2009 Day 2: Babes in Toyland
There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self. Aldous Huxley
So far, so good.
Lots of changes at Castle Numbskull this week.
On Wednesday, Ryan and I had a talk and decided that it would probably be best for us if he moved back to Orange County and we worked on ourselves before worrying about the relationship. It was a tough talk, but I think it went pretty well. Sad and resolute, but I think we were in agreement and felt mostly optimistic for ourselves. After some talking, it was determined that he would go ahead and attend L2's New Years party with me, and I considered that to be about as good an outcome as we could have hoped for.
I had found a dress at the mall for thirteen (WHAT?!) dollars, a price so low I would never want any guy in my life* to know about it, because from then on he might expect all dresses to fall into that range. Considering the fact that I've gotten too big for all of the clothes in my closet (Whoops!), I was really happy to find something I liked and not have to spend a lot of money on a dress I hope to shrink out of in a month or two.
So Ryan and I showered and began the dolling up process. L2 called me to say she and her manfriend would pick us up, and in an almost unprecedented show of change-for-the-better, I was ready ahead of schedule. Right as we were getting ready to head downstairs, I decided it might be a good idea to take my inhaler. I reached across my nightstand and upset a half-full Coke bottle, which splashed across my skirt, my freshly shaved legs, and into my heels. Awesome!
Thirteen dollar dress, you are my forever love. Thank god you're black and virtually spill-proof. It wiped right up; I couldn't believe it.
So the party was fun-- about twenty people. Lots of loud, happy jokes, food, huddling around a fire and singing. I drank a fair amount but didn't overdo it. I did smoke too much, but thankfully I didn't get sick. When the 2009 countdown came around, Ryan kissed me, and we cried a little. It was happy and sad, as such things often are.
Yesterday was... was there even a yesterday? I basically slept and nursed a mild headache. Oh yeah, we went out for amazing sushi rolls and then hung out with L2 for a while. I worked late and crashed. I think my entire New Years Day was like... four or five hours. Heh.
This morning, I woke up to Ryan packing his things. We didn't really speak much. L2 had agreed to drive with me to take him to Orange County; that way, we could have some girl-time and I'd be spared a kind of wrenching drive back home alone.
It was a masterful plan. She is a truly great friend.
I hugged Ryan tight and said goodbye, L2 was like "All right! I'll be in your car!"... and we left. We spent the afternoon talking our heads off, wandering around Downtown Disney, eating at House of Blues. (Holy crap. The fried shrimp with cheese grits and spinach was DELICIOUS.) We used free-latte coupons at Starbucks and then headed to the Adult Toy Store. I'll spare you the details, but I'll say this: My plan to try something new each week (if not every day) of 2009 is already off to a good start.** It seemed like the right thing to do, symbolically, after your boyfriend moves out. It was fun/ny, and I always like anything of that nature.
So yeah, I'm feeling pretty good about life and decisions and... life decisions. It's kind of tough, but then... so am I.
*I'm sure there are exceptions, but all of the men with whom I have close relationships have zero clue about how much clothing should cost. Their ideas about such things boggle my mind.
**TMI here: I've done things that might make a sailor blush to talk about, but I've never owned or used a "toy" for myself. L2 thought this was amazing and semi-scandalous. I wasn't anti, I just never... had. So we thought it might be fitting and amusing to remedy the situation.