Two is Better Than One

I just got back from lovely Houston. 2 trips within one week of each other and wow - still loving the travel and all the people I get to meet in H-Town...

FYI - there are two Westin hotels at The Galleria. And it's very easy to confuse them. One, in my opinion is a lot nicer or more up to date than the other. Last week when I was there, I was at the Oaks location. Remember, I had a suberb stay because I just love hotels.

I assumed I was booked at the same hotel location for this second trip, especially since it was the same person who did the bookings. Nope! I was bluntly told by the front desk that I was at the wrong location and that my reservation was at the other Westin.

"with the crappy rooms?"

The front desk girl looked at me like I was crazy and informed me that since they are the same hotel, the rooms are identical.
Hmph.

Off into the mall I went with my girly rolling luggage. Oh lookey here, the other Westin is conveniently next door to The Limited.

I haven't been inside a Limited in a really long time, so I made a pit stop.

Maybe it was fate that I was booked at the other hotel because I found two of the cutest dresses totalling $60 in purchase for both! It was a good day. And it was only 3pm. Yep - I shopped on the clock. So, what?

I checked into this other hotel. And I am here to tell you now, no the rooms are not identical. This other Westin, kinda sucks. It's older and smelly.

But I did get a $20 room service credit for the mishap, so I was not going to complain. Just jump into the shower and get ready for our event.

Two shower heads rock my world.

There is nothing like taking a shower with extreme water pressure - that is the best - but add 2 shower heads giving it to you hard. HOLEY MOLEY. It is Heaven.
(oh and FYI - the nicer other Westin had 2 shower heads as well, but not the hardcore water pressure)

Then it was party time. And party we did. We had the creme de la creme of Houston high society in our store. It was awesome.

My favorite part of working for a jewelry store and having to work from the actual store on event days - is, of course, the jewelry!

I love the feeling and fact that I am allowed to point to anything in the cases and where what I please for the rest of the day. I love love love love that perk.
Thursday I wore a $15,000 necklace - it was to die for and probably my most favorite item in the store. It was definitely my Holly Golightly moment of the day ;)

After the event I met my friend and her French boyfriend for dinner.
They are the cutest couple in my world right now. I seriously didn't think couples get this cute but they are. Sitting across from them, I was a little envious and found myself wishing for a boyfriend ASAP. But I am so happy for her, if anyone deserves the amount of happiness he is giving her - it is her.

We called it an early night and I went back to the other hotel. Before slipping into bed, I ordered my breakfast.

There is something to be said about breakfast delivered on a rolling cart, with all the fixings just for you while you are in your white hotel robe. It makes me feel like some VIP modern princess...
It was superb. I think I need to start ordering room service from here on out. It's not that expensive - I mean it is compared to getting off your fanny and going to the restaurant. You pay for the convenience but what a great convenience it is.

Another hop into my dual shower head shower and I was ready to rock and roll back to Dallas.

HA HA HA HA

The weather had a different idea. My flight was cancelled and I spent an extra two hours in the airport. What fun! (sarcasm)

Thank goodness I was able to get onto one of the next flights because it put me back home before the real lightening and thunder struck up here.

The best part of that is today we are blessed with a beautiful sunny day and light breeze. I think I'm going to go walk to lunch and treat myself to a pedicure. Ciao.

A Bunch of Random

I must say that each time I go to Houston, I fall more and more in love with the city. Mind you, I have not stepped one foot outside the 'loop' so we're just talking downtown area. And it's gotten ten times cuter than 7 years ago, I can tell you that.

I stayed at a bad ass hotel and got the pimpest room of all - a king size suite. Did you know I am a hotel whore? I love them. It should be noted I haven't stayed anywhere less of 4 stars.

I met Lil Ashley. Bev's Lil Ashley. After she found out that we were both staying at the same place (kinda) she hooked us up with each other's phone numbers. Presto! I met her in the hotel lobby and we chatted late one night. It was fab. I needed it more than I think she needed to vent about her job. I was having one of those moments leading up to a crappy weekend - I just didn't realize it then. In hindsight that was one of the last few good moments of being me before the crap hit.

I met my College Roomie out for happy hour. She continuously called tapas, tapias. It got on my last nerve. I kept correcting her and she even said it to the waiter. Oy. Then I find out that her husband has lied to her about his age. Uhm hmm. She so thought he was 41, unh unh homeboy is 46.
YES!
I'm sorry but isn't that a huge lie? What makes it worse in my eyes is that she totally celebrated his 40th birthday with him. That's a big deal. Come to it, it was really his 45th birthday.

