Morning Edition - 7/11/07

I See You In A Different Light
For close to two years, Baby Daddy and I have dated off-and-on. There’s never been any official discussion about our dating and we’ve both dated other folks in that two year period. So what has brought the recent ignited flame in our friendship? I’ve asked myself the same question and have no real answer. What is clear is that we’re both extremely engaged and passionately interested. Yesterday, after our new ride-home routine, BD jumped off the train at my stop and we hopped in my car to have a quaint dinner at Nathan’s – famous for their boardwalk-style NY franks. We sat and had an interesting conversation about our teenage years while inhaling a couple of chili dogs. As the conversation continued I noticed BD becoming more and more intense. His looks of concern were burrowing into me and I stopped to ask, “Are you alright?” He said, “Now I understand.” When I asked what he “understood,” he went on to explain how he felt my sense of humor is so raw and magnetic that it clearly showed someone who had overcome great pains with his will to laugh as a weapon. I was somewhat touched, but continued my story. When I got up to dump the trash (yeah, Nathan’s is that kind of joint) he got up and continued to stare and smile. We decided to do a little shopping trip to Target and while I drove I felt him still staring – hard! I turned and said, “What is it pa?!” He smiled and said, “I just thought I knew you all this time and you’re so much deeper than I ever thought. It explains why I’ve always really liked you. Right now I like you so much more.” Always the break-the-sappiness-king, I responded, “Cut the crap before I drive us into oncoming traffic!” We both laughed and he snapped some unapproved pics of me with his Blackberry. So we’re talking several times a day, riding home together virtually every night and I’m not thinking of where this is going, but how I can continue feeling this silly; this fresh and this at peace.

Enjoying the Coast
Nothing in life is done at full throttle and any attempt at full-throttle-living will leave you exhausted, unfulfilled and distressed. So, it came as no surprise that my six-day a week work-out sprints and healthy eating needed to somehow ease for a little while so that I could catch my breath and enjoy some of the benefits. I’ve reached that mental level where I accept that I enjoy the results of working out; so it goes without saying that it will be a life-long commitment, but I’m also accepting those couple of slow-down weeks when I workout less strenuously and eat more voraciously. All said, I’ve gained a few pounds, but the exhale of letting go for a little while is great. I’m comfortable with my size and can now accept that a couple of weeks of chillin’ cannot blow me up. This week I’m back to my more strenuous workout regimen, but am still eating a bit more – and a bit differently – than I had the past six months. Next week, we’re going back to our usual diet of curbed carbs and increased protein. Hey, my Great-At-38 birthday weekend is now less than four weeks away and I’m trying to sport my new Rio!

On Blast
Revelations. I’m a firm believer in not revealing too much – especially not too much of your sordid past to present potential partners. All said, that type of banter can come back to haunt you as the new beau attempts to make connections between your past and your present behavior. There are, however, times when having a candid conversation that gives someone a peek inside, can serve to endear them and show them your growth and development. What story from your past do you think serves you best staying there?

Keep passin’ the open windows…