LOST DOGS IN PALMDALE!

This is not a "lost pet" hoax. These really are my friend Tish's dogs, I have played with them and everything. I jokingly teased that I would take them home with me one weekend, as they are the cutest little guys ever. BUT THEY HAVE GONE MISSING! And I didn't take them!

Tish lives in Palmdale and the pups got out of the backyard on November 19 and haven't been seen since.

If you or someone you know lives in the Palmdale area, please forward this message along! Hopefully technology will be our friend and help us find these little guys!

We're doing everything we can to find them - flyers, emails, Facebook, calling shelters, animal hospitals, etc.

IF YOU SEE THESE TWO GUYS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

Forever Favourites

I was playing on the Nordstrom's site last week and saw that Clinque had a free gift with purchase, some kind of little makeup kit designed by someone whose name I can't remember. But I like little makeup kits. Reminds me of when my mom leaves her free gifts with purchase treasures for me in my cubby hole. (Yes, I'm 37 and I have a cubby hole at my mom's. Admit it, you're jealous.) I had to spend something like $25 or more to get said free gift so I picked out this little gem below for my purchase: Remember, I like the little makeup kits. And this one, "Forever Favourites" looked cute. I liked the way the shades looked and it comes with a lipstick. Sold. Only it arrived today and I was a little disappointed.

First off, the free gift is shipped separately so all I have is my actual purchase. Bummer. But secondly, and the reason for this post, is I was a little underwhelmed by the size.*

This is the Clinique box:

You're thinking, "Sweet, a nice little makeup kit is in there! Let's get it open! I might have somewhere cool to go tonight.

And then you open the box and compare its contents to the box size and wonder, "Where is the rest?"

You put it in your palm and think, "Shouldn't it be bigger?" Not to mention that "Toffee" looks more orange in person. And all the colors look sort of shimmery, whereas the online picture looks more matte. I suppose if I'd really paid attention to the online picture I'd have noticed that the lipstick is taller than the case, which should have given me some size ratio to go off of.

However, I didn't pick up on that and instead opened my Clinique box and thought, "Is that all there is?" I haven't tried the colors out yet but hopefully they look nice on. (The lipstick, Delovely, looks promising at least.) Otherwise I've got a makeup kit that I don't like. A small makeup kit that I don't like. I'm hoping my free gift (which is due for delivery next week) is more exciting than this.

As of right now, I'm coveting my Lorac kit I got at Sephora more than this one.

* I know you can be "overwhelmed" and "underwhelmed," but can you ever just be "whelmed?" (I totally stole that from Ten Things I Hate About You.)

I Write The Songs

I haven't posted in ages, I know.

Driving home tonight I thought I'd rifle through the big CD wallet in my car instead of jamming to the First Wave Channel on Sirius. You know, my "usual." So I'm flipping through and near the back of the wallet are three homemade CDs, simply titled in my ex's crooked handwriting:

Cocktails

Dinner

Reception 3

These are the CDs my ex and I made for our wedding day. I have no idea where Reception 1 and 2 went off to. And I know floating around this apartment aimlessly (lost in a box, stacked in a collection of CDs without cases?) there is one or two CD's titled something like Walk In / Walk Out. For the record, Glenn Miller's "Moonlight Serenade" was Walk In and Miller's "In The Mood" was Walk Out.

I decide to listen to the CDs out of curiosity - perhaps morbid curiosity, perhaps musical curiosity. We both have good taste in music so it would be interesting to hear what we had picked out. Especially since I probably haven't listened to these CDs since the day we made them. I mean, sure I heard them the day we played them, but it's not like I was really listening to the music that day. You know, what with all the getting married that was going on.

As the first CD plays (Cocktails, which came before Dinner, that evening), I smile to myself as I recgonize the songs. It's easy for me to pick out which songs I would have chosen, and which my ex would have put on there. Some of the songs I listen to all the way through but most are only halfway done before I skip to the next selection, eager to recall what the next gem would be.

When Cocktails is finished, I put in Dinner. The first song is something classical - mostly piano. But somewhat gloomy soundy. Surely I didn't pick this. I would've chosen something pleasant and sweet, something Mozart. Next!

Something in French, so it was definitely my pick. Only now I wonder what the lyrics were. It sounded lovely, but really, my French is so horribly awful, I have no idea what it said. Thankfully, Bantry was the only one at the wedding (that I'm aware of) that speaks French and she didn't complain so either nobody really heard it or it wasn't something negative. Next?

