Catch of the Day

For 3 + 1/2 years (I checked my gmail for our first email exchange), I have been a fan and friend of Busy Bee Suz. When I was blogging at The Women's Colony, I had her write a piece about her father. I love her writing because she has such a strong voice--you know who she is from her writing. I dig that. 

Suz has always been high on my list of bloggers to meet (and I'm lucky to have met several phenomenal women bloggers in real life. I'm hoping to make my list less gender-specific and meet The Jason Show soon). When I found out she was taking her mother to Las Vegas for here 70th birthday, I knew I had to try and make it out there to see her. I couldn't really commit 100% until the beginning of the week, but on Monday I knew it was a go and I Hotwired a room. I scheduled some business a little north for Friday morning and took 1/2 a vacation day, so when I was done with my work at 11:30, I hit the road. I was all checked into my hotel room at 4:30.

Suz and I did our planning by text and after getting approval from her to wear my cute shoes rather than my okay-but-much-more-walkable shoes, I took a cab from the Stratosphere to The Mirage.  

Cute shoes. Oddly color-coordinated to the hotel's carpet. How many pairs of shoes did I take, you ask? The two to choose from for Friday night, the ones I wore to work and a pair of flip-flops because I don't walk on hotel room floors barefoot. See also, doesn't travel light.

We met up by the fishtank at the reservations desk at The Mirage. It was love at first sight :)

I immediately asked a couple, "I will take your picture if you take ours." Done. She has good taste in shoes, no? And the bumblee colors? She rocks them!

Suz had been showing her mother such a good time in Las Vegas that Beverly needed to rest up before dinner, so Suz and I went to the bar where we discovered the first of many things we have in common. We don't really like loud, pseudo-hip bars. We do both like alcohol and talking though, so we found the quietest corner and we were off. 

Ways that Suz and I are similar:

We both notify our families when we are heading home so all clutter can be removed from our visual fields in order that our heads don't explode. Related: Organizational skillz? We haz them. In spades.

We were both raised by single mothers that were flawed (and who among us is not?), smart, hard-working independent, feisty and funny. I was already missing my mother a lot because of the upcoming festivities, but seeing Suz and Beverly together made me miss her more. They clearly treasure one another.

We both learned from the mistakes of aforementioned mothers in the picking-a-life-partner department and I have no doubt that The Coach and Mr. Fix-it will get along great when they meet sometime (we're plotting it). They are both amazing and generous husbands, fathers and sons. Plus, girls' softball. Plus, big-ticket gift-givers who love to see the looks on their wives and chilren's faces when they give thoughtful, terrific presents. 

We both have/had fathers. It was/is complicated.

We will both (Beverly too) start a conversation with absolutely anybody at any time. Dinner would have been fun anyway, but with the company of the young ex-Mormon couple seated next to us, it was truly memorable (I meant it when I invited you to come visit San Diego and stay with me, Shelby and Matt. You have my card--call me!). 

We both look way too young to have adult children. The absolutely darling, slightly-inebriated 23-year old at the next table said so (yes, you again, Shelby). Related: This may actually be the line that engendered the invite, because nobody wants to hear they look young like a 49-year old woman having a year-long, low-key panic attack about her next birthday being a half-century milestone. (Full disclosure: That's me, not Suz. She's younger than me. B*tch. JK).

We have both lost a sibling :(

We both like to fill our lives with family and friends and laughter and food and drink (and clean counters).

We both love inside jokes. And now we have a couple of our own. I would share them with you, but inside jokes are never funny to those on the outside. You want to hear one? Okay, you twisted my arm. We had just finished perusing the menu and discussing that Suz and Beverly love pratically all fish. Except salmom. When we asked the waiter what the catch of the day was, he said . . . wait for it . . . salmon. Okay, maybe you had to be there. And maybe it would help if you'd had several cocktails or glasses of wine. But it's funny to us. Very funny. Don't suggest otherwise or Suz will shank you with a shiv.

