Mood: In Pain
Listening to Sacrifice - Atsushi Sakurai. This song is just begging for a repeat-a-thon. D:
Reading The Bhagavad-Gita
Playing nothing, though I should probably get started on the game Adrienne let me borrow before my brother steals the PS2 back....
Eating chips and salsa
Drinking soda. Yeah, wow, not water.
So I got back from visiting Adrienne over spring break on Monday morning. After a full day's rest, I'm (sort of) back to normal, since I didn't get much sleep on the train at all. What, there's no way I'm stepping foot on a plane. Why?
- Afraid of heights
- Too much trouble with what you put in your bags (they don't check on trains)
- Nothing to see out the window
- Too cramped
- Much more expensive, especially on short notice
Anyway. [laughs] On to the good stuff! This is an OBSCENELY LONG post, but I'm still excited about the trip, even if it's over. D:
The Train, Part One
I had to wake up really early on the 24th (a Saturday) because the train left at 6:15. D: It was a pretty nice train, nothing too spacious, though. It only runs from San Diego to...someplace. Maybe Los Angeles? It could be a few more stops after that, but I'm not sure. Nothing really happened on this one, but one thing I found out about trains from both trips: a LOT of hot Japanese guys take trains. D: (And SUPER-creepy Christians, but I'll get to that soon enough.)
In Los Angeles, I switched over to the REAL train, which ran all the way to Seattle, but of course, I was only going to Portland. Only about three stops down, so it's still quite a long trip. [laughs] Not to mention all the fucking delays and stops...! But yes...ahem. D: I sat next to a German girl named Agnes...! [laughs] She was really quiet and nice, while everyone else on the train was either weird or drunk. Like the couple sitting across the aisle. They were both weird and drunk. Unfortunately the guy was going all the way to Seattle and he called all 15 of his friends and family members and complained about how he would never take the train again. Loudly. So annoying. D<
Creepy Christian Encounter #1!
For dinner, I ate with an apparently Christian track-team mother-daughter (plus a friend) group. They were nice, though. I guess. D: They talked about how their pastor's dog drowned in a pool. Apparently it was the second or third time it'd happened. Hmm...makes you think. They probably shouldn't be allowed to buy dogs. God only knows what kinds of strange sacrifices they're making at THAT church. D:
Northern California
Agnes got off in Salinas, aww. We'd spent practically the whole day together so it was sad. ): Sleep was difficult, and we weren't even in Oregon by the time I woke up. The sun was rising when we were in Northern California, and oh. my. god. The prettiest part of the trip! There was a river winding through this forest-covered mountain area, and we went over all these bridges and were traveling right beside it. Since it was early morning, it was still kind of misty, and it was just perfect and beautiful. I regret not bringing a camera. Maybe next time! After that, we passed around Mt. Shasta. HOMG. Biggest fucking mountain I have ever seen. D: I guess it wouldn't look so big if there were other mountains around it, but no. It's just...by itself. And really big. D:
Then we got into Oregon and everything got ugly again. Hahahaha. It got nicer the farther north we went, though. Thank god. D: And then I ate lunch. Here is where the creepy Christian part comes into MAJOR effect. D:
Creepy Christian Encounter #2!
Since seating is so limited in the dining car, I had to sit at a table with another lady, which wasn't so bad, considering I had to sit with three other people the last CCE (Creepy Christian Encounter). She prayed to herself before she ate, which I guess is normal. Nothing scary there...or so I thought.
She told me about her kids (groan) and that she'd come back from visiting her daughter in the hospital. She told me a long story about how she'd had a benign tumor on her kidney and that it weighed ten pounds by the time they cut it out. She said they couldn't detect it by x-ray. So naturally, up until now, I'm still worrying about how I probably have a tumor in my right side, which is causing all my digestive problems and making this nerve in my back go crazy. D:
When I told her I lived in San Diego, she said one of her sons lives in Chula Vista (which, for all one of you who doesn't know, it's liek. Pretty much right under me.). She proceeded to tell me about his horrible ex-wife and how he was divorced, and then went into this long rant about how her other relative or son or someone got a divorce too because he and his fiancée had lived together for ten years before getting married. She said it was living together before marriage that ruined it. I don't see how that...connects. If everything was going well before they got married, wouldn't the logical cause of the trouble be the marriage? Duh. D:
But anyway, she asked the dreaded question! "So, do you have a boyfriend?" God, I wish I'd said yes. Because I didn't say yes, she offered to give me her son's address in Chula Vista so that we could meet. Uhm. WHO SAYS THAT TO A STRANGER. I tried to mask the utter disbelief on my face and I declined the offer as politely as possible, not quite able to hide the laughing. Not only did she offer something SO ridiculous, she did it about three times throughout the time I was talking to her. No, I will NOT marry your 27-year-old loser of a son!