No. Way. The third song comes on and as soon as it starts I think to myself, "Did I seriously pick this?!" Because I know there's no way the ex did, but he actually let me put it on here? Did he even know what it was? Okay, let me preface that I am not a Trekkie or a ...um, what do you call the Trekkie version of Star Wars' fans? Well, whatever they are, I'm not one of them. However, the third song on this CD is "Duel of the Fates" from the first Star Wars movie. (Which was, actually, the fourth movie that was made.) And as I typed that I'm suddenly recalling that one of the first dates the ex and I went on was to see that movie so maybe that's why he let me put it on there. I mean, it's a cool song and all but for a wedding? I mean, assuming you aren't a diehard fan? I laughed out loud when I heard this. I thought to myself, "You actually put a Star Wars song on your wedding soundtrack, you dork!"

Next is some little jazzy tidbit from the Swingers soundtrack. Totally me.

Track 5 is something sort of jazzy/electronica sounding so it's obviously the ex's pick. But it's cool. I don't recall hearing it before.

And then it happens. Track Six. The song titles are not written on the CD, there is no case for it with the songs scribbled in ex's familar crooked handwriting. When the CD is in my PC, it is only listed as Track 6. And so it will always be to me.

"I'll let nothing separate us."

I don't know who sings it. I don't know the formal title. I don't want to. I want this to forever be known to me simply as Track 6.

I don't recall ever hearing this song before. Not at the wedding, not ever. It had to have been ex's pick.

And emotion wells up in me as I listen to the lyrics. The passion of the singer's voice as he proclaims his love.

Driving down Sepulveda, it is me, my car, and this song. And I think to myself, "He really did love me."

I know he loved me. I knew it then. But so many trials and tribulations we went through, in all those days, months and years after our wedding. So many ups and downs. The heartache, the headache. The feeling that we could never overcome the obstacles before us. And somewhere along the way, perhaps we forgot why we married in the first place.

But I heard that song, and I remembered. I remembered why we got married. We loved each other.

We truly loved each other.

And today, for the first time since we separated and divorced, I wondered.

I wondered if that was the right decision after all... to end things.

"When this old world comes to an end
I'll be standing there holding your trembling hand
and I won't let nothing, no no, separate us..."

Oh, if only it had been that easy.

I listen to the rest of the songs on the CD but I never make it to the Reception.

I am too consumed by the irony of the situation. Nothing will separate us... and yet the first time I hear that song, we are divorced.

I wonder how many other "songs" there are that I never heard.

"Yo ho, yo ho..."

Arrrgh! I need to go to Tam's. I still have money on my gift card. I could go for a Whisky Sour and some roasted peanuts in a glass.

You know, I don't ever expect to be on death row (then again, does anyone?) but if I was, and I had to have a last meal, I'd want...

A Whisky Sour and roasted peanuts.
Sweetwater's Chopped House salad.
Clancy's chowdah with a side of sourdough bread.
A Grey Goose vodka tonic with lemon.
Sweetwater Filet Mignon with sauteed mushrooms and garlic mashed potatoes.
Sweetwater's Flourless Chocolate Waffle.
Another Grey Goose vodka tonic.

And good night nurse!

Pop Muzik - The Conclusion

26) TV on the Radio - They played Coachella this year and I can't say much about them other than I remember liking them and looking up their name in the program to see who they were. This is why I don't write concert reviews. Most of mine would say bland stuff like "too loud" or "music sucked" and in this case, I liked it, but can't remember why.

27) X - Coachella. Dang, it seems half the events on this list were from Coachella. I remember liking them - and having listened to them in the 80's. That's about all I can say at the moment.

28) G Love and Special Sauce - I think I've seen these guys twice. Once in Baltimore with Little Amy and once in DC with Nate and a friend of his. Both times awesome, neither time did they play "You Shall See." But that's okay, that's why I have the CDs.

29) New Tribe - This was a great band that my friends and I used to go see in the 80's. We've all recently connected on Facebook and are trying to talk them into a reunion. So far it's looking good! I had a huge crush on the guitarist James back in the day. Now he has a PhD and told me he though I was cute then too. Aww shucks. Best part though? They really did play great music.

30) Water's Edge - This is another band we used to go see. They often times played with New Tribe. I didn't see them that many times but I remember liking the music. I had a demo tape with New Tribe and Water's Edge songs on it. But my tape recorder ate it a couple weeks ago during a nostalgic wave of cassette playing.

