Online musings of everyday life....

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Aftermath

Standing on a dusty jobsite yesterday with loud equipment in the background I was trying to focus on what the job superintendent was telling me.

“They should be delivering the bridge tomorrow in two 50 ton sections.”

Normally, this would have been of some interest to me. However, I had dirt in my sandals and my khakis were dusty. We hadn’t had rain in Georgia for several days. I had no idea that I was going to be needed on this jobsite that day or I would have dressed more appropriately and NOT driven the beemer. As it was I was hot and dusty and wanted a drink.

“There’s going to be two tractor trailers and one crane coming in.”

All I could think about was the last time I saw rain. It had just stopped and cooled off the leafy, green neighborhood with brownstones nestled in between. I was going to a new door, a new place with a bottle of wine in my hand.

“Once it’s in we’re going to finish the top coat on the road”

I looked down at the dust in my sandals and wondered how it was possible to actually be present and listen and answer questions when my mind was still a thousand miles away.

Well, 744 to be exact.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Chicago

I am sitting in my (quiet) office with the door closed. It is Tues. morning after Memorial Day weekend and our Chicago trip. I have a slight headache from the champagne I drank with B in the jet tub last night when I got home.

As I sip my coffee I wonder how to start this post.

Expectations can be a funny thing.

Angie and I arrived in Chicago Friday afternoon. We piled into a very noisy shuttle van that seemed like it was going to shake apart with every bump we hit. There was some woman with a complicated name speaking on the phone and had to spell her name every five minutes. There was also a gay man who was talking on his phone about the dog that kept lying in front of the refrigerator. Angie poked me and said, “You need to call r.d.” I felt my face get hot and said, “Really?” and she said, “Yes! Call her and tell her we’re on our way”. I sat there for a moment thinking, “This is it.” You know how I’ve been trying to hold out talking on the phone. So, I dialed and she picked up and said my name. I stammered that we were on our way to the hotel and she said to call back when we got settled.

–whew- I got that out of the way. ok.

We got settled and decided to go to this bar and have some drinks and appetizers and wait for Kelly and r.d. to get there. Kelly was having a flight from hell and we were all worried that she’d never get in.

“Are you going to call her?”


“Yes, yes, I’m calling, I’m calling”

I called and told her where we were and she said she knew the place and would be there.

Relaying this information to Angie she said out of nowhere “You know she’s a redhead”

What? No she isn’t! She’s got dark, curly hair and olive skin. I think she’s from Puerto Rico”

Angie cracked up. “No, she’s not! She’s got red hair.”

I pondered this for awhile.

Later, Angie jumped up and went to find the restroom. I went up to the bar to get a drink. As I picked up my drink I saw a woman walk by with long, auburn hair. I put my drink down and thought, “This could be her.” She walked by the bar. “Maybe not.” Picking up my beer. The woman came back. I sat my beer back down. She came in and looked around and then looked at me who was looking at her. She said my name and I said hers. Suddenly my tongue felt like it weighed 500lbs. Where was Angie? I said, “Here’s our table.” And we went over and sat down.

Angie finally came back and r.d. received a big hug whether she liked it or not. I relaxed and thought, “Ok, so this is her” I still couldn’t believe it – all those preconceived notions down the drain.

Kelly arrived (and, since I HAD seen a picture of her previously then I wasn't quite as caught off guard.) Her personality was much like our emails back and forth and it was great to finally have the friend speaking in front of me instead of through a blackberry.


We sat and drank and ate and talked until almost midnight. It had begun.

Fast forward to Sunday. We had just gotten back from having brunch with r.d. and C.Love. They both were wonderful hosts the whole weekend. Inviting us to their home on Saturday for drinks, going out to dinner and a great bar afterwards. The weekend was surreal and it all hadn’t sunk in.

Would it?

Back at the hotel I was gathering up my running clothes to go change into (-in the smallest bathroom in the world, I might add.) If I could only run maybe I could figure it all out, put it into perspective, make it seem real. I ran down State Street and made a left and headed for the lake. I wound around and through parks, taking paths and stopping at one point to stick my face in a fountain and get a drink of water. It still wasn’t real. I couldn’t run far enough to put it all together.

