I had to go back to the states to sell my car so what better time to visit than Thanksgiving (so I thought)! It was a very VERY busy week. It felt like a month… so jam packed and lots of traveling. But I had a great time and it was amazing seeing so many friends and family and meeting new family.
Pictures:
https://yearscollage.com/user/niles38?set_id=299
Friday, November 22, 2024
- Woke up really early & got a shower & walked Lando
- Spent some time with Lando but got an Uber notification that Uber was near
- Rushed outside & waited for uber but uber took a while; Bri texted & walked outside to wait with me
- Uber to Faro
- Faro to Lisbon
- Chilled at Lisbon for hours
- Long flight to JFK
- Phone didn’t work so got on wifi in airport
- Customs at JFK was easy
- Waited & got bag
- Stacy met me & got a sim card with really nice lady
- Matt got us & drove to Stacy’s place
- Hung out with Stacy and Matt & did rubiks cube & got mexican food
- Went to bed
Saturday, November 23, 2024
- Woke up several times but woke Up around 5 am
- Called Bri
- When Stacy got up, made avocado toast
- Got lyft to train station
- Stacy hung around with me
- Got on crowded train
- Met a really cool guy that helped with my bag & talked for a while
- Gave him chocolate
- Bag got stuck getting on metro
- Metro to Takoma Park
- Met up with Helen & her new bf
- Chatted & ate & drank memosas
- Helen drove me to Forest Glenn
- Becky & Paul picked me up from Forest Glenn
- Went to Shawn & Jen’s
- Put together cat house while Keegan arrived
- Went to brewery
- Back to Shawn & Jen’s
- Drank & hung out
Saturday, November 24, 2024
- Slept upstairs & got up early
- Breakfast & Rummy
- Went with Shawn’s to Coastal Flats
- Happy hour! Sooo many people
- Went home with Eric
- Hung out while Eric made dinner
Monday, November 25, 2024
- Got up around 6:30
- Eric drove me to metro
- Bri’s parents picked me up then we went to Heritage Hyundai
- Signed car away
- Went to deposit state refund check at Navy Federal
- Lunch at sandwich place
- Got gift card for Uncle Eddie
- Went back to Bri’s parents house & played pinochle with Uncle Neil
- Bri’s parents dropped me off at metro & back to Shady Grove
- Aaron & Sabrina picked me up from metro
- Went to Eric’s to get suitcase
- Went to Aaron & Sabrina’s & played with kittens
- Aaron picked up dinner; veggie Chinese
- Hung out with kittens
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
- Got up early & rearranged suitcase
- Waited for Aaron & Sabrina to wake up
- Got Starbucks
- Went to the vet for kitty
- Metro to DCA
- Had a beer and sandwich (forgot the taxā¦ it was expensive)
- Flight to CLT
- Flight to OAJ
- when I landed, kim was waiting for me
- Got bag
- Went to house & had a few beers & chilled
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
- Woke up early
- Uncle George made awesome breakfast
- Went to Walmart & shopped
- went to Surf By The Sea for lunchā¦ Had a good crabcake sandwich
- Back to Uncle George’s & started fire
- James & family came over
- Patrick came over
- Drinking & fire
- Bed early
Thursday, November 28, 2024
- Got up somewhat early
- Hung with UG by the fire
- Watched Thanksgiving parade
- Helped Kim a bit
- James & family came over & we hung out & drank a little
- Amazing Thanksgiving dinner! Food was very good!
