Crazy, Weird, and Wonderful

I am always saying things like, "Whatever is supposed to happen will happen" and "Just when you need a pick me up something awesome will come along." I annoy people to no end with my hippie mentality. But the reason I say these things is because I actually believe them.

Saturday night in Santa Cruz we had planned on going to this Indian restaurant. We walked in and the whole vibe of the place just screamed, "No!" to me. But I was with two of my girlfriends so I just kept it in and smiled. One of them realized the place was cash only and she didn't have cash, so we decided to go someplace else. We walked to a Greek restaurant that was really crowded and loud. I looked at the prices and said, "I don't have enough for this place. But you know what? I can just have a salad and appetizer and that'll be fine." At this point I'm starting to freak out a little.

We decide to go to a cheaper place across the courtyard. Now, this place is taking a little longer to take our order than they should, but it's really not a big deal. But one of the women I'm with starts to make a big deal and be vocal and a little rude about it. I HATE this kind of behavior in restaurants. It's not the server's fault you waited too long between meals and are cranky and hungry. It got so bad that I wanted to just get up and leave. But instead one of my friends told the lady while holding her arm, "You really need to relax and calm down." Luckily, when the food came it was all so delicious her mood changed and things went fine from there on out.

We had parked our car outside a music venue called The Catalyst. I've seen acts there like Deke Dickerson and Mike Ness. It's a great little place. As we're getting in to the car I hear someone yell my name. I turn around and there is my friend Patrick Sheridan from New Jersey. He was unloading equipment. His band was playing at The Catalyst.

I had no idea he was coming. If we had parked anywhere else, or left five minutes sooner, I would not have seen him. I gave him a huge hug and a kiss and was like, "What the hell? What are the odds?" He apologized that he didn't call to tell me he'd be in California but life had been busy blah blah blah. I told him I understood and that I was just really glad I saw him. I needed that hug from a friend right then. It was SO NICE. I hadn't seen him in about two years. Since he did the tattoo on my chest. He had also done the ones behind my ears.

My friends asked if I wanted to go to the show. I kind of did but I knew the music they played wouldn't have been enjoyed by the ladies I was with, as it was metal. So I just told him it was great to see him, and that I'd be in his neck of the woods next year, and I'd give him a call. It was a very awesome chance encounter and I'm glad it happened. I adore him, and I don't talk to him that often. The talented bastard has a special edition Ibanez in his name. He has a baby boy I've never seen in person, who's not even a baby anymore. I am looking forward to going and getting to meet his son.

Things really do happen for a reason. After a slightly stressful evening I got to see an old friend and get one of the best hugs ever. I really needed that and it totally made my night.

Happy picture of the day: Laffing Sal. She is an old animatronic lady from the Boardwalk. She's been around forever. She both amazes, and scares the shit out of me.