RoCk ClIMbInG
Yesterday was Columbus Day and part of my Mid-semester break. Stanzie and I had made plans about two weeks ago to go rock climbing. It was actually my idea, and I know she loves it. I got up and planned on doing something with Cherry but she ended up sleeping in. Mom took me to lunch at Laura's Cafe so I could get my favorite cucumber sandwich and talk about my messy love life, my burly crush, and my plans with school. Mom said that she's going in for some kind of brain scan at her doctor's suggestion, and I have no idea what to do with that... seriously.
Around 5 I headed for Stanzie's apartment so we could meet up to go to the rock climbing gym. 5 o'clock is an awful time to head for downtown on a rainy Monday. Eventually, I arrived and she fished out her Mama Texas Tortoise, Abigail, and one of the two babies, whom I named Moby. I'm gonna tell ya: Moby is cute stuff! He's a little trooper runnin around on my palm and stickin out his cute lil head and tiny toes. He's the size of a half dollar! I wanna steal him lol. I got to give her cat, Micah: Eater of Rats, some cuddlins too. After her bowl of lunch/dinner chilli and a youtube video of the piercing I want (which she totally hates), she grabbed her gear and we navigated our way to the gym without the aid of her broken blinkers. She really needs to take her car in to have her electrical stuff looked at!
Once there, we got a tutorial from a really arrogant young buck who felt the need to impress us with all the ways we could kill ourselves or smash off our fingers by using the equipment incorrectly. Stanzie helped me suit up and before long I was exerting all of my will to cling to the wall. I made it to the top the first two times and half way up the second two times. If nothing else it gave me a clue as to how out of shape I was, lol. Stanzie can climb the wall like she was born for it. She stuck with one color of stone and was determined to make it to the top on the 6 or 7 walls she climbed. I was colored impressed. Of course there were several caveman males posturing and strutting around giving us tips. The biggest caveman came over and told me my chalk bag was crooked, unhooked it from the back of my belt and adjusted it for me... unnecessary! Stanzie got super pissed because she's done it so many times she doesn't need a gym douche giving her climbing advice. It was really funny to behold. I thought we were gonna have a fight on our hands when caveman numero uno suggested she try mantleing to help her with leverage. Stanzie and I had a lot of fun talking about our current men, X-men (as in X's, not wolverine), and the overall life plans as of now. As she climbed up the wall I pulled her slack through the pulley and she'd glance over her shoulder and make a comment about my awful taste in men. I'd laugh and make a comment about hers. Stanzie is one of my best friends and we both had a lot of fun. Its something that I'm really glad I did. I thought about canceling because of nerves until she sent a txt asking if I was going to cancel. Of course, at that point, I had to insist it hadn't even entered my mind.... We both left the gym achy and sweating at around 10:30, and headed for a Japanese sushi bar. It's more expensive than blue fish but our waiter was very cordial and I haven't broken a window there. The sushi was great and it was a good healthy cap to an evening of exercise. We didn't even end up drinking!
I also got to talk to Alaina two days ago for the first time in like years. Theres nothing to remind you of how much you've changed like history. Explaining whats gone on with my life the last two years is helping realize how much has actually happened. It never seems like much when you're actually doing it day by day.
Today was work. Unremarkable for the most part. The same determined old man that comes through my line each week asked me for my number again. "Since I gave you my number, shouldn't I ask for yours?". Then he came back in later and gave me the same line and I replied with a sweet smile, "You certainly are determined. Gotta drop a line everytime, huh?" and he responded with "Maybe if I keep up, I'll get that number". I gave him my best fake laugh and rang up his purchase. A younger customer actually threw me a flirtatious eyebrow! wtf? I smiled and greeted him as I do with every customer and he gave me an Austin Powers cocked eyebrow, I kid you not. I tried not to laugh or squirm but it was really funny. When he came through my line he tried to make conversation but I cut all of his attempts short for fear that I'd let slip what I thought of his lusty look. After rock climbing, I'm still super sore but I had to do a lot of stocking today since its a Tuesday. I worked a treat pallet which entails moving all the dog food off of it and onto another pallet. The trainer offered to help me lift a 40 lb bag of Science Diet into this elderly woman's cart but before she could get a grip on it I had it over the side and into the basket. She just said "Dang girl". Another gentleman seemed to think that girls can't lift heavy things. He intentionally put his dog food on the ground- I suppose to show off how easily he could pick it up. I slowly but surely lifted the 40+ bag into the cart and he said "Wow, you're pretty strong for a girl." I beamed despite my protesting muscles.
I'm going to Keegan, Brian, and Mark's show next weekend so that'll be cool. Everyday when I get off work I go play with the hotel guests in Doggie Day Camp for about two hours. The regulars are the most comforting. The looks of excited recognition when I walk in the door makes my day. Especially with the shy dogs like Henry and Blue. I had to work at earning their trust and now it's a personal badge of honor. I still haven't gone and gotten my hip pierced but I'm going to try to go tomorrow. The scheduling hasn't worked out with Kim and Keegan and Cherry so I'm thinking about calling Noelle and making that shit happen.