April 13, 2009
Horace: But it’s only been three years, Jim. Just three years since he’s been gone. Is that really long enough to get over someone?
Sawyer: I had a thing for a girl once. And I had a shot at her. But I didn’t take it. For a little while, I’d lay in bed every night wondering if it was a mistake. Wondering if I’d ever stop thinking about her. But now I can barely remember what she looks like. Her face is…she’s just gone. And she ain’t never coming back. So, is three years long enough to get over someone? Absolutely.
March 24, 2009
This past weekend was so non-stop I’ve barely had time to catch my breath and its already Tuesday.
I had a really fun time at the Irish Festival on Saturday, though, so the hectic schedule was worth it. It was definitely a great way to kick off the spring festival season and a way to transition out of the winter slump. Donnie, Miranda and I got there before the event even started. We were literally the first to get wristbands and the first in line for Irish coffees. The parade started at 10 and afterwards we visited all the vendor booths and sampled a bunch of the Irish food and drinks. The festival only stretched out a couple blocks, so it was pretty confined and we’d seen and done it all by around noon and were about to leave, but then Danny showed up with his family, so we ended up sticking around til late afternoon. It got really crowded as the day wore on, too, but it was nice just getting to spend they day outside in a festive atmosphere. Towards the end, I did get a little antsy, since Jordan was flying back in around 7 and we had a wedding reception to go to. By the time I got home, I only had about 30 minutes to throw myself together before meeting Jordan at the hangar.
We got to the reception right around 8…just in time to grab dinner and a few beers. By then, though, it was already kind of winding down. A few of the pilots were there, but they left early and we didn’t know any of the family and friends. Plus the reception was in a tent and it was freeeeezing that night. But we made the rounds for about an hour and then went up to Grandpa Eddies for a bit. I realized that Jordan and I have been pretty anti-social lately. The few times we have ventured out lately, it’s been just down the street at B-Dubs or over to friends’ houses. Not that I’m complaining – it has been kinda nice to play it low key.
Also, I decided to extend my Arizona trip 3 days past the buisness meeting because a) I promised myself last year if I went back I would make it worthwhile, b) I need some warm weather and it’s not coming fast enough here c) the relaxation/downtime/change of scenery will do me well. It’s definitely not going to be a party vacation, seeing as how I’ll be on my own for the personal portion of it. The whole idea is to experience some new places, take some good snaps and soak up the beautiful desert weather.
And as disorganized as I am in other aspects of life, I’m actually pretty meticulous when it comes to travel plans. I don’t leave for another week, but I already have a list of all the outfits and other things I’ll need to pack, a print-out of directions to and from the airport, and my hotel and tour reservations. Maybe it’s just a way to prolong the excitement. I’m really looking forward to the trip – it’ll probably be my only big trip of the year so I want to get as much out of it as possible. I was hoping I could talk someone into going with me, but everyone ended up having either money or work conflicts.
Anyway, the next 7 days are sure to be busy with tying up loose ends at work and at home before I leave.
March 20, 2009
I’m in much better spirits today, and here’s why:
* Both my paycheck and my tax return deposit hit my bank account today
* I booked a hotel for three extra days in Arizona plus tours to the Grand Canyon and Sedona – very exciting!!
* I finally made it back to the gym last night and got in an hour-long workout
* Today is the first day of spring…and it’s supposed to be sunny through the weekend
* Tomorrow I’m spending the day at the Church Hill Irish Festival
Yeah, I know I should probably pack up this whole St. Patrick’s day thing til next year…I’m not sure why I make such a big deal out of these “fake holidays,” as Jordan calls them. I think with St. Patty’s, it’s not necessarily the day itself, but rather the fact that it marks the beginning of all the Richmond area spring-season festivities – the Monument 10k, Strawberry Hill, Easter on Parade, Chili Cookoff, Cinco de Mayo and the beginning of the summer concert series at Innsbrook and Browns Island. Plus, it’s not my fault that Richmond wants to drag St. Patty’s out as long as possible. Next weekend, too, is the rain date for Shamrock the Block…so the celebration won’t exactly die until April.
Well, looking forward a nice relaxing Friday night – such self-indulgence rarely occurs in my world. A 5:30 yoga class, bubble bath, glass of wine and a book. Yup! Sounds like my evening has just about planned itself out!!
