Suburban Sincerity

I'm kicking myself over the head because I waited too long to ask BJ to watch "The Phantom of the Opera" with me. It's too late because the only place that still has it is Burbank and that's still a good 30 minutes away. Damn. My pacing plan backfired. How do you invite a guy to watch "The Phantom of the Opera" anyway? Not only is it a love story, it's a musical! People sing! In costumes! With capes! I don't know how BJ will be able to stand it. Oh well, I'll have to wait for the DVD.

And there's always "Sideways," if I can convince him.

What I don't like about being here is the fact that I have to depend on people to take me anywhere. It's a really pretty place but there's nowhere to go. On foot, anyway. I would welcome public transport but the nearest bus stop is still a car ride away. What to do, what to do.

Nothing.

BJ's family is great, though. They treat me like one of their own, to the point that I'm starting to think of BJ as a brother now. Gross. But also strangely interesting. We'll see how this goes.

Anyway.

Yesterday, I learned all about the complications that come with choosing perfume. BJ bought a new bottle and while the man was ringing it up, he turned to me and asked,

"Anything for you?"
"Uh," I stammered, turning red. "No, thanks. I don't know anything about perfume."
"Surely you like something?"
"Er... I have a bottle of Cool Waters at home?"
"So you like sweet? Spicy? What?"

I backed away.

"After I wrap this up, I want you to smell something," he said mysteriously. I felt like I was in Aladdin's "Cave of Wonders," the way the man was beckoning.

Thankfully, BJ asked about some perfume or other so I was left innocently sniffing strips of paper. Did you know that when choosing perfume, you should sniff a handful of coffee beans to clear your nose before moving on to the next scent? I was so amazed (Cheap thrills, what can I say). He was really nice - the type of guy I'd like to get into a whole conversation with. He must get lonely sitting in that big store with nobody to talk to.

"For men, put perfume on each shoulder and here (pointing to the small spot of loose skin between the clavicle). For girls, here (that area again), and behind each ear."

And the killer statement:

"And when you both get older and maybe engaged, put perfume on your belly. That's what they told me. The smell goes all the way up and out."