Long: Weekends, Duck Dong and Gone Memories

How I love the long weekend. It ranks right up there with bendy straws, Cholula hot sauce and getting an actual letter in the mail. This past long weekend spoiled me in so many ways.

First, my new windows and doors were installed on Friday. Two words: friggin gorgeous! So gorgeous in fact that I sat in the office for a good fifteen minutes Friday evening just admiring said windows and the view of the lake out of those windows. And the doors? Well, they’re just a joy to walk through. No more horrible draft from the garage anymore because the new door fits quite snugly in the new frame.

Second, I have always wanted a blue room in my house but up until Monday, I was without. I spent Friday evening at Home Depot (seriously, don’t be jealous of my exciting life) picking out the perfect shade of blue. It’s called Eminence and it is indeed, perfect. I didn’t actually paint until Monday because other things (i.e. movies, dinners, catching old episodes of “Dog: The Bounty Hunter” and “Flip this House”, etc) kept coming up. The painting was somewhat unfun because I am completely Type A when it comes to painting and so it was rather labor-intensive. (I’m not kidding when I say that painting the trim alone took me 3 hours. Stupid detailed trim.) And considering that I am only 5’4”, I spent quite a bit of time on the step stool. But it was all worth it because my blue room is lovely.

Third, all of the painting was done while listening to some fantastic music because really, I can’t do anything without music. I had to laugh at my diverse musical tastes as I reviewed what cds I had been listening to while painting
The Fray “How to Save a Life” – These Colorado boys make me happy.
Grey’s Anatomy Soundtrack - Do I love the show or the cd more? Tough call.
Rascal Flatts “Melt” – I’d never heard of these guys until I met them and now I love them.
Dashboard Confessional “Dusk and Summer” – I have a feeling that this cd will always remind me of this summer.
U2 “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” – One of my all-time favorites.
Jay-Z “Unplugged” – If I’m ever stranded on a desert island I can only pray this cd is with me.
Bob Seger “Greatest Hits” – I am my father’s daughter.
Dave Matthews “Live at Red Rocks” – I know this cd by heart.
Stevie Wonder “The Definitive Collection” – Who doesn’t like Stevie? Communists, that’s who.
Lyle Lovett “Live in Texas” – His voice is like buttah.
Ashlee Simpson “Autobiography” – No, I won’t apologize for this.
The Nadas “Transceiver” – If you’re not listening to these guys I have to wonder why.
Fleetwood Mac “The Dance” – I love Stevie Nicks and Company.
And then of course, the obligatory mix cds, of which there are many from the likes of Laura, Becki, Beth, Amber, ex-boyfriends and yours truly. Good music makes life better, I swear.

Forth, my dad and sister Kelsey came over for dinner Sunday night. As I was cooking my sister decided to pop in a dvd. She’s 17 and had never seen “Sixteen Candles” so I insisted she watch it. My dad, who after three daughters is used to watching chick flicks, sat down to watch it as well. A few minutes into the movie, Kelsey hollered into the kitchen, “Who is THAT?” I peeked out to see Jake Ryan on the screen. I had to giggle because if you mention the name Jake Ryan to any girl in my generation she will instantly swoon. Evidently, his rugged good looks are timeless because my sister is now all about Jake Ryan. My dad didn’t really understand what all the fuss was about but he did find Long Duck Dong to be hilarious. And I found my dad laughing at the Donger to be pretty funny as well.

And finally, last night I found a reason to be happy I’ll be exiting my 20’s. I went to a bbq my at my friend Liz’s house. I was standing near the kitchen talking to Rosie when a guy walked in the front door. Rosie said hi to him and introduced us. He grabbed a beer and headed for the back porch with the rest of guests. As he walked out, Rosie looked at me with a huge grin on her face.

Rosie: That was Joe Schmoe.*
Me: Yeah, you introduced us.
Rosie: Joe Schmoe. You don’t remember him?
Me: No, why?
Rosie: Seriously. You don’t remember him at all? You’ve met him before. Kinda.
Me: What?
Rosie: You two were all over eachother on the roof of the Soiled Dove a few years ago! Remember the night you made us pull over on the way home because you had to get sick and then you refused to throw up in the gas station bathroom because it smelled like bubblegum? That was the same night you and Joe Schmoe totally made out. You had like 4 mai tais that night.
Me: Ohhhhhhhh, that night. Wait, that was the guy?
Rosie: Yep.
Me: Huh. I don’t suppose it’s a good sign that I would have NEVER figured that out on my own.

My hope is that I will leave the Drunken Kissing Bandit in my 20’s because I’m pretty sure somewhere around 30 that kind of behavior isn’t seen as anything other than sad. Of course, it's made for some hilarious stories so it's not all bad.

*Names have been changed to protect the drunk.