A bucket list, or a life list, is something nearly everyone has, whether they have it written down or not; things that they would like to do and goals that they would like to meet. I have been trying to compile a short list of my own that has the big things - there are a million more things I would like to accomplish, but these are the big ones, I think.
1. Graduate from college
This is a long time coming. Most of my friends have graduated from college by this point and several have moved on to their professional career. I am years and years behind my peers; in fact this year I will be starting my "Van Wilder" year of school - that is, my seventh year of college. It is pretty ridiculous if you think about it. But I am definitely ready to move on with my life and the first step is returning to real college this fall.
2. Catch a home run, foul ball, BP ball, or warm up ball from an MLB game.
I don't care which park, which team, which player - I don't even care if I am the one to catch it or if David or a kind stranger catches it and gives it to me - I just want one. We got close at the last nationals game we went to, because one ball came a few rows in front of us, but I just think it would be the ultimate souvenir.
3. Have my story published.
Originally this was my Norwood story, but the way things are going, that probably won't be the first one I finish. And that is fine - it's s long story and I want to get it just right. But being a published writer is ultimately my dream, my ideal career would be writing stories. But I know how hard it is to make a living doing that, which is one of the reasons I am choosing to major in something other than English or creative writing. I do intend to take additional creative writing classes at CNU though, because there is always room for improvement.
4. Ride from castle to castle on a horse across Ireland.
One of my friends, several years older than myself, took this journey when she graduated from college. It sounds so amazing, and ever since in heard about it - probably 8 years ago - I have wanted to do it. It is expensive. I don't know anyone that would come with me, David only likes horses if he doesn't have to ride them, and my mom I think would like to but isn't comfortable enough in the saddle to do go for the 2 week trek.
5. Become a mother
I know, I know - I am too young for my biological clock to be ticking. Don't worry, Mom - it won't be for a few years! But I have a relatively small family and I have always wanted it to be bigger. I always used to love watching the show 7th Heaven, and how big that family was, wishing that I had sisters whose clothes I could borrow and stay up late gossiping to. I always felt like I was missing out on something. I will never have that bond with someone. I do have a half brother, who is 10 years older than I am, and he is wonderful - but we didn't grow up together. We don't have any memories from our childhoods together. I want my children to be able to have something like that.
30 June 2010
29 June 2010
Little Moments
When life is chaotic and stressful, the best thing you can do is take the time to relax and appreciate some of the little things in life. Like a nap on a summer afternoon, or a walk with your dog, or a baseball game in the arms of the one you love.
Or riding your own gigantic horse on a trail ride with your friend and the 12hh pony.
That's me on Biggie and Nora on Hannah last week - I'm pretty sure Biggie thought Hannah was a dog.
But there's something to be said about "Vitamin H" - and some time spent in the saddle. It's good for you.
26 June 2010
And I come undone
The lovely Tricia from Spoke It is in Chicago this week, and I'm crazy jealous.
1. Do you know how to play a musical instrument?
Nope, not at all. I took piano lessons for a month as a kid before getting bored, I wish I had kept up with them, because I would love to be able to play now. It's never too late to learn I guess. I always did singing in school instead of learning to play something.
2. What is your driving pet-peeve?
I hate riding in the car with someone who thinks that traffic laws are just a suggestion. They're not! They're for safety! Yours and especially mine. Don't be an idiot.
3. Would you rather have a housekeeper or unlimited spa services?
Oh man, I have to choose? Both sound wonderful. Probably the housekeeper, because I hate cleaning, and I can usually get a massage from my wonderful boyfriend ;)
4. Is there a song that you hear and it takes you back to a moment? Like junior or high school?
Mmmmmmmmbop! I loved that song when I was in middle school. My best friend and I used to go home and watch MTV videos before our parents got home (Sorry, Mom!) just hoping to see the Hanson dudes in their video. And PS, they have a new song out that I am obsessed with - which is so random because the last time I listened to them was for real in 6th grade. Anyway it is called Thinkin' Bout Something and you should give it a chance, because it's catchy as hell. It's true.
5. What song best represents your life right now?
My life right now is such an emotional roller coaster. I've been staying away from posting details about it because I hate sounding all emo or whatever, but Phoebe has been really, really sick, and I'm dealing with the fact that I have to sell my horse and that breaks my heart. Plus I am working too much at a job that pays too little. Basically what I am trying to say is that one minute I'm having fun and the next I am close to tears because I am so stressed out.
So I'm gonna go with Mad Season by Matchbox Twenty, who remains my favorite band of all time. I know that no matter what I am going through I can turn on their music and it just makes everything seem better.
1. Do you know how to play a musical instrument?
Nope, not at all. I took piano lessons for a month as a kid before getting bored, I wish I had kept up with them, because I would love to be able to play now. It's never too late to learn I guess. I always did singing in school instead of learning to play something.
2. What is your driving pet-peeve?
I hate riding in the car with someone who thinks that traffic laws are just a suggestion. They're not! They're for safety! Yours and especially mine. Don't be an idiot.
