Party, Party, After Party

On Saturday night I had a choice of four different parties to attend. Sure it might sound a bit excessive but somehow it seems appropriate for summer time.

We (Roomie, Straight Gay Boyfriend and I) headed off to the first party around. It was great, a birthday party with burgers, cake, hula hooping and a surfing motif. I was there for about four hours, the other two party goers each took off for a bit to other parties, but I thought, no two parties would be enough for me. Besides I was just getting the hang of the hula hoop.

Around 9pm Roomie came back to pick me up and we headed home to drop off the car and go to the next party ( #2 for me and #3 for her). We rounded up SGB (also party #3 for him) and headed over to a huge gathering with DJs, fire spinners, drag queens and lip sinkers. There were over a hundred people,quite a site to see in my little neighbourhood. You may or man not remember that I vaguely mentioned this party in a post last summer http://thoughtsofasinglegirl.blogspot.com/2008/07/bad-blogger-very-bad-blogger.html where I was drunk in a hammock chair and made out with a guy that I can’t really remember, yeah, I am allllll class. Anyway the party was huge, Awesome joined our gang around 10:30pm – he too was party hoping, and I ran into the Grocer and other random neighbour hood friends. I even met a new boy.

I was wandering from the fire pit, through the dance floor towards the chill space, where my beer was, and I almost ran into a plastic saber worn by a cute boy. Having a flirtatious moment I told him he should put a sheath on that thing and he apologized and told me it was at home with a different pair of pants. So we chatted and flirted for a bit and then he said he had to go for a bit but would I hold his sword. Why not I thought, and so I carried it for a bit and then hid it in a tree. Around midnight the cops came to the property … something about noise by laws … so the party was forced to break up. I gave sword man back his saber and invited him back to our place, where apparently “two or three people” we coming by. Sadly sword man had a different after party to go to (there were apparently three or four that formed after the cops broke up the good time) so I gave him my number and we parted ways.

When Awesome and I arrived in the back yard there was a after party happening with a fire, booze and about 30 – 40 people. Having been up since 6:30am I can’t really claim to have taken full advantage of the after party opportunity. By around 2:30 I was done for the evening and headed off to bed. According to SGB the last of the partiers left the back yard a little after 5am. Glad I didn’t try to keep up until 5am but not bad for a Saturday night.

Not bad at all.

The Single Girl

Awesome Farewell

On Friday I went out to Awesome’s farewell party. It was by all accounts an awesome affair.

We began at a martini bar trying some of the over 140 martinis available. There were about 12 or 14 of us, including Roomie, Awesome’s best friend and the newest member of my local circle of friends, a recent ex pat from the centre of the universe who likes to party – her nickname pending. She roomie and I were the only girls in this group of well wishers and that suited us just fine. I mean really, when do three women have the full attention of 8 – 10 boys around the age of 25. Not often enough I say. As the sun began to set we decided we wanted to go dancing, but first to a hotel bar … the very hotel Awesome and I once stayed in. But first we needed the bill.

I had arrived at about 6pm and it was now around 10pm, I had enjoyed two martinis and I was on my third or forth pint. Everyone else was in the same shape and most of us had also ordered food while we were there. I was a bit terrified to see this giant bill but thought, it is my last night to party with Awesome so if it costs me a bit of coin, so be it. The bill hit the table in your standard issue black padded envelop and I decided I would pick it up – as I really wanted to figure out if this was in fact my third or forth pint of the night. I opened it and to my surprise it read $0.00. Had the waitress made a mistake? Nope, one of the lovely you men at our table had very generously picked up the entire tab. Wow.

We moved on to the hotel bar where everyone enjoyed a fancy cocktail. I mean, why not our wallets were padded more than any of us had anticipated, so we could afford a $15.00 martini. Along with the martinis came a shooter of some unknown description. Can’t say I liked it but no worries, I was feeling no pain at this point anyway. The martini on the other hand was a fabulous. A raspberry vodka thing with a basil leaf in it. Mm mm good. At some point at the second bar I noticed the ex pat and Awesome doing some flirting. It probably started earlier, but I was enamored with a geeky cute programmer and couldn’t be bothered with anyone else’s flirtations.

As people started making noises about getting into the dance club I made my way over to ex pat and asked her if she was interested in Awesome. She very quickly said she wouldn’t, she knew who he is to me and wouldn’t want to come between he and I, and more importantly wouldn’t want him to come between her and I. “Really, do what you want. I have turned the man down like 100 times in the last 12 months. I don’t really have right to thwart his good time especially at his going away party.” She still didn’t seem entirely convinced but she went on flirting, as she should. We paid that bill after one round and headed to the club.

