Jenn and I have described New Years as simply "interesting." Yes, it was lots of fun, but it was just interesting. Interesting people, interesting events, interesting places.
NYE in a nutshell: picked up Corbett, went to Kickbacks, went to Preston's, to the Pearl, then back to Kickbacks and Preston's.
The Pearl was fun, as always. It was empty until about 11:30, then it cleared out at 12:20. We left before one and went back to Kickbacks for some brownie bites, which are always delicious. Although while we were enjoying our delicious fried brownie batter, all of the action was three blocks down at Preston's. When we walked in the door Cory just walked over to be and said, completely dead pan, "Dude. You missed all the action." Corbett appeared from the next room and lead Jenn and I to the bathroom, where there was a guy standing with a blood soaked shirt, with another shirt pressed against a huge gash in his head. Well, alright. We meandered over to the next room, smoke filled, with people just laying around. Literally. We waded back into the living room to find a place to sit. All o the ice from the kegs had melted, and it mixed with all of the dirt from the outdoors, turning the floor into a muddy pond. At one point it was basically a puddle, standing still on those old hard wood floors.
The day after New Years Jenn and I washed our cars by hand. We got her car really clean, and even cleaned out the inside and conditioned her leather. I wish I had started to condition my leather when I first got my car because now the seats are cracked, and they look like they are 10 years older than they are. We went to the Orange Park mall, tried on the most intensely padded bras known to mankind, got dinner from Arby's then home.
We ended up having a little food bonanza that night, similar to what Rob and I used to do senior year. We got little meals at Arby's, then after getting dressed we went to Sake House where Jenn got the worst Sushi ever. She wanted a volcano roll, which is usually spicy and crunchy. What she got was just full of cream cheese and gross. She said something to our Hulky woman of a waiter, who used her ninja skills her steal Jenn's jacket, and the woman refused to give her something different, or even listen. As got the check, and they charged her for the rolls even though she didn't eat them. I complained and got 10% off the bill, and as we were leaving the woman said, "Maybe she want something crunchy?" Well DUH. We said that countless times. It was frustrating, yet entertaining to hear the little Asian cashier telling us that it isn't the law to make volcano rolls the same as every other place.
From there we went to Popeye's for some chicken and biscuits before going to Shanty Town. there was a band called Chicken and Whskey playing at Shanty Town, so we got some Chicken, then some whiskey from Jenn's friend so that we could participate in the show. Although we never even saw the band since it was boring. Off to North Star to watch the game for a bit, then home.
I have had super lazy days since then, and I am enjoying it.
Showing posts with label Pearl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pearl. Show all posts
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26 - Thanksgiving, Pearl
This morning Liam and I woke up early and went to go pick up our mom from Mandarin, where she ran a half marathon with Traci and Josie. We didn't get to watch her finish, but it was packed. I wouldn't think there would be so many people willing to wake up at the crack of dawn on Thanksgiving to run 13 miles.
we went over to Marsha's house and spent the day cooking and entertaining. Met some family members I didn't know about as well. One was named Lenny, and he reminded me of Lennie from Of Mice and Men. I won him over by showing him how to proberly open a handle of scotch.
After we ate I went to lay down for a few minutes, and woke up about 4 hours later and everyone was gone. Eeeh.
Corbett and AJ and I went to the Pearl tonight. I have never gone without Jenn, and it was weird but nice to just go with a bunch of guys. It was more laid back and I was able to just hang out and people watch. Going to an all girls school I have forgotten how nice it is to just be with guys. There were a bunch of random people there, including Jaclynn (joy).
After we left the Pearl we went to WaHo for some late night/early morning hashbrowns. That was possible the high light of my Thanksgiving, food-wise. We dropped off AJ then went to Target to scope out the Black Friday lines. It was about 3 and already there were a bunch of people sitting outside.
we went over to Marsha's house and spent the day cooking and entertaining. Met some family members I didn't know about as well. One was named Lenny, and he reminded me of Lennie from Of Mice and Men. I won him over by showing him how to proberly open a handle of scotch.
