Let's Get Syn-ical

Dating.

Every single person's personal hell.

So why do we do it?

The best answer I can come up with....because we have to.

It's an unwritten rule that some bored housewife came up with centuries ago so that she could gather her girlfriends around on Sunday mornings, have an excuse to eat bacon with maple syrup whilst sneaking champagne in her orange juice and scoff at their awkward adventures.

And then one day, some genius in Hollywood decided to start visually documenting these adventures and made millions off of what most of us now pay $12 a pop to see the latest Rom-Com. Except real life dating is far more awkward than your typical Hollywood heartbreak-turn-fairytale. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway aren't getting rich off of movies about blind dates that your friends met at a random bar and set you up on, or the time you showed up in heels and were a clean 4 inches taller than your date. Lest we not forget the dinner where your date verbally assaults you in a lame attempt at humor and then hangs out for 3 glasses of water past the bill payment. No, no, these are NOT the dating escapades that the movies have promised the average 20-something female.

The way it's supposed to go is that I pass a handsome gentleman on the street, probably in New York City, we exchange a lingering glance, share a great exotic meal, and then cut scene to the big elaborate wedding with doves, a jazz band, and me and Mr. Right cruising away in a white Rolls Royce waiving in tandem through the back window. Cut scene again to the 4 bedroom house in the sunny suburb with 2 kids, a golden retriever, and perfectly clean kitchen.

So seriously, why do we keep doing it? Simply for the hope that our cut scene is just around the corner? That maybe this next date will really be "the one". The guy that convinces me that spending time with him is far greater than the joy of going home from a long day of work, putting on my largest pair of sweatpants, curling up with Mickey and watching the latest episode of Bachelor Pad? Ha!

But with the pressures of getting older and the feeling that you are lagging behind and missing out on something that everyone else seems to have figured out, it makes you really examine WHY do I put myself through the misery of countless bad dates and excrutiating dinners that I don't want to be at. Just for the hope of winding up in a cut scene situation so that one day I might wake up and Mickey has a golden retriever best buddy, who is jumping in bed on a Saturday morning while the kids have made their own oatmeal and are watching cartoons while the hubby and I just laugh about the amusement that is our daily routine? I think I just wrote the newest Tide commercial...

And as if dating weren't already hard enough in and of itself, now you have to layer modern technology on top of it all. Facebook fights, private email addresses, who are you texting now? was you Twitter post about me?? It's Ex-haust-ING.

So for those of my other single ladies who are struggling with the same frustrations in dating, or trying to as best as one can in the real world, I wish you many minimally awkward dinners, adequately tall escorts, and hopefully many happy cut scenes of love. May you each be the exception to the rule and find that soulmate with whom you will one day wave happily through the back of a car window at your adoring well-wishers.

And if you have a particularly amusing bad date story, I do hope you'll share. I'll bring the champagne if you bring the orange juice.

Guess I should rest up, I'm gonna need my strength!

Fall in RVA

Alright, this is really my first post about things to do in Richmond (RVA- for those of my Atlantans who are not familiar with the town's branding) and what it might have to offer. This is also an exciting post for me because it's the first annual topic repeat I've written.

Sorry, let me back up right quick...Something wonderful happened to me this weekend. It happens once a year, and it's a spectacular moment that energized me for the upcomming change that is right on our heels...

I had my first sweet taste of Fall. Marked by that first beautiful morning where you walk out of the house in shorts, a tank top, flip flops and your immediate reaction is "Huh, it's almost chilly out here". And once that 8am chill burns off and you realize that it is now 11am and that slight hint of chill is still overpowering the oppressive summer heat that has been breaking our spirits for months, THAT'S the moment of beauty that I am referring to. It's better than seeing that damn groundhog pop out of the ground into a shadowless world where Spring has arrived.

Perhaps not everyone has this same respect for the grand autumnal shift, but there's just nothing like the fall. The weather is perfect, the leaves are gorgeous, the beers are pumpkiny, and the football is plentiful. Oh the joy of football season. A mere 13 days away from losing my Saturdays and being happy to do it. This is the kind of stuff that dreams are made of. Well, my dreams.

But during this time of year that I cherish so deeply, I don't want to be stuck longing for my normal Atlanta-themed fall line up: Ice Cream Festival, Decatur Beer Fest, GA Tech/ Miami game, Fall tennis season, my favorite patios, etc. I need to figure out what the RVA Fall treasures are.

