So THIS is what it feels like to have a life...

I just concluded my first actual eventful weekend that included actual other people doing actual social things. It was an apropos way for me to end my first 5 months up here. And now, oddly, it feels like life has suddenly sped up and I'm just along for the ride.

The workday Friday ended differently than most. In the past, on occasion, I've tagged along with coworkers to happy hour, mostly via a last minute side invite. This week, people were coming to me asking where I was going for happy hour. Odd. Why all the sudden? Well, I wasn't feeling like drinking, so I ended up going home. But, believe you me, I noticed the subtle change that day in the friendliness and acceptance of me by my coworkers.

Saturday, I ran some errands in the morning, found a GREAT aesthetician (yippee!), and met up with Martin, his brother Brian, and some of their pals. We had beers at my place, grabbed some dinner, had more beers, and laughed and laughed and laughed through some great conversation. It was the first time I'd actually had people over just chillin' at my place. We even hung out on the roof...another first for me. It was fun...easy...enjoyable.

Saturday night, I had my first date in SF. (I KNOW!!!) But what made it great was that he came over to hang out with me, Martin, and the others. What a daunting and presumably awkward scenario, right...for a first date? But, it wasn't. He actually was just really great with everyone and Martin later told me that he approves. Ha! MM (Massage Man...he's a massage therapist) was impressive throughout the evening. One of the most easy going 1st dates ever. More on him later.

Sunday morning, I met for the first time, my new personal trainer...James. For an hour, he tortured me, battered me, pushed me, and bruised me...and we laughed the entire time. Ha! We bantered and made fun of each other and abused each other verbally (and he abused me physically). Tough it's a sh$%-load of money, I'm looking forward to these sessions. He won't take any BS from me...that's for sure.

Later, Martin and I hung out getting bloody mary's and a hodge podge trip of public transportation mania ensued for a couple of hours afterward. Then I met up with some coworkers (weird, right? I had almost given up on befriending any of them) and we went to Lucha Vavoom, the Mexican wrestling show. Now, let me clarify...we didn't just GO to Lucha Vavoom. We got dressed up in alter-ego costumes (corsets, see-through tutus, tiny boyshorts, and BOA's!!!...throw in some striped thigh high socks for mine!) and we were quite the scene! We got loaded pre-show at Tortilla Heights and then on to the Fillmore to see the likes of Dirty Sanchez and the Mini's. It was a hoot and we were quite the hit.

After exchanging text messages throughout the day, I had decided to leave the show a little early to meet up with MM later in the evening. Can I just tell you another first? This guy is REALLY NICE. And it's weird. ha! Seriously, though, I don't know if I have met a guy this considerate and just NICE before. I know, most guys think being known as the nice guy is the kiss of death. But, because it's so new to me (yes, I have a history of dating jerks), I actually find it interestingly attractive. Do I find HIM attractive? I'm not so sure yet. But, I like him. And if nothing else, it's been a great couple of dates and hopefully at least a friendship will remain. He asked me out for the 4th of July. Whew...I almost thought I'd be a loner in the city since Martin bailed on me to head down south.

So there you have it. I'm exhausted. But, I've checked off some of those things that I've wanted to DO and ACCOMPLISH since moving up to SF...chill with friends, get in shape, start dating, and befriend coworkers. Kinda crazy that it all came to a apex on the same weekend.

I need a nap...

If you could change something about you...

...what would it be? Not physical. But something about your personality or your behavior that you wish you did differently?

As I start to put myself "out there" and getting into the dating world, I'm feeling trepidacious. I will be the first to admit that dating brings out the worst in me. It's not easy getting my attention or my affection. But once you do, I'm hooked. And then the expectation grows and my crazy over-thinking head starts making assumptions and in the end, I've sabotaged whatever could have been by not allowing things to happen organically and in the right time. Kairos.

I really, really dislike this about myself. I'm not a "go with the flow" type of person. I'm not a "let's see what happens" type of person. I'm not a "dating around" type of person.

So I'm at a crossroads and I see myself as having 2 choices:

1. I either change the worst part of me and fight against it and force a better, healthier person out of it,
OR
2. I don't jump in and I just wait and hope that magically I'll happen upon the man of my dreams, not have to date him, but we'll just know and everything will just fall into place.

I either throw my net out wide and deep and see what I catch, or I stay on the boat and hope the one, best fish just decides to jump out of the water into my hands. Ha! I still think choice #2 feels better...safer...

I sure hope I don't end up getting hurt...wish me luck...

6.26...of the day...

Word of the day:

chockablock - brought close together; very full

"My small city apartment is chockablock with everything I own and have collected throughout the years."

Fav of the day:

I love Summer for so many reasons...but most especially for the most amazing FRUIT that is in season. I bought the ripest, sweetest, juiciest peaches and made the most delicious dessert last night after dinner. It was a slice of spongy angel food cake, sliced peaches, and I drizzled honey all on top. It as fresh, delicious, sweet, and only 145 calories total. I was a happy, happy camper. I didn't take a picture of it (shucks!), but here's one of peaches to keep you tempted...

6.25...of the day...

Word of the day:

mirthful - gladness or gaiety as shown by or accompanied with laughter

"When I am with my friends catching up on life, I feel mirthful and full."

Fav of the day:

With summer upon us, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite warm-weather daily indulgences...its too hot for chocolate, gelato is too fattening to have every day, but for that perfectly fresh summer kick? Simply Lemonade. This is my favorite brand. It tastes like I've squeezed it myself just now. It's tart and light...and is even better when you add some bubbles (7 up, champagne, soda water...)

