all dogs go to heaven

"One of the saddest things about owning dogs is that their life spans are undeservedly short. Most dogs don't live longer than about twelve years. After all the time, energy, and love you invest in their well-being and all the wonderful and difficult times you've shared, the hardest thing you will ever have to do for your dog is say good-bye."

-Bradley Trevor Greive

Nessie

May 27, 1998 - September 8, 2010

No living thing, animal or human, will ever be as loyal, a better friend or deserve my love more than Nessie. If giving up my own life would've saved hers, I would've done it in a heartbeat.

p.s. while I'm on the topic of dogs, Winston Churchill and I have a reminder for anyone who dares to challenge a dawg: "The nose of the bulldog has been slanted backwards so that he can breathe without letting go." One day, hopefully soon, UGA will live up to such expectations

summer so far

Well, I began this post a week after my 21st birthday but have amazingly been distracted enough to forget about it util today...a month later. I apologize.

-Since I'm sure yall miss the reminders, here's one last one: It's official, I'm another year older, another year wiser, 21, and at this rate, another year closer to death...who knew that non-stop drinking for a month could hurt so damn bad?? It's been a really long time since I last updated the blogosphere so here's some of the random thoughts I've had since then:

-I hate jetskis: this summer, Jamison excitedly introduced me to the world of the sea-doo (that looks a lot funnier on the computer screen than it does on the actual jetski) for the first time in my life. After spending much of my life in boats, I automatically felt weary on the jetski thanks to the speed and lack of distance between me and the water...and that was before my second ride. After nicely declining Kyle's offer to take me out, I got suckered into going with Adam...HUGE mistake. While going roughly 65mph, Adam took a sharp turn that resulting in the flipping of the jetski and the bowling ball sized bruise on my leg. ouch.

-the World Cup is over: the end of the World Cup to me is just as tragic as the end of college football season...if not more. College football comes and goes once a year, every year while the Cup only blesses my life every 4. I am well aware that many people reading this right now do not care for Soccer and to yall I say "to each their own." I too have to admit that I expected more from the final game but my disappointment stemmed from my lack of enthusiasm for Spain and the Netherlands. I personally was rooting for Italia, Argentina, USA and Germany towards the end. I must admit I'm still a little heartbroken that Germany, the team of my future husband Manuel Neuer, didnt go all the way. But back to my point before my favorite team rant: the only thing I really didnt enjoy about the cup this year was everyone's rather rude lack of compassion. Look, I dont care who does or doesnt like, appreciate, care about or understand soccer but to all of yall, bloggers and journalists alike, that claim "no one cares" about it, go suck a dick. I agree that soccer really isnt "America's sport" but that doesnt give anyone the right to so naively group all of us in such an ignorant statement. "No one cares" is almost as ridiculous as "Soccer is a Communistic sport;" But hey, the way Obama is running this country, communism may be in our future...hell ya, more soccer.

-After 2 years of obsession and disappointment, David Slade finally did it; he made a Twilight movie worth watching. As I'm sure many already know, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn are among my favorite books and movies but at least now one of the movies is legitimately decent.

-Speaking of Vampires, the wait is over, True Blood has once again consumed my Sunday nights. Though the first few episodes havent lived up to True Blood's jaw-dropping standards, I have a feeling that next week's episode is going to be perfect. Here is my quick review that will only be understood by those who watch the show: thank God Bill is gone, now if only he'd take Franklin, the creepy new Vampire, with him. I am a HUGE fan of Alcide, and the werewolf plot, though its beginning to look a lot like Twilight. Sookie really needs to forget about Bill, especially when she has bigger and better things, a.k.a. Eric, right in front of her. I am dying to know what kind of magical powers Sookie has and why everyone is after her. I have a horrible feeling about the Mickens family. I don't think Arlene's baby is Terry's. I think Tara is about to become a vampire which I do not like but her cousin, Lafayette, is back to being himself after the short break last season thanks to vampire prison.

-The second most exciting thing about the return of True Blood is the return of Entourage. I have watched it religiously for years but am afraid to say that I don't think it has many seasons left...I feel as if each character is coming to the end of their story...so sad

-I have had an awesome July so far and June was also noteworthy. This is quickly catching up with the frontrunner, Summer 2008, in the "best summer of my life" race.

