Friday, May 12, 2006

Rain?!? In Chicago?!?

WHAT!!?!?!?!

After surviving through four straight months of rain...the last thing I want to deal with it water drops falling from the sky! But it looks like I have no choice. The weather forecast for my weekend in Chicago is rain, rain and more rain! *sigh* Can't a girl get a break...even on vacation?! Oh well...it's still a new city to be explored. It may be a tamer weekend than I expected but I'm in good company and it will be fun!

Take care all!

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Chicago, Here I Come!!

So I am off to the *Windy City*! Land of amazing food, deep dish pizza, the Cubs, etc. Should be an interesting experience. I've never been to Chicago before and am totally clueless about what the sites are, what I will be doing and what I want to do! Good plan, huh?! But you know what? I'm not even stressed about that. It's such a short trip and I'm all about exploring places without any real purpose and stumbling upon something cool. I've gotten a lot of recommendations about where to eat and things to bring back and cool touristy places to visit so I am all set! It's exciting!! I've never been to the Midwest before but the people there seem friendly when they are in California so we'll see what it's like when I am on their turf!

Have a fantabulous weekend and I'll have Chicago stories when I get back!

Alcoholoroscopes

So...what's your drinking style??


ARIES

Drinking style: Impulsive Aries people like to party and sometimes don't know when to call it a night. Their competitive streak makes them prone to closing-time shot contests. They're sloppy, fun drunks, and they get mighty flirty after a couple tipples. Getting Aries people drunk is a good way to get what you want out of them, should other methods fail. Aries can become bellicose when blotto, but they will assume that whatever happened should be forgiven (if not forgotten) by sunrise. They can be counted on to do the same for you -- so long as you haven't gone and done anything really horrible to them last night, you sneaky Gemini.

TAURUS

Drinking style: Taurus prefers to drink at a leisurely pace, aiming for a mellow glow rather than a full-on zonk. Since a truly intoxicated Taurus is a one-person stampede, the kind of bull-in-a-china-shop inebriate who spills red wine on white carpets and tells fart jokes to employers, the preference for wining and dining (or Bud and buddies) to body shots and barfing is quite fortunate for the rest of us. This is not to say that the Bull is by any means a teetotaler -- god, no. A squiffy Taurus will get, er, gregarious (full of loudmouth soup, some would say) and is extremely amusing to drag to a karaoke bar when intoxicated.

GEMINI

Drinking style: Gemini's can drink without changing their behavior much-- they're so naturally chatty and short-attention-spanned that it's just hard to tell sometimes. They can amaze you by conversing with finesse and allusion, then doing something unbelievable in an extremely advanced state of intoxication, like puking in your shoe. Gemini's possess the magic ability to flirt successfully (and uninfuriatingly, which is very tricky) with several people at once. They like to order different cocktails every round -- repetition is boring -- and may create a theme (like yellow drinks: beer, sauvignon blanc and limoncello) for their own amusement.

CANCER

Drinking style: Cancer is a comfort drinker -- and an extra wine with dinner or an after-work beer or six can be extra comforting, can't it, Cancer darling? Like fellow water signs Scorpio and Pisces, Crabs must guard against lushery. Cancers are brilliant at ferreting out secret parties and insinuating themselves on VIP lists -- and, in true Hollywood style, Cancers are never really drunk; instead, they get "tired and emotional" (read: weepy when lubricated). But there's nothing better than swapping stories (and spit) over a few bottles of inky red wine with your favorite Cancer. Even your second-favorite Cancer will do. The sign also rules the flavor vanilla, and you'd be adored if you served up a vanilla vodka and soda.

LEO

Drinking style: Leo likes to drink and dance -- they're often fabulous dancers, and usually pretty good drinkers as well, losing their commanding dignity and turning kittenish. Of course, they're quite aware they're darling - Leos will be Leos, after all. They generally know their limit, probably because they loathe losing self-control. When they get over-refreshed, expect flirting to ensue -- and perhaps not with the one who brought them. But Leo's not the type to break rules even when drunk, so just try to ignore it (try harder, Cancer) and expect a sheepish (and hung over) Lion to make it up to you the next day.

