Friday

The day had less than auspicious beginnings.

Because of my back injury, I had spent most of the night shifting around trying to find a position in which I was comfortable. I never did find one.

My alarm went off at 4:30 AM, and after silencing that annoying noise, I became aware of the Niagra Falls-like sounding deluge going on outside. My four and a half block walk to the Metro under a less than adequate umbrella, had my clothes damp, and my feet absolutely soaked.

I headed over to Union Station to meet E, one of my Multi-State, Girlie-Advising Posse, and the General Manager for the company I am presently working with. On the drive into the office, we proceeded to have an argument over whether or not someone 22 years old has less baggage than someone 34. E and I have never really argued. It was very disconcerting.

We arrived at the office, and E and the owner soon departed for a court appearance. I negelcted to get instructions for operating the AC before they left, so I was left in my damp clothes in the freezing cold office, sitting at a computer drafting. I was now officially grumpy.

I fininshed out the day uneventfully, went to the bank and headed home.

I stopped at my office (Starbucks) to check my mail. While I was there, I got a call from a friend from college who is in town for the summer. A group of us had made plans to get together for a drink, but I was really not in the mood, and when she told me the other part of our group was not coming, I was relieved. Then she said "Well I'm still going, and there is someone here you might want to see."

I agreed to meet her, though I could not imagine anyone I would at that moment be glad to see.

I could not have been more wrong. I got to the bar, and waiting there for me was R, my kid sister. R and I are not really related, but she is the little sister I never had. I had not seen her since March, and I was delighted beyond description at the surprise.

We hung out. We had dinner. We caught up. She is heading to Wisconsin in August to do a one year internship at Milwaukee Rep. When we first met, she was struggling in the program at school, not sure of herself and whetehr or not she belonged there. We spent a great deal of time talking over my two years there. Outside of my own growth while I was there, my biggest joy was watching her's. I could not be more proud of the young woman she has grown into.

We were joined by our group member that had sworn he wasn't coming. We left for another bar. We were joined by more people who had gone to North Carolina School of the Arts. Suddenly, we were having an impromptu reunion.

I had a fantastic time last night. I got to talk to the Artistic Director of a small theatre in town about a few projects. I finally got to speak a little with the director I have been trying to contact for weeks.

I dropped off everyone at their respective conveyances, and caught a cab home. The cabbie stopped to pick up a twentysomething couple on their way to the same part of town. And the best part of the evening by far?

The girl in the cab asks me "Why are you out by yourself?"

"Because I choose to be."