Musical Car Trifecta

Every now and again, my mom gets it in her head that I should park in the driveway and not the street overnight. I'm the last one out and in the next day, so I'm going to block everyone in with my car if I park there. And she quite often decides this after I'm already home from work at night and too tired to move my car 20 feet. So the street is a risk I'm willing to take.

My mother, however, thinks differently and she will volunteer to move my car for me. And fine, if she wants to do so, then go ahead. It's no skin off my teeth. Sometimes she nominates my dad to do the musical car game, and quick as a cricket he's snatched my keys and the car is moved. Because once you suggest something he's bound and determined to do so.

I for one, hate driving other people's cars and adjusting things in them. But if it's just to move the car, I'm not going to futz with anything. My mother doesn't touch anything. My father is just the opposite. He adjusts something, if not everything, if he's in the drivers seat.

Once I got back in my car to go to work, and not only had my father moved the seat all the way back, he had adjusted all 3 mirrors and changed the radio station. To move the car in and out of the driveway.

It was the trifecta of musical cars.

Teaser Trailer

I've got some big news coming up! *

More details later I promise. Mainly because I don't know that many myself right now. (Plus some of you I've already talked to and know)

I'm excited and a little scared at the same time. But this is a good thing.
So for the moment, you'll just have to speculate and wait.

*No, I'm not pregnant or getting married in the very near future. If it was the later, there's no way I'd be able to keep my mouth shut!

Who Doesn't Love Ice Cream Cake?

No one. That's who.
And if they don't like it, then clearly this person and I cannot be friends.

Anyway, Happy Birthday Papa!

(We have ice cream cake. Rock)

I Have the Bad Dog

When dr soc's dog and mine get together, they immediately start attacking each other with play. It's pretty chaotic. Now, we are glad it's chaotic on the play end of the scale and not the fighting/aggressive end, but we really needed peace between the two of them for our sake. (he's rarely in the mood to mess around on nights I bring Bailey over because it's stressful.)

Bailey and Jules have similar personalities, which is part of the pandemonium. Bailey's a full grown spaz and it takes little to get her riled up and in full spaz mode. All it takes is a swat/kiss from Jules and they take off barreling through the house. And Jules only needs about 10 seconds to recharge, so no sooner has Bailey tired out, Jules instigates and the rough and tumble continues.

Jules: I will swat your bottom and/or face in 10 seconds.
Bailey: that little one is relentless!

This couldn't go on. They met 3 months ago and they were no where close to calming down around each other. So after talking to my vet, she said a (dog) trainer was the way to go and gave me a card. So I swallowed my pride and signed us up for a private dog training lesson to get our girls under control.

I have the bad dog.

Ok, so the trainer didn't actually say that, but Bailey was the one who got all the obedience lessons. Subsequently, she got all the treats too because she was the one getting all the lessons. Bailey gets inconstant training/treatment between myself and my parents which is part of her obedience issues. However, I was informed that dogs don't generalize well, so we can train her to know dr soc's place is a place to be calm and good. And dr soc and I are on the same page with Bailey and Jules, so it's a start.

Jules: she took both toys again!Bailey: whatever, I'm the one who got all the hot dogs.
Jules: damn. good point.

But still. I have the bad dog. Ouch.

Last Rule of Buddha

For about 10 seconds my roommate Ali thought she needed a religion, but really didn't know where to start. And another friend said they pictured her as a Buddhist. Why? I don't know, this was a drunk conversation I was not privy too and it seemed like a logical connection.

Beyond knowing that it exists in general (and that Richard Gere is one), Buddhism is an enigma to us all. So with some google searching, someone learns there are 10 (or maybe 12?) basic principles of buddism of things you do/do not do.

Well, Ali was known as the heathen of our group, and she had broken all the rules at some point in her life. Buddhism was out. However, she didn't steal, (one of Buddha's no-no's) so it was her saving grace.

This was at the same time all those obnoxious magnetic ribbons were on cars. (While the ribbon magnets were better then bumper stickers on principle, the inundation of them was still obnoxious). There were
Yellow for the soldiers







Pink for breast cancer,







and white with paw prints for spay/neuter pets... (by that point let's admit they were just drawing at straws)

amongst many others, everywhere. Well the pink one's center cut-out was a heart (at the time) with the words "Think pink!" And clearly, that makes people think of moi. So one day Ali swiped one off someone's car and put it on mine.

I loved it! And I told her so and "I'm so glad you stole that for me!"
She laughed but then her face completely crumpled! She wailed out " I just broke the last rule of Buddha!"

We're Going to Need a Bigger Trunk

Me: In my family, we like our trunk space in our cars. 'Cause you know, the more trunk space, the better the bodies fit in there.

