Thursday, November 3, 2011

Awesome people are awesome

Against all wishes, time does indeed soldier on.
I guess I'll have to move along with it.
Back to work this week. Some days are more difficult than others, but the busy distraction is definitely good for me.

So, there was this non-Von-birthday thing last Friday night.
I had every intention of cancelling it, but VonMom argued against it, and to be honest, VonMom pretty much gets whatever she wants these days.

I went ahead with it.  I sent an email to all those invited and said hey, let's all meet and have a drink to my dad instead.

I had a friend pick me up an hour early, just so I could get there and have a drink and settle in to the evening.  Upon arrival, ran into two of my Old Town friends who were early for the get together.  An area was secured and we got to drinking.  My first drink was a perfect Rob Roy on the rocks with a twist - Dad's drink. It was super yucky, but I drank it.  A steady stream of people I love started showing up.  An even steadier stream of beer found it's way down my throat.  A few shots decided to join the party. "To Bob!" "Yes! To Bob!" slam slam slam.

This awesome person showed up with her awesome hubbs. She said "So, a friend of mine is coming." My response "the more the merrier" and all that business.
Not long after, she said "My friend is here", so I turned around and there was this guy. I fully admit that I almost started crying to see him there, but the case of New Glarus beer he had brought me put the smile right back on my face.  I made my way around the bar, and realized that a good third of the place was my friends and family. Not to mention the dear dear friend of mine who was bar tending that night.  As I was talking to some people, another great friend showed up. There was hugging and happy bdaying and condolencing. yes, I totally know I made that word up, so shut up.

Wow, three of my favorite bloggy friends, all in one place! Four if you count Grizzled, and I totally do.  I don't really feel I had enough time or sobriety to spend with them, but the fact that they were there is so special to me.

Sure, I got wasted, and sure, I told some people some secrets I probably should not have, but I'm hiding behind my family's statement that I am 'vulnerable and prone to making bad decisions' right now.  I DO remember telling the entire bar that I got me some the night before. Why, yes, reader, you totally read that right - I got me some on my birthday. But that's a post for another day. Or, you can ask Jennifer, Z, or Brando, since I'm sure I told them the story more than once at the bar!

I received this email from eldest VonSis* the next day: 'It made me smile to see you hugging and telling every single one of your friends that you loved them last night. And I know it wasn't the booze or the cupcakes talking, you actually meant it. You told them all. That's great.'
She's right. I did hug and tell everyone that came out that night that I loved them - because I do.  I don't think (aside from our parents) we tell each other that enough.  As you all well know, my friends are incredibly important to me, and I do love them. Each and every one.
Sure, I may be vulnerable and prone to making bad decisions** right now, but I'm also living the John Mayer "Say what you need to say" mantra right now.
I hope that I continue to be honest with my feelings with everyone for a while, and that it's not just a knee-jerk reaction to losing my Dad. We'll see.  I could use a little softening around the edges.

*Officially dropping the Step sib moniker from the J5.  They're my family, and I'm going to try to keep them that way, so from now on, they'll all just be VonSis and VonBro. There are five of them, and one actual VonSis, so I'll try to be pretty clear about who's who.

**Whoever makes me a tshirt, button, wall hanging that says this phrase will be my new best friend forever.  If tshirt, I'm a 3x. I like 'em big.

32 comments:

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Wow, it is awesome that all those brilliant bloggy friends showed up.

I am 'vulnerable and prone to making bad decisions' .

I've been using that for 50 years, Von, it's a keeper.
~

Jennifer said...

You forgot the Cake Vodka! And the women in skimpy cake outfits! :)

Hamish Mack said...

Cool post and great sounding night.

Smut Clyde said...

And the women in skimpy cake outfits!
I trust that El Snacktator made an appearance.

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

Ha! That's right!

JENNIFER IS REQUIRED TO BUY THE CAKE VODKA NOW. AND ENJOY IT!!

mikey said...

Those are some righteous doods, it's true. Good friends to have, and there's something magical about being able to build strong, genuinely caring relationships at long distance.

I'm glad you got that kind of support.

El Snacktator said...

El had planned on attending, but when he found out he would not be the only cake in the room, well, he backed out. El met with Von in private.

blue girl said...

How fun, how fun, how fun, how fun!! Wish I coulda been there!!

Are there pictures? And if so, is there a cone of silence surrounding them? Or would we be allowed to see?

Von, I'm so happy that you have such a great support system, people you love and who love you so much. So wonderful and important!

xoxo

Jennifer said...

You would have had fun, BG. It was so normal. I think that's the thing that throws me if I think about it too much... how much ease there has been when I've been with bloggers whom I've only rarely seen in person, if ever. I think it comes back to getting along. If you get along, you get along no matter how you meet. Also, I think we've all been reading about each others lives for so long, we probably know more about each other than we do about people we see every day, but only have chit chat.

I was happy as well to see that Von has great support from many arenas. That is important.

blue girl said...

I laughed at "It was so normal" (this group? Normal?! I mean, ZRM was there! Ha-ha-ha-ha-HA) but I know what you mean!

Chicago is not THAT far away. I really want/need to make the trip some time soon. I would love to be normal with all of you!!

blue girl said...

