BEST WEEKEND EVER!!

Oooh Wow..
what a weekend..
Perhaps tops the list of crazy things i;ve done.. but SO SOOOO glad i did it

So.. for the whole Couchsurfers.com thing.. a mysterious "Nathan Arden" posted a message to everyone in the Asheville community saying that he was planning a road trip up to this Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scotsboro, Alabama.
I initially (as usual) was gung ho.. as time crept closer, i started chickening out.. in which Nathan talked me out of all my excuses.
As a result this past friday i waited anxiously as 2 fellow Asheville Couchsurfers picked me up at my place.. one, Harayz i knew from many times of texting/messages AND we spent one night at a bar.. the other i had no idea who he was.
We drove 8 hours to the little town of Scotsboro, Alabama... Harayz entertained by strumming guitar in the backseat and cuddling with my cuddle frog pillow.. Halfway through i crawled in the backseat with Harayz while we tried to stay warm and tell stories of our travels.. Harayz and i had already started on some drinking in the car so by the time we arrived i was quite giddy..

The party was already going.. delicious smells were drifting from the kitchen.. laughter and people were all over..
I do remember there was quite a time i was literally sitting on the heater, letting the warmth flow up and everywhere.. everyone asked me if i was doing my Marilyn Monroe impression.. i was JUST getting WarM!
We geared up.. drank.. mixed drinks.. sampled others.. talked... mingled.. went into the Roman Room for some black lights and herbal fun.. then back down to try to act "normal" and then back up.. 8 of us piled on a Queen bed.. up WAY past everyone else.. giggling.. hearing conversations on the other side of the bed and our side trying to decipher their mutterings.. all of us ending up in laughter.... then came the time where the talk slowed down and eyes were droopy.. i remember waking up at one point and seeing two hands caressing each other in front of me.. i was in the middle.. there were actually 3 people in between these 2, but they didn't care.. they wanted to caress each others hands.. i felt hands brushing.. touching.. feeling all over for a good 45 minutes until we all drifted off into a pile of sleep..
The next morning i woke at 9 am.. WAY before anyone else.. had WAY too much energy and ended up glittering everyone..
we hung around until noon or so.. Harayz strumming on his guitar... germans talking german accenty.. chocolate chip
pancakes and bacon and sausage being made.. i played soccer with one of the germans with a tennis balll.. INTENSE!!

At the Unclaimed Baggage Center.. WOW
It certainly is not small.. nor is their selection sparce... I bought Bongos, a Ukelele and a beautiful gold trimmed Sari. I saw everything from spikey heeled boots to Punky Brewster shoes to costumes for dogs to surfboards to a Compound bow (which i REALLY anted but was $450), burned cds, lacrosse set, tea set....
AND i ran into Julie and Nick!!! hugs and laughter and catching up...
AND i ran into Wade!! ohh Wade! ha~! i miss him~ we used to work at the Arboretum together and since he left (graduateD) in 07 i think ive seem him TWICE now.. such an infectious smile.. he needs to come couchsurf with me~
AND Trent came to visit too!! he initially went to the Unclaimed Baggage Center (which i had just lefT) and eventually showed up at the lodge where everyone was staying AND spent the night! SOO exciteD! i hadnt seen him in forever and i have him to thank for introducing me to couchsurfing.com.. I OWE him.. i owe him big times.. not JUST for that, but for everything else he has done for/to me whether he knows it or not..

Last night a lot of them went out to the bars.. since my license was expired i decided not to chance it and stayed back.. which was not a good idea.. down times brought out the thought tiems and i started cleaning like a madman to make it all stop.. People kept leaving to go cuddle down on the pier in the FREEZING.. or to bars or to wherever.. i felt like doing NOTHING..
Eventually people came back.. and the night culminated in the Big Ball war.. JP (from Birmingham, AL) and Trent and I vs. 6 or 7 on the other side of the room.. the rule was you had to bounce the ball on the floor before it hit or went to another person.. though i made my share of direct hits to peoples heads (NOT on purpose).... in the middle of it all.. the bar folk came back.. drifted upstairs or to bed... I played soccer with the tennis ball with my German friend again for a good long time.. was super tired.. went upstairs to check out the scene.. but it was boring so i went back downstairs and crashed, cuddled in a corner.. wishing for certain things that i knew wouldn't happen.. the hope still lingered..

