Summer 2017
9/02/2017
Summer 2017
Well, it’s Labor Day (the saddest holiday of the year) and I am scrounging around for any reason to avoid going into work so why not do an end of summer write up? It’s a great way to dwell upon the all the interesting happenings of the past two and a half months.
Summer started (as all proper summers do) with a trip to a local casino to watch an 80s cover-band by the name of Mullet. It was a pleasant evening and my ears have almost stopped ringing. Of course, Wendi and J (AKA: “The Instigator”) had to get a photo.
Speaking of All Things 80s, Wendi and I decided to crash the Liberty Bell High Class of ‘87’s 30th High School Reunion. Okay, “crash” isn’t correct as we had permission from the reunion’s organizer. We had such a blast at our 30th last summer, we figured why not. It was fun though only about half the class showed up. Seems both comforting and disturbing that ’87 is still dysfunctional three decades later.
However, of greater importance is the fact that TM: one of the class’s popular members, told us that Wendi was “hot” and I was “boyish” and “personable”. It’s been 31 years but I am finally admitted among the ranks of the cool kids.
One more item checked off the bucket list.
In terms of amount of time spent, our biggest task was Xander finishing his summer homework. When he joined his high school’s AVID program, he was given some books to read and write about: Catcher in the Rye, Animal Farm, and Lord of the Flies. Plus, he had a boat load of AP Human Geography work and decided to take a Health class to free up an elective during the school year.
Actually, Xander only was required to read ONE book for English but the syllabus wasn’t very clear on this point.
Let’s just let that sink in, shall we?
Most of you know that this spring, we adopted two cats from the Human Society. Well, Tanith and Brooklyn really became a Major Force in our lives this summer. If we thought packing for Xander was a lot of work, he had nothing on those two fur-balls. And, of course, trying to find a cat sitter can make a person quite desperate.
The most profound change they’ve made is in moi. I’ve become one of those old farts who talks lovingly to his cats. Yep, I’ve become a Crazy Old Cat…(uh)...Gentleman*.
(*Yet despite this and my continued love of musicals, still straight. Go figure!)
Other things? Well, I spent a good amount of time and money learning to pick locks. For all my effort, I’m in no way good at it but I have opened every lock in this house and had a bit of success with a Master Lock. It just took 30 minutes of frustration each time but I now know this is possible and will get better at it with continued practice. In an actual emergency situation right now, my lock pick of choice would a specialized tool known simply as “a rock”.
In a similar self-improvement development, I also spent some time trying to improve my memory. This being brought on by a rereading of Moonwalking With Einstein. Again, slight improvement it’s a comfort to know this goal is definitely doable with diligence. And I will not go quietly into that night of failing memory without putting up a fight.
Ah, actual news you can use. The one Game Night we managed here in July was topped off by a contest between American Coke (high fructose corn sweetener) versus Mexican Coke (cane sugar). To my surprise, most of us (2/3s) could tell the difference. Wouldn’t say that one was better than the other; just slightly different.
Need another reason to find me annoying? I am completely in the thrall of my Fit Bit. I reached my “One Million Steps For The Summer” goal with a couple of days to spare. And then celebrated with cake and ice cream.
No, not really but I gotta say that this little watch thing has had a bigger impact on my life then any other piece of technology since…. maybe the iPod Touch from 8 or 9 years ago. I’m moving more and that’s good. (About 16K steps for yesterday’s hike along the Elwah River.)
My one cautionary note is that the last time I forgot to wear the Fit Bit before going out, I mainly just sat there stewing the whole day. To borrow from Socrates, the unquantified walk is not worth walking.
In early August, a whole mess of Heaths met at the Ranch for a Reunion. Despite the 1,000 degrees and forest fire haze, it was a pleasant time for all. Well, except for the one young lady who got a mosquito bite and spent the rest of the day crying. (And no, this wasn’t Wendi.) I feel…. embarrassingly glad that my wife is the offspring of Harold’s third wife. (AKA: The Keeper.) Harold’s first and second families had very different lives than Wendi and Holly.
One treat for Xander during this long hot weekend was Uncle Gregg taking him out sailing at a local lake. Thus Uncle Gregg continues to run up the score in the “Which Hardy Men Remembered Xander’s Birthday” contest. Truth be told, it’s not really a contest anymore. As my Beloved has often reminded me; my side’s Menfolk are a just a truckload of dullards.
On a somber note, please be grateful that you’ve been spared the disaster that so many of our fellow citizens have experienced this summer. You never really appreciate what you’ve got until you’re faced with a soul-crushing calamity which can cause you to question the very existence of a Benevolent Creator.
I speak, of course, of being forced to go see Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. Thanks, J The Instigator!
The other experience of note was already written about: going to OR to see the eclipse. It was a whole lot of preparation, money, and travel for just a few minutes of wow but, well…WOW! Glad Xander insisted we go. And I’m nearly ready to forgive The Beaver State for not letting me pump my own gas.
One last item. This will be the last mass email like this; at least for the foreseeable future. I’ve had some comments that not everyone finds everything I find fascinating all that fascinating. Well, rather than risk giving offense, I will simply find another medium to work out my many issues (writing or otherwise).
Well, time to move on.
Brian
(AKA: Mr. Boyishly Charming With The Hot Wife)