Ultimate Christ

Isn’t it crazy that this is year is already coming to an end? It seems like just yesterday I was ringing in the new year with this incredibly handsome guy as we danced to the thumping applause of another year’s arrival. And now that same guy and I are looking for our own place together. In the words of Shane Dawson, “CRAZY”. 

Honestly, I also can’t believe I’ve kept up this blog for as long as I have. And entire year and a half of chronicles to marvel at. Or bullshit to rehash, whichever prerogative, depending on the subject matter. I’m just looking forward to 2019 and what it will, hopefully, offer. Prosperity would be an amazing theme to the new year that I could really get behind. 

The past week has been sort of a lot, but all in all, it’s been pretty well. My boyfriend and I went back out to the Christmas pop up bar and tried more drinks from their festive menu, and that’s been a nice place to commiserate. Low key, or really high key, I guess, drama on that end, but what can you expect from double date type scenarios? Kelly and Andrew are great and all, but aren’t we supposed to leave petty drama in high school? I don’t know, I’m just over it really.

Work has been rowdy lately, per the usual course that happens at least once during the work week. My manager was super rude to me again, and we ended up having a talk in the office. I felt a little better, just in the sense that I was able to get everything off of my chest during that little meeting, but the conclusion is thus: I think it’s just time for something different. My goal is to try and get on at Barnes & Noble. I’ve been wanting to work there for years and, while it’s still retail, at least it’s more geared to something I would love to be dealing with and surrounded by. I just think that would be a step closer in the right direction.

And then the descending of Christmas happened! After work was finally over with Saturday, it was full Christmas mode as far as I was concerned. My boyfriend ended up getting us an early Christmas present in the form of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and we’ve been playing the hell out of it. We’re still trying to unlock all of the characters, but it’s a lot of fun just trying to win and get everyone on the roster. We’ve incorporated some Mario Kart 8 in there too, because we’d been playing copious amounts of that before we got Smash, so it’s been nice to lean into leisure with the Switch lately, a wonderfully welcomed reprieve from the work stress, at least.

We went to a Christmas party this weekend and our friend Chelsea’s and it was a lot of fun. I’m beginning to wonder if that’s where the genesis of my sickness truly began, but I guess I’ll never know. And also this weekend was Christmas Brunch, which was fun but also drama filled. It’s been a very drams filled week honestly, and I’m just really ready to surpass it. Then it was back to work Monday, Christmas Eve, and thankfully, it wasn’t too bad. I really wasn’t determined to do that much in the first place, considering the fact that it was Christmas Eve, but I made it through the day.

Then gift giving! Since my boyfriend and I were spending Christmas Day back where I’m from, we did our Christmas here after work on Christmas Eve, and it was a wonderful consumption of the holiday spirit. My boyfriend got me some pretty awesome things, one of which is a Hufflepuff Quidditch captain shirt that even had my name and favorite number on it. It’s amazing, and probably one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received. Along with some Funko Pops of Dorothy from Golden Girls and Velma from Scooby Doo, which I’ve never owned before, he just knows me super well. We also got a couples massage from his mom, so we’ll definitely be taking advantage of that soon, hopefully around our One Year.

Then the trip to Salem happened. We got up super early, around 6 AM, and started the trek. It wasn’t too bad, jamming out to Christmas music on the way there. We arrived at my moms place, after a lot of planning and coordination, and it was weird. Things with my mom have just been that, weird, lately, and that translated to when we got there. Keeping in mind, this was my boyfriend’s first time meeting them, and given all the weirdness, I’m sure it was weird for him. But things weren’t all bad. I gave them their gifts, and my mom gave me mine. She gave me some money along with a Barnes & Noble gift card, which is awesome. I wasn’t expecting a whole lot, or really anything, just based on our relationship lately, but I was thankful to receive them. I’m not a super materialistic person, I would have been fine with no gift. But again, it was much appreciated. So after my mom gave Allen this super awful and higher alcohol content beer, we headed over to my grandparents for the Christmas there. And it was pretty great. There’s just something from the energy of the Christmases there that I really enjoy, I’m not sure what it is. But I love it. My grandparents ended up giving me enough money to get Vellum, the writing program I haven’t shut up about lately. A ton of clothes from my dad and stepmom, cute heart cut out frames of pictures of me and Allen, and my grandma loved her coloring books and apparently my grandma adores his mug that I got him. I don’t like the Donald trump subject matter of the mug I got him, but hell, at least he’s enjoying it. We started heading home, but I was starting to actually feel sick, just so congested, and we were over the drive, so we ended up getting a hotel for the night in Charlottesville. It was actually a really nice getaway, and we had sushi king on Christmas, so that was a pretty cool way to end the holiday. 

And! I bought myself a used MacBook! Literally how long have I been talking about having a MacBook? Literally forever. I bought it off someone from Facebook Marketplace, on Thursday, which was exactly one year to the day that I bought my iMac from someone in Facebook Marketplace. The universe had a funny way of showing itself sometimes. But so far, it’s great, and I can’t wait to be able to write portably again!

Things have been fairly chill in the past few days, except for work yesterday, but what can you do? We had our cooking class last night and it was awesome. Well, the end result was awesome. It was awkward at first, and we thought we would be cooking every part of our meal, but we teamed up and everyone made one thing? I don’t know, perhaps TV has ruined the idea of cooking classes? All in all, it was a fun experience and the people were pretty great. Hopefully, after work today, it’s a chill weekend for us to just relax, and then New Years shenanigans can take place. And here’s to 2018 for being hell of a year, and to bigger and better things in 2019. 

Until next year,

— Justin

Suzanne Elizabipt

| Now Playing: My Only Wish by Britney Spears & Bad by Lennon Stella |

I won’t post the lyrics for either, but seriously, these two songs. One stuck in my head because it plays at work and the other came later, but I’m obsessed with it.

I’m so ready for Sunday to get here. I’m writing this over the course of Friday and Saturday, and right now it’s Friday morning at work and I’m already so ready to go home. Anyway. The title of the blog is something I’ve been saying a lot, in regards to the cat haha. Although, Ultimate Christ, from the way home from the  Christmas bar last night, with Britney’s song playing, would be a good future title haha. 

