The events of last Sunday had me in a funk for an entire week  So I will admit I was glad to go out on Thursday night with some friends.  That afternoon I went to get my hair straightened for the first time in over 3 months. I was pleasantly surprised at the growth I had retained even after my trim.  I left the salon with my hair swangin'!  Ever since my car accident, my car had been smoking like a BBQ grill so I went to get it looked at.  After the mechanic told me I needed a new radiator, I looked into a mirror to see that my hair had reverted due to the humidity.  Can you say epic failure...

I think at that exact moment, life came crumbling down on me and I almost cried at the car repair shop.  I wanted to go home and not leave the house until 2010... Yes, I was being dramatic, but I had also skipped lunch.  After a pep talk by some friends, I crushed some lunch (Harold's breast and fries covered with mild sauce) and felt slightly better.  Since my radiator wouldn't be delivered until Friday morning, I rented a car for the day. I hadn't planned to rent a car, but my ride called and said she couldn't pick me because she had to study and stuff:-|  One monkey doesn't stop the show! Before I went out that night, I stopped by the local Urban League to assist their education department.  I had volunteered to help with a first time home buyers workshop and I didn't want to cancel just because I was having a bad day. Well, they had me in there preparing information packets like I was a secretary!  I was surprised at the number of older folks in the workshop.  I had imagined it would be filled with 20-30 something folks.  Little did I know...

Luckily I was finished early and I ran home to get ready for the Barcadi Flavor Exchange.  I am not a rum drinker, but who can say no to free drinks.  I flat-ironed my hair AGAIN and headed out the door.  I met up with South Loop Social Light who was saving our place a line.  It was raining and my hair got wet and puffy again:(  My jacked up hair did put a damper in my mood, but next time I know to bring a rain hood!  Did I mention the liquor was free and the line moved fast?!  When we got in there, there were plenty of mixing stations where you could make your own drinks.  At the first station I mixed pineapple and mango into my rum, which was pretty tasty.  After about 30 minutes we decided to explore the venue. We then went downstairs to the hip hop room and fell in love.  Folks were playing old school Nintendo video games (e.g. Mario Brothers) and the DJ had old school hip hop blaring.  There was a sno cone station and I had a blue rum sno cone!  Immediately after I made my second drink, some girls came out with a double dutch rope. I damn near LOST MY MIND and split my drinks trying to get over there.  This is a picture of me jumping in my stilettos. All the girls after me learned from my mistake and took off their shoes, save for one who fell on her butt...

After this I was done drinking, but not my friends. I was hanging with two people who can't say no to a free drink so the good times continued to roll.  I was too busy trying to find the free pizza and taking pictures to drink.  The people watching was also pretty good.  They also had these really cool live action shots that were flashing on the wall.  We were determined to take one.  At the end of the night we took this photo in the ActionBooth.  Blame it on the alcohol...