Good Friends

I have been thinking a lot this past week about how many awesome people are in my life. I actually think about it tons and try to remember to be grateful for, and acknowledge it, as much as possible.

This weekend I am volunteering at the art auction for our local public broadcasting station. One of my girlfriends runs the art program there. I'll be working in the green room making sure all of the talent arrives on time, that they have everything they need, and that they get out on the stage when they're supposed to be on set. I am doing it for four hours which may drag but I consider it an honor. My friend who runs this is the same lady who started second Saturdays here in town. Every second Saturday the galleries open, bands play, and people wander and buy art and check stuff out in midtown. In the recent years it's gotten a little overwhelming to me so I stick to the galleries on the outskirts of town, but it's still a really great thing that she has done.

I have a birthday bbq coming up. Things are tight since I'm saving for New Orleans so everyone is totally pitching in. All I have to buy are a few hot dogs and cheap burger patties, and condiments. I even have a friend bringing a money tree that I am going to label, "Melanie's shrunken head fund." In lieu of gifts I'm asking everyone to stick a fiver or so on the tree, for my trip.

I was out of work a few days and I got a couple of texts from people checking in on me. It made me feel really good. You never think about how important stuff like that is until it happens and makes you feel like people are thinking of you.

My friend Marcella emailed me on Wednesday that she wanted to go out and have a drink. I was hesitant 'cause I'm trying to be mellow but I know she needs girl time right now and is going through some stuff. So we went out and had the BEST time. A guy sitting near us told us we were so funny he should be paying us. We told him we take tips. We totally weren't kidding.

Randomly I got a text last week from my friend. He is a professional piercer going through some stuff right now. Just split up from my other good friend, lost his job, and moved back here from SF. In the middle of all that he thought of me. I have my ears stretched out to 1" and plugs are expensive. I buy cheap ones that are funny but they mess with my ears. He texted he had some 1" jewelry for me. I told him I didn't have any extra cash and he said, "Dude, I don't want your money!" So I told him I'd make him dinner some time.

I am seriously lucky to have a bunch of amazing people in my life. When I'm blue I need to remember that some people aren't nearly as blessed in that area as I am.

Happy picture of the day: this is Gary. He actually rode his bike to my work to drop off the jewelry. I love him to bits. He's 6' 8", every bit of which is crazy and sweet.