Last day.. i woke at 6:30 with WAY too much energy.. helped the chef cook french toast and walked to the pier with him and made more breakfast.. jumped on peoples beds.. jumped IN some peoples beds (depending who they were and how badly i wanted them to wake up).. SLOW.. long morning..
At around 11 i went upstairs so we could all do one more Roman Round hit before we all split.. i think i got WAY too good of a hit because for the next 4 hours i was floating.. giggling.. feeling soo distant yet soo close.. lookin in the mirror and freaking out because i thought i had a lazy eye.. hearing people clap and feeling Trent hug me as he left and i kept my eyes closed feeling as though everyone was clapping for me.. wow.. it was a VERY VERY good feeling.. though i felt kinda bad because i felt VERY out of touch with reality..
slept the whole way back.. invited Harayz and Miguel in for cocoa and popcorn as i popped in my blacklight, cranked up the music and we chiled for a bit, recollecting memories of the weekend..
the weekind i can never
and willl never forget

SOO many new experiences.. new situations i had never been in before.. some were intimidating.. some were scary.. some were intriguing.. tempting.. fun.. intense.. delightful.. freeeing..

all in all
i am super glad i did it
and would LOVE to do something like this again.

Nor could i forget any of the people i shared the weekend with
ESPECIALLY
Nathan
Harayz
German Micheal (sp?)
Trent
Holly

thank you all again
and pictues will be up soon :)

"I just want some one to say to me

I'll always be there when you wake"

i need to "upgrade"

Annnnnd i let him do it again tonight.. 2nd chance.. we didn't go to the concert.. just sat around like old times.. munching on delicious cheese bread.. He still doesn't understand why I left him in the stands last night.. though i told him.. he doesn't understand how pissed i was: getting there over an hour late-taking the pills-using up my green-falling asleep during the concert HE got me interested in cuz its supposedly his favorite band..
He got a call at 9:15.. i could tell he was tired-he had almost fallen asleep a little earlier.. he kept talking (on the phone) about how he had to go to work tomorrow at 9.. talking about hanging out.. my tummy sank yet again
At least this time HE wasn't driving up there, his friend was driving down to HIM,.. so.. I ditched him yet again..
ANd the thing that pisses me off most about all of this...
when i leave.. he doesn't come after me..
doesn't even make a move.. though sometimes he "Whats wrong with YOU?"...

i guess that should tell me something.. as it has before..

As my new friend says, I need to "upgrade"

PANIC!~! Widespread style..

Hmm..
So Widespread Panic, huh!?
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. show..
though for me it came in intervals.. NOT because of the music ro the atmosphere but because of who i went with.
He didn't even get home from being at his parents until 8-when the concert was supposed to start.. and we still had to drive nearly 40 minutes.. and before we left he still had to "gather up a few things"
He took some pills.. used my green.... and i saw his eyes get droopy.. the funny feeling in my tummy grew bigger... this does NOT look good..
we got there around 9:15 or so.. went down to the floor where I jammed and he teetered between dancing and standing (swaying) with his eyes closed..
Set ended... he suggested we go up to the seats so we could see better.. He immediately crashed when we sat down.. I kept waking him.. even went to get him 2 Snickers (which actually was a happy little adventure for i got to be free from him and NOT sit down)...
Music started.. he never stood up.. the people around me were older so I couldn't even really enjoy myself.. talk to them.. But i was stuck in the middle of the row...
Ha~ I texted Emily and Erin.. because they know him and me and our situation.. and with their persuasion i did the thing i wanted to do all along..
I left him.. went down to the floor by myself.. and TOTALLY loved it~ :)
Such a freeing feeling.. out there on the floor.. lights splashing all around you... becoming one with the music and hte crowd.. though at times some of the guys around me creeped me out.. I actually MOVED a lot because different guys started trying to dance with me and i didn't like or want it.. Though i did meet a nice guy and ended up giving him a false phone number at the end
beautiful music~ ESPECIALLY When they popped out the Drums and started this fun and funky African Tribal Dance type beat.

So yea.. He needs to prove that he actually CareS.. and NOT by sticking his hand up my skirt.. he DID always reach for my hand when we maneuvered the crowd so i wouldn't get lost..
but he woke up just in time for the last song.. didn't even understand or get the point as to why i left him.. fell asleep in the car.. asked me to come over.. fell asleep within minutes of when i walked in the door.. sooo i walked RIght back out.. went to my own bed and SLEPT.
He wants me to get tickets for tomorrow because he felt bad that he slept through this one.. Part of me wants to.. so he can prove himself.. the other part wants me to NOT.. get tickets for myself.. find someone else to go with.. not put myself through that potential again..
ahh~

"GREAT FESTIVALS"

Okay;..
So when i went to the library the other day i picked p some random interesting reads.. plus a couple videos.. One of the videos:
Great Festivals
It goes through the year with different festivals from around the world.
Some.. I REALLY REALLY want to experience...
Others.. left me quite disturbed...
There was a section: Festivals of Penance
that left me cringing in unbelief.. shock..
WooooW... the things some people go through.. put themselves through.. WILLINGLY>>>

Gilget, PAkistan
Annual Ashura Festival
commemorate the death of Hussein.. his death marks the end of the holy blood line and 40 days of mourning ensues.. Among other things, the men expressed their grief and sadness of his death by attaching a small sharpened blade to a chain and whipping it back and forth until they are exhausted... VERY disturbing to watch.. even on video.. hundreds of men slashing themselves willingly.. bloody backs..

