When will the misery finally stop?! We just stopped working on the stuff from last night (we weren't finished, but the meeting started, so we just stopped working on it). Seconds later they tell me that the next deadline for this project is 'next week'. Oh, ok... but when next week. Oh, that would be Tuesday of NEXT Week! Thats not next week! Thats in 4 days! 2 of those days are Weekend days and I DON'T do weekends! So that leaves Friday night (tonight)(can't, I have football) and Monday, I wanted to carve pumpkins, but I guess after last year when I had to race a kid to the Emergency room for slicing his hand wide open, it might be ok if I don't
go.
So having strategically informed the guys at work that I have an important Flag-Football Practice a few days ago, he begrudgingly let me leave early, at 7:30. I rushed straight to the ward building for our 'Team Meeting' and 'Carb Loading' event. There was a hungry team waiting there for the food as I pulled up. I was franticly working on 12 things at once so I wasn't much help, but everyone played basketball as I showed some people the rules and others ate. We didn't end up watching a movie, and I was just fine with that, although Jeff was a little miffed.
Last night as I got home from the day's events, I fell backwards onto my bed, or should I say my 'fluffy cloud nesting blankets'. There's something about my pillows that immediately render me unconscious and wisp me quickly away to dreamland. So last night after falling into my nightly nest, I attempted to read, but only remember that because I woke up early in the wee morning hours still fully dressed and with my had reaching for my nightly reading material. It was extra hard to leave my fluffy white sleeping cloud in the morning.
I'm listening to the latest European Techno right now.
I didn't have time to have a sponsor for lunch.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Daily Update
I got to work early today. I woke up 1 hour earlier and only got to work 30 minutes earlier than I have been. This morning when I got to work Collin was desperate to have me come to Stan's donuts with him, so I reluctantly went with him. Stan had his Halloween Donut selection out so I joyfully partook of their goodness.
Last night I went running. Kristen came with. She was full of energy. Maybe to much so in fact. But after all, her car was just totaled in some old person accident (some old lady ran into her car as she was at work). I ran like a wild Hyena from the southern most Outback territory. I feet only sifted through the flat red padded sand dunes this time rather than the hills and cliffs.
I had lots of errands to run for getting ready for our Thursday practice, and for Friday. What a headache.
Later I hung out at Cheryl's place and we gossiped and discussed what every one else in the ward should be doing right now. In case anyone is wondering, we have most of your futures all planned out.
I'm listening to Cold Play right now.
Lunch was sponsored by Jamba Juice.
Last night I went running. Kristen came with. She was full of energy. Maybe to much so in fact. But after all, her car was just totaled in some old person accident (some old lady ran into her car as she was at work). I ran like a wild Hyena from the southern most Outback territory. I feet only sifted through the flat red padded sand dunes this time rather than the hills and cliffs.
I had lots of errands to run for getting ready for our Thursday practice, and for Friday. What a headache.
Later I hung out at Cheryl's place and we gossiped and discussed what every one else in the ward should be doing right now. In case anyone is wondering, we have most of your futures all planned out.
I'm listening to Cold Play right now.
Lunch was sponsored by Jamba Juice.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Daily Update
Why are there so many people in the world who seem like they are trying to make my life difficult? Is it karma? Was it something I said? I'm not willing to accept that 'its me'. Someone must be out to get me. We had Flag-Football practice was last night. We were a good 15 minutes into practicing when it was pointed out. We had already done our warm-up stuff. I simply asked who the kid in white was. One of my players announced "oh I know him, he's from the Santa Monica Ward". "What! What the hell is he doing at my practice?!" I exclaim. "oh he's ok, he just wants to play" said my player. "Not with me!" "Hey, kid... where are you from?... oh Santa Monica... Get out of here NOW." (10 seconds of confusion follow) "Seriously get the F out of here." (don't worry I used the letter, not the word) My player wanted to 'vouch' for him, but I didn't care. I was still playing so I didn't want to make a huge scene so we kept playing. A few minutes later after noticing that he was treating all my players rather roughly, I laughed at him in the huddle, and announced his 'in-eligibility' for the Friday game. Thats fair, he is cheating by watching us play gaining an unfair advantage, and thus should be punished. My Player said I couldn't do that (My player was obviously on his side) So I had to pull rank and repeat my 'Activity Chairmanship' Credentials aloud to him and assured him that I would take my funniness to the 'next' level. So my player went and told the cheater/traitor and then they both left all upset with my authority and Just-ness. Hey, someone has to put their foot down and keep it honest. Turns out it was me sticking up for what I believe in this time. [At the end of the night I spoke with the SM activity guy and we decided on a smaller penalty that we'll enforce.]
