I am here. I'm alive.

[I started this post over a week ago, but due to training at work... I have had ZERO time for the internet! And it's the very last thing I want to do on my weekend!]

We're back. We survived Charleston.

Unfortunately, I have to say that I'm glad we're back. I did not miss that city or state.

Day 1: Wednesday 5/20.

G and I flew from Denver to Atlanta. I tried to save us some money by checking one bag (G and I shared a suitcase) instead of two, like usual. I thought it was $15 a bag... Boy was I wrong. Those bastards charged me $54 to check a single bag. Why? They said it was "over sized." By their standards, it was, but it was under 50 lbs.

Here's their sign:

1st checked bag: weight: 50 lbs. or less; dimensions: 61 inches or smaller Fee based on reservation booking date: Booked on November 12, 2008, or later Booked on November 11, 2008, or earlier	$15 Free
2nd checked bag: weight: 50 lbs. or less; dimensions: 61 inches or smaller Fee based on reservation booking date: Booked on August 14, 2008, or later Booked April 22 – August 13, 2008 Booked on April 21, 2008, or earlier	$25 $10 online, $20 at airport Free
Excess baggage (each piece after the first two bags)	$50
Overweight baggage 51-70 pounds 71-100 pounds	$39 $79
Over sized baggage (length + width + height) 62 to 70 inches 71 to 80 inches	$39 $79

They charged us $15 for the bag, plus $39 for it being over sized. Is that how that sign would read to you? I would read it as $39 for an overweight/over sized bag. Not one plus the other. To top it off the girl was an illiterate bitch. She gave us seats C and E. I asked "Are those seats together?" She said "Yes." Last I check there was a 'D' in between C and E. Freakin' moron, the seats weren't together.

When I get angry, I cry. I can't control it. I was so livid at the bitch I started crying and G, instead of saying something to the effect of "It's okay. It's not a big deal. We're on vacation!," gave me a hard time and decided to be a big jerk the rest of the day. Way to start a vacation! Unfortunately it set the tone for the rest of the trip.

We got to Charleston Wednesday evening around 6:30. We stopped at La Hacienda on the way home for some yummy Mexican food and gigante Dox Equis!

Thursday we spent the day with Sarah and Baby Amelia, and later in the afternoon went and saw G's grandparents. We also made it over to Dog & Duck. (You can read about it in my FOOD post. Lol.) Of course we ordered the Fish n' Chips and German JoJos! At about 2:30 in the morning, my stomach hurt... bad. I rushed to the bathroom for a poo and puke fest! Awesome! After I had relieve myself I went back to bed, only to notice that G was not there. I thought "maybe I woke him with all of my retching and such and he got up to pee." He wasn't in the upstairs bathroom, so I went downstairs. Nope, no peeing. He was retching as well. AWESOME times two. We both got food poisoning. G is convinced that it was the fried fish... I think maybe the tartar sauce. Maybe it wasn't food poisoning. Maybe it was more along the lines of "someone didn't wash their hands after wiping their ass and we ate their shit particles." Probably the latter. I felt better the next day, but G was still sick.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are a blur of doing the same thing... Sarah and Brian's house, G's grandparents house... dinner... sleep. Same, same, same.

The weather sucked. It was nice one day out of seven! And on that day, I ran the bridge! Oh sweet joy, running that bridge was the highlight of that friggen trip! That, and food, and seeing old friends, and seeing G's grandparents.

[Trying to finish this post over a week later...]

I've lost my train of thought. I know that the trip to Charleston just reaffirmed the fact that G and I made the right decision in moving away from that place. I don't miss it.... at all. I guess when you're away for awhile, it's easy to forget the things you hate and remember only the good... kind of like an old relationship. Part of the reason I HATED living there was the lack of manners. South Carolina does NOT have "Southern Hospitality." Most people and straight-up assholes. You tell someone "thank you," and they say "uh-huh." WTF. Have you heard of 'your welcome?' When G and I were waiting for a table for dinner, one opened up and G walked toward it. Some mother-effer elbowed him. I guess someone needs a talk about using their words and not being physical. Welcome to the world of adults with mannerisms of three year-olds (and that may be too much credit.)

I'll leave you with some pictures... because yeah, I don't have anything else to share about that shitty ass trip.

The food that made us sick.
Woo! Bridge run with Saxton!
Four+ miles. :)
Mmmm... Dunkin. That's the way you end a run. Lol.Downtownage...
Southend Brewery w/ my favorite stout beer!Beach day with Sarah and Amelia.


Before dinner downtown at Basil.
Yay! Taco Boy! Yummers! (This was after a few margaritas, sangria, and spicy beers! Yay for a tab of $168, when tacos are only $3 each. Lol.)
Taylor, Chad, and myself. (I can't believe she's only 11!)
Brian and Sarah - our buddies!