The week of March 28, 2011 was Spring Break week for Nick Glass, which I graciously took off from work so I could enjoy some time off.
: Friday and Saturday were very chill days spent at Eckerd, where we smoked and drank a little. I was anxious, Nick was relaxed and happy, but it wasn't bad, just a bit boring to a busy-minded me.
: We went to the beach on Sunday in St. Petersburg, FL, it was a beautiful day. We found a more remote spot and toked, took a dip in the cold ocean and laid out under the warm sun.
: Monday was a rainy day. I took Nick to Clearwater beach for the first time, we sat on a bench as the wind and dark clouds rolled over-head, basking in our young love. We toyed with the idea of leaving for Auburn early, but I had made plans with Aunt Lisa to get into Busch Gardens on Tuesday so we were stuck until Wednesday.
: Tuesday- We made our way to the theme park around 10am and stayed until closing time, which was around 7pm. Nick and I had so much fun Tuesday, we rode most the roller coasters, saw a show, saw all the animals and went into some shops.
The start of the real journey
: Wedneday-the afternoon we left for Rome, Georgia. Nick and I argued about where to go, but I agreed to go stay with his parents with him since he wanted to go so badly. We got there around 9 or 10pm, and it wasn't as awkward as I had imagined. The weather was lovely, nippy with no humidity. I felt right at home. We drank the night we got there, watched Cold Comfort Farm and slept wonderfully.
: Thursday was not quite as nice. We hung out in the house until after dinner because we had to wait for a Rat terminator to come. We watched Muppets and read magazines. I discovered this amazing magazine called Real Simple Solutions. (AMAZING HOUSEKEEPING BOOK!)and then started drinking before dinner because we planned on going to Jefferson's. However, his parents came home on our way out, so as they were cooking we threw tomahawks, and got into a little tiff when Nick pushed my back with his foot. Dinner was a bit awkward but then we took mix drinks downtown to drink around town. That is where things got sticky. Nick and I were talking in the car and he admitted he was planning on breaking up with me after Spring Break. He felt I was being too attached and wasn't being my own person, all-in-all too dependable. He also mentioned that he felt he was falling out of love. I was hurt, very hurt and doubly so since I was very intoxicated. I got terribly mad, stormed off, called Katie and she coached me, telling me that I am an independent woman, I don't need him and to drive off and not turn back. I couldn't because I was drunk but I did a great job of not talking to him, and asked for the car keys back. I told him I am a Strong Independent Woman and did not need him or any man to define me, along with many other self-realizing comments. I was about to make him walk home but I couldn't remember how to get back to his house, so I picked him up off the sidewalk as he was walking so I could get back. I was going to pack up and leave but when we got back and Nick loaded my bag in the car, I fell asleep in the driver's seat. I eventually woke up, went in the house and was confronted by him in the basement. We talked and he was amazed at my strength. I decided to stay with him solely because I knew I could survive without him. If I couldn't have I would have to be working on myself and shouldn't be in a relationship but thankfully that was not the case.
: Friday, we went to eat at Jefferson's this burger joint in downtown Rome and then hit up this little bookstore we discovered during our last visit to the city. I bought some killer books: Cold Mountain, Playboy Bartenders Book, Bad Girls Guide to Roadtripping and something else. NIck and I went to dinner at Las Pamas with Mr. Glass that night, then made our way to Auburn.
Off to Auburn
: Friday- we arrive around 10:30 or 11pm. Drop our stuff off at River's, smoke a bowl with him and drink a bit. Then I took Nick to the Independent, Daniel was working so I got in as 21. We met up with Katie, Katie's bf and Sawyer. Sawyer was the drunkest I've ever seen her. (I also got to see Rocky!) It was TKO night, so the Indy was popping with a bunch of Southern preps. We stayed until 2 (or 3), whenever closing time was. Katie mentioned an after party at the Exchange, so I took Nick to the Exchange. I didn't know where the party was but we walked around until I spotted the largest sections of cars and targeted the party. We were on the way up the stairs when the owner of the apartment waltzed down and invited us to the party. Apparently, White Noise was there playing, but I did not and still don't believe it was actually him, because I have seen him before and he was a significantly better DJ. I saw Topher, Gerry's friend there and he smoked us out on straight Sativa. Woot Woot! Then passed out at River's.
