Being from California, I’d like to think I’m a good judge of knowing an earthquake when I feel it. So, this morning when I woke up to feel slight tremors in my apartment, I felt silly thinking it could possibly be an earthquake. Come to find out St Louis had one this morning at 4:36 and that other Tennesseans felt it.

When my father passed away in 1992, I coped like any 12-year-old girl might cope. I imagined he was just away on a business trip and would come home soon. I would dream that I called home and he answered the phone and I’d be speechless. I’d wake up in the middle of the night thinking I heard him open the garage door.

Even 16 years later, I’ve realized I’m still employing some of the same coping mechanisms, but this time to my current situation. Although I know this “loss” is the result of a deliberate action, and not something completely out of my control, it is still a loss nonetheless. And I find its a little easier to pretend that the reason I’m ordering 1 burrito instead of two, or getting 3 takeout cups of salsa instead of six is because he is on vacation, and not the obvious reality that is quite the opposite. I imagine this is going to take some time.

CMS is here!

On my way to work today, my scooter hit the 1000 mile mark!

Last night I went with my downstairs neighbors and a few of their friends to the Nashville Art Walk (I don’t know if that’s the official title, but that’s what they were calling it) downtown. Apparently, once a month, a number of art galleries open up late and people walk from gallery to gallery (partaking in wine at each location) or take the little bus around. There were some incredible pieces, one insane installation and a lot of eclectic art.

Anyway, we were at the third stop and I saw someone I recognized. My immediate thought was “that guy is famous”. I racked my brain and realized who I thought it was, Colin Firth from Bridget Jones’ Diary/Love Actually. However, I couldn’t think of “Firth” and the only Colin name I could come up with was Colin Quinn….obviously two very different people. But having had a glass or two of wine already, I ran to my new friends and said “Colin Quinn is here!” and I pointed in this guy’s direction. I was immediately brought down from my enthusiastic state, even though I tried to explain who I thought he was, the guy from Bridget Jones’ Diary, but everyone just thought I was hilariously drunk.

Then it hit me. I knew this guy from work. He’s a doctor in my building. But wait, before you laugh too loudly at me, look at these pictures. Don’t they look a lot alike?

First picture: Colin Firth, Second picture: NOT Colin Firth

I wish I could find a better picture of this guy…his half-smiling picture doesn’t convey the level to which they look alike.

Once I realized my mistake, I went up to him and told him my funny story. He was friendly and sympathetic. I guess he gets it all the time. Or at least that’s what he said to make me feel better. It was quite an event, definitely one to leave a first impression of sorts on my new friends. We all had a good laugh about it though and I’m sure it won’t be the last time we do.

My new cable box was delivered yesterday, very exciting. I was able to catch up on the first episode of Season 2 of The Tudors on Showtime so that made my night. To make it even better, when I push the “All On” button on the remote, it turns everything on, without me having to program it and without me having to time it so the TV comes on before the cable box, something I had to do previously. Also, since I’m running the sound out of the TV, the Comcast remote controls the sound too. One remote, that makes me happy.

Of course that will only last until I get other stuff hooked up, like a DVD player or stereo (if I choose to). I do have an old stereo set that I thought worked, but I’m getting that “Protection, Good-bye” message when I try to turn it on. I’ve disconnected and reconnected everything, which I’ve been told means there’s probably a short in the box. Don’t think I can fix that! Oh well.

Last night I also went to Flying Saucer to see my friend John for his birthday. He’s a regular there and I like the atmosphere and food, so its an easy choice. Didn’t stay long, but long enough for a beer and cake! Yum!