The Simple Life...(sans ditzy socialites)

Despite mounds of evidence to the contrary, it doesn't take much to make me happy. I had the most glorious weekend, even though nothing truly out of the ordinary happened.

The key ingredient to all this glory was the weather. Not to sound like a hypocondriac with a new disease to battle after every drug commercial, but I've long suspected that I might have a touch of winter depression. Something inside me dies a little when the sun starts sinking earlier and earlier. And don't get me started on the misery of being cold. But this weekend, temperatures were in the high 70s, the sky was blue, the sun was shining, birds singing, the whole nine yards. Nothing can be terribly wrong in the world on days like these.

I tend to count everything after the nights when I work both jobs as "almost the weekend," so Thursday when I attended the Luna film festival, I considered it the beginning of weekend entertainment even though I had to drag my ass into the office by 7:00 am the next day. Luna fest showed a collection of short films written and directed by women about women and women's issues. For some the thought of attending the previously described event might sound like a fate worse than death, but those of you who know me (or have read the blog at all) know that this sort of thing is what I live for. The film about one New Yorker's candid look at her battle with breast cancer 14 months after giving birth brought tears to my eyes. Aside from women's issues they covered, the films also inspired me to start thinking again about a film project I'd been contemplating and all but filed away under impossible.

Friday there was the little matter of working, but by 3:01, I was on the road home. For someone who lives alone, I still sometimes relish the deliciousness of an evening alone. I had to run a few errands, but then I came home, made myself a fabulous (and healthy) dinner, poured a glass of wine, and watched movies. All the while, the windows were open, fans blowing in a breeze that smelled distinctly like spring time. *insert sigh of happiness here*

Saturday was by far my favorite day. It started with a late morning trip to the Soulard farmer's market. I know it's open all year, but in the spring/summer months, the experience feels special. The pyramids of fruit, the earthy smell of vegetables, bright cut flowers...It's a beautiful sight. Then, I spent the afternoon engaged in one of my all time favorite warm weather activities, drinking margaritas on a patio with friends. Seriously, what is it about day drinking that's so much more fun than the same activity after dark? After dark was another matter entirely. J and I threw on some evening wear and took the salsa world by storm. It's easier than it looks, especially when your partner is an authentic latin man who knows how to move well enough for both of you. I highly recommend it.

Sunday's depress me just a little. Monday and Tuesday are my days from hell work-wise. There's very little to look forward to on a Sunday night. To remedy that, I met Mel and Tony for dinner. April was our bartender. I left a little fatter and a lot happier for the time I spent with them. And as I headed St. Louis-ward, the sun was still casting its last valiant rays over the lip of the horizon.

Life is good!