it's monday, AGAIN???

A week ago I wrote a post about the new owner of the Houston Astros, Jim Crane, "suggesting" that he was considering changing the team's name.  The name that they had for over forty years.  Missed it? Go here: 


http://yvonnewritingmylifeaway.blogspot.com/2012/01/whats-in-name.html  

Well, that made a lot of people in my fair city, really mad.  Myself included.  So much so, that blogs were written, letters were sent, phone calls were made.  I half expected a group to form Occupy Houston Astros -but alas, that did not transpire.  Well kids, I'm happy to report that this afternoon, that same owner,  issued a statement, to which he said:  "We received strong feedback and the consensus among season ticket holders and many fans, and we will not change the name Astros.  The Houston Astros are here to stay."  -and just like that, all is well with the world again.  Although, the more I think about it, the more I believe this was just a publicity stunt to boost ticket sales, attendance, status... I dunno.  I don't really care.  If it was a gimmick, it was a genius marketing move.  Well played sir, well played.

In other news, I seem to have lost my "inner work-out queen" ---Seriously.  I just can't make myself go to the gym lately.  And it's starting to show.  And I hate it.     But tomorrow is another day.  And so I will go then.  I've already had a stern talk with myself. Plus, I brought out the big guns and tried on a bikini.  If that's not enough to  make me run to the gym, I don't know what is!

Eh, but I'm a betting woman.  I got my money on me.

breaking hearts, one man at a time...

woe the life of a single woman.  i went to meet some friends for happy hour on friday night. i was lectured, hit on,  and mesmerized by three different men.  did you read the part where i said THREE different men? -just checking.  the venue we were all meeting was new to me.  i'd only just this morning read up on it to see if i even wanted to go.  i liked what i read and the pictures looked inviting.  it was a swanky restaurant, built along side the bayou in a very nice part of the city.  the bar that  had a patio and cabanas and tiki lamps (for nocturnal purposes).  the place was pretty chic. so off i went.  i met my group of friends and engaged in the usual banter.  our group was uneven, there were six women to our three men.  but it was fine, we all knew each other and were busy yacking away, catching up on the latest.  after a while i left in search of the powder room.  it was while i was en route, that i bumped into (literally) victim bachelor number one.  i apologized for bumping into him and for spilling his drink.  -what? did you think i was kidding? he laughed it off and brushed the droplets from the drink, off of his sweater.  he then smiled and asked if "this" ever worked?  huh?  apparently, bachelor number one, thought i purposely bumped into him.  to meet him.  ha.  um, no. sorry to disappoint you, but i didn't do it on purpose.  he didn't believe me.  we then engaged in a half hour conversation about the "gimmicks" (his word not mine) that women use to get a man's attention. i indulged him, nodded my head when i thought appropriate and smiled.  he told me i was going about it all wrong.  that "guys don't like that" -"you should just buy us a drink and start there, or flash us a boob" said he, flashing a smile.  -yeah.  he said "flash us a boob."  now, this guy was dressed very nicely. and looked intelligent.  but oh how looks can so deceiving!  i thanked him profusely for making me see the error of my ways and then waved buh-bye.  no sooner had i made my way back to my friends when victim bachelor number two appeared.  this guy was a friend of a friend.  he quickly showed me his rolex.  no really, he did. i guess he needed me to see he could afford one? i dunno.  so this guy wastes no time.  in a matter of three minutes tops, he buys me a drink, asks me why i'm here all alone, and then asks if i want to go somewhere to "talk" because apparently, that's not what were doing here.  again, i smiled and nodded and then declined on his most gracious invitation.  to which he rebounds with, "look, my ferrari is out front.  let's go for a ride."  seriously?  "how old are you?' i asked.  he proudly told me he was twenty-four and then showed me his college ring. ha.  really he did.  i told him i wanted to stay with my friends,  but thanks anyway.  he then stomps away mad.  i could see the pout on his lips.  my friends are literally laughing their asses off.  At MY expense!  But before i have a chance to address them, victim bachelor number three walks into my life.  he was a coworker of one of my friends.  this guy was charming, smooth and very cocky. but in a way that didn't scream, "asshole".  we talked, danced and laughed the rest of the evening.  in fact, we really hit it off.  BUT he's not from here.  he lives in chicago.  he's here on business.  he's "sorta" seeing someone.  they just met.  and that, was that.  this guy paid me the best compliment though.  in fact, i'm not even to tell you guys what he told me.  not yet.  but rest assured, it will keep this silly grin on my face all weekend.

as far as happy hours go, this by far, was the most interesting one i have been to in a long time.

that way my evening.  how was yours?

