051508 - Somewhere on the capital beltway

If you want the summary, try the end.

Mom: Where are you guys driving to?
Cheryl & Crystal: Just around the neighborhood
M: Drive carefully. Don't go too far, Crystal.
C&C: Yeah mom, don't worry, we'll be safe!
(Pull out of the drive, and out of the neighborhood.)

Crystal: Where do you want to go?
Cheryl Anne: We gotta put gas in.
C: Well, shit. You got money?
CA: No.
C: where is there an ATM?
CA: Pull into this BB&T.
C: Is there an ATM at this bank?
CA: No, there's an ATM in the 7-11. See?
C: um, ok.
(Go into shady 7-11 behind the BB&T. Use the ATM and get the hell out of there.)

C: Is this the way to Kingstowne?
CA: Um, no.
C: Well, shit.
(driving down the same road a minute later)
C: Yeah it is.
CA: This isn't Kingstowne.
C: Oh. Well, whatever, there's a gas station.
(proceed to put $20 of gas into the tank, both hands required.)

C: So, what now?
CA: I don't know. Let's go to Springfield.
C: Alright.
(We walk around Springfield for about 2 hours.)

C: So, what now?
CA: I don't know. Let's go to Kingstowne.
C: Alright. Can we pick up some guys?
CA: Do you see what I'm wearing?
(I look her up and down. Red and White stripped headband, black sweater, black running shorts, plaid kneed high socks and Keds.)
C: You look fine.
CA: I look like I don't know what I'm supposed to be, emo or pippy longstocking - neither of which I would want to be if I were picking up guys. Plus, you're wearing all pink. We look challenged.
C: Alright. Hey wanna go to TJ Max?
CA: I've never been.
C: Let's go.
(I proceed to park at the farthest spot from the store.)
CA: I hate going out with you. You make me walk.
(We get into the store and I think I see an old friend, Niki Dove)

CA: Where are the prom dresses, Crystal? You said there would be dresses in here.
C: (kind of a whisper) I don't know, but I think I know that girl over there!?
CA: These dresses are stupid. These aren't prom dresses. You lied!
C: I really think I know that girl!
CA: Well go up to her!
C: What, and look crazy? "Hey I think I know you, do you remember me?"
CA: that or we can continue to hide behind these ugly dresses.
(We walk out of the store and all the while I'm trying to find the girl I think I know but we don't see her.)

(Some random obscure person yells out Crystal from their car. Both my sister and I look around and we have no idea who the heck that was in the car, but I'm freaked out, and so is she. We start to walk around and decide that we're done with Kingstowne.)

C: Well this place is dumb.
CA: Where are we going now?
(We get on the highway and we're driving for a little bit just jamming to the song on the radio. Look up at the sign and read: Capital Beltway North, Capital Beltway South.)
C: Well, shit.
CA: OMG, NORTH NORTH! SOUTH IS THE GHETTO!!!
C: It's the capital beltway, Cheryl.
CA: I know, I just felt like saying the word ghetto.

(We proceed to go on the exit for North. We get lost for half an hour. It was fabulous. We made the Franconia/Springfield exit four times.)
C: OMG, everything says SPRINGFIELD, but I don't recognize any of this!
CA: OMG OMG we're in the ghetto!
C: I doubt the ghetto has a TrimSpa and Weight Watchers you fool!
(Little more driving)
C: It says Franconia/Springfield! Why doesn't this exit look familiar!
CA: You're crazy! You're crazy! Oh wait, I know where we are. Just go straight.
C: Oh I know where we are. Damn, we're good. Let's go to Giant.
CA: Fine.
(Giant for 2 minutes, literally.)
C: Well, that blew.
CA: What now?
C: McDonalds, fool.

(We finally get back home around 10ish and mother throws a fit.)

So this morning, I received a facebook message from Niki Dove
hey, were you at TJ MAX on kingstowne blvd yesterday? i just moved to dc & i swear i saw you!

Why yes, Niki. Yes, I was there.


SUMMARY BEGINS HERE:
Driving "around the neighborhood," can translate into a plethora of things. For me and my sister, this means: Use the sketch ATM in a hidden 7-11, fill up the gas tank, go to Springfield, go to Kingstowne, see someone you think you know, get lost in DC for a little over half an hour, find your way back home, go to Giant and end up at McDonald's smashing on a double cheeseburger and fries.


Lessons I've learned:
1) No matter where I go, Love in this Club on the radio makes me happy.
2) When you think you see someone you know, you probably know them.
3) Giant Supermarket at night, without a purpose, is stupid.
4) The dollar menu at McDonalds is not worth it, especially when you only have like .. $2.
5) My sister doesn't like country, I think I'll use that to my advantage.