- Hung out and drank
Friday, November 29, 2024
- Went with UG to get gas
- Hung out & had leftovers
- Kim & UG dropped me off at the airport
- Very nice and easy in airport
- Bumpy flight
- When landed in Charlotte had a few beers
- Flight to NYC
- Stacy & Matt picked me up
- Went out to dinner with all and Charles
- Back to Stacy’s apartment for uno
Saturday, November 30, 2024
- Got up & got ready
- Grabbed breakfast to go at little place on the way to the bus
- Dirty bus ride
- Bus was late
- Met up with Mom & Mr. Jim
- Went to Vinni’s
- Expensive lunch & mom gave us a lot of gifts
- Went over o AJ’s & hung out
- AJ came late from work
- Chatted for a bit
- Went to bus lot
- Bus was 45 minutes late
- Mr. Jim and mom waited around with us
- Bus ride back to NYC
- Took lyft back to Stacy’s apartment
Sunday, December 1, 2024
- Got up & took it easy
- Took subway to meet up with Charles at the train
- Two trains to stadium
- Lots of food! Awesome, good food
- Checked out the Jets merchandise
- Watched the game & ate
- After the game, got more food
- Took Trains to NYC
- Met up with Charlesā family at a restaurant
- Danced and chatted with Charles’ family
- Walked around Macy’s & took pictures & hung out
- Charlesā mom gave me a bunch of gifts
- Great time meeting them
- Back to Stacy’s
Monday, December 2, 2024
- Woke up & packed
- Went out with Stacy to place to have breakfast and get beer
- Went to ABC’s and got a beer & beers to take
- Back to Stacy’s & hung out
- Met up with Matt
- Put suitcase in Matt’s car
- Walked to PF Changs but checked out comic book store first
- Went to taco place & met up with Charles
- Dinner
- Walked back to Stacy’s
- headed to JFK airport but lots of traffic
- Said good bye & got through security
- Early to flight so had a few drinks at the bar close to the gate
- Chatted with some Americans & tried to get them to not look at Portugal
- Got another beer while waiting in line to board & chatted with people
- Portuguese woman said my portuguĆŖs was very good
- Boarded plane & had dinner & went to sleep for a few hours
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
- Turbulence
- Landed in Lisbon
- Got through everything & waited
- Had McDonald’s
- Tried to rest & continued to wait
- Boarded plane to Faro
- After plane, got suitcase
- Got an Uber to home
- Bri got me sushi for dinner
- Went to bed really early
Our good friend, Glenn, decided to take a trip to Rome in June to meet his friend. Since he’s going all the way there, might as well do some stuff for a few days and why not invite some friends? Bri and I tagged along. Glenn mostly planned the travel part and I followed.
We took a bus early in the morning to Seville, Spain and explored Seville all afternoon. It was all our first time being in Seville and Bri and my first time being anywhere in Europe besides Portugal. The next day we caught an early morning plane to Rome.
The rest of the trip went great except for the scorching heat! Bri had issues with the heat and it definitely effected what we did. Glenn had changed his plans from our original itinerary and he left Italy for Portugal on Saturday while we left for Seville on Saturday, then another bus to Lagos on Sunday. The extra day in Rome and Seville weren’t worth it but it was still a great trip.
We saw a lot of stuff like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Fountain of Trevoli, and the Vatican (just the outside).
Pictures:
https://yearscollage.com/user/niles38?set_id=289
Monday, June 17, 2024
- Got up and said good bye to the kids
- Met Glenn at the bus stop
- Long bus to Seville
- Breakfast at nice restaurant
- Walked around Seville & churches & place where Columbus is
- Dipped head in fountain since it was so hot
- Got Uber to hotel
- Checked into hotel & took a shower
- Watched part of football game in lobby & had a few beers
- Went back to room
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
- Jen called early in the morning
- Got up 5:45 AM
- Met Glenn in lobby
- Uber to airport
- Airport very easy to go through
- Two hour wait for plane but we got coffee, breakfast, beer
- Plane to Rome
- Crazy Uber ride to hotel
- Saw an accident with scooter & car
- Lunch at Indian/Italian place
- Went to Colosseum & walked around; really hot
- Walked around Colosseum & checked out monuments & stuff
- Tried to get Uber but walked back to hotel instead
- Took showers
- Bri went out & got money
- Met up with Glenn & had a beer while we waited for restaurant to open
- Dinner with Glenn
- Back to hotel & watched football game
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
- Woke up & got breakfast & Glenn texted
- Met at Fontana di Trevi & people watched with Glenn
- Went to Pantheon
- Went inside church near by
- Walked around & discovered other stuff
- Walked back to hotel
- Bar hopped a bit
- Took a nap
- Walked to Campo di Fiori
- Had dinner
- Bar hopped a bit but Bri wasn’t feeling well
- Bri left & I watched Germany game at the bar
- Ghost tour
- I texted Bri all the facts
- Tried to get Uber but made long walk back
- Stopped at various shops for beer along the way
- Drinking & shower & chat with friend
Thursday, June 20, 2024
- Bri wasn’t feeling well so we just got breakfast
- Got together laundry & dropped laundry off
- Got awful āAmericanā breakfast at restaurant
- Hung at hotel until laundry was done
- Picked up laundry & dropped off at hotel
- Went on gelato crawl
- Took a nap
- Headed to Irish pub to meet Glenn
- Stopped at Italian restaurant & had dinner
- Watched England game with Glenn & his friend & his family
- Had drinks afterwards & watched part of Italy game
- Headed to Colosseum & saw it at night
- Took train back to hotel
- Watched finale of Italy game
Friday, June 21, 2024
- Got shifty breakfast
- Headed to Vatican by train
- Really really hot & crowded train
- Saw Vatican
- Got gelato there
- Headed back
- Went to Italian restaurant for delicious lunch
- Took a nap
- Went to mall to get gelato
- Back at hotel room since the heat was really bad
Saturday, June 22, 2024
- Got up & had breakfast & packed
- Took a cheap bus to the airport
- Camped out at the airport all day enjoying the beer & food
- Plane to Seville
- Had to grab a taxi to the hostel we stayed at
- Arrived at hostel around 11 PM; small room no bathroom & two small beds
Sunday, June 23, 2024
- Got up & got crappy breakfast & packed up
- Grabbed a bite to eat around bus station
- Waited around bus station until bus
- Back to Lagos where our dogs were waiting for us
As I stated in my 2024 Resolutions post, I’m doing a dry January. I’ll be updating this post throughout the month.
