Destination: My Home Town

Has anyone else out there had a moment in their life where time just stops? Nothing moving, not even yourself, not even your heart, your eyes, your brain... the people around you stop too, or disappear... the world slows, but the wind... the wind you can feel, or see even for the first time - you can see the wind blowing around you, the breeze caressing your frozen body as time is stopped and it feels so cool and clean. Then in an instant time starts back up again, and your heart jumps back into beat - shocking your chest as you blink again... but only because you have to. You open your mouth to let air in... not really breathing but just to naturally take some in, but only because you have to. At that very intstant then a chill shivers from your toes up your spine and bright flashes of light from your brain shine through as if they were really in front of you. The whole progression takes less than an instant. But you'll spend years running back through that moment again and again in your mind. You'll spend lifetimes trying to have that very moment over and over...

I can't say that it's happened to me. But I've heard it's great.

Last week I had three friends in town from Delaware. *My Girls* as I would introduce them, cause as much as they were there just for the fun spring break brings... I liked to think they were there just to visit me. Not the truth I know, but can ya blame a guy?

Egle, Amie and Megan were waiting patiently for me at the airport when I got there. They had gotten their bags and were sitting outside - as I walked up and down the bag claim area about 6 times looking for them. They looked... a little tired... but the greeting was just right, a lot of hugs and smiles. I met Megan for the first time, a Jersey girl (my birthplace) who's totally fun and outgoing. Off to the car... let the party begin.

Now, I still had to work... Saturday, a little Sunday, and then at my day job Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. With the amount of energy gushing out of these girls it was gonna be tough to keep up. I didn't want to be a bummer - so I immediately got accustomed to the fact that I won't be getting much sleep. I couldn't get the days off I wanted - but I think that was fine, the girls wouldn't get tired of me and I could let them borrow the Civic and they can do their own thing. That's what I had planned at least.

It's Friday night, and I'm a guy with three girls by his side - who am I to not have just a LITTLE bit of an ego there? Obviously, we had to go out.

My boy Adrian calls me up - we're all on the list to PCL in downtown Scottsdale. PCL (pussycat lounge) is not a huge club, but a flashy one - gets filled up to the brim, everyone dances, and there's not even a dancefloor - or lights - to dance to. We got there at the perfect time - Not a lot of poeple so we could all get acquainted and get some drinks. I bought everone a round of Kettle One and Cranberry. I was feeling like I pimp I figured why the hell not! Soon the music started going - the place filled up and it was just right. One of the first times I didn't have a bad experience at PCL - I guess it really does matter who you go with...

Now, I hadn't had prior experience to Egle being drunk. In fact - I never used to think she drank unless she drunk dialed me - but even then I couldn't believe it. I have this sweet innocent Egle constantly in my mind, no matter how crazy she gets she still seems that way. Maybe that's why when Egle was shitfaced at the end of the night, kissing just about everyone, it was rather enjoyable... not a burden like she thinks it is. In fact - her shitfaced was one of the funniest parts of the trip!

But we made it. After an hour of stop-and-go Egle, we made the two mile trip to denny's. Friday night was over. I could breathe easier.

Saturday brought on an unfortunate turn of events, however.

I left about 1:00 for a MC event. About halfway there, I get a phone call from my Dad.... Amie's mother has passed.

Egle got the message right after I left. That was it. The trip was over... not even 24 hours went by.

I wanted to stop the car, or turn around and run back... I wanted to do... SOMETHING. Amie was HERE - not home in Delaware and I felt useless. My heart was broken.

I don't want to talk too much more about it. I was a wreck all Saturday, even my MC event sucked.

Amie went home but Egle and Megan stayed here. There was not much they could do back there anyway, plus the $200 they were asking for at the airport to change the ticket. After my event - I rushed home to see the girls. Megan was asleep... Egle was watching TV.

All we could do is curl up and watch movies. No words - not really talking about the day. My mother treated them to banana splits and sappy films... my mom the hero.

They were staying with me in my parent's house. My parents couldn't have been better hosts as they were always right there with something to offer to the girls. Whether it was a little dinner upon their arrival Friday night, to the spare rooms, or maybe the banana splits and manacures... I feel like I need to buy my mom some flowers or something. I made sure I said thanks - plenty of times. The girls loved the house, a 5 star hotel as they compared it to, I'm thinking it's more like a bed and breakfast. Friday was great, Saturday was unfortunate, so it was time to reset and start over on Sunday.

Egle was getting restless. I had to get the girls out, so since Friday was ritzy scottsdale, Sunday had to be Tempe - the college town.

