How to save money when traveling

I have a wedding to go to this weekend and it's gonna be fun.

This is the wedding of a former co-worker, Tran, and he's the one that showed me Blogger and got me blogging. He is also the first person to refer to me as a MILF.

All the young'uns were gathered in the office one day and I said something, I don't remember what. I think he was suprised at my age I would say whatever it is I said. He turned around and said, "Red! You're a MILF aren't you?"

He and his Wife-To-Be have been together for a long time and they suit each other perfectly. Tran is always doing funny videos and even got WTB into it.

Here comes the Bride:


Expect to see more of "The Tran Files" in future posts.

Just a regular Fall Saturday

This is the first weekend in a long time that I don’t have anything to do. Summer is over so no beach trips and I needed to do some grocery shopping but that’s about it… No plans and Mini Red is off at her Dad’s

Friday, I put in a 14 hour work day and by the time I left I just wanted a beer so I headed home, had a beer and went to sleep. I wanted to sleep in but as soon as the sun comes up I tend to be up too. So I chilled out before heading out to drop off items at the donation site and then off to the grocery store.

The grocery store seemed to be busy but not crazy and carts were even available. I headed towards the berries, which are a must for my morning oatmeal. There was a dude stacking fresh berries. I stepped up an apologized for messing up his great stacking job as I leaned in for some blackberries. He said, “No! Not those! Take these, they’re better.”

I leaned in again to grab some raspberries and again he took what I had grabbed and gave me what he called better ones. He then said, “You gotta look WOMAN! Maybe you need someone to help you shop.” Ya gotta love the crazy berry stacking dude.

This was a great way to start this trip and I couldn’t help but smile as I saw this guy interact with other passing people. I took my time and moseyed through the store marking off items on my list. It was nice to be able to just take my time and not rush. When I got in line a manager came up and moved me to an open line but it was the express line and I had more than 15 items. I pointed it out to him but he said it was ok. I like this calm taking my time stuff I think it makes my aura much happier and affects people around me.

Now that I think about it everyone was happy and chatty today. Even the dude at the donation drop off place but then again maybe he was just happy I didn’t run him over, which I could have done. When I moved to the express line at the grocery store I offered to let this elderly couple go in front of me but they waved me on. The elderly woman even helped out by handing me items from my cart to put on the belt. After I paid I leaned over and thanked her for her help and she had a great big smile.

My plan was to head home and put the groceries away and I was trying to decide if I was gonna go see The Kingdom or go get a manicure/pedicure but Ra called. So I whipped up a broccoli salad and headed over to the Ra household.

They had other friends over and hanging out too. This was a couple they had recently met at Temple and they have a 5 year old daughter. When I arrived the kids were playing on the trampoline. We were a bit nervous about the kids getting too close to the edge so I suggested they do “Ring Around the Rosie” in the center. They sand and then all fell down and giggled. Ra’s youngest popped up and said he wanted to do it again. Well he said it in his own way and the new friend was surprised I knew what he said because she didn’t understand him. I love that I know him well enough to know what he is saying.

Ra’s hubby Gurp cooked and we opened a bottle of Fat Bastard and we all hung out as we casually ate. It was so nice, not-to-mention rare, to feel so comfortable with new people.

I was the first to leave and hated to go but I could feel how tired I was from my toes to my head. I got hugs from everyone even the little girl. Ra walked me out and I told her how much I liked this family.

On my drive home I was thinking about my friendship with Ra and her family. She and I have had our moments where we have gone months without talking due to some disagreement but that doesn’t happen anymore. We are both stubborn and hard headed and our friendship just keeps getting stronger. I have learned so much from her and I’m so glad to have her and her family. They have taught me to open up and trust. Gurp has become a really good friend too and he even brought back a little something for Mini Red and me from his trip to Bahrain. The boys look up to Mini Red like a big sister and I love that they call me Auntie.

It turned out to be a great day and I learned to just sit back and chill out, which was desperately needed. I can’t wait to do it again but next time I’m getting a turn on the trampoline.

Mini Red’s Night out on the town with Scythian

This all came about when Nicole came to town from Chicago. Her stay got extended and I got an email about the dates Scythian added to their tour. Namely, the CD release party at Flanagan’s Harp and Fiddle in Bethesda. We could all get together see Nicole and listen to some Scythian. This was the perfect chance for Mini Red to finally see them live.

Mini Red has been listening to Scythian for some time now and they have been a real inspiration to her. To see them live was extremely exciting for her.

I made a reservation and my inquiries got us a table smack dab in the middle of it all. I was surprised at how quiet and calm Mini Red was on our way to H&F but that all changed when we sat down. Our group trickled in and I can’t tell ya how nice it is to gather with a good number of friends and listen to some great music. I had been anxious for this evening all week because it just don’t get no better than this.

Mini Red watched intently as the crew was setting up. She would elbow me and say, “Look Mom there’s a Scythian guy. Isn’t that one of them?” Nicole went with Mini Red to go say hi to Dan. For some reason as Mini Red has gotten older she has become shy. She didn’t want to take any pictures and sat rather quietly as Scythian was starting up. I guess I can’t really blame her since she was the only kid there. I would feel out of place especially with so many staring when they realized there was a young girl in the crowd. Plus the adults dancing must have been a sight to her. I know it takes me aback at times too.

By the end of Scythian’s first set Mini Red and I were dancing in our seats. We decided to get ready to leave but then I saw Leks was in the middle of the dance floor and I suggested that Mini Red go up and say hi and get a picture. She didn’t want to do this and I couldn’t understand why. When I offered to go up with her she agreed. She told him she plays the violin and they chit chatted. She told him what an inspiration Scythian has been to her and how this was such a special night since it was the first time she got to experience Scythian live. Leks told her to practice, practice, and practice and told me not to ever let her give up her music. I suggested going up to other band members but she didn’t want to do it. On the way home Mini Red thanked me many times for a great evening. We discussed her not wanting to approach the band and she told me she was afraid they would think she was a freak. I told her they would love to hear how they inspire her and she shouldn’t worry about what others think because in the end she would have regrets and wish she had approached the other band members as she did with Leks.

She then said there was another reason she didn’t want to approach them. Her face already hurt too much from smiling and to meet more of them would make her cheeks hurt even more.


It was a special night and we shared it with some great friends. Everyone seemed to be watching Mini Red for her reactions to it all. One of our friends said, “This will be a night she will remember the rest of her life.” Mini Red agrees.

Thanks guys for another great show. You are truly talented.

The Big Catch Up... Are you Ready?

The posts have been few and far between and what has been posted has been minor stuff. I guess I should get a little caught up.

Last Thursday I had a project due for class and it had me all in a tizzy. I had been working on it for about a week and last Tuesday when I was in class I realized I missed a few of the requirements and had to throw the whole thing out and start from scratch. I left class right after the lecture and got home and got to it. I worked til 3am got up the next morning and got back to work immediately after dropping Mini Red off at camp and worked til late afternoon. I was done and had met the requirements but there was an issue with part of it that I wasn’t quite sure how to deal with.