When we woke up Sunday morning, it was already hella snowing. We even somehow woke up a lot earlier than we normally would have on a day that we get to sleep in, so 9 was a tad early haha. But it was already snowing so much, so we got up. I don’t remember a whole hell of a lot that we did prior or throughout the day. But a little later in the evening, we started watching Fat Salt Acid Heat and it was getting really good. We were just about to start Acid when the power went out, maybe it was the snow but there was power around us, so who the hell knows. The power ended up coming back on around 3:40 in the morning, so that was good. 

I got up for work Monday morning, and it was a feat getting out into the world, but the interstate was just too much that early in the morning so I ended up going back home and calling out and went back to bed. Plus, I never get two days off in a row anymore, and I just really needed it. We ended up finishing Fat Salt Acid Heat, and it just made me want to cook and eat haha. We did some more decorating upstairs and watched movies for the rest of the day. But coming back to work on Tuesday was what I needed. All I did was run clothes all day long, no management bothered me, it was just a really really good day that was perfectly calm and serene. Watched Order of the Phoenix when we got home, started watching Ready Player One, Benzo called because the plans went askew but then it all worked out. Ready Player One was super fucking good. I actually ended up liking it a lot more than I originally thought I would, but it was super worth the wait. Wednesday wasn’t too bad at work, we had Jenny from the Tappahannock store with us, and she’s just great. Super knowledgeable but personable and knows what we’re going through. She’s just a really good manager and I just wish she worked here. I also wrote on lunch for the second day in a row, so go me. I heard back from the people who did my first book cover and I’m slated for July 9th. I mean, Taylor Swift trash, am I right?

So after work, we had to start getting ready to head over to Lewis Ginter and meet Benzo and her mom and Bev, and that was just a time. Not in a bad way at first, because when I saw Bev in a wheelchair, I was thrown off simply because I didn’t know she was in a wheelchair. But from the time we got there, it was just a mess. It was hard trying to see the lights but also worrying about trying to cater to everyone which just doesn’t work. Despite the entire stressful night, it was still a good time and Allen and I got some really great pictures. We went to Cheesecake afterwards and that was just a bust. And then Allen and I went to Bar Louie after that for some drinks and I was just so spent emotionally that I just wanted to go home. So we did, and started to watch Chicago, but we got tired and ended up heading to bed. My day off Thursday was pretty chill, we got up super late and Allen had his fourth day of not having work ugh so jealous haha. But it was a fairly relaxing day. We watched Dumplin, which was so damn good, love it, and did some stuff around the house before making dinner and he went to his last show. I did some more writing while catching up on Riverdale. Ugh, I just want to write full-time already. 

Friday was a fairly easy day at work, from what I can remember. And then we had Kelly and Andrew over after work because Kelly finished her last class before graduation so woo! We had some drinks and played some Picolo, which was fun. But I ended up messing up by downing drinks too fast during the game’s dares, and my stomach was not having it. Waking yup Saturday morning, I felt awful. Nauseous, tired, just not good. But there was no way I couldn’t go to work. And I wish I hadn’t. Because it was awful. I got into with my manager, because I was so tired of being spoken to like I’m less than a human, and confronted her about why she speaks to me rude as hell. And it was just bad. Then I ended up staying past my time to leave because my manager said I couldn’t leave without possibly facing disciplinary action, but I was so over it, I ended up leaving because don’t threaten me. After work, after getting some grateful comfort from Allen, we headed to see some lights with Kathy and her sister. We grabbed some dinner at Ironhorse, their steaks are so damn good. The lights were really cool, it was a drive through and you turned your car radio to a station and the lights were in sync with the music, super cute. I don’t really remember a whole hell of a lot from Sunday, just that it was a day off much needed after the day before. 

Monday, it was back to work, and I wasn’t feeling it after everything that had happened on Saturday, but it wasn’t too bad. Allen and I played some Mario Kart that turned into Drunk Mario Kart that brought some even more light hearted levity that was a gratefully appreciated. Yesterday wasn’t that bad at work either, I’m basically just biding my time. But I came across an interesting thought yesterday and made a video about it. I would love to make a Patreon to help further my writing. I just want to write full time so damn bad, you have no idea. For writing to be my full time job wold fill me up forever. And then after work we went to a Christmas bar downtown that was super fun. And today is my day off again, and I’ve been vlogging? Super random and I didn’t plan it, but yeah. Got my haircut, got some lunch, and now gonna focus on some writing. So ready for Christmas and traveling back to see my family. Let’s go now.

Until next time,

— Justin

I’m A What? Harry Potter

| Now Playing: Mr. Heatmiser by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy |

I’m Mr. White Christmas

I’m Mr. Snow

I’m Mr. Icicle

I’m Mr. Ten Below

Friends call me Snowmiser

Whatever I touch

Turns to snow in my clutch

I’m too much

I’m Mr. Heatmiser

I’m Mr. Sun

I’m Mr. Heat Blister

I’m Mr. Hundred And One

Friends call me Heatmiser

Whatever I touch

Starts to melt in my clutch

He’s too much

Thank you!

______________________________________________________

It’s a Saturday blog because I couldn’t be bothered to get it out on time haha. That’s just the truth. I could have posted it yesterday, since I was off, but I was determined to get some writing done in my second novel, and that just didn’t leave room for writing a blog too, so here we are. The title of this blog is basically something that Allen and I have been doing for a while now haha, brought on by when we were watching the Harry Potter movies. It’s basically done in the Milly voice, because we both love Milly so much, but yeah, we’re hilarious. 

Work has been a massive shitshow lately. Like the beginnings of this week, for example, have just been some fairly awful days. I still don’t know whether or not I’m going to get to move departments, but who the hell knows really. I haven’t heard anything else about it since I think Tuesday, so I have no idea what is going to happen in the near future. As far as work goes, I’m trying my best to stay level headed about everything from now on. Just taking it one day at a time, work my eight hours and then go the hell home and leave it in the parking lot. I know that this job isn’t forever, so there’s really no use getting worked up about it. I’m grateful to have this job, it’s just not the job I want to be doing for the rest of my life, like writing is. 

