How Deep the Heart Can Be

I've never considered myself a huge Joni Mitchell fan, but tonight I was watching the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Opening Cermony and started balling my eyes out. All I could feel was how amazing the lyrics were set to the young dancer flying into the clouds. It just got under my skin. All I could see was the time that had passed in my life and the millions of miles to go, but that ultimately the road that I'm on is the road of love.

Ding Dong! Mr. Cop & Miss Brunette are Engaged!

Santa Catalina held all of the magic that a brunette girl could ever want!

It began February 28, on Wednesday morning, when Mr. Cop & Miss B boarded the Dana Point to Catalina Island ferry. We were told at the time that the ride might be choppy but everything would be fine. Famous last words!

We sailed beyond the Dana point break wall and started to immediately take on 6-8 foot waves! We wanted a view of the water so we were sitting with a few brave souls on the second deck. By the time we were out in the ocean, waves were pounding on the second level of the ferry so much that there were many times that there was zero visibility. Water was literally seeping in through the windows! What had began as as a fun little ferry ride to Catalina, turned into a wild hog tossing roller coaster ride! I had to sit backwards on my seat, sitting on top of legs, and holding the arm rest in order to not get caught in the motion of the ocean. I used all my best yoga breathing techniques to not get sick. Mr. Cop was holding a table in order to hang on as well. And let me tell you something, Mr. Cop isn't a small boy! There were several times that everyone on the second deck were literally thrown out of their seats! Wow! The lengths we go for love, right? We made it to the island but before we made it there were moments of sheer beauty that also made the trip worthwhile. We saw a white Buluga whale and scores of dolphins (on our last day in Catalina, we were graced with two American bald eagles flying less than thirty feet overhead!). That was magically between all the tossing waves. Yeah! Land ahead! Funny thing, a Catalina fireman would tell us later that day that he thought the ferry shouldn't have been operating. He told us that he hardly believed that it ran because the water was so rough. Boy! At least we made it! Land!!!

We arrived on the island and soon found out that Avalon is a small town. Tiny. I mean real small. There are probably fifteen streets that make up the city. As you might image, there were all these cute touristy shops and savoury smelling restaurants. Well, the high wind conditions were so severe that the cruise ships that dock on Wednesday had to abort dock. What do we care if Princess liners show up? Well, we didn't except that we found out that most of all those cute little tourist shops close shop if the cruise ships don't land. In a town that starts at ocean level and rises straight up a mountain side, that meant something. On Avalon, most people got around town by use of golf carts. I'm n0t kidding. It was great. However, the gold cart rental business closed shop when the cruise liners didn't dock. That meant that Mr. Cop and I could only rent beach bikes and ride straight up forty-five degree angle hills. We were out of breath in like less than five minutes! But, on those few flat surfaced road it was magic and it felt great to be adventuring on an island.






Closed shops, tired legs, and exhaustion from roaring ocean ferries, it was definitely time to hit the hotel. The hotel, Pavilion Lodge, had just undergone a 3 million dollar renovation. We arrived at our quaint room and I fell in love with it! I loved this hotel! It had style and it was comfortable at the same time. We bought loads of healthy snacks (Mr. Cop made that choice) and junk food (that was my choice, dear reader, I needed some real candy like starburst jelly beans, licorice, and York Peppermint patties! Yum!). We lounged and set a reservation at the Catalina Country Club.


Oh, I wondered. Was Mr. Cop really going to pop the question on such a crazy day! It hardly seemed possible while I was crashed out on a sugar high on our hotel bed. No way!

Catalina Country Club is located at the top of a hill which is no big surprise. It's absolutely beautiful but we had no idea how to get inside! There was no door, no receptionist desk, and people dining inside a very upscale room. I finally had to walk into the kitchen and ask the chef how we were suppose to get inside! It was that bizarre! The country club was built like a modernize french chateaux. What we were too shy to do was open up the one of five sets of french doors and just walk in! You try it! It was still uncomfortable to do even after the cook told us to do it.

