Feel like I am approaching a crossroads in my life. Several issues have been swimming in my head for a while now and need to make decisions that could, quite possibly, affect several areas.

It happened this week:

• Total hard drive failure with no warning and the loss of everything on it.
  
• Half-expected denial letter from UB, resigning me to community college for at least a year.
  
• Fun doctor's appointment and the diagnosis of an outer ear infection.
  
• Several other interpersonal issues involving both the 'rents and my significant other.

And yet, I'm still in good spirits.

Realizing lately that I am more resilient than I've ever given myself credit for.

Poor (e:theecarey) and (e:ladycroft) just missed the new models.

Was dragged to the Apple store at the bloody Galleria Mall by my darling, Miss (e:theecarey). Seems that I am one of the few people she knows who has an iPod, so suddenly I'm an expert and this alone affords me the privilege of being dragged to that horrendous temple of mass commerce ON A SATURDAY!! ;)

Once we found the store (which I was convinced was to the right from the main enterance, but is actually to the left) we were joined by the lovely Miss. (e:Ladycroft), who was also in the market for something new, shiny and expensive. :)

Confusion (and several blurry pictures) ensued as we tried to compare models (there are so few to choose from now that the mini's have been sent the way of the dinosaurs), ponder expensive accessories and decide if the extended warranty plan was really worth an extra $60.00.



The kicker was when I stopped the Apple rep (Jake) in the middle of his sales pitch to another person, who was pondering the iPod Nano's and told him we needed two 20GB iPods when he had a chance. I believe he actually had to pick his jaw up off of the floor. (Thinking they must get comission.. lol)

In the end there was a very happy (e:Theecarey)


...even though her total iPod purchased looked like this:



and a somewhat happy (e:Ladycroft)


until there was the mention of cheesy pretzels... then we had a very happy (e:Ladycroft)



And then, as promised, we did partake of the pretzley goodness....



...which apparently made (e:Ladycroft) lose control of her tongue...




And turned (e:Theecarey) into an Aeropostale Unibomber?

After a delicious dinner, (e:Pyrcedgrrl) and (e:Theecarey) sit in the Elmwood Spot Coffee. The comfy velvet sofa, fragrant caffeinated beverages and lull of the crowd around them setting the scene for good conversation and people-watching.
The girls see a girl who looks a bit like someone they knew several months ago. (e:pyrcedgrrl) mentions that the girl was okay to work with, but was horrible once she was even slightly intoxicated.
Suddenly, (e:Theecarey) perks up, and in a shill voice exclaims, "Yeah! Except that time at McMonkees!" She quickly slaps a hand over ther mouth, but knows it is too late.

As if they are suddenly catapulted into a movie, time slows to a crawl; the speakers, which only seconds before had been blaring cheesy 80's tunes screech and go silent; suddenly all eyes are on them. No one says a word.

An employee hurriedly makes his way over. He states flatly that the girls will have to leave the premises immediately. (e:Pyrcedgrrl) begins to protest, and, as if on cue, 2 more employees descend upon the girls and they are snatched up by their collars and unceremoniously tossed out into the cold, damp night.

People return to their abandoned conversations, the music picks back up and all is right in Caffeine Land again.

(e:Theecarey) and (e:Pyrcedgrrl) are left with the shame and humiliation that comes with people knowing you once hung out on Chippewa--even if it was just for the free drinks.


All this actually happened...... in our warped little minds. :)

I was watching the news tonight about all those poor people who ended up stranded along the highway while doing exactly what they were told to do- evacuate Southeastern Texas. : None of the gas stations had gas to sell, even though relief tankers were supposed to be stationed along the way for the travelers.

It showed several people with small children stranded, relief workers handing out water, etc... but none of this really got to me....

Then they showed citizens from the towns along the highway who, out of the kindness of their hearts, showed up with gas cans to give these travelers along the road gas to get them back on the road.

• sniffle* That was just too awesome. It brought tears to my eyes.

Yeah, bedtime now.. lol