After the lecture on Thursday I asked my professor for some advice and he said it would take some doing but I could have til Tuesday to turn it in if I wanted. On the other hand he noted that I met all the requirements and could turn it in as is. I worked on it during our lab and got a small portion done but I wasn’t happy. I decided to turn it in and still work on it over the weekend and then see about turning it in again on Tuesday. I needed to turn it in at least for me. I needed to show I could meet the deadline with the requirements met. I also need to show I can take that extra step to do what is really necessary and show it's more than the requirements and that I can be thorough and turn out a good product.

Not sure what I think of my end product. I guess it’s like an artist looking at their own work and they can be their own worst critic. I love it and hate it. Now I have to start my final project and the blank canvas can be the most difficult part. I’ll be working on this through out the weekend.

This weekend I was supposed to go to the beach again but I woke up Friday morning and just didn’t feel right. I’m exhausted and just couldn’t see making the three hour drive when I couldn’t leave as early as I planned, which was to work from home in the morning and leave around noon. The goal was to make it to the beach for happy hour but then my presence was requested in a meeting at 1pm. This meant I would be in the office and I couldn’t turn it down since I didn’t have official leave time on the books and had only gotten a verbal ok from a supervisor.

On top of that I got a peek at Mini Red’s room. I try not to be overbearing since most kids grow up living in a messy room and I try to let her take care of it knowing that when I see it in such disarray I usually go a little bat shit like I did Friday morning. The most amazing part is her laundry. I know our lives are crazy lately but her laundry is multiplying like rabbits. I’ve had her do some of her laundry when she is hanging at Grandmas while I’m in class but it hasn’t even made a dent. So I laid some Catholic guilt on her and let her know some of the reason I’m staying home this weekend is to do some cleaning in her room as well as her laundry. There is so much laundry that my Mom has offered to do it this week and I just have to drop it off. I might have to take her up on some of that.

Since there was no beach I mention grabbing a drink after work to a few of the girls at the office and they were all up for that. Liz is the one who finds new places so we checked out Seagar’s in the Hilton near the King Street Metro. After there we headed over to Joe Theisman’s where there was more of a crowd but we all agreed that Union Street Pub is the place that consistently has a better choice of eye candy. Plus they have these great bar stools that are a little wider with handles so you can hold on if you drink too much.

I got home a reasonable hour, especially for someone my age. Yes, I’m old! Last weekend I was sitting on the beach watching Mini Red play in the ocean. I was thinking about how I’m turning 39 next month and that means 40 next year. Holy Fuck I’ll be 40! There were tears in my eyes as I contemplated this. I’ve already told friends that we need to throw me a party. I haven’t had a birthday party since I was 8 and I figured there’s no beating around the bush about this and I would just be blunt about it. I even suggested an extended chick’s weekend at the beach and that would lower cost for some of my friends but in thinking about this more I may need to do something spectacular for myself. I’ve never been one to say I have to do this this and this by the time I’m this this and this age but I may not be able to do this this and this for much longer. I need to get crack-a-lacking but life is getting in the way.

I left my ex the day before I turned thirty with the hope that I was still young enough to get my life where I wanted it to be. Life doesn’t always turn out the way you expect it. I guess I’m just trying to figure out what I need to do next. I’m in College and getting that done but what else is there? There are places to see but not sure where I want to go plus there really isn’t anyone to go with. We are back to this alone shit again. This is what I like about going to the beach when Mini Red is gone… I’m not alone and at home I just get sad over this shit.

So I digressed… Sorry.

Saturday, I headed out to get some things done. I ran to the bank so I could get quarters for the laundry. Picked up a coffee at Dunkin and headed over to my Aunts to help her with her computer. It’s funny… I was telling here there is a service called The Geek Squad that she could always use. She said, “Why use them. You are my geek!”

Oye! I guess I am a geek.

Next, I stopped in Home Goods to see what they had before heading over to Shoppers to pick up broccoli for a dish I was making for a barbecue Saturday night. I put the broccoli in the cooler I keep in my car and headed over to UA Nails in White Flint to get my toes done. I had planned to get a well deserved and needed pedicure on Wednesday but I ended up working on my project all day. I picked out my nail color and the girl was working on my feet and it was feeling very nice I must say. I was thinking this is a treat that really isn’t expensive enough to break my bank and I need to partake more. The girl grabs my flip flops to put on my feet so she can paint the toes and she has a funny look on her face and then I see it! I have two different flip flops on and I've been wearing them all day! I couldn’t stop laughing and the girl couldn’t help but laugh too. I can’t believe I did that. I guess I need some more sleep.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of the shoe incident from fifth grade. I couldn’t decide which shoes to wear to school one day so I put a different shoe on each foot and was checking myself out in the mirror. I lost track of time and somehow forgot I had two different shoes on and ended up at school like this. OMG! So I called my Grandma since Mom wasn’t home and asked her to bring me a shoe that would match one that I had. I thought she would just bring one shoe and that would also resolve my dilemma of which shoe to wear. Plus I could blame it on her if it looked bad. The problem was…She brought both and I still had to decide which shoe to wear.

After the pedicure I headed home with my two different shoes to get a load of laundry in and make the broccoli salad. I picked up Mrs. M a little late, as I am usually at least a little late, and we headed to Woodbridge for a Poker Barbecue (that’s gonna get some comments from Uncle Keith) at Google Boy’s house. I don’t know how to play poker but Google Boy’s Wife really knows how to cook and that was what I was looking forward to. I brought Mrs. M since she is a killer poker player but I made the mistake of letting Google Boy know that.

The food was excellent, as I had expected, and Mrs. M and I joined in a game of Wii bowling before the poker game got started. I didn’t play poker since I’m clueless about the game… or at least was clueless. Liz showed up and joined the game stating she had no idea how to play either but in the end she nearly ran away with everyone’s money until Google Boy got a really good hand and wiped her out.

Today is the BIG laundry day. I’ve separated out the laundry into six piles, 95% of which is Mini Red’s. One load is in and this may not be as easy as I was hoping. I had to go two floors up to even find an open machine.

Now, I guess, it's time to head into Mini Red's room and her bathroom. I'm really scared!

Talk to the hand cause the face just don't want to hear it

There have been times in my life where I’ve become grumpy. I say grumpy because it just didn’t seem to be enough to refer to it as a bout of depression. My divorce brought on a lot of this and the struggling I have done to make it all work and forge forward and create a great life for Mini Red.

I have come to rely on only myself but to not be afraid to ask family for help. Asking is the key because they can’t know unless I ask them and asking for help is not easy for me.

