Don't Box me in!

Lately I seem to be bombarded with relationship talk, and it has me thinking about the different boxes we get put into in other people’s lives: the friend box, the fling box, the girlfriend box, the Friday night sex girl box. Sometimes we get to negotiate our box, and other times we just wake up in a box and wonder how we got there. Sometimes you take the box you can get now and hope for an upgrade. (I don’t really believe in boxes, so of course I think you can transcend them! I’ve never been good at compartmentalizing my life—I am ruled by my emotions and I like all aspects of my life to mingle together, messy and connected.)

Many people have made a career and written a lot of books telling women all the rules they should follow to avoid certain boxes. In fact, KB just received such a book in the mail from her mom last week. It’s not a new concept, and I understand the logic. However, I just find much of it to be a great big o’game—one I don’t really have the desire or willpower to play.

I was talking to my brother last week and I was amazed at how logically and practically he approaches dating. He recently met a girl and although she was great and he was interested, there were several reasons why they shouldn’t get involved—including some professional entanglements. So he very matter-of-factly declined, put her in the friend box, and moved on. I’m just not that practical or rational! Like most other areas of my life, I approach dating with emotions and abandon. No matter what the odds or reasons why I shouldn’t, I find myself wanting to go for it. Hey, why not?

I just can’t seem to escape these conversations lately. Every TV show, movie, or chat with a friend keeps leading back to the topic of defining relationships. Are we just friends? Are we more? Is he just not that into me? Come to think of it, we’ve been doing it most of our lives. Do you like me? Check the box for yes, no, or maybe. It’s just more intense these days and at times R-rated—if not parental guidance, then some other guidance would be greatly appreciated.

A Day for the Books

Anyone that talked to me last summer, especially in August, knows I had to take on a grueling project for work that definitely was not the highlight of my year! My organization was working on a second edition to our textbook, and even though we had a team of editors and contributors, my team and I were tasked with a sizable amount of formatting, editing, and manuscript preparation. This job is usually handled by our Training and Education Department, but their director was out on maternity leave and it fell to me. I had a great team helping me and by the end, all of us hated the project.

But all the hard work paid off when advance copies arrived at my office today. At first, I really wasn’t that affected by their arrival. I didn’t want to look for fear of seeing an error that it was too late to correct. But as the day went on, I started flipping through the book. I even used it this afternoon to look something up. It is a great resource already!

On another book related note, I looked at a friend’s Kindle today. I have been on the fence about Kindles, because I really, really love books. I love the way they feel in my hands and the way they smell. Today I even took a big whiff of the new textbook. Although I do get most of my news online, I still have a special place in my heart for newspapers. Instead of becoming a crazy cat lady, I have always thought I would be a crazy single lady with a house full of stacks and stacks of newspapers. 

I just can’t get completely behind the idea of the wireless reading device. My friend (the Kindle owner) said he doesn’t love books and newspapers any less post-Kindle, but it is just so convenient. I admit, I do see the appeal for commuting, and it was pretty cool. Maybe by Christmas I’ll be completely sold.

Road Trip to VA

I’m so sleepy after a whirlwind road trip deep into Virginia, but it was definitely worth it. I took off yesterday afternoon, hopped in my car and headed out of the city. Traffic was absolutely insane. These days, the extent of my driving is a few miles to the grocery store a couple of times a month, and I forgot how much I hate traffic. Hats off to all my comrades in Texas who sit through that kind of thing every day on their commutes. No way I could do that!

A friend from out of town was in Chesapeake for work and I went to hang out for the night. He was there in Feb and we went to Virginia Beach and had a crazy night that resulted in me stripping down and running into the Atlantic Ocean in 40-degree weather. What can I say? I love the ocean.

Well last night, I stayed out of the water, but still had a great night. We hung out at a cool little bar that served sweet tea vodka and ended up staying so late that most of the restaurants were closed (welcome to suburbia) so we had to order Chinese food with the really cool bartender and have it delivered to the bar. For some reason I was so amused by this. I guess, because it was such a fabulous and different way to spend a Wednesday. Sure beats sitting on my bed alone watching my Sex and City DVDs and not sleeping. I love nights like last night. I seem to specialize in these types of rapid trips and random moments. I think it’s important to take every chance to do the things and see the people you want…even if it’s only for a few hours.

Plus, I got Sonic on the way home today. The closest one is in Fredericksburg, about 40 minutes from DC. Yeah for tater tots and a vanilla Coke!

Have a thick skin, Cancer

In the course of some actual work, I was on the Toronto Star website and stumbled across my horoscope for today:

Cancer (June 22 — July 22)
The current cosmic climate makes it essential to have a thick skin and a lot of stamina. Remain focused on your goals and a certain melodrama will lose its power.

Not sure how reliable it is, given it's Canadian and all...but I think the cosmic significance of these things surpasses national borders.

