304 - State Troopers are not your friend.

Drove to Austin to see Bob this weekend. I've made the trip once before, a long time ago, in a different car. It wasn't so bad in Trixie, just a little long toward the end, probably because I wanted to get there to see Bob. On the way in, I passed that IRS building that the crazy bastard flew his plane into a few months ago. It still looks ravaged and twisted. Would've taken a picture but I was driving, and I needed all my hands.


Got to meet his ex-wife, and she was very nice. Everyone has asked me if it was awkward to meet her. It wasn't. It's always awkward for me to meet new people, but beyond that, it really wasn't. They've both moved on and were able to become friends. Personally, I think it's great! No drama! Then we hung out with his son... had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory (red velvet cheesecake... that's all I'm saying), went to a park, and saw Dinner for Schmucks. He's such an easy going kid, I still feel a little awkward around him, but I'm loosening up. I'm just afraid to mess up. In the evening I got some Bob time and that was awesome, we always have a great time together... and unbelievably, it seems like things get better and better every time I see him. Still enjoying the hell out of this and my mindset is that instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop, I can't wait to see what happens next. And holy crap there's a lot happening...
 
That is, if my grandma doesn't steal him away from me first...
 
Sent a pic of us to my mom and dad, who happen to be visiting grandma, and dad sent a text back that said grandma, "says he's handsome, and if you don't want him, she does." -- Back off beyotch! I DO want him! LOL... I told him I'd let Bob know he has options. Bob's excited.

Next day I had to get up ridiculously early to take him to the airport for his stupid job... Then I hit the road, which was... in a way... nice, because being on the road at 5:30 in the morning on a Sunday means you pretty much have the road to yourself. And you get to see the sun rise. And drive through the fog. And no one is in front of you to impede your progress. But... being on the road by yourself is fraught with peril.

It exposes you to radar guns.

I got a fucking ticket. 84 in a 70. I was little Ms. Cooperative. Pulled over, shut the car off, rolled the windows down, didn't take my hands from the wheel until he asked for my license. He does the typical cop conversation, I give him my license, he runs my info... which should tell him that I haven't been given so much as a warning in 20 years... much less gotten a ticket or had an accident. I was SURE I was going to get a slap on the wrist and a 'slow it down ma'am.'

I got a ticket. $170. Next time I'm travelling in a low-cut blouse.

Or... I can pay $110 by way of apology (plus a $6 'convenience fee' because I did all the work and paid online) + $25 for defensive driving + $10 for a copy of my driving record (plus a $2 'convenience fee' for doing more work and paying online) + I have to get the form notarized which probably costs another $10 if there wasn't a notary at work. Add all that up and... $153 + 6 hours of my damn life.

I am not happy about it.

Also not happy that I don't get to see Bob for two weeks... I am having serious withdrawals. But we do talk a lot in the interim. In a lot of ways it brings us closer, and the whole 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' thing seems to be true. So.... can't bitch too much. I've got it good. ;)