I don't think on it often, but every now and then I doubt why I play. I'll never do it professionally or with other people. I don't do recitals. Only 4 people that live in all of Texas have heard me. That's it.
But I was talking to a new-found friend at work about it today. He's a musician that can't read music. And he said:

"I just always try to remind myself not to expect anything to happen when I play, but just to play. Music is an endless wellspring. It'll never stop or run out, and there will always be fun and inspiration to be had with it."

Thank you sir, thank you. That was exactly what I needed to hear.

After Tuesday, all of last week was pretty awesome and the weekend just kept it going :)
I had purchased a very oversized Bellatrix Lestrange t shirt. I hate t shirts. But it was $7 and I neeeeeeded it lol. So I took it home and fucked it up. Cut the sides a bit to make it kind of tunic like, snipped the sleeves and cut open the neck. Wore it to work and go sooooooooo many compliments! Everyone thought I bought it that way :) Many a "look at you! rocking out all punk!" LOL. Punk and Harry Potter? Nerds! Represent!
But I digress.
Friday night I watched some stand up comedy and ate 3 Oreos... mmmm...... Ok, it was really 4, but who's counting? Anyway, got a call from the BFF and Sis; for the second Friday in a row, they were coming over for a few beverages, some card playing and BSing and some crashing at my place. I just couldn't stop loving that if I wanted to. Which I don't. And he said the fact that I "made" my shirt was hot. So that's the compliment that will keep me going for the next month. February is a short one anyway lol. But again with the digressions!
In the am (or noonish, rather), I was the first one up and got started on some breakfast. The last of all the scrapple in all of Austin (possibly Texas?) is gone. So now I'll leave them wanting more. Then I'll call my mom-mom and beg for a refill LOL
After they left I did the usual pick-up/shower thing that has to follow a night like that, and called my other friend for some weekend carelessness. There was mall walking and candle procuring, 30Rock season 3 for $17, a second hoodie and coffees and lunch... Speaking of the latter :)
We went to Thundercloud subs for lunch. And the very adorable guy behind the counter noticed that I have a Zelda wallet. Cause, you know, I'm awesome. He got SO excited lol. We talked about all of the games, about my obsession, about his obsession, about ring tones, games on his phone, the theme on the violin, playing a real ocarina, and even the wallpaper on my screens at work. Apparently he was flirting with me and my friend was not happy about it hahaha. Even more upsetting (he said) was that I didn't know (which is true - I NEVER know) so I was just being my fun outgoing self which just made the flirting even worse haha. He was jealous. It was cute. But it's not like we talked about anything aside from Zelda and that I didn't care what kind of cheese he put on my sammich. We left and that was it.
Then there was the coffee. Apparently, same thing. Nice guy, starts talking about my sweet Bellatrix shirt and how much he liked it. 2 for 2. Maybe now I'm validated till mid-march? :)
Moving on, the day was great and the night was good. Kept goofing off till well after 10. Then Sunday I played catch up on my violin lesson, watched a TON of stand up and started sorting boxes in my closet. Even though I still have some time, it's becoming real. I sold some stocks and will order the sofa within the next 2 weeks. Hoping to have my friend take me to Ikea in his big-ass, honking truck next weekend for procurement of the other stuff hehe.
Spent the evening watching the Grammys and relaxing. Yesterday was back to work and awesome as could be expected. Last night was the Monday ritual of lunch with the friend, grocery shopping and Big Bang. With a few "your mom" texts thrown in. F'N hi-LAR-ious.
Today's work again. Hoping to make it a smooth day and an early night. Soooo sleepy. But taxes are done. RIGHT THIS TIME! $8,000 to the IRS, $400 back. That seems fair. Tomorrow's Tosh.0. Hoping the Wednesday norm stays on track.

And I finally procured the Main Drag CD. Good stuff. Sounds like the Shins and Death Cab made sweet love to one another and then there was the Main Drag lol. So I'm liking it......

Not sure how, but my coworkers and I were discussing plastic lunch boxes this morning lol. Which inspired me to look around and find this:




I'm pretty sure that was mine :) I can almost smell the old milk from here lol.

