As the shiny ball drops

I am 29 minutes from kissing 2010 goodbye.  And that's all that I'll be kissing.  I'm traveling through New Year's Eve on my couch, with the dog as my co-pilot.  Not exciting to some...to me, the only thing missing are three beautiful boys to kiss goodnight.  (I've stopped thinking maybe I stashed an ADULT male around here and just forgot where).

Reflecting back on the past year, I don't think I'm alone in stating that it was ONE HELL OF A ROUGH YEAR.  Unemployment, illness, uncertainty.  It was humbling.  Not too much that I can say I'll be sad to see be behind me.  However.

I was blessed with a wonderful bumper crop of friends this year.  Meeting lots and lots of wonderful people, just about in the nick of time (I'm getting teary as I write this).  From the beautiful people of Park Lane to those closer to my neighborhood, to my facebook friends  and even those that our paths crossed because of a quirk of fate (sg).  Friends are important to me for all of the obvious reasons, but also because they help me grow....and then help me heal the wounds that growth spurts can cause.  The ones that REALLY get to know me even help me learn and aren't afraid to tell it to me straight.  Even when they know I'm trying to fool them AND myself.

I kid you not.  I came home from a friend's this evening and made myself look myself in the eyes in the mirror.  (It was hard)  I'm done with posturing, with taking second best, with not going after what I want.  It's REAL living from here on out.  I made that promise to myself.  Talking the talk only takes me so far down the path - I plan on walking the walk.  I learned in 2010, especially in this last month, that I am a formidable actress!

I'm sorry this isn't funny or sexy or provocative or meaningful or thought provoking.  I just know that 2010 showed me...all the way up to 10:00 tonight...that I need to wring out every last possible bit of joy out of my life.  Tomorrow isn't guaranteed.  And yes, I have regrets.  I plan on using them to live.  REALLY live.

Happy 2011, everyone.

Unveiled

I love my guy friends.  With a little bit of encouragement, they can blast holes through long-standing myths.  That's right, Men. I’m onto you. You can’t get away with THAT crap anymore.  And HELL NO I’m not revealing my sources.  That’s some sort of journalistic ethics code, right Ms. Miller?  I’d even go as far as wearing prison orange …as a payment for all of the juicy myths that have been debunked.

I’ve been told I’m a decently attractive woman…especially since I’ve been giving  40 some dirty looks and I’ve had three kids.  Uh huh.  I read the rags like Cosmo and Mademoiselle…(well, not so much anymore since I realized that I probably wouldn’t have to really worry about THAT position and how to get untangled from it and how to seduce a 24 year old Libra…) ...but I never believed any of the hoopla about guys not caring about a little jiggle when we wiggle or some dimply thighs.  Because, RIGHT.  Have you SEEN the women they use to advertise these articles?  If there’s a jiggle anywhere, it’s between the ears.  (Ouch, Marr.) But alas…I have found out that is the majority of cases, this is EXACTLY the case.  My source said so.  And he’s got the Y chromosome as proof.  I didn't want to believe him - but he's a VERY smart dude and quite the ladies man.

So girls…let’s put it to the test.  Turn on the lights…walk around nude. I’ll even let you go first!  Please, I insist.  I’m right behind you.  Really, I promise!

Okay.  Here's more.  You know that married guy-friend that you have that keeps trying to set you up with his single buddies?  According to a source, your married guy-friend may actually have a crush on YOU.  Now, I'm not 100% clear on the motive behind him setting you up with a friend.  Maybe it's entirely selfless and he just wants to see his friend happy with such a fine specimen of lady (you).  Or maybe, it's more smarmy than that and he just really wants to feast on the inevitable locker room chat and use that to fuel his fantasies.  Whatever.  Play this one carefully!  The best part of this debunking is that it means that your guy friends really don't think you're desperate and incapable of attracting a mate yourself!  Whew!  Their wives, on the other hand, know the truth.  And they'll be armed with the wine and chocolate to let you vent after you've bagged yet another loser!

Okay, last but not least.  Ladies, we don't always have to be dressed to the nines to have the men appreciate how we look.  Case in point.  Once, while wearing my black yoga pants, ACDC thermal shirt, WIIL Rock sweatshirt and brainiac glasses, I was told I looked sexy.  Oh wait. Sorry.  That was that private conversation that I had with Vince Vaughn one night.  While I was dreaming.  Hey, I'm sure there's a guy or two out there that feel that way!  (Pssst...if that's you, let me know!)