All the Leaves are Brown and the Sky is Grey

But just 48 short hours ago, all the leaves were very green and the sky was very blue. The ocean was sparkling, the flowers were bright, the peacocks were strutting their stuff. And us? Well, we were smiling and warm.

The Girl From Ipanema

I've got my sun screen, a few good books and a Brazillian. Look out world, Beaches is about to be set free into her natural environment.

That's right. Crown, GParty and I are taking off to the tropics on Saturday afternoon. What's even better than jetting off on a romantic vacation with my two boyfriends? Finding out that a couple of sweet ladies I know will be in the close vicinity as well. Guru and Legalese... keep your eyes peeled 'cause we'll be trolling the miles of sparkling white sands for you come Monday.

In the event that I keep my solomn vow this year and don't ever come back, divide my stuff up between yourselves and for God's sake, someone send me my dog.

"Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Ipanema goes walking..."

They Say It's Your Birthday

I've been blessed in my life to have developed relationships with people that I will hold sacred and dear until the very end.

My friendship has never come easily. It takes a persistant, strong-willed and energetic soul to breakthrough the infamous "Beaches-Barrier" and develop a lasting connection. As a result, I have a small group of the best friends on earth.

Friends who are so close to me that they have long ago stopped being just friends and have become part of who I am. Friends who are so beautiful, loving and vivacious that quite literally, they provide me with vital parts of my own identity. All too often when I speak, I hear their voices come out of my mouth and each time it makes me smile.

I've mentioned each of these special souls here on various occasions, but rarely in much detail, only because I believe that their stories are theirs to tell and not mine. These are friends that I have met only recently, within the last five years, and also friends who I have known for what now seems like forever. It might as well be, because before them, I was not the same person that I've become with them by my side.

Just over a year ago, one of these "forever" friends, got married and moved to the other side of the country. I stood up for her at her wedding and I had the chance to speak my mind about my love for her in front of her friends and family, old and new. It was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do for a friend, but also one of the most rewarding. It's a moment that I won't soon forget, and they are words that I meant that day, and that I feel right now, and that I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life:

Dings has played so many roles in my life.
She’s been my confidant, my shoulder to cry on, my shopping buddy and my travel partner. She’s been a study partner and a partner in crime.
Together we’ve been through boyfriends, through high school, though university, though Europe.
First loves, first jobs, first broken hearts.
She has supported me though my hardest times, and laughed with me through my best.
Now we’re about to embark on a new phase of our friendship -- a long-distance one -- as she sets out with her new husband to start a new life – and I will miss having her close by. But I’m so happy to see her off on this next adventure, and certain that through it all our friendship will stay strong.
Look how far we’ve made already. From little girls to married women.
Dings is my best friend. She’s more than that, she’s my sister.

This new phase of our friendship, which I mentioned through choked sobs in my speech that day, has been a hard one. She's very far away and I miss having her close. But I saw her over the holidays and can tell that she's happy and healthy and loving her new life. And so I am still incredibly happy for her, and happy to report that I was right. Our friendship has stayed strong. Although it sucks not having her here for shopping and yoga and long nights chatting over a bottle of red wine, it's comforting to know that somewhere, on the other side of the country, is a piece of myself. A reminder that a person is not limited to one body, but spread out among those that we love, no matter where they may roam.

Dings, keep representin'! Happy birthday to you. All my love.

I Was Working As A Waitress In A Cocktail Bar

Sometimes I wish I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar.

Mostly because of all the free cocktails. Also because of the tips.

Wouldn't it be nice if us office-jobbers got the odd tip now and then?

It might go something like this:

Colleague walks over and says,

"Beaches, great job today with that TPS report. You really fucking nailed it."

Then she slips me a fiver, winks and walks out of the room.

On the Seventh Day of Christmas...

...my true love sent to me:

7 vodka cocktails,
6 more than that,
5 pounds of dip!
4 hours of dancing,
3 champagnes,
2 packs of butts,
And a huge hangover the next day.

Happy New Year everyone. Hope yours was as fun and fanciful as mine.

It's 2006, yo. Word.