My vagina is like a retarded drooling baby...
Monday, October 18, 2004
Renaissance Festival 2004
As many correctly guessed, I was completely...well...um...WASTED while writing my last post. =) And wasted I remained until 4:00am ish when I dropped off to sleep in Chris's floor. But that's the end of the story! Let's start at the beginning, shall we?
Nora, Michelle, & I drove up to Columbus on Friday, Oct. 8th followed by Kevin, his "wife", Debbie, Crystal, & Trish. We met up with Ken, Leslie, Shawn, & Chris at the Bald Man & Psychopath's new apartment. Chris made a few drinks for everyone, told the story of "The Magic Juice, the Towers, & the Dark Citadel" or, as I like to call it, "The Tale of Three Drunken Fools". We then retired to beds, chairs, couch, & carpet for a mediocre night's sleep.
Saturday we drove to Harveysburg, OH to the one and only fabulous Ohio Renaissance Festival!!!! Huzzah!!!! We arrived around 11:00 am and immediately made our way to the first beer garden for the first beer of the day! We then made our way to see the fearless Daniel, Duke of Danger who was an acrobat of sorts, performing death defying feats while also delivering a comedic monologue with impeccable timing. =) Although Daniel, Duke of Danger was quite funny, he seemed also quite fearful, commenting several times that he hoped he didn't die or squish anyone if he fell. Luckily, he didn't. (It seems that I took the most pictures of his act as it was the only one during which I was sober.)
The Duke of Danger awed us by balancing himself on a ladder, while spinning rings on his arms with a plate spinning on a stick held in his teeth. He further wowed us by balancing on a teetering board placed atop crisscrossed metal pipes. For this feat of daring he called upon the assistance of our own Mr. Berry. Daniel was a 40 something balding man & said that he chose Shawn because he "saw his future shining" at him every time he looked at Shawn's head! Ouch! Instead of shoving the Duke off stage onto the heads of our fellow patrons, as may have been his first impulse, Shawn rose to the occassion. He kept the entertainer from killing having a sudden collision with the ground, and possibly smashing his skull in, and thereby kept the children in attendance from being irrevocably scarred. I was quite proud, really.
After that we made our way to the privies to relieve ourselves & then to Queen's Pub for more of the Queen's finest ale! We attended the Mudde Show and saw Dante's Inferno...again...at my urging. I promise those of you who will attend next year, we will see the Viking Show or nothing else at the Theatre in the Ground! No more Dante's Inferno! Well...maybe the year after. I want to be Beatrice once, after all, so I can surprise the hell out of them and jump in the mud pitt!!
Once the Mudde Show had ended, we were getting tipsy. Well...some of us were. Ken was just getting wet. I accidentally knocked his beer all over him and Leslie during the Mudde Show and someone else knocked another out of his hands later. I think he wore about the same amount of beer as he drank during our time at Ren Fest. I'm sorry Ken, you poor loveable bastard, you!
So some of us slightly intoxicated, we decided that it was a good idea to start throwing sharp metal things at targets! The sober people didn't try to stop us. The boys tried their hand at flinging dulled throwing stars at wooden targets and then us girls gave it a whirl. As I recall the women seemed to do much better than the men, Crystal putting everyone to shame by actually hitting a target dead on! We then wandered along, browsing the merchant's wares. The girls stopped to try on leather bodices that squished their boobies together in a flattering manner and posed for a photo, as has become tradition. We then headed down the path to grab some steak on a stake, turkey legs, & other not-so-medieval foods like, ice cream.
After eating we watched Stewartsky the Juggler juggle his rubber chicken, a basketball (at my request), a sickel, an axe, & Leslie's favorite, FIRE!!!!!!!! We didn't heckle him so much this year as their were 8 year old kids in the audience doing it for us...and we were actually getting pretty annoyed at them. So was Stewarsky. He told one kid to shut up or leave! Damn skippy!
Once the Juggler had juggled with all of his might, I requested that we stop and listen to the Minstrels of Mayhem, has I had always wanted to watch the musicians perform & participate in the Pub Sing. Nora & I got a fairly decent seat while all of the rest remained in the back. Most of our group really couldn't hear all that well, so they lost interest & wandered off to do their own thing for an hour before meeting up again at the front gate. Nora & I chose to stay and listen to the Minstrels and other players in the makeshift outdoor inn common room. We drank, we sang, we swung our cups from side to side, & learned several fun little traditional Pub Sing songs as well as a few that had been originally composed by the entertainers.
"Oh dear! What can the matter be?
Seven old ladies stuck in the lavatory!?!?
nobody knew they were there!!"
*************************************************
"Mary Mac's father's making Mary Mac marry me
My father's making me marry Mary Mac
I gotta marry Mary if I want her to take care of me
We'll all be making merry when I marry Mary Mac!"
*************************************************
" Oh never, Oh never, Oh never again!!
If I live to be a hundred or a hundred and ten!!
I fell to the ground and I couldn't get up
After drinking a quart of the Johnny Jump Up"
**************************************************
Once the Sing was over, I wandered up and began looking through the CDs the performers had available, and was approached by the most beautiful man. He had shoulder length brown hair, a nicely trimmed beard and mustache, warm brown eyes, an inviting smile, & very touchable-looking skin. Not to mention he had a fine guitar. He introduced himself as Rodger. My intoxicated mind could not retain that information. All I could note was that he was very attractive & looked a lot like the European renderings of Jesus. And so I mentally referred to him as Jesus. And at that moment I wanted to fuck the hell out of Jesus. Not our Lord and Saviour, the Rose of Sharon, the Rock of Ages Jesus, mind you, but Renaissance Festival, hottie, farm hand, college student, 19 year-old Jesus. (With this information, hopefully my last post will make more sense...and those of you who are religious can stop praying so hard for me.)
As I said, we talked for a while. He let me play his guitar. Or attempt to at least. I was so far intoxicated that I could only recall how to make a C chord. And my mind was further boggled by the fact that he had a 12-string guitar. I repeatedly announced to the amusement of all that I was WASTED!! He gave me a little leaf pin, admired my "I fuck on the first date." t-shirt, & when asked if his girlfriend would get jealous of his flirtatious behavior, stated, "Well, she's at the front gate and doesn't need to know." I looked at my watch and realized that it was 10 minutes past the appointed meeting time, said farewell with a kiss, & bolted, with Nora in tow, across the village green, across the little bridge over the little creek, past shops & shopkeepers, to the front gate. =) We were agonizingly out of breath when we met up with the crew. I talked about Jesus the whole car ride back to Shawn and Chris' & for a good portion of the evening.
Upon returning to the apartment we stuffed our faces with sandwhiches and resumed, and for those sober folks, began consuming alcohol. We played poker & Indian poker, Chris drew a "tatoo" of an evil TOOL-ish looking eyeball with a gaping mouth connected to it on the back of my neck. Shawn drew all sorts of wacky shit all over Crystal's legs, including an image of a smiling man...Jesus perhaps?...holding a fish taco & another image of a man with a large, deformed, dangling penis hanging between his legs. Lovely artistry, Shawn. Lovely.
I passed out at about 4:00 am in Chris' bedroom floor & awoke again at 5:00 am to exercise my two way esophageal valve and empty the contents of my stomach into his toilet. The next morning I felt fine except for a slight headache (which Excedrin cured nicely) but I was somewhat baffled at why I had thrown up. And then I thought about it. I had started drinking at 11:30 am on Saturday morning, drank at the rate of one beer per hour until 6:00 pm, took an hour off for the car ride home, and then commenced my rate of alcohol consumption until about 2:30 am. Yeah. 14 hours or so of drinking will probably make just about anyone sick, I would imagine. =)
We all went to Big Boy for breakfast on Sunday, I ended up leading a crew of people over to visit Barb so that I could see her, as I've been promising to do for months, before I actually moved to Maryland and could no longer easily keep my promise. =) Then Nora, Michelle, & I said our goodbyes and headed back to WV.
My goodbyes with Shawn & Chris were quite difficult this time as I knew it could possibly be a long while before I see either of them again, given their hatred of sunlight, people, travel, & mainly their hatred of me and all that I stand for. =) Seriously, it was difficult. I got a little knot in my chest when I hugged Chris and I wanted to cry when I hugged Shawn that last time. Ken & Leslie snuck off on me...and I'm sort of glad. That would've been hard too even though I'm used to them being far away.
The whole weekend long I had a wonderful time enjoying the fantastic, quirky personalities of all of my much loved friends. Because I knew that I would not be seeing you for, perhaps, a long while, I was more aware than normally of how much I love and appreciate each of you. And I realized how keenly I was going to miss you!!! I grew a bit meloncholy at moments on Saturday & Sunday, thinking that perhaps I didn't want to move afterall. It made my heart ache a little with awareness of the blessings I have been given...the blessing that each friend is to me. I love you guys! Thank you.
A song Nora & I heard at the Pub Sing seemed to fit my thoughts and feelings and the purpose of the weekend for me. And so I quote it for you now, a dedication to my wonderful friend family! I love you!
Kind friends and companions, come join me in rhyme
Come lift up your voices in chorus with mine
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain
For we may and might never all meet here again
Here's a health to the company and one to my lass
Let us drink and be merry all out of one glass
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain
For we may and might never all meet here again
Our ship lies at harbor, she's ready to dock
I hope she's safe landed without any shock
If ever we should meet again by land or by sea
I will always remember your kindness to me
So here's a health to the company and one to my lass
Let us drink and be merry all out of one glass
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain
For we may and might never all meet here again
As many correctly guessed, I was completely...well...um...WASTED while writing my last post. =) And wasted I remained until 4:00am ish when I dropped off to sleep in Chris's floor. But that's the end of the story! Let's start at the beginning, shall we?
Nora, Michelle, & I drove up to Columbus on Friday, Oct. 8th followed by Kevin, his "wife", Debbie, Crystal, & Trish. We met up with Ken, Leslie, Shawn, & Chris at the Bald Man & Psychopath's new apartment. Chris made a few drinks for everyone, told the story of "The Magic Juice, the Towers, & the Dark Citadel" or, as I like to call it, "The Tale of Three Drunken Fools". We then retired to beds, chairs, couch, & carpet for a mediocre night's sleep.
Saturday we drove to Harveysburg, OH to the one and only fabulous Ohio Renaissance Festival!!!! Huzzah!!!! We arrived around 11:00 am and immediately made our way to the first beer garden for the first beer of the day! We then made our way to see the fearless Daniel, Duke of Danger who was an acrobat of sorts, performing death defying feats while also delivering a comedic monologue with impeccable timing. =) Although Daniel, Duke of Danger was quite funny, he seemed also quite fearful, commenting several times that he hoped he didn't die or squish anyone if he fell. Luckily, he didn't. (It seems that I took the most pictures of his act as it was the only one during which I was sober.)
