It's rather chilly this morning - my thermometer said it was 17 when I was making coffee. Decided to warm up my car so that my heated seat would be toasty. (Know that saying, cold hands warm heart? I prefer "warm bum, warm heart")

Scurrying around. Feeding kittens, making a 'to-go' cup and putting on my coat.

Then I start looking all over for my car keys.
At least 5 minutes.

Then I recall - they would be in the ignition since I'm warming up the car.
Duh!

I was seeing a client in a 'very upscale' independent living facility.
Translation: Penthouses for geezers.


I'm waiting in the 'library' perusing the books. Some were old. Some were REALLY old - like the title "Conversational Latin."

Does anyone else find that as amusing as I do?

I had a rather disappointing date. He kept taking calls and texting.

I was extremely put-off by that.

I'm sorry but if I'm there to meet you, I want your undivided attention. (If you're a heart surgeon or a superhero, that's different.)

Not to mention, he saw some people he knew and started talking to them - didn't bother introducing me - one of them ended up initiating it. I kinda got tired of being ignored after a couple of minutes, so I said that I needed to go. He didn't even bother to offer walking me to my car. (So much for chivalry!)

So this morning, Mr. Distraction leaves a voicemail saying that he really enjoyed our time together and apologized for being distracted. That he wanted to get together soon for a drink.

All indicators to me, being that I've been dating a while, is that he wasn't 'that' into me by the calls/texts and the rest of the stuff.

I don't even think I want to bother with going through the charade of a second date. If he can do so miserably when one should be on their best behavior, what's down the road?

I'm being deposed tomorrow for the rape case. I am not anxious about it at all. I recall how I felt prior to the (failed) attempt at mediation when I was face to face with him for the first time since the event. It ended up being empowering. My attorney called this morning to tell me that 'the other party' will be in attendance as well. If I refer to him as "Todd", it doesn't properly describe him. I feel like if I refer to him as 'the rapist' that it sounds bitter - but I'm not. I'm not seeking revenge or retribution. This is about making sure that if/when he does it again, there will be a paper trail and maybe, although I doubt, he'll think twice about doing it again.

Once again, Hot Stud will be there to hold my hand and support me as a friend. He has such a calming effect on me. I'm so grateful that he's going to be there to support me.

So send positive thoughts and energy to me tomorrow afternoon. I may not post again until Monday, but I'm treating myself to a relaxing weekend afterwards - I've been working too hard - doubt I'll have time to be online.

I've been 'distracted' by 'the actor' for about a month. Haven't had much face-time because of scheduling - me working like crazy during the week and he's typically busy on weekends with filming. We talk a lot on the phone and intermittently online/email.

Now, 'the actor' decided to pursue this career rather later in life - he's 39 and I got the impression he started this about 3 years ago. He used to have a fairly lucrative career in medical sales. I thought it was really courageous of him to leave that and pursue his passion.

Earlier this week, he disclosed that he was meeting with a bankruptcy attorney about 'saving' his house. His ex-wife is taking his kid to the northeast to marry husband #5. (He was #3 but thought was #2). Not exactly the most stable environment for a kid under 5. But he doesn't have the resources to fight it. He also confessed that his mother is very ill, living with him and she's lost her own home.

Fortunately, this was on the phone so he couldn't see my jaw drop.

I'm ALL about being passionate in life - with work, relationships, and activities. But, when you have a kid and are about to lose your own home - at what point does making a ballsy decision to pursue your dream become irresponsible?

"The Actor" is a nice guy - but he's not the guy for me - I cannot get involved with someone with all that going on. He's made some really really really bad decisions. It's my nature to want to help someone - but he's a sinking ship.  

I'm going to get a wee bit bitchy here.. (Consider yourself warned.)

I used to be a DJ on the radio for a station, which, is housed directly above my current office. I also used to coordinate artist riders for a major concert venue in town. Translation: I've had my share of interaction with lots of musicians. Not usually impressed.