In any case, it's pretty appropriate. I've been letting a couple of drama-filled situations get me down, and I need to toughen up and get over them. The subhead of the horoscope page was even: Have a thick skin, Cancer.

I guess someone wanted me to get the message.

Lovely Lady (and Lady Parts) News

Real Lady News: Texas A&M to add Women's Studies Degree

Whoop! Look at my alma mater go!

Via The Battalion (my former employer):

The Board of Regents has approved the establishment of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in women's and gender studies at its March 26 and March 27 meetings. Approximately six students will be enrolled in the first year of the major, rising to 18 students in five years. In November 2008, 42 students were enrolled in the women's studies minor. According to the proposal, the program is designed to allow students to increase their research and critical-thinking skills, provide an in-depth study of gender from social science and humanities perspective and encourage students to look beyond their own culture and era in understanding the role of gender in shaping society. The proposal is in line with Vision 2020, with all of Texas A&M's college peers except one offering a women's and gender studies program. The program will be interdisciplinary, but will continue to be administered by the College of Liberal Arts. It will require completion of 120 hours.

Fake Lady News: Renowned Hoo-Ha Doctor Wins Nobel Prize For Medical Advancements Down There

Excerpts via The Onion:

The world's foremost authority on ailments down south, Dr. Victoria Lazoff led a team of cutting-edge hoo-ha doctors to develop new strategies for detecting abnormal growth in...you know, that area. The accomplished physician humbly accepted medicine's highest honor before a crowd of her peers, and spoke about the importance of regular screenings to prevent unnecessary complications up inside one's business...

"...We should be encouraging an open dialogue with our young women, one that isn't constrained by some outdated facade of 1950s morality," Lazoff said to a crowd of people looking down at their shoes. "I cannot say this clearly enough: Ladies, please, make an appointment to get your annual [looksie-doo], especially if you are [seeing a fella] or have experienced pain or sensitivity in your['Hello, my baby! Hello, my darling! Hello, my ragtime gal!']."

Don't jump!

This weekend I took the bus up to NYC to meet up with my sister. She was there with her church for spring break and had a free day Friday. It was great to see her, and the second time this year we have been able to meet up outside of Houston and a holiday or official family event.

After an exhausting day of walking Friday, we slept in Saturday morning. As I was getting ready, my sister opened the window and sat on the ledge to enjoy the beautiful day. About 15 minutes later, she was helping me straighten my hair when someone started beating on the door. I was sitting there in just a t-shirt, and even though I assumed it was one of the girls from my sister’s group, I decided to put on pants (good move!). As I was zipping up my jeans, about six NYPD officers stormed our room. Apparently, someone in the apartment building across the way had thought my sister was a jumper and called it in. Needless to say they were a little annoyed with us and lectured us about how “you can’t do that kind of thing in New York City.” I guess they really thought we were a couple of bumpkins from Texas.

It was pretty entertaining; I wish I could have gotten a picture of my sister talking to the cops, but they were already pretty upset and I didn’t think they would be amused.

The Little Weekend That Could

This was one of those weekends where I didn’t have big plans, but things just happened and it was actually one of the most fun DC weekends I have had in awhile.

Friday, I went to an iMovie class at the Apple Store and am now completely coveting iLife 09. Afterward, I ended up staying at work longer than I planned (pretty typical for me) and by the time I got home, I really just wanted to stay in (pretty atypical for me). However, I had agreed to meet a friend for a drink later so I eventually got dressed and headed out. It was pretty chill, but a good time. Ran into a girl I used to live with in a group house when I first moved here, and found out one of the other roommates is pregnant – which makes like the 10th person I know that is preggers right now. Man, it has reached epidemic proportions! As usual, last call came way too soon and I reluctantly went home even though I wanted to keep the party going.

Saturday, I went to watch my friend and former neighbor play rugby at this cool park by the airport with KB. Even though it was rainy and cold, it was fun to go to the match. Growing up in Texas, I never knew anyone who played rugby or saw a match until I moved to DC, and now I am learning. We decided to go grab just one drink (famous last words) with the team at their sponsor bar. Five or so doubles later, our Saturday night (although early) was in full swing. Next thing I knew I was filling a Gatorade bottle I had in my purse with the remainder of my vodka and ginger and taking it and the party on the road. We were headed to another bar with one of KB’s high school friends, but I ended up grocery shopping, which is never a good plan when you are drunk. I got home with very random items (avocados, Frosted Flakes, pot roast) and without most of the things I actually needed from the store. What a hot mess! To make the night more interesting, I also spent a fair amount of time on facebook and texting…that was nice to go back through and read this morning…

I ended up passing out in front of the TV while I ate a frozen dinner and woke up about 2 am, when I spilled a glass of coke I was holding in my lap. Interesting texts (some replies from my drunken messages and other random, unsolicited ones) kept coming and entertained me until I passed out again around 6am. So much for getting my body back on a regular schedule…