3. Would you rather have a housekeeper or unlimited spa services?
Oh man, I have to choose? Both sound wonderful. Probably the housekeeper, because I hate cleaning, and I can usually get a massage from my wonderful boyfriend ;)
4. Is there a song that you hear and it takes you back to a moment? Like junior or high school?
Mmmmmmmmbop! I loved that song when I was in middle school. My best friend and I used to go home and watch MTV videos before our parents got home (Sorry, Mom!) just hoping to see the Hanson dudes in their video. And PS, they have a new song out that I am obsessed with - which is so random because the last time I listened to them was for real in 6th grade. Anyway it is called Thinkin' Bout Something and you should give it a chance, because it's catchy as hell. It's true.
5. What song best represents your life right now?
My life right now is such an emotional roller coaster. I've been staying away from posting details about it because I hate sounding all emo or whatever, but Phoebe has been really, really sick, and I'm dealing with the fact that I have to sell my horse and that breaks my heart. Plus I am working too much at a job that pays too little. Basically what I am trying to say is that one minute I'm having fun and the next I am close to tears because I am so stressed out.
So I'm gonna go with Mad Season by Matchbox Twenty, who remains my favorite band of all time. I know that no matter what I am going through I can turn on their music and it just makes everything seem better.
24 June 2010
Literally
I am a very literal person. To a fault. I say exactly what I mean and I can't understand symbolism or sarcasm. I've always struggled with this sort of thing. You know that old saying, something about, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones? The person administering my personality test a few years ago asked me to explain what that means. I said, and I quote,
"Well, they'd break the windows."
I remember this very clearly, because she just stared at me for a few moments, like I had absolutely lost my mind. I got really embarrassed, and realized that apparently I had not said what she was expecting, and finally she said, "I've never heard that one before."
I STILL don't know the correct answer to that question. What does it mean? I think its pretty reckless to be throwing stones in a glass house, you're just asking for trouble. That seems pretty obvious to me.
"Well, they'd break the windows."
I remember this very clearly, because she just stared at me for a few moments, like I had absolutely lost my mind. I got really embarrassed, and realized that apparently I had not said what she was expecting, and finally she said, "I've never heard that one before."
I STILL don't know the correct answer to that question. What does it mean? I think its pretty reckless to be throwing stones in a glass house, you're just asking for trouble. That seems pretty obvious to me.
23 June 2010
That just happened
I just had this conversation with David:
D: Did you hear about the tennis game?
L: Nope.
D: You know what Wimbledon is, right?
L: Yes! Starring Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst.
D: ... Anyway
He went on to talk about a crazy 10 hour game or something, I'm gonna be honest, I care about tennis about as much as I care about soccer, which is: not at all. My parents did try to bring me up right, they watch all the tennis tournaments, and have ever since I can remember.
I don't like tennis because I can't follow the scoring. Make every score go up by the same integers and I will be on board. Maybe. 10? 15? Love? Why do they switch to words instead of numbers? How does that make sense at all? I mean golf has everything backwards with the low score winning, but at least they don't randomly go from 3 under par to BANANA.
And for the record:
Did I know Wimbledon is a real thing? Yes.
Did I realize David was not talking about the movie? Nope.
While we are at it, here is what I know about the World Cup:
1. Soccer
2. This year Americans seem to be pissed at the umpires
3. Vuvuzela!
Don't get me started on football. Just don't. And the last time I watched a basketball game, I annoyed all of David's friends by asking how many innings there were.
I think I will just stick to baseball, thanks.
D: Did you hear about the tennis game?
L: Nope.
D: You know what Wimbledon is, right?
L: Yes! Starring Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst.
D: ... Anyway
He went on to talk about a crazy 10 hour game or something, I'm gonna be honest, I care about tennis about as much as I care about soccer, which is: not at all. My parents did try to bring me up right, they watch all the tennis tournaments, and have ever since I can remember.
I don't like tennis because I can't follow the scoring. Make every score go up by the same integers and I will be on board. Maybe. 10? 15? Love? Why do they switch to words instead of numbers? How does that make sense at all? I mean golf has everything backwards with the low score winning, but at least they don't randomly go from 3 under par to BANANA.
And for the record:
Did I know Wimbledon is a real thing? Yes.
Did I realize David was not talking about the movie? Nope.
While we are at it, here is what I know about the World Cup:
1. Soccer
2. This year Americans seem to be pissed at the umpires
3. Vuvuzela!
Don't get me started on football. Just don't. And the last time I watched a basketball game, I annoyed all of David's friends by asking how many innings there were.
I think I will just stick to baseball, thanks.
18 June 2010
Five Questions!
Once again, from the lovely Tricia at http://www.spokeit.com
1. What is your favorite thing about summertime?
Baseball. Fireflies. Popsicles. Horse shows. No class. Swimming pools. Summer blockbuster movies. Rita's gellato thingies. But mostly - baseball.
2. What is your ideal retirement location (if money didn't matter)?
Honestly this is something I have never once put any thought to. I want to be near my family and friends, but I have no real location in mind.