31) Love & Rockets - They opened for The Cure the first time I saw The Cure at Dodger Stadium in 1989. Ahhh, what a great night. To this day when I hear "So Alive" I remember that summer. And every time I hear "Ball of Confusion" by some other artist, I am always reminded of the L&R version, which still remains to this day as my favorite of those covers.

32) Beautiful South - Ex got me into this band. It's fun music. Snarky sometimes. Poetic. Fun. With lyrics like, "Don't fuck her, marry me" how can you not laugh at that? I haven't listened to them in awhile because they remind me so much of Ex, but they are truly a great band. Ex and I saw them at the 9:30 Club (still my favoritest venue ever) and they are great live.

33) Trash Can Sinatras - When I was living in Jersey, this band played a hole in the wall club in Philly. Ex and I were both fands of TCS - "our" song was one of theirs - so we were excited to go. Problem was the place was crowded. Like, insanely crowded where you could hardly get to the bar to get a drink, let alone see the band from the back of the room. We didn't end up staying for the entire show which is a shame because we had been so excited to see them. It's okay, they probably wouldn't have played "our" song anyway as it's one of the slower songs.


34) Poor Clares - Bantry and her husband used to frequent an Irish pub in Arlington when they lived back east. There was a holiday concert around Christmas and since I was going to Ireland with them in a couple weeks, we thought that would be a fun way to get in the mood. So my mom and I met Bantry and her husband there and we had some drinks with a cheese plate and enjoyed some great Irish music. And afterwards my Mom and I bought all the CDs they had for sale because we loved it so much! Their rendition of "I Wonder as I Wander" always seems so haunting when I hear it. In fact, I have a vivid memory of driving home that night through the quiet, dark farmland of Leesburg with that playing and there are no lights on Route 15 in that area. Very spooky in a way.

35) Pilfers - I can't remember how many times I'd seen the Pilfers but I know it had to have been a few. There were several bands I used to see during the ska era because a lot of them played together or were friends with one another. I think I saw the Pilfers open for the Pietasters at some out of the way college in Maryland.

36) Pressure Cooker - This was one of my favorite opening acts during the Bosstones' Throwdown. I don't know that I ever bought any of their albums but I remember really digging their sound during that long weekend of music. Last time I checked they were still around but I admittedly haven't researched it lately. I think they are from Mass. so it's not likely they'd be playing any local shows even if they are still together. Then again, Bessica is from Mass. and I've recently reconnected with a friend from high school who lives out there. Can you say "Road trip!"

37) Less Than Jake - Another one of those bands on the ska circuit.

38) Reel Big Fish - I think I saw them once. Unless I'm just assuming I saw them. I honestly can't remember.

39) Spring Heeled Jack - Now I clearly remember seeing these guys, several times even, including at Phantasmagoria, this little dive record store/venue in Maryland, off the Beltway. I think their trombone player joined the Bosstones, didn't he? My ska facts have faded over the years...

40) Bim Skala Bim - When I first wrote their name down I was sure I had seen them. Then I started questioning if I really had. But I'm sure I did. I'll have to ask CT because if I did see them, it was most likely with him.

41) Goldfinger - I didn't "mean" to see them. Maurice and I thought the Pietasters were playing this show with Goldfinger and Voodoo Glow Skulls. Turns out they weren't but Maurice and I stayed for the show anyway. I remember I was trying to be "ska" that night and I had worn a white babydoll tee with a plaid skirt and black boots. I think that was about the first and only time I tried to dress like a "rude girl." LOL!

42) Voodoo Glow Skulls - See above. Voodoo Glow Skulls was the only good thing about that show. The first band was something like Westen or Western, and the other band was Goldfinger. I think they had that one song that all the rude boys and girls liked. But I didn't.

43) The Cranberries - Ahhh, summer of 1995. I remember I went to this show at the Nissan Pavilion with O'Donnell and it was the same day that Jerry Garcia died. It was a sad day for losing Jerry but a happy day because the Cranberries were really good and I was into them at the time. I still like their music but I'm not "into" them as much as I was.

44) Elton John and 45) Billy Joel - Do you remember when Elton John and Billy Joel toured together? It was awesome! I saw them back in what, 1993? Elton would play his own stuff and some of Billy's stuff. Then Billy would play his own stuff and some of Elton's stuff. Then they'd play together on both of their stuff. Brilliant! And then I eventually saw just Billy Joel in concert and let me say, hearing "Piano Man" live with the entire audience singing along? Very cool indeed. (As was seeing Christie Brinkley, who was at the sound booth at the time.)

