The last 30+ days

Wow, it's been more than a month...so much has happened. Here are a few highlights:

• I surprised my mom for her birthday and got to spend some quality time with one of my brothers and see lots of friends (and their babies).

• Spent a fantastic Labor Day with several of my favorite ladies and had an amazing brunch complete with Texas-shaped waffles.

• Did speed dating with a girlfriend and got asked out on 12 dates in two days. It was actually really fun! Four minutes is just enough time I think, it was interesting but without any pressure or the aspects of dating that make me nervous.

• My cell phone finally died and I went a couple of weeks without it. It was nice on some level to be unreachable, but I'm glad to be connected again. After much thought and talking, I finally found a way to get an iphone and I am L-O-V-I-N-G it. I'm not really a gadget person nor do I usually splurge for technology (anyone who has seen my awesome TV/VCR combo I'm still rocking from my dorm days can testify to that), but I am addicted.

• Traveled to West Virginia for an Oktoberfest party and walked around Harper's Ferry a bit.

• Went to a party at the German Ambassador's residence. It was amazing! Like the party scene out of Meet Joe Black except without Brad Pitt as death in human form.

Bands, buses, and boys

It's been too long since my last post, and since I'm still awake, I thought I'd remedy that. It's been a busy few weeks. Lots of work and late nights and some fun going out nights too. Since my last blog, I went to see Incubus, went on a really fun tubing trip in Virginia, and have lately been a magnet for interesting men.

Incubus was great although Tom and I felt pretty old being there. We had read the pavilion rules that clearly said no outside alcohol or tailgating so we weren't prepared, but luckily Tom had some beers and a bottle of wine (and a corkscrew) in the car. Way to be prepared Mr. Merchant Marine. What's even funnier is that in a parking lot full of high schoolers blatantly boozing by their cars, Tom and I felt the need to hide our tailgating--like we were the ones that would get busted in that crowd! So I ended up having to drink my red wine out of a used Burger King cup, but it was a fun show and they played all their hits from my college years.

For tubing we joined a big group and rented a party bus to drive us to the river and back home. We had a great crew, and even a first-timer who fell in love with tubing. I was a Nazi with the sunscreen and luckily my fair skin didn't burn. Lots of mimosas, vodka and gatorades, sun, and a pit stop at Five Guys made for a really fun, but exhausting Saturday. After that I didn't even rally and go out...it was off to bed for me.

Lately I have been discussing with some of my friends the idea that you either have lots of guys calling you or none...why is it all or nothing? Feast of famine? When it rains it pours....This phenomenon has plagued several of my girlfriends and lately me as well. I don't know what it was about the last week, but it seems to be raining men. I have met a new one every night I've been out. Of course none of these men have amounted to anything more than a one-time flirtation at a bar. Even if I did give them my number, I am notorious for not answering. Silly boys, don't you know I only want men who ignore me! Still, it's been pretty fun. The odd thing is that after nearly two years of being single, I have just started to say out loud that I may actually be ready for a relationship again. Admittedly, there are aspects of having a boyfriend that I miss. However, each time I met one of these guys, all I kept screaming inside was "I don't want to date anyone!"  Maybe that has just become my nice kiss-off...it's not you, it's me...I just ended a long relationship. Or maybe I just don't want to date them. 

Adventures at the Bottom Line

You never know what you will encounter during a night at the Bottom Line. KB and Tom and I go there quite a bit. It's the official bar of Tom's rugby team, and generally a great time. KB and I have been stopping by sans rugby team lately for some mid-week drinking since it's close to work and we like the bartender and Wednesday is Mexican Hump Day. A few weeks ago we were there and there was a group of people who kept going outside to watch a guy try to toss a tennis ball over one of the buildings across the street in downtown. It was amusing. Lots of betting and trash talking and just silliness.

This week, we made it to the Line after an evening of wine-tasting. Things were pretty normal until this girl came and sat down a few stools away from us. She seemed normal and vaguely familiar. Apparently she made some remark about KB and me being on our phones, but I let it slide. Then she did something I haven't seen...well at least not outside of an elementary school cafeteria. She started eating and drinking condiments. No food, just the condiments. She scooped out several heaping dollops of Grey Poupon (with a drinking straw), then a few squirts of ketchup and her grand finale was ordering several shots of malt vinegar. After drinking them from a shot glass, she started rubbing the vinegar all over her face proclaiming that it's so good for your skin. It was a freakshow. I really have no idea what was going on. I am sure I was gawking. It was just so weird. And I don't think she was homeless. Just another night at the Line...

From Hearings to Hospitals

It's been a somewhat emotional day. Today was the preliminary hearing for the suspect in the murder of our member Dr. Tiller. I watched part of the hearing on the internet and it was just awful to hear all the details again. Two fellow ushers from Dr. Tiller's church, who were eyewitnesses to the murder, testified today. It's still just so sad, and at times I really don't believe it even happened. The trial has been set for the end of September so we shall wait and see...

I also had a lovely chat with my grandmother tonight. She is headed into surgery tomorrow and I'm sad I can't be there. Several years ago when my grandfather had to have heart surgery, I stayed all night at the hospital with my grandmother. We stayed in the waiting room outside the ICU all night, curled up on tiny, uncomfortable couches talking in the dark. Although we were very worried about my grandfather and staying against the advice and wishes of the hospital staff, it was as fun as a night like that could be. It was a rare time in my adult life where I was able to have girl time with her. There was no one else around and she could ask me all kinds of things about my life (I was fresh out of a break up and back from a cross country move that no one in my family really talked about...but that's a whole other story!). I really cherish that night. 

