Sweet Catastrophe

I was so good today. SO freakin good. After class this morning, Ryan and I went to Tallahassee with a few of his friends so they could go to this um….card shop–the subject of which shall remain nameless for my own ego.

Anyway, we spent a significant amount of time in two malls. I paid for my supper, I bought a drink, and I spend $6 in a candy shop on some chocolate covered caramels and rock candy. The end. We hit this one shop that had so many pretties! Jewelry-wise and just cool stuff in general. I wanted to buy things. Lots of things that I did not need. I got lucky though–I found a really cute claddagh necklace I really liked, and at some point Ryan snuck back and bought it for me. [Okay, so he didn’t do a very good job of sneaking, ’cause I totally knew what happened, but ya know…] Anyway, yay for presents!

I like shoes, but I like really comfy shoes, not like, heels and overly cute stuff…anyway, I found about 15 pairs tonight that I was prepared to buy. I’m still not really sure how I managed to talk myself out of them.

I found a nice little stack of books I wanted to pick up too, but I thought it over and convinced myself that if I really wanted them, I could get them here in town. I’m proud of myself for that one!

We found a shop too, that sold personalized pens, pencils, mugs, cosmetic mirrors, etc–all that kind of stuff. Oddly enough, they actually had “Jade”! I never find my name on stuff unless it’s the stone or the color. I wish I hadn’t talked myself out of getting the pens. They were a little overpriced, but the only pens that don’t get stolen at work are the ones with my name on them. Maybe I’ll work in a trip to the mall when I go back for the Lifehouse concert.

I’ll admit that the first mall stop made me pretty grumpy. I spent a lot of time walking around by myself, not spending any money or really getting into any of the stores. Then when I thought Ryan was done, we set off to go elsewhere and he ended up just going back to the card shop so I walked around with two of his friends. Not what I had in mind when he talked me into coming so he could spend time with me.

I got over it though. The card shop is what we truly went for, and we were alone together for the whole ride and we all stuck together at the second mall.

I almost feel like a failure as a woman for turning away from so many shoes today.

I can’t believe how unprepared I am for Oklahoma! I still haven’t even decided on my attire for the wedding! I have a few loads of laundry left to do, as I really need to make sure enough of Ryan’s laundry is cleared so he won’t run out of clean clothes and somehow manage to leave me with 8 loads to do when I get home.

I’m also doing a lot of school work ahead of time because when we come back, I can’t really afford to skip a day of class to give myself time to catch up, and I’d be kidding myself if I thought I’d do any work on the trip. We’ll most likely be getting back late in the evening as well, so it’s really got to be done now. Not to mention the two tests I’m taking on Tuesday because they’re scheduled during my trip. I hate taking tests early.

I’m really excited though! Oddly enough, I’m excited about taking a road trip with my mom. I love my mom and my stepdaddy. They aren’t letting me pay for anything on the trip, so I’m looking forward to being ‘taken care of’ for a week.

I’m a little anxious about meeting everyone and not offending anyone or anything. I’ve never met Ashley, so I don’t really know anything about her, or whether or not we’ll have anything to talk about. I know how religious Ashley and James are, but I don’t know about all of her friends from home, or her family. I’ve got to remember to take the, “Fuck yeah we can live like this,” button off my bag before we get there!

I actually don’t know how formal the rehearsal dinner and wedding are going to be either. I’m just not a really dressy person, so there’s the definite possibility I’ll stick out like a sore thumb. This absolutely isn’t a situation where I can just blend in with the crowd; Mom, Roger, and I will be the only ones there from James’ family, or even just his ‘Georgia’ people in general, so I’m sure there will be a fair amount of focus on us.

I’m really excited for my brother though. I’ve heard the way he talks about Ashley, and the glow that comes over him when he’s talking about her. You can even see it in their pictures. They’re so in love with each other. I’m so happy he’s found someone he can share his life with.

We’re doing it in order too! My oldest brother got married, now James, and one day me! I honestly thought, considering the lives my brothers used to lead, I’d end up the first (or only) married one of the three.

