The Studio

Hi there loyal readers. (You have to be loyal to still check this thing for updates after I've been absent for so long). It's been several months since I've posted anything -- not because I crawled into a cave and did nothing for the past 3 months, but I guess I've just been too busy doing things rather than writing about them.

I was going to say that I haven't posted in all this time because I haven't done anything that interesting, but upon consideration, I don't think that's true. Let's see, just a quick run down, in the past months, I have taken rock climbing classes, taken pottery classes, got a promotion, started mentoring East Palo Alto kids with their college applications, taken a role on the steering committee of Hands On Bay Area's tutoring committee, reconnected with an old high school friend who now lives in the Bay Area, went to Lake Tahoe a couple of times, hosted a couple of pull-out-all-the-stops dinner parties, created a wedding website for some friends who asked me to be their bridesmaid, attended a number of symphonies, and somehow managed to squeeze in some time to eat, sleep, and shower. Oh, and work I guess.

All of these events and activities were/are wonderfully interesting, but I can't tell you about them here because they would simply take up too much space. I can however, share with you a funny story.

The other night, I had taken my laundry to the laundromat, per my usual routine every 6 to 8 weeks or so. After my clothing finished the wash cycle, I started them on drying, and headed home for a bit, since the trying usually takes close to an hour. I came back around 9 pm, about an hour before closing time, only to find that one of my dryers did not run. So, I started it and proceeded to fold the clothes that were dry, while waiting for the others to finish. I called Justin to know I was running a little late because we had plans to go get some dessert, mostly so he could show me his new car.

When all the clothes had dried, I found myself with three baskets, too many to carry in one trip. I took one batch to my car, and when I returned to the laundromat, I found the doors to be locked!!! The gentleman who had been cleaning the place was standing outside the door, and just looked at me blankly. I asked if he had keys to unlock the place, since 2/3 of my clothes were still inside. He said he didn't have any keys. I asked him if someone was going to come in a bit to turn off all the lights and music, since at this time they were still blaring inside. He said no. I asked him if there was a phone number he was supposed to call in case of emergency. He offered nothing. I vaguely remembered seeing emergency contact info somewhere while at the laundromat, so I tried looking for it. I finally saw the sign posted at the very rear of the room, and quickly dialed the number. The whole time my heart was racing because I wasn't sure what I would do if no one picked up.

Luckily, someone did answer. I explained the situation to the man on the phone, and he said that he was on his way. His estimate was that he would arrive in 20 minutes to so. I went to go wait in my car, and while there, I called Justin again, to let him know I was going to be even later. Justin offered to come wait with me, but I told him I was fine because I was in my car. Justin pointed out that his car was nicer, and that I could wait in his with him. With that, Justin was on his way. Almost immediately after hanging up with Justin, the owner of the laundromat show up, only 5 or 10 minutes after I had gotten off the phone with him. He fumbles a while with his keys because he can't really remember which key opens which lock, but he was a very friendly man, and didn't act like he was annoyed for having to come out. Right before he manages to unlock the door, Justin pulls up.

As I walk inside to get the last of my laundry, the owner asks me a question, and I say yes, without really realizing what I've just said yes to, until after I've already answered. You know how it is...someone will say something, you'll ask "What?" and before they've had a chance to repeat themselves, you comprehend what they has just said. In this case, the owner asked me if Justin was my husband, and I said "yes". By the time I actually heard the question, it was too late to explain who Justin was, and why he had come to the laundromat. True to form though, my dutiful "husband" did go inside to get my last basket of laundry.

The most amusing thing about the whole event was that, my response was funny, unsettling, and comforting all at the same time. It was funny because Justin and I have always joked about acting like an old married couple. It was unsettling because I couldn't imagine being married right now, and if married life means that my husband is going to make me go to the laundromat alone, I'm in no hurry to get started. But, overall it was kind of comforting to have friends who treat me as others would expect for a husband to treat his wife.

I may one day call Justin my husband and not be lying, but that day will only come if we're both still single when Justin turns 35. For now, I'm content to call him my roommate.

My friend the communist
Holds meetings in his RV
I can't afford his gas
So I'm stuck here watching TV
I don't have digital
I don't have diddly squat
It's not having what you want
It's wanting what you've got

I'm gonna soak up the sun
Gonna tell everyone
To lighten up (I'm gonna tell 'em that)
I've got no one to blame
For every time I feel lame
I'm looking up o I'm gonna soak up the sun
I'm gonna soak up the sun
I've got a crummy job
It don't pay near enough
To buy the things it takes
To win me some of your love
Every time I turn around
I'm looking up, you're looking down
Maybe something's wrong with you
That makes you act the way you do
Maybe i am crazy too