Reverse Order

Sunday: Before I begin, there are a few things that you should know...

1. I've owned my own house for three years now. Surprisingly, owning a house did NOT help my dating life. If anything it seriously handicapped it. I can't tell you how many times a perfectly good date was ruined by the question, "So, where do you live?" I would watch my date's face freeze as I answered. No more drinks were ordered, and any thought of dessert was quickly nipped with my date's request of the check. Some played it off better than others. But for the most part, I knew I wasn't going to get a call the next day.

A guy friend finally put me out of my misery. "You're a threat," he said. I screamed like a Banshee and then punched him... Actually I think I just sat there confused. "A threat?" "Yeah, you're too successful. You're too self sufficient. Guys don't know where they fit into that." I was crushed. All I had wanted was some stability. I had worked hard to purchase the little bit of dirt and concrete that I came to own. I didn't understand why I was being punished for it.

2. Eventually I did meet someone. He lived with me for a year and never once moved anything personal into the house. Not one iota. I offered to hang pictures of his kids. I made arrangements for a truck so we could move his belongings out of storage. I filled a room with boxes and crates and tape in preparation. Nothing... When he left me, there was nothing to take with him. I came home to a house that was empty of the person in it and nothing else. There was a note. That was my only indication.

3. Hoop has lived with me for the last two months, all while still maintaining an apartment on the other side of town. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been worried. Hoop put his notice in at the complex a week ago.

Last night as Hoop and I boxed and bagged the things from his apartment, I found myself going through some serious emotional swings. I was irritated that he was keeping so much junk. I was hurt by some of the personal effects left over from his previous life and wife. I was anxious to get everything moved. I walked down to the car and fought back tears. "What the hell is wrong with me?!" Hoop noticed that I was quiet on the way home. I talked when it was necessary and smiled when it was appropriate, but I couldn't fully place myself in the moment. When we got home he turned to me.

"Thank you..." "For what?" "Helping me." I looked up at him. He looked down at me with so much love, I couldn't feel anything but grateful. He has junk... So what? We all have junk. That's what kitchen drawers are for. He had a life before me... Yeah, but I can give him better. What if he leaves? Chances are you'll be with him if he does. Will everything be OK? It always was, wasn't it? It always will be too. I wrapped my arms around Hoop and felt us tumble to the couch. I laughed as he covered my face in kisses. "Could you get used to this?" He asked. "Absolutely. Could you?" I asked back. "I already am."

Saturday: I finally figured out how to load pictures off of Hoop's camera and onto my computer. Hence the cheesy shot of us at the top. I also discovered a multitude of neat editing features that kept me from some well needed sleep. Here's one of Lil' Bit skateboarding.

Controversial Friday:
1. My friend's little girl came home and described her teacher's boyfriend as a, "Puerto Frickin." My friend tried to correct her, but she couldn't get the six year old to understand that she was saying it wrong.
2. I found a stack of newspapers that a couple of friends and I had created for our club when we were eleven. In one I referred to a girl in my class calling me a, "Prostotote." Egad. Should I be offended by the term or the spelling more?
3. Hoop does not believe in kissing after receiving head. He thinks that will classify him as gay.

Daily Hoop Conversation:
(On the way to my parents house)
Hoop: Do you want to go shoot my gun before we leave?
Tink: No, we're already late.
Hoop: But it'll only take five minutes.
Tink: No Hoop.
Hoop: Can I shoot it out the window on the way there?
Tink: Can you what?!
Hoop: Just at signs. I'll be careful.
Tink: I don't think so.
Hoop: What if I just pretend?
Tink: You're not allowed to read that book anymore.