The Duke of Danger awed us by balancing himself on a ladder, while spinning rings on his arms with a plate spinning on a stick held in his teeth. He further wowed us by balancing on a teetering board placed atop crisscrossed metal pipes. For this feat of daring he called upon the assistance of our own Mr. Berry. Daniel was a 40 something balding man & said that he chose Shawn because he "saw his future shining" at him every time he looked at Shawn's head! Ouch! Instead of shoving the Duke off stage onto the heads of our fellow patrons, as may have been his first impulse, Shawn rose to the occassion. He kept the entertainer from killing having a sudden collision with the ground, and possibly smashing his skull in, and thereby kept the children in attendance from being irrevocably scarred. I was quite proud, really.
After that we made our way to the privies to relieve ourselves & then to Queen's Pub for more of the Queen's finest ale! We attended the Mudde Show and saw Dante's Inferno...again...at my urging. I promise those of you who will attend next year, we will see the Viking Show or nothing else at the Theatre in the Ground! No more Dante's Inferno! Well...maybe the year after. I want to be Beatrice once, after all, so I can surprise the hell out of them and jump in the mud pitt!!
Once the Mudde Show had ended, we were getting tipsy. Well...some of us were. Ken was just getting wet. I accidentally knocked his beer all over him and Leslie during the Mudde Show and someone else knocked another out of his hands later. I think he wore about the same amount of beer as he drank during our time at Ren Fest. I'm sorry Ken, you poor loveable bastard, you!
So some of us slightly intoxicated, we decided that it was a good idea to start throwing sharp metal things at targets! The sober people didn't try to stop us. The boys tried their hand at flinging dulled throwing stars at wooden targets and then us girls gave it a whirl. As I recall the women seemed to do much better than the men, Crystal putting everyone to shame by actually hitting a target dead on! We then wandered along, browsing the merchant's wares. The girls stopped to try on leather bodices that squished their boobies together in a flattering manner and posed for a photo, as has become tradition. We then headed down the path to grab some steak on a stake, turkey legs, & other not-so-medieval foods like, ice cream.
After eating we watched Stewartsky the Juggler juggle his rubber chicken, a basketball (at my request), a sickel, an axe, & Leslie's favorite, FIRE!!!!!!!! We didn't heckle him so much this year as their were 8 year old kids in the audience doing it for us...and we were actually getting pretty annoyed at them. So was Stewarsky. He told one kid to shut up or leave! Damn skippy!
Once the Juggler had juggled with all of his might, I requested that we stop and listen to the Minstrels of Mayhem, has I had always wanted to watch the musicians perform & participate in the Pub Sing. Nora & I got a fairly decent seat while all of the rest remained in the back. Most of our group really couldn't hear all that well, so they lost interest & wandered off to do their own thing for an hour before meeting up again at the front gate. Nora & I chose to stay and listen to the Minstrels and other players in the makeshift outdoor inn common room. We drank, we sang, we swung our cups from side to side, & learned several fun little traditional Pub Sing songs as well as a few that had been originally composed by the entertainers.
"Oh dear! What can the matter be?
Seven old ladies stuck in the lavatory!?!?
nobody knew they were there!!"
*************************************************
"Mary Mac's father's making Mary Mac marry me
My father's making me marry Mary Mac
I gotta marry Mary if I want her to take care of me
We'll all be making merry when I marry Mary Mac!"
*************************************************
" Oh never, Oh never, Oh never again!!
If I live to be a hundred or a hundred and ten!!
I fell to the ground and I couldn't get up
After drinking a quart of the Johnny Jump Up"
**************************************************
Once the Sing was over, I wandered up and began looking through the CDs the performers had available, and was approached by the most beautiful man. He had shoulder length brown hair, a nicely trimmed beard and mustache, warm brown eyes, an inviting smile, & very touchable-looking skin. Not to mention he had a fine guitar. He introduced himself as Rodger. My intoxicated mind could not retain that information. All I could note was that he was very attractive & looked a lot like the European renderings of Jesus. And so I mentally referred to him as Jesus. And at that moment I wanted to fuck the hell out of Jesus. Not our Lord and Saviour, the Rose of Sharon, the Rock of Ages Jesus, mind you, but Renaissance Festival, hottie, farm hand, college student, 19 year-old Jesus. (With this information, hopefully my last post will make more sense...and those of you who are religious can stop praying so hard for me.)
As I said, we talked for a while. He let me play his guitar. Or attempt to at least. I was so far intoxicated that I could only recall how to make a C chord. And my mind was further boggled by the fact that he had a 12-string guitar. I repeatedly announced to the amusement of all that I was WASTED!! He gave me a little leaf pin, admired my "I fuck on the first date." t-shirt, & when asked if his girlfriend would get jealous of his flirtatious behavior, stated, "Well, she's at the front gate and doesn't need to know." I looked at my watch and realized that it was 10 minutes past the appointed meeting time, said farewell with a kiss, & bolted, with Nora in tow, across the village green, across the little bridge over the little creek, past shops & shopkeepers, to the front gate. =) We were agonizingly out of breath when we met up with the crew. I talked about Jesus the whole car ride back to Shawn and Chris' & for a good portion of the evening.
Upon returning to the apartment we stuffed our faces with sandwhiches and resumed, and for those sober folks, began consuming alcohol. We played poker & Indian poker, Chris drew a "tatoo" of an evil TOOL-ish looking eyeball with a gaping mouth connected to it on the back of my neck. Shawn drew all sorts of wacky shit all over Crystal's legs, including an image of a smiling man...Jesus perhaps?...holding a fish taco & another image of a man with a large, deformed, dangling penis hanging between his legs. Lovely artistry, Shawn. Lovely.
I passed out at about 4:00 am in Chris' bedroom floor & awoke again at 5:00 am to exercise my two way esophageal valve and empty the contents of my stomach into his toilet. The next morning I felt fine except for a slight headache (which Excedrin cured nicely) but I was somewhat baffled at why I had thrown up. And then I thought about it. I had started drinking at 11:30 am on Saturday morning, drank at the rate of one beer per hour until 6:00 pm, took an hour off for the car ride home, and then commenced my rate of alcohol consumption until about 2:30 am. Yeah. 14 hours or so of drinking will probably make just about anyone sick, I would imagine. =)
We all went to Big Boy for breakfast on Sunday, I ended up leading a crew of people over to visit Barb so that I could see her, as I've been promising to do for months, before I actually moved to Maryland and could no longer easily keep my promise. =) Then Nora, Michelle, & I said our goodbyes and headed back to WV.
My goodbyes with Shawn & Chris were quite difficult this time as I knew it could possibly be a long while before I see either of them again, given their hatred of sunlight, people, travel, & mainly their hatred of me and all that I stand for. =) Seriously, it was difficult. I got a little knot in my chest when I hugged Chris and I wanted to cry when I hugged Shawn that last time. Ken & Leslie snuck off on me...and I'm sort of glad. That would've been hard too even though I'm used to them being far away.
The whole weekend long I had a wonderful time enjoying the fantastic, quirky personalities of all of my much loved friends. Because I knew that I would not be seeing you for, perhaps, a long while, I was more aware than normally of how much I love and appreciate each of you. And I realized how keenly I was going to miss you!!! I grew a bit meloncholy at moments on Saturday & Sunday, thinking that perhaps I didn't want to move afterall. It made my heart ache a little with awareness of the blessings I have been given...the blessing that each friend is to me. I love you guys! Thank you.
A song Nora & I heard at the Pub Sing seemed to fit my thoughts and feelings and the purpose of the weekend for me. And so I quote it for you now, a dedication to my wonderful friend family! I love you!
Kind friends and companions, come join me in rhyme
Come lift up your voices in chorus with mine
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain
For we may and might never all meet here again
Here's a health to the company and one to my lass
Let us drink and be merry all out of one glass
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain
For we may and might never all meet here again
Our ship lies at harbor, she's ready to dock
I hope she's safe landed without any shock
If ever we should meet again by land or by sea
I will always remember your kindness to me
So here's a health to the company and one to my lass
Let us drink and be merry all out of one glass
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain
For we may and might never all meet here again
Saturday, October 09, 2004
I've just returned from the Renaissance Festival with Chris, Shawn, Ken, Leslie, Nora, Michelle, Crystal, Trish, Kevin, & Debbie. It was fucking awesome!!!!
And I'm WASTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to fuck Jesus!!!!!
Well...there was this guy there. His name is Roger. He was in the Minstrels of Mayhem. Nora & I sat and watched the musicians towards the end of the evening. It felt like we were in a real inn common room!!!! And Jesus, as I like to call him, was one of the musicians.
Anyway...he's 19...and he looks like Jesus...but he's fucking hot as hell...and I'd fuck his brains out if I could. But I'm just a washed up 26 year old cunt. =)
I learned a new song! Mary Mack's father's making Mary marry me! My father's making me marry Mary Mack! I gotta marry Mary if I want her to take care of me! We'll all be making merry when I marry Mary Mack!!!!! =)
I'm WASTED!!!!!! Hip, hip, HUZZAH!!!! Hip, hip, HUZZAH!!!!!!
And I'm WASTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to fuck Jesus!!!!!
Well...there was this guy there. His name is Roger. He was in the Minstrels of Mayhem. Nora & I sat and watched the musicians towards the end of the evening. It felt like we were in a real inn common room!!!! And Jesus, as I like to call him, was one of the musicians.
Anyway...he's 19...and he looks like Jesus...but he's fucking hot as hell...and I'd fuck his brains out if I could. But I'm just a washed up 26 year old cunt. =)
I learned a new song! Mary Mack's father's making Mary marry me! My father's making me marry Mary Mack! I gotta marry Mary if I want her to take care of me! We'll all be making merry when I marry Mary Mack!!!!! =)
I'm WASTED!!!!!! Hip, hip, HUZZAH!!!! Hip, hip, HUZZAH!!!!!!
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Little Miss Meg: Director & Tissue Fiend
I'm so going to miss my Megan when I leave!!!!!!
I hung out with Wayne, Cheryl, & Meg last night. It was so very warm, fuzzy, & wonderful. I played Care Bears with Meg, which entailed me acting like all of the "mommy Care Bears" who were picking up their little baby Care Bears from daycare. =) The fun thing about playing with Meg is that she scripts the whole thing for you...you don't have to be creative at all! She tells you exactly what she wants the Care Bear you're "controlling" to say back to her or the toy she's manipulating. It goes something like this:
Meg in the voice of little Grumpy Bear: Where's my mommy? I don't have a mommy!!!! Waaaaa! Will you take me home with you Fwiend Bear?
