Yesterday I went downtown with Ert to check out the bridesmaid dress scene. I think we may have found a good candidate — strapless shantung tea-length dress with a cute little bow at the waist. Something I can totally see either bridesmaid wearing at a cocktail party. I don’t want them to have to buy a one-use dress; that’s my job.

But I don’t care. I am still all gushy over my gown. I think that is a very good sign. No second-guessing; I really found it. Today I looked back over all the other photos we took on other gown shopping trips, and realized how those dresses that I thought I liked still had elements that I didn’t really love. Like cheesy, cheap-looking beading. Ugly awkward necklines. A real lack of originality in their designs. Too much train, too heavy. Not enough layers of fabric to fill out the skirt to a true a-line. Et cetera.

Tamara and I inspected the gown I picked and were impressed by how well it was made, the little details in the hem, the way it was cut, and the way it fit. I feel like I got really lucky with this dress. The boutique I bought it from is the only retailer in the bay area who carries this designer. In fact the dress is Canadian, which might be another reason it will take over four months to be ordered, made, and shipped.

Anyway.

This afternoon, Brian and I went swimming. We used our goggles for the first time, and after a few laps I had trained myself to put my face into the water and do my stroke with a straight back. It did wonders for my form and my speed. I think next time we may be able to move out of the slow lane.

Taku the houseguest went to Phoenix last night. He will spend the next couple months traveling our fair land, and may come back to visit again on his way back to Japan. With his expensive tastes and love for shopping, I hope he starts shipping some of his purchases back to Yokohama soon…

And in baseball news, I am reversing an earlier opinion and rooting for the Red Sox. Can they do it this year? I reckon so.