There were times I would come home from work and turn off the home phone and the cell phone. For me it was shutting out everything that was bothering me or causing me stress. I would then focus on Mini Red and we would fix dinner and do homework and have the evening and I would do my best not to think about what was bothering me. I was even shutting out my family and would go weeks without speaking to them. This was before Mini Red was hanging at the folks after school and before family dinner nights. I thought they would miss me and be worried and try to contact me to make sure everything was ok. The funny thing is they didn’t even notice because we were all so busy. I think the family dinners started because I would then talk to Mom about this and she realized we were all drifting apart.

The family dinners have been so good for our family. With the large age difference between my siblings and I there was a disconnect. Since starting the family dinner nights we have all become closer and more family members are joining.

My goal is to provide a great life for Mini Red as she grows into her own. I have also understood that if I don’t take care of myself then I can’t effectively take care of her. So I would try to get out and do stuff like date and hang with friends. I felt this was important for Mini Red to see so she would do the same for herself when she was older. Part of me always thought I would meet someone and we would work together have more kids and create this great life I couldn’t make work with FN. I left FN the day before I turned 30 hoping there was still enough time to meet someone to have more kids and build that home life I couldn’t make work the first go round.

So almost 9 years later I see it differently. I want to have a home and a dog for Mini Red but I want to get to that point on my own. I don’t need some guy but some guy would be nice to have. I still yearn to have at least one more child but I’m resolved that probably won’t happen. The goals and the outlook have changed.

Lately, my life is harry at best. I’m in college taking one course at a time and this second class is condensed which makes it more difficult. This is on top of a full time job, being a single Mom and trying to find some time for myself after I have had some time with Mini Red.

This is all ok and there is a definite goal that will be reached and a lesson for Mini Red to learn. What is really bothering me is some of the people in my life just don’t get it.

I have a friend who is a stay-at-home Mom caring for two kids. That is not an easy job but she has a husband that works so she can do this. She is forever asking me to give up something to help her. Help her!? So I help and I’ve taken off work to watch her kids and I stayed over to drive her and the kids to the airport for her vacation, closed up her house and even drove to her place several times a week to water the lawn and garden for two weeks. While she was on vacation I started my next class, which is condensed meaning twice a week from 6 to 10:50 at night. She then got mad when she called from her vacation to see if I could pick them up from the airport. When I said I couldn’t for some really valid reasons, one of which is Mini Red needed to catch her bus and I wouldn’t leave her to get ready on her own, she got mad. Yes, she got mad and even hung up on me. She called about a week after they got home and acted like nothing happened. Not even a thank you for watering or checking on their home. She doesn’t get it and I just don’t have the time to deal with this right now so I guess I’m shutting her out.

There’s this guy and he is really sweet but he isn’t for me. I have let him know this three times and he agreed that we would just be friends. We have hung out and had fun but he is really pushing for something more. It looks like we can’t even be friends and I can’t deal with trying to fight him off right now so I guess I’m shutting him out.

I realized that right now I’m shutting people out and turning off the phones so-to-speak but not to my family. I need my family and these weekends at the beach with them are perfect. I don’t have to do anything but be me and relax and have that bucket of alcohol to wash away the week’s crap. There is no stress here and that is what I need after my crazy weeks.

When this class is over I will talk to my friend and we will work it out because I love her. That guy can’t be in my life anymore because nothing will happen with us and he can’t seem to accept that. I still hope that one day I will meet a guy who can accept my craziness and me and can accept that I have Mini Red (that also seems to be an issue with many guys).

For right now I’m shutting some people out because sometimes you do what you have to do so you can get through life.

Guest Post: IT Support May I Help You?

A friend at work has a second job in the evenings supporting a help desk. He’s been working help desks for 8 years now and gets all sorts of strange calls as I’m sure you can imagine. The other day he told me one and I thought it was so funny I asked him to be a guest blogger.

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When working in technical support I assist different types people. I assist the person who works in IT and swears they know everything, and wants to call just tell me how our system should work. I assist the person who knows damn well they shouldn’t even be near a damn computer.

I even assist the person just learning how to speak English. I have no problem assisting these people; it's my job to help those that are in need.

I calmly do my job until I get a person who simply wants to waste my time; even though I spend my spare time between calls is sleeping or playing PSP. These people are bored and have nothing better to do such as this woman:

Me: Tech support, how may I assist you?

Woman: HELLO?

Me: Tech support, how may I help you?

Woman: Where are you located?

Me: Virginia

Woman: Where in Virginia?

Me: _______, Virginia

Woman: No your not! Most companies like yours outsource overseas, I know you’re located in India or China.

Me: What? No. I’m an American, and we are not located in India I can assure you. Do you have a question?

Woman: They trained you well, you even sound like an American. You even sound black.

Me: What? Huh?

Woman: What's your name, not your fake American name but your real name?

Me: Goodbye douche.

A little while later she called back and spoke with co-worker, who happens to be Asian with a thick accent. He hung up on her when she wanted to know where in china he is located. What a crazy lady.

This is why I blog…

So I have someone to tell all about my odd little days filled with good and bad, especially the good.

The day started off well enough. I got to work and ate my oatmeal with berries. I logged on to see if my test of the Preventive Maintenance (PMs) auto generation worked properly. It did… sort of. This meant tinkering with it all morning and it still wasn't working right. Finally, I set it to run while I was out to lunch and figured I would work on it when I got back.

Trish was picking me up and we were meeting Justin for lunch at Chevy’s at one of the Pentagon malls. First I ran to my car to grab the gift I had for her and the baby. She had offered to pick me up since I was just over the bridge and I was more than happy to let her. So I stood out there on 14th Street waiting for her holding a bag that said “TaDa”. I quickly turned the bag around and gave myself a quick once over to make sure I couldn’t be mistaken for a… You know. Then again they don’t hang around there anymore… Do they? I couldn’t help but laugh and hope she would show up soon, which she did.

I could have stayed at lunch all day. We had a seat outside and Justin and I decided to get the Frozen Watermelon Margarita. YumFookingYum!! We covered a wide range of topics including Boobs. Trish keeps asking me how I deal with them because it’s taking some getting used to. She’s hoping she gets to keep them after the baby arrives. Time flew by too fast and I knew I had to get back and get the test PMs running for the client. We all agreed that our lunch reminded us of a “Sex In The City” episode. None of us could claim to be Samantha but in the end we decided that today Trish was a “Pregnant, Put Together, Charlotte”, I was a “Too Busy Miranda with no Man”, and Justin was “Carrie” because he has the boyfriend, the social life, and just got back from Aruba and is lookin so fine. Beotch! I tried to arrange something where we all go out before Trish has the baby because she could be the DD. Plus she doesn’t need a drop to drink to have a good time or instigate something. I can’t wait to have lunch with you guys again soon. I miss the whole gang not being together anymore.

Back at work I found that all my hard work paid off and the PMs ran perfectly. I documented it and successfully finished some other tasks before heading out. Tonight is class you know and I need to see Mini Red on my way there. I was in a great mood til I came up against Metro Area drivers. They are all over the place and my point was proven as I drove up Cathedral Avenue. Some nut bag not only hit a parked car but his right front wheel was in the parked car’s front windshield. WTF!?!? I know I need to be faster with the camera but I need to see Mini Red before getting to class.

