Halloween Shenanigans

I was really looking forward to Halloween this year. I mean I really- REALLY was looking forward to Halloween. All four years of college I never dressed up or anything, but this year I was ready to go all out.

Why, you ask?

Simple.

I needed a distraction. I needed a distraction from everything- resumes, cover letters, follow-up phones calls and countless hours probing the World Wide Web searching for the next opportunity. I haven't been making much progress. Which is another topic for another day.

The Blues played the night before Halloween and we all got to dress up in costumes. A buddy and I went as Wayne and Garth from Wayne's World- it was awesome.

I had made arrangements to celebrate All Hallows Eve with a friend of mine that I work the St. Louis Blues games with. This girl is absolutely gorgeous in every way and a personality to match. I was confident the night would be a blast no matter what happened.

I was wrong.

This girl is a walking soap opera.

Every bar or venue we entered we had to leave because of some nut job from her past would show up. The went into every bar on Morgan Ford St. in downtown St. Louis. Talk about a buzz kill.

I still can't get over the fact at how many "slutty" costumes are out there. Slutty police office, slutty nurse, slutty school teacher, slutty firefigher- the list goes on and on. No element of wonder exists anymore. Everything is all out there in the open- and for most of the broads wearing those costumes should NOT have been wearing those types of costumes.

Why?

Because those chicks were fat and ugly. As my grandfather would say: "Two Bag Ugly." You know, a girl so ugly she needs two bags over her face?

My friends and I eventually ended up at Bar 101 in the Soulard area where we danced and carried on into the early morning hours.

All was made good again the next morning when my dad and I went kayaking on the Meremec River. We paddled 11 miles down the river. In some areas forgetting about you humble Midwest settings is easy. High rock bluffs, rapids and rolling hills on both sides add to the package. The kayak trip was the first real adventure that I had been on in quite some time. I hope to make it a higher priority from now on.

The Lure of Smalltown America

i seem to recognize your face
haunting, familiar, yet i can't seem to place it
cannot find the candle of thought to light your name
lifetimes are catching up with me
all these changes taking place, i wish i'd seen the place
but no one's ever taken me
hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away...
hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away...
i swear i recognize your breath
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising
me, you wouldn't recall, for i'm not my father
it's hard when, you're stuck upon the shelf
i changed by not changing at all, small town predicts my fate
perhaps that's what no one wants to see
i just want to scream...hello...
my god its been to long, never dreamed you'd return
but now here you are, and here i am
hearts and thoughts they fade...away...
hearts and thoughts they fade...away...
hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away...
hearts and thoughts they fade...

"Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town," Pearl Jam

Earlier this week I went to New Albany, IN to help my mother clean out my late grandfather's house. New Albany is right across the Ohio River from Louisville, KY and is often overlooked by the home of Papa Johns and the Kentucky Derby. In the afternoon I met my uncle at a local watering hole called Richo's- home of the New Albany Brewing Company. Not many people occupied the bar, but every single one of them knew my uncle- a local attorney. One was a high school buddy and another asked if he was running for "office" again. Even the bar owner had a picture of my uncle on the wall (I'll leave out the description of the photo in case other family members have not seen it).

I was surrounded by complete strangers yet I felt a comfort and feeling of protection that I have not felt in some time. I cannot explain the phenomena. My whole life I planned to escape away to the exciting big city, but once I arrived there- I hated it. I now find myself in Eureka, MO just outside St. Louis and once again I yearn for those city limits. I still cannot explain it.

Update

Hey everyone I just wanted to give you all an update on me because I haven't written anything in almost a month. Well I'm back in St. Louis now living with family seeking out some opportunities. I'm currently working part-time for the Blues, Rams and St. Louis University athletics department. They're all great opportunities that will definitely lead to something down the road, but unfortunately you can't make a living off of it. When I'm not doing those things, ever spare minute I'm out on the soccer fields refereeing. Really nothing exciting. Stand-by for more at a later date!