Romancing LA... Single and Loving It?

"The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper."

Eden Phillpotts

Mystic drove down from Santa Barbara to bring flowers. He's part ruffian part puppy. The jury is still out on him but he won brownie points being a comfort to me the other day.

Thoroughly having pushed the envelope these past few weeks, ignoring being tired, being off schedule, my body had began to protest... quietly and finally louder.

"My heart hurts. I may ask you to take me to the emergency room."

I didn't have a better greeting for him. It was the moment I had at hand. Mystic stayed calm and stood watch, bringing me water and listening to me make my funeral plans just in case. Anxiety attacks are not fun. The pain subsided and I fell asleep.

I wasn't planning on having this little scare and poor Mystic was the IT person to watch me. Used to my solitude between parades of friends, I'm accostumed to not having to share moments like this. It was kind of nice though it felt very selfish. I'd hate to make someone wait on me like that regularly. But it was nice to see a balance established during an unsettling evening. When I woke up, Mystic smiled with relief and cheered. He had to go back to work, almost 100 miles away and was glad that we didn't have to go to the hospital.

"You're a fighter, a warrior. You won't die."

Comfort from my ruffian. Is there a prince in there? I don't know. One thing I learned, it's nice to consider letting go of solitude and letting someone be a comfort and blessing... even though it half terrifies them..

It's Shavuot and I am not teaching today. Today, I will celebrate rest and enjoy the beauty of peace. Yes, I'm romancing LA... (the blog radio show of the same name debuts this Saturday) and though single... I definitely feel the love.... from Mystic and many others. What a great birthday month.

JNET

Going My Way?

"We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives,

other souls."

Anais Nin

Despite feeling dizzy, out-of-sorts, and on the edge of a fever, I decided to venture out to Hollyweird for a late night chat with an old friend; Mystic.

Personally, Hollyweird is not my flavor though the natives were amusing. And, of course, I was interested in seeing Mystic after ousting him from my kingdom a couple of months ago. He requested my audience and my stay-at-home and cosy-up-with-a-book plan wasn't going to work with his restlessness. It was a friendly night. We began the evening at a quiet hookah cafe and had a long, long talk over a badly prepared dirty martini at The Geisha House (chic place... shabby martini)...

JNET: "What do you want or need from me?"

MYSTIC: "What do you mean?"

JNET: "I believe we all have reasons for crossing certain paths and I thought we were complete with knowing one another, having learned as much as we could before we must press on with our respective lives."

MYSTIC: "I don't want to disconnect from you. I want to know you. You're unique."

JNET: "Everyone's unique."

MYSTIC: "Well, I want to keep knowing you and I want you to know me."

It was good to find the old friend I once enjoyed engaging conversation with. I told him about my adventures with Mr. B, my current crushes, and brought him up to speed with my life. And he enthusiastically shared how he had been growing his business. A lot has happened in two months.

In the end, I suppose I honored his request to remain in my kingdom. If there is anything I admire, it is commitment and persistence that is well articulated in word and spirit.

I don't think he fully understood how ill I had been feeling before he called when I asked for something for headaches and fever and something sweet and fizzy to drink....

He brought me Motrin, chocolate and a bottle of champagne. ha :)

Regardless of misunderstandings, I think Mystic means well. Regardless of misunderstandings, Mystic will try to create a space for understanding to grow our friendship.. He'll not stand for being a tourist to my world and wishes to be a friend for life.

JNET

I'm Still Sick (cough cough)

I didn't sit in solitary misery for long.

Friends checked in with calls, text messages and Mystic took my woes asking for mom to heart. He decided to spend a couple of days putting soup and juice in me and listening to me cough. He wasn't exactly mom and he can't cook (his brother made the soup) but the effort was charming in its awkwardness. Mystic had injured himself playing soccer earlier in the week and so he had to limp around for me.

No, I don't think he's madly in love with me. We're friends. He has this interesting way of getting distracted talking to other girls when I'm around. I think he was compelled to take care of me the way others are compelled to take care of hurt kittens. He tells me of the great conversations he has with other girls that make his day. It's interesting.

I told Mystic that I found his efforts sweet and his friendship well-meaning and therefore "upgraded" him to the wall.. the wall of friendship fame where I frame my nearest and dearest... mainly family and friends that I've known for at least 5 to 10 years. Mystic has practically met every person on the wall in getting involved with my circles that I decided to bend the "no boys" rule (besides the mathematician) and put him there.

That will create some buzz in conversation at home. The mathematician is the only guy "publicly seen" on the wall. And now, I've included Mystic for willingly exposing himself to my germs, vacuuming my carpet, singing Muslim prayers while I cough, and feeding me between chats with his other internet girlfriends. His attentions are strange but his friendship is genuine. We actually became friends earlier this year because he knows the mathematician. Small world. Mystic shows himself to not be a mere visitor in JNETSWORLD. He is making himself part of my world... and therefore has made his place on THE WALL...

JNET