So now I’m officially the only person I know without one. I was patiently waiting with my cardboard phone, til this month to upgrade. And now that it’s do-able, I can’t be bothered. Seems everyone has one, even my mom, so it’s not that special anymore. She’s always been kinda cool, for a mom, but how uncool does that make me. To be out iPhoned by my own mother.

But thanks to FB, I was thrilled to hear from a girlfriend I had lost touch with.

Kara was one of my first good friends in LA. Both new to the city, we were starting out in advertising together. We drank too many martinis and talked about boys. Then she met a man and moved away a few years ago. I always regretted that we stopped talking and thought about her every time I met a new man I thought I might like.

We concocted a funny-but-darn-practical list of requirements for true relationship happiness that we imagined our next dream date would have:

Nice hands.

Smells good.

Either loves or hates cilantro along with you.

I can’t remember anything else from the list, but come on, it had to be long. It was based on what we had hated but endured in ex’s. Ridiculous maybe, but we just knew her recent breakup had been inevitable, all because of his cilantro-allegiance. She hated it, and ended up hating him too.

Years later…add just a few more things, but the list still holds up.

My office mate is due in February with her second girl. She’s been talking about names and ruling them in and out. She likes to pick a name in advance, then stick with it. Her first daughter is Maya, chosen when she was only 4 months along.

I suggested Ava last week and she liked it but wasn’t sure. Turns out I was right. Her husband loves it, it sounds great with their last name that she doesn’t want me to tell you, so you’ll just have to trust me. I named her baby.

Not that it was a competition…but I do like to win!!