2/5/2024
Well it’s done! And I’ve been drinking every night of February. That will probably break tonight.
I think I slept better but I slept longer. I definitely gained weight but it could also be because I’ve been exercising more (that happens to me). It could also be that instead of drinking, I will eat more when we go out for dinner.
It got a lot easier at the end of the month. And I haven’t gone crazy in February. With Brian gone for two weeks I’m responsible for the pets so there’s reason to not go crazy.
The first sip of beer after January felt like diving into a cool pool on a hot day. Simply refreshing. It was tough when others were drinking and I wasn’t. It kind of changed my relationship with alcohol in a way. I don’t feel the need to go crazy and drink everything. I’m more moderation now… however, that could just be because I have responsibilities until Bri gets back. Or maybe I’m just fooling myself and I’m not being responsible… I don’t know.
I may do dry January again… maybe not.
1/19/2024
More than half way through! It is getting easier. The real challenge has been not cheersing people when we go for a happy hour. I’m ordering orange juice. I’m glad I have friends doing this with me. I’m really proud of my friend, Mark, for hanging in there with me. We met up last night and everyone was not drinking.
I haven’t lost any weight and this morning I woke up and it felt like I had a hangover. It’s also harder to get to sleep. Yesterday wasn’t a good day for my brain. My Portuguese was poor and I’m having a very difficult time in class understanding how to give directions. It’s different than in English.
It’s strange but everything feels fine. I feel normal for the most part… just lower energy and not sleeping. But when I am sleeping, I’m sleeping well. I don’t wake up during the night. I dream more, I think. This has been easy for me but I still want to continue drinking after this month.
1/11/2024
It’s been a tough, slow month so far. I’ve had some challenging days where alcohol would have helped. It’s been 11 days since I last drank alcohol. I know I’ve done longer sprints like this in the past (like when we didn’t have plans for a weekend) so I know I can get through it. In Portugal I drink a lot more than in the states (besides during covid when the only thing to do after work was to drink).
So far I feel okay during the day. However, I feel like they lie when they say you are going to have more energy, sleep less, lose weight, etc by stopping drinking. I’ve had the opposite effects. I’m sleeping 8-9 hours a night (vs when I drank I would get 7-8 hours of sleep). I feel like I’ve gained weight and feel bloated. I also eat a lot more which sucks. I feel like when I drank I wouldn’t eat as much. I feel like I have a lot less energy now. Often I feel like I need to take a nap or feel tired during the day. It sucks.
Alcohol also helps with my portuguese and my overall anxiety. Yesterday I played poker with some people and I felt so nervous and I was shaking. Alcohol helps calm down my nerves and relaxes me but I couldn’t have that.
I’m glad I’m doing this with a friend. Brian is also doing it too. The support from him and my friend helps. I know I’m not the only one going through this hell.
I hope it gets better. Will update again soon.
It’s coming up on a year… a whole YEAR… since I’ve moved to Portugal. It has been a crazy year.
Since I just went back to the states for a visit I thought I’d reflect on what I thought, what changed, how I felt, etc. In no particular order:
- Traffic has gotten really bad. It wasn’t just me. Bri felt it too and everyone whom I’ve asked there said it had gotten bad. We ran into traffic three different times coming back from Uncle George’s on a Wednesday.
