Trinity’s Top 10 Dating Etiquettes

Ok, for you single girls out there. Here are a few tips that will be sure to impress your dates.

#1 Unless she is strongly against it, bring her flowers. (some people actually find them offensive – find out before you do so!) Be prepared to cut them for her and put them in a vase. Don’t just hand them to her with a dopey look on your face and expect her to put down her drink, roll up her sleeves and do this chore herself.

#2 If you have dinner plans call ahead and make a reservation – even, if you know for a fact that it won’t be crowded. It shows you thought ahead. And, if you’re not sure of the place you will end up – make more than one reservation. It’s only two more phone calls and she will be impressed with your thoughtfulness. Plus, ladies like to think they have choices. Give her a choice between the three restaurants. If she has a favorite restaurant find out what it is and go there! (If McDonalds is her favorite, then take her to the drive-thru and straight home! You need to set your sights higher!) While we’re on the dinner topic, review Top 10 things that get the hell on my nerves for eating etiquettes.

#3 If you wear jeans on the date wear a nice shirt with it. (and, I know r.d. will agree with this: NO CARGO SHORTS!) Most restaurants these days are business casual. DO NOT wear flip-flops, teva’s, plastic watch, sweatpants, athletic shoes, have your midriff showing….(ok, see previous post on Fashion Faux Pas)

#4 It would be a good idea to review Waiter Rants “how to order wine without looking like an asshole”. And, there is a difference between not knowing wine and having the desire to know more and just ordering the cheapest wine and saying “Wine is wine. I always buy mine in the jug/box” (If your date says this, again, take her to the McDonalds drive-thru and home!)

#5 Don’t make her attend outside events, sporting events or concerts unless you know for a fact that this is something she likes (again, see previous Scream on the Green post) and it’s something YOU like, too! Because, anything that you suck up and do early in the dating relationship you will have to keep doing over and over again. (And, if outside casual event it’s ok to wear cargo shorts and flip-flops)

#6 Wash your car and clean the inside of it! (No one wants to ride in a dirty car with french fries on the floor -clean it out!) And, offer to drive if you asked her out.

#7 Do not be early for a date unless you know for a fact that she wants you there early. Just as important, do not – not, not, NOT be late! (This is a deal breaker for me!) Not unless something serious has happened that is out of your control and you call her and let her know BEFORE you’re supposed to be there! (I once ran out of gas going to meet a date for lunch and had my secretary call her to tell her that I would be late and ask her if she would please reschedule. (I didn’t have her company’s phone number and asked my secretary to look it up and call her because this was before cell phones.) My date was so impressed she immediately rescheduled and overlooked my stupid mistake of my running out of gas.

#8 I don’t need to remind anyone to have a good personal hygiene do I? (I would be very scared if I did) Fresh breath, cologne downplayed (don’t choke her to death on it) freshly showered, combed hair (on head!), shaved armpits and legs because you may get lucky – and most likely you will if you follow these rules.

#9 If you were the one that asked the person out on the first date pick up the check! She can get the next one or you can go dutch after that. But, DO NOT do the asking to a fancy restaurant and expect her to pay unless she insisted BEFORE you get there! And, PLEASE TIP! (Review Tipping Tips from Experts Fellow lesbians we rate the lowest on the scale of people who tip. Lets start proving them wrong!)

#10 Do not answer your cell phone while on the date for any reason unless you think it is an emergency and you have to answer it. (In fact, if you must have it with you hide it and put it on vibrate) If you answer and it's not an emergency tell whomever that you CANNOT TALK RIGHT NOW. (This is another deal breaker for me.) And, no crackin’on the blackberry, either. (this is a deal breaker for my gf –mine can’t even vibrate without me getting “the look” of “if you pick that thing up and crack back I will personally throw it out the window”) It would also be a good idea to review Waiter Rants “How to use a cell phone without looking like an asshole”

And, do yourself and her a favor - keep up 1-10 even after you’ve been dating a while and know she’s not going anywhere! It will keep the relationship fresh and show your love for her.

Helpful? Agree? Disagree? Care to add more?

Top 10 things that get the hell on my nerves

(Warning: adult content to follow. I only cuss when something gets on my nerves or I am angry but never at work or in front of elders.)

