Time for Another Update

Sorry about all the ranting lately. From those, you might not have guessed, but honestly, my life is pretty sweet right now. Not to say that there's nothing to bitch about. There always is, but I choose to ignore those things because if I didn't, I wouldn't feel grateful for the good stuff. First, I got a promotion. The promotion doesn't alter my job description or title one bit. However, I did get a raise to go with it. Yay! Second, I'm losing weight. I now am at the same weight I was in graduate school. At this time of year in 2008, I was 20 pounds heavier. I was able to put on a very old pair of Seven jeans last week, and I even had a little room in the waistband. Thank God I decided to hold onto those. And the best part is that my weight loss didn't involve any gym visits. I just pared down my life so it was less stressful and ate a little less. I didn't even give up any foods. I still eat the junk I love (pasta, ice cream, soda, cupcakes, etc.), I just don't crave it as much. My butt is smaller, but still has that feminine, round shape. Go, me! Third...I don't want to jinx anything, but if it's truly meant to be, I wouldn't be able to jinx it anyway. I've met 2 new great guys. And no, there's no playa-playa stuff going on. I'm simply keeping my options open. Being in my 30s has opened my eyes to the fact that life is short and there's plenty of fish in the sea. In my 20s, I would start something with a guy, then wait and see if he was interested, barring other guys from having a chance. It didn't work. It's simple, really: if someone wants to meet with you, they'll find their way to you, no effort needed on your part. I noticed that the 3 good things going on in my life right now are a result of a new behavior: letting go. I haven't tried for any of the 3 things. I simply decided to just go about my business and not worry so much, and they just happened. And I'm truly happier.

I Spotted My Teenage Crush

When I was in high school, the girls were crushing on the guys from the cast of "Beverly Hills 90210". Not me. I had a crush on Reggie Miller, the legendary basketball player who spent his 18-year NBA career with the Indiana Pacers. The crush lasted for about a year or so, then I moved on. I would see Reggie during basketball games on TV, mostly when his team played against the Lakers. Then he became a TNT commentator after his retirement in 2005, and to this day, I still see him on TNT.

Well, being that this is LA, you never know who you'll run into once you leave the confines of your home. When I was out and about running errands yesterday, Neiman Marcus happened to be very close by (yes, bad bad; even worse, I have a potential purchase on hold), so I stopped in to talk with my favorite NM sales associate. On my behalf, he called the store manager. As he was on the phone with the manager, I stood next to him and suddenly noticed a blonde woman trailed by a very tall lanky African-American man wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a baseball cap. Again, being that this is LA, it's not unusual to see someone from TV or the movies around. Often, I think to myself, "I know that person. He or she looks very familiar", but unless the celebrity is on the A-list or in all the magazines, I don't know who they are in the flesh. But this time, I knew exactly who it was! The man looked up to see my sales associate, who said, "What's up, Reggie?". I knew it! Reggie Miller in the flesh! I debated stepping in to speak with him for a second, but realized that celebrities, when out shopping, generally like to be left alone. The couple looked over the Christian Louboutin shoes briefly, and I noticed Reggie hold up the nude Bananas to his female companion, in a manner depicting he was suggesting she try them. She must have said no because Reggie put them back down.

As I was about to leave, I confirmed with my sales associate that the man was indeed Reggie Miller. He also informed me that he assisted Reggie in the past, as well as his female companion.

I was just a tiny bit excited to see him, but nowhere near as much as I would have been if this were 15 years ago (OMG...it's really been that long since I was in high school!).

A Single's Life for Me

Lately, sooooo many people have asked me (more than usual, I swear), in various ways, "Why are you still single?". Some even go on to ask how old I am, and when I tell them, I get answers that go along the lines of, "Oh, you better get cracking on that, especially if you want to have kids". I'd always answer that I'm OK with being single. But inside, I'd be crying, wondering how I got to be so unlucky. I'd secretly fantasize about various men, holding me and waiting for me at the altar.

Then at the end of the workday today, I did some heavy flirting with a HOT male colleague, who is also single. I don't see me getting together with him (I did before, let's not go there now), so I turned up the charm. Before, I would've totally analyzed every bit of the conversation and mentally kicked myself for not saying something cuter or more charming (plus worrying about whether he thought I was a snob, weird, etc.), but now, I don't care. I later changed out of my scrubs, then put on lipstick, a pair of dark Joe's jeans, a cute Juicy Couture top, and my YSL Tributes (which he saw me in later, and I noticed him checking me out). I also flirted with other people on my way to and during a party, and it kept going.

I left the party a little earlier than I normally would, and as I was driving home, I realized how tired I was. Then it hit me-I'm single, and I'm exhausted! And if I were in a relationship, I'd still have to make time for SOMEONE ELSE?!!! Uh-uh. Not now. I want to flirt with everyone in the room, spend tons of money on myself, do my own thing, and not have to ask anyone else if it's OK. I often like to disappear for hours with random people and not utter a word about it to a living soul. If I'm in a relationship, I can't do it. I'd owe my boyfriend/husband an explanation, and I don't always want to give it. I actually found myself saying to an older female coworker in a conversation about marriage, "if I choose to get married". I never would've said that before. In the past, whenever the subject came up, I would always say, "WHEN I get married".

Life is too short and too fun to answer to someone else! Viva singlehood!