- Beer is expensive. I kept paying like $8 or $9 for a beer. WTF? Portugal a caneca (a mug; close to a liter) is 2.5ā¬ during happy hours. At most 4ā¬. In the states at Silver Branch it was $8.50 for a token and two tokens was a liter (so $17!!!). Unbelievable.
- On that note, we spent more than $1,000 when there! My Portuguese friend, Glenn, gave me $92 in “dirty money” and it was gone really fast. Bri also found some USD and we spent it.
- We had an awesome time at the wedding. It was soooo good to see people and dance and have a good time. I really hope to see them again.
- Not a lot of people have anything new or different in their lives since I left. Sure people have a few things going on here and there but nothing like life changing had happened. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or what but I got a lot of “same ol’, same ol'” when I was asking how people were.
- A lot of people showed up to the happy hours that I wasn’t expecting to see. People I haven’t seen in years. My friend, Arlene, came up from Florida. My friend, Angela, and her baby came up all the way from Anne Arundel County (like two counties away from where we had the happy hour). Mel and Jim came out. We saw Helen every happy hour (#superfriend)! One of my friends boyfriend came who we’ve never met before came. My sister, her boyfriend, and Matt all came down from New York!
- The final happy hour at Brookeville felt like one of our parties we used to have in Rockville. A lot of people came out. There was different groups of people but I saw and was able to spend a little time with everyone. Everyone had someone to talk to. Everyone was so cool and was sharing pizza and drinking and just good vibes. It went by so fast.
- It feel like when you’re in the states and you’re working, you live for the weekends. (We tried not to live that way when we lived there as we were always up for doing stuff during the work week.)
- We were bored Thursday and Friday during the day. I guess I didn’t plan anything for those days for some “down time” but we found ourselves just playing pinochle with Bri’s parents.
- I was scared every day not having health insurance there. If something happened we would be fucked. I was also scared of shootings. Probably illogical but still… that shit doesn’t happen here.
- I kept speaking Portuguese. I couldn’t turn it off. Some of my family even got mad at me for doing it. Waiters and waitresses looked at me funny but I think they knew what I was trying to say.
- I really do miss my American friends. I got some good friends in the states. Great people. I really miss them.
- Sometimes it felt like nothing changed; like we were back from a long vacation. It just clicked to be back.
- I already knew this but just to reiterate: JETLAG SUCKS. I was up by 6:30 AM every day (that’s 11:30 Portugal time). I only got like 4 or 5 hours of sleep most nights. Now back in Portugal I’m having trouble getting to sleep by 1 or 2 AM Portugal time.
- My stomach doesn’t like the US food anymore. My stomach hurt nearly every day. I had to keep taking Pepto. Around Tuesday is when I didn’t need to take it any more but I still took it pre-emptively on some occasions. Portuguese food is just better.
- I drank every day but I never got drunk. Maybe slightly buzzed on a few occasions but I watched myself and never drank in excess.
- We didn’t want to drive by our old house.
I had taken my Portuguese friend, Sam’s advice going to the states. She’s from the U.K. and she said make people come to you instead of you running around trying to please/see everyone. That was good advice. It allowed for more time. Many people wanted me to come to them but I just couldn’t. It was either too far or not enough time. I feel bad but I don’t see that changing the next time I visit.
For some things I’d do different next time:
- Bri wanted to see his family who live in different states. Maybe we would do that… I don’t know but then I think…
- I don’t think I could go all the way to North Carolina to see Uncle George again. It was too much driving and time. However, it was during the week when most people were working anyway but it just sucked spending 11+ hours of the trip being in a car. I don’t know what I would do about that though. We did have a lot of fun down there. We got crabs which I hadn’t had in years. We saw the family that was there. They just live really far away from anyone we could possibly make two mini-trips out of.
- Maybe for more time Bri and I would go separately so I could stay there for like a few weeks. But I have no where to stay and no vehicle. Bri at least would have his parents. I don’t think I would like that though. The more time spent in the states is the more time without healthcare. Also, what do I do on the weekdays when people worked? Heidi took a day off to be with us but I’m not sure if some of my other friends can/would do the same.
- I’m not sure how to tackle this but a few of my other friends moved to different states. There is like no way we could spend time to travel to see them when there. They might have to be a special trip but I don’t know how that would work since I don’t want nor plan to visit the states that frequently. (Thinking the next time we visit will be in 2025!)