Can I tell you how much I hate Connecticut Avenue on the Maryland side of Chevy Chase Circle? The lanes are so narrow it’s scary and on top of that one of those “Potomac, Suburban Driving, on the phone without a earpiece Mom’s” pulls out from a side road and comes into my lane nearly hitting me. WTF?!?! I even mentioned this to Mom, when I got to her house, who gave an “Oh, one of those” looks because aren’t we all familiar with those women?

So I grabbed a quick bite to eat and a little bit of time with Mini Red before I was off to class. I suggested to Mini Red that instead of watching TV she could read, practice her violin or even write up a review for the blog. I said all of this loud enough so Mom could hear and I think the writing came as a great idea to both of them.

Class was uneventful but a lot of information I'm hoping to retain. When I picked up Mini Red I was glad to hear she spent her time constructively and wrote a post (see previous post).

It was a long day and full of everything imaginable. I think the frozen margarita was key for such a successful day. You should try it sometime, but only one or your right front tire could end up in someone’s windshield.

Can you see my ass in this?

I recently bought a new dress. I don’t have many skirts but I really don’t have any dresses because they don’t work well on me due to my heavier top half.

I tried on at least 10 dresses last Saturday and was really happy when I found one. It’s white with black flowers all over it. I’m a little uncomfortable and self conscious since this is not my usual, but I’m digging it.

I stepped out of work to run an errand and felt some stares. That’s when it hit me... My dress might be a bit see-through in the sun. Oh Shit! Nothing I could do at that point so I quickly finished my errand, raised my head high and got back to the office pronto.

Once back I informed Trish of my concern of this see-through dress. We looked around to see if there was any place the sun was shining through but unless I climbed on top of the desk and stood at the window we were out of luck. So Trish grabbed the lamp off her desk. The problem is it wouldn’t reach the floor so I held it upside down behind me. Trish moved to the other side of the room to see if the light shined through.

Looks like I was worried over nothing and the dress doesn’t appear to be see-through. We plan to get outside later and check it out for real.

Thank goodness for girlfriends, eh?

I was too busy to notice it was the Day of Evil

The plan for the day was to get a lot done this morning and then get to the office. I never made it to the office but I got a helluva lot done.

Dropped Mini Red off at the bus, went to the ATM, Coffee from Dunkin Donuts and I had the car at the dealership by 7:40. This put me third in line for the day, which ain’t too shabby.

The oil needed to be changed and I had already made an appointment next week for the sunroof recall but this morning they said they would do it all and give me a loaner. On top of that I was due for the 15,000 mile check up and I had noticed some strange things they were going to check out.

By 8:30 I was at Mini Red’s doctor to get some forms signed for her upcoming Outdoor Education trip. I’m told it’s normally a 72 hour turn around to get these papers done but she was squeezing me between patients. Thank goodness.

By 9:30 I was visiting former coworkers and picked up a trampoline to be delivered later to Ra.

I made it to the mall a little after 10, which gave me some time to shop for Aunt Dot but I couldn’t find what I was looking for so I headed to the third floor where Mini Red’s Orthodontist is.

10:40 appointment with Mini Red’s Orthodontist was to review her status and suggestions for the next round of braces. I have had so much anxiety about this and the upcoming cost but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be and the Doctor and his staff are awesome! I have to come up with some serious down payment and it’s gonna start with some extraction of teeth which are added cost on top of what the braces will cost. Oye! But it could always be worse right?

Since I was in the mall I went to Lenscrafters to scope out the frames. I found some new frames but these costs are outrageous. I decided to come back another time after I found some frames I like. I need to figure this all out since it feels like so much money is flying out of my butt between braces, glasses and just living day to day.

Today was the deadline for the Outdoor Ed permission slips and fees so by 11:40 I was off to Mini Red’s school to drop them off. Once that was done I headed to drop the trampoline at Ra’s in Columbia. There’s no way I’m making it to the office today.

I arrived at Ra’s about 12:20 and was greeted by her mother. I was so excited to see her and had completely forgotten she would be in town from Canada. I just grabbed her and hugged hard cause I just love this woman.

Ra’s 4 year old helped me unload the trampoline in the back yard. He and I had tried it out the prior weekend and I can’t wait til they have it put together and I can get on it again. At one point the 4 year old was dragging this one part and I suggested it might be easier if he picked it up from the middle.

He looked at me like I was crazy and said, “I can’t Auntie Red! This is heavy and I’m a little guy.”

“Oh ok. Then just finish dragging it to the end of the yard.”

We finished unloading the trampoline, reloaded the car with stuff for my aunt, clothes Ra was giving to Mini Red and closed everything up. I see Ra all the time but it was nice to sit down to lunch and visit with her and her Mom. For dessert we had chai tea, cookies, sat back, relaxed and chatted… I feel so comfortable in her home.

By 2:30 I was off again dropping stuff off at Mom’s, picking up Mini Red, dropping stuff at home and off to find some things Aunt Dot had requested. Dropped off the loaner, picked up the car and continued the search and didn’t find anything I was looking for. We left Rockville and headed to Wheaton to treat ourselves to El Pollo Rico and finally got home by 7 and we are beat.

But we aren’t done yet. A few hours later I made an ice cream run. It’s no longer Lent so we after the chicken dinner there was some homemade hot fudge in the fridge that has been waiting patiently for me.

Packing will be last minute, for me, and hopefully we won’t start out too late for Scranton in the morning. This weekend will be good for my soul since we will be staying at the convent again and there is no internet access. Aunt Dot is celebrating over 70 years as a nun and I’m glad she is in better spirits.

She is still unable to walk and understands that everything is different now but she is ok with it. I was worried about the “ok with it” part but she requested some plants and I took this as a great sign.
Mini Red isn’t looking forward to the nuns pawing her but Scranton’s forecast has snow in it and that makes it all worth it for her. I’m looking forward to the drive on 81 because it's so beautiful.
At least I won’t have to drive on next weekend’s trip to Connecticut for a baby shower for SIL.

The Reds are a traveling!

How positive is your thinking? Maybe you need to take the challenge too?

Today a discussion ensued regarding positive thinking. One of my co-workers tends to be a bit negative when it comes to herself and I am often the same way. I like to think of myself as a positive person but again that is different when it comes to me. I think this goes back to “We’re our own worst critic”.

I remember hearing that studies have been done showing that positive thinking can be life changing. So much so that it can help heal you and live a longer life. Google it and you will find a million articles.

Study Verifies Power of Positive Thinking
Optimism and the Immune System
Positive Thinking Can Help You Feel Better, Longer
The Power of Positive Thinking
The Power of Positive Thinking, Psychology Today

In our discussion today I said, “So you start seeing someone and he says something has happened and he can’t talk. He will call you as soon as he can. It was all going so well and you know he is/was into you. Do you hold out hope to hear from him again or write him off? This way if you don’t hear from him then you’re prepared for the worst and protect your heart. If not and you hold out hope and are let down then it’s more difficult to take.”