3. Do you live in the same town you grew up in?
Essentially - from Chesterfield to Powhatan VA - both outside of Richmond. And I spent most of my childhood in Powhatan, anyway, riding horses.
4. What nervous habit did you have as a child that you kicked to the curb before becoming an adult?
I have a lot of trouble with this sort of thing. I don't recall any nervous habits that I used to have that I don't still have today. Cracking knuckles and every other joint in my body? Yep, still do it. Actually the worst thing now is that subconciously I pick at the skin on my thumbs, so much that they are scarred. But I still do it, without even realizing. Usually if I am stressed or nervous but sometimes if I am just bored I find myself doing it. I have to wear bandaids on them to keep myself from doing it, but that's annoying, so most of the time I don't wear them.
5. What is the most embarassing thing that happened to you while on the job?
My work uniform is khaki pants and a white t-shirt. I have a job which requires daily use of a hose. You can put two and two together here, I'm sure, but last week I got so soaking wet and everything was see-through. Terrible. I looked like I'd entered a wet t-shirt contest, and of course, all of the people I was working with that day were male - just figures, right?
1. What is your favorite thing about summertime?
Baseball. Fireflies. Popsicles. Horse shows. No class. Swimming pools. Summer blockbuster movies. Rita's gellato thingies. But mostly - baseball.
2. What is your ideal retirement location (if money didn't matter)?
Honestly this is something I have never once put any thought to. I want to be near my family and friends, but I have no real location in mind.
3. Do you live in the same town you grew up in?
Essentially - from Chesterfield to Powhatan VA - both outside of Richmond. And I spent most of my childhood in Powhatan, anyway, riding horses.
4. What nervous habit did you have as a child that you kicked to the curb before becoming an adult?
I have a lot of trouble with this sort of thing. I don't recall any nervous habits that I used to have that I don't still have today. Cracking knuckles and every other joint in my body? Yep, still do it. Actually the worst thing now is that subconciously I pick at the skin on my thumbs, so much that they are scarred. But I still do it, without even realizing. Usually if I am stressed or nervous but sometimes if I am just bored I find myself doing it. I have to wear bandaids on them to keep myself from doing it, but that's annoying, so most of the time I don't wear them.
5. What is the most embarassing thing that happened to you while on the job?
My work uniform is khaki pants and a white t-shirt. I have a job which requires daily use of a hose. You can put two and two together here, I'm sure, but last week I got so soaking wet and everything was see-through. Terrible. I looked like I'd entered a wet t-shirt contest, and of course, all of the people I was working with that day were male - just figures, right?
17 June 2010
History
Why would someone choose to major in what is, arguably, their worst subject?
You have to understand where I am coming from, here. It has never been my best subject; in the standardized tests I always scored significantly higher on my math and science portions. I remember on my entrance exams for the Governor's School, I was in the 99th percentile for everything except the history, which was somewhere in the 80s.
So I shouldn't be terribly disappointed then that I can get a 98 on pretty much every anatomy test last semester, but after 4 days of studying I can only pull off an 86 on a history test. I mean, I have it coming, right?
But that's part of what I like about it. It isn't something I can do in my sleep. I have to really work to do well in it. I've started studying already for the next test which is two weeks away. I enjoy a challenge - I'm not happy with a class when it's easy.
I'm tired, and I've been up all night, thinking about how I didn't do well on the test, among other things. I'm just exhausted, and I have to be at work in an hour. All I want to do is curl up and go to sleep with Phoebe. I wish David was here so I could put my head on his shoulder and my hand on his chest and just sleep. I guess I will just have to settle for naptime in 7 hours when my shift ends. It's gonna be a long day!
You have to understand where I am coming from, here. It has never been my best subject; in the standardized tests I always scored significantly higher on my math and science portions. I remember on my entrance exams for the Governor's School, I was in the 99th percentile for everything except the history, which was somewhere in the 80s.
So I shouldn't be terribly disappointed then that I can get a 98 on pretty much every anatomy test last semester, but after 4 days of studying I can only pull off an 86 on a history test. I mean, I have it coming, right?
But that's part of what I like about it. It isn't something I can do in my sleep. I have to really work to do well in it. I've started studying already for the next test which is two weeks away. I enjoy a challenge - I'm not happy with a class when it's easy.
I'm tired, and I've been up all night, thinking about how I didn't do well on the test, among other things. I'm just exhausted, and I have to be at work in an hour. All I want to do is curl up and go to sleep with Phoebe. I wish David was here so I could put my head on his shoulder and my hand on his chest and just sleep. I guess I will just have to settle for naptime in 7 hours when my shift ends. It's gonna be a long day!
13 June 2010
Maybe I'll make a tradition...
...of doing the 5 Question Fridays on Sunday nights. On Fridays I typically have too much going on & by Sunday night, it's slower, and I'm ready to write in my blog, and Tricia has posted the questions on http://www.spokeit.com and it just makes sense to do it.
1. What do you think makes a good friend, or friendship?
Trust, humor, and a few things in common. The difference between a good friend and a great friend is the ability to be 100% yourself and know that no matter how much of an idiot you are, they're still going to love you because you're you.
