Awesomeness Runs in my Family

It started back in the middle of October. I would get into my car, and inevitably, within the next fifteen minutes I would hear this one particular song. I didn't know this song, I only ever heard it in the car, and it drove me insane. This continued on for something like, six days.

I texted my sister and asked her, "Who sings this idiotic song about fireflies and the earth spinning?"

My sister responds with "How the hell should I know? I'm at work." She's lovely, my little sister. Another five minutes pass and she responds again with, "Oh yeah, that's Owl City. The name of the song is Fireflies. I kind of hate it."

To which I reply in all caps, "I HATE IT TOO!" Because caps were necessary.

No lie. For the next eight days, every single time I got into my car, this song would play somewhere during the twenty minute drive to work. And every time, I would text my sister the word "Fireflies!"

She started doing the same. This song was everywhere, I couldn't escape it.

Fast forward to Thanksgiving night. My mom and I are driving back to our house from my Grandma's, and over our random conversation the song starts playing on the radio! Out of habit, I whip my phone out and just as I'm texting the word "Fireflies!" to my sister, my mom forcefully stabs a finger at the car radio and changes the station. I look at her, and she looks at me.

She shrugs and explains, "I hate that goddamn song. They play it nonstop and it's five minutes wasted that the radio station could be playing something kickass like Journey or Flo Rida. I don't need to hear crap like that on my drive home."

Awesome, right?

Except now, because I've spent so much time hating on this song... I might have accidentally ended up liking it. Ugh!!

Okay... so what song is out there right now that you absolutely can't stand?

And I love what you do, don't you know that you're toxic?

Last week I did something I seriously have not done since 2004. I went to work still drunk from the night before.

I know.

It was bad. I had gotten out of work at eleven, and the guy I've been seeing texted me and asked if I wanted to hang out. Watch a movie, have some drinks, blah blah blah. Normally this would not have been a problem, as my work day does not start until 2:30, but of course the following morning I was to go in at 8 am for a meeting.

Big deal, right? I told myself I'd have a drink or two and then allow myself some time to sober up and be on my merry way. And then he texted the magic words.

"Great. I'll swing by the store and pick up some Diet Coke and Captain Morgan."

Really? I would have been just fine if it was say, a beer or two... but oh, the Captain. There's a reason he and I are not friends anymore. A definite reason he and his friend Sambuca are my sworn frenemies. Because they are bad, bad guys.

So I go over, and after the first 2 drinks and the first movie I realize my plan has gone to hell. (Like I was ever going to stick to it anyway!) Oh no, another movie goes in, and the bottle of Captain gets emptier and emptier. Soon enough, it's almost 4 am and I'm vaguely remembering to set my phone alarm to 7:30 so that I can make my 8 am meeting. In my mind, I'm still okay.

So wrong. Oh so very wrong.

Now don't get me wrong... I had an absolutely amazing time** (Captain or no Captain) and as I'm strolling into the meeting, I'm feeling pretty good... even if I am wearing the same clothes I wore to work the day before. Oh yeah, you've all been there. Halfway through the meeting, we're watching a slideshow presentation and I suddenly realize that Holy Hell! I'm still drunk.

Truthfully, I don't remember the drive home. And yes, I know that is bad. I slept for about 4 hours and then waltzed back into work like nothing happened, but the fact is, I was hungover as hell.

And honestly, I am way too old for this crap now.

That's what makes me sad. I mean, I'm not old, I'll be 29 in exactly one month sure, but that's not exactly old, is it?

And yet, it is. It's old enough to know that I am not able to drink a half bottle of rum and be okay 5 hours later. I'm not 24 anymore. And sometimes, I wish I was.

That night last week had me thinking a lot about when I was 24... when I was going to the bar with my girlfriends (or guy friends, if it was Thursday night!) at least 3 times a week, and drinking more than any respectable girl should. There are times when I miss those nights. I miss knowing that every Thursday night at the local Ladies Night, that the DJ would play "Toxic" by Britney Spears at exactly 12:45. That that song would be followed by a dance version of Like a Prayer, and that the night would close out with a little Usher.... Let It Burn, anyone? I miss dressing like a barstar, and I miss shaking it like a saltshaker while skeezy guys try and dance up behind me.

Okay, maybe I don't miss that last part so much.

And then there are days when I don't miss any of it at all. Like I said, I'm almost 29, and I do have different priorities now, but still I struggle. Having different goals in life, and all of the responsibility that comes with getting older doesn't mean I can't knock back a few stiff ones on a Tuesday night if I want to, right?

As much as I love my life right now, I do miss the craziness of 2004. I miss being 23, it was definitely my favorite age so far. It's making me think I should bring some of the craziness back to 2010. It seems appropriate, I think.

The whole being drunk/hungover at work however? Yeah, I think I'll be leaving that in the past.

What about you guys? What has been your favorite age so far? Do you get nostalgic and wish for the crazy days of being young and stupid? Or do you still embrace the craziness?

And own up to it... you loved the song Toxic too, didn't you?


**oh yes, we colored. And it was fabulous. But I'm not about to jinx this relationship by talking about it too much yet ;)