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Tuesday, 25 March 2008 20:32Where do I begin? Much has happened in the last week, and with Battle Royal ending last week, and Kristin coming up from Florida, there's a lot for y'all to catch up on. With the final large-scale contest done and out of the way, I can now have my life back. OH GOODIE. Poor neglected video games. Poor neglected (somewhat) April. But that's all done now, for those of you who had to deal with me clogging up your friends' pages with my contest battles, you don't have to skip over them anymore!
The weekend before Easter saw April and I down in Rockland and Westchester counties, as we were down to fetch Kristin from the Westchester County Airport. Nice small little airport, and when we finally met, we headed back to Suffern and stayed at the Howard Johnson's overnight. Next day, we decided to have a bit of fun, the three of us. We began by hitting up the Palisades Mall (which, of course, has the worst turnover rate of any mall I've seen--last time I was there was not even a year ago, and already there were a bunch of stores I hadn't seen last summer. Traipsing into Best Buy, I bought some stuff (Monty Python & The Meaning of Life, and a 4-CD set of DMB's concert in Fenway Park). We then proceeded to make our way to the highlight of the day--Rockland Bakery, a place where you can smell the fresh bread from several hundred feet away. A place where you grab a large brown bag, walk into the baking area, and grab as much bread as you can as it comes off the ovens and belts. YUM. I haven't been able to find good Challah bread and great bagels up here because there are no Jews, it seems, in this area. They're here, but they haven't claimed as much of the area as they do in Rockland county. Hell, just driving on Route 59 in Suffern takes you through Mexico and Israel in about 10 minutes. Not that I'm complaining--it's just that the sight isn't so commonplace up here. After, the three of us headed back here to Schenectady, where the week would begin.
I worked Monday to Wednesday, giving April and Kristin time to themselves to get to know each other, but mostly for Kristin to get comfortable and not so hesitant about things. I am certainly capable of being my usual self, which, as many of you know, can be quite over-the-top for someone who isn't used to such outspoken people. However, April and I attempted to do our damn best to make her week here as comfy and as enjoyable as we could. By week's end, it appeared that Kristin was not the same shy person she was when she came off the plane a couple of Saturdays ago. Meanwhile, at work, the heathenizing of the desk is nearly complete--while all of the bumper stickers are up, I have to get a Cthulhu plushie. I already have a copy of a Necromomicon at my desk (which somehow followed me home from Erica's apartment...much like in the way that the Tome of Eternal Darkness just HAPPENS to appear), as well as the Gospel of the FSM. So, one of my co-workers (a Bible humper) asked me what the bobblehead on my desk was, and I said that it was Buddy Christ, the cooler, happier, more hip version of Jesus. She then saw the Darwin fish sitting directly under it. She chuckled, commented on it, looked at Buddy Christ and the Darwin fish again, and then asked, "well, isn't that sort of a conflicting view?" To which I replied, "not if you're not a Christian." And even then, anyone could think what they like, Christian or otherwise. There are people of faith who also keep open minds. Unlike Scientologists, but that's a whole different area.
Thursday saw a day off for me, and so we three headed over to the portrait studio and got portraits done. As I'm leaving on April 6, I wanted to use my 20% employee discount while I still could. On screen, they looked good--let's see how well they make the transfer from 35mm Kodak film to FujiFilm paper. I get those in a couple of weeks. We then did some food shopping, and when we came home, Kristin and I had April try a delectable food from the Gods--Nutella. CHOCOGASM. It'd been years since I had that, and mmm...I had two beautiful women in my apartment, I wanted to baste them both in it. But enough of my sexual fantasies. We then went to Jay Street, and we visited the Irish Shop, then a used bookstore, and then a regular independent bookstore that sells books that aren't so old. There, April bought Kristin a duck, which is now named Atticus. Kristin got a book of poems by a poet whose name now escapes me, and then we ate at the Backstage, behind Proctor's. Later that night, we three (plus 3 more: Ryan, Erica, and Luc) headed to the bowling alley for some dollar night fun. April and Ryan both beat me once, and then we all crammed back into the apartment for random chat. I had no idea what Kristin made of being around some of our circle of friends, but she remained silent for most of the randomness before bursting out at random lines from The Meaning of Life, particularly John Cleese's bit about vaginal juices. 2 or 3 AM rolled around, and Erica and Luc made their exit, while the remaining 4 slept.
