It’s been a long weekend, and there’s a lot in my head, so this is going to be very hodge podge. Be thankful I don’t go stream of consciousness on you.
Let’s start with weather. I so much dislike this time of year for the inconsistencies in mother nature’s whims. The spring winds and showers… blah. Where are the 65° days and the sunshine? The past week was full of rain, thunderstorms (yes that’s springlike, but not at 40°) and even a hint of snow. Friday I saw hail… granted while I was in PA, but it was hail. I’m so looking forward to Florida in June, and now see in part why Alan and Erin feel the need to escape to Raliegh by summer’s end. Apologies, but the extended Chicago winter blahs are hitting me hard. Next thing you know I’ll be gripping that it’s not fall yet.
I mentioned PA. I have just returned from little Washington where I spent time visiting my family for my Grandfather’s memorial service. Yes, the one that passed in January. A pleasant weekend altogether. It was great seeing my extended family. Friday was my sister’s oldest son’s 8th birthday, where we enjoyed dinner, played the Wii (I bowled and played tennis with Cam and Braydon, while Rick tried golfing with some great success), and Rick and I almost stole my sister’s new puppy Coco away to bring home to join Jose and Claudia. My nephews crack me up the most, especially as kept Rick and I on our toes all weekend long. The funniest part: as Rick and I explored and did some outdoors photos at my brother’s new property on Saturday morning, his two boys Gavin and Colton, who were restricted from venturing past the garage door so they would not get muddy, would yell to us ‘Uncle Jon, Uncle Wick, come back here! Where are you going?’ That and Saturday night, Colton turned to Rick, with his parents sitting right there, and asked, ‘Can you walk me to the bathroom please?’ I love that they love him so much, shows that they consider him so much a part of the family.
Which brings me to my father’s discomfort with our relationship. He introduced Rick to some extended family as my ‘friend’; seriously dad, dead people know we are a couple, just get over it. I almost felt embarrassed for him at this point. The annoyance came later, when during a slide show of my grandfather’s life, a family tree was displayed. All of my relatives and siblings were listed with their spouses and children, except for me. Maybe it’s selfish and simple to be peeved about such an innocuous slight which I probably was the only to notice, but it hurts. To me, I equate it to, say, excluding my cousin because he was adopted. You wouldn’t do that. I need to get over it, and accept his lack of acceptance, but I don’t do well with letting sleeping dogs lie.
Saturday night, we joined my girlfriends from high school for a few drinks. It was a great way to let off steam after so much intense family time, and we had fun catching up. I get the impression that a trip to Chicago is imminent for them, and Rick offered our place to stay next visit. I don’t think he realizes what trouble he has invited upon himself with the five of us all in the same place. He’ll learn.
Monday afternoon, I lunched with Alan, and we discussed the upcoming end of the Premiership and Champions league soccer season. Our team Manchester United stand at the precipice of winning both, with 4 matches standing between them and the Premiership, while also having to face Barcelona in Champions League semifinals. Chelsea is right on their heels on both fronts, with a CL semis match up with Liverpool ahead of them. For the Premiership, being the glass half full type, I was hoping for a loss or draw to their Monday match up with Wigan. Alan, wary as he is, put his marbles behind Chelsea’s chances at success and the potential for United to tumble, but I felt strong that Wigan would pull a 1-1 draw and diminish Chelsea’s title hopes. Sorry Alan, I gotta say I win this one, as Chelsea indeed drew 1-1 to Wigan in Monday’s match up, and are now 5 points back behind United. Let’s just hope I’m right and United also win against Blackburn this weekend so they can pull a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next weekend. In between, I’m also hoping for United to have Champions League success over Barca. A busy couple of weeks coming up.
Finally, I am looking forward to starting my new job next week. I’m getting a bit eager to get back into the swing of things and to tackle a new adventure. In the meantime, I’m getting antsy, so thankfully Frank called and wants to meet out tonight. Maybe some time away from the house will do me good.
Rants of The Misanthrope and other musings 