Quinta Noval 1991

I've grown tired of saving this bottle of Port. I bought it over 10 years ago and planned on opening it with my ex on our 10th anniversary. We didn't make it that far. Close, but no cigar.

Next I decided that I would wait until I had found my true soulmate and we would open the aged bottle of port wine together someday. We would toast our love together and raise our glasses to our future.

I am my own valentine right now, so I opened the bottle and raised a glass to me last night. And you know what? I feel great. It was like a weight fell of my shoulders knowing I wasn't waiting around anymore for someone to come along.

Besides, if he shows up someday I can always order a better and older port wine online. Cheers!

Cultspeak

So, if you say to me, "Please join us for dinner at The Nice Restaurant next week. We're getting a big group together to celebrate my birthday! My whole family and lots of my friends are coming. My cousin and his wife will also be there."

What I hear, is this: "We are gathering together a large group of people who share no common bond other than their single-minded devotion to one person. We are going to overtake a restaurant and draw a great amount of attention to ourselves simply by sheer force of numbers."

Something to keep in mind.

Today is Monday

I am working at a call center and am reminded daily of my superior intelligence due to exchanges like this:

Customer: Is Churchill Downs' deposit window open today?
Me: Churchill Downs is open Wednesday - Sunday.
Customer: So they are not open today?
(Do I really have to answer this? I guess so. He is still waiting for me to respond.)
Me: Today is Monday, so, no.

Hope

Hello. Hello? Is this thing on?

So, clearly I have not felt it necessary to keep Hot Toddy's Toaster Oven updated. But let's just consider 2009 pretty much a wash except for a total of about 2 weeks of complete fun, love and laughter. More about that another time.

To summarize what has been going on, I'll start by saying that I've learned a lot in the past year. I think I'm finally figuring out how to just appreciate what I have and not NEEEEEED so much. Looking back on the past few years, I see in myself such a greediness. For the attention of people - for things - for more money - for more recognition - for sex - for relationships - so much striving to own. To possess.

I think I am finally letting go and just practicing gratitude for what is present in my life. Right now the old radiator in my apartment is hissing and spitting away. This is a reminder that soon it will be very warm in here and I won't feel too cold after my shower. There is coffee brewing in the kitchen - a gift from my friend Charlotte in Arizona. It smells rich and strong, just the way I love my coffee. I found a new song to love and listen to on my way to work and am actually looking forward to climbing in my completely paid off truck and heading to the office. The song? "Come to Me" by Mary J. Blige. Such awesome harmonies - one of those songs ya just gotta blast.

I'm so grateful to have a job right now - even a temporary one. I worked at a call center in Baltimore for IBM and swore I'd never do it again. But there is something different about this company. At this job I've met some incredibly funny and creative people that I consider to be friends. This was supposed to be a 10-day assignment, but I've been there long enough to have been reminded by the computer to change my password twice. I guess I've been there about 3 months now.

Pua reminded me that I need to keep blogging. Several friends have been encouraging me to write and attempt to publish something again. It's been a couple years since I have had anything published, and lord knows I have the material now!

Is anyone still out there reading?