Photo re-cap! I've been busy!!

Over the past few weeks, I've had the unique pleasure of seeing so many of my wonderful friends, (and making some new ones). I haven't slowed down, and I couldn't be more excited about it!

Jamie, my mix tape, and I had some (spiked) butter beer in the Harry Potter world at Universal Studios. We also had a blast going through haunted houses and reconnecting with our inner children. Jamie, my adventuress. 

My beautiful best friend, my Hippo, Tracy, came for an extended weekend. We had sweet tea vodka, and laughed until we cried. We lazily watched an entire season of Orange is the New Black and basked in the glory that only a hippo-lobster can create. No one could possibly understand the courage that this tiny force of a woman gives me!

    (Seriously, we can't help ourselves)

Carolyn, my ninja, my fancy friend. She's my partner of understanding. I love that she was here and had the ability to let her hair down and embrace her silliness. I know she has to be WAY too adult 98% of the time and I'm honored to be a safe place for her to relax. 

Oh Pookie, Rob, my original partner in crime in Savannah. While he lives here, I'm glad that he's been a participant in the last few week's visits and that he so easily transitions into all the compartments of my life. 

                 (He judges us all...)

The other Rob. We're bonded by several cities and it always a hoot to have a drink (or few) with him. 

This guy, Ryan, he's new on the scene. But he's been my incredibly handsome host throughout the city over the past couple weeks. He's been a doll to my friends, and has introduced me to so many new and fun people! (To say I feel like a lucky girl is an understatement!)

I'm happy. Come visit soon!!

Carnival music can't be wrong... It feels so right.

Today at work I did a "hell yeah" fist punch into the air...because cake.

In doing so, my shirt lifted just enough to show part of the hand print tattoo on my right hip. A coworker was standing just behind me, and on my right side. They caught a glimpse of the tattoo and said "um, what the hell was that."

"A tattoo.  Of a hand."

"Seriously? That's interesting placement"

"Yep, like an instruction manual is the joke I generally get"

Other coworker "wait, you have a hand print, on your hip, that looks like its gripping you?"

First coworker "Please don't tell us there's an 'insert here' tramp stamp... Step right up!" 

Que carnival music and a highly inappropriate dance jig.

So many great memories involve carnival music, and that my friends speaks volumes.

My magical life keeps getting better...

Cheers!

Distance can't keep us down!

The Hippo & I are both wearing blue with white polka dots today. Totally synchronized. It's what Hippo-Lobsters do. Be envious. 

It's presumably uncalled for how happy this makes me... Whatevs. 

Simple struggles & gratitude

Things I'm not enjoying about my new (and current) situation...

1. I don't see my Banana Pants everyday. Nor have I slept with her in over a week. I have separation anxiety from my cat, yes. Stop judging me. 

2. I have no kitchen, or place to cook food. However, it's made me incredibly thankful to my generous "family" that continues to take care of me.

3. I miss the comfort of knowing my Hippo is only minutes away, instead of hours. But I am happy that her home is now filled with my art & that she sees pieces of me everyday. I can't wait to have a place with pieces of her as well.

4. I miss my Turtle. He is me, and I'm him. It's good to be got. And frankly there isn't a need for further elaboration. 

5. I long for my other close friends that are great dinner, lunch & breakfast dates. My Ninja, Huck & the Perfusionist. I'm still getting my bearings here, and their willingness to try fun things with me is greatly missed right now. 

Luckily, Mr. Duff has been more than willing to take me fun & nice places and my list of happy food places is growing. 

Things I am enjoying...

1. Being in a place that feels at peace with me after so many restless years. 

2. Knowing that the people above will find their way to me soon and that I'll get to show off this great city. 

3. That my life is truly magical. The proof is in the amazing support system I have that stretches beyond what I ever imagined possible. 

4. Knowing that I am appreciated at work, even after only 4 days. I haven't felt that way in ages and its good. 

Life has always been a challenge for me. I've always felt like I'm in survival mode. A little scavenger. And while that may always be true, today I feel less pressure. 

Relocated - in shifts.

I'm in Savannah, GA. 

It's beautiful. I'm in love with this town.

(That's my current mantra at least.)

I can't lie and say I'm 100% confident with my decision. But I've been well received by old friends. They're gracious, generous and patient. 

I'm terribly heartsick that Banana, my cat, isn't with me in my temporary housing. And I'm a complete wreck without my Hippo and Turtle. They both keep me sane and it's difficult without them physically accessible.

Touring apartments and the city in search of "For Rent" signs is exhausting. Without Pookie's help, I'd live in my car. Seriously, I already pay enough for the damn thing. Might as well live there too. 

I'm excited by the potential adventures and lessons. I'm anxious for new memories and stories. 

In over my head, just where I love to be. 

A reflection of my friendships.

When friends send me things like this, it makes me exceptionally happy...