As soon as we were in the club I was told to order a round of shooters and a cocktail that Awesome would approve of. Alright seven liquid cocaines and seven rum and cokes please. Down went the shots and off we went with our drinks. I still can’t believe I was drinking rum and coke, I hate that stuff, but on with the story. Roomie, ex-pat and I started chatting with different folks and once again I assured her that a fling with Awesome was totally cool, and really it was his last night, she should go for it. About five minutes later ABF, Roomie and I looked across the bar to see ex-pat and Awesome making out. Like the mature folks we are we started hooting and hollering as though we were at a football game and once we were satisfied with ourselves we hit the dance floor.

Dancing was great and much smarter than pounding back any more shooters or cocktails I didn’t really enjoy. Although I vaguely remember drinking some of Roomie’s cider to quench my thirst later in the evening, ouch. At about 1:45 Roomie and I thought we had done all the damage we could possible do to our livers for one evening so we made our rounds and said our goodbyes. I hugged Awesome told him that I will miss him and then told him I loved him. He told me that he loved me too, I gave him a kiss and we headed out the door to find a cab. Drunk as we both were, I know we meant it. We do love each other and will miss all of our time together.

There is more to Awesome Farewell but it will have to wait as I am on holiday with the SSM right now so finding writing time is a bit challenging with all sex, eating, lounging and drinking we have to do.

Hope you all are having fun. Stay tuned for Awesome Farewell part two.

TSG

The Twelve Days of Detox

Today begins the 12 days of detox for Roomie, GB and I. No Cheese (well dairy of any kind, but cheese is what we really miss), no wheat, no sugar, limited caffeine and no booze.

I think it is going to be a long day one.

Wish us luck!

TSG

Let the Good Times Roll

Let me start by reassuring you all that I am fine. My trip to the hospital was a bit of a traumatic event, but now I am feeling pretty good – as long as I remember to take ibuprofen twice a day. I had a couple of calls and messages from people who were worried so I thought I would just reassure you all that TSG is still alive and kicking.

Now on with the stories …

This past weekend GB, Roomie, Awesome and I hit the town to attend a charity event that we managed to score free tickets to. The theme of the night was Sweet 70s and we all got dressed up. It was two floors of food, cheap martinis, dancing and a candy buffet. It was the fantasy everyone had as a kid, stick your hand in the jar and take as much as can fit in your pocket. We had candy sticks, rockets, tootsie rolls, pop rings, candy necklaces and coloured condoms (did I mention it was an AIDS charity event) until we just couldn’t fit anymore in our pockets. When there was no more room for candy, we hit the martini bar.

Late in the evening Awesome and I were watching the dance floor from the second level, armed with the courage of five martinis and a sugar high from all the candy I turned to him and said “you know, I really like hanging out with you and I am enjoying making out with you on occasion, but I don’t think we should have sex, again, ever.” “Umm, really? Why?” He asked, getting ready to find flaw in my argument. “Well” I began “We are really good friends, almost best friends, really. I think if we had sex, you would get weird and/or I would get weird and I am afraid that I would lose you and I don’t want that.” “Oh, yeah, you are right I would probably get weird. I do stuff like that.” And with that it was settled. So we made out for a bit to celebrate our new arrangement.

On Sunday the four of us met for Brunch, Beer and Boots. The pub was the first stop for some eggs and a crown float to start the day. Then off to the shoes store to look for some boots for the boys. I was very good and didn’t buy anything, mind you neither did the boys. After the failed shopping trip we left Awesome and GB, Roomie and I went to buy supplies for our dinner party – an Indian buffet feast. It was fantastic, 10 friends sitting around our living room enjoying lots of food, wine and good conversation. Everyone was out of the house by 10pm and the three of us did up all the dishes in under 30 minutes. Yeah team work!

It has been too long since I have had a weekend like this to report. It makes me happy to think things are getting back to normal around here. Events, parties, food, wine, martinis, boys, that, faithful readers, is how the single girl is suppose to be Keeping the Dream Alive.

Cheers Gang!

TSG

Family

Today I had to go the hospital. I wasn’t feeling well this morning and walked out the door and thought, maybe I would walk myself to the clinic as it was only a four block walk. Within 50 steps from the house I had to turn around and get someone to take me to emerge. I knocked on GB’s door and said would you take me to the hospital, I am having chest pains. He hopped right up, found the closest hospital and fastest route and we were off.

