twelve and a half hours

[verbicide]

We set out at the ungody hour of 8:30, but bolstered with coffee and donuts. Every time I drive through the PNW, I'm struck with relief that I'm not driving through the barren wasteland of the Grapevine, which was the principal roadtrip fodder of my college years. Because, gross. But trees, pretty! Also, I was very proud of myself, because I stopped once on the way there to pee. That may not seem like much, but I've largely been of the 'hold it until we get there' variety, and I've decided that if I don't want to be incontinent by the time I'm forty, I need to stop and fucking pee when I need to go. Okay, then.

We made good time getting out there, and I dropped Sarah and Kathleen at Powell's and wended my way over to Mother's Bistro to meet dtaylor. I knew I would be a few minutes early, but figured I'd need the time to find parking. Also good = time to pee again. Fucking coffee.

I waited outside for Dawn, and I didn't have to wait long before she came up the street, so I ran over to hug her. Clever woman that she is, she'd made reservations, and we passed all the sad hopefuls in the foyer to our table. Great food, great conversation, and... crazy waitress. Which, I think I would make a horrible and cranky waitress, so kudos to anyone who can keep their job peppy by being all dramatical-like. But god.

Fully sated, we went back to Dawn's car because she had presents for me!!! LUSH bubble bars (*shriek*) and these fantastic bowls from Crate and Barrel as a housewarming gift. Which was so incredibly awesome because at my last party I realized that I didn't have just a big bowl for something like popcorn. And now I do! Also: bubble bath tonight! THANK YOU DAAAAAAAWWWWNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!! :D

It was really a great visit, and I'm going to hold her to her promise that she'll visit soon!

Next, I headed back to my car, delighted that I didn't get a parking ticket for overstaying on the 90-min only thing. I drove to Powell's and found more 90-min only parking, but at this point just didn't care. I called greyaenigma and left a message. I wandered around a bit, but what I always forget about Powell's is how much I hate big crowded places. Way too many people there on a Saturday afternoon for my tastes. No room in the cafe. Hiss. I grabbed a couple of books and hid in the children's section where it was less crowded and I was able to find a bench to sit on.

As I'm terribly shy about meeting new people, I sat there quietly and tried to not freak out. Sarah found me waiting there. I swear my face was calm, but when I looked up at her, she stopped mid-sentence and said, "Whoa. You're wound." It's a little unnerving when you realize how transparent you are to the best of your friends. But that's why they are um, that.

Anyhow. She left me to quietly hyperventilate, and eventually I looked up, and there he was. We stood awkwardly in the aisle for a bit, but then went in search of a book he wanted, talking all the way. He is such a nice guy, that I was absolutely relieved. I mean, I've never met someone from the net where things have gone horribly awry, but there's always that fear. Unfortunately we couldn't find his book, but since Powell's was so cramped, I bought my books (The Mermaid Chair--Sue Monk Kidd's new novel, and Harry Potter 3 in French) and we walked to get gelato. It was really very nice talking to him. We eventually walked back to my car, where I got the ticket I've been asking for all day, but it was worth it. I hate dealing with parking.

I didn't want to drive back too late, so I called to find Sarah and Kathleen (who were conveniently around the corner) and then after brief introductions, greyaenigma left, and we hit the road.

The ride back was less happy. Mostly because my car got a bit funky. And not in the good way. Fifth gear kept...popping out into neutral. Color me supremely enraged. NO MORE FUCKING CAR PROBLEMS PLEASE!! Hiss. So I had to downshift to fourth and piss off everyone on the road by barely staying at 70, and dipping back to 65 at points. Grrr.

Also, I hate absolutely everyone else on the road. Please fucking die now. I stayed way over on the right, behind trucks, so everyone on the road can go fuck themselves. But this one huge semi truck crawled right up my ass at one point, high-beams on. It was blinding. Not only did I have to flip my rear-view mirror, Sarah and I both had to hold our hands up against the side-mirrors. (Kathleen: It's like we're being abducted. Sarah: Now I just need to lose 9 minutes.) I hate night driving, the bright lights hurt my eyes in general, and I just hate it hate it hate it!!!

We stopped to get gas, and to pee in the grossest bathroom. Well, no. Not the grossest, but still pungent.

