Ahhh, the Herndon Festival.  The four days and three nights of the year that I become, hands down, one of the most popular people in town within boys in my age range.  You see, for three nights and four days, I’m selling everyone beer for the Council for the Art’s beer booth.  You see, the town (in it’s infinite wisdom) let’s the beer booths be run by three organizations within Herndon as a fund raiser.  The three organizations are the Herndon Rotary Club, the Herndon Optimists (they are the ones who do sports for little kids) and the Council for the Arts.  Since my mom took over the Council for the Arts booth approximately 10 years ago – she’s been whoring me and my friends out – putting us on the front line, collecting money from poor unsuspecting guys and making sure we get massive amounts of tips – all to benefit the council.

The cast of supporting friends rotates every year – but every single one of them can tell you that when I go out after the festival I am the most popular person in the bar.  There are guys buying me drinks, and telling me they’ll see me all weekend and they would never cheat on my booth.  There are people that I’ve known in general for years who all of a sudden become my best friend.  I mean, the beer both makes it so I barely spend anything the rest of the weekend on alcohol – no matter how trashed I get, and no matter how late I stay out after the beer booth closes.

Last night was no exception.  In fact, last night was pretty much even more awesome because it was the first time in a about two months that I’ve been to Jimmy’s.  In addition to the randoms from the beer booth, I also had all my friends there in the form of the band that was playing.   Some highlights from the night:

- My Herndon Festival Boyfriend came out!  He is pretty much the hottest guy ever and an emcee for the bands.  Because of this, I only see him once a year, at the Herndon Festival – and all my girl friends are always like, “Omg he is so hot!” to which I typically respond, “Ladies, he’s taken!” and then get a little jealous of his woman because hello, he’s smokin hot with an awesome attitude to boot.  It was awesome to be able to spend time with him that wasn’t at the beer booth.

- One of my friends coming up to me while I was outside smoking saying that I looked “healthy” and giving me a huge hug.  Considering the amount of crap I’ve been through and where my head has been at the past couple months it’s nice that other people are noticing that I’m back to being the Stephanie every one knows and loves.

- A long talk with one of my favorite people ever clearing the air.  Favorite quote from that conversation?  ”Stephanie, I  fucking love you ’cause you’re brutally honest, and Stephanie, I fucking hate you because you’re brutally honest.”   It’s nice to know that’s a quality that people recognize in me because I work hard to try and make sure that I always keep the truth in mind.   Plus, I love that guy – in a total he’s like my brother sort of way.

- Brandon (my roommate) and I doing the eye <3 point thing back and forth while he was drumming.  It was awesome to be out with the rock-n-roke guys again and I’ve truly missed going out with them.

- Driving Brett home because it was his only night at the festival and he did it up right!  (He also killed it with two songs at rock-n-roke!  You go Brett!  Fight for your right to party!)

- Joking with my dad about the possibility of him needing to bail me out of jail.  His response, “Well, you still have one get out of jail free card left.”  To which I commented it was sad that I made to 28 without using it.

I’m sure there was other amazing stuff that happened, but I’ve already forgotten it.  Then, when I got up this morning, I had this email from my mom waiting for me:

You apron was stuffed!  You were moving that stuff!

How was last night?  Do we need to bail you out of jail?

Apparently the Council cleared a little over 2K last night and I was one of the highest sellers because I am fast, and can take two people at a time.  Go ahead, make some jokes.  ;)  But that means that all of you who are coming out to the festival should come buy beer from me.  I’ll be at the corner of Lynn Street and Station Street all weekend.  I will get your beer fast, it will be cold, and there’s service with a smile.  ;)