Director Meg: Now, Ant Twiss, I want you to say, "Of tourse Dumpy Bear! You tan be part of our famiwy now! You're in the Fwiend Bear famiwy!"
She's terribly cute and very imaginative in her play. She's also been a bit disturbing lately as she's been preoccupied with the idea of death. All of her "horsies mommy's died and they got very sad" a few days ago. She's struggling to understand the concept of death and I think this is her way of exploring it & the proper emotive & social responses. It's quite fascinating, really, but hard to deal with as an aunt. I don't want to ruin her safe little world, but I don't want to lie to her about important concepts like death. I told her when people die they go to be with God. "Way up in the sky?", she asked. "Yup.", I said, "Way up in the sky way beyong the stars." She said, "Yup." =)
She asked me a week or so ago, "What is me going to be like when me's grows up?" I told her she was going to be a beautiful, sweet, intelligent woman. I told her that she could be anything she wanted to be if she worked hard enough and wanted it badly enough. I remember somebody telling me that a long, long time ago. =) It's a nice feeling to be able to pass that along. She then told me that she was going to be a doctor who takes care of old people so she could take care of daddy when he's sick.
Yesterday she said the Pledge of Allegiance for me again. She learned it last week in pre-school and I love to hear her say it:
I pwedge awegiance to the fag
of de United States of 'Merica
and to de wepubwic for which it stands
one nation, under Dod, indibisible
with wiberty and justic for awl. Amen.
During dinner yesterday she asked me if I was comfortable in my chair. I told her I was and asked her if she was comfortable in hers. She replied, "It's a stoowl, actuawy, Ant Twiss." What three year old uses "actually" in a complete sentence? =) Probably several but I'm just biased and inclined to think that my particular favorite three year old is the best and the smartest.
Another thing that cracked me up yesterday was her obsession with tissues. Some kids have security blankets. Meg has tissues. For whatever reason she is comforted by holding a tissue or having one rubbed against her face. When she's sick, when she's tired, when she's scared, and sometimes for no reason she holds a tissue. Yesterday she showed me her "brand new tissue boxes", of which she was terribly proud. She said that she would like tissues for Christmas. Wayne told her she had to "get off of the tissues" and she said, "But I'm not on the tissues, Daddy!", and sweetly pointed to the tissue box beside of her. =)
I'm so going to miss my Megan when I leave!!!!!!
I hung out with Wayne, Cheryl, & Meg last night. It was so very warm, fuzzy, & wonderful. I played Care Bears with Meg, which entailed me acting like all of the "mommy Care Bears" who were picking up their little baby Care Bears from daycare. =) The fun thing about playing with Meg is that she scripts the whole thing for you...you don't have to be creative at all! She tells you exactly what she wants the Care Bear you're "controlling" to say back to her or the toy she's manipulating. It goes something like this:
Meg in the voice of little Grumpy Bear: Where's my mommy? I don't have a mommy!!!! Waaaaa! Will you take me home with you Fwiend Bear?
Director Meg: Now, Ant Twiss, I want you to say, "Of tourse Dumpy Bear! You tan be part of our famiwy now! You're in the Fwiend Bear famiwy!"
She's terribly cute and very imaginative in her play. She's also been a bit disturbing lately as she's been preoccupied with the idea of death. All of her "horsies mommy's died and they got very sad" a few days ago. She's struggling to understand the concept of death and I think this is her way of exploring it & the proper emotive & social responses. It's quite fascinating, really, but hard to deal with as an aunt. I don't want to ruin her safe little world, but I don't want to lie to her about important concepts like death. I told her when people die they go to be with God. "Way up in the sky?", she asked. "Yup.", I said, "Way up in the sky way beyong the stars." She said, "Yup." =)
She asked me a week or so ago, "What is me going to be like when me's grows up?" I told her she was going to be a beautiful, sweet, intelligent woman. I told her that she could be anything she wanted to be if she worked hard enough and wanted it badly enough. I remember somebody telling me that a long, long time ago. =) It's a nice feeling to be able to pass that along. She then told me that she was going to be a doctor who takes care of old people so she could take care of daddy when he's sick.
Yesterday she said the Pledge of Allegiance for me again. She learned it last week in pre-school and I love to hear her say it:
I pwedge awegiance to the fag
of de United States of 'Merica
and to de wepubwic for which it stands
one nation, under Dod, indibisible
with wiberty and justic for awl. Amen.
During dinner yesterday she asked me if I was comfortable in my chair. I told her I was and asked her if she was comfortable in hers. She replied, "It's a stoowl, actuawy, Ant Twiss." What three year old uses "actually" in a complete sentence? =) Probably several but I'm just biased and inclined to think that my particular favorite three year old is the best and the smartest.
Another thing that cracked me up yesterday was her obsession with tissues. Some kids have security blankets. Meg has tissues. For whatever reason she is comforted by holding a tissue or having one rubbed against her face. When she's sick, when she's tired, when she's scared, and sometimes for no reason she holds a tissue. Yesterday she showed me her "brand new tissue boxes", of which she was terribly proud. She said that she would like tissues for Christmas. Wayne told her she had to "get off of the tissues" and she said, "But I'm not on the tissues, Daddy!", and sweetly pointed to the tissue box beside of her. =)
Sunday, October 03, 2004
It's Saturday and now you've got the fever...
I've had a lovely weekend. My Nora, Crystal, & I went to the Sound Factory on Saturday night to see Guinness Clarke's Wine & Eight Days Gone and had a hell of a time. GCW played a hell of a show, as usual. Eight Days gave a great performance as well in spite of the short length of their set.
Before the show started, I coaxed the girls upstairs to sit, chat, and play a game of 1913. I knocked back two beers before Nora or Crystal could finish their first. I'm not certain whether to be proud or ashamed. =) At any rate, I was feeling quite warm when the music started. There was much bobbing of the head and tapping of the foot during GCW's set. When Eight Days played I made sure to clap and cheer after every song with energy so that they would feel appreciated, as the crowd had dwindled a bit. I was the only one cheering at moments. Steve commented that I was "that girl", meaning the girl who maybe gets a little overserved and becomes a little overzealous in applauding the bands. It was bound to happen eventually. =)
It was an early evening, as far as watching bands go, because Nora & I made it back to my apartment by 2:00AM. We chatted for about an hour and she said goodnight. I then popped in on my neighbors, Matt & Josh. They had a few friends over and were having a PS2 Madden competition. So I drank a few beers and joined in on the cheering for pixelated football players and general trashtalking and bullshitting. After politely declining to smoke up with them, I excused myself and retired to my wonderful bed at 5:00AM.
A Regular Day
I was awoken by the ringing of the telephone at noon this morning. It was Steve inviting me to brunch at Cracker Barrel. I accepted & rolled my lazy ass out of bed to clean up a bit. I drove over to his apartment on the West side, grooving to GCW and enjoying the very blue of the blue, blue sky.
I posted a picture of today's sky on my photo journal. I always loved September and October skies the best. November has much beauty to offer as well. I think it's just this time of year when the crisp is sneaking it's way back into the air. The blue seems more vibrant, especially against the contrast of the blazing orange, red, and yellow tress.
Anyway, we had a yummy brunch at the Crack Whore Barrel and then stopped in at the Patrick St. KMart on a whim because we passed a sign advertising a 50% off customer appreciation sale. Who could resist that? Especially when you don't have jack shit on the agenda and you're enjoying the company you're keeping.
We explored every corner of KMart today, ending up in hysterics in the Martha Stewart pillow aisle due to random observations gone absurd. Steve picked up some dry cat food for his kitty, Tweak, and I started wondering out loud when it was that we decided that cats had to eat only these bits of hard, pressed together stuff or cans of foul smelling meat. I went on to ponder why we can't just feed cats what they eat in the wild? Steve giggled at the notion of wild cats and I argued that wild cats do indeed exist. I was trying to express the idea that although cats are domesticated animals, many people just leave unwanted kittens in the woods and they learn to fend for themselves and become wild cats. Instead of articulating my argument as well as this I said something along the lines of, "Yes, cats are domesticated animals, however people just drop unwanted kittens off out in the woods and they...you know...go crazy."
As soon as I finished speaking, we looked at each other and just started dying laughing. Steve said, "I just have this mental image of a cat just freaking out all alone in the woods, attacking everything." I tried to say that my thought didn't come out right, but I was laughing so hard I couldn't even get that out, and the effort just made me laugh harder. I couldn't breath, Steve was crying, I was drooling, and neither one of us could do anything other than laugh and make squeaking noises. This went on for about three or four minutes and we scared a few people away from the pillow aisle. Good times.
After KMart we returned to Steve's to watch Super Size Me, an awesome documentary about a guy from Beckley, WV who went on a McDonald's diet for 30 days to see what would happen. It's a great film, very educational and entertaining and I suggest that everyone check it out...and stop eating fast food! The dude gained 30 lbs. in one month from three square meals of McDonald's food a day and his liver nearly gave out on him. It's very scary what the majority of Americans are doing to our bodies on a daily basis with fast food! All those jokes that I made about Wendy's, Pizza Hut, & Taco Bell clinging to my hips...and to think it's really true! =)
After the movie we had a nice talk about life, love, what we've learned from each other, etc. Steve told me that I was beautiful in every way ( which was a very nice thing to say) and that he regretted getting ambivalent with me and screwing things up. He talked about giving us another chance and I declined, stating that I'm not where I need to be for a relationship just yet. But we had a good talk. It's nice to know that I'm so appreciated and loved and that I will be so missed. I'll miss him too. I'm very proud of the positive changes he's made in his life in this past year. He credits me with a lot of it, but he's the one who took the initiative. I simply broke up with him and told him to stop being a dumbass and get his shit together! =) He's a good boy. I hope that he finally finds that happiness he's been long searching for & finds a good girl with who he can share it.
On my drive home I was reviewing the day. It was a really nice day. When Steve and I were in KMart it sort of felt like we were a couple again. I thought about that and about all that he had said and the question "should we try again?" ran through my head for a second. It was quickly followed by my thought, "No. If we were meant to be, it would've worked out. It wouldn't have been so hard." And then Crystal's voice rang through my head, "Christina, did you ever think that love isn't supposed to be as hard as it has been for you? That when you're in love, everything will just sort of fall into place? Everything will just fit?" It's kind of funny. You know, I guess it's been so long since I've thought of it that way. It's not what I'm used to. I'm used to the struggle...forcing my puzzle piece. But she's right. It shouldn't be that hard. And so I'll wait until I find someone whose edges slide right into place and fit with mine.
cool breeze under compromise
dreams of the western skies
through dark blue eyes
the consolation prize when I'm dead
dance me tonight
we'll call it love
If I could call you beautiful, I would
~ Dance Me by Eight Days Gone
I've had a lovely weekend. My Nora, Crystal, & I went to the Sound Factory on Saturday night to see Guinness Clarke's Wine & Eight Days Gone and had a hell of a time. GCW played a hell of a show, as usual. Eight Days gave a great performance as well in spite of the short length of their set.
