Diamonds from the deceased and other shenanigans
I must say, today and yesterday most definitely made up for the lackluster week. Everything that I've been missing, needing (laughter, oddball conversation, and just generally feeling a connection with other people) was gladly there.
The craziest part about it? It was mostly with people that are relatively new friends.
It all started Friday afternoon with a trip down to Middletown to visit Dan and Susan at their new place for some good ole 4th of July grilling. Liz later joined us, followed by Tim, Daino, and later, Lindsey. Although there were some lulls in conversation at first, the silence was never awkward. Such is how it goes with comfortable acquaintances that aren't quite close friends, I suppose. I felt bad essentially eating and peacing, but at this point, it was nearly 6, and my next stop was all the way up in Hockessin.
Thus began the more zany portion of the evening. Not long after I got to Drew's place was it time to leave to get a place for the fireworks. This epic trek involved dropping home a drunk-and-dozing-off friend, parking, walking to the fields, setting up shop, enduring gratuitous rainfall, creating a blanket tent to protect ourselves from the elements, making politically incorrect jokes, and being entertained by the "DVD commentary" of the fireworks display by the most stereotypical fat American family possible behind us. All in all, I'd say it was an evening well-spent.
Then there was today. Who would've thought that a roadtrip down to Steve's family's lakehouse in rainy, overcast weather with Drew, Haley, and Kristen (three people I'm still getting to know) would turn into one of my more favorite days this summer?
As apprehensive as I was when I first woke up this morning, I'm so glad I decided to go. The whole day felt like I was spending it with good friends and family, and best of all, I felt comfortable being ME. The conversation never stopped; we were never short on interesting topics and stories (see subject), and everybody there had something to contribute. So fulfilling. This was after an amazing afternoon going out on the boat and playing along the shore and in the water.
It really was a shame that we ended up heading back tonight, but it's probably for the best. Monday's my big moving day, so it'll give me all tomorrow to finish packing.
Odd paradox indeed - excited about the imminent Europe trip but still remarkably bummed about being out-of-town around here. Go figure.
The craziest part about it? It was mostly with people that are relatively new friends.
It all started Friday afternoon with a trip down to Middletown to visit Dan and Susan at their new place for some good ole 4th of July grilling. Liz later joined us, followed by Tim, Daino, and later, Lindsey. Although there were some lulls in conversation at first, the silence was never awkward. Such is how it goes with comfortable acquaintances that aren't quite close friends, I suppose. I felt bad essentially eating and peacing, but at this point, it was nearly 6, and my next stop was all the way up in Hockessin.
Thus began the more zany portion of the evening. Not long after I got to Drew's place was it time to leave to get a place for the fireworks. This epic trek involved dropping home a drunk-and-dozing-off friend, parking, walking to the fields, setting up shop, enduring gratuitous rainfall, creating a blanket tent to protect ourselves from the elements, making politically incorrect jokes, and being entertained by the "DVD commentary" of the fireworks display by the most stereotypical fat American family possible behind us. All in all, I'd say it was an evening well-spent.
Then there was today. Who would've thought that a roadtrip down to Steve's family's lakehouse in rainy, overcast weather with Drew, Haley, and Kristen (three people I'm still getting to know) would turn into one of my more favorite days this summer?
As apprehensive as I was when I first woke up this morning, I'm so glad I decided to go. The whole day felt like I was spending it with good friends and family, and best of all, I felt comfortable being ME. The conversation never stopped; we were never short on interesting topics and stories (see subject), and everybody there had something to contribute. So fulfilling. This was after an amazing afternoon going out on the boat and playing along the shore and in the water.
It really was a shame that we ended up heading back tonight, but it's probably for the best. Monday's my big moving day, so it'll give me all tomorrow to finish packing.
Odd paradox indeed - excited about the imminent Europe trip but still remarkably bummed about being out-of-town around here. Go figure.