After we ate I went to lay down for a few minutes, and woke up about 4 hours later and everyone was gone. Eeeh.
Corbett and AJ and I went to the Pearl tonight. I have never gone without Jenn, and it was weird but nice to just go with a bunch of guys. It was more laid back and I was able to just hang out and people watch. Going to an all girls school I have forgotten how nice it is to just be with guys. There were a bunch of random people there, including Jaclynn (joy).
After we left the Pearl we went to WaHo for some late night/early morning hashbrowns. That was possible the high light of my Thanksgiving, food-wise. We dropped off AJ then went to Target to scope out the Black Friday lines. It was about 3 and already there were a bunch of people sitting outside.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Day 84 - Ashley, Brick, Chamblin's, Pearl
Day 84 - Ashley, Pearl, Chamblins
Today was day one of Ashley being here. I don’t remember what I did this morning, but I picked up Ashley at the airport this afternoon. I took her to lunch at the Brick, because the is the staple of the Ortega lifestyle. From there we walked around Avondale, and I took her to Peterbrooke and Let Them Eat Cake. She was obviously very excited about those. I mean, who cant be excited about a store that sells nothing but stuff covered in chocolate? They even have chocolate covered wine bottles now.
From there we went to Chamblin’s. She was blown away. I ended up getting one more Taoism book, and one on Printmakers. She loved the Architecture section and she bought a book on Gaudi. We came back to my house, saw my dad and Liam before they left for Kentucky, and just hung out for a while.
Tonight we went to the Pearl. Beforehand we were on our usual Joose run, but this time I was ten times sketchier than it normally is. Of course, with Ashley with us. We scared her. We drove around for a bit trying to find Amber around Avondale. We eventually met up with her at Fishweir Park, but we all felt like we were about to be killed.
Then we had a normal evening at the Pearl. Then End.
Today was day one of Ashley being here. I don’t remember what I did this morning, but I picked up Ashley at the airport this afternoon. I took her to lunch at the Brick, because the is the staple of the Ortega lifestyle. From there we walked around Avondale, and I took her to Peterbrooke and Let Them Eat Cake. She was obviously very excited about those. I mean, who cant be excited about a store that sells nothing but stuff covered in chocolate? They even have chocolate covered wine bottles now.
From there we went to Chamblin’s. She was blown away. I ended up getting one more Taoism book, and one on Printmakers. She loved the Architecture section and she bought a book on Gaudi. We came back to my house, saw my dad and Liam before they left for Kentucky, and just hung out for a while.
Tonight we went to the Pearl. Beforehand we were on our usual Joose run, but this time I was ten times sketchier than it normally is. Of course, with Ashley with us. We scared her. We drove around for a bit trying to find Amber around Avondale. We eventually met up with her at Fishweir Park, but we all felt like we were about to be killed.
Then we had a normal evening at the Pearl. Then End.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Day 70 - Babysit, Pearl
Today was a lazy, but very good day. I woke up around noon and just meandered about the house. I rented Breakfast Club a while back and I just got around to watching it this morning. Then I worked on the pile of terrible movies I bought last week. So pretty much all day I cleaned, babysat Liam, and watched Breakfast Club, Perfect Score, and My Boss’s Daughter.
And, being a Thursday, Jenn and I went to the Pearl. We met up with Josh who bought us Joose, but the AP was out of Red, so he got me orange. Honestly, the orange tasted like the smell of our laundry room the time Liam played outside in the rain with shoes and socks on, then the socks mildewed at the bottom of the laundry hamper without anyone noticing. I was gagging trying to drink it. I have never noticed before, but apparently Joose is an energy drink, so technically I shouldn’t be drinking it because of my heart. And Josh knows this so each time he gets it for me he gives me a little talk about being careful. “Ok thanks Dad.”
Jenn and I have hilarious arguments that emphasize how reckless we are. “I thought you were going to open it for me!” “We are at a red light do it yourself!!”
