love.

 I have to say that one of the proudest moments of my birthday this year (I'm a July 24 baby) was that July 24, 2011 was the day that the same-sex marriage equality law went into effect in New York City. I'm not sure why I didn't post anything on it until now - I certainly held a sort of internal pride that I shared a birthday with such a significant date - but when I saw this picture over on VogueandCoffee it made my heart swell up a little bit and I had to rectify my error of omission.

To Phyllis Siegel (76) and Connie Kopelov (84), who were the very first same-sex couple to get married in New York City - and to all the other couples who surely did the same on that momentous July 24 date, and who will continue to do so for the days, weeks, months and years ahead - Congratulations! I am so incredibly happy for each and every one of you to finally receive the same treatment that hetero couples have received for generations. And please know that we'll keep fighting - the rest of the country will eventually have to grow up and respect as well. Nothing worth fighting for happens immediately.

oy

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This has been one of those days that started off frazzled and hasn't stopped since. Add that to the fact that I ate my (very heavy) lunch at about 11 am and you have my current state, a bit disgruntled, overly full, wanting to go back to sleep, and needing to get a lot of work done. Thank god tomorrow is Friday!

blustery

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One of my dearest friends with whom I grew up back in California and I always used to quote Winnie the Pooh on extremely windy days as we walked to school together. "Oh what a blustery day! It must be Windsday again!" we would say to each other, and chuckle. So you can imagine just how sort of perfect it was that on today's walk to work, on a Wednesday, it was deliciously windy and breezy, cool, strong air pressing against me. What a delightful respite from the intense heat we've had of late, and are slated to have again tomorrow. I'll take a little break whenever possible, and I can very surely say that I appreciated those little gusts of wind every single block I walked.

Toosday

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I just have to tell you how much my grandmother tickles me pink. She sent me a birthday card and then called me to verify it's receipt and to gauge whether I had liked it, because she was just thrilled with what she had sent. The card? On the front it's a black and white picture of a girl with red heels on, and the statement (something similar to), "Kick Up Your Heels on Your Birthday!" On the inside it reads, "Just make sure to wear underwear". I loved it. And my grandma just loved it too. I swear, how lucky am I to come from such stock? Thanks for the birthday wishes Grandma - should you see this post, at least -  you can't know how much I love that card, and how much I cherish you. Thank you for always making me smile, especially for days on end now, every time I think of you.

28

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Well lovely readers, I am now a 28-year-old. I feel very much the same as I did being 27 [which is a blessing because between 25, 26 and turning 27 there were a lot of drunken bemoanings of my ever-increasing ages, as my darling roommate-of-the-time could attest], except I do rather feel a sense of promise with this new age. I can't really put my finger on why, but for some reason, 28 feels like it will hold some good stuff. Time will tell, I suppose, and really - as long as you make it to yet another birthday, it's probably been a pretty good run, eh? I hope everyone's weekends were wonderful, I myself rang in a new year of being fabulous by spending a solid Saturday at the beach and then lunching and reminiscing with an old friend who flew into town. Lovely times, all said. Just lovely. And now, back to it! Monday it is then.

Hot

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It is so hot today. With humidity it's at 110 degrees Fahrenheit. When I got out of bed this morning, at 6:45 am, it was 85 degrees already. Talk about a heatwave. I would literally sell my left arm for a pool right now. Til Monday kids...

New 'do....again!

 Ah yes, the fickleness continues. As you may know, I got extensions put in almost a month ago exactly - my hair was growing out from the shortest cut I've ever had and I was disdainful of the process. I am impatient and the thought of having to wait even more agonizing weeks before my hair would have some semblance of length - after months of being just as patient as can be, mind you - I simply could not take it anymore. I took the plunge, got the weave, and actually felt intense relief for the first couple weeks. My hair was long, I didn't have to stare at an awkward bowl-cut in the mirror every morning, and the change of look really lifted my spirits. However, I am not a girl who does her hair, and my stylist chose to give me wavy extensions as my natural hair is not quite so pin straight as the straight-option hair extensions. Thus I was completely unable to wear my hair in any 'do other than a half-n-half or a pony tail - the textures of my hair versus the fake hair were just too different. And so, last night, I had had enough with the annoyance of extensions that were growing out and were going to cost another small fortune to be re-located further up along my scalp, and I took things into my own hands. Armed with pliers and a lot of patience, I removed all my extensions myself. And now? I'm back! Back to being able to brush my hair (impossible before because the extensions were A.) in the way and B.) could have feasibly ripped out should I have brushed hard enough), back to being able to scrub hard at my scalp in the shower (impossible before because, again, there were nodules all over), back to being able to run my fingers through my hair, toss it around, not being afraid that I'll get a knot around an extension ring. Yep, I'm 100% content with both decisions - I'd always wanted extensions and do not at all regret getting them, I'm relieved that I finally know that permanent extensions aren't for me, that next time perhaps I'll try clip-ons if anything (after all, still fickle!). And today I'm 100% content that I have my own short, fine hair back. It's longer than it was - significantly so, actually - and I don't hate who I see in the mirror, so I'm winning all around. I plan on going in to get some highlights or color done today - it's a bit mousy-brown for the middle of summer. I'll be sure to post new piccys when phase 2 is complete! In the meantime, happy Thursday!