The pick-up rattled down the road, kicking up a cloud of dust in it's wake. Kirk glanced in his rear view mirror and a half smile played on his lips. "You don't see that in New York City..." he said out loud to no one in particular, mostly because he was alone in the car. Boxes took up space beside him and in the back of the truck. Boxes filled with the clutter and memories of a life he inwardly mourned and outwardly bid good riddance to. Finally, he pulled up to a ramshackle, two-story farmhouse, shaking his head. Kirk Allen was 38 years old and he was back where he started.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rose Horner had lived in Wyatt all of her 47 years. She'd been a waitress at Wy-Not Coffee for the majority of those, and she was, by her own proud admission, the town gossip. If it happened in Wyatt, or within 50 miles of the town center, Rose would have all the details. Today was no exception.
"I'll tell you, I saw him drive by around 7 o'clock this morning. He was driving a blue F-150 and wearing a gray sweatshirt. I know, because I was right over there by the window pouring coffee for Jake and I looked up and I saw him. Kirk Allen, home with his tail between his legs, alright."
The regulars-Jake Haskell, the town sheriff, Mike and Faye Collins, who came for the company, Abel Smith from the garage across the street, and Heather, Rose's daughter and fellow waitress, exchanged glances. The rumors of Kirk's return had been omnipresent in Wyatt for months, ever since the Grammy fiasco. But they had been just that- rumors.
Heather perked up, "Well, I intend to check that out for myself, Mama. And I'll be sure to let you all know what I find." No one doubted this, since Heather made it her business to check out every man in town.
Abel added his two cents after a lengthy glance at the traffic out on Main. "What about you, Jake? Didja see him? Didja hear anything about Kirk coming home?"
"No, I was too busy reading the paper. Besides, if Kirk is back, that's his business, not any of ours." Jake answered, always displaying a level-head.
The bell over the door chimed, signaling a customer. As was customary, everyone glanced up to determine if the conversation could continue or if it was best to quietly return to coffee and pie, holding their tongues.
Priscilla Bishop stood at the door and surveyed the crowd. "Who's business?" she asked, never one to miss a scoop.
"Oh, hey, Priscilla," Abel grinned, patting the table across from him, "have a seat."
Having been at the Wyatt Post for all of her adult life, Priscilla knew when she was being blown off, when she wasn't being told the whole story. She slid into the booth with Abel and saw everyone watching her. "Ok, what is it? What the hell are all these looks for? What are y'all not telling me?"
Rose paused just long enough to give the illusion that she was even considering not opening her mouth, then repeated, "I saw Kirk this morning. He's back."
Priscilla averted her eyes skyward in a silent prayer of thanks that she was already sitting down. Then with a deep breath that she hoped no one noticed, she replied, "Well, good for him. Nice that his grandmother left him that old place when she passed...nice that he has somewhere to go now that...now that..."
'Now that' what, she wasn't sure, but Abel wasted no time in filling in her blank. "Now that he's a washed up old has-been."
Faye, older and wiser than the lot of them, finally spoke up. "Hush now, Abel. Kirk went and made something of himself and now he's back. If you come from Wyatt, you can always come back, you'll always be family. Just let him alone."
Having taken Faye's words to heart, at least momentarily, the buzz died down. Priscilla had lost her appetite at the mention of Kirk's name, but she picked at it, lest it seem as though something were wrong.
"You alright, Cilla?" Abel asked. She noticed Heather, refilling coffee at the next table, lean over to be sure to overhear her response.
"Fine Abel, just fine. But I've got to hurry up here and get back to the office. There were a few layouts that I was finishing up on, I was just taking a little break..."
Abel nodded and waved as Priscilla laid a ten on the table and hurried out with a murmured good-bye. Her pointed stride took her back to the Post's office in half the usual time. She'd really meant to finish up those layouts, but instead she found herself jiggling the doorknob to be sure it was locked and fumbling through her purse for her car keys. Against her better judgement, she ended up on the road leading to the outer edges of Wyatt.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
In case you had a burning desire to know these things about me...
There's one thing I have always noticed about myself and my writing habits. When I'm miserable, I write...a lot. When I'm happy, I sometimes end up with writer's block. I guess maybe I use writing the same way that I use reading, as an escape. I am currently not trying to escape from anything, so I find I don't have as much to say. I did find a story I started writing several years ago. I think I might start blogging that in parts and see how that goes. Maybe it will help me finish it.
Also, I have neurotic rituals. I really do. Like, for instance, if I get a glass of tap water, I have to rinse the glass out a certain number of times. There is a reason for this number, but I'm not going to get into my OCD lol.
One Tuesday night, my roomie and I went downtown and had an amazing night. We started the evening with take-out from Panera. So, every Tuesday night for about 2 years, I insisted we eat Panera before we went downtown. In my mind, if I deviated from the events of the first Tuesday, I would be screwing up the system.
When we used to go out, I would have to put my make-up on in a certain order.
For YEARS, I literally wore only 2 shades of nail polish. Bright pink in the spring and summer; red in the fall and winter. I am not kidding. I never deviated from this for that same 'screwing up the system' reason.
I never wanted anything to change, so I realize I was trying to control things that I could and keep them from changing.
And then, it occurred to me one day that all these things I was doing to try to keep things the way they were were stupid. Why? Because things the way they were pretty much sucked. So, last year for my birthday I got a manicure and I painted my nails purple. It sounds dumb, but that was a huge step for me. Look at me! I have purple nails in November and the sky is not falling! And so little by little, tiny thing by tiny thing, I began to let go of all the control. So what if I have a chip in my nail polish. So what if I eat pizza on Tuesday.
And you know what, I'm way happier. It's fall now, and my nails are orange. Bright, Halloween pumpkin orange. I love them.
Sometimes, all it takes is a small change or a little bit of letting go to make all the OUT of order in your life fall IN order.
Also, I have neurotic rituals. I really do. Like, for instance, if I get a glass of tap water, I have to rinse the glass out a certain number of times. There is a reason for this number, but I'm not going to get into my OCD lol.
One Tuesday night, my roomie and I went downtown and had an amazing night. We started the evening with take-out from Panera. So, every Tuesday night for about 2 years, I insisted we eat Panera before we went downtown. In my mind, if I deviated from the events of the first Tuesday, I would be screwing up the system.
When we used to go out, I would have to put my make-up on in a certain order.
For YEARS, I literally wore only 2 shades of nail polish. Bright pink in the spring and summer; red in the fall and winter. I am not kidding. I never deviated from this for that same 'screwing up the system' reason.
I never wanted anything to change, so I realize I was trying to control things that I could and keep them from changing.