So, I raise a glass to you all and say...enjoy!

6.23...of the day...

Word of the day:

capacious - able to contain much; roomy; spacious

"I carry a large, capacious tote bag since moving to SF to handle all the things I'll need throughout the course of the day!"

Fav of the day:

I have a bunch so hold on to your seats...

Michelle Obama - I like her. She rocks. She's smart. Successful. Sassy. She stands by her man and is proud of him. She is still learning and gladly admits to it. She wears affordable dresses on national tv. She seems to be a good mother. And she hasn't let the whole "baby mama" comment get to her in a way that she seems ruffled. She's composed. And she's not a dimwit like Cindy McCain. Yet another reason to vote for Barack. ha!

Will/Twitch/Joshua - maybe it's too early in the season, but I could give a flying hoot about pretty much all the dancers on this season of So You Think You Can Dance...except for Will/Twitch/Joshua aka Witwitshua. I like 'em. They're talented, hard working, have great attitudes...and are sexy! :)

Online Dating - I was totally against this in LA. It just felt so WEIRD to me! But, after hearing that it's really the "thing to do" in SF, and finding out from co-workers that they've had successes, and even reading one of my favorite blogs dedicated to the experience...I got on board the train. And get this: I've actually had a lot of guys contact me! And even a few potential dates in the coming weeks. I may even add a feature to my "...of the day..." for Online Guy of the Day...there are some doozies out there!

Bar Method - I love, love, love this workout! It's low impact, but high results. I already see my body being sculpted. And the time goes by so fast! I really actually look forward to it! It relaxes me! That's a miracle.

I have some grumblings that I'd like to get off my chest as well so here's a brief list:

1. The people on House Hunters (one of my favorite shows, mind you) bug the crap out of me. I hate when they complain about paint color! HELLO! When you buy a house, it's YOURS...you can easily change the freaking paint color! If that's a reason to pass on a house, you're ridiculous!
2. Fox News and their stupid comments like Michelle Obama being Barack's "baby mama" and asking a black reporter if the "fist bump" between the Obamas is what the "brothas" do. Idiots.
3. The high cost of homes in the city of SF. I don't want to live in the East Bay!
4. $75 for gas yesterday
5. $160 for groceries yesterday
6. All the bruhaha about needing 8 hours of sleep...and now even for weight managment! Haven't you heard? Less than that makes it more difficult for you to lose weight! SO, with my 5:30am boot camp, in order for my actual exercise to be effective, I have to also go to bed by 9:00pm each night on top of giving up alcohol and ice cream? This stresses me out!

Insomnia...

I can't sleep. It's too hot. I realize I've already become spoiled. It's 80 degrees in SF and I'm stifled. 4 months ago, living in LA, I would've considered 80 degrees a blessing. I hear its over 100 down there. And smoggy. Yuck. I guess I should be thankful.

So, my circus act of neighbors was out in full force today. "Elephant Dancer" in #9 just got home about 10 minutes ago and proceeded to walk back and forth across her wood floors with her clogs on...as usual. "American Idol" in #8 was singing on 10 volume all day today...most oddly, he was belting out "I'm Your Lady" by Celine Dion and knew every single word. "Shorty Smokes-A-Lot" in #4 was sitting out on the back stairs just now, making the sensor light turn on flooding my kitchen with blinding brightness and suffocating cigarette smoke.

OH! Did I tell you that I have officially been baptized into SF apartment living? Thursday night, I heard ruckus upstairs in Elephant Dancer's apartment and I was getting pissed! But, it was such an odd noise. So, I muted my tv only to be serenaded by the creaking, rhythmic sound of...well...you know...yeah, you know. And D-A-M-N were they getting it ON! I had to giggle. And then I kinda got grossed out. And then I was annoyed. I've arrived.

American Idol is now singing "End of the Road" by Boys to Men. Seriously, it takes guts to be singing at the top of your lungs for your entire neighborhood to hear...and it's takes some serious stupidity to be doing it at 12:30am. Jerk.

There's a new tenant in my tandem garage space. She moves in next week. Here's the tragedy: her car is stick shift. I don't know how to drive stick...and it is IMPOSSIBLE to share this garage without being able to move each others cars at will. I'm screwed. I hope this isn't the start of a string of bad luck. I know I've had it REALLY good in my preparation to move here and to this day, 4 months later. I knew SOMETHING had to eventually go wrong. Ack. It's just a good excuse for me to dump my car off at my folks' house in SD and give it a go at being carless in SF. Zipcar, here I come!

WHY can't I get to sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????!!!!!!!!!!

6.19...of the day...

Word of the day:

cogent - having the power to compel conviction; appealing to the mind or to reason; convincing

"Barack Obama's cogent and passionate presentation of his platform is what won him the nomination."

Fav of the day:

shopping for vacation - once I decided that I was going on vacation and actually picked the destination, I've been consumed with getting my "vacay gear" together.

Here's what I've got so far...

Bikini from Victoria's Secret (and yeah, I'm gonna look THAT good it in too! ha!) I love the color! Plus it's simple, but not too plain.

Cover up by Vix Swimwear (cute, light, free-flowing...me likey!)

The perfect vacay dress by BCBG. It's jersey - easy to pack, easy to wear. It's not form fitting, but still has some sass. And there's something about the cut of the top / tank portion that I really like.

And of course, you've got to have some cute flats to go with it all. These are by Bernardo.