You can thank my mother for these next “few” words! She reminded me that, once again, I have somehow managed to fall off the face of the planet for a whole month at a time. What’s funny is that she began to worry that she hadn’t seen anything new on my Blogspot for so long. When was it that my primary mode of communication with loved ones became my Blog???

Well enough. I suppose that you are all wondering what my schedule is, and better yet, where I am. So here you are: anything you want can still reach me at the old Philadelphia address as Vince has not yet moved, and I am visiting him every other week at least. Otherwise, you can email me for my Arlington address, or call me on the cell phone number that you already have. I will contact you in the future when both Vincent and I move.

In the meantime, I have completed more training to turn me into the super agent woman of whom I know you all dream (in varying states of dress ). Thus far it has been firearms, computer skills, presentation skills (i.e. writing and giving speeches), and now defensive tactics (which can basically be summed up as Ryan’s “kicking ass” class). Most of it leaves me drained at the end of the day, but not half as drained as the holidays this year.

I spent Christmas with Vincent’s family in the Philadelphia area, and then New Year’s with a bunch of friends in Margate, NJ. It was a wonderful time, all of it, but also very hectic at best. Let’s just say that I completely earned the three bottles of champagne I drank to ring in the new year!

Since I am not much in the mood for verbosity (oooh, big words!), I will just narrow down my field of conversation to the past week or so.

Starting with…this past weekend! I got to ride in full luxury on the Acela train from DC to Philadelphia, all in the name of my good friend David Stango (www.davidstango.com). Last October, he and our friend Jess got married, and I missed the wedding so I could spend a “lovely” (said with all due sarcasm) time in Brunswick Georgia. Since I missed the wedding, Vince and I invited ourselves over for dinner at their new house, which I had never seen, so I could go over their wedding photos.

As you would imagine, their house is beautiful. David and Jess have put a lot of time and effort into their new home and it shows. Of course, Vince and I continue to joke about all the things they’ve gotten for free. “There’s just something about David that makes you want to give him free stuff,” we say. And so we gave him my desktop computer as a small gift for their new house (to compliment the handmade wooden cabinets a friend made them for the kitchen, the electrical wiring done by family and friends, the plumbing done by family, etc., etc.).

Moving right along…the Christmas decorations came down on Saturday, and Ryan was sad to see the holidays leave her Philly home, but happy to throw away yet more stuff. Someday I will get Vincent’s stuff down to ONE medium-sized room – only the most important stuff will remain. In the meantime, I just whittle away, piece by piece…

That night we went to the Tin Angel to see David Stango play. He was the opener for the opener for THE MAN. Yet somehow I think he managed to have a louder following than any of the following acts. I think it’s because I had a few drinks and screamed about my undying passionate love for him quite a bit, but it could also be because he never travels with a throng of groupies (a.k.a. friends and family) smaller in number than 25 .

During the next set, by a beautiful woman named Julia Othmer (www.juliaothmer.com), I nearly got into a bar fight with one of her friends (I think). This girl was standing in the bar next to us and told us to shut up. It was rude, and we were in the BAR for chrissakes! So I continued to talk with my friends whenever the mood hit.

Well, at the end of Julia’s set, I went to the bathroom and this girl walks over to our table and screams at my friend, Shivani! Can you believe the nerve?!! So I find out and begin to walk back to the table to give her a verbal smack across the face, and the girl takes off and leaves. Boy was I irate!!! I was so pumped up to give a well-deserved tongue-lashing (and to utilize my “ass kicking” skills if necessary).

Lucky for me, I ended up talking to the beautiful and talented Julia Othmer immediately afterward and forgot all my cares and worries – I think it may have been the champagne. Vince and I met a few musicians, prominent amongst them a jack-of-all-trades named Hoagy, an off-the-wall character named Ian, and a fine gentleman named Fred, who was kind enough to give me the names of a few good places to go for music in the DC area. So when you all come out to visit, I will take you out for a drink and a good night’s entertainment (no Andrew, NOT that kind. Put your one-dollar bills away…).

Sunday was a bit more relaxing, with movie-watching and me going through the boxes I transplanted to Vince’s house right after college. So many things to throw away – but I did find my three-foot Garfield that’s been stuck in my old microwave for two years!

And now it’s back to the grind. I have been summarily having my tush kicked all over the dojo since we returned to another round of training. Thankfully, it isn’t all about receiving around here, and I’ve been doling out the pain too. However, my supply of FLETC-strength (i.e. 600mg) Motrin is running low and I still have a journey to go.

But that’s where my story ends, at the precipice of a new beginning, with a touch of hope in my heart, a Motrin in one hand, and a wine glass full of Martinelli’s sparkling cider in the other…

May your day be just as full,
Ryan