Once a week you can find me on YouTube hosting Dollar Store Drinks. Yes, the fat chick is on video. I know I’ threatened to start a podcast for a couple of years. The thing is, whether it’s video or audio, a good show needs multiple people interacting. Otherwise it’s a monologue.
Back in Louisville I was never able to find people willing to join me on a radio show. Imagine my surprise when after a mere 3 months in St. Louis, I have a cast of people eager to join me in the wonderful world of webvideo.
This is reason number 931 why I love St. Louis. Yes, my apartment’s ceiling is still leaking into a plastic bucket after five weeks. Yes, I spent the last 3 months working 70 hour weeks. Yes, I’ve been snowed in twice in the last three weeks.
Despite all that I’ve also made friends faster than in any previous move. I’ve lived in over a dozen cities. That’s high praise for the people of St. Louis.
I’ve met steampunks, goths, writers, gamers, and random friends of them all. Whenever I’ve had a weekend free from work, people welcomed me into their homes. Last weekend I had geeky girl time on Friday night followed by a home made Beef Wellington formal dinner on Saturday. I’d forgotten what it was like to have other people cook for me. On other weekends I’ve been invited to musical house parties, leisurely afternoon movies and out to see the sights in St. Louis.
I’m a little overwhelmed and awed by it all. Rumor has it meeting new people as an adult is supposed to be a slow, arduous and heartbreaking process filled with anxiety and rejection. Instead, I’ve quickly fallen in with an awesome crowd of people who not only keep inviting me around but are also willing to play a part in my favorite new pet project.
Yes, I’m finally meandering back around to Dollar Store Drinks. Every week I create a cocktail using ingredients from the dollar store. So far, that’s included Moon Pies, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Gingersnaps, and Green Tea. Despite me expecting them to actually drink these concoctions, the people involved seem to be eager to come back for more. Two discussed bringing a box of costumes and hats to the next filming.
When I moved to Chicago I never would’ve imagined someday landing in St. Louis. Mind you, before I left Louisville I never imagined I’d have such an adventurous time finding housing in Chicago, either. I’m happy here. Leaky roof, creepy guys at the laundromat and all. I can move when my lease expires and do laundry somewhere else. The people here make the minor mishaps totally worth the experience.