Flipping the quarter

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 25. Whoo hoo. Actually, I had more fun this birthday than I have in a while. Well, last year was fun, but a little out-of-control, and the recovery time needed last year was more than I wanted to commit to this time around... 

Worked a hellish shift on Saturday. Go Dawgs. Then started the festivities around 10pm. Kelly brought me a present; a chalk drawing over paint she did. It's of me, and it's awesome. I need to hang it up pronto, but I want to seal it somehow so the chalk doesn't smear if it gets touched. Had fun with everyone. I was on the sign at LP. Also went to Room 13 for a minute, and the Farm, and then to Transmet. Scott was in town to play with the Bearfoot Hookers, so I went there to see them for a little bit. Then back to LP, then home.
Sara worked for me on Sunday because Jeff scheduled me though I asked off. She's awesome too. She took me to get some tasty martinis at East/West Bistro on Friday after work. The Godiva martini is absolutely heavenly. 

Anyway, Sunday I got up around 10:30, then ate breakfast at Bluebird with Eric. More fun presents. Erin wanted me to come in to Bluebird, and for once I wasn't working on a Sunday, plus it was my birthday, so hey, why not? Tasty as always. Then a nap. Then dinner at Transmet. Then Effie's rehearsal. After Effie's I went to Taco Stand to celebrate one more time. Ali got me a birthday cake, complete with candles . Free drinks and shots were had. I had a great time. 

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate with me! You guys are awesome, and I'm glad to know a group of such great people. Extra points to those who were there both Saturday and Sunday . And here's to a good 25th!

Scrambled Eggs and Brains...

That is disgusting. I would never actually eat that. But at Kroger, you can buy little cans of pork brains, and on the back there is a recipe for scrambled eggs and brains... 

In my case, there aren't any eggs involved. Just the scrambled brain. I did a dumb thing and let myself get distracted while riding my bike home from work Sunday around 5pm. I saw a friend walking down Cleveland and waved at her, neglecting to slow down and look before making the turn onto Augusta. So when I turned (too fast and blindly) there was a car coming. In order to avoid a head-on collision, I hit my brakes and swerved to one side, which would have been fine, except for the dirt/sand buildup that's always on that street. So instead of slowing down and turning to the right like I was trying to do, I slid to the left. Thnking 'Oh, shit' and imagining myself on the hood of the car, I thought I should try to bail off the bike into a yard, but didn't make it that far. So I wiped out right on the street about 8 inches from the car's grille. At least that's what I think happened... it's pretty fuzzy, even 2 days later. 

I do remember the people getting out of the car and asking if I was ok. I just jumped up off the ground, grabbed my bike, and started walking away, telling them, 'Yeah, sorry, I'm fine...". Then I was spitting blood, and I counldn't decide it if was from losing teeth or just biting my cheek... and I couldn't really remember how to get home. 

Most details in the 30 minutes or so afterward I have came from Martha, because I showed up at her house freaking out and completely dazed. I remember being there, but don't remember much else. Like that both Mallory and Nathan were also there, or that she gave me some stuff to put on the scrapes on my face. She said that at the time, I couldn't answer the questions she asked me, like where I had wrecked, how I'd gotten home, where my glasses were. I went into my house before going to Martha's and got a washcloth with ice in it for my face, but didn't remember that either. I asked her it if it was hers and she said I'd come in with it.

So I scrambled my brain around a bit it seems. Luckily there doesn't seem like there will be any permanent damage, though I am still a little out-of-it today. (Ha, my typing and spelling are atrocious, but I am able to catch most of the mistakes while doing this). I have had a headache since the wreck. The left side of my face, mostly the cheek and lower jaw, are really swollen and bruised and scraped. Chewing is tricky, and my speech is a little slurred. Mostly because of the big cut on the inside of my cheek from my teeth. No chipped teeth, whew.

So now I look like shit and my face hurts, and my shoulder hurts, etc, etc.... I look like a chipmunk that has it's cheeks stuffed with nuts. Or like I got in a fight. I think that's what I'll tell people now when they ask what happened... you should see the other guy!

Waiting for the next big way to know I'm alive

I've been really reclusive lately. I can feel myself pulling more inward still, and am looking for a way to shake free of that feeling. I don't want to be a hermit, but I have little desire to do much more than stay home and watch movies. Don't get me wrong; I'm not discontent. Just a little unsettled lately. Or not even that unsettled. Not excited about anything. It's as though someone hit the 'repeat' button and every day just replays with no change. It's probably just because I've been busy (well, busier than usual) with Effie's and Thanksgiving plans went from set and simple to aggravating, so hopefully after the beginning of December there will be an upward trend. Until then... I might see you out, or I might not. But I'm here. Just chillin.

Hello, My Name Is...

