Friday’s are such a bad day for me to try and post a journal entry but I will give it that old college try. It is kind of ironic because for me the party weekend begins on Thursday. I am up before 10AM and I am drunk off my ass but I know I have to put out this damn journal and that is what I am going to do! I had the best time yesterday evening hanging out with my friends Tami, Carrie, Deidre and Marla. We all met downtown at the dance Chicago event which featured music from a popular African group. My friend Tami (bless her soul) made the most fabulous African dishes from Mali and we had a little picnic while listening to the soothing sounds of African music. I believe the group was also from Mali. It was kind of odd because there were people standing around us and staring at us while we were eating. I know they were wishing we would invite them over to grab a plate. Maybe if we were in Africa but this is Chicago and we don’t do that here!!! Too many freaks! And believe me, the freaks were out in force. The freaks aside, the event was a ton of fun! We got out on the floor and danced our asses off. The dancing was great because I know I ate TOO much and needed to burn off those carbohydrates!!

I am always in a state of awe regarding city sponsored events like this one. This particular event has been going on for six years and I had no idea that it even existed! Am I that inattentive regarding what is going on in Chicago or is Chicago just not letting the taxpayer know what it has to offer?!? I would truly love it if my parents came to events like this. It is quite sad but I know that they (and many like them) are missing out on all that Chicago has to offer. Hell! I am missing out and I try to keep up with what is going on. Come on Chicago, it is time you let us, the multitudinous minions that pay ridiculous amounts of property taxes, in on what you have to offer. I’m glad that the people who live downtown and those that visit are able to partake in these fabulous events but it is time to let US know what is going on. Hell, we are paying for most of it!!

I’m sitting at my desk and looking around my apartment. I am truly disgusted by the level of disorder that has slowly evolved over the past few months. When I was a kid our dining room table stayed in a constant state of disorder. I was so proud of myself that I had not fallen into that pattern while living on my own. I felt like I was ready for a last minute dinner party. Not that I have ever thrown a dinner party but if I had to… Anyway, both my dining room and coffee table have accumulated several layers of documents and God knows what. Some legitimate items such as bills and insurance policies and others are just junk. Do I really want to join the VFW or American Legion? I figured I would keep it since I am eligible. Don’t think I will be hanging out at the local VFW club. Can you see me in that place? And why oh why do I keep postcards from night clubs? I don't mail anything except deposits to my bank!

I also burn my own music CDs and they are all over the place. It would help if I labeled them. I don’t know what is what and they are also cluttering up my tables. There are even clipped coupons scattered everywhere. My current financial situation should be an impetus for me to save money but I NEVER use coupons! That is a level of organizational skill that I have not mastered in 20 years of shopping for myself. But there is a magical little device at my side called the shredder! I think I will be giving this marvelous gadget a workout today.

Why do I have this stereotype lifestyle of my friends who are married with children? I always see them shuffling the kids to school then little league or music lessons. I also envision their idea of fun as sitting around playing Bridge and drinking Diet Coke. That would be a big time Saturday night!! I have obviously been watching too much 1950s TV. Let’s not ‘Leave it to Beaver’, Father doesn’t necessarily know best and ‘The Brady Bunch’ is just a bunch of crap! What I thought would be a nice, pleasant and possibly boring weekend in Michigan with my best friend’s family turned out to be quite an eye opener and lots of fun. I stayed with his sister and her family.

Yeah, her and her friends are all married. Yeah, they all have kids. Yeah, they are doting parents who love their kids very much but that is where the similarities end. Did someone say party? These people enjoy a cocktail and they like to dance ‘till the wee hours of the morning and ain’t nothing wrong with that! I don’t know why I was surprised that they like a party. Who doesn’t?! That is what babysitters and grandparents are for! Working and parenting is hard and these people need a break. Now that I think about it I spent many a Friday night with the babysitter when I was a kid and I KNOW my parents weren’t playing Bid Whiz (that’s the black version of Bridge). Things that make you go Hmm. It has always been my experience lo’ these 10+ years that Frolicking with the Ferley’s is always an adventure. I haven’t been disappointed yet!

Why do I have this stereotype lifestyle of my friends who are married with children? I always see them shuffling the kids to school then little league or music lessons. I also envision their idea of fun as sitting around playing Bridge and drinking Diet Coke. That would be a big time Saturday night!! I have obviously been watching too much 1950s TV. Let’s not ‘Leave it to Beaver’, Father doesn’t necessarily know best and ‘The Brady Bunch’ is just a bunch of crap! What I thought would be a nice, pleasant and possibly boring weekend in Michigan with my best friend’s family turned out to be quite an eye opener and lots of fun. I stayed with his sister and her family.

Yeah, her and her friends are all married. Yeah, they all have kids. Yeah, they are doting parents who love their kids very much but that is where the similarities end. Did someone say party? These people enjoy a cocktail and they like to dance ‘till the wee hours of the morning and ain’t nothing wrong with that! I don’t know why I was surprised that they like a party. Who doesn’t?! That is what babysitters and grandparents are for! Working and parenting is hard and these people need a break. Now that I think about it I spent many a Friday night with the babysitter when I was a kid and I KNOW my parents weren’t playing Bid Whiz (that’s the black version of Bridge). Things that make you go Hmm. It has always been my experience lo’ these 10+ years that Frolicking with the Ferley’s is always an adventure. I haven’t been disappointed yet!