#1 People coughing without putting their hands over their mouth and just keep coughing and coughing and coughing and not DOING anything about it. (“Give up the Camel non-filters and go get a drink of water for key-rist-sakes!”)

#2 People sneezing explosively that scares the shit out of me. (and, keep on sneezing and sneezing. “Go blow your nose for key-rist-sakes!”)

#3 People chewing loudly and/or slapping gums when they eat. (“Keep your damn pie-hole closed when you chew for key-rist-sakes!”)

#4 People (mostly men) shoveling food in and are visibly bent over their plates. I won’t eat with people like that! (“Your mama raised you better!”)

#5 People that put their blinker on to change lanes but NEVER LOOK! (“I’m giving you the chance to get over but you’re NOT LOOKING so you blew your chance!”)

#6 People that have all these little stuffed animals in the back window of their cars and CUT you off in traffic BECAUSE THEY CANNOT SEE OUT THEIR BACK WINDOWS!

#7 Telemarketers and people (especially, trying to push their organized religion) coming to my door to solicit something when I CLEARLY have a sign on it that says “No Solicitors”
(This, however, does not apply to the cute girl that came to my door asking me to join Human Rights Campaign. “Where do I sign? How much? Who do I make the check out to?” ;-)~

#8 People that stand next to me in a store and talk LOUDLY on their cell phones. (A man in Homo Depot did this while I was trying to check out. The lady had to tell me my total three times before I could hear her and I turned around and told the man if he didn't get the hell away from me with that phone I was going to shove it up his ass! He was very afraid! I think I was pmsing that day, too.....)

#9 Customer Service representatives that try to argue with me. (“You are supposed to be representing, here! The customer is always right for key-rist-sakes!”)

#10 Not being waited on the minute I am seated at a table in a nice restaurant. (“Hello, I am paying good money for you to wait on me and I would like a drink!”)

Agree? Disagree? What are yours?

Trinity's Top 10 Favorites

Ok, I have given you my top ten fashion faux pas now for my top ten favorites. (now keep in mind, northern girls - I live in Georgia and it is very HOT down here right now - these are my top ten favorites at this time)

#1 Clean, crisp button down shirts that are striped, solid colors or white. Made of thin cotton material. These can be tucked in or worn out by the end of the day and still look good.


#2 Jeans – a dark pair, a light pair and a holey pair.

#3. Watches– I am a watch fanatic and this is one of the first things I look at on a person. Among several my two favorites are my Casio G-shock for athletics and my Rolex Yacht Master for everything else. A great watch says it all in my book – I could even overlook a little macramé if the person had on a great watch! ;-)


#4 (I know I’m going to get shit from r.d. on this one) Cargo shorts! Abercrombie preferably. Yes, I know - but I love these soft, slightly worn looking shorts (don't worry – for casual wear only)

#5 Knackis that are plain front, fit well and like the shirts look clean and crisp with colors from the lightest to the darkest knacki.

#6 Flip flops – in several colors and that look clean. When these things start wear out, I throw them away! They are cheap enough that I can afford to part with them and buy more!

#7 A nice pair of brown sandals (WITHOUT SOCKS!) and black sandals that I like to pair with jean, shorts and knackis.

#8 Belts that match the color of your shoes. One in black and at least two shades of brown.

#9 Silver jewelry – a simple ring, necklace and small hoops. (not the stir-up’s and not in any body parts other than the ears!)

#10 A Jean jacket that fits well.

Agree? Disagree? What are yours?

Trinity's 10 Fashion Faux Pas

As promised I have compiled a list of things that make me cringe when I see them.

#1 The macramé vest. This was once adorned by a potential date when I was in college. Upon ringing the doorbell my date had one of these on over her oxford shirt. The evening could not have gone longer. Needless to say that was the first and last date! So ladies, if you want to impress your date leave the macramé in the closet and save for wearing to Granny’s house – she’ll probably appreciate it more and probably even made it for you!

#2 The macramé beer can hat. (or any macramé ANYTHING for that matter) which should never be worn in conjunction with the macramé vest!

