Looks as though the past is here to stay.

The last time I wrote, I think I was on call on a Friday night. I didn't end up getting called in so I was able to leave for Maine at a decent time for the weekend. Addi's 3rd birthday party was Sunday so I headed home afterwards because I had to work M-T-W. We did what we normally do...eat, drink, hang out, talk, watch TV. I helped prepare for the party and we caught up on bad things going on in our lives. Thankfully, her Gram's cancer is treatable and her PET scan is clear. Laura and Sara came for the day, also. We recently planned a fun weekend for our 30ths which will be the first weekend in November. We are staying at a hotel in Manchester, shopping, getting pampered at a day spa, and just hanging out. I can't wait.

Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th was Reach the Beach. My first time doing something like that. I was really nervous but ended up having a lot of fun. It was challenging and so tiring but something I'd totally do again. Our team ended up placing 7th out of over 450 teams overall...so crazy! My 10 teammates are fast and conditioned athletes, so talented. I was honored to be a part of their team and even though I'm not nearly as fast, I was proud to be out there taking part in such an event and proud to complete my three legs. Our van (Sara, Ring, Greg, Ross, Chris, and myself) met van 1 at the first transition point in Attitash. While we were waiting, Paul, Vicki, Braedon, and Maeve stopped by he say hi...it was so nice! My first leg started around 9 pm (5 miles), second leg was around 5 am (3.5 miles), and third was around 1130 (4 miles). Our team waited on the beach to join Greg as he crossed the finish line. Such an awesome feeling! We hung out for a bit, had some beer and Mexican food then began the trek home from Hampton. We had a few opportunities to sleep in the van while van 1 was running but I really wasn't able to sleep. So, by the time 10 pm rolled around Saturday night, I felt the most tired I've ever felt being up since 8 am Friday and running a broken down half marathon at odd times. I'd still do it again. SLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh and I'm keeping the teams group text conversation to read for when I need a good laugh. Good people and good times.

The following weekend was Sara's second birthday party in MA but I decided not to go. Instead, I spent the day in Henniker and Nashua helping Denise and Eric move in to their new apartment. Family moves are always interesting but we feasted on pizza and Five Guys and I didn't go home with 'roids...lol. Faith is home this weekend for the first time but I was too tired yesterday after the Oktoberfest race (placed 629, nettime: 34.14) at Harpoon to drive to Nashua. I would have if they were closer...but they may host Thanksgiving this year and that is coming up fast.

Ashley and I had a date on the 27th at the Common Man for her birthday. We hardly get to do anything like that so it was nice to sit there and talk and laugh over a beverage and yummy food. We thought maybe Puffles was preggo but apparently we are crazy. Ha. Shley also thought our waiter had the hots for me (nonsense) because he drew his face on my to go box with a conversation bubble saying Where's the Beef? As we were walking to my car, he busted through one of the side doors to ask me if I had his "Mercedes of pens" which I did not...I placed it in plain view on the check. How bizarre. Anyways. Needless to say, his picture will be kept on the wall in the Goss basement.

The annual Sparks/Koenig chili cook-off was on the 28th at Karl's new house. I made a pumpkin cheesecake for the first time...it came out pretty good. We all just hung out, ate, drank, listened to live music. There was also a bouncy house, but I did not partake. At dusk, a bonfire was started. Dayners, Chris, and I decided to leave...we grabbed some food and hung out at my house for a bit. Somehow...we ended up watching Ren & Stimpy...

On Tuesday, the 1st, I drove down to Manchester to pick up Chhouen at the airport. Driving down 89 this time of year is so pretty because of the foliage. He came home for the first time in 3 years to visit his family and I think this is the first time I've seen him since we were in high school. Weird. We had dinner and I brought him home. Dayna and I met him out in Hanover Friday night at Salt Hill and we stayed there the whole night with the exception of one drink at the canoe club. It was crowded with grad school alum which proved to be annoying because I was accosted by two guys trying to get me to slap one of them for a bet. On a more positive note, we learned how to DJ and we ended the night with free doughnuts.

The next day, I went for a run and stopped by Bonnie's annual lobster bake for a bit before heading to Manchester. I met Rebecca, John, and Dayna in Concord and we headed to dinner at Strange Brew. After some drinks, we went to Nightmare New England in Litchfield which was creepy but not half as scary as it was built up to be. The guy with the chain saw was kind of funny. Plus, the small amount of anxiety I had dissolved into excitement when the music playing ended up being Tool, A Perfect Circle, and the Deftones. C'mon now.

In the midst of all these fun seasonal happenings, I decided to buy a living social deal for one month on match.com. Why? Not sure. I guess maybe because it can't hurt to put myself out there for a bit and meet new people. I've come across some decent appearing individuals and have been talking to a few. I had a date this past Wed with someone who knows a lot of people from Claremont and actually had the same babysitter I did. His sister also roomed at CSC with a nursing student I knew two years behind me. What a small world. I had a date this past Thursday with a guy from Barre; a nice guy with a lot of good qualities but I just can't see anything happening either. I'm meeting someone today at Salt Hill. Ultimately, this is making me feel more hopeless and angry. It's too soon. Maybe I should just focus on me right now. For example, making a decision about my career. My ICU application is halfway filled out...perhaps I should finish it and submit it tonight. It's now or never, but nothing is ever final.

Friday night, we saw NIN in Boston. So awesome. We all met in Warner and piled into Jeff's car. We found the parking garage, a place to eat then headed to the Garden. Everyone (Jeff, Eli, Matt, Dustin, and Alicia) had ground floor tickets except for us so we split and met up afterwards. Becky Glaser ended up being there too so we met up at the bar they went to after for a quick hello. It was nice to see her. We got home late so thankfully Charlie's party wasn't until 2...I can't believe he's a year old already. Ashley did a good job with the Great Pumpkin/Halloween theme. I headed to the 9th annual Minckler bonfire afterwards for a few hours. I felt really tired so it was an early night. And I was really cranky for some reason. That didn't stop me from stuffing my face, though. I stopped by my moms before heading home and actually witnessed Simone walking...fleetingly. She's so darn cute.

I'm off to get ready to be social...