Hope to see you at the NHP on Saturday!

When I was just a wee little thing, maybe 5 or 6, I found myself “lost” in a department store. Mind you I’d been hiding in the center of the rounders, where I fit perfectly and could sit for hours on the chrome cross beams, looking up through the glass on top observing hands flipping through the Garanamals. Sitting there, probably sulking because it was Kevin’s day to match the giraffes shopping for school clothes and not mine.

When I finally came out and couldn’t find my mother, they had to page her. I was that kid - you know the one - “what’s your mother’s name”? “Mommy”. One P.A. system announcement later one very angry (and probably tipsy) mommasita came rolling up to collect me.

That night, my sister Jennifer taught me how to spell my names. All three of them. Eight letters each. Brutal punishment for being temporarily misplaced, especially considering I knew where I was the whole time.

There are things in our lives we may take for granted. Things we may not think about every day, things that go lost that you don’t really notice were missing until you find them again.

A five dollar bill in the pocket of your winter coat, maybe. A picture of a memory, old friends in an even older city with innocent smiles that have long since faded. A feeling you’d forgotten you were capable of, one that brings you to the brink of bursting. Pride, and dreams, and a passion for the future you’d given up on years ago.

It all has to be found by someone, eventually.

Strange word, when you look at it. Right? W e d n e s d a y.

A week and a half until Halloween. Less than 2 weeks until the election, just over 5 until Thanksgiving, 8 until my odometer turns and 9 until Christmas.

Where has the year gone? Where have the years gone?

I never thought I’d make it to 30, partially because my father told me I wouldn’t and partially because I had no hope of the future. Well, I made it to 30…and then some.

Am I figuring it out? Do I know what I want to do with my life? Kinda. At least I have more of a game plan than I ever have.

Ireland by 40. For good. Before that - at least 2 years in New York with Leah.

We’ve decided there needs to be a platonic same sex marriage law. As she said “There’s no reason women should feel the need to marry up to feel a sense of security if they don’t have a loving mom like I do to supply that.”

She’s always got an interesting take on something. Our conversation continued. I suggested it was like the Golden Girls “only younger and hipper” to which she added “and smarter and more financially fun”. Hmmm. Fun and finances…not two things I normally put together.

We’ll call it the GGL - the Golden Girls Law.

“So the only thing that separates us from the gays is that we don’t have sex? How is that not discrimination? They discriminate against us because we’re straight? Fascinating.”

It’s always something, isn’t it? I mean, my employer provides Partner Benefits, so can she be my “partner” if it’s platonic? If not, why not? I guess maybe by the time I move there it’ll all be sorted out anyway.

Don’t forget, you heard it here first. The new breed. The GenX GG’s.

I’m tired. Tons to do today and somehow I need to find some motiviation.

Life was so much easier before I learned to give a shit.

For Immediate Release

North Highland Pub to Host Fundraiser
for Victims of 493 Highland Ave. Arson Attack

Atlanta - The North Highland Pub will host a fundraising event October 23 from noon to 3:00pm to benefit the victims of the October 2 fire that destroyed the homes of 14 Atlanta residents. None of the residents’ belongings were covered by insurance and many suffered the loss of almost all their possessions.

The fire was the eighth in a series of arson attacks to Atlanta-area apartment buildings since mid-August, and resulted in significant property damage and the loss of several household pets. At 5:25 a.m. Saturday, October 2nd, residents of the building awoke to fire blazing in the building’s stairwell. At least three people were forced to jump from windows to escape the blaze.

Attendees of the event will be asked to make a $10 donation, which will be deposited into a fund established to aid the displaced residents. On behalf of the residents, the North Highland Pub will also accept household items such as new sheets, towels, small electronics (coffee pots, alarm clocks, etc.) or gift certificates to grocery or home goods stores such as Target and Home Depot.

Monetary donations to the 493 Highland Fund are currently being accepted at North Highland Pub, and at all Bank of America locations in the metropolitan Atlanta area. Donations may be deposited into account number 003272434129.

The North Highland Pub is located at 469 North Highland Avenue (404.522.4600).

The state fire marshals office has posted a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the arson attacks. Anyone with information about these fires is asked to call the Georgia toll-free arson hotline at 1.800.282.5804.

Here’s the flyer for the fundraiser - feel free to print and distribute…we’ll see you there next weekend!