Then we were home. Though halfway home, Sarah told me about the shooting on Capitol Hill. And while Jeff doesn't live there anymore, I have other friends who do. And it was frightening. Regardless, the minute I dropped them off, I called Jeff and asked that he just check in as soon as possible. Which, happily he did a few minutes later. I still have a few more people to check on, but after reading about the horrible account, it seems far away enough for the people in my life. But, such a horrible event, regardless.

Jeff had done a great job with Hobbsie--and it was apparently the day of presents: Jeff left a Microsoft bag full of the software his partner Chris bought for me at an orgasmically reduced price. I can finally upgrade the main PC to XP Pro now and get a copy of Office that isn't from the early 1800s. Whee!

Hobbsie, however, had his first real puke-a-thon here. There's kitty barf everywhere. Delightful. But he has decided that the giant box the bbq came in (which is sitting in my office) is his new fort. It's very cute.

Today's plan include:

- cleaning cat puke (joy) with the SpotBot that I bought but haven't used yet
- making homemade bread!
- cleaning in general
- grocery shopping
- going to the bank to deposit a few checks
- and I'm currently late for breakfast with Judy & Jeanne and company --eek.

Comments

[archaica.livejournal.com]

Also, I hate absolutely everyone else on the road. Please fucking die now. I stayed way over on the right, behind trucks, so everyone on the road can go fuck themselves. But this one huge semi truck crawled right up my ass at one point, high-beams on. It was blinding. Not only did I have to flip my rear-view mirror, Sarah and I both had to hold our hands up against the side-mirrors. (Kathleen: It's like we're being abducted. Sarah: Now I just need to lose 9 minutes.) I hate night driving, the bright lights hurt my eyes in general, and I just hate it hate it hate it!!!

Oh, man, I know where you're coming from on that. Add to that SUVs with those bright-blue headlights, and you have my version of hell.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

YES. Those fuckers. There should be a law that says you're allowed to bash their lights in with a stick.

[neojima.livejournal.com]

Somehow Sarah's quote in no way surprises me.

Also, there's a specific reason I keep a 4 D-cell Maglite flashlight within an arm's reach of my driver's seat. It'll be sufficient until I get around to installing floodlights in my rear window. (Note: this part is only sort of a joke.)

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

It is very Sarah, isn't it? :D

And what a good idea. Although I'd rather use that flashlight to pound at the jerk who's blinding me than anything else.

[neojima.livejournal.com]

It's hard to convince them to pull over. And once you've run them off the road, it's even harder to convince them to get out of the car once they've seen you wielding a potentially deadly weapon. At that point you pretty well need to smash out a window to get to them.

Crap, is the author of Stalking for Dummies Bring Back the Love of Your Life going to sue me for giving away all of his tips? :-|

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Muhahahaha!

[coffeeinhell.livejournal.com]

It was a great lunch -- I had a blast hanging out with you, the food was great and, yeah, crazy waitress. I described the service at Mother's to Patrick as "really good, but the waitstaff do that 'self-consciously wacky' thing." Although I did find it really funny when the waiter told the woman who kept apologizing for dropping her fork that "that's NEVER happened before! Seriously, in all the years we've been here, that's NEVER happened!"

I'm looking forward to coming to Seattle.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Self-consciously wacky is a great description. And that bit with the fork was hilarious, as hilarious as the woman's terrified look when she dropped her second fork.

Can't wait for your visit! :)

[euphrasie.livejournal.com]

Ooh let me know what you think of the SpotBot. I've been contemplating one.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

I will do! And I've decided to buy a Dyson--the Animal Hair one or whatever. When I'm going to do this depends on my stupid car.

[greyaenigma.livejournal.com]

It was very nice to meet you too. I'm glad you got back safe, sorry about the car problems. I hate hate hate those damned high beams. Cursed be their eyes.

Also -- if I ever have a band, I'd like to use the name "All The Sad Hopefuls". Or maybe I could write a book.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Stupid car problems. Stupid car drivers on the road! Bah!

And you herewith have my written permission to use "All The Sad Hopefuls" in band or book--but I get a free copy! :)

[greyaenigma.livejournal.com]

Deal!