I wander this world

It's almost midnight and I am wide awake. I have packed for my weekend away-- too many clothes as always. Looking forward to having a weekend of total relaxation and getting away from the recent stresses of life for a while. Strange that I actually go to Vegas to relax and rest.
Still no nephew. He's taking full advantage of the womb before he decides it's time to brave this weird world. I can't say I blame him. But fully expecting to have to cut my weekend short, and am prepared to drive back at a moment's notice if need be.
This past weekend endured the wedding of a dear friend. Quite a surreal situation, but it all turned out fine. H & H hit up Hermosa again, and felt like we were in an episode of the Twilight Zone. Running into RANDOM people who should have never been down there, seeing the Trenchcoat Mafia guys again, having the bartender remember us... ugh.. We're taking a much needed break for a while.
Did drive home in the craziest rain storm we've been in in a while. Well, I slept most of the way home - with a half-eaten burrito still in my hand, actually. Good times.
I must go attempt sleep so that I can stay awake for the drive tomorrow night. Hoping I won't encounter too much traffic. Who goes to Vegas for Thanksgiving? I'm hoping just me. And, as always, looking forward to seeing the fam including this guy. (The flash kept making him blink.)

I cross my heart

I've got the need to share a few things with the class. Because I don't think anyone is actually reading any of this, I feel fairly safe divulging a few of my guilty pleasures. In case anyone IS actually reading this, can you please post a comment so that I can quickly delete the embarrassing parts (all) of this post? You can do that at least, can't you?

Here's me and my random brain with three things that completely blow the cover off of any sort of "cool" status I may have possessed at any one time. Not that I consider myself cool in any way EVER, but this will seal the deal and convince anyone who thought I may have had any potential. Boy, were you wrong.

Exhibit A: I get way too excited about a new toothbrush than any human being should. I actually thought about it last night as I was falling asleep (I'm gonna use my new toothbrush tomorrow morning. That'll be fun!). For those taking notes, I use the Crest Spinbrush and it's changed my life. Never before have I owned an electric toothbrush, but I made the big purchase about a year ago and it's been rocking my world ever since. They were on sale recently, so I decided it was time for a new color. You know, to spice things up a bit. I think I bought a dud, tho because I've put 3 sets of batteries in this morning, and it still doesn't work all that great. (For those who are taking notes, 3 sets because one set was already in the toothbrush when I bought it, one set was floating around my junk drawer, so I didn't know if they had been used previously or not, and the 3rd set was new from the package). In any event, my new toothbrush makes me very happy. And it's such a "happy" color: dark pink.

Exhibit B: I've rediscovered a long-lost childhood friend. Smucker's Hard Shell chocolate syrup. It absolutely FASCINATES me, and I find myself wanting to search for things to pour it on, just to eat it off of. For those who don't know the magic that is Smucker's Hard Shell, it is chocolate syrup that looks just like any other in appearance... AT FIRST! But once it is poured on something cold (ie: a big bowl of ice cream or cool whip as I prefer it), it turns into a hard form of chocolate in a matter of mere seconds. So now do you not only have the added FLAVOR of chocolate, but you also have the added CONSISTENCY of chips. Pure perfection. I remember it as always being such a special treat when mom would have a coupon for this magic in a bottle, and now that I have control over what I choose to purchase while shopping, Smucker's Hard Shell always finds its way into my basket.

Exhibit C: And by far the most damaging piece of evidence that I've got no cool in me. I really really REALLY love the movie Pure Country. I KNOW, I KNOW what you're thinking. "huh? Wasn't that that really cheesy movie made with that one guy who sings but can't act?" No, not "Moonlight and Valentino" with my boy Jon Bon Jovi. Pure Country was a gem of a film made way back in 1992 and starred none other than the very talented George Strait as Dusty, the country singer who was tired of the lights, the touring, and the lifestyle that is required of a very popular artist. He decides to leave it all and go back to his roots where he finds himself again and also finds love. He shaves his George Michael-inspired stubble, and cuts his hair, which apparently he learned from Clark Kent, because now no one in his new life reckognizes him as Superman (or Dusty). He enjoys being a normal guy, drinking beer, line dancing, and learning how to rope a horse - all without any responsibilities. Of course his leaving his career behind so suddenly has left his "people" scrambling to keep the fans happy, which is where chaos ensues. Now, if you haven't seen the movie, I don't want to spoil it for you. But it's a great movie about finding out what truly makes you happy, not everyone else.

"You'll always be the miracle that makes my life complete. And as long as there's a breath in me I'll make yours just as sweet"

That's pure lyrical genius, kids. Check it out next time you're browsing your local video store and are looking for a good, clean movie for the family to watch. Or turn on CMT and wait. It'll show up eventually.

I don't mean to be so strange but my life just took a change

Listening to Gavin DeGraw's album right now. I love this stuff.

You know how there's always a disclaimer on concert tickets at the very bottom "Lineup subject to change"? That should be a footnote on my life. No matter how you plan things or anticipate how a certain thing is going to go, it's always subject to change - and probably will. I used to be someone who would plan things out and make sure everything was going to go according to my plans, and get a little more than ruffled when the schedule wasn't on time, or when there was a kink along the way to throw a wrench into things. I would have this grand idea in my head of how something should look or go, and how perfect it would all be at the outcome.

The one factor I was always forgetting about was other people. MY plans would be perfect if they were all up to ME. But they're not. And thankfully I finally started learning my lesson a while back and have become much more understanding of the "life is subject to change" philosophy. I'm not in control of everything, and shouldn't try to be.

People will disappoint, cancel plans, or change their minds. I understand they are most likely not intentionally trying to hurt me. It's just that life has changed for them, and following the ripple effect, it now means things have changed for me as well. This I can deal with. It's just that sometimes I would rather feel like I was floating on a still body of water, having to adjust to a minor ripple every now and then. As opposed to what usually happens, which is me going along with the flow, then getting overturned because a bunch of little ripples have all come at once causing a huge wave, catching me off guard.

But this is life and it's subject to change. I don't fight it anymore. I never know what could be waiting on the surface once I get my balance back.