VIRGO

Drinking style: Cerebral Virgos are compelled to impose order onto their bender. Their famously fussy quest for purity could lead to drinking less than other signs, sure -- but it could also lead to drinking booze neat, to sucking down organic wine or just to brand loyalty. They rarely get fully shellacked -- but, oh, when they do! Virgo's controlled by the intellect, but there's an unbridled beast lurking within, and they let it loose when walloped. It's dead sexy (and surprisingly unsloppy). As one Virgo friend used to declare, "I'm going to drink myself into a low level of intelligence tonight." A toast to the subgenius IQ!

LIBRA

Drinking style: "I'm just a social drinker," slurs Libra, "it's just that I'm so damn social." Libra loves nothing more than to party, mingle and relate to everyone. Whether dipped in favor of Good Libra (with Insta-Friend device set to "on") or heavier on the Evil Libra side (they are little instigators when bored), the Scales can really work a room. Charming as they are, Libras are notoriously lacking in self-control, however, which can get them into all sorts of trouble -- including wearing their wobbly boots waaaay too early in the evening, flirting with their best friend's beau or even blacking out the night's events entirely. Oops!

SCORPIO

Drinking style: Don't ever tell Scorpios they've had enough, for they'll smirk at you and quietly but intentionally keep tippling till they're hog-whimpering drunk, out of 100-proof spite. Scorpios like to drink, and screw you if you have a problem with that. Most of them see the sauce as something to savor in itself, and not as a personality-altering tool - though if depressed, self-loathing Scorps seek total obliteration. But generally, they're fascinating drinking pals, brilliant conversationalists and dizzying flirts. They also remember everything -- especially what you did when you were blitzed. Only drink with a Scorpio who likes you.

SAGITTARIUS

Drinking style: In vino veritas -- and, for Sagittarius, in booze blurtiness: When buttered, they'll spill all your secrets and many of their own. Tactlessness aside, Sagittarius is just plain fun to drink with. This is a sign of serious partying (what else would you expect from the sign of Sinatra, Keith Richards, the Bush twins and Anna Nicole Smith?). They're the people who chat up everyone in the room, then persuade the entire crowd to travel somewhere else -- like a nightclub, or a playground, or Cancun. Good-natured hi-jinks are sure to ensue (including a high possibility of loopy groping; spontaneous Sag is a brilliant booty call).

CAPRICORN

Drinking style: Capricorn is usually described as practical, steadfast, money-hungry and status-thirsty -- no wonder they get left off the astrological cocktail-party list. But this is the sign of David Bowie and Annie Lennox, not to mention Elvis. Capricorn is the true rock star: independent, powerful and seriously charismatic, not too eager to please. And if they make money being themselves, who are you to quibble? But just like most rock stars, they're either totally on or totally off, and they generally need a little social lubricant to loosen up and enjoy the after party, especially if they can hook up with a cute groupie.

AQUARIUS

Drinking style: Aquarius and drinking don't go together that well (except for water, that is). They have an innate tendency toward know-it-allism, and if they get an idea while sizzled, they're more stubborn than a stain or a stone. If they're throwing a party or organizing an outing, however, they're too preoccupied with their duties to get combative and they make perfectly charming drunks in that case. Fortunately, they're usually capital drink-nursers. They also make the best designated drivers (if you can get them before they start raising their wrist) Aquarius is fascinated by drunk people and capable of holding interesting conversations with soused strangers while sober.

PISCES

Drinking style: If you're a Pisces, you've probably already heard that you share a sign and an addictive personality -- with Liz Taylor, Liza Minelli and Kurt Cobain. Not only do Pisces like to lose themselves in the dreamy, out-there feeling that only hooch can give, but they build up a mighty tolerance fast. Who needs an expensive date like that? On the other hand, they're fabulously enchanting partners, whether in conversation or in crime. With the right Pisces, you can start out sharing a pitcher of margaritas and wind up in bed together for days. The phrase "addictive personality" can be read two ways you know.