Happy Friday!
March 19, 2009
Halleluiah!! Today is officially the LAST day of winter!! Bring on the spring and the warm weather!
So I’m excited, but for some reason, the season change has been making me really sluggish. Ever since Daylight Savings I’ve found it extremely hard to get out of bed in the morning…even been half an hour late to work twice now in the past two weeks. And I can usually subsist on one cup of coffee first thing in the morning, but it’s suddenly to where I have to have three to get myself through the day! Where did all my energy go??
I’m guessing the fact that I haven’t been to the gym in a month might have something to do with it. And I have all intentions of getting back in the habit of three to four times a week…but once you fall off the wagon, it’s hard to get back on. Luckily tonight I promised Cary a ride to her Zumba class, so I’m guaranteed a workout tonight.
I think I’m on my way to getting back on the wagon financially too. Believe me, the more debt I get rid of, the smaller the boulder I carry on my back grows. For the past few years, I wasn’t sure if I could ever get out, and although the following months will be rough, I can finally begin to see a light forming at the end of the tunnel. So hopefully I’ll be on somewhat stable ground by the time I’m thirty…which the little voice in my head just reminded me is only three years from now! Tick…tick…tick…
Hmmm…well the weather outside my window as well as my overall mood have gone from bright, warm and sunny to chilly, dark and ominious real quick -like. Guess I should quit now before I completely lose my sanity…
March 18, 2009
Wouldn’t it be great if workplaces had “hangover days” factored into thier vacation policies? Super Bowl Monday, for example. Or the 5th of July. And March 18, today’s date would fondly be known as St. Patrick’s Recovery Day…
Ok, to be fair, I arrived at work only slightly hungover this morning. St. Patty’s didn’t end up being nearly as festive as I had hoped. Since I had insisted on walking, the choice of venue was narrowed down to Baileys or B-Dubs. Baileys, of course, went all out with a huge celebration including live music and a crowd that poured out into the parking lot (and this was before 9). But they were charging a cover, so being a bunch of cheap bastards, Jordan, Bryce and I went across the street. B-Dubs had a big crowd, but most everyone was there to watch basketball and aside from a couple green balloons, you wouldn’t have guessed it was St. Patrick’s Day. So the night was kind of a dud…not even really worth even the mild hangover it caused me.
On the other hand, I did make it over to Donnie and Miranda’s earlier that evening to toast green beer and call a truce. And overall I feel better about things. The three of us talked, putting all of last week’s pent up drama on out on the table. We pretty much came to the conclusion that I had already established: no one is really at any kind of fault – it’s just an awkward, shitty situation.
But as much as I want to mope about it, I have to realize that being angry won’t solve any problems. And acting bitter will only make things worse. Guess the best way to push it to the back of my mind is just to pour all my attention into the positive things in life…my job, getting myself back on the diet and exercise wagon, my upcoming travels and the arrival of warm weather.
Speaking of which, the rain clouds have finally lifted…yay for mother nature throwing some sanity back in the mix!
Now if only the sunshine can help me develop a better dispostion. Then relationships will fall back into place…right?
March 17, 2009
The sun hasn’t shined over Richmond in, what? Five or six days now? How can I have happy thoughts of spring when everything is so gray and wet?
Shamrock the block was rained out on Saturday, so I spent most of the weekend doing a big fat nothing except for housework. Blah!
Well, today just happens to be St. Patty’s day. Great timing, right? If this were a normal weekday, I would likely still be in bed by 10 despite any alcohol-centric holidays raging on around me. But tonight will most likely find me staying up wayyy past my bedtime and consuming a yet-to-be-determined amount of frothy green beverages.
I say yet-to-be-determined because, if this weekend’s taught me anything, it’s this: don’t EVER EVER EVER drink and drive!!! I know, i know…DUH!!! And you’d think there’ve been enough ‘wake-up calls’ in the past year to not even have to remind myself this tidbit of common sense. It’s just hit too close to home one too many times now. So unless we go to one of the two bars within walking distance, it will just be Irish Coffee, hold the Irish, for me…
Yup, that’s about it from me. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!