-In 6 days, I embark on my 2nd trip to Athens this summer...at least this one will be more successful than the last one since Gools, Jamo and I leave for Gov't Mule and Dave Matthews Band in ATL on tuesday!!! Dave and Warren, what a pair. If anyone is feeling spontaneous, I have a hotel room for the concert so come on up or at least join us in Athens for the remainder of the week.

-I'm about to take another step towards being a grown up...I'm deleting my FarmVille.

-Questions: When does it become comfortable to drink in front of your parents? I've been 21 for a month but am pretty sure I'd still feel awkward as shit if I cracked open a beer in front of mine. Maybe it's because on my 4th night spending the night out since the big birthday my mom said "Jesus, Kathryn, chill out on the drinking." I wish my parents hadn't painted some naive picture of me in their heads...if I only I wasn't impeccable at keeping shit from them.

-I really need to get better at saving money. There are so many places I want to go and so many concerts I want to see but I'm too poor to go to any of them.

-Is there any way to get rid of voicemail on cell phones? I can't stand it anymore. To me, the only purpose behind voicemail is saying "Hey ____, It's _____. I know you dont have my number so I'm leaving you a voicemail to identify the random unknown number."

-I know, what a weak post for my first time back in over a month but I am more ADD now than ever before...just be glad I talk too much to delete this along with my farmville

a best friend's guide to my birthday

If I haven't beat it into your head enough, my birthday is in 11 DAYS!!!!!! so this is a helpful guide as to what my plans are and what I want :)

PLANS: All of Saturday will be spent out on a boat watching all my skilled fisherman friends in the Reeling for Robbie tournament and will be followed by dinner and drinks at the dock. I highly suggest that everyone come out and bring $20...$10 for dinner and $10 for a t-shirt. It's for a good cause!! And what better way to kick-off my birthday than good times in honor of a friend? As for Sunday, my actual birthday, I'm hoping that my brothers and friends will be generous enough to taxi people out to Williamson, a.k.a. my favorite place on earth. I also can't think of a better way to spend my birthday than on a boat and beach with my best friends. The plan for Sunday night, so far, is to go to Molly McGuire's for dinner and drinks simply because I feel as if everything will be somewhat free? I know I know, it's my 21st birthday and most drinks will be free regardless but I enjoy Molly's and think most others do too so come out if you can! As for Monday, call to make sure I'm alive but for the most part, leave me in peace.

The party will continue all week and into the weekend after my birthday (if I get off work...Patrick has been giving me lots of weekends off lately and so I'm not sure it I'll be so lucky again). GOOLIA and maybe Kaitlyn will be in town!! So the plan will be to get dressed up for a wine and dine at the Bohemian or Ele and then a night downtown...but if you want to see me completely obliterated, I suggest you find me on June 6th because I know from experience that heels, an absurdly expensive dress, alcohol and cobblestones are NOT a good combo.

PRESENTS:

The beauty above is known as the David Yurman Noblesse ring...I will take it in Black Onyx or Morganite. The kind people at Levy Jewelers will help you out. It will probably be easier to afford if everyone pools their money together but I have no objections to getting just one present if it is this beautiful.

And this adorable creature is a Scottish native known as the Border Collie. As most of you know, I originally begged for an Australian Shepherd, of which will also be accepted with open arms... but after becoming painfully aware that my 13yr old puppy is slowly nearing the end of her unfairly short life (I am crying if you were wondering...she's my most loyal and best friend and the reason I love dogs more than life itself) I have decided that every dog I get for the rest of my life will be of Scottish decent in her honor. Since she is a West Highland White Terrior named Nessie, my next dog will be a Border Collie named either Wallace, Finlay, Wylie, Camden or Annabelle...all of which are typical Scottish and/or Gaelic names. You may think I'm pathetic but you probably don't know my family very well...my dad bought a Clan Hamilton kilt...FOR HIS BEER. That's right, folks, my dad spent $20 on a kilt koozie...it's actually more awesome than you'd think. Long story short, Scotland and my dog are massive parts of my life and I intend to keep it that way and I want this puppy more than that ring...that's saying alot.

to clarify: no, I don't expect either of the above from anyone, not even my family, all I really want is the company of friends as cliche as that sounds.

beach bummers

If it's not apparent enough, the title of this blog is what I would like to consider a pretty clever pun. If you still don't get it, hopefully you will by the end...