- Not plan so far in advance. I knew about the wedding months in advance but actually planning the week didn’t happen until about a month before travel. It was very stressful to me knowing our flight but not our schedule. It was difficult to wait that long to finally plan since I’m not the kind of person to give someone 3 or 4 months advance of when I’ll want to hang out. If there’s another wedding like this, I’m going to have to repeat this process which just caused me so much stress.
- Buy a sim card when I get off the plane (or try to). Fuck Lycamobile. They said my phone would work in the US but it didn’t and I was stranded. I put 40ā¬ on that thing for overages for nothing. I had to buy a T-mobile sim card for $31 the next day.
A wedding was to happen! A wedding of two of my good friends! I had to go back for that! No way I was going to miss it. So I decided to plan an entire trip seeing friends and family in the states.
We have been living in Portugal for about a year so it was about time.
Below are all the things we did during the trip. Thanks to all of the people who made time to see me and thanks to the friends and family I saw along the way!
Pictures:
http://yearscollage.com/user/niles38?set_id=146
Thursday, September 7th, 2023
- Woke up before alarm & started moving
- Walked the kids and ran into Lorna
- Continued to get ready & close up
- Walked to bis station and ran into Brandon
- Bus to Lisbon
- Checked bags in
- Food court
- Waited for gate
- Flight to IAD
- Long customs line but we got through easily
- Met up with Heidi after we got bags
- Parking $12
- Dropped off stuff at Heidi’s & got Benji
- Went for drinks and fries and nachos at CraftHouse $37
- Back to Heidi’s for sleep
Friday, September 8th, 2023
- Bri kept waking me up
- Up at 5AM
- Heidi got up early & went to her appointment
- Made bread & coffee & packed up sheets
- When Heidi got back, Walked Benji around & ran into Heidi’s neighbors
- Tried to find & went to T mobile and got a sim card $31
- Dropped Benji off
- Went to Chipotle
- Went to Makers Union Pub and got a beer
- Back to Heidi’s to pack
- Heidi dropped us off Curtis & Wilma’s
- Hung out with Bri’s parents
- Went over Britney & Jason’s
- Played wildlife game
- Got Chinese & drank
- Drinking game
- Went back to Curtis & Wilma’s
Saturday, September 9th, 2023
- Got up early
- Duolingo
- Went to Target $320
- Went to grocery store
- Went to bank
- Back to Curtis & Wilma’s
- Played a few hands of pinochle
- Drove to Rochy’s
- Hung out there & had seafood & drank a little
- Went to nearest hotel to Aaron & Sabrina’s & dropped Stacy & Charles off
- Went to Aaron & Sabrina’s & drank
- Picked up Stacy & Charles
- Matt arrived at Aaron & Sabrina’s
- Ordered Mama Lucia’s
- Played game & drank & pokemon & hangout
- Dropped Stacy & Charles off at hotel
- Hung out a little bit more & went to bed
Sunday, September 10th, 2023
- Got up early
- Matt on couch so couldn’t do Duolingo
- Bri got up so I did Duolingo
- Waited around
- Aaron & Sabrina got up around 9
- Had coffee & coffee cake & talked
- Picked up Stacy & Charles
- Went back to Curtis & Wilma’s
- Family party! Wine & saw family
- Charles left then eventually Stacy & Matt
- Talked to Shawn after Eagles game
- Bri Bri Went out
- To sleep
Monday, September 11th, 2023
- Got up and got ready, took some sandwiches & drinks
- Got to Uncle Georges around 12:30
- Got in pool & had a few drinks
- James & family came over & hung out
- Steak dinner
- Watched a tiny bit of the game & went to bed
Tuesday, September 12th, 2023
- Got up about 6 & did Duolingo
- Bri slept on couch then after I got up slept in bed a bit
- Had shrimp salad for breakfast & coffee
- Left for beach around 10:30 AM
- Parked in Surf City free area & walked on beach for a bit
- Went to restaurant & got a beer & bang bang shrimp
- Drew on table paper & ate
- Went to get crabs & picked out live crabs
- Stopped at several places to find Coors Light in bottles
- Uncle George steamed crabs when we got back
- Went in pool for a while until crabs ready
- Brendly came over & had crab legs
- Patrick came home
- Everyone ate crabs for a while
- Patrick & Brenly got in pool & we followed
- In pool for a bit & Uncle George got in for a bit
- Kim drinking & dancing
- Went to sleep
Wednesday, September 13th 2023
- Kicked Bri out of bed because he kept moving around
- Got up & did Duolingo
- Uncle George got up
- Brenly left
- Had breakfast (sausage and waffles)
- Left Uncle George’s around 9:30 AM
- Ran into bad traffic
- Went to Target on way back
- Arrived around 4 PM
- Went to Streetcar 82
- Bryan S and Helen E showed up
- Drinks then went back to Bri’s parents
Thursday, September 14th, 2023
- Got up early & did Duolingo & took a bath
- Bri helped parents move safe
- Pinochle with Uncle Neil
- Went to dinner/lunch at Olive Garden
- Went to Silver Branch
- Met up with Alicia, Bryan S
- Arlene came!
