Not Washing My Hair

One of my favorite forms of hanging out is eating carbs with friends who can clean up nice, but choose not to for the occasion.

Moi: I was dressed way nicer this morning but then I thought, "it's just Ilene."

Ilene: Don't worry.  I didn't shower today.  But I showered twice yesterday.

Well, that evens out.

Out on the Ledge

At Landlady Chang's reception last weekend (Jenny: Whose wedding are you going to? Moi: My previous landlord. Jenny: You mean, your good friend Sarah you lived with for 3 years? Moi: Ah yes, that's the one.), a series of mishaps led me to be seated next to one Mr. Lin. When we started talking about how we each knew Sarah, something suddenly clicked in my brain. 

Nowadays, I have such trouble remembering new people that I'm terrified of bumping into any of the 5 ladies Roommate Anna had over last week because I recall neither their faces nor names- even though they spent hours in my living room. But the second Mr. Lin said he was a neighbor, I immediately asked, "Sir, do you have 2 daughters, and is the eldest one Annie?  I  believe I was her Boston Project (a faith based service trip) counselor many years ago."

I didn't want to seem more creepy, or else I would have noted that I met his daughter precisely 10 years ago-- the same summer I met Dwighters, not-landlady Sarah (she came 3 years before), G-Pak, and everyone else. It astounds me that I could now have a friend for a decade- and that friendship would still be younger than most Bo' relationships and of course anything prior.  Decades are now passing the way weeks and months used to. 

I don't have anything particularly revelatory about spending the weekend with names that have been around since this blog (I also got to see Mac!). Or if I do, let me keep them close, and tell you instead about climbing out of Dwighter's window.

It was a split second decision. The window was open.  Dwighters was busy.   I noticed the very flat ledge and thought, "when else would I do this?" And climbed out for a view of the brahmin neighborhood.  Sure a lady down the street stared at me worriedly, but it was one of my best decisions of the weekend. I love a place with a good view. 

Moi: I was just out on your little roof. 

Dwighter: How'd you get out there?

Moi: The giant window that was open. 

Dwighter: You just climbed out? And it was stable?

Moi: That's insulting. It holds you, doesn't it?  Have you never been out there?

Dwighter: No. It's been a subject of much discussion. [The roommates] say I should put a chair out there but I thought that'd be too-

Moi: Creepy? 

Dwighters: I was going for hillbilly. I don't want to be the neighborhood hillbilly. 

Silly Dwighters, the Dot doesn't have hillbillies. Just shady folks and swanky folks. 

Is Heaven for Real?

On Sunday morning, the Riddles and I engaged in a church-skipping loop for a long-long-long-overdue catch up.  Though I was sad to miss a rare visit to my B'ton church (would this be the Sunday that they hand out the secret password?), I was so glad for homemade eggs Benedict and precious stories of their lives.  Like how Aaron, their youngest, had recently started asking if stories were real or not real.  It has led to some interesting discussions in the household, like, "are giants real?"

Keith would have liked to opt for the simple "no, no, they're not."  But Sarah considered Goliath, Andre the Giant, basketball players, and a nuanced discussion on physical anomalies and went with "yes."  Which led to a week of nightmares.  Lesson learned: Always lie to your children.

Aaron also brought his new line of questioning to the community story time, where they heard a story about slaves, the underground railroad, and freedom.  So Aaron raised his hand to ask, "is freedom real?"  This blew the minds of every single volunteer there, who regarded Aaron as a magical, philosopher king.  "Excellent question, what is freedom?" They all asked each other.  While Aaron's mother rolled her eyes a thousand times.  

Revisions

I was in Boston this weekend, and happened to find my way today to my old work grounds for an annual check up with Whitecastle (if by 'check up,' you mean, 'enumerate what's wrong with my life plans').  It also came with a surprise chat with Doc Winner, who was uncharacteristically unsarcastic.

Doc Winner: I saw someone skipping and thought that had to be either you or one of the research assistants.

Moi: I can't wait to have research assistants!  (to Whitecastle) That's what I want to do when I graduate.  

Whitecastle: I hope they don't put you through what my RAs put me through.

Moi: You had excellent RAs.

Winner: That trial wouldn't have happened without your RA.

Moi: Exactly!  I even got hit by a car and still worked for you.

Winner: Oh my gosh, were you OK?

Moi: The car was totaled.

Winner: What?

Whitecastle: To clarify, she was in the car.  She didn't just stand still as a strong Asian woman to destroy the car.

Best Friends for Life

Contrary to whatever objections Ilene might have had, Liz has a beautiful, lovable dog named Athena.  The dog is sweet, beautiful, and wonderfully tempered.  And brilliant for having a fondness for me.  I'm not the only one who likes Athena.  Plenty of Liz's friends do.  And allegiance to her leads them to do crazy things.

Alene: I want to steal her and take her home.  

Brian: I will come hunt you down if you do that.

Alene: I will fight for her.  

[Let's pause for a second here so I can properly set the scene.  Brian does not own Athena.  Neither does Alene.  Speaking of Alene- she is one of the sweetest person I have ever met, almost freakishly so.  She is considerate to a fault, anti-violence, anti-guns, anti-oppression, and will often feel bad at even the thought of someone else's feelings being hurt.  She is also a good foot smaller than Brian.]

Brian: If you fight me, you will die.

Alene (truly giddy as she figures out these consequences): Then you'll spend your life in jail.  And Peter (Alene's husband) will get to have the dog!  That's perfect.

Moi: Except that you're dead, he's in jail, and Peter, who doesn't want a dog, will have Athena.  This is far from ideal.

Alene: Oh, we will go into witness protection with Athena then you won't be able to find us.

Brian: I don't think you understand how crime works.  You can't go into witness protection for stealing the dog.  You're the bad guy.