31/12-06/01

After relentless teasing from a certain Finn, I’m sitting myself down and determined to writeFinland! Almost two months have past so the elaborate stories are no about my experiences in more. What’s left is mostly breakdowns of the weeks since I’ve arrived.

That being said...

Pre-Finland!

31/01: New Years Eve. Worked worked worked. Wasn’t terrible; didn’t mind it one bit. Typically my New Years Eve plans are nonexistent or very subdued. Occasionally I actually want to celebrate. Or, at the very least, be surrounded by drunkards. Which is why working that night was of no concern to me.

JACK fm had a New Years Eve part at the Myth. Bret Michaels played as well as Firehouse and Courtesy of VH-1 and their incessant need for reality TV shows starting washed up singers. some local band. Excluding the local band (who were quite young) it was return of the 80’s.

Anyways, the main attraction for this event: open bar. JEI!

Arrived at the venue in mid-afternoon for set up. I really enjoy setting up venues. Arriving when completely empty and then watching your work come together only to eventually get destroyed by the end of the night. Somewhat rewarding.

Had to work during the show, obviously. However, we were allowed to drink as long as we didn’t make complete fools out of ourselves. We had a table set up and the three of us actually working would usually man it together. Occasionally one individual would leave but it’s not as much fun when alone. The third worker, Paul, left early for a party. Baby Steve and I were left.

Not much to say about the local band. One member was hitting on my adorable married boss; Mary Ann. Firehouse was a bore.

Around this time a couple employees at work asked if a certain someone, “him” was here yet. Apparently they’d convinced him to come despite the fact he was hating work and everything about it around this time. HE arrives around this time.

Bret Michaels comes on. I take random pictures around this time. Countdown occurs after a couple songs. Run over to the booth to hug Baby Steve as it hit midnight. Got a drink afterwards and get hugged by HIM. He soon leaves after this. Not sure if I ever got an explanation for the early departure.

Bret Michaels was what I was expecting. Played the songs everyone knows as well as covers simply because no one really cares about his solo work or any song that didn’t hit it big in the 80’s. Two chicks from the first season of “Rock of Love” were on stage making fools of themselves. Lacey and Heather (aka Heath the tranny, for me). Both dancing horribly (not to mention slutty) simply because they have their brief-15 minutes right now. Heather has lost weight but has not lost the tranny inside her/him.

Crowd. Awesome. Surprisingly, not as much teased hair as I was hoping for. Or tacky 80’s clothing. Almost mature of the people...damn them. As if to compensate for the lack of 80’s greatness, the drunken spectacles were enough. Baby Steve and I had a prime location so we witnessed many-a-people being escorted out. Included the easy walking of a person out to the more severe, 4 men holding an appendage each carrying the person out. Not to mention when security was called into action they sprinted like there was no tomorrow.

Clean up, clean up, clean up. Mary Ann escorted a couple winners from the station backstage to meet Bret Michaels. Little Jon (Bret’s second hand man of ROL) gives her his e-mail address as well as telephone number for the next time they (Bret and him) are in Minnesota. Mary Ann was adorably drunk. She came back yelling about how Bret Michaels gave her a beer and kissed her “four times.” “Bret Michaels kissed me four times! He kissed me four times!” was heard quite a few times. :)

Have two station vehicles at the venue. One remained there overnight due to our states and I managed to drive the other back. Apparently I was the most sober one. Crash at Mary Ann’s hotel room along with her husband, Baby Steve and a couple they know. Baby Steve snores horribly. I don’t think anyone got any sleep.

Became coherent the next morning and go pick up the other vehicle. Got a notice about leaving it overnight in the parking lot. Vehicle is now on record and will get a ticket next time that happens. Don’t think it’ll be hard to spot a large, red JACK fm van. Drive home.

1^st-2^nd: *shrug*

3^rd: LASSI! For those unaware, I’d been speaking to a Finnish student for almost two months at this point. Coincidentally, I’m studying at his school the same time he’s studying at mine. Arrives at Minnesota this day and has plans to stay at my house for a few until we drive him down to Mankato. Work a bit and go straight for the airport.

