SerenDRIPity

...but not as much as I'd expected.

 

I figured the change would be as drastically noticeable as the day after 9/11, but things aren't as obviously uncomfortable as they were then.  News analysts are calling this the biggest single killing event to occur since September 11, and pointing out that its the biggest killing of this kind in US military history (which is significant, I suppose, because the US military is nearly 300 years old).  But things seem to be going on business-as-usual around town. 

 

I have to wonder - is it because this community is so desensitized to the idea of death that this is almost normal? 

 

The real test will be at work this evening.  I'll have the opportunity to talk to a lot of people that were closely involved in the incident, and I suspect I'll hear some interesting stories. 

 

Today sucks.  It seems what happened in our community is all over the news, so you probably know what I'm talking about.  A lot of my bar regulars work in the building that was attacked (members of my family usually do, too, but were not present today for various reasons, thank God) and I'm praying they're all okay.

 

These things can happen anywhere, it seems.  This town's going to be locked down for a little while.

 

Pray for the victims and their families, por favor.

Turns out one of my friends is (was) on the show, For the Love of Ray-J.  That's kinda funny. 

 

She's back home, but I guess the episodes that are running are ones she's still in.  I've never been inclined to watch this tripe, but now that I know someone ON the show...  it seems less tripe-y.

 

Which it shouldn't.  Because it's still garbage. 

 

Still gonna watch every show now!  Hah!

Four years ago, when I began college, I was making just shy of $70k per annum.

 

Four years later I'm a month away from graduation, and I'm working TWO jobs to just BARELY eek out $45K.

 

What the fuck is going on here?  I'm tired of working two jobs and going to school! 

 

Blah.  Boo. Boo.  Puppyfuck.

...today was a train wreck.

 

Girl was scheduled to fly out today at 7:00 am - we got a hotel fifteen minutes from the airport to ensure she could make it on time - and we missed the flight.  Then, on my way home, I got a flat tire.  On the highway.  In the driving rain. 

 

It gets worse.

 

I lost my wallet last week, and spent all the cash I had on hand during my birthday.  And my gas gauge hit empty.  I got to a gas station and - get this - it took me an HOUR and FORTY FIVE MINUTES to find someone who would help me out with five dollars to get home!  I don't blame them, I guess - I was dressed in sweat pants, a black wife beater and a beanie - and was SOAKED, thanks to the tire change.  I looked every bit the bum. 

 

Then, with five dollars in my gas tank (I drive a V8 and had a fifty mile drive home) I got stuck on the interstate behind traffic.  Unfortunately, it seemed someone had a worse day than me, because there was a car crushed Final Destination style by wood that had apparently fallen off a freight truck.  So I feel worse for them than for me - but it was hell driving fifty miles on five dollars - I barely made it.

 

Anyway, the birthday weekend itself was awesome.

 

Oh, and MALACH!  I STARTED A BAR FIGHT, PER YOUR SUGGESTION!

 

Well, I didn't start it.  I did, however, finish it!

 

So happy 24 to me!  And happy early Bday to Counsellor/BigTopWorld!