: Saturday- We woke up fairly early, 10ish maybe. I wanted Nick to get as much of an "Auburn experience" as possible. I took him to eat at Big Blue Bagel, we got Bagel sandwiches. Yummy. This was proceeded by the full Auburn University tour. I took him around campus, by the stadium, to places I used to eat, walk and think. We laid on the grass outside to enjoy the beauty around us. On this grand walk, I saw a sign for (a free) Earth Fest, which happened to be going on that day. I remembered my friend Scott had mentioned it to me at the Indy but had forgotten about it until the sign popped up at 2pm. We texted for directions and ended up across the President's house at this blooming garden that I had taken some Sorority pictures at my freshman year in college. We breathed in it's life, how beautiful it was, for ten minutes or so then continued on our journey to the Auborium where the Fest was taking place. We heard music from the garden and followed it to this wonderful wood near the President's house that I had never known existed. There were three stages where music was being played, and we enjoyed two stages. I saw Kenny and found out his band played at 3, which we stayed to see. We also ran into Clayton, River, Austin and that whole crew, and later Emma and Benson which was awesome. We wandered away a couple hours later to find refuge at a restaurant, but not before stopping at River's so I could change (since my right boob part of my dress was ripping terribly) and toke. After sufficing the craving to be high and restock the flask I directed Nick to Little Italy, this small hole-in-the-wall Italian place. I saw my friend Laz there, who still works there apparently and found out about some music thing going on downtown. Kenny texted me after that telling me of a rave near the Strutting Duck, so we planned on the rave. We spiked our drinks while waiting to eat, pigged out then drove to the parking lot outside where the Strutting Duck (now the Ole Auburn Alehouse) and took and hour and a half nap. After so we drifted inside the tavern got ourselves non-alcoholic beverages which we were praised for by the bartenders by not having to pay for them. However, we spiked those free chasers the moment we slipped into a private booth. I met Shawn Ikner and did a little sale, after which Nick and I headed over to the rave. There, a whole new day took place.
The Rave (the sort-of-rave that turned out to be insanely fun): Just arriving there we were welcomed graciously by Kenny, who generously told us about 3 for $1 jello shots. BINGO. Nick and I held off for maybe 20 minutes before buying two rounds of three shots. 20 minutes later or so, we ordered another double round of three. Oh yummy! We were still sipping on our mix drinks and smoking cigs and socializing like newly hatched butterflies. My how wonderful it was. There we ran into River and Austin again. Along with Topher. I saw Heather and Drew some of my friends from sophomore year, met these cool people Drew and Lesley, ran into ______, who doesn't even live in Auburn anymore and also saw Jimmy. Nick was able to meet all these people from my past which weighed perfectly with me. I talked of going streaking, recruited 5 people- Nick, Me, Lesley, Drew (just met) and some giant black dude, but it was too cold and there were too few of us to keep warm. Nick and I danced, I put highlighter all over Drew Cool Man, Nick and Lesley, peed a bunch and bought and drank more jello shots with Topher. Near the end of the party, we decided to follow Lesley back to her place, where Drew Cool Man and a couple others were going to be (Heather and this dude Corey that I swear I know from a previous situation came later). We drank some more in there, listened to music, attempted to play a card game and passed out.
: Sunday- Nick and I woke up at Lesley's around 7am, snuck out and snuck back into River's for some more shut eye. Woke up at 9am to a text from my mother, "Where are you at?" Ignore, back to sleep. 10am, moseyed around River's toking and dressing. Packed the car, and left for the last restaurant I would take Nick on this trip, Mama Goldberg's. Got the Mama's chips and two Mama's Loves. Mmmmm, delicious! And with that, we started our trip back to Tampa. An 8 hour trip that took 17 hours, because we took a 5 hour nap an hour or two out of Tampa and a 4 hour nap on Bearss Ave., which is thirty minutes from my home due to tired stoner habits.
: Monday- Made it to Tampa around 9am, what a journey. We drove slow and carefree, totally relaxed and no rushing back to the God-forsaken land of Florida. So here I am, on this Monday night, recounting the wonderful time Nick and I spent together on this learning and growing adventure.
