Just for Laughs

So recently I've noticed how there are just some computer-related things I don't do since I've retired my laptop.

Unfortunately, I've stopped doing all the stuff I enjoy, which are all related to creative writing of some sort. Poo!

I'm not in the market for a new laptop until next year, so I'll just have to wing it until then.

But I have noticed that I've failed to posted anything interesting here lately, and have been pondering that for the last couple of days. I'm not fixing that right now, since I have to work on an abstract for a GDC talk I am proposing.

But thanks to my Dad, I'll provide some amusement in the form of a 8 or 10-year-old me in BRIGHT YELLOW pants.







Besides for the questionable haircut, which I insisted on, it's entertaining to me because it's 20 years old. This picture is almost old enough to drink! Unfortunately, my photo album correlates that I haven't necessarily gotten better about hair cut options now that I've been a drinking adult for a while now.

And one of these days I'll do some writing on some of the cool life introspection that has been going on here lately!

No Jokin Hoboken

Click here for pictures

I knew I was in trouble when we were standing on the roof of Marilena's apartment yelling for her neighbor Dave, whom we sort of met earlier Saturday night. We hadn't even boarded our city-bound limo and we were DRUNK on wine and champagne.

I came home this weekend to surprise my friend Jen at bridal shower and bachelorette party. Well OK, it was the bachelorette party I was really interested in. Oh, and my family and the beach.

Post-bridal shower, we trekked back to Marilena's house in (no jokin') Hoboken to get ready for the evening.

Hoboken is a 2 square mile city right across the Hudson in NJ. I've never been before, but I loved it. It's all old brownstones and local neighborhood bars, restaurants you can walk to.

There was a whole crew in-town for pre-wedding festivities. Susanne and I came in from Austin. Libby came in from DC, Allison from Boston, and Jen was lured in from Maine by a complicated set off stories from Stanley. He planned his bachelor party - a 3-day cabin trip in the Poconos - just to get Jen back to NJ. Stan is the man.

The limo came at 10 and we spend a few hours before that hanging out, snacking and drinking wine. I miss all my girls and it was so fun to hang with them. And after our marathon day together, Libby and Allison feel like old friends too.

Marilena donned Jen in a wife-beater that said "Stan's the man", just in case any of us forgot. I presented her with a hand-crafted, lovingly prepared party package from my friend Rita. Jen proudly wore her singing penis corsage on her jeans.

In the limo to the city, we drank more champagne, listened to the mixed CD Marilena made for us and sang VERY LOUDLY. A car ride has never been so fun. I must have snapped 50 pictures, including several fuzzy ones of the ceiling of pretty lights.

We went to Lips, a drag cabaret show restaurant in the Village, where big ugly men dressed as big ugly women sang, danced and served salmon. After our round of cocktails, we climbed back in the limo, and headed up the road to Culture Club, an 80s dance club with a large cover.

We danced our booties off. Occasionally with other men. Though usually we were ass-bumping them out of the way. I vaguely remember standing in line for the bathroom and sending a text message, the contents of which I don't recall. I've heard from multiple sources, who saw it on the receiving end, that it was unintelligible.

Post-dancing, we climbed back into the limo to head back to Hoboken. Marilena passed out Pringles and pretzel snack packs. By the time we climbed out of the car, it looked like a 7-hour party of 12 had been there. Mini-champagne bottles, chips, and penis straws littered the floor. We paid Charlie, our driver, well.

We discussed ordering pizza, but fell asleep first. I woke up at 6 am to Susanne pounding on the front door. Apparently, she went for a stroll down the street in her
t-shirt and underwear. I still haven't gotten the whole story on what happened, but I heard something about "the nice police officer" and "pizza".

At 9:30 am, Jen and I crawled into my parent's Jeep so I could drive her to her Mom's. I felt like hell, and Jen was in WAY worse shape then me. I can't drive the Jeep at all, so there was a lot of slamming on the brakes. Poor Jen wins an award for not throwing up in my car due to my horrific driving.

I stopped 3 times - for coffee, gas and a breakfast sandwich - on my drive to the shore. For 3 hours, I was 1.5 hours away. I hit some traffic and I rolled into the beach house around 1 pm. I had minimal conversation with the parents while eating, and then passed out in the bed (not on the beach). I woke up later for a swim and a nap on the beach. Sunday night, I was in bed at 9:30.

The excruciating hangover was worth it. Jen was so surprised. There wasn't one minute of the day that wasn't a blast.

Now I am enjoying my last awesome beach day before heading back to Austin.

In other trip-home news:
- I've done an extensive driving tour. In 3 days I've been in South Jersey, New York state just north of the city, east and west north Jersey, central Jersey, NYC and the shore. All in a car, which I hate driving.
- Friday night, my parents and I went to dinner with my grandparents and sister.
- Saw dolphins playing in the ocean. They were jumping out of the water and everything. It was damn cool.
- Went ocean kicking and running yesterday, in a sound defeat of epic beach laziness.
- I've eaten really good food!
- Enjoyed perfect beach weather.