It’s been so long since I’ve been to a wedding. Of course I went to Rocky Joe’s, but it was pretty casual. I’m really curious to see their ‘theme’ and all that fun stuff. And James definitely has his own unique sense of style (in a good way, not a bizarre way) so I’m curious to see if they’re going with traditional bands or some sort of diamond rings. I hadn’t even thought of it until now, but I wonder too, if they’ll be yellow gold or platinum? I’ve always seen my brother as a platinum person, but if I remember correctly, Ashley’s engagement ring was yellow gold. Hmm… I know I’ll definitely want platinum. Don’t ask me why! I could easily go with white gold, but for some reason I like the idea of platinum better.

Anyway, here’s hoping I don’t forget anything really important for the trip! And here’s hoping I don’t mess things up within the first day and have a really awkward week in Oklahoma!!

In two weeks I’m heading to Oklahoma! It’ll definitely be the farthest I’ve gone from Georgia. Previously, I’ve only visited Florida, Tennessee, and Lousianna. Why on earth am I going all the way to Oklahoma? My brother James is getting married!

^^^That’s just a reenactment. I believe he busted in on one of her last classes to officially propose. They’d already decided they were getting married and were waiting until after graduation to make it official, but he just couldn’t wait. How cute

My mom and step dad were the only ones from his family that were going to be there, so I decided that since there wasn’t any real reason for me not to go, I might as well. I think he’s really happy I’m going.

But this means a 15 hour ride. Luckily, my iPod was upgraded when I got a new one, so now I have a video iPod. Which means I’m open for suggestions! I need movies to watch, people! I’ve got all 3 seasons of The Office ready to lock and load, I just need some movies to watch as well. Any suggestions?

I’m pretty sure that’s an oxymoron….but hangover is definitely the word of the day! Last night was a good friend’s 21st Birthday so I went out with him and some other friends after work to Cj’s for a few drinks then back to their apartment for Super Smash Bros and Guitar Hero…and more alcohol.

It’s been a while since I’ve been able to let loose comfortably. I hadn’t planned on really drinking, but Levi wouldn’t have a Birthday shot alone, so I bought us both one, and a drink for myself ’cause…well why not? lol

We left the bar a lot earlier than I thought we were going to, so I felt a little cheated considering what I had just spent on drinks for a mild buzz! Anyway, we settled in and since I hadn’t eaten since lunch, I decided I either needed a cheeseburger, or more alcohol. The decision was made for me, so Catie rode with me back to my apartment to pick up some Golden Grain and dump my car. (Ryan dropped us back off and picked me up later, when I was done getting my drink on.) The rest is pretty much history.

Lessons learned:

• Let someone more sober add the ingredients for your mixed drink or you’ll end up with about twice as much alcohol as intended.
• Your sober boyfriend knows what he’s talking about.
• Drunken conversations about Mitch Hedberg are tons of fun!

(Disclaimer: I drank in moderation. Today’s hangover is not an indication of drinking too much last night, but of eating too little yesterday. I don’t get hangovers. This is probably only my 3rd ever.)

Now I leave you with Pearl, as she’s been on my mind today. You remember Pearl, right?

*Sigh* New dates are being added for The Police. Pre-sale starts today for an Atlanta date in November. The absolute cheapest tickets are $52 though and that’s before Ticketmaster ‘convenience’ fees. God I hate them…I was hoping it would be a little while longer before Atlanta tickets went up (Ben tipped me off that they would be back in Atlanta later) I really want to go, but I just can’t afford that right now. Darn James’ wedding! If the trip to Oklahoma wasn’t gonna be so expensive, I bet I could get my mom to get us some tickets for my Birthday. Darn weddings…

This week has really found me all over the place. Since the migraine I’ve had a ridiculously memorable experience at Vito’s (Rock and Roll Pizzeria). Andy, Spratt, Keri, Josh, Stacie, Austin and I all ate outside. This guy comes up, asking for a chair, and then apologizes for being wasted and proceeds to tell us that he just put his dick on the table inside the restaurant, thinking it would be funny but it didn’t go over so well because obviously he has a small penis. Somehow, that ended up being something like a 10 minute conversation, one that caused food-choking laughter.