Dr soc: I was just about to say that.
Dr soc: This is why we get along so well isn't it?

Me: I was just going to say that!

Talky McTalky

I talk. Pretty much all the time too. I have famously said if I am not taking I am only one of two options: extremely tired (not asleep, mind you. I talk there too) or mad as hell.

Granted, I don't know/remember what I even talk about half the time, I just know that I was talking. But believe it or not, I can reach a point where I have nothing left to say. It is entirely possible for me to become "all talked out."

Seriously. And dr soc can attest to this. The first time he met my parents was shortly after I met his. We had had driven close to 6 hours that day and I had been on my A-game all weekend with his parents. Since we were with my parents at the time, I felt that I could relax a little and I was tired. (Plus, I couldn't very well over analyze and rehash every single detail of the parents weekend with him right there anyway)

So. I ran out of things to say.

I realize this, looked over at dr soc and said: "I think I'm all talked out"
His response? "Well sh*t."

Don't worry, I rallied. I wasn't about to hang my boyfriend out to dry leaving him with nothing to talk about except how awesome and accomplished he is. (which probably would have been ok though now that I think about it, because who doesn't want to hear how awesome their daughter's boyfriend is?)

Date?

I (sorta) got asked out the other day.

I ran into my math teacher from last summer at the gym the other day. We occasionally saw each other outside/after that class and would say hi and sometimes talk about running. He asked if I wanted to get coffee sometime and I said sure, so we said 1:00 on whatever day.

It was then that I wondered, did I just get asked out? I said yes? Was I that clueless? Umm, oops? I called dr soc as I left the gym and explained/asked what the hell just happened at the same time. He said since coffee is a vague, safe thing to ask some out for, it can be a friend, colleague or date thing. However, he wasn't mad at me because he's not that type of guy. He also emphasized how he was not the type of teacher who would see his students (past or present) socially too. (which I knew, but it's cute that he was trying to tell me how respectable he is. Also it's why he won't make out with me during his office hours. What? Why does he keep fighting me on this?)

Well, anyway, the coffee/friend date thing went fine and all I had to do was drop the boyfriend word into the conversation to set the situation down the platonic path. For example: I'm meeting my boyfriend for lunch in an hour. Which I then proceed to do. I had a nice coffee/friend date and a nice lunch date with my boyfriend. Good day for me.

And dr soc wasn't mad, nor is he a jealous type of guy. But don't think I didn't notice how kissy he was when he dropped me off that afternoon.

Second Shift

Have you ever heard of the woman's 2nd shift? It's all the domestic stuff a woman does after she gets home from her job, which is usually the bulk of the housework and child rearing. Now I don't claim to be a neat freak. In fact, I'm pretty messy when left to my own devices. (hence why dr soc thinks I am a closeted hoarder) But when I have my own apartment (and lived w/my ex) I totally had a 2nd shift.

So I was kvetching to my almost mil about it a little because I felt that he wasn't respecting my house work crazy ways. And she explained to me as an older and wiser woman: "well honey, the woman's always going to do more house work then the man."

I call BULL SHIT.
(actually I did snort when she told me this)

But to him, (her son who at the same time was complaining to his mother about me) I was a control freak because I didn't (and still don't) think the kitchen was an appropriate place to take off and leave your pants. Or that the living room banister was the place to drape ties and dress shirts and the floor was where dirty socks went (apparently the 5 sorted laundry baskets were just too hard). Taking the trash bag out of the out garbage can but then leaving it in the middle of the floor and forgetting to put a new bag in because something more exciting came along didn't count as taking out the trash. And squirting a blob of dish soap in the sink did not constitute as doing the dishes. However, if I left a dish in the sink, it received the aforementioned blob of dish soap along with a heavy sigh of exasperation. But water rings/dish marks on all my wood furniture was acceptable behavior since the coasters were stacked in their holder on the other table.

So, call me crazy since I didn't want to pick up after a spoiled 27 year old boy.

I don't mind a little house work here and there. But after living with my ex (and after I escaped that trap as well), I vowed I would not pick up after anyone over the age of 5 (or has 4 legs and a tail) ever again. Because that 2nd shift was bull shit.

Marking My Territory

I woke up the other day and the first thing I asked dr soc was "can I rearrange your kitchen?" Hey, I cook there a fair amount and I found the place arranged inefficiently. Cooking utensils belong close to the stove where they are easy to grab and not in the corner behind the sugar. I'm just saying.

Besides wondering if I had been dreaming about it since it was the first thing I asked, he didn't ask questions and said ok. And he knew I would probably do it anyway. However, he updated his facebook status to: "dr soc has lost control of his kitchen."

No implication of how or who or even what, but the comment that followed were as such:

"That can be a good thing ;-)"
"I need someone to reorganize my kitchen!"
"Let her have full control. Believe me it is well worth it."
"She's just preparing you for marriage when you lose control of the entire house."

