Do You Know This Man? in Open Diary 2001-2018 (Pre-Prosebox)

I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful it was to take three whole amazing days off work this weekend. No words can describe how happy I was leaving that office at 5:15 on Thursday and heading to the airport. I almost cried tears of joy. Honestly, how effed up is that? I truly felt like I was leaving for the most amazing vacation in the world. I guess I didn’t realize how badly I needed just an itty bitty break. It’s quite possible that I was actually spared a breakdown.

Changed into my lacy top and stiletto sandals in the airport bathroom. I kept the jeans. I was raring to go.

I hopped on the plane and immediately ordered champagne. Thanks to all the travel I’ve been doing lately, I sat in first class and sat back and sipped like the princess I sometimes think I am. C’mon, let me live out my fantasies every now and then, okay?

Landed and headed to the rental car place. Asked for a free upgrade and got it!

Drove straight to Dragonfly where Maria was waiting. Soon Lovely showed up with a couple of her friends and then Andrew, Maria’s friend showed up and it was a party, people!

Drank until I was drunk enough to let this guy talk me into taking this photo with him:

Now here’s a warning: don’t ever talk me into taking a photo like that and let me endure your fondling and then ask me to go to brunch with you the next day and give me the wrong phone number and then stand me up. Because I will make it public!

Honestly, it was a great relief that he didn’t show up for breakfast. Because I wouldn’t have gotten to know Andrew so well. Maria’s been trying to set me up with him for months now. He’s about eight bazillion times better looking than old Alexandre up there, and a quadrillion times more interesting. Too bad he’s still in love with Maria.

Typical.

After breakfast, Maria and I rode around with the top down until I got sunburned on my shoulders.

Then we went for massages.

Then we went to Maria’s office and actually talked a little bit of business (Aarrrrgggghh! No matter what, I can’t get away from work!). But it was fun because it was very relaxed and Maria told me how she broke into the biz. It’s an amazing and truly inspiring story. I was glad she finally told me. I never knew. Maria can be brash and sometimes annoying, but she’s a fascinating creature and without a doubt the most successful woman I’ve ever met.

Then we met a bunch of people for happy hour and then night just went on and on and on.

Long story short, Lovely Leah and I ended up at the Slip Inn, dancing like there was no tomorrow. I called Super T and then hung up. I met a guy who lives in L.A. and asked him to go out with me on Tuesday night (yes, tomorrow!). And then I woke up in Lovely’s bed, very late for the drive to my parent’s place.

A cold front had blown in and I had left the only jacket I’d brought with me at Maria’s. It wasn’t my fault…her maid had taken half my shit and hung it up in Maria’s closet. She’d also taken a pair of Maria’s brand new Prada sandals and slipped them into my suitcase. Not a bad trade, but I needed a jacket nonetheless.

I arrived at Mom and Dad’s horribly late and even more horribly hung over. I felt like shit and was ashamed. But of course, they didn’t care. They were just happy to see me and didn’t mind when I lazed around on the couch. We had some good chat time and then they lit a fire and let me sleep. How much do I love them? Words do not do justice.

Easter was nice, even though I missed going to church with the parents. I still wasn’t feeling well, so they let me sleep. This was not just a hangover…I desperately needed some quality sleep and it was cold and rainy outside and the bed was simply too delicious to abandon.

I took my parents to lunch at my favorite restaurant on the lake. When it was time to pay the bill, I suddenly realized that I’d left my credit card at the bar on Friday night. Nice. I paid with my company card. Thanks, work!

But bummer that I had to leave a little earlier so I could pick up my card and get my ass to the airport. Gloomy weather and a really sad Lucinda Williams CD kept me company on that depressing drive back to the bar. Of course, I had to get a beer before heading onward to the airport. I came very close to missing my flight because of that one measly Amstel Light.

And when I finally boarded the plane, it hit me that I had yet another presentation to give first thing this morning. I broke out my notes right around the time that the guy sitting next to me decided that he wanted to chat. He was nice enough, but had really bad breath, and I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind to deal with it politely, so I kinda blew him off by focusing intently on what I was writing. He soon got the picture and went back to his magazine.

Home around 9 and in bed by 10:30. Back up at 5 and into the office at 6:30. Busted ass and still didn’t leave work until 8:30. Now home again and time for bed again so I can get up and pack again and board another plane first thing tomorrow morning.

Three days was not enough. It felt like a tease. I miss my mom and dad already.

I wonder if that guy will call me tomorrow?