Monday 28 July 2003

It's been a very strange weekend. I ended up spending about $130 I won't have until I get paid Tuesday, meaning my rent will still be past due. Phone and utilities are still out of the question.

I had to work a short shift Saturday night from 8-11pm, covering for a buddy who needed the night off. I spent a few dollars at the grocery store on a steak and a couple of hard rolls, took my grill out, and made a couple sandwiches for a late lunch. Then I went upstairs to clean up, change, and get ready for work. As soon as I heard the door to my apartment close, I knew I'd done something really stupid. I'd left my keys in the pants I'd worn earlier in the day.

Had it happened any other time during the week, it wouldn't have been so bad. I knocked on the door of the apartment manager, but she was gone for the weekend. I had to get to work and hoped that a 24-hour locksmith service would be available when I got home. Work went fine, but on my return home it became clear the night was going to be a lot longer than I wanted it to be. Two locksmiths were listed in the phone book as 24-hour, but neither answered the phone at 11:30pm on a Saturday.

I knew then it was going to be an all-nighter, so I decided to make the best of it. I went to the local bar and cashed a $20 check for some beer and change to play dice with some folks. Two guys are somewhat regulars there, but the other couple there, Troy and Jamie, I'd never seen before. Troy and I started talking and we soon discovered we were both avionics technicians in the navy. That led to a couple more drinks and stories, and all of a sudden I was invited to join them at Troy's house for a few more drinks.

Jamie and I danced a bit while we were there, and Seagram's and Coke flowed until 4:30am. A cab was called for me and Jamie gave me her phone number in the case I'd like to get together with them again.

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