When we got to the Pearl we just drove around for a bit, and we found a building on fire, and that was exciting. Although immediately afterwards both of us wanted barbeque… Went inside the Pearl, and the first person I saw was Jason Wagner. Awesome. We just stopped talking a few months ago and that was kind of awkward. Right away we went out back and Josh came up to us holding a PBR. Except Josh is 19, with big black X’s on his hands. We were in the middle of telling him to put it down, when he got kicked out. Bye, Josh. There were so many random people at the Pearl tonight. I saw Andrew Harper, who I haven’t seen in a long time. And Kevin. “Oh my god Kate! I haven’t seen you in like 6 years! Are you single?!” Oh my. Haha.
Otherwise it was a very fun, but uneventful night.
And, being a Thursday, Jenn and I went to the Pearl. We met up with Josh who bought us Joose, but the AP was out of Red, so he got me orange. Honestly, the orange tasted like the smell of our laundry room the time Liam played outside in the rain with shoes and socks on, then the socks mildewed at the bottom of the laundry hamper without anyone noticing. I was gagging trying to drink it. I have never noticed before, but apparently Joose is an energy drink, so technically I shouldn’t be drinking it because of my heart. And Josh knows this so each time he gets it for me he gives me a little talk about being careful. “Ok thanks Dad.”
Jenn and I have hilarious arguments that emphasize how reckless we are. “I thought you were going to open it for me!” “We are at a red light do it yourself!!”
When we got to the Pearl we just drove around for a bit, and we found a building on fire, and that was exciting. Although immediately afterwards both of us wanted barbeque… Went inside the Pearl, and the first person I saw was Jason Wagner. Awesome. We just stopped talking a few months ago and that was kind of awkward. Right away we went out back and Josh came up to us holding a PBR. Except Josh is 19, with big black X’s on his hands. We were in the middle of telling him to put it down, when he got kicked out. Bye, Josh. There were so many random people at the Pearl tonight. I saw Andrew Harper, who I haven’t seen in a long time. And Kevin. “Oh my god Kate! I haven’t seen you in like 6 years! Are you single?!” Oh my. Haha.
Otherwise it was a very fun, but uneventful night.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Day 49 - Week Four, Thursday. Pearl. Home.
Today is basically Friday. At work I did the inventory for the Marketing Department and it was in this wing that isn’t used anymore. It was sketch. I want to bring my new camera up there at some pint during lunch and poke around.
This afternoon I left work early and flew back to Jacksonville. My mom picked me up at the airport and Bob Krieger, the CEO of one of the hospitals I am working at was there. I really hope he didn’t recognize me since I did not say hello. I ran for it. My mom and I went to the Brick for dinner, then I went to the Pearl with Jenn. Seriously, we both felt like we were there for about three days. The night was so long.
We met this girl named Jessica, who was so sweet and so hilarious. She bought us drinks that we drank hiding in bathroom stalls and behind the door of the bathroom. Apparently Preston and Joshua Criss don’t get along, because for about a half hour they stood on opposite sides of the back yard staring at each other, with Preston taking shit and thinking he’s really tough. That was great fun to stand around with Josh and laughing at he other group. Eventually we went back inside but apparently Josh had to get security to escort him out because Preston had a bunch of guys on his side out of nowhere. While we were standing out there Jenn and I were feeling silly so I was trying to hold her hand and when I finally did I was messing with her and said, “This feels right.” Jenn replied, “Kate, holding hands with you is like eating a muffin that was in the oven for 5 minute too long. Or like playing with playdoh that was left in the sun all day.” Jenn and I ended up sitting on the ground almost in tears laughing so hard.
I met a lot of interesting people tonight. And that is that.
This afternoon I left work early and flew back to Jacksonville. My mom picked me up at the airport and Bob Krieger, the CEO of one of the hospitals I am working at was there. I really hope he didn’t recognize me since I did not say hello. I ran for it. My mom and I went to the Brick for dinner, then I went to the Pearl with Jenn. Seriously, we both felt like we were there for about three days. The night was so long.