One of my coworkers went on and on last week about how she's so excited about Maroon 5 coming to the station for an interview. She went on (and on and on and on) about how she's their biggest fan. She flirted her way into getting in for the interview. Snaps to her for that.

But she just said "I hope they play that song. It's my favorite!"

What song?

She didn't know the name of it but it involved "Drops of Jupiter". (That's Train dipshit!)
I had flashbacks to Lollapalooza 94 when the Red Hot Chili Peppers played. This girl pushed in front of me trying to get backstage, insisting she was their 'biggest fan' and that she had 'both' their albums.

I laughed.

I grounded myself this weekend. I had to get some major house-cleaning done. I accomplished the upstairs yesterday. Today, is downstairs and... TAXES!

Jealous, aren't you?

I thought I'd be organized a few weeks ago and I started coordinating all the receipts, paperwork, etc. I had them spread out all over my den floor.

(Remember, I have kittens?)

Well, let's just say that it looks like the paperwork exploded. I've been in denial about it. I just have stayed out of the den - hoping the kittens would miraculously be able to determine what was a business expense, medical expense, and other deduction-related paperwork. Sadly, they disappointed me.

So after I take a run this morning, (my one 'freebie' du jour), I am immersing myself in this paperwork. I'm sure it's not going to be a lot of fun. (But I'm keeping an optimistic attitude.) I'll have it done and I can play next weekend.

Last year, Comcast totally FUBAR'd my PC. Where I had all of my previous TurboTax returns. (Yeah, I didn't have them backed up.) If it turn on my PC, it takes about an hour to actually get through the 'start-up'. (Rather frustrating!) I've (I think) backed all of that crap up on my external hard drive.

I'm giving myself additional incentive, if I get the paperwork done, I can treat myself to a glass of wine. (TUI -doing Taxes under the Influence - then I'd get a lot more creative with my deductions!)

That made me recall that AT&T Wireless commercial where the father sends pictures of his daughter's toy monkey from all over the city during the day.

So we started coming up with amusing pictures that could be taken with me and Mr. Magic. Me holding his cord over a candlelit dinner. Mr. Magic paying for movie tickets with a credit card beside him. Mr. Magic on a swing with me pushing him.

Yeah. It seemed funnier last night. No, I'm not doing anything to celebrate Valentine's Day. Hot Stud called to let me know he's getting back into town that day. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to reply in some way to that. I wished him a happy flight. I have a couple of other offers for dates for the night but I'd really rather just go home and sleep.

Perhaps I need to be slapped around by Cupid?

There's the mystical Tooth Fairy and Mother Nature, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Leprachauns...

I'm wondering if there is a Domestic Fairy that I can summon for refrigerator cleaning and vacuuming? Or a Organizing Paperwork Goddess?

House is a D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R...
I was at the office at 6:30am yesterday and was out and about until 9pm.
I had some cheese to eat yesterday. And coffee.
I have no food in the house. Almost out of cat food.

I'm booked to the gills again today. Stressed. Stressed. Stressed. The boss has announced he's coming down extremely hard on the team if we don't produce significantly this week. I have lots of stuff in the pipeline but it's not moving forward quickly. I was so tired last night that I couldn't go to sleep for hours. And I woke up early and was in the office by 6:15 again today.

When I get home today, I'm going to imbibe seriously and not get out of bed tomorrow. I'm zonked. Channel me some positive energy today. I need it. Big time.

It appears that high school boy has a 'drinking problem'. Had my suspicions but last night confirmed it.

The 'actor' is still in the picture. Haven't mentioned him - on a movie shoot at the moment. He's got a lot of family drama going on right now. I have enough drama in my life, ya know?

Counseling session this afternoon WITH the mother.

Figure it will be telling. I'm not going to waste my time if she's not genuinely engaged in the process. I have my doubts but I told her I'd attend. In other therapeutic encounters over the years, she's been so superficial that I didn't even recognize her.

So we'll see...