2. What is the last thing you bought, and regretted?
I love my iPad. I use it every day. It is handy and portable, is really fun to use, and looks great. But the truth of the matter is that I didn't really have $800 to spend on a new toy. My own impatience is my downfall - I am sure I could have gotten it for my birthday + Christmas - but that's in December. And I wanted it NOW. So I bought it. Good for me, right? Bad for me. I can't afford to buy anything else for the rest of the summer and I can't even go to the movies or anything. Bad decision.
3. Have you ever had a prank played on you?
All the time in college. We had some prank wars going for a whole semester. My favorite involved my roommates stealing my mattress and moving it up 2 floors to a friend's room. I'm serious - best prank ever. I stared at my bed, which they had re-made with my sheets and blanket, for about 10 minutes trying to figure out why it just didn't seem right.
4. What if your favorite theme park?
Busch Gardens will always have a special place in my heart, but I don't remember the trip to Disney World, and the only other park I've been to is King's Dominion, so it's really not much of a contest at all.
5. Have you ever seen anyone else give birth?
I haven't and I don't want to picture my vagina stretching out that way, or the pain, or the blood, or the screaming. I'm secretly hoping all of my children will require c-sections so that I never have to experience the "miracle" of birth. And if that doesn't happen, bring on the drugs!
1. What do you think makes a good friend, or friendship?
Trust, humor, and a few things in common. The difference between a good friend and a great friend is the ability to be 100% yourself and know that no matter how much of an idiot you are, they're still going to love you because you're you.
2. What is the last thing you bought, and regretted?
I love my iPad. I use it every day. It is handy and portable, is really fun to use, and looks great. But the truth of the matter is that I didn't really have $800 to spend on a new toy. My own impatience is my downfall - I am sure I could have gotten it for my birthday + Christmas - but that's in December. And I wanted it NOW. So I bought it. Good for me, right? Bad for me. I can't afford to buy anything else for the rest of the summer and I can't even go to the movies or anything. Bad decision.
3. Have you ever had a prank played on you?
All the time in college. We had some prank wars going for a whole semester. My favorite involved my roommates stealing my mattress and moving it up 2 floors to a friend's room. I'm serious - best prank ever. I stared at my bed, which they had re-made with my sheets and blanket, for about 10 minutes trying to figure out why it just didn't seem right.
4. What if your favorite theme park?
Busch Gardens will always have a special place in my heart, but I don't remember the trip to Disney World, and the only other park I've been to is King's Dominion, so it's really not much of a contest at all.
5. Have you ever seen anyone else give birth?
I haven't and I don't want to picture my vagina stretching out that way, or the pain, or the blood, or the screaming. I'm secretly hoping all of my children will require c-sections so that I never have to experience the "miracle" of birth. And if that doesn't happen, bring on the drugs!
12 June 2010
Magic, Love & Happy Endings
I would like to recant my previous statement that there isn't magic in my life. I've been thinking about it, and I've decided that there is actually quite a bit of magic in the world. Because love is magic.
I mentioned a few posts ago that I have been working on an autobiographical series of essays on finding love. It isn't really an autobiography, because it doesn't talk about horses, or theater, or one of the hundreds of other things over the course my life that have shaped me into the woman I've become. Instead it follows just one important facet of my life: my quest to find the fairy tale love I had always dreamed of.
David expressed some curiosity about why he'd never been shown these little stories; after all, weren't they about him? To which I replied, "You're the happy ending, but you're not the only chapter." I think he decided he didn't need to read them, after all, but I do hope that when they are finished he will, as it my most personal work - and perhaps some of the best.
But writing these stories have given me a lot of time to think and consider the concept of love, the very heart of it. And I think it is as close to magic as one can come. Shortly after David and I started dating, I told him, "This is it. This is the kind of love they write stories about."
When you grow up in a world full of fairy tales and romantic comedies, you get sort of a flawed perception of love. You're going to fall in love with the boy next door, with your best guy friend, with the football star, and live happily ever after. It'll be easy. It'll be perfect. You're going to meet the love of your life at 15 years old, get married young, and start a family. You won't have to worry about money or work or anything, because when you're in love, nothing else matters.
Yeah, I really did think these things. And I know I'm not the only one. Even in high school, when I was dating absolutely the wrong guy for me, trying desperately to make it work, because I loved the idea of marrying your high school sweetheart. It took a long time for me to realize that you aren't the same person at 16 that you are at 21, and that you'll want different things and growing up and growing apart is okay.
I really hope that I can have my story published because it is a story that I want to tell. I want to be able to hand it to my own daughter after a break up and say, you aren't alone, and things are going to get better. Because it's that kind of story. I think every young girl will be able to relate to it. In the process of writing it, I have laughed and cried and felt my teenage heartache all over again. And every single word of it is true, I lived it.
