Trapped on 11th Avenue

So, I moved back in with the Nicas for the rest of July because Laura's apartment was sold to a very cool girl named Alana and I could no longer freeload there. And now, it's 11:30 p.m., and I'm afraid to leave my room. I've come oddly full circle.

Last night, after getting off from the paper, I noticed the light's were on at the house. And I was really hungry, but too tired to go into the kitchen and put up with them while I made some dinner, so I parked, walked to the Kangaroo, bought a pack of Twizzlers, walked past the notorious bag lady with the rottweiler -- "Fuck!" being the only words she could muster upon my passing -- and went back to the paper afterhours to read e-mail and be generally pathetic on the DL.

After some "ridiculous" unnecessary IMing, my phone rings -- it's Ashley, drunk, from Durty's, begging me to come out. Of course, I go out -- it's Ashley after all -- and walk the mile or so downtown. Sprawled on the pavement chatting up some randoms ACRs, Amanda and Brit are...totally gone and fucking hilarious. There's nothing better than being the sober one around your drunk friends. They radiate love. Love for you, love for that girl with the lighter, love for Marco the Honduran, love for the frat boys in the passing F-150...and all is right in the world.

Anyway, I pay the cover, go inside and find Ash and Dave. Brit, Amanda and George (the three happiest drunks I've yet to encounter) stumble in after me with Jess, who's slightly less drunk and rocking the best in indie attire. Ashtrays are thrown, an ass is objectified, a fit is pitched. Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" is played (Ah, sweet Spring Semester memories...'sigh'). Last call comes, and I drive four D-R-U-N-K ladies home...damn.

Just when you think the night's a bust, Gainesville's randomness comes to the rescue.

(Still stuck in my room at Nicaraguan hellhole, thus the epic length of entry. On side not, they leave Friday, and I'm planning a "No More Nicas" party, replete with plantains and Maragaritas. Two weeks in my home without them..finally!!)