Friend Stalker

I drive by two perfectly good Starbucks to get to my favorite Starbucks. There is a barista at this particular location that is very friendly, and she froths the milk better than anyone else.

Because I am at the Starbucks at all sorts of random times, we have had the opportunity to chat and get to know each other. I felt a particular kindship for her because our situations are somewhat similar. She is a downsized CPA and now under-employed (although one might argue, given the perfection of her frothing, she has found her calling).

What started out as a barista-customer relationship grew into lunch buddies. Then she started to call. All good, right? This is what friends do.

But then every conversation was about the same thing - her match.com dates and, after one date, whether this was the guy she was going to marry. Intense attraction right at first, and then deep despair when they stopped calling. Over and over and over again. She would call me to analyze every text, including ones that said such basic things as good morning. I explained that she was too intense over little things, and she was driving the men away. But still, same story, phone calls at all hours of the day and night. Calls at work, and when I stopped picking up my direct line, she went through the front desk. Then she started buying me little things.

I tried to take a break. The other morning she called at 6:30 and I ignored it, then again at 6:35. Then again a minute later. Given the hour, I began to wonder if she was having car trouble or really did need some help, so I answered.

She said, "Did you not see my number when I called?"
"I did," I said, "but I was busy."
"I just wanted to know what you wanted me to fix you for lunch."

Oh dear God.

Purge, Prepare

Still nothing concrete to tell you about the future of my career or The Franchise, yet I purge and prepare.

In purging for the next phase I have been selecting outdated clothes for the Goodwill, throwing out law papers and articles that are no longer relevant, and even tossing a few things that evoke good memories of past events - my mom lives inside of me. Certain things can go. Of course, certain things of hers will always stay.

In preparing for the next phase, I have gone through piles of paper that need attention and, even, started to shop. This is certainly new for me. As much as I talk about shopping, on my current salary from the non-profit, splurges a rare option. But splurge I did for a fantastic up-to-date business elegant outfit from the source - Ann Taylor. And good jeans for when I am in The Franchise.

Then I fret. I don't have a new job. I don't have Franchise space. But then I realize, why should I fret about it. Preparing for it feels good. I feel like I am living. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I am controlling my life circumstances rather than them controlling me.

Happy Friday. I think I will be purging again this weekend. I have a lovely LOVELY new blazer - some of those outdated boxy ones can go! Plus, baby blue linen??? Was I high???

MST3K

Yesterday evening I noticed pain on the temple side of both of my eyebrows. Not headache pain - but surface pain. I brought my hands up to the spots and realized I had two great big bumps.

1. Ingrown eyebrow hairs?
2. Zits worthy of their own social security number?
3. Horn nubs?

I am thinking that it has to be 3, the beginning of horns. For one thing, these bumps are too big to be ingrown hairs or zits, and what's with them being in the exact same spot on either side of my head. It's weird I tell you. Weird. I look like that space alien thing from the new version of Star Trek. Or something. I am not a watcher of the science fiction genre.

Except for Mystery Science Theater 3000 aka MST3K. Listen to me know and hear me later. MST3K plus Burger Street hamburger and fries - there is no better cure for a hangover. Or so I am told.

Playing it Close to the Vest

I have been an inconsistent blogger lately (writer and reader) . . .

While life has been busy, that is not the only reason. I think good things are happening and I don't want to jinx them. I am holding possibilities close to the vest, like little treasures that I could drop and lose at any moment.

So on to the busy part:
1. My boss took a sudden leave of absence, so I am actually busy. I suspect lap-band surgery.

2. My 9 year old is going through the terrible twos. What? He NEVER had a "no" phase when he was younger. Apparently he was just saving up. Here we are.

3. A lot has happened in my area of the law in the almost two years I haven't been actively practicing. I have a little reading up to do if I want to make good on the things I have told people I can do.

4. I cannot put down The Lacuna.

Yet still, no new job, no Franchise space.

Leftover Lunch in the Boardroom

I really cannot find the words to adequately express how little I care that Oprah has a half-sister. This makes no difference to me AT ALL.

What does matter to me is that I thought that a Hermes scarf would look fantastic with my Ann Taylor coat dress for my next interview until I discovered that the Hermes scarf costs more than the dress and the shoes put together. For the love of God why?

Also, I don't like kebabs.

Why So Grumpy?

Why is it that the women who shop at the organic grocers are so grumpy? Does this prove we need some pesticides to regulate our mood? Our organic grocers (okay, the WHOLE FOODS) is known for being one of the best places to pick up a date in the city. Ladies, as someone who has scored two husbands (one of them excellent), it is okay to smile and be friendly.

Whew. Glad to get that off my chest.

This weekend I also spent some time at The Limited. I now have a stepdaughter that is of that age. You are all too old to remember but back in the day The Limited had this chunky knit V-neck sweater that - are you ready for this - everyone wore backwards. I was not allowed to wear my sweaters that way. Anyway, I bought my stepdaughter an interview outfit at The Limited. We bonded!

[Here is where I tell you that while I am old enough to remember The Limited v-neck sweater phase, I am too young to have a stepdaughter interviewing for university. Her actual mom is really old.]

Rancho Pescadero Pictorial

Okay. I'll stop talking about my vacation after today. Maybe.

This is the path to the main house for your evening cocktail . . .

This is where you spend your day (after surfing, or whale watching or walking around Totos Santos or La Paz or deciding to do none of those things because, really, it's perfect right here) . . .

And these are the men who spread joy throughout the land . . .