I don’t believe in the Republican party or the Democratic party. I just believe in parties. -Samantha, Sex and the City

This month’s SPT challenge is really cute. It goes with the upcoming wedding season, and I’m sure you can guess the rest of this month’s challenges.

Now for my something old-I chose an old picture of my very shiny toenails and my pup Monkey at my Cinco De Mayo Party in 2006. He’s going to be 6 this summer, which means next year he’ll be a senior dog, and definitely no longer a puppy, sniff. He looks so much younger in this picture! Oh, yes I still wear that purple shirt. Maybe it’s time for new clothes for Date Girl? Also note the very very outdated linoleum. Talk about old!

I also thought this picture was fitting, because it reminds me of all the old wild parties we used to have during my college years. That party in particular was crazy-it included homemade pinatas filled with cigarettes and condoms  (not my idea!!), wild drunken people, and me about two jeans sizes smaller, sigh. 

I know three years ago isn’t “old” but it feels like it was centuries ago, compared to how I am spending my Cinco this year: curled up on the couch with my laptop, Monkey asleep at my feet, and most of all, QUIET! I do miss the wild parties at times, but I don’t think I could stay awake for anything on a weeknight. Here it is not even 10 and I’m already falling asleep. Maybe I’m just getting “old”.

I didn’t post Tuesday for the SPT because I just didn’t get out and about around strangers. I saw Match and my coworkers so that was pretty much it. So today, I’m minding my own business, when I get a message from Coast Sister, asking if I can help out Lelly, the originator of the SPT, and also her boss. Now she’s not a complete stranger, but we’ve never spoken either through IM or in person. The most we’ve done is swap a few witty comments.
So it turns out that Lelly, who is the general manager of a Hampton Inns branch, had gotten herself a nasty spyware bug (probably from all that completely work related and in no way goofing off web surfing). Cue Date Girl aka IT Nerd to the rescue! I was able to get on her computer remotely (thank you technology!) and save the day.
It was fun to help out a stranger, and a good use of my IT nerd skills!

That picture says resolved, just in case you can’t see the text, and yes that’s my nubby little finger.

Roseanne: [after Dan comes back from "fixing" Crystal's thermostat] You just replaced the thermostat!

Dan: I know, but it’s still either too hot or too cold.

Roseanne: That’s because she’s eight months pregnant and she keeps having hot and cold flashes.

Dan: I suggested that, but then she assured me that wasn’t the case. Then she kicked me.

Jackie: No!

Dan: Yeah. Then she started cryin’ and there was no way I could kick her back. -Roseanne

This one was harder for me, since I don’t have that many coworkers that I deal with on a daily basis. I do have an administrative professional that sits near me, an older woman who doesn’t really like her job that much. I know we’re supposed to do SPTs on Tuesdays, but I thought since today (Weds) is Administrative Professionals Day that it would be fitting to do my SPT today.

Today I sent my coworker a silly ecard.

But the biggest “gift” of all, was to turn down the thermostat. I hate air conditioning, and would much rather have fans or a natural breeze to cool me. Plus my coworker likes the office to be frozen. But, since today is her day, I went for a compromise, and turned down the heat by a few degrees.

Think about it. If you are single, after graduation there isn’t one occasion where people celebrate you. … Hallmark doesn’t make a “congratulations, you didn’t marry the wrong guy” card. And where’s the flatware for going on vacation alone? -Carrie, Sex and the City

Today’s SPT challenge was to gift a friend, with something intangible, following this month’s theme of giving.
I didn’t think I had anything for today, as I didn’t see any friends, busy as I was with work. But towards the end of the day, I got an IM from Match’s sister (who I’ve decided to nickname Travel Girl, because she has traveled all over the world) seeing how I was doing. We got to chatting, and she told me how she’s been lonely, and missing friends from home. I gave her the gift of listening, and being someone she could talk to. We talked about her life, and how she’s doing living in South America (she’s currently residing in Peru), and how she misses stability. It was so nice to connect with her, even for that brief moment.

I didn’t have a picture of our chat, but this is me looking through her pics on facebook, of all her many travels. Her latest pictures are from Argentina, and they’re amazing! 

Prue: My sisters and I, we have special gifts.

Allison Michaels: Gifts? What kind of gifts?

Prue: Ones you can’t return. Let’s just say we come from an interesting kind of family tree. -Charmed

This month’s SPT challenge is all about giving non material gifts. Lelly tells us to “focus on the gift of service, the gift of a smile, the gift of a repurposed or gently used item, the gift of a kind word. you know, those gifts that would be

hard to wrap in a box with a pretty bow.”

This week we’re to give a gift to a family member. Now she may not be blood, but Coast Sister is definitely a part of my family.

I feel closer to her than ever, especially after our fun weekend together (I’m the one on the right, wearing a sweatshirt from her town, and she’s wearing an SF sweatshirt from mine, ha!).

I gave her the gift of my

hospitality, and of course my lovely futon. Ha! I gave the gift of my time, and the gift of my crazy California driving, as well as a view of the sights of my home. I also gave her the gift of Ghiradelli Square, where they pass out free chocolate, yum. Oh, and I’m standing straight up, and I come up to her ear, lol.

Even though I’m saying these are gifts I gave to her, I think her coming all the way out here to visit me was definitely a gift to me. Thank you for making the journey, and for being a part of my life!