In a slightly un-Scarlett like matter have come to a decision about this year's Valentine's Day. I have decided not to make gagging noises or annoyed gestures at the intertwined couples on metro trains, in restaurants or huddled together on sidewalk corners this year. And no, it is not because I find myself not all together single this February.

Instead I propose a celebration – of the people you do love today and the many ways in which you experience that feeling. So dear readers I encourage you to embrace the love around you:

Of your parents who will love you no matter what bonehead things you’ve done in the past or how much money you have recently borrowed after finding yourself unable to pay your phone bill post a trip to Atlantic City (sorry, Daddy!).

Of your friends who will take you home five minute after the New Year has begun and sit with you while you bawl your eyes out over boy living north of the border; who will make you laugh till you cry, validate your feelings, will take you to lunch and make you feel better about being you, and show you that you will never have to go it alone. I love you, my friends, from the bottom of my heart.

Of your pets who depend on you for everything and who love you unconditionally.

Of your brothers and sisters who despite family feuds, will always be there for you in the end.

Of your love of the written word, of books, and poetry, plays and blogs.

And most importantly, of yourselves. Knowing that none of us can be truly happy and whole in ANY relationship that Hallmark or Godiva may celebrate unless we are first whole ourselves. I encourage you to love not only the person that you are but the one you are striving to become.

Whether any of us will be fortunate enough to find that one special person to love us forever, in the meantime we should not ignore the love that surrounds us every day, celebrate it and embrace it.

This evening, for instance, I will be embracing my love of red wine, my love of  thin crust veggie pizza and my love chic flicks that make me cry and perpetuate the hope of single women everywhere in happily every after.  

Frankly,

Roommates have come and gone since I’ve been in this apartment. Some have been sane – others not so much. But I must say I’m on quite the lucky streak with my choice of roommates over the past year (knock on wood).

And I have been very very remiss to you, my readers, in not introducing my current roommate. Enter the ever inquisitive, uber sexy, friendly, bubbly reporter that lives in the room opposite me – Lois Lane. Who, I have recently discovered is also a very talented writer and newbie blogger – check her out at The Voice Over.

Below are her musings on living with Scarlett - notice how she omitted the story of our first night hanging out together which involved my ex boyfriend, open containers, Jager shots,and freezing our asses off while waiting for 4 drunken frat boys to pick us up (one of those frat boys was the Russian, btw - PRE lust)

So here it is-  my first guest blog post – I’m so excited!

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Dear Readers of TSL,

Life with Scarlett is a refreshing twist to my previous boring living arrangement pre-DC.

Two strangers separated by a quaint TV room and kitchen, it is quite interesting how Craig's List can bring two young professional women into each other lives. Though we both have our own sets of friends in the city, Scarlett brings a great deal to the table, and that is not counting cocktails.

When you live with someone, you learn a lot about yourself and others. In my case, it has been a fun two months, complete with high utilities, occasional pizza deliveries, and butt busting Pilates, it has been an easy moving adjustment. Not to mention residing with The Energizer Cat (you thought it was a bunny? it's not).

Aside from us having professions in the same arena, we share other interesting similarities. Our love of the Japanese language (hai. so desu.), our tutu wearing days of ballet (now over), and our intolerance to all technology (all responses to blog will be directly texted to my cell, email, and facebook account).

Can you tell neither of us are sarcastic either?

Scarlett is sharp, intelligent, sassy, and full of generosity. Our bubbly personalities mesh well, and that makes us good roommates.  Plus we are freakin rad.

Aside from doing each others hair and makeup, giggling through sexually explicit material,  and the occasional breaking of a glass (i'm SO sorry by the way), we mainly see each other on weekends.

We share our successes, low points, and (my favorite) our hilarious random happenings of our lives. This is when the Dominos Thin Crust has proven to be a key factor in strengthening relationships (I get no dough for this free publicity). For two young 20-something, professional, gym-attending, women, thin crust pizza brings people closer together. Especially in a crazy ever-changing world, girls need girls to talk to, it is how we get through (since males are so primitive but we love them for it).

Though we are entitled to one free day a week of guilt-free eating, (Enter dominos thin crust) where we don't count the calories.

This slice of life with Scarlett is definitely one to be documented.

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Giggle. Thank you for putting up with me, Lois! OH – get the door – it’s Domino’s! 

