CHAPTER TEN (what's real and going on below)

Thursday, February 14, 2008

stripeznstarz50: hey lovely!

onceandthefuture: hullo

stripeznstarz50: happy V-day!

onceandthefuture: oh is that today?

stripeznstarz50: yes

stripeznstarz50: well

stripeznstarz50: is it tomorrow there yet?

onceandthefuture: no, not yet

onceandthefuture: getting close though

stripeznstarz50: well anyway

stripeznstarz50: here

stripeznstarz50: have some internets

stripeznstarz50: since I can't give you chocolate

onceandthefuture: aww you're so sweet

stripeznstarz50: it's not very nice to mock people, artie

onceandthefuture: it's also not nice to call people names they expressly told you not to call them

stripeznstarz50: touche

onceandthefuture: it's the thought that counts I guess

stripeznstarz50: exactly!

onceandthefuture: so I was thinking

stripeznstarz50: mm?

onceandthefuture: today we should make some definite plans for the spring break trip and such

stripeznstarz50: oh yeah

stripeznstarz50: that'd be good

stripeznstarz50: airfare'll probably won't be the cheapest this close to the date anyway

stripeznstarz50: but it'll just get worse the longeer we wait

onceandthefuture: ah hell okay

stripeznstarz50: let's start throwing some dates areound and see what we've got

onceandthefuture: mkay

onceandthefuture: so you'd probably fly out here fri/sat

stripeznstarz50: mmhmm

stripeznstarz50: I was thinking until wed

stripeznstarz50: then we could follow matt to wherever, canada

stripeznstarz50: while mom and dad head on home

stripeznstarz50: then you go home whenever and I go back on sun

onceandthefuture: I like this

stripeznstarz50: hanng on, texting matt to tell him to get his butt online

onceandthefuture: mk

stripeznstarz50 joined the chat awesomecondiments

onceandthefuture joined the chat awesomecondiments

noblebeaversocks joined the chat awesomecondiments

onceandthefuture: hello matt

noblebeaversocks: hey art

noblebeaversocks: so you're actually going to go through with this?

stripeznstarz50: hells yes!

noblebeaversocks: I was talking to arthur

stripeznstarz50: oh

onceandthefuture: haha

onceandthefuture: and yes

onceandthefuture: it'll be an adventure, I guess

noblebeaversocks: oh you have no idea

stripeznstarz50: matt!

stripeznstarz50: I'd like to keep him from learning how weird I am until we meet in person thankyouverymuch

stripeznstarz50: and anyway

stripeznstarz50: it'll be even weirder

stripeznstarz50: because we want to spend half of it with you!

noblebeaversocks: what

stripeznstarz50: doesn't that sound like fun?

noblebeaversocks: mmm

noblebeaversocks: when would that be again?

onceandthefuture: somewhere in the march 23-28 area

noblebeaversocks: hmm *checks schedule*

stripeznstarz50: more like 25th

onceandthefuture: picky picky

stripeznstarz50:

noblebeaversocks: stop bickering

noblebeaversocks: old ladies

stripeznstarz50: HEY

noblebeaversocks: well since my team this year's shit

noblebeaversocks: chances are I'll be long out of the playoffs

stripeznstarz50: not bitter or anything, are you, matt?

noblebeaversocks: *grumbles*

noblebeaversocks: so I was thinking about going down to the Braginskis'

noblebeaversocks: ivan's got a chance this year

noblebeaversocks: we could go camping

stripeznstarz50: told ya art

stripeznstarz50: camping it is!

noblebeaversocks: told him what?

stripeznstarz50: that we would go camping with you

onceandthefuture: he predicted that if we went to canada we would go camping

noblebeaversocks: ah

onceandthefuture: what would late march b like, weather wise?

noblebeaversocks: in southern alberta?

noblebeaversocks: unpredictable

onceandthefuture: joy

stripeznstarz50: yes arthur there will be snow

onceandthefuture: fuck

stripeznstarz50: that's the fun part though!

noblebeaversocks: don't worry too much, artie

noblebeaversocks: it'll probably be unusally warm

noblebeaversocks: at least, it has been

noblebeaversocks: and we can go stay at natalia's campsite

stripeznstarz50: awesome!

stripeznstarz50: I want to see this place at last

noblebeaversocks: but you never talk to natalia

noblebeaversocks: how do you know about it?

stripeznstarz50: I do too!

stripeznstarz50: sometimes

noblebeaversocks: yeah maybe once a millenium

stripeznstarz50: eh shut up

onceandthefuture: who're the Braginskis?

noblebeaversocks: other cousins

stripeznstarz50: relatives on his side of the family

stripeznstarz50: they're your dad's cousin's fam, I think?

noblebeaversocks: mmhmm

noblebeaversocks: we bonded when ivan started hockey on my team a few years ago

noblebeaversocks: they like to give me food

noblebeaversocks: and I like to eat it

onceandthefuture: simple and straightforward

noblebeaversocks: they're kind of amazing

stripeznstarz50: I've only met them a few times, but each time has been rather… memorable

noblebeaversocks: speaking of which

noblebeaversocks: please don't call him mary again

stripeznstarz50: don't worry, I won't call him mary again

stripeznstarz50: ahahha

noblebeaversocks: rofl

stripeznstarz50: mind reading

stripeznstarz50: I like it

onceandthefuture: are you sure you two aren't brothers

onceandthefuture: or twins

onceandthefuture: ?

