Friday my meetings went really well... actually much better than I expected. I was basically giving a presentation to Head Cheese #1 and Head Cheese #2 about what I do, what I've done and why I'm doing what I'm doing (i.e., why they pay me to be there). I didn't find out until after the meeting that the scheduling of this meeting was specifically initiated by Head Cheese #2 in order that I could go to the firm Holiday Party. I was a little peeved that I was the only person in my entire department to be going... since I don't work in the office, I only know one or two people outside of my department but you can't exactly say no to Cheeses #1 and #2 now can you? At the last minute I was told I could bring my friend, Michelle, who lives in Atlanta with me so we gussied all up and went vowing to eat dinner and run. We had a few drinks, ate some food and talked to some people. I found out a lot about the firm I work for and met some good people. Around 11pm we left the party for "some fun" and the guy who is the liasion for my project and a department decided to come with us. From here on out, I'll use the affectionate term cowboy that we gave to him about halfway through the evening.

We went to some bar called East Andrews in Buckhead. When we walked into the bar a very, very (okay very very very) hot tall man approached me (okay, wait, let me reiterate the very very very hot to incredibly beautiful man). He leaned down (I own up to loving it if a man has to lean down to me... probably because it is a rare thing) and said "I think you are absolutely incredible, can I buy you a drink?" For a fleeting second of alcohol induced amnesia, I could imagine being 10 years younger, sans family and having said "Oh absolutely yes" but instead I said "I'm sorry but no." He was clearly confused (I suppose a hot man like that is used to blushing yeses) and asked why. I said "I'm married and have two kids." Question asked, question clearly understood and five minutes later he was holding hands with some girl and clearly after tail for the evening. Though it was only for a fleeting moment, I do have to admit that the attention was incredibly flattering. It's not often that I am called "absolutely incredible".... I mean, after 10 years of marriage, things are much more, what's the word, comfortable (?) than that around here. My ego has to own up to it being sorta nice. At 35 I feel much more in tune with my body, myself and as a result, I feel much more awesome than I ever did 10 years ago.

After forcing my friend to dance with some man who never learned the lesson of keeping his hands to himself, we took cowboy and headed across the street to the much less of a meat market, more mellow English pub. On the way I apparently greatly offended cowboy by not allowing him to help with my jacket. I tried to explain that in the ream of that same comfortable world, I'm not used to a man requiring me to allow his help... in fact, regardless of how much comfort 10 years can give a couple, I just don't need a man to help me with my jacket, my arms work, thank you. Alas, my explanations only inflamed cowboy (and apparently his mama too) even more. A Boddingtons ordered (cowboy and Michelle did shots) I proceeded to cause more offense by confessing that Jesus Christ is not my saviour and I simply can't believe he's coming back to life to damn me to an eternal lifetime in a pit of fire. It's amazing how different the Bible Belt is... I'm very out of my element.

All in all I had such a wonderful time on Friday night. Michelle and I just hung out like we used to. I always have a very open honest dialogue so the offenses didn't phase me, I used to be very good at that actually... only 15 years ago I'd laugh and get off on it and now I just think how sad that there can be so much division and such a narrow definition of what is acceptable to some. Cowboy got a little too drunk so we decided to drop him off and go back to the hotel where we proceeded to order room service at 3am, chow down then pass out without even saying goodnight. Needless to say, I skipped yoga on Saturday.

I spent the day hanging out and relaxing then went to the airport for my flight of which the first leg went smoothly and the second leg didn't happen at all. I was grounded in Denver and finally ended up with a canceled flight due to fog here in San Diego. Since this is an act of Cowboy's God, the airlines doesn't pay for a hotel, meals or anything... fortunately for me, I was on business travel and therefore had an expense account but I truly felt sorry for some of the people, in particular a young girl, who were truly not feeling they could afford the $50 rooms at Motel 6. The airlines refused to allow us to pick up our bags and so I went to the Marriott and had to purchase deoderant, toothpaste, underwear, a shirt, a brush... and try to get some sleep (that didn't really work out too well). Finally, 12 hours later, I landed in San Diego completely and totally spent and barely working cognitively.

This week is going to be a huge week for me. Tomorrow I'm redoing my large presentation from my conference in August (but this time via telephone which is always harder). Tuesday I'm getting my tattoo (I asked an Indian couple on the airplane yesterday if they could read it, they could but they told me that Stri is not often used for wife so I need to go back to that word). Thursday is a Hannuka celebration. Friday and Saturday are two holiday parties. Goddess of light please let me find Mysore classes T/TH and maybe even tomorrow.... I need my mat.

(PS a big wave hello to Tom from Atlanta Yoga... thank you so much for your kindness and I hope to take you up on it next time!)

(PPS I turned on comment moderation momentarily because I'm having a spamming issue but haven't had time to address it in code)