Mr. Fish, Did you die?!

I find it funny, yet odd, that people I used to talk to on an almost daily basis for dozens of years seem to have fallen off of the face of the Earth.

I understand that everyone has their own separate lives, and within those lives are infinite amounts of chaos. What I don't understand, however, is how someone can blatantly choose to ignore someone who is [supposedly] your best friend. Sure, you get wrapped up in a relationship or your parents get sick or your job starts to become more demanding. I get it. We all go through these things at some point in our lives, sometimes even simultaneously... but we somehow manage to maintain relationships.

They say, of course (whoever "they" is), that we only work to maintain the relationships that we choose to keep. Which leads me to this: How can a person choose one friend over the other?

For example, you choose your boyfriend over your best friend. Isn't there a way to have harmony in your world so that you can hang out with your boyfriend and your best friend? Maybe not together at the same time, but perhaps on alternating nights or only on Wednesdays, etc.? Are you saying that your best friend is no longer valuable enough to you, and that he/she does not deserve your free time? Are you saying that your significant other has taken the place of a best friend? Are best friends replaceable?

Maybe I'm missing something. I don't know. But last I checked, I needed an active social life outside of my dating life. If I hung around only my boyfriend (assuming I have one) 24/7, I would literally go insane. I need some estrogen. I need some wine. I need some gossip. Men don't offer that. Unless, of course, they're gay... in which case I'd hang out with them instead of my girlfriends. (But honestly, my gay friends are in my girlfriends category. I'm better friends with them than I am most of my girl friends.)

There are some people I've known since middle school, who are happily married with multiple children. I talk to them on a regular basis, and I always have. But then there are people I've known only since college, who have boyfriends they live with, who work right down the street from me, who I only hear from when I initiate conversation. Or when they hear gossip about me (it's a small town, and usually full of lies). Or when they literally run into me in a store.

I know that losing friends is part of growing up. I understand that they were in your life at one time for a reason, and they have left your life for a different reason. I know that they are opening a spot for a "better" person to come along and fill. But I'd still like to know why.

too cute not to share

I love receiving mail. Both email and snail mail, but especially snail mail. Mom is great at making her own cards and sending them my way for a good laugh or "Awwww." The other day, I checked the mailbox and found a card from mom. The envelope was very fun - white with bright blue and green circles on it. I excitedly tore open the envelope and removed a card with this picture on the front:

Inside: I meditate, I do yoga, I chant... And I
still want to smack someone!

If she didn't hit the nail on the head with that one, then I don't know what will!

Beach2Battleship

Today my good friend Adam and I watched our other good friend, Mark, compete in the Beach2Battleship half ironman. We met up with his wife, Adrienne, and their daughter, Taylor, early this morning to catch the first leg of the race - the swim. (You can see him in the picture above. He's totally visible. Open your eyes!) After that we headed to the transition area where we saw Mark run from the end of his swim to the transition area where he had to locate his bike in the sea of metal and wheels. He came around the corner, running like the most excited child on Christmas Day. After swimming 2.5 miles. (I personally would have thrown in the towel at about 100 meters.) The guy is always so full of energy and enthusiasm and he never ceases to amaze me with all that he does.

Adam and I didn't make it downtown to see the run portion of the race, but Adrienne did tell me that Mark completed the entire half ironman in 6 hours and 50 minutes!!! The guy is amazing, as is everyone else who competed in this race.

He absolutely motivated me to get out and run. But I have to finish watching Julie & Julia first.

Cacaolat Cookies

I am addicted to these cookies. I want to call them wafers, but they're really not. They are 2 cookie-like wafers with a chocolatey paste between them.

I discovered a similar product while in France but I can't remember the name of it so I can't show you. The wafers were shaped like pieces of toast. The toast was actually a little toasty man who smiled! It was delicious and cheery.

I am in love with European sweets - chocolate, pastry, bread (ok, so that's not sweet but you get the point)... If I lived there, I'd probably weigh 200 lbs. instead of my 150.

Oh how I long to be back in France. Sigh.

Due Date

I went to see Due Date yesterday, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis.

While it wasn't as funny as The Hangover, I do enjoy Zach G. and will watch almost any movie he is in. His walk and dog make the movie. Seriously.

cancer

Just yesterday I was talking to a couple of coworkers about lung cancer. I don't even remember how the subject was brought up. I actually ended up telling them a story about a woman who got lung cancer due to second hand smoke; she had never picked up a cigarette in her life. Well, then today, I stumbled upon this article. Coincidence? I think not.

I'm not one to tell people how to live their lives. Do what you want. To each his own. Only you can be responsible for your own actions. Blah, blah, blah. I will, however, tell you that I have seen first hand what cancer can do not only to an individual, but also to a family. It is not pretty and I do not wish any sort of cancer upon anyone - not even my worst enemy.

I urge all of you to pay attention to your body. You know your body better than any doctor. After all, you're the only one around you all day, every day! If you don't feel well, rest. If you continue to not feel well, go to the doctor. Most of us are so busy these days that we brush aside our health. Please don't. If you wait too long, it may be too late.