The Riders, The Witch and The Wardrobe

I had the pleasure of hanging out with Hennessey and company one night.

I heard the roar of the bikes and met some of their riders. I learned a few things about friendship, brotherhood, history, freedom, and rider names.

We also met a very nice witch - a practicer of Wicca. She would give Glenda a run for her money.

I’m grateful to have “Henny” as my friend and feel completely honored that he asked me to be part of his inner circle and safe haven. The Inner Sanctum if you will.

It’s always good to escape reality whenever possible. But when an event occurs that enables you to do just that, the first question that comes to mind is, what’s a girl to wear? My posse and I came dressed in black tops – of course – because that’s always a safe bet. My Harley Davidson wedge sandals were obviously the right choice.

The way one dresses reflects much about them – not just their personal style, or lack thereof, but also, like riding, their sense of freedom. Some of us are obviously “free-er” than others. The idea of ‘less is more’ was not lost here tonight however, we were cool and classy and that wasn’t lost either.

So there we were with a crowd of ‘bad boys’ (and girls) that ended up being a bunch of good guys (and girls). And we were invited back. I was also given the honor of open invitation to the clubhouse, though I don’t have a clue where it is.

That might be a good thing.

I am definitely looking forward to my next adventure.

Aren’t you?

A Perfect Day

A Perfect Day...no such thing!

Usually, for me, a good day consists of pizza, wine, laughter and good company. I’m very easy... TO PLEASE, that is.

Sometimes, you have a perfect day. They are rare. Few and far between. But you recognize them instantly. Your hair turns out right. Your makeup looks better than usual. The outfit works (it makes you look thin, even though you need to shed a few pounds). You feel good. No headaches, no vertigo, no shit! And you’re about to hang out with a friend you don’t get to see and hang out with as often as you’d like.

The trek to your destination isn’t a straight shot and there is plenty of construction. You master it with ease. The semi threatening to throw you into the concrete wall decides you can live. Thanks buddy. Thank God!

You ignore your ringing phone.

The sun is shining.

The shoes, 4-inch stilettos, are comfy. Ah, gotta love Gabriella Rocha (Zappos, of course)!

Linkin Park (Shadow of the Day) is blaring through the speakers.

You arrive at your destination just waiting to hang out, relax, drink, laugh, shop, eat and drink a little more. It’s a great day. You know it’s great because you’ve finished a bottle of wine before 11:00 A.M. You know it’s great because it is over in what feels like a blink of the eye. So worth it.

It’s like the day I met my favorite band. It was over in a nano-second but OH SO WORTH IT. You wouldn’t trade it for anything and leave wondering when it’s going to happen again and worry that it won't.

We hit Standing Rock Gallery and I did major damage. Then, we were off to Don Drumms. MAJOR DAMGE x 2 (and then some)! If we had more money, we could have lived there for the remainder of the weekend. Just the most eclectic, beautiful, original, mind blowing pieces of rareness and authenticity and beauty and coolness you could ever behold. Probably my favorite gallery of all I have visited (to date).

I bought my first drawing by Brian Andreas (www.storypeople.com). It’s OK – you either get him or you don’t. We do. You might. Check it out.

After excellent white wine and homemade salsa (regular and mango – both to die for), we hit Chrissy Hynde’s restaurant, The Vegi-terannian, for more wine (of course) and appetizers. We ordered the pizza which, to be honest, we labeled as “salad on bread” but it was good. We also treated ourselves to “Chrissy fries” which, minus the dollop they call cheese (this is vegan my friends, get with the program), were excellent. We could handle the vegan ketchup but the cheese was just another story altogether. I’m not there yet. I love the idea of vegan, and am getting close to incorporating it but you’ve got to make better cheese. I don’t quite dig ricotta to begin with but what they threw on the fries, was, well, indescribable! I know. I try to adhere to the “eat nothing with a face” philosophy and I do so believe in it. But this cheese was…unnatural. UN-FOODLIKE! Sorry.

Still, a great place to try and try again.

I left my friend way too early but wanted to beat the traffic and construction. Let’s face it, Friday afternoon traffic sucks. We’re all in a hurry to get home and enjoy the beginning of our weekend. Fortunately, mine was already off to an unforgettable start.

My drive home was a breeze. I sat outside with one more glass of wine, the sunshine, the cerulean blue sky, a little music in my head, and a little peace and quiet. A little stolen moment of serenity that was all mine after a very fun and exciting day. A day filled with laughter and sunshine, wine and wonders, treasures and friendship…and all around…

A perfect day with a treasured friend.

Fight or Flight?

I want to have more clarity than I do. Most of the time I fly by the seat of my pants or put out all the fires that spark, flash and spit - then try to engulf me.
Sometimes I stay and fight.
Other times I flee the scene.

I want to be more grounded.

I want to be proactive versus reactive.

I used to be.

Funny when you don’t recognize those things you knew so well about yourself.
But that’s what’s cool about starting over. No one knows you and you can be whoever and whatever you want to be.
Sort of a re-creation.
Still you, but with better nuances.

It’s hard for me to be “committed” to much of anything. There are plenty of reasons for that. Get to close and the illusion is forever spoiled. I don’t want to get too comfortable either – because then you don’t see it coming.

I hate that.

So, among other things, working 5 days a week after several wonderful years of 4 day work weeks – well – it’s claustrophobic to my very being! It messes with my semblance of sanity. With me, occasionally, it’s FIGHT OR FLIGHT. Sometimes I just need to go. Get out. Be FREE. If not, I’ll fight you for all the reasons that make sense and every one that doesn’t. I don’t mean to be combative. I just need to know that I can walk away, from anything…
...and this time, it’s my choice.

I’ve been leaving early and taking days off work pretty much all summer. A caged bird can’t fly but it also won’t sing.

It will sing for freedom.

I want to sing.

So they have to set me free... for a week…

…And if I come back…

…Then it was meant to be.

I WILL COME BACK…

…But that’ll be our secret. Don’t tell them!

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These are the things that I miss
These are not times for the weak of heart
These are the days of raw despondence
I never dreamed I would have to lay down my torch for you like this.
One step – One prayer – I soldier on, simulating moving on
~Alanis Morissette/The Torch/Flavors of Entanglement

Sometimes solutions aren’t so simple
Sometimes goodbye’s the only way
~Linkin Park/Shadow of the Day/Minutes to Midnight

I Believe...That you can keep going long after you think you can't
~Unknown