Tidbit #1

I was in LA this past weekend for my nephew’s Christening. When I walked into my sister’s house, the first thing out of my dad’s mouth was, “Hi Rina, do you want me to get you a beer?”

My aunt immediately roars, “What?! I pray every night that she’ll stop drinking. You know she’s an alcoholic. And here you are encouraging her!”

Another uncle looks worried. “Well, as long as you drink beer only. Right? You only drink beer?”

I roll my eyes. “I drink straight up shots of vodka, Uncle. Where have you been?”

My aunt interjects again, “Haven’t you heard about her AA meetings?” She starts to imitate me, “ ‘Hi, my name is Catherine. It’s been..OH..just last night since my last drink.’ “

Tidbit #2

The weekend was like a mini family reunion. My dad is one of ten children—nine of whom are living. Of his eight siblings, six of them were there for the Christening. We’re all a close bunch. The plan is to have a cousin reunion sometime this summer.

While in LA, I found out my 21-year-old cousin JP is engaged. I had a shitfit. “He’s too young! What is he thinking? Did he buy her a ring?”

One of my aunts agreed. “I told him! Why? Is the sex that good? Why do you have to get married? You’re still young. You cannot wait? Wait until your cousin Cathy hears about this. You wait.”

Well, she was right. I was pissed off. I mean, I couldn’t even be happy for the boy. Now, if he were around, I’m sure I’d put on a different face. But being with all my catty aunts and opinionated relatives got the blood boiling. I believe this is his first girlfriend. And she’s only 19. This ain’t Utah, buddy, this is California!

When I found out that they plan on getting married after she finishes school in two years, I simmered down. It’ll be over by then. Rest assured.

JP is in the Navy. I quipped, “Maybe he’ll meet someone when he’s stationed on a ship. A little Brokeback Mountain action, eh?”

Tidbit #3

As always, I wasn’t able to dodge the questions.

Do you have a boyfriend?

“I’m dating a couple guys.”

My aunt asked, “All at the same time?!”

“Umm, well, no. Not all at the exact same time. I don’t go out to dinner with four guys. This ain’t Elimidate, Auntie. But I am dating four guys.”

My cousin helped me out. “That’s how you do it these days, Auntie. I mean, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

When are you going to get married?

“Umm, don’t count on it. JP will get married before I do.”

Don’t you want a family?

“Must I give birth to have a family? I already have a family. A huge family.”

As I was saying good-bye to a banquet room full of people, two of my uncles pulled me aside separately and insisted that I stay single! That was a first. No family member had ever said that to me before.

“You don’t need to get married. Stay single! You’re a beautiful girl. You can have anyone you want and you have plenty of time. You enjoy your life.”

I couldn’t agree more. You, too, JP. Take your time. Enjoy your life.

Caution: Love 

“I’ve got a lot going on. Really busy. Can we please go out tomorrow night?”

I never did get my Valentine’s date. Nick was too busy. Instead, we went out the next night. But the disappointment ran deep. Even before we sat down for dinner, I questioned what I was doing with him. What a waste of time. The end was in sight.

After dinner, we went to a magazine party. He knew several people and introduced me to them, including someone named Jim. After the intros, Jim and I got drinks at the bar.

We hit it off. He asked about my relationship with Nick. I mumbled something about it not being a big deal. There really wasn’t anything going on.

Then Jim confronted Nick. “I think Catherine’s great. Would you mind if I asked her out?”

The night was a big blur for me.

The next evening, I got a phone call.

“Hey Catherine. It’s Jim. I just want to figure out the plan for tomorrow night. I can pick you up…”

“Whoah, whoah,” I interrupted. “Uhh, I remember you from the bar. I remember having a good time chatting with you, but I don’t know what you’re talking about. Tomorrow night and all.”

“Oh no,” he sighed. “You don’t remember agreeing to go out with me?”

I couldn’t remember. I honestly had no idea what he was talking about. Jim had to explain the events of the night. Apparently, I had had a lot to drink. Just the two of us were at the bar. We got along great. We got along so well that we snuck out back and made out!

I was flabbergasted. While he was talking, I kept asking, “That really happened? Are you serious?”

He continued. Jim said Nick looked upset when we returned to the bar. Nick said it was time to go and whisked me away.

I listened to Jim recount this story in shock. I didn’t remember most of it. We talked more. Yes, of course we could go out.

After hanging up with Jim, I called Nick. Nick had never mentioned anything to me. About being upset or anything at all. I didn’t remember having any sort of conversation in the car ride home.

But this was it. Decision time. I was ready for whatever. It didn’t matter anymore.

Me: “Jim asked me out. He said you didn’t seem to mind. What do you want me to do? I just want to figure us out. You and me.”

Nick: “I didn’t think Jim was serious. Look, I like my life the way it is. I don’t want a girlfriend.”

