Cheeky Sweetie

So, today is the Huz’s and my close girlfriend Jess’s birthdays.  Brian turns 34, and Jess, the tender young morsel that she is, turned 21.   Both of them have to work early Monday morning, so it was decided that we would celebrate Saturday night, since after midnight, Jess could drink.

Now, I have some social anxiety.  I have made some strides, but I feel much more comfortable with my online friends in person than I do with friends of friends or people I don’t know.  As usual, I got really cranky and flustered just before we left.  My poor family dealt with my scowl and snappy mouth pretty well, but I bet they were glad to see me go, get out, and unwind a little.  I doubt they understand that the prospect of going out is what winds me up in the first place, hah.

Jess and her friend Jen showed up, and we headed down to Land O’ Lakes, where we met up with two other friends, a couple named Erin and Jeff, and we all ate at Chili’s; my treat for the birthday kids.  We had to wait for Jen’s boyfriend to get off work, so we headed for Jeff’s apartment.  We stopped at 7-11 for gas and beer-not necessarily in that order *snort*-and my night got lively when I looked in the store from the pump and noted what looked like a seven foot tall cashier, with the top 18 inches being hair-standing straight on end.  I tried to get a pic, but short of racing up to the window and going all camera-phone nazi on the unsuspecting sasquatch, this was the best I could do.  I kid, but really, I’m amazed by the gravity-defying hair products he must use!

Once we got to Jeff’s apartment, Jess was served up her first birthday drinks.  There was homemade sangria, some beer, and a few shots to be had…none by me since I was one of the designated drivers of the evening, of course.  Jess doesn’t drink much, and she was being silly before too long.  She pulled a $10 bill out of Jen’s purse when Jen went to the gate to let her boyfriend in and put it in her bra, and put on her sunglasses.

I asked, “Are you playing dress up?”

She giggled and said, “I have to put on my serious face!”

I said, “Are you looking for it in Jen’s purse?”

*snort*

She kept standing on one leg and saying, “If I can stand on one leg, I’m okay!”  Bri had a beer, and everyone hung out while Shawn ate his take out from Chili’s.  We were waiting for midnight to head to Channelside in downtown Tampa, so Jess could order drinks and get into an over 21 bar.

The party really seemed to kick off on the ride down to Tampa from Wesley Chapel, though.  Well, for some of us anyway.  Jess was w.a.s.t.e.d.  She was trying to get me to make out with her, which I would not do, not because she isn’t hot, because she totally is, but because she was drunk and I’m not that kind of girl.  Really! No matter what Twitter says!  So, she bit my cheek!

Crazy ass drunk girls!  We found ourselves in Howl at the Moon at Channelside with a giant bucket of some kind of drink mix that had thirty thousand straws in it, watching dueling pianos play classics on up to Madonna songs.

Silliness and laughter abounded..one of my favorite moments was when Jen was on the dirty ass floor, and I was all concerned…

“Why are you on the floor, Jen!?”

“I lost my headband!”

“Honey, it’s not worth sitting on this filthy floor!”

“Yes, it is! It has TWO BOWS!!!!” she wailed, just before declaring victory when her groping hands fell upon it.

Erin wasn’t so lucky-we all had our phones on with the light reflecting on the ground looking for a costume jewelry ring she lost.

Jen popped up, shouting, “I found it!”

Erin excitedly said, “You did?”

And Jen said, “Yes, but it’s broken!”

Brian was the only one to get hit on-he went outside for a cigarette and a guy asked if he could buy him a drink. *snort*

As the night wound down, we urged the birthday kids to finish the bucket, but Jess was just about done for the night.

Jeff passed a note and a tip to the piano guys through the waitress though, so we got one more treat-Jess got called up to the stage and serenaded, and Brian even got the birthday song, too!

When we left, Jess puked outside.  Which is pretty standard for a 21st birthday, I suppose.  I drove home with two of my favorite people passed out in the car after enjoying their birthday celebrations with their friends, and all was well in the world.

Except for the fact that I have the most freaking annoying laugh EVAH!