We met this girl named Jessica, who was so sweet and so hilarious. She bought us drinks that we drank hiding in bathroom stalls and behind the door of the bathroom. Apparently Preston and Joshua Criss don’t get along, because for about a half hour they stood on opposite sides of the back yard staring at each other, with Preston taking shit and thinking he’s really tough. That was great fun to stand around with Josh and laughing at he other group. Eventually we went back inside but apparently Josh had to get security to escort him out because Preston had a bunch of guys on his side out of nowhere. While we were standing out there Jenn and I were feeling silly so I was trying to hold her hand and when I finally did I was messing with her and said, “This feels right.” Jenn replied, “Kate, holding hands with you is like eating a muffin that was in the oven for 5 minute too long. Or like playing with playdoh that was left in the sun all day.” Jenn and I ended up sitting on the ground almost in tears laughing so hard.
I met a lot of interesting people tonight. And that is that.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Day 1 - Pearl, TSI, Dad
I feel like this summer is going to be.... interesting. This is going to sound really pathetic, but I have been following Charles Trippy, Shay Carl, and Phillip DeFranco while they have been doing their daily video blogs. I was just watching Shay's from yesterday and I was thinking, "It's nice that he has this to look back on one day." I used to blog, doing the lame 9th grade LiveJournal thing, and recently I went back and read it. It was absolutely hilarious, and it made me feel like a complete loser. Although it was nice to go back through and read what my life was like then.
Today was my first full day of summer. I just completed by sophomore year of college, and my life is going through some changes. I feel like this summer will be stressful and different, and I want to remember it later on.
Last night, which was technically Day 1, but I was only in Jacksonville for a few hours, I think laid out how my summer is going to go. I got back into Jacksonville at about 6:00. It was raining, of course. My mom met me half way between here and Virginia in Columbia and we stayed the night there and went shopping yesterday before coming back down here. So I get home and unpack my car with the majority of my stuff. My mom gets home and she gets a call from one of our old neighbors, Mrs. Hager. Apparently the Hagers have been staking out my dad's house for some time. (They live down the road, and they have a perfect view of dad's house from their house) Mrs. Hager told my mom that, apparently, my dad's girlfriend Kathleen had been living there for a while. My mom was curious, so she sent me over there to check it out. I have always acted as the Middle Man between my parents since they got divorced. Its always "Will you tell your mother that..." "Take this over to your fathers...." I am getting sick of it. Although last night I was quite curious.
I got over there and Kathleen's car was in the driveway. I knocked, and Lilly started barking so I just went on it. I was greeted with the scene of my childhood playroom ripped to shreds. There was no carpet, no furniture; the walls were about a thousand different colors. Awesome Dad, thanks for telling me about this. When I pulled up I had a hint that something was up, because one of my favorite chairs was outside in the rain by the trash. I was not too pleased. Anyways, so Lilly is barking and can hear Kathleen yelling to see who was at the door. I yelled "Me!" thinking, for some reason, she would know. Of course not. I have met the woman twice. She was even sort of confused when she saw me. I was like, "Its Kate..." And I realized she was wearing a shirt of mine. Awesome. Turns out she was on the phone with my dad, who was in Baldwin, driving back from a meeting out of town and that he was going to be home in about 20 minutes. She gave me her phone to talk to him for a bit, and then she left the room. I was sitting at the bar and talking on her phone, and I was just looking around the room.