46) Alan Jackson - I wasn't a big country fan, nor have I been, but there is some country I like and that includes Alan Jackson. My boyfriend at the time was really into country so he got us tickets to the Alan Jackson show at the Patriot Center. And even though country isn't my favorire musical genre, I still had a really good time.

47) Sugar Ray - the lead singer Mark McGrath is cute, I'll admit it. And their songs are catchy. But I didn't go to the HFSmas concert for them. I went because The Cure was headlining. But I still enjoyed the show. Of course all the little girlies were screaming for Mark but hey, he is cute.

48) Fast Times - This is the band that my friend Jones plays in. Actually, he plays in several but this is the one I see regularly. It's an 80's cover band and they are REALLY good! About 2 weeks ago Rose and I went and even though we've seen them play many times, this time we decided to dress the part. That's right, we crimped our hair, put on our stretchy bracelets, and painted our faces in hot pink shades. And we had a blast!

49) The Skankateers - Picture it. 1998 Warped Tour. A bunch of bubble gum kids singing watered-down ska. Think Disney meets ska. That would be the Skankateers. I did not like them. I did not mean to watch them but they were on the stage closest to us when Bantry and I sat down for lunch. That horrible band name has stuck with me ever since.

50) Clowns for Progress - They suck. I can't remember what kind of music they played. I can't remember their lyrics. I just remember that they plain sucked. They were one of the opening bands for the Bosstones Throwdown in 1997 (and I think in 1998). I think they gave out CFP stickers in the goodie bags that first year. And mine is firmly stuck to the CD holder in my car, with a Bosstones sticker on the other side.

Pop Muzik

There's something going around Facebook where you name 50 bands you've seen live. I've decided to repost my list here so I can expand upon it. These were listed in no particular order.

1) The Cure - You are not surprised I have seen The Cure in concert. Nor are you surprised that I always try to see them when they are in town. And you are even less surprised that one of my favorite concert moments EVER was seeing The Cure from the 4th row. The FOURTH row. And of course, you are yawning by now when I tell you that seeing The Cure at Coachella a few months ago and hearing the crowd sing along loudly when the venue turned off the power was another great concert moment. If I could only see one band play for the rest of my life? You know the answer.

2) Duran Duran - I never got to see them when I was growing up and in my full Duranie heyday. But I got to see them for the first time for my birthday in November 2003. In fact, when I was on my honeymoon in Jamaica, I actually went online to get the tickets for the show when they went on sale. Because I love my fab five! I've seen them a few times now and have never been disappointed!

3) B-52's - This was my first "real" concert, as in not at a small venue like the Roxy or Whisky. I won tickets from KROQ at about noon that day and because I was supposed to work that night, my friend's mom called in sick for me. Only because I know my own mom wouldn't, lol!

4) The Pietasters - When Maurice found out I liked the Bosstones he said I should check out his friends' band, The Pietasters. So I did. And I loved them from day one. A truly great band sounds just as good live (or better) than they do on a CD. And this applies to the Pie guys as well. Not to mention that their shows are always a blast.

5) The Smooths - When Maurice saw I liked the Pietasters he said I should see his other friend's band, The Smooths. And I did. The first time I saw them play was on a side stage at the HFStival at RFK Stadium. Maurice had told me they were playing but my friend Andy and I were tired from the day so instead of watching them up close, we watched them from behind the stage, up in the stands. The band eventually broke up around 1999 but I kept a souvenier. I married the keyboard player in 2003.

6) The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The first time I saw them was the HFStival - and I think it may have been the same year as above. And man, was I dumb in thinking, "I want to be up front!" You see, if you've never been to a Bosstones show before, there is something you should know. Being up front can be dangerous. Don't go up front unless you are prepared for the consequences. I found this out the hard way. I tried to get up close, got smashed in the crowd, hit in the back of the head with a full Coke bottle and bit my lip, fell down with a bunch of people, then tried to squeeze my way out of the crowd in what I think was my first and only panic attack ever, got separated from my friend Andy, and lost my purse. And that was all in the space of a couple songs. Lesson learned - I never went up front again except at the Hometown Throwdown but that was because we were in the first row and had the protection of being able to cling to the barrier. Ahh, the Throwdowns. And that time the Pietasters opened for the Bosstones on the Let's Face It tour and we saw them in Canada... good times. Or that time Missy got really, really, no really, drunk at the Pietasters / Street Dogs / Bosstones show at the Avalon last year and we ended up missing the Bosstones' set? More good times...