#3 Minnie Mouse shoes. These are shoes that are usually flat soled, with a rounded toe that has a bow on the top.

This picture actually shows two faux pas at once – Minnie shoes that are LEOPARD skin. Anything Leopard skin in my book is a faux pas. This shoe is actually just as bad – WHITE Minnie shoes. (I'm having prom and bridesmaid flashbacks here) Any white shoe unless it is an athletic shoe is faux pas in my book, too. (And, notably, athletic shoes should only be worn when doing athletics!)

#4 While we are on the subject of white: White pants. I know, I know – summertime it’s ok for some. Notice I said “for some”. (Recently, gf tried to get me into some white linen pants for the beach wedding we are attending and I wouldn’t do it. It goes against my personal grain. I finally compromised with off-white linen.) This picture shows a multitude of faux pas – white capri pants with high-water flip-flops. Capri pants - I know it seems so easy- but no. Pants or shorts - pick one but not both.

#5 Bib overalls – especially on women! And, again, maybe this is just my farm upbringing talking to me. I know this woman in the picture looks like she is doing some sort of work

but, ladies, I don’t care if you’re changing a light bulb or building a house– do not wear these! Old jeans are just as good! Gina didn't need bibs in "Bound" so you don't either!

#6 Sweatpants – like athletic shoes they should only be worn at the gym or while doing athletics. One leniency – if you happen to stop in at Starbucks or pick up lunch on the way back from the gym – ok. But no lingering around public places in these things!

#7 Teenage girls and women walking around with their midriffs showing. Most of the time they do not look like this:

90% of the time they look like they poured themselves into these tight jeans that have a 2” inseam and they have their “handles” hanging over all sides. Not to mention they are half naked! (I would NEVER let my teenage daughter leave the house in something like this!)

#8 Nose rings. Yeah, I think the farm upbringing definitely has something to do with some of these because every time I see a nose ring I have farm-flashbacks of putting rings in the noses of the pigs to keep them from rutting under the fences and getting out!
Notice the resemblance of the two.

#9 Pants that hang down. Every time I see pants like these I want to go up and yank them down – they’re just asking for it! This kid is sitting down because he knows that if he stands up his jeans will fall down. He's sitting there thinking "Dude! Who stole my belt?"

#10 Anything hippy (notice these girls are wearing fashion faux pas 1-2?)

Patchouli – when I smell this all I can think of is unwashed bodies, hairy armpits or lack of any hygiene whatsoever. Tie dyed shirts. Ok, Gerry Garcia, may he rest in peace, has moved on – these things need to move on as well.

These are just my top ten. Agree or disagree? What are yours?

Drowned Rat Central

This is me after teaching class in the rain all day yesterday! Everything was great until lunchtime. Then, it started to pour and we hadn't done "Stopping in a curve" exercise yet. Great. Thankfully, no one crashed their motorcyle and we managed to get through class despite of the rain. I think it was one of the longest days of my life!


This is my class after coming in from the range and being soaked:



Now I know why I only do this gig once a month!

From the handlebars of Trinity 2

Today I had to ride the motorcycle in to work because I am teaching a class tonight. Now I must admit that I am a rare female motorcyclist because I LOVE to ride on the highway. It gives me a rush! Most of the time I ride for work, with the gf or other instructors but that’s it. I have several female friends that ride as well, who want to ride with me but this is how the conversation goes:

Them: “Oh! I just got a (Honda 250) and would love to ride sometime” (meaning, they want to ride in-between stoplights all day long to get to said destination which is 2 miles away)

Me: “That’s nice. I was thinking of riding up to the lake for the day and taking a dip. Let’s go!” (knowing that falls outside of 2 mile range and apprehension is setting in)

Them: “Oh, well, I can only go if we can take the back roads (and sweat and take all day) to get there.

Me: “Well, maybe we’ll do that sometime” (having as much intension of doing so as wearing bib overalls! Stay tuned for future posts on fashion fopas. In the meantime, take a look at "Fitting Out")

-and that’s how it goes. Fortunately, I have been able to break gf of this “back road” stuff and I must say she did very well on our last weekend trip together.

