Simple Pleasures

Earlier this week I was in a video store. I am sure this doesn't seem very noteworthy, but I must admit that I couldn't recall the last time I had been in one. Between PPV, DVR and that great thing called Redbox, I have gotten my movie fixes elsewhere.

That night though, the person I was with wanted to introduce me to a silly film that I had never seen before...A Knight's Tale. Being that it was over seven years old, we couldn't easy locate it through our normal channels, so we had to go "old school". We used his iPhone to find the nearest video store and on we went.

I must admit that I loved this place. It is no-nonsense, has a great staff, is within walking distance to my house, and is completely unpretentious. I've already been back to pick up new movies.

There was something so wonderful about wandering around the store that night laughing at things on the shelves and quizzing each other about things we'd seen. And I must admit that A Knight's Tale made me laugh...several times. It was a simple night; a delightful night.

Back to the Basics

"What is more basic than the need to be known? It is the entirety of intimacy, the elixir of love, this knowing". In the book Her Fearful Symmetry, a central character gives himself over completely to this basic knowing. I read this passage, this simple sentence, more than a week ago. It resonated with me so much that I earmarked the page and referred back to it often.

Dictionary.com defines "known" as:

1. to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty
2. to have established or fixed in the mind or memory
3. to be cognizant or aware of
4. be acquainted with, as by sight or experience
5. to understand from experience or attainment
6. to be able to distinguish, as one from another
7. Archaic. to have sexual intercourse with.

This is what I am looking for. The knowing. For me at this moment, it doesn't mean commitment, it doesn't require a path, it isn't what I've had and it is what I want. I want to be known. I want someone that is aware, is perceptive, is cognizant of me always. That gets me without any explanation, apology, or justification. Is pleased to be in my presence and looks forward to the next experience.

At 3.38am this morning I received a phone call. Of course I was awake. (Even if I hadn't been at work, the chances are great that I would still have been conscious.) The call was from a dear friend of mine that was celebrating her birthday on the West Coast and had also just got engaged. This girl deserves every bit of happiness that moment provided her and I was so thrilled to spend part of that with her. She had just had her known validated. She is someone that I love unconditionally and the thought of her so happy has brought me to giddy tears several times today.

Oddly enough I had been out earlier last night with good friends and a wonderful man to see Phantom of the Opera. That production is all about the "knowing" of someone, and the deep and sometimes painful understanding that goes with it.

Congratulations Amy. No one deserves to be known more than you.

Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of rum...

I think this holiday season is going to be OK. Maybe more than OK, maybe just fine. Perhaps even freaking awesome. Earlier this year I was seriously apprehensive about the jolly, holly season. I thought I'd be miserable and all Scrooge-like once Thanksgiving came and turned into Christmas and New Years. The concept of parties and social engagements gave me panic attacks (let's not forget Bernie), and the idea of being joyful seemed far, far, away.

Oh thank goodness I was wrong. Thanksgiving week allowed me to regress...I went out, I drank, I laughed, I ate, I spent time with my favorite boys, I ran, I met new people, and I simply lived. I lived A LOT. I don't know that I will ever think of Thanksgiving the same way again. In fact, I know I won't.

Last weekend I attended a holiday party with some delightful friends. Apart from the near fist-fight that darling Brad and I almost got into over the music, the evening was pure fabulousness. Fabulous with a side of glitter. You know I enjoy myself wholly when I end up engaging in frivolous kleptomania. Thank you boys for letting me steal your duckie.

The next morning I felt INCREDIBLE. I think happiness somehow conquered the cheap wine hangover that seemed impossible to avoid the night before. No one else seemed to feel the same, so I tackled the Farmer's Market solo and returned victorious with a little tree and a wreath. A trip to the storage shed to retrieve ornaments meant that Christmas descended upon my house. Happily.


On Friday I am seeing Phantom of the Opera for the first time with wonderful people. I have a date for the holiday party next week. I am going home for Christmas to see my incredible family and friends. God, how I have missed you all. I might even go out, out, out for New Year's. Optimistically, I already have the rocking dress. In a size 6, I might add.This year needs to end, and it is looking to end well. Scrooge has nothing on me.