The aforementioned bachelorette party (I truly was left out of any planning after my theme-suggestions, by the way) took place at our friends house in Easton-- a precious, cobblestoney town on the remote eatern shore of Maryland, I think where Wedding Crashers was filmed.

The guest list consisted of four-- four of us who were inseperable growing up, we were each others sisters. And like some sisters, over the years, we've grown apart, for different reasons. Being too busy, different lifestyles, disagreements, laziness, location. We hadnt been reunited in years.

Whit and I headed over the Bay Bridge and through the beautiful cornfields, tomato stands, cattails and Chesapeake inlets. The sun was setting, the evening was cool, the air smelled sweet and fresh.

We entered our destination, our friend's sweet, tiny home, replete with old fashioned porch with swing and languid country cat. Inside stood our oldest friends, expectant and adorable. The theme was set. She was greeted with a well-designed menu, each dish was creatively crafted around the name of the most haneous of the exes, "Applington pie", which of course provoked the desired result: the bachelorette doubled over, cringing, recounting ex-tales. The "Pav-Grigio" (with requisite label) flowed. Dinner was produced, after several rounds of the pav-io, and we sauntered into her tasteful dining room.

It was dark except for candles. We passed dishes, popped some champagne, and felt the cool evening breeze through the large, old windows. A heavy rainstorm passed through. The four us sat there for hours, in this dreamy setting, talking over old stories, stomach aching from laughing, topics oscillating from old pranks, old/current men, politics, family. It hit me, this crew is family again. They are smart, kind, sarcastic, funny. The conversation was infinate, unedited, unhinged. I had moved all over the U.S. and had finally come home, to my intelligent and lovely friends, and it felt perfect. Harmony.

Until I went back to New York on business this past week. Heh. I think my problem is that I love nearly wherever I am.

I was asked for theme ideas for a best friend's bachelorette party. I vollied forth:

- summer camp
- client dinner
- math class
- chinese restaurant

I've since been left out of the loop.

There have been a few things that have flattered this blogger more than I should admit: being solicited for a job (and then taking it) from a sugar reader, receiving a thoughtful wedding gift from a fan I'd never met, ongoing loyalty from friends scattered about, and most recently being asked to post a eulogy for a the closing of the company I worked for in New York for six years. The latter, sadly, I pushed aside for too long, the office has been closed for a month or so now. That said, I'll jot a few thoughts down.

What can be said of Fallon NY? From my humble perspective, after having hauled my entire life across the continent to promptly get my heart broken, Fallon was by far the most precious thing I could have asked for. This was the place where best friends were made and for me, and perhaps many others, a Real Life reality-check. Or two.

This office had an uncommon, brilliant energy-- a smaller offspring than the mothership in Minneapolis -- this firm had a unique bond. So many talented people who have since moved on to huge successes(go, Neil!).

Creativity. Pranks involving old cheese. Mis-fired emails. Hard Work. Crazy proofreaders. A guy named Qi who wanted to set up a bistro table in the dismal stairwell between floors. Brainstorming sessions where I'd nearly hyperventilate from laughing. A disco boat cruise. Late nights staring at Snickers wrappers or a mannequin head. Award ceremonies. Lined up at Mesa drinking Billy's deisel-powered cocktails. New people. Flirting, falling in love, breaking up. Late nights clicking on a keyboard looking down at taxi cabs and nightlife below. Late nights circled around a table with girlfriends until the early hours. Being taken by Pat Fallon to an opera after a particularly grueling pitch. September the 11th, one block from the World Trade Center.

It was an incredible place. I was one of the first employees, but also left three years ago when I understand some not small transitions occured. It saddened me to hear, largely when I think of the home it provided a girl like me.