But if you try sometimes ...

Well, you know the song.

Some folks may recall that I recently mentioned my lack of a "talking" friend.
Lots of people to "do stuff" with, but no one with whom I can sit down and
chat.

About a week ago, someone who used to play my old computer game contacted me.
I barely remembered her, but she had recently moved to the area and was
looking for info on martial arts schools.  Mutual acquaintances had suggested
that I might be able to help.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of luck in that direction, but I gave her
my input on the schools I'd visited, then suggested that maybe we could get
together ourselves for some training sessions.

Long story short, she came over for dinner last night, bringing a very
yummilicious salad.  The three of us (my husband was there too) spent a lot of
time just hanging out, till Eric went to bed early (he's going skiing this
morning, the bastahd!).  Then she and I talked forever.  We kept agreeing that
she should go home, but then we'd get on some new subject and talk some more
...

Anyway, we're planning to hang out more.  I'm pretty psyched.

Oh, yeah, and the cat content.  This was odd.  Oscar typically disappears when
visitors are around.  She'll warm up to house guests after a few days, but not
dinner guests.  So I was quite surprised to find her lolling about, showing
her belly just outside of the kitchen while we were eating.  She even stayed
on the far end of the couch when we moved to the living room.  My friend was
able to approach her and even get her fingers sniffed, though Oscar did not
accept petting -- she arched her back like a halloween decoration, though she
didn't make a sound.  But just the fact that Oscar was willing to be near a
guest ... I think this is a sign.  The only other person to whom Oscar
instantly warmed up is an extremely good friend and good person.  I think she
knows something!