Friday, made some brunch for everyone (bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches on Challah bread--NOM NOM NOM), and eventually, Ryan left, and we three headed back down to Westchester to stay the night in a hotel near the airport (since Kristin's flight left at an awful 7 AM on Saturday). We had dinner in a good pizzeria, and then when we got back to the hotel, that's when sad hit us. The reality that Kristin was leaving the next morning had all of us sad. Here was a girl who had enjoyed her time here, finally beginning to get comfortable and relaxed around us, and she was leaving back to Florida. We all cried, and for me, something I hadn't done in quite a while. However, it wasn't about to ruin the night, and more good times were had.
Saturday morning, got up at the awful, horrible time at 5 AM (I swear, nothing should exist at that horrible hour of the day--or night?), and we got to the airport not too long later. Luckily it was the next exit down from the hotel. There, we had our quick farewells, then back to the hotel where April and I slept for a few more hours, and then it was back home.
For my part, I know I enjoyed the week. Kristin's a pleasant person to hang out with, and I'm glad I finally got the chance to know her better. More importantly, I'm glad we got along, and it seemed like the week went by so fast. However, in that time, I think I can safely say that she's part of my ever-expanding circle of friends now, and she's missed. Hopefully April and I made her feel at home and as comfortable as anybody else who visits us. It certainly looked like she had a blast. Alas, a week is not enough time to get to really know a person...and already I hope we manage to get her back up here. I just hope that we didn't scare her off...whatever the case, I hoped that I came across as the non-threatening, trustworthy and kind person that I normally am...that whole being a male thing sometimes automatically inserts a stereotype in new people that simply because I have a penis, I'm the scum of the earth.
Simply put, Kristin, you're welcome in our home and hearts anytime you wish. You've got a standing invitation...now we hope to see you back.
The weekend before Easter saw April and I down in Rockland and Westchester counties, as we were down to fetch Kristin from the Westchester County Airport. Nice small little airport, and when we finally met, we headed back to Suffern and stayed at the Howard Johnson's overnight. Next day, we decided to have a bit of fun, the three of us. We began by hitting up the Palisades Mall (which, of course, has the worst turnover rate of any mall I've seen--last time I was there was not even a year ago, and already there were a bunch of stores I hadn't seen last summer. Traipsing into Best Buy, I bought some stuff (Monty Python & The Meaning of Life, and a 4-CD set of DMB's concert in Fenway Park). We then proceeded to make our way to the highlight of the day--Rockland Bakery, a place where you can smell the fresh bread from several hundred feet away. A place where you grab a large brown bag, walk into the baking area, and grab as much bread as you can as it comes off the ovens and belts. YUM. I haven't been able to find good Challah bread and great bagels up here because there are no Jews, it seems, in this area. They're here, but they haven't claimed as much of the area as they do in Rockland county. Hell, just driving on Route 59 in Suffern takes you through Mexico and Israel in about 10 minutes. Not that I'm complaining--it's just that the sight isn't so commonplace up here. After, the three of us headed back here to Schenectady, where the week would begin.