After a heated and busy practice a few of us went to Penguins for Ice Cream. Good stuff I tell you. We planned out a bunch of stuff Football related of course. The others also helped console me in my anger.
Work is busy still. when will it stop!?
Lunch was sponsored by In N Out.
I'm listening to Britney Spears right now. Some of the new stuff.
I stayed up way to late emailing and playing silly computer games.
...
After a heated and busy practice a few of us went to Penguins for Ice Cream. Good stuff I tell you. We planned out a bunch of stuff Football related of course. The others also helped console me in my anger.
Work is busy still. when will it stop!?
Lunch was sponsored by In N Out.
I'm listening to Britney Spears right now. Some of the new stuff.
I stayed up way to late emailing and playing silly computer games.
...
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Daily Update
It took me all day to plan out the FHE that someone volunteered me for. I don't mind helping out but I've learned my lesson with trying to help out. (Note to self: don't offer any suggestions for any committee, i.e. the pep-rally.) So I felt like I had to map out the whole FHE thing, but the kids there helped and it turned out to be nice.
After cleaning up I finally left the building at 10. I was so exhausted. I have a new respect for all of the Co-Chairs for FHE and all they do. Then I didn't feel like going home so I started driving around. I ended up stopping at Jeff's house and I made him watch the "Hooters girls international Swimsuit Pageant". He was disgusted with every one of their 'outfits' and I made fun of all them and their 'minor' imperfections. I was doing great with my comedy. I think Jeff was mad at me for making him watch it, but only for two minutes.
Work is still busy. The guys here keep handing me stuff and tell me that they need it as soon as possible. Arrrgh! The headache. I think they have a schedule of giving me bundles of work right before Lunch and Go-home time, thus keeping me back from those very necessary things.
This morning I had such a craving for Stan's Donuts! Oh the soft succulent dough. The sweet oily taste of sugar flowing down my throat, filling my stomach with its goodness. I take one bite and then immediately need another. I can see myself overdosing on these addictive little morsels one day, collapsing on the street in mid bite, drooling, foaming at the mouth in some dark ally. But hopefully not to soon.
At work I have still been busy.
Lunch was sponsored by In N Out.
I'm listening to Guns N Roses right now. Axl isn't as exciting to me right now. I
feel like changing the station.
After cleaning up I finally left the building at 10. I was so exhausted. I have a new respect for all of the Co-Chairs for FHE and all they do. Then I didn't feel like going home so I started driving around. I ended up stopping at Jeff's house and I made him watch the "Hooters girls international Swimsuit Pageant". He was disgusted with every one of their 'outfits' and I made fun of all them and their 'minor' imperfections. I was doing great with my comedy. I think Jeff was mad at me for making him watch it, but only for two minutes.
Work is still busy. The guys here keep handing me stuff and tell me that they need it as soon as possible. Arrrgh! The headache. I think they have a schedule of giving me bundles of work right before Lunch and Go-home time, thus keeping me back from those very necessary things.
This morning I had such a craving for Stan's Donuts! Oh the soft succulent dough. The sweet oily taste of sugar flowing down my throat, filling my stomach with its goodness. I take one bite and then immediately need another. I can see myself overdosing on these addictive little morsels one day, collapsing on the street in mid bite, drooling, foaming at the mouth in some dark ally. But hopefully not to soon.
At work I have still been busy.
Lunch was sponsored by In N Out.
