Exciting times! (well, for me anyway)

Damn blogger! This site deleted my first draft, and all its witticisms. So the following is an attempt at rehash what I originally wrote about.

So, I thought I'd start detailing the travel process and plans for my excursion to Europe. After a frustrating attempt to secure the best airfare deal, I scheduled departure just after my big-ol' 30th b-day, a date on which I expect all my readers to come out and alter their consciousness with me!I figured as a gift to myself (although, I justify a lot of these) I would stay at a swank hotel my first night on my own. I booked the http://www.rivesdenotredame.com/ which I got for a pretty good deal. It's centrally located in the heart of the Latin Quarter/Notre Dame district. I'm racking my brain to remember any of the French I was fluent in as a child so that I don’t make too much of an Americanized ass out of myself while traveling.

About a week into the trip, we'll make the excursion to Rome where I can revel in my partial Italian roots. We'll be staying at an apartment somewhere in the Navona square and Campo dè Fiori district, or potentially the Spanish Steps area, which hopefully won't be as noisy and obnoxious as the more touristy areas. I look forward to having my ass grabbed by hot Italian men.
On the subject of assgrabbery, quick side story: My aunt went to Italy a few years ago at the age of 62. She hadn't been since she was young and reminisced (fondly) about how the men ogled, etc. Worried that they wouldn't find (in her words) "an old fucking broad" all that appealing anymore, she walked up to an attractive young man and asked him to grab her ass. Turns out he was an American tourist there with his lady and well...not feeling all that adventurous. But I digress. After about 4 days, we return to Paris to "decompress" for the flight home mid-month.

Originally, I'd planned to visit Greece because my friend is studying there on scholarship, but turns out she won't be anywhere central during the time I could go and also with her new love, so I didn't want to impose. I'll save the Greece trip for another time, when I can give it my full attention and combine it with a trip to Turkey. Even though I saw most of the art studied during my undergrad at the British Museum a few years ago, Greece and Istanbul are two of my top places to visit, aside from Australia, Japan and Madagascar.

I'll be posting any adventures and experiences in between my usual psychotic ramblings on the blog. You can bypass that if you prefer the ramblings.

Clarity rhymes with parody (well, sort of)

Have you ever watched a cat freak out for no apparent reason? Kitty is just sitting peacefully, then all of a sudden, it's like a fire cracker went off under him and he jumps up, hauling ass to no where in particular? That's what I've been like this week. I like a little stress in my life-keeps things live and interesting. But, I'm painfully aware of my erratic behavior too. It's like watching a train wreck in slow-mo. Blame it on hormones, work, or whatever.

I have a lot of things in the works. Just booked my trip to Europe, a conference in Monterey, a job interview in Seattle...plan, planning, plans. Anyway, maybe it's all the future potential excitement that's tweaking me out. Or, maybe it's that inherited psychosis I knew would emerge at some point. You say potato...

It's all about communication. I think miscommunication is so rampant. And, you get into a pattern of dealing with certain people in a certain way. The problem is that you also tend to pre-analyze what that other person is thinking, feeling, etc., based on your own preconceived bias. In my brain, this makes sense, but you may not know what the hell I'm talking about. Point being...try...as hard as it may be...to listen fully to what is being said. Don't formulate an opinion until you are crystal clear. Ask questions and don't over analyze. Trust that it will save you time, reduce confusion and emotional exhaustion.

Happy New Year 2006

While I really wanted to post on NY day, my computer at work is faster (so much for the resolution of cultivating patience!).

December was an interesting month. Tried to go to “hipster central” for one last groove fest with some friends, but it was closed.
Not to be deterred from our mission to dance, we wound up at HotPants where I was twirled around the dancefloor by a pseudo-lesbian within the first 20 minutes, while Barbarella and random 80's workout videos projected on various walls. It was like that scene in Labyrinth where she falls down that hole and all the hands are grabbing her asking "Up or down?" I haven't gotten groped that much since my rave days (good god..looong ago!). The grooving fems and ladies made me miss my old friends from the Academy. Many a drunken Tuesday night we had spent at The Café drinking $1.50 Tequila Sunrises (gimmie a break-I was 21!), while I whined that I never met any hot guys (ok, that weren't gay). Duh! I did actually once meet up with a date there-a cute vegan, outdoor enthusiast, aspiring filmmaker fella from Le Video, who I had scoped out while with my former to-be, now long-since ex-boyfriend. Got that? Only in SF would such a statement roll off the tongue to a total understanding listener!

NYE proper was ok. We saw some good bands for a decent price, though I realized it's not trying to plan something on NYE that's frustrating, it's the dumbass drunks in khakis and button-ups or halters and strappy heels who stagger around, smacking you against a wall trying to shove their sloppy tongues down their date’s throat. Bleck!

Oops, but I digress. Anyway, this is the New Year and I am proud to say I have fulfilled many goals aspired from the last few years. What does 2006 hold? Travel for sure-planning a trip to Europe, celebrating (yes-CELEBRATING...not mourning) the 30th birthday. Art, art and more art-creative outlets are a must! And whatever the hell else I want. Saw a lot of great bands in 2005 and hope to see more. Well, there is SO MUCH to look forward to in life right? Can't detail every thing on a blog and one should always remain flexible, as to experience all the more in life...and be surprised too.

Salute everyone! See you on the horizon...