I'm sorry, I should have warned you guys that I was off yesterday. Federal holiday, you know. Dead people Day, or something like.
It's been an exciting week-end.
On Friday night, Katie, Dirk and I went shopping. Katie and I were the only ones doing actual shopping, because Dirk took a dislike to the music playing inside the stores and opted to wait outside. At the time, I was honestly irritated by this, but I am now more sympathetic. Sugar Ray is dismal. I have been subjected to their music all week-end, and I have found nothing to like.
Saturday was more interesting. We had practice, Doshu didn't show up, because of work. Too bad, because we sounded better than ever. I'm learning new songs really fast now. Richard (the guy we rent the rehearsal space from) came by to pick up the rent, and talked to us for a while. His band, United 121, just got signed to a major minor label. They're getting about $500 per show, and drawing about 300 people per show. Their album should be out in the next three weeks.
That wasn't all that he wanted to tell us, though. Since we've been with him for a long time, and we were one of the first bands to sign up when he set up a new rehearsal space, he had a couple things to offer us: 1) He has a 24-track recording studio that he's setting up. He'll record us for 5 dollars an hour, whenever we feel we're ready. 2) Whenever we think we're ready to do a show, we've got one. We can open for his band, which guarantees that at least 300 people will be watching. He said he'll do this for us because we're the only band who's ever been completely faithful about paying the rent on time (even when we've been digging for the cash), and we stuck by him when things were bad, and came back as soon as he'd started renting space again. He also wants us to go see his band next Saturday at Phantasmagoria. Apparently, record execs from different labels are going to be there, and he'd like for them to see as big a crowd as possible.
Dirk took me out to dinner on Saturday night, because we knew that all the restaurants would be packed for Valentine's Day. The waiters at Don Pablos are getting better and better. This time, our waiter had our drinks ready when we sat down, and knew automatically what Dirk was going to order. Maybe it just means we're predictable, but they have a little help in the memory area. We're the only couple that smokes cloves (Dirk does, not me).
Valentine's Day was perfect. I got everything I wanted, plus more. Not only did I get two pounds of the truffles I wanted, as well as a dozen roses, but Dirk got me other things. He got me a cute Valentine's mug (I've forgotten what it said, sorry), a box of chocolates that says "True Love", a blown-glass heart that says "I love you," a teddy bear in a devil's costume, and a pair of handcuffs. You don't want to know about the handcuffs.
I set up all the stuff (sans handcuffs) in a little tableau and took a couple pictures. I'll post them up as soon as I have money to get them developed. My mother wanted some of the truffles, but I refused, pointing out that my "sucker" had bought them for me, and she should get her "sucker" to get her some.
I got Dirk the promised bucketful of Reese's Pieces. Because those suckers are so expensive in large quantities, and I was short of cash, I mixed in some foil-covered chocolate hearts and some of those Snickers bite-sized dealies, since they were on sale. Something interesting: if something rings up wrong at the cash register at Giant, you get that item free. So, the Snickers things were free.
I couldn't get Dirk the book he wanted, because I was broke. But it was a really nice Valentine's Day, we spent the entire day together.
Dirk did one thing that bothered me. He started printing up ads for a drummer, and I noticed that he was also advertising for a new lead singer. When I asked him why he was doing this, he pointed out that Doshu hadn't shown up for practice, without notifying us. I pointed out that we knew that he had a lot of things going on in his life, like his completely fucked-up job and his father's cancer. I insisted that Dirk talk to Doshu and find out if anything could be worked out before we put up those ads. I don't like going behind Doshu's back, and I really would like to keep him in the band, if at all possible. I'd talk to Doshu myself (because between Dirk and I, I'm better at this stuff), but if Dirk wants to be considered the band leader, he has to take charge.
Taking charge does not consist of going behind people's backs and advertising for replacements. Even Aaron agreed with me on this. Never mind the fact that advertising for two members at once looks bad.
Monday, I woke up feeling relaxed, refreshed, and content with the world. This feeling came from the knowledge that I didn't have to go to work. Did any of you guys have that same feeling? I spent all morning and part of the afternoon watching a Daria run on MTV. I've decided that I'm utterly in love with that show. I almost decided not to visit Dirk in favor of watching all the reruns of that show.
Alas, I had promised to come over, so I regretfully turned off the T.V. and went to Dirk's house, 45 minutes late. Dirk's mother was decked out in a bandana that resembled the American Flag. Yuck.
I spent the afternoon scraping up as much money as possible. I found 7 dollars in bills scattered throughout the pockets of my military jacket. I also found about eight dollars in spare change in my room. I needed a box of pantyhose ($5 plus tax), and a pack of cloves for Dirk (who overdrew his account buying me Valentine's Day stuff.) This leaves me with about $4 in dimes and a one dollar bill to last the week out with. And there's only eight cigarettes in the current pack.
This is all payroll's fault. I think I mentioned that they only paid me for 32 of the 80 hours I worked last pay period. They still haven't given me the money they owe me. I hate payroll. I fucking hate payroll. I wish they'd all die.
After I brought Dirk to work last night, I stopped by Wal-Mart, to look at some stuff I need. This stuff includes 1) Dental Floss (there is none in my house, and I don't think my parents are all that concerned with dental hygiene) 2) Exfoliating apricot facial scrub, 3) Face cleaning stuff, to keep my nice complexion intact, 4) Shampoo that doesn't make me feel icky. I had no money for any of this. The cheapest thing was the apricot facial scrub (I didn't come up with the need for dental floss until I got home and noticed the lack), and it cost $2.97. Nope, sorry, don't have that kind of money. I looked longingly around, but nothing cheap and worthwhile leapt off the shelves at me.
So I bought a couple cheap sodas for work today and went home.
Nothing much else of interest, at the moment. I'll keep you updated.
(12:50 pm)I forgot to mention the couple who were getting "busy" in the parking lot of the grocery store Saturday night. They parked at the back of the parking lot, and immediately were all over each other. Of course, all Dirk and I could see were their silhouettes, but that was enough to be relatively certain of what they were doing. Pretty soon the windows of the car fogged up, and Dirk and I gave up our vigil to actually go into the store.
Oh, as if you wouldn't have stopped to watch, if given the opportunity.
I am waiting for Alex to drag his sorry little ass back from lunch. I need to pee. I really, really need to pee. I am currently rocking back and forth in my seat, as if that's going to help.
"I'd like to buy the world a Coke,
and spray it out my nose." -- Dave Barry, 1996 column for the Washington Post MagazineIs it just me, or does that sound like the best damn idea in the world? I mean, you could apply that to so many things. When you wash the dishes, you could get a glass of water, and rinse each dish by spraying water out of your nose. To wake up your lover/friend/sibling (Oh, especially a sibling!), you could spray them with water from your nose. You could play games with your cat, by chasing it around the house and spraying them with water. You could water the house plants via your nostrils.
After coming up with all these great ideas, I tried to relate them to Dirk, but he made me stop. He said they were gross.
(3:45 pm)Me -- What should I do with the candy my parents gave me?
Dirk -- Hide it.
Me -- Hide it? Until when?
Dirk -- Next Easter.
Me -- Next Easter? Don't you mean next Valentine's day?
Dirk -- No, next Easter.
Me -- What should I do with it next Easter?
Dirk -- Cry.