I don’t know what it is about riding a motorcycle but for some reason it must make the words “idiot come talk to me” appear on your forehead. Most of the time I’m approached by guys who look like this:

And who say: “Duuuuhyou rida modur-cickle?”

Me: “Yes” (not wanting to give out more information than they can assimilate)

And then the barrage of questions like where do you buy a motorcycle? (I don’t know – this just appeared in my carport one day…)

Do I work on it? (Is everyone expected to work on their cars or bicycles if they have ownership of one?)

What is that jacket I have on? (It’s a “motorcycle specific” jacket – that always throws them. I think they were expecting GAP or something)

Why don’t I have leathers on? (because it’s 90-degrees outside, and I think it has already fried your brain)

You catch my drift on this? And, what is so frustrating is that it’s always low-IQ species of the opposite sex that approach me – every time! Never some hot chick!

(and, if it was a hot chick the above does not apply)

Usually, when this happens I hand the gentleman my motorcycle safety card and tell him I’d be more than happy to answer the rest of his questions in class. That’s what I do – I teach people to ride –safely. And, once in class I answer all the questions and no question is a stupid question in class.

So, next time (unless you’re a hot chick) you see a woman get off her motorcycle at a restaurant, coffee place or store – knowing – that she has a set destination to get to in a set amount of time, don’t stop her and ask her all these obvious questions. Just take a class, man!

And, yes, it’s good to be noticed but I’d rather be noticed while I am riding my motorcycle so you will not.hit.me!

Wish me luck that I have a great class this weekend and I am able to stay cool in this heat! Have a great weekend everyone! And, fellow riders - ride safe!

Lightning Love

Saturday, I was cruising home from letting the dog out at the gf’s. I had the top down on the convertible, wind thru my hair and all that, and my favorite Bruce Springsteen song came on:

Tunnel of Love

I am back in time flying down South River Road near [midwest university] in my ’81 coupe Mustang. Windows are down, Marlboro dangling and (the first) love of my life is riding shotgun.

I was in love, and it was “Lightning Love”. "What is that?" you say. Some people call it “Head-over-Heels”. Eric Clapton calls it “Bad Love”. Other sayings for it are Obsession or Infatuation. I like to call it "Lightning Love" because lightning rarely strikes twice and if it does – watch out!

Hopefully, you all know what this is. That first love that you would do anything for. I mean, ANYTHING short of committing murder. (Fortunately and hopefully, for most of us). This is the “no hold bars” love. Rarely, do these loves last. They come in short bursts of time – and it’s a good thing, too, because I doubt if the body and mind could handle it for very long. Craziness and physical breakdown could ensue. Everyone has had this type of love and (I hope) remembers it well and chocks it up to experience well earned and learned from.

It’s because of these experiences one can go on and lead (hopefully) long-lasting and real love relationships that are based on trust, respect and commitment. Although, some of us cannot see the forest through the trees.

Years ago a friend of mine was going through this type of love. I recognized it because I had recently gotten over my Lightning Love. (Yes, some of us do get over these types of love and lead productive lives.) Of course, one can never convince a friend to realize this while it’s happening to them. (Remember that!) I, mistakenly, tried to and what transpired was a year of silence and almost loosing our friendship. I learned this lesson the hard way. Fortunately, the friendship picked up where it left off (only after my friend and Lightning Love broke up, of course) and it was as if this “kink” in time never existed.

If this happens to you my advice is this: Let it run its course! Then, when your friend falls over from craziness, heart palpitations and/or a broken heart, pick them up, brush them off and give them any alcoholic beverage available.

The reason I am writing all this is to REMIND myself of my own good advice learned the hard way because years later my friend is “going back” to her Lightning Love.

(a moment of silence on my part to mentally scream "AAAAAAAHHHH" in my head and think about all those times in the past my friend spoke to me about how bad this relationship was for her and glad she got out of it)

Yeah, lightning definitely has struck my friend twice and I am worried. I hope it doesn’t get her this time.

Working on the Weekend

After a full weekend of working out it’s a wonder I am still walking upright today!

