The beginning

Post 2
I am at work now after Gustav, and I am not sure why I am here. There is nothing going on and I cant stand being idle so I thought I would write some. Diet is going well so far. My whole life is one big diet, but I am trying to limit my carbs. However, I wanted to write down my first sad story, or love story. That way I know that at least it is out there, and down somewhere. Its long, its sad, but its my life.
It all began when i was coming home from college one Oct. I was on the computer and chatting on what is the prevision of AIM called ICQ. Now I was about chatting it up with anybody, and since I was shy it was a good place that I could spark a conversation with girls without having the undue pressure of facing them. Classy I know, but hey I was 260+ and losing, but back to the story. So my "friend" Jer gave me his contact list that had a particular contact in it: C4r$y, later to be nick named by me as Alaska girl. So I of course I started chatting with her, not being myself, but a guy from Hawaii. I mean I had to compete with Alaska..its hard to do. Additionally, I told her of my woman conquests, and partying, neither of which were true, but hey its the Internet, at least my Internet representative could be cool. Well, some how she wanted to talk to me again, and again, and again. Then came the phone call.
I can remember hearing her voice for the first time, and how nervous I was. I must mentioned that she was 2 years younger than me I being 18 going on 19 she being 17, which if we lived in a toothless state might be a problem. The conversations at first where your typical: " Whats up" followed by the normal questions...whats this like, hobbies, etc. The great thing was we talked about everything. I ran through phone cards like they were free, and I never stopped talking to her for that whole weekend or the next year + afterwards. The weird thing about talking to someone you never have seen for that long, you become best friends with them, but not in the usually way. Its very emotional, its all emotional especially since that is all you have.
Being naive, young, and just a nice guy my affection eventually turned into a love-ESE feeling, and it took her a bit longer, but she was one of those doesn't fall but when does falls hard type people. I can remember when I knew that she really cared. She was away on a volleyball trip (side note: in Alaska they fly from game to game and stay in the opposing teams houses--awesome), and she was having a bad night, and called me crying. I think I talked to her for like 8 hours straight, we laughed, she cried, then we cried...and I can remember hanging out the phone knowing that all I wanted to do was be with her, right then. and how that made me feel. Well, eventually the word of my AK love spread, and was somewhat a joke but somewhat cool. I guess its hard to hide when you spend most of your freshman year attached to a phone. Of course, I did have some interested local girls (Toni), but although I thought she was great, I couldn't even compare her to AK girl. I must confess, my best quality is being able to read woman once I get to know them. Its in the eyes I think. I can tell a woman's heart by looking in her eyes (a trait that has saved me a few times).
Things grew, and we got web cams to view each other. I talked to her family, and her my Dad. Then bam..wham... an idea..contact. The first try was spring break, and when the idea was mentioned it was like an earthquake and we pushed so hard, the one pit fall my dad. God Bless him, I know that he was worried that I would go up there and never come back (ironic-you will see later). See I was always the one foot out of the door type kid. Knowing that I needed a fresh start to find myself, and hence why I talk to you from MS and not IL. I just never got the chance to be Chris--alone. I was always carrying other people, or being the side kick to my friends (which are the best guys you can know). Anyway, for weeks there was a series of calls between parents, us, us-parents, combinations. Finally, my Dad called me up and was like "Chris, I know that you really want to go, but I don't want you to get stuck up there if the weather goes bad (thinking that all AK weather is like the Arctic circle), and I think you should wait for the summer. Of course, at first I was pissed and self righteous that I deserved it etc., but then understanding. He told me that if I waited until summer he would buy the ticket for me to go for my birthday. I agreed, and he did. I can remember holding it for the first time: Chi-Seattle-Ketchican Ak, then a 3 hour ferry to Craig. She would meet me in Ketch. (FYI-a real popular tourist stop for cruise ships). The weeks before where filled with excitement, bliss, nervousness, apprehension, etc. Until finally the night before came.
I can remember that night like it was yesterday. It was a night that changed my life forever. My Dad sat me down, and gave me the be careful, be gentleman, be nice etc. speech..use rubbers, etc., but the lasting comment was "Manny, (he called me that sometimes), just be yourself, and she will love you. That sentence still brings tears to my eyes, and is etched in my memory like a stone. Unfortunately, also that night he left for Wisconsin to our cabin instead of taking me to the airport the next day. A decision that would also change my life forever.
The next day I was ready, triple checking things, calling Carly to see if everything was still on. Her parents where awesome, they had "house rules" which meant that Carly and I couldn't be in the same room alone, but trust me those where not enforced. They even helped us pay for the trip, and in return I brought some Midwest produce. Unfortunately, let me save you the suspense. Produce does not respond well to 12 hours of travel, but back to the story. Now I can remember the phone ringing and me picking up. "Is Kathy Jurs there?" said the Madison Hospital nurse-she wasn't so I was left with the message, please call her back. Anyway, the details even to us where not very clear and so my Mom decided to go to Madison being only 2 hours away to see what was going on. We thought that my Dad got banged up a little in a minor car accident..mistake.. Anyway, I got a ride to the airport with a family friend. I can remember the ride...I can remember checking in..I remember landing in Seattle....and that is what our story ends..for now..