On Not Pump-Faking Anymore
I have a very bad habit of making connections that could help me in a number of areas and then never following through on them. I usually luck into these contacts and feel like I don’t deserve them, but how many times does life have to go, “IT’S A FUCKING SIGN! CAN’T YOU READ?” before I get my shit together and just go for it?
I won’t jinx it by saying any more, but I got a very cool phone call today that I need to return. Fingers crossed.
It’s almost 7pm central, and the majority of my family is long gone. It’s down to my grandma and grandpa, an uncle, my mom, her fiancé, and myself.
Hence, this: the Bud Light Lime Straw-Ber- Rita. I’ve found the only circumstance under which I would drink this unironically: morbid curiosity mixed with mind-numbing boredom.
It’s not pure evil in a can, but it tastes like it would lead to a very harsh hangover if you got drunk on them. It also tastes kind of like what I imagine a Korbel/Strawberry Boone’s Farm cocktail would taste like, so it’s by no means tasty.
I think I’ll be switching back to the Blanton’s in that there decanter after this.
I’ve been incredibly lucky in my travels so far this year.
I’ve spent four days each in LA and Austin exploring and having fun, and I’m about to spend four days in a small Illinois town with everyone on my mom’s side of the family for her parents’ 55th wedding anniversary.
The trips to LA and Austin were fun in their own way. They were relaxed, boozy, and, at times, downright debaucherous. The trip to Illinois will be any and every thing but that, but will still be fun for its own reasons. I haven’t seen most of my family since the 50th anniversary, and it’s going to be equal parts frightening and incredible to see all of my cousins after what amounts to a significant period of time in their lives.
The last time we were all together, my oldest cousin was 12, with the others being 11, 10, 9, 5, and 3 (don’t worry, there are multiple families at play). Now, two of my cousins are driving, a third is in high school (with a fourth close behind), and the youngest two now speak fluent English.
All I’m hoping is that there are no questions about my tattoos or if I’m seeing anyone this time around. Those two topics were extremely prevalent the last go ‘round, and I’m hoping they all have enough to worry about without questioning my personal life.
I know I don’t post nearly as much as I used to. Some might consider that a good thing, while others are probably curious what I’ve been doing with my life.
As I’ve mentioned previously, last year was a shit year. I’ve tried my best to deal with the curveballs that got thrown my way, but the honest truth is that every day is different. Those things still hurt, even if it’s just a dull ache until I see the scars. That’s why our scars are there, though: to remind us of the things we’ve survived, the things that hopefully left us stronger and more prepared for the next time shit hits the fan. I might never be 100% again, but I’m learning that might just be a consequence of growing up.
As for the day to day, things are all right. Relatively quiet, which is okay with me at the moment. I haven’t worked much in the past year, but I’m hearing there might be something on the horizon. In the meantime, I’m going to the gym a lot, writing more than I have in a long time, and trying to keep my head down. I don’t go out nearly as much as I used to, but that’s all right by me, at least until the weather improves.
I guess I’m trying to say that I haven’t felt like I’ve been up to anything interesting enough to talk about. If you really need regular updates in the form of photos, you can follow me on Instagram (same name). But when something interesting comes along? You’ll all be the first to know.