(oh and yeah you are doing the math correctly - she is married to someone 16 years older than us. It's okay because when I was in college I dated a guy 15 years older than me, and while there were perks - boy oh boy were there perks - she was one of the few that made it known to me how disgusted she was because of our relationship...looky at her now. And can I add? I always knew my boyfriends real age.)

One of my good friends got engaged over the weekend. She is probably my wildest friend - the only person that can seriously have me laughing my ass off for hours. Hopefully she knows her fiance's real age.

Now over in Boyville, hmm, where can I start?
This is where I feel like a crush slut.
I think I have 3 simultaneous crushes happening right now. Not that I've been on a date with any of them. But is it alright to be crushing after more than one guy? What are the rules, here?

Guy #1 - Hmm. Hmm. Let's just say, a long time ago he and I met. We were drinking, I wasn't drunk, he was. We went back to his place - nothing happened (I swear) I spent the night and never heard from him again. And I called him. Twice.
Years later, what goes around comes around, and we now hang out in the same circle - again. Well, when I ran into him again with the crowd, he is ten times hotter than what I remembered. We've been email flirting back and forth for a bit now.

Guy #2 - Uh oh. Uh oh. He is friends with the above. So, let's move on. (because I am listing this in order of preference)

Guy #3 - This one might not count. I work with him and I don't want to get mixed into company ink. And I think this just may be a proximity crush and not a real crush.

And did you notice San Antonio Boy is not on the list? I'm thisclose to giving up on him. Truly. And his drop dead date is April 11. So, we'll have a recap of him after that day.

Is There Therapy For This?

Let's preface this by saying: I am not exagerrating.

You may want to make sure your feet are propped off the floor while reading this one.

It's story time.

I have never in my life seen a mouse or rat. Never. Mickey Mouse and I used to be down - as of today, we are not. I am scarred for life.

Monday evening around 6:30 I received a frantic call from my coworker. There was screaming and laughing in the background. "Golightly! Our manager just saw a mouse! It was in her cube!"

Ewwwwwww, was my first reaction. My second reaction is probably like yours, 'why are you still at the office?'

(I also should tell you that my manager keeps all sorts of crazy food in her cube.)

Tuesday I went in all chipper and all anyone who was there the night before could talk about was this mouse. I found it disgusting. Around 11am; I had enough with the mice talk and stated "We seriously need to stop talking about this darn mouse"
My feet were firmly planted on the floor.

The entire day went by and since we knew the maintenance men set traps Monday night - we were all feeling pretty safe and back to comfortable at our desks.

This morning I came into work. Mouse forgotten - but that's the thing you should never let your guard down, at least not with rodents.

I should have known this because once there were some standoffs between me and this cockroach in my 1st apartment (in SA - and I think San Antonio is the worst place when it comes to cockroaches. Seriously. They are HUGE down there) The cockroach won the battles, but I won the war. It took some days, but I won! Where do those pesky run to and how do they know at split second which way to get to the crack in the wall?

I get into work around 8am. Feet firmly planted, comfortably on the floor. Turn on computer. Put lunch in the break room refrigerator. Set cell phone on vibrate. I'm set and ready to start the work day. An hour goes by. No talk of this mouse. My manager comes into work (yeah I get there an hour before she does - I told you I am hot when it comes to being a good worker bee); she sits at my guest chair and we gab a bit about our Houston trip tomorrow. She leaves to go get her daily cup of coffee.
I get more comfortable and settle into my usual seating position - one leg propped under me and the other set on the ground.
A buyer comes over and is discussing some work she has for me.

As she is talking, I feel a slight breeze at the hem of my pant and a wee bit pressure on my foot. I don't think twice...

But if you could have seen her face the moment she saw what we all know I'm talking about - you'd know that this was no mouse...

BUT A FUCKING RAT!

At my feet! In my cube! On my pant hem and my shoe. My shoe! Wait for it....

MY SHOE!!!!!!!
My freaking cute as sunshine shoe!!

Pause for hibbie jeebie moment.
Shake it off. Shake it off. Shake it off.

I immediately started screaming (uh huh, I'm a screamer) and jump out of my cube. Screaming like a banshee I am running as fast as I can away from my cubicle.

Of course people jump away from their desks to see who died. Yes. My rat screams are that bad. And the entire office is now on heightened rat look out.

Nobody's feet are safe on the floor.

It was such a challenge to continue working for the rest of the day. The buyer even told us how the rat was at least 6 inches long.

I have no idea where it went, but I swear and I told everyone if I see that thing or feel it one more time I am going home.
And I need to see the damn thing dead before I am comfortable again.

