Chapter 87: Surrounded!
Well, the thesis signing came and went as the non-event I hoped it would be. All of my committee members signed off and barring a few alterations for the grad school publication requirements, my book, and my thesis as far as the University of Minnesota is concerned has come to a conclusion.
The real story is how many friends are in town, not to mention my grandmother. Patrick, one of my best friends from high school came in Wednesday night serendipitously for an interview on Thursday so I got a chance to go out to dinner with him Thursday night, along with my parents and grandma at the new Christo's (greek cuisine) in Minnetonka. We also went out and saw Spiderman 3, which despite it's fault of trying to do too much was great just for the simple fact that I got to go to my first movie since seeing 300 with Heath and Sam back in Biloxi (SPARTANS!). Anyhoo, we crashed out at my folks place and had a great visit then headed over to Psycho Suzi's for lunch. If you haven't been... GO! If you have... go again NOW!
Patrick contemplating the Tikiness of the Tiki
After Patrick and I parted ways, my friend Nick came over and we rocked out on some guitar hero. Now I have to say that while I love the GH, I love it so much that my original guitar is starting to fritz out on me. So if anyone wants to contribute to the "James really wants to buy a new cordless guitar so he can rock your socks off" Fund let me know. At some point, there may be a video showing me smashing it in frustration...
So Nick and I hung out for a while and were joined by my SundayBuddy(tm) Molly Green. After chilling for a bit, Molly left to meet up with her friend Katie (who apparently looks cute, even with straightened hair) for some dinner. Nick and I hung out for a bit more attempting to get more songs passed on perfect (three yesterday alone!) and then he finally took off.
Here's the kicker! Not only was Patrick in town and my other buddies out in full force, but Adam came into town from Chicago specifically for graduation and Mother's Day and the Larry to our Moe and Curly from our undergrad arch degrees: Ben Muller was in town from Pennsylvania so we all got to kick it later last night together. Not to mention that Adam got dropped off at my house by Anderson and Staci! It was a friendstravaganza.
So finally, I sit here totally excited and ready for the next chapter of my life to begin. I'm really thankful for all the support all my friends have given me over the years and it's been amazing to see so many friends here from all over, planned or not. Cheers. I love you guys.