Crawfish Boil

Crawfish Boil, it's a phrase that I'm familiar with, but not something I had ever experienced until last Friday night. One of the girls that I work with invited me to an event that was beer friendly, so I decided to say what the heck, besides, I'm always up for an adventure.

Rod and I headed over to her house at about dusk. Considering Rod was familiar with events such as these, he knew we weren't interested in eating the first batch. When we arrived, finally--after driving around for about 20 minutes, the guests that were already there were eagerly sucking the heads (crawfish eating term) and eating, what I was soon to find out, some pretty tasty seafood.

Terri, the hostess with the most-ess, introduced us around. Most of the people were about our age and extremely friendly. We chatted away as we waited for the second batch of crawfish to hit the board. I tasted one of the mushrooms that cooked with the crawfish and it was pretty darn good, so I couldn't wait to try the rest. When the second batch came out there were about 20 anxious hungry people ready to dive in. Now, a crawfish is like a tiny lobster (for those of you who don't know). The spices that the crawfish are cooked in aren't always absorbed by the meat in the tail, so what some cleaver (and probably drunk) diner decided to do was suck the spices from the head, hence sucking the head. I didn't do that, but if you are quick enough to grab one of the larger crawfish, you can suck the claw, which is much easier to talk about when telling the people at work about it.

So, in conclusion, I discovered that I do indeed like crawfish, I like 'em spicy, and I like 'em hot. Once they cool off they are a little bit more difficult to peel. Good fun was had by all.

I Know!!!

It's been a minute since I've posted, I know!!! Lots has happened in the last few weeks, so there is much to share. I haven't felt like much like posting due to the fact that there is so much I had to take into consideration when I decided to stay in Texas. Yes, it's true, I've decided to stay.

How did it all come about you ask. Well it all started about two weeks ago.........

We went out for cocktails one night after work. It was girls night out that because an after work party that became a tiny bit out of control. We drank, we laughed, we smoked, we gossiped, it was all together good, clean fun. The weather was perfect, the drinks were cold and the company was good. The conversation turned to my leaving. They were all sad about the upcoming date. I was sad too, but I had all but promised my first born that I was returning to Minneapolis.

What was keeping me from staying. I liked my job, I worked with fun people, the weather is great, I'm close to the ocean, Joy's here, I have family in Austin that I recently reconnected with, and Houston has the second best Creative Writing Master's Program. But still, I wasn't making enough money to support myself in the manner which allowed me to eat, pay rent and make a car payment. So, on a whim I went into my supervisors office (who was also not pleased with my decision to leave) and told her that in order for me to stay I needed to make x number of dollars. She took it to her supervisor and 3 hours later the decision to stay was decided (and final, for now anyway).

The hardest part of all this has been knowing that I have friends in Minneapolis that I love and want to spend time with, but the lure of a decent salary and a great education have come out the victor in this battle for my future. Besides, Troy is still emailing me, which I fear might lead to some poor decision making on my part if we were ever to run into each other. There is no guarantee that I would be able to find a decent job immediately upon my return. Living paycheck to paycheck at 30 isn't my idea of a bright future. So, I have to give it a shot. I don't know if it's the right decision, and I feel like I am letting some people down, but I as my disappointed but supportive mother said, I have to live for myself not for someone else (and she even meant herself when she said that).

So, I've already got almost enough furniture to fill a small apartment (supplied by my new friend Peter and his girlfriend Karen for a steal of a deal), I have my bed, which I have grown to love over the last several months, now all I need to find is a place to live once Joy sells this place. Thoughts of buy a super cheap house in a so-so neighborhood have been crossing my mind, as the mortgage would be cheaper than rent, but I half think that I should wait until I know if I can get into the University of Houston.

Speaking of which, I have two connections to the English department there. One of the supervisors at my job (who I handle some problems for, it's like I'm his go to girl), happens to know someone. So when I went into his office the other day to let him know that he can't call me short-timer anymore, gave me the hook up. When I was telling my friend Rod the story, he reminded me (not that I forgot) that his father is the head of the English department at the University of Houston. Rod offered to set up a meeting for me with his dad, which might give me a heads up on what they are looking for in their masters program students.

