Weekend Adventures Recounted

A week hath passed since last I wrote. Some stuff happened, upon which I shall now elaborate.

First off, my immediate futurely job path was jerked straight for me by the powers that be - I will remain where I am, but move to another department. The work will be slower, but it will involve more reading and research - two things of which I am quite fond.

Next, my mother informed me about the familial wheat intolerance (Celiac's Disease) on her side, and surmised that my tiny stature as a child, lifelong tummy troubles and unexplained headaches were caused by it. I stopped eating wheat/oats/barley/rye, etc. about 4 days ago and my internal organs feel awesome.

I took last Thursday off and spent my day reading, working out, and relaxing in general. I went shopping with my mother and bought a paisley summer dress and an ivory/black satin ballgown that is absolutely ravishing. I couldn't help myself, $44 for a $200 gown? I will have to ask S to don his tuxedo and we can go out to dinner pretending that we just came from some fabulous formal party; otherwise, I'll never get to wear this dress.

Friday was S and I's one year anniversary! We ate chocolate together in the early morn, and then we were off to my tattoo appointment at noon. Three hours passed in a haze of pain, cramps and shivering; imagine a sewing machine embroidering patterns into the tender parts of your back and shoulder. The final product is exquisite.

I spent the afternoon and early evening recovering, and then after I donned my new paisley dress, we headed to the Indian restaurant of our first date. I even had the same entree. We walked awhile outside in the evening coolness and visited the kittens in the pet store, and then drove back downtown for sorbetto and coffee at 518. Of course, we were up till about 2 AM after all of that caffeine.

Saturday involved mimosas using the champagne that we didn't drink the night before, breakfast, long naps, and then we headed over to his friends' I and L's (pregnant with a little girl!) house for a 4th of July cookout and joint baby shower. I was introduced for the first time to Sopor Aeternus and was interested (backstory is pretty wild) and amused but slightly bored. What can I say? When it comes to music, I prefer mine with a little less DEATH, thank you.

We went to S's parents' place at around 8 for pie and fireworks, and upon arriving, were presented with a very awkward gathering of people. I was expecting just his parents and wasn't too worried about the intricate, vivid tattoo... Until I spied the middle-aged couple and their impressionable young teenage daughter. Also present were an older Chinese couple who knew very little English, and their overly-talkative, mid-twenties daughter. How in the world was this motley crew assembled? Why were they sitting quietly, not looking at each other, picking at their food and making bad jokes? S and I surveyed the scene for about 2.8 seconds before exchanging long-suffering, amused looks.

Thank GOD for long hair.

The firecracker display was entertaining though, as the stockpile had spent the last year fermenting on a shelf somewhere. Oh, they'd do their usual spark fountains, but every once in awhile, something unexpected would happen - a huge spark would zoom out at the audience and explode, green fizz would suddenly spew out to the side, threatening the finish of a nearby Audi, etc.

Sunday... We brought the Wii over to Lovely, went out for Mexican, and then stayed up too late playing Twilight Princess. Yay!