Summertimes

This week I felt I had a bit of a summer. Even though I've been working and its been pretty light, I haven't really crossed off a lot of things I wanted to do this summer. But this week, as I wrap up my 3rd to last week here, I was able to knock some things off.

I had dinner with Steakhouse and company at Naysayer P Squirrel's apartment. Steakhouse was staying with him for a while and on her last night there, she wanted to have dinner with folks from her time at the University. I've known Steakhouse since her first year (my second) and she's feels like one of those friends i've known forever and am pretty close to. Besides her, others were there including Tenshi, El Bandito, Fontaine Patisserie, Sarcastic Sasser-friend and more. I cooked my stuffed tomatoes without much trouble and we had a grand time playing games and eating the potluck food and just catching up one last time. I'm starting to say my goodbyes, which feel significant and heavy, but I also get that reminder that departures are a part of life. So its not goodbye, its "See you when I see you" (remember last year's post about this?)

Tenshi and I spent an evening watching King's Speech, which I've been trying to see for a long time. British setting, WWII time period, good acting, and a bunch of Shakespeare references to boot. I loved it. That said, I have to remember that not everyone paid super close attention to history class like it did. Just as the memories of basic algebra have faded from my mind, so have the memories of history departed Tenshi's. And due to that fact, I accidentally offended her making assumptions that she had the same detailed knowledge of the war that I did. Sorry!!

I also had a nice burger dinner with Pokeboss, Captain Peanut, King Wrangler, Fall Girl and Shyly Sue Hoo. We are trying to figure out Pokeboss big 2-1 birthday, which isn't a surprise but also kinda is. I've been instructed by several of Pokeboss's friends to keep her alive but also make sure she has fun. Since only a few of us are actually older than Pokeboss (which seems illogical to me but thats another story hehehe) Pandita and I have been tasked with helping her celebrate. When is the tough question...

Mama Goldfish came to visit and she, Alejandro Brock and I lamented over poor Clark, who busted his ankle in a shark attack... or maybe it was falling off a mountain... something like that. Regardless he's been on crutches all week, poor guy. At least its his left foot and he can still drive! I had Boy Scout flashbacks as I wrapped his ankle for him one night, lashing on a bag of cold peas. This is especially fitting since the Facebook page I subscribe too was posting pictures from back in our day. There's some winners of Spam Boa hehehe. It was a nice conversation with Mama G though. We even got Clark to open up a bit about his life. Clark doesn't exactkt keep secrets but he also very much does his own thing. So hearing about his trips to the gym or the times he's bent the rules of the universe (those that are defined by the things Clark never does, like sing, or dance, or drink), giving us an insight to the everyday Clark that we his roommates don't even always see was kinda fun. Clark is usually guarded about talking about that stuff, but his ankle must have put him a little out of sorts and more open to putting himself out there a bit. I'm glad he felt we were that safer space.

Speaking of putting himself out there, Brock has had some winner quotes lately. I'll only share one, which is relevant to a later story. "Maybe post-apocalyptic Mama G is just a huge bitch".

Ooo Ok one more. B- James, can I experiment with you. It feels really good... I promise you'll like it. Remember when I put acid on Alejandro's face- he liked it!

We went out to a bar the other night for dinner. It was a good Irish pub with good food and hard cider which is infinitely superior to the hopps-ridden thing known as beer. While there, Brock was making conversation. One of his favorite topics is me. Go figure. First he started with, "Guys, let's all go around the table and say our favorite memory of James since he's leaving". People groaned because they felt like they just did that... and they probably did while waiting for me at my surprise party. But anyone, only Clark played along, describing a that's what James said moment which in fairness i'll relate:

Clark had a cold and wanted to leave our hangout sometimes during first year to go rest. He stood up and declared "I'm sick and I'm tired..." and it lingered like that prompting me to wonder if he wanted us to do something about it. So I said, "Do you want some action?" I was going to say more like "action in response to that statement", but everyone was already laughing at me at that point so yea. fail.