And then, it occurred to me one day that all these things I was doing to try to keep things the way they were were stupid. Why? Because things the way they were pretty much sucked. So, last year for my birthday I got a manicure and I painted my nails purple. It sounds dumb, but that was a huge step for me. Look at me! I have purple nails in November and the sky is not falling! And so little by little, tiny thing by tiny thing, I began to let go of all the control. So what if I have a chip in my nail polish. So what if I eat pizza on Tuesday.
And you know what, I'm way happier. It's fall now, and my nails are orange. Bright, Halloween pumpkin orange. I love them.
Sometimes, all it takes is a small change or a little bit of letting go to make all the OUT of order in your life fall IN order.
Love this quote...
Stollen from my friend Evans via his facebook:
"We need to make books cool again. If you go home with somebody and they don't have books, don't fuck them." -John Waters
Well said, John Waters, well said.
"We need to make books cool again. If you go home with somebody and they don't have books, don't fuck them." -John Waters
Well said, John Waters, well said.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday...hitting some emotional humps...
I'm tired.
Really...I woke up this morning physically and emotionally tired. I've said it before, I'll probably say it again: this has been a hell of a year. Sometimes I feel good, sometimes I feel bad, sometimes it all just hits me and I think, 'What the hell was that all about?'.
That's kind of where I am today...whoa, did I make it through all that? Is this smiling idiot in the mirror every morning really me? Have I been giving myself permission to get just a little more ahead of myself than I usually do?
Yes.
It's kind of overwhelming me right now.
I feel like I need to take a moment to just breath, to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. I felt every high and low of the shit, I definitely don't want to miss a minute of the best.
Really...I woke up this morning physically and emotionally tired. I've said it before, I'll probably say it again: this has been a hell of a year. Sometimes I feel good, sometimes I feel bad, sometimes it all just hits me and I think, 'What the hell was that all about?'.
That's kind of where I am today...whoa, did I make it through all that? Is this smiling idiot in the mirror every morning really me? Have I been giving myself permission to get just a little more ahead of myself than I usually do?
Yes.
It's kind of overwhelming me right now.
I feel like I need to take a moment to just breath, to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. I felt every high and low of the shit, I definitely don't want to miss a minute of the best.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Dancing With the Stars?
So, I don't generally watch this, because I just don't care...but I feel compelled to comment.
Doesn't the title of the show "Dancing With the STARS" sort of imply that there are actual stars on it?
Who the hell is Elisabetta Canalis? Hope Solo? Ron Artest?
Chaz Bono has a STAR for a mother...which doesn't necessarily make him one.
Rob Kardashian and Kristin Cavalleri don't count to me either, because they are famous for doing nothing.
Let's just call a spade a spade and rename the show "Dancing With the Has-Been's and Never Were's"
Doesn't the title of the show "Dancing With the STARS" sort of imply that there are actual stars on it?
Who the hell is Elisabetta Canalis? Hope Solo? Ron Artest?
Chaz Bono has a STAR for a mother...which doesn't necessarily make him one.
Rob Kardashian and Kristin Cavalleri don't count to me either, because they are famous for doing nothing.
Let's just call a spade a spade and rename the show "Dancing With the Has-Been's and Never Were's"
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Mostly being an adult sucks...but sometimes...
So yeah, being an adult sucks most of the time. Bills, and jobs, and grown up problems are all things we don't think about dealing with when we are in such a hurry to grow up.
But occasionally, some little thing happens that makes you think, yep, being a grown up is awesome.
One of those little things just happened.
I have no food in my house, at all. I mean, really, nothing. (Don't panic, Mom...I am going to go buy some groceries as soon as I get out of my pj's, which I am still wearing at 2:30 in the afternoon). And, I'm hungry.
I found a box of red velvet cake in the back of the bare cupboard and it had 'LUNCH' written all over it. So, I poured half the mix into a bowl, mixed it up, and ate it. Just like that, raw, in the bowl.
Was it delicious?
Yes.
Am I going to end up with a stomach ache in 20 minutes?
Of course I am.
If I was 10, I wouldn't have been able to eat cake batter for lunch. So haha little kids. You might not have any problems bigger than 3x4=...but I bet my lunch was better than your lunch,
But occasionally, some little thing happens that makes you think, yep, being a grown up is awesome.
One of those little things just happened.
I have no food in my house, at all. I mean, really, nothing. (Don't panic, Mom...I am going to go buy some groceries as soon as I get out of my pj's, which I am still wearing at 2:30 in the afternoon). And, I'm hungry.
I found a box of red velvet cake in the back of the bare cupboard and it had 'LUNCH' written all over it. So, I poured half the mix into a bowl, mixed it up, and ate it. Just like that, raw, in the bowl.
Was it delicious?
Yes.
Am I going to end up with a stomach ache in 20 minutes?
Of course I am.
If I was 10, I wouldn't have been able to eat cake batter for lunch. So haha little kids. You might not have any problems bigger than 3x4=...but I bet my lunch was better than your lunch,
Saturday, September 17, 2011
I just saw Contagion...
So...Contagion.
I'm gonna be honest...it was a little bit boring. I mean, there was no crazy A-HA moment. Well, maybe boring isn't exactly the right word. Maybe realistic is better. As is, when I was watching that movie, I thought to myself, "Holy shit. I think this could actually happen."
One person gets sick and it becomes a virus that is going to be contracted by 1 in 12 people in the entire world.
And really, think about how easy that would be, in a really, really scary way.
Let's say an airport.
You don't have any luggage to check, so you go to one of those automated check in computers and start pushing buttons. Well, what if the person pushing the buttons before you had some mad virus? Now you have it. And then you go in the Hudson News store and flip through 3 magazine before deciding on one and pick up a bag of Combo's before deciding you'd rather have pretzels and now you've spread it to whomever picks up the 2 magazines and the Combo's you discarded. And so on and so forth.
We'd all be, for lack of a better word, fucked.
So I walked out of the theater partially wishing I'd gone to see Straw Dogs and partially thinking about all the tiny bottles of hand sanitizer that my mom sends me that are floating around my house. I thought I'd start being more careful about germs...just in case.
I came home and petted the dogs, and pulled the Edy's ice cream out of the freezer and started to scoop some into a bowl...when OOPS...I dropped some ice cream on the counter. I picked it up-with my fingers-before it melted, and popped it into my mouth. OOPS again, I didn't wash my hands when I got home. If there's an outbreak, I'm fucked already.
I'm gonna be honest...it was a little bit boring. I mean, there was no crazy A-HA moment. Well, maybe boring isn't exactly the right word. Maybe realistic is better. As is, when I was watching that movie, I thought to myself, "Holy shit. I think this could actually happen."
One person gets sick and it becomes a virus that is going to be contracted by 1 in 12 people in the entire world.