Saturday, I got up at dark-thirty to run with a friend of mine. (see Road,Trail,Track)
We arrived at the Silver Comet at 7:00 and took at great 6-mile run! I was able to keep up which was surprising. I tend to feel like my lungs are being ripped out and that I have rickets when I run with this particular friend of mine. But, this time it was great! I didn’t feel winded at all and the 3 miles out and back went really fast! Maybe there’s something to be said for getting your butt out of bed early and running in the mornings. I played around with the thought of getting up at 5:30 every day and running before work. (notice, I said “played around with”)

Sunday was the spin class with Mr. Legs. After sleeping in a bit (since I did get up early on Saturday) I peaked at the clock and it was 9:00 already. Springing out of bed and putting on my gym clothes, I sprinted (well, maybe just “jogged”) out of the house with my new shoes in tow.

At the gym I noticed people going into the spin room and choosing their bikes. I decided to look like a veteran and do the same. I (mistakenly) chose a bike situated near the front of the room. I put on my shoes and tried out the pedals on the bike. Once on the bike I practiced clipping in and out of the pedals. In was ok but out was a little sketchy. (I remembered when I had these pedals on my road bike I was always falling over still clipped in as I could never get out of the things very well – hold that thought.)

The instructor showed up but he wasn’t Mr. Legs from last week – he was another guy subbing for the original instructor who has been out the past two weeks. I breathed a sigh of relief only to be mistaken, as this guy wasn’t playing around, either.

All in all, the music was great, the guy who taught it made it really fun and the back of my shirt was soaked by the time class was over. Again, I felt like I got in a really great workout.

As we’re cooling off from the vigorous workout our guy tells us to get off the bikes and stretch out our legs. I go to unclip and nothing happens. The two guys behind me are getting off their bikes. I try again and nothing. By this time everyone has a leg thrown up over the seats of their bikes getting in that first good stretch. Now I am starting to look obvious that I cannot get off this bike. Finally, I get one foot out and the other springs free (I still don’t know how I managed to do this) and I was able to get off the bike in a minimal amount of time without looking like a complete amateur and idiot.

Thankfully, I was on a stationary bike or it could have been complete mayhem!

Special Friday Addition

My life seems to be centering around shoes lately. Gf buys me new shoes, I change shoes before locking myself out of the car last night and today while buying shoes I discover the worst word of the human language - especially, when spoken during the purchase of shoes.

As I said in previous posts I had been trying to make at least one body pump and ab class per week at the gym. Last weekend while I was doing cardio the spin class let out. People were staggering out of the room the class was held. Everyone looked as if they had been sitting in a sauna for two hours and were gulping down water and toweling off. I had heard from my gf's ex that this particular class/instructor was tough. Just then he walked out and I could see why. The guys' legs resembled Lance Armstrong's. Now I know why all the gay guys at the gym fill this class up. So now, I'm up for the challenge. And, it gives me a good excuse to buy more shoes. (One can never have enough shoes - Carrie Bradshaw - I'm with ya, sister!)

So, today at lunch I ran out to find some "spin" shoes. The second place I went to I found some that were reasonably priced and grabbed them and some cleats and headed for the cash register. The (very nice guy, I might add) rang me up, I presented my card, he swiped and said "Oh, it's declined." I'm like "What?! This never happens!" (I'm sure everyone says this when this happens whether it has or not) But, really - it never happens to me - except for today buying shoes. So, I pull out the big guns - the master card (they don't call it master for nothing!) and complete my purchase.

In the car I called the bank and got them relatively easy (one of the reasons I stay with this bank) .They informed me that my card had been compromised and they had to shut it down. That there is a new one on the way in the mail and that I should receive it next week. They said they even sent me a letter in May informing me of this and giving the date they would shut it down. Oops! I guess I should read my mail. (Mail is so boring to me. Unless there's a little plastic card inside, it's a bill or a handwritten letter it all gets ripped in half and thrown in the trash. A friend of mine recently sent me a wedding invitation that narrowly missed this fate. )

The weekend is practically here and my debit card doesn't work because it's been compromised and shut down. (sounds like a bad mission impossible scene) I looked at my card and was amazed at how much these things get used on a day to day basis. (mine even had a hole in it - amazing it still worked!) I don't think I've carried around cash in over a week! So, now I have to go to the bank and even worse - inside the bank and stand in line!
I hate standing in line.