We got me checked in pretty quick and they took my blood pressure and did an ECG. GB called Roomie to let he know what was going on, and assure her I was alright. Within 40 minutes GB was aloud back to see me. Within another 20 minutes Roomie showed up. I was very pleasantly surprised. She said she couldn’t stay at work knowing I was there. In the end, after blood tests and xrays and the ECG they determined that there is nothing wrong with my heart and that I must have strained the muscle in my rib. They gave me ibuprofen and told me to take it easy.

The whole day got me to thinking about family, not just the family we are born into but also the family we cultivate over time. For some it is focused around a romantic partner and for others it is friends and roommates. All of my life I have had amazing family around me, beginning with the one I was born into and continuing with the family I have cultivated over the last twenty years or so. Today I was reminded just how great my family is, not just Roomie and GB but all of my family.

Thank you Roomie and GB for making today much less scary and way more entertaining than it would have been if I was alone. And to the rest of my extended family, thanks for being there for me and letting me be there for you.

I am a very lucky girl.

xo

The Single Girl

An Ideal Saturday

Getting back into my life routine has it’s ups and downs but yesterday I was reintroduced to Saturdays with the roommates. We started the day by going for brunch with a friend and then to the mall for some light shopping and to the market for fresh veggies and cheese curds (mmm curds). Then off to the micro brewery for a pint to celebrate our hard work so far today and then home for dinner and a bottle of wine.

It doesn’t get much better than that.

Patterns

After meeting the Lady and spending an evening in a small town with two wonderful women talking about life, love, religion, politics, etc. Fireboy was compelled to ask me about my patterns in dating as I drove him back to the city.

He wanted to know all about my dating past and patterns. Why did I date unavailable men and what I can do to consciously change as I move forward in the dating world. Maybe all I needed to do was think about what I was doing as I began dating someone new, or maybe try a dating service where I could meet single men in their 30s that are looking for a relationship now that they have established their careers.

Now, many many many people have tried to have this conversation with me. Most end up getting an earful from me essentially saying … don’t you think I would change these patterns if I could, or why do I have to be in a couple to be happy, or the classic, Who the hell do you think you are to tell me what to do in my dating life! But, as I was driving and knew that these words were somehow connected to his wonderful time in the small town and knowing that the reunion with the SSM was a short one, that he really does just want to see me happy and the fact that he had never tried to “convert” me to the couple way of life before I let him talk and didn’t say much at all.

I have now been home for almost three days and I have managed to slide back into all my old comfortable relationship patterns. Morning coffee with Roomie, emails and lunches with Awesome, two pints with GB, walking, coffee breaks with my favourite coworkers, emails with the Lady and so on. It is nice to be able to slide right back into my usual routine at home and at work, but it does get me to thinking I will continue with the dating pattern here at home? Unavailable men, blue eyed assholes, and so on. Probably, it is what I know and am as comfortable with that pattern as I am with the rest of them. I would hate to change any of my other patterns, so this bad one might just have to stick around for a while as I settle back into life.

Shh … don’t tell Fireboy.

TSG

ps. The regular pattern also includes more regular posting, so that's good.

An Observation

I noticed recently that I have a parallel life happening here and in The Centre of the Universe. What do I mean?

In each place I have a best friend that I live with, a Gay Boyfriend and an ex-lover turned really good friend. Freaky eh? Here I have Roomie, GB and Awesome and there I have BFF, OQB and Fireboy.

I like that I can feel at home in two cities in the world.

Just an observation.

TSG

Who Knew?

Last night I forced myself to go to a work party even though I felt like I was going to vomit and looked like I was hit by a Mack truck. Roomie and GB were determined to show me a good time and at first I was not having any of it. I begrudgingly took my free beer and sat in the sunshine, sulked and spoke to no one for about 15 minutes. But, then, I was forced to get up and get my lawn bowling lesson. Yep, lawn bowling got me out of my funk. It is so much fun. It is like bocce ball and curling rolled into one. Roomie and I were on the same team and we played against GB’s team. We weren’t good but who cares we were having fun. I noticed at about 7pm that I was smiling and having a good time and I thought, well that was easy, apparently all I needed was a large activity where people can make asses of themselves.

After having our fill of free beer, food and lawn bowling our little gang headed of to the bar for some pints and dancing. GB and I hit the dance floor for a while, then Roomie and GB. At the end of the night we came home lit a fire in the back yard and mellowed out.

Today we are off to visit CMG’s new home and tomorrow a hike. GB and Roomie are so wonderful for taking care of me while I need a little hand holding. Thanks gang, I love both of you, and everyone who has called or emailed or messaged me or just sent warm thoughts. Friends (and random readers) make life’s bumpy road easier to traverse. So thanks everyone!

xoxoxoxo

The Single Girl

ps. I am also taking the advice from another single girl and getting rid of stuff associated with him.

pps. This is my 200th post ... woot woot!

