Word Perv

It would appear that everyone ended 2008 in a funk. My sister, Kirsten, had a crappy day. One that sent her spiraling into not one, but two snowbanks with her car. Jen was in a mood and got into a fight with a friend while in an art museum in DC. And as you know, I’ve been in a funk all week. But I was determined to change that.

I left the office early because my boss told me too and I’m not one to argue. I headed home and Daisy and I went out for a nice long walk in the bitter cold. The wind was whipping and branches were down everywhere. I knew my race that evening – the King Street Mile was going to be cold. I only hoped to have a tailwind to help push me through the race.

I met up with my friend David who was also running the race. We jogged to the start and soon barreled down the street, hitting a strong headwind the last 1/4 of the race. He finished in an impressive 5:40 whereas I crossed the finish line at 6:53. Nonetheless, it was a good way to kick off New Year’s Eve – a quick race in the brisk cold! Here we are pre-race in our race t-shirts:

Heading home I hopped in the shower and was just finishing cooking when Jen and Denise walked in the door. I tried a new recipe (pasta in a pumpkin cream sauce), but it wasn’t as flavorful as I had hoped, even after we doctored it up, so I’m not going to post the recipe. After eating and laughing and talking for a bit we decided it was time to get ready for our evening, and we took turns in front of mirrors, putting on make-up, styling our hair, primping and preening. Finally we were ready and we headed out the door, hopping on the metro and heading to the New Year’s Eve party.

We arrived and the party was in full swing, the house packed with people. We quickly got drinks and began making the rounds. Talking with people, hugging and kissing them and wishing them a Happy New Year.

We were never without drink in hand, or at least I was never without drink in hand. A friend made me the first two gin and tonics, but after that I decided to mix my own drink. Drink number three was incredibly strong but I sucked it down. Drink number four was mostly gin with a splash of tonic but it’s a party! It’s the end of the year!

Soon the ball dropped, we all shouted “Happy New Year!!” and I kissed my friend Brent (my designated midnight kiss!), ringing in the new year. I sucked down my drink and began walking through the house, once again kissing everyone and wishing them a happy new year.

This is where it gets fuzzy for me.

I remember kissing Brent at midnight, and I vaguely remember walking around a bit, but the next thing I know it’s 4am and I’m waking up on a couch.

Oh my.

Someone should have really taken my drink away before this picture was snapped, because I am obviously on my way to being completely hammered:

The next morning (today, New Year’s Day) I was informed that I essentially passed out, but not before someone took me outside so I could throw up (I didn’t), then carried me back into the house (where I waved to everyone, Miss America style), then gave me some bread (which I ate), then I passed out on Jen (god I love my friends), then I crawled into my friend’s bed (after rummaging through his dresser for a t-shirt I could wear), passing out for the night (thankfully).

At 7:30am I woke up and headed home, walked my dog and collapsed into bed, sleeping until noon when the pounding in my head was to intense for me to sleep through it. Nothing quite like beginning 2009 with a killer hangover.

New Year’s Day is a Thursday, which is my hashing day, and no silly little intense hangover was going to stop me from going. Plus I hoped the running would purge all the alcohol from my system. Six miles later we finished the trail and I headed home. I was exhausted, but I felt a little better. Despite eating only two pieces of bread the entire day and drinking a cup of coffee and as much water as I could suck down. Oh and Tylenol. Plenty of Tylenol.

But 2008 is over. Thankfully. And 2009 is going to be a great year for everyone.

Now, it’s just after 8pm and I’m going to carry my tired, exhausted butt to bed. My body is pissed at me for what I’ve done to it these past couple of days. It needs some rest.

Oh, and I’m never drinking again. I swear.

*****

For another (sober) perspective of the NYE fun that was had, check out Jen’s post.