I worked Monday to Wednesday, giving April and Kristin time to themselves to get to know each other, but mostly for Kristin to get comfortable and not so hesitant about things. I am certainly capable of being my usual self, which, as many of you know, can be quite over-the-top for someone who isn't used to such outspoken people. However, April and I attempted to do our damn best to make her week here as comfy and as enjoyable as we could. By week's end, it appeared that Kristin was not the same shy person she was when she came off the plane a couple of Saturdays ago. Meanwhile, at work, the heathenizing of the desk is nearly complete--while all of the bumper stickers are up, I have to get a Cthulhu plushie. I already have a copy of a Necromomicon at my desk (which somehow followed me home from Erica's apartment...much like in the way that the Tome of Eternal Darkness just HAPPENS to appear), as well as the Gospel of the FSM. So, one of my co-workers (a Bible humper) asked me what the bobblehead on my desk was, and I said that it was Buddy Christ, the cooler, happier, more hip version of Jesus. She then saw the Darwin fish sitting directly under it. She chuckled, commented on it, looked at Buddy Christ and the Darwin fish again, and then asked, "well, isn't that sort of a conflicting view?" To which I replied, "not if you're not a Christian." And even then, anyone could think what they like, Christian or otherwise. There are people of faith who also keep open minds. Unlike Scientologists, but that's a whole different area.
Thursday saw a day off for me, and so we three headed over to the portrait studio and got portraits done. As I'm leaving on April 6, I wanted to use my 20% employee discount while I still could. On screen, they looked good--let's see how well they make the transfer from 35mm Kodak film to FujiFilm paper. I get those in a couple of weeks. We then did some food shopping, and when we came home, Kristin and I had April try a delectable food from the Gods--Nutella. CHOCOGASM. It'd been years since I had that, and mmm...I had two beautiful women in my apartment, I wanted to baste them both in it. But enough of my sexual fantasies. We then went to Jay Street, and we visited the Irish Shop, then a used bookstore, and then a regular independent bookstore that sells books that aren't so old. There, April bought Kristin a duck, which is now named Atticus. Kristin got a book of poems by a poet whose name now escapes me, and then we ate at the Backstage, behind Proctor's. Later that night, we three (plus 3 more: Ryan, Erica, and Luc) headed to the bowling alley for some dollar night fun. April and Ryan both beat me once, and then we all crammed back into the apartment for random chat. I had no idea what Kristin made of being around some of our circle of friends, but she remained silent for most of the randomness before bursting out at random lines from The Meaning of Life, particularly John Cleese's bit about vaginal juices. 2 or 3 AM rolled around, and Erica and Luc made their exit, while the remaining 4 slept.
Friday, made some brunch for everyone (bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches on Challah bread--NOM NOM NOM), and eventually, Ryan left, and we three headed back down to Westchester to stay the night in a hotel near the airport (since Kristin's flight left at an awful 7 AM on Saturday). We had dinner in a good pizzeria, and then when we got back to the hotel, that's when sad hit us. The reality that Kristin was leaving the next morning had all of us sad. Here was a girl who had enjoyed her time here, finally beginning to get comfortable and relaxed around us, and she was leaving back to Florida. We all cried, and for me, something I hadn't done in quite a while. However, it wasn't about to ruin the night, and more good times were had.
Saturday morning, got up at the awful, horrible time at 5 AM (I swear, nothing should exist at that horrible hour of the day--or night?), and we got to the airport not too long later. Luckily it was the next exit down from the hotel. There, we had our quick farewells, then back to the hotel where April and I slept for a few more hours, and then it was back home.
For my part, I know I enjoyed the week. Kristin's a pleasant person to hang out with, and I'm glad I finally got the chance to know her better. More importantly, I'm glad we got along, and it seemed like the week went by so fast. However, in that time, I think I can safely say that she's part of my ever-expanding circle of friends now, and she's missed. Hopefully April and I made her feel at home and as comfortable as anybody else who visits us. It certainly looked like she had a blast. Alas, a week is not enough time to get to really know a person...and already I hope we manage to get her back up here. I just hope that we didn't scare her off...whatever the case, I hoped that I came across as the non-threatening, trustworthy and kind person that I normally am...that whole being a male thing sometimes automatically inserts a stereotype in new people that simply because I have a penis, I'm the scum of the earth.
Simply put, Kristin, you're welcome in our home and hearts anytime you wish. You've got a standing invitation...now we hope to see you back.
