BlueGrass New Years Eve - Last of 07

The short version (for those who don't want to read a whole lot):
Friends and I got together at my place, I drove the whole kit and caboodle (so they could drink) out to Floyd VA where we enjoyed mexican food, bluegrass music, high energy clog-dancing and noise-makers at midnight.


yeah, we are like that.

The long version:

I asked folks what they wanted to do for new years & got replies ranging from utter silence to "I don't know - what do you want to do?" Well, the multitudes spoke (by not arguing with H and I's idea) and plans were put into action.

I made a reservation at a nice place for dinner. We planned to walk down the street to see the bluegrass band after. Then I somehow figured out how $$$ that restaurant was. No way could we enjoy ourselves spending that much on a night with other things on the agenda too. So the search was on. A restaurant where we could eat at 8:15 near the Floyd Country Store. Floyd is a town, right? It couldn't be that hard, right? It's new years eve fer cryin' out loud. Right?


The folks at the Floyd Country Store were kind enough to tell me the names of some places, which lead to some interesting phone calls. I called:

a restaurant that closes at 8;
a restaurant that isn't open but thurs-sun (even closed on new years!),
a coffeeshop (no food).
Nothing. nada, zilch. zippo. uh oh...

So then I called the natural foods store. they deal with food, maybe they have some idea. So I asked them for advice. They told me about a new mexican place. Mexican! Sounds great AND cheap. Now how do I call to make sure they are open?

Not listed in information. Not on the internet (tangent story as I discover how many Floyd County bloggers referenced this new place - woah - we should call it Blog County). Wait - the natural foods store said the mexican place (El Charro) is near Under the Sun Gallery. So I call the gallery....

It rings long enough for me to worry (it is 4:56 at this point). Finally a lady answers....and she goes down the hall to the restaurant and asks for me. Yes they are open! Yes we can eat there! Yes and Yes and Yes! All is set. I make the confirmation calls and get ready for the evening.

Well, folks start to gather at my place round about 6:30 pm, voices and beverages flowing through my home, infusing it with life. This is what I love. Being together with friends. Low impact, comfortable. We pile into the car and head out, 39 miles on windy roads. (On a side-note here, I was NOT drinking, as I was driving.)

I aimed for but missed one raccoon (kidding - I simply vowed to sacrifice the raccoon instead of the car when worried voices wondered), only had to pull over once for gas and once for a bathroom stop. The stars shone down brilliant and strong as we drove along, anticipating whatever Floyd would offer us.

In Floyd, I followed the directions carefully:
Turn left.
Park your car.
I smile. There is only one intersection in Floyd. Wonder how I'd do if I moved somewhere like this...

We park behind H's car and descend into the restaurant where she awaits us, full of the news that the restaurant is too new to serve alcohol so it's a teetotaling new years for her. Flask bearing friends create whiskey-doctored cokes and her sobriety abates. We feel silly and young. I smile as I look around the table at these people I have gotten to know. This is our first new years as friends, but that seems impossible. Haven't we been together forever? I am in love with us, with our lives, our potential.

The food arrives: simple, fresh and good. I have the Favorita: a burrito, an enchilada, fresh guacamole, crisp lettuce, tangy winter tomato it's just perfectly what I needed. Much more than I needed. A. has a vegetarian special that could feed three. The table slowly quiets, and salsa music fills our conversational gaps...chefs (or cooks or dishwashers) grin slyly through the kitchen window as they watch us eat. I wonder what they are wondering as I grin and eat. I realize I have been dancing in my seat, but I don't stop.

Bellies full, we pay and wander outward, up the stairs, wondering what the bluegrass experience will yield. Two door down we find it, light and sound expanding out the door, we enter and experience the Floyd Country Store.

Not to drag the story on too terribly much longer, we cast our inhibitions to the wind and danced with abandon, copying the simpler dancers, respecting the fantastic ones. We meet two lovely ladies from Culpeper who chose to spend their new years here as well - slender, tall, intelligent; we recognize RC sat by them accidentally, but secretly I think karma is rewarding his kindnesses. Charmer that he is, we leave two email addresses, and 2 friends, richer (well, he does anyway).

Well, H and A and N felt the urge to leave a little early, but S and RC and I stayed through to the end. At one point I felt a little tired. One flatfoot dance later, my heart was pounding, the energy returned.

Last thoughts - Brave Rodney, missing many front teeth, wasn't at all concerned and continued to close-talk any willing (or not so willing!) dance partner. Eddie from somewhar jest down tha road 15 miles, the two women whose laughter carried far, far across the room into the night, the folks from AA who came simply cause they heard there was a nonalcoholic new years celebration, the sweet lady who jumped into the square dance melee when she saw I was without a partner, the cool kid with the cowboy boots and the crazy jumping/knee switching dance thing he did, at first wondering why everyone left the floor between songs until finally dancing and realizing how hard it actually is to do, kazoos and horns and organic sparkling pear juice at midnight.

Happy New Year, to my friends new and old.....much love and luck and space and time in 08 to simply be: happy

a little video for ya:

Merry Christmas!

That's all. Thanks for being there you people who make my life full. My world wouldn't be as good a place without having known you.

What's better?

A question I am pondering: What's better: Stability or the unknown? Continuity or continuous change?

Next year, do I want to be able to walk to work from my house or to live and work in Valencia, Spain? I think I will apply to do both - but what if I got both jobs....which would I choose? There are strong arguments for both.