I got out of THAT meal as quickly as possible.
Meeting
Later that day, after hours and hours of delay, we finally pulled into Portland. I was soooooo nervous. I gathered all my things about ten minutes too early. [laughs] But at least I had them...! I got off the train and...I haven't felt so tingly and panicky in such a long time. Scary, I thought my legs were going to give out when I was walking into the train station. It got even worse when I realized I'd have to go outside to meet her so soon. ):
But then I went outside and I saw her, and she smiled, and everything kind of dissolved and felt all right. I know that's so cheesy, but it's true. [laughs] She has the most wonderful smile, and she's so beautiful. <3 Then we hugged...! I worry I did one of those girl hugs because I was holding too much stuff. :\ And then I talked too much...liek. The entire day/week. [slaps forehead] Stupid me! I'm so retarded and dorky and awkward. I know I made a fool of myself. I don't know what she sees in me. ):
I'm Irish-American!
We got on the bus after that...well, after an awkward car ride with her sister (I kept trying not to look at Adrienne because I didn't want to come off as weird, but it's hard to resist looking at her...hahaha), and another uncomfortable time at the stop. I was laughing a lot at that creepy "Irish-American" guy we met on the bus. Hahahaha. Now I really wish she wouldn't take the bus. [laughs, frowns] Get a license, woman! D< I looked over at him randomly, and he was just staaaaaaaaaaring at her! Ew. Talk to someone ELSE, loser. [throws a rock at him] I guess that's what happens when you're that pretty...! [laughs] Unfortunately. ): And wearing a bright green Ireland jacket, I suppose, hahaha.
First Night
The first night was, yes, awkward. [laughs] I couldn't stop talking...! I really should just learn to shut up, but when I'm nervous, I can't really control it. [wails] Then I went into the kitchen and Adrienne was standing there...with her shirt half-open. Hahahahahaha. I think I completely FROZE, and then stared for the longest time after that...! How can you not notice your shirt is open! [laughs, pets her] Silly. D: I found it really hard to sleep that night...especially because she was in the same room. I feel awkward enough sleeping around other people, but this was HER, and I was already so self-conscious. I was afraid to face her because I didn't want her to stare at me while I slept. Unfortunately, she says she was. How embarrassing. [laughs] :\ Too bad I didn't point out her unbuttoned shirt...! I was about to, but I guess I didn't really want her to know about it so I could keep staring. >D
A Good Week, or, A Wood Geek (for dyslexics/me)
When we got to her house (we'd been at her grandma's before this), it was still rather awkward. For me, anyway. She seemed fairly calm the whole time. Nervous, my ass. D< Except she wasn't saying much, so I felt quite stupid and uncomfortable. Aw. [laughs]
Just Look at the Screen and Cuddle
We watched a few movies, which I mostly liked. I say mostly because a couple were just so fucking weird. D: Well, the rest were weird, too, but...not totally out there. Hahaha. I have to retaliate with Legend for having to watch The Last Unicorn. Legend is...hmm. Hmm! Boring. At least there isn't any singing. [laughs] I don't really even...like it for the plot, because the plot is kind of...not even there. Chopping off unicorn horns? Eternal freeze? Suddenly evil princess? Creepy little people? Huh? But Tom Cruise was damned pretty, and Darkness...homg. It's a visual orgasm. D:
But yes. [coughs] We watched a lot of strange tv, too. Most notably that Christian channel. REXELLA! Too bad we didn't get to watch the rest of that lame movie. [laughs] That was turning out to be really hilarious. :\ "[bad and out-of-place car scenes] You took me to a party with a bunch of preachers?!" Then there was all that PBS...... And Prison Break, of course. Auurrruugh. XD
There was also lots of playing around, which I love. [laughs] I thought I was annoying her, though. :\ But she says no, so who knows. She was trying to...enlighten me. D: I just stole her rings (two of which broke later...sob). She's scarily strong, and I'm pathetically weak. That's just a smutty scene waiting to happen. [laughs, fantasizes] D: And she wouldn't stop tickling me, AHH! I'm not supposed to be ticklish. I figure it's her nails and being able to...ehm, touch places other people shouldn't. D:
Touchy-Feely
