(no subject)
So, it's 4:30am on Sunday night.... I've gotta be up in 3 hours for my full time job. But I've got to re-cap this weekend before I forget the details.
Friday night:
- fucking ridiculous. I worked late roaming the Red Room, and some assholes thought it would be appropriate to throw ice at me. Tariq saw the look on my face and knew something was way wrong, then at the end of the night suggested we should meet for brunch the next day.
Saturday:
- gave myself 8 hours of sleep, then got up for brunch. met Tariq at Asylum, and it was great. I walked. I live a mile from Adams Morgan, and it's the first time I walked there since I moved to the city. I did what people do... I did brunch. seems so ridiculous to be excited about such a small thing, but I feel this sense of satisfaction. like I finally fit here. which isn't to say that I've been feeling like a misfit, but I feel this new sense of ownership for DC. we hit the record store afterward, I picked up a dvd for my niece's birthday, and then walked home. Tariq walked me most of the way. he's a great person... I'm not sure he knows that. I really enjoy his company.
- hung at home for a little while, and talked with Jill for more than an hour. I miss that girl every day, and I'm so happy that I can catch up with her like that every few weeks. I know she's always just 10 digits away.
- headed to Home Rule to find a housewarming gift for Liz's party. of course, found super duper fun storage containers, and picked up some chocolate covered sunflower seeds... because they are AMAZING.
- stopped by the cat to say hi to Donny and Brett before the party. they're great, too. two of the most laid back and real guys I know.
- got to see Liz, VA, Ann, Goggs, Nick and so many more peeps at Liz's house. whoa, such a nice place she bought :) I'm completely jealous, but really just so excited that she was able to buy a place.
Sunday:
- gave myself 9 hours of sleep. got up to hit the office for a couple hours. turns out my classroom visit is cancelled, so instead I visit with my bro and his family.
- head back to DC just in time to catch the black cat team play their game at St. John's. it was great. so fun to see those kids in a different setting... and I've gotta say, they are the most hilarious team to watch on the sidelines. they come off the field coughing, with lines like "I know what will help me breathe..." and then light up their cigarettes. ridiculous :)
- headed out for some food after the game with a few folks, BK included. we hit up Marvelous Market, and I had a brie/apple/pine nut sandwich. soooo posh. sooooo yummy. it was great. met a few new folks. it was proper :)
- headed from food to the cat for work. the night was up and down. every time Khalid walks in now, I just get fucking annoyed. but all the other regulars, they just make my night when I see them :) and then the bands were ridiculous while loading out... just, stupid. but I decided to hang out and have a beer after my shift (which went til 2am anyway). and I ended up accidentally in the middle of a conversation between Dante, Dennis and Vicki (the owner, sound guy and booking agent... 3 people who are WAY more important than me and generally don't socialize much with the underlings). but that's the thing about the cat. everyone respects everyone else. and just as I was about to leave at 3:30 in the morning, I said my goodnights, doled out some hugs, and said g'night to Dante... he dropped a compliment on me. something along the lines of "hey, you really kick ass, thanks for that. I hear good things about you from people." whoa. seriously, before tonight he never said more to me than "hey, what's up?" but it's like... tonight I ended up sharing a bit more about my past with the music industry, and was able to jump into a few conversations, and I think people started to get me a little better. and when Dante said that, Dennis freaked out and was like "dude, he's never even said that to me before, and I've been working here 3 years." and Dante loves Dennis. so I ended up hanging out for nearly another hour, by accident.
and not to toot my own horn, or brag. because I realize this is a public journal. but really, that was a humongous ego boost right there. and I get compliments from management often enough, but they're really good about showing appreciation, and I figure most of the staff hears the same things from them. to hear it straight from Dante made me feel like "hey, at least one of my bosses actually appreciates me and recognizes what I'm worth." these days, the people who pay my bills aren't too good at that. so it's nice to at least hear it from the person who pays for my gas and groceries.
I'm rambling... so, now it's 5am. I parked in the non-zoned spot on purpose. I'll set my alarm, and then I think I'll call in and tell them I'll be in late. because, dammit, I deserve to for once.