And that inspired me to look for more... God bless YouTube




















And, of course, my favorite:

It's been a good year so far :)
The past two weeks have kept me busy between work and playing with friends; nothing terribly noteworthy till this weekend though.
Hung out with my BFF and his sis Friday night and got to catch up, watch some TV and eat some scrapple (only meat this year - it and crab meat get free passes lol). Saturday was two friends and a tattoo convention..... which brings me to this:

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/beladona_took/Key%20Tattoo/?action=view¤t=5c155ab3.pbw&t=1263830177

(tried to do an actual post of the slideshow, but either LJ or Photobucket is being a cunt this morning)

And baby makes 14 :)
I never, NEVER get tattoos impulsively. And out of all of my tattoos only two have been flash. The others are all custom. But we were there and a gentleman from Chicago had a booth. With Sailor Jerry books and posters. So naturally I stopped by. And found out he specialized in small Sailor Jerry flash. And I saw the key. And fell in love. So, it was applied to a beautiful little bare spot on my arm, just begging to be completed. I have the usual day-after tattoo regret, but I love it a little more every time I look at it :)
Yesterday was pretty chill. Ended up doing a lot of nothing then watching the Golden Globes with my friend. And today, as always, I'm working when I'd rather be sleeping lol. Violin and grocery shopping with a little Big Bang thrown in later. Have a good day!

Oh and I got the Kings of Leon CD. Check it out when/if you can. Good stuff.

As I am wont to do this time of year, it's time for a recap (sorry, didn't feel like a cut) :

January was another move (this time with movers!) to a place that has served me well for about 12 months now. I have another 4 there and I will miss it, but after that it's yet another move. Hopefully the last for a while though. It was also the month that he and I ended things for good. It went down harsh, but it was ended for the best. That was also when I got Terrence! The pretty little Matrix that I knew was the answer to all my Focus bullshit.
And I saw a Black man become president. Didn't think that would happen for another 10 years or more. January was also the start of reconnecting with a man that has probably had the biggest influence on the whole of my 2009...

February was pretty routine, but I did start dedicating myself more to music. That month I started trying harder with my violin lessons and even procured my (now very beloved) viola. I also started addressing (and even nurturing) my anger. Then there was the first time I'd called out sick in over 18 months. Yuck :( But there was good stuff; I continued said bonding with said friend. And there was the 4th Spike & Mike showing :) #5 is right around the corner!

March was shenanigans and birthdays and kites and busted headlights and plans and failings of said plans and bad first dates and tattoos and Buddhism and black skies with hail thundering. It was not bad at all.

April brought little change. There was routine, but more than that I started accepting and, dare I say, enjoying the routine. And I gave up meat again.

May, too, had little excitement. I did, however, go to my first real play/musical. I had been to the standard high school senior productions, but this was very different :) This was RENT. Live. With Anthony Rapp. *swoon*. There was also that premonition of my guy in Maryland and his GF.. that was just weird.

June was muy eventful lol. We'll start with the death of Terrence, just 6 months after I got him and just 7 days before my birthday. I swear to god if I get rear ended again there will be blood. But then shortly thereafter I did get to go to the Houston aquarium and it was beautiful (and I pet a shark!). There were tornadoes in Austin that month too, but I did not see any of them.
The month also brought the first time I loosened the piano wire :) I remember it very, very well, despite all of the beverages that usually induce forgetfulness lol. We were watching TV, then we were suddenly downtown on a Tuesday night. It was awesome and I could not have had more fun if I'd tried. That was a very meaningful night and I will never forget it.

July brought his visit. Wow. It was interesting and I'm pretty sure it unintentionally ended the strength of our friendship. But it also brought an end to the car shit and introduced Phillip into my life. And there was the release of the 6th Harry Potter movie. I am nerd, hear me squeal. There was also a return trip to sea world. WOOP

August included Wicked, in theaters. Incredible. And there was an 80s sing-a-long where I got to meet my BFF's sister. She's been a very good addition to my circle indeed.

September was the big vacation type stuffs. My folks came out, there was another tattoo addition, more time with friends, showing them off to my folks, lots of trips around Austin. Got to see the Kentucky kin and all of my family and friends in Maryland. Even got to see the ocean again. Pure awesomeness.

October had fun stuffs like the Mitch Hedberg tribute at the Alamo, the beginning of my fear of his dad lol, an angry nun at Halloween, and the new season of Venture Brothers (that I had waited over a year for), but nothing drastic :)

November he asked me to stop Monday presents. It was hard, but stop I have. It was also when he worked two weeks from 9pm to 6am. Tough stuff. I was sick during part of it though (again with actually calling out sick... twice in one year...), and spent an entire night at work with him - so that was very worth it and a big highlight of my month. That and the fact that we had 1x1 time for the first time in a long time. There was also helping friends move and discussing my moving plans in the near future.

