I am sorry it has taken a while to get back to the diary. The O'Toole Christmas story ended up being bigger than I thought! Here we are though at 'The Impossible Dream'. Enjoy Shane's packing dilemma before we get stuck in.
Why is packing this suitcase so hard? I mean, it's not as if I haven't done it a hundred times. This time, however, I admit I am struggling. Perhaps it is the destination? Oh Washington, I really don't want to see you. It's funny, I used to love the bustle and importance of our nation's capital. Now? Let's just say there are some things there I would rather avoid. In fact, if what we are doing was not so important, I would happily cry off from this expedition.
Washington brings me uncomfortably close to Alexandria, or more specifically, Mom. I know I should take the time to see her, but I am so … conflicted. I love her, I love her to bits, but she has always had the ability to push every single button I have and make me crazy! And now that we are existing in some uncomfortable truce over Alex, I don't think I can deal with that angst. How is it that Mom's life was completely flipped upside down by Alex and her 'problem', and yet she (Mom) makes me feel guilty for being slow to forgive! Okay, maybe not all of that guilt is coming from Mom. Maybe I am supplying it myself. Regardless, that special family feeling – part rage, part disappointment, part sorrow, part longing – is not something I need at the moment. I would love to see the house one more time though…
Then there is Steve. What is with some guys? When I was interested, no possibly interested, no available? Yes, available. When I was available, he was a government illusionist – now you saw him, then you didn't. Now that I have made it clear that I am not in the least interested, he drops a birthday card, seemingly from nowhere. With some gush about not being able to forget. Ha! No Steve, you had your chance, and you blew it. I have traded that emotional whiplash for something else. My own personal Cryogenian ice age perhaps?
Oliver O'Toole provides all of the emotions, all the way from porch swings to … crickets.
No McInerney, enough of this procrastination! Your good friend Rita is in a pageant, and you need to be there for her! Stop your wallowing and pack! Hmm, but what exactly am I packing for? This is supposedly vacation time, but I get a feeling that this is not a jeans and sneakers kind of holiday. Somehow, I think that travelling with Oliver O'Toole et al is a bit less casual that the average trip with friends. As much as I would like to throw in a cute little summer blouse and some (short) denim shorts just to see Oliver's face, I'd better not. So, basically workwear then?
Ooh! And maybe that killer orange sheath dress that I have been dying to wear?