- Helen came & we all drank
- Later Marc came & we moved inside
- Arlene & I went to car to retrieve wine and ran into Tony!
- Went back to Silver Branch but last call had happened but Hung out anyway & split last beer
- Said bye to Arlene & Tony
- Went over Marc’s place for a hang out
- Went back to Bri’s parents late
Friday, September 15th, 2023
- Got up early
- Bri’s mom made french toast when Bri got up
- Played pinochle a good part of the day
- Decided to ping Sabrina
- Went over Sabrina & Aaronās around 3 and hung out for an hour and a half
- Went over to Helenās place
- Ate pizza & drank a little
- Watched Barbarian
- Went back to Briās parents
Saturday, September 16th, 2023
- Got up early
- When Briās parents got up they took us to Bob Evans (I drove)
- After Bob Evans, back to Briās parents for pinochle for a while
- Started to get ready for the wedding around 2:30
- Left for the wedding & got there around 3:30ish
- Awkward at first, caught up with Paulās family & some of their friends
- Wedding & ceremony happened where we were called out :)
- When time to go inside, had the honor of sitting at the same table as Paul, Becky, Shawn, & Jen :)
- Chipotle dinner & open bar
- Paulās dad & his brothers came over to me to ask about Paul & Becky story
- Bri started talking to one of Paulās uncles
- Caught up with a lot of people like Seth, Paulās dad, others; hung out with Shawn & Jen
- Jen walked in on first dance
- Danced & talked & drank
- Helped clean up
- Decided to go home since it was so late & we couldnāt go anywhere else
Sunday, September 17th, 2023
- Got up early & started to pack
- Got ready & waited around for a while
- Finally got moving to the brewery around noon
- Lots of traffic!
- Stopped at Brew Belly for some beers but they didnāt have Sweet Baby Jesus or the cider Brian likes
- Finally arrived at Brookeville Beer Farm; the area changed!
- Eric & family & Chris were already there
- Got a bigger table
- Helen, Frank, Aaron & Sabrina, Tricia & Travis & family, Angela with Jasper showed up!
- All talking & having a good time
- Mel & Jim showed up
- Heidi showed up then Dave
- Talked with everyone and had a good time
- People started leaving then we left around 5:30
- Heidi dropped us off at IAD very early (just in case of traffic)
- Got checked in & waited at gate for like two hours
- Got Five Guys
- Boarded plane
- Couldnāt sleep too much; kept waiting for food & uncomfortable
Monday, September 18th, 2023
- Didnāt sleep too much on flight
- Watched the last episode of Shameless
- Finally arrived in Lisbon
- Several minor incidents then got to bus station
- A few minor incidents then finally got on bus to Lagos
- Arrived in Lagos & started to unpack
- One of the beers had exploded in Briās suitcase
- Lorna dropped the boys off but Lando isnāt doing well with his nail
- Bri cooked dinner
- Tried to help Lando but he was in too much pain
- Sad night worrying about Lando
I haven’t had any friends prego in a while but every time I do I learn something new. Pregnant people get like weird changes in their bodies. Besides dietary restrictions (no sandwich meat, no sushi), constant peeing, and anything medical, there are just certain changes that are really scary or unpleasant. I’m glad I was never pregnant.
Anyway, I thought I would list all the strange things that I’ve heard from my pregnant friends on what goes on with their bodies.
- Your fingers swell up so you can’t wear a wedding ring.
- The baby sucks all the calcium out of you so your teeth and bones become weaker. A friend of mine said she got a lot of cavities while pregnant.
