![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
A night out with the old crew
Jun. 21st, 2010 10:10 amAhhh, Yesterday was rather fun. I don't get out as much as I once did, which is funny because I just read kdana 's post about how much she hangs out with big crews!
Anywho, it was Mikey (Aka Snowflake, or Blacky) who invited us to hang out with the ole military crowd in Lakewood area. We jumped on it very quickly.
After circuit training in the morning (squats, lunges, pushups, situps, military press, jumping jacks over and over anyone?) and generally sleeping in, showering, getting some jamba juice for the trip over...
Met at the old bar (Schooner's) and from there went to the bowling alley with Mikey. Had some food (my one outing of the week) and finally Ray Ray and his new gf came about, and then Ben (who for the longest time I only knew by his last name, Carter). Which eventually bothered him because I only referred to him as Carter because that was how I met him. Took me a good 2 years to start calling him Ben!
So, off we went to bowl. I suck really badly at bowling. ;) I tricked some people for a little while with that. First 4-5 frames looked like I was ACTUALLY a bowler, with strikes and spares. And then my actual game came out with the gutter balls and the shitty hits. ;)
After that, Ray Ray and his girl left. Mike, Ben, Jim, and I headed off to go back to Schooner's. We would have gone with Ray Ray, but an old flame of his is the night-bartender. Sucks, actually. Bella and Ray Ray were close friends, and then after coming back from his third tour (the reason we got together yesterday was because Ray Ray has been back from his 4th tour over seas - yes, you read that. 4 years in combat) - after he got back from tour #3, his friendship with Bella from the bar blossomed. And then things got messed up.
Very sad, because the Schooner bar is a very tight knit group, and the entire social schema sort of revolves around that place. Now Ray Ray isn't down with going there while Bella is on shift. (Blah).
Happy that Ray Ray has found someone he seems deeply involved with now - still bummed that in order to chill with him we have to find another Lakewood spot. I have to admit, I really like Bella. She's so sweet to me. I even endure her asking when me and Jim are going to get married ;) (because we've been together for a long time haven't you guys?) Etc.
Ahhh, Bella. My favorite bartender ever, actually. I love knowing the entire staff at Schooner's. It's beneficial to be best pals with 2 bouncers, and close with the night bartender. It felt weird to go in during the middle of the day to meet with Mikey and show up early, only to be seen by the day-staff who had no idea who I was and treated us like... well. Regular first time customers in their bar. Sort of one of those, "yo, what's up biatch? This is our bar!"
Okay, okay. But you get the picture. Anyways, after drinking about 1.5 more beers (piss beers) than I was intending for the night (I wanted to have just 1 beer, I think I had 2.5 total) and getting sleepy - also realizing I would be working on Monday morning, we finally left Schooner's at 12, and got home at 1. It just felt SO good to be with the old folks. There is such a brotherhood, and closeness, a connection they all share. And bi-proxy, as one of the main beloved brother's-'in-arms' long-time girl, I am indicted into this brotherhood by association. (It's never the full effect, obviously - but I'm still one of the crew.) I remember when I was first dating Jim how it felt to be in this group of people. The warmth and love they share is infectious. The acute early-days memories brings another associative fondness for me. This group of people brings alive the beginnings of my NRE, relationship days with Jim. We have stories. we have memories, and to feel that I belong anywhere is so incredibly powerful.
After 2 years of feeling out of place, depressed somewhat often over injury situations... of reverting to what is called the "inferior function" of my personality via the "Meyer's Briggs" test (yes, kdana mentioned it recently too!). Being with this group of people was like opening up and reminding my soul that I *do* have those connections. The kindred spirits and the fun. No need to be DOING anything beyond just hanging out and cracking stupid jokes. Laughing, smiling, drinking piss beer. (Very slowly, my 2.5 beers over like 4 hours!) Honestly, I think I'd rather have been drinking water, but that is okay. Overlooking that!
Definitely was a nice evening. I also was talking to Mike and Ray about how the old crew just doesn't hang out and do the level of things that we all used to do. Essentially, this made it easier to know that it does NOT have to do with living in the 'Quah verses having a household over in Lakewood/University Place. I think when the old apartment disbanded, that was the beginning of a much higher level of disparity in the "hang out," atmosphere. So much so - that at times I wish they hadn't disbanded. And yet, the next household they had was a house, with a couple of outsider type soldiers - and they seemed to be a little more obnoxious and little less in resonance with Mikey and Jim. Ray Ray gets along with all kinds of people - this includes complete idiots. I had the honor of meeting a couple of back-woods, deep south, deep midwest types that ended up in the house after the apartment scene. It was not inspiring. I could see how the era that was the apartment was definitely over, even though part of it felt like it was because Jim relocated. No, I think it was the mixture of people. Regardless, seems Mikey wants to make more summer plans, have some cook-outs like old times, and involve everyone a little more in events. I think the push to hang out last night sparked a lot of nostalgia and reminded everyone of how much they miss the comradery. And Bless Ray Ray for making it home again. I can only say that he is one of the sweetest guys I know, and I feel so fortunate to have seen him return 3 other times. Wow. There is a man who has paid his dues many times over. I spoke with him last night about his plans after this term is up. He plans to not re-sign his contract.
