Sally the Sonic Rollerskating Carhop didn't realize that one of her job duties was to, in fact, be able to skate. After hurtling herself out the door she "skated" in our direction. Using the giant menu by the car to stop herself, she handed us our half-spilled drinks, picked our straws up OFF THE GROUND and handed them to us asking if we needed anything else.
Napkins, Sally, napkins. My tea is everywhere.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Goosebumps
The other day I started thinking about my best friend growing up. She and I have known each other since we were about 3 years old. As little girls, I was the loud one, always wanting attention. She was quite and shy. Afraid to speak up, she would whisper something to me and I would ask my parents for whatever it was she wanted. The only caveat was that her "whisper" was like one of those stage whispers where everyone could hear what she was saying. My dad still chuckles about it.
She and I dealt with a lot of stuff together over the years, so needless to say we were very close. But once in college we, like a lot of friends, talked less and less. Of course we kept up with each other through letters, email, birthday cards, etc...but we didn't talk every day like we once did. Still, she is the closest thing to a sister I've ever had and I think she would say the same.
So anyway, I was thinking about her and how we hadn't talked in a while. I realized it had actually been a long while; 4 months or so. I thought I should call or email her but I kind-of pushed the thought aside during the day because I had a lot of work to do.
Again, the following day she popped into my head and the thought crossed my mind that I should give her a call. But yet again, I had a lot of work to get done so I ignored the thought.
Finally, on Friday as I was driving to court she crossed my mind again so I gave her a call. She didn't answer so I had to leave a message:
"Hey, Its Lesley. I was thinking about you today; actually I've been thinking about you over the last couple of days, and just wanted to give you a call to say Hi. Hope everything is going well. Give me a call when you get a chance. Talk to you later."
She called me back about 5 minutes later.
"Hey!", I answered.
"Hey.", she said. She sounded a little pensive. Then she dived in:
"Its so weird that your message said you have been thinking about me over the last couple of days. I was so happy to hear your voice when you called. My grandmother died two days ago and this has been a rough couple of days."
I immediately got goosebumps. We both sensed the weirdness of the situation, and I got a little choked up at the relief in her voice. After I expressed my condolences, we continued to talk because she wanted "to hear about, something, anything" besides what had been going on with her the past couple of days.
I told her about my trip to Spain and she laughed at my crazy life. "You just told me you went to Spain in the same tone as if you were saying you had just gone down to the 7-11.", she said, laughing. It was good to hear her voice too and I was happy to provide her with some sort of distraction.
After we got off the phone, I was still reeling from the timing of everything. I called my dad to tell him about it. He didn't seem all that shocked. "I put a lot of stock in stuff like that", he said. "Sometimes you just have to listen to your instincts. When you're friends with someone for that long, there is a connection."
I got to thinking about all the time my instincts had tried to tell me something, and how I tend to ignore that side of my brain. I could have avoided a lot of heartache if I had just listened to myself from the beginning of most situations. Regardless, I was glad that, this time, I had listened and reconnected my friend in her time of need.
She and I dealt with a lot of stuff together over the years, so needless to say we were very close. But once in college we, like a lot of friends, talked less and less. Of course we kept up with each other through letters, email, birthday cards, etc...but we didn't talk every day like we once did. Still, she is the closest thing to a sister I've ever had and I think she would say the same.
So anyway, I was thinking about her and how we hadn't talked in a while. I realized it had actually been a long while; 4 months or so. I thought I should call or email her but I kind-of pushed the thought aside during the day because I had a lot of work to do.
Again, the following day she popped into my head and the thought crossed my mind that I should give her a call. But yet again, I had a lot of work to get done so I ignored the thought.
Finally, on Friday as I was driving to court she crossed my mind again so I gave her a call. She didn't answer so I had to leave a message:
"Hey, Its Lesley. I was thinking about you today; actually I've been thinking about you over the last couple of days, and just wanted to give you a call to say Hi. Hope everything is going well. Give me a call when you get a chance. Talk to you later."
She called me back about 5 minutes later.
"Hey!", I answered.
