Labor Day weekend alone

This past weekend was pretty laid back and relatively uneventful for your humble narrator.

On Friday, I rushed home to play on the PS2. I put a big dent in SSX Tricky – unlocking levels and adding tricks to my trick book repertoire. I was really tired from having stayed up late on Thursday, so I went to be pretty early.

I slept until 9 a.m. on Saturday. I got up, charged the Hitachicam’s battery, hopped in the shower, dressed and headed to the post office. I had to mail the Radeon 7000. I’ve become quite the master at transporting awkward objects on my motorcycle. I’m waiting for the day to be pulled over by a cop and hear the words: “Young man, you know it’s not very safe to carry a white tail buck carcass, a mini refrigerator and a domestic cat on this motorcycle.” Hey… there’s an idea, I ought to train Riley to ride the motorcycle with me. I could take him to the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and charge people to watch him eat Jell-O and green beans. He also likes beer. Bud Light. He doesn’t really like Miller Light, but he’ll drink it if that’s all we have.

Anyway, after mailing off the graphics card, it was off to the Temple Party Drags – emphasis on the Drag. It cost $45 for a weekend pass. They didn’t offer day passes. Luckily I stopped at the bank on the way and pulled $40. The lady dispensing wristbands spotted me the extra $5.

I rode around the ‘campgrounds’ for a while and found a little secluded space to park. I walked around for a bit and checked out the patrons’ motorcycles. After walking around for half an hour or so, I went and sat in the stands to watch the qualifying races. Mullets, do-rags, home-job tattoos and beer drinkers at 10 a.m. The races were fun to watch, but the people watching wasn’t as fun as I had expected. Nothing like the smell of nitrous oxide and burning rubber to start off a Saturday.

Before it got too hot [and because I had no cash], I headed home for some lunch in the air conditioned apartment and some more SSX Tricky. I was told by Temple Party Drags officials that if I got my wristband cut before 7 p.m. on Saturday, I would get a $20 refund. I checked the event itinerary and saw that there was a bikini contest and live music later in the evening.

I headed back to the raceway at 5:30 p.m. I parked in the same spot and made the same rounds. Nothing had changed. There were a few more people, but nothing was going on that was worth my $40. I really didn’t feel like watching bikini girls strut around to Skynyrd cover songs. I left along side many other bikers at 6:30. We all wanted our $20 refund. I figure the actual $20 that I spent was somewhat worth it. It’s good to know that once a year there is a motorcycle event here in bustling Temple. I made my contribution. I guess it would have been more fun if I had some company. Elise was in Minneapolis.

I went by the local Mom and Pop video store and picked up Orange County. I came home, watched that and then “beat” SSX Tricky. I guess you really can’t beat that game, I just unlocked all of the levels and most of the snowboards.

I slept in until around 10 a.m. on Sunday. It was such a great feeling, waking up on Sunday and knowing that I didn’t have to worry about going to work the next day. I don’t think I did anything on Sunday. I went to the store and bought the paper. That was pretty much it. I sat around all day and did nothing. That felt great. Riley and I channel surfed and played with his string toy.

Monday – I pretty much did nothing again. I took a good long walk in the late morning. It was really hot and humid. I guess that’s why I didn’t do much that past two days… it’s just too hot outside. I did cook a really good t-bone that my parents gave me. That was my lonesome Labor Day barbeque – me, the cat and 98 channels. I caught the Red Hot Chili Peppers Backyard BBQ on VH1. I don’t know the specifics, but some girl won a contest and the RHCP performed a private concert at her apartment’s pool.

The Abyss came on at 10 p.m. I forget what channel it was on, but there was no commercials (we have ‘basic plus’ cable – no premium channels). I don’t think I’ve ever seen that movie in its entirety. Good movie. I think I was trying to stay up until Elise got back. She flew from Minneapolis to Dallas and had to drive back to bustling Temple. Her plane didn’t get in until 12 a.m. The drive from Dallas is 2+ hours. I lasted until around 1:30 and had to fall asleep.

I heard the water in the sink running at around 2:30 p.m. I pried my eyes open just as El was coming to bed. She laid her head on my shoulder and I scratched her head. Seems like only moments of sleep-time had passed when both of our alarms were screaming.

El got up and took a shower. I slept until the very last affordable minute. We both roamed around the apartment in our own pathetic ways, bumping into each other with zombie eyes, attempting to start the work week.

Tonight we can pretend like she’s just gotten back. She will tell me all about her exciting weekend in Minneapolis with her friends and I will tell her how Riley and I caught a fuzzy insect in the fireplace.

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