And that brings us to December. It's been a challenging month between sick family, strained friendships, the holidays, taxes (don't ask), slight self destruction and disappointment, and overwhelming work. But it's been great too. I got to give my family and friends the best I could for the holidays and who doesn't love baking cookies? I got some of the best gifts from friends and family who know me only too well. I got to talk to my folks for their 27th anniversary and to my daddy for his 53rd birthday. Put up my tree by myself and got to see Frank Warren again, alone again, and I liked it that way. I also ate a bit of meat this season and had my fair share of cigarettes, but after the holiday that'll go back to usual again. And I watched the Zelda movie, of course :)


So, the long and short of it (mostly long, clearly); that was my year.
I glanced over the last years journal entries to make sure I recapped all the important stuff and realized that, from late late January to present (and hopefully onward) I have been getting closer and closer to him. He's helped make this year what it's been for me - a couple of shit days out numbered by a fantastic many. Ah, unrequited love. Sucks ass and makes my stomach butterfly. Fuck. Anyhoo lol

Completely off subject, tomorrow is a blue moon. And a blue moon on December 31st. That supposedly happens every 20 years or so :) Savor it.

But back on track: It's clear to me that this year brought more than a few trials. There was letting a few people go and bringing a few people closer. I've learned where my limits are and how to leap over them without looking down, as well as how to keep far away from those lines. I've become more social, but even more ok with being alone. There were new tattoos, reconnections with lost friends, and a great deal of shining at work. I read new books and re-read old ones; listened to new music and rediscovered old songs. 2009 was pretty darn good to me. Here's hoping 2010 keeps it going.

This is bat country


(if you don't get the reference just let me know and I'll be happy to educate you haha)

My Christmas present from my BFF :) We saw it in a video store over the summer when I was spending all my time over at his house doing nothing lol. We both gawked at its awesomeness. And he remembered it 5+ months later. After all the crap that happened last week, it was just the perfect present :) And I think he was just as excited about it as I lol

That said, the week sucked and the weekend was awesome. Friday night he and his sis showed up at 9ish and there was drinking and video games and music and present swapping and jalapeno poppers. We all crashed about 2am and, amazingly, no one got too drunk and there were no hangovers haha. It was like the perfect amount of shenanigans. And for some reason blinds had been closed to prevent waking too early, the Christmas lights had been unplugged, my friend was tucked in on the sofa, pillow included, and the house was tidy when we got up. And not one of us knows how this happened... I know it wasn't me. In fact I think it was he, but he doesn't remember. Pretty cool :)
Saturday was incredibly non eventful - all I did was clear out the DVR and read. It was rather relaxing.
Sunday I got to sleep in again and putter around the house until about 3, at which point I was invited to go Christmas shopping with my friend. I'm all done with my shopping, but any excuse to go out or hang out with him is good enough for me. So we went all over town while he wrapped up his present procuring, then I got home about 7ish and had a nothing night. Very relaxing weekend in contrast to what I know will be an upcoming hectic pair.
Today should be good. Just a couple more hours and I'm out. Then there's grocery shopping, making dinner with a friend and the Big Bang Theory.

Until next time!

I have done it. I invested one hour, forty-eight minutes in this creation. And;
I.
Regret.
Nothing.


Pure epic. At the least you need to watch the trailer:




The below link leads to an article on the film, a better (and longer) trailer as well as the movie itself.

SPOILER: Link chucks his sword THROUGH GANNON'S CHEST! The last 10 minutes (especially, but throughout all of it, really) of this movie Link is a TOTAL bad ass... And he cuts someone's head off, after having been stabbed in the back! There is no end to this amount of epic. No end.


http://www.geekologie.com/2009/12/omg_fanmade_feature_length_zel.php

So no one ended up going with, but I ventured. I got there about 90 minutes early and it was already standing room only. I found a small shelf out of the way and sat on the floor in front of it, about 10 feet from the stage.
It was incredible. Just as awesome as the first time I went. He talked to about 50 minutes, interacting with everyone there and sharing some stories and experiences, which was very inspiring. Behind the cut are a lot of pictures (50+) and a link to an audio recording of the appearance..

( Tons of PostSecret stuff this way )

Happy anniversary mom & dad. Congrats for putting up with each other so long :)

Thanksgiving was good - most memorable quote from the day came from my best girl's mom:
"you would not believe how much rosemary I had to shove up that turkey's asshole"

Christmas shopping is all but complete. Just waiting on the last few things to be delivered. Baking begins this weekend.

Put up & decorated my Christmas tree all by myself for the first time in my life. Not too bad.

Had a real, legit fight that with my best boy. We're ok, this was a couple of weeks ago, but it was interesting. Sure we've bickered before, but I don't think we'd ever had a fight. It was a worthwhile one and good to get it out of the way.

Season 9 of Scrubs is crazy disappointing. I really don't know if I can stick with it, but I can't seem to give up on it yet either. Season 8 ended great.. they should have left it there.

I think I'm gonna stop smoking for a bit. Not sure how long or how completely, but I haven't had one in a couple days and I don't think I'll be buying another pack any time soon.

Frank Warren is at BookPeople this Saturday at 3. I've invited some people, but with them or without I'm going.

