Weight Loss, Exercise, Thanksgiving, Showbiz and a Date.

And so after a lovely Thanksgiving weekend, it’s business as usual – or as usual as my life gets. I spent Turkey Day with an old friend from college. It was a small affair and elegant like this woman always does it: gorgeous home, beautiful table setting, specialty cocktails, elegant appetizers and kick-ass food for dinner. I took only a tablespoon of everything and still my plate was full! And she has a very lovely and well-mannered cat named Melon. She and two of her guests are professional journalists who have been in the business for years. Talk about great conversation!

My lovely niece joined us as well. That little woman has scored an incredible job at an international art gallery that takes her off to NYC in less than two weeks. Oh, to be young and embarking on a true life adventure! But she has always been a little adventurer: a semester in London, subletting apartments all over town as she waits out her job search … She was the reason I went to Chelsea. I accompanied her there for her final interview.

Friday night found me and the boys at the Drake Hotel – Chicago in The Palm Court, where everyone and their mama came out to show some love and dance their brains out. I was overwhelmed by the turn-out. Folks who haven’t come to see me perform in years came out! And I had family there as well. There were several kids (under 21) there as well and they were the dancing kind. Loved that! I actually got a bit of sweating done which may have contributed to my three pound weight loss over the weekend.

And speaking of weight loss – I must confess that I have not gone to the gym this weekend nor worked out at home. Thank goodness for my two gigs or I would have had no exertion of any kind! However, I did watch my food intake. I resisted fried food at The House of Blues (opted for a salad topped with grilled chicken) and fought the urge to order in every night. It’s amazing how I will be “Miss Healthy” one week and literally fighting the urge to order in and eat an entire pizza the next… OY! But I ain’t giving up. The weight scale has spoken and I have actually lost six whole pounds in two and one half weeks. Even in light of this I still wanted pizza from my favorite late night delivery place. I stepped on the scale, saw the weight loss and then went to my couch to order food at Two A.M. What the hell? I had to stop and say to myself:

You just lost some weight. This is not the time to gorge junk food and screw it all up. I must build upon this. If I watch my food intake tomorrow I may be on my way to losing another pound.

I spent the day in my office going through the mountains of paper on my floor, sofa and every other surface in the joint.

I also wrangled with some clients who want to drop the price we discussed and in some cases contracted for some upcoming gigs. This Recession has created a nasty trend. But then everyone is hustling everywhere. Just ask my some of my creditors. I have promised to pay the bill on time but I have asked on more than one occasion to split the monthly due amount over time until a promised (and late) paycheck appears in my mail box. Whatsa diva to do? I look around my house and wish I had not purchased any of the stuff I have around here – mostly clothes, shoes and some objet d’art. But no need crying over spilled milk. I have to keep moving forward and market, market, market and keep doing good work. It is way overdue to put out some product (recordings, video etc)

Big news: I have been asked out on a date!! It’s such a rare occurrence. It’s been so long since I’ve even considered romance that the guy had to spell out that he wanted to go on a date with me.

“We should go to a movie!”

“Yeah. I love movies. I think I will go to one tomorrow. There is so much I want to see before they leave the theaters. I hate when I miss a great film on the big screen.” blah blah blah

“Maybe we can go together.”

“Oh I can never plan when I go to a movie. I just like to decide in the moment and hop in a taxi and just go.”

“Well, I can pick you up.”

“What? I can just call you at ten P.M. on a Tuesday and say “Let’s Go!” I don’t think so!”

“Uh… well… we could go together… I mean we will… should… maybe pick a day and time and have dinner or something…”

The light finally comes on…

“Oh! Yes, that would be great! I would love that!”

DUH!!!!! And so I have a date to go see a movie – my pick – and dinner and drinks afterwards. He’s a smart, funny, sexy film lover whom I’ve known for quite awhile. And he’s not on Facebook. He always compliments my writing too. Did I mention that he’s really smart? And funny? And sexy? Haha. I haven’t worn make-up to a movie in ages…

I will keep you posted.

I hope I make it to the gym tomorrow. I need to get back on the path.