Hanging with the Guys

Last night I went out with the guys. You know, my old buddies from highschool. The gang I used to chill with in highschool. On Wednesday evenings we'd go to church and then go to Poe's where his mother would cook us all dinner and then we'd watch Southpark or Star Trek. Just, the guys.
Not all of them were there sadly. Poe and Woodward couldn't make it, well, Woodward got lost (go figure). He wasn't the brightest of us all. But Eric and his wife, Dana, were there. They just got married the day before. But that's "Hush Hush" As well as Chuck, Nick Robinson, Luke, and Luke's older brother, Jason. Though Jason never participated in the Wednesday night festivities, he did however run our DnD games and DMed for us. And since he's older and on a much higher maturity level than the rest of the guys, we get along quite well.

Anywho.. we all gathered in Arlington at a bar called, Sherlock's. I had never been there before but it was a really awesome place. It was big, spacious, and had three seperate rooms. In the main room was the bar and an area for seating. In front of the seating was a small stage where a pretty decent cover band was playing. In the second room was the game area. There were pool tables, Air hockey tables, and Darts. This is where I located the gang. So for the next four hours, they drank, we played pool, and just hung out. It was like old times, just a new addition! We had a great time.

I got to play two games of pool. At first I was really nervous about playing. I usually suck at games especially when people are around and watching me, but I actually rocked. Jason and I were partners. On my first little round, I actually sank four balls. Then at the end, we were all chasing the 8 ball, but you know who got it? Me! That's right baby! I kicked Chuck and Luke's butt big time! Mwa ha ha!! So we had a rematch. Jason broke since we had won the last game. Then Chuck was up... he got all of his colors in during his one round! We were shocked and amazed. Jason and I thought we'd have no chance. But he encouraged me and then I went for my turn. Yeah.. suckage. Major suckage. I sadly rejoined the group to watch Luke beat us. But then, the most unbelievable thing occured. He went to hit the eight ball and called the far corner pocket. But as fate would have it.. the eight ball bounced off the back and rolled toward us and fell into the close corner pocket. We had won by default! It was beautiful!!

The rest of the night was spent in talking and enjoying the company of old friends. It was so wonderful to see everyone again. It's a shame that we're all split up and scattered abroad. But I suppose it makes those memories and moments like these, oh so precious and wonderful

Sunday, December 18, 2005
Weekend in Chicago

Rose and I went to Chicago for the weekend. And boy.. did I have a great time! It was incredible and all that I hoped it could be. We left early yesterday morning at about 8 or so but due to needing to get to the bank and such we didn't really hit the road I guess till almost 9. We talked about our lives, experiences, and all sorts of wonderful things on our drive up to Chicago, and before we knew it, we were there!

We had originally planned on staying with her friend but he hadn't called her back all week so we then went with plan B and were going to get a hotel. The one we chose we weren't really sure about. We had two reports that the place was decent and then another, that it was a Roach Motel! Basically, we decided to call it an adventurous experience and were going to try it out. Then!... another of Rose's friend called us up just as we entered into Chicago and offered her floor space. We accepted!

The late morning and early afternoon was spent moseying through the Art Museum. We spent 5 hours there and still didn't see the entire collection. It was phenominal. So many wonderful painters like Georgia O'Keefe and John Singer Sargent. There also was this wonderous hall of medieval armor and artifacts. It was funny because I kept pointing out all the different garment pieces (thank you Rene and Costume History!). I was worried that I was getting on Rose's nerves with it, but I was just happy being able to identify what everything was.

The museum also had a very nice wing of contemporary and abstract art. In one particular room there was a pile of candy laying on the floor in a large rectangular shape. We looked at if for a long time thinking of all the possibilities that the work could mean. Then Rose leaned over to me and asked, "Do you think we can take one?" I started laughing and confessed that I had the same question. So we found the small index card that had information about the piece and read up on what it was. It did infact inform us that we were encouraged to take a piece and partake in the art work. We went back to the pile 'o' candy and stared at it, a little nervous, as others walked around us. Then, a man next to us bent down and picked a piece. Immediately Rose and I did the same. I took a blue one. But as soon as the three of us had retrieved our candy, an older couple walked out from a connecting room and loudly exclaimed, "Well there goes that piece," as though what we had done had ruined the artwork. We simply pocketed our miniature works of art, our little piece of someone's soul, and walked away confidant in that we had allowed for the persons work to have been worthwhile.

In the next room couple rooms there were many interesting others works as well, but what really caught Rose's and my attention was a black string that hung straight down from the ceiling, ran across the room diagonally, and then straight up back to the ceiling. At first I thought it was some sort of mirror but quickly realized that it wasn't. We just kind of walked around the string in wonderment as to what it could mean. Something about the string was ominous. Then Rose said, "Walk through it.. come on." At first I was hesitant. Walk through it? Is that allowed?! I don't think you're supposed to, I thought. Then she took a little hop step through it. I laughed and did the same. I know I simply walked over a piece of string, nothing really spectaculor, but I felt amazing. I felt not only as though I were commiting some sort of incredibly horrible crime.. but that I was also breaking my boundaries and challenging the world, the obstacles we've made for ourselves! All this, from a string! hahaha. It was absolutely fantastic! Rose then noticed another couple contemplating and experiencing the same thing. However, the woman absolutely refused to step over the string. How does something so insignificant as a string, create such a rouse out of people. Bravo to the artist. Bravo!

After the Museum, Rose and I went shopping! She took me to a lot of really great shops, we even hit up H&M! I spent way too much money. Yeah.. I can't help it. I like clothes! hehehe.
After breaking the bank we headed over to Syvel's (sp?). We helped her out with some Costuming stuff, ordered a pizza, and just hung out and talked. We got an authentic Chicago Style Pizza! It was fabulous. I had one and half slices and I was stuffed. It was one of the most delicious things I'd ever eaten before! hahaha. Pizza is one of my fave foods. te-he.

After gorging ourselves, the ladies and I readied ourselves for a late night o dancing. We all got uber cute and headed out to the clubs. First we stopped by Exit to drop off a costume I had made for one of Ben's friends and then we headed over to Neo. Neo was awesome! I wasn't there more than two minutes and then I was out on the dance floor. They had such a great collection of Industrial Music. It totally rocked and was kicking it! Ben had warned me about Neo.. something along the lines of it being rough and that I should be careful or something. But I danced just as hard and probably longer than most of the people out there. I held my own and was loving it! Rose and Syvel talked with old friends and danced too. We had a great time. I can't wait to go back. The place totally rocked. Yeah!!! We were there for a long time, just soaking it in and loving it. We didn't leave till about 3:30 or so. Maybe it was 4. We got home and crashed. We were exhausted from a day chopped full of activities.

At about 11 am we began to stir. We all showered and dressed and then went off to have breakfast.. er.. lunch I guess.. well, we'll call it Brunch! hehe. Then Rose and I departed our sweet Syvell and did a little fabric shopping. After which the day was beginning to wane and we thought it best to get back home to Urbana. It was quite a wonderous weekend. We had such a good time and did so much. Chicago was awesome and I can't wait to go back, probably not till Spring.

Well. I better get packing. Going to Texas in the morning.