Then it caught my eye. A greeting card, displayed proudly on the bar. It was a simple and white, with the image of a man picking up and swinging a woman in a circle. The text read, "You're engaged!" Not wanting to touch it, viewing it as some heinous object, I peered around to read the inside. "Steve and Kathleen, Congratulations on your engagement! We are so happy for both of you! Love, Janette and Buzz." My stomach fell. I was still on the phone with my dad but his voice was distant and I wasn't paying attention anymore. Tears welled up in my eyes, and just then Kathleen came back. I sucked it up and tried not to think about it. I gave her the phone back, and she sat down to talk until my dad would come home. We started to talk about the family room, and "their" future plans for it. The card was still in my line of vision and I couldn't help but think about it. The tears came back, and she interpreted it as me being upset about the family room. I tried to tell her it wasn't, but I realized I had to ask. I pointed to the card as I really started to cry, and she just grabbed it and said, "Oh shit." Impulsively I looked at her ring finger and was glad to see that there was nothing there. She went on to explain that he wanted to tell me, and that was why he wanted to see me so badly when I was last in town about a month ago. She said that in September he took her up to Wisconsin to meet his family. I remember him taking that trip. He never mentioned that she was there or even why he went. She told me that he was always upset with him because towards me, he would pretend like she didn’t exist. We talked for a while about things, and I was almost bawling. I hate this. I have met her now three times. They have apparently been dating for five years this November. Which means that they met right after my parents separated.
To understand why this bothers me so much, I guess background on my dad is needed. Towards my mom and I, he has never been affectionate. Obviously in different ways. He has never been one to express emotions, or to make a commitment. So I was completely shocked that he is engaged. I don’t know how this is going to work out. I feel like it is going to be one of those things where they get engaged but never actually get married. I hope. I do not want a step mom. Even though I am 20 and I will never spend any time with her, I don’t want that for my brother. He absolutely hates going over to my dad’s, and this would just make it worse. Although according to my parent’s divorce settlement, if there is any communal living the children are not required to spend time with the other parent. So if she moves in, Liam doesn’t have to go over there anymore. He will be thrilled about hat though.
She says that once they get married (if) they wont even live together. What the hell? Basically what happened is that her lease on her house was up, and she was going to move away to be with her grand kids (GRAND. KIDS.). She told my dad, he freaked, and asked her to marry him so that she wouldn’t leave. I feel like that was just him being selfish. I know my dad, because unfortunately I took after him in asshole behavior traits. He does love her, but that does not trump his feelings about commitment and emotions and whatnot. I feel like he asked her to marry him so that she wouldn’t leave him. I guess it is good that he has someone there for him, with his health and Liam hating being over there, it’s a good positive, but I don’t feel like his motives were correct. Anyways, she got another house since she had to move out, so she has somewhere she is required t live, basically, for the next 2 years. And my dad sure as hell is not moving. So they wont live together? I don’t know. That’s just weird. But that is my dad for you.
So my dad came home just as I was getting ready to leave. I was not up for having the same conversation with him, and I really had to get home because I was supposed to go out. He walked in, and I was avoiding eye contact. I don’t remember if Kathleen said something, or if I did, but when he found out I knew he was angry. He started yelling at me, trying to make me feel bad for not seeing him when I was last home, and for never returning his calls. So it is my fault that he hid it from me? I didn’t see him when I was last here because usually we just go out to dinner and sit around awkwardly while I am left to feel like he is only there because he has to spend time with me. I don’t want to be there either though. So on my last trip home I avoided that.
Before I left I asked him when he was going to tell Liam and my mom. He said he would tell Liam this weekend, since now I know. And he was going to let telling my mom up to me. That pissed me off. I told him that no way in hell would I be the one to tell her and that HE had to do it. Needless to say, he was not thrilled. I left then to go home and eat dinner and get ready to go out. I had to put on a happy face and tell my mom that Kathleen was not living there and she was just watching Lilly, which was the truth. I had to sit and have a happy dinner with her and Liam, and pretend like nothing was wrong.
