Weekending - Not Long Enough

Growing up is the bane of my existence and I think that's why I enjoy the weekend so much - no work responsibility.  I'm much happier and more myself when I'm NOT at my job.  It's sad but also let's me go "Okay, I'm not on the clock, I don't have to be that person anymore." I have this weird rule for myself that I won't write when I'm in a bad mood, not because I don't have anything constructive to say, I just don't want to rely on this space as a venting, angry, teen-angsty diary type thing. And since I feel myself slipping into that place as the work week kicks off, I figured it would be better to focus on all the awesome from the shorter than normal weekend.

Training Linkup: The Richmond Edition

In case you didn't get enough training talk yesterday, here's some more !

I need to be a Time Lord

I haven't written a post in HOW MANY DAYS !??! Jesus, where the hell is the time going ?! Someone get me a Tardis so I can go back and update this more often. I could have sworn I only wrote a post the other day and it wasn't THAT long ago. Le sigh. Well, since it's been forever and a day, how about some updates, yes ?

Weekending - My Legs Hurt

I've come to the conclusion that if I could just pretend the weekdays don't happen, that I would be a much happier person.  Since that's not really an option, and I'm forced into adult responsibility and mandatory socialization, I'll just relive this past weekend to make myself feel better over my severe case of the Mondays.

People You Meet At Shows

I was going to make this part of Monday's post, but it made the post unnecessarily long. However, I've been irked about it since Sunday, so I thought this would be a nice follow up/now I can stop being annoyed about it.

I love going to shows: indoor, outdoor, big, small. I've met some awesome people because of it and we say hi whenever we see each other, play catch up, and generally enjoy just rocking out together.  I love seeing people let loose and dance around, I'm always looking for new makeup/outfit combinations, and seeing people's reactions to the show whether it's their first or 50th time seeing the band.

And then there's the people I avoid like the plague.  If you've ever been to a music venue or festival, I'm pretty sure you've encountered them.

The People You Wish You Didn't Meet At Shows:

// The Over-Doer

This person dresses in a way that you KNOW would never go out in public on a daily basis like that. They're definitely trying too hard. I'm all about autonomy and to each their own, but I have a problem with people putting out an image of what they think they should wear for shock value and then seeming offended when they get that reaction.  Enough is enough.  I can tell you went overboard for this and honestly, it's just awkward. Honorable mention in this category goes to the people looking like they're going out to dinner at the Ritz, wearing 4 inch heels with their little clutch.  This is a rock concert and we're standing in mud.  Shout-out to the dude in the white polo, purple shorts and BOAT SHOES, looking annoyed at the Manson concert.

// The Drunk High-Fiver

This guy.  This guy makes me hate things.  Not at first, because at first he's only slightly inebriated, so it's all in good fun.  You and your fellow concert goers indulge him as he runs around trying to get as many high fives as possible.  You laugh and roll your eyes.  Then he has a little more to drink and comes back again.  You still laugh.  When he comes back for a 3rd time, pretty drunk and possibly missing an article or two of clothing (presumably because he's spilled alcohol on them) the annoyance sets in.  Okay dude, we get it, you're drunk and high fives seem like a great idea.  Any subsequent times are met with me giving you a death glare and possibly high fiving you so hard you high five yourself in the face.

// The Videographer

These are the people that experience the entire event through the screen of their device.  I will be the first one to break out my phone to take a quick clip of my favorite song, or a million photos of some cool lighting happening.  I want memories.  I can only assume these people want to watch the entire thing over again once the show is done. What do you do with 2 hours of a recorded concert ? Do you really go home and watch it again ?  I can't imagine you make any money off your shaky iPhone (or WORSE, iPad) video.  What is the purpose of viewing the entire show you spent money on to see live if you're only going to watch it digitally the whole time anyway ? Also, I'm short and you're blocking my view. Go die.

// The Unenthusiastic

This is the opposite of the Videographer, although they are staring at a screen during the show.  This person sits through the whole show, barely looks at the stage, can be seen checking Facebook and Reddit throughout the set and generally looks like they would rather be anywhere but where they are. Why are you here ? You bum me out.  Go home.

// The Soap Opera Couple

This is the couple that gets so drunk they have to use each other to stand up, unsuccessfully, yet manages to have a very animated argument in a very public way. I get it.  A concert/festival is the perfect venue to stage whatever dysfunction you need to display.  When you pull my attention away from what I paid decent money to see, I want to hurt you.  No one cares about whatever trivial thing you've decided at THAT MOMENT is so important it can't wait until after the show.  This is usually brought on only after copious amounts of alcohol have been consumed.  I get it, you guys want to make a scene and go home and have awesome make up sex.  Cool, whatever. Don't interrupt my night for it.

Then you get the REAL weirdos:

Anyway, I know this is only the tip of the iceberg.  What type of people irk you at concerts ?

I Don't Know How To Human

Fun fact: I don't drink alcohol. So this morning as I stare at myself in the mirror, trying to become a human being, after about 4 hours of sleep, and feeling like death, I start to wonder: how the hell do you people go to a show, get drunk on all the beers, stay up till two in the morning and function the next day ?! I feel old.