"What's In A Name?"

I thought of that infamous line in William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet today.  Indeed. What is in a name? Do people really care about names?  I for one, LOVE my name, first and last.  I can't imagine being called anything else.  And then there are those of us who take a self-proclaimed ownership to certain names such as for our pets and oh, let's just say,  a certain professional sports team.  Apparently, it is not enough that Houston's sports teams remind us year after year, that our city is cursed. (it has to be!), and it's not enough that the Houston Astros (our professional baseball team) will be playing in the American League (excuse me, I just threw up a little in my mouth)  come 2013.  But today I learned that the team's new owner is considering changing the name of the team!  That's just beyond ridiculous to me.  I've been a baseball fan since I was seven years old and my dad took me and my then toddler brothers and sister to our first game in the now defunct Astrodome.  I have been a die-hard Astros fan ever since.  I still have that stupid orange, spongy hand that forms a #1 sign, that I got at the first ever  playoff game in 1980 against the Philadelphia Phillies.  I was fourteen years old.  I just can't fathom this team being called anything but Astros.  Sure, we've taken our licks throughout the years.  Names such as "Lastros" and "Disastros" come to mind.  But so what?  The team hasn't always been bad.  Why mess with a good thing?  Astros is synonymous with the city, with NASA -the remnants of it anyway.   They've had that name for 47 years.  -The entire franchise history.  What's up with that Mr. New Owner???  Oh and he also wants to change  their uniform.  Again.  They've gone through quite a few throughout the years.  Some good, some very bad.  This newest development has awakened the masses and let's just say, "ain't nobody happy in H-town"  Only time will tell and hopefully, the name stays.  I'll be awfully pissed if it doesn't.  I mean I'd have to buy new caps and tees! Do you know how expensive that's going to get???  On a related note, I put in my request to be off on April 6th since it's a very important day.  What's so important you ask?  Why, it's Opening Day of course!  If you are new to my blog, Opening Day is the first home game of the season and for the past seven years now, my partners in crime aka Michelle and Maricela and I  have taken the day off to attend the days festivities and then top it off with the culminating moment of watching the game.  Good times will be had for sure. So you see, it's a super important day to me.  Well, this morning, my boss approved my request -no questions asked.  I got all excited and giddy and immediately put it on the firm calendar like the great employee that I am.  It was then that I realized that there was no need to ask for that day off being that it's Good Friday and we're closed that day.  Talk about bursting my bubble!  Whomp whomp whomp wahhhh!

But enough about me.  How was your Monday?

Frustration

I think I missed my true calling.  Instead of getting a degree in English Literature in college, I should have majored in Psychology.  It seems I am a magnet for "injured souls" -meaning, people who are hurting, due to matters of the heart, or some life altering lesson, or a crisis of catastrophic proportions.  I give great advice, I always want to help, I can build you up like no one else!  I always know the right thing to say, or not to say. That's what I have been told.  Helping others comes naturally to me. I want to help, to fix things.  To be needed.  It's who I am.  And if I can't fix it/you/them -then I feel I've failed somehow.   I don't know why.