Once out of the bank and back at work I was no less for wear but hope for a nice, calm weekend without anymore shoe drama.

Scream on the Green

Thursdays in June people in Atlanta loose their minds! This is when Piedmont Park Conservancy hosts a free film in the park. People park as far away as Ponce to walk in to the park carting coolers, chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and anything else they find in their garage to tote down there and throw on the ground and take forever setting up even after the movie has started. Attending one of these movies is one of my least favorite pastimes. Thank Goddess that I do not date anyone who insists on going to these things! In fact, it’s one of the prerequisite questions I ask when I first meet someone who is dating material. It goes right after the two questions of “Are you single?” and “Do you have any kids?” “Oh, and btw – do you like to go to Screen on the Green?” If the answer is anything but a solid NO then I am out of there!

You wonder why my strong dislike on seeing a movie outside. Well, normally sitting in a moist bog in the park (even when it hasn’t rained in weeks) swatting mosquitoes after walking 3 miles carting all my gf’s (at the time but not for very long) shit is not a good time for me. In fact, I really cannot understand why it would be a good time for anyone.

It mystifies me.

Thankfully now I am seeing a very wonderful woman who hates these things as much as I do-she must be soul mate material! So, you ask why am I even talking about this stupid thing now that I am not obligated to go? It’s because I have accidentally found myself in the proximity of this fiasco the past two weeks in a row!

Every Thursday night is also lady’s night at Hoedowns and once in awhile I like to go down there and dance. Last night I was meeting a friend there for a drink after seeing the gf off to Africa. As I am driving up Monroe, traffic slows and I am wondering why when I slap my head and groan “AAAAAHH! Screen on the green! Grrrrrr” So, I call my friend and tell her that I am going to be a little late because at this point I have no idea where I am going to park. Not to mention having to navigate the car through traffic, people toting all their crap and dragging their kids and not paying attention to ANYONE or ANYTHING but getting themselves and all their crap to the park! So, already I am aggravated. I pull into the parking lot – which, is FOR patrons of the shops and bars NOT THE STUPID PEOPLE GOING TO SCREEN ON THE STUPID-ASS GREEN! No parking, traffic, people waiting with their signals on, not moving.

I think, “Fuck it” and pull behind the building and park as close to the wall as possible. I am very smug at this point happy that I found a secret parking space that none of these idiots thought of. I get out, change into my shit kickers and take my key off my key ring, slip it in my pocket, lock the car and go.

I walk up to the bar to meet my friend – she’s not there yet – still trying to cut across the park in the mayhem – I hit the bathroom and come out and am walking up to the bar and it hits me. I stop, reach into my pocket, close my eyes and pull out THE BEEMER KEY! I drove the Explorer!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!


No good can come to me when I am anywhere within 5 miles of this!

Is there room service with that hut?

I take gf to the airport tonight to fly to Africa. Even though she has provided me with many links to websites detailing her itinerary and showing the hotels (are they called that there?) they’ll be staying I am still not convinced. From her “See how nice the hotel is?” Me saying “Yes, that’s great, baby”
me picturing:

“We’ll be going on a safari in a [state park] and there will be several people on the tour” Me saying “That’s great, baby” and thinking of this snippet I read on a website of Africa: “With the exception of some few parts of Northern [country in Africa] still plagued by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebellion, the country is generally peaceful and enjoys full security.” That statement does not give me comfort – especially, where my gf is concerned. It’s sort of like saying “Yeah, once in awhile scary army shows up and blows some people up but that’s hasn’t happened for a whole week!”


Then, her saying “[major city in Africa that she is going] is very civilized – haven’t you researched it on the web?” Me saying “Yes, I did – it sounds great, baby!” and me picturing:

I really do hope she has a great trip, comes back safely without getting robbed. I really do hope my westerner ignorance pans out this time and I’m just being overly cautious. I mean, really, seeing the movie “The Constant Gardener“ sure didn’t help my outlook on this country. Aids, poverty, war and large animals that can bite you do not appeal to me.

Anyway, my ranting is over on this and I really am hoping for the best for her. I cannot prepare her any more than I have already done – she just has to go and do it!

I think I’ll give her my knife to take…….

