What's a word for a group of people?

This post is kind of an extension of the previous one (so read that one 1st), but I felt it deserved a new field because its on a different topic, and I dont want to scare anyone away with the length of one MASSIVE post. This post is about parties, or at least I think it is. I'm just gonna go wherever my mind takes me on this one.

I was invited to this huge party tonight. There were going to be two kegs along with margaritas, all for free. Everyone was going to get wasted and they all wanted to know if I was going. I told them all no, and the "why?"s came back to me. I didnt really have an answer, so I just told them I didnt want to. I think some people were offended but what was I supposed to say? One server pointed out how I didnt say I was tired, or sick, or going to go get some booty (her actual words), and I just responded with "but im not tired, and im not going to go get some booty". Why are these parties such an attraction? I have gone to two with people from work and they smoke and drink and talk, and it is completely boring. I played like 3 hands of euchre at one and listened to music at the other... amazing. Granted, I'm not gettin smashed like them, but why does anyone (or everyone) need alcohol to have fun? I had a blast tonight and I hadn't had a drop. Talk about lessened inhibitions all you want, but am I so different or easily amused that I can find each day humorous and fun without getting drunk? Its seems like these people who love so much to get drunk are always in a bad mood. Maybe life taken straight isnt as much fun as wasted life and I am too ignorant to know the difference? I'm sure however that the hangover and vomiting just plain suck. One of the other servers did agree with me though, and felt the same way about hang over/vomiting (she has had personal experience in that area). I like trying new things (when i have the courage) but this just seems too pointless. I did have some "Lemonade" at one of the parties to see what the hype was about, and it even tastes bad (yes, i knew it would). I'm told alcohol is an acquired taste, but im thinking the only thing i might like it in is a mixed drink or possibly wine (i might actually try to acquire a taste for wine - it is healthy to have a glass a day or something and it can be a hobby). I have a feeling I know a few people who might be able to explain the party phenomena to me, and possibly defend it, but I just don't think parties are all they are made out to be.

Winning the Lottery

Wow, work rocked today so here's the story from the beginning. I didnt want to go to work today but got there, and my boss gave me hell for my pants being too long (mainly because they are frayed and look terrible, but cmon, they're pants). I was going through the motions of bussing, waiting for Hernan to get here and help me out in the dining room. Now for some background knowledge: Hernan is hispanic, and completely rocks at bussing. He could do the whole restaurant by himself during a rush with less complaints from the servers than i get in the dining room when we are kind of busy. I knew when he got there, my job would become infinitely less difficult. So he shows up and as usual, he is in top form. I somehow found it in the depths of myself (depths of my soul is too cliche) to keep up with demi-god and we just clicked into auto-pilot. I helped him, he helped me, and we worked together to do things much faster than one of us could do alone. It was incredible. The whole night, i didnt have a care in the world. Everything was covered, instantly. If a person left, their table was clean as soon as humanly possible. I didnt have to wonder whether or not a server was suddenly going to come tell me "i need you to get 2 of my tables". Because of the freedom of mind, my mood soared. I felt great, and even managed to find myself singing the whole night. I shit you not. Several servers were treated to excellent renditions of "Carry On My Wayward Son" and "Sweet Child O' Mine". One of the servers stared at me in awe as, after stating how she liked the song "Dust in the Wind" (Yes, I like Kansas), my vocal chords began projecting a number of notes and lyrics somewhat representing the song. She looked at me like i just won the lottery, or maybe more like i just threw away the winning lottery ticket... one of the two. I found this hilarious along with the various reactions i received, and I was untouchable. Nothing, even when the customers started throwing food at me, could move my "having fun" meter even the smallest of notches. Not even the fact that i cannot understand what Hernan says, not even the 1st trash run, or the 2nd one (both utterly disgusting by definition), or the fact that i only made 22 dollars in tips when on my cloud 9 (I made 27 last night), could phase my mood. Even now, i sit in my chair (no longer singing, but instead enjoying the musical ventures of others) a happy man. What a cool feeling. I think the next post will be rather immediate in coming...

Its been a hard day's night...

