I have to say, I love my friends. I am blessed with many friends from various stages of life. Each is unique to me in their own way, and I have a different friend for every situation imagineable. All are special and I would do anything for them, and I hope they know that.

After reading this post by Circle V, however…I have to admit that I can sometimes be quite narcissistic (but really, aren’t all bloggers just a little bit?). As you can tell, I have a tendency to get over-analytical about my male counterparts, and frequently ask any and every friend I have for advice – whether I take it or not. I try not to bother people too much, but usually I can’t help myself – I just HAVE to know what someone else thinks about the boy (whomever it may be at the time) saying or doing this or that. I know, it can get annoying to listen to someone go on and on about a particular person or situation…and I hope that none of my friends (or readers heh) are too put off by my ramblings. I know I waste entirely too much energy thinking about and worrying about stupid men and what they are thinking or doing, and I genuinely apologize to all my friends who have to listen to me bitch about situations I can’t control.

Friendship is a fickle thing. I completely agree with Circle V about the “seasons of friendship” – and also with Sara who was wondering, when is it really over, how much can you apologize? I had a fight back in April with one of my best friends. It wasn’t even really a fight, just a disagreement and a situation that came up. We ended up not talking for almost two months after. We’re talking again, but it’s not the same. We still haven’t spoken on the phone, just on email and IM – and not that often. We were best friends through all four years of college and roommates for two years of that. But…maybe it wasn’t necessarily the “fight” we had, but the fact that we were growing apart anyway. Things happen, sometimes you just have to let it go. I miss her dearly, but at the same time I know that we are obviously both going on with our lives and doing just fine without each other. It’s sad…but it happens. Our conversations are little more than pleasantries now.

I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. I think that the people and friends that come and go in my life all have a reason and purpose. Every relationship I have had has helped me to grow, helped me get through something, helped me laugh, and helped me to realize that I’m not alone. I think that is all anyone can hope for in any relationship, and that life is short, and you shouldn’t waste your time on people who don’t bring you happiness in one way or another. Even if it’s a “bad” relationship** (i.e. a hook up buddy that won’t ever be more even if you want more), if it makes you happy at the time, then go with it. Things will work out how they are supposed to, even if it’s not how you expect it to.

I guess the point of all of this was to say a few words about friendship, and thank those who have been there for me – through all of my ups and downs. Everyone can get annoying, and we all know or have been this person at one point or another (hopefully not all the time):

• the friend who won’t shut up about relationships (er…hehe),
• the friend who always has drama in his or her life (“oh my god, my life is over”),
• the friend who is always asking for something (“hey, I hate to ask you but can you do me a favor?”),
• and the friend who is a mooch (“can you spot me this one time? Again?”).

The main thing to remember is that a true friend will be there to back you up and pick you up no matter what, and you should do the same for them.

So…cheers to friends.

Drink wine, this is life eternal.
This, all that life can give to you.
It is the season for wine, roses, and drunken friends.
Be happy for this moment,
This moment is your life.

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Well, I met with the general manager of the Honda place yesterday – he apologized and gave me a check for the ticket and told me they would investigate it. He also called in the manager who arranged the shady little deal (though I am happy with the results haha) and told him he wanted to know who was responsible for it. I’m sure that in the end the GM will get to the bottom of it, because he will want someone to pay him back for the money he gave me. We’ll see – I plan on calling next week to follow up.

As for Verizon…I had to put the original faceplate back on my phone (since I had put a pink one on it) and I’m taking it in tonight to get replaced. I’m hoping that will fix my cell problems because I’m tired of having to call people 20 times to finish a conversation.

Things are slowly coming together…it has NOT been a good week, between the car, the phone, my bills piling up, and the boy situations. Plus I’ve been swamped at work and haven’t even had time to breathe. And my shoulders are all in knots from staring at a computer like…18 hours a day.

So basically…I need a man, a massage, and a drink. But – I guess I can settle for a drunken massage from a man.

