I think I'm safer in an airplane.

I am officially going to Las Vegas to watch Adrian's first Nathan's hot dog qualifier!  I can't tell you how excited I am!  I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to go.  I really can't afford it, and it kills me to have to miss any of his competitions, especially hot dog qualifiers.  My parents have generously offered to pay for me to go.  I didn't feel too guilty about it because the plane tickets ended up being pretty cheap.  But still!

I really dislike asking my parents for money and/or to pay for things.  I rarely do it.  I know the kind of man my dad is.  He'd give someone every dollar in his wallet if they asked for it, even without good reason.  Because of that, he is sometimes taken advantage of.  It absolutely kills me to see someone walk all over him.  Unfortunately, it happens all too often.  And I'm not talking about only money, here.  I'm talking about his time and his freedom.  He's never been one to say no to anyone for any reason.  I hate to admit this (and I know I've talked to some of you about this before), but I feel like it's turned him into someone who just expects people to expect things from him.  It's almost like it's hard for him to understand that someone could love him or care for him without him giving things to them.  It really breaks my heart.  This is something that I continuously struggle with.

Way to make going to Vegas sound really depressing, right?  So I'll end on this note, in true Joey Tribiani fashion:  VEGAS, BABY, VEGAS!!!