The accordion player was so enamored of Bev he saw spots :)

We can both think on our feet. Like after the server at the bar (who I'm sure was paid by the length of her legs, not the depth of her intellect) splashed water on the table and therefore my phone (just a little, but hello, pouring liquids is your job, one would think you'd be a little better at it. I know I sound bitter, but she also tried to take my Vodka Collins with 1/2 inch of drink still in it), Suz helpfully sang, "watch your phone," as she approached us pitcher in hand. She also asked the taxi driver if he was taking the scenic route. He made a u-turn. I swooned. I love me some smart, funny people.

We both cannot stand heights. Neither can Beverly. Yet we all went to the observation tower at the Strat and watched guys bungee-jump.

 

Slightly blurry photo from the tower at the Strat--I had to do it one-handed while I held onto the barstool between me and the window.

It was 11 p.m. when we parted ways--they had to be at the airport early. I slept in until 8, didn't get out of bed until 9 and was home by 3:30. 

If you're ever in Vegas, let me know? I will so come meet you.

Dinner at Battista's Hole in the Wall. Pasta, wine and friends. It doesn't get much better than this. We are lucky indeed.

The wonderful thing about meeting a blog friend in real life is that you can now drop the disclaimer, "My friend, Suz. Well, I've never actually met her in person, but she's my friend. Really. It's a blogging thing. It is NOT weird."

We're both veteran Girl Scout leaders, so this seems especially fitting:

Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold. A circle is round, it has no end, that's how long I want to be your friend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[ms_teacher]

I think all of the friends you've met in real life should all get together in Vegas. This would also include me, btw, & I would love it. What say you?

[Smalltown Me]

Since we've met twice in person I will clearly and emphatically say I love meeting blog friends. Whazzup with Jason? I met him once, would love to do so again, hmmmm?

So my son's starting to plan a college tour this summer and I'm all "Oh, I have a friend in....you name it...like Ithaca NY for example!" it's going to be a great summer.

[lanes]

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

[Claudia from Idiot's Kitchen]

I love this! You two look like sisters! Stylish and fabulous sisters.

[Busy Bee Suz]

I swear I commented on this last night....but perhaps I was still on Vegas time? I had a great time, as did my Mom. You are a doll and just as funny and smart in person as in writing. Although.....you should share with your readers that you have a potty mouth! :0
I can't wait until our next visit; we must make it longer!!!!
I'm feeling so lazy lately, I'm thinking I'll just copy and paste this post into my blog! But I won't....this time.
XOXO

[Karen (formerly kcinnova)]

FUN!
I have mostly dropped the modifier when talking about blog friends... at least those with whom I've been friends with for a few years.

[Jenrantsraves]

Sounds like a great time! Good for you for just making it happen.

[Green Girl in Wisconsin]

Totally cool how you met. IRL, that is. And how much you have in common-from your lives down to your SHOES!!!

[gary rith]

OH WOW...if I had gotten myself some sandals like could I have joined you too? ;)

[Brightside-Susan]

How fun! I look forward to meeting you and other of my bloggy friends - and yes, many people think it is wierd that I have online frinds...

[Susan Walker]

Ooh, I love Battista's Hole in the Wall! Great Italian food!

I was reading through your similarities and realized I have a lot in common with you two, as well. See? I totally should have been there. I, too, will talk to ANYONE and everyone. You can't believe the conversations I had on the plane to and from Phoenix this past weekend!

So glad you girls had a great time!

[joeinvegas]

Geez - I'm always in Vegas and nobody calls

[Jocelyn]

That you have a "potty mouth" only recommends you more heartily to me...for when we one day meet. Let's cuss up a storm, you fu**er.

Your list of things in common is charming as hell, and pretty much, I now think I just need to get myself to Vegas.

[Claudia from Idiot's Kitchen]

I'd go to Vegas to see Gary in cute sandals.