the last few days ...

Tuesday was a better day, we lost the game but the team was good and it was a fun time. Our team went out for drinks at Plank's and of course we all took it too far and got too drunk for a "school night", I was thinking of Derrick and how would not have approved staying out until last call on a weekday and how had he been there with me, Wednesday would not have been so painful. Wednesday evening I went and had dinner with my sister-in-law and we had fun chatting, when dinner was over we went to a little store called Deals, everything in Deals is a dollar, so tell me how is it that I walked out of there with $50.00 worth of crap. I have issues.
Currently I am at work and it is not much fun at all, my system is down and there is nothing for me to do. When I am not busy (and even sometimes when I am) my mind wanders to Derrick and how much I miss him. Daily life without him really sucks. It's not hard, just a little painful, sometimes a lot painful, sometimes down right unbearable. This morning when I was showering I was thinking about how much fun Thanksgiving always is, my family always has a big production and it is really just a ton of fun, then all at once I realized that Derrick would not be with me and I got really upset. Sometimes I think that this is a practical joke, like at any given moment someone is going to jump out in front of me and say "SURPRISE, you're on Candid Camera!
The next few days are going to be good ones, I have some great friends in town from California and I can't wait to spend time with them and the rest of the old Brian Brou's gang. I love all of those friends very deeply, it is a very strange bond that we all hold. I mean really, we all met in a bar, a bar that closed down. But to this day we are all friends and that is something to hold onto. I guess when you find the people you are meant to be with there is just a glue that holds everyone together and distance and time is not something that will dissolve the bond. Hell, I met Derrick in a bar that that worked.

Over the Weekend

On Friday I went to Bar Louie for lunch with my co-worker and we had a good time, our food took over an hour to get to us but we had a nice time chatting and getting to know each other. Then I hit the road to Lima to see my parents, we went out and had some beers, we had fun, as usual. Saturday we mostly laid around (apparently the going trend of my life) and watched football, the OSU game was a heart-breaker. After the game I drove back to Columbus to go to Arlete, my cousin's wife's, surprise birthday party. The party was an awesome time but everyone got way too drunk way too fast, it was almost ridicules. Sue and I were in awe over the how many "light-weights" there were, it was amazing. Then Sue and I ended our evening with breakfast at TJ's, nothing but the best! Sue stayed over and on Sunday we got up got some breakfast (again) and did some shopping, there was a great sale at Kohl's and we both made out pretty well. Sunday night Jake and I took Derrick's car to Derrick' brother's house to have the window fixed, if there is anyone out there who wants to buy a 2001 Ford Focus let me know! Then we made some home-made vegetable beef soup that was really good. I was thinking that since I did not have to work today that I would go out and have a beer or two last night but I didn't, everyone else had to work today and I did not want to go out alone.

As I sit here now on my day off I really miss Derrick, I finally have a job that gives all the holidays off and I have no one to share it with. How lame. I have days when I think that time will go fast and this will all be over before I even know it, today, is not one of those days. Tomorrow will be busy with work and volleyball and more than likely drinks, so tomorrow will be a better day.

In

It seems that I am back "in" with the telephone God's, I was able to talk with Derrick for about a half hour this morning. He said that he is doing well, he says that he has it pretty good compared to many others so that is something to be thankful for.

I miss him, BAD. Things are getting a little easier for me, day to day is going a little faster and I hope that continues. I have been keeping busy, last night was my first winter volleyball game of the season, we won easily the other team was new but it was fun. Derrick usually plays with us but my brother Jake is filling his shoes this season.

Not much else to report, I can't even remember what I did on Monday, the days are running together.

calls

It seems that the telephone God's are against me. I missed a call from Derrick this morning while I was in the bathroom at work and I sent him an e-mail praying that he was still in his office begging him to call again. As I was waiting for him to call all of a sudden my cell phone beeps like it has a message and it was HIM! My phone did not even ring, the only thing I can think of is that he tried to call again while I was calling into voicemail to check the first message.

I cried, and cried, and cried. His message said that he will call tomorrow. I will be going to the hospital tonight to have my phone surgically implanted in my head.

Over the Weekend

Well Friday after I missed the phone call I was pretty upset and depressed so I did not eat much, I had some erronds to run and was over by one of my old haunts, Woody's. I decided to stop in and have a beer, ran into an old friend and drank a few. Then I met up with Keri, Chad, Matt and his gal Jen, and had a few more at Brazenhead. Well apparently that was a few too many because I puked my guts out on Saturday. I was in charge of making all the Jell-o shots, hard task when you are hung-over, but the task was completed and as usual the shots when over well at the party.
Derrick was able to call on Sturday!! I was feeling terrible and laying in bed but I was so happy to have heard from him. He said that things are going okay but that he is living in a tent city for the time being and will not get his tralior for a few weeks. He said that his job is good but that they have to work seven days a week, gruling if you ask me, but I guess there is not much to do anyway. I have his address and if anyone wants it please contact me.
Jake's Halloween party was on Saturday night, I have pictures but am still not able to locate that USB cord, I may just have to buy one. I will get those loaded asap. It was a really good time and there were some really cute costumes. Renee', a good friend from back home, stayed over and she and I laid around the house and took naps and watched a movie, it was a nice relaxing day.
So far I have not heard from Derrick again, I hope that he will call soon, he told me not to panic if I don't hear from him so I won't. I did get an e-mail that is better than nothing, and at least I know that he is okay.

phone call

I had a meting for work this morning that was quite boring. As I entered my meeting I looked into my purse to get my cell phone to put it on silent and realized I left it at home. I thought nothing of it other than it was a relief that it would not ring while I was in a meeting. As I was driving home I realized that this would be the day I may get a phone call from overseas. I drove faster and faster growing anxious, I pulled up to the house, I threw the car in park, ran up the stairs, ran to my phone, hastily opened it, and there they were 2 missed calls from and unknown number. My heart sank, as I dialed the pass code to listen to the message I started to cry and when I heard his voice from so many miles away I knew that I would never forget my phone again. In the message he said that he should be able to call tomorrow, and now I wait. This is going to be the longest 22 hours of my life.

Baghdad

When I came into work this morning the first thing I did was check my e-mail and there was an e-mail from Baghdad! Derrick has made it to his final destination. He said that it was dusty and he was tired but that he had made it and will be able to call me in a few days. I am so happy and relived that he is there safe, I feel like a great weight has been lifted off of me and I can breath a little easier.