After that, we all came back to Parkview and crowded into Josh and Andy’s where we played Scene It, Guess Who, Jenga, and ended it with Taboo. This is when we learned Andy Wood does the best Chinese impression, Andrew Spratt gives the best clues, and Josh Burke is a ‘dummy.’ Good times were had by all. It was definitely bittersweet considering it may be the last time we all hang out like that. Josh left Friday morning–he’ll be gone all summer. Andy leaves when the summer ends. I hope I get a few more nights of Josh and Andy time before it’s all said and done.

My new camera got here, quickly followed by my 2G memory for it! I’m really excited! It’s a fantastic camera and I can’t wait to start taking pictures! Once I get the apt clean, I’ll be taking pics of it; if for no other reason, than to show Jonathan that this apartment really was always messy because of him.

Work wasn’t so bad last night. Just no fun, obviously. I closed, then had to be back at 7am. Everything before lunch was pretty rough. The smoke is ridiculously thick in Valdosta right now so I started the day with chest pains and a sore throat from the night before of being in it, so it obviously didn’t get any better. Of course my head is also trigger happy right now as it’s recovering from the massive migraine earlier this week so severe headaches aren’t even a question right now. They’re just there. I didn’t get to go to lunch until 1, so by the time I got back, I only had two hours left, which is probably the only reason it wasn’t so bad.

After work was all the fun *sarcasm* We rented the Lowe’s truck and went out to pick up my washer and dryer. Let’s just say it wasn’t the easiest task without a hand truck. Much pain, many bruises and lots of frustration later, they were both on the truck with no damage to the house or those ridiculously crappy linoleum floors. We did really well with not getting agitated with each other. I was surprised! We usually bicker through difficult and frustrating tasks. Nothing serious, obviously, but you know how it is.

We had decided that once we got to the apartment we’d just get the two out of the truck and wait until we could get a hand truck to actually get them in, but luckily Landon was about and offered a hand, so now my washer and dryer are here, and in place, just not yet hooked up. I’m gonna give Ryan until I get out of work tomorrow to have that set

A quick trip to Wal Mart and we finally got down to dinner, followed by a quick foot rub for me *swoon* and then Ryan took it upon himself to set up my foot spa at the end of the settee and get me all cozy while he set up the tv in our bedroom in its final location.

I’ll be heading to bed soon. It’s been such a long day. Tomorrow is a short one– only 1-6 and then I think I’m gonna take Ryan to see Spiderman 3. He’s dying to watch it.

So, for some reason, there seems to be this virus going around that, to me, seems has gone around about 18 times now within a really short amount of time, so now it’s got me all paranoid. Every time I get a rumbly tummy I worry that I’m getting that mess. Now is one of those time. I mean, I’m sure my tummy is just bitching, letting me know that I really shouldn’t have had that last slice of pizza earlier, but I just can’t help being a little concerned that tomorrow I’ll be calling work from my bathroom floor, telling them they’ll have to do without me. Haha…seriously, I’m glad I’m not a true hypochondriac. I get myself paranoid enough as is.

Today I had a Douglas-day. As in, I hung out with people from Douglas (home). I met up with an old friend for a bit earlier and it was just odd to meet up with someone I used to be so close to and see what different directions we’ve taken, and at the same time see all the little connections between the two of us. Then later tonight I went to Catie’s and Levi and Thomas came over too and we all had pizza (it’s the pizza making me feel icky, right?) and shared all our funny internet findings and Thomas played Paper Mario and we marveled at its neato-ness. Now I’m home…I came home to study for my Sociology quiz tomorrow. Can you guess how well that’s going?

Okay, okay, I’ll go study discrimination dammit. (In a minute)