Conferences?

Barry always comes back from his cross-country chemistry conventions with some great life-altering story. Chemistry has allowed him to experience so many different parts of the country and make great connections with great people, and I think I'm a little bit jealous about that. It's almost as if one can piece together the story of Barry's self-actualization through his journeys to various chemistry conventions.

Way back in the wee months of our relationship, on the night I met Barry's dear friend (and soon to be one of my dear friends) Neil, I first heard a snipet of what had become the infamous Anaheim trip. Neil spoke of it as a life-defining moment: "Have you told her yet? Does she know about Anaheim?" I had not yet heard about 'The Anaheim' and was extremely curious. "What? What happened?" I HAD to know. But Barry's only response was to Neil; "I'll tell her later." And 'later' turned out to be much later. At about 6 months, he felt it was time to tell me about the horrors of Anaheim.

San Diego. Oh how I hated when Barry mentioned San Diego. The best time of his life, he said. The best night, the best girl. For a while, a knot in my stomach used to tighten when he would talk about the San Diego trip. I think the knot was mostly comprised of heartbreak, or jealousy; anger of the fact that I could never be that windswept girl on the beach at just the right time and just the right place who gave the invaluable promise of hope. The words 'San Diego' used to make me cringe. Now, when he tells me I would like San Diego, I think he's probably right. Barry was happy here, and maybe San Diego was a turning point. Maybe not; what do I know?

Oh, Atlanta... this was the first period of time we really spent away from each other since we had started seeing each other. I really truly missed him, and I think he missed me. While he was making drunk dials while being oblivious to crime scenes, I was experimenting with strip-beer pong and illegal substances. I lost my favorite belt that night. The night he returned to Fargo, he picked me up at my freshman dorm, tired as he was, and it was then that I received the most enthusiastic and passionate kiss I think I will ever receive. We took an 18 hour nap together and he told me very little about his Atlanta experience (as usual) but the information was enough to gather that he had not found the experience to be a favorable one.

I wonder what St. Petersburg will hold? Our 'relationship' is now at the point in which we will no longer feel we "need" to be together at all times, so we will probably get along just fine without each other. I wish I could go with, for the sun, for the experience, and maybe an explanation of just what actually does go on at these mysterious "conventions" that have been such an influence on Barry's past few years.

Good things are to come.