So I will ask kindly that those of you who know better than I, what should I be gearing up for this fall?? What events do I need to be blocking time on my calendar at work in order to stalk tickets so that I can be sure to get into the biggest and best thing? Although given the fact that I've yet to need a reservation for dinner on a weekend night in town, I'm not terribly concerned about ticket sales for many events. Maybe I should be.

Where are the best bars for watching Saturday college football- keep in mind, needs to be somewhere that with lots of TVs so that they will hopefully pick up all the UGA and Miami games. What are the top festivals to be on the lookout for? And most importantly...what is the preferred local craft fall brew?? This is also something I haven't noticed in RVA, but in ATL, almost every bar in town has a college allegiance...where certain alums gather to watch their games. Don't reckon anyone knows of any Miami or UGA bars in town? I'm guessing not, based on my hours of Google searching.

Holy guacamole, I have so much to learn to get prepared for the season and time is just slipping away from me! I cannot go into the season lacking the appropriate knowledge. So help the new girl in town a bit. Any information is greatly appreciated, and company is always more than welcome! I'll be easy to find this fall, surely there aren't that many Miami jerseys in town. The only question is whether or not I can get away with wearing my Dawgs shirt underneath so that I can adjust accordingly depending on game times. I'm sure I'll figure it out...

Thank you in advance, and I look forward to exploring a new way to do Fall. I may still stalk Decatur Beerfest tickets just in case though...

And for those in Atlanta, the Roswell Ice Cream festival is next weekend. Go. Great event, great cause. Just do it, ok? For me? Thanks.

Happy NOT Groundhog's Day!

CLW

Untitled

I was perhaps a little over zealous in deciding that Cindy Lou had actually successfully answered the "Who" that I have been exploring. I am growing to believe that it's not a question that one CAN answer, but more one that we continue to explore, as I have done so openly over the last year. Richmond is not an end, or "the answer". It's actually a start, a twist in the response. Part of the exercise in life on finding myself that I began last August. And on days like today, when I get frustrated, a little beaten up, and a little down and want nothing more than to run back to the familiar, I'm thankful for the little reminders that it's just a bad day, not a bad situation. Someone very dear and wise taught me to look out for this...

It can be easy to get tunnel visioned and shut down - very easy in fact - and not realize where I was a year ago compared with where I am today. The whole point of this blog was to track that progress and be kept honest. And reading some earlier posts reminded me of that goal. 

So perhaps I jumped the gun on claiming myself new and bright and shiny (seriously, I've got to stop stealing terms from Grey's Anatomy). It's been almost a full year since I started Cindy Lou Who and I feel that I have turned my back on her as of late. Sorry, old girl! She helped me through a few very rough patches and stood by me through some really awesome times. Maybe we can all pretend that my last post didn't actually exist and it was just some really bad dream that we all had. Or I guess I could just delete it all together. Nah, that doesn't seem fair. And if you will, as you have so kindly done over the last year, allow me to open this door back up and continue to share myself, my struggles, my little victories, my Mickey stories, my musings on terrible traffic, my terrible 90s music references, and whatever other thoughts come to me on any random day, we will call it a personal favor and I'll owe each of you one back. (Disclaimer: I still owe on the beer from my 1000th view post, so I wouldn't really hold your breath for me to help with anything time sensitive. I also don't do yardwork and don't babysit. Probably not good for moving and I can't offer legal advice. Soooooo, ya.)

Thank you to everyone out there who has gotten me here and continues to do so. Old friends and new friends and Mickeys alike.  Oh, and in case you were wondering how the 4 left-pawed pup is doing, I'm happy to report that he has a new love in his life. Jackson! A 20lb Yorkie who completely owns him. They couldn't be happier together. Mickey even lets Jackson share his closet, things have gotten serious between these two:

Alright, time to climb down off this lovely rooftop, as much as I wish I could stay under the stars, where no one can make us change who we are (Yup, old school Teitur tonight). But alas, I must turn it in for the night. I will be back in a much more timely fashion though, I promise...


The always [Insert adjective here],
Cindy L. Who

A New Cindy Lou Who?

When I started this blog, I was in a very transitional phase of my life. Picking up pieces of who I was and trying to combine them into some image that made enough of a whole to move forward.