I'm listening to Guns N Roses right now. Axl isn't as exciting to me right now. I
feel like changing the station.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Daily Update
A few days ago Steve from my work (the swear-artist) gave me a new pen. It turns out that he was offended by my current Ball Point Pen situation. I don't use all my good pens at work, they are stored at home in a secret location until I can finish my Man-Box then they will be stored there. And Yes, the Man-Box will still be finished, it just took a time out for a little bit. So he gave me this pen that is sleek metal with a laser pointer and small LED light at the end of it. It was pretty nice of him. So I can't make fun of him for a few days.
In the last few days I had to stay at work till 9:30pm. On friday night I was so anxious to be done. As soon as we were done at work, they asked me to go and drop something off at the printer. I was annoyed, but did it.
At Football practice on friday night I played Ref. after showing up really late. Then it started raining pretty hard. It was kind of fun. but really wet. We all went to Jack in the Box afterwards, then to Jeff's to watch TV. It was funny cause none of the roommates were there. Just us.
On Saturday Morning I treated myself to French Toast after a well deserved Sleep In.
The USC football game was terrific fun, except for the nervousness that it brought me. I think I spent the majority of the time gossiping about people I know, and even don't know. They need to score more points for me in the next few games so I'm not so frustrated.
It was Jill's B-Day on Saturday. A few kids kids went to a Japanese BBQ with her and wow was it good. they just brought the food to our table and we would grill it on the built in table-grill. That was also terrific fun. Since it was kind of a B-Day party I got her some pink wrapping paper as a gift. It was the most perfect thing imaginable for her. I'm serious, absolutely perfect! But I did feel a bit weird giving only wrapping paper, and since I was at Borders I just picked up some random book to but inside the Wrapping paper. It was all good cause she really liked the wrapping paper I got her.
On Sunday we hung out at Greenfield. I made spaghetti, KA made Souffle. Oh it was sooo goooood. Then some of us hung Christmas lights inside, and then gossiped some more. There's a lot happening in the neighborhood lately, and since I'm the most sought after 'Trafficker of Information' in the region, I had a lot of calls.
Then at night, instead of going to bed like I wanted to I was up until 3am on the phone with Josh, working on our Ward T-Shirt design so Josh could submit it to be printed on Monday. It drove me slightly up the wall about 2:45am. It took a lot of effort to suppress the old Jim.
I'm listening to Bruce Springsteen right now.
Lunch was sponsored by The Acapulco Cantina, and the Fijita Buffet.
In the last few days I had to stay at work till 9:30pm. On friday night I was so anxious to be done. As soon as we were done at work, they asked me to go and drop something off at the printer. I was annoyed, but did it.
At Football practice on friday night I played Ref. after showing up really late. Then it started raining pretty hard. It was kind of fun. but really wet. We all went to Jack in the Box afterwards, then to Jeff's to watch TV. It was funny cause none of the roommates were there. Just us.
On Saturday Morning I treated myself to French Toast after a well deserved Sleep In.
The USC football game was terrific fun, except for the nervousness that it brought me. I think I spent the majority of the time gossiping about people I know, and even don't know. They need to score more points for me in the next few games so I'm not so frustrated.
It was Jill's B-Day on Saturday. A few kids kids went to a Japanese BBQ with her and wow was it good. they just brought the food to our table and we would grill it on the built in table-grill. That was also terrific fun. Since it was kind of a B-Day party I got her some pink wrapping paper as a gift. It was the most perfect thing imaginable for her. I'm serious, absolutely perfect! But I did feel a bit weird giving only wrapping paper, and since I was at Borders I just picked up some random book to but inside the Wrapping paper. It was all good cause she really liked the wrapping paper I got her.
On Sunday we hung out at Greenfield. I made spaghetti, KA made Souffle. Oh it was sooo goooood. Then some of us hung Christmas lights inside, and then gossiped some more. There's a lot happening in the neighborhood lately, and since I'm the most sought after 'Trafficker of Information' in the region, I had a lot of calls.
Then at night, instead of going to bed like I wanted to I was up until 3am on the phone with Josh, working on our Ward T-Shirt design so Josh could submit it to be printed on Monday. It drove me slightly up the wall about 2:45am. It took a lot of effort to suppress the old Jim.
I'm listening to Bruce Springsteen right now.
Lunch was sponsored by The Acapulco Cantina, and the Fijita Buffet.
