Pittsburgh

I'm in love! No, not with a man! With kayaking. Today, I went on my first kayaking expedition in beautiful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And get this, I paddled six miles. Six miles! This from the girl that used to hate sweating (I kind of like it now--I feel like it melts my fat away) and would get mad when people made her go on hikes two days in a row (the audacity of Paul and Patty!). To be honest, I'm not sure what it was...the calm of the water, the yellow bridges over the river or the skyscrapers against the lush green trees. But whatever it was, the combination has wooed me. And for now I will happily spend the rest of my evening thinking about my new crush and where our relationship will go from here. See you in my dreams kayak. See you in my dreams.

I Love All Kinds of Cake

Dear Readers,

I hope this finds you well. You’re probably wondering why you have the pleasure of reading so many entries in such a short span of days. Well it’s because I am on a plane from Missoula to Pittsburgh, my ipod is dead and I don’t feel like reading my book. Hence, plenty of time for writing and filling your minds with the useless ramblings of my mind.

Sometimes I have so many things going on in my head that it’s hard to keep track of them. Which is a good thing that I shouldn’t complain about because I’d rather have a lot going on up there than nothing at all. I always have these “brilliant” topics I want to write about and I’ll think of them intermittently throughout the day, but by the time I get around to writing, they have totally vanished from my mind. Which shouldn’t be that much of a surprise, considering that sometimes I forget where I park my car.

Anyway, believe it or not I have something to write about, although the previous two paragraphs may lead you to think that I don’t.

I was dropping Maitland off the other day to get fish-sat while I am out of town this week and was talking with my cousin-friend for a few minutes. Of course, the topic of boys/men came up. It always does (although I did not bring it up...this time.) Anyway, I was advised that while I shouldn’t be “less picky” I should consider being more accepting of boys/men. I didn’t know quite what to think about that. I wouldn’t say I’m “picky”, just merely “selective” in my choice of male companions. During our conversation, she also pointed out that I get annoyed with boys/men. I had to hand it to her there—she caught me like a fat kid with his fingers in the frosting of a chocolate cake. Now, I’ve always been an equal opportunity employer when it comes to members of the opposite sex (although theoretically I prefer the ones that are nice, funny, smart, enjoy dancing and are not-slutty, though this theory has been called in to question a time or two. Or seven.) but I do have a tendency to get bothered by some of the things they do (just mainly when they are mean or stupid.) I’m not sure if this is because I am more “selective” than the average female of it’s a defense mechanism to keep them from getting too close. It may be a combination of the two.

And while I don’t think my “selective” tendencies will go away soon, it did give me food for thought. What kind of thoughts, I don’t know yet. It made new a few more minutes.

Until then, bon appetite!

Tia...the Author?

So big news. I’m writing a book. No, I have not started it yet. But I will. I’ve been talking about this for a while, but the time to actually do it has come. Now I’m not saying it’s going to be brilliant or a best seller or anything like that so don’t get to excited, but I do hope it will be entertaining. Mainly because life is funny.

My thinking behind this announcement—even though it is only to my blog readers and not in the form of a formal press conference—is that it will encourage me to get my booty in gear and get moving.

So until the book comes, keep reading the blog. And one day maybe you can say, “I knew that Tia girl back in the day when she wrote blog entries for a small online readership. And look at her now, she’s sold 14 books.”

Happy Reading!

Go To The Mattresses

You know how life gets a little busy, a little sad, a little happy, a little fun and a little full? It seem like it’s a combination of those things day in and day out. And while all this is great, wanna know what makes it even better? The “Go To’s.” You know, the people in life that you “go to” when something is happenings.

I’ve gotta tell you, my GT’s are probably some of the best known to man. They seriously rock it. Whether it’s a professional frustration, a personal drama, a love life complication, good news or someone to just kick it with, I’ve got some phenomenal ones.

A lot of my GT’s are in the form of my family---basically because they are the best. Sometimes it’s my mom, sometimes it’s my sister (big or little) and sometimes it’s one of my cousin-friends. (Love you guys!) I look at the family that I have and think “Man I’m lucky.” Sure, we’ve got our crazies and situations, but who doesn’t? That’s what makes family family.

I also have some great GT friends. Some are from my growing up days (which technically I’m still in those days-not sure if they’ll ever come to a close), some are from my college years and some are from my last few years working a grown-up job. I’ve only known my Missoula GTs/BFF’s for about a year, but it’s weird to imagine not having them in my life before now.

Another one of my GT’s is music. When I’m feeling blah about things I call on The Clinton’s and their song “Dance Slow.” (Check them out at clintonsband.com.) I love that song. It reminds me that life is good, love is real and music brings it all together.

To all of my Go To’s, you rock. Thanks for being you. For all of those with GT’s in your life, you’re lucky. For those that need GT’s, I hope you find them. And if you’re ever in need of a good bossing, I’m definitely your GT.

xoxo

Things you may not know

1. I love peanut butter and chocolate chips.
2. I don't like big dogs.
3. I am petrified of bats.
4. Sometimes it feels like all I ever do is get ready.
5. Some days I wish I could be a trophy wife. Until I realize I'm missing the trophy part and the wife part.
6. I love black and white.
7. I love babies.
8. I'm really nice.
9. I believe you have to laugh because come on, life is funny.
10. I have a crush on North Carolina.
11. I have gotten my heart bruised. Not broken, just bruised.
12. I love kissing.
13. I cannot dive.
14. I love weddings.
15. Nothing brightens a bad day like a good friend, a diet soda and dessert.
16. When I laugh really hard, I kind of look like a horse. That's why it's called "The Horse Laugh."
17. I love people.
18. I love my family.
19. I act tougher than I really am.
20. Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing.
21. I believe in the power of the human touch.
22. The eyes really seal the deal for me.
23. Some days you gotta dance.
24. I like performing. Apparently I didn't get enough attention growing up.
25. Gerber Daisy's make me happy. 

