What the F is Mana?

I’m trying my best not to let things get to me. I need to vent. I’m about to lose my mind.

Cowboy built a computer. Yeah. That’s my man!

To build a computer, he had to spend countless hours at Fry’s Electronics buying, exchanging and updating parts. Last Sunday, I spent four hours at Fry’s with him waiting for the customer service to diagnose what was wrong with the new hard drive he just bought the day before. I’ll say it, I’m such a good girlfriend. Girls have no business hanging around Fry’s all afternoon. Unless you are into that sort of thing, then I take that back.

He’s been building this computer since the Monday he came back. It took him six days to do it. It took that long mostly because of Fry’s. I knew while we waited on them, that I should sponge up all this time with him because once that computer was built, it’d be Golightly no more. I dislike World of Warcraft moreso than I dislike Xbox Live. For all you World of Warcraft fans, I’m sorry but I am done with this. For all you people that don’t know what I speak of, World of Warcraft is an online role-playing game set in the Warcraft universe. This is the time to laugh.

When Cowboy first told me of the game, last year, I laughed out loud. Seriously? Like Dungeons & Dragons? Yes. I immediately pictured him with the group of kids back in high school that would huddle in front of the cafeteria and throw down some Dungeons & Dragons, instead of eating lunch. I kinda made fun of that group. Turns out I still do.

So…he is built this computer to be a super gamer computer with super duper components that are going to enhance game playing. What. Ever. He even bought surround sound speakers for this thing. The whole shebang costs him about two month’s rent. Why would you do this when Dell makes them for you for a third of the cost? But, then again, I am no gamer. He explained to me when you build your own computer whenever there are any updates, all he has to do is replace a system instead of having to go out and buy an entirely new computer. I still say, What. Ever.

Computer was finished Sunday night. Monday morning he went and bought the newest baddest version of World of Warcraft. When I came home from work, our apartment was booming from the bass. And he was yelling into the phone. He had to yell over the speakers for his brothers to hear him.

And this is how it goes down. All three boys, Cowboy and his two older brothers. Wait – you need to know, one brother is 38 and works from home, the other is 35 and has no job, a wife and three kids. I add that in, just so your mind can catch up with mine. And we have Cowboy who is on vacation until mid October. Now, I’ll lay it down for you. They all play at the same time, together online and on the phone. ALL DAY.

But wait, I have another one for you – in the middle of all the waiting for Fry’s to get this computer built, those two brothers were biting at the bit for Cowboy to get online and play. You see, Fry’s had to order a new part that they were out of stock on while they diagnosed his computer’s hard drive. They had the computer for a good half of last week. During this time, Cowboy’s brothers thought that it was ridiculous for him to wait that long on Fry’s. Mind you, Fry’s told Cowboy it would be three to four days. You may want to sit down for this next part – the oldest brother, the one who is 38 (I’m just sayin’) called our local Fry’s to complain. That brother lives in Phoenix. He called Dallas’ Fry’s. Are you laughing or shocked? I did both. I have tons of stories on how Cowboy’s brothers are complete babies, but let’s just roll with this one. Older brother calls Fry’s to complain that Cowboy is waiting too long for a computer, just so Cowboy could get online quicker to play the dumb ass game World of Warcraft. (FYI - the call did nothing.)

Now that all is well in the world with the brothers because Cowboy is online playing this game all day and a good chunk of the night. The game playing doesn’t stop just because I come home. But, I’ve been smarty. I didn’t cook dinners, forcing us to leave the apartment to go eat. I asked him for a lunch date yesterday, just to know that at least for two hours he was not playing that game. You have no idea how happy that made me. I should give him small props because every twenty minutes or so, he realizes that I am in the apartment, pauses the play and will come chat with me some. And, he wakes up at 5:50am to go running with me. So, I’m not completely neglected, but still. As soon as us time ends, he is back online with his brothers. Don’t they have a life? I understand Cowboy is bored, he is home all day vacationing until October. But the brothers?

So, that’s how it goes in our apartment. I try to let it not get to me. I do. And then he throws another bomb at me.