And really, think about how easy that would be, in a really, really scary way.
Let's say an airport.
You don't have any luggage to check, so you go to one of those automated check in computers and start pushing buttons. Well, what if the person pushing the buttons before you had some mad virus? Now you have it. And then you go in the Hudson News store and flip through 3 magazine before deciding on one and pick up a bag of Combo's before deciding you'd rather have pretzels and now you've spread it to whomever picks up the 2 magazines and the Combo's you discarded. And so on and so forth.
We'd all be, for lack of a better word, fucked.
So I walked out of the theater partially wishing I'd gone to see Straw Dogs and partially thinking about all the tiny bottles of hand sanitizer that my mom sends me that are floating around my house. I thought I'd start being more careful about germs...just in case.
I came home and petted the dogs, and pulled the Edy's ice cream out of the freezer and started to scoop some into a bowl...when OOPS...I dropped some ice cream on the counter. I picked it up-with my fingers-before it melted, and popped it into my mouth. OOPS again, I didn't wash my hands when I got home. If there's an outbreak, I'm fucked already.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sci-Fi at Disney Hollywood Studios SUCKS
Let's be frank: I love Disney. I love the movies...the characters...the collectibles...the souvenirs...the hotels...the parks. If it's Disney, I most likely love it...and perhaps there is nothing I love more about Disney than eating at one of the ridiculously awesome restaurants the parks and hotels have to offer.
Liberty Tree Tavern...ridiculous.
Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge...ridiculous.
Cape May Cafe...ridiculous.
Tusker House...ridiculous.
Chefs de France...Biergarten...Via Di Napoli...The Brown Derby...there are no words for how good these places are.
As a matter of fact, there are very few fails as far as restaurants go at Disney, at least in my opinion. Even the mediocre meals are spectacular at being mediocre.
This being said, there is NOTHING worse to me than having a bad meal at Disney, because I don't expect it. We literally almost NEVER eat at the Sci-Fi Dine in Theater at Hollywood Studios. The atmosphere of the place is super fun, so I never can figure out why it's always at the bottom of our place to eat list when we are deciding on dinner at Disney.
And each of the very few and far between times I have eaten there, I walk out remembering why I DON'T. Because it sucks.
First of all, the menu is limited. There were like 5 sandwiches, a pasta, and a steak. Big fat deal. And since I am a decidedly picky eater, this didn't sit well with me, especially when I was going to be paying $25 for a plate of pasta. We decided to share spinach dip and a side salad and each ordered a bowl of BLT soup.
Now, I know it's supposed to be like a drive-in at night, but damn, it's dark in there, and I am too picky to enjoy my food without being able to see what I was eating. I'm holding my cell phone over the food, trying to shine the light on it so I could try to make sure I wasn't accidentally eating an artichoke in the spinach dip. Other than that, the dip was alright.
The salad, for $7, was ordered with the dressing on the side, but came drenched in ranch, with a scant few onions and a pile of finely diced tomatoes on top. Nothing special. At all.
The soup was alright...basically tomato soup with a pile of shredded lettuce and bacon bits on top. I ordered mine sans lettuce, because, well...lettuce on top of soup is gross.
I wasn't giving up hope yet though, because there was lava cake for dessert...and not just any lava cake, but chocolate cake with peanut butter lava. Have you ever heard of anything that sounded better than that? OMG.
EPIC FAIL.
The cake was hard and dry...and the peanut butter lava center? There was NO peanut butter lava center. There MIGHT have been a melted Reese's Pieces in the middle, or at least some peanut butter in an amount the approximate size of a Reese's Pieces. It was the world's biggest disappointment.
And this sucky dinner set us back $51.47. I'm not kidding. For 2 bowls of soup, a side salad, an app and a dessert.
I spent the whole walk to the car relating what we COULD have eaten for the same amout of money. I could rattle that list off to you, too, but you get the picture.
If you want to experience the atmosphere...walk in...and then walk right back out and around the corner to Mama Melrose's...the Brown Derby...50's Prime Time...anywhere but there.
Liberty Tree Tavern...ridiculous.
Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge...ridiculous.
Cape May Cafe...ridiculous.
Tusker House...ridiculous.
Chefs de France...Biergarten...Via Di Napoli...The Brown Derby...there are no words for how good these places are.
As a matter of fact, there are very few fails as far as restaurants go at Disney, at least in my opinion. Even the mediocre meals are spectacular at being mediocre.
This being said, there is NOTHING worse to me than having a bad meal at Disney, because I don't expect it. We literally almost NEVER eat at the Sci-Fi Dine in Theater at Hollywood Studios. The atmosphere of the place is super fun, so I never can figure out why it's always at the bottom of our place to eat list when we are deciding on dinner at Disney.
And each of the very few and far between times I have eaten there, I walk out remembering why I DON'T. Because it sucks.
First of all, the menu is limited. There were like 5 sandwiches, a pasta, and a steak. Big fat deal. And since I am a decidedly picky eater, this didn't sit well with me, especially when I was going to be paying $25 for a plate of pasta. We decided to share spinach dip and a side salad and each ordered a bowl of BLT soup.
Now, I know it's supposed to be like a drive-in at night, but damn, it's dark in there, and I am too picky to enjoy my food without being able to see what I was eating. I'm holding my cell phone over the food, trying to shine the light on it so I could try to make sure I wasn't accidentally eating an artichoke in the spinach dip. Other than that, the dip was alright.
The salad, for $7, was ordered with the dressing on the side, but came drenched in ranch, with a scant few onions and a pile of finely diced tomatoes on top. Nothing special. At all.
The soup was alright...basically tomato soup with a pile of shredded lettuce and bacon bits on top. I ordered mine sans lettuce, because, well...lettuce on top of soup is gross.
I wasn't giving up hope yet though, because there was lava cake for dessert...and not just any lava cake, but chocolate cake with peanut butter lava. Have you ever heard of anything that sounded better than that? OMG.
EPIC FAIL.
The cake was hard and dry...and the peanut butter lava center? There was NO peanut butter lava center. There MIGHT have been a melted Reese's Pieces in the middle, or at least some peanut butter in an amount the approximate size of a Reese's Pieces. It was the world's biggest disappointment.
And this sucky dinner set us back $51.47. I'm not kidding. For 2 bowls of soup, a side salad, an app and a dessert.
I spent the whole walk to the car relating what we COULD have eaten for the same amout of money. I could rattle that list off to you, too, but you get the picture.
If you want to experience the atmosphere...walk in...and then walk right back out and around the corner to Mama Melrose's...the Brown Derby...50's Prime Time...anywhere but there.
Busy Busy Busy
If I can just make it a *few* more boring weeks...
September 30th Kat and I are going to Mickey's Not So Scary, which we are planning to follow up with a weekend at the beach.