"Hey.", she said. She sounded a little pensive. Then she dived in:
"Its so weird that your message said you have been thinking about me over the last couple of days. I was so happy to hear your voice when you called. My grandmother died two days ago and this has been a rough couple of days."
I immediately got goosebumps. We both sensed the weirdness of the situation, and I got a little choked up at the relief in her voice. After I expressed my condolences, we continued to talk because she wanted "to hear about, something, anything" besides what had been going on with her the past couple of days.
I told her about my trip to Spain and she laughed at my crazy life. "You just told me you went to Spain in the same tone as if you were saying you had just gone down to the 7-11.", she said, laughing. It was good to hear her voice too and I was happy to provide her with some sort of distraction.
After we got off the phone, I was still reeling from the timing of everything. I called my dad to tell him about it. He didn't seem all that shocked. "I put a lot of stock in stuff like that", he said. "Sometimes you just have to listen to your instincts. When you're friends with someone for that long, there is a connection."
I got to thinking about all the time my instincts had tried to tell me something, and how I tend to ignore that side of my brain. I could have avoided a lot of heartache if I had just listened to myself from the beginning of most situations. Regardless, I was glad that, this time, I had listened and reconnected my friend in her time of need.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Back from Spain to the world of high heels and dresses.
So I'm back from Spain and back to work; Although I do not find myself in "work mode" quite yet. I guess I'm still recovering.
I was in Pamplona for San Fermin to watch some friends run with the bulls. This was, by far, the most fun I had on my trip. I watched the Spain/Germany game with one pal the night before the run. The crowd went crazy when Spain won that game. (They chant over and over "Soy de Espana, Espana, Espana). Very cool to see and hear, even if I would have preferred the USA to win.
After sleeping in a less than 5-star cabin, we woke up and 4:30 am to catch the 5 am bus into Pamplona. We got there and people were still partying from the night before. Clubs were packed and techno music could be heard as we wandered the streets. I followed the four guys to their starting point, stopping along the way to buy a jug of Sangria. (Yes I was drinking at 6 am, but - in my defense - so was everyone else.) I took more pics than the guys probably wanted me to as we walked along but, hey - how many times do you run with bulls? They will thank me later.
Pamplona was dirty and nasty from the festivities. There were people everywhere. I hung out with the guys for a bit and then went towards the arena to get a spot where I could (hopefully) see them run. The running started at 8 and the crowd was wild. I didn't get to see any of the guys run inside but saw a couple of them messing with the smaller bulls in the arena. Let me say this: do not participate in picture taking of this event if you have any sort of claustrophobia. There are people everywhere cramming, shoving and pushing their way to see the action. I managed to get a few good shots of the guys and then it was over. We grabbed a bite afterward and I listened to them gab about the run. They were all hopped up from a combo of adrenaline and tiredness. It was funny to listen to them. I was glad to be a part of it.
We bought tickets to the bullfight later that night. I didn't realize it at the time but the bulls from the run in the morning are the same bulls in the bullfight at night. I lasted for one fight. It was cool to see from a cultural standpoint but I, personally, cannot watch animals die. Look don't get me wrong, I eat beef and chicken - I know where it comes from but I try to make a point of eating only meat that has been humanely raised and slaughtered. Bullfighting is very primitive. I found myself hoping they would let the bull go. The matadors teased the poor thing, cutting it so it would bleed, before finally stabbing it with a sword. Towards the end when the bull stood up, fell, tried to stand up again and then finally died to the cheering of the crowd, I turned to my friend Chris and said "I'm out."
I wandered the streets, buying gifts and traditional red and white garb until the guys came out. We spent some more time drinking. One of the guys, an architect*, told me to get this energy drink called "Burn". It tasted similiar to Red Bull. Only after I was halfway through did he tell me that it is illegal here in the US - so I pretty much drank something like liquid crack.**
We went back to the campsite where I stayed up with Erik and the architect to drink some more. At this point I actually found out the architect was an architect and a semi-heated discussion ensued about architect vs. builder. I was pretty drunk at this point so I’m sure I said more than one thing to piss him off. I always think I'm right, and Its pretty hard for me to hide it.
