More Than A Penny's Worth.. A List

Last night L and I went down to A-Town for a party at a certain Irish Pub, and to see A&A who we never see anymore. We ate dinner at Sona, a pretentious establishment which will not be seeing us again. I was resoundingly unimpressed-- L and I cook better meals every day. Then we went over to the pub, where I saw the same old crowd that's been there for the past 10 years and realized that many things never change.

One in particular talked to L as if he were J, as if he couldn't tell the f***ing difference, which may have been the alcohol, but whatever. I'm not saying that we had no fun. I'm just saying it was weird enough to give me pause.

This morning I went for a ride with Trigger, which was a little cold, but nice. We had a little issue with one of the water crossings, but only because it combined all of the things that Trigger dislikes.. an 18-inch step down, mud, and a very narrow trail. We made it though, and I had lots of time to think about a lot of things.

So, a list for those of you who have read this far:

1) A-Town is a weird place. A-Town just seems to have a contingent of folks who like to be pretentious. People who look down at anyone not in their little clique as somehow less than they are. People who like to name drop, and women who try to climb your husband's leg while you're standing right there-- or vice versa. And when they realize that you know the names they've dropped as well as (or maybe even a little better than!) they do, they really get pissed. As if to say "Just where does this young person get off, being friends with him (or her, depending)??" As if any of it matters. As if anyone outside of a 5-mile radius of the courthouse gives a flying ****. Just what the hell is wrong with being yourself, regardless of who you know and who you don't?

2) A-Town politics is a 3-ring circus. And I would venture to guess that the entire county government is one enormous love decahedron. Who's sleeping with who? Who gives a crap? L and I were talking about it all on the way home, and we think that from now on, we are making our own plans, going to G-ville to the places where we have fun and if some of our A-Town friends want to come, they are welcome.. but we're not changing our plans or going to A-town to hang out. Which leads us to..

3) I feel really bad that two of my best friends, A&A, are being eaten by A-Town politics. It's almost like not being friends at all. We never see them-- when we invite them somewhere, they say they're coming and then never show up. When they invite us somewhere, we end up hanging out with the county, not with our friends. Or else we end up being volunteered to "work" some event. The only exception to this is if they come to our house.. which rarely happens anymore. It just makes me sad-- first of all that we're considered second-class friends, who don't deserve a frikkin phone call when they can't make it, and second that I miss them. Third is that they're supposed to be in the wedding, and what happens if they're too busy to make that? And of course I don't say anything because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or make the situation worse. Still, it bothers me.

4) To change the subject entirely, I can't wait to get some furniture in the dining room so we can invite some friends over for dinner. Cookout weather is on its way though, so we could always use the patio set.. it seats 6.. I just think it would be nice. There are several neighbors here that I'd like to have over sometime. Which leads me to..

5) There are lots of people around who would be great friends. There are lots of people around who would pick up the phone if something came up, or who would invite us somewhere for the pleasure of our company, and vice versa. Why the fixation on the ones who don't, can't, won't, etc?

Later: Pics from Mom's last weekend
My amazing trip to the 99cent Goodwill
Tonight the band is playing... WOOHOO!