Get out at least once a week

I am already getting very excited for this week’s outing. I’m heading to my old town to see the Weakerthans play a show. I’ve loved their music for five years now and they rarely tour outside of Canada. I don’t know anyone else who likes them, so I’m going alone, but I am never going to let something like that stop me. This is such a rare opportunity and I would rather be in a crowd of fans than trying to entertain someone who doesn’t really want to be there.

I’m also looking forward to hitting my favorite used book store while I’m in town. As much as I hate cold weather, there are so many things about that city that I love and I could see moving back there after I graduate.

I went out and studied with a classmate today at my favorite coffeeshop. We laughed a lot, learned a little and imbibed way too much caffeine. I was so buzzed, I even smiled at a VERY cute boy as he walked past. He smiled back, which made me loopy and too nervous to say anything. Brown eyes and a good smile get me every time.

I still have zero dating mojo. Maybe that’s why I could smile.

My “getting out” this weekend was the Packers vs Redskins game. It rained the whole time but it was a blast. I’m so happy to get to see Favre play again and they did a good job considering they were the underdogs. (The refs were another story!)

The best part of it was my sister and her boyfriend flew in to attend their first ever game. They got to see Lambeau full of crazy Packers fans that come rain, shine, sleet or snow. We had brats and beer for breakfast, danced, yelled, high-fived people we didn’t know and generally enjoyed the ruckus.

I’m supposed to be seeing B.B. King right about now. I found out last minute that my grandmother was going to be in town, just for tonight. She’s staying over and my parents are taking her to the airport tomorrow. She’s 80 and lives in Florida so I rarely get to see her. She’s definitely worth missing B.B. for. Besides, I’d have to drive 150 miles each way to Milwaukee and that’s hell by myself on a work night.

I did get out yesterday for a grill-out with friends and I camped last weekend so I’m ahead of the game really.

So my little sis is in town for the weekend. She’s hilarious and I miss her all the time. Usually another sib or two is around during her visits, but this time it’s just us. Tonight we went bowling with our mom and it was a riot.

I started the ruckus by asking the DJ to play “Groove is in the Heart”. He cheerfully mocked me for my taste in 80’s music, but everyone was dancing in their bowling shoes when it played. Next up, my sis batted her eyelashes and requested “Sweet Caroline” for my mom. This is becoming a family tradition since we got the classic rock band in Vegas to play it for her. So it played and everyone danced, including teenagers. Finally, I asked him to play Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” and Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me”. Much dancing ensued.

I bowled 101, 52, 55 and 60. I had two beers and usually I get better with lower inhibitions. I have no idea what happened. It doesn’t matter because we had a lot of fun, just us girls. I owned my suckiness and danced like no one was watching.

I drove 275 miles round trip this afternoon to have a burrito with my old college roomate. It was so great to see her again. She moved to New York six years ago and this was the first time we were able to get together. We ate and shared all of our big news and then I hit the road again. It was worth the drive to have that time with her.

I love driving in Milwaukee. The highways are like roller-coasters. They swoop up and down and zoom around curves and exits shoot off to both the left and the right. A lot of it is under construction right now. The exit to I-94W is one lane lined with concrete barriers so it feels like attacking the Death Star. I wouldn’t want to try it in an SUV, but my little wagon shot through just fine.

I also love driving at night. The stars were really bright and once I got out of Milwaukee, there was hardly any traffic. Every once in a while, I could see red taillights glowing ahead, but mostly it was just me. There’s something I like about being surrounded by darkness, except for the glow of the dashboard, singing along with the radio and zooming through space. It doesn’t feel like driving.

Today I helped throw a surprise birthday party for a friend of mine. Then she wore her tiara out bowling and we had a great time. I keep forgetting how much I love bowling. Despite the fact that the place was full of 12-yr old girls, it was awesome. It costs as much as a movie, you wear crazy shoes, you can drink beer and your shirt glows in the dark! Seriously, what’s not to love?

Best score 119! Yes, that’s right, I rock.

I need to do more than work, sleep and watch Mythbusters. Work is stressing me out lately and I need to unwind. I’m setting this goal to help me take my mind off things.

I went out tonight and met some friends at one of my favorite bars. We had planned to listen to a fun regional soul/blues/rock band but we had the date wrong. They’re playing in three weeks on the 28th. A different band was turning up on stage so we stayed for a few drinks and gave them a listen. We were subjected to very loud, incoherent rap-reggae instead. They played “Love Rollercoaster” somewhere in the middle of the set, but even that was barely recognizable. This was not your drinking-beer-on-the-boat-on-a-hot-summer-day sort of reggae.

Never fear. Ringing ears are not enough to deter me from this goal. I dressed all cute and got out of the house and had a bit of fun with friends. Even if I have to go alone, I’ll get out and do something at least once a week. Personal rule – obedience class does not count.

I would really love to find a decent blues venue in the area. Portland had a great blues scene and I really miss it. I even saw B.B. King when I lived there. Chicago is a bit far to jaunt for an evening. There must be a niche market, even in this land of classic rock and country.

Make a commitment to get out of the house more. At least once a week get out and see a movie, have dinner, drinks, ... generally be more social.

At least once a month, go out – see a play, live music or dance.