Reason number 896

I tried to skip my birthday last week. 56 is no milestone and besides I was busy with the new company and Dark was working in New Zealand.

Speaking of my new company we moved into the new offices two weeks ago. Since BP is our major client we decided to office near their corporate headquarters. I found us space in a period building on St. James Square. It’s a short walk from both Green Park or Piccadilly Circus tube stations and a short ride from the South Kensington station. I have no trouble making the commute in the mornings but I can’t seem to navigate the return trip after work. I blame it all on my new friend, Tony Micelotta.

Scott and I decided we needed a drink after work a few weeks ago so we headed to Dukes Hotel bar, a short stroll around the corner. Tony is the head barman. We ordered martinis. Tony rolls out the ingredients on a drinks trolley and mixes them at the table. I have to tell you he makes the absolute best martini I have ever had the pleasure to drink. And they are huge – 5 ounces of gin in each one. Dukes has been officially designated our company bar.

After the first martini I suddenly realized the wisdom in the Dorothy Parker ditty:

I like to have a martini,
Two at the very most.
After three I'm under the table,
After four I'm under my host.

So I limit myself to two … two - every day after work. This company better be a huge success soon because Dukes charges £15/$30 for each one. And after two martinis there is no way in hell I’m going to try to ride the tube home so I step outside the hotel and take a taxi home and there goes another £15. Going back to work is getting expensive.

Anyway I was all set to ignore my birthday. I made no special plans and turned down a couple of offers for dinner and drinks with friends. I told Jane I would take her out to eat after I got home from work. When I got home I found a note saying she was working late and to call Dark on MSN. I sat down at the computer, logged onto MSN and started caming with Dark. He looked so tired. He asked me what he could give me for my birthday and I made several lewd suggestions adding they were going to be difficult for him to deliver since he was halfway around the world. He said if that was what I wanted then that was what I was getting and promptly logged off. I sat there laughing still half gassed from my two martinis. A few minutes later he shocked the crap out of me by walking into the room. He had been upstairs the whole time having flown 23 hours in coach to get to London for my birthday. That's why he looked so tired.

So that’s reason number 896 I love him. Reason number 897 is … he gave me exactly what I asked for my birthday.

now for the real fun ...

Where the hell did March go? Things are happening fast and furious at the moment but everything has been positive and good. To begin, Dark and I are in good shape. Yes, we hit a bump but hey, what relationship doesn’t? He’s finishing post production on Alien vs Predator: AVP2 and The Invasion simultaneously and is meeting me in Rome on Thursday so we can head to Portofino for Easter holiday. Oy! Can you imagine Rome the day before Good Friday? We just spend the night and take the train the next day to Portofino. Next week he flies off to New Zealand where The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is filming. My guy is in big demand. I know what it’s like to juggle a career and a relationship when you both are working on different continents so I know we can make this work. The ultimate goal is to get him based here in London.

So while he’s busy making movie magic it’s hi ho hi ho... it’s back to work I go. OK, 5 years of retirement is enough. I thought I would get into the property development business but events have taken a different turn. I’m going back to what I know best – the oil industry. I’m starting a company here in London with straight Scott. He and I talked for years about doing something together after he left Exxon. Paula’s death was a tragedy for both of us but we’ve managed to work our way through the grief. He retires from Exxon this summer and since he has remarried he wants to stay in Europe so his new wife can be closer to her family. He finally convinced me to get back into the oil business – and after all the oil bidness been bery bery good to me. He was my house guest last week while he and I had marathon meetings with several oil companies and 2 investment banks. The results were more than I ever expected. We have a signed contract with BP and Exxon and start-up financing from a City investment bank. I’m looking for office space now. I can’t wait to get this up and running; I have missed the action.

Speaking of action ... I just got the necessary planning consents to add a swimming pool to the house here. It’s only taken 2 years of back and forth proposals and changes. The lower ground floor will be gutted and extended under the back garden. Dare I hope for some hot sweaty shirtless construction blokes eye candy? Nah, they will probably all look like fat butt crack plumbers. Jane is moving upstairs to live with us until the flat is rebuilt and I can move her back. She’s family and spends most of her time with me anyway. I spent the weekend making nice with the neighbours on both sides as I’m sure there will be utter chaos going on for months. BC used to say I was at my best when I was juggling projects. I just hope that still holds true because a new start up company, a construction project, and a long distance boyfriend are a lot to juggle. I hope to hell it’s all finished by the time Dark gets here for the summer. I’ll have to stock up on guest swimsuits so you guys send me your sizes. 4th of July pool party anyone? Remember: no one swims for an hour after eating.