His younger brother is coming in today to spend the rest of the week to Sunday with us. Oh God help me.

His younger brother is 16 years old. He came to visit Cowboy at least once a month when I had my own apartment. They'd spend all weekend playing Xbox, eating Buffalo Wild Wings, pizza, going to bed at three in the morning and sleeping in to two in the afternoon. All to wake up and do it again.

You don’t know the best part of this one. The younger brother brings his own Xbox and television with him when he comes to visit. They set his stuff up in one corner of the room and connect his and Cowboy’s Xbox up with some special cord that lets them play each other via Xbox Live. They will play all day and night like this. They will stop for any quick greasy food they can find, keyword quick because nothing can get in the way of all this gaming. (I don't even know if they stop for hygiene)

Is it wrong for me to so not look forward to this at all? I’m already done with the dumb computer and World of Warcraft. Now, this? And I bet you, both gaming will be happening at the same time. Do you know how much electricity that is? Or how messy our apartment is about to become? Or smelly? Oh gosh. I need a drink, a brunch, a dinner and a sleepover to keep me faraway from my own apartment.

Running with Frankenstein

My boyfriend runs like Frankenstein. It’s funny. You can laugh.

Cowboy has started to run with me in the mornings. I cannot say if I’m liking it so much. Running alongside Frankenstein is one thing. But the waiting for him part is a chore.

When the alarm goes off at 5:50am, I’m either very awake or just semi awake. Either way, I’m definitely out of the bed and dressed by ten after six. Cowboy, not so much. It takes him forever to pull on some shorts and a tee shirt. Forget putting on his kicks and tying the laces. That seems like eternity. My shoes are always tied, I just slip my feet in. Done. Then we have to walk to the trail. I’m in love with a slow walker. Granted, he just woke up a few moments earlier. The walk that used to take me less than five minutes now takes me ten.

But once we get him on that trail – Frankenstein running. He does not play around. It’s not a jog and it’s not a run. It’s a race. Frankenstein is fast. There is no slowing down for him or pausing for breath or quick walk if your legs feel weak. It’s a non stop run from the moment we hit the trail and back. I am so very happy. He is pushing me to push my body more so than ever. Yeehaw.

A few months ago I met a group of young folks at the pool. One of them lives right off the trail and their patio faces it. They admitted to me that it’s a good time to make fun of the style and form of runners as they whizzed by. I can imagine it must be a funny sight. I’ve seen some lookers and some serious hard core people out there running.

I am always thinking of my form and style while out there. I know I don’t run like Phoebe. And I for sure know I do not run like Frankenstein. Cowboy runs like all his weight is in his feet. All clunky and stomp like. I run very quietly, you cannot hear me coming from behind you.

Cowboy, not so much. Stomp, stomp, stomp. I like to think that my run is very graceful – it probably isn’t. I spend half my running time wondering how my form looks. Crazy, I know. But I don't want a bunch of young folk making fun of me from a balcony. I like to think of it as this is what Audrey Hepburn looked like if or when she ran. All graceful like. It’s okay. You can laugh.

It's Like This

I did the girlfriend thing and did not call it in sick.

Mostly because I broke rule #1 when you plan on calling in sick. I complained for a shameful amount of time that I really didn’t want to go and watch Ohio State with CR1. Calling in sick would have been so obvious. But I went and for twenty minutes I was so happy I did – but that’s jumping ahead of the game.

CR1 is a huge Ohio State fan. He also has the worst temper in the world. Honestly, I don’t know how he is a cop and frankly I’d be scared if he pulled me over (and I didn’t know him).

I told you about how he scared his girlfriend and her (that) baby to spending the night over at my place. But, did you know that he also punched about ten holes during a drunken tantrum back when he lived with Cowboy? Both incidents have two things in common: alcohol and his girlfriend.

I think she is so dumb for staying with him. I’d most likely forgive the hole punching incident but a second tantrum causing me to flee for the night? And we are done. No worries, I told Cowboy that if I ever spend the night out at a friend’s house because he is out of control, he very well should expect a UHaul truck the very next day because I’d book him one, ASAP!

