Angie’s Drama

Okay, along with the whole, “It only happens to me” getting crappy service. We were at the AmVets Saturday night for the Jaycees Haunted House Appreciation Party. We ventured down to the AmVets bar to grab a couple shots of the ever elusive “misdemeanor.” I specifically requested them chilled and explained how to make them. The “bartender” couldn’t find the strainer for the shaker, so the shots were poured straight from the shaker into the glasses, ice and all. I just had to shake my head because, as we all know, it only happens to me. So many coasters around to use as a strainer! We went back upstairs and I strained the shots myself-they were actually pretty decent. Hell, if I’m not being charged for ice I shouldn’t complain right?
By the way the Peoria Jaycees House Band: Nootril Drop rocks! They put on a great show. If you ever see that they’re playing, be sure and check them out!

For anyone that can’t see my house from the planet Jupiter, the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas has nothing on our Christmas tree this year. That’s right. Christmas tree. I am very well aware that we are still waiting to celebrate Thanksgiving. I came home from work Friday night and Rob was putting up the tree. I was a little anxious to get to a party we had been invited to and I really wasn’t in the mood. Rob plugged in the last strand of lights and the entire tree went out. You know that silence that should really be loud cursing and screaming? That was it.

Saturday morning, I wisely took off to go shopping. I came home a few hours later. I pulled into the driveway and was blinded by the lights of the tree. I nearly pulled into the closed garage door because the glare of the lights was so intense. 2100 lights are on that tree. We also have a 30 foot Spruce tree in the side yard that now has two flood lights spotlighting it. AmerenCilco will probably be mortgaging my house for the electric bills. I think our neighbor actually bought curtains to try and block out the light.

For anyone who has to ask, no the lights are not blue. We may be tacky, but at least we stick with the clear lights.

Tuesday night, Rob and I went to Michael’s visitation. He worked with Rob at F Scott’s since they opened. He was the waitstaff manager. Although he and Rob had their differences in the workplace, Michael was a great guy. Although he had been sick for awhile, his death was sudden.
For the funeral, the next day, Sully and Molly rented a bus to take everyone to the services and the burial, which was an hour away. If you drive by F Scott’s look at the little tree out front. They put their white carnations from the funeral on the tree.

Rob and I got back from the visitation and went to sleep. Late that night we got a call that my oldest brother was in the hospital. He came home from playing his weekly basketball game and my niece thought he looked horrible. She got my sister-in-law and he was grabbing his arm and was short of breath. She pretty much ordered him into the car to get to the hospital, under his protest, of course. She dropped him off at the ER entrance and parked the car. When she walked into the ER, she saw them working on Mike. They had given him asprin, nitro and an EKG, then he crashed. They had to revive him a couple times. They put stints in two of the three arteries. The surgeon said that the main artery that was blocked is what they call the Widow Maker. He’s still in intensive care but seems to be stable. There are so many what ifs that I can’t possibly dwell on any of them. I will say that I heard about 20 seconds of Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying and won’t be listening to that one. That song has taken on quite a meaning.

That’s the only way I can describe the gang of kids that killed that poor dog. I can’t even imagine the pain that the Allen family is experiencing. They let the dog outside to go to the bathroom and ten minutes later he’s dead? The thing that kills me is that as a puppy, he was probably really excited to see those kids. His tail was probably wagging and his eyes were probably shining with excitement because someone wanted to play with him.
I hope those kids no that payback’s a bitch.

The asthma attacks are getting very old. I spent a great couple of hours in the emergency room this morning/afternoon. I’m such a stubborn bugger that I usually wait it out until I’m really bad and have to be in the hospital for days. Not any more. Being in the ICU scared the crap out of me. I was pretty close to being put on a ventilator, because I waited so long to get help. At the first sign that albuterol isn’t helping, I’m off to the doc. Rob and I have my asthma trigger down pat. Whenever the weather hits extremes like going from 60 degrees to 40 degrees, I’m riding the asthma train. I’m not supposed to be working, but what the doc doesn’t know… Let’s thank the Lord I finally have some good health insurance!! Here’s to the weather staying steady for a while.

Over the weekend, I bought a few new books. The first, Tommy Land, I’ve already finished. It’s kind of an autobiography written by Tommy Lee. Definitely not a book for the prudish. I love Tommy Lee-I know I’m a closeted metal chick. Back in the mid 80’s and 90’s I was a skater chick listening to new wave and punk music. But, I always loved metal. I just never told anyone. Anyway, I just have to assume that Tommy is very open about sex with his two boys. He did write a book which puts it all out there. I mean it all. I would love to have the book autographed, but that’s a pipe dream. How the heck would I do that? Send it and just hope he’ll sign it?

The second book is called Ghost Stories of Illinois. I’m halfway through it and it’s so interesting. Most of the hauntings are up by Chicago, but they do mention Peoria. More to come on that book.

The third book is called God Knows His Name: The True Story of John Doe Number 24. It’s about a boy who was institutionalized throughout Illinois. The author, a Springfield reporter, tracked down his story, ala Rick Baker. I can’t wait to read it!

So, Friday was a day of manual labor-preparing some of our stations for the Women’s Lifestyle Show. On days like this, I wear crappy sweatshirts and jeans for obvious reasons. On this particular day I was wearing my 9 year old Sully’s Pub sweatshirt. It just so happened that I found out that the Jaycee’s monthly happy hour was going to be at Sully’s. I walked over after work and joined a group of about six people. They had all ordered food since they were going to the Riverman game. I ordered a beer from the waiter. He brought the beer back and said he would put it on the tab. I explained I wasn’t going to be ordering food so that would be a waste. I asked if he wanted me to pay at the bar. He said, “No. Fine!” He ripped the $20 out of my hand and left-presumably to make change. I have so many issues with his behavior, I don’t know where to begin. First, why do you wear an apron if you don’t have cash to make change? You’re obviously a glorified cocktail server on Friday nights. Second, where does anyone in the service industry come off with that kind of attitude? I’ve spent the last 15 years working in bars and restaurants in Peoria and have never seen that kind of attitude. Third, dude I was wearing a Sully’s sweatshirt. What the hell? That’s like biting the hand that feed you-literally. Anyway, as everyone that knows me points out-it only happens to you. I find the one bartender in the world that charges extra for ice to chill a shot and I find the one bartender in Sully’s who is a complete jack.

Congratulations Notre Dame Soccer and Pete Nash!!
(The parade just went by)

It’s Election Day! How better to start the morning than with 2 phone calls from political candidates. Osama is endorsing Ricca and Aaron called to offer a ride to the polls. Actually, I wouldn’t have minded if I didn’t get the same calls last night. As I was watching Good Morning America, I realized that I still hadn’t made up my mind about who I was going to vote for President. I was actually watching, hoping someone would inspire me at the last minute. It wasn’t until I was in the polling booth that I made a final decision. I’m willing to bet I’m not the only one. Speaking of voting…there was a segment on one of the morning shows discussing P. Diddy’s Vote or Die campaign. I understand the concept of Vote or Die, Rock the Vote and Declare Yourself. A 30 year old voted for the first time this morning. Proudly, he proclaimed that he’ll definitely vote again in another 4 years. WHAT??????? Why don’t these campaigns promote the message to vote every time there is an election..not just a presidential election. That is absolutely maddening to me. You can be proud of yourself for voting..but you’d feel more a part of the process if you vote in every single election.