Apparently I'm a Sellout

So, today, amongst the HUGE amount of things I have to do at work (you know, get coffee, smoke, go to lunch, smoke, get a coke, smoke, check email, smoke, etc) my mind starts to drift. I look back to, oh I dunno, six-ish years ago. Early on in the college career, but fully enjoying what it is not to live at home and scrounge to buy ramen. I was so metal. Or at least, I thought I was. So punk, so rock, so....poor. I definitely gave less of a shit about a lot of things. Those were good times.

I was walking back from the printer and it dawned on me. Fuck. I've got on the now-fashionable ripped jeans with the tailored shirt and pointy high-heel boots. And a fucking belt. The tailored sport bike style leather jacket and even a damn purse sitting back at my desk. I think, god, what would I have thought about myself had I seen the future me back in the day? Tool. Sellout. Corporate string monkey.

Then Katrix says I look all girly today, and it's all over from there.

I give up.

Be on the lookout for some purple hair and bleach in the near future.

17-Year Old Drivers

So.

I'm heading home after a long day at work. I'm on the bike, all is going well. It's cool, but not cold, and the smell of fireplaces burning and winter in general is all around. Traffic is light, and people aren't being douchebags. I'm pretty damn happy. I get to the stop sign at where I turn to go home. Literally, half a block from my apartment.

I stop in the left turn lane. The cars to the right and left of me take their turns, cos they were there first. I rev the engine a bit (more out of habit than anything else), take a look around to make sure I'm good, the truck to my right takes off and goes, because it's our turn. Then, as I am feet away from clearing the intersection and going home to my beer and my boy, it happens.

A 17-year old moron and her friend in a piece of crap Yaris lay into me and my bike. I saw her at the stop sign. I was going, she was stopped. Then, for some reason, she starts moving while I'm attempting to turn left. All condolences to my right foot peg, brake pedal, and *sniff* front fender. She jumps out of the car, freakin hysterical. "Oh my god I'm so sorry I didn't see you I have no words for this except I'm sorry and oh my god my dad's gonna kill me and my insurance is gonna go up and......" that's where I stopped listening.

So, she calls her parents, I call the cops, and we wait. She's apologizing to everyone till mommy shows up, then she shuts up and changes her story. Fun. But, luckily, the kid had already gushed to a couple cops before mommy dearest and her money showed up.

So we'll see what the cops decide. I don't really care at this point. Why? Because there was more damage to her piece of shit car than by bike.

I guess I'm lucky. Actually, I'm really lucky. Usually when a motorcycle and a dumb teenager in a car meet up, the results aren't so good for the biker.

I'll be taking donations to repair Sasha.

My Relationship in a Nutshell

So, we're driving home from seeing the Tenacious D movie (goldmine, by the way) and Prince comes on the radio. The boy starts bobbing his head, and waxing philosophical about how it's a great song. I give him the crazy eye. The conversation is as follows:

Daniel: So you've seen Purple Rain right?

Me: Um, no

Daniel: Oh, well that explains a lot.

The End of an Era

So, at some point you realize how things really are.

And it sucks.

I'm not sure what led to this realization, but it doesn't really matter. In fact, it's probably something I've known for months. There are friends you have for a lifetime, and friends you have for what seems to be a lifetime, but is really just a blink. People grow, people change. Inevitably, those who were the closest of friends at some point will become strangers. It's heartbreaking.

Self-indulgent thoughts lead one to wonder how deep the friendship really was, or if you did something wrong, or whatever. I'm learning more and more that those thoughts are pretty self-destructive, so I'm trying to ignore them. Maybe it's naive, but it's probably the only way to deal with things like this.

Maybe this is one stage of the whole experience. There's the first realization that something isn't the same anymore. Then you fight, oh my god, you desperately fight to hold on to whatever it is you thought was left. Then, you realize that it's not worth it anymore. And I think, that may be the worst part. I can't stand to give up, ever. When you finally realize that you can't fight anymore, you let go. It's probably healthy, and probably the part that hurts the most. But I guess sometimes it's just better that way. People just change, and sometimes they grow apart. It happens. No one's wrong, no one's right, it's just time and distance.

It still sucks.

Turco Isn't So Bad

While I'm not the biggest fan of Marty Turco....he is slowly redeeming himself. He pulled off some crazy ninja shit tonight, and has been doing so all season. He may soon regain my respect, maybe.

Anyway, we're 8-1-0, one of the best starts to a season yet. Good job boys.

Toby Keith Makes me Want to Kick Puppies

So, one of the many things that brought me joy about last hockey season was the lack of the annoying Toby Keith hook line at the beginning of every.single.commerical.break. He's a Ford Truck Man...didja know?

Anyway, last season was this crappy Dodge thing with some chick. They didn't air it that much so it didn't make me want to hurt things.

But now.....fuck.

Toby is back. And this year, he's got to get up early and be on time. He's built Ford tough...didja know?