San Fernando, Philippines
Every year on Good Friday, the people of san Fernando re-enact the crucification of Jesus Christ.. with REAL people.. enduring pain as a form of penance.. they carry the cross all the way across town.. an excruciatingly slow and painful walk lasting to mid afternoon.. then the man is nailed to the cross.. and it is raised.. for 3 to 5 minutes.. 3 at a time.. so the huge crosses are raised and lowered many times throughout the afternoon to accommodate all that want to be crucified..

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Thaipusam
This festival was banned in India, actually.. The devoted Hindus attach heavy metal frames to their bodies using hooks.. with that, they support and carry heavy structures, statues and kavatis (heavy frames elaborately decorated with beads and peacock feathers) around the city.. they use those huge needles to pierce all the way through their lips and chins.. they also bring offerings to the shrine, asking for a blessing..

Running of the Bulls---NoT for Penance necessarily.. but still made me crings and shudder.. i couldn't watch that little section.. im sure it is beautiful to those who participate.. the rush of being chased and trampled by bulls and other frantic people.. i dont know.. NOT for me...


Other.. more FUN ones.. the ones I WAnT to visit.. see.. experience..

Utah
Burning Man
What can be more fun than a weeklong gathering of over 40,000 people in the middle of the desert, in the middle of sand storms, intense heat, miles from any city to party hard and burn a giant neon lighted man structure.. Such a fun, radical place.. lots of self expression going on.. lots of wackiness.. whimsicalness.. bordering on creepy.. free expression and free spirits.. elaborate costumes.. lots of drugs.. bugs in ice being sold (nothing can technically be sold except ice and expresso...

Rio De Janeiro
CarnivaL
Need i elaborate? no holding back.. good times.. colorful costumes.. lights.. late into the night.. party up..

..Amsterdam..
There needn't be any particular festival to get me to head out that way... Its small enough to get a real feel for what Amsterdam is like.. not spread out and elaborate like most capital cities.. Van Gogh Museum.. Anne Franks house.. very open, liberal, gay friendly... The :"Coffee shops" and "Smartshops" (only if you are of age) and THAT is where you can feel free to ask questions and buy-NOT from the street lurkers.. they are easily found by the giant green leafs on the outside or their rasta-type names.. Though.. something i DIDNT know. drugs really ARE illegal there.. a lot of the cops just turn a blind eye.. the use is a lot more tolerated over there..

Bangkok, Thailand
(and Phuket.. Koh Phi Phi-one of the best beaches on EARTH..and other places too)
exotic, vibrantly colorful dress with elaborate patterns... spicy smells permeating the air mixing in with the powerful stench of sweat and smoke incense... elephants.. beautiful pristine beaches.. friendly strangers coming to talk to you... stray dogs and cats roaming the streets..

more to come... :)
I continue to explore travel spots.. festivals.. etc.
but right now i need some cocoa..

Thanksgiving Stock up..

yeah... so wandering around the grocery store this evening.. thinking of what i could make for dinner.. I saw all the families.. the mothers.. the fathers.. the grandparents.. all stocking up on Thanksgiving foods.. heading home to love and warmth and hugs and families
I played the "I wonder whose going home.. alone.. no one for Thanksgiving.."
Only I won that award..
:(
Needless to say, I couldn't bring myself to buy anything..
though i did stand in front of the ice cream for a long while contemplating which one I should grab to devour..
None..
nothing
nada
nope
not gonna happen...

I need some friends.. family.. anything..
instead i suppose ill mix a drink and settle in for the night and worry about tomorrow.. tomorrow..
yep..

BUT i did get tickets to Panic on Friday.. I just hope he makes it back in time for us to go..
i worry still.. wonder.. hmmm..

Hobbit House~!

I really want to live here. THE ULTIMATE HOBBIT HOUSE!!



If you dont want to explore the website, Here are some of the highlights of this super fun house~!:

--Dug into hillside for low visual impact and shelter
--Stone and mud from diggings used for retaining walls, foundations etc.
--Frame of oak thinnings (spare wood) from surrounding woodland
--Reciprocal roof rafters are structurally and aesthaetically fantastic and very easy to do
--Straw bales in floor, walls and roof for super-insulation and easy building
--Reclaimed (scrap) wood for floors and fittings
--Woodburner for heating - renewable and locally plentiful
--Fridge is cooled by air coming underground through foundations
--Skylight in roof lets in natural feeling light
--Solar panels for lighting
--Water by gravity from nearby spring
--Compost toilet
--Roof water collects in pond for garden etc.