another day of

feeling ungrounded. the usual stuff, but today it's probably due in no small part to an evening of "bellinis" at Berryhill, which is their name for some frozen concoction of peach and vodka. This joint is crazy on Sunday afternoons, complete debauchery. And I blame it all on Albert, who dragged me there.

anyway, regardless of hangover/lack of man in my life to cuddle, I am buoyed by my gorgeous angel trumpet trees, which are in bloom again. And in the evening they smell divine. Divine! I love these trees so much that I had to take some photos! Enjoy...

now that enough time has passed

I can say: when I broke it off with Eddie (for the second time), many of you know that he took back the "gift" he bought me for my birthday. I suppose it was a conditional "gift", that I could only have if we were dating. He even took it (the hammock!) back by trespassing onto my property in the middle of the night WHILE I WAS SLEEPING. I think perhaps this was the most insane breakup story I've had yet. So, I don't have a hammock, but I do have an Eddie-free life, which I think is best in the end.

So, Eddie. I had a rough day at work yesterday and was looking forward to some yoga. I went to Joy Yoga here in H-town, and damned if I didn't see his bloody SUV in the parking lot. I still think, no, he's only into Ashtanga, why would he stoop to this level? And I climb the stairs, see him in line to get into the studio, and I have never turned on my heel so quickly in my life. So swift was my decision NOT to interact with him again!!! What the f, man? He's invading my yoga space, too! And I have no hammock! Lisa decided that he is likely dating someone who goes to Joy, and I think that is a good assumption. Man, he moves quickly. Well, good for him. I shall just have to be on the lookout.

Another Eddie-related event was when I went to Joshua Tree National Park. I don't think I ever posted photos from that trip, so here are a couple...





There you have it.

So am going through the New to a City and Feeling a Little Lonely vibe. I know it's silly, and I have everything I need inside of me, etc etc. and I'm a yogi so I should know better, but...it's always a challenge. Tonight was walking into grocery store and a car drove by with a crying baby in back. That alone should reassure me that my life ROCKS.

Made a delicious concoction tonight of condensed milk and spices, can't wait to put it in some tea tomorrow AM and read the Times on my porch...yum yum.

warmth

got back from more ridiculous travels this week--Pittsburgh/NYC/Atlanta. My friends Greta (we met in Chicago and now she lives in Ft. Worth) and Michelle (still lives in Chicago) came to town on Friday evening, and we spent the weekend together. It was a blast...Friday night at El Tiempo with the gang, then to a (terrible) bar named Kobain (yes, like Kurt, but bastardized) around the corner...where a 24-year-old heir to the Zatarain dirty rice empire and I chatted it up (a friend of Nick's). Michelle is a whiz with the inflatable mattress. Without her, and after the margaritas, we would have been sharing a bed.

The next day was a lot of chatting on the porch and then lunch at Onion Creek, after which we headed to the International Fest. It was almost hot. Ok, it was hot. And there was a stand selling deep-fried pizza. Really. There was. The highlight of the festival was the Hare Krishnas chanting and playing their drums. They were quite amazing! They say that just hearing the mantra uplifts you, and I truly believe it did.

A glass of wine on the patio at Benjy's, gazing over the razed lot next door toward the Walgreen's--lovely. Then home to gaze at that hot guy's bod in Little Children. Phew! Dinner at Dolce Vita with Zeke (birthday boy!), Karen, their friend Jennifer. Very delicious, and great company--and we extended it by going across the street to So Vino for some more wine (like we needed it) and some s'mores, sterno cans and all.

Today, more chatting, and breakfast at Brasil before taking Michelle to the airport. I have to say, it's a bit lonely and quiet around here without the girls! They were so cute, and we never ran out of anything to talk about! We talked everything into the ground...

And houston...it is becoming more like home every day. And it's so good to be home and not leaving town this week. I feel good. Really good--and it's all because I am making good decisions for myself. There are some things that still need to be sorted out, but I am on the right track! yeah!!

nasty travel stories

forgot to say that en route to Georgetown U last week in a cab, the cabbie was clipping his fingernails AS WE DROVE. Nasty.

anyway, am in Pittsburgh airport now waiting to head to Newark airport (delayed, of course). my eyeballs have that dry feeling they always have in the afternoon, and even more so when I travel. I actually enjoyed visiting the U of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon U, it was nice to walk around and be in a very urban campus environment. Dinner at PF Changs last night, but hey, they have tofu. Had to switch rooms at the Marriott Courtyard b/c my handicapped room smelled like urine. I'm not kidding. Perhaps my senses are heightened because I travel too much, but hey, that's also nasty.

kansas city

ok, let's do the itinerary of cities since, say, last Thursday:

Houston, TX
Santa Monica, CA
Laguna Beach, CA
Houston, TX (for 9 hours, I'm not kidding)
Chicago, IL
Washington, DC
Kansas City, MO

And here I am in Kansas City. In my 3rd Marriott hotel of the week. Treated myself to an infiniti at the enterprise counter, and a GPS unit. I know how to live!!

Presenting the same thing 6 times tomorrow. Also not kidding about this. I hope I shall know my name after I am finished.

Will post some photos from California soon. Went for Jason and Susie's wedding...which gave me hope that two people can truly find love today. I was beginning to wonder...but was okay with that, too. I think?