Weekending.

I have not spent a weekend in Raleigh in a really long time. This upcoming weekend will be my first. Here's what I've been doing.

It all started the last week of august. Bff moved into an apartment in Greensboro and I was invited to explore the city. Greensboro is just interesting and different to me. It seems like an older town, and they have the Friendly Center, which is pretty much like CamVil and Crabtree had a lovechild with all of the necessary stores, and its outdoors. So I like the place. Greensboro seemed to have character, which I wasn't expecting since multiple people seemed to have the impression that there were a bunch of chain restaurants, and everything was really commercial. I didn't completely feel that way.
And oh yeah, the bar we went out to had potent $5 LITs. Justsayin.

For Labor Day I was at the beach, and I already wrote about that. But it was epic.

This past weekend I visited EC in Charlotte for her birthday. Another epic weekend. Friday night we went uptown, Saturday we stayed in the Elizabeth neighborhood and went to Jackalope Jacks where they serve beer in mason jars. For all of you that don't know, I really dig drinking out of mason jars, and frequently use one for water. I had kept hearing about this bar, and needed to go. We also wound up hanging out with Ben Best (random TVGuide pic below, on the left) because he knew Trip, EC's step bro. It was pretty much epic. When someone comes into a bedroom and wakes you up from a nap by saying "wake up, the strippers are here" and they happen to be on a cultish show on hbo, Eastbound and Down, it's going to be a good night. I have some more stories, but pretty much it was just another weekend in Charlotte. Always memorable!



This upcoming weekend is the Tom Petty concert, which I have been waiting for since...the summer sometime. Last time I went it was with my parents, but was still epic. My mom kept the $11 dollar beers flowing inside after tailgating in the parking lot, and we had amazing seats. This time around I am going with several friends, and even more who I will be meeting up with at the show. I just can't wait. Pretty much the cooler weather has started rolling in, and pretty soon outdoor fun will not be an option. Tom will be the perfect way to end the summer. And I guess he is just about the only person who can keep me in Raleigh for a weekend, apparently.

First official school test tomorrow evening. Then I can sleep.

VOW - Ben Folds

I felt like I had to do a VOW, since I haven't really been posting it'll be one of those ironic things that pops up once in awhile.
This was actually inspired by this weekend. At some point on Sunday night, this song was brought up. Over tater tots, and some short random argument.
Of course someone called someone else a bitch, which I responded with "Bitches aint shit..." and BFF and Best finished off the song, or at least the better parts of the chorus. I can't tell you how much this song really just like, changed my life.



"I uncocked my shit, I'm heartbroke, but I'm still loked..."

Baby I like it - Labor Day at EI

This past weekend approached epic. It all started with a weekend last year where EC, CC, and I partied and deemed the weekend song "We Went Out Last Night." Somewhere over the winter and EC being in Denmark, we decided the tradition should continue. Emerald Isle, Long weekend, E Club, raging, tanning...perfection.

This year after much deliberation we decided Labor Day was to be the weekend, and there would be some additional guests for Best's birthday. Friday we headed down after Earl fizzled out and woke up at the beach Saturday. Woke up, went grocery shopping for some nonsubstantial food and alcohol, and headed out to the beach. That is pretty much the story of the weekend. Dinner was had, drinks were had, and we headed to E Club - Night 1.
So pretty much it was well intentioned. My name, Blanche, was in place. As well as Trish, Michelle, and Charlie. We decided on the beach that we needed some fake names to give, and they seemed to work fairly well. Yes, someone did believe a 20-something could have the name Blanche. (Love Marines.)
Things started going south when the following happened: First I was berated by a stranger, then I was shoved, then a drink was spilled on top of my head. On top. Of my head. If it was even on purpose, that would approach cool, like I pissed someone off so badly that they decided to dump a drink on my head. But at that point, it was just annoying. I was ready to go home. So after a convo that included someone saying "if you listen to 'rock lobster' while you trip shrooms its amazing" we left.
2.1 miles later, in a group bonding hike (think Outward Bound), we were home from the infamous E Club. I think we all chugged some water, had snacks, and went to bed.

Let me take a moment to direct you to the website of this establishment. Emeraldclub2001.com.
Yes, that's 2001, nine years ago. This web address is still on their wristbands. Check your pride at the door yall, its an experience.