Tomorrow will be 2 years to the day of when I walked away from my life as I knew it. Literally just walked out. And set myself along a very rocky path that has been the last two years. A slew of fallen through plans; a veritable Boulevard of Broken dreams (not sure why I feel intent on making a Green Day Reference...I guess it was something unpredicatble but in the end, it's right). But it's been a long journey and Cindy Lou Who has been a very meaningful practice in transparency and reflection.

And while I have never considered myself a writer, I've used this medium as a therapy several times throughout my life, and it's always been a fantastic outlet. Cindy Lou Who has been no exception to this rule. But now, as I am closing the book on the last 2 years, and looking forward to the next however many years it may be, I've realized that I don't feel the need to write as much.

Now, I'm sure that I just ruined your week with the thought that you might not get to read about my glamorous life, or the hysterical musings of my Mickey. But that's not what I'm saying at all. This is a good thing. I feel bright and shiny again. Not dark and twisty. I went back and read a lot of my posts from last fall, when I first started writing again, and I don't recognize that girl. But not in a bad way, very much in a good way. I had goals for things that I wanted to learn how to do, how to make myself better, and how to set myself up to move forward positively. And I really think I've done that.

And as I'm coming up on what is a big anniversary in my personal life, I have to go back further. I may not recognize myself from 10 months ago, but I really have NO idea who that girl from 2 years ago was. Or where I lost myself so much along the way. But I guess it's easy to lose something that you had never really found. All I mean to say here is that I've been quiet because I've been good. Not much on my mind, just doin my thang. Learning my new city, enjoying some new friends and really just doing whatever I feel like.

So here's my dilemma. I don't want to stop writing. But I want to change the direction of Cindy Lou Who. Give it some focus and write about something FUN that's more than just a space for me to rant and rave. It might be a food blog, it might be a beer blog to go along with the newly forming beer club I'm working on with some friends. It might be a things to do in Richmond blog (but then I start losing some of my Atlanta base). Maybe I'll just post daily pictures of Mickey dressed up in funny outfits. Really, this could go lots of ways. But stay tuned, there will be some overhaul to the site. Much as there has been to myself- so you can atleast be sure that it will be for the better!

An Atlantan's view of Richmond

Well, I'm 2 weeks into life in Richmond. And it's been a packed 2 weeks. Busy with work, which is a great change of pace. Loving my new living space and enjoying the comforts of downtown living for once. Getting to know the Richmond social scene, seeing some old friends, and making some pretty awesome new ones all along the way.

But, there are a few things that stick out here in this foreign land that I can't just ignore. Well, I guess I could, but then I would have to write another post about my dog and even though I know you all love reading about Mickey's exciting adventures, figured maybe some varied content would be welcomed :)

Despite going to college in the Richmond area for 4 years, I did not realize that I was never truly immersed in the Richmond culture. But now that I am more so, I've had a little culture shock. So I thought I would compare and contrast these two cities a little bit. And maybe if you play your cards right, there'll be a venn diagram in it at the end for you visual people (but most likely probably not).

Area Codes
ATL: There are 3- 404 (the original), 770 (the OTP), and 678 (for newbies)
RVA: Only 1- 804
Why it matters: As best as I know, all phone numbers are 10 digits- AREA CODE + #. Since there is only the 1 code, no one leads with an area code. It sounds small, but man it throws you off. It took me about 5 tries to dial out from my work phone to a local number last week because I kept including the area code and getting the wrong number. Also, when you see a 7 digit phone number posted up on a sign, it might as well be an internation phone number- it just doesn't compute.

Speed Limits
ATL: 10 over whatever is posted is pretty much the bare minimum not to get the finger
RVA: 10 under is the maximum that anyone will go, and they will do it dead even with the car next to them creating a brick wall of frustration that cannot be overtaken.
Why it matters: Road rage is real. And I have it. But IF I have the chance to even make it to the speed limit, I feel like I'm flying at 100 MPH. Speed it up, Richmond, or I'm going to start a petition to have your Raceway removed because clearly you are learning NOTHING from it.

Traffic
ATL: The source of the aforementioned road rage
RVA: There just isn't any
Why it matters: Assuming I can get away from the drivers going strictly 10 MPH, it's just nice not to spend a half hour to go 2 miles. Even this week when the storms knocked power out all over the city, it was more bearable than going ANYWHERE on a Friday between 3pm and 8pm in Atlanta.