March 13, 2009
It snowed again this morning, and has since turned into a cold, steady rain that’s set to completely wash out what was supposed to be a fun-filled weekend.
Tonight’s agenda involves some post-work barhopping in Shockoe Bottom and up through the Slip. Cary and I had planned to start at Tiki Bob’s for happy hour, move up to Sine for a bit and then meet Rob for his birthday gathering at either Tobacco Company or Richbrau. Tonight kicks off the pre-St. Patty’s festivities, but stupid me forgot all about it and wore black instead of green. Guess it’s been that kind of week. And damned if I wanna be running around downtown Richmond all night in this weather!
Speaking of which, Shockoe Bottom is having their big St. Patty’s street party, Shamrock the Block, tomorrow afternoon but that’s shaping up to be yet another washout. I did the 2006 Chili Cookoff in the rain; I did a Jimmy Buffett concert in the rain – both times were a blast. But tomorrow is only supposed to be in the 40’s and I don’t forsee the mix of cold weather and the rain as being too much fun, no matter how drunk I manage to get.
But whether or not I go through with any of these plans is still to be determined. If anything, it’ll get me away from any drama. Jordan and I actually did manage to hide out last night. Bryce came over and we all hung out like, you know, the good old times of two weeks ago.
So my mood has improved a little, despite it being a rainy Friday the 13th. I’m trying to look on the bright side. Besides, rain is good for some things…like trees and flowers…and four leaf clovers…and rainbows with pots of gold at the end…
Still, I’m ready for some Arizona sunshine!!
March 9, 2009
After snowing last week, temperatures soared into the upper 70s by Saturday. Jordan’s friend came into town with his family and we had fun playing host and showing them some of the sights of Richmond in the gorgeous weather.
But despite appearances, it was hard to ignore the dark cloud that hung over most of the weekend.
There’s been so much drama dredged up among my friends, I don’t even know where to start.
I fear that by the time its all said and done, alliances will have been redrawn.
The details…they’re complicated. And right now there are so many thoughts and emotions twisting around in my head, I need the time to sort through them all before launching into what could easily turn into a five-page rant.
But as I feared, my “bad things come in three” prophecy –a trifecta of sorts – has been fulfilled.
March 4, 2009
In case the pictures below don’t give it away, this past Monday, Richmond had it’s first “real” snow in over three years. Ok, so I guess by the first of March, I’m really just ready for it to be spring, but still, five inches of snow was a pleasant little surprise for everyone.
The snowstorm began on Sunday afternoon, blanketing the entire ground within 30 minutes. From there, it was pretty much a light but steady snowfall throughout the evening and into the next morning. Not being one to hunker down, I had to take my Rav-4 out for a snowy spin. In the two years I’ve had the car, it’s the first snow I’ve ever driven it in! It handled like a charm, so Jordan and I braved the slippery streets and went over to John’s house to watch the race. I don’t think I mentioned it, but John is laid up for two months in a cast after having foot surgery.
On Monday morning, my office didn’t open til noon, so I woke up early to enjoy my half snow day. He shoveled, scraped the vehicles and then rode around the neighborhood on his 4-wheeler while I cleaned up some from Saturday’s party and made coffee and eggs. I did a few laps up and down the street on the makeshift snowmobile too.
Well, on the subject of Jordan’s dad’s surprise birthday party, things went off quite well. Despite the setbacks of the past couple weeks, most everyone who was invited came and he was genuinely suprised and touched by everyone’s efforts. His mom decorated the house in a tropical theme, Jordan grilled chicken wings and slow-cooked a pork shoulder for barbeque. There were all kinds of side dishes, fruits, veggies, etc. We had Coronas, Bud Lights, rum punch and I even made jello shooters (though most of the older people there didn’t exactly get the concept!). Towards the end of the party, we gathered everyone in the living room to watch the slideshow. Jordan had helped me put the final touches on it that afternoon (whew!) and it came out great. There were definitely some misty eyes in the house by the end of the show!
And come to find out, we’ll be entertaining again this upcoming weekend when one of Jordan’s old Marine buddies – along with his wife and kids – come up to visit from Jacksonville. And speaking of visitors, a pretty significant one randomly blew into town along with Monday’s snowstorm. And by significant, I mean it warrants its own separate entry…so stay tuned…