The second day we headed out to the beach, spent the day, and did much of the same as the first day. Sidebar, I got really tan. Night 2...
Arrangements were made for a couple boys to join later, one being someone I will describe as my BFF. We have known each other for five years now, and pretty much recently I could have a whole slew of posts explaining our relationship. It was his birthday Friday, and he wound up being at home near to the beach for the weekend, so he decided to come by.
We went to dinner at a little roadside place called Jordan's, in close proximity to the E Club, and it was delicious. We had the funniest waitress, who used words like "tender." BFF joined us for dinner, sat down, and asked me if I was ready to rage. The answer, yes. I was ready to make up for the night of a spilled drink on my head, and rage to the fullest.
After dinner we headed home to hang a little bit, and readied ourselves for the evening. Bristol and Crystal were imagined, and we were off. First to a bar where there were a few people (our crew doubled the crowd) and some people seemed to be hating on EC's requests that the band play "Baby I Like It" by Enrique and "Single Ladies" by Beyonce. There were tequila shots served with lemons because the bar "didn't have limes" and other drinks passed around. As planned, raging was happening. But like, what food establishment doesn't have limes?
A little time passed, and the two men decided it was time to continue at the E club. As I am sure you can imagine, raging continued. I think most of the time I spent on the dance floor with "Cotton Eye Joe" and other country songs and then some MJ staples (Beat It, anyone?). I actually haven't danced like I was at a frat function in a really long time, and it was pretty much amazing.
Somehow two extra boys made it back to the house that evening in addition to the others we brought. Tater tots were made. I wound up going for a walk on the beach in somewhat Nicholas Sparks fashion, without the tragedy.
The original mission statement of "Are you ready to rage?" was completely satisfied and possibly surpassed.

Sunday night, as was the case last year, was completely epic. Sunday going out on a long weekend is always the best night to do so.

Monday we made it out to the beach after breakfast and sat around until it was time to clean up and go. I absolutely love EI, my friends, and everything about this past weekend.

Also, "Baby I Like It" was the official tune of this weekend. Kind of can't wait now for year #3!

Truth.

(image via PostSecret)

The Sunday meal...

This Sunday I woke up and realized I no longer lived near a Bojangles where I could get quality breakfast, and I did not have anyone to go to brunch with (due to our AC possibly being out, no friends could really stay over) so I was completely lost. My two Sunday meal options were eliminated. It wasn't really an organic poptarts kind of morning, so I decided to have macaroni and cheese. Breakfast of champions. By then it was about 11:30 so it was acceptable. And you know you die for the milk in the Lilly Pulitzer cup.
Technically I am back in school, so this behavior is acceptable. And yes, thank you, it was delicious.

Also...

Just wanted to clarify that pretty much the only clip of the scene in Garden State I could find is in German.
So yeah, love YouTube.

Things that made my week...

(image)


It was my first full week of school this week, and there were some things that made it. Here is a list.

1. Music downloads: One of my friends took the liberty to give me the entire Teflon Don CD from Rick Ross. As well as some more inappropriate rap songs (the "Hard in the Paint" remix, etc) and some songs from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, an indie band. This entire collection of music really just framed my week and made me happy. I needed new things to listen to. I think the other thing here that is key is I am just really into blatantly ridiculous rap, like Rick Ross. So now I have all of his new stuff, which is excellent, that I can quote (inappropriately) as I please and play while I'm driving. In my Volvo. Bitch, I'm MC Hammer.

2. Classes & Homework: All I have to say about this is that finally knowing somewhat what to expect from everything makes a huge transition easier. People seem nice, I don't feel like a complete dumbass, everything should be okay.

3. One of my good friends visited, and it was just really good to see them. People like that make me happy.

4. I finally got back to the whole gymming and tanning (outdoor and indoor) thing. It just makes me feel a little bit better about life in a holistic sense. If you take some time out of the day to do good things for yourself, it can change the landscape of a mood of a day/week/month overall. So that's what I do. And please don't take the time to tell me tanning is really bad. I actually could care less, and I think that is a stupid opinion to share.

Its been a good first week of unemployment and study. I think I may be prepared for all of this after all! And I think I will start looking for a job when it gets a bit colder. I haven't had a break like this since sophomore year.

The Trifecta, things to have.

On some random night out last year Best and I decided to ask people (guys) in general conversation if they had guns and land. Because pretty much that would be a quality to look for in a person. As the summer got closer, we realized boats were pretty neat too. Thus, The Trifecta was born. I will actually expand on these requirements later, because I have a fairly detailed and comical list. And someone may or may not have told me I should post it(haha). But here is a vocab primer of sorts. Please use this in your own lives.

The Trifecta: Guns, land, and boats.