Thursday was the invited dress rehearsal for the show Allen is working on, and his mom and I really enjoyed it. I’m not well versed on all things technical in theater, so my judgement is very one sided, but the show itself was pretty funny and well done. Even though that Kelly woman is a real piece of work, let me tell you. Afterwards, we went out with Lorin and some other Longwood friends of Allen’s that had come to see the show, and then it was back home. Friday, his mom and I went out to Kabana for the grand illumination of the Christmas lights around Richmond, but it ended up sort of being a bust. The atmosphere was cool at Kabana though, all the Christmas music playing and the themed drinks, even if they weren’t that spectacular. The lights were underwhelming. It was probably better out looking into the city, but from 20 floors up, it was kind of a miss. The experience was fun though. Then we headed downtown and saw the new ice skating rink that opened up near Havana so that was nice. Then we ate at Havana and it was so damn good, I’m still thinking about that damn porkchop and the Granny Smith Apple mashed potatoes ugh. So good.

By Saturday, and working six days in a row, I was worn out and so tired. Allen had a show that evening, and we both wanted to have a drink and relax when he got off, so I ended up taking a nap to prepare for that. I was so exhausted that I pretty much fell right to sleep and slept for two and a half hours uninterrupted. God, I needed it. But once he got home, we were able to unwind and we watched The Polar Express, which I have never seen before. It was fairly good. Sunday, Allen had a show midday, so I ended up working on trying to get my writing stuff all situated. But I ended up going to the store because I wanted like Christmassy drinks, and I ended up making the Christmas version of jungle juice, which is jingle juice haha. It turned out okay, at least it was drinkable. We decorated the tree Sunday, and Allen got me this ornament that says our first Christmas. Ugh, love him. 

Monday I got super drunk after work, and we watched The Santa Clause, which is my Polar Express, hands down my favorite Christmas movie. Allen is still poking fun at me for how drunk I was, but ya girl really needed after Monday at work. Truly, I needed it every day this week really. Work has just been too much lately. So much so that after the day I had Friday aka yesterday, I don’t know. It feels like I need to start looking for my next step as far as employment. It’s just really fucking up my headspace and that’s not something I’m really willing to part with. The good news is I’ve been writing a lot lately, mainly when Allen has been at the shows, and I’ve been finally getting back into a groove of writing. Wednesday was the only chill day at work I had. I’m hoping today is like that because I truly need it. 

My day off Thursday consisted of literally writing all day long and rewatching The Haunting Of Hill House, so fucking good. It was a great way to spend the day, but then Allen and I went to our second apartment to look at. So Wednesday, we went to this place called Deering Manor, and this visit turned out pretty damn well. Despite the way everything seemed on the way there (we still just need to research the area more), the apartments and the grounds themselves are really nice, and I’m so glad that we finally found a viable option for us. We would each have about a 20 minute commute to work, which works out more evenly as far as traveling between us. They had their own model to show us, and it’s just enough room I think to accommodate what we’re looking for. However, the place on Thursday, while it is bigger, they didn’t have anything to show us, and they basically handed us pamphlets, which Allen’s mom had already gotten for us when she told us about the place, and sent us on our way. I would really like for those apartments to work out, only because it’s more square footage, but hey, at least Deering Manor can work, and that’s the main thing. Then after we got home, I was able to get some things off my chest that I’ve been wanting to say, and Allen and I just sort of had some time for ourselves to reconvene and reconnect, and I was so happy to have it. I just love him so much, and sometimes my head really plays tricks on me because, well I don’t really know why. But I have to remember that we’re in this together, and we love each other. And the thought of us having our own place together is so damn exciting, I’m ready. We watched The Mistletones before bed, which was a prettt good movie, come through Tia Mowry. 

Yesterday, work was shit casserole. Literally. I was let down about moving departments, so that’s officially not happening. Then there was so much going on in apparel and my assistant manager was on my case for no damn reason, it was just a mess. At least Allen was there to comfort me when I got home, God bless him, he was really supportive. I also finished all my Christmas shopping, except for his mom, which we’re doing after I get off work. He had a show last night and I was watching the RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectactukar which was as dumb as I thought it was going to be. Then I for sure determined that I’m going to have to use Vellum for writing because I tried to see how Scrivener would work and it’s not, so that’s out. Benzo and I FaceTimed for a while and then bed haha. Today wasn’t that bad at work, thankfully, I just can’t stand my manager. I’m officially looking for other employment because I just want to write full-time. Donate to my PayPal to help 😂😂 just kidding haha. 

Also, shout out to One Kiss by Dua Lipa for almost breaking the NP. It’s been stuck in my head over the course of this week haha. I think that about covers it. I’m gonna wrap some presents since I have the house to myself, Allen just left for a show and his mom is at a friend’s party. Then work on some book stuff, the hustle never ends.

Until next time,

— Justin

It's Dark and Hell Is Hot

| Now Playing: All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey |

I...
Don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas
Is...
You
Baby all I want for Christmas is
YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
_________________________________________________________________________________

Back to another Wednesday blog, even though I just posted Sunday. I'm all about consistency, I mean, look at my track record if you don't believe me. Juuussstt kidding haha. And I'm also typing this, for once, not on my phone and on my actually computer if you can believe that. Look at me, improving. Even if it is short lived. I'm gonna try and do a Christmas song in the NP from now until Christmas, UNLESS a bop emerges and I'll have to break the streak. Also, shout out to my new phrase that was going to be the title of this blog "I'm not just a Pisces, I'm a nice-ces." But I saw this title on my Timehop today, and it made me laugh out loud, plus it fits the blog. And it's probably going to be the name of my autobiography haha. Here's a picture of it just because.

