"we are all just prisoners here, of our own device" Hotel California - The Eagles

Life’s an adventure. Here’s the story of Bob Harper, John, and Jason.

Last night Wekiva Island hosted an art “show” with artists appearing from all over the United States. I arrived a little late, just in time to see the auction of the paintings that these “elite artists” painted earlier in the evening. The first piece went for a large sum- around $800.00… maybe more not sure. Thinking about that makes me stomach hurt … why in the world would anyone pay that much for a painting? That’s more money than I have in my bank account. It makes me think about all the cool things I would do with $800… like travel or buy lots of Takis. I didn’t understand it.- spend that much on something that provides minimal utility to oneself. The thought still makes my stomach turn so I’m going to stop thinking about it now.

Auctioneers are crazy. Legit crazy.

Emma and I went to get a drink from the bar. We waited patiently for the bartender. Finally we got his attention and just as we were about to order - some arsehole jumps in – “I’ll have a diet Coke”. Diet Coke? Maybe I would be less irritated if he ordered something different. But he didn’t and so I wasn’t. Emma and I were next to order and that was that.

Fast forward: round two at the bar.

I go to get a drink and that same man is in my way. This time he’s more pleasant. He’s a chivalrous man and lets me order first. Pay-back. That was that. Round two complete.

Fast forward: I’m coming out of the bathroom and a shirtless man starts talking to me. Jason. “Hi I’m Jason and it’s my birthday” “Happy birthday, Jason”, followed by some small talk. “You’re cute” “Thanks, you’re shirtless”. Touché? Hm. Man #2 comes out of the bathroom. “Why don’t you have a shirt on?” That’s his “in” into the conversation. Jason went kayaking for his birthday at the springs, obviously. “Oh by the way, I’m John” “Hi John” “You’re cute” “Thanks, you’re wearing plaid”. Jerk from the bar walks by. “How was that Diet Coke, sir? Line jump lately?” “ha ha ha” – jerk walks into bathroom.

Jason: “Do you know who that was?”
Me: “Yeah, the jerk who jumped in front of me to order a Diet Coke”
John: “No. Bob Harper, you know the artist from earlier, the artist whose piece sold for the most money in the auction.”
Me: “Oh. (am I supposed to be amazed by this or something?) Neat”

Bob Harper comes out of the bathroom. He starts talking to us. He’s a decent guy. He’s nice really. I’m blunt with him. I ask him questions about life as an artist. I guess men like it when women get to the point and don’t dance around. I think it makes me mean. Life is all about perception.

We talk for a while longer. My friends leave. I don’t have a ride home. Oops. Oh well. Adventure time.

After an hour and a half of talking to Bob Harper, John, and Jason I organize a drawing contest at the bar. I make everyone sit down on a bar stool and I scrounge up some paper towels for everyone to draw on. The hard part wasn’t getting them all together- it was finding enough pens for everyone to draw with. I make them draw dinosaurs. Surprise. They do it. I laugh. These artists and John and Jason are good sports. I like them.

It’s late and raining. Time to go home… hmmmm… hm… I’m cute. I find someone who makes a deal. I have to go to his house so he can show me his cat that he’s been talking about and then he will drive me home. Deal.

We play guitar then I tell him I need to get home before my curfew. He laughs. I don’t. It worked. I make it home and that’s that.

I’m tired today. It’s raining outside and that doesn’t help much. At least it’s Thursday so it’s all-good. Only a few more days until beach time! Woo woo. Sand castles! Spring Breakers! What more could a girl ask for… at least I have my secret spot at Cocoa Beach to escape to. Fabulous.