First off, I haven’t written in a hot minute! How are you guys!? I hope well and stayin’ cool, cause it’s hotter than a horror in church outside! Hope no one takes offense to that, totally kidding! But seriously, I can only take off so much before I get arrested for public nudity. I know that’s still a thing! Plus I am not that confident. To all the nudist colonies, respect.
As the hipness of 2022 says, so I did a thing! And moved, to Kansas City, and like most things I do, I did it on a whim, kind of, like my Grandpa Ed used to say, babe… we’re sprinters, not marathon runners. Why do I do that?! Because I’m impulsive, spontaneous and as we’ve seen with past experiences, a sprinter! Metaphorically of course, Michael Myers could run faster than me, and he walks all of the time. I am talking about sprinting through gin buckets, or anything else with alcohol, minus hand sanitizer, never did that.
Why did I decide to up and move to Kansas City all of the sudden? 1, it wasn’t super sudden, for 2 years I’ve wanted to move, B, I actually felt like for once in my life things were falling back into place, maybe I’m crazy or turning a bit soft, but you’ll never know if you don’t try, am I right!? In June I got a call from a man named Jimmy. I loved Jimmy already because he’s happy when I answer Hi, this is Ashley, he’s direct, he’s nice and he has already read my resume! Oh… and his name is James, most likely, and two of my favorite men are called James, I’m gonna give Jimmy a listen! Now from everything I’ve learned, and what I actually have retained, working at CH Robinson taught me the most about business and negotiating. And guess what, when I call Freight Haulin’ Hank at 5pm to drive my load of aseptic ice cream mix to Cali, he knows I need him more than he needs me. This is good for job interviews. Jimmy continues to tell me about an opportunity he thinks I may be a great fit for, not to mention the benefits were very enticing. I then had 2 follow up interviews and was offered a job in mid June, before I knew it I was breaking up with my 8-month situationship with concrete Carl and heading to KC. This past Friday I took my required Property and Casualty Personal Lines Insurance exam and passed! That’s how fast things can change, that’s how fast you can do something different with your life. I get that I am in a unique position at “my age”, I am not tied to one place right now, I really have never been, but I chose to anchor down by my own accord. I thought I was living my best life, working a 9-5, having some cocktails post dinner or in the end pre-morning shower, and things would just work out, and keep being okay. Man was I wrong.
This weekend my boyfriend, myself, and some new friends did a pool day at one of my oldest friend’s spot, mind you last summer I was mistaken for being an expecting mother; ascites is not cute you guys, neither is getting your stomach drained, ugh! Last night Ricky, the man-friend, took me to a very cozy, dim lit, local, Italian dinner spot around the corner called Ragazza’s, it was the BEST Chicken Piccata I’ve ever had. Afterwards we met some friends at the Crossroads Roof Top bar, you can see the whole KC skyline from that roof, it’s beautiful. We sat outside, admiring the skyline, enjoying each other’s company, Ricky enjoys a beverage from time to time, but not many, the rest of us enjoying N/A options, which are also delightful. I always ask the bartender or server if they have different juices or booze free syrups to make a little mocktail, I still like pretty drinks, just need to be able to walk after you feel me?! Today the 4 of us decided to try Rye, for brunch on the Plaza, Ricky and I still continuing my weekend post exam celebration and holy smokes this brunch spot has a cinnamon roll that feeds 4! The menu says it feeds 6, but it’s 4, ya’ll will want a corner piece, trust me. We then did some shopping around the Legends area and Richard and I finished the day out by seeing Elvis, finally, and I loved it!
Today I am 38, Elvis was 42 when he died, sadly, because he really loved music, seemed genuine, always smiling, and damn ladies he was handsome; but the world didn’t know how to take him at first, and he had a ton of weight on his shoulders, I definitely have a new respect for E.P., and wish to God he had a different manager, who knows what he may have achieved. This conclusion being my opinion from the movie of course.
Today I know I would have died last summer if I would have continued to drink, I know I will die if I drink again. I am very fortunate to be getting a second chance, a second act, I damn near cut the first one short, and I can’t tell you how lucky I am to still have those closest to me in my life. Who says you can’t start at over 38, as our friend said last night, you’re only as old as you feel, and I sure as hell don’t feel like I’m 38, especially now that I am not frequently falling over as SmashEDley. Bring it on KC, let’s see what you’ve got to offer!
P.S. I have to end today with a tribute to Elvis, he was so talented and I may or may not be adding his handsome face somewhere in the new place, but seriously, if you’re struggling or need an ear, email or pm me, just when you think it can’t or won’t get better, it just might, keep going. Hasta, my friends, and have a kick ass week! See ya on the flip side.