48 hours (not the movie)

So there i was, sitting in the bus taking the long drive with everyone else. It would be some five hours until we reached our first stop. Five long, boring hours with only some DVD's that the boss picked out and the sound of the ukuleles coming from the back. The two guys in front were already out of control, acting like a couple of twelve year old kids on their way to their first co-ed camp out. I felt bad for the girls next to them, however they seem okay with it and just laughed it all of. I wasn't sure how this trip was going to be. The last one was okay, but it was several years ago and a lot of things had changed since then. I was no longer the same person and my life nothing like it had been on the previous outings. I was undecided if I was going to be low key and just relax in my hotel room or if I would be out with everyone else. I tend not to plan too much of my life, preferring to make it up as I go, so I just went with what felt right at the time. That first night it meant hitting one of the two local pubs and sitting with team plus a few extras. This was a nice, relaxing time. We ate, tried several new brews and laughed. It was nice to be out and relaxing. The atmosphere was light and the new people at the table made the conversation fresh and delightfully off topic. That first night was short but it told me that I didn't want to be in my room just passing the time until breakfast was ready. We were up early the next morning and re-loaded the bus after breakfast. I was just minding my own thoughts when I noticed her. Beautiful, with tanned skin, freckles and glasses. Her long dark straight hair rested comfortably on her shoulders. She definitely has my attention. It was like someone had asked me what my idea of the perfect woman was then hooked up a barbie doll to a huge computer, inputted all my specs and hit "enter", just like in the movies. Then she took off her sweater and exposed the tattoos on her arms. That was the last straw, I was hooked. For the rest of the day I tried to place myself close enough to interact, but not so close as to give off a negative vibe. Timing is everything and if the situation doesn't feel right and you force it you could lose your one best chance at that connection. I don't know what it was about her. Something just kept pulling me toward her, my mind was flooded with thoughts of her and they were not going away. I wasn't looking for anything or anyone, I just wanted to experience the newness of the destinations. At the Ranch I watched her by the fire pit, wanting to somehow interact with her but it didn't happen. Sometimes things just don't feel right at the moment so I walked away, there is no use in forcing something that is out of balance in an effort to make it work the way you think it should. Off to play Bocce Ball with some of the guys. It was a good choice at the time because it loosened me up, helped me settle in to just being me. We had fun, like we had all been life long friends, just letting us be us. Back on the bus again, this time the hotel bar would stay open late just for us. I hit the bar while she went off to play pool with some of the others. After a couple of drinks it was clear that she wasn't coming into the bar so I left to go find her. There she was, playing pool and giving off a vibration that made me feel like she was someone who embraced life and lived it fully. I loved every moment of her playing pool... smiling, laughing. I was late to this party but jumped right in, going full throttle, and soaking up everything about her. She was like a princess on parade at Disneyland and just being close to her made me feel like the whole earth could crumble and still everything would be okay. As the night grew later the room thinned out a bit. We walked over to the fire pit and joined a larger group for a while. We talked about our lives, and with every sentence I sank deeper and deeper into a soft warm feeling of happiness and amazement. As night turned to morning more of the crew retired. A short, and sub-par fire eating show and a few more left. Now there are only four of us back at the pool room, and at least one of the other two won't remember ANYTHING when he wakes up. Now I am all in, totally committed to her. In just one day, one evening really, I have been totally conquered. I had no will of my own left, except for the desire to make her feel like the amazing princess that she is. I barely slept that night, not being able to slow down my mind or control my heart. Even after being up until the early morning with her, and a long day before that, I only managed two and a half hours of sleep. Then it was right back to being overwhelmed with thoughts of her and a realization that I had just experienced one of the best moments in my entire life. The last 48 hours had just changed my life, and it will never be the same again...