Wed 16 Jul 2008
A major flaw with people, or with myself more specifically, is that bad stuff could drop me 10 notches whereas good stuff largely go by unnoticed. I think it’s also a woman thing to fixate on a negative thing or flaw, cuz we want so badly to fix it or to will it into oblivion. Nag it into oblivion, for some. But I like to try to notice the good stuff, stop myself from dismissing it, and give the good the proper weight it deserves.
I was having that crappy evening yesterday, and then I called Mr. W, who proved why he’s worthy of my dedicating the rest of my life to. Even though I didn’t tell him much except that I was in a foul mood, he was nice about it, didn’t pry, and said with a smile in his voice that I need to get my nightly dose of comedy. I realized then that I hadn’t had the TV on all evening, which is a rarity for me. But by the lateness of the hour, I’d already missed my favorite sit com of Two and a Half Men, and Friends and Will and Grace wouldn’t be on for another hour or so. There was a little silence, and then he did the closest thing he could to giving me my show: he sang the theme song of Two and a Half Men to me. “Men men men men, manly men men men…” I laughed and felt better instantly.
After we hung up cuz it was past Mr. W’s bedtime, I got online and saw that James was on. I IMed him and we chatted online for a bit, when I realized I’d forgotten to eat dinner and had only a smoothie for lunch. I did have birthday cake for breakfast, though. James said that if I wanted to go out and grab a bite, that he would pause his work and keep me company. “I could use a beer,” he said. I’d been wanting to hang out for days, but Dwaine’s been MIA so I’d just been moping at home. James and I hadn’t seen each other forever; he’d gotten busy picking up a contracted job on top of his regular job, I got busy with random stuff and stopped Zaino-ing my car, and hence went our regular contact. We looked online for nearby restaurant-bars open late, and decided on BJ’s. I got there first, and waited for James at the bar.
I hadn’t sat by myself at a bar during late night for a long time. I’d forgotten about the regulars, the drunks, the overly-dressy women, who hang there at weeknights hoping to catch some male attention. I remember Sandy saying that it’s pretty sad when we see women all decked out to go to a restaurant bar cuz that means this is the highlight of their social life. I had thrown on a fitted t-shirt and shorts and despite being seriously underdressed for the ridiculous crowd, still turned a few male heads. When James showed up, we had a nice chat over a thin-crust appetizer pizza (me), glass of Framboise Lambic (me) which is a raspberry ale off tap, and he had a Hefeweizen off tap. And then he ordered and we split a Pizookie, BJ’s specialty giant cookie fresh-baked into a tin and topped with vanilla bean ice cream. James told me that he’d thought about me recently in a personal problem he’d encountered, and remembered what I’d told him some time ago about how to address and resolve uncomfortable issues. He said he was going to let it fester and go, but actually evaluated the situation from the perspective I’d shown him before, and he addressed it the way that, according to him, I’d “taught” him. And it completely worked out and appears to have resolved everything. It was really nice of him to give me credit for an interpersonal success he’d accomplished, and I felt special that something I’d said to him or demonstrated on him before had been taken seriously, remembered, and adopted.
Definitely much better than feeling sensitive about some lame 4 minute phone call.
I would enjoy sitting in a bar with you, people watching, sharing great conversation full of humorous and sarcastic insights.
~good thoughts~
Hey Cindy,
BJs was fun, we should do it more often :). We should hit up Taps some time. Next time since I know the beers are only $2.50 i need to get more than just 1!
And yea who cares about some 4 minute phone conversation? BTW I am curious… did I ever make it into your diary? Mashed Potatoes and all?? lol
See ya,
James
For some reason I find it kinda odd that BJ’s is as popular of a place that it is around the Bay Area.
Oh, and I am still alive, and finally got around to an update.
I would like to join next time, since I live so close to y’all. It’d be fun to see James too… it’s been 10+ years I think?
On the other hand, we don’t want anymore late-night “I’m upset” outings. Let’s just go have a good time!
jericho – gosh, I don’t know WHAT makes you think *I* would have sarCAStic insights. I mean, sarCAStic? ME??? 😉
Well, whenever you decide you want to make the trek over from waaaay on the other side of the country…
James – Dude, I’ve TRIED to hang out more often. How many times have I called on my way home from work and asked you, “You plan on hitting the gym tonight?” and YOU would say, “No, I’m gonna be busy working.”? Altho apparently, to get you to stop working, I have to replace the gym with beer.
I didn’t read my entire diary, but in the portion I did read (summer of ’93), you did make a couple guest appearances. No mention of mashed potatoes.
TurboTiger – OMG, you’re still ALIVE! *big hug* James and I were talking about you the other nite we hung out! And the other morning I was thinking, “How the hell do we find out for sure? I don’t know his last name, you’d think his friend Ben who knows him in real life would drop a comment on his site for him, GEEZ!!!
Vicky – Oh sure! Let’s plan on it! I didn’t think it would be okay for you to come out impromptu at like 11p, but we can plan something earlier next time.
I don’t want any more “I’m upset” outings, either. Haven’t heard from the meanie since, and I’ve been goooood.
Yes, replacing “Gym” with “Beer” works very well for me 🙂
And Vicky, would love to catch up with you too! Let’s do it. Taps?? BJs?
I’ll put aside work for that 🙂
Woohoo! Will coordinate with the two of you for next week sometime. =)