Saturday, April 30, 2011

Awkward Wanda made an encore appearance

I just quite possibly left the most awkward voicemail possible for a guy I have never met before.

It's a match boy...(hence the previous post....had to explain the awkwardness).  We are supposed to meet up for dinner tomorrow and had only emailed about meeting up but in his last email he gave me his phone number for further coordination.  So instead of texting him or emailing back, I decided to be a grown-up and call him.  Bad decision, lesson of the day is that I am not nearly anywhere close to being a grown-up.

I fumbled, I made awkward pauses, said awkward sentences, rambled for a while and finally hung up.  All I could do afterwards was laugh at how silly I can be sometimes.  We'll see if this date actually happens tomorrow....hope the new boy likes Awkward Wanda because she seems to be in full force these days.

Match.com

We have reached a point in society where online dating has almost become a social norm....and I think it's a heavy stretch on the 'almost'.  Regardless, match.com was able to suck me into their world by promoting such great commercials with the potential of finding true love.  Barf.  I actually signed up when I was in Miami, alone on a Friday, possibly with a glass of wine....

Anytime I tell someone that I've signed up for match, I provide a caveat....I did it when I was drunk....I just wanted to see what it was like....it was free to sign up initially.  etc etc etc.  When really, it just seemed like the best next step seeing as though I've had zero luck finding someone suitable to date in D.C.  It's an interesting city to say the least....full of single young people, but either I'm the outsider or nobody is interested in really finding somebody to be compatible with for the long run.  

anywhooooooo I've gone on a few dates on match...nothing that has turned into anything.  I'm still skeptical of the whole thing, not entirely sure the guy i'm emailing is truly a serial killer.  I'm trying to be optimistic and just see where it takes me.  I've also had to make an attitude adjustment and realize the potential of just meeting people in general.  Not every person I meet up with has to be my husband.  

So, there's that explanation in a nutshell.  Yes, I am on an online dating website and no, I have not met my match just yet.  


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

War paint

War paint...once used to intimidate the enemy when getting ready for a slaughter...now used by women trying to conquer the world.  Perhaps they are one in the same?

I've often had this conversation with a certain friend of mine about the idea of makeup.  I've never been a huge makeup wearer, but I've also never been an au naturale kinda person.  There's something about the comfort of having a little coat of mascara or a quick brush of bronzer to make walking out the door in the morning that much easier.  Why is that?

I happen to believe that some woman are blessed with eyes that miraculously look like they have been done up with a little eyeliner and mascara when in actuality, they have done absolutely nothing.  Bitches.

Jokes...jokes, people.

Anyways, some women are blessed.  Yes yes, I know I should believe that I am blessed too but how boring would that be to read about?

And of course, there is always the weight issues to factor in...Fat day = more makeup.  Skinny day = less makeup.  Why is it that I feel that slightly more makeup on my face will somehow hide the fact that I have gained a few pounds?  Why do I feel more comfortable with what I've got if I'm having a skinny day?

One of the things I haven't addressed in this lovely blog-world is the issue of weight.  And trust me, it's a heavy issue.  But from what I know about me...larger-Lucy would rarely walk out the door without eyeliner and mascara.  Yet as I went through a weight-loss journey I found myself wearing less and less makeup everyday until I felt absolutely comfortable walking outside with absolutely nothing on my face.  But if we dig even deeper, what's at the root of mascara?  masc...mask?

From the time I was a little girl, all I wanted to do was play with my mom's makeup...wear her lipstick, prepare for the glamorous lifestyle that was ahead of me...yet who is this mask for?  Is it a way to emulate my inner-warrior or is it a mask to cover up my insecurities?

And what about work versus play?  I absolutely feel the need to put on my war paint before a day in the office yet I have no qualms about going to brunch on a Sunday afternoon without so much as a yea, I washed my face....you wanted more effort?  Professionalism?  Bravado?

And in all actuality...as of late I'm starting to think that the mask doesn't even work. You spend all this time getting ready just to have someone tell that you look 'tired'.  Guess my 'mask' ain't doing the trick anymore.  Perhaps I'll try a paper bag tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Awkward Wanda

Because what else fits better than awkward and wanda?

Let's just say that both are out today and if I had an alter-ego....Wanda.  Awkward Wanda.   Maybe that could also be my spy name....who would ever suspect a spy who introduced herself as Awkard Wanda?

Thursday, April 14, 2011

My Best Friend's Getting Mawwiedddddd

Rachel has been my best friend since I met her in second grade.  She's the type of person who I can go without seeing for months yet it's like nothing ever changed. I love her dearly and could write a novel on our adventures together (hey, maybe I should) but I'll save that for another post.  This is our friendship in a nutshell:



Rachel and Anders (who I've also known since second grade) started dating the spring of our Senior year.  I was only slightly jealous, as Anders had been my prom date Junior year...no no, in reality, I was the first to find out about them as a couple and I could not have been happier for two of my friends to get together.  They went through a lot of turmoil and the three of us grew very close as a result of that.  It's hard to live away from best friends, but it makes the times we are together that much more worthwhile.  As a result of this closeness and never feeling the need to hold back, I never had any qualms about questioning Anders about marriage or asking about engagement possibilities in front of them both.  Here's the lovely couple:




This spring brought their 7th (YES 7th) anniversary and I spoke to Rachel just before and learned of the vacation they had planned to Hawaii to celebrate.  Since we are in the land of technology, I got to facetime with Rachel while she was on her computer - Anders was in the room too.  So, trying to be inconspicuous, I motioned my ring finger to rachel with a questioning glance? and she just answered....no no, not expecting anything, people have been asking etc.  And Anders chimes in from off-screen "I know what you two are talking about!!!!"
Put a ring on it, Anders!!!  Lock it up.

