Kristen and I celebrated 9 months on Monday.
It's funny, but when I think of nine months the word gestation pops into my head. Probably due to the whole pregnancy thing (which don't worry this is not an announcement of.)
But it's intresting what happens to a relationship over the course of nine months. Kristen and I had been friends for a while before Novemeber 29th, and techincally had even made out a few times before then as well. It's how it all started actually. About the time I joined on at this Applebee's everybody was all hooked up (as usual) with someone and so as Christmas rolled around they paired up everyone's stockings. Kristen wasn't seeing anyone at the store so hers got paired with mine. And so then I became her husband. Running joke. Kind of odd, for me, so 16 year old I didn't even know was calling her husband. I kept making jokes like "don't tell your mother." But they, in fact, weren't jokes I was fearing the reprecussions of some one believing I was after a minor. A few months later Kristen moved to a new school in Dallas and disappeared.
Too bad, I thought. I missed getting hugs and the fun that comes from flirting. Kristen and I wrote here and there while she was gone, just stupid notes, me thinking the whole time "don't write anything that anyone could twist into wanting a minor." They were pretty innocent. It only turned out to be wierd that I was the only person from the 'Bee's she stayed in touch with.
Long story short, (TOO LATE) Kristen returned to ouer neck of the woods, we started flirting and one night out of the blue I kissed her through her car window.
I can remember not really thinking about it and just doing it. In retrospect, what the hell was I thinking. Kissing a 17 year old is not the smartest move in the world. But a week later we started make out sessions in the car.
The fact of the matter is I love making out. The number of girls I've made out with far exceeds the number I've actually slept with. I just like kissing and groping. It's a special moment.
So Kristen and I made out for a few weeks until I called a halt to it and sat Kristen down in side of Schlotzskies and said there's no way in hell we'll ever work out. When you born I was a freshman. (audible reader gasp.) Besides what would you tell your mother. Many of you might be apt to add the "And your father will chop my dick off" to this part, but as Kristens father lived in Dallas and she actually lived at her mom's then I figured I'd have a three hour start on the guy.
So we stopped making out and gave up on beocming attatched and went on our ways. And she started dating some stupid boy. And soon after said, "Funny story." This is how we begin all over our story's that turn out not to be so funny. "My mother said that you and I should go out." What? How could anyone think they're daughter should date a WAY older guy. (Paraphrasing here.) "My mom's a romantic. She thinks you like me. She knows I like you. so I said, 'Do you know how old he is?' And she said '30?' 'That doesn't bother you?'"
Well, it didn't but now she was with a boy and I said, you know, let's wait till the summer you'll be 18 in may things will look better then for everyone. So may became the date. And about a week later I realize I'm jealous of thei a-hole she's dating. And I tell her so. And she says that if the shoe were on the other foot she'd be jealous too.
A week later I finally realize I have to get way over this and come in and try not to flirt with Kristen and go through my night. And she got sad. And finally asked what was wrong. I pulll her out onto the patio and say (and where this piece of romantic tripe came from can only thank God for) "My problem is... I don't know to be your friend anymore, I just know how to be the guy who wants to go out with you."
3 days later Novemeber 29, 2004 it was official.
And in nine months we're still disgustingly in love. (I'm almost grossed out by it sometimes.) Not the we haven't fought. Bring up any girl I think is hot (Ms. Aguilera for instance) or some random girl who she thinks flirts with me while I tend bar and you'll see actual steam pour from her ears.
We've fought. Had a nice mean one in the 'Bee's parking lot. I may have said one or two regrettable things in THAT one. She met my dad. Aunt and Uncle on a trip back home.
We've basically discovered we're good for each other. She cleans, I get her out of bed. When I realize I hate my life and my job, she's there to hold me and say "Then do it, baby. You can do whatever you want. I love you."
That's all I really want. Someone to believe in me. Somone who's going to help and not hinder me. And finally someone who when I look in her eyes I know loves me as much as I love.
I love you, baby. Happy nine months.
So about 11:30 we get up, make jokes about our last day on earth and futz around until we jump in the car head to San Marcos. Along the way we hit traffic which slows our normal 45 minute trip into an hour and 15 minutes.
But eventually we arrive at the site. At the entrance is a crashed plane with a sign that says "There's no such thing as a perfectly good plane."
Seeing the fine humor in that I felt we were in good hands. We pull up, sign our life away, and get ready to jump. As we sit and watch others land, we feel this is a good sign. No one's dying people are all over the place getting readfy to jump the're second or third time of the day. Ryan decides to spend the extra cash to get his jump recorded. So about 2:10 we're called into our rooms pull on our jump suits. Mine was lime green and a little moist Ryan's was dark green. They pull on our harnesses.
They teach us to arch our back before jumping out and set us up with some signals should this and that happen.
Next thing we know we're walking to the airplane. We hop on board. Ryan and his tandem jumper sit in front of me, there's a guy to my left who's next then me. The plane starts to take off and it wobbles here and there... even the regular jumpers are looking around like "What the...?"
But I'm amazingly calm. I thought this would be the point I'd freak out. Traveling up to 13,000 feet, watching the land become smaller until it looks like a series of matchbooks laid next to each other criss crossed by silver thread.
