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If only in my head

Bad pics

Just thought I'd share some really crappy pictures off my cell phone.

Took the baby for her first ride in the Saab. She was flipped out by the car...not used to anything other than SUVs she quickly explored the vehicle while I entered the 'mart for beverage and rested on the back window dash. Took some convincing but she finally got down.

So, took the car in, as I believe I have posted previously, for some warranty work done. Had buttons replaced, headlight lenses replaced, etc. This is a Cadillac/Saab dealer so when I was picking up the rental they offered me an Impala. I asked if they had anything smaller; the guy responded he never heard that asked here...made sense with the Cadillac crew.

They took care of everything and then some. The CD player wasn't in yet so I'd need to come back another day for that when it did arrive. When I turned in the rental keys the woman who was now at the desk said 9-3 drivers aren't very thrilled with Enterprise at this local anyway because of the selection. She was putting another 9-3 driver in an SUV and the woman told her "no way, not happening"; I totally empathized with her, lol.

So about three days go by and I get that call; cd player is in. It will take a couple of hours so I call my hon to pick me up and do some shopping.

While I'm in the "Customer Lounge" waiting, I notice the assortment of refreshments they have for those who choose to linger for their cars. There's bagels, scones, donuts, and muffins to the left and a toaster and microwave for whichever warming utility you prefer. In the center, below the tv, is a cooler with V8, juice, water, and soda. There're coffees and teas and an espresso/cappuccino machine next to that. But perhaps the item that most tickled my fancy was on the far left, near the gentleman standing (tried to zoom it in), is an ice cream machine. There are cups and cones, again for whichever your preference, and the flavour on this particular day was pistachio almond. I was tempted but, alas my ride arrived all too quickly and I didn't partake. Yea, I am loving this car for a multitude of reasons.

They made the interior look brand new and the exterior shine like an angel. Each time I bring it in they return her washed and polished. She's dirty from the rain last week so I'm bringing her back in...kidding. Took some great winter pics (autumn elsewhere) of her in the leaves as the trees dumped their foliage last month. I'll try to post when I get them downloaded. I know you're absolutely waiting with baited breath now; just remember to breathe.

What IS the rush?

There's conflict everyday. War, neighbors, family, work, and in our own heads. What struck me this afternoon (not some grand revelation, mind you) was that we aren't clear at all.

This all started while I was driving this afternoon. This crazy, chevy, little car was bobbing and weaving on a two lane, 45mph road going nowhere. She would enter one lane to swerve right back where she was and repeated this all the way to the light. She came off quite foolish. I watched as the guy behind her (and next to me) shook his head and mouthed "What's your rush?"

In a world full of cliche's - we say "what's the hurry, stop and smell the roses, enjoy the view, haste makes waste, etc." while in another breath we say "early bird gets the worm, life's short, you only live once, and so on." We are walking, living, breathing contradictions. What is the true path? What is the proper frame of mind? Some may say it depends on the situation but is that so? Strong and steady or fast and furious, that is the question.

For me, I tend to be the latter. Not because I'm packing in life to the fullest but because my Type-A personality needs me to get it done, NOW. I am in constant competition with myself to be faster, better, smarter, whatever it is that is desired in the moment. Is this healthy, absolutely not.

I've posted before about curbing spending habits and avoiding brand new; work the barter, prev used system and try to produce/waste less and appreciate more. This also goes to the next level in everything we do. We need to waste less energy as individuals. I'm not talking about fuel and living green when I say this. It's not to doddle around life and lay on a couch but perhaps racing to the finish line isn't what it's cracked up to be. All this pressure on myself and what we put on ourselves daily is damaging. The stress from work, home, traffic, everywhere - it's enough. Why would I want to put more on myself.

Today was a very relaxed and enjoyed day. There's a Coca-cola cartoon commercial they preview at theatres lately, where a "bad" guy enters the scene and people fearfully run and hide. Then he opens a Coke (beverage), the song begins to play(you give a little love and it all comes back to you), the screen brightens up, and he fulfills an abundance of good deeds.

This was my frame of mind today. I didn't curse any drivers, I didn't race to be first, I patiently waited on line at the gas station, and even purchased a colouring book off of a girl in the parking lot trying to get to Knotts Berry Farm.

It was a good day. I liked myself. I wasn't stressed or uptight. There's something to that.

Now if I can capture that and live it daily; "like gold in my hand." Indeed.

Whiskey-a- SOHO?

My partner and I flew to Florida for her sister's 40th. Had an amazing, albeit inebriated, weekend. Really did have a wonderful time but boy did it fly.

We flew out Thursday, met up with her cousin connecting in PHX from OC (now known for this entry as "OC"), and arrived into Tampa late afternoon. Her sister, the b-day gal, and NY friend ( aka - tweety; she sings a lot), took us to the Green Iguana for some lunch/dinner and cocktails. Fun place off the water with some mood lighting (fire pit) on the patio. The weather was generously warm especially considering PHX has been cold (not NW cold but cold nonetheless).

Well, that's where it started. I only had one drink while we were there. Then we headed home to drop our bags and get it together.

After we established bedrooms for the weekend we set out to the bar. My partner's other sister just sold and bought bars so we thought we'd visit and check out the new digs.

No sooner would I finish a drink, another was in my hand. It was poker night so the juke box was playing but the crowd was pretty laid back. We stayed for a bit, got nice and tipsy, then went home and headed for bed.

The other household went out for mani/pedis while our house staggered in for her bro-n-law's french toast, YUM!!! Then we went shopping, bought sunglasses, because like a dolt, I forgot mine and some shoes for my honey - good thing I pack light!! LOL! Had Greek for lunch then met up back at b-day girl's house for dinner. Then it was back out to the bar.

Another evening drinking although the Friday crowd was quite different. We surprised her sister, who was working again. She poured shots and we all drank...and drank...and drank. She was strutting on the bar, we were hanging out in the billiard area for some "lip time", and some young pup was trying to pick up OC. I do recall that after a certain point my honey, laughing, telling me to hold onto the bottle. "Do not put that down; just hold it. Otherwise she'll keep giving you another!" We closed the bar, had a blast, and dropped off OC and Tweety.

Woke up Saturday with the intentions of taking her neice and nephew to the park. Yea, that didn't happen. Went shopping that afternoon for a gift and then home to get gussied up. Limo arrived just after 9pm and we headed to SOHO, South of Howard, in Tampa.

There was this place called Whiskey SOHO which was very uber trendy and the crowd was equally so. The bar/club/restaurant itself was nice and done well and the food/apps were great. We closed Whiskey's and was back in the car, drinking. We were all adequately trashed to the point that getting in and out of the limo was a hell of work out.

Sunday; finally got the kids to the park and sweated our asses off - 85 F outside. What the hell, it's January!!!??? Trip went way too fast. I really could have used another couple of days but at the same time really needed to go home to relax.