ta-da

I'm really enjoying the conversations.
The time without talking is just as good.
Figuring out the things in common, sharing stories of what makes us who we are and how we got to be how we are. All these things make me so warm inside, stirring up emotions like butterflies spreading wings. Feeling fresh air moving you, opening your mouth to a smile and keeping it. Hold it just a little longer and relish the toes tingling.

Glad D wanted to come back, the walk home was freezing and it was somehow comforting to hear I'm not the only wuss about toes cramping into the bed of your shoes. My toes are dented and nearly contorted from how cute those heels are.

Something weird happened at the bar. After the food, after anything organized had diminished into thin air, we are all watching the VP of global sales stand up on the bar. He brings up two other honchos, and I watch in horror as they are warming up these brandy snifters and loosening up their pants. Someone close by mutters "oh, they're doing THIS again?!" and moves closer. I'm thinking - wha? Before I have time to think if I should move closer or look away, their pants are being dropped. Grown men in boxers and briefs!! On the bar! Good lord. They warm up their cups and slide them onto their asses so they are stuck there. They are semi-dancing about, people are hooting and cheering and I'm awestruck. Not in the way you stare at something you like. More like when you can't believe your eyes. You feel your stomach flop and your brain tries to make the connection but fails. I didn't need to bear witness to this event but was still subjected. Finished the last two sips in one fell swoop.

That's when I knew I hadn't had enough to drink to hang, and either needed to commit and drink a LOT or just cave. We left that mess and headed off... after seeing lines at the next five bars, I knew I was done. D and me came back to the hotel, bid each other adeu and now here I am.

Expensive phone bills are temporary. The memories and buildings are much, much more valuable and permanent. And I hope it's just the start. Wish I had oil pastels to put these feelings to paper...