• It is 5:46 a.m. and I’m thrilled to be awake. Why? Because I seriously had the best nights sleep ever. The ingredients: exercise, light dinner, no adult beverages, 1 melatonin.
• I hope to be able to replicate this delicious night’s sleep 2-3 nights a week – because, really – saying I’m not going to drink every night is pointless. But, I think I can do 2 or 3 days.
• I’m glad to be well rested as I have two important things to do today, you know, besides work.
• I’m seeing my doctor for the annual examination of my very pale skin. I’ve had 3 spots removed in the past, and they’ve all been non-cancerous, but better safe than sorry.
• Sunscreen is important.
• Also, I have a dreaded trip to the eye doctor, where I’m pretty sure he’ll tell me, “You’re blind!”
• Most importantly, tonight is one of my very favorite events in Portland – Zoo Brew! Basically, there are all these craft brewers and you get to wander around the zoo with a glass full of beer. Tell me that is not awesome! (though, last year all the animals were sleeping – except this guy.) We had our hearts set on getting pictures taken near animals, so we had to compromise and take photos with fake animals.
• How was your Memorial Day Weekend? Mine was fantastically spent eating delicious food and drinking adult beverages in the sun.
• If you want to see all the things I cooked, um, grilled. Go over here.  Not pictured, Smitten Kitchen’s Slaw Tartare which was fantastic. And, despite what my lovely friend Cherie thought, there is no raw meat in the slaw.
• Of course, my boyfriend would not even TRY the coleslaw which broke my heart. He said he didn’t like it. How does one know if they don’t like something before they try it?
• OH! So, last night, I was minding my own damn business and running on the treadmill in my lame apartment gym. I see something moving out the window and find some little hellion child out in the bark dust in her bare feet with a squirt gun. But, then, I look further up the window and what do I see? A BULLET HOLE, THAT’S WHAT!
• Surely it’s from a pellet gun or something, and certainly courtesy of one of the little hellions that live in my apartment complex. But, seriously? Control your damn kids!
• Anyway, the moral of the story is, I think it’s high time I restart my house hunt.
• And, that’s all I have. Enjoy your weekend, lovelies!

Proof that Corona, the Puerto Vallarta Sun, Bachelorette Parties and PINK Urban Decay Hair Goop don’t mix. Please forgive me, I was 24 years old and didn’t know any better. At least I didn’t have the misfortune of having my hair braided on the beach.

Also, many thanks to my friend Kathina for finding this gem and uploading it to Facebook a couple weeks ago. Remember, payback is a bitch!

• Last night was the premiere of So You Think You Can Dance. One year ago, I was at my friend Melanie’s house watching this very program and perhaps drinking a lot of wine when a commercial for Free Communication Weekend on eHarmony came on. Melanie told me to sign up.
• The next day, I did. The next day after that, my boy and I began “communicating”, and HOLY CRAP, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?
• It means I only have a couple of weeks to find the Perfect Anniversary Gift. Budget? $200. Now, go! Find something for me!
• It also means that I will forever associate So You Think You Can Dance with meeting my boyfriend. Tell me that is not the most romantic and sweet thing you’ve ever heard.
• Speaking of my boyfriend, apparently he was drinking heavily one day, because he challenged me on Nike+ to run 50 miles by the end of June. Of course there is a prize (yet to be determined) for whoever finishes first.
• I am going to win this prize. (We are the most competitive couple EVER)
• I’ve been told that there is a $1 flip flop sale this weekend at Old Navy. I’d very much like to procure some $1 flip flops, but I feel that in doing so I’m supporting the horrible, terrible, no good mannequin commercials.
• I’m quite pleased that we don’t have too many definite plans this weekend. You know, other than sitting outside in the sun with an adult beverage and a good book.
• We will be going to my good friend Cherie’s house on Sunday where I will be bringing this coleslaw.
• Enable me please. Do I need this blouse? And this one? And these pumps, and also this dress? All of these items are in my cart with a 20% off code just begging to be purchased.
• Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’m going for a run – I have a challenge to win. (Oh, HILARIOUS side note: guess who went off to Chicago this week without his Nike+ transmitter? None of his runs will count toward the 50 miles. HA!)