My Addiction

So after much self-analyzation, I've discovered that I have my own sort of weird and insane addiction. An addiction to dating. Yea, I know sounds weird. People are addicted to booze, sex, drugs...but dating?! But I have been dating so much for so long that it seems like it needs to be a part of my life. So much so that I often put dating and meeting strangers ahead of my need to relax, my need to do laundry, my need to pay bills and my need to do my own thing. Why does a stranger take precedence over me? Especially when dating hasn't really paid off for me. Yes, I've met a lot of interesting people and I've acquired a lot of stories for my *All American Chick Lit Novel* but is it really worth it anymore? God knows I have enough research for the book and life is too short to be wasting on strangers right now. But to actually stop dating is a trial. I am so addicted to dating that I feel like I have to continue because *what if I lose out on meeting that one terrific guy if I stop. He may be my next blind date!* And even though I meet cool, interesting people, I can't grasp on that enough because I need to feed the addiction and date more guys and meet more people because even though this guy is cool, the next may be better. So bad. So after talking to a dear friend...ok...more like being lectured by a dear friend, I convinced myself that it's time to stop dating and take a break. I've pulled the profile and am going to focus on being out in the sun, organizing the apartment so it's fantabulous, being with my friends and enjoying all the things I miss because I've been too busy dating. The goal is to love and appreciate the things that make me again so that I don't have to dwell so much on the dating fiascos and that I will be more open to meeting a great guy for a *long term relationship* and give up my role of being a *chronic dater*. Because, let me tell you...being a chronic dater can be a total drag! Fun stories...but a drag.

The Demise of *The Guy*

Me and *the guy*…yea….do we see where this story is going? So me and *the guy* called it quits. Actually I did. Surprise, surprise!! But, hey…I stuck it out and tried to relax and as more time passed…I got more irritated. Fact is for being *together*, we weren’t together a lot and I definitely was not seeing the action that I wanted to be seeing.

All right…so let me explain…

Problem #1: Not astrologically compatible. Ok. So this isn’t a huge deal. I have dated the difficult signs…like Taurus…and the serious signs…like Cancer. But I was dealing with a Capricorn which is both difficult AND serious. And everything I read said that Libra and Capricorn was a match made in hell. Uh-oh…what?! Must tread very carefully. We weren’t a match made in hell…just conflicted.

Problem #2: Any guy I date has to have just a little bit of boldness and aggressiveness under their belt. I like to feel pursued and wanted. Instead, here I was pursuing him. I was the one making the arrangements and driving into the city to meet him. Really…what is that?! And I do not consider comments like *hey, you looked great Friday night…awwww, I am so sweet* cute. Ok…things are nice until you go and acknowledge that what you said was cute. And opening doors and then saying *I can be such a gentleman* is not really gentlemanly. Considering I have male friends that open my car doors, let me into restaurants before they enter, order for me and just take care of me in general…even though I am not a romantic interest, *the Guy* really was not a true gentleman. But I forgave him because he was cute and dorky. Oh yea…and after 9 dates…you’d have expected to have gotten some sort of action.

Problem #3: A Guy should definitely have some *cohones*. If I feel like I have more *cohones* than the guy...that is a bad thing. Then that makes me feel like I am the guy in the relationship and the guy is the girl. BAD!!! Again...this goes into the whole wanting to be wanted mentality.

Problem #4: Distance. It's hard when one lives in Oakland and the other lives on the Peninsula. You have to deal with 30 miles and a bridge. Hey...it may not seem like a big deal but when it's the girl doing all the driving and the guy just sits their waiting and that girl hates driving in the first place...totally big deal!!

Problem #5: Whining indecisive men are not attractive. I am indecisive. This is where the boldness and assertiveness that I want in a man comes into play. I want a guy that can make a decision. Where do you want to eat? I don't know...you decide. How about Italian? Perfect. See...easy! If I don't feel like Italian...I'd bring it up and suggest something else. Now when two people are going rounds and rounds trying to decide something...I am ready to throw my hands up in the air and go in the opposite direction. I mean...really...does it have to be so hard. And if said guy has something in mind...just say it! Pu-lease...just say it. Do not wait for me to suggest 10 other things to do before I come up with your idea and you agree to that. Talk about a waste of time...cohones...see...we're back to problem #3.

Too much stuff driving me crazy and with his whole *girls on Match are just looking for sex* comments, I wasn't about to sleep with him if I wasn't sure if I even wanted to continue seeing him. Because of that I did have to deal with *pent up* issues but like a dear friend reminded me, that is why we have Good Vibes (
www.goodvibes.com). Hmmm...maybe that's too much information. Awww, heck...who are we kidding. Women have their toys and men have their porn and some have both. And people who don't realize that are living in Timbuktu!