We were practically sitting far away from each other for a long time in the beginning, but then she told me to sit on her bed and then everything...started? [laughs] After that, she hugged my feet (:3), so I turned around and we were lying in bed together, just...clinging. I loved that. It was just so natural and comfortable. <3 Another time, she pretty much forced me to lie down so she could give me a back rub. [laughs] Scary! But it was yummy. I gave her one too, but I don't think it was any good, aw. At least I don't do it like guys do! Haha. I also loved not having to sleep alone for once. It felt so good to have someone hold me while I slept. <3 I want more! But I have to wait to cling to her again, aww. It's just such a nice feeling. I move around too much, so I'm sure she can't say the same. XD
And twin beds aren't really so small if you're on top of each other...! [laughs] D:
Adrienne: >D
Innocent Reader(s): D:
Forblaze: [changes pants for the third time]
I kept staring at her mouth the whole time I was there. [laughs] That's...weird, isn't it. I know she noticed, too, because it was just so OBVIOUS. I was doing it for a lot of reasons. First, I was just too scared to look at her eyes. Second, she just has such a pretty mouth. [laughs] Third, I was thinking of how glad I was she has nice teeth. XD And lastly! I reeeeally wanted her to kiss me...! [laughs] But she just wouldn't! I was so sad about that. I even asked her to, and she wouldn't. Aww, that's enough to depress a girl. Hahahaha. Especially when I'd been craving a kiss for so long. ): By the end of the week, I couldn't help it anymore, so I just kissed her. [laughs] I'm not seme, jerk, kiss ME. D: No, hahaha. Quite nice, though. <3 And no bad teeth this time! YAY! XD
Strange that groping should come before kissing, though. HO HO HO. D:
Adrienne: >D
Innocent Reader(s): Didn't need. To. Know. D:
Forblaze: [walks off yet again]
The Train, Part Two
I was so sad to leave. I couldn't stop whining. [laughs, annoying] Worst of all, her dad was there, so I couldn't kiss her. Just a hug. Pooh. ): It was raining that day, but not so hard (until after I left, apparently). I was happy that I'd finally been able to speak to her, to see her, to touch her...but it's hard to leave that. I cried on the train. It hadn't even started moving and already I missed her so much.
Camo Kilt
Going up the narrow stairs they have on the train, I got about halfway up with all my shit when a strange redheaded man in a camo kilt started to come down (Adrienne knows who I'm talking about; she saw him before...! Or at least her dad did, haha). Now, common courtesy says that he should have waited at the top of the steps because he was carrying nothing and I was already halfway up before he got there. But no, apparently he was just determined to get down those steps. So I had to back EVERYthing back down, almost getting knocked over because he would NOT stop rushing downwards, and bowling the people over behind me. I actually said "FUCK!" out loud (and I mean loud) as he pushed past me. I was SO pissed. How rude is that! THe lady behind me helped me get my bag up the stairs again, so at least not everyone is a dumb shitfuck asshole. D<
When I got to my seat, I saw him sitting with a very large (and very black...) family. I think his IQ couldn't have been more than 90. D: I thought he was just annoying them because he was sitting nearby, but no...! A redheaded woman that looked a lot like him (just as creepy-ugly and pale) was apparently married to the huge black guy, and they had about 5 small kids together. It was...scary. [laughs] She didn't act like a total weirdo, though, so her brother was the only angering one. Gah. Jerk. D<
Conversation
I got put into a window seat (blah), next to a child (blaaah), in a shitty car (blaaaaaah). The kid was taking up the whole seat, so I just left with my backpack and went to the lounge car to sulk. [laughs] Before that, I saw a familiar face from my first trip (now sitting next to camo kilt, oddly enough...!). He joined me in the lounge car later, and we started talking. He was really nice! Said his name was Richard, I think. I don't know anyone who'd name their kid Pritchard or anything, so yeah. D:
We talked about a lot of stuff, and on a really long, boring train trip, that is VERY welcome. I don't usually strike up deep-ish conversations with strangers (who does?), but he was very easy to talk to, and very open. It was fun, and neither of us could really sleep, so we talked for a long time. I told him all about Adrienne, and how we met. [laughs] It's so nice to be able to talk about her openly to people who don't judge. I don't think a lot of people realize that most people are still rather...closed to these sorts of things, and offended by it. It is easy to spot the people who aren't, though, because I usually can converse easily with them.