Before the show started, I coaxed the girls upstairs to sit, chat, and play a game of 1913. I knocked back two beers before Nora or Crystal could finish their first. I'm not certain whether to be proud or ashamed. =) At any rate, I was feeling quite warm when the music started. There was much bobbing of the head and tapping of the foot during GCW's set. When Eight Days played I made sure to clap and cheer after every song with energy so that they would feel appreciated, as the crowd had dwindled a bit. I was the only one cheering at moments. Steve commented that I was "that girl", meaning the girl who maybe gets a little overserved and becomes a little overzealous in applauding the bands. It was bound to happen eventually. =)
It was an early evening, as far as watching bands go, because Nora & I made it back to my apartment by 2:00AM. We chatted for about an hour and she said goodnight. I then popped in on my neighbors, Matt & Josh. They had a few friends over and were having a PS2 Madden competition. So I drank a few beers and joined in on the cheering for pixelated football players and general trashtalking and bullshitting. After politely declining to smoke up with them, I excused myself and retired to my wonderful bed at 5:00AM.
A Regular Day
I was awoken by the ringing of the telephone at noon this morning. It was Steve inviting me to brunch at Cracker Barrel. I accepted & rolled my lazy ass out of bed to clean up a bit. I drove over to his apartment on the West side, grooving to GCW and enjoying the very blue of the blue, blue sky.
I posted a picture of today's sky on my photo journal. I always loved September and October skies the best. November has much beauty to offer as well. I think it's just this time of year when the crisp is sneaking it's way back into the air. The blue seems more vibrant, especially against the contrast of the blazing orange, red, and yellow tress.
Anyway, we had a yummy brunch at the Crack Whore Barrel and then stopped in at the Patrick St. KMart on a whim because we passed a sign advertising a 50% off customer appreciation sale. Who could resist that? Especially when you don't have jack shit on the agenda and you're enjoying the company you're keeping.
We explored every corner of KMart today, ending up in hysterics in the Martha Stewart pillow aisle due to random observations gone absurd. Steve picked up some dry cat food for his kitty, Tweak, and I started wondering out loud when it was that we decided that cats had to eat only these bits of hard, pressed together stuff or cans of foul smelling meat. I went on to ponder why we can't just feed cats what they eat in the wild? Steve giggled at the notion of wild cats and I argued that wild cats do indeed exist. I was trying to express the idea that although cats are domesticated animals, many people just leave unwanted kittens in the woods and they learn to fend for themselves and become wild cats. Instead of articulating my argument as well as this I said something along the lines of, "Yes, cats are domesticated animals, however people just drop unwanted kittens off out in the woods and they...you know...go crazy."
As soon as I finished speaking, we looked at each other and just started dying laughing. Steve said, "I just have this mental image of a cat just freaking out all alone in the woods, attacking everything." I tried to say that my thought didn't come out right, but I was laughing so hard I couldn't even get that out, and the effort just made me laugh harder. I couldn't breath, Steve was crying, I was drooling, and neither one of us could do anything other than laugh and make squeaking noises. This went on for about three or four minutes and we scared a few people away from the pillow aisle. Good times.
After KMart we returned to Steve's to watch Super Size Me, an awesome documentary about a guy from Beckley, WV who went on a McDonald's diet for 30 days to see what would happen. It's a great film, very educational and entertaining and I suggest that everyone check it out...and stop eating fast food! The dude gained 30 lbs. in one month from three square meals of McDonald's food a day and his liver nearly gave out on him. It's very scary what the majority of Americans are doing to our bodies on a daily basis with fast food! All those jokes that I made about Wendy's, Pizza Hut, & Taco Bell clinging to my hips...and to think it's really true! =)
After the movie we had a nice talk about life, love, what we've learned from each other, etc. Steve told me that I was beautiful in every way ( which was a very nice thing to say) and that he regretted getting ambivalent with me and screwing things up. He talked about giving us another chance and I declined, stating that I'm not where I need to be for a relationship just yet. But we had a good talk. It's nice to know that I'm so appreciated and loved and that I will be so missed. I'll miss him too. I'm very proud of the positive changes he's made in his life in this past year. He credits me with a lot of it, but he's the one who took the initiative. I simply broke up with him and told him to stop being a dumbass and get his shit together! =) He's a good boy. I hope that he finally finds that happiness he's been long searching for & finds a good girl with who he can share it.
On my drive home I was reviewing the day. It was a really nice day. When Steve and I were in KMart it sort of felt like we were a couple again. I thought about that and about all that he had said and the question "should we try again?" ran through my head for a second. It was quickly followed by my thought, "No. If we were meant to be, it would've worked out. It wouldn't have been so hard." And then Crystal's voice rang through my head, "Christina, did you ever think that love isn't supposed to be as hard as it has been for you? That when you're in love, everything will just sort of fall into place? Everything will just fit?" It's kind of funny. You know, I guess it's been so long since I've thought of it that way. It's not what I'm used to. I'm used to the struggle...forcing my puzzle piece. But she's right. It shouldn't be that hard. And so I'll wait until I find someone whose edges slide right into place and fit with mine.
cool breeze under compromise
dreams of the western skies
through dark blue eyes
the consolation prize when I'm dead
dance me tonight
we'll call it love
If I could call you beautiful, I would
~ Dance Me by Eight Days Gone
Friday, October 01, 2004
Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition
On last Thursday, I accepted a position as a residential counselor at Good Shepherd Center, a residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed adolescent females, in Baltimore, Maryland. They offered me about $10,000 more per year than I’m making now, so simply put, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse. =) So it’s final and for real…I’m moving to Baltimore!
I think I should be excited right now, but the reality of it all hasn’t hit me yet. I’ve been sick this past week & I’ve been working insane days at Prestera, so I haven’t been able to really do anything to prepare for the move. Perhaps when I start packing it’ll become real for me. Perhaps after I’ve lived in Maryland for three months it’ll become real. Perhaps nothing will ever seem real again. Mmmmmwwwwhahahahaha! (This is why you shouldn’t write under the influence of illness & medication.)
I had to go to fill out some paperwork & get a drug test & physical this past Monday, so Mom, Dad, & I drove up on last Saturday morning. We had a lovely time just hanging out & being a family. On Monday I went to Good Shepherd to complete paperwork & then got my physical & drug screen done (poor Rosie waited in the car for several hours that day). During our excursion that morning, Rose & I spotted a camouflage Ford Truck with the following message scrawled on the tailgate in white paint: “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition”. Well yippee ki yay & Halle-fucking-lujah! I guess there are rednecks in Maryland too.
Slaphappy hormones & the Fruit Peddler
Anyway, after I had been poked, prodded, & pissed by the doctor & other medical staff, I grabbed Mom & Dad, & headed back to West Virginia. I was so terribly tired on the way home, so the folks were challenged with the task of keeping me awake. They did quite nicely, making me laugh at their antics a good portion of the way home & causing me to reminisce about my childhood. Dad kept asking Mom how her hormones & membranes were doing & absurd conversation abounded. Mom reported that her hormones had only flared up thrice in her life and that they were doing very well now, one working as a computer analyst, one as a counselor, and one in insurance claims. =) Mom offered Dad some Funyuns at one point and he asked her, “Some whats? How do you spell that?” Which is funny due to the fact that Dad can’t read or spell. Mom then proceeded to attempt to spell it, “F-U-I-O-N-S”, which struck me as particularly funny & I started laughing hysterically and saying “Fuions” over and over again. Yeah…so we were a little slaphappy. You try riding in a car for 6 ½ hours with nothing to look at and see what happens to you!
We also talked about my old church and some of the people with whom we used to go to church & how they were doing now. I remembered how warm, loving, and open everyone seemed in that church when I was a child. It was like one big extended family and I always felt safe there. There were so many good people. So much kindness. It was so full of love and life then, nothing like the cold, judgmental place it became.
One person in particular stuck out in my mind and I asked after him. His name is Lawrence Stoots. Lawrence Stoots is an elderly gentleman who used to run a little country produce store about five miles away from my former home in Eccles. Every week, I think it was on Fridays, Lawrence would load up his big blue van full of fresh fruits and vegetables, some of which he grew himself, and would drive the van around showing and selling his wares. From the time I was about five years old until I was ten, every week I looked forward to his visit. He’d pull up and park next to my grandmother's gate and I’d run down to give the friendly, smiling, gray-haired 60 something gentleman a hug, and then hop up into the van to look around. Granny would come out on her porch and Mom would come up from the trailer. The adults would chat a bit about kids, the weather, the church, and life while I ogled the fruits & veggies. During this time, Lawrence would give me a banana or a plum or something for free. Sometimes he had candy for me and would tell me to be careful eating it. When Mom & Gran had decided what they wanted, they would shout out their order, “a bunch of bananas, about five Washington apples, a bag of oranges, a couple of green peppers, a couple onions, about five plums, some grapes, etc.” and I would scurry around in the van, putting things in the little paper bags Lawrence would provide. Once everything was bagged, he’d let me weigh each bag and tell him the weight. He’d then figure out how much they owed him. I so enjoyed being his little helper. I so enjoyed scurrying around in the back of that wonderfully fragrant van. I appreciate Lawrence Stoots for being so kind to me and being a good memory from my childhood. He is a good man. I wonder if he knows that I loved the way he always smelled like chewing gum, aftershave, and fruit? He's in his late 80's now & not in good health. I haven't seen him for at least seven years. Maybe I should tell the Fruit Peddler what a lovely memory he is for me, before he is only that.
On last Thursday, I accepted a position as a residential counselor at Good Shepherd Center, a residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed adolescent females, in Baltimore, Maryland. They offered me about $10,000 more per year than I’m making now, so simply put, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse. =) So it’s final and for real…I’m moving to Baltimore!
I think I should be excited right now, but the reality of it all hasn’t hit me yet. I’ve been sick this past week & I’ve been working insane days at Prestera, so I haven’t been able to really do anything to prepare for the move. Perhaps when I start packing it’ll become real for me. Perhaps after I’ve lived in Maryland for three months it’ll become real. Perhaps nothing will ever seem real again. Mmmmmwwwwhahahahaha! (This is why you shouldn’t write under the influence of illness & medication.)
