"All Is Full Of Love"

Although I generally eschew hallmark holidays on principle, I was quite eager for this past valentines day. I am glad to report that I was not disappointed. In fact, I ended up having the best date of my life! *Cue: girly squeal of delight*

First I must explain a bit of my romantic history over the past month... Not too long ago I went on the worst date in the history of the universe. (Ok, not quite. But certainly the craziest - in a bad, bad, way - that I have ever been on.) I will blog about it, in perhaps a year or so. I have already written about said event, in fear that my mind will attempt to block it at some point. But as details would be incredibly incriminating for the fellow (who does not remember the majority of the evening's occurrences) and my sister has reminded me that our mother reads my blog, I shall wait a while before posting.

Then last week I was stood up for the first time in my life. By the same guy. Are you all yelling at me via your monitors yet? All right, I get it... Do not bother dating emotionally unavailable men who are on drugs, no matter how gorgeous and full of potential they may be. I am not naive. Just a little too apt at seeing the goodness and beauty in everyone. It can cloud the judgement.

So instead of sitting at home, despairing my singleness, I decided to take myself out on the date I really wanted this year. Thus began the hatching of plans for wunder-valentines-day!

This past Sunday, after ridding myself of the children, I longboarded to the florists with one of my of best gal-friends. There I purchased, for myself, a bouquet of gigantic, luscious red, gerbera daisies. Then we were off to an uber-inspiring poetry workshop hosted by another soul-sister. A good start.

Next we boarded about, talking of life and love, and I received my first longboarding wounds, ever, after attempting to make it down the largest hill in town. Blood was spilled. It was great fun! (Yes, I am a terrible adrenaline junkie. It's my one vice.)

When we heard the roar of her boyfriend's purple franken-jeep behind us, and my mate said she would see me home, I admit to feeling a wave of loneliness. He reappeared once or twice en route to my place, but we managed to dodge him after that. This was still girl-time.

I fancied myself up a little, donned a sweet pumpkin-coloured merino-wool dress and went to the cinema for some eye candy. Thank you, John Travolta! Then I took myself out for dessert: chocolate, brandied-cherry trifle in a martini glass. It was insanely delicious. (I would gladly eat nothing but this, for the foreseeable future.)

In the dim candle light of the restaurant I wrote a hilarious love letter, to moi, in poor Parisian and reflected on how much fun I actually have being "alone."

I rolled home on smooth roads, wind in my hair, grinning all the way. Ditched my board, then walked to the river to listen to the rapids. As their roar filled my ears, I truly felt the Bjork-ism: "All is full of love."

The Burning

On January 30th, by light of the full moon, I burned my wedding dress.

This was the most immediate release of negative energy I have ever felt. I can't begin to explain how beautiful and freeing the whole experience was. All of the hurt that went along with my marriage literally went up and away with the smoke.

I invited others to bring pieces of their lives that needed burning as well. Letters, and even another wedding dress were tossed to the flames. We roasted marshmallows, went for a bright night hike in the woods, and talked over hot chocolate while listening to guests take their turn at guitar and accordian. The Burning was more wonderful than I could have imagined, and I rode a high for the next week. My energy level has been insane! (Even more than normal. How is that possible?!) Much thanks to all of the friends who helped bring this night to fruition.

Matthew, my wonderful, artistic mentor, captured the event on video. I saw it just as my state of euphoria was starting to fade, and am currently on another high. Here's the addy if anyone feels inclined to check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go1eZzAjxzE

P.S. I have been struggling to come up with a new last name for a number of years now, and am pretty certain I finally have a winner... Berligh. Thanks to the ever brilliant DKLG for the inspiration. I am trying it on and feeling it out. Exciting times!

A Night in the Life of...

It's been a while, and instead of writing something of real substance I thought I'd just share the events of my evening with everyone (this is a normal night for me)...

• Put the kids to bed at 8:30.
• Talked to my sorta-not-really-a-boyfriend on the tele for a few moments. (If anyone has a lead on someone with real boyfriend potential, give me a holla. It is perhaps wise to forewarn any potential suitors that I am not domesticated.)
• Promptly fell asleep.
• Awoke at 11:30 and practiced banjo until my fingers fumbled  - the brain became too sleepy to handle it.
• Ate sushi I made this afternoon with much wasabi. And chocolate. Lots of it.
• Finished watching a foreign film I started a week ago. I like subtitles.
• Yoga!
• Messaged a gal-friend to call me if she was awake. She was. And was thrilled that I had read her mind. What can I say? I'm phsychic like that. Talked about the ridiculosities of life.
• Had an ayervedic mustard bath in which I ate more sushi and chocolate, and began re-reading "The Convictions of Leonard McKinley" by Brendan McLeod. http://www.brendanmcleod.ca/
• Contemplated making the hula-hoops I bought supplies for over a month ago. But instead, sang Lily Allen tunes, lazily. (She gets us women folk.)
• Discovered Sleep Talkin' Man and laughed my ass off. http://sleeptalkinman.blogspot.com/

So there you have it! A typical night for a not-so-typical gal. I work best in the wee hours, which does not always jive with my daytime responsabilities. Thank jeebus for redbull. And luckily, my place of work is closed for the next two days for renovations. I shall take multiple naps.

More "real" bloggage to follow soon!