- Your ankles and feet swell.
- Weird hair growth.
More when I can think of them.
Sooo glad I decided not to have kids!
As I’m sitting here in BWI having a few to drink… what a perfect time to blog!
Recently (just in the past six months) my friend from work has been to (and officiated some) NINE weddings. NINE. I guess they all got delayed from years past?
Anyway it got me thinking… one, my coworker must be really popular and two, I don’t think I’ve gone to nine weddings in my entire life.
Counting them, yeah. Thought I would blog with a count.
- Young – I went to a wedding when I was like 5. My parents were still together. All I remember was staying in a hotel and dancing a lot.
- My own – I believe I was there at my own wedding to Bri. No one else was. Justice of the peace, baby.
- Tricia & Travis – Good friends from college got married. I was a bridesmaid! Very good wedding. Also was the same day as Shawn and Jen but we didn’t know them yet.
- Joe & Kate – My in-laws. Fun wedding up in New York. We had to stay at a different hotel from the rest since we had Candi. A few good stories from it.
- Seth & Meredith – Friend from college. Good time. He had karaoke and Taylor Swift songs.
- Leslie & Jason – Friend from college. Nice wedding up near Baltimore. Good food. I photocopied.
- Pablo – Uncle George’s friend had a nice little wedding at his home. I think Bri and I kind of crashed it but it was fun. Very low budget. Coors Light in Coolers.
- Mel & Jim – Right before covid. Friends I knew from Bernie’s campaign. Fun Jewish wedding.
We went to a few wedding receptions (Megan and Matt, Bri’s childhood friend), but we weren’t at the actual “I do” part.
Looking ahead, next year I will go to at least one, Bri’s cousin. I’m not sure who else is on the horizon…
Still drinking…
My mom’s boyfriend, Kenny, was kind enough to give me his timeshare in Myrtle beach in June 2021. I originally wanted it to be a big girls trip with just Arlene, Becky, and I but I realized that wouldn’t be fair to our guys. When Arlene decided to get her own place, I made the move to have the guys there too all week.
We had an awesome time! We did breweries, wine tasting, lots of mini golf, pool, dinners and drinks, games, and (of course) the beach! I always wanted to do a trip like this with good friends. It was awesome.
Pictures:
http://yearscollage.com/user/niles38?set_id=42
Here’s the diary…
Friday, June 4, 2021
- Worked half day; got everything done
- Packed
- Got stung by a plant
- Dropped dogs off at Bri’s parents
- Got hotel in NC
- Hardee’s for dinner; drank a big beer
Saturday, June 5, 2021
- Crappy breakfast
- Left hotel
- Got to Sands Beach Club
- Found car spot with electric parking
- Met up with mom & Kenny
- Drove to Ocean Annie’s
- Drank a lot of beer, live music
- Got food
- Went back to resort
- Room ready
- Kenny & mom showed us around room then left
- Went to hot tub & drank
- Becky texted & we met up with them
- Hot tub & pool with Paul & Becky
- Twisted Restaurant dinner
- I was plastered
- Back to room
- Arlene & Andy came by
Sunday, June 6, 2021
- Got up & Went to breakfast with Paul & Becky (good place)
- Went to Costco
- Came back to resort
- Walk on the beach
- Hit the pool with everyone
- Played with ball
- Back to room to chill and change
- Went to the pirate Voyage show
- Went back to our place for games
Monday, June 7, 2021
- Talked to Kenny but weather not good
- Went to the beach
- Went to the brewery, Andy & Arlene Met us up there
- Walked to golf but Went to a wine tasting place along the way
- Hung around wine place for a bit
- Paul drove us to alpha gold put put place
- Went to Arlene & Andy’s
- Got pizza
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
- Got up somewhat early to go boating
- Met Kenny & Mom at the marina
- Went to Bird Island
- Walked around a bit, did the ocean
- Got stranded on Bird Island because of the tide
- Had some beer
- Did more ocean and beach
- When we were able to get out, did a toast with wine
- Boated to LuLu’sĆ¢ā¬Ā¦ bad service
- Had lunch, drinks
- Boated back to marina
- Everyone tired & Went to bed early
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
- No one wanted to go out to breakfast
- Bri & I went to blueberry grill for breakfast
- Went to Publix
- Back to hotel
- Went to the beach
- Met up with Arlene, flew kites
- Walked to Harry the hats for lunch
- Hung around hotel
- Hit up the boardwalk around 5
- Paul, Bri, Becky drank at Hurricanes (cat 5 Hurricane’s)
- Played the Mind, alcoholic slushi’s
- Rode the SkyWheel
- Met up with Arlene & Andy
