November 2005 Archives

I had a brilliant weekend. This included an amazing chat on Friday via IM with a friend from the past. This was followed up by a dinner party on Saturday night and a champagne brunch on Sunday.

Now, here it is Monday, I'm in a pissy mood. Things started to go downhill when I talked to IT Guy last night. Then the voice mail from the distance relative this morning sent me over the edge. So I'm a bit tense at the moment.

At least tonight I get to distract myself with a Junior League meeting; same for tomorrow night. Then on Wednesday I'm suppose to go on date number two with IT Guy. But I'm thinking about cancelling because the more I talk to him, the less attractive he becomes. Plus I'm just not getting that intoxicating head-spinning feeling typically experienced at the beginning of a romance. Part of it is that he reminds me of Racquetball Guy and if I’m honest with myself I’d admit that I had my doubts almost from the beginning with that relationship. So I'm thinking about backing away before I fall into another relationship just because I no longer wish to be single. Life is just too short to settle or get distracted by another bad choice. Particularly since I'm becoming more in tune with what I want in a boyfriend/lover/husband and I already know IT Guy no longer fits the profile.

To my immediate family members: My moving to London was not to become hotelier for people I don't know. Sure its ok to give out my contact details to distant relatives so that we can connect. But if I've never even met them, I'm not going to agree to put them up for days on end. So do not suggest to them that I might do that. Heck, I'm not even going to return their calls in whatever distant lands they may be coming from. I'll wait for them to call me from their London hotel. Call me selfish, but I’m just not comfortable with overnight guests I don't know. Not when I don't have a second bedroom and not if its going to mean a disruption in my daily routine and not if they expect me to play host/tour guide. More importantly, this is my new life. I want and need to be void of drama. So if they want to meet up for lunch or dinner to made an introduction, I'd welcome that. But please don't tell them that I'd be open to them staying overnight.

I was on the bus this afternoon on the way back from running errands and all of a sudden, I was thinking of tantric sex and wondering that would be like. Why, I have no idea. Well maybe it has something to do with the fact that woman supposedly peak sexually in their thirties. Whatever the reason, I need to file in the back of my mind. Well at least until I find a worthy partner.

Build your own, glitter graphic here.

So the date went well with IT Guy. There is even talk of a second date. So why is it that I'm suddenly thinking about someone from my past? No, it's not Racquetball Guy or any other boy/man I've dated. It's just someone who has always offered words of encouragement and support since I met him 10 years ago. What sucks about the whole situation is that while not married he is not single either. Plus we now live in different parts of the world so the idea of even testing the waters for a possible romance is crazy. More importantly, I don't even think he likes me in that way. So why the sudden fixation on this person? I have no idea but I'm just going to have to get these fantasies out of my head. Thus, I'm going to take a cold shower and do a reality check. Furthermore, I'm going to focus on the person in front of me. IT Guy, does seem like a really nice person. So I'm going to give things a chance because really, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Remember, Choo-Choo was here first!

More importantly, he's not going anywhere. So if you grow to like and eventually love me, know that I'll expect you to embrace Choo-Choo as well.

Well really, it was only a year ago...

Yes! I cooked the food! And yes, there were only two of us for dinner.

No turkey for me today (I'll get that on Sunday when I go to this Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch), but at least I'm moving forward with the date today. So in addition to the general things that one is thankful for at this time of year (life, family, new friends, old friends, reasonable good health, Choo-Choo, job, the Internet, etc.), I'm thankful for the upcoming date. Of course, I did warn IT Guy that I may need to cut things short if I break out in a coughing attack. Hopefully it won't come to that. Either way, I'm trying not to have high expectations. Only goal is to have a good time. Hopefully that won't be too difficult. With that said, Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate. May you, like me, have many things to to be thankful for this year.

I've got a cold again that is now in the coughing stage. As such, do I reschedule my first date currently with IT Guy currently slated for tomorrow? Or do I keep the commitment as it stands?

One of the restaurants I dined at while in New Orleans two summers ago, sent me their quarterly e-newsletter with a fabulous recipe for Grits and Grillades, along with an appeal to come back and enjoy their fine cooking. I'd love to show my support (the food was mouth watering good), but since I'm across the pond, thought I'd post to encourage one or two of you closer to that part of the world.

Dear Ursula, Thank you for being a part of our email family! Fortunately, the restaurant sustained only minor damage during Hurricane Katrina and we will reopen on November 29th. The French Quarter and our CBD are recovering more quickly than many parts of the city. There are more and more shops, restaurants and hotels opening everyday. For additional information visit www.neworleanscvb.com. I hope that you will visit us soon and help support the recovery of New Orleans!

Also, on December 26, 2005 on the Food Network at 9:00 p.m. both Eastern and Pacific times Marc Summers, the host of “Unwrapped” will explore distinctive and unusual brunches including The Court of Two Sisters’ daily Jazz Brunch!

