TPA through different eyes

People are amazed, and I must admit, I stun myself as well.

Deep down inside, I'm quiet, shy, and introverted.

No one believes me when I share that factoid.

It's true!

But among the millions of characteristics & gifts Mom instilled in me, one was follow your heart & dreams no matter what...

My dear friend of 14 years was notorious for asking me, "If you are so afraid of doing stuff alone and so shy, why are you always going to events?"

Good question. Valid question. My drive to enjoy life and those things that do bring joy supercede my fears, at times.

This past weekend I embarked on an adventure unlike one I've had in a while. Oh, yes, my family has been hitting FLA every year since I can remember. I have been frequenting different areas of FLA for the last 14 years with a very dear friend.

Once my friend moved to FLA 6 years ago, I'd pop down to see my Indians and usually wind up visiting him for a few days....last year bonus year hitting the Indians' games AND the Browns away opener in Tampa!

Well, this year I was not about to miss my Indians in Tampa.....and airfare reduced to a manageable exhorbitant price so I chose to bite the bullet. But, there is something different between my dear friend of 14 years and myself.

We are just friends, best of friends for so long, but for the 1st time I truly understand how the phrase "irreconcilable differences" originated & how people can divorce ....or worse, I have a vague, foggy idea of why someone strays and has an affair.

Honestly, we went from being inseparable to our theme song being Taylor Swift's "The Story of Us!" Trust me, listen to the words and that IS us!

Our friendship has taken an about face. We are currently on opposite ends of the spectrum. That in itself is not bad. People change, grow, move on, take different paths, mature, or whatever.

What's a bit quizzical is the process, how this whole new relationship evolved, and what underlying circumstances may have spurred it on over the last number of years. How long has the friendship been deteriorating? I did not really think it was....at the accelerated speed. I did see 2 people changing a bit, especially after losing my Mom when my priorities changed and I valued life even moreso, and friendships more than 'things' whereas others in my life focus on tangible items more than human relationships.

I don't see one horrendous action causing the schism.

My friend has been through a challenging year medically speaking.....dealing with more than any one person should have to endure. However, through it all there have been rays of light including well spent time with relatives he normally does not see. You have to look at the good in every situation, even if it's difficult to gleen a meaning.

So I'm heading to TPA Memorial Day weekend and basically am on my own this trip....may not even see my friend of 14 years.

I was not sure what to expect or how this weekend would shake out, though it's a yearly trip I take. It's taking quite a different spin.

Looking back, I had the best time on my new adventure. I picked a fabulous hotel which treated me like a queen....in the part of town I was quite familiar with and so very close to my friend, should he want to visit with me.

I had to take 2 roads to the ballpark, that's it!

I could not have asked for better weather....everything really was simply perfect!

I did wind up seeing my pal .....the 1st time quite comical. He's still nursing a broken foot. I arrived after a fantastic flight full of Indians fans, a bachelor party, and the Indians' pitching coach as well as beat writer Paul Hoynes.

My hotel was minutes from the airport. It seemed everything was just rolling along swimmingly well.....I ran into my pal's grocery store to grab suntan lotion....ran straight by him as he was sitting in the handicapped cart. When I turned around he was just sitting their laughing at me, the crazy tourist groping her sun tan lotion hoping to spend as much time in the FLA rays as possible!

We caught up and had a really nice conversation....that's why I'm not really sure what is happening?

I hit the games, quality sun time in the pool, and just relaxed as much as I could.

Saturday I spent more time with my buddy....we visited and watched a movie....Again, quite a pleasant time together.

My dream weekend was rolling along......everything without a hitch......made sure I picked a hotel that had computers so I could keep on top of my Tweeting and Facebooking.....as well as check in for my flight from the hotel.....wonderful pool.....free breakfast......welcoming rooms.....found the perfect radio station in town to jam to all weekend long.... 24 hour room service. Honestly, I could not have asked for a better weekend! And of course, my Tribe every single day! I've been to Tropicana Field so often, I know it as well as Progressive Field.....and after Saturday's game, the Avril Lavigne concert --yes, the one where she swore because her mics were not working. Well, when she swore, they WERE working! But all in all, a great concert!

Honestly, things that normally do NOT happen to me happened this entire trip....for instance, no one ever calls me on my cell phone.....well, I spoke to my Chicago friend....plus a new friend I've been chatting and texting with of late back home.....he wanted me to email him a picture of his girl Avril, and I obliged! Extraordinary!

The weekend was fantastic, reinforcing that I CAN travel alone and have a blast!

My final day I was supposed to dine with my buddy.....after the game, I checked in with him and he said a friend had popped over to his house.....well, I must admit I was a bit peeved....I'm pretty good at rolling with the punches but when I will not see my buddy for the rest of 2011 and he sees his best FLA friend 365 days a year.....I was just confused.

Dinner was delayed ....and then we hardly spoke. The first awkward time all weekend.

And honestly, I'm really not sure if I will ever talk with him again.....but I think I am ok with that for the first time in our 14 year friendship.

After I departed dinner, I relaxed back at my fantabulous hotel and got to visit with yet one more friend who currently lives in Tampa but is from Ohio....a former co-worker of mine. What an absolute treat! We chatted for at least 3 hours all night long.....it was sooooo wonderful catching up with someone I'd not spoken with in many years.

My final day out of this world. From my hotel to the airport to check in my rental car to check my luggage and get to the gate only took 22 minutes. Absolutely no lie. CLE definitely not that efficient!

Even though I saw TPA through different eyes, I enjoyed what I saw and really like the strong, new person I've become & have evolved into over recent years & experiences. Oh sure, I wish I knew what was happening with someone I used to consider my best friend. But, I will put this situation into God's hands realizing that everything happens for a reason. What is meant to be will be.