Monday, April 30, 2007

Is it weird...

...that when I saw a skinny old black lady walking down Fillmore Street with a short denim jacket and shoes on with no pants or underwear whatsoever that I almost followed her just to see a) people's faces who were walking towards her and b) how long it would take for her to get arrested?

In retrospect, I should have grabbed my camera and commenced following. Oh well. Next time I'll know better what to do.

Exploring my life here in Cali

I freakin' love California.

I love that coffee is even more a part of the culture than it is in New York. The first sight of Peet's at the airport always lets me know that I've arrived.

I love the way houses are built into hills for maximum views.

I love that Jason's apartment is two blocks away from the flagship Kiehl's store.

I love how people are cooly stylish - cute shoes, but they are flats.

I love how that you can get huevos rancheros anywhere for brunch.

I love how it's always seventy degrees.

I love the Mexican and Asian influences in the food.

Right now I'm so comfortable in Richmond. Close to family. Cake job. Diverse circle of friends. Mediocre dating life. Am I getting too comfortable, though? Have I been fooling myself that those things are really the most important in life? Are my adventures over? Am I missing out and sleeping through life with my comfy existence?

If I don't move here soon, will it be too late?

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Missin' you

"So are you gonna miss me?" Southern Boy asked, flopping down on the bed and slinging his arm my waist.

Gulp.

"Maybe..." I responded in a cop-out sing-songy voice. "Are you going to miss me?"

"Yep," definitively. "I already do just thinkin' about it."

"Really?"

"Yeah." This time his voice rose in pitch a little bit, as if he was confused at my questioning. As if it should have been obvious that he would miss me. Instead of continuing though, he just buried his face in my neck, causing me to giggle and the subject to change.

Overlapping trips (him to NYC, me to Northern California) are causing us to take a 12 day break from our two month relationship. The truth was, I wasn't really sure if I was going to miss him or not. Sure, we have fun together, but I'm not entirely sure that there is a lot of potential for us, and for the last few days the differences between us had been in the forefront of my mind more than what it would be like to be apart for almost two weeks.

But today while I was working I started thinking about him, wondering if his plane had made it on time. So I sent a little text message, just to be sure he had made it safely. No big deal. He responded. He got in a little late, and told me where he was planning on going to dinner.

Jealous! I responded. I've never been there. Send.

Then a realization hit me, so I did something that may seem like no big deal, but for me was a leap.

PS - I am going to miss you. Send.

I let it go, and didn't even wonder when he might respond, or if I had made myself too vulnerable. I felt good about having sent it. The response came quickly.

I already miss you. Wish you were here by my side.

I smiled, and felt really happy. I'm not sure if we have a future. But it sure is nice to be missed.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Touched

Of all of the images in the last 30 hours that have had me close to tears, this one takes the cake.

Monday, April 16, 2007

World, changed

At first it just seemed like a sensational thing. I was hungry to hear more about it, sickly almost hoping that there was more than just the one person who was killed.

Then I got weirded out. No one seemed to understand the way I felt - surely I didn't actually fear for my own safety. No, I'd try to explain, I'm not afraid for myself, it's just really surreal that this happened in a place where I spent four years.

Emails flew between friends, including messages from professors talking about how our beloved Performing Arts Building is within sight of Norris Hall and describing seeing bodies being carried out, as well as beautiful sentiments from each other about our time there.

Then I started to get really sad. Both of my parents called me within ten minutes of each other, not long after it came out that there were over thirty dead, to see what I thought and to each in their own way tell me how they were near tears at just the thought of how horrible it would be for them, and for me, if I was still there.

Southern Boy watched CNN for hours with me, and I poured over the details as he stroked my hair. I'm sorry to keep harping on this, I kept saying, it's just so weird that this happened there. He nodded.

As I sit now at my desk, some disgusting Hollywood Access-ish show plays in the other room, getting Hollywood's reaction to the tragedy. To hear the name of the institution being said over and over again in the cheesy announcer's voice sickens me a bit. I've never been one of those people who goes crazy over my Alma Mater, but hearing about it with all of these negative associations saddens me.

I guess it's really sinking in now. The whole world, especially to those who have some personal connection, I suppose has changed. Will we ever be able to remember this place again without a cloud?

I loved my four years at Virginia Tech, and hope that soon all of us, and the whole country, will be able to remember, untainted, all of the wonderful things about this university and our time there.

- Rees
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Class of 2001, BA in Theatre Arts, Minor in Music

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Dear John,

Hey there, little bro! You're in the home stretch! Only about a month left of your deployment. How time flies when you're under water for six months straight, huh? Ok, maybe it's just me that the six months have flown by for. I'm sure for you they have been pretty rough.

Things here are good! I finally got moved into the new place last weekend, so this past week has been a barrage of unpacking, Target runs, and figuring out where in the hell I'm going to dispose of all of these boxes when I'm done with them. I write this now from my new office (aka, the second bedroom). I have to say, so far this is my favorite room in the house. Having my desk next to a window is fantastic. It's very peaceful in here. Who knows - maybe it will serve it's purpose and I'll actually be more on top of work. Or maybe I'll just spend more time shopping online. :)

Work has been great. Last night I partnered with one of my restaurant clients and hosted my first ever wine dinner! We did all New Zealand wines, which were really phenomenal. Turnout was less than we had anticipated, but that actually ended up being ok because it made for a much more intimate setting and everyone had a really good time. We even sold like three and a half more cases by the end of the dinner, so that made us happy. Not bad for a first time out.

So I've been seeing someone new. So far so good. I mean, I think. We have fun together, he's really sweet. To be honest, I'm not sure if there is any long term potential. I mean, he's great and all, but we haven't really defined the relationship yet. Which I'm fine with, because I'm not sure if I'm ready for labels. Or maybe I'm not sure if I'm ready for a label with him. I don't know. All I do know, is that it's been a fun few weeks, so I try to just focus on that. He's got a toothbrush at my new place. How weird is that? Or wonderful? Is it weird or wonderful? I can't decide.

So that's really it. Moving, work, new boy... life has been treatin' me well lately. We're all hoping that you'll be able to come home this summer for a visit before your boat heads off to New Hampshire. Write back soon, and be sure to call me next time you are in a port.

Love,
Rees