The jungle the jungle, the brother, the brother

Mr. Matrix met Brother #2 this week. He also met my lovely sister in law M., and my best friend LisaLi. It went well. Exceedingly well. Mr. Martix was able to geek out with my bro talking optics, video games and the joys of post production visual FX. awesome.

The ladies thought he had a great energy and was very funny. Li said that he reminded her of my ex-husband which made me laugh because I always make the joke that I married the first guy that wanted to talk to me. So in some ways, yes they are similar. They are both nice and smart and well, white guys. But the similarities end there. I will say that my ex husband is a nice guy and he still, ten years later, makes me laugh when we chat occasionally. So it's not a bad comparison at all.
Mr. Matrix is way better though. Or maybe I'm just a grown up now so I can appreciate the loveliness is a soft spoken calm dude. Either way my friends, this one seems like a keeper.

All in all, things are good. I like who I'm becoming.

One brother down two to go! And then. . . THE PARENTS! But I'm sure you'll hear about that on a certain somebody's blog. . .

And then she smiled . . .

I've been smiling the smile of a woman lost in happiness and light. Mr. Matrix, as it turns out, is kind of amazing. There have been dinners, dates, movies, and entire days devoted to reading the paper and having fun. Next up-meeting The Brothers.
That's all for now.

I'm so happy it's scary.

shhhhh, let's not jinx it.

The Best Pick Up Lines

So I was driving down the street the other day and I pulled over to the gas station to get some gas. I went inside to buy a water and on my way out, this guy came up to me and said, "Hey Baby." He told me I was pretty and I said thanks then walked away. Later on driving down the street, he rolled up next to me and asked for my number. I said no. Then he kept driving next to me. Finally as I was about to turn onto the freeway he says, "You know they say a good man is hard to find. You know what I say to that? I can't be everywhere!" He laughed, I laughed, and he drove away. And it was just another crazy day in LA.

In the rest of my world, I am currently dating a lovely young man. He's normal, stable, and very, very nice. The best part is that he's a complete nerd. And I mean this in the best way possible. Some of his unintentional lines that have made me smile for days. . .

"It's like there's a tear in the Matrix. I'm mean she' so great. And she's with me."

"I thought you were so far out of my league. It's like we are in different ecosystems, even!"

He's just a nice guy, looking for a nice girl. And let me tell you, it's much easier geeking out over nature documentaries than playing groupie in a miniskirt and heels waiting for your "date" to finish playing his show and consider talking to you.

This guy, Mr. Matrix, wants to talk to me, wants to spend time with me, and has no problem telling me. It's a nice change of pace for me. Recently he told me that on our first date he thought I was so beautiful that he couldn't look at me directly, like it was too overwhelming. Normally I hate when people tell me things like that. I don't do well with compliments and I tend to second guess people's motives.

But this time, curled up on a beanbag, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, with no make up at all, I believed him. And it felt amazing.
There is most certainly a tear in the Matrix. Shhhhhh.

Hello Monday.

Dear Monday,
I have decided to not face you with dread, a headache and cold sweats. Instead I will welcome you like a dear old friend who sometimes frustrates me.
Love, Me.

I woke up this morning and my first thought, my VERY FIRST THOUGHT, was of a failing student and how I would be able address her concerns today.
ugh, I am quite sure she is NOT thinking of me and how she can improve her grade.

Must find new job. I am desperately trying to get control over my mind and not let it take me bad places.
Sigh, another week begins, but at least I have more baking to look forward to. Hooray for pie!

I'm gonna tattoo that on my heart.

Sad, weird, day indeed.
Some sad things have occurred and I'm at a loss for words, but certainly not emotion. So, I did what I always do . . . go to the bookstore and get lost in someone else's thoughts.

I bought several books (including Nigella Lawson's How to be a Domestic Goddess) all non fiction, since that's what I'm into these days. I have been reading Tattoos on the Heart, by Father Greg Boyle. It is amazing and beautiful and has moved me to tears twice already.

I think it is very interesting that I picked up this book on Easter. More on that later. For now, I'll just pay the bills, read the books, and do what it is right in
front of me.

How to be awesome without being registered.

Today I went to Macy's and I bought a Kitchen Aid mixer! and some other stuff since I've decided to start baking. I've been cooking and I apologize for my lack of updates about that but I did make a pancetta and pasta dish as well as crab cakes, a yummy dessert, a vanilla cake and cupcakes.

But back to the baking. So I like baking because I can spend all day in the kitchen and focus on things that make sense (1/2 a cup of sugar, 1 cup of milk, pour into bowl) rather than all the things that don't make sense (men, the education system, the future of my career). In addition to the calming aspect of baking, I like the fact that I can give away the things I make. It's hard to cook well for one person, and I get tired of having to invite people over all the time. Besides, who wants to come over every night just to eat my new things?

In any case, this story started with a mixer, as I said, I went to the one day sale at Macy's (who knew I actually paid attention to things like that, but no matter) and bought a mixer as well as a tart pan, some mixing bowls, and a nice whisk. While I was at the counter, the lady working there said that I was sure to find a man now, "since so few women bake these days." She also pointed out that my good looks plus baking would guarantee a man who would have no reason to leave. We had a good laugh about that. While we were laughing, some other Macy's employees came over to see what the fuss was about. One of the guys saw my mixer and asked, "Oh did you register for the other one and trade it in for this?"

I just looked at him and said, "No I'm not married. I just wanted a mixer."
He seemed shocked. I laughed and carried my big ass mixer home by myself and made a bad-ass cheesecake, that I think I might just eat . .In my house, by myself, in my pajamas, with a big grin and some strawberries.
Oh and isn't my living room lovely?

Gay husbands and communion wafers.

So I went to church this morning. As a favor to a dear dear friend. It was fun. There were a few things that gave me pause however.

1: The Communion wine and wafers were passed out in a prepackaged bundle. Imagine if you will, one of those half and half containers you get a diners, instead filled with wine and with a communion wafer wrapped in plastic on the top. I suppose it saves time but really, what happened to the ceremony?

2: The focus on financial benefits from loving God kinda put me off. One Deacon did a dance after explaining how he sold his house for half a million dollars. The upside of this declaration was that he danced like James Brown in The Blues Brothers. I had to restrain myself from laughing out loud!

Other than that, I sat for three (yes three) hours and listened to the singing and watched the dancing.

Also this weekend, my estranged gay husband returned from the East. This is a man that I met in the fall of 1999 on Sunday morning in Paris. He has, since that day, been the best relationship I've ever had with a man. It helps that he's so pretty and wonderful and we can shop together. Anyway, he and his new boyfriend, the blue-blooded Ty from Boston, came to visit me in LA. We ran around and I gave them an LA history tour. I spent the entire day with them yesterday and I can't wait for them to come back. We talked about them moving out here and us having a glorious life living on the Venice canals and raising a baby together. I hope they come. Spending time with them felt like coming back to family.

All in all a wonderful LA weekend.
Now it is time for work, the Oscars, and maybe some cheesecake! Next week we will discuss whether or not my parents should arrange a marriage for me. It sounds pretty tempting. Oh yeah and I was unceremoniously told that i wasn't right for the guy I went on the date with a few weeks ago. Mostly because although he "didn't mind going slowly" he didn't want to go "slowly [my] way." And after three weeks he thought it odd that I didn't want him to come over and cook dinner while I worked.
What the hell happened to dating. If I wanted dinner and work, I would have stayed married. Oh well.

PS. I love being single, so take that date guy.