Big Dreams

We go out most Thursdays for Martinis. Tonight was no exception. And most nights, after one or two, we start to ponder what we should do with our lives. And not only that, but how we'll make our mark on the world. I'm still trying to get through October's Vanity Fair, and in it, they have a listing of the New Establishment, the world's movers and shakers. We are searching for our great idea. The thing that will put Kate and I on the New, New, New Establishment list.

And all we need is the idea. We've got the brains, the determination, the ability. We can get the money. But we need the idea, and without it, we've got very little indeed.

The Friend

I'm feeling a bit under appreciated by the guys in Pittsburgh. Every time Kate and I go out, the only guys that talk to us are old. But then, also, they don't talk to us, they talk to her, and because I happen to be standing there too, me, the friend. Even the 40 year old (or in tonight's case, 60 year old) men don't want to talk to me. What gives?

I can't figure it out, I mean, I'm tall, maybe too tall? Maybe my hair is too dark?

And I know, really, as I told Kate tonight, we need to suck it up and start making a move. We stood in a bar tonight while a nearly 50 man, and a 60+ man chatted us up, meanwhile two guys in their twenties sat at the bar, turning around occasionally to watch the scene. Any guys, if you ever read this, if you ever see something like that happen, go in and break it up, I promise, the girls will thank you for it.

So my self esteem is taking a hit right now. Between the job, my credit card debt, my lack of a social life, and the boy situation, I'm not feeling especially successful. Maybe it shows, and that's why the guys leave me alone. Could be.

Tinsel Town

If it's shady, we can just get a drink and leave.

We were hungry, but as we walked into the Christmas light covered bar, we wondered what would be waiting on the other side of the door. We found out soon enough--more Christmas lights. And, for that matter, Christmas ornaments and wrapping paper and popcorn strings. It was like we were inside the Christmas tree, looking out.

At our table, we sipped our drinks and ate our food and checked out the crowd. While we may have given up on our former downtown bar, we're still single 25 girls, we can't help but look over our options. There weren't any.

In fact, the bar was filled mostly with women. Single women. In their forties. We wondered at the group. We could safely assume that most of the men and women had at one time or another been married. And now, presumably, they were single. And out at the bar on Friday night looking for what exactly? And as we sat there, a thought occurred to Kate: I don't want to be doing this when I'm forty.

It's really the type of thing I did in college, and enjoyed. Go out with the girls, dance, drink, maybe make-out with some guy. Good times. And while Kate never really liked doing those things even when we were young enough to get away with it, I'm going to have to agree with her on one thing: I don't want to be sitting at the bar looking at every man's left hand every Friday night when I'm forty either.

Despite looking into a mirror of "what might come to be," the bar, to be known as Tinsel Town, was an absolute blast, with karaoke and cheap food and drinks. With some friends, it would be absolutely amazing. No pretensions, just twinkle lights and Jonny Cash. If anyone comes to visit, that's where we are going.

Search and Destroy

I'm 25. Sometime in the last few years, grey hair started growing into my lovely dark brown hair. Well, lovely is debatable, but I love being a brunette and always have. I'm pale with blue eyes, but I just know I'd look funny as a blond. But if this grey hair thing continues, I may have to look into going lighter, way lighter. That, or I'm going to need a wig after I pull out all of my hair. What I really need is to be making enough money that I can afford routine hair maintenance.

Ms. Enforcer

Today is my first day off since Saturday. I think I've made the most of it. At 8am I woke to the sound of construction on the apartment below. Of course they chose my day off. Then around 10, I went out in an attempt to find the nearest Steve and Barry's. I didn't have to turn around at all! It was in this kind of ghetto strip mall, but was fine inside. I even ran into one of my co-workers, small world. Or maybe just small city. Anyway, I bought tons of clothes and an impromptu Halloween costume to wear as I sit in the apartment tonight. It's a t-shirt that looks like a sheriff shirt, and the name tag on it says Ms. Enforcer. Classy, I know.

So my big Halloween plans include watching Wednesday night TV and answering the door for Trick or Treaters. I don't think I've ever stayed home on Halloween. We definitely need more friends here. Will put socializing on my t0-do list. So yeah, Happy Halloween.

Your Move

We've developed a routine. Thursdays: Martinis. Fridays: Bar downtown. Saturdays: Club on the Strip, if we have the energy. Last Friday at the bar, we had our pick of the over 40 crowd. Woooee! How DID we get so lucky? But as the bar cleared out and my crush for the evening stayed far, far away, it wasn't so bad to have some guys to laugh with, and the free drink was especially nice. I mean, honestly. If you are a forty-something trying to get into the good graces of a twenty-something woman who, quite honestly is at least a 7.8 (as both Kate and I are), don't you think you ought to at least by them a drink or two??

But that was last week. Yesterday, we were basically ignored all night. With two exceptions. First, the guy who came over to talk to us, all by himself. Ok, great, I commend your courage. But what can TWO girls do with ONE guy? Where, oh where is your wingman?? Second, the two not bad looking guys who decided to stand nearly directly behind us and stay there. Now, perhaps they were waiting for the "go ahead" from us to make their move, but seriously! Shit or get off the pot, fellas.

I can't say we left the bar in high spirits. And tonight, we couldn't bring ourselves to go to the club. In all fairness, I worked today and will work tomorrow. But then again, I think it may be time to change our weekend routine. I'm entertaining suggestions.

Jewelry and Mattresses

This morning I was unemployed. After basically three months to the day, I've found a job. At a store. In a mall. Selling, get this: Jewelry AND Mattresses. So I can be more versatile and have more hours.

Now, on the surface, Mattresses and Jewelry may not seem like they go together, but OH! do they! I mean think about it. Guy gives girl a beautiful gold necklace, girl then, possibly, tries out guy's mattress. Hey, it happens.

So I got home and emailed the people in NYC to see about the job I actually wanted. I didn't get it. Go figure. It's fine though. It wouldn't pay enough to really get the benefits of living in the city. And Kate would be terribly sad to see me go so soon.

Anyway, so I went in for an interview and walked out with a job two hours later.

Martini Thursday

Back in Iowa, we had Martini Monday, it had a much nicer ring to it, and it was cheaper. But here I am in Pittsburgh, and up the road is a local restaurant with Martini Thursday. And honestly, knowing it's coming is what gets me through the long boring week to the weekend. Pathetic, I know, but there it is.

So, tonight, for the third week in a row, Kate and I will sit in the bar and drink martinis. Only this week, we'll attempt to make friends with the bartender. There aren't enough B-people in our lives right now, but we'll try to take care of that.

I Give The Globe Another Spin

I had time to kill
One day in Alaska
I walked around until
I found the arts and crafts shop
I bought you a card
I don't know where to send it
I wrote it from the heart
I'm not sure how to end it

I'm wondering where you've been
And if I'll see you again
I give the globe another spin
All this time I'm wonderin'
Give the globe another spin
Are you in....Berlin?
(Another Spin - Barenaked Ladies)

Whenever my friends talk to me on myspace or facebook, the first thing they often ask is, "Where are you?"

Well, right now, I'm in Pittsburgh. Before this, I was in New York City, and upstate New York, and Wisconsin, and Iowa, and before that, Japan. And next week, I might be in New York City again, for all I know.

Leaving Japan was the first time in my life when I didn't know what came next. I still don't. So I'm here, at a friend's apartment, we'll call her Kate, for all future reference. She's letting me stay with her because I help with the dog while she's gone and I'm pretty fun to be around too. In all honesty, I'm pretty sure she's the only person in the world that thinks I'm funny.

Anyway, hello out there world.