Anyways, later Jenn and I went out. It was kind of awkward at first, and I was in a bad mood and I felt bad that I made Jenn miss something she wanted to do since I was running late due to the hour I was at my dad’s house. We got past that and had dinner at Sushi Café where MC made Jenn some awesome sushi. After that we went to her friend Adam’s house and I drank alone before we went to the Pearl. We got to the Pearl and Adam was in the longest line ever to get in. So we went in the back and Adam was too impatient and left. Last night the Pearl was interesting. There was a weird mix of people. Although Jaclynn was there and I was finally able to say some things to her I have wanted to tell her for a very long time. I feel better now. This guy I met at TSI at the Black and White ball was there too, but of course I didn’t have the nerve to go and talk to him. We left early and went to TSI to hang out with Adam and Clayto for a bit. They were both very drunk and the place was empty. Jenn and I absolutely wowed them with our dancing skills on the stage. More like we pretended to be ballerinas and they pretended were too drunk to pay attention. Jenn and I left and enjoyed some 4 AM Wa-Ho where this were some hilarious people. As we were leaving we were stopped by this guy who asked us if we sang for the B-52s, and I said that I used to but I haven’t lately. Funny thing is that I saw the same guy, in black bike shorts and a camo jacket riding a bike through my neighborhood today. Odd.
Today, which I am going to call Day 1, was lazy as anything. Laid around all day, then I went to help my dad buy tile. Hoorah. We really didn’t talk about Kathleen or anything and it was awkward. When I got home from doing that my mom was in a funny mood. I still don’t know why. We went to dinner with the Whelans, and in the middle of dinner Mrs. Hager called my mo and they talked for a minute, and my mom was saying things like “No I’m fine” and whatnot. I tried to get her to tell me what was going on, but she wouldn’t say.
So now I have a predicament. Do I tell my mom or not? I feel like it is not my place to tell her, yet again she may get her feelings hurt if she finds out that I knew and I was hiding it from her. I know she won’t be upset that he is getting married; at least I don’t think so. I feel like the part that will hurt is that my asshole of a father found someone before she did. My mother is an amazing and beautiful woman, and is somehow single. I feel bad because she kind of dated this one guy a few years ago, but I was uncomfortable with it and told her she could do better, and she broke it off with him. I feel that my selfish, dad-like intentions in that situation kind of screwed her over. And I feel really guilty about that. Hopefully tomorrow I will figure out what to do: tell her or not to tell her?
I am going to try extra hard to be nicer to Liam this summer. I asked him to go see a movie with me tomorrow, and we are going to see Monsters and Aliens. Also he is glad about this because it is less time that he has to spend at my dad’s house. Liam has been having a hard time lately, and acting out, and my mom really does not need this. I am going to try to help with straightening him out a bit. I am trying, but who knows how that will work out.
Tomorrow Liam has a baseball game in the morning and my dad may be there, and if so, that will be awkward. I am hoping he doesn’t show.
Day 1 of summer has been odd so far. We will see how this pans out. Right now, however, I am going to get something to eat with Jarrett. I was planning on going to Steamworks tonight but I guess I am not going. This was really long, I hope every day isn't like this.
Today was my first full day of summer. I just completed by sophomore year of college, and my life is going through some changes. I feel like this summer will be stressful and different, and I want to remember it later on.
Last night, which was technically Day 1, but I was only in Jacksonville for a few hours, I think laid out how my summer is going to go. I got back into Jacksonville at about 6:00. It was raining, of course. My mom met me half way between here and Virginia in Columbia and we stayed the night there and went shopping yesterday before coming back down here. So I get home and unpack my car with the majority of my stuff. My mom gets home and she gets a call from one of our old neighbors, Mrs. Hager. Apparently the Hagers have been staking out my dad's house for some time. (They live down the road, and they have a perfect view of dad's house from their house) Mrs. Hager told my mom that, apparently, my dad's girlfriend Kathleen had been living there for a while. My mom was curious, so she sent me over there to check it out. I have always acted as the Middle Man between my parents since they got divorced. Its always "Will you tell your mother that..." "Take this over to your fathers...." I am getting sick of it. Although last night I was quite curious.