The Long Weekend Part I – Here Comes the Rain Again.

To continue the story of the weekend … After getting towed and attending a work event on Friday I drove back to the city Saturday afternoon, dropped off the rental car and hopped in Roomie’s car with GB to head off in to the sunset for a party in the woods.

We headed out of the city after grabbing some groceries, beer and a rental tent. It was a scenic drive with periodic rain throughout. Each time we came upon the rain I thought to myself well if it is raining here it won’t rain at the party. After three hours in the car we arrived in the middle of the woods, surrounded by water, mountains and clouds. We quickly picked a spot to set up and put up our tent hoping to beat the rain. Within seconds of getting our tent erected the rain began. We were now stuck in the woods in the rain with little more than beer, DJs, two hundred strangers and a large fire.

We made the best of the early evening by drinking beer and hanging out under the various tarps around the dance area. Around 10pm we made the executive decision to get “messy” for the evening and went back to the car to enjoy some extra curricular activities. Fill in the blank as you see fix … just know we each had our own good time.

Not long after 10 the rain dies down and the dancing picked up. We moved from the dance floor to the fire, to the car and back again. At midnight we were treated to a fire show put on by Roomie and some other women. It was beautiful and Roomie looked totally hot spinning fire.

We continued to people watch and dance by the fire until GB decided he was done for the day at around 2:30am. I stuck it out a little longer but by 4am I was ready to hit my sleeping bag. I haven’t slept in a tent since I was about 18, as such I was a bit nervous about how will I would be able to sleep. Much to my surprise when I lied down in my sleeping bag with the bass gently thumping in the background, I drifted off just as I would in my 1200 coil, pillow top mattress.

We woke up around 9:30 and the bass was still thriving off in the distance. We hummed and hawed about what to for a bit but soon emerged from the tent to have some breakfast and a coffee. Once satisfied we grabbed a beer and headed back to the fire to see who was still up, or arriving again for the second day of partying. Roomie was up fresh from a short nap and joined us for a morning beer around the fire as the sun shone over the mountains. The beer was amazingly tasty – as only a morning camping beer can be – but it was time to pack up and hit the road again, as we had another party in another town to go to. So we packed up the tent, all our gear, said our goodbyes and hit the road for our next adventure.

Tomorrow – The long weekend Part II – I Don’t Know How We Do It

The Single Girl

Enjoy it She Says – as though I have any control over it

So it was a date that I went on with the slightly strange man the other night. And you know what it was a perfectly normal date with a slight strange, but perfectly nice man. We met at the pub we like, had a couple of pints, split a pizza and talked for about 3 hours. All the usual stuff, history family, mutual friends, drinking stories, vomit stories, near death experiences, work … first date chat.

At the end of the night we walked for a few blocks until we reached the corner where I had to go north and he had to go south and we said goodbye. I told him I had a good time and we hugged and he kissed me on the lips. I was a bit surprised, and I think I pulled back a bit smiled and said thanks, or something equally lame and then good night and I put my hand on his arm and gave it a little squeeze. He then pulled me in and really kissed me. Right there on the corner of north and south we made out like two 15 year olds for about ten minutes until someone drove by and yelled get a room. This seemed like good time to make my exit so I pulled away and said I think I better go and wandered off towards my home.

Once home I was very quiet (which is unusual for me.) I asked GB how his day was as I checked my email. “Fine. Where have you been? Wait you had a date with the SSM didn’t you?” “Yep” I replied quietly and smiled in GB’s direction. “Well how was it … Oh Gawd. You like him don’t you?” GB groaned and looked up from his computer “It was good we had fun. I might like him. I’m going to bed.”

The three pints I had enjoyed at the pub allowed me to drift of to sleep fairly quickly but by about 2am their sedative effects were gone and I was left with a dry mouth and three slices of pizza sitting in my gut like a brick keeping me up. From 2 until after 4am I lied in bed thinking about the date and the boy and work and life and everything swirled and swirled as I tossed and turned wishing I could get back to sleep. I managed to get a few more hours before I had to get up and go into work but not enough to really function.

In the morning after having a cup of coffee in the shower to try and get me moving, I had a small freak out with Roomie as I told her about the date and grinned like some sort of Cheshire cat. “Aww it’s great.” She said and assured me that everything was going to be fine. “A good date is a good thing, remember you’re a commitment phob so relax and don’t think too much, this is fun. Right! TSG enjoy it.” Right, enjoy it I thought as I heading out the door to work.