Friday, October 12, 2007
European Adventure - Day 15
Day Fifteen, the last and final day of European Adventure. It's finally arrived. Where had all those adventures gone? Our possibilities were very limited as we had a very tight schedule to keep. Tension was heightened due to our drastic looming deadline. We had it so well planned out.
The Wake Up call came at 3:30am. Jeff 'the human alarm clock' Thompson was already up primping himself. He ordered The Call so early cause he thought that WE would need the extra time to wake up. Ryan was desperate for sleep, calling for more time to snooze, I slept in my clothes with my pack on, just because Jeff was saying that we will have trouble getting up in the morning, I did it just to spite him. I had a point to prove by being 1st person out the door.
There were a bunch of people up at the train station to catch the bus to the obscure airport outside of Rome (they were all weirdo's and hippies). It was a 30-40 minute ride bus ride. I was mad at myself for being awake the whole time. Ryan 'the womanizer' Plewe ran into some of his old girlfriends from earlier on the trip in line at the airport. We spent our last few Euro's on snacks at the local kiosk there. We flew on 'RyanAir', the cheap airlines of Europe. On the plane they sold everything: food, drink, lotto tickets, gifts, toys, magazines, and plenty of alcohol (probably even the life vests or oxygen masks too, in case you need them). I even think hey wanted us to Rent blankets and pillows. The lady on the plane next to me won some trip. After we landed she gave me some sweets. There were ad's all over the inside of the plane too, much like a bus (thats probably why the ticket was so cheap). Our plane had problems taking off as well. I remember being ready to take off, then having to go back to the dock, then landing. That's about it. I was asleep the entire ride. Upon landing I noticed that my ears were completely clogged. I could barley hear anything for the next few hours. Thats what being
sick on a plane does to you I guess.
We had a few hours in London to kill after busing into the city for an hour. It was crazy cause everyone was driving on the wrong side of the road! I tried to correct the driver, but he would hear none of it. We made it a point to stop by the Kings Cross train station and visit Platform 'Nine and Three quarters'. It was actually the only thing we did in London (besides Ryan trying communicate with the locals. King's Cross Station was fun cause they had a trolley permanently stuck half in the wall. Dobby the House-Elf must have cursed the wall to close on some poor student.
We stopped by a grocery store for lunch. I was to sick even to eat.
To Heathrow: Ryan was street contacting mostly with people who were super-weird or who didn't speak English. That kid really loves talking to people I tell you. It was like he had to reach a quota every day of 'attempts to talk to people'. When at the airport we had to check our bags due to their weight. I guess I bought more than I thought. It was kind of nice not to have to carry my bag, but I was worried the whole time about what the people on the airlines would take from it.
I tried to get some warm food and hot chocolate while at the airport. I was waiting in line for a while when I heard an announcement "Final boarding call for Los Angeles". My heart may have skipped a beat. I didn't know what time it was so I got real nervous. There was no other choice than to leave my food behind, and Sprint to my GAte, Gate 18. My eyes got real calm as I realized that this is what I had been training for all those months of running late into the night, and climbing all those stairs. I started to sprint toward my gate, as if my life depended on it.
I took a wrong turn due to bad signage. During my split second U-turn, I splashed Hot-Cocoa all over my hand and scalded my angry hand. So hot to drink yet, I had to cut the rest of my losses and ditch it cause it might have slowed me down. Seconds later I was whizzing by a trash can, and was so angry/nervous at that point I just threw my scalding full cup toward the trash can opening and closed my eyes, and didn't care if it made it or not, I had a plane to catch. I was pissed about waisting food and money though, but that thought was dwarfed by another immediate goal of mine (airplane). After sprinting back the 2 gates, then the original 18
gates, I finally come up to a short line of people checking in. I ask the gay guy checking tickets if I had time to go back and fetch my food, but he just laughed and exclaimed "NO". I think I would have had time if I had waited, but it wasn't worth the risk. I'll just be angry at 'Indian run Italian Cafe's in London' for a while. The flight home was one of the most uncomfortable things ever. I couldn't sleep as well as I had hoped. But I did watch Oceans 13 four times. The food on the plane was actually pretty good too.