MB chimed in and said, “Either way you have the chance of being let down so why not be happy during some of that time? If you’re happy then it makes it easier to take the bad.”

Jay’s theory is not that it’s a negative thing it’s just being prepared. She believes there's a fine line between negativity and preparedness.

We have decided to challenge ourselves and invite others to join us. Starting April 15th we begin the month long Positive Thinking Challenge.

We are going to make great efforts not to have the negative thoughts and really concentrate on the positive. We want to see how changing our thought patterns influence our lives.

The hardest part might first be recognizing those negative thoughts.

I mentioned this to Trish back at the office and she loved the idea. All of us briefly discussed that we needed to set up parameters for ourselves or rather consequences for negative thoughts to encourage the positive. We soon realized we were being negative and instead of consequences we need to reward ourselves for the positive.

I don’t think parameters or rewards can be generalized for everyone. For me I have decided to put aside a dollar for every time I turn a negative thought around. After May 15th I will take that money and buy Trish lunch. Why? Because she suggested it.

So who wants to join us in this quest for a month? It could possibly change your life.

A sign on the way to Chinatown for Fadó Thursday but in the end the birds are dead

I was so happy when it was time to leave work, on Friday, and just happy to have made it through the day cause I had the hangover stomach thing going on. I didn’t drink that much last night but what I did drink I guess I took it in pretty fast.

Getting through town after work on Friday was fairly easy but I guess a lot of people were already out of town for Easter. There was a fair amount of tourists on their best behavior and we were all getting along as I drove by the Tidal Basin.

I was on Rock Creek Parkway and thinking about the post I want to write about Thursday night with Scythian at Fadó’s.

The evening started out with a sign: Mrs. M had arrived and was waiting as I ran out of the apartment and hit the button to call the elevator. This elevator is a bit temperamental and will often pass me. The light on the button will go off and the doors never open. Sometimes I catch it and hit the button again and it will open but I missed it this time. Screw it I’ll take the stairs. I get down one flight and realize I left the oven on. I’m not just worried it’s on I KNOW it’s on so I run back up. On my way I notice the button is still lit waiting for the elevator. I run down the hall into my apartment and turn off the oven thanking God the whole time. But it gets better. I run back down the hall to the stairway and notice the button on the elevator is not lit and figured the damn elevator had already passed. Just as I was passing the elevator the doors opened. WTF!? I took this as a sign from the big guy upstairs is telling me to stop worrying about crap cause he’s got my back and I’m not talking about my upstairs neighbor.

We drive to the Metro and got an awesome parking spot and just as were approaching the platform the train arrived. These are all small things but me thinks I should have bought a lottery ticket.

I’ve wanted to check out Scythian’s, “Fadó Thursday” but weeknights aren’t easy. With Mini Red on Spring Break at her Dad’s I figured I should take advantage and a few friends were more than obliged to join me. Mrs. M and I were walking out of the Metro when we bumped into Rachel. The three of us arrived at Fadó’s to find Shortie, PSUAcoustician and WW and shortly thereafter we finally got to meet the ever famous Texpundit. This was my first time at Fadó’s, which is pretty cool and kinda cave like. Shortie and PSUAcoustician tell us the food is good too.

By the time Scythian started we had left the table and moved closer. In no time Scythian got the crowd energized. Many pictures were taken and WW and Tex seemed to really enjoy their first Scythian experience.

So as I’m thinking about this post and driving through Rock Creek these two birds come flying across the street. I have no idea what they were doing be it fighting, playing, having sex, whatever. I didn’t think much of it until I heard a thud!

OMG!

I immediately looked in my rearview mirror and didn’t see the birds. I couldn’t help but think I have two dead birds on my grille. I took my normal route up Cathedral and onto Connecticut. While at the light at the Zoo I was looking around to see if anyone notices the dead birds on my grille. Ok this is a good sign because no one is looking so I’m really hoping there aren’t two dead birds on the front of my car.

Read all about the Guiness Fairy.

It was a Mini Red weekend

Friday, I took Mini Red to see The Last Mimzy. AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME flick. Very cool, imaginative and had us hooked all the way through.

Saturday, Mini Red and I met up with Nicole, who is in town from Chicago. She is staying in Dupont and we picked up Louie (her dude) from the firehouse and headed downtown. The Dupont area is so cool and we found a little nail salon where Mini Red and I got pedicures and Nicole got a manicure. I loved this place because they were clean and actually sanitized and sterilized their utensils between clients. As we were drying I did a double take on Nicole’s coffee. They are placing ads on the coffee wrap thingies. Sorry this pic is fuzzy but I was amused that Tylenol PM is advertising on coffee. Isn’t that... Ironic?

After our pampering we were off to have a bite to eat and decided on Trio Restaurant. This is a nice quiet place that can make just about anything you want. We all talked over our meal as if Nicole never left the area. Often times our conversations turn towards Mini Red and grades and what not. It still surprises me when Nicole says things to Mini Red that start with, “Your Mom…”

OMG! I’m a Mom and my daughter is at THAT age. Am I really that old? Mini Red is talking about boys and I just want to cover my ears and sing, “lalalalalalalala”. If I ignore it will it go away? No!

One of the discussions this weekend was forget the boys and do for you. Get the school work done and make goals and move towards them. Deal with the chaos that is relationships once you get your life set and in order and procure a high paying job to support your mother if she lives that long (hahahaha). This is coming from experience cause the opposite sex is very confusing.

Saturday night I ate something that didn't agree with me and I was up at 3:30 in the morning after an FN nightmare. I couldn’t get back to sleep so I turned on the TV in hopes it would bore me to sleep but I found Rocky… Ohhh, a good one! Just as I was able to fall back into lala land Mini Red walks in to climb into bed with me. I’m my half conscious state I just shushed her, several times, but she was still talking. Thank goodness she finally got the hint and let me sleep but she had an ulterior motive.

She woke me around 10 thinking her religion class was at 10. She was a bit miffed when I told her it was at 11 and begged me not to make her go. Hahahahaha the life of a Mom can be so joyous at times when you can torture your child with things such as religion class. Mooohahahaha.

Today was such a beautiful day so we got some pansies and planted them on the balcony. I think Mini Red’s favorite part was when we went to the park and she gave me a tour of the creek she's recently found. We started at one end and worked our way down by walking on tree branches and stones. Near the end there were some kids swinging and this little girl was pointing to Mini Red and I in the creek. She was amazed we were in the creek and said, “That one looks like a MOTHER!”

I looked up at her smiled and said, “I am a MOTHER!”

We went home and just chilled out as one should do on a Sunday. I finally got to watch the movie Babel, which is another great flick. I was surprised my phone didn’t ring all day until I just realized the ringer was off.