I ask Ryan about this later and he too, said he thought he'd be more nervous but wasn't. Next thing, we're being strapped to our tandem jumper behind us. Door opens. Clouds are below us. Ryan and his jumper stand up waddle to the door. He pushes Ryan's head back into his shoulder and next thing I know they fall out the door. Interesting site seeing your buddy basically sucked out a door.
Guy next to me follows. And next thing I know I'm standing in the door thinking about pushing my head back arching my back and lifting my legs. He basically roll out the door doing a little flip and next thing I know we're plummeting at 120 miles a second.
Er... that's 120 miles per hour. We weren't bending light or anything no pink whales appeared us. Is was only 120 miles an hour.
And it doesn't feel like we're falling it just feels like a lot of wind rushed into my face. And I see the ground and it's coming at us. And then... I'm above a cloud and we drop through it. That was amazing. Everything's white for 5 seconds. Then he gives me the signal to pull in my arms. And we go from 120 MPH to 20 MPH. My inner s are screaming at me. The harness pulls so. Then it goes away and we're gliding to the ground. I look at the horizon below me. I'm look to see if I can Austin 45 miles away.
The tandem guy gives me the reigns and I tug left and we go left and I tug right and we go right. Then with a bit of help I tug so hard left we do a flat spin. Now we're spinning to the ground and takes back over and we're just gliding.
As the ground approaches I lift my legs way high in the air he handles the landing I'm done. And the rush is there and it's exciting and Ryan has a big dopey grin on his face.
Amazing. That's all we can say. We hang out to wait for Ryan's video. His parents are coming to town and he wants to show them the video. We sit for another two hours talking to the regular jumpers.
The videographer tells he had more than a hundred jumps under his belt and only 8 times did his chute not open. "That's what the reserve is for." He smiles. Some asks "Were you scared." "Everytime." He tells us that two of the times he malfunctioned was due to his wife packing the chute. He doesn't let her do that anymore. I said, "I think she's trying to tell you something."
Great day. Ryan and I, now starving go to eat. Ryan's choice so he picks Bone Daddy's. It's basically a Hooters with shorter shorts. Cecil and Mike join us. We tell them everything and somethings twice.
Then it's off to pick up his parents, who watch the video and call us nuts.
It's good to be nuts.
Matt
It's Ryan's Birthday.
He's 30. I was gonna jump out of a plane for my 30th. But no one ever committed. Ryan and I are taking the big leap. A good way to ring in the 30th year of one's life. I think I just got drunk... oh, yeah... and made out with like three chickies... not so bad, I guess. I oculd have been alone in my apartment. And still drunk.
But I digress... It's a tandum jump. First time and all. I figure these guys are going to be a little more sure that the chute is going to open. If not I'll just be sure to flip the guy on my back so he lands first and that way I'll have a better chance of living.
But let me say it here... that Jeff gets my Star Wars figs except for the ones he's got which go to Ryan. Ken gets my computer so as to elminate any uh tell tale signs of anything. Plus you need the extra storage. Karen gets my DVD's and anything left goes to dad to repay anything I still owe you.
And Kristen, you'll always have my love... and I'll probably be haunting you so I continue to watch you in the shower. ;)
With luck come Monday I'll tell you all about jumping from 10,000 feet. *gulp*
Matt
No good sour candy out there....
Tonight I tried Mentos Sours. There's sour in the name it must be ridiculously hard to eat. So hard to eat that the sour causes the lower part of your jaw to quiver.
No. Apparently, Green Apple and Lemon flavors are Sour enough. No need to make extra Sour.
For that matter don't try Twizzlers Sours or Jolly Rancher Sours. They're not sour they're sweet.
Shocl tarts are sour but turn sweet.
Sour Skittles, I love. The BEST thing about Sour Skittles is the sour crystals left at the bottom of the bag. Placing that on your toungue causes the kind of great sourness I'm looking for.
Sour Blow Pops... these I can hardily recommend. So Good. Something that you have to time to time take out your mouth because it's ridiculously sour earns a high rating in my book.
Zours are also quite the yummy sour candy.
So let me just add... be wary of anything proclaiming to be sour... it may not really be.
Anything you care to add to this is appreciated.
Matt
That's with a LONG "A".
Work. They suck.
It's been stressing me out lately. I'd go into but since I'm actually writing something I don't want to daze off and think some more about how much I hate them.
I've seen so many good movies this summer it's unbelieveable. And belive it or not on that list is "The Dukes of Hazzard." Just saw it today. Great car chases, incredible jumps, and funny. Stupid humor but not toilet humor.
Every Friday night I spent my childhood trying to watch The Dukes. My dad tried to deter it... but to me it wasn't about two guys trying to deliver moonshine and beat the law. It was about two good guys, "two modern day Robin Hoods", stopping Boss Hogg from his diabolical plots.
But then again I've always had a positive spin on everything... not sure when I became more cynical. Partially for the better, partially for the worst, I guess.
At anyrate, it's a good time... it's not Batman or Ep III but it's a nice waste of a Saturday afternoon for 6 bucks. And seriously, I've never been much for car chases they always seem way fast and with the exception of the French Connection and Ronin, they just filler. But when you've got the General Lee, you need car chases. And they're good. They take some modern era stuff that I enjoy, like the Conferdate Flag or Daisy's sex appeal and spin them to make them not so ridiculous.... And Jess Simpson was... you know, all right.
Hopefully over the next month I'll get back to writing ... we'll see how this work thing er... works out.
Talk at you all soon.
Matt