This year on my birthday, inside my card was a letter from my grandmother, which talked about that very night and how much she wished I could be there to do the same thing for my grandfather when she has her surgery this week. I do wish I could be there too. 

She and my grandfather are inseparable. In fact, in more than 50 years of marriage, I think they can count on two hands (if not one) the nights they have spent apart. Hearing her talk tonight about how worried my grandfather is, reminded me how much I wish I had that kind of love in my life. Sure, I've debated the merits of being that dependent on someone. Is it really more love or fear, romantic or pathetic? I see all the sides, but tonight it makes me tear up thinking about how connected they are after all these years. I know so many people who never knew their grandparents and I am so fortunate to have a great relationship with mine. Of all the things I miss in Texas, they are one of the most. 

On the Eve of Another Week...

It's Sunday night again...time to get ready for what I hope will be another fun, productive week. I'm actually a little giddy about going to the office tomorrow. No real reason I should be, but I find myself like this a lot at night when I think about the next day--I just can't wait to go and get the day started. Don't get me wrong, I still have trouble getting up and out of bed (but that's just because I hate mornings), but once I'm in the shower, I look forward to getting into the office. It's no secret I love my job, and I realize I am extraordinarily lucky that I feel this way. 

Although that area of my life is great, more and more I am wrestling with figuring out what I actually want in arenas outside the professional. Lately I seem to think I know what I want and once I get it (or get close to getting it) I realize it is not exactly what I had in mind. My brother has always said that I lie to myself quite well. And looking back I can see that he has a case. Sometimes it is hard to admit what you really want, even to yourself. I think I know, but I'm just too afraid to say it out loud. Too afraid that if I do it will be real and then if I can't have it, I'll get hurt. But I really think I'm getting close to having more of it figured out. 

In many ways I'm getting back into a good groove. The past two weekends have been full of friends and actually lots of fun with people outside of my usual crew. I even managed to get out of the office and have lunch with a fabulous friend last week, and that is something I never do (aside from my weekly lunch with KB, but we work down the hall from each other so that doesn't take much effort). 

So all in all, as I sit at Busboys & Poets this Sunday evening, life is good. 

Oh Baby!

I seem to be having trouble sleeping lately. I have always stayed up late and have dealt with bouts of insomnia most of my life so I should be used to it I guess. As a child, I was a big hit at slumber parties since I could always outlast everyone else and these days I am often the last woman standing when I go out. At least I don't have to be at work until 10ish so it's not so bad.

I think I have figured out part of what is causing this latest case of insomnia, and it pivots around factors that I cannot control nor discuss at the moment. Oh well.

Last night I thought I was actually going to get to sleep--I had gone to the gym, I was really tired and I practically dozed off at the computer. But alas, once I changed, crawled under the covers and tried to sleep, I was up for HOURS. And, to top it off, I was clenching my jaw. Oh joy!

Once I finally fell asleep I had a very graphic dream that I was pregnant! I woke up at one point and even went back to sleep so I could finish the dream and give birth, which coincidentally was short and painless! Insanity! This isn't the first time I have dreamed about having a baby lately. Don't worry, this isn't my way of announcing any news. I am not, I repeat, I am not preggers. I blame all the babies! I know like 11 people right now that either just had or are very

soon having a baby--and two of those people have twins! It's an epidemic...a drooling, poopy, but oh so adorable one, but an epidemic just the same (case in point my "nephew" Jackson pictured at the right--I just want to squeeze him!).

I don't think it means anything. A wise friend once told me that if you dream you are pregnant, it just means someone in your circle is pregnant...and Lord knows that's true. 

Back to not sleeping. Why am I so wide awake home all alone at 1 am on a Wed???

Make A Wish

I recently celebrated my birthday...the big 28. I am someone that makes a big deal/production/spectacle out of the day of my birth. This year was no different. We had our second annual KMT (Kira/Melissa/Tom) Birthday Extravaganza. For me there is so much stress and anxiety associated with this party. I picked the venue, sent out the evite, took off work to make and ice four dozen cupcakes and construct a custom stand, and I worried all the while that no one would show up. Silly, I know, but I always do this.

Luckily, many of you did make it to the party and the ones that couldn't come for geographic reasons called and texted. In the end, it was a fabulous party! We packed the space, consumed way too many mojitos (and bday shots, including tequila, which I don't take anymore, thanks Reed!) and I danced ON almost every surface upstairs at Cafe Citron. At one point I was dancing on a (not-so-sturdy) upholstered bench when one of the security guys made a beeline over to me...I assumed he was coming to make me get down since I was wearing a stunning pair of heels that probably weren't great for the cushion, but much to my surprise, he suggested I would be more comfortable dancing on the main table where we had served our cupcakes. Uhhh...yes, please! It's not every day you get to do that. So I spent most of the night dancing over my guests, taking tons of aerial pics and generally having a ball. We had DC Police present and even some U.S. Marshals stopped by...as guests of course, KB and I don't require a security detail...at least not when we are away from the office :-).

So here's to what I hope will be an amazing year!