To make matters worse it was all anyone could talk about all day. I don't know what was worse the feeling of a rat at your feet or people asking to hear the story over and over again, of how I screamed like a girl for 15 minutes because of the rat.

Ewww. I can't even type it without 'ewwing'

I am so traumatized. Every shadow and movement out the corner of my eye is a possible rodent. Each brush of my pant leg against my skin makes me jump. And the sight of my shoes makes me want to hurl. How will I wear them again?

Drat!

Early Bird

Do you know what happens to you when you start drinking at 10am?
You're tipsy at eleven. You're drunk by noon. Crazy drunk at three. Starving at five. And ready to see your bed at eight.

And we weren't just celebrating St.Patty's Day - I'm an aunt-sorta.

My very good friend had her baby girl yesterday morning and since I was partying with most of her and her husband's friends - we did as Irish do and drank up to that as well.

FYI: The baby is presh - gorgeous. I love love love her. She is too cute.

And so the drinking began. I made some kick ass bloody marys. It was breakfast and what else are you suppose to drink that early? Mimosas are too frou frou. Give me the vodka and lets kick into high gear.

Being tipsy and in a cab van with nine people is so much fun. I didn't even remember I was in Dallas at one point during the cab ride. Where I thought I was, I have no idea.
Luckily we ended at the house party quick enough for me to get my bearings straight.

I'm just gonna say this, so its out there: HELLO! - there were some hot boys in Dallas! I finally found them and where they hang out. Too bad most of them were around the age of 25, but cute nonetheless.

And I'm sunburned. How? I have no idea. My forehead and nose look the same as they did when I came back from the Mexico trip. And it hurts to scrunch my nose.

After an hour of partying it up. Me and another found ourselves particularly starving. So we ordered a pizza. Because who the heck has a houseparty with no food? Not even a chip or a dip. Just kegs. And yes, I know we were there to drink but come on - some bread at least to soak it up would've been nice. At least.

Whiff of our pizza brought in a crowd. We had to hide behind a car - like a threesome of vagabonds scarfing it down. People still found us. And the pizza meant for three became pissa for six. I hate sharing when I'm hungry and drunk.

Grrr...

We eventually moved onto the street party. (I think thats when the sunburning began) Seriously we were just standing in the street, surrounded by drunkasses and cops while drinking. Thank goodness someone got bored of the idea and we started walking. We found a sketchy party to crash. FUN times.
And when I say sketchy believe me: SKETCHY.

Moving on, we drank their beer for a couple of hours and moved on down to lower Greenville to eat. I cannot remember the name of the Chinese restaurant because at this point I was at my drunkest and loudest. I think we were the entertainment at the sit down restaurant. Families were scared of us. I remember eating the best shrimp toast ever and seeing grains of rice scattered in front of me - not on a plate, just scattered. It was one of those places that has a lazy susan in the middle of the table for all to share the food. I think I pushed it too hard at one point because someone was bogarting the orange chicken. And like I said, I don't like to share when I'm drunk and hungry.

We hit one more bar, I danced a lot, and then it was time to go home. The sun had set and I swear it felt like two in the morning. Once back at my car, where I left my phone (yeah I work for a jeweler and don't own a watch) I saw that it was only eight. WTF?

That's how it goes when you start at 10am.

My Secret Is...

I use Dove deodorant.

Lately I've been getting lots of compliments on my skin. As they kept coming in I thought more and more 'hmm...'

I haven't had a pimple in a really long time. I'm not kidding when I say it's been since I told y'all I was breaking out for no reason ( remember I blamed the boy nerves?)

I didn't think I was doing anything different until yesterday when I was washing my face with Antibacterial Hand Soap.

Uh-huh.

It all started one day when I was too lazy to hit up Target for some new face wash and that crap is expensive-
Seriously have you perused the facial beauty section lately?
It is crazy.

Anyways someone gave me the antibacterial hand soap from Bath & Body Works. Its warm vanilla scented. They gave it to me on Valentine's Day to compliment the purse size antibacterial lotion they gave me during Christmas.
Except the hand lotion is the size of a shower gel tube.

One day I washed my face with it.

The smell is so ahhh. And it took off all my make up. Good enough for me. And my face smells all vanilly for half the day!

As you can guess, I have yet, to get my butt to Target for some real facial soap. And I don't think I'm going.

I figured that the antibacterial stuff in the soap is what's keeping the pimples away. Think about it...

and on that note, I also use original formula Listerine on my face as a toner. Yep, yep. When I'm through washing my face (with whatever) I towel dry, then swap a cotton ball with Listerine and swipe my face.