I had to go to fill out some paperwork & get a drug test & physical this past Monday, so Mom, Dad, & I drove up on last Saturday morning. We had a lovely time just hanging out & being a family. On Monday I went to Good Shepherd to complete paperwork & then got my physical & drug screen done (poor Rosie waited in the car for several hours that day). During our excursion that morning, Rose & I spotted a camouflage Ford Truck with the following message scrawled on the tailgate in white paint: “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition”. Well yippee ki yay & Halle-fucking-lujah! I guess there are rednecks in Maryland too.
Slaphappy hormones & the Fruit Peddler
Anyway, after I had been poked, prodded, & pissed by the doctor & other medical staff, I grabbed Mom & Dad, & headed back to West Virginia. I was so terribly tired on the way home, so the folks were challenged with the task of keeping me awake. They did quite nicely, making me laugh at their antics a good portion of the way home & causing me to reminisce about my childhood. Dad kept asking Mom how her hormones & membranes were doing & absurd conversation abounded. Mom reported that her hormones had only flared up thrice in her life and that they were doing very well now, one working as a computer analyst, one as a counselor, and one in insurance claims. =) Mom offered Dad some Funyuns at one point and he asked her, “Some whats? How do you spell that?” Which is funny due to the fact that Dad can’t read or spell. Mom then proceeded to attempt to spell it, “F-U-I-O-N-S”, which struck me as particularly funny & I started laughing hysterically and saying “Fuions” over and over again. Yeah…so we were a little slaphappy. You try riding in a car for 6 ½ hours with nothing to look at and see what happens to you!
We also talked about my old church and some of the people with whom we used to go to church & how they were doing now. I remembered how warm, loving, and open everyone seemed in that church when I was a child. It was like one big extended family and I always felt safe there. There were so many good people. So much kindness. It was so full of love and life then, nothing like the cold, judgmental place it became.
One person in particular stuck out in my mind and I asked after him. His name is Lawrence Stoots. Lawrence Stoots is an elderly gentleman who used to run a little country produce store about five miles away from my former home in Eccles. Every week, I think it was on Fridays, Lawrence would load up his big blue van full of fresh fruits and vegetables, some of which he grew himself, and would drive the van around showing and selling his wares. From the time I was about five years old until I was ten, every week I looked forward to his visit. He’d pull up and park next to my grandmother's gate and I’d run down to give the friendly, smiling, gray-haired 60 something gentleman a hug, and then hop up into the van to look around. Granny would come out on her porch and Mom would come up from the trailer. The adults would chat a bit about kids, the weather, the church, and life while I ogled the fruits & veggies. During this time, Lawrence would give me a banana or a plum or something for free. Sometimes he had candy for me and would tell me to be careful eating it. When Mom & Gran had decided what they wanted, they would shout out their order, “a bunch of bananas, about five Washington apples, a bag of oranges, a couple of green peppers, a couple onions, about five plums, some grapes, etc.” and I would scurry around in the van, putting things in the little paper bags Lawrence would provide. Once everything was bagged, he’d let me weigh each bag and tell him the weight. He’d then figure out how much they owed him. I so enjoyed being his little helper. I so enjoyed scurrying around in the back of that wonderfully fragrant van. I appreciate Lawrence Stoots for being so kind to me and being a good memory from my childhood. He is a good man. I wonder if he knows that I loved the way he always smelled like chewing gum, aftershave, and fruit? He's in his late 80's now & not in good health. I haven't seen him for at least seven years. Maybe I should tell the Fruit Peddler what a lovely memory he is for me, before he is only that.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Sunset
The sun was setting behind the hills at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, WV when I passed through the open iron gates into the cemetery.
I went to visit my grandmother & grandfather. They weren't there. But their graves were.
I never knew my grandfather, except for in stories. But my grandmother was my pal. I was her "little piss-ant". There was love in her voice every time she told me I was going to hell. =) She was quite a spitfire...a spitefire. =) Very opinionated, very formidable, vey strong. My mother tells me that I act & look just like her. It's a very lovely compliment. =)
I guided my car slowley down the narrow paths until I found the tree that serves as a landmark for me to find the final resting place of my most dearly departed. I got out of the car & glanced anxiously at the horizon. I did not want to be there after dark.
I sat down beside my grandmother and began to talk. I told her about my life now. About finishing college & splitting with Ben. About Megan & being an aunt. About Baltimore and the job. I asked her to help me figure it out. My chest began to ache and I missed her terribly. And I cried & cried & cried. I wanted to hug her. To smell baby powder, Jergens lotion, & juicy fruit again. And to feel her soft, plump, wrinkled arms around me. I laid down, above and beside her, on the cold damp mossy earth and cried & cried & cried.
After a time, my tears stopped. The sun had sunk a little farther and it was getting dark. I lay on my side, staring at her name on the bronze plaque for a few moments. I couldn't hear anything other than the sound of my breathing and the steady, rhythmic chirp of the crickets. It was so calm. So peaceful. And my soul was stilled.
Suddenly I realized that this was the calm that was waiting for me after I weathered my storm. It doesn't matter what I choose. No decision can be wrong. For in the end, our bodies and our lives are gone. Every beginning has an ending. And eventually we all end up sleeping peaceful & ever gazing up at the wonders of heaven.
In that moment, in that calm, I knew that I'd be alright. And in that moment I chose to move to Baltimore, Maryland.
The sun was setting behind the hills at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, WV when I passed through the open iron gates into the cemetery.
I went to visit my grandmother & grandfather. They weren't there. But their graves were.
I never knew my grandfather, except for in stories. But my grandmother was my pal. I was her "little piss-ant". There was love in her voice every time she told me I was going to hell. =) She was quite a spitfire...a spitefire. =) Very opinionated, very formidable, vey strong. My mother tells me that I act & look just like her. It's a very lovely compliment. =)
I guided my car slowley down the narrow paths until I found the tree that serves as a landmark for me to find the final resting place of my most dearly departed. I got out of the car & glanced anxiously at the horizon. I did not want to be there after dark.
I sat down beside my grandmother and began to talk. I told her about my life now. About finishing college & splitting with Ben. About Megan & being an aunt. About Baltimore and the job. I asked her to help me figure it out. My chest began to ache and I missed her terribly. And I cried & cried & cried. I wanted to hug her. To smell baby powder, Jergens lotion, & juicy fruit again. And to feel her soft, plump, wrinkled arms around me. I laid down, above and beside her, on the cold damp mossy earth and cried & cried & cried.
After a time, my tears stopped. The sun had sunk a little farther and it was getting dark. I lay on my side, staring at her name on the bronze plaque for a few moments. I couldn't hear anything other than the sound of my breathing and the steady, rhythmic chirp of the crickets. It was so calm. So peaceful. And my soul was stilled.
Suddenly I realized that this was the calm that was waiting for me after I weathered my storm. It doesn't matter what I choose. No decision can be wrong. For in the end, our bodies and our lives are gone. Every beginning has an ending. And eventually we all end up sleeping peaceful & ever gazing up at the wonders of heaven.
In that moment, in that calm, I knew that I'd be alright. And in that moment I chose to move to Baltimore, Maryland.
Sunday, September 19, 2004
My god, I love my parents!
I'm here in Beckley spending the weekend with them. I drove up last night and we watched Master & Commander and then chatted until 2AM about my possible/upcoming move to Baltimore. This morning we had a yummy breakfast of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, & pancakes, after which I spent about an hour working on my Mom's computer. Now that it's demons have been put to rest, for a time at least, I'm sitting here talking with them & watching them play Ever Grace on Playstation 2.
All morning long I've been laughing my ass off at the clever little exchanges between the two. My Dad is such a smart-ass and my Mom is the perfect "straight man" to his comedy routine. They're such good friends...they don't have much, but they have each other and their family. And they love what they have. =)
Anyway, I wanted to share a bit of them with the world this morning. So, if you were a fly on the wall in this ancient single-wide trailer in Eccles, WV this morning, here's a bit of what you would've heard:
When discussing love, relationships, & marriage, I told the folks that social psychologists discovered a correlation between length of courtship & chance of divorce (i.e. courtships between 6 months to 2 years tend to end up in "successful" marriages, in that they tend not to get divorced). Mom stated that she and Dad dated for just short of 2 years before marrying. Dad took a draw off of the cigarette he held between the index & middle fingers of his right hand & with a dead pan face said, "Our marriage didn’t work out, Chris." A pause, another draw from the cigarette, "Our marriage fell through in 1973…no wait…that was our bed. I knew it was something to do with marriage."
When Mom was stating something obvious about the weather and floods that we've been experiencing, Dad looked at her, his lips pressed together firmly, & shook his head slightly from side to side, & said, "You know...it’s a wonder that I haven’t hit you yet."
When discussing the possibility of me moving to Baltimore and what I would need to take, we got to the topic of beds. I considered taking one of the old iron ones we have stored in Granny's house and Dad mentioned that he would have to repair the feet, as they have old rusted rollers and, in his opinion, just need flat caps. He continued, "I hate beds with rollers on the bottom. The one we have in the bedroom has rollers. When Mommy gets out of bed sometimes she sends me rolling across the room. She's trying to get up, she puts her feet on the floor, and her hind-end is pushing down on the bed, she bounces back and forth a second, and then she finally gets up, and I go Zoom!!! across the room. And end up slamming against the wall. It's like roller derby in the bedroom."
Dad mentioned that sometimes Mom asks him what he wants for breakfast in the strangest way. He said, "A few days ago, I woke up and your Mom had been up for a couple of hours. She asked me what I wanted for breakfast and I said I didn't know. She got up and said, 'Well, I'm going to go to the bathroom. While I'm going to the bathroom, think about what you want to eat' ."
Through her laughter, Mom managed to get out, "I love you very much, Garland...even though you make me think that I'm a total dummy sometimes." Later when Mom and I were talking about Dad's smart ass sense of humor she smiled and said, "On the whole, he makes me laugh every day. Everybody needs someone who can do that. We've had so much laughter together. The first breakfast I cooked for Daddy right after we got married, we had a gas stove and didn't know that you needed to light the pilot light to get the oven to work. I wanted to bake biscuits, but the pilot was out and the oven wasn't working, so I tried to cook them on top of the stove. It was horrible! The top wasn't cooked at all and the bottom was burnt! He must've loved me, because he stayed with me. "
Now this, my friends, is love. =)
I'm here in Beckley spending the weekend with them. I drove up last night and we watched Master & Commander and then chatted until 2AM about my possible/upcoming move to Baltimore. This morning we had a yummy breakfast of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, & pancakes, after which I spent about an hour working on my Mom's computer. Now that it's demons have been put to rest, for a time at least, I'm sitting here talking with them & watching them play Ever Grace on Playstation 2.