...and I can walk today!

Last night I went to body pump at the gym. I have been trying get to this class and an ab class at least once a week in hopes of seeing some improvement in the physique. I have seen improvements in the gut but not weight-wise. Grrrrr - I know - stay off the scales....
So, at the body pump class I increased my weight a little on the legs and arms and it really kicked my butt! I was SURE I wouldn't be able to walk today - as this has happened in the past - three days of leg soreness. But, alas no soreness (miraculously after all those lunges - ugh)!

I was fine earlier today but at lunch I started to feel a little depressed. I was out shopping for a new belt to match the shoes. (Fortunately, I managed to get away with it until lunch today holing up in my office - but, no one here really notices or cares for that matter. This place is chocked full of uninteresting engineer-men who bore me to tears just looking at them.)

Normally, shopping - what I do best - wouldn't depress me but I then started thinking about gf going away to Africa tomorrow for two weeks and my mood plummeted. Not that I am so pathetic that I need her around all the time - quite the opposite, in fact. But, I am going through this phase right now where all my friends are being fickle and I refuse to put up with it. Like I said in the earlier post that since I have to work pride weekend one of my good friends blew me shit about it. I reminded her that gf would be gone all two weeks, I had this weekend off and my schedule was clear as a bell! (are bells really that clear?) But, the only night my friend came up with is the night I am taking gf to the airport and won't know how long I will be - or even if I feel like going out after that, in fact. And, if so then I am sure I will get blown more shit for showing up at 9 - 9:30. So, I am over it - I feel like I accomodate EVERYONE all the time and I am just not doing it anymore. I'm sick of always being the one to call up to try to make plans, go to their house or part of town or their fav restaurant/hangout. I am tired of it and am just not going to do it for awhile. So, since I can walk, me and my shoes are just going to walk away from this situation!

PS: This is my horoscope for today: There will be many options on the table for you -- social as well as professional, so the problem isn't going to be a lack of things to do. Rather, it will be a lack of appealing things to do. Nothing will really strike your fancy or ignite your passions -- a cloud of apathy is hovering now. So instead of settling for something when your heart isn't in it, skip it. Don't do what you don't want to do. Soon this cloud will lift and you'll find an affinity for something new.

New shoes and then some...

It was a very pleasant weekend! I did manage to do everything on my list and then some.

Yesterday the gf and I walked around Atlantic Station and shopped. She picked up a $110 pair of shoes and asked that I try them on. I did, I liked and she bought. Amazing! (I really like them although, I do not have them on right now as my outfit is not right for them today) We shopped around for linen pants for me to wear to the beach wedding. We finally found some in Banana which I got.

We capped the day off at Grape which turned out to be surprisingly nice! I plan to write a good review about it.

This week holds:

*Work - and a presentation tomorrow at that - yiiiiiiii
*The GF leaving for Africa - a big :-( but everyone says to be a big girl and get over it :-)

I'm off this weekend as I was able to swap classes with another instructor for next weekend as the gf needs me to dogsit for her. Which, I really do not mind swapping weekends because the guy that was slated to work (assist) me this weekend is really terrible. He weighs about 300 lbs. is a diabetic and has already had a heart attack doing this. I mean, really - this job is VERY physically demanding (motorcycle instruction) even for me and I work out almost everyday. I cannot imagine how he does it. Plus, from speaking with other instructors he has worked with he still doesn't know what to do!

Hence, I was able to swap the class but when the guy that swapped with me realizes who is going to be working with him he is going to cuss me BIG. I'm almost wanting to laugh at the irony of it because the guy who swapped with me isn't really that good, either. Hey! I know what you're thinking "You have a big head" - I don't! I can just recognize good instructors vs poor instructors as well as lazy and out of shape ones.

Anyway - because of all this I will be missing Pride weekend. I know I am going to get flak for this from some of my friends but, hey, a girl has to do what a girl has to do! Dogsit for my gf who would do the same for me! And, swap a really bad class for a really good one - despite it being a weekend for debachery! Maybe it will keep me out of trouble. I need to stay out of trouble! I have a $110 pair of shoes that says so!

If it were always Friday....