I l-o-v-e hockey, but the commercials are going to slowly drive me to madness.

An Ode to Ex Boyfriends

Life can be pretty strange sometimes. Every now and then something happens that puts everything else sharply into perspective. While there are things I wish I didn't have to go through, I would never go back and change anything. Without my past experiences, I'd be a completely different person, and wouldn't be where I am today. So....

To the first, without whom I would have never fallen in love with Rock 'N Roll. To the second, without whom I would have never fallen in love with poetry. To the others, without whom I wouldn't love myself, lawn seats, BritComs, Frank Zappa, trench coats, dancing in the rain, finding the child within, or Starbucks. To the one who broke my heart, and to the ones who had to pay the price, even though they weren't guilty. Without any of them, I wouldn't have many of the little things that bring me joy. And without them, I wouldn't know where I never want to be again. I am ever grateful for little reminders of how far I've come, and of how strong I really can be, to go even farther.

So, to the ones who lied, the ones who cheated, the ones that were shallow, the ones that were selfish, the ones that were even a little crazy....thank you. And to the one who knew how to fix me, and daily puts up with me and all of my little quirks, drama, childishness, and temper....you may never realize how amazing you really are.

I Heart Oktoberfest

Ah.....Addison.....

Let me tell you a little bit about this crappy little town. Yuppies. Everywhere. Snotty, quasi-rich, not quite old, but not really young anymore, posers that are probably still living off some of mom and dad's money.

But enough about that. Despite my general loathing for the city of Addison, it does tend to host some awesome events (not to mention it's home to the closest Flying Saucer). Last night the boy and I decided to partake in some Oktoberfest goodness. The beer, the food, the drunk retards....what better way to end a week that will only result in the longest weekend of my life.

So today I'm off to be more girly than I would ever really like to admit to being. But, Kat's gettin married, and I've gotta look presentable. And I might just pick up some Aerosmith tickets for the show in November. But first, I gotta pay some bills.....I keep hoping someday those people will forget where I live.....

Labor Day Fun

Ah so....

It's been a busy little day in the life of Jen and Daniel. We totally cleaned out the garage, put up some shelves, and re-organized our lives. At least it seems like it. I detailed both our four-wheeled vehicles and the boy got to play with powertools. And he finally found a use for his old surround sound system. That's right, bitches. Our garage is now a party zone. Concert-quality until the neighbors start bitching. All that's left is to fold this last load of laundry and file the bills. I'm now dead tired and ready for a few beers and some guilty pleasure TV. We had originally planned to go back out to the Saucer, but after the debaucle at Target, we want nothing more to do with other people tonight. So, the TV becons.

On that note: new seasons of BOTH the Gilmore Girls and Nip/Tuck start tomorrow, and we couldn't be more excited. Next weekend is the Dallas Stars Ice Breaker, so I will be braving the chaos with the little ones to beg for some autographs and maybe some schwag. God help me. Anyone who wants to come with is more than welcome, just let me know.

New project at work, you ask? Going swimmingly. I couldn't have asked for a better team, and I'm super excited to get things rolling with that. Unfortunately, that means I will have to start doing some actual work this week. It's about that time to re-focus and do everything within my power to help make our goals, or no bonus for me. That would suck more than a lot.

It's also starting to look and feel like autumn, my all-time favorite season. Why, you ask? Cos it's kinda like spring, without the bugs. But better. I love the slight chill in the air and the rainy godsend days like today. Plus, autumn means Halloween is near. Yep. This is when I'm definitely at my happiest. And so is the boy, cos I will soon make pumpkin bread.

For those who read this, hope your weekend was wonderful, and that it doesn't suck too much to get back to work manana.

My My....It has been a while

So, it's been a long week, I'm tired as all hell, and quite possibly still hung over from last Monday. I mean, uh, it was a great work trip and we accomplished a lot, and the dealership loves us. Yeah.

Seriously, met some awesome folks from the other offices, hung out, got to ride the Black Hills, and overall had a great time.

Let's see, some details......for those of you who simply must know.

Gorgeous country out there, pics to follow. We, ahem, borrowed some Demo bikes and went for a ride one evening Saw Mt. Rushmore, maybe a pic to follow, cos that's tourist, and I'm way to Rock 'N Roll for that. Met Dee Snyder, definitely pic to follow, cos that's total Rock N' Roll. Partied at a few well-known shitholes; truly a good time had by all.

But, it's good to be home. I missed my boy and my kiddos. But thanks to whoever is actually in charge up in D.C., I had to spend all of my last day up there listening to: "Oh you poor thing, you're flying tomorrow. Did you hear what happened? Insert mis-quoted news moron and backwoods racist slur here." But, I'm home and in once piece with no issues in the airways or airports whatsoever. Mainly because Rapid City has one terminal (6 gates) and one baggage claim, and can't be bothered with things like "Code Orange."

But, enough about that. I don't have time for this shit. I'm going to go fuck the cat.

(explanation to follow if you're that curious)