I was going to write about the ups and downs of the Catholic School System, but i figured I would wait until the school year starts for that one. You know, so the wounds are fresh and not yet cauterized. Right now I will go into the excruciating details of work today. I worked DMO (basically a dishwasher) today and it was long. I swear two or three times i would look at the clock and then again 45 minutes later, and it said the same thing both times. I would pray that it was at least 9 or 9:30, but the clock read 8. Tonight, that clock made enemies with a certain Hacienda employee. I finally got out around 12:30 and smelled, you know, wonderful. All I want right now is a shower, but I think ill wait until tomorrow....before work. Yes that's right, I look forward to the same experience tomorrow. Same time, same place, what a joy.

No Passion Here

After a post of such passion and direction, I find myself unable to pick a new topic to write about. There are no conflicts or troubling realizations at my mind's doorstep, and my creative writer's side desperately seeks a subject. The social problems that have been raging around me have subsided for now, and as I sit in this chair typing, I find a sense of peace has replaced the constant anxious limbo of who will end up with who. Minor problems have arisen (I have to wash dishes today and tomorrow at work, not pleasant, and my friends of the female persuasion are temporarily barred from spending the night at my house) but these will be dealt with and discarded, like most everything else. I still have not broken my habit of staying up late (its 7:30 am right now), which could prove to be yet another difficulty in the coming weeks with school ahead. Right now my school schedule looks like this:

Hour Semester Course
1 1 AP Calculus H
1 2 AP Calculus H

2 1 Study Hall
2 2 American Government

3 1 Honors Physics
3 2 Honors Physics

4-5 1 Drawing 1
4-5 2 Drawing 2

6 1 Lunch
6 2 Lunch

7-8 1 American Literature/English Language Composition AP
7-8 2 ....Same thing

9 1 Great Catholic Thinkers (...yay)
9 2 Catholic Church History

10 1 Honors Economics
10 2 Media Arts 1

Whew, lots o' typing. I guess there is somekind of schedule conflict because i should have Media Arts 1/2 over the course of the year, but for some reason it wouldnt fit. Drawing will be a blast, especially with the drawing teacher at Marian HS. Calc 1st hour will absolutely suck, and the religion classes are always a joy... they definitely need to make those electives. I guess i found something to write about next post huh? The trials and tribulations of the Catholic School System. Well, until I post again, adieu.

Just read the post

The title of this blog has never been more true than it is right now. While I love reading up on my friends lives, I'm getting tired of how damn depressing everything is. Where are the fun and lively bunch I know? I read these blogs full of emotion and pain and think of how this is all relationship caused. They have problems I dont have, and they seem completely and utterly crushed by them. One of my friend's problems are so great that I mourn for him, because he once had love, but has now lost it. He looks for it again with others, but remembers the good times he had with "her" and tries to go back, regardless of how unforgivable her actions. I look forward to one day having someone to walk with, talk with, be with, even raise children with, but is this what relationships are really like? Would my life with someone be so riddled with fights and nasty comments? Pain? I look at my mother, who has no one except me. I see her relationships and what went wrong in them, how her faults as a person have presented problems. But how can a 17 year old, her own child, tell her what she is doing wrong? I see my dad, and the things about him that drove mom away. But then I see how he found someone to be with, and I look at the good aspects of their relationship. I want that laughter and banter someday with my wife. I look at how well my extended family gets along, but even my grandmother (who has more class, yes class, than anyone I know) had to put up with immense difficulties from my grandfather (may he rest in peace). So many problems, and all of them seem insurmountable. Then I read stories about the power of love. The love is perfect, and the problems are small and insignificant when compared with the ones of the real people I care about. How is love supposed to go? Can the faults of a person be fixed, like the man with a temper problem? Can the woman who is weak willed be made to be strong enough to stand on her own? Can the feeling of love between two people be so great as to counter all negative... everything, for time as great as a lifetime? What faults can love live with, and what is too wrong to be ignored? Now that is a question.


To any of my friends who I have attempted to give advice to:
I hope the first few lines of this post do not lead you to think this is a complaint about you "griping" to me about your problems. I enjoy lending help and whatever else people need, whenever they need it. I am glad you have trusted me with your private feelings so I could listen and try to ameliorate. I feel honored and thank you for thinking enough of me as a friend to bring your troubles to me.