Blah; airport. Was told by parents to go to one airport. Arrive there and one employee says I’m at the correct one. Ask another after searching around helplessly for a while. Am at wrong terminal. PERKELE. Quickly drive to Humphrey terminal.

Lassi’s there waiting. YAY! Drive back to my place; not much occurs. Beginning of one rough weekend for Lassi. ;)

04/01: Random events throughout Minneapolis. Visit the office for one last goodbye. Very cute with some, one in particular was confusing as hell. Anne told me not to cry and just get out of there. Which equals out to us both tearing a bit.

Say “later” (not goodbye!) to her, Mary Ann, Joe, Bubba G, Traffic, Erin and so forth.

A certain man was a dick. Hugged him goodbye and received nothing in return. Was out getting some air with Erin and he also came outside to smoke. Erin and I talked about our plans to go out to the bars that night. We asked him for recommendations and he didn’t look at my once. He went inside. I start to tear up. Damn girl gene. I believe the term “asshole” came up a few times.

Blah. Leave work to take Lassi to the greatness of the Mall of America. Us natives know it’s not that terrific. Lassi may now know that too. We did enjoy the restaurant Tiger Sushi. Num!

Side note: since being here in Finland I think the malls here are much better. And the sizes are pretty impressive too.

Drive back home for some free dinner. Leave soon afterwards for the bars.

Head back to Minneapolis/Uptown. Meet up with Erin. Whilst walking to the bar HE calls. We talk and I question why he was such an asshole to me. He denies the fact and says he’ll try to meet up with me later one. Also mentions how there’s “no way in hell” he’ll still be working at the station when I come back. Tears. Crap.

First bar was too busy. Head to Drink. Nice and relaxed. Music was terrible either. Except neither lasted for too long. Around midnight the mood entirely changed as did the crowd. Relaxed became drunken idiots. Julia shows up (run into her outside of the bar while cigarette break) but she’s distracted by the men she brought with her. Get drinks, drinks and more drink at the bar. Lassi discovers his first American beers!

HE shows up a bit later. Erin heads out as she apparently was quite gone. I believe throwing up was the conclusion to her night. We head out shortly afterwards. Get hugged by HIM. Confusing dick. Come back home late. Day one of this soon to be reoccurring trend!

05-06/01. hrmmmm. These two days have melded together. Went to Albertville shopping mall in search for running shoes. Found two pairs in the first store after checking out every single one at the MOA. Nice. Go to Uptown again to hit up Urban Outfitters. Seemed like the type of store Lassi enjoyed at the MOA and Uptown is always better. Manage to say “later” to my dear Chris as well.

Have encounter with Paris. If you know the story, you’re in the know. Was quite happy when I arrived, he was at the front door and I had my adorable little Finn with me! A not quite eloquent phrase comes to mind: such on that, Paris.

On the 5^th the two of us went to Megan’s house. Guitar hero was played and Lassi thoroughly kicked my ass. I’ll get my redemption some day, dammit! Quite a few people are there including Megan, Daniel, Beth, Kathy, and Ben.

Introduce Lassi to drinking games. Namely, P&A and cups. This is done off of cheap wine. Head home. I get spooked by deer while driving. Arrive home late.

6^th: last day! Includes my “last meal.” This term amuses and annoys the mother as it sounded like I was on death row. Brenda meets up so we can have out “later” moment too. She brings the greatness that is Icee for me and the entire family. Enjoy them with our meal. Classy.

Brenda stays around to help me pack. I had nothing done up until this point. Ooops, bad Tina! :D She becomes my little packing Nazi but it was much needed! Virtually the entire closest was on my bed and she managed to help to *greatly* narrow my selection. Lassi watches in amusement. Get everything vacuumed sealed up and I’m ready to go!

Brenda heads out. Lassi and I go bowling with Ben, Rob and a few other guys. He claims to have kicked my ass again. Not true! I believe he was 2 games, me 1. However I was on my way to dominating that final game. Rematch I say! :P

Go over to Ben’s to watch an anime. Drop Rob off, almost get pulled over and arrive home late once again.

First week of the year comes to a close. As well as my last week in Minnesota until May!