Thursday, August 29, 2013

Mardi Gras 2014 bound

So, as the title states we're Mardi Gras 2014 bound.  As long as HDT can get his vacation approved which as of right now he's thinking it shouldn't be a problem since it's March. 

The plan, as long as his work doesn't screw it up, is to leave Friday Feb 28th as soon as I get off of work.  We'll be down there by Saturday morning.  Enjoy the weekend parades through Fat Tuesday, I've never been to the Rex parade, then have a few days after to sort of recover before heading back home either late Friday night or early Saturday morning.  I'd like at least the full day of Sunday to be home and able to unwind before heading right back into work on Monday the 10th.

I'm excited, I can't even tell you how much.  I haven't been to Mardi Gras in years.  As a matter of fact 2014 would make 20 years since I've been back.  And HDT has never been.  I've been trying to convince him for years to go but he always tells me no; he's not a lover of crowds.  But it's one of those things that I believe everyone has to do at least once in their lifetime. 

Now, to get off my ass and lose some weight.  HAHAHA  I say this before every vacation and it's yet to happen but I'm always optimistic.

I think we'll try to get Jim to stay at the house with his girls to take care of the cats and dog.  If they can't stay there I'm sure they'll still be willing and able to come by in the evenings and we'll see about having HDT's stepmother or my mom, go by in the mornings.  Poydras will have to stay with one of our moms or a friends house.  Hmmm, something to think about.
 

Friday, August 16, 2013

Haven't done a Weekend Update in awhile. This one is for 7/26-28/13

Back on July 26th I had a free Friday from work.  They give all us lowly peons 2 free Friday's for the year.  We don't get to choose them though, they're assigned, but that's ok.  The 26th was my first one, my next is in November.  Anyway, HDiTty and I decided to make a weekend of it.  We didn't stay anywhere else but we made plans for the whole weekend. 

Friday we decided to go into Chicago for the day.  I bought Second City Comedy Club tickets for 8pm and that's the only thing that was planned specifically.  We decided to take the train in in case we had a bit too much to drink at the club and also so we didn't have to drive around town and find and pay for parking.  We got a late start to the day but that was ok because it was drizzly and rainy all morning.  By the time we got into the city it was just about done but we still decided to go to the Adler Planetarium rather than Lincoln Park Zoo.  I've never been to the planetarium and he hasn't been since he was a kid.  We bought tickets to see two of the shows which were pretty darn cool.  It is absolutely amazing to know how crazily infinite space is.  Pretty scary too really.

They had a life size replica of the Mars rover which was awesome to see.  I've always pictured it as small, not much larger than a remote controlled car.  I guess because with all the pictures we see of it there's really nothing much to compare it to.  But it's as large as a regular size car.  And really cool looking.  They had it roped off with a worker there to answer any questions whom we did talk with for awhile.  She said it used to be open, not roped off, but because a couple people have actually broken a few items on it they had to protect it.  Even though it's "only" a replica it's still on loan from NASA so they can't let people get close to it anymore. 

After that we took the bus uptown to go to Second City.  We figured we'd find some place to eat near it and we did.  Directly across the street even.  While waiting for our food the Chicago Cupcake truck pulled up and we decided to get a couple.  I had started to get an upset stomach before we even reached the Planetarium that slowly got worse as the day wore on.  By the time we got to the restaurant my stomach was actually growling so I figured once I ate I'd feel better.  I was able to eat but it kept cramping up.  It was not pleasant.  Decided not to eat the cupcake yet.

After dinner we went into Second City and got seats near the front and off to the side, the last two seats in our row.  Good and bad seats.  They were at a bar table so we were sitting up which meant no one was blocking our view but we were also right next to the piano player/other music player.  There were times that it was a little too loud and we couldn't hear the actors.

The whole time I was clutching and pushing in my stomach.  It was the only way I felt not so God awful.  At the beginning of intermission I actually felt like I was going to upchuck and luckily there was a very short line in the restroom.  Got in the stall and of course the upchuck feeling went away but not the pain.  I felt bad that I was holding up the stall but not bad enough I didn't leave before sticking my finger down my throat.  Only a little bit of my strawberry daiquiri came up but I actually felt a little better.

Went back to my seat and continued to clutch my stomach.  HDT asked if I wanted to leave but I didn't want to make him miss the rest of the show.  So the second half starts and as the show is going on my stomach is getting worse and worse to where I felt it again.  I left right at the beginning of the last bit, missed the whole thing.  And again, as soon as I got in the stall all I felt was pain, no vomiting sensation.  Stayed in there awhile though just in case and of course by the time I got out the line was all the way out the door. 

We got a taxi to get back to the train station.  I was in major pain the whole way.  Luckily we had about an hour before the next train.  Well, actually the next one was to be leaving in about 5 minutes but I really had to try to vomit again so....   So I got in a stall and waited and waited and nothing so once again I stuck my finger down my throat. This time a good amount of the contents came up.  I was all clammy and hot and shaky but felt a little better. 

We went up to go get tickets for the ride home and actually saw that the other train was still there.  So we hurried and got on just in time.  The whole ride home I was bent over leaning my head on my arms on the seat in front of me.  Clutching my stomach from time to time but by the time the ride was over (just over an hour) I was actually feeling better.  Still shaky but no painful cramps just unpleasantness.  By Sat. morning, nothing, all was gone. 

We had plans to go to the Bristol Renaissance Faire but HDT had a blister and was not feeling the best himself and we didn't want to chance me getting sick again so we ended up staying home for the morning and then in the afternoon going to see a couple movies and going out to eat.  Saw Despicable Me 2, dinner, then saw Pacific Rim.  Then we came home to watch the Italian Job.  So as HDT likes to say he gave me a Despicable Rim Job of a day.  Heh

Sunday was my nephews graduation party and his exstepsisters were in town as well.  It was one of their birthdays, or actually just had it a week or so before, so we celebrated that as well.  The nephew got cash and the niece got Dr Who stuff.  She and her sister have become huge fans.  So I got her a Tardis blanket, knee high socks and glow in the dark puffy stickers for her ceiling.  She loved them all but especially the blanket.  Her sister was jealous.  I already bought her some items for her birthday in January but I guess I'll have to get a blanket as well.

A nice eventful weekend that of course would've been better if I hadn't felt like shit on Friday.  But oh well.  I still enjoyed the planetarium and the comedy show despite having the stomach aches.

Media quote of the day:

Not really one but....    Your mother is a drug addict!

Heard on the streets of Chicago.  It was pretty damn funny.  When the Second City actors were asking the audience for a saying we heard that day HDT actually shouted it out.  Got a huge laugh but they still didn't use it.  Oh well.