We all went out tonight, which was fun. I always have fun, basically always try to anyway. One of my friends (and there is one in every crowd) who decides that they are going to get so drunk; they slur their words, hang on every opposite sex in the bar and try as hard as they can to “hook up” or try to make some drunk connection. Maybe this is usually the female persuasion, but I think it’s the males as well. Usually drunk connections don’t work and they wind up saying awkward goodbyes in front of each other while trying to find the clothes that they had strewn on the floor underneath the bed or find what the dog has drug off to the porch. In which you have to retrieve.

One of my friends believes that when you’re drunk, you see things more clearly. Who am I to say that is wrong? He believes that all of the pretenses, things you worry about, things you want to do, worries, etc. are all drunk out or gone, so there is nothing left but to dream, fantasize, and think about. He rationalizes that when you’re drunk, you’re free to think about life matters, wonders of the humankind, etc. Sounds like a great idea, yes? He could be right, but I’ve just started the 3 sentences with “he”. Who knows.

Anyway, life is what is it. We all left early at work today because the CEO left. We are all good workers, but I guess the adage is true…when the cat is away the mice will play. It’s true when you are 3 and it’s true when you are 84. It was also true when I got laid off for the second time in a row-maybe I should have stayed at work that day.

We have to start somewhere…a 27ish living in the Colorado area, with two dogs and a cat will that suffice for now. The cat is a rebel; climbs trees and is afraid to come down and loves vodka with orange juice. Cats are wimps; although I’m a big fan. We also have a dog that is scared of his own shadow, and another dog that barks like the hounds of hell are biting his private parts. That is us in a nutshell. Who else would we be? We will, someday, be the “establishment” that we have learned in books, been taught by our teachers, etc. Is anyone ever ready for that term? I think not. Maybe if most of us had ever gone to war or experienced hardships we would feel it. Maybe not. Most of us dklssljkjkjjkjkjjjj’’ (thanks to the cat that walked on my keyboard) don’t know about Desert Storm or lost a brother or a friend in a line of war. War is in itself a different subject that we will broach later. (how DOES that stuff work now?) Will we be ready to be “the establishment” the embellishment of the honor given to our age? Who knows, I guess we will see.

Bringing us back to Colorado. Which is an excellent place to live. I’ve lived other places; Old Greenwich, CT, Chicago burb, Iowa…and I believe Colorado has been the best. I haven’t lived in California, but I have visited, and it maybe be better, but I doubt it (maybe San Diego?). After all, there is water there. A whole freaking ocean. J Colorado offers something that the other places don’t and that is a huge conglomerate of people from different places. One out of every 10 Coloradoan is actually from Colorado. When you actually meet a NATIVE, you embrace them, pick your chin up from the floor and shake their hand. THEY know this is the best place to live and that is why they stayed; for their beloved Colorado.

As I have said, Colorado is overrun by outlanders. Everyone is from somewhere different. It’s apparent by I-25 with the non-native license plates and new vehicles. People buy lots LOTS of new vehicles here, which is why the state is so backed up with giving out license plates. I bought a vehicle and was told to wait 2-3 months to get my new plates. Of course, which I was only happy to do; since I wanted to prolong getting my registration, etc as long as I could. It just seems cheaper… Why don’t they put the prisoners to put out more license plates? Maybe prisoners don’t make license plates anymore? Anyway (that was meant with emphasis) back to Colorado is a state run by out-of-towners. We all declare we are semi-natives after 5 years. I have 2 years to go. It’s a GREAT state with lots of things to do; and now the boys outnumber the girls. It’s true, it was in a newspaper.

Tonight was fun. Myself, a friend, and my temporary roommate all went out on the town, well, we went to one bar. It’s actually an Irish bar and quite fun. Full of those lovely drinks, bar games, people watching, etc. Close my eyes and I could have been anywhere in the world mostly likely. My theory is, mostly the same conversations, same glances, same drinks, and the same people are everywhere in the world when you are in a bar. Can you get a car bomb in South Africa?? Yes, I think so, I need to go to all those places. I’d imagine, even in Thailand, the same things happen; although most other countries do not have as many TV’s as American bars. Which is the next subject…

Why must we need TV’s in each and every corner of the US? Of course, to make comments, to ease any an all awkward silences that may occur, to watch for pure entertainment, or for pure boredom. The United States has more sports going on than any other country. In one given night, there was baseball, hockey, NBA, and some soccer that was on-and that was only two channels. Television provides a creative outlet and also destroys any brilliant conversations that two people may ever have in their lives. A friend of mine hates all of the TV’s, but he’s an Aussie…

My mom has cancer and lives about 13 hours away. I have lots of feelings of regret that I don’t live closer. I miss my family, but I wasn’t meant to stay in Iowa, I’ve got something in me that makes me want to go other places. That kind of gene. I’m not into fixing up a house, “just so” or commenting how the neighbor’s yard looks. It’s just not me. When my brother and I were younger, my family suddenly landed into some money. My parents selflessly gave my brother and I a share money and we could do whatever we wanted with it. I went to Spain and my brother bought a car. I don’t know how he feels to this day. My theory is, cars go away, but memories and experiences last a lifetime.

I’m not sure how bad my mother’s cancer is right now. It started 2 years ago, she had a tumor the size of a baseball. She took chemo and it shrunk, but a couple moved over to her liver. Now, she is on chemo once again for the ones that traveled (or the big word, metastasized) to her liver. She lost her hair the first round and this time that hasn’t happened so far. I couldn’t imagine life without her. Mothers are the nucleus of a family, they hold everyone together, they remind the rest of us when things are, where we need to go. I couldn’t imagine life without her. It’s scary to think about that.

Of course, I’ve trailed off again without really starting to tell you my story. The key word, to all this submission is called, “Back to Colorado.” That’s the subject that I will always try to keep myself back on track with. It will be my center; my core.

Colorado and dating. Here is one subject I don’t know too much about. I’ve had dates, but probably not more than 20 in my whole 27 years. I don’t really deem them that important. I’d rather be at a football game with friends than spending an evening with someone I don’t know. I do know girls that are out constantly, honing their flirting skills, chatting about inane things. Getting their hair, “just so”. I’m sure they do have great conversations sometimes. The longest I’ve ever dated someone was a year and a half and we aren’t mentioning that story quite yet. I believe it’s best to start as friends, develop a feeling for one another and go from there. I rescind that, there IS something about passionate sex with a total stranger, but of course, only when you’re drunk. (last sentence was total sarcasm!!)

So here we are; sitting on the porch swing, drinking a couple of beers and having great conversations. I wonder if the baby boomers ever did this, or if they have actually picked up the pastime now. I hope they have, for it is a fantastic way to spend your evening; with friends that don’t care what you say or how you say it, or even that you are wearing a shirt with many holes because it is so old…