October 13th I'll be back to El Paso to spend a long weekend with Stewart...and some girl talk with Yvonne and Mackenzie!
October 28th I'll be on my way to San Diego for a week with my wonderful family and some fun with Alix and Cade, including Halloween and Disneyland.
November 4th, I'll head back to Orlando where I will meet Heather at the airport for weekend of shenanigans that only the two of us could get into...Epcot Food & Wine, watch out. Saturday night, we'll have a joint bday party at some seriously delicious Disney restaurant...and the only thing standing in the way of making the weekend absolutely perfect will be the absence of Stewart and James.
November 13th- Harry Potter Weekend at Universal. Ron Weasley...I am coming for my picture.
Then it'll be Thanksgiving and Stewart will be in Orlando to visit...and then a few short weeks later we will be together and with our families for Christmas and New Years. I cannot wait.
For any of this.
Wow, what a difference a year makes. I was rock bottom last fall. I feel like I'm close to on top of the world right now.
September 30th Kat and I are going to Mickey's Not So Scary, which we are planning to follow up with a weekend at the beach.
October 13th I'll be back to El Paso to spend a long weekend with Stewart...and some girl talk with Yvonne and Mackenzie!
October 28th I'll be on my way to San Diego for a week with my wonderful family and some fun with Alix and Cade, including Halloween and Disneyland.
November 4th, I'll head back to Orlando where I will meet Heather at the airport for weekend of shenanigans that only the two of us could get into...Epcot Food & Wine, watch out. Saturday night, we'll have a joint bday party at some seriously delicious Disney restaurant...and the only thing standing in the way of making the weekend absolutely perfect will be the absence of Stewart and James.
November 13th- Harry Potter Weekend at Universal. Ron Weasley...I am coming for my picture.
Then it'll be Thanksgiving and Stewart will be in Orlando to visit...and then a few short weeks later we will be together and with our families for Christmas and New Years. I cannot wait.
For any of this.
Wow, what a difference a year makes. I was rock bottom last fall. I feel like I'm close to on top of the world right now.
The craziest thing you've ever done...
Last night, Stewart and I were talking and I asked him what the craziest thing he'd ever done was. He said there were too many to pinpoint just one, lol. And this got me thinking...what was the craziest thing I had ever done? Good Lord, it was hard for me to pinpoint just one too...or at least to admit to it.
-There was that time Shauna and I stayed in a hotel in New York City- the Rhiga Royale-and the room, for one night, was $767. Yes, you read that correctly. That was more than the cost of a cruise to Cozumel for TWO PEOPLE that I went on about 10 years later. Had that been my money paying for it, I'd likely have dropped dead.
-There was the time my friends and I ended up partying with one of the Princes of Saudi Arabia...culminating in thousands of dollars worth of drinks and food from room service while we after-partied in his suite at the Ritz. I was terrified I was going to be drugged, dressed in a Princess Jasmine costume, and wake up as part of harem on a boat in the middle of the sea somewhere. I'm serious.
-There was the time Natazha and I decided we had to celebrate Thanksgiving in Vegas AND go to the Billboard Awards the following weekend. So, we flew to Vegas, stayed Wednesday through Monday morning for the holiday...flew home for 4 days...and then flew right back the following Thursday. I was SO jet lagged and SO sick that I spent the first hour in a bathroom in the hotel lobby vomiting. Then, I doped myself up and proceeded to have an awesome time, which included rubbing LL Cool J's chest during a blessed photo op lol.
-There was the time we went to Sisqo's party at the Venetian after one of these awards shows...he had a life-sized dragon ice sculpture (you know, he was all 'Unleash the Dragon') and an ice boat FILLED with shrimp and crab legs and oysters. I was maybe, possibly, probably, definitely a little tipsy...and when he walked past me I said loudly enough for him to hear, "OMG, he's shorter than I am!" And he was. And I was wearing red pleather pants...which is probably the best part of this whole story.
-There was the time Natazha and I hung out on Busta Rhyme's tour bus because Spliff thought I looked like Michelle Phieffer in Dangerous Minds. I'm pretty sure Spliff was NOT wearing his glasses that day.
-There was the time Natazha and I drove straight to New Orleans ( I think it was a 10 or 12 hour drive), partied for 20 hours, and drove straight home...without sleeping. And for the record, Bourbon Street smells like one huge, dirty, bathroom.
-There was the time I thought it was a good idea to go out without someone I had a crush on when I was 15...even though I was 34. It was NOT a good idea. That's right up there with crazy...in more ways than one, lol.
This is a partial list...when it's not 8am and I am thinking more clearly...or perhaps when I have had a few drinks and I am thinking LESS clearly and am therefore less inhibited, I will continue with the crazy stories... ;)
-There was that time Shauna and I stayed in a hotel in New York City- the Rhiga Royale-and the room, for one night, was $767. Yes, you read that correctly. That was more than the cost of a cruise to Cozumel for TWO PEOPLE that I went on about 10 years later. Had that been my money paying for it, I'd likely have dropped dead.
-There was the time my friends and I ended up partying with one of the Princes of Saudi Arabia...culminating in thousands of dollars worth of drinks and food from room service while we after-partied in his suite at the Ritz. I was terrified I was going to be drugged, dressed in a Princess Jasmine costume, and wake up as part of harem on a boat in the middle of the sea somewhere. I'm serious.
-There was the time Natazha and I decided we had to celebrate Thanksgiving in Vegas AND go to the Billboard Awards the following weekend. So, we flew to Vegas, stayed Wednesday through Monday morning for the holiday...flew home for 4 days...and then flew right back the following Thursday. I was SO jet lagged and SO sick that I spent the first hour in a bathroom in the hotel lobby vomiting. Then, I doped myself up and proceeded to have an awesome time, which included rubbing LL Cool J's chest during a blessed photo op lol.
-There was the time we went to Sisqo's party at the Venetian after one of these awards shows...he had a life-sized dragon ice sculpture (you know, he was all 'Unleash the Dragon') and an ice boat FILLED with shrimp and crab legs and oysters. I was maybe, possibly, probably, definitely a little tipsy...and when he walked past me I said loudly enough for him to hear, "OMG, he's shorter than I am!" And he was. And I was wearing red pleather pants...which is probably the best part of this whole story.
-There was the time Natazha and I hung out on Busta Rhyme's tour bus because Spliff thought I looked like Michelle Phieffer in Dangerous Minds. I'm pretty sure Spliff was NOT wearing his glasses that day.
-There was the time Natazha and I drove straight to New Orleans ( I think it was a 10 or 12 hour drive), partied for 20 hours, and drove straight home...without sleeping. And for the record, Bourbon Street smells like one huge, dirty, bathroom.