I call David my happy ending even though it is a complete misnomer. Its not the end of anything, it is the beginning of something truly beautiful. Is our relationship perfect? Not in the sense that nothing is ever wrong. There are fights, and there are tears, and I know that our life together will not always be easy. But if I had designed what I considered the perfect man, I couldn't have done better than David. He is handsome, and thoughtful, and living proof that the old adage "Nice guys finish last" is bullshit. You will never in your life meet a more kindhearted person. He is funny, endlessly optimistic, and the less than two years that we have been dating have been the happiest and most fun in my life.
And the way I feel about him? Is magic. That I had my heart ripped open in a previous relationship, that I had more emotional bruises than one girl should, and could still take a chance on love is magic. The way I feel when he holds me, or when we kiss, is magic. Slow dancing in my kitchen, walking the dogs, sitting on the couch watching baseball, and knowing that there is nowhere I'd rather be and no one in the world I would rather be with... Love is magic.
And it took 23 years of crushes, and dating, and breaking up, to find it. I'm lucky to have found it so soon, for some it takes much longer, and some may never find it. But I'm hopeful. And that is why this story needs to be told - because it is a story about hope, and love, and magic. And how one ordinary girl from Virginia became the princess of her very own fairytale.
I mentioned a few posts ago that I have been working on an autobiographical series of essays on finding love. It isn't really an autobiography, because it doesn't talk about horses, or theater, or one of the hundreds of other things over the course my life that have shaped me into the woman I've become. Instead it follows just one important facet of my life: my quest to find the fairy tale love I had always dreamed of.
David expressed some curiosity about why he'd never been shown these little stories; after all, weren't they about him? To which I replied, "You're the happy ending, but you're not the only chapter." I think he decided he didn't need to read them, after all, but I do hope that when they are finished he will, as it my most personal work - and perhaps some of the best.
But writing these stories have given me a lot of time to think and consider the concept of love, the very heart of it. And I think it is as close to magic as one can come. Shortly after David and I started dating, I told him, "This is it. This is the kind of love they write stories about."
When you grow up in a world full of fairy tales and romantic comedies, you get sort of a flawed perception of love. You're going to fall in love with the boy next door, with your best guy friend, with the football star, and live happily ever after. It'll be easy. It'll be perfect. You're going to meet the love of your life at 15 years old, get married young, and start a family. You won't have to worry about money or work or anything, because when you're in love, nothing else matters.
Yeah, I really did think these things. And I know I'm not the only one. Even in high school, when I was dating absolutely the wrong guy for me, trying desperately to make it work, because I loved the idea of marrying your high school sweetheart. It took a long time for me to realize that you aren't the same person at 16 that you are at 21, and that you'll want different things and growing up and growing apart is okay.
I really hope that I can have my story published because it is a story that I want to tell. I want to be able to hand it to my own daughter after a break up and say, you aren't alone, and things are going to get better. Because it's that kind of story. I think every young girl will be able to relate to it. In the process of writing it, I have laughed and cried and felt my teenage heartache all over again. And every single word of it is true, I lived it.
I call David my happy ending even though it is a complete misnomer. Its not the end of anything, it is the beginning of something truly beautiful. Is our relationship perfect? Not in the sense that nothing is ever wrong. There are fights, and there are tears, and I know that our life together will not always be easy. But if I had designed what I considered the perfect man, I couldn't have done better than David. He is handsome, and thoughtful, and living proof that the old adage "Nice guys finish last" is bullshit. You will never in your life meet a more kindhearted person. He is funny, endlessly optimistic, and the less than two years that we have been dating have been the happiest and most fun in my life.
And the way I feel about him? Is magic. That I had my heart ripped open in a previous relationship, that I had more emotional bruises than one girl should, and could still take a chance on love is magic. The way I feel when he holds me, or when we kiss, is magic. Slow dancing in my kitchen, walking the dogs, sitting on the couch watching baseball, and knowing that there is nowhere I'd rather be and no one in the world I would rather be with... Love is magic.
And it took 23 years of crushes, and dating, and breaking up, to find it. I'm lucky to have found it so soon, for some it takes much longer, and some may never find it. But I'm hopeful. And that is why this story needs to be told - because it is a story about hope, and love, and magic. And how one ordinary girl from Virginia became the princess of her very own fairytale.
09 June 2010
Strasburg & Strikeouts
As a general rule, I blog about my thoughts more than what is going on in my life. Nearly always they are related, but usually something happens in a day that makes my brain spiral off in some train of thought, which I then share on my blog. You hardly ever get a "this is what I did today" post, but today, that is exactly what I am going to, because yesterday was so completely crazy that it deserves to be told in detail.
A few weeks ago David mentioned that Stephen Strasburg, a young pitcher in the Nationals minor league, was going to be called up soon. Early June, he guessed. He said that Strasburg was phenomenal. I will be honest here and say that I hadn't heard of him previously, being a Cubs fan I am way more concerned with why they can't win a damn ballgame lately. But David knows his baseball and I trust his opinion on everything, so when I started to look into this guy, I was impressed.
By now I am sure you have heard the hype. David managed to get us a pair of tickets to the June 8 game where Strasburg would make his MLB debut. The game was sold out as soon as it was announced, we were really lucky to snag tickets. I started to get really excited about this game! More excited than I had been to go see any other baseball game, which is saying something, because I can barely sleep before we go to watch the Cubs play.