Atlanta's nickanme
ATL: As a native Atlantan, the only acceptable nicknames for our beloved town would be ATL or A-town
RVA: People think that using "HOT-lanta" is clever and cute
Why it matters: I'm not sure that I have made good enough friends to call someone to bail me out on the assault charges that will be pressed if I hear one more ASS CLOWN refer to Atlanta as...I can't even re-type it. It's awful and no self-respecting Atlantan would EVER use this horrible term.
**Point of clarification, I think this plagues many cities other than Richmond, but since I'm getting it here, I'm willing to discriminate.

Pro Sports teams
ATL: Braves, Falcons, Hawks
RVA: Nada.
Why it matters: It makes me question how people pledge their allegiances to teams that they can't regularly follow. Even this week during the Braves/Nationals series, I couldn't see all the games due to regional black outs. So any Nationals fans are just default fans...and that's no fun.

Those are the big glaring issues right now for me. I'm sure that there will be a Part 2 of this post coming in the future weeks as I have a chance to explore and learn some more. Stay tuned!

Life is a Highway

I know I owe an update to a lot of people. But please try to understand how busy and distracted I have been in my last week. So now that we all agree I'm forgiven, I shall proceed :)

The transition to Richmond has been...seamless. It's odd really, that I feel as though I have just slipped into a new routine, a new belonging, a new way of living and it doesn't phase me. Perhaps this speaks to my high apptitude for adaptibility...or more likely, that it just hasn't hit me yet. But I actually think that I can liken this feeling to the traffic patterns that I have expereinced in my week of commuting 12 miles each way. Every morning at 8:15 when I hit I-95 North to the Parham exit (pronouned Pear-am, NOT Par-ham...very important distinction I have learned, btw), there is no traffic. I keep driving, accelerating, and waiting for the inevitable block in the channel. But I don't hit it. I've been so conditioned by my previous life experience that the road block is coming, there is an inevitable barrier around every turn, but not here. No traffic. Ever. And even if there is...I can take a side road, and still move. It makes NO SENSE. It has quite literally redefined everything that I know about commuting.

Now is this a greater metaphor for my life? Probably not, it's most likely attributed to living in a city with better infrastructure and a mere fraction of the population, but it's a fun parallel to draw given this pretty significant life change. What if this is the end to my roadblocks, and there's nothing but clear highway ahead upon which I can continue to accelerate? A life where Mickey and I really can just roll the windows down, turn the music up and just cruise along... of course at a very safe speed and with our seatbelts on because otherwise he would be far too scared. I'm willing to entertain the idea given that I just sat in a whoping 7 hours of cluster truck traffic overnight on I-285 (which actually happened, little known fact). No more Saturday afternoon spin outs while racing on the freeway.

Ok enough, of the intersate allegories...and onto the facts. My first week in Richmond has been pretty good. I've reconnected with some old friends, I've tried some new activities (such as taking yoga classes), I've pushed myself to make some new friends (had my first happy hour- $12 tab for 2, not bad!), found a new dog park, walked to some restaurants, and already feel more accomplished in my new job than I did in a year and a half in my old one. I'm in the process of responding to my first RFP, I have about 5 trips in the next 3 weeks, and my own intern at my beck and call :) All in all, I don't have much to complain about right now. Which is good given that I took a chance and moved my whole life in a small U-haul truck and my Hatchback for this opportunity. I feel reaffirmed, I feel confident. And this is all I really hoped for out of this experience. Even if for some odd reason I only get this week, it was totally worth it.

I won't go as far as to say that I feel complete, or whole again, but man do I feel hopeful that maybe there's a chance I can get there someday. And hopefully I will be the better for going after something that I really wanted and having it turn out to be as great as I knew it could be. I overcame a lot of fears, a lot of traffic to get to where I am right here, right now. So now, if you don't mind, it's time to put on my classiest shades and roll down the windows so that Mickey can feel the breeze in his ears, and put the petal to the metal.

"There's a world outside every darkened door

Where Blues won't haunt you anymore

For the brave are free and lovers soar

Come ride with me to the distant shore"

My Musical Note

There's a song that reminds me of you
And there's one that I know reminds you of me
There's a song that makes me miss you
A song that makes me wish I could kiss you
One that makes me sad for you
And one that makes me smile.

And the chorus of this music makes up the story of my life.
The story of my days
The tale that I will one day tell.
And I sing this song every morning when I rise,
Every night when I slumber
And in the moments when I wonder.

So if you sing me a song, I'll try hard to listen. But I may not hear you over my own tune.