…from the “Crap! Why didn’t I think of that?” files…Startups Help Clean Up Online Reputations

This weekend The Mc and I spent a fraction of our already fractionalized time together celebrating 365 days passed since our first date.

I started Saturday morning by finding my way home at 1am after work, woke again at 6am for a charity 5k then headed back home to tidy up. On arrival in the burbs, he whipped up Belgian waffles and we hit the grocery store for fixins so I could throw together some lasagna for later. Then the anniversary observation began. After coaxing him into the Jeep (he usually drives, doesn’t care for the way I do it) and pointing us towards the mystery destination, he rattled off his speculations as to where we’d end up. I took what could have been THE least efficient route there which - while unintentional - did do a fine job of confusing him.

I brought him to a Man Spa after doing a fine job of not-so-gracefully tripping over a curb post valet (I neglected to take a picture of the offending lump of cement), got him settled in with the flat screen TV and a beer then left for a few other errands to give him alone time with his new de-Hobbiting mistress.

The verdict? Loved the mani-pedi but didn’t love the massage (titled “the executive threesome”). Loved the book on hiking trails in the area and the new commitment to getting out in the clean air together for a long walk at least one Saturday a month.

As for me? Loved the incense burner he used to tease/taunt me with my “real” gift, loved the “real” gift even more (even if the taunting did spark some because I’m entirely too sensitive) and loved the fact that we both picked cards that said the same thing.

Still every bit thankful for our having been nudged together, I brought roses to the mutual friends responsible for our partnering and issued thanks to the universe for bringing such a kind, patient, understanding and generous man into my life.

I had to call The Mc last night to ask how to reheat the lasagna I made him the night before.

I’m almost 34 and am just learning to eat leftovers and “cook” using the microwave.

Heard on Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me on NPR yesterday: “FedEx” when refering to Kevin Federline.

Yep. Sure is.

The trip didn’t start out too well, what with the ambulances and all. I sat quietly in my seat with my book keeping the aisles clear and being otherwise obedient and had visions of them hauling some 18 year old off the plane who’d crapped his pants in a drunken stupor, but it was apparently just someone who needed a wee tank of oxygen to help them through the trip. I’m going to hell.

I need plenty of leg room when I travel, because I’m such a ginormous individual. Luckily, Delta was able to accommodate me, and I slept almost all the way to Texas. End day .5

Begin day 1
Let me just say that I’ve never been anywhere that goes as far overboard with flair as Texas. Witness this not-unique spectacle. Good googlymoogly.

Lunch at the Roadhouse was tasty as all gittup (with cute young waitresses who actually did their jobs WELL and with a smile!), but I’ll admit I was disappointed Patrick Swayze didn’t pop in for an old fashioned ass kicking or two.

Cats and kittens here ride on with festive flair.

Maybe losing the elections had something to do with their headquarters? I’m just sayin’. Plus, that’s enough for day 1.

Begin day 2.

We met The Jesus, Cockneck and TLG for dinner. En route, we walked So Co and took in the sights.

And one for my homey

And finally, a sampling of the iDiots…doing I’m not sure what.

End day 2

Begin day 3

The morning I left we had brunch at a place I can’t remember the name of (!!!!??!!!) where the sodas are in mason jars as big as your head and the flair is not offensive.

And then I came home. The End.

One of the wonderful things about being around my family is the regression of my psyche. When I’m with Jennifer part of me is suddenly 10 again, the same age I was when she left for Northwestern. Part of me remains 33, set in my ways and half evolved, suddenly alert to the fact that she’s a grown up and in turn, so am I. Kinda.

There’s an understood silence between us when we’re together, no pressing need to make silly idle conversation and no need to visit the demons that haunt us both…just comfort and peace and a connection regained as though it was never lost.

For all our time apart during the years that sculpted us, our mannerisms are eerily similar - our speech patterns match, we order the same foods and say the same key things to waitresses and cashiers – in unison and on accident.

Her new life in Texas is one many of us aspire to, having left the wiles of LA with a wad of cashola to settle down in the woods with the option of working for love instead of money. She’s a remarkable woman beyond the fact that she put herself through school for her Masters at Pepperdine while teaching part time and working full time, beyond her incredible wit and enthusiastic optimism, beyond her ability to lead with a plastic palm tree in her office complete with twinkely lights and a pink feather boa.

She chased her dream and caught it, silently encouraging me to do the same. The best part of all could be her ability to remain ready, willing and able to make The Batface proving that our roots are sill strong and healthy despite miles and time.