After we landed and got off the plane, the only thing holding me back from dropping and kissing the beautiful American soil was painfully tired feet and a blister, and fear of security watching my every movement. After we passed through customs Ryan started singing 'America the beautiful'. It was funny for about 3 seconds, but then he wouldn't stop, I did my best to limp faster than him to get away from his voice, but due to my tired, cramped, blistered feet it didn't work as well as I would have hoped. It was almost just as painful to listen to his singing as it was to walk. The guy at customs wanted to have a big long conversation with me, and I really had
to go Pee bad. For a second I thought he was going to ask for my phone number! Courtney picked us up and drove us around for our victory lap as the crowds of people welcomed us home triumphantly. What a glorious trip.
*Thanks for listening. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Oh, and sorry Ryan and Jeff, but this was my version of our trip (they are bound to have a few concerns with the way I described a few of the stories I told). In all honesty we all had a splendid time and got along great. I couldn't imagine going with two funner people than Ryan and Jeff, and I'm glad they gave me the chance to go with them.* Happy Travels.
The Wake Up call came at 3:30am. Jeff 'the human alarm clock' Thompson was already up primping himself. He ordered The Call so early cause he thought that WE would need the extra time to wake up. Ryan was desperate for sleep, calling for more time to snooze, I slept in my clothes with my pack on, just because Jeff was saying that we will have trouble getting up in the morning, I did it just to spite him. I had a point to prove by being 1st person out the door.
There were a bunch of people up at the train station to catch the bus to the obscure airport outside of Rome (they were all weirdo's and hippies). It was a 30-40 minute ride bus ride. I was mad at myself for being awake the whole time. Ryan 'the womanizer' Plewe ran into some of his old girlfriends from earlier on the trip in line at the airport. We spent our last few Euro's on snacks at the local kiosk there. We flew on 'RyanAir', the cheap airlines of Europe. On the plane they sold everything: food, drink, lotto tickets, gifts, toys, magazines, and plenty of alcohol (probably even the life vests or oxygen masks too, in case you need them). I even think hey wanted us to Rent blankets and pillows. The lady on the plane next to me won some trip. After we landed she gave me some sweets. There were ad's all over the inside of the plane too, much like a bus (thats probably why the ticket was so cheap). Our plane had problems taking off as well. I remember being ready to take off, then having to go back to the dock, then landing. That's about it. I was asleep the entire ride. Upon landing I noticed that my ears were completely clogged. I could barley hear anything for the next few hours. Thats what being
sick on a plane does to you I guess.
We had a few hours in London to kill after busing into the city for an hour. It was crazy cause everyone was driving on the wrong side of the road! I tried to correct the driver, but he would hear none of it. We made it a point to stop by the Kings Cross train station and visit Platform 'Nine and Three quarters'. It was actually the only thing we did in London (besides Ryan trying communicate with the locals. King's Cross Station was fun cause they had a trolley permanently stuck half in the wall. Dobby the House-Elf must have cursed the wall to close on some poor student.
We stopped by a grocery store for lunch. I was to sick even to eat.
To Heathrow: Ryan was street contacting mostly with people who were super-weird or who didn't speak English. That kid really loves talking to people I tell you. It was like he had to reach a quota every day of 'attempts to talk to people'. When at the airport we had to check our bags due to their weight. I guess I bought more than I thought. It was kind of nice not to have to carry my bag, but I was worried the whole time about what the people on the airlines would take from it.
I tried to get some warm food and hot chocolate while at the airport. I was waiting in line for a while when I heard an announcement "Final boarding call for Los Angeles". My heart may have skipped a beat. I didn't know what time it was so I got real nervous. There was no other choice than to leave my food behind, and Sprint to my GAte, Gate 18. My eyes got real calm as I realized that this is what I had been training for all those months of running late into the night, and climbing all those stairs. I started to sprint toward my gate, as if my life depended on it.