Now you know CR1 has out of control drunk temper tantrums. It’s because he is a selfish baby. I should also let you know that when Ohio State lost the championship last year – he cried. Who can blame me that I was hoping, praying and willing USC to kick Ohio State’s butt Saturday. And I so do not like USC one bit.

Before the second quarter was over – everyone witnessed CR1 throwing his buckeye necklace across the room. I gave Cowboy the eye. I told him before we got there, that if the idiot acted up crazy, I was leaving. Third quarter, he was pretty much done with his team and retreated to the kitchen leaving all his houseguests to watch a game no one cared about. Oh, yeah – they moved the party from the far far far away bar to his apartment due to the “crazy rainy weather”. Uhm, we had light rain showers on and off throughout the day, that’s all.

While he was in the kitchen he decided to take in multiple shots and tried to get my boyfriend in on it. Cowboy knows better with me. My taking care of drunks days are over. And we still had an entire night ahead of us, so he knew if he got shitfaced early on, I wouldn’t be too happy about it. What’s the point in getting drunk at 5pm if you know you are still going out for the night?

While the idiot continued to drink himself to a stupor – his girlfriend noticed something very odd happening in the apartment across the courtyard. And this started the best twenty minutes of Saturday – a very animated man walking around his apartment in a gold lame speedo. YEEHAW!

He was dancing, singing, checking email, adjusting speedo and finally welcomed a guest. The guest, also a man, got very naked. I’m not ashamed to admit that I was hooting and hollering like some crazy lady at this sight. We have a very naked man and his friend in a gold lame speedo. Wouldn’t you be shouting with glee? The two of them looked to be having so much fun – at least a lot more fun than I was being forced to watch an Ohio State game (Can you tell I really don’t like Ohio State either) at CR1’s apartment while he continues to get drunk alone. I seriously was hoping for something raunchy to happen – seriously. Naked man was built and looking hot. But, I don’t think they were together-together.

The two men got the gold lame speedo guy ready for the night – I’m thinking he is a go go dancer at some club or they had a very fun costume party to go to. The naked guy eventually put on a sarong and they left the apartment. I begged Cowboy for us to leave right then so we can run into them at the elevator – yeah, he was having none of that. Boo.

I was stuck with CR1 and his hospitality – oh, that’s the other thing – when you invite people over to your house to watch a football game, can you at least have some snacks and then if not don’t get all offended when we order pizza. Yeah, it was like that.

Food’s #1 Fan

I love food. I’d rather eat than drink. Why go to a bar when I can apply that money towards a meal? You’ll rarely find me turning down a food date. Brunch, lunch, dinner. Late night snack. I am so there. You don’t need to worry if I’ll RSVP or not. Food, check! And done.

I steal cooking magazines out of doctor’s offices. I tear out recipes from other people’s magazines. I fold over the pages in my Real Simple for easy weeknight dinners. I am obsessed with food.

My typical Sunday morning involves the Food Network and then I am off to the grocery store; if I saw something I’d like to try that day or night. I did this more when Cowboy is in town. When he was gone, my Sunday night dinners usually came from the Chinese restaurant that delivers or Church’s Chicken (now, I didn’t say I love good quality healthy food, did I?)

When someone sets up a date with me at a restaurant, that day of I go online to the restaurant’s website and peruse the menu. (I said peruse – hee hee) I study it. I pick what I will order. I do this because I want time to take in the menu and I don’t want to waste the waiter’s time or look like an indecisive person in front of my friends. This happens even if I’ve been to the restaurant several times before. A restaurant website without a posted menu is like a photographer’s website without a blog. There, I said it. (sidenote: I don’t even bother looking at photography sites if there is no blog)

Traveling to different cities puts my love of food at the top of the list. Food and new restaurants are top priority whether it’s a business or pleasure trip. I don’t want to be eating at the local Chile’s when there is local flavor to taste and try. I can spend half a day scouting out restaurants online. It should be my job.