Beach Bummer #1: Today started off pretty dumpy when I was put under the impression that my friends dipped out on me and the boat day that I wanted oh-so-bad...so I made the exective decision to call my river rat of a brother. He immediately responded by saying that I was too late and he was leaving the Landings harbor to pick Mason up from a dock on the Willmington River. Conveniently enough, Sarah and I were in bathingsuits walking out the door to head to Tybee so it was extremely simple to change our destination to 1708 Wilmington Island Road. It seemed as if everything was building up to be a perfect day on the river...until karma attacked Sarah. Or as Andrew put it, boderline raped and pillaged her...

In the process of unloading the boat and setting up on the beach, I stepped on something slimy. Though my first thought was sting ray until I talked myself out of it with thoughts of cannon ball jellyfish and/or clay. Apparently, I was wrong in every sense of the word...very soon after my brush with Steve Irwin's killer, Sarah experienced it first hand. As soon as I heard the blood curdling screams, I immediately assumed Sarah was having one of her overreaction moments. Once again, I was proven very wrong. Jeremy, Mason, Andrew and I stood in around with looks of sheer confusion that only worsened when shown the gaping wound where her ankle used to be. After half-assedly taping Sarah up, Mason and Jeremy carried her back out to the boat while Andrew made sure it didn't float away. The guys radioed the Landings Harbor and by the time we pulled in, a fire truck and ambulance were waiting for us...lights on and all. It was actually slightly hilarious.

To avoid the obnoxious ambulance fee, Sarah sucked it up and let me drive her to the hospital where we learned a very valuable piece of information. Question for Tybee lifeguard and mascot, Bear Williams, to prove his ocean rescue abilities of course...do not google, do not phone a friend, do not pass go...just answer: what is the best and fastest way to ease the pain of a sting ray sting?

Sarah is recovering with the help of crutches, a numbing shot that she actually didn't need Valium to get (are you convinced that your fear of needles is absurd yet?), lortab and friends that care way too much. Just be warned that if you ever want to get her out on the boat, be fully prepared to piggy back her to the beach.

Beach Bummer #2: It's official, I have to work at 4:30 on Friday...aka Beach Bum. I'm pretty upset but not for the reasons you'd think: I don't give a rat's ass about the parade, traffic is unbearable and am not a huge fan of getting doused in freezing cold water but just the fact that everyone is going to be down there getting drunk while I'm at work is downright depressing. I'm also a little nervous because Friday nights are our busiest nights and I've never had to serve one before...I might have a stress&nerves induced breakdown. RECAP: So not only am I missing Beach Bum, work is going to take me to a whole new stress level. THE BRIGHT SIDE: since I'm a fabulous employee and didn't put "I want off on beach bum" stress on Pattycake's shoulders, I'm getting my 2nd and 3rd favorite holidays (1st is St. Patty's day of course) off! And for those of you who can't figure it out, I dont have to work my birthday weekend OR July 4th weekend!!! Not to mention, come beach bum I will only have 2 weeks till my 21st birthday and I'd love to stay out of trouble.

In Other News: A Bear shared his shrimp with me a few nights ago....Oh, and if you were curious, their snores are comparable to the sounds of a Freight Train. STILL.

-18 DAYS TILL I'M 21!!! Time to start planning the birthday extravaganza...any ideas?

-it's still summer...hellllll ya

-JULIA WAS IN SAVANNAH and it was everything I wanted it to be...I am finally whole again.

-why is every new movie in 3D? I hate wearing glasses while trying to watch a movie/TV. Besides, the 3D is never quite right...or at least it isn't to me.

-Sarah's new nickname is "Irwin" and I will allow her to answer to only that...lets make this one stick.

summertime and the livin's easy

warning: you'll hear about summer and my love for it until it's over so get used to it.

-work is starting to become a bummer simply because weekends are when I'm needed most and weekends also happen to be when most people head out on the river. I'm sick of getting "come to williamson!" texts because I can't...on the bright side, I don't have to feel like the mooching friend that begs people to take me out on the boat.

-reason #696472964852 why I love summer: my biggest worry so far has been "who's going to the beach with me?"

-New Jersey, Orange County, Atlanta, New York, you name it...I love it. The "Real Housewives" reality series is my TV trash obsession.

-I love the new AT&T commercial with the song from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Probably just because I love the song.

-I'm still a little upset that we never got the monsterous "thunderstorms" that were threatening my tan for days...not because I didn't go to the beach, but because I miss the thunderstorms; they're one of my favorite parts of summer.

-I really need to stop shopping without Sarah. About 98% of the time I buy something without her there, I end up returning it. Haha it's pathetic, I know.