Freak Magnet. That's me. I'm also "Oh, I didn't see you standing there" girl. And lets not forget "Multiple Introductions happen here" (as in, someone says 'Hi, I'm ______. Nice to meet you.' Except the whole time I'm thinking 'Yes, I know. I've met you 7 times already... nice of you to remember.'...)

Went to Abbey Road Live tonight. It was lots of fun, and got to see some old friends. And got to good-naturedly heckle the drummer. Also went to see Bling... also very fun. Dancing like a fool involved.

Freak Encounters of Tonight:
       1) Weird guy I've met once at a party coming up to me at Room 13 and telling me that though I probably don't remember him, he remembers everything about me. Creepy. And he kissed my hand like some sort of Fabled Prince at least 3 times.
       2) Another weird guy at the Theatre right after I get there. I'm standing with my friends at the bar and he just walks up and grins all up in my face. Then proceeds to dance along with the music right next to me and elbow me like we're old chums. Then I actually meet the dude, cause he ends up knowing another friend I run into. Still a weird guy.
       3) Nameless employee getting too touchy-feely (with this guy, any touchy-feely is too much). Then tells my friends that he knows them and seems slightly pissed that they don't remember him. Then tells my friends that he and I are good friends, and have known each other for a long time. Not true. Then tells us that we can do whatever we want as long as we don't throw beer at people, but only because I'm 'good people'.
      4)  Strange dude outside informing me that he was on the guest list (uh, so was I...), and saying that he and his friend travel around filming bands. He finds out I know the drummer and wants me to go talk to the band so these dudes can join them onstage for the second set. No. Says a lot of really random things that I just sort of ignore.
    5) Guy at Bling show that comes up to me and a friend after the show has ended. We were sitting at the bar, and had just finished talking to the frontman. Guy comes up and says to us, "So, I was just wondering... that guy y'all were just talking to, what's going on with you both and him?" Since we had spoken to other people too, I point out who I think he's talking about and verify. I tell the guy that I've known the frontman for over a year and that we were saying hello, nice show, etc. Guy says it looks like there is something going on, but wouldn't elaborate. Just sort of smirked like he knew something secret.
     6) While riding my bike home, I get stopped at the red light at the intersection of Pulaski and Hancock. Then this guy I went to school with starts to cross the streed right in front of me, so we sit and chat for about 10 minutes or so. I'm right at the curb, sittting on my bike but leaning onto the curb. This car pulls up in the next lane and is stopped by the red light. I'm not paying attention to them, just talking to my friend. Then I think I hear a "Hey...", so I glance over, and in the car are a man and woman- not students at all, actually sort of thug-looking, and they are both staring at us. We go back to talking, and then I hear the "hey" again, so I look over again, and the woman in the passenger seat looks at me, says "hey, baby" and gives me the upward head nod along with an air-kiss... luckily then the light turned green.

So, WTF?? Where do all the crazies come from?? Is there a night when they are all allowed out of the loony bin? Or are they already embedded in the social society around town, but look at me and think, "Hey, there's one of us! Let's go network!"??

Brains and Pickles.

Halloween has come and gone. It's such a big thing here in Athens, bigger than many other events. At least in the planning part of it. People talk about their costume ideas for weeks, putting them together, trying to be the most original. Oftentimes, those ideas get scrapped last-minute, when it just isn't going to work. Either way, it's lots of fun. No candy, but plenty of beer. 

I had a show with Effie's this past Friday. We opened for Jucifer. I wish we could have gone on a little later- 9:20 is a little early for the crowds here. I got to look like a zombie and prance around in underwear. (see picture). Thriller went well. I lost my wig in the middle of Burley-Q. I guess that can be creepy in itself.

My actual costume this year (since there are secondary costumes for other nights, parties, etc.) was the Pickle Fairy. I am happy with the way it turned out. I looked a little ridiculous, but of course I was handing out pickles to people all night, and who doesn't look ridiculous doing that? May as well be wearing a goofy outfit at the same time! Many people were grossed out by the pickles, but that made it more fun; handing them this saran-wrapped object while they make a confused/apprehensive face. "What is this?" was asked a lot, while they held it out in front of them...  When told it was a pickle, most people smelled it and laughed, and a lot of people handed it back cause they didn't want it. Ungrateful bastards.  I mean who doesn't want a free pickle??

All Monday evening I was frantically trying to sew my skirt into something I could actually wear. I can't really sew, and didn't have a machine, so I made it up as I went. I ran out of time and patience and just stapled on the trim. It worked at least. And since I was busy doing that, my two favorite pickle elves helped me out and packaged up my pickles for me. Even though one of them really hates pickles. The things your friends will do for you! :) So shout outs to Big E and uh, the other Big E-guy for some fine pickle wrapping!