I love looking at the menus and the website design. That really sets the tone for me. Fun website = fun restaurant. I love when a place to eat removes the normal expectation of this is where you come to eat. I love it when they get funky with it. Not only will you eat, you will eat our funky food fusion and have fun while doing so. I’m not talking Chuckie Cheese fun, but just a nice fun atmosphere. I don’t think you understand this yet, I love food.

No one can tell me that they are going to visit such and such city without me dolling out food recommendations. True, I have not visited every city in America or every country in the world – but more times than not, wherever you are visiting, I’ve read a restaurant review from there; read a chef profile or heard about it on the many food blogs I read. And can chefs be any hotter? I’ll admit, I think I know more about chefs (from the bios) than I should care to admit.

Hole in the wall, four star fancy, fast food – you name it, I can give you a recommendation. Or I know whats good on the menu. My mom thinks I’m crazy. My boss says my eyes bug out of my head when I speak of food. Cowboy wonders why I’m not twenty pounds overweight. Seriously, food is where its at for me. I could not shop for the rest of my life, if it meant we’d eat out at new joint every weekend or have a world traveling eating vacation.

One of Cowboy’s friends asked us what we were going to do while on our vacation to Palm Springs. While Cowboy thought of an answer, I quickly said with enthusiasm beyond compare: EAT!

Calling It in Sick.

So far, so good, everything is coming up roses with Cowboy and I. Seriously. I love this. Love, love, love this. He is home, he is in one piece. PDA allover the place. Extra lovin’ on me. We’re just so happy and better together. What can I say? I do have a complaint though. Naturally. Look who you’re dealing with!

Everyday since Saturday night we have seen Cowboy’s old room mate. You know the one. The one dating That Baby’s mama. The one I cannot stand more than five minutes. Yeah, him. If you’re counting – we got back on Saturday night, meaning we have seen him everyday since Cowboy has been back. I’m so done.

It’s taking a lot for me to bite my tongue and not speak badly of the room mate. It’s taking a lot. I’m trying to go with the flow for the sake of it. I understand that Cowboy’s friends missed him just as much as I did. I knew that CR1 really missed him. I could tell whenever he spoke of him; CR1 had so many questions of when and where is Cowboy returning. Honestly, I think that CR1 hasn’t been able to go out like he and Cowboy used to do. They are the party animals of the group they hang out with – the other guys are much more calmer and introverted.

The minute CR1 heard we were back in Dallas; he was at our apartment. Everyday since he has found a reason or a meal to see us again. Between you and me, I’ve had enough. I’m so over it. The rest of the week looks okay as Cowboy mentioned last night that he really wants to have a night in, just the two of us. I gladly agreed.

Saturday, I’m calling in sick. The old room mate has it planned for everyone to meet at a bar to watch the Ohio State game. Cowboy put us in the plan as our Saturday was free. I have several problems with the plan:
1. Ohio State. Seriously? I’m a Longhorn and have no interest in attending a bar full of Buckeyes, cheering on their team.
2. CR1 has arranges for taxis as transportation. Not a bad idea but I don’t plan on being that drunk in the afternoon (whenever I don’t plan it is when it usually ends up that way.)
3. The bar is half an hour away. OMG! Its not like there aren’t 50 bars in a ten mile radius of our neighborhood – which is everyone who is attending’s neighborhood too. Hence, the taxis, but still. Come on. Half hour trip in a cab is bound to be at least $50. I know with more people sharing, it could be less. But still, I’d rather drive half an hour so I can leave whenever I want to escape. Seriously.
4. They plan on going out in that city after the game. No way Jose.

All day long with CR1, watching an Ohio State game and then having a night of it, too? I don't think so! I have no intention of traveling that far to watch a game I don’t care about with a bunch of people, mainly one person in particular that I don’t care to see for at least a month.

Do you know what I mean? Yes. So, I’m calling it in sick. I don’t mind if Cowboy goes and has a great time and night of it. The worst part is I’ll have to carry this little white lie of sickness with Cowboy.

