Clicks and whistles

I think I need to do some more PT-- my neck and shoulders are making so many clicks lately. It's not cool.

My reunion with Alison's mom went really well. I hadn't seen her in over a decade, and it was so wonderful to be back in that house. (It smells exactly the same...it was heavenly.) We put together the hospitality bags for all of Alison's out-of-town wedding guests-- it was great to be able to apply some of my work experience to help out a friend. This must be what lawyers and doctors feel like. AHHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!! (I can show someone how to tie a sweet bow, or make suggestions for a hostess gift, or quote a price for wrapping 800 paperback books. Katie can [soon enough] diagnose a disease, set a broken bone, prescribe medication, and close a wound. There are a lot of similarities.) For real though, I feel very lucky that I have these fond connections with the people from my past. Alison and I don't keep in close touch, but I will be crying like a baby at her wedding, and dancing my ass off at her reception. Hearing that she is happy and thriving as an adult makes me genuinely happy. It's the same with the other people who colored my childhood and adolescence. I feel a little sorry for those who don't have those ties to where they grew up and the people that shaped their experiences. Mrs. Lardo mentioned all of these names that I remember from hanging with Alison-- the relatives (Grandma Barbara, Abuela, Alison's cousin Susie, Mrs. Lardo's childhood friend Maristela, etc.) and it was like playing a mix tape that I made in 7th grade and hadn't played since then.
I also saw Alison's dad, and he, too, was exactly the same. Kind, and sort of intimidating, and subtle in letting me know that he wasn't happy about my life choices. Hahhaahah!! (In all fairness, he has a son that went to Harvard Business School, two daughters that went to top-tier law schools, and another daughter working in Mexico to develop fair-trade practices with independent fruit growers or something like that. Compared to them, I am a total bum. I fully admit it. If I changed my plans to achieve the goal of winning Dr. Lardo's approval, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.) I think I had mentioned a while back that my friend Syed had met Alison's dad while doing an anesthesiology or radiology rotation for med school. It is a small world.
And the bonus atop an exciting weekend: my pseudo-date for the wedding is Beth, another childhood friend! Here was our conversation regarding the wedding.

Beth: I am so glad you're going! I was so afraid that I'd be the only single girl, and it would like ME and the Lardos.

Dana: No-no, Beth. It'll be you, me, and the bartender.

It is going to be a blast. Also, I found a bangin' dress to wear. Things are looking up.

Now, if only I could do something about the clicking...