Reservations, which are recommended, can be requested by visiting www.courtoftwosisters.com or by calling 504-522-7261. Also, gift certificates and souvenirs including our cookbook, apron and ceramic Christmas ornament are for sale on our website or by calling 504-522-7261. Thank you again and Bon Appetit!

Sincerely,

Joe Fein III - President
The Court of Two Sisters

Goodness, what a different a few weeks make. Back then my life revolved around work. Now, as evidenced by my activities for the last 9 days, there is greater balance...or at least a lot more activities beyond work. I'm exhausted by it all, but I'm feeling good about getting out and meeting more people.

Saturday (November 12th): Met up with one of my neighbors from New Zealand and went to an ice hockey game. Later, we went for drinks at The White House Pub.

Sunday (November 13th): Went to Adorment 2005. It's an exhibition focused on: "locks, natural hair, health, beauty and wearable art." Spent more time there than originally planned as I met up with some of the women on the Nappturality forum.

Monday (November 14th): I had dinner at Bodeans with one of my good friends from Michigan. She and her husband were on a short vacation break from Kuwait. They are both there working for one of the military contractors. God bless them for being over there. Based on the restrictive nature of the culture, I know I couldn't.

Tuesday (November 15th): Helped out by passing canapés at Boutique de Noel. If I had gotten my act together, I actually could have purchased Christmas gifts as there were some pretty cool items at very reasonable prices. But since I hadn't planned for that, I ended up just bidding on one of the silent auction items.

Wednesday (November 16th): This was a day of rest. Thank goodness. The events from the last four days, never mind the week before had left me completely exhausted.

Thursday (November 17th): Attended another Junior League of London meeting. As part of the new membership program, our class (45 women strong) have to organize and execute on a volunteer event. Our project is to help one of the local schools make a quilt representing all members of the school. Basically, each child is doing a self portrait and we are helping them put it together.

Friday (November 18th): Finally got around to seeing In Her Shoes at the movies. Not as good as the book by Jennifer Weiner on which its based, but would still highly recommend.

Saturday (November 19th): Went to Henry J. Beans Bar to watch Michigan vs. Ohio State football game. It sucks that Michigan lost but glad I went as I ended up making fast friends with one of the gals there and she invited me to a birthday party later that night being held at the Alibi Bar. It was the sort of scene I ran from in my twenties and I probably (well definitely) wouldn’t want to go to that sort of event every weekend, but glad I went...even if it did require me to go home and put on proper party gear which meant an hour each way on the trains.

Sunday (November 20th): Was suppose to meet up for brunch with some expats from the UK-Yankee forum, but I got home so late last night (really after 3am this morning) that I decided just to rest. Particularly since I am once again battling another cold. Next week promises to be even more interesting. Did I mention I have an upcoming date? Oh yeah! I'm not getting my hopes up too high about the date, but I'm feeling pretty good about how things are progressing with my new life in London.

If you are in London, and have the time, consider checking out Boutique de Noel. It a great way to get a jump start your holiday shopping as well as make a contribution to a worthy cause. Event is a fundraiser for the Junior League of London which is raising money for families in need.

I guess I shouldn't quit my day job. Damn!

My blog is worth $15,242.58.
How much is your blog worth?

Tool uncovered while stopping over at Business Opportunities Weblog which I came upon after reading this article at Slate.

I had drinks last night with a few other expats at this bar called the Bonds, and I'm feeling much better about thing. So while still a bit homesick, I'm back to thinking that my glass is very much half full.

The first signs of the upcoming holidays are starting to appear and I'm feeling completely homesick. Not good when I've already decided not to go back to America for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I had planned to go to Montserrat for two weeks, but I didn't pull the trigger soon enough and now the air tickets are ridiculously expensive. So will leave that trip for spring when rates are more reasonable. With that, the next couple months should be quite interesting. I am toying with the idea of doing another couple weekend breaks in Europe, but with so many choices (Rome, Paris, Brussels, etc), I can't decide where to go. Plus travelling alone during the holidays doesn’t really appeal to me. So thinking I might just stay in London and perhaps use this opportunity to seek out my very distant relatives over here. I'm not sure this will completely help me overcome feeling homesick during the holidays, but it’s a start.

The English could learn a thing or two from the Americans when it comes to putting on a proper fireworks celebration, nonetheless, Wandsworth Council gets an A for effort as not only did they have a fireworks display that went on for a good 20minutes, but they also had a huge bonfire that up close was simply, hot! hot! hot! All of this was in celebration of Guy Fawkes Night which they tell me has something to do with a plot by a group of Roman Catholics dating back to 1605 to blow up the Houses of Parliament, with the government, King James I, his Queen and their son. Obviously they were not successful.