I think this was just the weekend Mini Red and I needed especially since next weekend she is going away for her week of spring break. I can’t stand for her to be gone that long especially when it’s with FN but oh well. So I’ve got myself booked and won’t have a minute to breathe so that should help the week go by fast.

How was your weekend? Has anyone else seen The Last Mimzy?

Happy Birthday Shortie!

How did you get your green on?

What a day! I didn’t think I would be doing much but Shortie contacted me and said she and her Dude were heading to The Big Jig. Wahoo! I’m in! I should be since I wore a big sticker on my ass promoting the Big Jig last weekend at the Shamrock Festival.

But first I met up with Nicole for a coffee. I hadn’t seen her in so long and she seemed happier than I had seen her in a long time. She’s gonna be in town for two weeks and I’m so happy to see her.

I finished up a load of laundry before heading out to meet up with Shortie and her Dude. The venue was smaller than I had expected and she was quick to point out the mud and suggested I roll up my pants. I got my beer and the three of us headed up front in preparation for Scythian to play again.

It wasn’t long before Scythain got going and some young chickies pushed their way in front of us. No biggie but I believe they had more to drink than I did at this point and they were jumping up and down. I pretty much had my hand in the little bitch’s back trying to keep her off my toes. I do understand the venue and expected crowds but she had a ton of room in front of her. Maybe I’m getting too old for this? Hahahaha.

They started throwing stuff out and I raised my arm and, evidently, smacked her upside the head with my elbow (the good one). Hahahaha I have to laugh at this cause I think she got mad and really was trying to jump on my toes at this point. So I turned around and pushed my ass her way to help her keep her distance.

Soon they were all jumping all around us now and it wasn’t long before a cup of Guinness got thrown in the air and landed mostly on Shortie. HAHAHAHAHAHA

I’m sorry for laughing Shortie but you know it was funny. This was when Shortie’s Dude said, “Lets move out”. Smart boy cause Shortie and I weren’t getting along with these kiddies. So we moved out got Shortie cleaned up and got another beer. We found another spot in the back and had a blast shaking it all up. The people around us were hilarious.

There was a couple in front of us that just couldn’t keep their hands off each other’s butts. Then there was the dude that took to rolling up his pants to a new height and of course the best was the dude with the green Goatee.

So we shook our toucases and drank a good amount of beer… At least I did. So once I get a few beers in me then I tend to be bold enough to go up to people and ask to take their pictures. There was this stage hand who had some really cool eyes (contacts) and piercings. He looked kind of scary but I knew I could get Shortie to help. This is like the Shamrock Fest where I would have never approached the Mohawk dude but I had a few beers. I have also realized that life is short and I don’t want to regret something as cool as this dude that I could bring to you.

Anyhow, Shortie and I are wandering around while Scythian is on a break. We saw the green-eyed stage-hand but he disappeared. As we rounded to head back into the tent we bump into Leks! Ahhhh. Amazingly Shortie and I were quick on our feet and I threw her my camera and grabbed him for a photo, which seemed fine with him. I told him I loved his crazy hair today. He said he like the color of mine and we were off on our separate ways.

I was tickled to say the least and now I was more ready to get that photo with the Green-Eyed dude. We headed back out of the tent and around and who should we see next… JOE! I completely interrupted his conversation to ask about his stage hand and ask for a photo with him too. Cool!
Joe pointed us back around into the tent to find the green-eyed guy. Thank goodness for Shortie cause I would have missed him. Shortie’s Dude showed up outta nowhere and offered to take the photo so Shortie could get in it too.
Well, we were about done there and we had gotten our drink on pretty good as well as the photos we wanted. We were hungry so we walked towards Fado’s but it looked crowded. I suggested the inexpensive Fuddruckers and all were up for that.

Fuddruckers was a crazy mad house so I’m glad I was in the state I was in or it might have made me a bit crazy. That food was soooo good and after a Lenten Friday I had a hankering for some meat.

I figured after Fuddruckers Shortie and her Dude were heading home and I was heading to meet up with Texpundit and other bloggers. To my very pleasant surprise Shortie was coming with me and her Dude headed home. I didn’t really know where I was going so I was glad Shortie was coming with me.

We hopped on the Metro and headed to Union Station knowing the Dubliner was only a block away but who knows which direction. I hadn’t been to Union Station in years but Shortie seemed to know her way around and got us to the Dubliner in no time.

The line was long but moved quickly. I had no idea what Tex looked like but I knew Scarlett. We didn’t see her anywhere and we searched the whole place. We even went upstairs and as we were looking around a horrible smell wafted through the air. Some freakish dude asked if I shit my pants. I told him I thought it was him and grabbed Shortie and got out of there cause that was some awful smelling shit. Uggggggh.

We never did find Tex and Scarlett and finally heard from him that he had left. Before we left we met Kimberly who was complimenting my hair. Shortie got a photo of Kimberly, her friend and I and I told her I would post it here. It doesn’t do any of us justice but you are an awesome chick Kimberly.
We had an awesome time and here I expected to not even leave my apartment this weekend. I love when things come up out of the blue and those are often some of the best experiences.

My day ended by chatting via IM with a friend I hadn’t talked to in a long time. Thanks Smith!

You can see all the photos on Flickr.

A blogger meet up of another kind

Sunday night Mini Red and I were invited for dinner at Miss Monnie’s, The Creole Princess herself.

I was so excited since she and I have been emailing for sometime now and I know she’s an awesome cook. I felt as if I already knew her. This is one amazing woman who has been dealt some interesting cards, to say the least, and she just shines despite the past. She has an amazing attentive husband, Robby, and two awesome dogs, Lucy and Jaru.

We arrived and were greeted with Monnie smashing her face in the window and the dogs barking excited to meet new people. I instantly recognized the yellow walls I have seen in the pictures. Her home is beautiful and reflects her well. We were introduced to more of Monnie’s friends Tsiporah and E. E and Mini Red became instant friends and had a blast playing with the dogs as Tsiporah Monnie and I talked, well… I talked... a lot, as if we had all been friends for some time.

Soon after Robby walked in and opened the wine and we were all sitting down to eat a most fabulous meal. Come to find out Robby is a runner and Tsiporah is training to run a marathon. I told her I would be glad to volunteer and hand out water or whatever if she needed anyone at her training meets. I’m so excited for her. Maybe one day I will finally run a marathon.

We had an awesome time and feel as if we have a new group of friends. Monnie is an amazing woman and an inspiration.

Next time my camera won’t fail me and I’ll get a picture of Monnie's impression of a Camel Back Spider. Hahahaha.

It was great to finally meet you Chica and see we redheads aren’t so mystical after all.

See what Monnie had to say about us. The Reds are Coming!

I got my green on at the Shamrock Festival

Had a blast at the SHAMROCKFEST! If you weren’t there then you missed a great time.

