Day 1

Monday, April 4, 2011 -5:02am
Venice

Currently pinching myself.  Mom and I arrived in Venice yesterday about noon.  Seriously a city perched on water, no textbook or postcard could prepare you for the beauty and awe of Venice.  The history of the buildings and cobblestoned corridors silences even yours truly.  

Our flight was, well, twelve hours in very cramped seats.  Since we left at 1:30pm, the whole idea of sleep was ludacris.  Hungry, bored and in desperate need of wine, I'm surprised I didnt die.  A quick jog around the Amsterdam international terminal (nothing is quick about going through security with a bionic-hipped mother, however.  They like to swipe her down with magic wands over and over and over...) and we made it.  Paulo and his fabulous enterage of drivers and boaters greeted us at the gate, shuttling us to our private vaperetto.  The sun was shining, sparkling against the infamous filthy canal sludge.  Standing up in the. Back of the water taxi, wind literally in my hair, I found myself smiling.  Extremely exhausted just moments before, the palazzos rising up from the waterways, seemingly with no earthly foundations, blew me away.  Docked and en route to Casa V..., I realized how Truly narrow and windy all of these little alleyways really are.
Did you know Venice has no cars?  I mean, of course you do, they've been teaching us this since we were little.  But really, no cars...just boats.  Romantic couples and Asian tourists drift by in cheesy gondolas, their drivers wearing the traditional striped shirts and straw hats.  Our hotel room, hidden behind an unmarked door smack dab in the middle of the breakfast room is, well, ridiculously small.  I know Europe is notorious for it's tiny guest rooms but wow.  
We wandered aimlessly around the crowded Plaza de San Marco, shamelessly staring, groggy-eyed at the locals and tourists bustling about their Sunday.  A quick glass of wine at a tourist trap (pretty sure I forced my mom to sit.  Drink.  Damnit) and we continued our mapless journey.  After gazing at Designer boutiques, hidden parks full of kissing couples and ancient nonas and nondescript churches holding 400 year old artistic treasures, we ended up having a very quick plate of pasta at a cafe lining the plaza.  I washed my face, brushed my teeth and was out before 8.  Of course, I had been up for some ought 28 hours.  Now I'm up at an ungodly hour; the difference is I'm in Italy.  I can sleep when I'm dead.  Xo

Honestly, no idea why I am at work today.  It's not like I am getting anything accomplished.  Redic.

* I just used "here" when I should have used "hear".  I am confused, upset and feel dirty.  I never misuse.  Sigh. 

Monday Morning...

* First off, I had the best meal last night.  We took family night on the road, venturing out to Little Bird, my man-friend Gabriel Rucker's newest venture.  I even showered and did my hair - just in case I had a sighting.  I adore that man - he does everything right...good decor, excellent wine list, AMAZING food. 

* Dating sucks.  Period.

* I have an overspending problem.  I can't help it.  I must consume...must spend hundreds on clothes I will undoubtedly not be able to wear in a month.  Being a size where I can once again fit into cute clothes, I feel the need to buy, buy, buy. 

* Speaking of being a certain size - the pants I am currently wearing are my "Inspiration Pants" - the ones I have had hanging over my closet door since November.  Yup.  I am wearing them today for the first time.  Take that, old me.  Take that. 

You Ain't Got Sh*T To Do...

It's Friday...Thank Gawd.

* My mother just called.  Maria is at her house - would I like her to drop by mine?  Well, of course I do! 
       Maria has been cleaning my apartment since November.  She only comes every few months, not like, weekly or anything.  I find having "help" wonderful.  I am a neat person by nature and my apartment is so minimalistic I really never have clutter.  I make my bed everyday, my towels are always neatly folded on the appropriate rack - I just hate doing floors.  So, Maria comes every so often and gives everything a good dust, sweep, mop and vacuum - a wondrous arrangement.  Only normally I take the recycling out before she visits.  Caught off guard this time, my recycling is overflowing...awesome.  Either she is going to think I am the wine-o I am, or she will think I had a very fun party.  Fingers crossed.

Wednesdays are Not My Fav...

...Actually, I don't think I have a favorite day.  Unless Friday after 5 counts.  How cliche. 

* I have officially been at my job a year.  Yesterday marked my anniversary.  Mary sent flowers. 

Today I am thankful for:
* Distance - One of my best friends (my "sissy") lives in NYC - and I think it's a good thing.  While, yes, I would love to have her around, there is something extremely special about our phone calls.  We never plan our conversations, they just - well, happen.  One of us drinks too much wine and calls the other, then the magic begins.  Gossiping like old women, we always pick up where we left off.  Our mothers, our weight, so-and-so's one night stand, real estate, how much to tip the maid...we cover every base, taking mutual smoke breaks and bodega runs without missing a beat.  Last night we discussed the men of Million Dollar Listing as if they were our close personal posse - "Can you believe Heather is dating him?!  What was with Josh's tie??"  - really, folks.  Solving World Hunger we are not but enjoying a lifelong friendship we are.

* Ludicrous Ideas - I think it's time to get inked again.  My mother would die and my employer would probably rather I not...eh, who cares. 

* Travel - I leave in TEN days!  Wahoo!  I cannot wait to write from an Italian cafe.  You all just wait - it will be glorious.

* Memories - I am clinging to the way a certain someone's lips curled ever-so-slightly as they smiled the last time I saw them.

* Sun - Can you beat the fact it's sunny today?!  While I've said it before, I don't mind the gray, wet PNW, I feel like dancing today.  Mostly because the sun is outtttttt.

Monday...

Guess what I did this weekend? 
NOTHING.  That's right.  I did nothing.  I played on my new iPad.  I watched a movie.  I drank wine and enjoyed my own company. 
I don't know if it's considered selfish or egotistical, or weird or what - but sometimes I think I have the most fun when I am alone.  I can watch/listen to whatever I want, I can wear PJs and skip makeup...it's always a good time.  Now, don't get me wrong, I have a great time with my friends when I DO go out...
Maybe it's the fact I deal with people all day long.  When I'm working I have to be "on" 100% of the time.  Sometimes I need to decompress.  With a cigarette, bunny slippers and silence. 

New Toys...No New Boys...

I'm typing this on my new iPad. It's awkward. Perhaps I should try removing the protective plastic casing. I'm in love with it, however. The iPad, not the casing.