Think of all the germs Listerine kills in your mouth...it can only be doing the same on my face, no?

Yes - my secret is that my face is completely germ free.

Qualifications

What is up with lists?

What girl decided that she just had to make a list for her ideal man qualities and from that point on if no man matched it - he could not step up to her? Who was this girl that started this trend? ( I do remember that Real World: Boston cast member had one - hers was like 100 items long. Insane!)

Because I am gosh darn over it. The next friend that pulls out a list and shows me her man qualifications - I'm sorry - I'm taking it and burning it. Done.

I'm sorry if you have one. I'm not neccessarily talking about you - but sheesh - if you have one, please, please comment and explain it to me like a I am a four year old.

I have 2 friends, who I was with last night. Mind, you these are 2 out of 3 of my friends that constantly complain that they are man-less. So, one, you'd think they would be delighted to be matched-up. Not blind date - but group outing match up. No pressure. I wouldn't even let the boys in on it - so, no pressure.

Girl #1 was telling us a story about this guy who liked her. Everything was great - he was funny, good looking, and liked her. A lot. She told us it couldn't go anywhere because he wasn't educated.
Educated?
As in didn't have a college degree. My mouth is at the floor.
Let me tell you why: he owns his own pilot school.
So where he is not educated, he is very successful and makes a lot of money.
No B.A. equals no play, for her.

Of course, I had to debate this. You know, for the boy's sake. Let me let you in on a secret - the President of my company, never went to college.

I grew up in a household where my parents point blank told us: if you don't want to go to college; don't go, don't waste our money, but do know what your options are if you don't.
It was simple. I went. My brother didn't. He has a girlfriend. I? No man here.

Girl #2 only agreed with Girl #1.
So great guy - not a slacker, not a loser, just doesn't own a degree is not dateable because of it?
I find it hard to swallow.

Then Girl #1 was all saying "We all have our thing and our list. If you don't meet it, you cannot date us"

NOPE. Not me. I don't have a list. Which they argued, I have to have standards, right?
Uhm...

OK - here's another secret: I think I have none. At least for the initial meeting.
I'm the girl you will find at the bar talking to anyone. I don't turn down guys because they are 5'5"; a different race from me; or are slightly bigger.

I just think that I cannot dicriminate because who knows what my 'true one and only' looks like? Honestly, I think I only attract a certain type anyway. So it's not like I'm getting the bums on the street.

Girl #2 was shocked. And since we were at her house - she busted out her list. It only had 12 items on it that men must meet.

Twelve!!

I think she should edit it down to one. She's super tall - six feet. So I can understand that she is looking for a tall Mr. Right. Understandable.

But...as for the other 11 items. Crazy! And the fact that she made the list while she was in college boggles me. So, the same man she wanted while in college is the same type she wants now? Unbelievable.

They argued with me up and down that every girl has one. And I know of a few others that carry lists, too.

I guess I'm just one of those people (and scared) that I'll meet the man of my dreams and because he has red hair, I'd pass up the chance?

What do men think about this? Do they have lists, too?

I'll Tell You What I Want What I Really Really Want

I want a certain boy to be around me. Proximity wise. This really really sucks. And note, this is also the time frame where I generally give up on long distance relationships. Hotlanta, we're looking at you.
It's been roughly 3 months that I have known the San Antonio Boy. And let's just say I am thisclose to dunzo.
He hasn't done anything wrong.
It's all about me.

I cannot deal.

Yes - there are phone calls. So, what? Yes - the texting keeps on going. And?
At the end of the day it's still over 300 miles between us.

My last final business trip (a.k.a someone else is paying for it) to San Antonio is April 11.
After that?
I seriously doubt I will see him ever again.
Pessimistic or realistic?

I'm not going to ask him to visit Dallas. Sorry, not happening. I think its too fresh to ask him that. Yeah - 3 months = too fresh. We've only seen each other 3 times since December. Seeing someone 3 times doesn't equal anything in my mind.
And, as someone else is noted, not me ' if we lived in the same city, we'd have been on 20 dates already'.
I find that hard to believe.

Sometimes when a good thing is right there in front of you - all you can see is the negative.
Why am I the one always calling him?
But when we talk - he's the one giving out all the great lines that makes me crush him. He is too cute and presh over the phone. But I got to call to hear it.
Dumb, eh?
It frustrates me to no end.