We got a bit of a late start but I think many had the same thought. As we were walking out of the Metro Station to the Stadium all the kids were clapping. They were so excited to get their drink on but JT and I just laughed and commented on feeling so old amongst the kiddies.

Since we had VIP tickets we had a separate entrance and flew right through. As they were strapping on my wrist band for my unlimited beer the dude commented on how I look like I’m always ready for St. Patrick’s Day with my red hair. I said, “Yeah but I still need to wear green.”

He said, “What? Are your eyes brown?”

“No! There Greenish! Ahhhh good point!”

It didn‘t take us to long to get pointed in the right direction towards VIP Area #1. Ahhh that first beer tasted so good. We enjoyed our beer and just took it all in. It was amazing how many were drunk already and others had set up a huge flip cup tournament.

We pulled out our schedule of bands and decided to head out and investigate. We found The Connells were playing at the HiBall Events Stage. The crowd was large and we couldn’t get too close but they put on a good show.

We soon finished our beers and headed back to VIP Area #1 for more beer. As we were deciding where to go head to next I saw a familiar face… Ar-Jew-Tino! Ohh and there’s Kassy and I-66. Kassy looks awesome as a brunette but her boobs didn’t look as big as they did in that last Blogger HH photos she was in. I was so excited to see everyone since I haven’t been to a happy hour in so long. Then I saw JOE! It’s Joe Logon… “Dude! I didn’t know you were gonna be here?” So what does Joe do first…? He gathers everyone for a blogger photo.

Poor JT was probably overwhelmed with his first introduction into blogger world but I made sure to introduce him around. Mrs. M felt the same way the first time I brought her into blogger world. He even got his picture snapped and I warned him he was gonna be blogged now. “Uh oh” was his response.

As the bloggers were dispersing we headed out to investigate. We found VIP Area #2 but it was way more crowded and we didn’t stay long. Just as JT was asking if I was gonna take any pictures I noticed the most incredible mohawk, which stood about a foot high. I asked the dude if I could take his picture cause I loved his mohawk. He said sure but I had to be in the picture with him and giving the finger to the camera.

I’m such a dork I can’t even flip the bird cool like. Hahahaha. The number of Port-A-Potties was impressive as can be seen behind us. If you had to pee the line was never long… Thank goodness. The longest line for a toilet was in the VIP area where they had trailers with running water but even those lines weren’t bad.

Carbon Leaf was playing at 6:10 so we beat feet over there and it was so cool! The crowd was HUGE but we pushed forward. I loved watching people get picked up and all the hands that just carried them up towards the front over top of everyone. They played for only an hour and there was an hour lull before Flogging Molly was to perform. There were so many people so we headed back to the VIP area on the other side. Seems everyone else was to drunk to think of this so we grabbed some seats and chilled out for a while where it was less crazy.

At about 8 we decided to head out to catch emmet swimming who was playing til 9 and Flogging Molly was playing 8 to 9:30. The plan was to catch the end of Flogging Molly but we were having so much fun with emmet that we stayed right there. When they were done the rain was coming down and we were done for the night.

I couldn’t have asked for better weather or better company. It was an awesome day!

Other ShamrockFest Recaps:
Shamrock out with your...
Pot o' gold
Never Have I Ever
Um, they should call it Boozefest Revisited
Shamrock Fest '07 (mohawk)
My interview with DJ AM
Quotes from ShamrockFest '07
ShamrockFest, David Mamet and the Pretty Young Abercrombie Blonde

What a fabulous day to be Irish!

The weather was great.

The St Patrick’s Day Parade in Alexandria was great.

The Irish Bar hopping was great.

The beers were great.

The Irish music was great.

The Bagpipes were great.

The company was the best!

Next Saturday, March 10th, is the Shamrock Festival! Wahoo!

Next Sunday, March 11th, is DC’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

I hope the weather is just as good next weekend as it was today.

Can’t wait!

Wanna peek? Sure ya do!

I know I know there has been a lack of posts from your truly. I’ve heard it from a few of you and I find that a bit amusing.

Justin, who I haven’t spoken to in about a month, called to see if I was ok.

Google Boy called and said “No posts in 6 days! Is this correct? I want to make sure I’m not missing anything.”

I even got an email from Elvis asking what’s up with the dating scene especially after this post. He said he would be my cheerleading section:

She's sexy, she's cute,
She's popular to boot.
She's bitchin', great hair,
The boys all love to stare,
She's wanted, she's hot,
She's everything GSA feds are not.

As for you curious folks… No, I did not hear from DM but I didn’t expect to. Steps have been taken in the dating arena but that is not to be revealed for fear of being jinxed.

This life of mine has so many roles and keeping me very busy especially of late.

Work is very busy and no time to even check out any blogs during the day let alone post. It doesn’t help that I’m on site and only have dial up for internet. On-site we are in a room with no windows on the bottom floor. Because of the tight security we have to be escorted anywhere we go in the building so we just stay in this room until we leave. We are, thank goodness, allowed to go to the bathroom unescorted. I have come to the conclusion that women come from all parts of the building to our out-of-the-way bathroom to unleash the dead within them. Each day I am able to hold my breath longer and longer.

Class is five hours every Tuesday evening. Two hours lecture and three hours lab but the time flies and I’m loving it. We recently learned to repair/restore old or damaged photos and colorization.

As a Single Mom Mini Red keeps me busy. She has swimming twice a week and then there are the various activities such as her concerts. Going to the concerts can be pain not only because I don’t know many of the other parents but I often sit alone or even worse with Mini Red’s father (ugggh), his wife and various other family members of his. I love to listen to Mini Red play but these events get PACKED and are enough to make anyone claustrophobic. I would do anything for Mini Red and thankfully my family tries their best to be there for not only Mini Red but me.

Wednesday is Family Dinner Night. Brotha-Man, SIL, Sis and sometimes… Hmmmm he needs a name. I’m talking about Sis’s boyfriend... Let’s call him Chase. Haha it’s done you finally have a name here. So as I was saying we all go over to the Folks for dinner every Wednesday after work. We catch up on what everyone is up to and sometimes other family members join us like Aunts and Uncles. These nights have become more fun each week and bring us all closer. We love seeing SIL’s pregnant belly growing on her tiny frame. Mini Red will play her violin and more recently I have been sharing what I have been producing in my class. My big night was when Chase found me in Wa Po Express (print edition pg 36) and brought a copy for me. I think Dad got a kick out of it or at least I did watching him read it.

Then there is the one night I run. Mrs. M and I alternate meeting at each others homes and we run different routes each time. This has at times been difficult but we motivate each other. We miss every so often due to weather or illness but try to make it up. We not only get some exercise but there are other benefits like exploring the neighborhoods around us and getting time to talk away from the craziness that is our lives.

So there you have a peek into my crazy weekdays and why I might be tired. You know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Overheard on Monday

"This day has had a crappy start for a Friday.

Oh Shit! It's Monday!"

