wonder as she is heading towards 40, with the limitations/expections set, can she find true love? If love is an everchanging dynamic and "working" relationships sway moment by moment, how does one propose to give and receive? If you dislike dating, the method in which one enjoys interviewing various prospect mates, how do get to the next level?

I guess I just answered the question. True love and the commitment of relationship(s) will elude you every time because it is all about "change". Relationships descend into the abyss because one of the partners is not moving at the same pace as the other. Maybe that's why this woman is perpetually sad, knowing that she'll what she is looking for will never come to be. She is standing in the way of her self.

Dippity..Dah

"How about lunch at our local sandwich shop around 2:30?" was the message I received from Bing. I was not prepared for the extraordinary circumstances of that lunch. Five unrelated people, in one location, connected, all because of a quarter dropping to the ground at said shop. This action led to meeting a man, discussing sandwiches, who in turn, took his back to his work, causing another to arrive shortly afterwards to order one for himself. Admittedly, Philly Steak guy had never been to this shop, but the sheer coincidence of meeting Bing & I was strange. Even more so for us as I realized he was sent by the quarter dropping man. The timing of the events were so uncanny that I couldn't believe it was occurring. Eventually, it led to phone number exchanging because the 2nd meeting was so surreal!

Oh Bing, I'm so glad you were there for the most surreal "Twilight Zone" episode. The exchange of looks between us, classic. I can never tell the story the way it unveiled, but it will remain in my memory as an "a-ha" moment. I'm not consciously aware of having such a serendipious moment like this before. Opportunities and possibilities.....

Icky Ick

Did I mention that I hate being sick? Two days of being comtose and now crazy insomnia. But I have my favorite crime dramas with me tonight. "Without a Trace", "Law & Order: Criminial Intent" & "SVU". I'm hooked! Between those shows and "Miami Vice", I may not sleep for days. I guess if the powers that be would put "Mannix" on Dvd, I would be estatic!

2:25 a.m. and counting. Zzzzz!

It's a P Thang...

Prince is one of my favorite artists and when I heard the lyrics to this song moons ago, I didn't know that it would resonant in me at this moment. "It's been 7 hours and 15 days, since you took your love away." Well, it's been a bit longer than that, but you get the message. It's still questionable about how I feel about "lost boy", I guess that's what this period has been all about, getting to the bottom of things. Many have said, I'll look back with mostly good memories, only time will tell.

To all of you who've supported me through the good and lean moments, we have officially put this baby to bed. So on the advice of a good "peep" in the LBC, the final moments have been made. A great moment of love and laughter last week and the deletion of a phone number tonight!

To counterbalance, I thought about listening to Dr. Dre, hell yea, uumm maybe not. I'm supposed to be getting in touch with my feminine side. So to be hopeful, my Ipod led me to Sammie & Van Halen's "When It's Love". "How do I know when it's love? I can't tell you but its last forever." A bit optimistic, but I guess I can buy into tonight. Heck it's Sammie!

Ode to a Peanut Redux

The next day, I returned to the 4th step only to find that the "li'l buddy" had mysteriously disappeared. Fascinating!

I learned later, that others had witnessed the "peanut event" and wondered, as I what would happen. However, only 2 of us had witnessed the split, the main and the "li'l buddy". We'll never know exactly what happened, but it touched other lives just as it did mine.

A moment of silence for the "li'l buddy"........