It's Been So Long

I really feel terrible that I haven't updated this in forever. Like my hordes of readers out there really miss it...

Let me see, I got to see the Railbenders and 4020 a few weeks ago at the Breckenridge Beer Festival. It was a great show, outdoors, free, and lasted for what seemed like ever. I didn't participate in the Beer Fest because I was driving, but the Manling, Luanne and her husband, and I had a rip-roaring time. Until...

I got a blast from the past. I saw this scrawny dude wearing sunglasses doing the elbow noodle dance and rolled my eyes because he was totally trashed and wearing a woman's bright orange and yellow tanktop. A few songs later he corners me and asks me if my name is Anne. I say yes, then figure I better ask him what he said to clarify because my name sounds like 800 other things, especially when loud music is blaring. He repeats the question and asks me if I went to KU. I of course say yes and he says, "I totally know you from like 9 years ago," and I'm thinking who the hell is this? So I take off his sunglasses because he was not forthcoming with info and finally ask who he is because I have no idea and I'm thinking it could be anybody I was ever rude to at Turkey Hill or Shorty's and he says....

"My name was Ziggy" and proceeds to give me like 10 hugs and I of course hate that and he is thrilled to see me like we were best friends back in the day when he really annoyed the hell out of me. Anyway, he looked great compared to before: not fat, short hair, just a little strung out looking and bad taste in clothes. He was too drunk to talk to so I mumbled something about living in Denver as he asked me for the 5oth time what I was doing there and trying to avoid hug after hug after hug. I asked him if J. lives out here and he said yes but of course no other relevant info.

I totally never would've recognized him because he looks so different. I had to ask my friend B what his real name is, because he didn't tell me that either. For all I knew it could've been "Clarice."

One of the fellow Railbenders fans had posted some pictures of the crowd, and I saw my "best friend" Ziggy there captioned "douchebag in a tanktop." I posted on the forum how it was that this weirdo was hugging me, and I found out that Ziggy had ripped off 2 shirts from the band without paying. I guess despite his change in appearance, he still is a douchebag.

Other past events to recap:
Craftwise, I have made a pair of Elvis jammie pants for the eponymous Ms. P, and will be making several pairs in various patterns for the Manling when I have a chance. I crocheted a large ball for the Manling to scurry after and throw around the house. I crocheted and felted, but not constructed a stroller diaper bag for Luanne. I am about 1/3 done with a crocheted pink and fuschia fuzzy blanket for my friend S's baby.

I still haven't found the missing diamond stud earring that I have now lost twice. I know it's here in the house, but it has eluded my grasp for well over 8 weeks now. I am still very disenheartened since they were my 30th birthday present from Mark.

Travellingwise, my mom, stepfather, and nephew just visited us for 6 days. We went down to the Fours Corners area and did 2 days in Mesa Verde. Mark was very disappointed because the Centennial hikes allowing you to see sites rarely or never open to the public were sold out for months in advance. We did tours on the three major cliff dwellings. What a stupendous sight. What amazing ingenuity and tenacity those Indians of 800+ years had.

And tomorrow, we fly back to PA/NJ for 10 days. I am so not prepared. We still have no one to come feed the cats, and I only got the dog boarding situation taken care of yesterday. The high cost of plane tickets, rental car, dog boarding, and random expenses will probably make this our last vacation in just about forever.

The money situation continues to be vy tight around the old homestead, and I'm starting to believe I will have to get a job. In a way, I am rather excited because I would love the adult stimulation, and because I secretly think I am failing the Manling by not stimulating his little intellect enough, but I am also dreading the high sick-rate of daycare. We shall see, we shall see. I reckon I should get back to packing etc for the trip.

OH!!! About an hour ago the Manling was playing next to me. My "constant vigilance" slipped for a second and he pulled a wooden chair onto himself. He has a huge fat lip and his front teeth cut up the inside as well. He stopped crying within a minute or so, and there's not a lot of blood, but it's really broken my heart.

Listen to these songs:

• Ben Folds - You To Thank
• Colin Meloy - Pregnant For the Last Time
• Gary Jules - Mad World

They'll give you a rough idea of how I'm feeling lately.