The little things

Yesterday, as I read Frankie's blog, I was inspired to leave her comment. Not only was it particularly amusing, but I had been reading her blog for the past month or so, and I figured it was finally time to let her know how much I was enjoying it. After writing my brief comment, which went somewhere along the lines of "haha that was great", I felt a little ashamed that that was all I could manage to say. Dozens of other readers had left her comments poignantly expressing their support, admiration, and love despite the fact that they were complete strangers, knowing her only through the words on her blog.
I have known Frankie for almost seven years, yet my comment was the least personal. After rereading it, I hesitated, wondering if I wanted to leave this pathetic message in the midst of the many caring and thoughtful comments. Finally, I just pushed entered and went on with my business.
Three minutes hadn't gone by when I glanced back at my computer screen and found an ecstatic IM from Fran, thanking me for posting a little something on her blog. She was so excited that I had been reading and had taken the time to recognize her work. Here I had almost never sent anything because I was afraid it wasn't enough; yet I wound up with a greater thanks than I could have ever expected.
It felt so good knowing the comment meant something. And it made me realize how the smallest things can brighten up ones day and really make a difference. In grade school, the teachers used to beg us to contribute to the tiny piggy bank on their desk, a collection for various charitable causes. "Every penny counts", they told us. And "a little bit from everyone can add up". So we would all eagerly stuff in any coins we found lying at home or deep within our pockets or in the hallway on the way to class. And, sure enough, they did add up. By the end of each month we were able to send a substantial amount of money to a different local charity.
I don't know when it changed, why I was smarter then, but now it seems I only have an "all or nothing" attitude. Unless I can do something grand or spectacular, I often figure why bother: Because I forget to buy a friend a birthday present, I wont even give them a card. Or I don't have the time to answer all my Aunt Nancy's annoying emails, so I never bother even sending a quick "thank you" or "hello". The little things I could do often seem so small or trivial or downright stupid so I hold back. But I realized yesterday how much the little things can matter. Even if they have no great impact, what chance is there that they will do any harm?
So I'm going to try and remember the little things for now on: a smile to a classmate, a piece of candy for my roommates, a comment on a good friend's blog that, though impersonal, just might make them a little happy.