7) Dropkick Murphys - I think I may have only seen them once and it was when they were one of the opening bands for the Bosstones during the 1997 Throwdown. I can't vividly remember their actual set but I remember I bought one of their CDs. Can't remember which one though - it was the one where they had that great bagpipe intro, if that helps any.

8) Bouncing Souls - I'm pretty sure I've seen the Bouncing Souls but I can't remember where exactly. Probably Warped Tour? Did they play the Throwdown? I have no recollection. In fact, it's entirely possible that I've never seen them but assumed that I have.

9) The Specials - Now this I remember! This was the 1998 Warped Tour and I caught them at the DC show. Awesome! It was wonderful to see such a classic band in person, instead of just waxing poetically about how it would've been nice to see such a band in the 80's.

10) Morrissey - Coachella 2009. He played Morrissey songs and Smiths songs. Hearing "How Soon is Now" live definitely makes the top 10 concert moments list. And he's cute. For an old(er) guy.

11) Paul McCartney - Coachella 2009. Who doesn't know who this guy is? Who can't sing along to Paul McCartney and/or Beatles songs? Even though I was dead tired by the end of the night, it was still a great honor to see McCartney. Hearing "Hey Jude" live and getting to sing along loudly (and probably out of key) to the "wilder" part at the end? Awesome. I may have to start writing down my top ten concert moments because I think this was one of them but I'm not sure how many I have just yet.

12) Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - I remember hearing them on the Swingers soundtrack and thinking, They're cool! I eventually started buying their albums and one year (I think it was around 1998) my friend CT and I caught them in DC (the 9:30 Club I think) and it was a fabulous show. My friend Glo and I may even see them this weekend at the Starlite Bowl. Which reminds me, I need to call her.

13) Cherry Poppin' Daddies - Another fun show in person. They were headlining with Ozomatli opening. And I think one of the band members told Jer I was cute during the Rhode Island show. Or was it Boston? Regardless, still a great show. "Here Comes the Snake" is still a favorite of mine - if I was in a burlesque show, I'd totally dance to that.

14) Ozomatli - I first "heard" of them during the 1998 Warped Tour but didn't really catch their show until they toured with the Pietasters and CPD (above). These. Guys. Rock. Unbelievable set with tons of energy and fun. When they opened for Offspring, my sister and I only went to see Ozomatli (her husband Creed went for Offspring). I remember meeting Asdru in Rhode Island during the CPD tour and he was such a sweetie.

15) Street Dogs - Only saw them once, when Joe Sirois was drumming for them at the show they played with the Bosstones at the Avalon last year. But I dig their sound. I got one of their albums though now that I think about it, I haven't listened to it lately.

16) Airborne Toxic Event - I think someone asked, upon learning I lived in Los Feliz, if I'd ever heard of ATE since they are from Silver Lake. I hadn't. But then Smith told me about them and I downloaded (legally) one of their albums. I likey! When I saw they were playing Coachella I knew I had to catch their set. And they did not dissapoint!

17) The Skatalites - It was 1998 if I remember correctly. And they were headlining at some hole in the wall dank club in DC. Can't remember the name of the club, though I clearly remember the night and that I had on a short blue skirt and the blue Docs Maurice had bought me in England. The Smooths were opening. Some of The Pietasters were there. Joe Gittleman of the Bosstones was there (he produced The Smooths' second album). And seeing such a great classic ska band like the Skatalites was awesome. It's not often a person gets to see the old school bands of certain genres, but when you do, it's a true treat. The old school bands show you how it's really done.

18) Toots and the Maytals - Another old school ska band that rocks. Saw them at the 9:30 Club in DC and loved it. The six-CD changer in my car has had their CD in slot #2 for months now. Probably since I bought the car in November, even. It's just that damn good.

19) Dave Wakeling's English Beat - I really need to write my top 10 concert moments down so I can keep track of them. This would make the list. State Theater in Falls Church, Virginia. The Pietastes were opening and Ex was filling in as their keyboard player for the night so we were backstage and got to meet a bunch of the guys. And the set was fabulous. When sound problems interfered the band stopped to get them worked out before continuing. Perfection. They played English Beat songs, Specials songs, and General Public songs. It was an 80's buffet of awesomeness. Those guys are great and I would love to see them again!

