Last night was an uncommonly good Wednesday night.
It began with an email I received from an editor letting me know how much I was going to be compensated for a simple music review I wrote. The amount was incredible for a review that would only appear on the web. I have three more review assignments for this publication, which is really encouraging. Lately I have really been despairing in my writing career...feeling like no amount of emails I send gets me anywhere, like no one cares to read the things I write, feeling alienated from other friends because i can't relate to them professionally...So this email was a big bright spot.
Then Philip and I drove out to his soccer game. After more than two years, I know most of the people on his team and can shoot the breeze with them, or shout out their names in encouragement from the bleachers. The team was playing at a different field for a while, which was farther away and full of many intimidating I-can-kick-your-ass soccer players. Now they're back at their old field, where there's a lot fewer people and just a more friendly atmosphere. Philip's team didn't win, but they are never sore losers. I really enjoyed sitting out in the chilly weather and pretending it was fall.
Philip and I decided to go out for Mexican after the game. We got a corner booth and basically stuffed our faces with tortilla chips while he shared with me about some aspects of his work. I really love it when Philip just opens up and talks. He's much more of a question asker. Pay attention the next time you talk one-on-one with him - he'll want to know all about you, but won't say much about himself. So I loved hearing all he had to say. I also soaked in the relaxed alone time. We've got a jam-packed weekend coming up, much to no one's surprise.
We finished out the night by having our friend Aaron over to watch what turned out to be the last game of the World Series. I hadn't seen Aaron in months, not since I was still Miss Larson. Aaron is just one of those people who understands exactly what you mean when you use only a couple words and a certain tone. That is a quality I really appreciate in a human being. Aaron was my friend before I had even met Philip, and now he is more Philip's friend. It's interesting how those boundaries and transitions work. I'd like to write a chapter about that whole topic in my memoir about bumbling my way through dating and engagement.
Anyway, at one point, I passed out on the couch while the boys talked, and then I woke up and we tried to find funny videos on Google Video but were unsuccessful, and then the Sox won, which, in my opinion, kicks ass. I am more of a Cubs fan actually, and Aaron said, "Aren't you supposed to hate the Sox more than the Yankees?" And I said, "No. Girls don't have to abide by those rules." He and Philip both admitted that that's true.
So Wednesday night. Good night. Uncommonly good.