- Went to some tiki bar (bad service) but shots and food
- Went into some shop
- All rode back in my car; everyone drunk
Thursday, June 10, 2021
- Everyone drank the night before
- Went to pancake house for breakfast
- Back to hotel
- Mini golf at two places
- Went swimming in pool
- Met cool guy by the pool
- Went to seafood place for dinner
- Checked out kite place before we ate
- Back to our place for games
- Everyone called it an early night
Friday, June 11, 2021
- Paul & Becky got up, packed and left
- Kind of sadness
- Waited for Mom to message me
- Got in the pool for a bit
- Went over Kenny’s
- Went out to lunch with Kenny & Mom
- Hung out with Kenny & mom for a bit
- Back to hotel
- Met up with Andy & Arlene and went to place next to Ocean Annie’s
- Back to our place & played rummy
- Went over to Arlene’s for their beer
- Watched half of a movie
Saturday, June 12, 2021
- Got up and cleaned and left
- Traffic a lot
- Picked up the kids
- Got home & watched movies
- I DO NOT have covid. I doubt that I’ve ever had it.
- I REALLY want AOC to force a vote on Medicare For All so then we will know who supports giving people healthcare during a pandemic.
- I say fuck too much.
- My friends are awesome. I miss my friends.
- My dogs are awesome. I don’t miss my dogs since they’re always here with me.
- I’ve been downloading (actually buying) a lot of music.
- I’m really into Chernobyl, Mount Everest, abandoned places, ship wrecks, etc. I would like more recommendations for YouTube but since all I subscribe to and most of what I play is political in nature, I don’t see much.
- I have a weird crush on Jared Harris right now. I just finished binging Fringe and just watched Chernobyl on HBO for the third time. I just love his voice. It’s sexy to me.
- It does not feel like Christmas to me.
- I’m kind of a little addicted to work right now which is not a good thing. I think about it a lot. I’m having fun and (dare I say it) look forward to the work days.
- I’m learning Spanish and actually getting good at it. Speaking and hearing, not so much but I can read it.
- I REALLY wish the Democrats didn’t suck. I REALLY wish we had Bernie in there. I REALLY wish more people realized that the Democrats suck and demand more from them. All I do on Twitter is bash the Democrats because they deserve it. They are beyond pathetic and the next four years are going to be a cluster fuck. Sorry (not sorry) but Joe Biden sucks ass. He’s going to make things worse (and NO that doesn’t mean he’s worse than Trump).
- I wish I had more time for this blog. I wish I could write debunking posts like I used to. I would research the shit out of something and write about it with sources and stuff. It was fun and awesome.
I decided my blogs needed some love. I’m looking at this blog and Syntax Notes. I’m installing new, crisp, clean WP themes on both this blog and Syntax Notes.
We’re also getting out a bit more (a bit). Every week or every other week we seem to do something with someone. We still maintain distance with them and wear masks. It’s nice to actually go places and see people. You need that.
I can’t wait for this bullshit to be over!
We’ve been social distancing now for about three weeks. I really miss my friends. I was able to do facetime with a friend the other day and I really enjoyed seeing them. These times are hard.
Anyway, I thought I’d share some cool websites we found to better connect us with our friends. These are primarily game websites since Bri and I are both big into board games. Here’s the list:
- dominion.games – This is Dominion online. We played this last night until like 3 AM. The free version just has the base set. It’s only like $5 a month. Totally worth it. One membership gets you all the Dominion sets as well as the ability to play with six people. You only need one membership for anyone to join you. It’s free to join.
- http://playingcards.io/ – This is a free, virtual card playing website. They have Cards Against Humanity! They also have a bunch of other games you’d usually play in gradeschool like Go Fish.
- https://jackboxgames.com – JackBox games are always fun! We started playing them years ago with friends. You play them with your phone. You can do them distance now as well. I recently played Drawful with coworkers. We shared his screen via Slack and all talked through Slack and drew on our phones. JackBox games do cost a bit of money though.
- https://www.trickstercards.com/game/ – A neat website you can play four player card games like Spades, Hearts, Bridge, and Pinochle.
I’ll update this post with more social distancing fun stuff when I find it.