I'm probably going to be moving in April, when my lease is up. The "new" place would be too big for me, but as my friend says, I'd "grow into it". I like it and I know the rent wouldn't be going up any time soon. And it really would be place big enough for future plans (it's the one she and I shared from mid 06-early 08). I'm just scared it would be too empty in the meantime. I suppose we'll see in April.

And other than that? Just kinda bored. It'll be 2010 soon, so that's interesting.

A while back I posted an entry about the little things that make me smile (http://beladona-took.livejournal.com/54477.html), and now I have ( another one of sorts )

Just a little blip.
First and foremost, no meteor sightings. *sigh* I tried - I was up till 2, but I had to work, so that was that.

Now a little unauthorized literature! (this is from that book I referenced previously. it just really struck a cord with me, so I thought I'd share)

"No matter how far you go, you can never quite get away from yourself. We're our own punishment, our own reward.
Every moment of everyday, we decide our fate. We think we have a choice - and we do in a way - but what we have to choose from has been decided long ago. All of out lives - our past lives, present lives and post lives - are like a big chessboard. It's more than infinite, stretching both backward and forward until it meets itself. It's also terribly wide. And deep. And has a strange smell, kind of like pancakes.
Mmm... pancakes.
Deep down in Heck, far beyond the smell of pancakes, the game plays itself out, move by move, pawns advancing, oblivious to the forces that propel them. But someone - or something - has changed the rules. There was a new piece on the chessboard that shouldn't have been there. And now, even though it's gone, it's still in play. A mistake has been made. Or has it?
Sometimes life is a joke that you don't understand: you laugh but you're not sure why. In the afterlife, no one is laughing. Especially those who think the rules are theirs to make. This time the joke is on them.
Ha!"

Well, the Thursday night shenanigans were just the beginning and the weekend just kept being delightful from there.
Friday night I did end up going out. I'm really REALLY proud of myself lately. I'm uber anti-social and now I've gone out (with some people I don't even know, except by association) a couple of weekends in a row. I bought the birthday boy a shot and had a beer, attempting to socialize with people whom's names I did not know lol. My friend and his sis got there about an hour later and I hung out a bit longer, but I realized quickly that my only means of coping with this get-together would be to keep drinking and, since I was getting myself home, I decided it was time to bid the crowd a fond goodbye.
So I went home and got to see my sitcoms I'd missed Thursday after all :) Best of both worlds right there.
Saturday I got up a little earlier than I'd have liked because I had to take Phillip in to the dealership.. his antenna came off! They ordered the part and said they should be able to help him this week.
After that I helped two people move. From about 11am till 5pm it was hauling up and down 3 flights of stairs, packing up 2 cars, a truck and a mini van, driving across town to unload in a garage, driving back across town to load up the mini van again, then back to the garage AND unpacking most of the boxes in the kitchen. I even fell down at one point, but it was so friggin graceful I can't be bothered by it lol. Needless to say, 5pm was my limit.
I left and got a call from him and her, asking about arts and crafts :) The paper mache' skulls we'd made a couple of weeks back still hadn't been painted, so they wanted to come over and hang out. They got to my house just around 7 and we all painted and rocked out and smoked cigs and did shots and got way too fucked up lol. I'm impressed with how well those skulls turned out, all things considered. And my song came on his iPod. I don't know why, but Africa by Toto makes me think of him every time I hear it. Almost like a running joke; he rocked out to it a couple of times in a very amusing way, then it was one of the videos in the one hit wonders Alamo show and, finally, when I was chatting him from MD and wandering through a mall with my family, it played in two different stores in the hour or so we were there. If ever we have "a song", that's it lol. But I digress.
I was down for the count about 1 and slept till about 11:30. Then he suggested breakfast and, frankly, nothing had ever really sounded so good. We went to this place I'd never been to called "The Original Pancake House" near my last apartment. It was so frigging delicious. Then, out of nowhere, the suggestion was made for a movie. Woop! I love the spontaneity that comes with hanging out with them. We finished brunch and went to the theater for a matinee of Zombieland. O.M.G... the movie was gross and hilarious and witty and absolutely awesome. If you get the chance to see it and you're ok with lots of gore (in context) I recommend it.
They ended up heading back to their house at 5ish and I cleaned my house, ran some errands, dropped off his Monday present (9pm Sundays are his new 10am Mondays - but only for 11 more days) and spent the remainder of the evening with my girl and her fiance, watching TV and fucking off in general. It was nice.
Today, however, I'm sick. I want to go home, take a long hot shower, watch Winnie the Pooh, have someone play with my hair and nurse an orange juice and nyquil cocktail. Mmmmmm... I imagine I can do at least a couple of those things. I've already called out from violin and only 22 more minutes to my shift. Here's hoping a good night's sleep will have me back to my giddy self. In any case the weekend was awesometastic enough that my cooties couldn't make me that upset even if they tried.