A Mariachi band came out to play which was kind of a weird experience. They would play something very traditional and then break into a chorus of “Twist and Shout.” If there was one thing the architect and I agreed on, it was the oddity of the Mariachi group. At some point, (I’m not sure when exactly), the evening ended and everyone went to sleep. I woke up to a massive hangover the next day, not realizing that I had inadvertently consumed close to an entire bottle of vodka. It’s a wonder that the architect didn’t kill me the night before - I get overly chatty/bitchy on vodka.***
So besides the God-awful hangover, It was actually a blast. Its nice being back in my air-conditioned office, wearing my make-up, heels and pretty dress. But there is something to be said for the times when you wear a t-shirt, cut-offs and reefs and no one cares what you look like because everyone is hot and covered with dirt and sangria. Those times are memorable. Its a time I won't soon forget.
I just hope now I can get some work done.
*I have a general dislike for Architects, being a builder's daughter. I regard them mostly as snobby perfections. This guy may be the exception because he was actually nice and not a complete A-hole. Although at one point I believe he threw me into the class of non-decent girls at the campsite.
**Upon further reflection, maybe the Architect is an A-hole for giving me liquid crack and not telling me about it until afterward...
***Now, once again, I have to give the architect a break for putting up with my drunk ass. Dammit.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Far from home
Here I am...in a very interesting city, halfway across the globe and all I can think of is home. I realized today that I am a homebody. I really want my couch, my bed, my apartment. I am perfectly happy in Dallas Texas going about my day to day life.
From today - July 7th, 2010 to last year July 7th 2009 my life has changed dramatically. This time last year I was set to marry someone in October. That didn't happen. He is now married to someone else and I hope (sincerely) that he is very happy with her. I, myself, was with someone different not long after the engagement broke off. It was a brief but meaningful spark wherein I learned a lot about myself. I was hoping for a great romance. It wasn't there.
What I have realized is that here are some people for which you should risk everything. It took me a long, long time to realize this fact. After losing my mother I never wanted to let anyone have my heart or feelings in a way that could every hurt me so badly. But living that way is no way to live.
There are some people that won't give up on you. No matter how much you push them away, no matter how much you hurt them or they hurt you...there is that person out there who doesn't give up because their love for you is so great. And because that love is so great you can find your way through all the bad times to a much better place...to a place where there is only love.
What I always wanted was to be with the person who couldn't stand to be without me. Because it would mean that it was ME he wanted to be with, not just some girl who fit the bill. And finally, finally, finally, he's there - after 10 years of trial and tribulation - we have made it through all the BS...and I'm glad we both realized it before it was too late.
To the one who never gave up on me - and who felt as lonely without me as I did without him: I love you. And thanks for making our moments together funny and special. You make me laugh and that's my favorite thing to do...
From today - July 7th, 2010 to last year July 7th 2009 my life has changed dramatically. This time last year I was set to marry someone in October. That didn't happen. He is now married to someone else and I hope (sincerely) that he is very happy with her. I, myself, was with someone different not long after the engagement broke off. It was a brief but meaningful spark wherein I learned a lot about myself. I was hoping for a great romance. It wasn't there.
What I have realized is that here are some people for which you should risk everything. It took me a long, long time to realize this fact. After losing my mother I never wanted to let anyone have my heart or feelings in a way that could every hurt me so badly. But living that way is no way to live.
There are some people that won't give up on you. No matter how much you push them away, no matter how much you hurt them or they hurt you...there is that person out there who doesn't give up because their love for you is so great. And because that love is so great you can find your way through all the bad times to a much better place...to a place where there is only love.
What I always wanted was to be with the person who couldn't stand to be without me. Because it would mean that it was ME he wanted to be with, not just some girl who fit the bill. And finally, finally, finally, he's there - after 10 years of trial and tribulation - we have made it through all the BS...and I'm glad we both realized it before it was too late.
To the one who never gave up on me - and who felt as lonely without me as I did without him: I love you. And thanks for making our moments together funny and special. You make me laugh and that's my favorite thing to do...
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