I got over there and Kathleen's car was in the driveway. I knocked, and Lilly started barking so I just went on it. I was greeted with the scene of my childhood playroom ripped to shreds. There was no carpet, no furniture; the walls were about a thousand different colors. Awesome Dad, thanks for telling me about this. When I pulled up I had a hint that something was up, because one of my favorite chairs was outside in the rain by the trash. I was not too pleased. Anyways, so Lilly is barking and can hear Kathleen yelling to see who was at the door. I yelled "Me!" thinking, for some reason, she would know. Of course not. I have met the woman twice. She was even sort of confused when she saw me. I was like, "Its Kate..." And I realized she was wearing a shirt of mine. Awesome. Turns out she was on the phone with my dad, who was in Baldwin, driving back from a meeting out of town and that he was going to be home in about 20 minutes. She gave me her phone to talk to him for a bit, and then she left the room. I was sitting at the bar and talking on her phone, and I was just looking around the room.
Then it caught my eye. A greeting card, displayed proudly on the bar. It was a simple and white, with the image of a man picking up and swinging a woman in a circle. The text read, "You're engaged!" Not wanting to touch it, viewing it as some heinous object, I peered around to read the inside. "Steve and Kathleen, Congratulations on your engagement! We are so happy for both of you! Love, Janette and Buzz." My stomach fell. I was still on the phone with my dad but his voice was distant and I wasn't paying attention anymore. Tears welled up in my eyes, and just then Kathleen came back. I sucked it up and tried not to think about it. I gave her the phone back, and she sat down to talk until my dad would come home. We started to talk about the family room, and "their" future plans for it. The card was still in my line of vision and I couldn't help but think about it. The tears came back, and she interpreted it as me being upset about the family room. I tried to tell her it wasn't, but I realized I had to ask. I pointed to the card as I really started to cry, and she just grabbed it and said, "Oh shit." Impulsively I looked at her ring finger and was glad to see that there was nothing there. She went on to explain that he wanted to tell me, and that was why he wanted to see me so badly when I was last in town about a month ago. She said that in September he took her up to Wisconsin to meet his family. I remember him taking that trip. He never mentioned that she was there or even why he went. She told me that he was always upset with him because towards me, he would pretend like she didn’t exist. We talked for a while about things, and I was almost bawling. I hate this. I have met her now three times. They have apparently been dating for five years this November. Which means that they met right after my parents separated.
To understand why this bothers me so much, I guess background on my dad is needed. Towards my mom and I, he has never been affectionate. Obviously in different ways. He has never been one to express emotions, or to make a commitment. So I was completely shocked that he is engaged. I don’t know how this is going to work out. I feel like it is going to be one of those things where they get engaged but never actually get married. I hope. I do not want a step mom. Even though I am 20 and I will never spend any time with her, I don’t want that for my brother. He absolutely hates going over to my dad’s, and this would just make it worse. Although according to my parent’s divorce settlement, if there is any communal living the children are not required to spend time with the other parent. So if she moves in, Liam doesn’t have to go over there anymore. He will be thrilled about hat though.
She says that once they get married (if) they wont even live together. What the hell? Basically what happened is that her lease on her house was up, and she was going to move away to be with her grand kids (GRAND. KIDS.). She told my dad, he freaked, and asked her to marry him so that she wouldn’t leave. I feel like that was just him being selfish. I know my dad, because unfortunately I took after him in asshole behavior traits. He does love her, but that does not trump his feelings about commitment and emotions and whatnot. I feel like he asked her to marry him so that she wouldn’t leave him. I guess it is good that he has someone there for him, with his health and Liam hating being over there, it’s a good positive, but I don’t feel like his motives were correct. Anyways, she got another house since she had to move out, so she has somewhere she is required t live, basically, for the next 2 years. And my dad sure as hell is not moving. So they wont live together? I don’t know. That’s just weird. But that is my dad for you.