Well, I had a feeling it would happen on the trip, but you never know.  Rachel called me the first night of their vacation and I frantically ran to the back of the bar to call her and see what happened.  Nothing...she was calling to say how lovely Hawaii was. 

Night two, she calls again as I am walking home from being out with friends.  Just as I'm almost to the door of my house, she tells me that they got engaged!!!!!  I was jumping up and down in the street and I definitely got some weird looks, but I didn't care! My best friend JUST GOT ENGAGED!  (ps is it weird that I'm telling this whole story? I feel like this is maybe something that should be saved for their wedding website or something, oops).

Anywhooo, to complete my story - I cannot be happier for my best friends and am even more excited that I am Maid of Honor - yes it's official.  The wedding is next summer in Half Moon Bay at her parent's house.  The view will be something quite similar to this:


See ya in 2012 folks. Let the planning begin.  Congratulations again to my Rachie-Poo and Anders.  So excited to celebrate your love for one another! 

P.S. Can we have Tres Amigos at the wedding?







Running flower tour of D.C.

On Sunday afternoon, I went for a lovely run from my house towards the Lincoln Memorial and across Memorial Bridge.  The weather wasn't fantastic and it was not a sunny morning, but you could tell Spring was just around the corner. 

I felt like I was on a running tour of tulips in D.C.  I only took these pictures of these ones because it would defeat the purpose of exercising if I stopped running every 10 feet to take a picture.  But aren't they purtyyyy?


The misadventures of a wandering toe...

Feet should not be held captive

Curious feet and wandering toes deserve their freedom

Oh D.C. why do you not let my toes go free? 

Mistakes

I've got a curious set of toes...

I've also got a wandering toe

Wandering toes do not like shoes

Sandals and uggs are my best friend

Shoes are for the close-minded. (not really, but my toes think so)

So D.C. - it's Spring for goodness sakes

....my toes want to run free...

They refuse to admit that it's only 37 degrees in the morning, with a slight chance of rain

Stubborn toes - sandals it is.

 

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Too Many Brittin's for TSA

One of the problems of working at the same agency as my father is this....

People screw up our emails.  In a technology age where most people type the first few letters of your last name, then hit shift to auto-fill, it will auto-fill the name you used most recently.  Meaning, every once and a while I will get an email for him and he will get one for me. 

What's bad about this is if neither one of us notices, or forgets to forward.  What's worse is when my boss doesn't notice, doesn't ask why I haven't followed up on something, or is waiting for me to brief her on something I don't know about.  However, is it really my problem is people don't notice their mistake?  I don't know what I don't know, right?

I usually laugh when it happens and it gives me and Pops another reason to explore the many facets of father-daughter overlaps in the workplace.  Mainly, we just piss Mom off by having debates and conversations about what's going on, who's doing what and why they are doing it.  Nerding out on policy, politics and personalities. 

Never thought I'd see the day when my Dad and I were talking about work and I actually knew what was going on.....or better yet, challenged him. 

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

My Phoenix is Ringing.

I would like to relay a text conversation with my brother:

Peter:  Can you text me a good pic of Libs that you might have on your Phoenix

Peter: Phone haha

Lucy:  hahaha on my phoenix.  I am so calling phones that from now on

Peter:  Typo, but totally works

Peter:  Hold on, let me check my phoenix

Lucy:  Ah, my Phoenix died

Peter: Oh wait, he is recharged now.  Out of the ashes.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

'Children's' Radio

Hey Pandora, quit trying to label me... Yes, I was having a bit of a down morning and I wanted to listen to some music that I knew would put a smile on my face.  Disney... no jokes.  But Pandora just has to list this as the title: "Walt Disney (Children's)" 

WALT DISNEY IS NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN!  Honestly, were you deprived as a child?  Did your parents ever take you to Disneyland?  The whole point is that you never grow up....always a child.  So let me be the adult-child I want to be.  Disney is not just for kids. 

P.S. Didn't you ever see all the very adult things Disney animators snuck into their films?  The Priest's 'knee' in The Little Mermaid....the flurry of dust and flower petals the spells out sex in The Lion King?  Just for kids...please.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting

Saturday saturday....saturday saturday (I hope you are all singing the Elton John song in the back of your head like I am)

Saturday night is usually a night for fighting, and by fighting, I mean drinking.  However, this Saturday is not one of those occasions and I am very much okay with that fact.

It's hard to be 'on' all the time and after three weeks of constantly attempting to be on, I just need a breather.

Turning it off, zoning out, doing some writing, reading for some inspiration, and waking up early to go cheer on my amazing friends who are running the Cherry Blossom 10-miler tomorrow.

Best thing about meeting up with people post-run is the imminent brunch that is to follow.

It has been a time of contemplation, a time of revelation, a time of sorrow, a time of joy, but that honestly doesn't feel any different than life ultimately should at 25.