... so I didn't change my shirt. The evening's drinks left a lingering taste in my mouth....

Ah, the Postal Service. Anyhoo.

Supposed to help two people move this weekend. And I'm trying to think of every possible way to get out of it lol. I'll just have to see how tonight/tomorrow/Sunday play out.
Wednesday night I was supposed to have plans. They fell through. Oh well.
Last night, however, was kick ass. About 8 pm I get a text from him; he and his sis are out at Parmer Lane Tavern and want me to come out and play. Since it was a couple of hours before my bed time, why the fuck not? And this is why I never learn lol.
1/2 a pack of smokes, 3 shots of Sailor Jerry, 3.5 beers and you've got one very happy me. His sis couldn't hang so she went home, but he's in charge of getting me home safe, so he took me home. We sat on the sofa talking and eating M&Ms according to color. And making french fries. Cause that's how we roll. I also had some Sailor in my freezer, so there may or may not have been another shot or two. We ended the night crashing at about 3 and still just laying there talking until we giggled ourselves to sleep.
The alarm at 6:30 was just cruel. Every time it came on and I hit snooze he just kept saying "will you address that?" hahahaha.
Managed to get up and make myself presentable, dragged him out of bed and took him to his truck, with time to grab coffee and make it to work a little early.
Today we're short staffed and that makes the day slide by nicely. But it's my last Friday with him for 3 weeks :( Starting this Monday night he's backfilling at night. But it's only two weeks. Maybe next Friday I'll find a 24 hour Starbucks and bring him some coffee in the wee hours. Cause I'm the best friend ever lol.

Tonight I'm supposed to go to a birthday party at a bar. I want to, but I don't hah. I could go be social with my friends and have a beer, or I could stay home and watch the sitcoms I missed cause I was out playing all last night. Decisions, decisions...

Last week wasn't too bad. The weekend kicked ass. And there was an amazing thunderstorm this morning. Good times.

The fun really started Thursday night. After work, my friend and his sister came over for the premiere of Venture Brothers, season 4! HUZZAH! I'd waited over a year for that. So happy :) There was also some beer and other stupid TV goodness, as there should be.
Friday night was delightful as well; after their dad went to work (cause I'm a pussy and not very comfortable there with him lol - not that we dislike each other, just that I'm terrified of fucking things up without my knowledge) I went over and played some Wii bowling with them till nearly 3 am. Loads of fun, but Saturday was my favorite :)
We got up at 8 am. They came over and the three of us went to coffees and then to the Mexican Cultural Arts Center to make paper mache' skulls for the Day of the Dead (which is this coming Sunday). It was so much fun. Now we have them at home and just need to paint them :) After that was lunch at Katz's and a scary-ish movie (Paranormal Activity). I can see why some people would be freaked out, just based on religious beliefs, but I think it got more hype than it should have. Some good suspense and a couple of really good jumps, but not even remotely what I was expecting. And I'd have kicked that boyfriend's ass. Dick. Anyway... After that I watched my friend mow a lawn lol. Then back to my house where we stayed up till 2ish watching Greg the Bunny :) They ended up crashing there and left around 11 Sunday morning. I got to spend most of the weekend with them, which was really really good for me. He's about to take a new schedule which will greatly affect our relationship, but that's a bridge I'll cross when I absolutely must. Until then I'll pretend it's not real.

Yesterday afternoon I spent with my girlfriend and her fiance to look at their new house - they're buying this beautiful 4 bed, 2.5 bath right near her parents. The rooms are great since she's home based now and will have plenty of room for her office and such, but she's really hinting that she wants me to move in. I'm so on the fence about that it's actually retarded. Some of the pros: I wouldn't be alone at home, it would be way cheaper, I wouldn't have to worry about raising rent and/or moving every 12-15 months... Some of the cons: It would add 10 minutes to my drive anywhere in Austin (it's not even in Austin lol) including work, having friends over would be waaaay harder, I wouldn't even have my own bathroom anymore (let alone a kitchen)... I'm probably going to find a nice way to say no, but I'm not positive. I suppose that's another bridge I'll cross only when I absolutely must.

7 minutes left in my work day, then I need to clean the house, do the dishes and the laundry, practice violin and do grocery shopping. You know, all the stuff that got neglected in the name of fun with friends. And I regret nothing :)

It's been a while and there have been goings on. Yay me lol

The work is good
The house is clean
The groceries are purchased and put away (minus two puddings that fell prey to a sleep eater)
The year has been short, but the days move slowly by...

