An Epic Weekend of Sorts

For various reasons, I knew August was going to be a good month. I had many people come to visit, I spent some time at the beach and went back to JMU for my first football game as an Alum. Sepetember proved to be equally as awesome and due to this past weekend, and October is pretty close behind. In fact, October could  pass the others if Homecoming and Halloween festivities live up to my expectations.

There are five things that I try to do/see as often as possible and that, for whatever reason, make me blissfully happy no matter what kind of mood or mental state I'm in at the time. They are (in no particular order):

• Roller Coasters
• Parades
• Fireworks
• Anything with water (pools, lakes, oceans, water sports, etc)
• Snow (snowboarding or just being near snow, doesn't matter)

Fireworks, snow and water things are very seasonal activities. Sadly, I found out recently that North Carolina, at least the area I'm in, doesn't get a lot of snow. (Note to self: plan ski weekend for winter). I'm lucky enough to see the ocean at least once a year and make it a point to live around water (by that I mean, my complex has a pool). Parades usually occur around Holidays (LOVE parades and Holidays) and my access to roller coasters is limited to the warmer months.

Fortunately, the amusement parks open on the weekends through the end of October to do some kind of fall festival or scary event. Kings Dominion has Fear Fest, Busch Gardens has Howl-O-Scream and Carowinds has Scarowinds. I tried to coordinate with my sister to get her down here for a Scarowinds trip but she blew me off (numerous times) and I ended up going with some coworkers. I don't get scared easily, the scary parts are more funny than anything, but I DID get to ride a few roller coasters and spend some quality time with my coworkers. (Yay roller coasters!)

The Intimidator at Scarowinds

I woke up early on Saturday but spent most of the day in bed recovering from my adrenaline rush from the roller coasters and my work week in general. I mostly caught up on my shows from the week and of course, watched Saturday morning cartoons. I got up (eventually) and met Mike and Whitney for an adventure down in the city. (Side Note: this is the first of many trips into the city together). A couple of weeks ago, Mike and Whit introduced me to the comedian, Amy Schumer, via one of her stand-up acts on Comedy Central. She was playing in Charlotte for the weekend and we got tickets to see her stand-up act at the Comedy Zone at the NC Music Factory. Two guys (also very funny people) opened for her and then she did about a 40 minute bit of some of her (mostly old) stuff. If it hadn't taken over an hour to get our car from the valet and start heading home, the night would have been damn near perfect.

Me, Mike and Whit at Amy Schumer

Since sleeping in is now only a myth that I can't seem to figure out, I woke up early Sunday and beat the crowd to IKEA to pick-up the correct cover for my new couch and FINALLY get the thing put together. (Thanks Mamaw!) So, my now not-as-empty apartment has a couch AND a coffee table AND a side table with a cute little lamp on it. I'd like to pretend that I started to finally unpack my last couple of boxes but I felt breaking in the couch with a much needed nap yesterday afternoon was a more appropriate use of my time. (I had to make sure it was "nap worthy," right?)

SOMEONE forgot the "No Sitting On the Couch" Rule

So, roller coasters? Check. Stand-up comedy? Check. New couch AND a nap? Check. Not a bad way to end the week. Homecoming in Harrisonburg this weekend and my all-time favorite holiday next week. Bring on the candy and awful orange and black outfits :)