So right after the last blog, all hell broke loose. Literally work Monday morning was hell on Earth. Literally the rapture. Add to the fact that I didn't really sleep all that well the night before, I was over it. You can imagine how more over it I was when shit started to go down at work. Let me just get into it, because why the hell not? And also because this blog has to be about something, so it might as well be about this. Picture it, barely six thirty ante-meridian, and I'm walking into work, literally to put my lunch box in the break room (because this is what I do every morning) when I spot the store manager. My first instinct was to keep walking, and honestly, that's probably what I should have done in the first damn place, especially considering what happened. But then I thought about Destiny's birthday weekend, and how it's been denied (twice) by her, even after she emailed me back and said she didn't have a problem with me having it off but what the fuck ever, and I just felt like I needed to ask her once and for all if I was going to get it off or not because a bitch needs to know. I stopped by where she was and said, "Hey, I was just wondering, did you say I could have the 15th and 16th off? I wasn't sure since my time got denied again and just wanted to see what was happening." I didn't say it in a mean way or anything, mainly my tone was just genuine curiosity. And she snaps back with a "I told you I would think about it" which I call bullshit, because I literally have the screenshot of the email of her saying "I don't have a problem with the 15th" so ya rite. Then she goes on and I'll just convert this into a screenplay format because honestly, it felt like a tragic scene just living it.



MARY: I told you I would think about it, but not if you keep calling out

JUSTIN, the overworked, keeping his cool as much as possible Pisces, is shocked at her candor.

MARY: Why did you call out Sunday?

JUSTIN (a little annoyed): Well, for one thing, I don't have any availability on Sundays, I told you that.

MARY: Yeah, I remember what we talked about. You can't work any Sundays?

JUSTIN: No, but I told you when we talked that I can work Saturdays.

MARY (annoyed): Yeah, yeah, I remember what we talked about.

He wonders why, if she remembers so well, she doesn't remember telling him that the 15th wasn't an issue in the first damn place, but let's see how this continues.

MARY: But like I told you in the email, you're supposed to work one Saturday, work a Sunday, then work both, then have off both.

JUSTIN (getting angry because that's not what was agreed upon when he was hired by JENNY, his former assistant manager): RIGHT, but like I said, I can work Saturdays so...

MARY: Well, we're just gonna have to look into moving you to a different position to accommodate your availability because you're supposed to work weekends according to what I told you in the email.

JUSTIN: Well really, I'm supposed to only work one weekend a month, according to paperwork.

MARY (flustered at his damaging facts): No, it's not like that.

JUSTIN: Since when?

MARY: Since always, I can show you.

JUSTIN (calling bullshit): Yeah, please do, because I'd really like to see when that went to effect since I last signed my job offer.

MARY: We just need to find you a position that better suits your availability.

[scene]

And that, ladies and gents, is when your girl walked away, because I was about to go the fuck off, and I need this job. But I was so damn livid trying to get through just that little bit of the morning. Then they immediately had us running break packs from the back because apparently they care that there's freight all of the sudden, and I was hella annoyed because Mary was making it seem like I'm not doing my job correctly and that's why there's so much freight when in reality, it's because they haven't told me what the fuck to do, or have pulled me to do this and that instead of running freight. I'm clearly over it. Then, the new assistant over Apparel, let's call her Wanda. I think I know her name, but "Wanda" is definitely part of it, so let's just go with that. So then...



...after dealing with all this in the AM, I'm filling an endcap that Mary wanted filled, and it's taking a while, because I'm having to put holes on the product to make them hangable, we call them doits, so it's tedious. Well here comes Wanda and she's like "You sure have been standing in the same spot for a while." Here's a quick video on how I internally reacted.

Love me some Joseph Birdsong. His videos literally keep me calm and collected. But back to the Moansday, I was like, excuse me? And she repeated it and I said would you like for me to stop filling this endcap that your boss wants me to fill? Like WOW I just met you this morning, and this is how you're gonna be? Cool. It was just a really, really, shitty day. And I didn't have the added comfort of my boyfriend, I mean, I did, but he has rehearsals every day this week, so I was like daaaaamn this fucking day to hell, for real for real. The one good thing I will say about work is that today there's a sort of silver lining, up in the air but, still. So Monday, the shit day, I thought someone was moved to Domestics, which I really really wanted. But turns out, it's the new assistant over Domestics and Housewares, and I talked to her today, after talking to Shannon who's working both at the moment until they split it and find someone for Domestics, and she said she would see what could be done. So fingers crossed? But I'm literally not expecting anything, especially with what happened with Mary lingering about the bones of the store.

Okay, enough about work, let's talk about good things that have come out of the past few days. Allen and I are almost done with The Haunting of Hill House, and bitch. I can't tell you how much I love it. The characters, the writing, ugh, I just love it so much. It's still not all that scary, even though Episode 8 freaked us the fuck out before bed last night haha. I'm hoping we can finish Episode 9 when he gets home from rehearsal tonight. But yeah, hella good so I'm just gonna keep on dancing. Also, Stardew Valley just came out for iOS and, because I'm a slut for Stardew Valley, I bought it. Started a standard farm as a girl named February, because I'm still obsessed with that name since Destiny and I wanted Kylie Jenner to name her baby that, but alas, here we are. It's been fairly calming so far, just like he Switch version of Stardew Valley, so that's been really nice.

Yesterday, after Allen went to rehearsal, I did the majority of my Christmas shopping. Got the three main things I wanted to get him, plus the two things I wanted to get for Benzo. And I wrote last night, so that's good. I heard, from Tamara, my writer friend on Instagram, about this new writing program called Vellum? So I'm gonna check that out before I chill out while I wait for Allen to get home. Aside from Monday, the beginning of this week has been pretty chill. Tomorrow is Invited Dress Rehearsal for the show Allen's helping with, so his mom and I get to see that unfold tomorrow. Plus Friday, they're doing this grand illuminating for Richmond's Christmas, so that should be fun, I think it's at Kabana, which we stan. Other than that, I hope work gets a little easier, and maybe, just maybe, I can make Domestics happen as bad as Ariana is gonna make Thank U, Next happen all over again when this iconic music video drops.