So my dad came home just as I was getting ready to leave. I was not up for having the same conversation with him, and I really had to get home because I was supposed to go out. He walked in, and I was avoiding eye contact. I don’t remember if Kathleen said something, or if I did, but when he found out I knew he was angry. He started yelling at me, trying to make me feel bad for not seeing him when I was last home, and for never returning his calls. So it is my fault that he hid it from me? I didn’t see him when I was last here because usually we just go out to dinner and sit around awkwardly while I am left to feel like he is only there because he has to spend time with me. I don’t want to be there either though. So on my last trip home I avoided that.
Before I left I asked him when he was going to tell Liam and my mom. He said he would tell Liam this weekend, since now I know. And he was going to let telling my mom up to me. That pissed me off. I told him that no way in hell would I be the one to tell her and that HE had to do it. Needless to say, he was not thrilled. I left then to go home and eat dinner and get ready to go out. I had to put on a happy face and tell my mom that Kathleen was not living there and she was just watching Lilly, which was the truth. I had to sit and have a happy dinner with her and Liam, and pretend like nothing was wrong.
Anyways, later Jenn and I went out. It was kind of awkward at first, and I was in a bad mood and I felt bad that I made Jenn miss something she wanted to do since I was running late due to the hour I was at my dad’s house. We got past that and had dinner at Sushi Café where MC made Jenn some awesome sushi. After that we went to her friend Adam’s house and I drank alone before we went to the Pearl. We got to the Pearl and Adam was in the longest line ever to get in. So we went in the back and Adam was too impatient and left. Last night the Pearl was interesting. There was a weird mix of people. Although Jaclynn was there and I was finally able to say some things to her I have wanted to tell her for a very long time. I feel better now. This guy I met at TSI at the Black and White ball was there too, but of course I didn’t have the nerve to go and talk to him. We left early and went to TSI to hang out with Adam and Clayto for a bit. They were both very drunk and the place was empty. Jenn and I absolutely wowed them with our dancing skills on the stage. More like we pretended to be ballerinas and they pretended were too drunk to pay attention. Jenn and I left and enjoyed some 4 AM Wa-Ho where this were some hilarious people. As we were leaving we were stopped by this guy who asked us if we sang for the B-52s, and I said that I used to but I haven’t lately. Funny thing is that I saw the same guy, in black bike shorts and a camo jacket riding a bike through my neighborhood today. Odd.
Today, which I am going to call Day 1, was lazy as anything. Laid around all day, then I went to help my dad buy tile. Hoorah. We really didn’t talk about Kathleen or anything and it was awkward. When I got home from doing that my mom was in a funny mood. I still don’t know why. We went to dinner with the Whelans, and in the middle of dinner Mrs. Hager called my mo and they talked for a minute, and my mom was saying things like “No I’m fine” and whatnot. I tried to get her to tell me what was going on, but she wouldn’t say.
So now I have a predicament. Do I tell my mom or not? I feel like it is not my place to tell her, yet again she may get her feelings hurt if she finds out that I knew and I was hiding it from her. I know she won’t be upset that he is getting married; at least I don’t think so. I feel like the part that will hurt is that my asshole of a father found someone before she did. My mother is an amazing and beautiful woman, and is somehow single. I feel bad because she kind of dated this one guy a few years ago, but I was uncomfortable with it and told her she could do better, and she broke it off with him. I feel that my selfish, dad-like intentions in that situation kind of screwed her over. And I feel really guilty about that. Hopefully tomorrow I will figure out what to do: tell her or not to tell her?
I am going to try extra hard to be nicer to Liam this summer. I asked him to go see a movie with me tomorrow, and we are going to see Monsters and Aliens. Also he is glad about this because it is less time that he has to spend at my dad’s house. Liam has been having a hard time lately, and acting out, and my mom really does not need this. I am going to try to help with straightening him out a bit. I am trying, but who knows how that will work out.
Tomorrow Liam has a baseball game in the morning and my dad may be there, and if so, that will be awkward. I am hoping he doesn’t show.
Day 1 of summer has been odd so far. We will see how this pans out. Right now, however, I am going to get something to eat with Jarrett. I was planning on going to Steamworks tonight but I guess I am not going. This was really long, I hope every day isn't like this.
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