-There was the time I thought it was a good idea to go out without someone I had a crush on when I was 15...even though I was 34. It was NOT a good idea. That's right up there with crazy...in more ways than one, lol.
This is a partial list...when it's not 8am and I am thinking more clearly...or perhaps when I have had a few drinks and I am thinking LESS clearly and am therefore less inhibited, I will continue with the crazy stories... ;)
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Farewell All My Children and One Life to Live...
So, after 40 some odd years, my soap operas are being yanked from the air.
Boo hoo...sort of.
Let's begin by saying I have been a lifelong soap opera fan. From the time I was little, and I mean pretty little (was that even appropriate, Mom?!) I watched Ryan's Hope, Loving, The City, Port Charles, All My Children, One Life to Live, General Hospital, and Santa Barbara. I've watched 5 of the 8 of those get cancelled.
I remember going to Eastland as a little girl and meeting Alan Quartermaine and Karen Wolleck. Yes, those are their character names because I don't know their real names and don't care enough to look them up, lol. I went to Sears at Universal Mall to meet Kelly Ripa (the teeny tiny skinniest woman I have EVER seen in my life) and Steve Burton (I was wearing a Cross Colors jacket...embarrassing).
I owe my very first trip to Los Angeles to Cord from One Life to Live. Ryan, Michelle, and I went to Mackinac to a soap opera festival and he drew our raffle ticket to win the grand prize...the choice of a trip to New York or LA. I remember giving him a huge hug and telling him I had never been on a plane before.
I have wonderful memories of Soap Opera Weekends at Disney:
Bobby from All My Children stopped his autograph line and made the ENTIRE crowd sing 'Happy Birthday' to Natazha.
Tad from All My Children got on the phone with my mom and talked to her while she was at Molly's wedding shower.
Zack from All My Children talked Wayne State with me (he's went there too!).
Bob the Bachelor (who, ok, isn't really a Soap Star at all, but was there because he was married to one) talked Detroit with me (he's from there).
Oh, and the best one...one year we randomly ran into one of the guys from Rascal Flatts and got our picture with him!
But as for the ACTUAL shows...well...WTF guys?
While I always watched them when I had time, there were VERY FEW times I watched obsessively (these times include when Eden and Cruz's baby Audriana was kidnapped...only because my Barbie and Ken, aptly renamed Eden and Cruz, were playing along and the whole Hayley/Brian love story on AMC...because I wanted to be Hayley and have a love story with Brian lol). That was what I kind of loved about them. If I missed a few days, it wasn't too hard to jump back in and figure it out.
The last few years though, they've gotten steadily more ridiculous. While they were NEVER truly believable, they have gotten downright insane. I get the whole 'back from the dead' storyline, but for God's sake, how many times can the SAME person die and come back from the dead? Hello, Dixie from All My Children...I am convinced she has a vacation home in Heaven, as she has come and gone from there about 4 times. I'm not even exaggerating. Gay/Lesbian storylines are NOT that big of a deal anymore...but the dumbass music and lame camera angles utilized during those love scenes are pretty amusing. If you have a baby on a soap opera, I guarantee at least 2 out of the next three things:
1) Your baby is getting kidnapped by your husband or boyfriend's deranged ex...and I don't mean recent ex...I mean someone he dated 26 years ago that has been obsessed with him all that time.
2) Your baby was switched at the hospital and when it comes down with a made-up disease, it will be discovered that-GASP-junior is NOT REALLY your baby!
3)On Monday you will have a 2 year old, but by Friday he or she will be 16...because there aren't too many exciting story lines involving 2 year olds.
Soaps have lost the daily escape from reality feeling they used to have and turned into something that makes me just shake my head from the stupidity and absurdity of it all. Or maybe I've just gotten too old to buy into it. After all, I have a button still in the drawer at my parent's that says "Luke Laura Together Now"...and Luke and Laura, a rapist and his victim, were the biggest love story ever on General Hospital. How did anyone ever think that was ok? If you put that on ANY other tv show, people would go nuts.
Eh, so anyways soaps, thanks for the memories. You were great while you lasted, and sometimes I'll probably miss you.
Unless this whole shift to the internet happens, and you are, like so many of your characters before you, brought back from the dead ;)
Boo hoo...sort of.
Let's begin by saying I have been a lifelong soap opera fan. From the time I was little, and I mean pretty little (was that even appropriate, Mom?!) I watched Ryan's Hope, Loving, The City, Port Charles, All My Children, One Life to Live, General Hospital, and Santa Barbara. I've watched 5 of the 8 of those get cancelled.
I remember going to Eastland as a little girl and meeting Alan Quartermaine and Karen Wolleck. Yes, those are their character names because I don't know their real names and don't care enough to look them up, lol. I went to Sears at Universal Mall to meet Kelly Ripa (the teeny tiny skinniest woman I have EVER seen in my life) and Steve Burton (I was wearing a Cross Colors jacket...embarrassing).
I owe my very first trip to Los Angeles to Cord from One Life to Live. Ryan, Michelle, and I went to Mackinac to a soap opera festival and he drew our raffle ticket to win the grand prize...the choice of a trip to New York or LA. I remember giving him a huge hug and telling him I had never been on a plane before.
I have wonderful memories of Soap Opera Weekends at Disney:
Bobby from All My Children stopped his autograph line and made the ENTIRE crowd sing 'Happy Birthday' to Natazha.
Tad from All My Children got on the phone with my mom and talked to her while she was at Molly's wedding shower.
Zack from All My Children talked Wayne State with me (he's went there too!).
Bob the Bachelor (who, ok, isn't really a Soap Star at all, but was there because he was married to one) talked Detroit with me (he's from there).
Oh, and the best one...one year we randomly ran into one of the guys from Rascal Flatts and got our picture with him!
But as for the ACTUAL shows...well...WTF guys?
While I always watched them when I had time, there were VERY FEW times I watched obsessively (these times include when Eden and Cruz's baby Audriana was kidnapped...only because my Barbie and Ken, aptly renamed Eden and Cruz, were playing along and the whole Hayley/Brian love story on AMC...because I wanted to be Hayley and have a love story with Brian lol). That was what I kind of loved about them. If I missed a few days, it wasn't too hard to jump back in and figure it out.
The last few years though, they've gotten steadily more ridiculous. While they were NEVER truly believable, they have gotten downright insane. I get the whole 'back from the dead' storyline, but for God's sake, how many times can the SAME person die and come back from the dead? Hello, Dixie from All My Children...I am convinced she has a vacation home in Heaven, as she has come and gone from there about 4 times. I'm not even exaggerating. Gay/Lesbian storylines are NOT that big of a deal anymore...but the dumbass music and lame camera angles utilized during those love scenes are pretty amusing. If you have a baby on a soap opera, I guarantee at least 2 out of the next three things:
1) Your baby is getting kidnapped by your husband or boyfriend's deranged ex...and I don't mean recent ex...I mean someone he dated 26 years ago that has been obsessed with him all that time.