Well June 8 arrives, it is a glorious 70-something degrees, and I get a 7:30 am text message letting me know I am not needed at work today. PERFECT. I get some more sleep and then drive to Mechanicsville to meet David at his office, shortly after we leave for Washington. We arrive at our Metro station and transfer to L'Enfant Plaza. Which is where this story REALLY begins.
I have never seen so many people at one place in my life; it was absolutely insane. The game sold out - attendance was 40,315 people - and I am pretty sure most of them rode in on the Metro. We had to wait for a few trains because they were so packed, before being shoved into a car - literally - and leaving the station.
You hear horror stories about people being crushed to death in stampeding crowds, and I saw my life flash before my eyes as the people behind me on the platform shoved me forward. I wasn't even walking, I was just moved by pressure from other people. I was shoved in between a pole, a complete stranger who had his crotch against me like we were grinding at a club, and David. It wasn't really anyone's fault aside from those who don't know how to be patient, but more people kept squeezing on, and I couldn't breathe because I was being flattened. I am not exaggerating! David and the other guy I was squished between were apologizing and trying to give me enough space to breathe.
And then it happened. We got pushed so far back that we were in the personal space of some chick sitting down, and she lost it. She started yelling at David and me like it was all our fault, telling us to back up or there were gonna be consequences. She said all of this like we had any choice in the matter, like we weren't being pushed on to her from other people, like we had plenty of room to breathe. I was already close to tears because I couldn't breathe and some stranger's penis area was all up in my business (for which he apologized, and I wasn't upset with him- it wasn't his fault any more than it was mine!) - but this lady started yelling and shouting at us and I lost it.
There has only been one other time in my life when I was angry enough that I might actually have gotten into a physical confrontation; I was 15 and the ER doctor who gave me a spinal tap did not numb me correctly and I could feel the massive needle they put into my back, so naturally I was screaming and crying and he was telling me to get over it. Until last night I had never been that angry again in my life, following the spinal tap I let out such a string of profanities that my mom later told me she thought my head would spin around and she would need to call an exorcist.
That is about the same scene from the train last night. The conversation went a little like this:
Bitch: Oh hell no, y'all need to BACK UP!
David: I am very sorry ma'am but this is not our fault.
Bitch: I don't care! You need to back up!
David: This is not our fault, they're pushing us, I'm sorry!
Bitch: You need to back the fuck up right now!
Libby: WHERE THE FUCK DO YOU EXPECT US TO GO? THIS IS NOT OUR FUCKING FAULT AND WE CANNOT FUCKING MOVE, STOP YELLING AT US, SHUT THE FUCK UP, WE CAN'T HELP IT!
Security: (To Libby) It's okay, just ignore her, we know it isn't your fault.
David: (To Bitch) I am so sorry....
So yeah, the night began with David apologizing for my behavior to possibly the rudest woman I have ever met, for which I remain completely not sorry. If David hadn't been able to restrain me I would have punched her in her bitchy face, because I was that pissed off at her. Like she really expected us to be able to do anything? And she was so rude to David, when he was being polite to her, it was completely uncalled for. At least Dave knows I've got his back if there is an altercation, and I totally could have taken that chick down.
Anyway, I was fuming the whole way to the game, packed into the train so tightly that I was bordering on a panic attack anyway, and finally we arrive at the game around 6:30. David tells me to never visit New York City, and I'm unsure if it is because I won't be able to handle all the people or because he is worried I will lose in a fight to someone from NYC.
There are more people here than i have ever seen in one place in my life. Thankfully we are on the second tier so most of the crowd is down below us. Before getting to our seats, we spend $25 on two beers and two bottles of water - are you kidding me? And by the night was over we both had dinner and more beer, they really know how to take your money at a ballgame.
When we get to our seats we only have about 15 minutes until the game starts. I down my first beer and feel a lot better about the metro ride over to the game, enough to be able to relax and remember that we are here to have a good time. By the time Strasburg gets onto the mound, I am so excited that I can barely sit still.
The first two pitches he throws are balls, and I'm a little concerned that maybe he won't live up to the hype. Then he throws the most beautiful curve ball I have ever seen, David stands up and shouts "Wow!" - and I get it. This kid is pure magic, and we are watching baseball history - live and in person.
When he got his first strikeout, 40,315 people were on their feet cheering. It was amazing. And as the game went on the kid just got better and better. Every single fastball was in the 99-100 mph range, Dave says at least two were at 101. He gave up a two run homer early, but who cares - he had 14 strikeouts, one away from the all time record in a debut, and he didn't walk anyone. He struck out each of the last 7 batters he faced. He could have kept going, he could have easily kept going, but that is an arm you want to take care of.
I have been to a lot of baseball games in my life. I've seen the Cubs at Wrigley, I have been to several Nationals games, and I try to make it to Orioles home games against the Yankees at least once per season with my Dad. But this was by far the most exciting and thrilling game I have ever been to. It was incredible, and I am so very glad we got to go.
