A Year Older

First of all, I had a pretty good birthday.

Our little punk rocker friend was the first to arrive, followed by Tall, followed by Hairy and Prissy, followed by Ketchup and then followed by a friend of the hubby's from work. A couple friends of Tall's were supposed to come, we'll call them the Mooch and the Mooch's girlfriend. They never showed, which basically ruined Tall's plans. He had wanted to go over to the bar next door and play pool, at the same time, he was the one who invited the Mooch and his girlfriend, well the girlfriend isn't of legal drinking age yet. Don't know if Tall thought that one through very well.

We didn't go to the bar, but who needs to spend a fortune when we had a decent amount of alcohol at home? Between me, the hubby, our little punk rocker friend and one drink to Prissy, we polished off a bottle of tequila (margarita style) in no time flat. (Everyone else brought their own alcohol.) Drunkards with access to thirty plus balloons can be hilarious. I'm really going to try and remember to upload some pictures to MySpace here soon.

I wasn't expecting gifts. I really wasn't. (My family has been pretty decent, money, money and more money for our vacation. That and one of my uncles sent me flowers, um, yay I guess.) Our little punk rocker friend got me a card, a tin welcome sign and a tin mug that says "Good food, good friends, good times." Tall got me a bottle of Three Olives vodka, his first alcoholic gift, he was so proud. And Tall and Prissy got me a picture box that had some fabric, thread, ribbon and an awesome (like so awesome I wouldn't have bought it for myself) pair of fabric scissors. The hubby got me just what I asked for, a strand of lights with little paper lanterns on each bulb. I have a thing for novelty lighting, heh, if you only knew.

Our trip to California is quickly creeping up. Ten and a half days. I'm getting nervous, I always get nervous before I travel. I don't think I handle being out of my comfort zone very well. Even the hubby can't wait for Disneyland, a believer once we step foot inside the park several years back. As I said before, we plan on going to the House of Blues one of the days we are at Disneyland. I just checked the website again for the days we are going to be there and while the Friday show of some Latin guy I have never heard of is $42.50-$47.50 a ticket, the Thursday night show is a punk battle of the bands at only $10 a pop, so that just may be doable. Our little punk rocker friend would be so proud if we attended, I should ask him if he recognizes any of the bands. (I'm looking them up on MySpace as we speak.) Pretty good considering we were just planning on having lunch there. Given my picky tastes, I wonder if I can even find something on the menu.

As far as my phone call with grandma? She's probably decided to ignore it my now. My mom did call her like she said she would and while I was hoping for this grand story of their throw down all my mom told me was that they argued and that she had been drinking. That much I could have guessed. Now I'm supposed to send my grandma a thank you note. Not for her comments but for her financial contribution to our trip. Great. I asked if anyone but my aunt actually sent thank you cards in my family. My mom said it didn't matter, this was us and this was what we were going to do. I should have asked her when the last time she sent a thank you card was. Betcha it's been a long damn time. Ah the joys of the double standard. I wonder if there will ever be a day when I just say "fuck them all" or if I will just deal with it until the end of time because it's family and that's what you do.

And Finally, my dear doppelganger, instead of leaving a dozen comments I figure I will just respond to you here, being the lovely loyal reader that I know you are. First off, thank you for the cake, it was delicious! Second, I'll read anything you want me to read hun, emails, books, even receipts. :o) Also, through your words, I'd pretty much assume Senator is a decent guy. Please try not to let what anyone else thinks become an issue. Whether he is the one or not, you should at least enjoy yourself figuring it out. People are petty, there is always someone to object to anything and everything. The only thing that matters between you and him, is you and him. It's great to be close to someone, take it slow and don't let the little outside things matter. Talk, always talk. By the way, you are pretty so believe it. Don't be terrified, be exhilarated. It's new, it's good and there is no pressure for it to be anything more then you want it to be. No matter what happens, be happy. You deserve it.