I got to work and wasn’t very productive between the lack of sleep, the three pints and the date. I messed up a bunch of work and generally looked confused as people talked to me about various projects. Around 2pm I decided it was best for all concerned if I just went home and had a nap, my boss concurred. After my nap I decided to call The Lady as we hadn’t spoken in days and I told her all about the date and the freaking out and hating the fact that I couldn’t concentrate at work and that I couldn’t sleep. “What is wrong with you? This is the part that everyone else in the world loves. The butterflies, the giggles, RELAX enjoying it. This is great. My god it was just a date, who knows what happens next. Don’t borrow trouble and sabotage a good time.”

So today I am working on letting the butterflies and giggles and far off gazes rolls over me in waves like they naturally want to instead of trying to stop the feelings dead in their tracks before they have a chance to form. We will see what happens. Wish me luck, I am trying here.

The Single Girl

Why I love Roomie ...

Best Valentine Ever!

Thanks Roomie!

Happy Love is for Sukkas to all of you out there too!

xo

The Single Girl

The Dinner

So we started with Kir Royale - Champagne and Cassis to toast the smokelessness. Very Lovely ...

Then we had a Celery Avocado and Walnut Salad with a Lindeman's Chardonay

Then Baked onions stuffed with Feta and pine nuts and a bottle of Campofirin Masi

Then Mushroom Gougere still sipping on the Masi

Then Creme Brule with Espresso

Parmigiano Reggiano with walnuts and honey with a 10 year old Tawny Port

It was a fabulous evening and meal. GB, Roomie, Roomie's Boyfriend and I all had a great time and enjoyed every course! We even opened a bottle of Peter Lehmann Shiraz after the port and cheese course.

I can't thank GB enough for the fantastic meal and wonderful wines. You really are a great friend and the best boyfriend I have ever had ;)

Should anyone want to get the receipes for last nights meal they are all in Vegetarian and Vegetable Cooking by Christine Ingram.

The Single Girl

Robert's Rules

Last night Chatty Male Girlfriend (CMG) came by the house for some wine and pizza with GB, Roomie and I. We managed to drink four bottles of wine, eat 3 pizzas and make tonight’s dinner, which is a very productive evening if you ask me. We also kept the evening’s various topics of conversation under control by requesting the floor from the chair (CMG last night). The chair would recognize agenda items from the floor and even took time to rearrange the agenda when speakers had to leave for phone calls or other important distractions.

It was a really civilized way to make sure all important topics – such as boyfriends, new computers, new homes, the next bottle of wine, Awesome updates, engagement brunches, holiday plans and general gossip - were all addressed over the course of the evening. It is also silly fun to have the chair recognize The Single Girl now has the floor and GB’s new computer will be next on the agenda.

I am glad we voted down opening the fifth bottle of wine as four was quite enough for the crowd. Thanks CMG for being such a good chair, you may have the position at every meeting we have.

The Single Girl

GB returns

The Gay Boyfriend (GB) returned home last night after over 2 weeks away. Roomie and I came running into the house and ran into his room and jumped on him to give him a hug. Then the three of us lied around on his bed and did a little catch up before going to bed.

The best part is that GB is a lady of leisure for the next few weeks so I am very hopeful that he will cook up some good meals for everyone. I of course will do my duty and supply some wine and good conversation in exchange for the food.

I have this wonderful feeling that this weekend is going to be a relaxing roomie weekend with food, cocktails and good chats.

Welcome home GB we are glad to have you where you belong!

TSG

New Roomie

Beginning Sunday I will have a new roommate. No old roomie is not going to move out, Gay Boyfriend (GB) is moving in to the spare room. Although it is very exciting to think about having a new roommate, the process of getting the house prepared for another person is a lot of work.

Roomie spent all day yesterday re-arranging her room and the living room so everyone could have their own chair, including the dog. And when I got home I had to re-arrange my room (which I am not sure I am happy with) and together we attacked the dining room and kitchen to make room for new kitchen stuff. I am really excited about new kitchen stuff and cooking the GB. He is a great cook and can teach me lots about prep and spices and such. So bring on the gack!

As much as I really just wanted to curl up in a little ball and veg-out last night as I am still recovering from the weekend, it was really great to purge and re organize. We threw stuff out we didn’t need, don’t use or is broken and discovered we own a fondue set. Isn’t that fantastic! No I think it is actually retro-licious.

So to sum up ... re organizing and cleaning good ... new Roomie Great ... Fondue Set Priceless