I've told almost everyone about these big changes, except for Susan. Susan is my good friend who is storing some of my shit for me at her house in Minneapolis, and up until the end of last week who I was going to be living with in about 7 weeks. I have to call her tonight and let her know, but I'm just so afraid of hurting her feelings. It makes me sad to think that she might really be upset with me about this whole situation. Especially after I told her two weeks ago I would "definitely" be back in Minneapolis at the end of April.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

To my mother and my best friend in honor of her birthday.

I think that I am pretty fortunate. For the past 30 years I have had the most supportive, loving, caring, understanding disciplinarian for a mom. Although every moment spent together in the past hasn't been the best of times (far from it actually), but over the last 10 years I have grown to appreciate the woman I call Mom.

She never scolds (anymore), but when I talk to her (almost on a daily basis) she listens and responds. Although I don't always like what she has to say I respect the words. When I told her I wanted to go to Stout, she didn't say, "NO". Instead she stood at the door as my father and I drove away, waving and crying. When I told her I wanted to quit my job, she didn't say, "NO". Instead she told me to do whatever I needed to. When I told her I was moving to Texas, she didn't say, "NO". She only told me to do what was best for me.

Some days it's really hard knowing that my mom is so far away, but it's comforting to know she is as close as a phone call.

Mom, even though I can never remember to put a damn card in the mail, or remember how to make egg rolls without calling you up, or make the right decisions, you have never made me feel bad about anything. I love you so much! I can't wait to see you in April.

Wonderful Weekend!

Do you want to know what the best part about living in Texas is? No, well, tough shit, because you're about to find out (unless to exit this page now!). It is the weather in March. It has been sunny and 70+ for the last few days and I am loving it. The sun roof is open and the windows are down on the car. Windows in the house are open and I'm wearing shorts. Yes, it's true, shorts!

How was my weekend? Well, let me tell you. Friday night was girls night out, but that included Peter from my department, he brought his girlfriend so it was OK. We rushed to the bar at 4:00 on Friday afternoon. It's funny that now that I have decided to move back to Minneapolis, I'm now meeting people and making friends with some quality people. I am moving back, but damn, I could almost stay here now. Go to school here, work here, drink here, fall in love here..........well, maybe not that last one. Anywho, we had a great time and I laughed until I cried.

Saturday and Sunday I spent most of my time with Rod. We went to Katy Mills Mall, which is an outlet type mall, but huge, nothing like going to Woodbury. We got a game at the toy store and then went to the park to "play". It was more like "stand there and try not to hit the ball to far out of range so I have to actually run to get it". Once we realized that it was too much work we opted for just bouncing the balls on our paddles and seeing who could go the longest. We were tied, but I still had to buy the beer that night only because he cheated and tickled me whilst I bounced.....sounds almost dirty.

Sunday was a lazy day. Watched a little TV, took a little nap, enjoyed staying inside with all the windows open as the nice day passed me by. By the time all the napping was done and the TV had been watched we decided to go hit some golf balls. Now, I'm not one to brag, but damn I'm good. Not great, but good. Rod seemed pretty impressed with my abilities. I don't know why I have to keep reminding him that I have skills. Cripes!!

Anywho, today is back to work and reality. I'm sleepy but content with the great weekend I had. Hope to talk to y'all soon.

Stalker!

Here he is again. Is he going to keep popping up from the past?

hey there, whats going on? do you still think of me
off and on?
write back.....
troy

Reality Bites!

After a few disappointing moments in reality television I thought I could give it up. There was the whole Trista passing on Bachelor Bob before giving him a chance, then we see what a real pig Bachelor Bob is once he is the one choosing. The Surreal Life, The Real World, Road Rules, Survivor, The Mole, Big Brother, The Apprentice, Fear Factor, Temptation Island, the list goes on and on. No matter what the show is, it's all based on the same premise. Human emotions and human error. None was more obvious than the mistake made on Average Joe last night.