Friday night:
- fucking ridiculous. I worked late roaming the Red Room, and some assholes thought it would be appropriate to throw ice at me. Tariq saw the look on my face and knew something was way wrong, then at the end of the night suggested we should meet for brunch the next day.
Saturday:
- gave myself 8 hours of sleep, then got up for brunch. met Tariq at Asylum, and it was great. I walked. I live a mile from Adams Morgan, and it's the first time I walked there since I moved to the city. I did what people do... I did brunch. seems so ridiculous to be excited about such a small thing, but I feel this sense of satisfaction. like I finally fit here. which isn't to say that I've been feeling like a misfit, but I feel this new sense of ownership for DC. we hit the record store afterward, I picked up a dvd for my niece's birthday, and then walked home. Tariq walked me most of the way. he's a great person... I'm not sure he knows that. I really enjoy his company.
- hung at home for a little while, and talked with Jill for more than an hour. I miss that girl every day, and I'm so happy that I can catch up with her like that every few weeks. I know she's always just 10 digits away.
- headed to Home Rule to find a housewarming gift for Liz's party. of course, found super duper fun storage containers, and picked up some chocolate covered sunflower seeds... because they are AMAZING.
- stopped by the cat to say hi to Donny and Brett before the party. they're great, too. two of the most laid back and real guys I know.
- got to see Liz, VA, Ann, Goggs, Nick and so many more peeps at Liz's house. whoa, such a nice place she bought :) I'm completely jealous, but really just so excited that she was able to buy a place.
Sunday:
- gave myself 9 hours of sleep. got up to hit the office for a couple hours. turns out my classroom visit is cancelled, so instead I visit with my bro and his family.
- head back to DC just in time to catch the black cat team play their game at St. John's. it was great. so fun to see those kids in a different setting... and I've gotta say, they are the most hilarious team to watch on the sidelines. they come off the field coughing, with lines like "I know what will help me breathe..." and then light up their cigarettes. ridiculous :)
- headed out for some food after the game with a few folks, BK included. we hit up Marvelous Market, and I had a brie/apple/pine nut sandwich. soooo posh. sooooo yummy. it was great. met a few new folks. it was proper :)
- headed from food to the cat for work. the night was up and down. every time Khalid walks in now, I just get fucking annoyed. but all the other regulars, they just make my night when I see them :) and then the bands were ridiculous while loading out... just, stupid. but I decided to hang out and have a beer after my shift (which went til 2am anyway). and I ended up accidentally in the middle of a conversation between Dante, Dennis and Vicki (the owner, sound guy and booking agent... 3 people who are WAY more important than me and generally don't socialize much with the underlings). but that's the thing about the cat. everyone respects everyone else. and just as I was about to leave at 3:30 in the morning, I said my goodnights, doled out some hugs, and said g'night to Dante... he dropped a compliment on me. something along the lines of "hey, you really kick ass, thanks for that. I hear good things about you from people." whoa. seriously, before tonight he never said more to me than "hey, what's up?" but it's like... tonight I ended up sharing a bit more about my past with the music industry, and was able to jump into a few conversations, and I think people started to get me a little better. and when Dante said that, Dennis freaked out and was like "dude, he's never even said that to me before, and I've been working here 3 years." and Dante loves Dennis. so I ended up hanging out for nearly another hour, by accident.
and not to toot my own horn, or brag. because I realize this is a public journal. but really, that was a humongous ego boost right there. and I get compliments from management often enough, but they're really good about showing appreciation, and I figure most of the staff hears the same things from them. to hear it straight from Dante made me feel like "hey, at least one of my bosses actually appreciates me and recognizes what I'm worth." these days, the people who pay my bills aren't too good at that. so it's nice to at least hear it from the person who pays for my gas and groceries.
I'm rambling... so, now it's 5am. I parked in the non-zoned spot on purpose. I'll set my alarm, and then I think I'll call in and tell them I'll be in late. because, dammit, I deserve to for once.