Until next time,

-- Justin

Ham Hawk

| Now Playing: Party For One by Carly Rae Jepsen |

Party for one

If you don't care about me

I'll just dance for myself

Back on my beat

I'll be the one

If you don't care about me

Making love to myself

Back on my beat

You don't want my love

If you don't care about me

I'll just dance for myself

Back on my beat

Party for one

If you don't care about me

Making love to myself

Back on my beat

Ahh, ahh, ahh

_________________________________________________________

It’s been a minute, I know. But the holidays were happening, and work was crazy because of the Thanksgiving / Black Friday event, so sue me. At least I’m making an attempt at keeping this up, and I haven’t missed in a while. But here she is, back back back back back again. Originally, when I was listening to three songs on a loop, the third one was the song in the NP, the other songs being the last two songs from the last two blog’s NP. And I haven’t really listened to anything else of significance, so Carly keeps her spot this blog. 

So yeah, sort of a lot has happened. And I’m going to cliffnotes the hell out of. I guess the best place to start is Allen’s birthday weekend. It was, obviously, last weekend. I was off on his actual birthday, Friday, and I just remember lounging around and having a free day. I’ve been working on my author name change stuff so I probably worked on that. We went out to see Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald, and it was pretty good. I mean, I do think they’re stretching everything out unnecessarily, but it’ll be good when all of them are out and everything. Then we went to a hibachi place nearby, and met some older gays that were sitting with us, that was interesting. One of them wasn’t having it, but hey, not everyone can adapt to social settings I suppose. Then we spent Saturday, which was the day of his party and the night we were going out, watching movies I think and getting ready for everything. The party was great, we played Picolo, ate some good food, got drinks you know, the usual. Then we headed out. 

We decided to just go out to Kabana, since not many people were coming out with us like we thought. So it was us, Chelsea, and then her boo Colin met up with us, followed by Careese later on. And that was fun, aside from how cold it was outside, and since Kabana is only but so big inside, we were heading out quite often. After playing some more Picolo at Kabana, we decided to head over to Colin’s place to chill and Careese couldn’t remember where she parked her car. So after looking for about thirty minutes without placing it, we walked down the street to Colin’s place, since he lived nearby.

And then the next part, in retrospect, was a good thing in the end. I’m not going to divulge it here because it’s personal and that’s how I’d prefer it to stay, but it was something that Allen told me and I had certain feelings about it. I sort of feel bad that we were hashing things out in the living room of this guy we barely know while our friends are sequestered to his bedroom while we talked, but it just sort of happened that way. I’m just glad we were able to talk through it, and ultimately move past it. At least for the moment, because we were about to be fucked up. After our personal discussion, we headed back to Colin’s bedroom and dabbled in some extracurricular entertainment and it truly messed with us. I think Allen and I were the only ones truly affected by it, but still. I was just starting to feel the worst of it when Allen started to get really deep into it. He was getting upset, so we moved to the living room and tried to order our Uber to take us back home, but it was just a lot. I ended up snapping into nurturing mode and separated how messed up I was feeling because I was worried about making sure Allen was okay. We made it home alright, even though I was truly worried about Allen when he got sick and got a nosebleed on top of it, but as we went to bed, everything was okay.

The next morning we were dragging. We just partied a little too hard and it was a fear trying to find Careese’s car later on, but we did find it and everything was fine. We had to go back to Colin’s, because Allen ended up forgetting his vest which had his phone and wallet in it, but we got it so everything was good. Allen and I talked more about what occurred as we were getting to Colin’s last night over some food, this cute Mexican cuisine place downtown called Maya that was really good. And after talking it out some more, it felt, and still feels, like it’s settled and we can, and have, moved passed it. Then we headed home to literally relax the weekend away haha. Because it was a lot, and we just needed rest. 

The work week was mundane. Other than the fact that my time keeps getting rejected, even after I talked to Mary about it and she said it was fine, she denied it for a second time. Ugh. So I don’t know what’s going to happen for Destiny’s birthday like we want, but who knows. We will just have to see on that front. Plus, I don’t know if I’m moving departments like I thought I was going to. I still might I guess, it’s just sort of up in the air. 

Then I was off Wednesday before the Thanksgiving event, and I don’t recall a whole lot of I’m being honest. But the event was bullshit. I went in and basically did nothing while everyone posted about Thanksgiving. I hate working on it, because every time I do, it makes it feel like less and less of a holiday to me. I literally stood for about four hours without a break, and then moved a couple pallets around. That’s it. It’s so pointless, I really think they just need to move it to, oh I don’t know, actual Black Friday maybe? I don’t know. Just a thought.

Then it was our Thanksgiving, which somehow ended up being called Thanksmas for us haha, I guess because we listened to Christmas music while we waited for the food to be ready Friday and drank the holiday away. We danced around to Christmas music and drank good wine, ugh, it was a really good time. It’s up there with last Christmas with my grandparents, and it was amazing, so it was just great. So then Kelly and Andrew came over right before dinner since they were eating with us. So we ate, and in came Kathy and her niece Darline, and we started to play Cards Against Humanity. It was something else, mainly I guess because Darline was pretty abrasive. Fun, but abrasive. Plus it’s a little interesting playing a game that’s really sexual with your boyfriend’s mom haha, but it’s all in good fun. Then Kelly and Andrew left and we played Left Right Center for a little bit before heading upstairs.

Allen and I were fairly drunk, and we ended up talking about last weekend’s topic again, and then some other stuff I’m glad we got a chance to talk about. Super glad. I’m just glad we can be completely naked with each other about anything and everything. I just love him so damn much, he truly is the king of my heart. So after our soul relenting, we laid in bed and started watching Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, because we’ve started back up the whole watching the movies again, but we didn’t make it very far in the movie because we were getting pretty tired. And Saturday was super our chill day because of all the food and all the drinking. We watched movies literally all day. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the fear of it haha, The Post, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and then bed haha. 

And today’s been fairly chill. We watched a shit ton of The Haunting of Hill House, which we started recently, and it’s so fucking good. I really love the characters and the story is really good. It’s not that scary, but I ain’t mad at it. Allen started helping Lorin out by basically being an assistant stage manager at this Cat theater place, so that’s been taking up most of his nights, or will be here soon, he’s there now. My author name change is going good, I got the amazon, sort of, part handled, and I’m just waiting to get everything ready and changed so I can start really branding and sending my query letters back out. I’m just not looking forward to heading back to work because I’m doing a six day stretch haha. And the title of this blog! Allen not being sure what a ham hock was and thinking it was a bird, like hawk haha. God, I love that man so much. 

