I hadn’t seen my parents in over a year, and felt guilty about it. There’s always a valid reason not to make the trip down there. Our lives are so complicated and packed-out, it’s not difficult to justify putting it off for a while, and then a little while more.
But, I did it. And it’s one thing off my ever-expanding list of things I feel guilty about. However, I didn’t see any of my friends while I was there, and now feel a little guilty about that. Especially Bill. I wanted to meet his wife Dee, and spend some time with him. But it just wasn’t possible.
So, you see how it goes? While fixing one problem, I create a few new ones. It’s like the creature in Greek mythology that grows back two heads after you cut off one. The Hydrox, or whatever. Oh well.
I got home last night around 7 pm, had taco salad for dinner, and enjoyed a few Yuengling lagers. It was good to have a couple hours of normalcy, before returning to work on Sunday.
And now, here are a few more random notes from the road. As many as I can squeeze in, before I have to leave.
My parents recently had their kitchen remodeled, and the guy was supposed to be there early on Thursday morning, to put the finishing touches on it. My folks were inordinately worried about him making noise and waking me up. I told them to forget about it; I can sleep through anything, and so what if he wakes me up?
Yeah, I guess the dude was in there hammering, running some sort of compressor, and making all manner of racket. And I heard nothing. They couldn’t believe it, but hey… I have many talents.
My mother gave me unceasing shit about my phone. Every time I looked at it she’d either sigh theatrically, or say, “Jeff, can you leave that thing alone for five minutes?” And whenever it made a sound of any kind, she’d get pissed.
Their TV is on for 16 hours a day, but I can’t read my email once an hour? If you asked her about it, she’d say I’m “constantly” looking at my phone. But, she’s got a chip on her shoulder about it, and every time I glanced at it… it was a personal attack. Sheesh.
She also gave me a bit of grief (not too much, but a bit) about not visiting enough. I said, “I’m standing in your living room, right now.” It seems like I should receive some credit for right now. Am I wrong about it? I’d think that right now should carry a little weight.
On Thursday we drove around all day. I was inside a car for almost as much time as the day before, when I drove to their house.
We went to Dunbar, and did a full tour. They have some problems in our hometown, and no clear solutions. The houses and lots are small, and young families now want McMansions on big plots of land, with three-car garages, etc. There are still plenty of nice, well-kept houses in Dunbar — in fact, most of them. But there are many more rental dumps than during the past. And scumbag occupants to go along with them.
It seemed like things had improved since last time I was there, though. Hopefully it will continue in that direction.
Downtown Charleston looked great. It’s all office buildings, restaurants, and bars at this point. But everything was clean and nice-looking. It’s a pretty city, with the river running through it, and all. (See above.) But it had gotten a little rough. Not anymore. The shit is nice. At least the parts I saw.
And I have to go now. I’ll close out the category tomorrow. But before we call it a day here, I’d like to show you the one and a half hot baloney sandwiches I enjoyed on Wednesday night. Oh yeah. I wish I had a platter of them in front of me right now.
Have a great day, my friends!
Now playing in the bunker
Use the Surf Report’s webhost: HostGator!
R.I.P. Lou Reed
“…and every one of them started a band.”
Sweet Jane.
jtb
villains always blink their eyes
That was the best “first” ever, Clueless (Louless). Good V.U. reference from you, johnthebasket, as well.
I hate mcmansions. No character.
Having moved away from South Charleston eight years ago I have to admit I enjoy going back to visit now and then. Of course I see my mother, and sometimes other family. I try to work in a few friends as well when I’m there, and found it easier to try to catch up with different ones each time I’m in town. Helps keep my guilt list from expanding too much.
Didn’t drive through the West side I take it.
No matter how old you are when you go home, you become 12 all over again. Not only to your parents, mind you – but inside your own head too. At times (not always), before either of them got health problems, my parents could make me feel guilty enough to come home for a visit (or else I did that to myself). Then they’d irritate me enough to be glad to be heading back to wherever I was living at the time. (Or maybe I did THAT to myself too.)
I’ll never have that ‘problem’ again. |sigh|
I wish I did.
Well I agree with Jeff’s Mom on the cellphones. Leave the damn things alone, check your txts at a good time. Constantly checking your phone says to the people you are actually with “I have no idea who it is who may have contacted me, but I’m going to see, because they’re more important to me than you”. Beep buzz Pavlov’s freakin’ dog. I have relatives who spend hours, HOURS, every day fucking around with their phones. Good grief.
Lighten up, Francis.
Man! 150% sandwich!
I would kill for one of those bologna (baloney per Jeff) sammichs right now!
Sandwiches are made of bologna, sammiches are made of baloney. 🙂
Wasn’t the Hydox the god of crappy imitations?
Glad you had a good trip with the folks.
My parents are a trip also. Both turned 70 this year and have lived in the same house since 1972. House was previously owned by my mom’s great aunt built in 1930.
I visit them often since I do enjoy them and my dad is not in great health. Mom is a great cook and dad and I still get pretty loaded on home-made wine every visit.
Funny thing I realized recently, since I moved out in 1987 after college, they have remodeled the kitchen, bought new living room furniture, and remodeled the master bedroom and both of my sister’s bedrooms, but my old room is exactly the way I left it in 1987, with the exception of new carpet and window blinds which are nearly identical to the ones they replaced.
I recently looked in my old bedroom closet (had not opened that closet door for probably 20 years) and found that they still have all of my old board games, baseball gear, my books, assorted trophies, some of my old coats, BB gun, cap guns, high school prom and homecoming photos, and a pair of Frye cowboy boots. WTF? I told mom to throw all of that stuff out nearly 25 years ago.
I checked out my sister’s bedroom closets and found no trace of their stuff, as if they never existed. Kind of strange, but I did not bring up the subject.
I have several nieces, a nephew, and some cousins that have told me that my mom allows them to sleep in Paula’s room, Jean’s room, or on an inflatable mattress in the living room when they visit, but nobody sleeps in my room “because the mattress is old” and you will not comfortable.