Great thread, finally chatting like the old-time friends we are again!
I've been away for so long I don't know where to start from...today was my second day back at work after two very short weeks in Italy. It's going all smoother than I feared, I am slow but not too much and got right back into the rhythm. Lots of gossip to catch up, that's the funniest part! I had been drowning in work before the holidays, working too long or just enough, with the inevitable tension home. I really really really needed holidays...
We went to Rome, I was really longing to see my family again, last time I went was for the funeral of my mom's partner and as a family we hadn't been there in 2 years. Ryuu had never seen my city, I couldn't believe it myself when I realized it. The weather hasn't been the best, but I prefer some fresh wind to stickiness. It was very strange to see everybody, children especially, dressed as if it was still winter, while our kids were in short sleeves, ah ah, I felt like a foreigner! I managed to sleep at my best girlfriend's place one night, it was as if we had never parted, as usual. This time no drama, no quarrels, a miracle, but something came hovering over us and changed the atmosphere: I hope you have followed the news lately, then you should know that during queen's day here in the netherlands some deranged man drove his car into the people attending the parade. Well, my partner was called a few days later by his school (he's a teacher), two of those injured people were his section team-leader and her daughter.
The mother has died, tomorrow will be the funeral, the daughter made it, with 2 broken legs and one broken arms. They were there because the husband is the drum teacher of the band of handicapped musicians playing at the parade, some of them got also hit very hard...I mean, is this a way to die? She wasn't even 50!!!!
Needless to say, my partner hasn't been the same since the news and not being the most talkative person in these situations, it was very hard for me to know how to be close to him in the best way [b)] We made our best and the children really enjoyed, didn't have a dull moment and ate like hoovers, but we came home with this heartpain never leaving. Very very strange feeling for a holiday. I am a bit blue because I miss my family and my city (we managed to go downtown and eat icecream next to the pantheon), but mostly I don't know how to digest what happened. I have this big WHY screaming into my head and I really saw the woman a couple of times. For my partner is a totally different story, I wish I could do more for him, but I am not at my best right now

I need to travel more, see my friends more often, I'm drying up. I need a shitload of money for that! [censor]
If I have to narrow it down to today, I am ok, working my way back to normal life here, enjoying my children every day more and trying to make the most of every little thing. I had the chance to start reviewing records again after long years of silence. It is a great feeling, like reconnecting to a lost part of myself. I don't get paid of course but it feels great to see my name there on internet! It's a little thing, but it gives me so much, so much. It's a start, towards writing bliss!
And I am a bit overwhelmed at the moment, I read that My Bloody Valentine will be playing in Eindhoven at the end of May, only european gig, I couldn't control myself, I bought a ticket. I think I would regret it forever if I missed the chance to see them live. I mean, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, COME ON!!!!

Anybody wants to come with me? [angel]
Beth, I am sure your story will be great, full of insight and witty too
I think I talked too much already, should be in bed, tomorrow biking to work!