20) Offspring - I know some of their songs and like them, but the only reason I saw them in concert that one time was because Ozomatli was opening for them. No offense to Offspring, but Ozomatli is more my style.

21) Dave Matthews Band - What can I say about this band that most people don't already know? They are awesome live. If you can stand being surrounded by drunk college kids for several hours. Sissy, Creed and I tolerated it because we knew the music was worth it. But damn those people can be annoying. The drunk college girls were screaming "woohoo" on all the close ups of Dave. Seriously? Stay home with Teen Beat and leave the concerts to the real music lovers.

22) The Killers - Coachella 2009. I have one Killers album, I hear them on the radio a lot. I like them. So when they played Coachella, I circled their name for my "must see" list of Coachella acts. Problem was, by the end of the night I was so tired and sore that we didn't stay for the whole set. But from what I could hear live, it's a good show!

23) Leonard Cohen - I had never heard of this man before. How is that possible? But I saw him at Coachella this year and he was one of the best acts there. He showed those young whippersnappers how it's done! Again, seeing the old school musicians always reminds me of how truly talented some people are in this world.

24) Thievery Corporation - Another Coachella act. I got into them in the past because Ex knew one of the guys. And he would play their stuff at home. I was glad to see them at Coachella because I knew I liked them, but I was disappointed that I didn't recognize any of the songs. That's my own fault for not keeping up with them. But still - loved the music!

25) My Bloody Valentine - I'd heard of the name before, but couldn't tell you any of their songs. I saw them at Coachella and seriously, they pissed me off. Some of the music I heard sounded great but it was really freaking loud. An annoyingly loud, loud. And worse yet, one of their last songs had a sort of 10 minute long ending. Like, the same keys or chords or something playing for 10 minutes. I'm not exaggerating. I'm seriously not. So not only did the level of noise annoy the hell out of me but so did the fact that it went on... and on... and on... I kept checking my watch like, Really? Are we done yet? I don't know that I would ever see this band again. When they did sing, I could hardly make out the words because the vocals were drowned out by the music. And then, you know, that agonizing last ten minutes where I wanted to murder them all.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Once in a Lifetime

Another post title brought to you by Ch. 22.

Ankle bothering me a little bit more than this morning but am coping.

Had meatball sub for lunch. Yum!

Kyle... oh sweet, little 27 year old Kyle. Yeah, I'm through being a cougar. We had talked about going to the movies tonight and he said we could "maybe do something after."

I said, "Like what?"

He replied, "Eat? Sex?"

Seriously? What, are you 17? Text conversation ensued wherein I basically said I wasn't looking for a booty call but if he was, he should look elsewhere. And thus, my friends, concludes my one month tenure as a cougar.

One of my guy friends told me I should date a fat guy (his words, not mine). I don't think it's an issue about being fat, skinny, young or old... I think it has to do with a lot of people out there are just looking for sex.

But me? I'm looking for more than that.

Things Can Only Get Better

Not only is this the Howard Jones song currently playing on Ch. 22 but it's true. At least, I'd like to think so. Things can only get better...

I missed 2 days of work this week due to my ankle. Grrrr! At least I'm not limping today, so that's good. Although my ankle is hurting a little right now, at least it's not disgustingly painful like it has been this past week.

Kyle, the 27 year old? Yeah... I'm not sure what to do with him. I mean, trying to have a conversation with this guy is painful. He doesn't talk much which makes me feel like he's not really interested in me or he's bored. So I start talking more to compensate and then I just feel like a dork. Really, conversations aren't that difficult, especially if you supposedly like the person you're talking to. But talking to Kyle is frustrating, and what's the point of going on dates with someone that frustrates you? Booty call, you say? Nah, I'm not that kind of girl, you guys know that.

And speaking of boys/men... I missed a call on my cell last night from - wait for it - Dr. Pepper. Yep, Dr. Pepper. Remember him? We had a great date about two months ago and then he fell off the face of the earth? Yeah, that guy. He didn't leave a message so I called him back, got his voice mail, said I was surprised to see he'd call, give me a call back. Now let's not hold our collective breath as we wait to see how long it takes for him to call again. Another two months perhaps? Hmmm...

In other news, it's Friday, it's payday, and I'm hungry.

"Doctor, doctor, give me the news..."

