Noncommittal.

Sometimes I get into these phases where I don't want to make any plans. Leave things alone, stop all the planning and scheduling and just relax.

I'm sitting in my apartment, staring at the annual car registration renewal notice sitting in front of me. It is due on the 16th of this month, the hefty bill was actually even higher last year. The irony that even if you plan not to use your car for a year, you still have to fork over 18 bucks.

Paying the $195 tab means that I am committing to living in L.A. for another year, to living, working, and writing in this town for another twelve months of my life.

Why so noncommittal, you ask?
Good question. These days I keep feeling a bit more ambivalence when it comes to making plans. I'd like to have a bit more - flexibility, independence, freedom, I suppose. Perhaps there is a touch of the bohemian spirit left in me. Or, maybe there's something of the quarterlife crisis that remains within me as time goes by and aging refuses to be ignored. The blur of weddings and engagements surrounding me, the world that dares to continue turning while you're standing still - reorganization of life priorities ensues.

If I accept a free new cell phone from Verizon wireless, it means I'm committing myself to two more years of their services.  But what if I want to terminate our relationship?  I mean, who knows if I will still be happy with our agreement for two whole years?  And if I don't honor our contract, that means I am penalized with a sucker-punch pricetag.  Smells like a prenup.

I like Verizon, don't get me wrong.  I just don't know if I love Verizon.  So - I don't want to make a commitment if I'm not sure.

24 Hour Fitness: You seem pretty cool and all, but I'm just not looking for anything serious right now.

As for that month-to-month apartment lease...not going to worry about it for the time being, will just take one of those giant leaps of faith.

This Week's Crush and Spelling Round

Crush-Of-The-Week (COTW)
If you're attractive and talented, congratulations, you have met the stipulations that put you in the running for the candy monster's crush. I crush on somebody new all the time - I've decided to whittle it down by week.
This week's profile: Indie rockers that are easy on the eyes and more down-to-earth than you'd expect. Damn, [insert musician's name here]. Enough sweet-talking and thoughtfulness and I'll want to make out with you. (Wink.)

Spelling Round

friendly. Yes, another i before e.

whether or not you like it, the weather is unseasonably warm lately.

You are waiting in line for coffee. No, not online, on the world wide web, but in a line. You know, a queue; there's an old school surfer in front of you and a woman with her screaming kids standing behind you.

And to add to your Hollywood vernacular according to webster.com:

schmooze: verb. To converse informally: chat; also: to chat in a friendly and persuasive manner especially so as to gain favor, business, or connections

swag: noun. Goods acquired by unlawful means: loot

ETA: estimated time of arrival.

And to save in the mental thesaurus:
Take out the random, try:

á tort et á travers: wrong and crosswise, at random, without rhyme or reason.

AGBGTATRM, Part 2: Communicating the Right Message

Things Women Want to Tell You But Shouldn’t Have To.

A Gentleman's Basic Guide To All The Right Moves, Part 2

A Gentleman’s Basic Guide To All The Right Moves.

Things Women Want to Tell You But Shouldn’t Have To.
In case you didn't already know.

http://www.thisisby.us/index.php/content/a_gentleman__s_basic_guide_to_the_right_moves