Communication

You know, I'm discovering that intense focus is a two-edged sort of thing. What is that thing? Sword? Knife? Kangaroo? Something like that. Anyway, one of the things that I've been struggling with for the past few months is the enormity of the change in my life. In a lot of aspects, it's been really positive, but in others, it's been either scary or eye-opening. On the eye-opening end of the spectrum is the realization that when I really focus on something, it's HARD for me to remember to communicate properly. I'm ok with people in the immediate vicinity, but when it comes to family and far-away friends, it can seem like I've dropped off the face of the earth.

Not good. I probably haven't talked to my mom for over a month now, and I haven't heard my dad's voice for almost a year. Granted, he lives in Scotland, and they haven't yet perfected the wool-based telephone, but still. So I gotta work on that. TO THE SHEEP PHONE!

Ahem.

Other things of note: wedding coming up soon (not mine), and I'll get to photograph that along with the ol' partner. Should be fun. And also nerve wracking.

I also had a dream the other night where I was running through a field full of dandelions and green grass. There were people there with helmets and determined expressions running circuitous routes, and I saw them as if they were snapshots slapped on a light table. I could tell they were annoyed with me because I wasn't running the proper route - I was checking out dandelions. So I strolled out of the field and woke up. Apparently I was making some noise or something while I was sleeping, because when I woke, she was snuggled up against me and rubbing my hand. It was a good way to wake up.

;)

Photo Update

Went up to Sacramento on Saturday with Rekabek to shoot some of One Proud Gemini's friends. They're in a band called Mr. Stitches. There are more, but these are my favorites:

As Time Goes By

I was reading my book at a cafe today, and I was suddenly struck by how completely my life has changed in the last year. I realized that the bookmark I was using was the business card of a "pipesmith" named Julius Vesz. I got it in Toronto almost exactly one year ago, when I accompanied The Ex Girl on a business trip.

It was a fun trip, full of new experiences (first time in Canada, first time eating dim sum, etc.) and lots of photos. I had no idea that the relationship would be over in a month, and I certainly would not have dreamed that I'd be where I am today, doing what I'm doing.

What am I doing? Well, for one, I'm starting to date again. I know! SO WEIRD. And yet, here I am, doing the dating thing. It's been very interesting so far, so I'll tell you a few stories.

Date One involved some firsts as well. I attended a blind eating party at a mushroom farm up in Sonoma County a few weeks ago. It was one of those deals where they blindfold you and then you attempt to work your way through six courses of food while attempting to carry on conversations with people you can't see and can barely hear. It was pretty interesting, and it was the first time I'd tried both caviar and venison. All in all, it was a lot of fun. Then there was an after party, and then there was hot tubbing. Yup. Five naked people in a hot tub on a beautiful night under a full moon. That was also a first. People who know me have been completely shocked that I did this, but it seemed perfectly natural and was totally non-sexual. It was just NICE.

There was fun making out later, and good breakfast at a neat hippie cafe the next morning.

Date Two was a first date with someone far closer than Sonoma County, and was even more enjoyable than Date One. It started at a nice local bar that serves good food. The place was totally packed, and it didn't look like we were going to get a seat, but one opened up at the last moment right next to the fireplace. Lucky! Dinner was a set of cucumber martinis and raspberry creme brulee. Conversation went well enough that we had seconds of everything. There was actual walking on the beach later (another first), and then we watched Harold and Maude back at my apartment until about 3:30am. Pretty good first date, I thought. We had a second one last Saturday, and number three is scheduled for this Friday. I'm thinking bowling might be fun.

Anyway, the point of all of this is that I'm amazed, nay, FLABBERGASTED by how much has changed in my life, and how much *I* have changed over the last year. I never thought I'd be dating. I never thought I'd be comfortable enough with myself to disrobe in front of complete strangers. I never thought I'd be in this beautiful place, having adventures with interesting people. I never thought I'd be so excited about my business prospects, or my future in general.

Apparently it's a good time to be me.

P.S.: Photos!