LOVERS

I am not a huge fan of Valentine's Day, not for any other reason then when I have been one half of a couple, we spend February 14th much like any other day of the year, as it should be any other day of the year. Men should buy women flowers just because, and favorite desserts should be made just because they are favorite desserts. You should be willing to make grand, over the top gestures to declare your love every single day. And if you consider small doings to be annoying, or don't value the importance of "just because" then it is my most humble opinion that you should be single.

I don't get caught up in the 14th when I'm with someone and when I am single I don't pull the "I have nobody, I'm all alone" mostly because I'm not. I have four very best friends who are my Valentines all year. They send me little cards, they never forget a special day, and they have seen me at my absolute worst and still love me. We even end each phone call with an (often simultaneous) "LOVE YOU!"  We are rarely with in arms distance of each other, but when we are lucky enough to be together, we treat ourselves to wonderful dinners, lots of wine, and gifts for ourselves. It is, to say, the most successful long distance relationship I have ever had.

And this year, while I am fortunate to have someone wonderful in my life, I am THE MOST fortunate because he understands my relationship with these four women. He is respectful, and appreciates that when my cell phone rings, the television has to go on pause (even if it's the Olympics). He knows when I say "ok 5 minutes" that means the phone call will probably last 25. He is used to me referencing emails he was never sent, and memories he's not a part of. He loves these women not because he has met them, or grown to love who they are; he loves them because I do. And that is one of the many, many, many reasons I love him.

i do resolve

2010 has officially begun and for the first time in a very long time, I didn't feel like sending 2009 out with my middle finger in the air. I celebrated with some of my favorite people in the world, and as I am very excited to see what 2010 holds, I am a bit sad to say goodbye to a year that was full of firsts for me. My first full year at my job. My first year of living by myself. The first year I haven't actually thumbed my nose at the thought of a relationship. My very first time seeing my favorite band of all time. My very first trip to the far East. And the first time I am able to say that my life is very much my own.

2009 was also the first time I kept all of the resolutions I had made. Here is hoping it's not the last. Whether by stopping or starting certain behaviors, everyone makes these resolutions with the best intentions of keeping them. Some are a bit personal, but here are three that I would like to share.

1. I will try my very very best not to use plastic ware. Whether it's a knife and fork at lunch, or a coffee cup at Starbucks I will find the room in my very large purse to always have a reusable mug, knife and fork, Nalgene, whatever.

2. I will be fluent in Spanish by 2011. It is my mother's first language and I am (almost) 25. It's time I learned the language that is very dear to my heart.

3. I will travel to yet another distant far off place. Beijing was, to say the least, an eye opening experience. Their culture, history, and way of life left me speechless and quite frankly a bit embarassed at most things that are assocaited with being a "typical American." While I am most proud of my country and everything it has done, I belive that every once in a while we should be humbled at just how new to the game we are.

ditto.

"you say you want
diamonds on a ring of gold
your story to remain untold
your love not to grow cold
all the promises we break
from the cradle to the grave
when all i want is you.." - u2

it's in the number 4

I watched this week's Monday night game with mixed feelings. I LOVE rivalries and I love drama so this was right up by ally. But as a football fan I can't imagine how horrible that game was for Packer fans. And the reason I can't imagine that is because as a Washington Redskins fan I have not had the opportunity to enjoy a winning season since I was five. That's right, I was learning how to spell "Anna" when the Skins went to their last Super Bowl. I was singing "ABC, 123" the last time "Hail to the Redskins" was sung proudly through out the District and its surrounding areas.

So Green Bay I don't think its thaaaaaaat big of a deal that Favre went to Minnesota. Because the entire time you were winning, I was watching the Redskins miss extra points and lose to the Arizona Cardinals when they were the laughing stock of the NFL. Or have the living shit beat out of us by Dallas, at home, on Thanksgiving Day.

I actually think you should thank him for giving you 16 amazing seasons of football. 16 seasons of always knowing you've got a chance to go to the playoffs. 16 seasons of him running around with that infamous pointer finger held high and that darling grin from ear to ear as he threw yet another touchdown pass. And as the man who created his own legacy he has earned the right to finish his career in whatever city he wants. I completely understand his sense of entitlement and as fans who own part of the team I would think you'd understand his desire for a bigger piece of the pie.

And if the pain is too unbearable for you, think about Heath Shuler, Gus Ferrot, Michael Westbrook (perhaps you remember him beating the shit out of Stephen Davis, at practice), or my favorite quarterback of all time, Jason Campbell. Because while Brett Favre was being named Sportsman of the Year, gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated, and bringing you back Super Bowl rings these gentleman were brought to D.C. and then (sometimes not so) quietly asked to leave. As in: "Get the fuck out, you have officially disgraced the game of football and we paid you 17 million dollars to do so." And to top it all off, we're STILL STUCK WITH DAN SNYDER.

Green Bay I don't feel bad for you. Mostly because I find Brett Favre charming and I love watching him play. But also because things could always be worse. You could be a Colts fan circa 1983.

i bid ado..

to the greatest 2 weeks of my life.

u2 with ross.

beijing with eileen.

"some blessings you only understand later on in life.."