The END of an Era

You're probably thinking, "The end of an era? WTF mark... " I THOUGHT THE ERA JUST BEGUN! (I know you think in caps...)

well it's really the dawn of a new era, a new world order, as BK's post below so eloquently described. And that is what I need to talk about:

So as Tim, Sydney and I left for the airport (Sydney so graciously drove us to the airport in alfredo's car because my father is a fascist when it comes to my grandma's old honda accord), we said our farewells to Toto and BK in Sayles. And BK goes, "This really is the breaking of the fellowship..." As I continued to go about my transitional travels from Sayles to the Alfie's Car to the Airport to Chicago, I couldn't help but think of this analogy. I (independently) realized that the 9 members of The Ocho could potentially fit the mold of Lord of the Rings members perfectly... I also (independently) considered Johnny V as Gandalf and I had some other great non-fellowship/ocho members as well. (Examples: Will Kruesi as Bilbo and Little Orphan Annie as Arwen, and I even had someone for Gollum)

So i've got this great, creative idea now that I think is awesome. "I'll just blog about the analogy when I get home! What a great entry it'll be!" But I get home and what do I find? No internet at my dad's house. Poop. "I'll go out and run some errands and see some friends and it'll be up when I get back."

It wasn't back.

So I wake up this morning. And what do I find? BK STOLE MY BLOG POST IDEA. The emotions flood over me -anguish, pain... the need for revenge...

But then something happened. I took a deep breath, walked to my window, waved to the tree trimmer that was in the tree DIRECTLY outside my window at 8 am this morning who I had flicked off after he woke me up. I soaked up a few of the pleasures in life - the 60ish degree breeze coming through screen windows as Belle & Sebas play in the background, the feeling I got after watching the "Cartman Goodbye" clip that BK provided, the fact that Tim had seen F.M.C. in the airport, the prospect of Inos for dinner tonight, and of course, that "moustache feeling" that everything will be okay.

The thought came into my mind last night as I headed home from my evening activities that I wasn't going to go home to stadium, and it made me a little sad. But there is adventure, glory, and a little bit of R&R for The Ocho in the next coming weeks. So enjoy your spring breaks and get ready.

Airport Observations

In order of occurrence (edited as needed):

1. The conductor of the modified electric golf cart obesity mobile just referred to it as a "tram".
2. Two businessmen just walked by with matching pastel green ties.
3. My legs are going numb. This floor is hard.
4. It's always a little weird when you can't tell if a guy is with his wife or daughter... Isn't it?
5. Moving up in the world: I am now on a temporary stage that was probably used for some silly in-airport entertainment.
6. First Mate Charlie actually just walked past me.
7. Just received a call from USAir on my cell phone (wtf?). Automated voice with the following message: "This message is for Timothy. Your flight, 3194 to Portland, Maine, has been delayed. The delay time is seventy-eight minutes. Your flight will arrive in Portland at approximately 11:18pm." FML.
8. "Tram" driver just said "Beep-a-lee-beep!" I kid you not.
9. "Look. You have to make a decision. It's your decision. Either you go with your mom to get your haircut like Matthew, or you go with me! You make the decision. It's your choice. But you are going with either your mom or me to get your haircut like Matthew. You make a choice about who you want to go with. But, you're going. You are getting your haircut like Matthew. I will not tolerate your hair being long. If I see you with your hair long this weekend, you're not going to soccer. You make the choice."
10. Time for dinner and beer.
11. I am now at the Jet Rock Bar and Grill, Terminal B, Philadelphia International Airport. 43 beers on tap. Plenty of TVs. Classic rock in the background. Attempting to be both a sports bar and rock and roll nostalgia venue?
12. The song "Laid" by James is currently playing. Yes.
13. Anchor Brewing Liberty Ale: 22 oz.
14. SNPA (yes, Ted! Yes!): 22 oz.
15. Think I just overheard a bartender mention a Sham-Wow (Mark!). SHAM-FUCKING-WOW! (see graphic)
16. I didn't know the "trams" used headlights at night (inside an airport terminal, mind you). Until now. This one didn't "beep-a-lee-beep" though - they had a bicycle bell.
17. Interaction between me and waitress: "How you doin', baby?" "Good. Good." "You just let me know when you're ready, okay?"