BBQ

This weekend we had an impromptu going away party for Cort and Brooke. They are moving to my old stomping grounds of Long Beach California. In fact it sounds like they will be living right across the street from my very first apartment. I miss Long Beach, it gets a negative reputation but its really a fantastic town. Long beach is so eclectic. It's full of so many different cultures and personalities that every time you turn a corner you experience something new. I left a piece of my heart in the L.B.C. and I still feel the pain when I think about my life there.

OK, so back to the original subject....

Cort and Brooke are moving to Long Beach. Cort will be working towards his Masters degree and Brooke will be teaching. We had a little get together to say goodbye this weekend. It was another opportunity to bring old friends together before we all go on our separate journeys. We Bar-b-cued at Melissa's house and spent some time just enjoying each others company. I'm lucky to have met some really wonderful people in my life who each bring a different vision of the world and a different philosophy to share. I'm even more lucky that I've been able to befriend the people who accept me and love me for my vision and philosophy. If I ever had the talent to be a writer I wouldn't need to use my imagination very much because there are so many rich characters that make up my friends. Anyway, We spent the night talking and drinking and telling stories of days past and even some hopes for the future. Wes pulled out his guitar and created some ambiance and we all sang a line or two at the end of the night. Brooke serenaded Cort a little with Wes' accompaniment. It doesn't matter that I see my friends much more rarely than in years past because when I do see them its as if we were never apart.

Tomorrow is the big day for Cort and Brooke. They'll be packed and on the road. I haven't let myself get down yet because I know I'm going to be in Long Beach in three weeks anyway so we are going to get together for brunch. I am going to show them one of my favorite places in Long Beach and I've made them promise not to go there until I get there. I am so excited to be able to show some of my Utah friends a little bit of what made me happy in Long Beach. It feels good that I finally get to share something that I had to experience alone. I can't wait.

Anyway I'm sure I'm boring everyone with my sappy internal thoughts. It's strange that I say so much on this blog that I can't say in person. The people that love me the most are the people who have accepted that I have a Hard Shelled prickly personality and often say things that seem harsh and hurtful. But they know I never say anything to intentionally hurt anyone. I just am not capable of putting a sugar coating on my opinions before I share them. Blah Blah Blah. I'll shut up now.

Here's some pictures of the Bar-b-cue

-Amy

Cort and Melissa

Dave, Me, Melissa, Brooke and Zoe

Cort and Dave

Wes setting the mood.

Wes and Melissa playing hide the bottle?

Melissa, Dyan and Brooke

Cort, Dave and Wes

Wes, me, Dave and Melissa

Dave, are you talking to the voices in your head again?

Everybody poses strangely at bar-b-cue's right?

The three Amigos!