Although there is always that question in his mind about staying in. But I think after this last journey to Afghanistan... he said he's done with that shit.
Thank goodness...
-Angela
Anywho, it was Mikey (Aka Snowflake, or Blacky) who invited us to hang out with the ole military crowd in Lakewood area. We jumped on it very quickly.
After circuit training in the morning (squats, lunges, pushups, situps, military press, jumping jacks over and over anyone?) and generally sleeping in, showering, getting some jamba juice for the trip over...
Met at the old bar (Schooner's) and from there went to the bowling alley with Mikey. Had some food (my one outing of the week) and finally Ray Ray and his new gf came about, and then Ben (who for the longest time I only knew by his last name, Carter). Which eventually bothered him because I only referred to him as Carter because that was how I met him. Took me a good 2 years to start calling him Ben!
So, off we went to bowl. I suck really badly at bowling. ;) I tricked some people for a little while with that. First 4-5 frames looked like I was ACTUALLY a bowler, with strikes and spares. And then my actual game came out with the gutter balls and the shitty hits. ;)
After that, Ray Ray and his girl left. Mike, Ben, Jim, and I headed off to go back to Schooner's. We would have gone with Ray Ray, but an old flame of his is the night-bartender. Sucks, actually. Bella and Ray Ray were close friends, and then after coming back from his third tour (the reason we got together yesterday was because Ray Ray has been back from his 4th tour over seas - yes, you read that. 4 years in combat) - after he got back from tour #3, his friendship with Bella from the bar blossomed. And then things got messed up.
Very sad, because the Schooner bar is a very tight knit group, and the entire social schema sort of revolves around that place. Now Ray Ray isn't down with going there while Bella is on shift. (Blah).
Happy that Ray Ray has found someone he seems deeply involved with now - still bummed that in order to chill with him we have to find another Lakewood spot. I have to admit, I really like Bella. She's so sweet to me. I even endure her asking when me and Jim are going to get married ;) (because we've been together for a long time haven't you guys?) Etc.
Ahhh, Bella. My favorite bartender ever, actually. I love knowing the entire staff at Schooner's. It's beneficial to be best pals with 2 bouncers, and close with the night bartender. It felt weird to go in during the middle of the day to meet with Mikey and show up early, only to be seen by the day-staff who had no idea who I was and treated us like... well. Regular first time customers in their bar. Sort of one of those, "yo, what's up biatch? This is our bar!"
Okay, okay. But you get the picture. Anyways, after drinking about 1.5 more beers (piss beers) than I was intending for the night (I wanted to have just 1 beer, I think I had 2.5 total) and getting sleepy - also realizing I would be working on Monday morning, we finally left Schooner's at 12, and got home at 1. It just felt SO good to be with the old folks. There is such a brotherhood, and closeness, a connection they all share. And bi-proxy, as one of the main beloved brother's-'in-arms' long-time girl, I am indicted into this brotherhood by association. (It's never the full effect, obviously - but I'm still one of the crew.) I remember when I was first dating Jim how it felt to be in this group of people. The warmth and love they share is infectious. The acute early-days memories brings another associative fondness for me. This group of people brings alive the beginnings of my NRE, relationship days with Jim. We have stories. we have memories, and to feel that I belong anywhere is so incredibly powerful.
After 2 years of feeling out of place, depressed somewhat often over injury situations... of reverting to what is called the "inferior function" of my personality via the "Meyer's Briggs" test (yes, kdana mentioned it recently too!). Being with this group of people was like opening up and reminding my soul that I *do* have those connections. The kindred spirits and the fun. No need to be DOING anything beyond just hanging out and cracking stupid jokes. Laughing, smiling, drinking piss beer. (Very slowly, my 2.5 beers over like 4 hours!) Honestly, I think I'd rather have been drinking water, but that is okay. Overlooking that!
Definitely was a nice evening. I also was talking to Mike and Ray about how the old crew just doesn't hang out and do the level of things that we all used to do. Essentially, this made it easier to know that it does NOT have to do with living in the 'Quah verses having a household over in Lakewood/University Place. I think when the old apartment disbanded, that was the beginning of a much higher level of disparity in the "hang out," atmosphere. So much so - that at times I wish they hadn't disbanded. And yet, the next household they had was a house, with a couple of outsider type soldiers - and they seemed to be a little more obnoxious and little less in resonance with Mikey and Jim. Ray Ray gets along with all kinds of people - this includes complete idiots. I had the honor of meeting a couple of back-woods, deep south, deep midwest types that ended up in the house after the apartment scene. It was not inspiring. I could see how the era that was the apartment was definitely over, even though part of it felt like it was because Jim relocated. No, I think it was the mixture of people. Regardless, seems Mikey wants to make more summer plans, have some cook-outs like old times, and involve everyone a little more in events. I think the push to hang out last night sparked a lot of nostalgia and reminded everyone of how much they miss the comradery. And Bless Ray Ray for making it home again. I can only say that he is one of the sweetest guys I know, and I feel so fortunate to have seen him return 3 other times. Wow. There is a man who has paid his dues many times over. I spoke with him last night about his plans after this term is up. He plans to not re-sign his contract.
Although there is always that question in his mind about staying in. But I think after this last journey to Afghanistan... he said he's done with that shit.
Thank goodness...
-Angela