We had the best meal that we've had since being in California. We had wine flights from Californian vineyards. The sommelier was an expert at pairing wines for our meal. The ambiance of the room was sultry like a country club but updated with modern scaled furniture pieces and textile choices. Okay, is he like going to ask? Hmm...I'm headed off to the restroom. Mr. Cop wants me to leave my purse so he can check out our cameras. No problem-o! I'm cool like that! Back at the table, the check arrives at the table. The drunken ex-waitress in me that has loved the whole dining experience reaches for the comment card. I grab my purse and reach for a pen. But! When I open my purse, sitting inside my bag is a jewelry box. What? I might be drunk but I know what a ring box looks like! That's like an engagement ring box sitting in my purse! Mr. Cop grabs my purse and says I wasn't suppose to look in there. Maybe, I'm not the only one feeling the wine because aren't girls suppose to look inside their own purses? He grabs my purse and runs off to the men's restroom! Wait, is the bill paid? HAHA! It was and I ran after him. He went into the men's restroom but I couldn't bring myself to cross that boundary. The boy's bathroom is definitely a no girls zone even if my purse was in there! I had to wait. In less than five, he rushed out and handed me my purse. I rummaged through my purse contents and it was like I was going mad! The box was gone!!!!



Let's Walk, That was all he said.

My mother likes to brag to friends and strangers that I can find my way out of a paper bag. It's a real asset but sometimes a curse. I couldn't help but point out to my dear Canadian lover that he was headed in the absolute wrong way. He looked me in the eye and said that he felt like strolling. It was a total lie. It was freezing out and we were both shaking from the Pacific Ocean wind that was rattling the island. The moon was almost full, the stars were brilliant, and the lights were dim inside the Catalina cottages. It was a romantic walk, like kind girls dream of. We ended up at the Catalina beach front that skirts the tourist shops and the boardwalk. We walk out onto the rocky beach and he pulls the box from his pocket. He opens it and a star-like light explodes from the center of the dark box. Diamonds are a girl's best friend! So what does Mr. Cop say...

MR. COP
(nervous)
Well, you know what that means.

MISS BRUNETTE
(gasps, it's the Tacori ring of her dreams and the man of her life standing in front of her. Ah, like why isn't Mr. Cop kneeling?)

MR. COP
(as if on cue, he drops to his knee, and speaks one of the most famous phrases known all over the world)
Will you marry me?

MISS BRUNETTE
Are you kidding?
(She gets lost in watching the moonlight reflect on the pacific ocean behind him, the swooping sandpipers, and gentle sea waves breaking on the shore. This is a moment she never will never forget in her entire life)

MR. COP
(patiently waiting on knee, shifting his weight, wondering what this girl from the OC is got rolling around in her head)

MISS BRUNETTE
Is this for real?
(she kisses his cheek)

MR. COP
Wait, you still haven't said anything. Is that like a yes?

MISS BRUNETTE
Yes! Yes! Yes!

Mr. Cop and Miss Brunette laugh, hug, and kiss. A near disaster of a proposal turns into magical laughter immediately.


See, I had always watched romantic movies and heard all the stories of proposals and marriage. I never thought a year ago that I would have meant such a wonderful man that I would truly want to spend the rest of my life with! The miracle of God happens as Jennifer Hudson said spell bound on Oscar night. A star that I had wished on that night answered back to me that night. And, I didn't cry like I had always expected! It was a proposal filled with laughter and adventure! I was laughing so hard when it finally arrived!

MISS BRUNETTE
So, why did you put the ring box in my purse?

MR. COP
I didn't think you'd look inside.

MISS BRUNETTE
What?
(laughing and shaking her head-what girl doesn't look inside her purse!)

MR. COP
The box was killing my leg. Look at it. That box is the largest box that I've ever seen in my life.

MISS BRUNETTE
Are you kidding me? You carry a gun for a living!

MR. COP
Ah...Well, I didn't think you'd look. You kind of ruined my plan.

MISS BRUNETTE
(hugging Mr. Cop on the beach)
I can tell you....I'll never fill out another comment card again in my life. Now kiss me fool, we're engaged!

THE END FOR NOW...

Horoscopes & Chinese New Year..The future? What about my Love Life? This just in...Mr. Cop & Miss Brunette are Perfect Match!

YEAR OF THE PIG
Originally uploaded by mtxtremist.

So the love month continues! Valentine's isn't just one day. It should be everyday. Yahoo horoscopes is a brilliant place to get started! I can't complain about the love we've got after reading this:


Romantic Compatibility

Provided by: Astrology.com

Libra & Sagittarius

The merging of Libra and Sagittarius can be paradise found for both Signs; this combination is a harmonious one, to say the least. Signs that are two positions apart in the Zodiac tend to have a very deep, special connection and understanding of one another. Sagittarius, the journeyer, is constantly in search of wisdom. Libra has a mind keen for art, beauty and aesthetics; Libra makes a stimulating companion for Sagittarius on their travels and adds much to Sagittarius's experience. The relationship always feels new because these two keep it exciting -- and yet their natural understanding of one another makes them feel like intimates from the beginning. Together they will reach new horizons in love and in life.