Twenty One

I've been wanting to start up a blog again for awhile now; yet, like so many other things in my life, I never really got around to it. I keep reading friends blogs while cursing myself for not making my own, yet I don't have any other excuse except that I'm lazy. I spend far too much time watching tv, stalking my friends on facebook, and going out drinking (ok the last one isn't that much of a waste). But, after months of procrastination, I finally sat down and got myself started. And what better time to start writing than after my twenty first birthday.
The day I've waited for since I was fourteen has finally come and gone. For years I had pictured the drunken debauchery- dancing on bars, body shots, perhaps an incarceration or two. Yet, I managed to stay somewhat in control this weekend. Not to say it wasn't fun. I had the time of my life and I'm thrilled that so many people were there to celebrate with me. Unfortunately, Chris, Mike and Brendan couldn't make it. I would have loved for them to have been there but I understand why they couldn't. Luckily, Freddie and Pat still came Friday evening and Kilkenny even made a surprise showing for the big night Saturday. It was the first time Freddie had met any of my roommates so I was glad he was finally meeting the girls I had talked so much about. And, despite the fact that he has spoke to Caroline numerous times on the phone, it was nice for them to finally talk when he wasn't under the influence of a dozen beers, mocking her in a terrible Boston accent.
Freddie got here around 3 on Friday which gave us some time to chill out and grab something to eat. But by 5 o'clock when we still hadn't heard from Slats, we decided it was time to commence with the drinking ourselves. We headed over to An Beal Bocht, my new favorite bar now that I'm old enough (woo hoo!), and had ourselves a few pints while we waited for Pat's call. We had a nice chat and thoroughly enjoyed our Smithwicks and Guinness, which are ridiculously tasty at An Beal Bocht, the closest you can get to being in Ireland. In time Pat finally showed and we headed back to the apartment for a few more beers. We thought we'd be ok with a simple six pack but within a brief 30 minutes the boys headed out for a few more. Despite my suggestions, they were both too impatient for Hess to head back with the wine and champagne he had promised which he did just moments after they left.
After a few more drinks and a little bit of cards with Hess, Erin, and Jess, the three of us hopped in a cab for the city. We had intended on going to Free Wine but the line was pretty long and Freddie yet was getting impatient yet again so we went to the place next store. It ended up being pretty nice despite the fact that we had to pay for our drinks. After we all agreed that the waitress was in love with Freddie, Pat took one for the team and asked her her sign, a strange hobby of ours. Though we were sure she was an Aquarius, as the coolest people are (ie me and Pat), we soon found out that she was a Scorpio as well as a weirdo astrological buff. Unfortunately though, she wasn't interested in partying with us afterwards seeing as she already had a boyfriend.
After a delicious dinner and enough drinks to earn the waitress her drink incentive, we made a brief stop at Nicky K's bday party at Gin Mill before heading to Jake's Dilemma for the rest of the night. The scene there was pretty good, and Freddie was loving it so I was happy. Plus, the Coors Light girls came and, since we were double fisting Coors Light when they entered, they gave us all a free round. Pat though was the only one lucky enough to get a necklace which he reminded us of for the rest of the night. I, however, did get information about promoting for the company they work for. It turns out they do a bunch of stuff besides Coors Light and they hooked me up with some contact information if I wanted a job. I think my cousin expressed the magnitude of this great opportunity best when he wrote to me, "Think of the places you will go and the people you would meet!!!! I think this is your life's and our families greatest moment!!!!!!" Clearly, the L-ch-t family holds anything involving drinking to the highest prestige.
The night ended in typical fashion- a few beers at Fenwicks- but unfortunately our evening was cut short when the police raided the bar. However, I was ok with it since, for the first time I was doing nothing illegal. Plus, the early ending allowed us to get to bed and wake up in time for brunch at An Beal Bocht. Hess, Freddie, and I went and, after just two beers each, we were all drunk again. Hess, being much more productive than us Lachats, went golfing for the remainder of the afternoon, but Freddie and I just went back to the apartment to sleep a little before round two (or is it three?)
Though Black Finn was packed pretty much the entire night, I had a great time there. Pat met up with us again and brought his roommates and Kilkenny. It was nice having my brother come out with my friends and meet some people though I think I introduced him to so many people that he'll be lucky if he remembers three of them.
I think its safe to say that, of those three, Megan Sheehan and Natasha would definitely be included. They quickly got friendly with him after he told them that, because his law school is "business casual", he only had to wear a man thong to class. Natasha, being several drinks into the night, didn't quite pick up on the joke and was a strange mix of disgusted and enthralled by the comment. I still don't know how this entered the conversation but I'm more than happy remaining ignorant.
I too had a blast with those girls and I think we all let each other know how much we enjoyed each others company. I think the number of people in the dangerously crowded bar was fewer than the amount of times one of us said "no seriously, I'm like in love with you". By the end of the night it was settled: the three of us will eventually make sweet, passionate, lesbian love. You're all invited to watch.
Today, as I was discussing the weekend with Caroline, I was proud too say that I kept it in control. In fact, as I told her, I didn't think I blacked out once. WRONG. Just one hour after our conversation, Meghan thanked me for backing her up in a fight at Fenwick's. I don't remember this, but apparently some girls were starting shit and I, being the peacemaker I am, decided to step in and smooth things over. However, seeing as I was extremely intoxicated, my negotiation skills consisted of nothing but repeated requests to break it up because "come on girls, it's Saturday. It's Saturday." I don't know what makes Saturday so special and apparently neither did these girls, because I guess my feeble attempt did no good. And this angered me. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, thank you Ralphie for stepping in and separating us. You were very helpful. Or so I'm told.
This blog rambled for much longer than I expected but only because I want everyone who shared this weekend with me to know just how much fun I had and just how much I appreciate them being there. In the future I'll try and write something of a little more merit than just recollections of my drunken shenanigans, though I'm sure plenty of those will be interspersed in here as well. So to everyone who took the time to do a little 21st bday celebrating with me- and even to all those who didn't- here's to many more!!