Seriously, if there is some secret-ey hangover miracle cures for the I-didn't-drink-but-I-feel-like-I-have-a-hangover girl over here (i.e how to avoid the headache, dark under eye circles, and overall lack of motor skills) that would be A-MAZE-ING. I think the only reason I pass for human currently is that I never took my makeup off from last night.

Okay, shenanigans aside...last night was awesome. Got to see Marilyn Manson for the first time and Smashing Pumpkins for the 2nd. LOVED. IT. I would absolutely go see Manson again as I think this "co-headling" tour isn't bringing out his best stage presence. And Smashing Pumpkins powered through all their radio hits and surprised me with a little "Landslide" and acoustic performance of "Disarm". My ears were super happy.

Enjoy some super grainy (we had lawn seats) but still awesome photos from last night.

Linking up with Biana for the more Weekending Fun !

Hashtag Beach Trip

I named this post for the sole purpose of using this gif:

#dontjudgeme

This isn't a stereotypical "Friday Favorite" but I'm linking up with Amanda anyway.

Does checking the time every 5 seconds deplete iPhone battery ? Because mine will die in about an hour if that's the case.  I need it to be 3PM ! Yay for my office having summer hours (If I show up/stay late Mon-Thurs, I can leave at 3PM on Fridays !!) and my family being at Hilton Head Island this weekend.  Which means mini-vacation ! 

Yes, another Matt Smith gif - because Doctor Who gives me life

And even though it's only for a weekend I'm all like "AH I HAVE TO PACK ALL THE THINGS" and I'm running around like a mad woman and my dogs are giving me serious side eye because I think they know they're not allowed to come with me. Or I'm interrupting their relax time.  Or both. Whatever dudes.  They get to stay in the apartment and be comfy and have people show up and take care of them. They'll deal.

I made sure I synced my Doors playlist to my phone.  It takes 5 hours from Raleigh to get to HHI and my playlist is 5 hours and 12 minutes long. Fate. Ever since I borrowed "The Soft Parade" from the library when I was 13, The Doors are my go-to "heading to the beach" music. Always.  There's something about the opening riff of "Roadhouse Blues" that just puts you in a road trip kinda mood. This time it will be even more awesome because the whole time I can be thinking "I touched the drummer." Did I ever tell you guys about that ? Yeah, I met John Densmore of the The Doors and fangirled all over the place it was awesome.

From September '14 when I met John Densmore - Doors drummer.  He told me I had cool hair.  I died.

I'm so excited for a break from the boring and mundane-ness that is an office.  Now I just have to try and wait until I can get out of here and get on the road for a day and a half of some much needed beach time.  Can. Not. Sit. Still. 

What are you excited for this weekend ?!

Don't Quit Your Day Job

I would never in a million years quit my job.  Not because I'm exactly thrilled to wake up and go everyday, but because it pays the bills, gives me some dollars to do fun things, and not accumulate anymore debt.  I can live on my own and that's what matters.  Not to mention the golden rule is, you never quit a job unless you have something else lined up.  And let's not forget, "It's always easier to find a job when you have a job." So obviously I would never dream of just up and quitting.

Except dream I do.  CONSTANTLY. I'm not made to sit behind a desk in an office, wear "business casual" (WTF does that even mean ? If anyone has a definitive answer to this, please tell me. Thanks.) and waste all my time not being outside or doing whatever the hell I want.  I know, I know, I know.  I'm supposed to, I have to, that's part of being an adult, blah, blah, blah...I CAN'T HEAR YOU I'M IN DREAMLAND RIGHT NOW.

Things I would do if money were no object and I didn't have to work:

• Travel (Duh.) : Anywhere and everywhere. More specifically, I would get an RV and drive across the US so I could set foot in the 24 states I have yet to set foot in. And then off to as many islands as I could before heading over to Europe.  And since dollars don't count in dreamland, let's set foot in every continent while we're at it (I've already got 2 ! 5 more to go !)

• Run : This can pretty much be accomplished while doing the above.  But how amazing would it be if I didn't have to schedule my runs around work and adult responsibility ? Pretty effing amazing.

• Learn things : I'm a philosopher, remember ? I need to know all the things all the time. The world is huge and too many things to learn.  I need to fill my brain up. I can't even list all the things I want to do.  Just assume everything.

• Sleep In & Netflix Binge : I had a small taste of that during my unemployment and as long as it's supplemented with fun things every other day, hot damn is this not an awesome way to chill out and recharge.

• Start a dog rescue : This has to be one of the most financially and time consuming endeavors.  I would buy so much land and hire awesome people to help so I could save all the fur babies.

In summation: I want to experience life fully.  On my terms, in my own way.

But since I don't have unlimited money and DO have adult responsibility (which by the way, I'd like to return since I never signed up for this) I'll have to settle for making the most of my time outside the office.  I might just jump on the 30 X 30 bandwagon.  So, until a miracle happens that will make all my daydreaming a reality, I won't quit my day job.

If you had unlimited money and no job, what would you do ?

Homesick

Last night they lit the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.  I was way more sad than I should have been.  After a lot of thought, I decided that I would not be traveling to Jersey for Christmas.  There are too many factors to get into, but ultimately, I decided that staying in North Carolina was what was best for me & the monsters and my sanity. And also my wallet. I'm looking forward to seeing how I celebrate in my own way.  But I still feel like I'm missing a little piece of myself this year.