A Year in Review

One year ago today, I arrived at the site of our upcoming event to set everything up so I could arrive at a normal time the following morning. I had no idea that you would be there. Or that you would be YOU. I was surprised and delighted to find that you were my age. And you seemed sweet. And normal. And I can't deny that I found you attractive. You were completely unexpected.

I woke up early the next day so I could look my best for you. I mean, for the event. ;-) And, as fate (read: Emily) would have it, my responsibility during the event was logistics. Which meant that I was to spend most of the day with the vendors, including you. I found you so intriguing. Our conversations were so easy and entertaining. I don't know if you noticed, but I went out of my way to spend extra time with you, to talk with you more, to flirt as subtly as I could manage, to do little things for you to make you remember me (I know you'll never forget the Peanut M&Ms). But I was not confident enough to say anything to you when we parted that afternoon. Plus, there was that whole vendor-client thing.

Over the next week, you popped into my head many times. Finally, following a pep talk by a couple of friends, I mustered up the courage to call you. I had been hanging on to the event file at my desk, because it had your cell phone number. You know, in case of emergencies. Or in case I wanted to ask you out, something I had never done before. After practicing what I would say, I nervously called you, praying that you would at least remember me. Even if you were already taken.

And I'm so glad I did call you. And that you remembered me. And that you were interested. And single. (Or, so you said. But I'm glad you stopped seeing that other girl when I called.) And since then we've had so many good times and made so many memories:

• Fantastic Diamond 2005
• Meeting your parents on my birthday
• Labor Day weekend in Las Vegas with Mark and Johnna
• Cabin weekend in Lake Arrowhead with my work girls
• Meeting my family at my sister's wedding
• Your Halloween costume party
• Thanksgiving with your family in Sunriver
• Our first Christmas together
• New Year's Eve at my gig (you're such a good sport, and I love that you're my biggest fan!)
• A very romantic Valentine's Day at Pane e Vino
• Spa weekend and wine tasting in Paso Robles
• Skiing and playing house in Sunriver
• Jen and Jason's wedding weekend in Palm Springs
• Memorial Day weekend at Joel's Santa Barbara house with Aaron and Whitney
• Your birthday weekend in Portland
• Our crazy fourth of July weekend in both Las Vegas and Lake Arrowhead (and the incident in the middle of the desert which I would rather forget!)
• Fantastic Diamond 2006
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Emily and Mark
• And, of course, all the laughter you bring to my life that make even the day-to-day things seem special

We've had such a fun first year together. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life making more memories with you.

I love you!

You Know You've Become Famous in the Blogosphere When...

...someone on the other side of the country, even if he is the vice-president of my fan club,* writes a post about me.

*Sorry, Carl -- the office of president is reserved for my boyfriend.

Any Dream Will Do

Dave and I saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Sunday with Emily and Mark. The cheese factor was pretty high, but I always enjoy seeing a show. (Wicked was next on our list, but was regrettably sold out the moment tickets went on sale.)

And it got me to thinking...

Why have I never done a musical? I've been singing and dancing all my life, and Lord knows I'm a little bit dramatic. So why haven't I put these skills together and to good use? In high school it wasn't cool to be associated with the drama kids, and being a cheerleader I'm pretty sure that's why I didn't get involved in the musical theater program. And in college I didn't sing as much, so I could focus on my dancing. Then I got into a career, and well, I just never found the time.

But there's nothing quite like the rush of performing to a live audience (although I also love doing studio recordings). I enjoy singing with my three bands and occasionally at church, and I think I would love to be in a musical. Preferrably as the star, but any part would do. A good friend of mine played the lead in Miss Saigon several times, and I always envied that experience just a little bit. I know the music for most of the popular shows, having seen quite a few live and owning the soundtrack for at least 20 more.

So I think I'm finally going to audition -- just for a local production. (After all, my resume is pretty unimpressive in this field. And I don't think I'm the touring type.) So stay tuned...

S is for

Sexy.
Strong.
Sensual.
The Shape of a woman's body.
Striptease.

I've recently become addicted to Sheila Kelley's S Factor. I took my third class today, and already I feel stronger, leaner, more flexible, more feminine and more comfortable in my body.

Now don't get me wrong -- I'm not saying that stripping for money is something I plan to do now or in the future; it's not the point of the classes to teach women how to be strippers (although I imagine that you'd probably do just fine in that profession if this was the only training you ever received!). But a well-timed lap dance for my man is not out of the question, and now I'll have the skills to do it right. Plus, with the incredible workout you get with this program, I'll have the toned-up body and the resulting confidence to do it, too! I didn't realize that strippers are so athletic -- pole tricks are not easy and require a lot of strength, balance and grace. And, it takes a lot of practice to get your muscles strong and limber enough to control and slow your movement to the point that it drips in anticipation.

Anyway, it's really empowering and a much more interesting workout than the gym. So ladies, if there is a studio near you, I highly recommend checking out an intro class. Just beware of the repercussions -- I'm sore and bruised in very unusual places. And of course, Dave wants to install a pole in the house now.