Libra and Sagittarius make great friends as well as lovers. They share a certain fresh-faced optimism in the world; they're both enthusiastic about finding truth and beauty in their experiences. Problems rarely occur. Occasionally Sagittarius may hurt sensitive Libra's feelings by speaking without thinking; conversely, Libra can sometimes be a bit too emotionally controlling for Sagittarius. Since Libra is a born diplomat who abhors conflict, they'll be able to smooth over any ruffled feathers. These two have the gift of forgiving and forgetting quickly.

Libra is ruled by Venus (Love) and Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter (Luck and Philosophy). Venus's femininity and Jupiter's masculinity make these Signs compatible and balanced. Sagittarius is constantly on a quest for knowledge of the big things -- the truth, the meaning of life and death -- and whenever Libra comes up with a new idea (as they are wont to do) Sagittarius is eager to go along with their partner and become familiar with this new concept.

Libra is an Air Sign and Sagittarius is a Fire Sign. This partnership is full of kinetic energy. As air spreads fire and makes it grow exponentially, this relationship is heated and ardorous. Sagittarius thinks they're steering the rudder, but Libra controls the flow of events with a quieter hand. These two are energetic in the extreme and can run together far and wide. The relationship runs most smoothly when Sagittarius can feel they have plenty of freedom and independence within the relationship.

Libra is a Cardinal Sign and Sagittarius is a Mutable Sign. Libra is an initiator; they think up new ideas and new places to go -- but can change their minds at a moment's notice. Sagittarius is flexible and adaptable, amenable to any changes Libra wants to make in plans.

What's the best aspect of an Libra-Sagittarius relationship? Their mutual interest in cultivating knowledge and utilizing intellect. They are well-matched and will go far together, both emotionally and geographically!

Try your own hand at yahoo.com!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm so shamed to say that I haven't posted a drop on my dear blog. I am still hounding away at my book that I hoped to have complete by next Monday. It will take lots of black ice tea and sleepless hours to get there! Wish me luck dolls!

But, enough about me. Isn't it Valentine's Day? Do fools rush in? What happens when they do? I'm that fool and as anyone can tell you last year on this exact day I was decidedly not in love. I did have a great celebration though. Valentine's is my dog's birthday. So I spent it last year whooping up it up with him.

Back to the foolish part, I met the love of my life in Vegas and I moved to Canada to be with him. A fool like me really does rush in! I've been in Toronto since August and I have still to be in love with this place. I actually absolutely dislike Toronto and much of everything that I've seen out here. It's just too different and I've left so many things behind that everyday I'm painfully missing home. I left my family, my few friends, my church, my country, and the place I have loved dearly since I was a child, California. My vain hope is that I sell my book so that my love & I can return back to Orange County where we'll spend the rest of our lives in traffic, noisy beaches, and strip malls. Damn, I miss home! I know I have much more to write about on this very topic but, alas, I have missed the mark on my Valentine's Day and the reason for this post. Can a blogger play catch-up with time? It's hard. Really Hard. So let me return to today.

5:45 AM
Mr. Cop worked till five forty five am. A tough shift known as midnights. He not only had to sit at a crime scene with a dead body for several hours, he also had to proactively police. Let's not forget that those weather reports playing on CNN actually mean something. We got the most snow that I've seen since I lived in Chicago. It quietly sprinkled itself down on us till our cars were covered in snow and our front walk-up were hard to be found.

5:46 AM
I woke up to the house phone ringing. Mr. Cop asked me to unlock the front door for him as I always do during his midnight shifts. I unlocked the door and ran back to bed. Mr. Cop called out to me and told me to meet him at the front door. I stumbled out of bed with just one eye poking out from under my eyemask. His skin was still frost bitten and pink. His smile was large and broad. His arms were holding a huge fresh cut of mixed flowers wrapped in red paper, a freshly potted minature rose shrub, and a box of exqusitie chocolates! It was hands down the most romantic Valentine's day that I've had in maybe my entire adult life. And simply when he loves me, prods me, encourages me, takes me, holds me, tickles me, whispers to me, I know why I've left it all behind. A rare man like my Mr. Cop comes shooting across the sky once every blue moon and then it's gone. To all the single people of the world, I pray that you know when to reach for the stars and chase dreams of happiness. Never let go unless you find yourself rising towards the heaven and creeping too close to God. I have to keep my advice legit with mythology, yo! Don't be tryin to be all like Bellerophon kicking your Pegasus in the gut to get to the stairway to heaven. Live life well and in love this Valentine's Day. If didn't happen this year, be positive. There is a destiny for you.