Anyway, the conversations shifted to that one time Brock had the idea to imagine our family of friends in a post-apocalyptic world. I happened to be amused by the idea and wrote some of it down, taking a lot of creative liberties. With Bridges recording and RC Tequila, Clark, Mama G, and Kareem all listening, Brock and I took turns describing the story, first as Brock imagine it in his head and second as I actually wrote it. It's amusing hearing both of us tell the same and often very different tale. It's also just a testament that our friends are so close we can create alternative universes for ourselves (and not be offended either).

I had a tabletop game night with Heavy Spy, Tiana Gamer, Dungeon Daddy and Clark. A game played almost completely in your imagination is on one level limitless. The few rules that limit it however, can really mess up your imagination. Like when Heavy Spy can't roll higher than an 8 for 10 turns. He lost interest a lot faster than usual that night. We only have one more night of this though and I don't anticipate playing again for a long time. Kinda a bummer because it is fun with good friends.

I also went to a local museum I'd been meaning to attend. This was the home of a rich benefactor, whose Villa was modeled after one in Pompeii and has now become a great museum. Full of greek and roman art and artifacts, it was a fun little place to tour for a few hours with Terrific Craniac, who also hadn't been. Pokeboss had gone a few weeks ago and said it was nice, but I still wasn't sure what to expect. The fountains and gardens were the most amazing part. You really felt like a lord or wealthy emperor looking out over your land, which the ocean in the distance and white pillars lining your backyard, complete with fountains and sculptures nestled throughout carefully planted and groomed shrubs and flowers. There was even a mummy, not Egyptian but a Roman who wanted to be mummified like the Egyptians were. Kinda like people want to be vampires today. A trend that may or may not have been a good idea but makes for great history.

Saturday may have been the climactic day. Afternoon spent playing Left 4 Dead with the guys and then meeting up with Dungeon Daddy, Heavy Spy, Tiana Gamer, and my brother to take Tenshi to her first Hometown baseball game. It was a good one too. Lots of double plays, a home run (rare for our scrappy style), and even extra innings where we went down by two in the 12th and then rallied to win in the bottom. It was great! We then went to Heavy Spy's house and had martinis and Woodchuck cider for Tiana's 21st birthday and played Balderdash, and incredibly fun definition creation game. Just so you know, a palliard (pal-yard) actually is "a tricky beggar whose parents where also tricky beggars". Good times. The night ended with me defending my lady from the menacing assault of a cockroach and being woken up Sunday by well intentioned by far too early dishwashing.

My weekend concluded with a fabulous Armenian lunch by Tenshi's mom, full of humus, a magical salad, and kabobs of beef and chicken and great flatbread and rice. So good! Are there Armenian's in Ohio? I kinda don't think so but I guess Tenshi will have to visit a lot and cook for me :)

It is these nights I am so thankful for and want to secure in my memory. I'm going to miss these good times so much. I have been blessed with wonderful people in my life and no matter how many times I say it, I am really lucky. I've been going through the various stages of "grief" or "leaving": Stress, Excitement, Nervousness, Apathy, Nostalgia, and even Fear. These are natural, and I know I'm going to have a great time these next two years. But if nothing else, it really ruins my attempts at packing. There are so many other things to do, people to see friends to spend one last day with! I really need to be done with work early... No more time for such frivolities like making money! Ha! Who am I kidding? But seriously, next Sunday is my last blog post from this time zone. That kicks off all those emotions again. I don't like lasts. I don't like change. But I have to do this. I know that. So I guess that's one more emotion. Determination.

-JTY

Listening to: I'd Love to Change the World- Ten Years After one of those one hit wonders that are just really fun to still listening to. I've been jamming and singing out loud (rare) for a lot of classic rock this weekend and its been great.

Reading: Storm of Swords- George R.R.Martin keeping up that Game of Thrones theme.

Playing: Left 4 Dead 2 and Fallout: New Vegas- Fallout in particular is shaping up to take forever. I want to finish before I go but I prolly won't oh well...