I hate to have to lie to him. The thing is, he knows I cannot stand CR1. It boggles him whenever CR1 and I cannot get along. It seriously stresses him out why we are not friendlier to each other. I have tried. I’ve tried many times but the idiot is a daft prick. I think he is chauvinistic – mainly due to that incident when his girlfriend had to spend the night with me because of whatever he did or said (yeah and I still think she is an idiot for staying with him). He is the most selfish person I know.

I’m so not going. Since I don’t want to ruin it for Cowboy, I’m just calling it in sick. I think I’ll eat a bad burger on Friday or cheese or something.

The Longest Road Trip. Ever.

For those of you in the know – I don’t do long distance driving. I just don’t. I know its easy for some people to look at it and say, oh I’m going to Austin this weekend and its an implied drive.

With me, you should know its an implied flight. I used to drive to and from San Antonio often, waaaaaaay back in the day of 2003 and 2004. I could do it in three hours. Don’t ask how I never got a ticket.

Then I discovered Southwest Airlines and the glory of $39 one way tickets. Meaning $80 roundtrip to any major city in Texas. Come, on. The math was easy, I drive a SUV, that cost was less than gas and the convenience of being at your destination in an hour – supreme!

All in all, I just don't drive long distance. There are certain circumstances when I do, usually when I decide last minute to visit someone or to go get my man!

When it was officially announced that Cowboy would land Friday, we were both okay with him flying in when he was finished with his out processing in Houston. We both know SWA is a lot faster and this time cheaper since the military was paying for it. All day long on Friday people kept asking me if I was going to go down there and meet him. The answer was no.

I got home, uhm yeah how long did we think I could sit up here while he was down there? I left Dallas at 8:30. PM!! This is so not me, but how many times does your boyfriend come back from war?

Yeah, I needed to be down there, welcome him home and bring him back. That’s just what I did. It was the most awesome moment of my life so far - it beat out any other reunions I've ever had and all the 'airport moments" even though I got there too late to welcome him at the airport. It was just one of those moments where you go, awww. We are better together (forever).

While he was out processing on Saturday, I entertained myself with the new Blackberry (thank the lord for technology!). When it was all over, Cowboy was dying to get back to Dallas, so was I but then he found out that one of his unit was unable to get a ride out back home. Home for him was Round Rock, TX. Uh huh, we gave him a ride – oh no, I gave them a ride since they both konked out as soon as we hit the open road.

Have you driven from Houston to the Austin area? It is boredom central. I couldn’t really have the music on or talk on the phone because I had two pooped out soldiers sleeping off 4 months of war in the car with me.

Once we dropped him off, Cowboy was chomping at the bit to get back to Dallas, me too. Then he spotted BBQ. Another stop and an hour later until we were back on the road – meaning me, again. It just felt like I could not get back to Dallas, ever.

All I could think about was how much I love SWA because this whole ordeal would have been over with already and I could’ve been to and from Houston at least three times in all this time its taking me to drive around central Texas. But, of course, it was worth it. So worth it.

I’m still the happiest girl in the world. Honestly, it was like spontaneous combustion when we first saw each other and then when Sunday rolled around, I didn’t feel like the four months were that long at all. It was like we slipped into our usual routine, just like that. And that was nice.

All my nerves went away, the excitement is still here(I’m still gushing that I just cannot believe that he is here with me, finally!) and we are us, again.

FYI – I did get up and do my normal run Monday and today, mostly because I ate like a pig the entire weekend but also because I’m determined to keep some of my past 4 months intact.

There you have it: The boy is back!

Cowboy Lands Today

3:30 CDT. I'm so freaking excited, I don't know how I'm going to work. They sent out the email confirming their arrival at 1:30am this morning. I only woke because now that I have a Blackberry, it alerted me when the email came through. As you can imagine, there was no sleep after that...

Pure joy that the boy will be on American soil and only a few more hours away from me come 3:30 today. YIPEE!!

I’m the Happiest Girl in the World.

Seriously. Put me next to any bride and I’m happier than that chick.

