angelak | Ray Ray is home!!!

RAY RAY IS HOME SAFE!
Plans changed yesterday, quickly when we heard Ray Ray had landed and is back from 18 months in Iraq. This tour was apparently way worse than the last tour he took when he went over with Jim and his old unit.

Definitely sounded pretty bad this time around. Energetically speaking, going near the barracks was a headache. I usually don’t resort to being affected overly by empathic tendencies (they’re minor and welcome typically for me). There was no doubt the energy flying around on base near the ladies and mostly gentlemen that were coming home was… least to say wonky enough to throw me off kilter. Especially when there’s a lot of talk of who has cheated on who. I really detest hearing about that kind of thing.

I guess it’s because I hate to think that people are cheating assholes. I have a tendency to shield myself from things that I know would hurt me if it happened to me. Headache – the base was a slight energic field of bombs.

Regardless, it was good to see Ray Ray, and we met at the old apartment. Mike had to go to work, but we hung out and Ray Ray filled Jim in on Iraq. Your typical graphic war stories. More or less I was picking up on his mental pattern (Ray Ray’s) so even if he didn’t mention his experience, I am pretty sure I caught some of it. I hadn’t eaten in a long time so it was really welcome when we finally made the decision to go to Applebees.

Patti came over and met us at the old apartment with some lady named Rose. Rose … hmmm, okay. No beef with Rose, although she was the equivalent of a 38 year old 12 year old. (See boycrazy and giggly with super shiny lipgloss.)

*shrugs* She can do what she Will. ;)
It was really nice to see Patti, I actually missed her. We haven’t hung out at Schooner’s lately (in like a year) and Marie came to meet Ray Ray with us at Applebees. It’s good to finally feel at home with some of Jim’s extended crowd. He’s not close with all of them, but I remember a year and a half ago I was very shy and didn’t feel comfortable or relaxed necessarily around the peripheral people. That has changed. They also recognize and know me by now. Before I was a random chick that showed up. Now I’m Jimmy’s girl. (I never heard so many men refer to their women as their “girls” before I hit the army base.) Do I like it or do I hate it? Constant question in my head. I'm on the fence.

Jim was disappointed that he didn’t see a couple more of his buddies on the base. But then he also realized he didn’t really miss out seeing as some of the people on base are the ones he does NOT like. So anyhow. I left work early (thanks to the boss understanding) the moment I found out Ray was back. Went to the base after fighting traffic. Missed the “Welcome Home” ceremony, but was there to find Ray at the barracks.

At applebees, I was starved and I also had a couple drinks. They were good. Although now being a total lightweight, 2 drinks had me buzzing pretty good. And then the waitress said, “we accidentally made this extra drink. No charge. I figured someone would take it.” It was a Long Beach Iced tea (I had 2 of those, they’re long island iced teas with cranberry juice instead of coke.)

So, 3 drinks later I was feeling pretty toasted. Jim was obviously driving. So we visited and then we went to take Mike’s dinner to him. It was good to see Mike. The karaoke at Schooner’s (Mike’s a bouncer there) was obnoxious and made it difficult to talk to Mikey. Patti and Rose had relocated to Schooner’s. I was impressed at how fast that was.

Anyways. Mike was chuckling at me as we left because I had the typical intoxicated person thing going on. (He watches drunk people for a living… ) He was laughing at me.
I think it’s handy to know a bouncer… lol. I actually just adore Mike as a person, but that’s another story. It’s nice that Jim has adorable friends too.

I felt unintentionally self involved when Ray Ray was talking about his “family,” because I know he mostly means Jim and Mikey. But I was standing there, so it feels weird to accidentally or automatically be included in that statement. It also choked me up when he almost introduced me as Jim’s fiancée. (He hesitated when introducing me to some of his other pals at Applebees) and I was like, “I’d figure you’d remember who I am by now…” :P

I didn’t choke on a Long Beach Iced Tea… flattering thought, but we’re slow and we like it that way. ;) Very slow. Which is very good.

(Collectively, Jim and myself.)

Anyways. Hm. I was on a roll when we had an impromptu earthquake drill thanks to a tiny tremor yesterday at 9:30. (Actually happened during our team meeting and we didn’t notice.)

And for a photo of me almost a year ago (and at least 15 pounds ago) with Ray Ray and Jim.

(Ray Ray's Rest and Relaxation leave, November 06.)

Anyhow. After that we went home and I was amazingly tired. Fell asleep very fast.
All this after a full days work ... My limit is 3 drinks at a time these days. Preferably 2... damn free drinks...

-Angela