noblebeaversocks: positive

stripeznstarz50: mmhmm

stripeznstarz50: anyway

onceandthefuture: ye

onceandthefuture: s

stripeznstarz50: fly over from london on wed/thurs

stripeznstarz50: and go camping until sunday!

onceandthefuture: where are we flying into?

noblebeaversocks: calgary would probably be the best

stripeznstarz50: how much money do you think you can burn, artie?

onceandthefuture: enough

stripeznstarz50: hope os

stripeznstarz50: when did airfar get so expensive

noblebeaversocks: you're not letting him pay for you, arthur?

onceandthefuture: hell fucking no

noblebeaversocks: *snort*

stripeznstarz50: well

stripeznstarz50: we can always hijack the company plane out there

onceandthefuture: what is this company plane business

onceandthefuture: is it like a personal taxi or something?

stripeznstarz50: pfft

noblebeaversocks: basically

stripeznstarz50: pff!

noblebeaversocks: your dad uses it more for vacations than actualy work

stripeznstarz50: well they ran that risk when they gave him unlimited domestic access!

onceandthefuture: you know what

onceandthefuture: I don't want to know

onceandthefuture: I'll take what I can get

noblebeaversocks: I knew it

noblebeaversocks: under that prideful exterior hides a typical broke college student

stripeznstarz50: hahaha

onceandthefuture: chh

noblebeaversocks: shouldn't you be asking your dad about some of these plans, am?

stripeznstarz50: oh right

onceandthefuture: might prove useful, yes

stripeznstarz50: one sec

stripeznstarz50: okay, he's here

stripeznstarz50: and mom too

noblebeaversocks: hey aunt amanda

noblebeaversocks: uncle ted

stripeznstarz50: they said hi bakc matt

noblebeaversocks: sweet

stripeznstarz50: said to tell you hi too, artie

onceandthefuture: please don't tell me that you told them to call me artie

stripeznstarz50: hahahaha

noblebeaversocks: xD

onceandthefuture: and hello parents

stripeznstarz50: moving on now

stripeznstarz50: dad hasn't used the comp plane in a while now

stripeznstarz50: I quote:

stripeznstarz50: "let's squeeze some more money out of those greedy bastard CEOs"

noblebeaversocks: ... wait

noblebeaversocks: isn't HE one of those greedy bastard CEOs?

stripeznstarz50: that's what I always tell him

stripeznstarz50: he never believes me

onceandthefuture: I think I'l like your dad

noblebeaversocks: you will

noblebeaversocks: best fucking parents in the world

stripeznstarz50: you don't live with them

noblebeaversocks: yeah I wish

onceandthefuture: anyway

stripeznstarz50: yes okay

stripeznstarz50: dad said he'll sign up for the plane out to london

stripeznstarz50: and drop us off in calgary on the way back

noblebeaversocks: haha 'drop off in calgary'

noblebeaversocks: I love planes

stripeznstarz50: think youcan afford the way back to london from there, art?

onceandthefuture: I believe so

onceandthefuture: may have to scrap a bit

onceandthefuture: but I believe so

stripeznstarz50: company planes take so much of the drama out of traveling

onceandthefuture: so true

onceandthefuture: thank your father for me

stripeznstarz50: ahah okay

noblebeaversocks: but the drama's half the fun!

stripeznstarz50: bah

stripeznstarz50: this way we can save the fun for the trip

stripeznstarz50: so what're we gonna do on this trip, anyway?

onceandthefuture: good question

onceandthefuture: well you'll probably spend the first day crashing

stripeznstarz50: hahahaha

noblebeaversocks: please take pictures

noblebeaversocks: I want blackmail

onceandthefuture: will do

stripeznstarz50: HEY

stripeznstarz50: RIGHT HERE Y'KNOW

onceandthefuture: ask your parents if they have any requests for places to go

stripeznstarz50: mkay

stripeznstarz50: mom wants to see gardens and castles

stripeznstarz50: dad wants distilleries/breweries.

onceandthefuture: uncle leo will love him

stripeznstarz50: a lot of people like him

noblebeaversocks: this is true

onceandthefuture: well I should talk to my aunt and uncle

onceandthefuture: see if they want to take them touring

stripeznstarz50: that sounds god

noblebeaversocks: get them out of the way so you two can consummate your love in private?

stripeznstarz50: what

onceandthefuture: no

onceandthefuture: ugh

stripeznstarz50: sorry man

stripeznstarz50: I love you but not like that

onceandthefuture: *shudders*

onceandthefuture: you're not my type

noblebeaversocks: bwahahhahahahahahahahhahaa

stripeznstarz50: am I offended?

onceandthefuture: I wouldn't be

onceandthefuture: I'm picky

onceandthefuture: and usually go for girls anyway

noblebeaversocks: brb dying

stripeznstarz50: shut up matt

onceandthefuture: what's so funny about this?