I’m running around with a stupid grin plastered on my face. I’m dancing in my car. I’m walking down the street clicking my heels in the air. I really wish there was a way I could do that graciously.

I’m telling everyone in conversation with me, “Did you know I have a boyfriend in Iraq and he’s coming back on Monday?” Did you know that? I think I’m scaring some people – well I know I for sure scared the Snappy Salad lady. I was just way too happy to be getting a salad. Way too happy.

What does that feel like? It’s when you can feel every single molecule in your body. It’s when you can’t sleep. Or pay attention to anything. You drive without realizing how you got to your destination. It’s when you want to befriend strangers all to give them some of your happiness. All because every thought is him.

I didn’t think I’d be this giddy about his return. Honestly, what makes it this exciting is the wait. I don’t ever want to not know what this feeling feels like. It’s A to the awesome. The situation could be different. But this feeling this right now. Whoo hoo. Pure joy. Everything is ready.

Our apartment is spic and span. Its smelling fresh and clean. All laundry is up to date. Everything is in its place. Everything is at a stand still and is just waiting. Waiting would normally aggravate me. This I don’t mind.

There’s a sweet buzz in the air. Salads taste fresher. The cookies were sweeter. The traffic was – wait, was there any traffic? People are probably cutting me off left and right, I don’t care. Everything is fine and great.

Bring on the stormy weather, Dallas. Cars can honk. The apartment above can get as loud as it likes. Gas prices. McCain’s VP choice. I can't figure out the features on my new cell phone. Burnt toast. Long work hours.

I’m just too happy to care.

Split Personality

He is in the air now. Out of that country. Yee-freaking-haw.

Thank you so much for all your support during this time. I think I went a little crazy a few times out the months but I survived. The dear internets were good to me.
As I sit here feeling ever single molecule in my body jump around for joy, I keep thinking of the expectations one will have of me.

Or should I say sexpectations? I better start stretching now and shaving. I’m going to have to get up every day for awhile, this I know. That I hate. Don’t read me wrong, I like some loving. Key word, some. I’m not a marathoner. I don’t plan to run them and I definitely do not sex them.

You’ve read me, I get up at 5:50am to run five miles everyday, I’m amazed I’m still awake around 3pm. I’m not “tired” but my body can only do so much and I know what so much that is. When I spoke of being nervous, this was definitely one of the topics. I love running. I do. I’ve ran in the rain I love it so much. Its not really the activity, it’s the endorphins and the rush and the key fact that I can eat a pepper jack cheese stuffed hamburger with jalapeño cream sauce on top later that day and NOT feel guilty. (Oh yeah, that burger, if you live in Dallas – head on over to Barcadia, I heart it. Old school video arcade games, a bar and some damn good food) - running is something I enjoy for some solo time escaping.

I’m nervous that I won’t be running as much when Cowboy returns. True, the running will be replaced by a different activity but still. Will I have the energy to still run? I’m so hoping so. I’m not going to change my alarm. I don’t want to lose any part of who I’ve become while he was away. I don’t have a new personality, just new hobbies and new independent activities.

I like going to the movies alone some days. I enjoy a walk down to the store. I like curling up in bed with every magazine in our apartment (believe me, it’s a lot). Not that he cannot do any of this with me – but there is something to be said of doing it alone. A peace. Solidarity. Calmness. Independence.

I’m nervous that he will feel shut out. I’ve warned him and he said he understands, but doing and saying are different. You know I do miss him. A lot. I’m ready for him to be home but in these last couple of days, I will be enjoying the last moments I have with myself.

No sex, no Xbox, no science fiction/action/ gang them up movie rental, no greasy pizza and a made bed. As I love him and miss him, being alone had its perks too. I think it was 50/50.

Part of me loved living alone and having time to me. The other part would have given anything not to be alone and have Cowboy back here and not there. Monday that wish comes true. I’m hoping that that one wish doesn’t cancel out on the other.