Sometimes I think bloggers might know each other *better* in a way than the people who know us in real life. A lot of the things we write about and discuss get weird looks from people in real life. :) And we might keep those parts of ourselves (like our political obsessions, etc) tucked away in front of "regular" people.

Vonnie said...

Not going to lie - before my brain got all cake-vodka'ed foggy, I remember thinking how even more awesome it would be to have BG, B4, Thunder, Mikey, Fish and Snag there too.....
You were all there in spirit. And I TOTALLY drank your beers.

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

well, not fish.

blue girl said...

lol @ And I TOTALLY drank your beers.

Jennifer said...

Yeah, not fish... unless the bar had a freezer.

Von did drink all of your beers, but I tried to help. :)

As for being there in spirit... you were there in spirits... and we drank them. I know Kathleen was definitely at the table with us at one point and then the bar's wastebasket moved by itself!! OOOOoooooooo!!! Ghost Wastebasket!

Jennifer said...

Sometimes I think bloggers might know each other *better* in a way than the people who know us in real life. A lot of the things we write about and discuss get weird looks from people in real life. :) And we might keep those parts of ourselves (like our political obsessions, etc) tucked away in front of "regular" people.

Exactly.

You know what I try to keep in my mind on most days... especially when I feel like no one gets me? The other person might be feeling the same thing and if I ask the right question, their inner-Snag or inner-BG or inner-ZRM will pop out. If their inner-fish pops out, I'm throwing it in the freezer.

blue girl said...

The one time I truly learned The Great Divide...

Girls night out with some of my favorite girlfriends ever. Best buddies, all of them. I stop on the way and get us all each a pint of Ben & Jerry's, the Steve Colbert flavor. Figure, how fun is it to have YOUR WHOLE PINT?! So much fun. We can eat it right out of our own cartons!

I get there. Not ONE of my friends knew who Steve Colbert was. Not one! NOT ONE. I could not believe it.

That really drove home the fact that we live in a whole different world online.

blue girl said...

That should have been:

YOUR OWN WHOLE PINT

I love when I have a whole pint to myself!! :)

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

Who's Steve Colbert? Did he play in Genesis?

Jennifer said...

I get there. Not ONE of my friends knew who Steve Colbert was. Not one! NOT ONE. I could not believe it.

Wow! How can you NOT know who he is?!? These aren't old ladies, right?? Not like my bats! Hell, some of my bats probably know who he is.

Wow. That's interesting. But I bet any of them would take you to get your colonoscopy. Friends are friends... they just might not fill all of the criteria...

Jennifer said...

That really drove home the fact that we live in a whole different world online.

Yes, we do... and it's extra special if it can cross over into real life, but as ZRM and I were discussing the other day, we take all of you to be as real as those in meatworld. We've been present when people have discussed their kids, their grief, their losses,their joys, their misconstrued beliefs about music... It's a good thing.

I suggest you take your friends some Three Olive Cake Vodka next time. :) You can each have your own pint. :)

Jennifer said...

ZRM- I note a change in your tone... please alert us when your tone is going to change so that we may react appropriately...

wv: flerf

I like that. I'd name a scrunchly dog, Flerf.

I would not eat anything named, "Flerf", unless it was candy... I don't want to think of what flerf was on a cow... or a hog... but candy? Hell ya. "OH! They have raspberry Flerf!"

BG- Buy your friends some Ben and Jerry's Flerf flavor. :)

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

THAT WAS HURTFUL, JENNIFER.

:)

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

I like that. I'd name a scrunchly dog, Flerf.

I would not eat anything named, "Flerf", unless it was candy... I don't want to think of what flerf was on a cow... or a hog... but candy? Hell ya. "OH! They have raspberry Flerf!"

BG- Buy your friends some Ben and Jerry's Flerf flavor. :)

Ummm... I'll have what she's having.

Brando said...

I had a great time. Von looked terrific in her crown, and I love that within about two minutes of introductions and consolations, she was telling me the story about the some that she got. There aren't enough As in the world to say how Awesome that was.

And I could listen to Grizzled for HOURS.

Jennifer said...

And I could listen to Grizzled for HOURS.

...

God, please tell me he didn't go to the history of salt!

Do you remember when he went off with his appetizers and was chatting up the people at the next table?? The man can talk to ANYONE... FOREVER. I both love that and cringe at that.

He is excellent in Trivial Pursuit.

Jennifer said...

THAT WAS HURTFUL, JENNIFER.

That was why I offered you the keys to my blog... to do your own DoD. :)

blue girl said...

I have NO IDEA how they could not know about him. It's been a few years ago, so maybe they do now. But, who knows! Maybe not! It was just such a stark difference in people. Plus! They don't know what they're missing. That guy is a genius.

lol @ their misconstrued beliefs about music

Also, I would bet a million bucks none of them have heard of Cake Vodka but each would partake without putting up a fuss at all! :)

blue girl said...

Grizzled and The Skimmer could have a talk off!!

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

Grizzled and The Skimmer could have a talk off!!

While they do that, I will steal their drinks.

Big Bad Bald Bastard said...

Was an alien cake involved?

Oddly enough, I've tried the 3 Olives Cake Vodka... needed more vibra slap.

Jennifer said...

How can there be no rising action? It's Cake! Cake rises!

I love that song, but had never seen that video.