All morning long I've been laughing my ass off at the clever little exchanges between the two. My Dad is such a smart-ass and my Mom is the perfect "straight man" to his comedy routine. They're such good friends...they don't have much, but they have each other and their family. And they love what they have. =)
Anyway, I wanted to share a bit of them with the world this morning. So, if you were a fly on the wall in this ancient single-wide trailer in Eccles, WV this morning, here's a bit of what you would've heard:
When discussing love, relationships, & marriage, I told the folks that social psychologists discovered a correlation between length of courtship & chance of divorce (i.e. courtships between 6 months to 2 years tend to end up in "successful" marriages, in that they tend not to get divorced). Mom stated that she and Dad dated for just short of 2 years before marrying. Dad took a draw off of the cigarette he held between the index & middle fingers of his right hand & with a dead pan face said, "Our marriage didn’t work out, Chris." A pause, another draw from the cigarette, "Our marriage fell through in 1973…no wait…that was our bed. I knew it was something to do with marriage."
When Mom was stating something obvious about the weather and floods that we've been experiencing, Dad looked at her, his lips pressed together firmly, & shook his head slightly from side to side, & said, "You know...it’s a wonder that I haven’t hit you yet."
When discussing the possibility of me moving to Baltimore and what I would need to take, we got to the topic of beds. I considered taking one of the old iron ones we have stored in Granny's house and Dad mentioned that he would have to repair the feet, as they have old rusted rollers and, in his opinion, just need flat caps. He continued, "I hate beds with rollers on the bottom. The one we have in the bedroom has rollers. When Mommy gets out of bed sometimes she sends me rolling across the room. She's trying to get up, she puts her feet on the floor, and her hind-end is pushing down on the bed, she bounces back and forth a second, and then she finally gets up, and I go Zoom!!! across the room. And end up slamming against the wall. It's like roller derby in the bedroom."
Dad mentioned that sometimes Mom asks him what he wants for breakfast in the strangest way. He said, "A few days ago, I woke up and your Mom had been up for a couple of hours. She asked me what I wanted for breakfast and I said I didn't know. She got up and said, 'Well, I'm going to go to the bathroom. While I'm going to the bathroom, think about what you want to eat' ."
Through her laughter, Mom managed to get out, "I love you very much, Garland...even though you make me think that I'm a total dummy sometimes." Later when Mom and I were talking about Dad's smart ass sense of humor she smiled and said, "On the whole, he makes me laugh every day. Everybody needs someone who can do that. We've had so much laughter together. The first breakfast I cooked for Daddy right after we got married, we had a gas stove and didn't know that you needed to light the pilot light to get the oven to work. I wanted to bake biscuits, but the pilot was out and the oven wasn't working, so I tried to cook them on top of the stove. It was horrible! The top wasn't cooked at all and the bottom was burnt! He must've loved me, because he stayed with me. "
Now this, my friends, is love. =)
Saturday, September 18, 2004
My Family
In response to Ken's last comment on the Sept. 14th post:
Actually, I'm not positive how much you are making now (and if I did I wouldn't post it on the internet), but I was under the impression that you would be making slightly more than you are making now if you took the new job, even after adjusting for cost of living. And living with your sis would be a great boon as well. The only drawback I can think of is that you'll be farther away from ME. Which I'm pretty sure is everyone's primary consideration in everything they do. ken 09.18.04 - 10:56 am
Yup. If I take the job (and I still say if because the words "Yes, I'll be there in two weeks" haven't actually slid their way from my lips), I'll be making about $9000 a year more than I'm making now! =) My sis plans to allow me to live with her, so I will have basically the same expenses that I have here in WV.
In many ways moving to Baltimore would be a good thing for me. First, I will be making more money. Second, I will be adding work at a residential level 3 facility & an inner city client population to my resume. Third, working at that center with those girls will be a fucking challenge & will help me grow as a counselor & person. Forth, the area is very charming, with tons of sights to see & things to do! Fifth, it will be good for my sister financially, emotionally, & psychologically if I move there. Sixth, it would be good for me to get out of Charleston and the unhealthy lifestyle that I've slipped into. I feel stagnant here, with no drive to go to school & no energy to make any positive changes. I'm confident that moving to a new city & getting a fresh start would improve my financial, emotional, psychological, & physical state. And Rose is such a positive influence on me, my "little mother". =) We are an excellent support system for each other & a complimentary personality combination...sweet mixed with smart-ass sour.
However, the main drawback or reason that I hesitate at all is because I don't want to be farther from the people that I love the most in the world! Mom & Dad, Wayne, Cheryl, & Meg, Nikki, Ken & Leslie, Shawn & Chris, Crystal...I love you guys! And the thought of not being able to see you as often as I do now tears at my heart!
Sean, Pat & Ben...don't be offended that I didn't include you in the list. It's just that you're already so fucking far away...it's almost like you don't exist, except as a little voices in my phone. (Hehehehe! I'm gonna catch hell for that one! )
I know I tell you guys fairly often that I love you. =) More than anyone else in our friend group. But I do! I love you guys so much! In my heart, your as much brothers & sisters to me as Wayne & Rose. No we don't share the memories of sliding down the hill in an old tire innertube or having rotten apple battles in the backyard as Rose, Wayne, & I do. But we do share memories of sitting around Ben's computer looking at porn, Shawn being obsessed with the pillows on our couch and sleeping through his Japanese class, D&D nights, daily college fast food runs, Ken & I cleaning the apartment while Ben played EQ, Ken starting to date Leslie and being afraid to bring her around us for fear that his inner asshole would show itself & for fear that we would mock him for showing his sweet & compassionate side, walking around in a drunken stupor at 11:00AM, surrounded by people in midevil attire, & drunkenly throwing blunt weapons at targets, much euchre gaming, alcohol drinking, & movie watching, Leslie getting wasted and calling everyone "bitch", Chris slipping into a crazed Scottish personality or quoting Benicio Del Toro, Shawn rooting around on his pillow & making piggy noises when he sleeps, Ken snoring like a fucking tractor, Burnsy's horrid decision making skills when it comes to women & relationships...I could go on & on!
But you are my family & I love you. I miss those of you that I don't see frequently terribly as is...& I will miss you more if I go. When I go.
Can you fix this? It's a broken heart.
It was fine, but it just fell apart.
It was mine, but now I give it to you,
Cause you can fix it, you know what to do.
Let your love cover me,
Like a pair of angel wings,
You are my family,
You are my family.
The child who played with the moon and stars,
Waves a snatch of hay in a common barn,
In the lonely house of Adam's fall
Lies a child, it's just a child that's all,
crying Let your love cover me,
Like a pair of angel wings,
You are my family,
You are my family.
~Dar Williams ~ Family
In response to Ken's last comment on the Sept. 14th post:
Actually, I'm not positive how much you are making now (and if I did I wouldn't post it on the internet), but I was under the impression that you would be making slightly more than you are making now if you took the new job, even after adjusting for cost of living. And living with your sis would be a great boon as well. The only drawback I can think of is that you'll be farther away from ME. Which I'm pretty sure is everyone's primary consideration in everything they do. ken 09.18.04 - 10:56 am
Yup. If I take the job (and I still say if because the words "Yes, I'll be there in two weeks" haven't actually slid their way from my lips), I'll be making about $9000 a year more than I'm making now! =) My sis plans to allow me to live with her, so I will have basically the same expenses that I have here in WV.
In many ways moving to Baltimore would be a good thing for me. First, I will be making more money. Second, I will be adding work at a residential level 3 facility & an inner city client population to my resume. Third, working at that center with those girls will be a fucking challenge & will help me grow as a counselor & person. Forth, the area is very charming, with tons of sights to see & things to do! Fifth, it will be good for my sister financially, emotionally, & psychologically if I move there. Sixth, it would be good for me to get out of Charleston and the unhealthy lifestyle that I've slipped into. I feel stagnant here, with no drive to go to school & no energy to make any positive changes. I'm confident that moving to a new city & getting a fresh start would improve my financial, emotional, psychological, & physical state. And Rose is such a positive influence on me, my "little mother". =) We are an excellent support system for each other & a complimentary personality combination...sweet mixed with smart-ass sour.
However, the main drawback or reason that I hesitate at all is because I don't want to be farther from the people that I love the most in the world! Mom & Dad, Wayne, Cheryl, & Meg, Nikki, Ken & Leslie, Shawn & Chris, Crystal...I love you guys! And the thought of not being able to see you as often as I do now tears at my heart!
Sean, Pat & Ben...don't be offended that I didn't include you in the list. It's just that you're already so fucking far away...it's almost like you don't exist, except as a little voices in my phone. (Hehehehe! I'm gonna catch hell for that one! )
I know I tell you guys fairly often that I love you. =) More than anyone else in our friend group. But I do! I love you guys so much! In my heart, your as much brothers & sisters to me as Wayne & Rose. No we don't share the memories of sliding down the hill in an old tire innertube or having rotten apple battles in the backyard as Rose, Wayne, & I do. But we do share memories of sitting around Ben's computer looking at porn, Shawn being obsessed with the pillows on our couch and sleeping through his Japanese class, D&D nights, daily college fast food runs, Ken & I cleaning the apartment while Ben played EQ, Ken starting to date Leslie and being afraid to bring her around us for fear that his inner asshole would show itself & for fear that we would mock him for showing his sweet & compassionate side, walking around in a drunken stupor at 11:00AM, surrounded by people in midevil attire, & drunkenly throwing blunt weapons at targets, much euchre gaming, alcohol drinking, & movie watching, Leslie getting wasted and calling everyone "bitch", Chris slipping into a crazed Scottish personality or quoting Benicio Del Toro, Shawn rooting around on his pillow & making piggy noises when he sleeps, Ken snoring like a fucking tractor, Burnsy's horrid decision making skills when it comes to women & relationships...I could go on & on!
But you are my family & I love you. I miss those of you that I don't see frequently terribly as is...& I will miss you more if I go. When I go.
Can you fix this? It's a broken heart.
It was fine, but it just fell apart.
It was mine, but now I give it to you,
Cause you can fix it, you know what to do.
Let your love cover me,
Like a pair of angel wings,
You are my family,
You are my family.
The child who played with the moon and stars,
Waves a snatch of hay in a common barn,
In the lonely house of Adam's fall
Lies a child, it's just a child that's all,
crying Let your love cover me,
Like a pair of angel wings,
You are my family,
You are my family.