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What are you afraid of?

Living alone the past few months (thank God A is moving in this weekend) has made me realize that I need someone around to do the little things. Aside from helping me to figure out how to hook up my cable/internet and effectively use the large toolkit my dad bought for me, I need someone for a much more important job…

To kill bugs.

I am afraid of these stupid crickets.They are called cave or camel crickets. If you have ever had them – you know what I mean. They are gross. They jump really high and fast – too quick to kill. They can somewhat climb up a wall. They crawl like a spider and have fat spotted bellies and high legs. They like dark, damp places – and tend to live in basements. Hooray for living on ground level. I try to ignore them – if I’m not screaming like an idiot when one jumps towards me. I know, I’m bigger and they are terrified of me. But, I still can’t stand them.

Another thing I am frightened of? Spiders. Even little bitty ones that wouldn’t do anything to me. You know they say you swallow like 8 spiders a year in your sleep and don’t even know it. How freakin’ disgusting.

When did this happen? When I was younger, I used to play with bugs. I mean – be interested in them in a scientific way. I had some kit to collect ones that looked cool to observe them (in a plastic bin obviously!). Now I freak out like a total GIRL and hate all these creatures.

Since when did I become such a little bitch about bugs? How stupid.

Maybe I need to face my fears, and learn to live and let live. I mean, I am the girl that watched open heart surgery on TV when she was four years old, and when I was eleven I went to a nature center and touched a 10 ft. long python.

Do we become more fearful with age? Is it childhood innocence that leads us to accept all things and be curious about them? But adulthood cynicsm that makes us cringe?

In any case…I’m glad that I’ll soon have someone else to help me get rid of the bugs. Or at least scream and jump along with me.

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So I get home from work and check my mail. I got a notice of a parking ticket. Strange, I don’t remember getting one. Upon closer inspection I realize I don’t even know the street name of the place where I received said ticket. In fact, there was no way in the world I was even in the vicinity of where the ticket was given at the date and time listed. 4:50 pm in Alexandria? I work in Reston. No way in hell. Although I was in Alexandria that evening for a pedicure, the appointment wasn’t until 6 pm, so again, no way I could have been anywhere at that time.

Finally…I figure out that the ticket was given to me when THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP. That’s right, while I was driving the shitty loaner car they gave me – someone was out fucking around in MY car. THEY got a ticket, not me. And now, I have the City of Alexandria/DMV on my ass for something I didn’t even do, much less know about. It was $178. It’s due on the 20th. Or it goes up to $203.

I am livid.

I’m actually going in person to the general manager to bitch. I mean, the place has been shady the whole time since I bought the car a month ago – but this is completely unacceptable. First of all, the work they were doing (installing power windows and locks) was only supposed to take a day, maybe two. They kept my car for five days. Fine, it happens. I also picked it up and noticed they had gotten dirt on the seats, and my mileage did look a little higher than I remembered (now I know why!)…but I overlooked it because I just wanted my baby back. Well…watch out because this girl is goin for the kill.

Oh, and fuck Verizon too. For the past five days my cell phone has been cutting in and out – mid conversation. I’ll be on the phone, and suddenly can’t hear the person, or I’ll call someone and won’t hear the rings on my end. It’s shitty. So, I take it in today and the guy tells me I just need to update my software. Which I did, and it worked. Then I get home and it’s doing the shit again. So I guess on my way back from giving the Honda dealership a piece of my mind, I’ll be stopping by Verizon to get my phone fixed and/or replaced.

Oy ve.

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I hope everyone will be able to join The Butterfly Network as they host a Blog-a-Palooza event next week!

There are sure to be sweet girls, sexy boys, super drinks, and scandal…what more could CitySparkle ask for? Heh.

This is a bittersweet event, as we will be saying goodbye to Little DC Diva as she heads off to NYC for bigger & better things.

But, the least we could do is throw back a few in her honor!

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