A Footnote

" . . . that there's some good in this world, Master Frodo. And it's worth fighting for."

I'm such a dork. But I'm cute so things even out.

Two Weeks Gone

The last two weeks have been quite a whirl. I've tried to find time to blog but find sleep a little more important (nothing personal to you, o reader!). A few observations from this time, which feels much longer than just two weeks:

• Certain parts of my anatomy have gotten bigger in the last year, if not more recently than that. Not only do most of my work shirts look obscene, but well-fitting dresses I wore just a year ago now restrict my breathing. This fact has been noted by others as well as myself. I have no idea how it happened. While some people would consider this happening a blessing, I am simply annoyed. They were hard to hide before, but now, they are one size away from needing their own seat during airline travel. Sigh . . .
• My hair is lighter, and everyone seems to like it. I've gotten random compliments, but I've also been told my natural color looked "too dark." Not sure what the hell to do with it now.
• I hate feeling jealous, and it doesn't happen often, but when it does, it is consuming and I become one very mean bitch.
• I can appreciate a wedding and be happy for the bride and groom, while still never wanting to get married myself.
• However, if I should lose my fucking mind and decide to get hitched, I found the church where I'd want it to happen. I also found a backup spot in case (for whatever reason) the church is a no-go. Both are small and intimate, and were there all along, but I just never noticed.
• I need to bury a few hatchets, so to speak. So I am going to pull them out of my back (they're starting to get annoying), patch the wounds as best as I can, and make it stop hurting. I'm going to bury the hatchets and add the injuries and scars to my list of "You'll Never Believe This, But It Really Happened and I Lived Through It" occasions in my life.
• One of my exes still wears a shirt I bought him. It's a little tighter than it was when I got it. And his hair is oddly reminiscent of Beaker (yes, the Muppet).
• I really love my sister and my best friend. I miss being far away from them and I am really glad I got to see them.
• My life is ridiculously incestuous. Between Stupid & Stupider, my best friend's dad marrying my ex-boyfriend's mother, and a coworker who is BFF with MY friend's ex-wife, I'm wondering if anyone else has situations as royally fucked up as mine.
• I've got some exciting travels coming up! Visiting my sister in Montana, then going on a work trip. I am welcoming any escape from work and mundane life. I do, however, find it weird that I pray for business trips because they are relaxing, compared to the stress of my office these days. 14-hour days, 7-day weeks, guns and war . . . and yet I find more peace away from home than here.
• I finally watched Lost In Translation after owning a $2 copy from Cambodia for 2 years. Wow. "I have to be leaving now, but I won't let that come between us." The story of my life.

Sometimes, there's nothing better than taking some time for yourself to blog, drink a tasty Chilean Savingon Blanc, and watch a movie, all by yourself . . . and the best part is when you realize it's the most fulfilling night you've had in weeks.

It is, indeed, the good life.

It's All About Perspective

I HAVE HAD A SHITTY DAY.

It started well enough. I woke up early, emailed a hottie, and completed an important errand on the way to work (I am proud to have donated about $600 worth of professional clothes I no longer need to 'Dress for Success,' a charity that helps less fortunate women prepare for job interviews and consequently, the work force. Ladies - next time you clean out your closet, keep this group in mind for your gently used professional attire).

Then I had to see another hottie, the one I had to let go. I couldn't say anything, as we were both working. It really sucks.

Then I rear-ended a bus and hurt my baby girl.

I'm fine, just had a headache all day. She is rolling fine as well, just a little cosmetic damage. Not sure yet how much it'll cost to make her perfect again.

Then I called Mom & Dad, all upset and freaked out, crying like a nut.

Then I had to go into work, where I couldn't get crap done due to said pounding head.

Then I went to the salon, where I intended to return my hair to all one color (its natural dark chocolate glory) and get my nails done. The hair took forever . . . and is NOT dark chocolate, but more caramel-chocolate. I had time for the manicure, but not the pedicure, and I have to go back tomorrow.

Then I remembered my new friend from my trip, Jack, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor last week and has to have surgery for it.

I have absolutely nothing to complain about. Cause you know what? My car can be fixed, and I can afford it. My job will be there for me tomorrow. My hair will grow out, and I, again, can afford to fix it.

But Jack doesn't have such comforts. And if he can be positive, then it's damn pathetic if I can't.

Thank you, God, for the wonderful people in my life. Thank you for my health, my professional success, and the life they let me enjoy. I refuse to whine any longer when I have so, SO much for which to be thankful.

Life is so beautiful.

The Princes and the Pig

I've been blogging for a year; happy Blogiversary to me! I want to mark the occasion by telling a funny little fairy tale.

Once upon a time, a princess moved into her very own castle. Sometimes, a prince would come to visit. When he arrived, he would empty out his pockets and put their contents on the princess' counter. When he left, he would take all the big items, including the biggest coins, but would leave the smaller coins behind. One day, after watching him select the big coins and leave behind a large pile of small ones, the princess asked, "What do you want me to do with all this money? It's yours." The prince responded, "Geez, I don't care. I only want the big coins."

So the princess bought a piggy bank. Big. Silver. And every day the prince left coins behind, she'd put them in the piggy bank, to keep them out of sight so the castle looked a little less messy.

As princes often do, this prince eventually left the princess alone. She wondered what was the right thing to do with the coins the prince had left her? The piggy bank was half full! But she never could bring herself to touch them. Before she could find an answer, another prince began calling. To the princess' shock, he did the exact same thing - left piles of small coins on her counter with every departure. While this bothered the princess greatly, she figured it was just another thing she'd have to tolerate when there was a prince around.

Again, as princes do, this prince left her alone as well. The princess again wondered what to do with the coins in the bank . . . it was almost full, after all! She started cleaning out her purse each night, keeping only what coins she needed, and putting the rest in the piggy bank. Collecting the coins now consumed her, she was determined to find a worthy purpose for the money.

One day, she added coins to the piggy bank only to find coins underneath it . . . it was so full that coins had spilled out of the seal on the bottom! The princess emptied the bank and put all the coins in bucket. My, my, was it heavy! She carried the heavy burden to the bank and received paper notes. She took the notes and put them in her account for something special.

On one of the princess' many adventures, she met a handsome warrior-prince that made the rest of the princes she knew look like complete pussies. The warrior was strong, independent, and honest, and he made the princess feel safe. He found her beautiful, and didn't need to be with her to feel secure, but he wanted to be with her because he liked her.

Upon his return from battle, the princess invited the warrior to her castle for a feast in his honor. She took the money she had saved and spent every coin's worth on the feast, celebrating his presence. She laughed at the princes who foolishly cast off the small coins, and smiled at her own wisdom, patience, and newfound love. She spent her money as she chose for the rest of her days, with the warrior by her side, and they lived happily ever after.

The end.