I tried adding up the expenses for the trip,
$70 for tickets,
$20 to park and ride the metro,
$50 at least spent on refreshments,
$30 x 2 because David and I each bought a Strasburg t-shirt at the game.
So essentially it was a $200 date, plus gas money. But it was worth every penny to see that part of baseball history. I know David and I both will cherish that memory forever.
A few weeks ago David mentioned that Stephen Strasburg, a young pitcher in the Nationals minor league, was going to be called up soon. Early June, he guessed. He said that Strasburg was phenomenal. I will be honest here and say that I hadn't heard of him previously, being a Cubs fan I am way more concerned with why they can't win a damn ballgame lately. But David knows his baseball and I trust his opinion on everything, so when I started to look into this guy, I was impressed.
By now I am sure you have heard the hype. David managed to get us a pair of tickets to the June 8 game where Strasburg would make his MLB debut. The game was sold out as soon as it was announced, we were really lucky to snag tickets. I started to get really excited about this game! More excited than I had been to go see any other baseball game, which is saying something, because I can barely sleep before we go to watch the Cubs play.
Well June 8 arrives, it is a glorious 70-something degrees, and I get a 7:30 am text message letting me know I am not needed at work today. PERFECT. I get some more sleep and then drive to Mechanicsville to meet David at his office, shortly after we leave for Washington. We arrive at our Metro station and transfer to L'Enfant Plaza. Which is where this story REALLY begins.
I have never seen so many people at one place in my life; it was absolutely insane. The game sold out - attendance was 40,315 people - and I am pretty sure most of them rode in on the Metro. We had to wait for a few trains because they were so packed, before being shoved into a car - literally - and leaving the station.
You hear horror stories about people being crushed to death in stampeding crowds, and I saw my life flash before my eyes as the people behind me on the platform shoved me forward. I wasn't even walking, I was just moved by pressure from other people. I was shoved in between a pole, a complete stranger who had his crotch against me like we were grinding at a club, and David. It wasn't really anyone's fault aside from those who don't know how to be patient, but more people kept squeezing on, and I couldn't breathe because I was being flattened. I am not exaggerating! David and the other guy I was squished between were apologizing and trying to give me enough space to breathe.
And then it happened. We got pushed so far back that we were in the personal space of some chick sitting down, and she lost it. She started yelling at David and me like it was all our fault, telling us to back up or there were gonna be consequences. She said all of this like we had any choice in the matter, like we weren't being pushed on to her from other people, like we had plenty of room to breathe. I was already close to tears because I couldn't breathe and some stranger's penis area was all up in my business (for which he apologized, and I wasn't upset with him- it wasn't his fault any more than it was mine!) - but this lady started yelling and shouting at us and I lost it.
There has only been one other time in my life when I was angry enough that I might actually have gotten into a physical confrontation; I was 15 and the ER doctor who gave me a spinal tap did not numb me correctly and I could feel the massive needle they put into my back, so naturally I was screaming and crying and he was telling me to get over it. Until last night I had never been that angry again in my life, following the spinal tap I let out such a string of profanities that my mom later told me she thought my head would spin around and she would need to call an exorcist.
That is about the same scene from the train last night. The conversation went a little like this:
Bitch: Oh hell no, y'all need to BACK UP!
David: I am very sorry ma'am but this is not our fault.
Bitch: I don't care! You need to back up!
David: This is not our fault, they're pushing us, I'm sorry!
Bitch: You need to back the fuck up right now!
Libby: WHERE THE FUCK DO YOU EXPECT US TO GO? THIS IS NOT OUR FUCKING FAULT AND WE CANNOT FUCKING MOVE, STOP YELLING AT US, SHUT THE FUCK UP, WE CAN'T HELP IT!
Security: (To Libby) It's okay, just ignore her, we know it isn't your fault.
David: (To Bitch) I am so sorry....
So yeah, the night began with David apologizing for my behavior to possibly the rudest woman I have ever met, for which I remain completely not sorry. If David hadn't been able to restrain me I would have punched her in her bitchy face, because I was that pissed off at her. Like she really expected us to be able to do anything? And she was so rude to David, when he was being polite to her, it was completely uncalled for. At least Dave knows I've got his back if there is an altercation, and I totally could have taken that chick down.
Anyway, I was fuming the whole way to the game, packed into the train so tightly that I was bordering on a panic attack anyway, and finally we arrive at the game around 6:30. David tells me to never visit New York City, and I'm unsure if it is because I won't be able to handle all the people or because he is worried I will lose in a fight to someone from NYC.
There are more people here than i have ever seen in one place in my life. Thankfully we are on the second tier so most of the crowd is down below us. Before getting to our seats, we spend $25 on two beers and two bottles of water - are you kidding me? And by the night was over we both had dinner and more beer, they really know how to take your money at a ballgame.
When we get to our seats we only have about 15 minutes until the game starts. I down my first beer and feel a lot better about the metro ride over to the game, enough to be able to relax and remember that we are here to have a good time. By the time Strasburg gets onto the mound, I am so excited that I can barely sit still.
