A Necessary Respite

Things have been a bit grim lately, and I have been much isolated (I’ve needed it, for my work – but it’s been a bit much at times) – so last night I got together with Ted at Cafe Noir, one of my favorite spots in the city (especially on a hot summer night, when they have all the windows open). We got there before the rush (it gets nuts there after 9 pm) – and drank wine, ate yummy Moroccan-French food, chased it all with water poured out of a big clear glass bottle … and talked our heads off. He’s off to England and Italy in a couple of days, and it’s been too long since I’ve seen him. Much to catch up on. What are we reading?? for example – and then of course, our studies, our work, our relationships, summer plans, movies, everything. Afterwards, we walked north for a bit to pick up the subway, through the hot hazy New York streets, a balmy night, not as horrifically hot as it was a couple days ago … Manhattan now showing its summery side.

Last Saturday night, my great group of girlfriends from high school got together at Beth’s (you know, the tattooed ladies) and we sat outside in the hot night, drinking, talking, laughing, eating … whatever. I have SO needed to see them recently, I miss all of them so much … so it was a real gift that we could all get together.

I’ve needed to socialize. Oh, and Friday night I have my girl’s group … and I’m long overdue to catch up with all of THOSE friends as well.

I still have a couple nights off in between – I need those down times, for mental regrouping, as well as to make time for the stuff I’m working on (which, I am finding, takes up so much brain space I have a hard time keeping on top of other obligations because of it – This is why successful people have personal assistants. I look forward to the day when I can afford one, because honestly, I need HELP) … but it was really good to “have a night off” and hang out with Ted, under the whirling ceiling fans in the loud Moroccan atmosphere of Cafe Noir.