2) Your baby was switched at the hospital and when it comes down with a made-up disease, it will be discovered that-GASP-junior is NOT REALLY your baby!
3)On Monday you will have a 2 year old, but by Friday he or she will be 16...because there aren't too many exciting story lines involving 2 year olds.
Soaps have lost the daily escape from reality feeling they used to have and turned into something that makes me just shake my head from the stupidity and absurdity of it all. Or maybe I've just gotten too old to buy into it. After all, I have a button still in the drawer at my parent's that says "Luke Laura Together Now"...and Luke and Laura, a rapist and his victim, were the biggest love story ever on General Hospital. How did anyone ever think that was ok? If you put that on ANY other tv show, people would go nuts.
Eh, so anyways soaps, thanks for the memories. You were great while you lasted, and sometimes I'll probably miss you.
Unless this whole shift to the internet happens, and you are, like so many of your characters before you, brought back from the dead ;)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
LOVE this song... Simple Plan is awesome!
My new favorite song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntSBKPkk4m4&ob=av2e
29 days and I'll be in El Paso...that's making me happier than anything right now :)
New season, new beginnings...
I woke up this morning and felt fall in the air. It was the first time in months I've gone outside and it hasn't been already immediately super hot.
Not that I mind when it's hot...that's why I live here, lol...but when it cools down just a little bit and I know that all my favorite times of the year are coming up, well, it's exciting. Especially because last year was basically a big, fat ruin from start to finish.
Last fall started out shitty and got progressively worse...culminating in the purchase of an impromptu flight to Dallas on Halloween weekend, and me sobbing so hard in the airport I couldn't even get on the plane. The proverbial bottom had dropped out...and really, there was nowhere to go but up. It's been a roller coaster of a year, to say the least, but it's the start of a new season, and maybe the best one yet.
I reconnected with Kat that Halloween weekend, and our friendship has grown progressively closer over the last year. I met Jamie and I know she will be a lifelong friend. I've gotten to see Heather three times in the last year, and that's a recent record.
Ryan, Heather, and I are all in relationships that seem healthy and happy...a slow going road for all three of us.
I am making as many positive life changes as I can and finally trying to concentrate on my own happiness and well-being ahead of everyone else's...and not in a selfish way, but in a healthy way. In a way that makes me a better person, friend, sister, daughter, lover, employee. It only took me 34 years to realize that if I was spending all my time and energy trying to make everyone else happy, I was not only going to fail at that, but I was going to lose my sense of self as well.
This fall is starting out a very positive note. I am going back to El Paso in a month to spend another great weekend with Stewart. I am going to San Diego to spend time with my entire family...mom, dad, Rick, Molly, Alix & Cade...and not only that, but I will get to spend Halloween with them, my most favorite holiday. I will turn 23 again...and will celebrate my birthday doing whatever I want with whomever (except, unfortunately Stewart...who will be working) I want and I'll eat french fries and cake and Benihana and I won't apologize for any of it. I will spend Thanksgiving with Stewart and my friends and maybe I can even talk my parents into making it down...and I feel like I will have more to give thanks for this year than ever before.
I hope that the momentum continues and that we all remain happy and healthy as we finish out 2011 :)
Not that I mind when it's hot...that's why I live here, lol...but when it cools down just a little bit and I know that all my favorite times of the year are coming up, well, it's exciting. Especially because last year was basically a big, fat ruin from start to finish.
Last fall started out shitty and got progressively worse...culminating in the purchase of an impromptu flight to Dallas on Halloween weekend, and me sobbing so hard in the airport I couldn't even get on the plane. The proverbial bottom had dropped out...and really, there was nowhere to go but up. It's been a roller coaster of a year, to say the least, but it's the start of a new season, and maybe the best one yet.
I reconnected with Kat that Halloween weekend, and our friendship has grown progressively closer over the last year. I met Jamie and I know she will be a lifelong friend. I've gotten to see Heather three times in the last year, and that's a recent record.
Ryan, Heather, and I are all in relationships that seem healthy and happy...a slow going road for all three of us.
I am making as many positive life changes as I can and finally trying to concentrate on my own happiness and well-being ahead of everyone else's...and not in a selfish way, but in a healthy way. In a way that makes me a better person, friend, sister, daughter, lover, employee. It only took me 34 years to realize that if I was spending all my time and energy trying to make everyone else happy, I was not only going to fail at that, but I was going to lose my sense of self as well.
This fall is starting out a very positive note. I am going back to El Paso in a month to spend another great weekend with Stewart. I am going to San Diego to spend time with my entire family...mom, dad, Rick, Molly, Alix & Cade...and not only that, but I will get to spend Halloween with them, my most favorite holiday. I will turn 23 again...and will celebrate my birthday doing whatever I want with whomever (except, unfortunately Stewart...who will be working) I want and I'll eat french fries and cake and Benihana and I won't apologize for any of it. I will spend Thanksgiving with Stewart and my friends and maybe I can even talk my parents into making it down...and I feel like I will have more to give thanks for this year than ever before.
I hope that the momentum continues and that we all remain happy and healthy as we finish out 2011 :)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
9/11 Never forgotten...
On September 8, 2001...my roommate and I were in New York City. We were staying at the Millenium Broadway, in town for the MTV Video Music Awards. We'd hit the awards shows, we'd shopped, we did some touristy things, we sat up in bed that evening, the night before our plane was scheduled to leave, and I said something that to this day haunts me:
"We should stay a few more days...I have never been to the top of the World Trade Center. We could go."
"Yeah, we should..." she'd replied.
And as impulsive as we both always were at that time of our lives, for some uncharacteristically responsible reason, we decided that we ought to head home on our flight the next day. The WTC would be there the next time we went to New York.
On September 9th, we flew home from New York City and by the 11th, were back to work. I was working as a nanny and had Caroline, who was just shy of a year old, sitting with me while we watched tv. The first plane had hit by the time I tuned in. I wasn't even sure what was going on at the beginning...if it were just a freak accident or something more sinister. I called Ryan...he and I have an ongoing 'scoop' war, where we each try to 'scoop' the other with breaking news and information. I called my roommate. I called both of my parents. I called my Grandma, and I was on the phone with her watching as the second plane approached. I remember a VERY CLEAR sense of relief. You know when there's a wildfire and they send in those planes to dump water on the fire from the air? That's what I thought that plane was. I though, "Oh, Thank God, they are trying to put this out." And then as I talked to my Grandma, that plane hit the second tower. I remember feeling as though I'd had the wind knocked out of me. "Oh my God, " my Grandma said, and I did too, and I think we both just repeated that several times. Neither of us knew what to say. I don't remember the rest of the conversation, except to say that we loved each other...which I know I said to everyone I talked to that day.