I had a bet going with Rod that she would pick the nerd. I am so stupid to think that this bitch would pick the guy that was best for her. Rod called her out while she was on a date with the geek. He practically said verbatim what she would say to the geek as she was giving him the blow off. Well, she got hers. The stud dumped her, why? Because she used to date Fabio, which according to Rod is a serious offense, but if you like someone, why would who they dated in the past make any difference unless they are still a major part of their life. I'm not understanding.

Anywho, now there is the Garden of Eden. I admit, I watched last night, and I'll be watching again tonight. It's disgusting. I can't stand myself.

Mom for a day....

Elsa has a son who is three. I just adore him and think he is the cutest thing ever, BUT.......

We went to a movie and shopping yesterday. It was the longest stretch of time I have spent with her son. HE DROVE ME NUTS!!! Now all of my friends know how I feel about kids. In small doses they are very cute and adorable, even when they are being bratty, but anything over the 4-5 hour stretch and I'm ready to pull my hair out.

That's why it's so funny that almost all of my friends (who are straight) have kids. I know it's because I'm 30 now and my friends are in that age range, but it's insane. There are just things that these friends of mine are unable to do:

1. No more crazy nights out at the drop of a hat--They need a sitter and they can't stay out late, which brings me to point number......

2. No more partying til the break of dawn (not that I even want to do that anymore, but I can if I so desire)

3. No more compulsive shoe buying shopping sprees (the baby needs to eat you know)

4. Talk to other adults without the occasional use of baby talk or the inability to realize that us "singletons" can do for ourselves (ie- cutting up our food, warning us of the dangers of hot food, pinching our cheeks and the like)

5. Go somewhere for more than 2 hours without constantly calling the sitter or spouse to make sure the baby is OK

Well, the list goes on and on, what have you notice about your friends with kids? And don't they just drive you nuts?

You Have To Be At LEAST This Tall.......

....To ride this ride. I don't understand why it is the short guys are always going after the tall chicks. As a woman of 6 feet in height, I am constantly amazed at the way short men flock to tall women. I must admit, most of the men I have dated have been shorter than me, not by much, but it has reeked havoc on my shoe shopping. I haven't bought heels in I don't know how long.

Elsa had a girlfriend come into town for the weekend and we went out on Saturday night. It was some frou-frou club called HUSH!! As in shut the hell up!! After the valet and entrance fee ($10) we were off to an interesting evening. Now, one of the nice things about Elsa is that she is 5'11. It's nice to not be freakishly tall (alone) in a group of people. Anywho, we were scoping for hotties and were disappointed in the lack of men over 6 feet. We searched high and low, but without much luck. So after feasting our eyes on one of the hired male dancers (he was offering body shots for $3, I'll be returning some night just for that experience) for about and hour we worked our way around the bar trying to look casual and approachable (and thirsty). We danced, we sat, we talked, we wandered, and then we went out to dance again.

Now, the three of us were just fine, looking all tall and cute dancing away. There was some salsa music on, I'm trying to keep the beat with my white girl dancing abilities (or honky groove--whichever you prefer) and some shortie rolls up on me. We start dancing, I figure what the hell, no one else has approached me yet. Now, his hair was bad, but the teeth were good and it was fun dancing with him. Elsa looked over at me and rolled her eyes, I returned the sympathetic gesture. Then the music changed and so did his dancing. He turned all "freaky" on me. I was backed up to the stage and he was in front of me with his butt pushed up against me. I kept pushing him away, but he didn't get it. That's when I broke out with the "I gotta a man" line. He's all like, "It's cool, we're just dancing". And, I was all like, "I can't dance with your ass pushing up against me." He just wasn't getting it. So I gave Elsa the "Let's get the hell outta here" look and off we went.

Now, when I'm sober it's really hard for me to be a bitch. I feel bad for those less fortunate. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but I couldn't take the "dancing" anymore. Now of course as soon as we walk off the dance floor there is a tall drink of water and I couldn't have been thirstier, but we had to roll. It was a fun night, and I'm glad we went, but I have one rule from now on and forever more, you need to be at least this tall (6 feet) to get in line to ride this ride (among some other varying factors, of course).