So much and nothing at all both seem to be happening at once. Like, I know a lot of things happened between last posting and this, but I have only glimpses.
Got to spend an evening with a good friend who has new (and conflicting) hours, so that was really nice.
Saw Jim & Pam's wedding on the Office (and yes, I feel that was post-worthy; I <3 that show), cried my ass off.
Hunted all over for fake poo for my friend's Monday present.. Didn't think fake poo would be that hard to find. Especially in Austin. Especially this close to Halloween.
Speaking of which, there was a potential party that has since fallen through and I'm kind of happy about that lol. A girl's Halloween costume now consists of taking even cherished childhood memories and turning them into whores (http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/19915.jpg) or spending $100 + for an actual costume (http://www.halloweengalleria.com/plus-size-costumes.htm)... I don't know that I would spend $100 on a wedding dress (cause Jews are cheap but Scotts are thrifty!). Anyway. Since that's off I'm thinking about this spiffy Main Event thing. Bowling, drinking and mini golf all in one night?! I know, who could pass that up!!!

Now onto the weekend updates:

Last weekend (like the 2nd-4th, not two days ago) I went on a "double date" of sorts with my best guy friend. His sister had met a gent at a bar and wanted to hang out with him in a more personal setting and my friend is adorably protective over his (big) sis lol. So he wanted to go with, but brothers on dates are kinda third-wheel-ish. Which is where I come in.
We hung out at a pool hall for a little while, then went to Pete's on 6th for some drunken singing. Love it. I know my limits though, and I was down for the count about 3ish - knew I was not driving anywhere. So I crashed at his/his sisters/his folks house. I helped clean up before bed, so there was no mess. I slept upstairs with him so I wouldn't surprise anyone by being on the sofa. We were both on top of the covers, fully clothed (he even still had his hat and shoes on) and at least a foot between us so my presence couldn't be confused for anything more than someone who couldn't drive crashing to sober up for a while.
And at about 8 am I feel a tugging on my leg. I thought it was my friend pulling me away from the edge of the bed. Not so much. I woke up to his dad sternly standing over us saying over and over again "It's time for you to go, you don't need to be here anymore". Over. And. Over. That's sobering. I apologized for being disrespectful and left. Cried all the way home and went back to bed lol. Best part is I'm not even trying to fuck up with his dad, but in the 3 or 4 times I've interacted with him I've managed to 1) put my feet on a sofa (by sitting cross legged, nothing intentionally dickish) that was not supposed to have feet on it 2) disrespected him by crashing on his son's bed without his knowledge 3) caused a beer to be spilt upon him.
I'm three for three. Moving on.

The following Sunday I went to see The Invention of Lying and it was exactly what I was expecting. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The past week was kind of blurry - lots of work and home-type stuffs, but nothing terribly eventful. My friend's fiance's birthday came and went, so we did lunch. Got together for the return of Tosh.0 with a friend and had a fun Park & Pizza shindig with co-workers in celebration of 9 years at #1 - go Apple! That was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be; crowds like that are usually terribly overwhelming.

Last night was my favorite though :)
Those who know me know that Mitch Hedberg is (and probably always will be) my favorite comic. I love him. I was going to see him live. When he died on March 29th, 05 (and my friends told me a day or so later) I thought it was the cruelest April Fool's joke they could have played. When I found out it was true though I cried like a little girl. But if you've read this journal then you've heard these stories.
Last night my friend and I went to the Alamo Drafthouse on 6th street to see a tribute. His widow (Lynn) was there, introducing the pilot for an MTV show based on Mitch that was never picked up, various improv clips, and a shitty ass movie he made ("Los Enchiladas"). It was wonderful. Several beers, a couple hours, a shot of Sailor and some chips and queso made for an awesome night. And when we got out it was only 9:30ish (it started at 7), so there was time for a beer run. We got back to my house and played cards, drinking and smoking and goofing off all night. It was good times.
He ended up crashing at my house and I let him keep sleeping when I left. Told him I'd call around 9 (HE HAS A CELL PHONE NOW!! EEEEEEEEE!!) to make sure he was up. It was so much fun - I can never get enough of being with him. We debated calling out today to go to the zoo (his idea, completely), but we're responsible adults.






