Live Your Life

As this is my last weekend of being thirty, I figured go big or go home right? Wrong. So wrong. As it would turn out, being thirty means you can’t party like you did when you were twenty-one, so who knows what thirty-one is going to do to me?

Still, I will be obnoxiously sporting a pink wristband tonight at Gaze – it’s a good thing I left the no alcohol party for the end. I’m not sure I’d have coped with another night of people buying me birthday shots.

Okay, admission time, for a second when I read last weekend of being 30, I was thinking 30 in the 30 something sense and thought you were about to be 40 and wow, you should be bottling what ever you use on your skin.    Not that you don’t look great for 31 too, it would just be amazing if you were 40.  

I’m going to be at Gaze as well, sporting grey and observing.  The premise is definitely interesting, but I’m a little more cautious maybe?   

Oh? You saying you decided not to go? 

Eh, I don’t know about that. I can know what I want and still not have a big dating pool. My options are, I mean—this could be part of the problem but—I feel like they’re limited. By my status and being in the public eye. 

What about you? You don’t seem like you need somethin’ like this. And don’t you younger people have all those apps nowadays?

I think I’m going to go watch Sir. 

This is true.  I guess my experience so far is meeting people that don’t know what they want and so it gets complicated, or expectations change and are not communicated.  It gets messy, either way.  You make yourself sound about a decade or two older than you are Mr. Warner.  I did some homework before our meeting, I know you’re cusping app age.   

The way I see it, if my brother can find someone, in similar circumstances, and be cavity inducing happy then well, anyone should be able to.  In the right case Sir.  

Jackie: Always so kind to me Blaine!

Jackie: That sounds perfect! I'm going to do some shopping with Sophia before it so if I come across anything I'll let you know!

Jackie: Do you have any specific ideas, Blaine? I think some breakfast items could be fun!

I remember feeling that same way not long before I met Cooper. I was longing and hoping to find that person. But finally I decided to focus on my career and boom there was Cooper. Who knows though! At least if you can’t find your person maybe there is someone here who will know and appreciate how great you are. You are right about that, what an amazing chance right? I hope we plan on doing something fun for our birthdays this year! Right? It really is nice isn’t it? I love going out and enjoying the breeze.  Winters will be quite an adjustment though. 

I almost signed up for that speed dating thing but I’ve had such horrible luck with dating apps that I wasn’t sure how different it would be.  I did go and observe though, and I mean at least it’s first meeting face to face, so maybe next time.  And then I went and observed at Gaze too.  I don’t know if it’s my scene exactly, but there are interesting components.  Yes!  Let’s start planning.  Well, I’m sure if you get too cold, Cooper will gladly warm you up.

There’s nothing like a little questionnaire to make you feel vulnerable. Or unsure. 

Seriously, how does one answer the question: ‘Describe your ideal version of a healthy relationship’? 

Anyone got any suggestions? Swear I won’t plagiarize. 

If I give you my answer we’ll proabably end up paired up.  Although, I decided I wasn’t quite brave enough to put myself out there, out there like that right now.  

Aren’t you just an impressive person? Now I’m understanding why you need to plan things months in advance. You must have a lot on your plate. 

I went to UC Berkeley. We’re practically cousins. (Kidding of course) but it’s always nice to see people from around the sunshine state. 

What makes you love music so much? 

It’s less about what’s on my plate and meeting deadlines.  Who knew that when you’re working on this big of a scale, in order to have custom holiday decorations and stationary you need to order at least 8 weeks out?  That champagne and any high end liquor for New Years must be ordered by Halloween?  I didn’t before, but now I do.  

Oh, Berkeley, I’m so jealous.  I went to UCLA to be closer to my brother, but the Bay area would have still be a lot closer than Columbus Ohio and the schools I looked at on the East Coast and Midwest.  I love that northern area of the State though.  It’s like it’s a different place all on it’s own.

It really is, isn’t it? I feel like it was March, I blinked, and now it’s August. It’s nice to meet you Blaine. Cooper’s mentioned you a couple of times – I’m Oliver Ashford.

It’s nice to meet you too Oliver.  And thanks for the invite to the housewarming; that’s a lovely place you’ve got there.  Was this a move to Fair Grove or a move within Fair Grove for you?   How do you know Cooper?  It’s not often I run into his friends outside of LA or in a few rare cases, our hometown.  

The town is certainly lucky to have such a great special event coordinator! Words can’t explain how excited I am for all that you will do. Do you have any ideas that you can share with me? Or when the next one will be? I’m certainly itching to attend my first event since moving here. Would there be anything I could do to help?

Oh gosh Jackie thank you.  I did take over a fall event that is coming up and we are already planning for the holidays.  I will be sure to let you and everyone at the St. James Academy know when I need help, which is a very likely possibility.  

Tucker had just been finishing up a call with Spencer on a potential new arrival. They had some family issues they were concerned about and Tucker wanted to work out a meeting for them as part of the resident’s in-processing. He’d just hung up and slugged down the last cold remnants of his coffee, preparing to get up and get more, when he heard a knock at his door. 