CD Project: Practical Magic soundtrack. The best $2 I've spent. This CD was in the clearance bin at Blockbuster Music waaaaaaaaay back in the day. I saw the movie, remembered liking the songs, so I bought it. I popped the CD in my car (oh, yeah a long time ago I had a car that had a CD player in it, then somehow went backwards and the next two cars were without CD players, go figure) immediately. I so remember never taking it out of my car for months. I don't really have a favorite - it's so hard to choose, there's everything and anyone on it: Stevie Nicks, Marvin Gaye, Faith Hill and Elvis. I truly like every track.

Can I Boogie?

"Can I Boogie? What kind of asshole question is that?"

My childhood, I think was very different from my friends and other children that grew up in the 80’s, early 90’s.

I didn’t start watching 90210 until it was on SoapNet (like two years ago). I have never seen an episode of The Simpsons or Saved by the Bell. MTV was not allowed in our house. When my parents left us alone at home, I immediately scurried and watched whatever MTV had on at that moment. It didn’t matter what it was, Headbanger’s Ball, Yo! MTV Raps, I was all over it.

You’ll find it even harder to believe, The Cosby Show was a no-no as well. My dad hated Bill Cosby, I have no idea why. Today I get excited when an episode I haven’t seen is on Nick at Nite. That’s pretty much almost every other episode. If my dad hated it, we didn’t watch it. In high school I had to watch Friends with the volume real low in my bedroom. Hmph, I could have issues.

I also missed Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles until my teenage years. I think that’s the reason I don’t really enjoy The Breakfast Club, I saw it way too late in the game. Pretty much anything big in the entertainment industry, I missed. I had a fit when my parents wouldn’t let me watch Pretty Woman. I seriously thought I was going to die if I didn’t watch it. Every other girl in school had seen it. Why not me? That wonderful storyline of a prostitute – that’s why.

And Ghost. Sheesh. It was Thanksgiving and we were spending it out at a close family friend’s house. That alone was a treat.
You see, both my parents are non American. They grew up without Thanksgiving. The majority of all my childhood Thanksgivings did not involve turkey. Oh, yes. I kind of like that about my life though, the way that standard American customs were completely ignored and not missed in our house. I can tell you now, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday ever, it used to be just another day off school.
To be spending the holiday at someone else’s house meant turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. Items my mom doesn’t make so well. I love her to death but like I said, she didn’t grow up with these things, so you know.

After dinner on this particular holiday, the group decided to watch a movie. Ghost had just come out on video. I was stoked. Seriously stoked. I wanted to see it in the theater but it was rated R and well, the point of this example: my parents thought rated R meant porn. I’m not kidding. No Pretty Woman – how the F did I think I was going to watch Ghost? Even though I think Ghost came out before Pretty Woman?!?! While everyone got to see Ghost (including other people’s children) my brother and I were forced to another room to play Nintendo. OK – I know this is harsh but I hated my parents that day.

While my brother was so happy to play a video game, I sulked and planned my runaway plan in my head. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I was going to run away all because I wasn’t allowed to watch what the other kids were watching. Were my parents that strict? No. They were just very weary about entertainment: no FOX channel, no MTV and no rated R movies. All of them were a path of no good. It’s funny because looking back on this and if you know my mom – this was totally ALL my dad. Oh, well.

So how did I entertain myself – what did I do? This is how I came to love all things on AMC or Turner Movie Classic. This is how I learned every step and song of Annie. It's how I fell for Breakfast at Tiffany's. This is how I discovered Bette Midler.

I don’t know how or when or where I was, it just happened. All of a sudden I was jamming out in my room to her concert cassette tapes. I’d configure dance routines to them, rehearse and put on my own private show for moi. As these were concert cassettes that I would buy at the local store down the street, I didn’t know what her live performances looked like, yet.

This woman was brassy, tawdry, cursing and singing about sex and being all sorts of loud. My father would never approve. Actually, he didn’t. I do remember a day when he caught me mid solo in my room and asked what the heck was going on in here. Busted. Sometimes, I’d recruit my brother to sing along with me. We'd sing at breakfast, on the way to school, back from school and after dinner. I’m shocked he is not gay.