I love living alone.

But, on the other hand, I hate having to wait for the boy to come over after work. I hate that there is nobody to blame for the coffee being out. Have you tried to put a duvet cover on by yourself? It is HARD.

In the same respect, I love that the boy and I have decided not to live together until we’re married (if we decide to marry, that is).

But, on the other hand, I hate having to call him to tell him silly things. I wish I could instead just turn to him on the couch to tell him said silly thing. I hate packing a bag to go stay at his house. I hate not waking up next to him every single morning.

I love my job.

But, on the other hand, I hate my commute. I miss leaving my house at 7:15 and arriving at work at 7:30. Now, I leave my house at 7:15 and barely arrive by 8:00. (Please note, this is the only thing I miss about old job).

I’m proud of the way I “turned out,” despite having a really tumultuous childhood.

But, on the other hand, I didn’t deserve what my mother put me through. At 30 years old, some things still haunt me. I wish I had memories of a happier childhood.

I’m thrilled with the relationship my father and I have.

But, on the other hand, I’m sad that it took as long as it did for us to get here.

I love having this blog for the friendships it’s fostered and the release it provides.

But, on the other hand, I wish I’d kept some things back.

It seems I’ve been home from Vegas for a week now and I’ve neglected to update you on my trip. You’re probably thinking I hit the jackpot on the I Dream of Jeannie slot machine and have run off with my fortune of nickels. Sadly, I only lost money. Here’s a recap.

The Good

• To begin: we flew PDX to LAX on a tiny Horizon plane. This was fine with us. Do you know why? Free beer and wine on Horizon flights, that’s why.
• Our hotel – though Mandalay Bay is at the very end of the strip, the hotel is fantastic and the pool is the best ever. Except for all the children. (Warning: obnoxious music if you click on the link. Note to Vegas: I suggest you consult a Usability Expert – I think they’ll tell you that music that plays automatically plays is BAD).
• Saturday lunch at Border Grill where I fell madly in love with the Sangria Margarita.
• Saturday night dinner at Aureole. The 3 course tasting menu was lovely, but way too much food. The couple next to us ordered the 7 course menu and they were STRUGGLING. Also – the wine list is on a cool tablet computer. We had an awesome Barbera. One not awesome side effect of the dinner was my terribly upset tummy the night before. I’ve been really watching what I eat and the richness of the food didn’t sit well with me.
• After dinner drinks at the Foundation Room (I have told several people that we had drinks at The Reformation Room, which probably doesn’t exist – but if it does, it’s perhaps not the type of club a girl like me would frequent).
• These guys that we happened upon. Lederhosen in 95 degree weather requires dedication.
• Spending 2.5 days ALL ALONE with my fantastic boy.

The Bad

• It’s a good thing we each had a drink (or two) on the flight, as the next portion of our trip was quite obnoxious. We arrive at LAX to find that the boy does not have a boarding pass for our next flight. We take two shuttles to our gate and arrive at the counter to be ignored by not one, but several American Airlines employees.
• It actually looks really fun to work for American Airlines – basically, the employees we encountered just stood around and chatted with one another.
• While the boy waits in line, I dash to the charging station to charge my iPhone. I am unable to do so because a girl wearing leggings and Uggs is using two of the outlets to charge her MacBook and iPhone. Did you know that you can charge your iPhone WITH your computer? AMAZING!
• Friday night dinner at Enoteca San Marco. Terrible, terrible, terrible. Our meals were served cold and nobody ever came back to check on us. I’d really like my $107 back. Our hunger got the better of us and we made a bad dining decision. I’m very disappointed in you, Mario Batali.
• Being on separate flights on the way home.
• The trip ending so quickly.