You know those friends that you have that you might not see that often, but then when you do, even if it's been a long time since you've seen them, you can just start right where you left off with them and feel like no time has passed? They are those friends that you went to college with, or the ones you use to work with, or the ones who you just lose touch with for no particular reason, but they are people with whom you will always be close? I am thankful for those friends in my life. I'm thankful that I can pick up the phone and call Julie in Buffalo, or Angie in DC, Krissy and Beth in Atlanta, or Beckbo on Martha's Vineyard and have a conversation like there is no distance between us. I am thankful for my steadfast friends, the ones I see every day, or every week who never get tired of me, and whom I never tire of. I am thankful for the friends who go out of their way to spend time with me. I am grateful for the friends whom I want to go out of the way to spend time with. I'm thankful that I have people to call on anytime I need them, and I am grateful that I am given the opportunities to be called upon. In the story of my life, I am thankful for such great characters.

I can't believe it's August already. It's pathetic. I've been home for 9 months now.

I've been keeping myself busy with work, then keeping myself busy out of work too. The job is actually slowly getting better. The only thing I am really hating at the moment is that I have to do MOD (Manager on Duty) shifts on weekend nights where I have to stay at the hotel in case of emergencies. I just hate being there for 24 hours, it's so depressing. Plus, the weeks I do the shifts, it's not like I get an extra day off or anything, so basically I'm getting peanuts for the amount of hours I'm putting in here. I wouldn't have to do so many of the shifts if there weren't only 3 of us to do them. Ugh, I'm just getting pissed off, I'm gonna stop talking about it now.

As I mentioned before, I went to Vegas the last week in June with Joe and his family, plus some scragglers. I really had a great time. There was a karaoke bar not far away, how could I NOT have fun? I gambled a little, but mostly took in the sights. It was a great trip to take considering my career path. It was so exciting to see such a hub of tourism. I could never live/work there though... it's no Geneva, lol.

After Vegas, I went to Crystal Beach in Canada to visit Beth a few times since she was up for the summer seeing her family. I got to ride on a jet ski for the first time which was a scary experience, but now I'm a pro. I also met the new QB for the Buffalo Bills, JP Losman. He is good friends with Beth's brother Scott, so he was up at the cottage both of the times I went to see Beth. Lynn came with me the second time, it was 3/4 of a college reunion.

When I was visiting Beth, we came up with the idea, well I did, to go visit Jonathan in Chicago cause there were really cheap tickets. Jonathan is Beth's boyfriend from college, and he was a good friend of mine in college too. I hadn't seen him since I graduated, so we booked tickets (round trip $76.50!) for this past weekend. We got there on Friday night and I don't think I stopped drinking until Sunday night, lol. I got to meet up with Tony Aloia, Angie's bro and a friend from high school, as well as play beach volleyball and go to a Cubs game. It was an awesome weekend and I met some really cool people... who knows... maybe I could see myself living there?

Other than that, it' s been a typical Geneva summer. Even so typical that I hung out with Gabe and Justin my friends from the summers of 2001 and 2002. It wouldn't be a summer in Geneva without the double pummel or the iron feather. I do miss the Vineyard a little though, considering it's been my summer place for past 2 years. Not enough to make me want to go back, but enough to make me want to visit. I'm planning a trip out there Aug 27th-30th I think. If you want in, hit me up.

p.s. I got my bridesmaid dress for Steph's wedding! I can't believe she's gonna be hitched in 3 months! AH!