Like most of the rest of America, I sat literally glued to the television for the rest of the day. I watched the towers, burn, people falling like raindrops from hundreds of feet in the air because that seemed like a better option, and finally the towers fall. I remember the sick sympathetic fear I felt for those people, the ones that were trapped, the ones that jumped...to be forced to come to a decision such as that, I can't even fathom what they must have been feeling. I remember the heartbreak I felt for the people who had loved ones in those buildings...how terrifying it must have been to have not known if you husband or wife, parent or child, or friend was safe or hurt or even alive.
It was the first event and I hope last that I ever experience, where the whole world, at least MY whole little world, stopped. We all got out of work early. No one knew what to do. Ryan and I went to Bahama Breeze for dinner, and we pushed food around the plate and felt guilty...because we felt like we were taking some kind of advantage of the day off, and it wasn't a day off to be celebrated and enjoyed.
America was supposed to be safe...we were in some kind of bubble where it seemed as though something of this magnitude should not have happened here, should not have been able to have happened here. But it had, and now that false sense of security was shattered. And thousands of innocent people that said goodbye to their loved ones like they did everyday and went off to work like they did everyday and sat wondering what was for dinner like they did everyday, never made it past 10:30am on that fateful day.
It has been 10 years. Nothing makes the clarity I have of that day disappear. My roommate and I were a "Yes, let's stay" away from being on the observation deck of that building. The lives that were lost, the bravery shown, the way that it changed America...these will forever be a part of my life.
It is more poignant to me this year than ever before...so my heart and thoughts go out to those who lost their lives that day, and to those who lost loved ones that day...and sincerest wish is that a no one ever have to face a catastrophic terror event such as this one was ever again.
"We should stay a few more days...I have never been to the top of the World Trade Center. We could go."
"Yeah, we should..." she'd replied.
And as impulsive as we both always were at that time of our lives, for some uncharacteristically responsible reason, we decided that we ought to head home on our flight the next day. The WTC would be there the next time we went to New York.
On September 9th, we flew home from New York City and by the 11th, were back to work. I was working as a nanny and had Caroline, who was just shy of a year old, sitting with me while we watched tv. The first plane had hit by the time I tuned in. I wasn't even sure what was going on at the beginning...if it were just a freak accident or something more sinister. I called Ryan...he and I have an ongoing 'scoop' war, where we each try to 'scoop' the other with breaking news and information. I called my roommate. I called both of my parents. I called my Grandma, and I was on the phone with her watching as the second plane approached. I remember a VERY CLEAR sense of relief. You know when there's a wildfire and they send in those planes to dump water on the fire from the air? That's what I thought that plane was. I though, "Oh, Thank God, they are trying to put this out." And then as I talked to my Grandma, that plane hit the second tower. I remember feeling as though I'd had the wind knocked out of me. "Oh my God, " my Grandma said, and I did too, and I think we both just repeated that several times. Neither of us knew what to say. I don't remember the rest of the conversation, except to say that we loved each other...which I know I said to everyone I talked to that day.
Like most of the rest of America, I sat literally glued to the television for the rest of the day. I watched the towers, burn, people falling like raindrops from hundreds of feet in the air because that seemed like a better option, and finally the towers fall. I remember the sick sympathetic fear I felt for those people, the ones that were trapped, the ones that jumped...to be forced to come to a decision such as that, I can't even fathom what they must have been feeling. I remember the heartbreak I felt for the people who had loved ones in those buildings...how terrifying it must have been to have not known if you husband or wife, parent or child, or friend was safe or hurt or even alive.
It was the first event and I hope last that I ever experience, where the whole world, at least MY whole little world, stopped. We all got out of work early. No one knew what to do. Ryan and I went to Bahama Breeze for dinner, and we pushed food around the plate and felt guilty...because we felt like we were taking some kind of advantage of the day off, and it wasn't a day off to be celebrated and enjoyed.
America was supposed to be safe...we were in some kind of bubble where it seemed as though something of this magnitude should not have happened here, should not have been able to have happened here. But it had, and now that false sense of security was shattered. And thousands of innocent people that said goodbye to their loved ones like they did everyday and went off to work like they did everyday and sat wondering what was for dinner like they did everyday, never made it past 10:30am on that fateful day.
It has been 10 years. Nothing makes the clarity I have of that day disappear. My roommate and I were a "Yes, let's stay" away from being on the observation deck of that building. The lives that were lost, the bravery shown, the way that it changed America...these will forever be a part of my life.
It is more poignant to me this year than ever before...so my heart and thoughts go out to those who lost their lives that day, and to those who lost loved ones that day...and sincerest wish is that a no one ever have to face a catastrophic terror event such as this one was ever again.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Is there something wrong with me?
So, you get sick and you have your choice of medications...daytime formula and nighttime formula. Obviously, the daytime formula is non-drowsy, so you are supposedly able to drive, function at work, and be as alert as you would be had you not taken it. Conversely, the night meds are supposed to put you into a nice, deep, peaceful sleep.
What is wrong with my body chemistry that regardless of which I take, day or night...they both knock me out, stat.
I took a non-drowsy Mucinex the other day to fight off the sinus infection that Texas left me with as a parting gift...and 20 minutes later I was like a walking zombie. Dayquil is the same way. Able to operate heavy machinery my ass...I am out.
What I am getting at here, is, well, I just took a nice daytime Mucinex...it's only 20 after 10 on a Friday night and I had no intention of going to sleep yet...but apparently the medicine has other ideas.
Good night...I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend :)
What is wrong with my body chemistry that regardless of which I take, day or night...they both knock me out, stat.
I took a non-drowsy Mucinex the other day to fight off the sinus infection that Texas left me with as a parting gift...and 20 minutes later I was like a walking zombie. Dayquil is the same way. Able to operate heavy machinery my ass...I am out.
What I am getting at here, is, well, I just took a nice daytime Mucinex...it's only 20 after 10 on a Friday night and I had no intention of going to sleep yet...but apparently the medicine has other ideas.
Good night...I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend :)
Love my adorable nephew...
My nephew Cade started preschool this year. He turned 2 at the end of June, so he's still just a little guy...but apparently he is loving school. He goes 2 days a week, and his teacher sends out a recap email after each class, complete with what they did and accompanying pictures.
I love reading these recaps...and he is ALWAYS smiling and laughing in the pictures. I might be biased, but omg, is he adorable or what?
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Oh. My. God.
