Now that I’m home, I’m back to doing what I do best: relationship cultivation/management. Haha, I know, it’s an odd term, but seriously, I think it’s one of my best strengths. As I’ve been going through this “life crisis” for the past year, trying to figure out what the hell I should do with my life, I often joke to John that I wish I could just be a professional friend. I just love connecting with my peeps. And I think I’m pretty good about staying up on all their business: like I know when they travel, what appointments they have, what life milestones are coming up, what important work events are on the horizon… really, I have a whole separate Google calendar just to keep up with what’s happening in their lives. I’m a tracking maniac, but in a helpful way, I hope. 😉

Anyhow, I made a new friend this past year at work. He’s kinda someone I would never really expect to be friends with (due to age, politics, background), except that he’s a cowboy. And I’m not throwing that word around to describe my own Mickey Mouse wannabe cowgirl antics. No, this dude comes from generations of ranchers in California, and he has enough champion rodeo belt buckles to bedazzle my house. Naturally, as my cowgirl obsession has intensified over the last few years, I somehow managed to weasel my way into his circle of acquaintances. It’s been a lot of work, I tell ya. In fact, I think it’s been probably 6 months now, with me trying to get him to 1) teach me lassoing, 2) give me some rodeo bling, and 3) take me out for a ride at the family ranch.

So as I was saying, it’s my first week back in town, and I decided to do some relationship cultivation, aka chipping away at this dude. I dropped him an email– to what I thought was a new personal email address– but I got this reply instead. Completely unexpected, but I have to say, a pleasant surprise. Maybe I just really like when people say I’m fun. Haha. It’s nice when random incidents in life just make me smile.

My email:

Hey cowboy,

Haha, you thought I was finally outta your hair, right? Wrong!! I just gave you a 2-week respite while I frolicked around North Carolina and Italy. Yup, this life of leisure is damn hard work!John and I had a great time in Italy except for the part where I got sick on the journey home. Cold/flu or something. I hope to be back in action 100% tomorrow. I didn’t think this was possible, but I overdosed on pasta. For realz.So now that I’m back from all my adventures, I’m ready for an adventure on the ranch. Hook me up, bro. 😉 Haha. I told you I’m persistent. Btw, how’s your consulting company shaping up? I might need to pick your brain on starting up a consulting biz. Show me the ropes!!

So hey, some of us from work are going to the Grand National Rodeo on Friday at the Cow Palace. Are you competing this year? If so, hopefully you’re competing Friday, and we’ll be able to cheer you on.

What else is cookin’? Fill me in on some dirt, would ya? Now that I’m unemployed, I got super slim pickins re: gossip. Help a gal out!
V

The reply:

Well, partner, I reckon my rodeo days are all washed up. LOL, actually I never had any rodeo daze…

Sorry, I suspect you sent this e-mail to me by accident? Do we know each other, and I’m being dense? (definitely a possibility)

Curiously, I was in Italy last week myself. We probably passed each other in the Cinque Terre or Umbria/Tuscany. In any event, you sound like a fun person and an entertaining soul. So, if we don’t know each other, entirely my own loss, I’m sure. If we’ve met in the Bay Area scene somewhere, though, please do remind me.

Ciao.