We had some serious fun – laughing at her jokes and jumping around like banshees to Boogie Bugle Boy. Then there was Beaches. Who didn’t love that? I don’t know what fit I threw to watch that one. I think my mom felt sorry for me at some point and let me have my Bette. Years after Beaches, there was a special on HBO, Diva Las Vegas. Remember I’ve never seen her perform, yet, just listened.

Diva Las Vegas was my best night ever. And I was in high school. I had visuals to go along with her concert performances. And sassy it was. My brother watched with me. And as I recorded it (my dad had a fit) we would watch it everyday, over and over, rewinding to our favorite bits, fast forwarding past Wind Beneath My Wings (because there was no sass in that number). Seriously, how is my brother not a teeny bit gay?

Three years ago, Bette did a tour and around Thanksgiving/my birthday, she was in Phoenix and my mom gave me the best birthday present ever: front row seats. I kid you not, I was a kid in a candy store. The Divine was three rows in front of me! And there you have it.

Yes, I own all her concert performances on CDs now. I still have the VHS that I recorded Diva Las Vegas on and watch it occasionally. And I don’t know why I don’t have tickets to Vegas, yet! to see her in all her glory.

CD Project: Appropriately not in order, Bette Midler’s Live at Last, Disc One.

Yah!

I never thought I’d see the end of these four months. I knew it’d come eventually but at the beginning and during some very lonely nights, the end didn’t seem near at all. Then came the extensions. I know for sure I acted like a selfish baby when I heard it would be two more weeks. I sulked and cried and stomped my feet.

What’s worse than waiting four months? Actually making through the four months only to hear that you have to wait another half a month. Whaat! That is worse.

But, then Sunday night I got a call from the unit’s spouse patrol. OK – its not really the spouse patrol, it’s the family readiness department. They have the contact for all the significant others of the deployed unit.

Each month the volunteer calls me to make sure I’m doing okay. Every week she sends out a useful/helpful tip on how to get by. You know, while our men are off fighting for our country. It sounds all so very World War II. I think I’m the only un-married one in the group. Cowboy set me up with it so I would be the first to know when something was happening...

they called me Sunday night to clear me for military base clearance because my man is coming home earlier than extended! Uh huh. Can you believe it? Seriously – the military – fickle. When they called me I thought for sure that they had the wrong one to be telling this to and she confirmed Cowboy’s name. Uh huh. And then wanted all my information to get on base.

Well, I’m not going and it kind of sucks. You see, Cowboy’s base is in Houston. We live in Dallas. It’s a three hour plus drive depending on when you hit Houston. He most likely will be getting in on a weekday. I have a job where I used up all my vacation minus a week on gallivanting allover the place during the last four months. If I went to Houston I’d have to give up a day in our vacation – that ain’t happening. And, in my opinion there is no way I could drive all that in a calm state. No way. Plus, Southwest Airlines is a whole lot faster and cheaper. A one way ticket to/from Houston is less than filling up my tank with gas. Go figure.

Of course telling the spouse patrol that, she sounded a bit shocked. I’ll be the only one not there to welcome my man back. Oh. That made me sound awful. How sad for Cowboy...to step off a plane and be the only one not greeted by family? Just the thought kills me. He assured me he will be alright with it. I’m not, yet.

We’ll see, because I could all of a sudden be sick but then again everyone in this office knows he is coming back so that may be dumb to do.

*And today, Cowboy confirmed that he thinks he will be back by Monday, September 10th!


In other news – did anyone catch “Raising the Bar” last night? TNT’s new courtroom drama. Oh, so good! I’m a huge fan of The Closer and stayed tune for the new show. It looks to be a goody. Twists and turns and great legal drama – reminded me of the good old “The Practice” days.

I’m driving my own happy ass to work these days, so back in the CD player, CD Project: Better Midler’s Live at Last, Disc 2. There is no favorite track because the CD is her recorded concert live, so its very continuous. Her cover of Delta Dawn is a to the awesome.