Retail Therapy

As one of my faithful readers, Damon, reminded me, it’s been a long LONG time since I’ve written here.  I do a lot of writing these days.  I write for Six Brown Chicks on ChicagoNow (http://www.chicagonow.com/six-brown-chicks), which is also a web show on WCIU.com (http://www.wciu.com/sixbrownchicks), not to mention that I’m relaunching my original baby, The G-Spot, or The Gina Spot, depending on how you know me.  The trouble is that I have things in my life that drain my creativity, so it’s sometimes all I can do to get all of that done.  And sometimes it doesn’t get done.  The thing that suffers the most is this blog, unfortunately.  So . . . if you haven’t seen me write in a while and you want to catch up with me, follow me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ginabauthorsite), and in the meantime, I’ll try to remain diligent on here. 

First, you should all know that I’m in Jamaica for Christmas.  It’s been an interesting trip thus far, and I’m sad to say that it’s almost over.  I’m here with the BF, and the trip has not been without its challenges.  The first issue is that the BF was sick for the first four days of the trip.  If I were being honest, I’d say that he’s been sick for the entire time, which sucks to tremendous proportions.  Don’t even get me started.  To be fair, I was also sick for the first day or so, which really amounted to my having eaten something weird at the buffet on the first night.  But I’m a strong girl, and I made it through — even though I’ve avoided certain foods here ever since.  Then, we planned the trip to switch resorts at the halfway mark, which sounded like a great idea at the time.  The trouble is that I LOVED the first resort and not so much the second one (even though it’s still beautiful).  I’ve spent the last few days mourning the first half of my trip.

But this post isn’t about my frustrations about illness (because, really?  There are plenty).  Nor is it about resorts.  This post is ALSO not about my father, alias my housesitter, who has managed to set off my overzealous alarm system, which caused Chicago’s finest to show up at my house, walk about on my otherwise clean floors with their nasty shoes on and answer my phone.  Nope, this post isn’t about that at all.  It’s about what I do to seek comfort from the things that drain my energy and piss me off. 

It’s called shopping, people . . . and I highly recommend it. 

Honestly, shopping is second only to cocktails, although I wouldn’t recommend the former after indulging in a lot of the latter.  Or Ambien — which my friend Jen is famous for.  I haven’t tried Ambien myself, but I’ve heard about the packages that have arrived after ”Ambien Jen” was let loose on Amazon.  It ain’t pretty.  Don’t do it. 

As usual, I digress.

Online shopping is absolutely my best friend in this world, and since I have so many events to attend, I can justify a dress purchase because I do have occasions to show them off.  (Note:  if you decide to begin a career in retail therapy, my suggestion is that you make a habit of buying things that are supportive of your life.  For example, I go out a lot, so dresses — especially the small, black variety — are a staple.  If you are a veritable couch potato who doesn’t party, might I suggest that you purchase gadgety home things?  The key thing is to buy things you need so that they can be justified to people who hint that you could have some sort of “problem.”  Pfft!  Disclaimer – if you’ve either appeared on or are a candidate for the A&E show “Hoarders” or “Hoarders, Buried Alive,” OR if your abode has often been mistaken for the aisles of Salvation Army, do  not do ANYTHING that I’m musing about in this rant. In fact, do the opposite . . . put some of that shit on EBay [which is, quietly, equally therapeutic])

Just since I’ve been here, as a matter of fact, I’ve racked up over $200 in online dress purchases (does it help to know that I had a credit with Rue La La?).  I was just miffed a few minutes ago, and now I’m actually quite thrilled at the thought that a short tight ruched LBD will be delivered to my house in a mere 7 days.  And now that I’ve shopped, I’m off to the swim up bar, because, really?  Shopping with a wine back is just about the best combination that I can think of — irrespective of your location.

Happy holidays, good people!  And thanks so much for your patience.  XO