Yeah, so i'm awake

Ok, so, it's about 3 hours and 42 minutes into my 25th birthday. I'm rather unexcited about the date because i'm not a huge birthday person. It's kind of awkward receiving that much attention all day. I'm more a fan of the quick bursts of attention that come from a good joke or doing something silly. Anyway, i figure i'll just type up a blog about my weekend...

Friday, i left work early to rush home and pack up my stuff. My hopes were that we (Nick and I) would get on the road by 5:30 in order to make it to the Balloon Glow in StL. Of course, no one really leaves at their estimated departure time, we left after 6. The Balloon Glow, for those of you who don't know, is an event held at Forest Park (where the Zoo, Science Center, and History Museum.. Art Museum are) annually the night before the Great Hot Air Balloon Race. It's starts at around 7 pm and ends at 8:30pm. Basically what happens is all of the balloons gather in a field (which happens to be next to a lake) and fill up and light up the evening sky like little Chinese Lanterns. Its absolutely breathtaking. Nick and i made it just in time for the last 20 minutes and were able to find Chris and Sara with out any trouble. The place was more crowded than... well i can't think of a good analogy but lets just say it was really crowded. Anyway, my parents left way to late, and weren't able to meet us at the Balloon Glow but did make it to dinner. We took the NEW metro link line to the "Loop" and ate at Fitz's. (check out the review to come on Woo's Reviews)



Saturday, what a day, Nick and i stayed at my brother, Sam's, apartment and woke up to eat breakfast/lunch with him and his new girlfriend Laura. My brother had apparently told her that i am super mean to his girlfriends so, i knew this was going to be a treat. I had wondered why she seemed a little awkward at first but, Sam fessed up to telling her that i'm mean to all of his new girlfriends. Anyway, once this was cleared up everything went smoothly and she is a very sweet woman (i would have said girl but she is 27). After lunch Nick, Laura, and I drove out to meet up with my parents in Belleville, IL at a car show. My parents were showing their 1955 2 door hard top special off. We took a little detour and wound up in Freeburg, IL, it's quite a little gem. I want to move there...not.

Saturday night we ventured off to what is becoming a slight tradition in my family, the Hangar dance. I know some of you are wondering what the "hangar" dance is, and my friend, let me tell you, it is a sight to behold! Over 1000 people gathered into a large WWII aircraft hangar and danced the night away to the sounds of a big band. Nick and i had a terrific time dancing, drinking, and chatting it up with my parents.

Sunday, we met up with my grandma for breakfast/lunch... er brunch. She is always one of my favorite people to see in StL. We were planning to go to someplace out doors but it started to rain so our options became limited. We drove to Chris and Sara's apartment and decided to go see a movie, "the Illusionist", at the old Hi-Pointe theater. Then it was back to my parents house to say goodbyes and a quick stop by a White Castle (it seriously is what i crave when i am in StL... i can't help it! i completely engorge myself on these little onion burger bombs).

Here begins the journey home to Columbia. Unfortunately it wasn't your usual boring trip back to Columbia. We stopped to go to the bathroom on the way back and about 5 miles on the road my car started to rev and shift funny (i have an automatic). Immediately my thoughts go to my transmission. Nick was driving and pulled over quickly so we could check out the engine. All of the fluids were ok and nothing looked crazy. I wasn't dragging any belts, hoses, and there wasn't smoke and flames. So we took our chances and started on the road again when the troubles persisted. In talking to my dad he seems to think that a vacuum hose has come loose or has a hole in it and that we should just keep my car in 2nd the whole way back (aka drive 45 on the highway... good times... and all of this just 4 miles outside of the Herman exit. Approximately 45-50 minutes from Columbia). We wound up taking the back roads to Columbia and made it home about an hour and a half after the troubles began.

So, today i look forward to spending half of my day in an auto shop getting my car worked on. Then i hope to make it into work. Year 25 is already starting to suck... maybe i can look forward to the cost of my car insurance going down?