noblebeaversocks: it's just

noblebeaversocks: I don't think I've ever seen al get turned down

noblebeaversocks: ahahahhahahahhahhaahah

stripeznstarz50: I've been turned down before!

noblebeaversocks: yeah?

noblebeaversocks: by who?

stripeznstarz50: lots of people!

onceandthefuture: has it really come to the point where you're bragging about the number of times you've been rejected

noblebeaversocks: fffhahhaha

noblebeaversocks: *still dying*

stripeznstarz50: oh come on matt

stripeznstarz50: it wasn't THAT funny

stripeznstarz50: )C

noblebeaversocks: I think

noblebeaversocks: I need to go lie down

noblebeaversocks: brb

noblebeaversocks left the chat awesomecondiments

stripeznstarz50: I really think he just laughed himself into a coma

onceandthefuture: foolish

onceandthefuture: I didn't think it was that funny, either

onceandthefuture: I mean I turn people down just as much as you get rejected xD

stripeznstarz50: I bet

stripeznstarz50: sweet ass like yours

onceandthefuture: if we were anyone else we would so give off the wrong impressions

stripeznstarz50: but we're not

stripeznstarz50: we're awesome

onceandthefuture: I think we've established that

onceandthefuture: anyway

onceandthefuture: back to the point

stripeznstarz50: right!

stripeznstarz50: trip plans!

stripeznstarz50: even though matt was overexaggerating a bit

stripeznstarz50: I do want to get the 'rents away so we can spend quality time together

onceandthefuture: I concur

onceandthefuture: I'm sure uncle leo will delight in a brewery partner

onceandthefuture: and aunt jo happens to know way too much about the local tourist attraction castles

stripeznstarz50: so we're foisting the guardians on each other?

onceandthefuture: precisely

stripeznstarz50: genius!

onceandthefuture: thank you

stripeznstarz50: ... so what're WE gonna do?

onceandthefuture: lots of nothing I believe

stripeznstarz50: ahahaha

onceandthefuture: movie watching the RIGHT way

onceandthefuture: you need to watch some quality TV shows too

onceandthefuture: doctor who

stripeznstarz50: we can watch split log and I can tell you behind the scenes stuff!

onceandthefuture: that

onceandthefuture: may be one of the best ideas you've ever had

stripeznstarz50: thank you, thank you

stripeznstarz50: monopoly will be played

onceandthefuture: yes!

stripeznstarz50: as well as apples to apples!

stripeznstarz50: when we have the adults

onceandthefuture: perfect

onceandthefuture: I can drag my own cousin into that too

onceandthefuture: it's fun making dirty jokes with it and watching them fly over his head

stripeznstarz50: xDDD

onceandthefuture: I'll take you driving

onceandthefuture: I can't wait to see how you feel about roundabouts

stripeznstarz50: xD

stripeznstarz50: I want to meet all of your friends

stripeznstarz50: yes, francis included

onceandthefuture: *snort*

onceandthefuture: well a lot of them will probably be away

onceandthefuture: between terms and all

onceandthefuture: but I'm sure kiku and francis will be around at least

onceandthefuture: okay here's a ticket from cal to london through minneapolis and JFK

onceandthefuture: expensive but not as bad as I feared

stripeznstarz50: beautiful!

onceandthefuture: I get to see good old minnesota again

onceandthefuture: cheers

stripeznstarz50: xD

stripeznstarz50: you gonna pay for it?

stripeznstarz50: or still looking?

onceandthefuture: on my way

stripeznstarz50: sweetness

stripeznstarz50: I guess this is really happening, isn't it?

onceandthefuture: I guess so

stripeznstarz50: kind of weird

onceandthefuture: it'll be an adevnture

onceandthefuture: remember that

stripeznstarz50: I will

stripeznstarz50: I get to be the hero of my very own story!

onceandthefuture: haha

onceandthefuture: I am not the damsel in distress

stripeznstarz50: true

stripeznstarz50: you're more like the sidekick

onceandthefuture: I take offense to that

stripeznstarz50: the awesome sidekick

stripeznstarz50: who the hero couldn't do without

onceandthefuture: nice save

stripeznstarz50: thank you

onceandthefuture: okay bought

stripeznstarz50: ^^

onceandthefuture: now all we have to do is wait

stripeznstarz50: ah damn

stripeznstarz50: we have over a month of that

stripeznstarz50: grrr

onceandthefuture: hey could be worse

onceandthefuture: we could've danced around this for over two years instead of two months

stripeznstarz50: bahahaah yeah

stripeznstarz50: I can't believe we're really doing this

onceandthefuture: ah get over yourself

onceandthefuture: spending all that money made me tired

stripeznstarz50: xD

stripeznstarz50: okay

stripeznstarz50: g'night dear

onceandthefuture: night love

onceandthefuture signed off


{A/N: I think this is a shorter chapter, but they cover a lot of ground, don't ya think? Don't worry, the reader torture won't last much longer. We're nearing the first horizon!

Also, this is the first time I've done a Canada chat and not had my Canada step in. Can anyone tell a difference?}