So, I started to write my blog about Texas the other day...and I'll finish it, eventually. But I'm going to write this first.
Oh my God, I have been a cranky ass bitch since I got home. I know I have. And do you want to know why? Because I had such an amazingly good time and now I'm back and fucking stuck here.
Although I don't technically live alone, I am alone here 99% of the time. And you know what that means? 99% of the time I am responsible for everything here...including the dogs. I'm annoyed by it. I'm tired of it. If I WANTED to live alone, I would have gotten an apartment by myself. If that were the case, I wouldn't mind all the responsibility. However, since it isn't, and things should be 50/50 here, I can't help but be aggravated.
While I was in Dallas, Heather, James, and I went to the Waffle House. Heather and I were sitting across from each other, and about 4 different times, all we had to do was make eye contact to know what the other was thinking and burst into laughter. I have known her about 25 years. And I miss her. Hanging out made it that much harder to come back here.
Oh yeah, and then there's Stewart. I could tell you 3086 of his wonderful qualities...but I won't. I'll simply say that he has AT LEAST 3086 wonderful qualities...and every last one of them is in El Paso, TX right now, while I am sitting in my room in Orlando, FL. Unfair. Annoying. Ugh. Basically, if you live within the same state as your significant other, I am jealous as shit of you.
So, yes, I have been in a bitchy mood. But not because I'm unhappy. Because I'd he HAPPIER if I were somewhere else.
Yeehaw.
Oh my God, I have been a cranky ass bitch since I got home. I know I have. And do you want to know why? Because I had such an amazingly good time and now I'm back and fucking stuck here.
Although I don't technically live alone, I am alone here 99% of the time. And you know what that means? 99% of the time I am responsible for everything here...including the dogs. I'm annoyed by it. I'm tired of it. If I WANTED to live alone, I would have gotten an apartment by myself. If that were the case, I wouldn't mind all the responsibility. However, since it isn't, and things should be 50/50 here, I can't help but be aggravated.
While I was in Dallas, Heather, James, and I went to the Waffle House. Heather and I were sitting across from each other, and about 4 different times, all we had to do was make eye contact to know what the other was thinking and burst into laughter. I have known her about 25 years. And I miss her. Hanging out made it that much harder to come back here.
Oh yeah, and then there's Stewart. I could tell you 3086 of his wonderful qualities...but I won't. I'll simply say that he has AT LEAST 3086 wonderful qualities...and every last one of them is in El Paso, TX right now, while I am sitting in my room in Orlando, FL. Unfair. Annoying. Ugh. Basically, if you live within the same state as your significant other, I am jealous as shit of you.
So, yes, I have been in a bitchy mood. But not because I'm unhappy. Because I'd he HAPPIER if I were somewhere else.
Yeehaw.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
All the things I never knew I always wanted...
Well, where do I begin? I'm back from my whirlwind Texas safari. This was the 3rd time I've vacationed in Texas. The last 2 times I stayed at the Four Seasons, where the waitstaff made sure our napkins matched our outfits, and the Westin, which was attached to a mall. That's pretty much my speed.
My speed shifted this weekend...and you know what? It was awesome.
First of all, I had a wonderful first night in Dallas catching up with Heather. We stayed up half the night talking, laughing, and possibly dealing with my raging case of PMS.
Early the next morning, it was off to El Paso...on a mercifully empty flight where I had half the plane to myself. I was nervous...excited...and tired, lol. I slept for awhile, and then watched the landscape below me go from lush and green to dry desert brown.
Stewart's friend Yvonne picked me up from the airport since he had a few hours left at work. She was awesome and welcoming. And then it was off to the hotel (which ended up being so close to the airport I could have walked to it, lol) to wait.
And here's everything I did this weekend:
-Went to my first Army Ball.
-Drove up into the mountains.
-Ate at the Golden Corral (it wasn't bad, I'm not gonna lie, lol)
-Drove around with the windows open and let the wind blow my hair all over the place and didn't even worry about what it looked like.
-Saw the Mexican border.
-Had a BBQ where I ate a bbq-ed bologna sandwich with REAL (not fat free) cheese and REAL (not baked) Doritos...and OMG was it ever good.
-Saw the Military Hospital where my dad was stationed.
-Saw Stewart's barracks and base.
-Learned to do a 2-step and some other country line dance.
-Went on a mechanical bull.
-Ate at a Waffle House.
-Danced under a disco saddle.
-Wore a cowboy hat.
-Drove in a monster truck.
-Met James.
-Made a bunch of new friends.
-And I just might have fallen in love.
I can't believe how fast it all flew by. I guess in a way that's good though, because it means that the next time I see him will be here before I know it.
My speed shifted this weekend...and you know what? It was awesome.
First of all, I had a wonderful first night in Dallas catching up with Heather. We stayed up half the night talking, laughing, and possibly dealing with my raging case of PMS.
Early the next morning, it was off to El Paso...on a mercifully empty flight where I had half the plane to myself. I was nervous...excited...and tired, lol. I slept for awhile, and then watched the landscape below me go from lush and green to dry desert brown.
Stewart's friend Yvonne picked me up from the airport since he had a few hours left at work. She was awesome and welcoming. And then it was off to the hotel (which ended up being so close to the airport I could have walked to it, lol) to wait.
And here's everything I did this weekend:
-Went to my first Army Ball.
-Drove up into the mountains.
-Ate at the Golden Corral (it wasn't bad, I'm not gonna lie, lol)
-Drove around with the windows open and let the wind blow my hair all over the place and didn't even worry about what it looked like.
-Saw the Mexican border.
-Had a BBQ where I ate a bbq-ed bologna sandwich with REAL (not fat free) cheese and REAL (not baked) Doritos...and OMG was it ever good.
-Saw the Military Hospital where my dad was stationed.
-Saw Stewart's barracks and base.
-Learned to do a 2-step and some other country line dance.
-Went on a mechanical bull.
-Ate at a Waffle House.
-Danced under a disco saddle.
-Wore a cowboy hat.
-Drove in a monster truck.
-Met James.
-Made a bunch of new friends.
-And I just might have fallen in love.
I can't believe how fast it all flew by. I guess in a way that's good though, because it means that the next time I see him will be here before I know it.
You know what's the funniest thing...until the last year, I spent a long time hanging out with a certain group of people, doing the same certain, stupid things over and over again. And I thought I was happy. And I thought I was having a really good time. And the further away from those people I get, the more I realize that I wasn't. It was fine for what it was worth at the time, but I'll tell you what, I had more fun curled up with Stewart on a chair built for one person, watching a movie with Mackenzie and Luke, full from a bologna sandwich and ice cream, than I EVER did going to MTV Awards shows or red carpet parties in Vegas. And THAT feels amazing.
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