Ahhhh divine exhaustion.

I’m so tired. But it’s a good tired. It’s a tired you can only feel after 3 days of an incredibly productive week, thriving under pressure, excelling  meeting deadlines, testing limits. Definite adrenaline rush. Somehow, the more I have to do, the more I get done. Is that odd? If I have no strict deadlines, easy days, my work piles up, I procrastinate, don’t work out, etc. etc. Perhaps that’s it! If I have the ABILITY to procrastinate, I will. If not – well….I guess it extends to my personal life as well.

I’m a freak – I know.

But the one problem with excelling at something is that I find myself  a bit less tolerant of mediocrity while I’m kicking ass, which leads to frustration. Frustration with the inability to proofread, format, meet deadlines, or be able to do ANYTHING without me holding your hand and walking you through it, 5 times. Yes! FIVE bloody times! I sh*t you not. 

 Ugh.

That’s all I’ve got tonight, people. Just working hard…chatting with the Russian…trying to avoid the chocolate in the heart, love, cupid, stuffed animal hallmark aisles at CVS fighting off a cold and savoring the evening of the best and worst of American Idol season 6 with a glass of red.

What can I say? Simple minds….

Fear not, I’ll come up with something entertaining to write about soon – on the to do list:

The introduction of the new roommate, my adventures at Playgirl Magazine, and my Singles Awareness Day plans!

XO

And so, dear friends. We are 1/12^th of the way through 2007, I thought I’d provide you with a YOS status report. If you will recall, the goals of Year Of Scarlett were to take better care of myself (go to the gym, be healtier, go to the dr.); be productive; take better care of friendships, get rid of negative drama-covered people.

How are we doing so far?  Let’s recap, shall we?

Days in the Gym: 13

Trips to the Vending Machine: 8 (BOO - I know)

Pounds Lost: 5 (Lost 8, Gained 3)

Hangovers: 2

Milestones: Broke up with Canadian (twice now – once over NYE, once last Tuesday night). I believe this is a milestone because #1. I have proven that I can stand up for myself and say 'I will not be treated this way' 'I'm better than this' and 'this is NOT what I want'. While I have always been a strong woman - and am the first to get feisty and kick some ass defending my friends, I have always been reluctant to stand up for myself where relationships are concerned. A product of being a middle child? Having braces and glasses as a kid? Not getting a pony at the age of 7? Who knows. Secondly this is indeed a first for me as I recognized that something was bad for me despite wanting it at the same time - and saying 'no'.

Fell in love lust with The Russian and am trying my hand at a HEALTHY relationship. THis is definitely a first. And a journey into new territory. I hope I have throurally prepared him and having known me for the better part of a decade he has a fair idea of what he's in for (quick temper, passionate, flirty, uber social, a tad crazy). If nothing else, it should be a wild ride.

COMING UP - February is off to a FANTASTIC start! My workouts and diet are all in line (can i just say ...my thighs and @ss.....OOOWWW! i'm in pain. whimper. fuss fuss.) But I WILL be skinny, toned dammit :)

Singles awareness day is coming up - and while the Russian will arrive in town shortly after these cherubic festivities - I will be spending the dreaded Hallmark Holiday alone.

Anyone feel like cracking open a bottle of red with me??

I have always loved poetry. It was my literary upbringing, my bedtime stories (The Wreck of the Hesperus, The Highwayman, Winkin Blinkin & Nod), My fantasy world (The Lady of Shalott), My historical education (Paul Revere's Ride, In Flanders Fields, O! Captain! My Captain!, The High Tide at Gettysburg), and laid roots from which moral and ethical foundation were laid (IF, The Goops)

And so it was with great surprise and delight that I stumbled upon Candy Sandwich's post today, detaling the following:

Second Annual Brigid in Cyberspace Poetry Reading

I gave myself to him,
And took himself for pay.
The solemn contract of a life
Was ratified this way

The value might disappoint,
Myself a poorer prove
Than this my purchaser suspect,
The daily own of Love

Depreciates the sight;
But, 'til the merchant buy,
Still fabled, in the isles of spice
The subtle cargoes lie.

At least, 'tis mutual risk,—
Some found it mutual gain;
Sweet debt of Life,—each night to owe,
Insolvent, every noon.