Last Saturday, our eyes met across the bar exchanging furtive glances over our respective pints. He was too shy to approach me until the stranger sitting between us literally made him swap seats. Boy-next-door cute, I assumed he wouldn’t even pass the chit-chat test. To my surprise, a genuine kindness shone through the dive bar malaise surrounding me. We nervously exchanged digits and made plans for Thursday. That was more than 3 days away. He might actually be interested in me. Continue reading A Proper Date
Category Archives: Art
Dating
In this strange world of open relationships and unlimited spots for first dates, I can lose focus on lessons I’ve already learned. It’s easy to get swept away in the thrill of romance and promise of support. In less than three weeks, dating went from fun to overwhelming. Each action I chose seemed to steer me farther from my confidence. It’s like my wires were crossed and I kept mistaking flattery for friendship. So yesterday I went out with an honest-to-gawd friend.
A rarity on in general, I located a local person who knew me before all this change made me shiny and new. That alone is a treasure. But this is someone from my past that I actually LIKE. That’s almost unheard of. I spent the whole day with someone that doesn’t judge anything about me and it was refreshing. Like a cool breeze in a desert full of strangers I rediscovered my joy at how far I’ve come. Nothing better than a surprise witness to shock the system.
I go forward with a more solid sense of self. I’m not sure what “dating” is these days. I want to explore the idea because meeting new people is fun. I’ve been watching this dance for many years now and I know the red flags. I’m a strong, proud woman with a little girl inside that’s far, far away from home. In a way… I’m still shocked they allow me into the state, let alone fraternizing with the natives.
Family Weekend
A movie that oddly reminds me of Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, one of my unconditional favorites from childhood. Great casting. Stars a pretty Russian girl. Snappy directing style. Excellent music direction. I can relate to the entire plight. And, of course, it involves high school.
Has me giggling like a maniac. Totally worth it for the last 20 minutes alone. It’s like Rudy at the Miracle On Ice wrapped up in Napoleon Dynamite.
Bad Sex
Since I’ve been in Seattle, I’ve managed to get laid twice and not lose my independence. I think mostly just to see if I could. I view myself as somewhat asexual these days, so it’s always a surprise when someone wants that sort of thing from me. I tried to play coy for a few days but my desire for orgasms is very real. I figure why not have some fun, right? My misguided motivation is probably why things didn’t shape up that well. Sort of like instant karma. Continue reading Bad Sex
Streamline Tavern
Americana distilled, this dive bar apparently got ousted from their original spot on Mercer a year ago due to increased rent costs. So they picked up the bar and walked it one block over to set up shop in another dive spot that was about to close down. Timing worked out for everyone but the bartender confessed that it’s a sign of the time. Apparently a wave of dive bar closures hit Queen Anne recently and the two I’ve found are the remaining holdouts. Based on what I’ve seen, this place should be able to eke out another decade or two at least.
The entire place is lit by neon lights and Christmas lights scattered like cobwebs around the ceiling edges. It’s my second time here and I’m already chatting with the adorable bartender who also reminds me of an old friend. Maybe I’ve had too many friends? Of course, I met most of them while drunk so there’s still room to make an impression. The Wednesday night regulars are filtering in, filling the gaps at the bar. There’s a community of artists in the corner booth with paper and sketches spread out. Two strangers sit across from me watching TV over my head.
The pints of cider are $5 and there’s a coin-op pool table. Most of the patrons seem to smoke cigarettes outside, so having a dugout/joints with me will blend right in. I predict a lot of my laundry money will derive from visits here. “Uh oh, I’m low on quarters. Time to play some pool at the Streamline.” I wonder if they have a weekly pool tournament?
The Lizzie Borden Chronicles
Terrible show. If I’d had to tune in once a week to watch that I would have dropped off around episode 4. And that’s only because I love Christina Ricci. I spent the entire first episode trying to figure out if Clea Duvall is actually Claire Danes. Watched the whole 8 episodes and I’m still not sure.
Overall it’s not a bad summation of the mythology surrounding the true story that inspired the show. The directing is in that fun retro-rock style with extensive slow-motion walk aways and piercing stares. Gratuitous scenes where she primly arranges her murder victims echos Christina’s early role as Wednesday Addams. This character just has an overdose of Prozac in the eyes. The woman in power dynamic and hiding in plain sight make her a lovable anti-heroin.
At some point, the writers ran out of true story material and by then they’ve pretty much killed off anyone with a speaking role. That’s when things start stretching. By episode 8 it’s clear they simply had no material to continue to series with. That said, I love the poetic justice spelled out in the final scene. Befitting of Greek tragedy if you ask me.
Wild Ginger
I successfully applied for my new social security card. To celebrate I’m trying one of the downtown eateries that has a $$ rating. It’s a swanky joint with reasonable prices and a heavy business lunch crowd. It must fit snugly into the petty cash budget. I ordered a hard cider served in a wine glass. The bar is separate, dark and quiet. Perfect for me. The dining area of 2 and 4-tops is bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s an upscale feeling to the place that leads me to believe I won’t get out of here for less than $35. I did say I was splurging. Continue reading Wild Ginger
X-COM 2
My entire squad died on the first mission. It’s gonna be a great sequel. Continue reading X-COM 2
Federal Property
Today I had two goals. Walk downtown to get my ORCA discounted bus pass and fill out the application for a new social security card. Naturally, walking in a new city alone, I packed my pocket knife. I never really got scared walking in Memphis because I know how to walk in that city – rarely. So far, walking in downtown Seattle doesn’t require that much situational awareness but new is new. I may be Memphis as fuck but it never hurts to have backup. Continue reading Federal Property