I took a wrong turn due to bad signage. During my split second U-turn, I splashed Hot-Cocoa all over my hand and scalded my angry hand. So hot to drink yet, I had to cut the rest of my losses and ditch it cause it might have slowed me down. Seconds later I was whizzing by a trash can, and was so angry/nervous at that point I just threw my scalding full cup toward the trash can opening and closed my eyes, and didn't care if it made it or not, I had a plane to catch. I was pissed about waisting food and money though, but that thought was dwarfed by another immediate goal of mine (airplane). After sprinting back the 2 gates, then the original 18
gates, I finally come up to a short line of people checking in. I ask the gay guy checking tickets if I had time to go back and fetch my food, but he just laughed and exclaimed "NO". I think I would have had time if I had waited, but it wasn't worth the risk. I'll just be angry at 'Indian run Italian Cafe's in London' for a while. The flight home was one of the most uncomfortable things ever. I couldn't sleep as well as I had hoped. But I did watch Oceans 13 four times. The food on the plane was actually pretty good too.
After we landed and got off the plane, the only thing holding me back from dropping and kissing the beautiful American soil was painfully tired feet and a blister, and fear of security watching my every movement. After we passed through customs Ryan started singing 'America the beautiful'. It was funny for about 3 seconds, but then he wouldn't stop, I did my best to limp faster than him to get away from his voice, but due to my tired, cramped, blistered feet it didn't work as well as I would have hoped. It was almost just as painful to listen to his singing as it was to walk. The guy at customs wanted to have a big long conversation with me, and I really had
to go Pee bad. For a second I thought he was going to ask for my phone number! Courtney picked us up and drove us around for our victory lap as the crowds of people welcomed us home triumphantly. What a glorious trip.
*Thanks for listening. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Oh, and sorry Ryan and Jeff, but this was my version of our trip (they are bound to have a few concerns with the way I described a few of the stories I told). In all honesty we all had a splendid time and got along great. I couldn't imagine going with two funner people than Ryan and Jeff, and I'm glad they gave me the chance to go with them.* Happy Travels.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
European Adventrue - Day 14
Not that you all would care, but deep down it really feels good to tell you that I got another chance to sleep in, so refreshing, so relaxing. Now, thats what I call getting up on the right side of the bed.
Because of the late hour, Jeff almost missed Breakfast cause it was taking him so long to 'primp' himself up for the day. We never would have heard the end of that if he didn't get his breakfast! While I was eating, the crazy old server lady brought me some sort of dirt flavored coffee rather than my usual Hot Chocolate. She must be in league with the local Gypsies. To punish her (and the rest of the breakfast crew) I ate twice as much, leaving less food for all the others, making them work harder and also look bad, and they'd have to clean that many more dishes. Ha! I showed them.
As we were checking out they told us we'd get a special 'rick steves discount' if we paid in cash. We were all for that discount, but seeing that it was the end of our trip, we were budgeting to run out of cash on the last day, which was this day, this very evening. We made a quick trip over to the local neighborhood ATM machine. It seems like the transaction would be easy, but NOPE. It didn't want to take my atm card, so I had to run over to another place and use my credit card. We finally got out of the hotel around noon. Poor waisted morning.
This day was a free-day for us. We'd already done all the big important things that we'd planned out, so today we were looking for new adventurous things. But first in preparation for leaving the country, we went to find a cheaper place closer to the train station. As we did that I noticed people making-out all over the place. Not as bad as Paris, but still pretty bad. After we arranged to go to our obscure airport in the early morning, we hopped back into tourist mode.
First on the agenda was One more picture of the Colosseum for Ryan. He really just wanted one more for some reason. I guess the three other times we stopped by there, he just didn't get the exact angle he wanted. It worked out cause it was the first in a line of nearby sites to stop by. We also stopped by the Circus-Maximus ruins, and the Mouth of Truth, and stuff like that.
One place we ended up after a little game of 'getting to know the buses' was Castle Angelo. Its the Place where the Pope will take refuge if the Vatican is ever attacked, and where the old popes are buried. The only cool thing about this place were the views from the top. This was to be the last Euro-Adventure-Climb that we would make. We had hiked to the top of so many places.
