10 Randoms... May Long Weekend

I grew up in central Alberta, and May Long Weekend was the first, and sometimes biggest party of the year. When I was in high school, plans for May Long started in March.... and I don't know why we needed to plan. It was always the same. Same location, same campspot, same people. So, I am older, and wiser, and now know that May Long Weekend isn't such a big deal. So this is my list of 10 things I have learned, or miss, or don't miss about May Long Weekend.

1. We would all go to Medicine Lake when I was in high school. I don't even know where it is. I never drove. I couldn't get there if my life now depended on it. I do see that a bunch of my Rimbey facebook friends are there this weekend though. Old habits die hard I guess.

2. Royal Reserve. It was my drink of choice when I was younger. When I didn't really have a palette for alcohol, and didn't really have a bank account to support something a little costlier (and better tasting.) But, I did have quite a nice collection of RR stickers. (Lame, I know).3. Tattoos made from bug spray and beer bottle labels. For those of you who have no idea of what I am talking about... (Tara...) you completely peel the label off of the beer bottle, spray your body liberally with bug spray, put the label (picture side down) on your arm (or wherever), and hold it there. When you take it off, you have a reverse image of the label. Classy? No. Cheap thrill? Yes.

4. Campfires. Who doesn't love a good campfire? Who doesn't love the crackling sound of the wood? The smell... oh wait. I don't love the smell of people who have spent the day sitting around a fire. But at the time... it smells good. And I don't even like roasted marshmallows, or hot dogs... or anything else cooked on open flame.... But I do like a good fire.5. May Long Weekend usually meant snow... or rain, or both. It was rarely nice. Rarely. Seriously. Why would you get excited about sleeping in the snow? Why?

6. Meeting new people from all over. And making immediate best friends that you will never see again. I don't know how many pictures of people I don't know or remember are in my photo albums.... And of course, they were guys I thought were hot... Seriously???

7. Getting dirty. And not caring. Until you got home.8. We used to party with the farm kids after two in the morning. They were just getting there. We were already well into it... and now... I just sit at home, not waiting for the farm kids, because I married one. And he doesn't come in until well after two!

9. Those funky drink cups that you would try to one up your friends with...
10. I don't miss the panic to get a camp spot, the long nights of getting into trouble, the lying to your parents about where you really were, the hangover. I am happy to go and visit people who are camping this weekend, but I don't need to be the one doing it....

Happy Victoria Day!