So. I guess it's pretty obvious who's doing this was huh?

There were two other comments btw:

"If you hadn't had 3 bags, BAGS, of moldy fruit in your crisper drawer, the intervention would not have been necessary." <-- that one was me. (yes, he did. there were puddles of sticky in there and I bemoaned: "you are such a boy!")

"ummmm.......I was fermenting fruit to make you some wine :)" <-- dr soc himself (nice try honey)

Choke on Cute!

Dr soc and I went to the fair last night and judged people. (Yep. And I scored super high on fair bingo, so that was fun too. In fairness it was my game sheet so I knew what to look for)

But as we were walking up to the entrance gate, he took my hand and then kissed it.
I of course, turn to him and smile hugely because this move without fail makes me melt. We lean in to kiss each other and it was quite the romantic moment.

And then our teeth bumped the others' and we both said "ow!", ruining the romantic.

However, it did add to the levity of the situation, so it was still a win.

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

me: Wait, how tall are you again?

dr friend: 5'1".

me: Really? I thought you were closer to 5'3" because you're a little shorter than me.

dr friend: No. I've never been that tall.

me: Oh well then how come I think you're 5'3"?

dr friend: Probably because I'm loud. Makes people think I'm bigger than I actually am.

me: True.

dr friend: How tall are you? 5'7"?

me: Ha! I wish! I'm 5'5".

dr friend: Oh. Really? how come I think you're 5'7"

me: Probably because I'm loud too.

dr friend: Yep.

Braids

Me: I am wearing a french braid today. Did we decide yay or nay on this discussion last year?

Michele: I think we said french braids are an acceptable hairstyle. But in the right context.

Jeanne: Agreed yes, we said french braids are an acceptable hairstyle in a jeans's skirt way. They not however, ever acceptable with poofed bangs.

LB: Poofed bangs are never acceptable.

Razor Sharp

For our 3rd date, dr soc offered to cook me dinner at his place before we went out that night.

Of course I accepted, but when I did so at the same time I made a mental note: I better shave my legs....

Birthday Girl!

Happy birthday to me!
Happy birthday to me!
Happy birthday dear me-eeee,
Happy birthday to me!

Apparently this cake is in the Philippines?
So pretty though!

I could do the reflexive here's what's happened in the past year, but nah.
I'm doing ok, if not good, in school right now.
I have my health.
I have a job that I like and is a pretty good fit for me at the moment.
My family is safe and happy (most of the time).
My friends are awesome and I love them.
I love and am loved by a wonderful man.

Woot! Here's hoping 28 keeps it up.

Getting Older

I am 28 tomorrow! (presents will be accepted year round fyi) While 28 is not 30, I still feel the pull of my age every now and again. On our fabulous Napa trip, we agreed that partying like a rock star just isn't what it used to be. Sadly, I think I was passed out making my asleep noises when this gem was created. But we edited the famous ACDC song to reflect our older, more mature mindset:

I wanna rock and roll all night sometimes.
And party every day on the weekends, and maybe on a random Wednesday*but only if I have the day off the next day

Compatible

Disclaimer: another brag about my boyfriend blog (quell suprise!).
A list of nuances of why dr soc and I get along really well:

• We think soccer is boring (sorry world cup)
• We like pulp in our orange juice.
• Our degrees are both in sociology. (well, mine will be soon enough).
• We think home schooled kids turn out a little (lot) left of center.
• Neither one of us want to go camping.
• We hate text talk.
• One of us is always responding with "that's what she said."
• It's really easy to share food. It's not hard to split something since we seem to always agree on a flavor/entree/topping ect.
  
• We're fascinated by the same kinds of tv shows. (River Monsters).
• We think first that putting our realtionship status on facebook is a bad idea, and then linking to each other is an even worse idea.

Yeah, these things are a little silly, some more so then others. But all those little things just make me like him more each time.

Problem Solved

My driver's side mirror is broken. It has been for a while now, something close to almost 2 years. (Yes. I know that is bad.) The mirror is still there, it's just really cracked. I can still see some stuff with it and I check my blind spot 9 out of 10 times, so it's fine.

So I've made do, and it doesn't bother me. It does however, bother dr soc.

Occasionally I drive (I suspect he drives most of the time so he never has to relinquish control over the music), so when I do, he's in the passenger seat. But he see's my broken mirror and asks "can you see out of that?"
me: yeah. enough.
dr soc: really?
me: yeah. why does it bother you?
dr soc: a little...
me: oh, well, look at that one then. (pointing to passenger mirror) ::snort:: See? Problem solved.

