You don't know me.

You should never underestimate the power of an understanding relationship.

I've had a rough couple of weeks. Actually, I've had a rough fall, and the over-work combined with the life-stress has stretched me about as thin as Jamily-possible. I have to move soon or there's going to be a suicide-patricide problem; you'll read about it on the news.

I'm starting to become friends, not friendly, but real friends with some of my co-workers. I had a great talk with my friend Keri tonight about books, (which will prompt me to revise and post my Top Ten of All Time list very soon) and we decided that I was in dire need of a night out. I haven't been OUT out in... well, a really long time. I'm always tired, or I'm not with friends, or I am, but they have to go home early, yadda yadda yadda. It just hasn't happened in a while- one of those great nights where you go out for drinks and end up talking until the bar closes.

Vegas is one of my least favorite places in the country, but we were talking about going to the Hard Rock. It's a small casino, they play great music, it's kind of off the main strip, pretty much the best choice for me. We decided that's exactly what I needed: a night of music and girl talk and not thinking about all the things in life that are getting me down.

I mentioned it to the other two girls we're working with, and they launched into thjs freak Saturday night plan of a Vegas strip show, complete with naked men and lap dances. I looked at them as though they had just suggested I become an nun. They were like "Yeah! This is EXACTLY what you need!! We'll get you a lap dance!!!" I politely declined, but couldn't possibly think of something I would LESS rather do, and at that point, decided that you should never underestimate someone who GETS you. No one who knows me at ALL would suggest a strip club as an enjoyable night for me. My mind then wandered over to people that have known me for years, who know a LOT about me, but still don't get me (ie: my mother). I don't know what it is that makes people click but it's not length of time or amount of knowledge. It's something intangible that binds a relationship. I have some incredibly good bonds, and I want you guys to know that I couldn't be more appreciative of them. I told Sandy last week that she was the wind beneath my wings, and then I changed it to the couch beneath my @$$, since I'm not exactly soaring these days. But seriously, you guys are awesome. Life is short and the only thing in my life worth anything right now is a dozen people that I never see but couldn't live without. Thanks for knowing who I am and letting me be.

Dinner at Nine: $70
Drinks and gambling at The Hard Rock: $100
Hanging out with someone who understands why you're blue without having to talk about it: PRICELESS