It's pictures and other nonsense like this that make me realize how good it is to be got.  Because there is more than one person in my life for which this is completely a possible scenario.  For that, I am BEYOND thankful.  I've never been one to take myself too seriously, and I'm glad there are a handful of people that recognize and capitalize on that fact.  If you have people in your life like this, you're doing something right.

Well done, friends.  Keep up the good work.

The Vortex of Online Dating Sites

This past weekend, I spent time with family and friends.  I celebrated birthdays and graduations and the general awesomeness that is our group.  I enjoyed the festivities greatly, and I'm increasingly thankful for the amazing support system of weirdos that I call my own.

In addition to that, I spent some time with the always delightful, Turtle.  We of course watched British TV shows, as that is a requirement of our friendship.  But we also stumbled upon "Plenty of Fish".  This is a website dedicated to bringing the lonely souls together.  (Be that for a night or a lifetime.)  The further into this journey we traveled, the more I questioned "How the hell is the human race still a thing?"  If you really take the time to look, it is startling.  I won't say that every single person on this site was a questionable soul, because some of them were attractive, funny or some combination of interesting.  However, the majority spoke to a part of my brain that screamed for complete words, correct grammar and self respect! (And that was just the women)

Turtle encouraged me to start my own account, just so we could make a comparison of the men.  And of course, I fell to peer pressure.  They make you chose an "intent" option when starting your account.  Not a single option says friendship.  Your choices range from easy to desperate in short measure.  And considering I'm not actually looking for anything, it was difficult to make a choice on intent without a certain level of guilt.

Within a matter of moments of completing my profile, I was reading messages from Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia's finest.  Some of these men were clever, I'll admit.  But mostly it was along the lines of "hey, ur hawt" and with each new message, I cringed.  After nearly 20 messages, I had to hide my account from searches.  I wanted to delete the entire account, but Hippo demanded that I wait until she could have a look herself.  We even discussed making a fake guy account, because we have nothing better to do with our time.
I guess we're all a little curious...

Rocket Girl (my weekend abroad - yes Alabama is 'abroad')

This past weekend, I went to visit Turtle in Huntsville, AL.
He's on the short list of people I'll go into Alabama for.

(Silliness ensued)

And he took me to play at NASA... because he's amazing, and I love nerdy things.

(Inside an RS-25 engine. That little circle above my head is where the fire would be. I'm pretty dangerous.)

We also watched a generally unnatural amount of television for me.  But it was British, and hilarious.  (An Idiot Abroad, if you're looking for something WONDERFUL to watch) We stayed in our pajamas most of the time I was there.  Talk about GLORIOUS.  There was even a moon bounce...

(shut up, it's not an air mattress...it's a moon bounce)

So basically, the perfect weekend.  Great friend and laziness.  OH I almost forgot...

(freeze-dried astronaut foods!)

It's alright if you're envious.

Low Budget Wednesday

Generally speaking, Wednesday is my least favorite day of the week.  I get annoyed when people refer to it as "humpday" or that try to tell me "oh but you're halfway through the week!".  Fuck you and just stop it.

When I woke up this morning I was cranky and still tired from a night of fitful dreams and fighting monsters in my sleep.  I thought great, must be Wednesday...However, today the universe seems to have thrown me a bone. (pun kinda intended... humpday, ha!)

It all started with a wonderful tweet by Sarah Beattie (@nachosarah) that said "when my little niece cries I tell her one day a japanese businessman will pay her to day that".  I share that here because, first I still find it incredibly funny and second it's my blog and the catalyst to my story. Initially I only planned to share that story with my friend, Turtle, because his sense of humor equals mine in warped perspective. Then! I got the unsuspecting pleasure of meeting the refrigerator repair man at my boss' house.  I know, I know already I'm being set up for a porn.  Turtle even suggested that I call and order a pizza  just to make things interesting.  I said "great my morning is going to end in a Chinese Finger Cuff". (Urban Dictionary that, I'm certainly not going to explain it)

If you did as you were told and went to Urban Dictionary the next part of this conversation will make sense, if you didn't good luck.

Turtle: Is there an official way of indicating you're ready to switch out? Is it like a wrestling high-five or...?
Me: Off the top rope! (Man I hope so)
Turtle: Haha. So do you organize the transitions or do the particiapants? I'm sure it would be difficult to speak. Maybe you do hand gestures? lol. Ok. I've officially taken it too far.
Me: Tap. Out.
Turtle: I give! I give!

Around this time I realize that the repair guy has had to call for back up.  I'm not kidding.  Let's call a plumber and a pool boy and get this party going!  Not to mention the uncomfortable amount of stuffed waterfowl throughout the house.  As I'm describing this scene to Turtle he says "Perfect setting.  Is there a hideous fur rug and a leather couch? That's the ultimate back drop for our story."

I swear, I can't make this shit up.  Sadly, not every Wednesday is like this.  It's a rare occasion that I walk onto a porno set.  There is a mighty lack of shiny, well lit orgasms in my life...