The Mice chased us to Happy Hour where we escaped Hawaii, met Dave Matthews and now might be on our way to Alaska

Thursday and Friday I was in the office for a Train the Trainer course. I wasn’t real excited about being in the office after being on site for so long, but primarily because of the mice issue. Yes, I said mice. Yuck!

The hotel across the street is undergoing major construction and the theory is it has run the mice over to our building. At first we thought it was just our office but it is all over our building with the fifth floor seemingly getting a rather large population.

The mice droppings hit the fan about a week ago when a mouse bravely walked across a co-workers desk as she was working. Ewwwwwwwwwww! The exterminator came, laid down the sticky traps that would entice the mice out, which hasn’t been a problem, and said he would be back the next morning to get what was captured. Well the mice started coming out and running all over the place but weren't sticking.

Thursday morning one of the guys went to make coffee and when he opened the coffee drawer there was a mouse looking up at him. Evidently, he did a very masculine man-scream and Shortie saved him and captured the mouse, which she released in a dumpster behind the restaurant down stairs.

So the training room seemed to be somewhat of a safe haven due to its location and it’s a freaking freezer box. When I worked at my desk I was still freezing but I wasn’t going to complain. I didn’t even try to mess with the heater because if it was cold then hopefully it might keep the mice away. The thought of even seeing a mouse just heebeegeebeed me out but it was another excuse to wear the boots.

Fumigating was to commence at 5pm so a number of us took that as a cue to get to Happy Hour as soon as possible. The go-to place was Bistro Europa. I had passed it before but never been there but I followed the troops. The name did not describe the place at all and I would not have expected them to have a pool room.

There were eight of us and WW was the only dude and I think he was digging that. The majority of our group disappeared before the bar started picking up, but WW, Liz and I hung in there. WW was finally playing pool against some worthy opponents and Liz and I were taking in the sights.

WW had stopped playing pool and the three of us were in conversation when I noticed this dude getting closer and closer trying to read our company name off WW’s shirt. He pushed his way in saying he had heard of our company. WW and Liz were very excited about this but I just stayed back because something was fishy here. At first Liz thought he said his name was Mahalo so that is what we will call him here.

At first we thought Mahalo was trying to get close to Liz but then he moved in my direction. I was the only one who hadn’t given my name but I was the only one who had been to Hawaii where he was from so a discussion ensued. When a pool player asked Mahalo to move so he could play Mahalo didn’t move to the side as one would expect but, evidently, grabbed WW’s knee and moved in. This is when WW put his arm around me and moved closer. When the hint wasn’t taken we decided to get out of the pool table area primarily to get away from Mahalo.

The three of us got separated but Liz and I met up and we saw WW at the bar and Mahalo found him. We didn’t know if we needed to save WW but figured if he needed help he would let us know so we could come running and throw a boob in there and break it up. On the other hand they could very well be talking business.

Liz and I were able to procure a table and sat back waiting anxiously for WW to break free or just ready to save him. Finally, WW got away but he never saw us right there behind him. Liz ran to grab him and this cute guy at the next table immediately turned around and we started talking. Ok no one was going anywhere at this point because Red had the attention of this Dave Matthews look-a-like. We got pulled into his group of friends who had gathered with another table. It was a great eclectic group and this dude, who we'll call DM, said he would introduce me but he didn’t know most of these people’s names.

People moved around and I got to hear about the fingerprints WW had on his ass from Mahalo. I told him he needed to throw out the help signal next time because Liz or I could have very well alleviated the situation if he was uncomfortable. As WW and I were talking this big dude took DM’s seat to talk to Liz and the next thing WW and I hear is, “The size of my penis…” WW hopped up to interject and protect Liz.

Meanwhile I notice DM sitting two seats over and I’m left wondering if he’s even interested. I decided I better get my number ready because since he mentioned leaving soon. He gets up to leave and I hugged him and handed him my number. WW, Liz and I left soon after since it was about 1am at this point.

On the way out I mentioned I handed over my number but also I wasn’t sure if he was going to even ask for it. WW said just the right thing, “Guys can get intimidated by beautiful women and be afraid to ask. It’s good you gave it to him because he was a good looking guy. We are going to have so much fun when we have to travel to Alaska.”

My response was a bit mixed with delight at WW’s theory on DM but shocked at this mention of traveling to ALASKA! “What!”

Liz says, “WW, you didn’t tell her?”

I think I had this shocked look on my face as I said, “ALASKA?!”

WW says, “Lots of men there for you! We’ll talk about it next week. Bye!”

Yeah, I’m not sure what to think about that one.

Valentine's Day and a Dude Review

Tonight I took my Valentine, Mini Red, out to dinner. We went into Bethesda and ate at Rock Bottom. She tried to pull a fast one and ordered a Mountain Dew, but I nixed that one real quick. I don’t need her all spazed out on the Dew.

Eating at Rock Bottom reminded me of a match.com date I had a few years ago. Bob seemed like an all-American type guy. We met up at the bar and from the git he couldn’t stop staring at my chest. There's a large mirror behind the bar and he would stare at my chest from there but wouldn’t turn and face me directly. So I got a bit of the heebeegeebees going on but it had only been approximately 15 minutes and you can’t make a decision on a person in that short of a time.

We decided to get a bite to eat so we moved to a table in the restaurant area. As soon as we sat down he would look down at the table rather than face me. What the doofus didn’t realize is I could see his eyeballs even though he couldn’t see mine but he could see my chest and stared at it non-stop through dinner.

I had finished my meal but not my beer and excused myself to the restroom. When I got back to the table it was cleared and he wasn’t there but he appeared moments after me.

The doofus had followed me to the restroom for fear I was ditching him and I guess the waiter thought we left so he cleared the table. I was done with this date at this point but I continued to be the nice person I always try to be and prayed this would be over soon.

We walked out of the restaurant and suddenly his arms were around me asking where we could go next. I guess he thought if he made it through dinner then he could touch. I told him I had to go, thanked him and started walking home.

He was so odd I feared he might follow me. In my mind I still think of him as “Bab the smarmy sales dude who acted as if he had never seen breasts before.”

This is one of the awful dates that have led to my absence from the dating scene or rather mistrust of you fellows. My friends are becoming concerned and one has even made it his New Year resolution to get me a date. Another friend said I was just demagnetizing from all the bad/scary dates.

It has been suggested that I do some chasing of boys. My experience has proved this to be disastrous on several occasions. I believe it's obvious when I'm interested but I could be wrong. It's difficult to put yourself out there and show interest not knowing if that interest is reciprocated. I have even put it out there when it was reciprocated and then they change their mind.

I admit I can be a bit picky, as some put it. I'm also not gonna fight for one of you dudes especially if another woman is involved. You know who you want and if it’s me then you'll do what it takes to show me that you want me and keep me. I don't want some man that’s wishy washy or full of drama.

They say women are difficult to figure out and I agree they can be but you dudes are just as difficult.

Bryan Adams seems to have gotten this down pat, which is evident by this song: