New Friends, Old Friends, Distant Friends

My throat hurts.

I had such a GREAT weekend this past weekend, and it started early, on Thursday. My four days were filled with people I haven't seen in a while, some great fun with people I see every day at work and a wonderful afternoon with some classmates.

Thursday after work I met Andee, my fellow blogger and child of divorce at Bart & Urby's. I have not seen Andee in nearly two years, and we only ever drank together once. We've kept in touch thanks to social networking, but haven't seen each other in person. So, it was a reunion! While there, I also ran into Jane, a lovely woman I had a class with at LCCC. It's always a pleasant surprise to run into someone like that, try to find out how you know each other, etc. The night was just great... one of the first in a long time that I hung out with just a girl friend. The conversation was great and the beers went down smooth. I realized how much I missed Andee, and also how much she reminds me of me and even who I wanted to be. She's smart, brilliant, hard-working, independent, honest, talented and what I love most, gutsy. Love her!!

Friday, it was Big Ugly's and Senunas' with coworkers. It's always fun with the crew, but this particular week, there seemed to be more drinks and air guitar and laughter. Somehow after the second bar, I managed to meet Dave and his sister for breakfast at Perkins. What a night! I totally love the people I work with. Such energy!

By the time I woke up and recovered from Friday on Saturday, it was time to do it all again. One of my best college buddies, Jeff was coming in. We decided to not risk driving, so he, Dave and I planned to get a room downtown at the Ramada. We met at the hotel and then headed to the new River Grille for dinner. (That's the old Waterfront Bar.) It wasn't as casual as I thought, but was great. Service was a little slow, but the food was wonderful. I'd reccomend the place. And also, they remodeled inside so its very different from the Waterfront-- the big difference was that the bar is closed off- but you can see in with these big windows. So, this means you can enjoy a nice dinner without puking from the smoke. After dinner on Saturday, we went to Bart & Urby's to see the Collective. It was a blast. Ended the night with breakfast at Sheetz and hanging in the hotel room telling stories and finally crashing. There is just some kind of energy that I get when I hang out with Jeff, probably because we were friends way back (10 years ago) as freshman at Wilkes-- so I think that youthfulness comes back out.

Sunday, some classmates and I from my creative writing program at Wilkes met for a workshop. It was just wonderful!! I felt a little bad because by Sunday all the extracurriculars I've been partaking in since Thursday caught up to me, plus the sinus infection, so I wasn't totally my chipper self. The work my classmate's read was just outstanding. I just know that many, many of my fellow MA classmates are going to be a huge success. I am honored to be a part of such a unique group-- and can't wait until the rest of the world gets to know what I know. Just the dedication that this group has to helping each other is amazing. I was not at a point to read my work just yet, as I am kind of changing gears, so I just listened and made comments.... and enjoyed seeing the ideas I heard about from my friends in January come alive off the page. I always leave meetings with these talented individuals feeling invigorated. I wished I was feeling in better health so they knew how excited I was to be there!

When I woke up for work today, I realized that although I still don't feel 100% healthwise (my head and throat ache), I am so happy. Ever since we moved out to the boonies, I feel as if I haven't been as social as I used to be, given the drive. This weekend, I hung out with more and different people than I have in a while, saw some old faces and am just in good spirits. I need to do this more. I need people. (Sometimes, I also guess I need a couch, spare bedroom or hotel reservation too, if there is drinking involved.... ; )

Despite hangovers and a sore throat from the screaming and the (second-hand) smoke, I'd do it all again next weekend.