Now if you'll excuse me, I have to place a wake up call ;)

Let's see, when last we left off I was in Kentucky, so let's play catch up:

That weekend was good - left KY and got to MD by Saturday night.
Sunday (the 13th) we slept in a bit and went to Old Mill Crab House to pick some crabs and feast! There are a bunch of pics I will eventually get around to posting, I promise.
Monday I went to Ocean City with my momma and it was really nice. Even brought home some of the Atlantic in a bottle. It's on my counter :) I got to see a good friend and her little boy (he's almost 3 now!) for dinner then just hung out at home.
That Tuesday I got to spend the afternoon with family and friends, pretty laid back over all... visits with a cute little boy and some cash cab goodness in the evening (I love that show lol).
Wednesday was Salisbury with my cousin, her beautiful baby boy (who just turned 2) and my momma for some shopping and hanging. That afternoon I got to see some friends and then we had a nice little family BBQ.
Thursday was pretty awesome. I had lunch with my sister, which was pretty interesting. Then I got to sit down with my Chica. I hadn't seen her in 3 years. I almost threw up waiting for her to come to the door. I missed her so much. I still do. We just sat there for more than 2 hours - not a smoke, not a coffee, no TV, just us. It was incredible. Thank you - thank you so much - I needed that and I'm so glad we're ok. Looking over that afternoon is like a fossilized record of yum ;)
I spent the evening with my boy from way back. Hadn't seen him a year and shit has he grown up :) He smokes and drinks and cusses and he has the tatts and the piercings and my god I hope I contributed some of that bad influence :) He's got a new gal and he's just so happy. I'm so happy for him too, genuinely so.
Friday it was all over. We got up early for breakfast with my mom-mom, then my mom, dad and myself went magick shop hopping. That was a lot of fun :) At 5ish I wound up at the airport with all the fun security and oh-so-plesent pricks. I mean, I get that you have a rough job, but did they ever think people would be nicer to them if they were nicer to people? But I digress. Boarding at BWI there was a great layover/lover slip that will forever scar my dignity, but it makes a great story.. for another time :)
Landed back in Austin around 11 and got to see my buddy as I was coming down the escalator. He was screaming my name and jumping up and down like a 16 year old girl that had just seen... whoever 16 year old girls fawn over nowadays lol
We stayed up all night drinking and playing cards and catching up and it was just awesometasticorgasmalicious. Didn't go to bed till 5:30am ish. To say I'd missed him would be the understatement of the year :)
The next day we went to his place for moving and cleaning and good old fashioned work. It was actually really nice to get my hands dirty.
When we were done there we went to his folks so he could put some stuff away and have dinner. We watched some football and I impressed him with my mad knowledge of penalties, signals, plays and such (thanks mom! lol) and again stayed up way too late. Got home at 4ish.
Sunday was relaxing. Slept in, did some grocery shopping and hung out with a friend to watch the Emmys. Gotta love 'em. Actually went to bed at a decent hour that night. Who'da thunk!?
Monday and today (and the rest of the week, too!) it's back to work for the first time in almost 2 weeks. And I missed it so. I missed the people, the customers, the agents, the typing and my music. Best way to spend an afternoon getting paid.
I got some stuff to think about and some work to get done. And a shit ton of shows to get off my DVR. Overall though it's good. And it's wonderful to be back.

There will be pictures soon!

It was a fun week.
My folks and I did fun Austin stuffs (including new tatts! I will have pics up soon) and they met a few of my friends (sorry we couldn't all do something :( You know who you are, and it doesn't mean you're any less loved, promise!), but then we were all packed and ready to go. I worked till 5, then we hit the road Tuesday night.
So far, so good - I drove us about 5 or 6 hours Tuesday night and we made it to New Boston, Texas. Stayed the night then took off again about 11ish. My folks did ok till about 8pm (my mom and I alternated driving), but then they were done so we got another hotel and stayed the night. Here's something fun - two diners, two states, two different days, two different veggie/cheese omelets. Both made with Kraft Cheese Singles. No, I'm not kidding. Welcome to the south! (it's easy to forget that Austin is actually in Texas lol).
So yesterday we made it to Kentucky. My mom's best friend and her hubby live here and, since today is my mom's birthday, we crashed with them and they insisted we stay today for a nice dinner and such today. Today was also the first time I'd seen a Starbucks since Tuesday - it was heavenly! Anyway, tonight we're in Kentucky again and tomorrow morning we hit the road. Should be in Maryland by late tomorrow night. It's been nice, but I'm ready to be out of the car. I miss work. And I miss Austin. And more than anything I miss my friends.
I'm going through chat withdraw and talks and breaks and goofing off at night and even cleaning my house lol. Today was my first access to wi-fi so I opened my iBook to feel a part of it all again :)

But overall this will be good - a couple days with my folks, a couple days with friends. I'll see OC or DC and Baltimore again and before I know it I'll be back. Right now I smell pumpkin cheesecake. Life isn't all that bad :)

(for anyone who knows me, they know that the above phrase is synonymous with good times)

