I'm backity-back after a lovely and relaxing mini-vacay. My friend, Chris, was a great hostess. I appreciate her shuttling me around to visit family and friends, browsing bookstores with me, touring an old mansion and the Cathedral of St. Paul, accommodating my food cravings, going bowling, and just overall making me feel welcome and relaxed. I had a fabulous time. Seriously, we ate so much delicious food, which is always a must for my vacations. One night, after a wonderful sushi dinner, she even remembered my craving for ice cream after sushi and cheerfully stopped at a local DQ. There we spent $16 ($16!!!) on a small blizzard, a peanut buster parfait, and a box of dilly bars. $16! Ouch! I haven't been to DQ in 10 years or something. The times have certainly changed, my friends. We cracked up about that one.

Chris got us tickets to the Swell Season show in Minneapolis, and it was fun to see them again. Also, she bought me the Artist's Den DVD from their show here, AND gave me some other cool gifts, including handmade coasters of Yoshitomo Nara prints. It was such an incredibly thoughtful and unique present. They are so cute! I brought a few in to work so I can look at them during the day, too. Thanks for everything, C-Note!

Well, peeps, after a several month hiatus, I'm jumping back into the murky world of online dating. Here I go! Woooooo! I need more consistent material for the Super Secret Dating Blog, you see. Good times. Well...maybe. I'll be totally honest here and say that my previous attempts have been half-hearted at best. I tend to go in ambivalent and easily overwhelmed by the process. But, I think I'm now in a place to approach it more openly and with renewed energy. As I've talked about (far too often for some, I'm sure) here, the last year+ has been a time of introspection, learning, processing what I've learned, and more clearly defining what I want and need. As we know, there have been a lot of ups and downs, yet I now feel healthier, more grounded and whole. I like being single, but my end goal isn't to remain single indefinitely, and, let's face, it, I can use all the practice I can get. Plus, entertainment. My single girlfriends, like ConjugatetheInfinitive, are great support and inspiration. And, well, I'm ready to be out there again...I think. Heh.

I'll keep you posted.

Yesterday morning, I heard and danced to Instant Karma on the radio. Today, I heard and instantly connected with Phantom Planet's Knowitall. It's definitely my theme song. I am a know-it-all.

Oooooooh, I now have the itinerary for the Israel trip. I'll share in my next entry. I'm so excited!