We went back to the Pantheon for a late lunch. At this point in our trip we were all worn out, but were dedicated to finishing with honor. We all were going so slow. after lunch we passed a bunch of stores that reminded us to get more souvenirs for others. This took forever. Ryan wanted more ties, then Jeff wanted shoes, and Jim wanted more chocolate; then Ryan wanted a suit, then Jeff wanted another pair of shoes, and on and on and on. I was so bored with watching them think about getting stuff, or trying crap on. It became physically painful by the end. I thought that Ryan was worse than a girl with shopping (don't get me wrong, its OK if girls do that, but this was Ryan!) Ryan would go through each tie on the rack, just like Jeff would go through each croissant in a bakery.
Hours later we switched our bags to our new hotel. We soon noticed why the new place was so cheap. Not the greatest place one could find, thats for sure. We wandered around a little more, but we knew it was time to say our last good byes. We had dinner at a McDonald's. On the walk back to our place, it was like walking through TJ at night, Scary. I left McD's earlier than the others. Everyone there was smoking, and it was killing me (literally) and Ryan was enthralled with checking out 13 year old girls, Jeff didn't trust him alone so remained with him, so I just left and met the others back at the flat, followed by a short night's sleep....
Because of the late hour, Jeff almost missed Breakfast cause it was taking him so long to 'primp' himself up for the day. We never would have heard the end of that if he didn't get his breakfast! While I was eating, the crazy old server lady brought me some sort of dirt flavored coffee rather than my usual Hot Chocolate. She must be in league with the local Gypsies. To punish her (and the rest of the breakfast crew) I ate twice as much, leaving less food for all the others, making them work harder and also look bad, and they'd have to clean that many more dishes. Ha! I showed them.
As we were checking out they told us we'd get a special 'rick steves discount' if we paid in cash. We were all for that discount, but seeing that it was the end of our trip, we were budgeting to run out of cash on the last day, which was this day, this very evening. We made a quick trip over to the local neighborhood ATM machine. It seems like the transaction would be easy, but NOPE. It didn't want to take my atm card, so I had to run over to another place and use my credit card. We finally got out of the hotel around noon. Poor waisted morning.
This day was a free-day for us. We'd already done all the big important things that we'd planned out, so today we were looking for new adventurous things. But first in preparation for leaving the country, we went to find a cheaper place closer to the train station. As we did that I noticed people making-out all over the place. Not as bad as Paris, but still pretty bad. After we arranged to go to our obscure airport in the early morning, we hopped back into tourist mode.
First on the agenda was One more picture of the Colosseum for Ryan. He really just wanted one more for some reason. I guess the three other times we stopped by there, he just didn't get the exact angle he wanted. It worked out cause it was the first in a line of nearby sites to stop by. We also stopped by the Circus-Maximus ruins, and the Mouth of Truth, and stuff like that.
One place we ended up after a little game of 'getting to know the buses' was Castle Angelo. Its the Place where the Pope will take refuge if the Vatican is ever attacked, and where the old popes are buried. The only cool thing about this place were the views from the top. This was to be the last Euro-Adventure-Climb that we would make. We had hiked to the top of so many places.
We went back to the Pantheon for a late lunch. At this point in our trip we were all worn out, but were dedicated to finishing with honor. We all were going so slow. after lunch we passed a bunch of stores that reminded us to get more souvenirs for others. This took forever. Ryan wanted more ties, then Jeff wanted shoes, and Jim wanted more chocolate; then Ryan wanted a suit, then Jeff wanted another pair of shoes, and on and on and on. I was so bored with watching them think about getting stuff, or trying crap on. It became physically painful by the end. I thought that Ryan was worse than a girl with shopping (don't get me wrong, its OK if girls do that, but this was Ryan!) Ryan would go through each tie on the rack, just like Jeff would go through each croissant in a bakery.
Hours later we switched our bags to our new hotel. We soon noticed why the new place was so cheap. Not the greatest place one could find, thats for sure. We wandered around a little more, but we knew it was time to say our last good byes. We had dinner at a McDonald's. On the walk back to our place, it was like walking through TJ at night, Scary. I left McD's earlier than the others. Everyone there was smoking, and it was killing me (literally) and Ryan was enthralled with checking out 13 year old girls, Jeff didn't trust him alone so remained with him, so I just left and met the others back at the flat, followed by a short night's sleep....
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