Official

I got keyed last night.
But a good keyed! Dr soc gave me a key to his place. (squee! I know!) It's pink. And has a skull and crossbones on it. It's totally awesome.

Also? He friended me on facebook last night. (I accepted) He had to do a little sleuthing to find me (apparently my privacy settings make me unsearchable through normal means), but he found me. Though neither of us have a current realtionship status listed or have plans of putting that up on facebook either. We're on the same page there, but being friends is ok.

So, yeah, we're like super official now, key giving and facebook friends. Squeee!

Weight Limit

Dr soc has a cute (and much better behaved than mine) dog. Jules (his) is sweet, friendly and playful, and I really like her. She's black and white and about 20 lbs which is small, but she's a beefy 20 lbs.

Small but beefy. And adorable

Also? She's gassy. That dog can clear a room. I was cat napping through a movie and woke up due to the smell when Jules let one in my lap. In fairness to Jules, not all of them are toxic, but like humans, the quieter they are, the worse they smell. However, the noisier they are, the funnier they are. The other day she was climbing all over me and a long whoopee cushion sound comes out of her butt. Being the mature people that we are, dr soc and I double over and continue to laugh until tears fall from our eyes. Meanwhile, Jules looks between us and smiles, completely unabashed.

So when I say she's 20 lbs, she really is. But I'm pretty sure that at least one of those pounds is gas.

First Impression

Back when I met dr soc's parents for the first time, after dinner together we decided to rent a movie. We all change into our pjs/lounging clothes and start getting drinks for downstairs. As Dr soc is tying his pj pants, the drawstring breaks. They have elastic in the waistband and will stay up on their own, but it was quite comical watching him standing there with half a drawstring in his hand and a well-what-the-hell-now-look on his face.

We've made plans to have dinner/him meet my parents the next night when we get back in town. And so dr soc is standing there in the kitchen with the imminent threat of his pants falling down and he says: "well, better this happened at my parents' house then yours!"
me: (laughing) very true!

The conversation continues down the path of awkward possibility and first impressions. But the thought of his pants first breaking, then falling down as he meets my parents sends me, dr soc and his dad into peels of laughter. This is when his mom walks into the room and asks what's going on/so funny?

And before my boyfriend can give the back story, I point an accusatory finger at him and say: "dr soc is threatening to moon my parents!"

To which I start to giggle uncontrollable again and leave dr soc to explain everything to his mom.
Ah, first impression are something else huh?

Multiplicity

I used to live with Life in Cleveland and her hubby when we were all in college. One night we decide to have an impromptu grill out since Matt's brother was visiting. Jeanne calls her brother from across town and I run off to the store to get supplies.

When I came back, I walked in the back door and into the kitchen, where Jeanne, Matt and each of their respective brothers have gathered.

Matt's brother looks exactly like him only he's more tan.
Jeanne's brother looks exactly like her with lighter hair.

I walk into our tiny kitchen, see 4 faces but only 2 different ones, stop dead in my tracks and say: "gah! you've multiplied!"

What a mind fck!

Happy 4th of July!

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. Yep, it outranks Christmas. I can't pinpoint the moment I knew this, but it's been within the past 10 years and I've always looked forward to it. It's low key but super fun, and you spend it with friends and/or family. There's usually great food and someone always has fireworks. I love fireworks. Just not the ones you set off yourself because they're dangerous and plus red necks do that. The past few years the 4th has involved heavy amounts of alcohol, (pudding shots, drunken pineapple/watermelon, sangria, margaritas...) which makes it fun and laughy as well. Plus who doesn't love a healthy dose of patriotism every now and again?

This year I'm not with my friends but I am spending the holiday with w/dr soc and his family. Which, I guess technically I consider him a friend too, but he's definitely a boyfriend first.

Also the 4th? Is Bailey's birthday.

Seriously momma, why you make me wear these things?

Her first birthday she spent it in surgery for her first knee. Her present was a morphine drip. Happy Birthday indeed. The 2nd birthday involved cake. This year, I'm just going to give her a rawhide and new toy. And make her wear her 4th of July/birthday bandanna. (see above) Hey, my doggie is 3! I still kinda think of her as a puppy though. They grow up so fast!

Happy 4th everyone!

OK

I think it's fairly obvious things didn't end well with my ex. It was a pretty epic crash and burn if you ask me. But that doesn't negate the fact that for a decent portion of our time together I loved him and cared about him. With that said, I don't want anything bad to happen to him. He was a nice enough guy and maybe he'll make another girl happy with his mediocrity.

But with that said, I don't exactly wish him well either. Because I don't exactly want anything good to happen to him either. Because well, he's my ex-fiance and I'm just not that benevolent.

So, on that note: I wish him ok. And my friend Shayne put it best: may you project on a sideways trajectory for the rest of your life.