I know you've desperately missed posts from me that sound like this:

"My neck hurts. My back hurts. My ankle hurts."

So here it is, just for you: My ankle REALLY hurts. No really. I mean it, my ankle and those tendons are NOT happy campers AT ALL. I don't know what triggered it but last week, around Tuesday evening, my ankle started acting up again. It only increased on Wednesday and it just got worse during the week. In fact, today, it really sucks. "Acting up?" No, this thing deserves an Oscar. It's not just around my ankle joint, oh no, it's also the tendons running up my leg. Yes, up my leg. So it's not really my ankle that hurts - I should rephrase - "My leg hurts from the ankle to the knee." And that sucks! The car accident was in November, people, November. It's almost been 9 months and I am still having problems with my injuries.

But what sucks even more is that my medical insurance from my new job doesn't kick in until August 1st. That's this Saturday. So I can't go see my Physical Therapist until after that, otherwise I've got to pay out of pocket for that. And I can't afford that. So my pain continues...

In other accident-related news, my attorney has filed my personal injury lawsuit against the person that made the illegal turn in front of me. I have no idea how long the lawsuit will take or what the outcome will be but let's knock on wood - knock knock - that it goes quickly and the Judge rules in my favor. Because there's got to be something good to come out of this chaos.

"I believe the children are our future..."

So Bill and I are staying in the 1 bedroom after all. I know, I know... you're thinking, "How will you manage not to smother him in his sleep?!" Well, thankfully for Bill he's usually sleeping when I'm at work and he's usually at work when I'm sleeping. We decided that it's just much more economical for us both right now to stay where we are. It's cramped, yes. It's a little hectic, yes. But we get along well as friends and are working out our "roomie" issues finally, in regards to what we do/don't share, storage issues, etc. And since we had decided to stay put, we finally moved some furniture around and hung some artwork on the walls. It's looking much more homey and a lot less "Hey there's 2 people cramped into this 1 bedroom apartment." We just need to get a slightly larger storage space up the street so we can de-clutter some more. So all in all, this Sherman Oaks apartment living is getting better. Except for the part where I left my Big Daddy pool raft downstairs by the pool (hey, it was still wet) and now it's gone missing. OCD Landlord or theiving neighbor?

Speaking of economic times... some of my financial responsibilities are OVER. I am through with my Los Feliz apartment for GOOD. I don't owe them anything, they don't owe me. Done, finished, never have to deal with that slacker property owner again, or that annoying neighbor that complains about cars parking in (gasp!) the garage area! And I still owed a couple hundred bucks on my totaled Sebring but my insurance company had sent my medical reimbursement check to my attorney and I asked if he could put some of that money toward paying off my Sebring balance. And he did. So hooray for me! That's 2 less things on my PAY THEM list. Now I'm just down to my regular bills, credit card debt and oh yeah, I still owe the State of Maryland some money for back tuition. But at least I've crossed 2 things off the list! And now that Bill and I aren't upgrading to the 2 bedroom, that saves me more money, not to mention that by moving in with Bill in the first place I am saving over $800 on rent in the first place. You know what that means?

I can afford a drink or two at the Blue Room! Oh, did someone mention the Blue Room? Why yes, yes I think they did. That's my favorite new spot, although Matt (owner, manager, bartender?) and I have some issues that I won't get into now (long story short I think he's a grumpy old man even though he graduated 2 years before me). I go there when someone's in town, there's a birthday, or you know, because it's Saturday. And that's where I met Kyle. Who's Kyle?


That's Kyle. He's 27. My friends are now calling me a Cougar. Okay, so I call myself that now, too. Isn't he cute? Sort of like Rob Pattinson meets Jay Mohr. Did I mention that he's 27? Yeah, I'm not. I sometimes say I am. But I'm not. In fact, I'll be 37 in November. We've talked on the phone a few times, text often, and have hung out once since we met (that's when the pic was taken). But we're supposed to have dinner this week. Not entirely sure you could say we're "dating" since we've really just met but sure, let's say that anyway. Even though I think he's probably just trying to score with some hot, older woman. (Example: He texts me last week with, "I want sex." I text back that I'm a virgin. I hope he thinks he's being funny because that is not a way into a woman's panties...) Apparently he doesn't know me that well, or else he'd realize I'm not an easy woman to score with. I might flirt a lot but I don't give it up easily. It's just too dangerous in this day and age and besides, if I went home with every guy that flirted with me in a bar? Yeah, I don't think so.