Sing it sister

I got the blues. The Sunday night blues. You know the ones. They come pretty much every Sunday night when you're sitting at home thinking of the coming week. And sure, while you're excited for what the new week brings you also think to yourself, "Seriously-it's already Sunday night?! Where did the weekend go?" I'll tell you where it went. Away. Just like it does every time. It seems like the time between Friday evening and Sunday evening goes faster than any other two days known to man. And when the evening hits, it drags on. And on. And on. Maybe it's because I'm sitting here alone, typing away on my computer, the only sound the humming of my space heater. Sure I know it's June and maybe the heater doesn't need to be on, but it's also Sunday night. And every Sunday night my heater comes on and provides a harmony to my thoughts and the clicking of the keyboard. Anyway, I better hit it before the Sunday night blues turn into the way too early Monday morning mayhem. Goodnight heater. And hugs and kisses to the rest of you.

Get Out of My Dreams...

...and into my car. No seriously, get into my car. Fine, I guess you can't. Probably because you're not here. You're off doing your job somewhere. But I do have a sneaky suspicion that if you were here you would indeed get into my car. And I would happily welcome it.

Probably because I keep thinking about you. Sad I know, but I have a hard time pushing you completely out of my mind. You see, when it comes down to it, I don't want to push you all the way out. I want part of you to stay. Mainly the part of you that makes me laugh. And the part of you that danced with me for hours. And your sparkling blue eyes—they can stay too. I really liked those. And while we're at it, let's keep the sweet part of you too. The part that walks me to my car, likes chick flicks and makes me feel beautiful.

So until we meet again, I think I'll just keep those parts of you right here with me where they are perfect and safe. But rest assured that when I do see you, I will indeed make you get into my car.

Homeless Bum

So as many of you know I live in beautiful Missoula, Montana. It's a pretty fantastic place to live as it has a nice mix of families, vibrant college students, professionals, writers and on and on and on. However, is also has a plethora of bums (aka homeless people/transients.) I have the opportunity to interact with these travelers on a daily basis. First of all because I live downtown, conveniently enough right across the street from "The Pov" (a temporary residence for the homeless) and I'm only a block away from the railroad tracks, their main mode of transportation into our fine city. Not don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the homeless-to each their own.

However, right now I am sitting at The Break, a popular coffee spot where I like to come and do some writing after I am no longer able to concentrate elsewhere. And on this fine Thursday afternoon, many other Missoulians decided to come and spend some time at The Break as well. So lucky me, there are no other tables available except for the one with the homeless man sleeping at it. Apparently my new friend is very tired. He keeps dozing off and then jerking himself awake as his elbow falls off the table. While it is a little rude of me that I sat down at a table with him without asking, he is asleep so I figured he wouldn't mind.

Uh-oh, he just woke up. Lucky, he seemed to not notice that I was sitting here. Instead he stood up, pulled up his sagging sweatpants and just wandered away from our shared table. With any luck, he'll be back to join me. If not, I'll try to find another soul to join me at this table.

Four minutes later...He's back. He filled up his coffee cup and rejoined me. We still aren't speaking...apparently we both like playing hard to get.

My Yellow High Heels

Oh hey. So I played my first "show" last weekend here in Missoula. I was able to play about a two hour set out at Lake Missoula Cellars and had a fabulous time doing it. Lots of my office "crew" came and listened, drank wine and (hopefully) enjoyed everything. Have I told you all how much I enjoy performing? I really do! Although I think I come by it naturally and apparently have felt a need to be the center of attention from a young age (just ask my mom, she'll show you the home videos.) When I get up on stage, I don't feel nervous. I'm not sure if I am naturally comfortable it or if I just think I'm sooo funny that I have no worries. Whatever it is—it seems to be working. Anyway, looking forward to playing more tunes.

*ps: I wore real cute sassy yellow high heels. I think they did the trick!

Get on the boat

Do you ever do something and then want to kick yourself for it? Then you think "Okay the next time that happens I'm not going to do that." And then you have another opportunity and do the wrong thing again...In the end you think "Well that's just great. Way to screw that one up too."

Sometimes I do. :) Mainly when it comes to boys. (I know what you're thinking. "Of course--I know Tia and she does have a knack for ruining relationships.") Anyway, I have a situation in my life that I have managed to mess up a couple of times. And just to clarify, I know that at least one of the times it wasn't all me. But I should probably take blame for the other ruined times. Anyway, this is a person I could love. Probably really and truly. But when it comes to spending time with him, I get all nervous about having "date" time. When it's just "friend" time I honestly can't get enough of it.

I think my mind may have an allergic reaction to the word "date" and triggers me acting like I'm either not interested, a little awkward or at times, even a little bratty. But not all the time. Just with guys that I know I could have real potential with and maybe fall for. Well that last time I was in this situation with my friend (a while ago and no, I will not provide dates or names) I did it again. I got all psyched out. We spent the whole day together and then he came over and visited at my house for a little bit. Then it was time for him to leave and I said goodbye. And I was sad to see him go. Of course, I didn't tell him that. Mainly because that would have been a good thing to say to a boy I like. But to go along with my track record of ruining things, I couldn't tell him.

Next thing I knew he had a girlfriend. And once again, I had missed the boat. In fact, I was still standing on the shore trying to get my life jacket on--that's how much I missed it by.

But never fear. He recently got back off the boat. I don't know why and I don't know how long he will be back on shore. But I'm hoping that this time, I'll be ready to go when he leaves the dock.