Until next time,

— Justin

Can I Por You A Favor?

| Now Playing: Thank You, Next by Ariana Grande |

Thought I’d end up with Sean

But he wasn’t a match

Wrote some songs about Ricky

Now I listen and laugh

Even almost got married

And for Pete I’m so thankful

Wish I could say thank you to Malcolm

Because he was an angel

One taught me love

One taught me patience

One taught me pain

Now I’m amazing

I’ve loved and I’ve lost

But that’s not what I see

‘Cause look what I got

Look what you taught me

And for that I say

Thank you, next

Thank you, next

Thank you, next

I’m so fucking grateful for my ex

Thank you, next

Thank you, next

Thank you, next

I’m so fucking grateful for my ex

__________________________________________________________

I know, I couldn’t help myself from posting this song in the NP. It’s been blowing the fuck up ever since it came out, and it’s just a jam so go listen to it. 

So Thursday was my usual day off, and I had an appointment to see about trading my car in, so that was the first thing on the agenda that day. I got up and got ready and headed out the door for that. Once I got to the dealership, I was just convinced that there was no way it was going to happen. And even though test driving the Jeep Renegade I was interested in was fun, and even though they played two 80’s songs (Africa and Pour Some Sugar On Me) and a Taylor song (Shake It Off) while I was waiting to see if I could get it, I didn’t end up getting a new car. I just really wish my payment was a little bit lower. Maybe I can try to refinance it after a little while, I think that’s probably my next best option. Because I do love my car, I just wish it had all the bells and whistles is supposed to have. So after that whole debacle, I headed back to the house where I proceeded to get caught up on Riverdale while I wrote. Let me tell you, Riverdale is taking some weird turns, but at least it’s a good backdrop to write to. I got a ton of writing done, and by the time my boyfriend got home, I was still writing while I finished the last episode I needed to get caught up on. And then I wrote even more when Grey’s Anatomy came on. There was no Will & Grace for us to watch, and we were a little too tired to watch Murder, so we ended up going to bed instead. 

Friday was my rough day at work. No because of the work (even though the day totally dragged the fuck by), but because I was so in my head. Just in general, but like in my relationship. And it’s not anything he’s done, honestly I think it’s because I’m so happy and so happy with being with him that I sort of feel like something bad is about to happen? Like I think it’s just because I’m so happy and in love that my head plays tricks on me and it’s saying “Just wait until it all falls apart.” Which I know is bullshit, and it’s just dumb that my head is saying that. I need to calm down when that happens and just let myself be happy. I think that’s the main thing. Basking in the happy instead of preparing for it to warp. So that’s what I’ve been setting a daily goal to do: just let myself enjoy being happy. 

Anyway, enough of that self analysis stuff. After work, we had plans to grab drinks with Lorin and Jimmy, so we did that. After a couple drinks waiting for them, I was starting to feel a little better. And kudos to Allen, because he was really trying to hype me up and I love him for it. We left the place we were at and walked down the street to this club, but it was small and loud, and I was already feeling tired and since I had to work in the morning, we ended up leaving shortly after. We got home and, even though it was already late, we made food and watched Murder. And the next morning, I was good to go for the most part, I wasn’t nearly as tired as I was expecting to be, but I was just ready to be off. 

And when I got off, Allen surprised me. Saturday marked one year since we started talking, so basically since we met, and I came home and he wasn’t in our room, but what was was flowers, candy, a card, and he had taken the chalkboard I had bought for him when he started his first day at work and wrote the date followed by “The date that changed us.” and I about cried. And then reading the card, I about cried all over again. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me. In the past relationships I’ve had, I’ve sort of always felt like I was the more romantic one, so no one has ever done anything like that for me. No man has ever gotten me flowers either, until Allen. And I was wondering where he was, and as I was skimming through the Red Tour Book that I had ordered (because it was on sale for half off) he texted me to come downstairs. And when I did, he was holding up two champagne flutes of wine. God, I love that man. In case anyone reading this couldn’t already tell by most content on this blog.  So we started having some celebratory drinks. We ended up having a wonderful night in, just drinking and enjoying time with one another and it just melted my heart all over again. 

Also, Saturday marked the one year anniversary of reputation coming out! I made a video for my channel, ranking each song on the album, so that was a lot of fun. I think I’m going to do it for all the other albums as well, just for fun and for some amazing content, obviously. I can’t believe the amazing things that have happened in my life since this album came out. Meeting Allen, getting to be a part of Taylor Swift’s reputation Stadium Tour (Like, how is that a thing that happened and is still happening for at least two more shows?) meeting Taylor Swift herself, being able to move cities and enjoying being with the man I love so much. I just, can’t express enough how grateful I am to be where I am at this point in my life. And I can’t wait to see where else I’ll be going in the future

Then we had to get up a little early than we would have liked Sunday, because we were checking out one of the apartments we had called to set up a tour. We went to one Friday immediately after work, and despite the fun lesbian manning the office, that’s probably going to be our backup plan place. Anyway, after the night of celebrating, we weren’t really up for our other plans that we had after we were going to tour the apartment. It was going to be like this hike or something with apple picking and everything, but we just weren’t up to it. So we ended up going to the apartment place to tour (it was a bust tbh) and then we randomly stopped at two other places but they were closed because it was Sunday. But we had one place that seemed promising so we added it to the list. After that whole escapade, we got sushi! Ugh I love Sushi King so much. Then we headed to Kroger for a quick stop, and Allen and I were searching through our phones to see what our first texts to each other were. We got to see them when we got home, and it was cute to see where we started compared to where we are. We’re adorable. 

Monday it was back to work, and it wasn’t too bad. The good thing about work is I’ve been writing on lunch. I did both Monday and Tuesday so we’ll see if that trend continues today haha. It’s been great delving back in to the series and the feeling that comes along with it. Oh, I also set up my Mac in the other bedroom on Thursday too, so that’s been great to have. After work Monday, I finally sent another query letter out, fingers crossed. I’m hoping to send another one out after work today because I really need to just keep pushing them out. I can’t get a response if I don’t keep sending them out. We started watching the second Harry Potter movie, but we got tired, so we didn’t nearly finish it. And then Tuesday was a really good day at work because I basically got to do what I wanted, and after work we watched Titanic and it was his first time seeing it! Ugh, so good. I told him if we went ahead and watched Titanic that we could start watching Christmas movies afterward, and that’s what we did tonight when we watched The Holiday. It was actually a really good movie and I enjoyed it a lot. It wasn’t entirely Christmasy, but I enjoyed it all the same. 

