Vroom

Week at work was decidedly more smooth than last. I’d like to personally thank a perfectly free weekend as my saving grace. My iCal hadn't looked so clean in about a month. It’s a shame that idleness has become a luxury. When exactly did that happen? I fully enjoyed an AMAZING sleeping-in on Saturday and awoke to the steady sound of construction and less-than-distant Tejano music. Celebrity Cupcakes has opened, dare I say, next door and so far both my wallet and desire for refined sugars have been good. I patiently await mywillpower to erode so I may bathe my palate in warm yummy goodness.

Croissant Brioche fully welcomed me into complete consciousness. Same cast of characters were present. Octogenarians and monied 30-somethings with their sticky-fingered progeny. Ironically relaxing in that it feels so French (read crowded with the steady clank of coffee cups, and plates filled with yummy treats). VK and I relayed our respective positions on race in America. It would probably be more accurate to say I shared my position and he played coy devil’s advocate. The conversation spilled over to a new very Asian furniture store on the way home owned by delightful Asians. Pants remained clean and wallet intact. I’m not sure why but there were a group of young women that annoyed the hell out of me there. Perhaps its because they seemed clueless and got in between me and the mirrors.

“Audi dealership? Sounds like a plan to me!” VK in his recent focus on practicing in the future has been quite avid on spending some of his future earnings. To be perfectly fair this desire of his has waxed and waned, but this certainly well within wax. Who am I to decline a trip to an autohaus?

There are few things that bring me to my knees, but German cars are definitely on that list. Damn. I clearly hadn’t given enough credit to the venerable badge of Audi. VK was a bit disappointed by an anemic A5. This was is marked contrast to his practical euphoria with the S4 as predicted. Our dealer Tyrone seemed to be quite busy but very relaxed and allowed for an unchaperoned drive on the Allen Parkway. As I fumbled with the seat warmer and radio, I’m pretty sure VK’s eyes dilated with pleasure of acceleration.

As a suitable bookend, we stopped at the Fish Gallery where I showed VK around where a sizable portion of my recent earnings have gone. There were some South American Parrot Cichlids that seemed more frightened than Nigerians in a security queue. They were decidedly not on the list for potential purchases. Fortunately, I managed to abstain from purchasing more Yellow Labs but not without hesitation. VK seemed amused in my deep ambivalence. Time slipped and he went off to call.

Arash and I shared a BBC period movie based on Sense and Sensibility; apparently I’m not the only one repulsed by and attracted to English traditions. He was dumbfounded that the word “bumkin” had its origins beyond his move to the US in the 1980s. 16^th century. Who knew? After making fun of the girl from Plymouth (absolute Valley-girl), we parted and I headed out to hang out with pharmacy Asianese Asians.

There were an unnatural number of pretty people everywhere. Well beyond the dismal numbers expected in freezing temperatures; this is HOUSTON after all. Most impressed. Yuan had twin missions of late to expand his confidence and his chest size. He’s been working out and was recently hired as a trainer. Pharmacy and weight lifting. Who knew? Another Asianese Asian caught his fancy but a variety of circumstances lead to a very constructive failure. All was forgiven as a New York Asian nearly tripped over himself staring. Approach. Shake. Chit Chat. Rejoining of group. Chit Chat. Numbers. Hug. Mission accomplished. At least Yuan has a template to follow now. It was nice to help others in the hunt.

Sunday came too quick, but I found comfort in sloth. Somewhere between hot chocolate, Nutella toast, tangerines, and watching my aquarium Monday came much too quick, but my lungs were filled with a warm respite.