Look at Me! Look at Me!

The money shot! This is a photo of a game I created for the South Bay: everyone puts in two dollars, and the first person to find someone from their home state wins the pot.

You can see this picture and more from a night out in the South Bay to celebrate Stephanie, Stephanie and Katie's visit. There's also photos of Heather and me taking over Meghan's room, Vegas, Vince's birthday and the LA Times Festival of Books here.

The Cat's Out of the Bag -- and the Dream

The Dream: I was in a white room with a girl from work and her cat. At first this wasn't odd to me -- I had recently spoken with her about pet-sitting (her dogs). But then...I started to realize that she had on a blue, orange, and green sweater...and the cat's fur was blue, orange, and green as well. The cat came and played with me, and even though cats can often be indifferent, this cat really seemed to like me. It rested in my lap as I petted it's blue fur (the orange was stripes outlined in thin lines of green). I was really starting to like it.

When my coworker left (and I was supposed to take care of the cat) the blue kitty followed her out the door. I told her about it, but she didn't seem to care. She shrugged it off -- like the "it'll be back home eventually" shrug we gave when our childhood pets ran out the front door.

I waited and waited. The cat never came back. And I couldn't forget it's blue and orange fur -- this cat was obviously unique, and I didn't think I would ever find another like it. I finally got in my car and drove around for hours and hours looking for it. I wanted to find it SO badly. I don't think I ever did.

Trusty dream dictionary symbolism interpretations: The blues represented negative feelings, orange respresented balance of emotion and intellect or religious feelings or insight, and the green represented healing or positive change. And the cat? It represents physical contact and affection and the need to be cared for and to have warm affection.

The Rundown: Even though I knew it wasn't mine to keep, I was given a little physical contact and affection. When it left, others told me I'd get it again. And even though I have negative feelings about love and affection, I am truly hoping to find someone who could give me that affection while also sharing intelligence and religious feelings with me. Perhaps I'm looking for it and hoping it will bring me some positive change...whatever the reason, I want it more than I realize.

Can I Get Any More L.A.?

So, after hanging out with my friend Janette, who is a yoga instructor, yesterday, I've decided to take up the SoCal yogi's pasttime.

I bought a yoga mat at lunch, and I went to a class this evening. I kind of hate myself for becoming so L.A. But then I think about my mat...instead of buying the plain blue one, I got the kids' version, which has Scooby Doo on it! Maybe I'm not so L.A. after all.

Three, Oh, Yeah

It's the magic number of my life as of late...

1. It's the number of MAGGIES (magazine awards given annually by the Western Publications Association) the magazine I work for won on Friday night.

2. It's how expensive gas is here. I remember when I first moved here in 2003 and it was only $1.50!

3. The number of weeks I've been working out on a regular basis. OK...I was really reaching to come up with a third one...but the picture is kind of funny -- at least to me.

"No One's Gonna Drag You up, to Get Into The Light..."

I see the signs, people.

One of the four cute guys at my job recently put in his notice that he's leaving. What other job has tempted him away? Oh, it's not another job. It's a trip. A continent-hopping venture that's left open-ended. Sound familiar?

And in another twist of fate, today I got an e-mail addressed to his ex (who I replaced at work) from STA Travel about around-the-world trips.

"...and it opened up my mind..."

God Burns Me Up

How is it that I go to the Easter service at the Hollywood Bowl (an outdoor amphitheatre) with a bunch of white people...and I'm the only one who gets sunburnt? So confused. Really.

Just Because...

I posted this on a friend's myspace page...but I had to share it with as many people as possible...

A Totally Normal (Yet Special) Day

Today was just like any other. Which is good. After having my heart broken, I had days, (weeks, really) when I didn't feel like myself. My mind had been elsewhere. It was like a long-term out-of-body experience. It was like when I've found out someone is dead, or when I quit a job. Everything was numb, and daily activities only happened out of a reaction. I went through the motions without thought or effort.

But not today. It's been a slow road here, but I'm finally back to Jayna pre, pre-well, whatever it was I was attempting this fall/winter. It's nice to be normal again.

A Working Girl

News from the job front:
-the managing editor at my publication put in her notice
-the magazine has hired a senior editor to replace her
-I received a raise this week
-I was given the opportunity to change some of my editorial duties
-I got complimented on my toes' polish job today at church

And that's what's new at work.

Hangin' On

It's hangin' on...but does anyone know where to take a bag to get the lining cleaned?