~Dar Williams ~ Family
Friday, September 17, 2004
What a mess! Rain, rain, rain, hurricane! And no phone!
I'm supposed to go on a date tonight, however I woke from my little nap to find that I had no phone (and I had overslept a bit) so now the poor guy is going to think that I stood him up! =)
Well...I suppose I'll just go hang with my brother. That'll be good.
Oh yeah...well I'm back from Baltimore. I drove in Wednesday morning and went straight to work. I talked to the HR lady today at the GS Center and she said that all of my references checked out and she just needed to talk w/ my current employer.
That's not so good because today I led my coworkers in a little meeting with my site supervisor addressing the urgent need for a van driver. Basically since I've been working at Innerchange, there hasn't been a steady person to do transportation for the children to and from the program and that job duty has been "temporarily" thrust upon us. We've been patiently waiting for the problem to be solved but no real steps have been taken. This morning, after spending 2 and 1/2 hours in the fucking van this morning in icky rain, we decided that it time to take a stand. I informed our supervisor that we would no longer be driving the van. If the Innerchange program went under due to no clients attending & we got laid off, oh well. Not our responsibility. I'm a counselor...give me someone with problems and I'll do my best to provide guidance...I'm not a fucking van driver. I have a college degree and it doesn't mean much, but it does mean that I am qualified for a better position than van driver!
So I wonder what kind of reference she'll give me? Damn it! Me and my fucking big mouth! =)
The Jerry McGuire that lives inside of me must die!!! Or at least learn to use discretion!
I'm supposed to go on a date tonight, however I woke from my little nap to find that I had no phone (and I had overslept a bit) so now the poor guy is going to think that I stood him up! =)
Well...I suppose I'll just go hang with my brother. That'll be good.
Oh yeah...well I'm back from Baltimore. I drove in Wednesday morning and went straight to work. I talked to the HR lady today at the GS Center and she said that all of my references checked out and she just needed to talk w/ my current employer.
That's not so good because today I led my coworkers in a little meeting with my site supervisor addressing the urgent need for a van driver. Basically since I've been working at Innerchange, there hasn't been a steady person to do transportation for the children to and from the program and that job duty has been "temporarily" thrust upon us. We've been patiently waiting for the problem to be solved but no real steps have been taken. This morning, after spending 2 and 1/2 hours in the fucking van this morning in icky rain, we decided that it time to take a stand. I informed our supervisor that we would no longer be driving the van. If the Innerchange program went under due to no clients attending & we got laid off, oh well. Not our responsibility. I'm a counselor...give me someone with problems and I'll do my best to provide guidance...I'm not a fucking van driver. I have a college degree and it doesn't mean much, but it does mean that I am qualified for a better position than van driver!
So I wonder what kind of reference she'll give me? Damn it! Me and my fucking big mouth! =)
The Jerry McGuire that lives inside of me must die!!! Or at least learn to use discretion!
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
I had my interview today and it went very, very well. They offered me a starting pay rate of $28,500. I have a second interview tomorrow, during which I will shadow a counselor & interact with the girls that live at the Center.
Wow. This is way too real for me. If I decide to accept it, they want me to start in two weeks. The ladies that interviewed me were quite impressed with me, which is awesome. =) The HR lady stated that as long as things go well tomorrow then the job is mine. She stated that they were looking to fill the new Oppositional Defiant/Conduct Disorder unit with "the best people" and she felt I was one of them. Again, wow.
And that's not all that was "wow" today. I had an awesome lunch, drinks, & conversation with the sexiest, sweetest, & most genuine guy. We talked for hours upon hours...I feel like I've known him forever. For the time that I was with him, it felt like my puzzle piece had clicked into place. It was nice. Very, very nice. =)
Wow. This is way too real for me. If I decide to accept it, they want me to start in two weeks. The ladies that interviewed me were quite impressed with me, which is awesome. =) The HR lady stated that as long as things go well tomorrow then the job is mine. She stated that they were looking to fill the new Oppositional Defiant/Conduct Disorder unit with "the best people" and she felt I was one of them. Again, wow.
And that's not all that was "wow" today. I had an awesome lunch, drinks, & conversation with the sexiest, sweetest, & most genuine guy. We talked for hours upon hours...I feel like I've known him forever. For the time that I was with him, it felt like my puzzle piece had clicked into place. It was nice. Very, very nice. =)
Sunday, September 12, 2004
I just realized that I never wrote about seeing Collective Soul & getting backstage at the Regatta on last Friday & meeting Shinedown & Eight Days Gone. Hmmm...that was a fun night. I'll get to it here in the next few days. Maybe.
A Night on Fleet Street
Last night I arrived in Baltimore at about 8 PM. Rose & I went down to chow down on some mexican cuisine at Don Pablo's. After gorging & having a 30 minute conversation with our hot, young waiter, Jim, about his career aspirations & why he should visit West Virginia, we sauntered down the street to check out the night life on "The Avenue". The one bar Rose had in mind was called Bayou Blues Cafe. We walked up to the door & peered through the glass to find a very large woman in a red t-shirt shaking her groove thang more rapidly than I would have thought possible for a woman of her size. Hell...I'm not that...um...voluptuous and I can't fucking move that fast!!!! Rose said I just stopped on the sidewalk and starred at her slack-jawed. Yeah. I decided that we didn't need to go there.
So then she drove me down to Fleet Street/Broadway area, which is one of the many happening party areas in Baltimore. It was a block of pubs, clubs, eateries, & charming little shops situated right along the Bay. After walking around to scout out live music, being approached by more than a few inebriated males, & avoiding a couple of piles of puke on the cobblestone streets, we decided on a little pub called The Horse You Rode In On. There was a live band, a cover band, but live music nonetheless. I enjoyed a couple of New Castle's, courtesy of my sis, chatted with the bassist, & then Rose & I left to walk down one of the piers.
It was absolutely beautiful out there last night. The lights were reflecting on the water & a constant breeze was blowing in from the Bay. The sounds of the bars & of people laughing & talking flittered down & mixed with the wind & the lapping of the water. It was perfect. Another one of those moments where I found myself thinking, "This is so magical. If I were experiencing this with a guy I would fall in love with him due to the time & place." It felt right being there.
How to be a Catholic in two easy steps...
I went to my first Roman Catholic mass with Rose this morning. The service was more ceremonial than the Pentecostal services that I grew up with, however it was more modern than the Greek Orthodox services I attended for a short time while in Huntington. Having attended the Orthodox masses in the past, I understood much of what was going on & much of the symbolism involved in the actions & church design. One thing I had never experienced or seen before was the holy water at the door, with which everyone dips their fingers in and then crosses themselves as the enter or exit the sanctuary. The other new & interesting thing was the kneeling & standing. Kneeling bench down, kneel, say some stuff, kneeling bench up, stand, say some more stuff, kneeling bench down, kneel, say some stuff, & so on & so forth. I believe that the first two steps to being Catholic are 1) Kneeling & 2) Standing. If you can kneel & stand, the Catholicism is for you, my friend!!!
Seriously, I don't mean to belittle the Catholic religion in any way. I actually enjoyed the service this morning & the ceremony of it all. I found myself wishing that it were more formal, like the Orthodox services I had previously attended. I could see myself attending mass once a week...and then maybe a meditation circle once a week as well. Why not? Might as well cover all of the bases, right? After mass, I wanted to explore the cemetary behind St. Joseph's & so we walked around for a bit back there, reading the names & dates on the tombstones.
170 miles in a Mercedes
After the cemetary, we set out to find the Good Shephard Center, where I will be interviewing for a counseling position tomorrow. We followed the directions given to me by the HR person from the Center...and ended up driving around & around for hours!!! Tired, frustrated, & starving, we finally started calling people, hoping to find someone to look up directions online. My beloved Chris Jarrett was home & kind enough to look on MapQuest for us. (God bless you, Mr. J! I love you!!!) It turned out that a very crucial step in the directions was left out by the HR lady involving a split in the road. (Insert explative directed at HR lady here.) So after almost three trips around Baltimore or 170 miles or 4 hours later, we finally found the fucking thing!!!! Also, I know how to get to Fleet Street, the Inner Harbour, & my sister's house all by myself...so I suppose there was an upside to all of this circular driving. Now I only hope that I'll be able to manage the traffic on the Beltway in the morning!
Dinner at the Harbour
After finding our Questing Beast, we then headed down to the Inner Harbour for some grub. Parking & walking happened & then we found ourselves grubbing down on some meiocre americanized asian food on the outdoor patio at one of the malls there. Dinner was filling & relaxing, as we had a lovely view of the water, the "pirate" ship, & all of the activity going on in that area. The sun set as we ate our rice, noodles, & sesame chicken (packed with MSG) & enjoyed that beautiful & constant breeze of which I am growing very fond. I took a few pictures of the Harbour area, which are posted above.
Casper Meets Wendy, the Red-Headed Slut
On our way home Rose called her friend Jim & we convinced him, after much coercing & gnashing of teeth, to come over for some chips, salsa, & conversation. He initially didn't want to meet me for fear of what I would end up writing about him on here. =) Of course, I don't know if that's true or something he said to be clever. At any rate, it was terribly amusing. Rose tried to get me to write about him under the code name of Casper...but I don't do code names.
He hung out for a couple of hours, indulging in chips & salsa, while conversing about the presidential candidates, the events of the weekend, music, his band, Rose's Mr. Wonderful - Mr. Bill, Megan, my interview, Rose's sperm allergy, night terrors, out of body experiences, shadow people, demons, aliens, & the Blue Guy that haunts his thoughts & fills him with terrors of night terrors. =)
Jim strikes me as a very intelligent, witty, & trustworthy guy. In short, I liked him. I'm glad that my sister has made such a friend & if I move to the Baltimore area, I would request the pleasure of his company on a regular basis. Every word, explicit & hardcore truth, my friend. I promise. =)
Wish me Luck!!!!
Now I must to bed, for I have yon interview forthwith on the morrow! I wonder what will happen?! I'm a bit nervous...but not. I'm interviewing them as well tomorrow, deciding if it's a place that I want to work. I think I'm more nervous about having to decide if I want to move here or if I want to stay at home. It will be such a tough decision. Or perhaps not. Fate will point me in the direction I need to go. She has thus far.
A Night on Fleet Street
Last night I arrived in Baltimore at about 8 PM. Rose & I went down to chow down on some mexican cuisine at Don Pablo's. After gorging & having a 30 minute conversation with our hot, young waiter, Jim, about his career aspirations & why he should visit West Virginia, we sauntered down the street to check out the night life on "The Avenue". The one bar Rose had in mind was called Bayou Blues Cafe. We walked up to the door & peered through the glass to find a very large woman in a red t-shirt shaking her groove thang more rapidly than I would have thought possible for a woman of her size. Hell...I'm not that...um...voluptuous and I can't fucking move that fast!!!! Rose said I just stopped on the sidewalk and starred at her slack-jawed. Yeah. I decided that we didn't need to go there.