Later, I told r.d. this as we were sitting at Champagne bar . (Yes, I am hooked on champagne now!) She agreed that it did seem surreal – like we were comic book characters come to life. Yes, that was a good assessment of it. After that, I put it all away and just enjoyed the time there with new friends, an old friend and just being in the moment. It was a great weekend! I feel fortunate and am still amazed that through a keyboard and computer, bonds can be formed, friendships made, new worlds open up.

I look at the pictures from the weekend and think, “Yeah, it was great!”




I am glad I went!










Sunday, May 20, 2007

Last week so many things happened. It was a big week for me. I recieved a lot of good news and buckled down and finished the first draft of my book. Amazing considering I have started seeing someone again. It was a lot to take in in a week!

I am thankful for all the good news coupled with finishing my book. However, I could have managed to spread it out over a few weeks! ;-) But, I'm not complaining!

As Chicago approaches I realize that I am on the precipice of change in my life. Back when we booked this trip I had no idea (honestly) that I would be seeing someone by now. I also had no idea how close I would become to some of you that I will be meeting there. All of whom I have never even spoken to on the phone. There’s a reason for this really. Hearing the voice that goes with the person – in person - is a big deal with me. It’s all part of the anticipation of meeting someone. Although, we have exchanged cell phone numbers and I am sure we will talk once we land in Chicago just to arrange meeting up.

I have no idea what’s in store for us. I know it means to be a relaxing trip for us. I want to go here and I am sure I will drag Kelly with me. I am sure we will have many good beers and conversations with r.d.! I am looking forward to it all! And, to getting away and breathing different air for a change.

So, between all that it sounds like it’s going to be a great time!

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Trying to Maintain

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day on the phone. This is a friend I haven’t talked to in a long while, in fact. Since she had met her recent gf we were getting more and more slack about keeping up with the phone calls.

I told her “I know what you mean, though. Time just gets away from you and the next thing you know it’s time to get up and start another day. Things are busy when you’re starting to see someone.” She laughed and said, “I hear ya! All you need to do is just try to maintain.”

And, she’s right.

I joke to B that I have been trying to put my best foot forward to try and lead a productive life since I met her. ;-) Yeah, I say this when I sit at work and think about the beach and her. I look up real estate in this place. I think of waking up every morning to a run on the beach and coming home to her who has made me coffee. And, I think if I can somehow make this dream/fantasy a reality then I feel like I would have it all!

And, if you’re reading this my Blue Mountain friends – you rock! Thanks for letting us stay at your beautiful home!

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

The universe

5 days after I put this post up I met her.
How's that for the universe listening to me?
And, like I said in this post - it was true - the clouds did divide, the sun did shine down on her and my heart did go thud, thud.
And since, I have been walking on those clouds and sleep depraved. We have been staying up late talking, kissing and actually watching baseball - if you can believe.
Baseball? I never watched baseball before!

What's wrong with me?

And, you know - she could decide tomorrow that she doesn't want to see me anymore, I could get my heart crushed by this girl - and, it would be a little devistating for awhile. But, I don't care. I don't! Life is short and as I said in this post I'm taking life by the balls and twisting!

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Back from the Beach


Yep, I'm back! And, the only reason I wanted to come back was to see "B". But, there's only so many days you can lay out on the beach and bake yourself.

Only so many days you can lay out on the beach and bake yourself.....

(I keep telling myself that, anyway.)

This was the beach schedule:
Get up, walk the dogs on the beach, go for a run, eat, lay out by the pool, drink, walk the dogs on the beach, drink, eat,drink, sleep. And, get up the next day and do it all over again!

Warning - do not attempt paddleball on the beach while drinking. I ended up with a contusion on my knee the size of a goose egg. I didn't get any sympathy from my friends, either, as they were rolling around in the sand laughing at me because it was me who accidentaly hit it instead of the ball.

Once back, B came over and we got something to eat and snugged up on the couch to watch a movie. Yes, and we did the big kiss - and, have been ever since!