Night Cap

The other night I went to my first hockey game. I went with my friend Rick who I've known for about four years. His hometown team was playing so he was very excited and I couldn't really cheer for the Washington Caps. I'm afraid of heights so being in the nose bleed 400 section was not initially pleasant. A couple of beers helped though. I was hoping to see one of those infamous hockey fights but it didn't happen. I got the feeling that most of this crowd was not made up of DC residents or frequent visitors other than to hockey games and possibly work. It was a fun night out though - something I'd do with a boyfriend. People have often asked why I'm not dating him since: he is straight, actually likes to go out dancing, we hang out all the time and always seem to have fun. Well, I now realize why. Rick is the eternal frat boy - just not in the really annoying way that some can be. He is a mature frat boy. But for a man in his late thirties, I've never taken him seriously for precisely that reason. While I enjoy partying, it's like a sport for him. He's always had a roommate, plays every college-like sport there is, keeps beer in his car, always knows of a buddy throwing a get together which consists of beer, chips and watching a game, only likes to drink in bars that support his hometown teams...You get the picture.
We went back to his place for a late dinner and movies. And just like guys in college, I had to remind him that we were "just friends" and I was not interested in "fooling around". We're both used to the conversation. I think he figures that he might as well try. He fell asleep in the middle of the movie after his second beer. I called a cab.
And as usual, he called the next day to see if I wanted to hang out at his buddy's "kick-ass" party.

Sphere: Related Content

Happy Holidays

What does a single girl do for the holidays when her artist mother has uprooted and moved to yet another city and her married with kids sister is on the verge of divorce? Uh, stay home and make the most of the solitude, of course. While I do have several single compadres to share the holidays with, I've realized that I'm just not a holiday kind of girl. Which is not the same as a grinch - thank you very much! So, I just chose to stay home with me, myself, and I. What did I do?

12:00 noon - woke up and made coffee; check many voice mails and texts. Man, people love holidays! Is this the only legitimate time to communicate with people you know?
12:45 - realized that once again, like Thanksgiving, I'm getting all sorts of text messages from numbers I don't recognize or people I haven't spoken to in over a year. What's up with that?!
1:00 - more coffee with poached eggs and bacon
2:00 - call to sister who almost immediately engages in argument with husband. End call abruptly. Whew! Glad I'm not married.
2:30 - settle in with coffee and begin watching the traditional NBA Christmas double-header. Nothing like big, sweaty men!
3:30 - text messages to and from long distance friends (that I actually talk to on a regular basis) that continue throughout the day.
4:00 - check email; add to and re-order Netflix list. This takes quite some time.
6:00 - make list of what needs to be cleaned, fixed, or thrown away before the new year. I have a phobia about going into the new year with dirty, unfinished stuff.
7:00 - get work done on projects that start in January
9:00 - distract myself with clothes on shopbop.com and netaporter.com. Decide that I need a new look for 2009. But what?
10:00 - realize that beer is making me sleepy and hungry and decide to come up with an innovative dinner out of food in the fridge. Innovative indeed since I have not been grocery shopping in a month
10:30 - decide on a fish stew that combines Asian and African flavors: yummy!
12:00am - while stew simmers, write in journal. Reflect on the bad man choices but applaud those I didn't return to in 2008. Get a head start on New Year's resolutions.
2:00 am - hot bubble bath, candles, soft music, and....sleep.

Sphere: Related Content

I Love the Blogosphere

I have been outrageously slow in posting lately. Blame it on the cold weather or my crazy draining job or the stressful holiday season...yada, yada. Ok, I'm just a slacker. Well, anyway, last weekend I am happy to say that I finally met up with Shaw Girl, the author of Adventures in Shaw. I am now completely convinced that men in DC have no reason to complain about the availability of great single women. Shaw Girl is a cool, talented, funny, cooking/baking, photographer who can even tango. And she's my neighbor, which is why I love the blogosphere. In this workaholic city we live in, the two of us may never have met were it not for the web. Fortunately, after many emails and text messages, we finally met up at the 14th street Busboys and Poets. Our original plan was hot chocolate at ACKC but it was packed (darn yuppies!). We had some tasty desserts even though my bread pudding resembled stuffing and I would have preferred her sweet treats that I've drooled over on her blog. But the real treat was the conversation. It's nice to know that you're not alone when it comes to crazy guy stories. And it's nice to know that we single girls somehow remain sane in the process.

Sphere: Related Content

Quantum of Solace: Planes, Boats, and Automobiles

Last night I needed some eye candy so I went to see the second James Bond film starring Daniel Craig as Bond, Quantum of Solace. I absolutely loved Casino Royale and I'm not even that big of a James Bond fan. But this one? Not hardly as much. Like some other reviewers, I agree that there was not enough of the super cool Bond, the glitz, glam, swagger, and sex. In this one, he comes across as mean, callous, unhappy, overconfident (even for James Bond), and just plain stupid. I'm not a guy and even I couldn't understand how he didn't take time to sleep with the main leading lady, Olga Kurylenko, who is gorgeous. After a while, those action scenes in various forms of transportation were just starting to look unbelievably goofy. But then...ok, the man is just hot! The penetrating eyes, the walk, the pout, and the ability to wear anything like nobody's business (as the pictures illustrate). And you've gotta love Judi Dench. She's one of the best actresses ever. By the end of the movie, all you can say is that you want Daniel Craig on your side in times of trouble.

Sphere: Related Content

You and Your Queue

I have to admit that I'm one of those Gen X'ers who can't quite keep up with the new stuff. You know what I mean: ipods, iphones, digital cameras, tivo...you name it. Heck, I don't even have cable. So, it's no wonder that I'm a recent convert to Netflix. And now I'm addicted. I find myself messing around with my queue way too often. I'm checking on what's coming next, adding stuff at 3 am, re-ordering it several times, etc. Of course, this probably has something to do with the fact that's it's so frigid out that even I don't want to go out and watching a movie with a glass of wine seems like such a better option. Given the suggestions I'm offered based on my selections, I got to wondering about what my queue says about me and whether or not I can be easily categorized. Let's see, what do I have in my queue right now?

• Mad Men Season 1
• Amelie
• Bourdain: No Reservations
• Diva
• World in the Balance
• Party Girl (why don't I own this?!)
• The Starter Wife
• Project Runway: Season 4 - very long wait :(

What does this say about me? Special request: send me an email or comment and share your queue. What does it say about you?

Sphere: Related Content