The Need To Blog ...

It seems I am turning into a blog slut ... first the new look and now four posts already this year! I've decided that it is easier to post a "bloglet" than try to post something profound. So, if you're expecting a Nobel Prize winning blog, this isn't the place. Haha! I have a couple of things on my mind so here goes.

When I first started coming to Vallarta as a tourist, I was always amazed/impressed/flattered when people remembered me from the previous trip and wanted to stop me on the street and chat. I found this to be a charming practice. When I made the decision to move here, it gave me some comfort knowing that I was already acquainted with people here and they would undoubtedly become my friends.

After I started working, I had to punch a time clock and this meant showing up at work on time or be penalized with a monetary fine (I kid you not!). So all that socializing on the way to the store had the potential to cost me money. Since I was only making 23.3 pesos an hour, I started leaving home earlier in high season, knowing that my path to work would be littered with friends wanting to chat me up along the way.

Then the gossip started. "I saw you on the street talking to a guy the other day. Is that your boyfriend?" PLEASE! The rumours continued and it really started to irk me. There is nothing more disconcerting than someone you barely know regurgitating your schedule to you, three days later. I can barely remember what I had for breakfast and you want me to remember who I said "hi" to last week? Ain't gonna happen.

The above rant (rantlet?) is background for the following story. Last night I was out with my Ladies Group ("girls" only dinner, once a week, different restaurant, lots of giggles). There were 14 of us at Coco Tropical, seated at a long table. I was at one end with my friends, Irene and Marion, who had just arrived from Ontario. We got to talking about my trip back to Canada with my friend Myles.

"So I hear Myles has a girlfriend", said Irene.

"What? That's news to me!" I said.

Marion chimed up and said, "Yes, he definitely has a girlfriend."

"Where did you hear this?" I asked.

Irene said, "We met Jack at CCs on the weekend and he told us."

"I don't think Jack has his facts straight Irene. I would know if Myles had a girlfriend ..." I said.

"Jack told us all about her. She used to be a doctor's wife." Marion added.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, the penny dropped. I had seen Myles with a beautiful blond on Sunday night. I turned and yelled down the table, "Beverly, are you Myles' new girlfriend?"

Beverly, shocked at the question, said "No! Of course not! We're just friends!!!"

The rumour mill in southside Vallarta works at an alarmingly fast clip. If I could only figure out a way to harness that power, I might be able to take over the country (or at least get them to stop playing that stupid Alice song at Andales!). LOL BTW Jack, if you're reading this, expect an email from Irene sometime after her return to Canada. If you're going to spread gossip, be prepared for the backlash! Haha!!!