washington, d.c. day #1

Currently listening to: S-Class – Stray Kids

Swerving, I’m speeding on serpent road
Luxurious like I’m an S-class
Best of the best on first class
I’m up above the world, so high
I’ll be there shining day and night
They wonder how my spotlight is so bright

Let me preface this by saying—Beau Mec claims that ever since I started dyeing my hair raven black, my life has become more dramatic. Hmm… he might be onto something. Is it time to revert back to my dark brown hair?

I didn’t finish work until 0300, and the plan was to take a quick nap before my flight. But the next thing I know, I’m waking up at 0500, a full hour later than I intended. I felt like I was already behind even though I still got to the gate with 40 minutes to spare before boarding. Not quite enough time to enjoy the Centurion or Delta lounge, but just enough to grab Starbucks using my gift card and mentally prepare myself for the flight.

I was already running on fumes, and the entitled man behind me on the plane kept opening and closing my window shade. I didn’t have the energy to say anything, but I wanted to turn around and ask, “Do you mind?” I was this close to having a menty b, but I just closed my eyes and tried to sleep since I could feel the effects of Dramamine taking over.

Side note: I’ve been to Chocolate City many times since my ex, Big Bang, used to live near Georgetown. I was hoping I wouldn’t bump into him or his sisters accidentally because if I did, I don’t know what I’d do or say…

My friends picked me up from the airport, which is an act of love. I told them that it was not necessary that I could take an Uber or Lyft ride instead but they insisted. At this point in my life, if I’m picking someone up from the airport, we might be soulmates because picking anyone up at LAX is an infuriating experience, which I would not recommend by any means. But they were there, and I was so happy to see them. I hadn’t seen Dakota and Sheldon since last year, and I didn’t realize just how much I missed them until I saw their faces. I hugged them both tightly.

As we were stopped at a red light, this random old man walked across the street and motioned for Sheldon to roll his window down. Sheldon didn’t, so the man smacked the side mirror as he walked past. What in the actual hell?

Dakota and Sheldon are not foodies. They like what they like—basic food, fast food, stuff I don’t normally go for. But they were adamant about paying for my meal, and I wasn’t about to argue.

I ordered birria tacos with consomé and a queso pupusa with curtido. I didn’t even realize how hungry I was until I absolutely inhaled the food. I looked up and realized I’d eaten almost 90% of my plate while they barely touched theirs. Whatever. The tacos slapped, and I had no regrets.

Before we went back to Dakota’s, she warned me her house was “messy.” I told her not to worry about it, it’s not like I was staying the night, just hanging out. But when I stepped inside, I… wasn’t prepared. No judgment, but the place was really disorganized. I mean, I’m pretty anal retentive when it comes to organization, so maybe that’s on me, but I don’t think I could function like that. That said, her cat—a tiny ragdoll—was fucking adorable. It let me pet him and in a few minutes, it was rubbing up against my leg and purring.

We ended up talking for hours. Even though we chat quite often online, face-to-face hits different. We laughed, caught up on everything we missed, and just enjoyed each other’s company.

Eventually, I checked into the Hilton. Not a five star hotel but it was functional. On this trip, I needed a hot shower and a clean bed. It didn’t cost me an arm and a leg, which was the main selling point because I was saving my points for my flight to Vegas. I took a quick shower, threw on my pajamas, and knocked out before 2100. Between the 2 hours of sleep before my flight and the fragmented 4 hours I got midair, I was completely wiped the hell out.