The first two pitches he throws are balls, and I'm a little concerned that maybe he won't live up to the hype. Then he throws the most beautiful curve ball I have ever seen, David stands up and shouts "Wow!" - and I get it. This kid is pure magic, and we are watching baseball history - live and in person.
When he got his first strikeout, 40,315 people were on their feet cheering. It was amazing. And as the game went on the kid just got better and better. Every single fastball was in the 99-100 mph range, Dave says at least two were at 101. He gave up a two run homer early, but who cares - he had 14 strikeouts, one away from the all time record in a debut, and he didn't walk anyone. He struck out each of the last 7 batters he faced. He could have kept going, he could have easily kept going, but that is an arm you want to take care of.
I have been to a lot of baseball games in my life. I've seen the Cubs at Wrigley, I have been to several Nationals games, and I try to make it to Orioles home games against the Yankees at least once per season with my Dad. But this was by far the most exciting and thrilling game I have ever been to. It was incredible, and I am so very glad we got to go.
I tried adding up the expenses for the trip,
$70 for tickets,
$20 to park and ride the metro,
$50 at least spent on refreshments,
$30 x 2 because David and I each bought a Strasburg t-shirt at the game.
So essentially it was a $200 date, plus gas money. But it was worth every penny to see that part of baseball history. I know David and I both will cherish that memory forever.
06 June 2010
5 Question.. Er. Sunday Night.
So one of my favorite people in the world has a blog, and she does this 5 question Friday thing, which seems like fun so I am going to start doing it also!
Her name is Tricia and her blog is well-written and entertaining - I love to read it!
You can find it here: http://www.spokeit.com
AND OH YEAH SHE JUST GOT ENGAGED THIS WEEKEND <3
As I told one of my other good friends, the only way I would be more excited about an engagement is if it was me getting married, because if you can have a soul mate that is not a lover, but more like a sister/friend, Tricia would be mine, haha. We have so much in common and I feel like I have known her my whole life, she is hands down the coolest chick ever. We have had similar struggles with OCD, she loves horses, and she is just so fun. She and her fiancee Derick are an amazing couple; Derick is David's oldest and best friend in the world and I am so happy that, among other things, dating David has brought them into my life. Anyway, if you like to read blogs, hers is a good one :)
1. If you could go back to college would you change your major? I don't really even know how to answer this one, but essentially yes, because I am going back to college, and I am changing my major, but to say those words doesn't give you the slightest understanding of my situation.
2. What do you love most about your home? The neighborhood and the big back yard. I love that my horse is right down the street, and I can ride out into Calais whenever I want, and I love the yard that our dogs can run & play in.
3. What types of books do you like to read (if you like to read at all)? I like fantasy stories, really. I mean, good ones, like Harry Potter, or the Temeraire series. I like stories with excitement and magic and mystery, because my day to day life has no magic or mystery. But I will read anything that is well written, usually.
4. What is the grossest thing you've ever eaten? When I was a kid I once ate an ant, but I think we all did that. I remember being on the Sunday Park playground, the one with all the wooden equipment in the sandbox, I guess I was in preschool. And my friend and I both decided to eat an ant.
5. If you HAD to be a character on a TV show, whom would you be? Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for pretty much the same reasons I like fantasy books. I also want to make that sort of a difference in the world.
Her name is Tricia and her blog is well-written and entertaining - I love to read it!
You can find it here: http://www.spokeit.com
AND OH YEAH SHE JUST GOT ENGAGED THIS WEEKEND <3
As I told one of my other good friends, the only way I would be more excited about an engagement is if it was me getting married, because if you can have a soul mate that is not a lover, but more like a sister/friend, Tricia would be mine, haha. We have so much in common and I feel like I have known her my whole life, she is hands down the coolest chick ever. We have had similar struggles with OCD, she loves horses, and she is just so fun. She and her fiancee Derick are an amazing couple; Derick is David's oldest and best friend in the world and I am so happy that, among other things, dating David has brought them into my life. Anyway, if you like to read blogs, hers is a good one :)
1. If you could go back to college would you change your major? I don't really even know how to answer this one, but essentially yes, because I am going back to college, and I am changing my major, but to say those words doesn't give you the slightest understanding of my situation.
2. What do you love most about your home? The neighborhood and the big back yard. I love that my horse is right down the street, and I can ride out into Calais whenever I want, and I love the yard that our dogs can run & play in.
3. What types of books do you like to read (if you like to read at all)? I like fantasy stories, really. I mean, good ones, like Harry Potter, or the Temeraire series. I like stories with excitement and magic and mystery, because my day to day life has no magic or mystery. But I will read anything that is well written, usually.
4. What is the grossest thing you've ever eaten? When I was a kid I once ate an ant, but I think we all did that. I remember being on the Sunday Park playground, the one with all the wooden equipment in the sandbox, I guess I was in preschool. And my friend and I both decided to eat an ant.
5. If you HAD to be a character on a TV show, whom would you be? Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for pretty much the same reasons I like fantasy books. I also want to make that sort of a difference in the world.
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