Tomorrow’s my last day at work for three days and I am so fucking ready. Hopefully I can get even more writing done like I have been during lunch this week. Today’s also marking 10 months that we’ve been together and I’m so thankful for that. I love you babe. 

Until next time,

— Justin

Is John Okay? (Eres Una Puta!)

| Now Playing: Battle by Taylor Swift |

The first shots fired

Everybody’s gathered around

You’re looking at me like

I tried to take you down

No, no

That’s not what happened at all

There’s no sound

I’m waiting on your next move

You shoulder down

And I knew where to hit you

No, no

It’s not how I wanted this to go down

Now we’re standing in the ring

And you make the first swing

And now we’re fighting dirty

But I ain’t going down till they break it up

And I used to be on your side

Now it’s looking like we’re going to battle

And why you’re taking shots at me like

Somebody’s gonna give you a medal

And I never want to hurt you

But I’m tired of taking all these blows

And so

I’d rather be on your side

But if you want fight

Baby let’s go

Oh, oh

Let’s go

Oh, oh

But you’re not who I thought you were

And this is looking more like a war

Looks like we’re going to war

Going to war

And I used to be on your side

Now it’s looking like we’re going to battle

And I’m trying not to break down crying

No one’s gonna give you a medal

And I never want to hurt you

But I’m tired of taking all these blows

And so

I’d rather be on your side

I’d rather be on your side

But if you wanna fight

Baby let’s go

Oh, oh

Looks like we’re going to war

Oh, oh

The first shots fired

Everybody’s gathered around

You’re looking at me like

I tried to take you down

No, no

But if you wanna fight

Baby let’s go

_____________________________________________________________

I’m writing this just after we got back from our getaway weekend, and I can’t tell you how needed it was. Just the small act of getting away for a few days, seeing our friends, being alone with each other, it’s just been exactly what I needed, what I think we both needed, and I’m just super grateful that we were able to do so. The first thing that brings a smile to my face is the title of this blog, and the weekend was so great, that there were so many candidates for what the blog was going to be titled because there were so many funny things that were said and that happened. But the one I settled on just made me laugh the most. My boyfriend and I were talking from the street parking we had to endure when we went to Macado’s for lunch and we passed this car that was like for whatever the hell it was for and I think it had the name John Oakey on it and I didn’t even see it when we first walked past it. But he saw it and thought it said “Is John Okay?” And it just cracked me up, even more so when we treated it like a philosophical question about whether or not John wanted to be okay haha. Good times. And then the parentheses comes from Allen and I making up a spell for Kelly’s party, especially when we saw Lisette because we think we’re funny.

Anyway, so right after I posted the last blog, my boyfriend and I reironed our Hogwarts Houses Outfits and headed over to his friend Katie’s place for a little hangout / walkthrough haunted house thing that they had created and it was really low-key, but fun. We headed back to the house and started watching Fantastic Beasts, but ya girl was tired and so we didn’t get to finish it because sleeep. Thursday was the day that Grey’s Anatomy truly decided to fuck me all the way up by having this wonderfully crafted episode and then showing everyone who died at the end like HOW DARE YOU?? Allen was consoling me because I was a mess after it, let me tell you. But at least Will & Grace and HTGAWM we’re low-key enough to set me back in track haha. And then Friday, glorious Friday came. I was a little worried as far as work went because I had been taking half-lunches so I could accumulate some overtime, as well as staying over ten minutes each day, so I could leave early, so we could leave early heading down to Roanoke / Blacksburg for the weekend. I was only worried because they were putting my department through a reset and I was worried about leaving them high and dry, but it ended up working out alright, even though we had hella company there, but ya girl knew how to swerve that disaster and I was able to leave at 12:30 like Allen and I had planned.

Luckily, we had packed the night before, so that was already done by the time we headed out. After getting something to eat, we headed out on the road. Which normally wouldn’t be a bad trip or hard or anything, but there was a wreck in the way that held up traffic and added an hour to hour drive, plus it was raining almost the entire way there. Super water sign aesthetic, but hella annoying when traveling. Anyway, then we got the Airbnb and met the host, who was really nice, gave us a free bottle of wine, so hell yeah. The place was just as nice as in the pictures. Only, we didn’t realize / weren’t told that this place was basically an add on to an already existing house, as in, the host family lived on the other side of the house, separated by a bolted door in the kitchen. Which is fine, but still, would have been nice to know. Another thing was there’s no bedroom door, and the bedroom is downstairs where you have to, or most y’all people I guess, have to duck under the ceiling to be able to get down there. But hey, at least it was super pretty and within our price range.

We relaxed for a little bit, but then it was time to get our costumes on and head over to Kelly’s party. We put our Hogwarts outfits back on, and headed out to buy supplies for the night and for the rest of the weekend before getting there. Both places that we stopped to get drinking stuff were hella crazy busy, and we didn’t know that it was Homecoming weekend until way later. But the party was fun! We got there, started drinking, West finally got there, we all hung out. And then suddenly, I was fairly drunk and loving it. There’s this wonderful picture that West took that shows me in my pique state, but it was a lot of fun. Oh, and briefly, I met a girl that went to the same Taylor Swift concert as me, and we were just talking about it when they had to leave so that was interesting. Allen and I were starving at the end of the party, so we stopped by Cookout. Big mistake. My stomach was not having it. Considering the fact that we were back at the Airbnb until about 3ish, I tossed and turned a lot, and not just because the bed there was abnormally soft to a fault. My stomach was going through it, and I ended up going to the bathroom like four times throughout the morning, it was enough starring Jennifer Lopez. And then, something incredible happened. Before we went to bed, I saw stuff online talking about a leaked Taylor song, but I tossed it aside as fake hysteria. But when I was up and able Saturday morning, it was real.