Yes, this is a personal question. Just thought I'd ask....

the shopping season - or how i learned to stop procrastinating and have some fun

so this month is always a burden for me. my self gets so confused as i worry i am letting myself down as i act to make others happy for the holidays. i want to get the gifts for people that they want and need and like. i do NOT want to:

1) buy junk
2) give junk
3) support a non-local business with my money
4) give things to people that they don't need or want
5) give a gift that is not thoughtful
6) give a gift that creates work or problems (a puppy for example)
7) contribute to the consumer culture in which we live (but I HAVE to do this to make people I love or work with happy)

I must do some of these things that I do not agree with so fighting or dreading it does nothing but make the process harder. Due to my conflicted emotions, I went shopping without much of a plan - mostly just the sense of dread and stress. Luckily, I went with The Most Efficient Woman in the World.

The Most Efficient Woman in the World (i'll call her Tmewitw for short) has this uncanny ability to stick to her plan and timetable. I envy this ability. I do enjoy that freefalling way I go through my errands, but I find that I am taking longer and longer than I did in the past - and not wanting to go because of that.

Well, we walked into and out of one store and I realized instantly that I needed to deep breathe and make a plan. The fear that I will not give someone wonderful something wonderful paralyzed me for a bit. We talked and I wrote some ideas down and then we were off.

At the end of that day, I had almost everyone I wanted to buy for bought for - and plans for the rest. At the end of today I was done.

Guess what....?
All local businesses except 1 small purchase.
All quality things I know will be liked.
All appropriate and fitting for those who they are for - even the annoying work presents

I feel damn happy about it.

So thank you, tmewitw. Your ability to continue moving, keep your eyes on the prize, and encourage the momentum is a wonderful gift. And when you want to forget your schedule and sit in the park for 3 hours, wander junk stores in search of one random treat, or drive aimlessly on the parkway - I am your girl. I can help you channel that aimless energy when you feel you need to.

And I will channel you as I go forth into this next week with renewed vigor.

Thank you and happy merry chrismahanukwanzika

Max Caffeine

I had a great experience on my way northward today.

After work I went to lunch and took a walk with Adrien but I was feeling kind of sick and weird. Something will not stop dripping down the back of my throat no matter what i do. I was also tired from kitty cat cavorting in the night and so, irritable from said throat, tossed myself onto my bed, ignoring all the work that needed doing before traveling today.

After a brief nap (10 min? 1 hr? no idea) I got up and proceeded to do what I could to ready myself and my home. Two lights blew out (oh, the poor house-sitter), dishes are not finished (it was dark) but cats were fed, watered and happy. paperwork filled out, and vital things done. The superficial can wait.

After finding my keys, 10 trips packing the car (food? check. kitten? check. bag o stuff? check. computer? check) etc etc....Go to pet store and buy litter, litter pan, and new fancy cat food recommended by pet-sitter. Hurry out...it's time to run thru st-ucks and get on the road. I wanted to leave early. Oh well. Sanity is more important i think.

In the driveway there is no line. i peruse the menu at my leisure, deciding on a large regular coffee as adequate sustenance to make it through the two hour commute tonight.

"Welcome to St-ucks, this is Natalie, what can i get for you tonight?"

hm. i know a natalie. but she's too cool to work at st-ucks. but that voice sounds familiar. So confused I am that I decline milk and sugar. I always use milk and sugar with st-ucks coffee.

Pulling around I am excited to see it is Natalie! The famous and fabulous Natalie of NoShame Fame. And she is excited to see me, too. Her first words are something like, "Wow! It's You! What can I give you for free? Anything you want! Here, have this coffee cake!" And then she sees Max.

You see, Max likes to walk around in the car. It is his "thing". (Well, if a 4 month old kitten can have a "thing", that would be his). Seeing her delight, I jump out of the car, pull out the kitten, and hand him through the st-ucks window (while being respectful of all food handling regulations and sanitation concerns) and Natalie proudly displays him to her co-workers and friends. He handles it with his usual calm, slightly confused and curious demeanor. What a trooper.

Happy, rejuvenated, and thrilled to have had a simple surprise human encounter, I start on my journey.

Oh, but I do make one last stop (i was so BAD) Not only did I go to st-ucks, I drove thru the Christian Chicken place and got a sandwich and a lemonade. I was STARVING and it was right THERE. I am sorry planet, badly raised chickens and people who resent the christian majority, but I had to eat. AND now i have to complement them. The entire drive-thru was completely full - thats F.U.L.L. and it took about 2 minutes to wait, order, pay and leave. I got what I wanted, they were nice, it was good. The lettuce was awesome. Totally impressed.

Anyway, then I zoned out to mediocre comedians all the way to c'ville. It was so nice to come in and see mom and dad and chat with them. It's funny though - they really want to talk and keep asking me questions but I am too tired to be informative and entertaining so I finally had to request relief and television. We will talk it all out tomorrow.

Oh. Mr Max made it safe and sound, alternately sleeping on the back of my neck, on my lap, and on a pillow throne in the back seat. He likes to watch cars and trees go by. What a smarty. Traffic was fine. A little heavy but fine.

Now Max has thoroughly inspected my bedroom and (hopefully) can drum up enough fatigue to get us through the night. He will be here thru late tomorrow, early Friday, and then Apple will cat-sit for a day to get her kitty-cat on.

My parents keep the house at 75 degrees and the only blanket I can find is a winter-thick comforter. Here's hoping I don't sweat away to nothing throughout the night!