He asked me for my number...! D: But I don't use phones, and I told him that, and he understood. [laughs] We also talked about body image, and he pretty much said I had a nice body. Ack. I'm surprised Adrienne didn't crash through the window and drop kick him. Hahahaha. But I told him SHE thought I did and I never believe her. He told me to believe her...! And that from a guy's perspective, he didn't like skinny girls, and that he wouldn't be saying that sort of thing just to make me feel better the way that girls do with each other. Makes sense, and is reassuring, I suppose. [laughs] But I still don't like my body, so whep! I guess I try to remember that at least Adrienne thinks it's nice, and that's all that matters. [nods]
After a horrible night's sleep, I talked to him some more, and we got into a lot of weird things, including yaoi, yuri ("That sounds good, I like that" XD), and...furry conventions. Hahahaha. Should've known he'd ask about the uke shirt sooner or later. [laughs] He said he "learned something new"! I'm an educator. XD
He left in Salinas...! What is it about my train buddies and Salinas? [laughs] That was Agnes's stop, too! It's in the middle of dusty cropland. D:
Creepy Christian Encounter #3!
This happened at another meal, this time breakfast. (I did eat with a normal, NOT Christian family the night before, though. I liked them a lot. The grandma even said ASS! Omg. And there were two children that I could actually stand. Probably because they made fun of the kilt guy in front of his face. That takes balls, come on. XD) But for this, I had to sit with three somewhat elderly people, a couple and a lone man. When our food came, the husband requested we say grace. Ehm. [laughs] They all bowed their heads and he thanked God for our meal, while I just kind of...stared at the napkin in my lap. XD
They were nice enough, especially the wife. You could tell she'd been really pretty when she was younger, too. I find that very pleasant for some reason, hahaha. She talked about how much she liked to do Sudoku, and told me I should do a crossword puzzle a day to keep my mind sharp. Seemed to work for her. [laughs] They all asked me about school, and suggested I should try becoming a translator because they all felt it was a very important job. That turned into a discussion about cultures.... At least they were more interesting and not anywhere near as creepy as that crazy Hook-Up-With-My-Son lady. XD
Speed
We got to LA about two hours late. As a consequence, my connecting train to San Diego had already left. Everyone on that route had to get on buses. Awww. It was a big bus, but still, it wasn't anywhere near as comfortable/roomy. I was prepared for a long, boring ride, but after a whole train trip of going an average of 40 mph, it felt SO good to be going at LEAST 80 on the empty freeways. He was just speeding down that thing. Everyone was SO happy about it, too. [laughs] One guy even went up to him and said, "I like the way you drive!"
The whole bus ride I at least had Adrienne to keep me company with texting. That was so nice. I would've been so sad and mopey if she hadn't. ): I got into San Diego at about 2:30am...my dad picked me up, I went home! I think this is all...! [laughs] It felt nice to be back in bed again, though.
Ending (Yes, Finally.)
I had a wonderful time, and Adrienne was better than anything I'd expected. I tried to be realistic in my expectations, but she would've exceeded them even if I hadn't been realistic. I love her even more than I did before, if that's possible. She's even more beautiful in person. <3
Her house was lovely, and I haven't eaten so well in a long time...! [laughs] Strangely I was only allergic to her dog, and not her cats. I'm not allergic to dogs. I'm allergic to cats. Backwards...! D: I think he's such a cute dog, too, awww. Even if he did get mud all over my only good pair of pants when we went outside. [laughs]
My house brings me nothing but shame, but even so, I'll let her visit if she wants. There'll be nothing to eat, nothing to do, no comfort, nothing pretty to look at. D: I do want to see her again, and I guess I should get over it. I'll cry the entire time because I'll be so embarrassed and ashamed (I wish I were exaggerating)...but I guess she knows how to fix that. >D
Until next time, then. <3
(and hopefully pictures then, too!)
