It’s funny how life tends to give you exactly what you need, precisely when you need it.



Case in point:



I’d been feeling a little lost in the shuffle amongst the Dockyard Derby Dames as one of the rookie New Bruisers. Just as I was beginning to doubt my involvement, I received correspondence from Ollie Oxen, who’s the leader of the whole shebang. She let us Bruisers know that we’d be paired up with a mentor, one of the experienced members of the league; that there’d be specific attention paid to our skill development; and that last Thursday’s practice would be a burner (I LOVE the challenge of tough physical work).



The best news of all is that Ollie Oxen herself is not only someone I admire, she’s also my personal mentor (Ollie Oxen, I’m free!), and believe you me, Thursday’s practice was AWESOME.



You can expect to see me out on the rink for my first official bout sometime in March. YES!

Friday funding and friends

Lately I’ve been so busy with work and social functions that my bank account is pretty damn low.



I’m not the type of dame who goes out and expects people to buy her drinks — I’m far too independent and proud for that. So, when Friday came around, I was just going to sneak in the cheap happy hour at Matador, and then head home. The Husky, Mizz Mandilicious and her intrinsically beautiful friend from Portland, Luscious Lea, converged.



While there, I had the great misfortune of running into this lame ass guy who recently completely flaked on me, and he showed up at Matador with his new beautiful girlfriend. Boooooo.



But despite it all, the Husky convinced me to join him for one beer at Doyle’s, which wound up completely correcting the down-and-out start of the eve.

Out of nowhere, three of my favorite homeboys rolled in: Pappi Swarner, Wild Bill and GQ Tony. That was SO what the doctor ordered. We told stories; they made me laugh; we took shots and had a blast.



I thanked the bros, who had fixed more than they realized, and I called it a night.

Saturday was all smiles

Day two of the weekend offered another surprise that thoroughly brought me back to homeostasis.



A text message magically appeared, and it was a happy hour invite from a darling character whom I’d like to introduce you to, Mr. Sienna. He whisked me away to Stanley and Seafort's (such a good choice), where our auburn-haired server, Andie, took fantastic care of us.



Following, I asked Mr. Sienna to join me for the Kulture Lab’s Art of Politics party, where we couldn’t stop smiling. Maybe it was the painting of the nun smoking pot; the Left Wing chicken wings; or that incredible, pupil-dilating painting of Jesus Christ. Or maybe it was just the presence of Mr. Sienna’s hazel eyes and his gentlemanly charm paired with social graces. 



The curtains drew to a close at Tempest, where we celebrated lots of things, including the new Hilltop drinking and dining map that proprietors Denise and Michelle helped to create. Drop in there and pick one up for yourself. Like the map says, “The revival is here. Are you?”



So, like I was sayin’, life typically seems to work itself out one way or another, and that’ll always be something I appreciate.