So then she drove me down to Fleet Street/Broadway area, which is one of the many happening party areas in Baltimore. It was a block of pubs, clubs, eateries, & charming little shops situated right along the Bay. After walking around to scout out live music, being approached by more than a few inebriated males, & avoiding a couple of piles of puke on the cobblestone streets, we decided on a little pub called The Horse You Rode In On. There was a live band, a cover band, but live music nonetheless. I enjoyed a couple of New Castle's, courtesy of my sis, chatted with the bassist, & then Rose & I left to walk down one of the piers.
It was absolutely beautiful out there last night. The lights were reflecting on the water & a constant breeze was blowing in from the Bay. The sounds of the bars & of people laughing & talking flittered down & mixed with the wind & the lapping of the water. It was perfect. Another one of those moments where I found myself thinking, "This is so magical. If I were experiencing this with a guy I would fall in love with him due to the time & place." It felt right being there.
How to be a Catholic in two easy steps...
I went to my first Roman Catholic mass with Rose this morning. The service was more ceremonial than the Pentecostal services that I grew up with, however it was more modern than the Greek Orthodox services I attended for a short time while in Huntington. Having attended the Orthodox masses in the past, I understood much of what was going on & much of the symbolism involved in the actions & church design. One thing I had never experienced or seen before was the holy water at the door, with which everyone dips their fingers in and then crosses themselves as the enter or exit the sanctuary. The other new & interesting thing was the kneeling & standing. Kneeling bench down, kneel, say some stuff, kneeling bench up, stand, say some more stuff, kneeling bench down, kneel, say some stuff, & so on & so forth. I believe that the first two steps to being Catholic are 1) Kneeling & 2) Standing. If you can kneel & stand, the Catholicism is for you, my friend!!!
Seriously, I don't mean to belittle the Catholic religion in any way. I actually enjoyed the service this morning & the ceremony of it all. I found myself wishing that it were more formal, like the Orthodox services I had previously attended. I could see myself attending mass once a week...and then maybe a meditation circle once a week as well. Why not? Might as well cover all of the bases, right? After mass, I wanted to explore the cemetary behind St. Joseph's & so we walked around for a bit back there, reading the names & dates on the tombstones.
170 miles in a Mercedes
After the cemetary, we set out to find the Good Shephard Center, where I will be interviewing for a counseling position tomorrow. We followed the directions given to me by the HR person from the Center...and ended up driving around & around for hours!!! Tired, frustrated, & starving, we finally started calling people, hoping to find someone to look up directions online. My beloved Chris Jarrett was home & kind enough to look on MapQuest for us. (God bless you, Mr. J! I love you!!!) It turned out that a very crucial step in the directions was left out by the HR lady involving a split in the road. (Insert explative directed at HR lady here.) So after almost three trips around Baltimore or 170 miles or 4 hours later, we finally found the fucking thing!!!! Also, I know how to get to Fleet Street, the Inner Harbour, & my sister's house all by myself...so I suppose there was an upside to all of this circular driving. Now I only hope that I'll be able to manage the traffic on the Beltway in the morning!
Dinner at the Harbour
After finding our Questing Beast, we then headed down to the Inner Harbour for some grub. Parking & walking happened & then we found ourselves grubbing down on some meiocre americanized asian food on the outdoor patio at one of the malls there. Dinner was filling & relaxing, as we had a lovely view of the water, the "pirate" ship, & all of the activity going on in that area. The sun set as we ate our rice, noodles, & sesame chicken (packed with MSG) & enjoyed that beautiful & constant breeze of which I am growing very fond. I took a few pictures of the Harbour area, which are posted above.
Casper Meets Wendy, the Red-Headed Slut
On our way home Rose called her friend Jim & we convinced him, after much coercing & gnashing of teeth, to come over for some chips, salsa, & conversation. He initially didn't want to meet me for fear of what I would end up writing about him on here. =) Of course, I don't know if that's true or something he said to be clever. At any rate, it was terribly amusing. Rose tried to get me to write about him under the code name of Casper...but I don't do code names.
He hung out for a couple of hours, indulging in chips & salsa, while conversing about the presidential candidates, the events of the weekend, music, his band, Rose's Mr. Wonderful - Mr. Bill, Megan, my interview, Rose's sperm allergy, night terrors, out of body experiences, shadow people, demons, aliens, & the Blue Guy that haunts his thoughts & fills him with terrors of night terrors. =)
Jim strikes me as a very intelligent, witty, & trustworthy guy. In short, I liked him. I'm glad that my sister has made such a friend & if I move to the Baltimore area, I would request the pleasure of his company on a regular basis. Every word, explicit & hardcore truth, my friend. I promise. =)
Wish me Luck!!!!
Now I must to bed, for I have yon interview forthwith on the morrow! I wonder what will happen?! I'm a bit nervous...but not. I'm interviewing them as well tomorrow, deciding if it's a place that I want to work. I think I'm more nervous about having to decide if I want to move here or if I want to stay at home. It will be such a tough decision. Or perhaps not. Fate will point me in the direction I need to go. She has thus far.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Oh man. What a night. I'm so fucking lucky I'm not hung over right now. =)
Crystal, my new friend Eric Parsons, & I went out to the Empty Glass last night to hear Noizbox. We got there just as they were finishing up their last song. I was so disappointed! I saw Roadblock, the bassist for Noizbox, after the show & he finally gave me the Noizbox CD that I've been coveting for 2 weeks now. He advised me to stick around to see the next band, FreekBass. (That's bass as in "base", not like the fish.)
So Crystal, Eric, & I played a 30 minute game of 1913 while waiting for the music to start. Plus I wanted to get a little fucked up because we were celebrating my Birthday!!! (Yay me! I'm alive! Look at me! Wooooo!) For those of you that have never played 1913, let me fill you in. It's not a hard game really. I'm not even sure it's a game. It's just something that me, Ben, his old neighbor Beth, & her friend Rachel all thought up one night while he was living in that cinderblock joke of an apartment at 1913 6th Ave. back in 1998. =) The same apartment in which Eric Hoffman had mold growing on his bedroom wall and opted to "let if thrive". Nasty, nasty. Oh, them were the days, folks!
Anyway, in 1913 a person has to toast to something and you all take a drink and then the toast passes to the next person, and the next, and the next, and so on. You keep going & going & going. But if a person hesitates to toast to anything, he/she has to finish her entire drink right then and there while everyone else gets a little break from drinking. =) Last night we went with the 3 drink rule if you fuck up the flow of toasting. We didn't want anyone getting too hurt. =)
We got good and toasty (Pun oh so intended) and then went up front to enjoy the funka-delic grooves of FreekBass (Like "base", not the fish.) They were awesome! You guys need to check out the link I posted up above. =) They play in Columbus next month boys...maybe we could go see 'em? If I'm not in Baltimore that is.
I'm about to leave to go up to Baltimore...all my shit's packed and I just thought I'd write this first. I have my job interview Monday. I don't know if I want to get the job or not. If I do then that means I have to make one fucking hard decision. Eeeeeek!
Anyway, back to last night, I saw Rob at the Glass, so that mystery is solved. He was there with his girlfriend. I tapped him on the shoulder and said, "You are a complete ass. You don't tell a girl you'll 'definitely call' and then not call, at least to let her know what's up. " His answer was that he didn't have a phone. Which he doesn't and his mom's was disconnected last week. Hmmm...well...fuck it. I'm just glad that I didn't get that emotionally invested in the situation.
Alrighty. Well that's that. Wish me luck...maybe. I don't know what I bloody fucking want! More money, that's for sure. And I'm tired of living alone. I need a roomie to keep me from going nucking futz! =) Of course, when I had roomies, with the exception of Ken, they all drove me nucking futz! =)
Meeeeeeeep!
Crystal, my new friend Eric Parsons, & I went out to the Empty Glass last night to hear Noizbox. We got there just as they were finishing up their last song. I was so disappointed! I saw Roadblock, the bassist for Noizbox, after the show & he finally gave me the Noizbox CD that I've been coveting for 2 weeks now. He advised me to stick around to see the next band, FreekBass. (That's bass as in "base", not like the fish.)
So Crystal, Eric, & I played a 30 minute game of 1913 while waiting for the music to start. Plus I wanted to get a little fucked up because we were celebrating my Birthday!!! (Yay me! I'm alive! Look at me! Wooooo!) For those of you that have never played 1913, let me fill you in. It's not a hard game really. I'm not even sure it's a game. It's just something that me, Ben, his old neighbor Beth, & her friend Rachel all thought up one night while he was living in that cinderblock joke of an apartment at 1913 6th Ave. back in 1998. =) The same apartment in which Eric Hoffman had mold growing on his bedroom wall and opted to "let if thrive". Nasty, nasty. Oh, them were the days, folks!
Anyway, in 1913 a person has to toast to something and you all take a drink and then the toast passes to the next person, and the next, and the next, and so on. You keep going & going & going. But if a person hesitates to toast to anything, he/she has to finish her entire drink right then and there while everyone else gets a little break from drinking. =) Last night we went with the 3 drink rule if you fuck up the flow of toasting. We didn't want anyone getting too hurt. =)
We got good and toasty (Pun oh so intended) and then went up front to enjoy the funka-delic grooves of FreekBass (Like "base", not the fish.) They were awesome! You guys need to check out the link I posted up above. =) They play in Columbus next month boys...maybe we could go see 'em? If I'm not in Baltimore that is.
I'm about to leave to go up to Baltimore...all my shit's packed and I just thought I'd write this first. I have my job interview Monday. I don't know if I want to get the job or not. If I do then that means I have to make one fucking hard decision. Eeeeeek!
Anyway, back to last night, I saw Rob at the Glass, so that mystery is solved. He was there with his girlfriend. I tapped him on the shoulder and said, "You are a complete ass. You don't tell a girl you'll 'definitely call' and then not call, at least to let her know what's up. " His answer was that he didn't have a phone. Which he doesn't and his mom's was disconnected last week. Hmmm...well...fuck it. I'm just glad that I didn't get that emotionally invested in the situation.
Alrighty. Well that's that. Wish me luck...maybe. I don't know what I bloody fucking want! More money, that's for sure. And I'm tired of living alone. I need a roomie to keep me from going nucking futz! =) Of course, when I had roomies, with the exception of Ken, they all drove me nucking futz! =)
Meeeeeeeep!
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