And therein, lies the problem.  I'm so focused on other people's emotional well being, that I neglect my own.  No, I'm not a meddler or a "Nosy-Rosy", but if you come to me for help, I will help, and then some.  Sometimes, I think that the fact that I grew up a little too fast and was often left to care for my siblings, while our parents went to work, played a big part.  I'm a mother-hen  with them for sure. Even now.  We're all grown up, married, children (ok THEY are), mortgages etc., but I still worry.  I've been told ad-nauseum by my shrink ---why do they call psychiastrists "shrinks" anyway? What exactly are they shrinking?  Who came up with that?  THOSE are the real questions.  So, anyway, my therapist (I told you, I don't like the word "shrink")  has embedded in my head, that I need to focus on myself, before I can help anyone else.  And that I will be of no use to anyone if I'm not well myself.  Makes sense right? You'd think I would listen to her, wouldn't you?  Yeah.  In a perfect world and all.  But nope.  Not me.  I do things the hard way.  Currently, I'm trying to learn not to make rash decisions (as is my nature) and to think with my head, not  my heart.  To
separate my emotions and not to give in to my inner "Mother Theresa."  It's harder for me to do when it involves family.  They are my kryptonite.  Well, they and a certain someone who shall remain nameless.  But that's another story for another time.  What is it with me wanting to solve everyone's problems???  There are certain people in my life that are going through hell right now.  And I have exhausted myself trying to help them.  Mentally, financially, emotionally.  I find myself constantly stressed and worrying and crying because I can't make it better.  It upsets me.  But I know, deep inside my heart, I know that I can't fix it for them.  They have to fix themselves.  I can be there for them, and lend them moral support.  But I can't keep doing what I have been for the past few months.  If I keep it up, I''m the one that's going to end up going crazy.

For whatever reason or reasons, I think that the way I am is somehow a flaw.  A mark against me.  I know, I know, "Here comes the drama queen" -that's what's you're thinking right?  But I'm not being dramatic.  I truly feel this way.  And I don't know why.  Further probing into my psyche  with my therapist will surely clue me in.  At least, that's my hope.

This isn't something new for me.  It's just that I'm finally "taking the reins",  as it were, of that part of my life, and so all kinds of thoughts and ideas are brewing in my head.  Slowly, but very surely, I'm digging myself out of the "emotional black hole" that I have fallen into.

I bet you're glad (if you're still reading this) that you clicked on my blog tonight, aren't you??? ----said I, in full sarcasm regalia.

best conversation i ever had

waiting for you

i see you walk in

our eyes meet

smoldering looks

the rest of the world disappears

you walk towards me

my heart races

you stare at me 

as you get nearer

peering into my soul

so hot i can't breathe

you take my hand 

enclose it with yours

no words

none needed

but so much is said

our mouths meet

hungrily

desperate

exploding

we stand there

kissing

hands roaming

caressing

we  embrace

and a smile  emerges 

when we finally break free

and now

trying to catch our breathe

we look at each other

coyly

sheepishly

knowingly

Again?

Yay or Nay?

I'm trying this new page design.  Thumbs up or down?
I kinda like it but I'm not completely sold on it yet.  More than likely, I'll change it back tomorrow.  Ha! But for now, indulge me,  What say you? 


Remember, your vote counts! tehehehe :)

On my mind...

Earlier today, I was asked, "What is your passion?  What drives you?"  Without hesitation I replied, "Writing and my family."  Sometimes, my writing takes a backseat to the family or to life itself.  So am I wrong when I say that writing is my passion? Does that mean I'm not really as passionate about it as I believed myself to be?  See? I do this all the time.  I am asked one thing and I go for the overkill, the analyzing, the questioning and the weighing every conceivable option available.  I can't help it, it's who I am.  Those that love me, tolerate it and accept it and those that don't, well, they just don't, period.  Anyway, as I was saying, I've always considered myself to be a very passionate person.  If I believe in something, be it a cause or a person, or an injustice, I will go all Norma Rae or Erin Brocovich on you!  Believe THAT.  But I think I've been doing a disservice to myself and to my craft.  I let other things get in my way so much that eventually, writing is the furthest thing from my mind.  It's funny because I carry a small notepad with me all the time.  You just never know when inspiration will hit!  But lately there are more blank pages than used ones these days.  And that's a shame.  I know Rome wasn't built in a day -that's what I've been told anyway.  But I also know that the builders of Rome weren't deterred by pesty little nuances such as family, unexpected problems and chaos -also known as life.  My friend's probing reminded me of this.  Which in turn reminded me that that bestseller isn't going to write itself.  I believe I am a good writer.  Maybe not the best, not yet anyway.  But I have a talent.  I also have a lot to learn.  And that's what I'm going to try to focus on more at this time in my life.  As I wrote in an earlier post, life is for living it, not letting it live you.  Perhaps this is my way of calling myself out.  And anyone else who may be dealing with similar circumstances.  -You're welcome.

Ahh, a little deep thinking on a Monday.  Painless right?

What about you? What's your passion? What motivates you to keep going? Or do you not have a passion and feel something is missing?  Care to share?