By Beauty Damned

Just What's Happening

I've been pretty much MIA from the blog recently. Too much goin on. I feel sad because I haven't had the chance to read up on other people's blogs at all and have barely had time to write on my own and respond to emails and comments. This office move is really taking everything out of me. My horoscope was insane today. Something about moving mountains, tunneling through obstacles and making sure to ask for help. Startlingly accurate as far as horoscopes go.

I can't even describe the mountain of paper in my boss's office that requires some semblance of organization and packing. I call it a "securities blanket." It's a little pun I thought up to describe his office. It is literally a blanket of securities and tobacco litigation paperwork. But it is also a security blanket to him in the sense that he dreads getting rid of even a single piece of paper or any books and articles that have been rendered virtually obsolete by the years that have passed since they were published. At the same time that I completely understand why he has a phobia about getting rid of anything, it makes it very difficult to overcome the volume of paper and get everything efficiently packed and moved. He's got half of a rainforest in his office and it's in shambles. And because he is really incredibly busy, he needs my help to conquer it. Which I am more than happy to help with. Organizational skills seem to be my strong suit. Unfortunately, time is running extremely short, considering that our computers will be unplugged at 1:00 Friday and we have to clear the way for the movers by 4:00. I cannot describe the size of this job. I do not envy the people that will have to do the heavy lifting. The halls are lined with boxes all packed and stacked and labeled and ready to be carted off to our new digs. I will miss the old digs. We all love our office now and most of us are a little sad to go and join the rest of the firm at the main NY branch. We were on a bit of an island and now we're being brought to shore. But new experiences always have the potential to be positive one way or another, so I look forward to the newness if nothing else. I am pretty much completely packed, but there is still a lot, a LOT left to do. I am trying not to let myself stress about it.

Rob and I had a great extended three-day Valentines day. In our three and a half years of dating, we've had our ups and downs like anyone, but Rob really puts in the effort when it comes to "special occasions." Monday turned out to be a rough day where things didn't go as planned so we ended up staying home and happily enjoyed pizza delivery and camping out to watch our favorite show, "24." We exchanged little gifts. I gave him cuff links inlaid with a knight in shining armor on each one (a little symbolism never hurts). He gave me an adorable pink stuffed animal (yes I still love stuffed animals and sleep with them regularly) and a beautiful card. He was disappointed that he hadn't had time to do anything really special on the big day. The next night (yesterday) I came home to find flowers and a pair of earrings that I'd been desperately wanting. Finally, tonight he took me out to City Island in the Bronx where he treated me to lobster, crab legs, filet mignon and a plethora of other delights at a restaurant called "Sammy's." It was my first time there and I absolutely loved it. There was a fireplace and we shared the same side of a booth and it felt utterly cozy and romantic. We were giddy to be on a nice date together. Robert called it a "food bonanza." It really was. We were so stuffed and floating euphoric when we walked out of there. SO the boy pulled out all the stops. You can't expect it, because it's not worth the unreal or unfair expectations followed by irrational but uncontrollable feelings of disappointment. But it really is amazing when you see someone doing everything possible to please you and express their love. I have never had this in a relationship before Robert.

Granted, Valentines Day is a bullshit consumerist holiday filled with unrealistic expectations, but let's be honest, being showered with symbols of adoration never really gets old. Even if it doesn't happen again until the next special occasion. Consumerism aside, in one way I think V-day is a good thing because it forces people who are in relationships to think about what they appreciate about eachother and take a moment to do something extra nice to express their love. Unfortunately, it's also a day that tends to emphasize to many people, the fact that they are not currently in a relationship and it makes them bitter. Perfectly natural. I think it's best to ignore it if you're single and relish it for all it's worth if you're not.

We relished it for all it was worth and I feel very, very loved. :o) So there. Good times.