I knew that was coming. I knew it the whole time and should have ended it long ago. I was just hoping that one day he would really want to be with me.

I didn’t feel anything but relief. I had been pining for someone who wasn’t right for me, someone who didn’t care about me.

Once the truth came out—it seemed like my life became right again.

Glad to have the wrong guy out. He was just dead weight poisoning my life. No emotion for him or us. Again, just relief for me. I think I handled it well. Hung up the phone, went to bed, and slept soundly. I was surprised at how unemotional I was. I didn’t feel any sadness whatsoever.

I wish I could have done the right thing earlier. Known what was best for me and acted on it decisively. But in the end, no matter what your loved ones tell you, no matter what you’ve learned from the past, no matter what you know in your head…your heart trumps everything. Stupid heart. One day you’ll soar again. Someday.

Now the math behind my dating scene. I don’t seem to be going in the right direction. One of these days, I swear I’ll learn.

(Nick + Brett + Adam) – Nick + Jim = 3 guys

And very recently.

3 + 1 = 4 guys

But that is another story.

De Young Museum 

It doesn’t matter how much attention I get from boys. If my own family doesn’t pay attention to me, I feel neglected.

I’m suffering from postpartum depression. I’ve always considered my sister somewhat of a twin. So after she gave birth, it’s entirely conceivable that I–being so close to Therese–would feel rather depressed.

Several reasons:
1. I don’t even get to be with the baby because they live in LA.
2. I rarely talk to Therese. She’s busy and exhausted. She’s got a lot going on. That makes sense.
3. A week will go by before I hear from my parents–who used to check up on me every other day. What’s up with that?

I guess that gives me free reign to write about threesomes, cheating on boyfriends, and cocaine on my blog since I doubt my parents are reading.

Just kidding, Mom! All the above are false claims. The notion of snorting powder up my nose does not appeal to me. Disgusting.

I swear I’ll be a good aunt. Don’t keep the baby away from me!

That’s my family life. I’m not the baby anymore. Wahhhh!!!

Enclosed Garden, De Young

Lately, I’ve been addicted to TV. I just can’t get enough of the Olympics. So the dilemma is that I don’t own a TV. I’ve been trekking over to the JCC gym to get my Olympics fix.

The games are coming to a close and what a pressure-filled sport women’s figure skating has been. A couple thoughts on the event.

The short programs–lovely. Great job, people. The long programs–disappointing. Disappointing is an understatement. What is this? The Olympics or a friggin free for all at the local rinky-dink? I mean, come on people! I even think the amateurs on the reality show ‘Skating with Celebrities’ can perform better than that. The silver and bronze medalists fell in their programs–their Olympic programs! And the gold medalist didn’t even attempt her triple jumps. She won by default.

Maybe I’m being a little harsh. They’re under a lot of pressure. But this is the Olympics, people. The most competitive games ever. They’re only held every four years. This ain’t no exhibition. This ain’t no Mickey Mouse sponsored tour.

Attack that routine. Pull yourself together. Sure it’s easy to fall on a razor-thin blade, but that’s why it’s a sport. That’s why you practice. Geez!

Sasha Cohen–she never fails to disappoint. I knew she’d eat it. That’s what you get when your head’s too big–conceited brat. My girl Irina Slutskaya–damn–I was rooting for her. When she fell, I almost burst into tears. But at least she’s got two world titles behind her.

Oh well. I’m sure there are Olympic-material athletes out there as we speak. We’ll just have to wait another four years. Practice, practice, practice!

Ruth Asawa’s Sculpture Installation

I just want everyone to know that I’m having a Bloody Mary at 11:50pm on President’s Day Holiday. I’ve been craving a bloody and didn’t get my bloody mary fix this weekend. A week or so ago, I happened upon a vat of Ketel One discounted at Albertson’s along with some Bloody Mary mix. I figured I could fix myself a bloody whenever I wanted. Well tonight is the night. Cheers to our presidents!

My aunt called me and asked if I’d spoken to either of my parents. She had gone down to LA with two of my other aunts, along with my parents, to see my nephew Dominic. “I just got home,” she hollered through the phone. “Have you talked to your mom or dad?”

Nope, I hadn’t.

“Your mom’s still in LA. She didn’t come back with us. She was sobbing. She didn’t want to leave the baby. So she stayed.”

“OmiGod,” I hollered back. “What about her job? She was going to go back for the Christening this weekend anyway. What’s the big deal? She couldn’t leave for four days??? Geez!”

Too funny. I mean, the baby’s cute and all. But all he does is poop and sleep. What’s all the fuss? I’ll be back down this weekend so I’ll get my Dominic time. The best will be when he’s talking and walking. Then I can take him to the park and make him run laps with me around the track. That will be fun.

Alright, back to the bloody. And back to some work before going to bed.

Night y’all.

Map of SF from the De Young Tower