And this 3 month mark makes me scream. Because yes, if he were here or I there, wouldn't this whatever-relationship be trucking along (maybe he as my boyfriend) or it would be RIP. Either way - it'd be more defined than what we have now.
Which is a whole lotta nada.
I call. He calls me back. He texts. I text him back. It's like some twisted middle school relationship where texting has replaced passing notes to each other. And I'm frustrated because of it.

He makes me want to find someone like him - here, in Dallas. And that somehow, has become the most impossible ever.

When I was unemployed, I actually entertained the thought and idea of moving back to San Antonio. Not because of anything in particular. Just because it was an idea and most of my support network live down there. Seriously. I applied to jobs in SA.

And now the crazy thought that occupies my head constantly, no matter what I am doing is:
If I moved down there months ago, he and I possibly could be a we, right now.
CRAZY! I know!

So, this is what I want: a man just like him, here in Dallas. I want to kiss someone. I want date night with someone. I want to walk hand in hand. Have sleepovers. Blockbuster debates. All day bed activity. Wake up next to that someone. A partner. In crime?

Maybe it's my age or something funky in the air. I absolutely believe that everything else in my life is finally in order: career, finances, friendships, family. I'm ready to have that romantic serious relationship. You know? I'm over the hook ups. I'm finally able to say I am in it to win it. And I don't know if its because he is such a great guy that I realized that or if its just me and I want him to be that guy or I want that guy to be like him.

I'm tired and frustrated. He won't get some script because I may keep him and label him as my SA Boyfriend and that's where it'll stay; in San Antonio. I won't expect anything more or less than seeing him whenever I am in town. It's gonna suck. I already know it.

Cirque Du Soleil? Pink!

Yes - it was the best concert. Ever! Worth every freaking dollar. If I had a warning, like who needs one when it's JT? I would have bought better seats. But since I swear he looked me right in the eye at one point - we will settle for that. And then some...

Saturday night I was charitable. I attended a wine tasting benefiting blind children at an art gallery. It was major fun. I was a good girl and only 'tasted' one wine. The group I was with are hella fun. It's my good friend's husband's fraternity brothers and college friends. It's kinda hot. I won't lie. It's very hard to be around some of the group because this are seriously the nicest people and most fun peeps. I bowl with them every week as well. And that is hella fun.

It gets hard because one of the girls is certain I should hook up with a certain member of this group. BUT I have dabbled into it already. Not once. But twice! Lesson learned: Don't mess with the same fraternity brothers.

Unless...
You are 18 year's old. You are a freshman at college. And it's pledge week. And you, of course are that girl.
I was never that girl, thankfully.

I honestly think that's why Dabble #2 never went any further than dabbling. He knew I already had been with Dabble #1. The sad part? Dabble #2 is more my type!

Sunday I spent the day with the gracious preggers, AP. She's nine months and she looks to be a size 4. She look good. Glowing, pregnant and all. We had brunch and shopped. There was some great girly talk and catching up to do and then some major deal scoring at the mall.

She's having a girl and I cannot stop but think, hmm? I always thought I'd be the type who'd want only a baby boy. Honestly, I don't want to mess with a girl's puberty. No way. I was rough and mean at that time in my life. My poor mother! How she survived and we are what we are today - you'd never guess that I was a terror. OK - maybe you would. But, still. Just the fact that AP is carrying a girl I think is the sweetest thing ever. It seems more sweet - a woman carrying a girl. I don't know - I may be baby crazy.

Monday was like freaking Christmas Eve. I could not sit still at work to save my life. Me and my coworker (also co-concert attendee) kept a countdown and I must say - the day went by super fast. Yeehaw! Before I knew I was sitting down there with my "I kissed Justin" shirt (uh huh) giddy like a teenage girl - screaming alongside all the other teenage girls.

Here's a shocker: PINK.

The woman has a new fan. Me! She was awesome. If you have tickets to his show - it is so worth you getting there early to catch her. Literally. She flies through the air with the greatest of ease - on a pink ribbon doing cirque acts like you've never seen. I was impressed. And she is a great singer live.

Then it was JT time. Justin Time.
OH BOY.
He is just too cute. Too Cute.

The one thing I could have done without was his damn piano and Timbaland's half hour show during the intermission. I get that JT is talented and he can play piano - but come on - almost every song he just sat there in the middle of the stage doing a Stevie Wonder. Heck no. I came to see him rock his body. And mine! And then, I like Timbaland - but sheesh a 30 minute intermission with him spinning music nearly knocked me to sleep. No joke.

When JT came back looking hot - it was then during Cry Me a River where I swear we locked eyes and had a "Cameron, who?" moment because I swear he winked! He did.