So, did I get to do everything I wanted to this weekend past? Certainly not. But, I did want to do everything I did.

Friday evening started with a nice surprise. Mark and Jenn were driving down Allan Street when they saw KC outside having a cigarette. I was still inside finishing my dinner, but when I heard them talking I went out and joined them. They had just rented Starskey and Hutch and we convinced them to come in our place for a few hours before we went to the bars and they went to watch the movie. I put the cats in the bedroom and they came in with their dog, Rogan. I had a good time. It was really good to see them again. We hadn't hung out since the release show. That was in February. Before February, I had considered Jenn my best friend. I may have been naive, but I do still like her.

Then, it was off to Hell's Kitchen. I didn't get there at 10:30, but I don't really know what time I did get there. The bands hadn't started yet, but you could tell they were going to soon. I had a beer while I watched Radarfame. It was good to see them again; they don't play very much. But I have to say (although it's obvious), it certainly wasn't the same with only one bass player. I still very much enjoyed it. I couldn't stay for Sharp Like Knives and Colour TV because I had plans to go to Stage Nine. I hope the rest of the show in Hell was good for all those involved.

I arrived at Stage Nine to One Candle Power near the end of their set. I thought they were going to play last. I thought I was missing the Lampshades while I was in Hell. I enjoyed the 2 OCP songs I saw and then hit the patio. On the patio I pissed some guy off. I think he was a Lampshade. Whatever. He pissed me off first, and I think he deserved my response. I was talking to GCO Dave when it happened. I've known Dave for years, without really knowing him. Actually, we were in a band together about 6 or 7 years ago and I didn't speak to him again until the first time he saw the Hold. That was last year at Reflections. So, I was talking to Dave when this other guy comes over and says "Who are you?" Now, there's nothing really wrong with asking who someone is, but you should've heard his tone of voice. So I said "Crystal, who the FUCK are you?" He didn't like that. He twisted his face up and said "me."

It was great to see the Burdocks again. It was even better that I was eating a cheeseburger and watching them, being vegetarians. I love those Burdocks. I probably never would've re-started playing in bands if it weren't for Nancy. I learned during their set that the stage at Stage Nine is too high to put your leg up.

After the set, I got cranky. I was sitting by myself, sulking. KC said if I wanted people to talk to me I can't just sit there and mope. It seemed like everyone was having fun but me. I wondered if I should go to Claudette's going away party. I didn't end up making it. KC and I were already drunk, and we both had to work long shifts on Saturday before going back to Stage Nine, so we didn't make it.

Saturday, I went up to the bar straight from work. At first, I wondered if anyone was coming, but by the time we were on stage, there was a decent crowd. It was kind of strange being on a high stage with lights in my face. I'm so used to playing the Seahorse. I couldn't see the faces of the people that were yelling stuff at us. I felt it was a good show. It was nice to not be drunk for once, and it sounded really good in there. I'm sure Philip had a big part in that, but I had Hissyfit in my head. The two shows were opposites of each other. At 'Flections, I couldn't hear a thing and was loaded.

On the patio, after our set, a girl came up to me. She loved it and went on about how her guy friends didn't understand why she was so excited that I was up there. She kept saying "but that girl's sooo cool." Oh, if only she knew the truth.

The Dean Malenkos were great. I can't even remember the last time I saw them play an actual show, as opposed to the open mic in Hell thing. I came in from the patio when they were playing the song that I scream in on their new album. The new Malenkos cd is going to be good. I've heard parts of it and I can't wait to hear the finished product. KC's guest voice-over is fucking hilarious.

After the bands, I stayed on the patio, talking to anyone who seemed interested in hearing from me. Got a couple of free shots of tequila from a guy named Mike. I had met him before at Drock's place. He used to be in the Shitheads and/or System Shit. That was nice of him to by a round like that. If I had money, I'd buy rounds for people. Eben missed out on the first round, which is how Tobias and I got a second one.

We were the absolute last to leave the bar. "We" being me, KC, Eben, LaCosta, and her friend (I think the name was Mary-Ellen). I still feel bad for staying so long, but the way the staff handled it make me love the place even more. Then, we went up to Eben's where I had some (most?) of another beer and passed out on his couch next to the broken paper mache person. I don't remember the trip home, but I think we walked. I made a drunken post while hiccupping and went to bed while the sun came up.

Sunday found me back at Stage Nine, but only to pick up gear. I was feeling crummy, was greasy as fuck, and was wearing green cut-off shorts and a baggy "Australia" t-shirt, with no bra underneath. I also started my period and had nasty cramps on top of my hangover. While KC and I sat on the bench on Grafton street waiting for Darcy to come back, an older homeless lady walked up to us. "Hey, how's it going today." KC said "OK" and I grunted. "So, you guys are street-folk too?" I stared at my feet hoping she'd leave, and KC said "not really." We didn't have any money, and KC gave her a smoke and she continued her walk.

After loading gear, KC and Darcy worked on stuff for the wedding while Alfred and I got a ride with Seth out to the barbeque. I had a great time, even if there was awkwardness in the air. There's nothing like 3/4 of the Hold chillin' on the deck, waiting for our pig-flesh to cook thoroughly on the tiny part of the grill that was saved for meat-eaters (side-note, I hate when vegetarians call people like myself a carnivore, but that's another topic that I'll get into if I have to.) I ate a veggie dog and a tofu-kebob while the meat cooked. Darcy pointed out that you know there's something wrong with the food that you eat when if you undercook it just a little bit, it can kill you. The kebob was yummy. So were those strawberries.

The drive home took us to Dairy Queen first. I saw my boss's kids and ate a Peanut Buster Parfait. At home, KC and I fell asleep watching Patriot Games. See, we didn't have money to rent anything, especially since I have late charges from keeping the GG documentary 2 days too long, and we have a lot of crappy movies (but we've already watched most of them). I realized that I had seen this movie before, and KC just found it boring. You'd have to expect that from a movie starring Harrison Ford and based on a Tom Clancy novel.

Monday was back to work, but I don't think my one day off was enough considering how late I was up Saturday and how crappy I felt Sunday. After work, I ended up, guess where? That's right. Drinking a beer on that patio again. Gerry and Claudette had yelled from the patio while I was having a smoke-break. I had $5 in my pocket for dinner. I looked out and saw they were still there when I got off at 6:00, so I grabbed a coupon from work. Buy a drink, between 4 and 9 p.m., anytime in July, and receive a free appetizer. I ate potato skins, even though I don't really like them. This was my first time up there where 2 beer didn't turn into 7. But, I guess 2 beer can't turn into 7 when you're borrowing money for the second one. (Thanks, Bob.)

Yesterday, I was really, really tired for seemingly no reason. Melissa planted the idea of mono in my head. Not good, considering the hypochondriac I am. I've been tested for mono 4 times in my life, and have never had it. The first time I was tested, the doctor was like "Well, you don't have mono, but you are extremely anemic. Start taking iron pills every day until your poop gets really hard. You get constipated from too much iron. When that starts to happen, you can reduce your dose and take it every couple of days."

Eww, I Googled mono symptoms, and learned something. Mono is a herpes virus!!!