Borrowing Money from Friends

Do you ever borrow money from friends? Do you lend money to friends? I'm not talking about a HUGE amount, like a down payment to a house, or thousands of dollars to bankroll their illegal midget fighting habit in the basement (I'm not sure if that means midgets fights are illegal, or if the midgets themselves are illegal... as in, not in America legally). I'm talking about a hundred dollars, maybe two hundred dollars at a whack. Sure, we all borrow and lend ten bucks here and there, but at what point does it become too much?

I have recently realized that the only time I lend friends money is when I think I will benefit in some way. Don't have enough to go out with me to that really nice dinner? I'll spot you some cash. Can't quite afford those airplane tickets so we can go on vacation? No problem, we'll just put it on my card and you can pay me back later.

It. Has. To. Stop. Right. Now.

There are now two people who owe me money, my best friend and my boyfriend. And I've tried to cash in, however, they are both perpetually broke and can't pay me back right away. However, each has dealt with the situation very differently. Allow me to clarify...

The BFF, Tabby (as mentioned earlier when I thought our boyfriends grew vagina's) and I went on vacation to New York. I bought her plane tickets for her 30th birthday (I know, I'm awesome), and we were going to stay with her friends who live in the city, so it was supposed to be pretty cheap. Oh, I must mention... Tabby doesn't have a job, hasn't had a job for quite some time, and it currently enrolled in grad school, but does not have financial aide. That is all good, no biggie, good for her for furthering her life. Problem being? The trip ended up much more costly than anticipated (New York pricey?! No way!), so I spotted her some cash here and there just so we could both enjoy the trip. By the end of the trip, she ended up owing me around $350. This was in May. It's now almost October. AND she's paid me back everything BUT $100. No problem. She wants to work out a payment plan, add interest, etc. (One of the many reasons I love her... she's got amazing pride and won't back down for anyone).

The BF, JD, wanted to BUY ME a plane ticket to fly to Detroit to meet his parents, attend a wedding where I would meet all of his hometown friends AND hit up the family BBQ for Labor Day. Aw... how nice! HOWEVER... The man bought the tickets on Priceline, named his own price, then was disappointed when we weren't flying during a convenient time. Like an asshole, I piped up and offered to pay for the difference in the price of the tickets. So, here's what actually happened... (brace yourself, there are numbers and math coming up) (jeebus I love bullet points)

• Price of original tickets: $600
• Fee to cancel ticket on Priceline: $200
• Cost of new tickets: $750
• Amount I'm owed from JD (in his mind): $400
• Amount he was willing to pay me last week: $300 (never received)
• Amount he is willing to pay me this week: "$100-$200" after I requested payment

Now I'm pissed, irritated, and want to scream at him to grow up and give me my damn money! Am I wrong? I'm sure some of this is my fault... I offered, I didn't lay down the rules ahead of time, I'm just NOW asking for payment... but really, do I have to ask for payment from my own boyfriend when he's the one who owes me money? I don't know how this works, but I'm never doing it again, I'll tell you that much.

Except maybe if there's a real midget fight that needs to be bankrolled. Damn that would be awesome.

Lunching with the Ex. Also, things I do to drive myself crazy.

I just had lunch with my ex... the one with the awkward grocery store run-in...

Things I said would or wouldn't happen that did or didn't:

• What I said I wouldn't do: Have lunch with him. 
• What happened: We had lunch. I swore that wasn't going to happen. But he called at my office from his office phone. Sneaky, very sneaky. Why I said is still something I'm trying to blame on someone, but haven't figured out who yet. I'll get back to you on that.
• What I said I WOULD do: Tell him that he's a selfish asshole (but in nicer words). 
• What I didn't do: I didn't tell him how I think he's a selfish asshole for doing what he does to girls (not in the dirty-sex way... THAT is just fine).
• What I said I WOULD tell him: That I'm on to his evil ways and will spread to word to all other females I come across
• What I DIDN'T do: I didn't tell him that I know the REAL reason he broke my heart and that I plan to ruin his life with it.
• What I said I WOULDN'T do: Make this a regular thing.
• What I did/didn't do: I didn't say "no" to the invitation to go to a movie next week. BUT... I didn't say 'yes' either.

All in all, it was actually a nice time. There's a reason we had such a good time together. Because we're both a good time. If (and I emphasis the IF IF IF IF IF) he wants to be JUST FRIENDS, then I might consider it. However, if he wants to get the stick-it-in-okay, then I'm out.

So... THAT just happened.

Chicks vs Dicks, Sporting Events and Sex

I'm one of those Chicks who really enjoys sports. I like watching sports, I like playing sports, and I like drinking beer while I do both of those things. I also know the rules of most sports (especially football)... not because I want to impress all the Dicks* in my life, but because I ENJOY sports (shocking!).

However, when I really get into a game, it's passionate, it's emotional (for me), it's draining. Chicks get emotional about things they care about. Dicks, on the other hand, get worked up, but I don't think sporting events are emotionally draining, like they are to Chicks.

Case in point... the NBA Finals last night. Lakers vs Celtics, game 7. Disclaimer: I am a Celtics fan living in California. I was on the edge of my seat, I was biting my nails, I was screaming at the TV, throwing things at Kobe, and calling people names my mother would be ashamed of. At the end of the game, when the refs decided the Lakers should win, I had to step outside. Not because I needed air, but because my boyfriend NEEDED to watch the replay, NEEDED to see the highlights, and NEEDED to watch the trophy ceremony. Dicks like technique, Chicks like emotions. It's amazing how sports and sex are so alike.

Therefore, if you'd ever like to get in my pants, it's important that you know my passionate likes and dislikes...

My very passionate LIKES:

• Denver Broncos (I basically bleed orange and blue)
• John Elway, Shannon Sharpe, Terrell Davis, Eddie McCaffrey
• Boston Celtics
• Boston Red Socks
• Colorado Avalanche

My very passionate DISLIKES:

• Oakland Raiders
• All Raider Fans
• Brett Favre
• NY Yankees
• NY Yankee Fans
• Kobe Bryant
• LA Lakers
• Lakers Fans (this one is particularly difficult since I live in Southern California and the majority of people here would pay loads of money to suck off Kobe Bryant)
• Detroit Red Wings

Yes, my dislikes outweigh my likes, but once you're on my "Likes" list, I'm loyal through and through. Kind of like most men in my life.

Who's on your like/dislike list? 

*In this post, and this post only, I refer to "Dicks" as those of us who have male parts, NOT as those of use who have male parts and are also assholes.