Just to let everyone know that I'm going rather black for the next week while visiting Fay's future sisters-in-law in Toronto. But don't you worry, I'll be back in time to taunt you about the Buffy finale I'll be seeing on the 19th of May.

(by the way, I plan to lick many doorknobs while I'm there)

Announcement

Jacqueline Zahas and David Smay announce their engagement to be married.

Really. No kidding.

May, 2004.

Jacqueline and David FAQ

Q: Wow! I didn’t even know you two were dating. How long have you been together?

A: About a year and a half.

Q: So, how did he ask? Did he get down on his knees? Was it romantic?

A: Uh…Well, it was romantic but it wasn’t so much the way David asked as the way Jacqueline answered. It’s a long story, with lots of turns and twists but it wasn’t one of those inevitable/eventual/planned out kind things. It was more whiplash, roller coaster, stress and strain, tears and talks followed by a dramatic conclusion.

Q: Can we see the ring?

A: No ring yet. David, the unemployed, not quite divorced, really-doesn’t-look-that-great-on-paper groom to be can’t afford one right now. But there will be a ring! Something that looks nice next to a wedding band. No diamonds though (JZ is against diamonds). Like we said, it wasn’t a planned out thing.

Q: Oh yeah, what about the divorce?

A: It’s still in process but will be done before the end of this year.

Q: Gee, I’m getting the impression this wasn’t a planned out thing. Are you sure this is a good idea?

A: Oh yes, we’re very sure and giddy and blissed out and very very happy. Trust us, we’ve had to talk about this a lot.

Q: What about kids? Hec was pretty adamant about no more kids, and Jacqueline was pretty intent on having them.

A: We’re planning on having a child (maybe two). This was the subject of much of the talking, and resolving this was what got us to the getting married part. See, because we were already very much in love and very happy with each other. Ultimately, David had to address the scar tissue from his first marriage failing, repair that damage and learn to hope for his future again. On doing that he looked up and realized, “I want a future with Jacqueline. I want that life.”

Q: How does Emmett feel about it?

A: Haven’t told him yet. Pretty soon though. Emmett knows and likes Jacqueline. It’ll be an adjustment for him, but shouldn’t be a problem. Not expecting any trouble from EM either, if anybody was worrying about that.

Q: Are you moving in together before the wedding?

A: Jacqueline will move in with David sometime in the late summer or early fall. Her job is only a five minute walk from his apartment, so that will eliminate a huge commute for her. Long range plans will probably have us moving to the East Bay when we need more space.

Q: So are you going to invite all the Buffistas?

A: Sadly no. Jacqueline is a fourth generation child of Oakland with enough cousins and aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews to fill Pac Bell Park. A handful of Buffsitas will be coming though, so you will be represented.

Q: Are you registered anywhere?

A: No, we’re just getting started on the whole process. We’re looking at reception sites now and trying to nail down the date at the church. (It will be a Catholic service.) On the subject of wedding presents, the 34 year old Ms. Zahas, who has attended every wedding, christening and graduation for all of her many extended family for more than a decade was heard to say: “It’s payback time!” Mr. Smay is trying to figure out how to register for TiVo.

I'll be going a very dark shade of grey. I'm off to LA to check up on my dad and give my mom a big old hug. I'll be there until Sunday. I'll try to check in when I can. Be good Buffistas.

(Is it wrong that I thought about holding off on going to visit my seriously ill father for a week just so I could go to the F2F. But I didn't though. I'm still a good daughter, right?)

So my boss finally came by to tell me I'm not done this Friday as planned. They're going to extend my contract for at least another month -- not sure how long -- so they can use me on a new project.

Still will probably be out of a job by mid-summer, though, so I'm not going to let up on the job search and thoughts of relocation.

I need Buffista "make it work for the best" vibes here. The DH has been out of work for almost a year. I'm currently in the early interview stages with a Major Multinational Software Company who approached me out of the blue based on finding my online resume. I'm not sure I want the job, but I'm pursuing it anyway. One of the kickers is it would force us to relocate to a different state. I'd rather stay put and have Bob find work next month (he's still in school or I'd say ASAP). Next month is pretty damn mandatory for our fiscal stability above and beyond the bankruptcy filing we're doing this week.

I got the job! I'm starting Monday. The job (and the salary, alas) aren't perfect, but I'm very pleased to be employed again, and the people seem like they'll be a pleasure to work with.

Hi all Buffistas. A good friend of mine in Quebec and from another Buffy venue has had cancer about her spine. They thought it was all in remission or gone, but it came back and was very small, so they operated last Friday before it got worse. While she was under general anesthesia her heart stopped, but she made it through and was home already Monday.

They aren't sure if she will walk again, but they have decided they need to go in and repair the nerve damage again tomorrow or the chances will be slim to never.

Please divert any Buffista vibes from me to her, as I think I can stand being unemployed a little longer.

Frell, and I haven't heard anything about my niece Tina's surgury scheduled for today, either.

I got into grad school!

Come this fall, I'll be enrolled in the Master of Liberal Arts program at the University of St. Thomas. Whoo!

Yay, Dana!

I'm going dark for a week for a vacation to the Grand Canyon. Also, I have a job interview the day after I get back, so if you have any vibes you were going to toss anyway. . .