-30 days till my birthday...I want a suprise party. But to be warned, I'll figure it out. I've just never really had a birthday party and won't really care enough to have one after this one. ANDDDD I still want a puppy so keep that in mind.

-Got out in the river today and it was complete perfection...we had the whole beach to ourselves which meant Bocce with the big leagues. It seems as if I have finally inherited the Summerell bocce gene seeing as I kept up with my brother and actually won a game...that has NEVER happened before. Jeremy is a bocce badass. (p.s. if you've ever been curious, the picture above is my brother [second from the left] and his friends playing "all-terrain bocce" in the dunes of williamson)

-to anyone who sees me on a beach this summer: REMIND ME TO WEAR SUNSCREEN! please and thank you...I know Sarah, you tell me everytime but do I ever listen to you? kidding

-after going so long without one, I have finally remembered that the worst part of summer is the 8pm hangover...theyre so much more bearable when you have 12 hours to sleep them off as opposed to 12 minutes on the couch

-I think Miley needs to tone it down a little...the song is actually kinda catchy and I do think she (well her makeup at least) looks pretty but has she forgotten that she's 17yrs old?? I get it...when I was 17 I thought I was a billy badass too but the only difference is that I didn't have every kid in America looking up to me as a role model. Good lord the average age at which kids lose their virginity nowadays is 12...thanks Britney, Christina and now Miley...'preciate the influence.

-I have a final tomorrow at 1...say it with me: s-c-r-e-w-e-d.

-Friday had all the potential to be a great day&night combo until I got suckered into working a double on Saturday. In case you were wondering, a double as a server on a Saturday is a 13+ hour shift...f*ckkkkkk

-Goolia, the love of my life, IS COMING TO SAVANNAH for Pegasus's birthday on Tuesday!!! Hopefully Peg will share my best friend with me and allow her to spend at least one night at my house since I think we all know I had the hardest time coping with her semester in Italy :( you should see the pathetic puppy dog face I'm making right now...Sarah saw it today...it's quality.

-Wait, I remembered another thing I hate about summer...peeling.

-Ok, where are the new seasons of TrueBlood and Entourage?! Jack and I are going to need stuff to do on Sunday nights (other than sitting at Molly McGuire's...Jack's second home)

holy hangover...hellooooo summer

For anyone else that hasnt figured it out yet, the past month or so has been absolutely miserable...not anymore though! its summer :) I apologize for the emoticon, I'm just really f*ing excited that its summer...my favorite season of the year.

For the past couple of years, I have been convinced that summer of '08 was going to forever be the "best summer of my life," but I think this summer may be a close runner-up...I had to work last night (of course Patrick makes me work my enitre first weekend of summer) which pissed me off because I immediately though "goodbye summer...I've sold my soul my job" but I was proven wrong. Of course everyone went to the Sand Gnats game so I assumed I wouldnt see them since my ID is miserable and the ritual is Baseball then Tubby's...not last night, though. I met up with Kyle, Jordan, Tyler, Kelly, Brad and others at Shuckers and the rest was a blur. But a great one. It was the night I needed to confirm my expectations for this summer.

I just got my first (and sadly, probably last) $300 paycheck from Molly McGuire's. Since servers only make $2.15 an hour, and all of it goes to taxes, I hope I make the tips people keep claiming I'll make. Since Molly's is only my second job, I've never had a solid cashflow over the summer but I've always had a great time...now that I have money, things are going to be that much better.

I love birthdays and the summer is full of them. Juan turns 21 on Wednesday, Pegasus turns 21 on May 11th, MY BIRTHDAY IS IN 36 DAYS!!! Meg's 21st birthday celebration in New York on June 19th. Griffin's birthday is June 22nd and Brad's is June 30th. There aren't many birthdays in July, I don't think but I'm hoping for a Blue Goose repeat for Adam's bday in August. After him come Ike and Mallory whose birthdays are in August and November and then Monica in December. As I said, I love birthdays and turning 21 makes them even better.

Did I mention that I'm going to New York for Meg's 21st?! Hellllll yeh. Now if only I could find people willing to go to the Bahamas for mine...

my other half is no longer in Italy...GOOLIA IS HOME!!!!!!!! And I've reminded her of that every 5 minutes since her plane landed. I send her messages just because I can...and all of them just say "OMG I can text you now!" Until Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" came on the TV show I'm watching...It's our song. It was a sign.