He stood, giving a little smile to his visitor. “Special Events Coordinator?” He gave a nod. “I’m impressed. That’s a big job. You work alone or as part of a team?” 

Tucker took the extended hand and shook it. “Sorry about the state of my office. I’d say this is a special case but really I’m like the epitome of the creative caos thing. Not that I’m that creative…” He was rambling. “The mayor told me you might be stopping by. How much do you know about the House?” 

Blaine straightened their posture slightly as the man before him spoke.  “There is a committee, some are unpaid volunteers, and the others that are paid, it’s only part of their job description.  Like the youth services coordinator.  I’m the only one specifically assigned to Special Events and even then the mayor only has the funds for it to be a mostly part time position.  Not that I mind, it allows me to still do music therapy at the St.James Performing Arts Academy,” they rambled, giving a sheepish smile as they realized that fact.  “Sorry, Mr. Warner, Sir.”

Cooper: Hey ho family peeps.

Cooper: Apparently there is a housewarming party this weekend and all are invited. Saturday night at Oliver Ashford's.

Cooper: Jackie can you pick up a nice housewarming gift sometime in the next day or so?

Jackie: Hello lovely people 💕

Jackie: Really? How exciting! Housewarming parties are always so nice.

Jackie: Of course! I can never say no to a chance to do some shopping.

Blaine: Hello beautiful. And Cooper.

Blaine: Oh that sounds fun.

I just hope things can continue to keep working out that way. I think what I had to wrap my mind around is the fact that the right person will come when you least suspect it. They will come when you need it and not when you’re searching for it. I think that is almost reassuring. Who know this person could be hiding here in Fair Grove. You understand me exactly, I don’t know how you can manage it. But you’re right there are just so many options out there. The weather may just be one of my favorite things, after growing up here and spending time in New York it was a great change. I’m so glad you like it here though, charming is such a great way to explain it. There is just something so special about it.  

Me too.  The real hard part is not searching for it.  I swear I feel like everyone I meet I’m wondering.  It’s hard to give that up.  But I know you’re right.  Oh, I’d think if they were here I would have met them by now.  It’s because we share such close birthdays.   I have to say I like August and September here at lot.  The days can be nice and warm and then the evenings often cool.  Not so hot that you can’t sleep.  

That’s true! It’s nice how there really are a lot of truths in those cliches. I still wonder how I managed to get so lucky. So many great things all in one place. I really hope you’ll find it, Blaine. You deserve it, you are an amazing person. There is someone out there who will see that and appreciate all of you. I don’t blame you for being cautious though, its easier. But I will assure you it’s worth it once you open up to the right person.It is amazing! When I first got to California I had no idea I would lucky enough to feel at home there, but I do. But I’m also glad to get the chance to be back in my hometown. I always felt like it would be nice to make it back here. 

I believe it’s a bit of hard work, a bit a good luck in your case.  Oh, I do too.  I suppose I should take some solace in the fact that Cooper has only just found you, so there is definitely still .... plenty... of time for that special person to come into my life as well.   California has the advantage of being so big and home to so much that it’s easy to find your place.  The beautiful weather and people certainly don’t take away from it either.  But I will admit I like being on this coast now and Fair Grove, albeit smaller and quieter than LA is just charming.   

Blaine hadn’t been at their new part time position with Fair Grove when they decided that they needed to arrange for a meeting with Mr Tucker Warner, the philanthropist behind Harborage Home.   Part of their job description was to organize not only special events for Fair Grove but to encourage and incorporate Harborage Home into the events as well.  The Mayor was very clear in that part of the job description.  Even though Cooper was a star in his own right, and Blaine had spent time in LA, even performing a little while out there, they were a little nervous about meeting the famed Tucker Warner.  

Arriving at Harborage Home and identifying themself and the nature of their visit, Blaine was shown into a office.  “Mr. Warner, Sir, I’m Blaine Anderson.  The new municipal special events coordinator for Fair Grove,” the Switch said extending their hand.

Well I am happy to be back! I feel like it’s about time, I’m honestly shocked I hadn’t come back to help sooner. But at the same time I’m glad I got the experience that I did. It was also just a wonderful bonus that it led to me meeting Cooper. I would say I’m sorry but I don’t think I could stop it if I tried. Oh my gosh..I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Really my happiness is the most important thing to them so I hope this will count as well. We are pretty happy aren’t we? It is hard not to be with him. I didn’t think it would be possible to connect to someone like this. Thank you though. I hope you find it too, if it’s what you want. I don’t think I could stay away from it too long either. I have just grown to love it so much. I have made so many great friends and memories there. 

Like they say, things happen for a reason, right?   And in the end it meant some great opportunities for you, plus meeting my brother, and look how that turned out.  Ugh.  So jealous.  In the nicest way possible.  Oh, it’s definitely something I want.  I’ve had a couple of not great experiences though, so it’s made me really cautious.  Oh yeah?   That’s got to be nice though.  I always loved visiting out there too, but it’s always been Cooper’s domain.

I think you must be doing paperwork wrong. Just how many papercuts are you getting, Anderson? I am nothing if not an over-achiever.

One papercut is one papercut too many.  Do you ever sleep?