Now I know what the girls are used to. Newark, DE is the location of the University of Delaware where they go to school. A college town as well, it has its main drag with bars and shoppes... Tempe is the same - just bigger. (And better, in my opinion...)

So we went out to play some pool. The Mill Cue Club is a great spot to drink and play, so that's just what we did. Juan met us out, we paired up and played. I noticed also, that Juan took a little liking to Megan, which was great. It made me feel *amazing* that my old friends got along well with my new ones. Adrian and Juan LOVED Egle and Megan.. Adrian being the "born a friend" that he is, Mr. Flirt, fighting with Egle in playful games, Juan just being himself... the party guy that everyone likes. Like a tight knit the 5 of us were all like old pals, reconciling for the first time in years.

After a few rounds (losses for me... I sucked that night) we head out of there and hit one more spot.

The big bang is another new favorite of mine, an underground dueling pianos bar with tons of spirit. It sits under a building containing three other bars and clubs: The Library, Hooters, and the Owl's Nest. The big bang is the most low-key for the bars, and as I said its full of fun and spirit.

Not a huge crowd, the front seats were still open and so we grabbed a table by the stage. At the Big Bang you have to participate - or you get called out. They play all the hits and if you don't know it they'll be happy to teach you - infront of everyone. The artists there are regular, talented guys and girls with tons of energy. It was a good time.

But - I had to work. I caught a lot of shit from Adrian about it, I made us leave about 12:30. Adrian... with his huge brain was like "just you right? you're leaving the girls with us right?" No Adrian, I plan on taking them with me cause they're kinda staying in my house. But it was a nice try. Adrian's my boy - can't blame a guy. Plus I was the one being the party pooper here...

The girls got some well-deserved R&R on Monday. They did practically nothing but lay outside in the AZ sun and hung out around the house. Perfect. They'll be nice and rested as I'll be in need of another nap. Since there's never much going on Monday nights, however - the best spot for that case would be my usual loner hangout, Jamaican Blue Coffee House. I love that place, plus I had to show Egle where I always go to talk to her online. So, we brought the laptops and met Adrian out there.

I had to show Adrian a few things on the computer, while the girls chilled out and had some wine. On a side note - wine seems to have an ineresting, yet enjoyable side effect to Egle... but I won't get into that too much... Anyway so once the computer lesson was over - we hit the Megatouch 2006 for a rousing game of Photo Hunt, which by the way to this day we still OWN the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, AND 7th spots. That took up like an additional hour of our night, photo hunt proves to be pretty addictive...

An early night, however - the girls wanted to get up and actually do something with the day. It was off to the outside world for them on Tuesday: The botanical gardens and the Phoenix Zoo... among other points of interest.

My phone just about blew up on Tuesday, each time they wanted to go somewhere. First it was the gardens, my directions were bad. Luckily, Adrian was there to save the day and met up with them once they finally got there. They toured south Scottsdale, the papago mountains, the zoo and gardens. I worked at the office. This is why Adrian is my boy though, he covered for me nicely. We got home around the same time - for a special treat - as a thanks for the hospitality Egle and Megan cooked for us. Lithuanian chicken and mashed potatoes. Egle knows the way straight to my heart... I love mashed potatoes. The dinner was a big hit. My parents were gracious.

As the last night in Phoenix drew near, I knew I had to end it on a high note. I remembered a place I hadn't been in quite some time, a brewery chain they call Rock Bottom. Microbrews and great food makes this unique spot a fun place for any age - but the Tuesday night karaoke was what I was looking for.

Not the same DJ it used to be - a different guy with less stuff, and no lights - but the effect was still there... we were only there for one reason only, to sing and be merry.

And wouldn't you know it? There was a competition that night - $50 gift certificate and a chance to win $500 the very next week. So me being the karaoke demon I am, you know that I had to jump in on that. I sang my standard favorites, the songs I know I can do well - I didn't want to be a slouch for the contest - and for the girls. Egle hasn't heard me sing since high school - so it was a chance to spread my wings a little bit and see if I still got it. Not sure if I do - I just got the standard "good job hun" most of the time. Adrian, however, has always been my biggest fan. That guy boosts my singing ego every time.

The night was coming to a close - I came in second in the karaoke contest, oh well... but soon the puppy dog eyes came out... the girls wanted me to take them to Denny's with the guys.

Who am I to say no? I was jet set out to spoil both of them anyway - of course I gave in. 4 hours of sleep for me I guess. It was fun though, no matter how tired I was... I love my friends...

But Phoenix was over - after work (and a nap) on Wednesday was our next destination: Las Vegas.

To be continued...