July 4th is just two months away...hope I won't have to work. Yes, I plan this far ahead. Is it too soon to ask for it off?

Just applied to Southern since Armstrong doesn't have the major I want to change mine to...hope I get in (never thought that sentence was going to come out of my mouth)

I really want to go see Dave and Gov't Mule in ATL on July 27th and Widespread Panic in Charlotte on July 30th & 31st. Well, Gools and I already have tickets from the Dave concert but hopefully I'll be able to squeeze in some panic...it's been too long. (jonathan...dont attempt one of your smartass comments)

I want a damn dog! So for all of yall thinking to yourselves "hmm what can I get Kathryn for her birthday?!" The answer is a dog. I like border collies, australian shepherds, golden retrievers and black or chocolate labs. Please and Thank you.

One month the Sex and the City 2 comes out in theaters. I can feel the excitement (and the massive hole that series about beautiful clothes puts in my wallet) already.

I would write more but I have to leave here for work in 10 minutes...hah like thats gonna happen. Moving a little slow today. Helloooooo SUMMER :)

be young, be foolish but be happy

I know everyone is just dying to hear how my life has been going since I have been slacking with the updates so here ya go...

I still love working at Molly McGuire's as much as I did 3 weeks ago. Actually, I may love it more now. I am training to serve which means more cash flow is in the near future and it's a lot more entertaining than hostessing. I had to hostess alone last night from 5-8 (I got cut obnoxiously early) and it was miserable. All of the servers hung out in the kitchen while waiting for their order to come up but I, being the only hostess, couldn't leave my stand. I felt like the little kid in time-out that can't play with the others. The only other thing that frustrates me is my co-workers' undying interest in my lackluster love life. In their minds they have created a perfect relationship between me and (hah did you really think I was going to bring names into this?) and it's beginning to get old. We hear it all the time. We never act on it. Hearing it from 10 basic strangers isn't going to change our minds so back off. Please and thanks. Other than that, it's perfect:

-I walked out of the restaurant with $50 in my hand yesterday thanks to everyones willingness to share their tips.

-a firefighter gave me $5 on Saturday for finding him a table? which is my job...but hey, he was just trying to be nice and it was probably one of the highlights of my weekend.

-the band we had on Saturday played great music...such as "be young, be foolish, be happy" which is a personal favorite.

-I have decided that more of my spare time will be spent at the restaurant because if I don't meet my future husband there, It'll never happen. That place is constantly swarming with beautiful people.

-I love getting to see Steve and Ms Christina (jack's parents) all the time...they always put me in a better mood.

-I get to see some interesting (for the lack of a better word) people on a daily basis. For example, I met the tannest man alive the other day. No really, find the darkest wood furniture you have in your house and imagine a white man that is the same color...he was tanner than that. Basically, he was teeter-tottering on the racial edge.

-My friends have decided that they love hanging out there which means that even when I'm at work, I get to hang out with them. It's pretty convenient.

-if you haven't figured it out yet, I love my job (well, my restaurant job)

Since I wrote the above portion a whole week ago, here is a more recent update on the happenings of my life:

-It's my last week at the bridal shop...hallelujah.

-40 days till my 21st!!! holy anticipation.

-I am 3 days and two 10pg papers away from SUMMER. In all seriousness, I will pay someone good money to write a paper or two. There is no way I'm getting either one day.

-I think I may be taking a semester off of school? I dont know how I feel about it yet...but AASU doesn't have the major I want so it's either online college, SSU or GSU. Chances are I'll end up commuting to Southern...which will be terrible but a degree from there will go further than a degree from Savannah State, right?

-GOOLIA COMES HOME ON THURSDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yes, I really am that excited.

-I think I may go to DMB in ATL and West Palm. I mean, why not? I have a job so I can do stuff like that...

-I am way past due for a trip to Charleston.

-I cannot wait for everyone to get home over the next couple of weeks

-I'm forcing my brother to take me out on our boat so I can prove to him that I know what I'm doing. Once that happens, I get the boat all to myself (seeing as he's got a 5 month old at home)...hello williamson alllllll summer.

-If someone could get Sarah Lundgren to call me back, I'd greatly appreciate it. I feel like I havent talked to her in days.

-2nd annual Regatta-Knotta is scheduled for July 10th...I highly suggest you save the date.

-The first Reeling for Robbie fishing tournament is the night before my birthday (June 5th). Everyone better be there. NO excuses (play like a champion).