So,
My folks got here safe and sound Wednesday afternoon, got settled into their hotel and waited for me to get off. After work I showed them around just a little and we went to Kerby Lane for some queso. To my delightful astonishment, my friend wanted to do something! He's been a little tied up, so I thought he might just catch up with us later in the week, for dinner or the like, but he called right after he got off work and offered to grab dinner and hang out :) And when he showed up? He was all nervous and such; dressed to impress. Good stuff.
So we just hung out after dinner and played cards till about 1 am, which was awesome. And I know everybody likes everybody :)
After work yesterday, he met up with us again (I know, right!?), this time for First Thursday and Katz's. A lot of fun riding around, walking around, checking out South Congress and all followed by yummy pickle goodness. Once we dropped my folks off at their hotel (about 1 am), we played the whole "oh it's late/I'm not really tired/are you going right to bed?" game, at the end of which I ended up next to him on the floor of his house with his puppy watching stand up comedy at 3 this morning. And STILL I am at work on time, bright eyed (ish) and bushy tailed (....ish), on only 8 hours sleep since Wednesday morning lol
But today is Friday. And fuckin' payday! So, I just have to get through today. Tonight my folks and I will goof off and do something simple, then tomorrow, Sunday and Monday is for the tattoos and the shops and the food stuffs. After that I work Tuesday and we hit the road when I get off.


Noodle salad :)

Well, the folks should be here in a few hours. When I get off I imagine I'll show them how to get to my place and work and such, then we'll hit up a grocery store and get some supplies for the week. After that, some pizza and mindless entertainment (they just spent 3 days in a car after all). Maybe I can talk a friend into chilling with us tonight too.
Then there's the rest of the week. Tomorrow evening, after work, we're heading to Sailor's Grave to talk to my artist about some work we want done this weekend. I'm excited! Then I was thinking dinner and First Thursday.. and the kick ass candy shop on South Congress for sure. I'll try to get a friend along for that too :)

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday we need to squeeze in the following "to-dos":
Tattoos
Crystal Works
Waterloo Music
Book People
A movie at The Alamo Drafthouse
Pete's Piano Bar
The Domain
Ancient Mysteries

And of course the good Austin eateries:
Habana's
Golden Wok
Katz's
Amy's
Par's Deli
Thunder Cloud
Baby A's
Chuy's
Kerby Lane
Double Dave's
Masala Wok

Think I missed anything?
As of 5ish next Tuesday we're loading up and heading back north. I'm looking forward to the drive and the seasons. Did you know fall exists outside of Texas?! I know, right?!
Then I'm in MD through the 18th. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of friends and I want to hit up the Old Mill Crab House, the Baltimore Aquarium, the Atlantic Ocean, maybe a Smithsonian or two and the old "stomping grounds" of Salisbury. I'm getting pretty excited.

But before long I'll be back :) And my stories is about to start up again! Yay for Big Bang, the Office and 30Rock! I've missed you!!

Now I just have to get my scattered head together. Today has been something lol

Sooooo, last week?
Thursday the 20th we had our awards and a couple of my bestest friends got some nifty stuff (like monies and Wiis!) which was sweet. Of course this is the one time I really wanted to win (it's a Wii for shit's sake!) and didn't lol.
That night I went downtown as aforementioned. Went with my friend and got to meet his sister who just moved to Texas from Hawaii. She's still getting acclimated, but she was really nice and a lot of fun. We went to a one hit wonders of the 80s sing along. It was a blast and I even won a $20 bet because he said they wouldn't play Aha. LMAO! Who thinks 80s one hit wonders and DOESN'T think Take on Me? Silly rabbit. And there was a great moment where we even called 867-5309. Jenny did not answer. And the man who did was not amused. We, however, were :)
After that we were already downtown, so we swung by Pete's long enough to do a shot and drink a couple beers while singing along with the good stuff which, as it always does, included Journey. Good times.
Friday was a non event lol. Saturday however, I was awoken by a phone call and after a quick stop for coffee I went over to a friend's house to help move stuff and clean. He's moving soon and I volunteered my assistance. Moving alone is a bitch.
We did that, then got to hang out with his family and a friend before winding down the night with some video games and a movie. Woke up on his sofa without even remembering haven fallen asleep.
Sunday was catch up day - laundry and groceries, lunch with a friend, a little relaxing and even some swimming. Not a bad weekend.

Then today we're back to work where the tools don't work. Hooray!

On a much happier note: Imogen Heap has a new CD coming out. I was sent a link to her new stuff from my girl and I sooo cannot wait to run out and get it. Maybe tomorrow after work. Swoon and Half Life are rocking my world right now - you can listen to them and the other tracks here: http://www.imogenheap.com/ellipse/


Tonight there's violin. Not sure if I'm excited or not. But I do know I want some shitty fish sticks and greasy fries. Hell if I know why, I just want them. With lots of katchup. Total eww and yum at the same time.