It’s the song in the NP because obviously, when a new Taylor Swift song comes to light, I’m going to be obsessed with it. Initially, people were saying that the song, which is still on the fence about whether is titled Battle or Let’s Go (I prefer Battle myself), was an outtake from 1989, even though it’s heavily acoustic. But then I was ready that it was after Red but before 1989, which makes way more since because it’s hella Red era. And that fact makes me super happy because not only is it Red Season, but it’s also a masterpiece of an album so if this bop was scraped from Red, imagine the other Red era miracles out there waiting to be heard. Ugh. So good. I’m still trying to learn all the lyrics, but it’s incredible. Her melodies and harmonies continue to fuck me up in the best way possible. 

Trying to make plans that worked for everyone was a nightmare. After I got up, I was texting my friends to see what worked for everyone, and a certain someone was getting on my nerves just because it seemed like, and ended up being, that if they couldn’t bring someone, they weren’t going to come and I’m like 👀 bitch I came all the way down here and you’re gonna come at me that way woooooowww. But I’m over it, clearly. So the plan was looking like everyone was going to meet at dinner. But before that, Allen and I headed to my old store to see if there was anyone to visit. And like I figured, not a whole lot of people were working. But I got to see Teresa! So essentially, it was worth it. Then we ate some lunch at Macado’s before heading over to my grandparents house. And that was fun. Nothing much has changed there really. But I did give Allen the complete tour, because he hadn’t seen the entire house, so I showed him the rest of it. Then my grandma showed me that my cousin, who lives with them now, is using my bookcase, which is fine as long as she takes care of it. Speaking of taking care of things, my old room? Trashed. My aunt, who is also living with them now, is moved into my old room and it looks like a disaster. Just everything is everywhere, and a mess. She’s using my treadmill as a clothes rack and my desk is just littered on top with crap. It’s whatever, it’s not like I have the room to take those things right now. But with Allen and I seriously looking into places, it might be sooner rather than later that I might be able to change that. 

Ever since we got back, both of us have been feeling ready to go. I think it’s really just because this is the first time we’ve gotten away since I moved in, and even more than me, I think he’s ready to go. So he’s been hardcore looking for places, and we’ve found some that are viable options. We’ve got some appointments set up for Friday and Sunday to go scope out two places, so hopefully that ends up working out. I think we’re just looking forward to having our own space. 

Anyway, so after talking to my grandma for a while, we decided to head out. After being prompted, I was even gonna stop by my dads house, but he never got back to me, so we headed back to the Airbnb and took a nap because of course we did. I got frustrated because I looked like Destiny wasn’t coming to dinner. But Ceara was going to meet us at the Airbnb around five, and then we were going to up to Christiansburg because Allen and I really wanted to go back to The Farmhouse to eat, and she was going to ride up with us. So we showed her around the Airbnb, chilled, and then headed up to Christiansburg. And of course, the food was amazing. Probably the best steak I’ve ever had in my life, it was incredible. Plus the special they had was a steak that came with a crab cake so it was literally Heaven. The only bad thing was West didn’t even get there until just after we had finished eating because he got stuck in traffic. But we headed back to the Airbnb to chill and drink. We ended up playing Picolo and then called it a night after a while. Allen and I watched an episode of Sabrina, but I know I was fading fast, and we went to bed. 

We got up the next morning and got dressed, and we headed back to the store so I could see Destiny since she had to work. I ended up seeing Morgan too so that was a lot of fun, I’m just glad everything ended up working out really. Then we stopped and got some food at Applebee’s and headed on back to Richmond. The trip back was a lot smoother, some initial traffic but not too bad. And at least this time it wasn’t raining the entire time. We relaxed a lot when we got home because why wouldn’t we? The only real thing we did was watch more of Sabrina. Bitch, I know that it sort of started rough but it’s a good ass show. They just really need to take the bluring effect away from the editors.

Coming back to work Monday wasn’t too bad. Works just sort of been work, as usual, lately. I did get my schedule changed for this weekend though so I’m not on the schedule for both Saturday and Sunday. And there were talks of me moving to Domestics or Housewares, but I have no idea about what’s going on with those as of today, Wednesday. It’s be interesting though because I’d be in a department that I understand more, and I’m really good at the process of that side of the store and everything, but like I said, I have no idea what’s really going on with that. After work, Allen and I watched the final episode of Sabrina and bitch. Like, I can’t even believe how good it ended up turning out considering the slow burn at the beginning. I need Season Two right the hell now. Plus, it really makes me want to read the comics, just to see how different they are and if they’re pretty close to what we saw on the show. But Sabrina Spellman is here, bitch, and don’t cross her unless you want to be consumed by Hellfire. And we were on another level Monday night because we were laying in bed, doing the popular Milly phrase “You’re gonna fry, motherfucker” but with things our friends would say, and then we were doing it for random things like the I Don’t Know Her video and just losing our minds with laughter haha. I love him so much.

Yesterday at work sucked. Not because it was particularly bad, even though an associate and my assistant ticked me off, but because I was just over it. I think what had a lot to do with it was I hadn’t slept that great since we’ve been back from Roanoke, not that I even slept that great at the Airbnb, but I was struggling to get through the day yesterday. But luckily once I was off it got better. As soon as I got home, we went and voted, and then started watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but it was getting late, so we didn’t finish it. Today’s been pretty good because I’m able to work at my own pace, I’m basically just doing price changes all day so I’m down. Plus I’m off tomorrow, even though I’ve got plans. I’m meeting with a dealership to see about trading in my car because, if we’re seriously looking to get our own place soon, it would be really beneficial if my car payment was any amount of less. And I want to bring up my Mac from the garage and set it up in the room with all my other things, in preparation for typing up my chapter of my book. Speaking of, I’ve been plotting out, thanks to the inspo Of Sabrina, another story I’ve had in the works that’s more supernatural based. I was plotting some hell good shit the other night, so at least I’ve been plotting even though I haven’t necessarily been writing too much lately. 

And as I get ready to head to lunch at work today, please enjoy all these pictures (assuming Blogger uploads them correctly) from the weekend up until yesterday. 

Until next time,

— Justin