There always seems to be a collective sigh at the end of the week when it's Friday. At least I always felt it. No matter what you do Thursday night - working out hard, partying, whatever it is, no matter how tired you are on Friday it's always ok. All you have to do is make it through one.more.day. and you're golden!

I am looking ahead to the weekend and thinking of the ability to finally sleep in, which, I never do. Probably the idea of "being able to" sleep in is more restful than the "I have GOT to get up" mode of the week. Thoughts of the weekend:

*Making a whole pot of coffee instead of just 4 cups worth
*Having time to eat that bowl of cereal with berries or make a pouched egg
*Attempting to cut the grass
*Caulking the shower which I've been meaning to do the last month or so
*An unrushed run or time at the gym
*Maybe if really motivated - pruning around the house
*Spending some quality time with the gf before she leaves

The weekends are never long enough!

Impediment of the Pathway

Yesterday I had a number of things get in the way of my path. It started in the morning as I drove to work. I merged onto I-285 and as I drove I saw a flash of orange dart across the highway. Upon realizing it was a man running across 4 lanes of traffic I hit the brakes as everyone else did. Fortunately, he was able to make it to the other side – to collect a tire and was then looking at a way to get back across traffic to the other side of the highway. Good luck at rush hour! I thought that one lousy tire was not worth running across the highway in rush hour traffic – risking one’s life and the other commuter’s lives. Right after that I merged onto I-85 and as I was doing so a truck was stopped on the shoulder and a man was walking towards me in the lane to get some part that was laying in the road. Had I not seen him in time I would have most assuredly hit him. Fortunately, my car was small enough I could actually miss the part and stay in the lane – all without hitting the man. Again, is some part, tire, thing lying in the road worth it?

Later, I was on a long run and the most difficult leg. The never-ending hill of Columbia drive. My legs were pumping and I was concentrating on my pace when suddenly a mouse darted out of the grass, ran across the sidewalk – me almost stepping on it – and then it continued across Columbia Drive. It made it across one lane and at this point I had to stop and cheer the little thing on because I heard and saw a very loud El Camino coming in the other lane the mouse is trying to cross. Silently I cheered for the mouse - “Go, go, go!” Just as the mouse looked like it was going to make it the El Camino flew by. I saw the mouse get knocked on it’s back from the wind of the car but it immediately scrambled back up and hopped the curb and disappeard into the grass. Yeah! It made it!

As I finished my run I thought about all the things – people, parts and mice that had crossed my path that day. They all made it but barely. I had no answer for why they were even there in the first place. All I know is that it’s a good thing I didn’t ride the motorcycle!

Wednesday Being Hump Day

Why do I always start these things on a Wednesday? The last blog I did started on that day as well. I ended up deleting it as I thought I didn’t want to do it anymore. I was mistaken – I wish I still had it all back. Oh.well. – new beginnings…

I am in a suit today because we have to give a presentation to a potential client. The client is the former agency I was employed with. Not that these people would know who the hell I am – this agency is big and this is a different department than where I worked. But, for some reason the big boss wants me there to give my spiel. I want to go home afterwards and take my suit off and change clothes. I hate being in this monkey suit.

I’m just not into it this week. I don’t want to work at all. I cannot wait to be home, in shorts and hanging out. I think I get like this when I feel like I’ve been running around doing too much and not having enough “me” time.

My girlfriend is going to Africa next week, has a work colleague in town for a few days so I may not see her until Friday which suits me fine right now. I know I will not think that once she is gone to Africa for what seems like a month! I know it will be good for us. I need to work on getting in shape and my diet while she is gone. I know I will easily drop 5lbs while she is gone because I won’t be doing the dinner thing at all. Protein shakes and grilled chicken all the way. Maybe I will even hit the tanning booth before pride so I can even out this God-awful farmers tan on my arms from driving around in the convertible all the time.

I am sitting here thinking about pride. About running the little race they have on Sat. About running around in the park and drinking beer. Hell, I’m even thinking of talking to my friend about setting up a volleyball net and playing all day. Not sure if I want to go to all the trouble. I am so sick of hauling shit down to the park the whole weekend of pride. Last year my gf and I didn’t go at all. I think I even worked that weekend.

God! I want this day to be over!