A Very Nice Weekend
It was a nice weekend, and I'm exhausted!
Yesterday we had typsygypsy and toarthos over. It's always great seeing them; there was a lot of laughter.
While running errands before Candace and Toar visited yesterday, I stopped at a liquor store that carries a beer we like (La Fin du Monde). As I was leaving, a guy parked next to me in a truck with his hood up approached and said, "Do you know where there's an auto parts store around here?"
I told him I didn't (the stop is between Denton and Ft. Worth and there's not much there). He asked me which way I was going (I was coming from Denton). He asked if I'd give him a ride to Denton.
I had things I needed to do. I had food to prepare for the visit, I didn't know the guy, and I was going to say no. But there was a time I was a lot more helpful. If somebody looked like they needed help, I did everything I could to stop and help. It always felt good after helping, and even though it was out of my way, I told him I'd give him a ride.
He was with a friend. The friend came out of the store and told him there's an auto parts store in Roanoke. Durrrrrrr!!! Of course!!! I live near the thing!!! I told the guy I knew where it was. His friend stayed with the truck, which was obviously in deperate need of a sepentine belt, and we headed toward Roanoke, chatting the way there and back.
I found out the guy drives a truck and has a small farm out in the country. At one point on the drive, he thanked me again. He said, "Chris, I'm going to name my next seven children after you."
I laughed ans said any girls could be Christina.
He said, "Nope! And I'm serious--my next seven kids will be named after you. Chris #1, Chris #2, Chris #3..."
I laughed again and he told me his children are farm animals. He's not sure what he'll be getting next, but he swore he'd name his next seven animals after me as a constant reminder that there are good people in the world who are willing to help someone in need.
I know it sounds goofy, but that meant a lot to me. And it's cool thinking there may be a chicken, goat, or even an evil goose named after me on a little spot of land southwest of Ft. Worth.
When we got back to his truck, he offered me sausage and cheese. He and his friend were coming back from a Germanfest in Muenster when the belt broke. I passed on the offer, but thanked him. He offered gas money and I refused. His look was priceless--just a big, old genuine look of gratitude.
That was payment enough for me :)
There was some rushing around to get ready for Candace and Toar since I spent more time than planned driving the guy around for a new belt for his truck. But everything was made with time to spare.
Time spent with Candace and Toar is always great. We all chatted, had a great meal, had some drinks, and played music.
Pictures say more than I can:
Candace at the absinthe fountain. (Jade Edouard in the glass).
Me at the absinthe fountain (Francois Guy in the glass).
Candace said something about fans. Cynthia has fans. This picture is the result :)
Toar and I are secure in our masculinity. After the photo was taken, we talked about monster trucks and hammers for two hours.
Cynthia has very long hair. It's like people holding a boa constrictor at a zoo!
Candace and Toar playing music.
Toar worked at teaching me a song on the banjo.
The aftermath.
It was a great evening--we had an absolute blast!!!
And I learned something. While we didn't play Scrabble (only talked about it), Toar told us how you can bluff in Scrabble. Who knew?
I went to bed late and woke up early for a walk. I didn't drink the usual water I drink when I have more than a couple drinks, so I had a little headache when I first got up. I think most people would have welcomed the rain, but it pissed me off--I wanted to walk!
I e-mailed my walking buddies from work and since it was a light rain and supposed to stop early enough, we went through with our plans.
The first several miles of the walk were chilly and in the rain. Then the rain stopped and it stayed chilly. It was good walking weather, and great company!
We ended up walking 15 miles. I don't know if I've ever walked fifteen miles like that. About 12 miles in, my left foot started hurting (I have very flat feet and we were keeping up a good pace on the trails.
But the conversations were great, and when you're talking with good friends and laughing, pain tends to fall to the side.
It still didn't stop me from taking a short nap after lunch, but the walk was the best! :)
The one big thing I planned to do this weekend--work--didn't happen. I have something I need to get done, and there's a slight tinge of guilt that it won't be done when I go in tomorrow, but the world will still spin and I'll go into the week with great memories and that trumps work any day!
Yesterday we had typsygypsy and toarthos over. It's always great seeing them; there was a lot of laughter.
While running errands before Candace and Toar visited yesterday, I stopped at a liquor store that carries a beer we like (La Fin du Monde). As I was leaving, a guy parked next to me in a truck with his hood up approached and said, "Do you know where there's an auto parts store around here?"
I told him I didn't (the stop is between Denton and Ft. Worth and there's not much there). He asked me which way I was going (I was coming from Denton). He asked if I'd give him a ride to Denton.
I had things I needed to do. I had food to prepare for the visit, I didn't know the guy, and I was going to say no. But there was a time I was a lot more helpful. If somebody looked like they needed help, I did everything I could to stop and help. It always felt good after helping, and even though it was out of my way, I told him I'd give him a ride.
He was with a friend. The friend came out of the store and told him there's an auto parts store in Roanoke. Durrrrrrr!!! Of course!!! I live near the thing!!! I told the guy I knew where it was. His friend stayed with the truck, which was obviously in deperate need of a sepentine belt, and we headed toward Roanoke, chatting the way there and back.
I found out the guy drives a truck and has a small farm out in the country. At one point on the drive, he thanked me again. He said, "Chris, I'm going to name my next seven children after you."
I laughed ans said any girls could be Christina.
He said, "Nope! And I'm serious--my next seven kids will be named after you. Chris #1, Chris #2, Chris #3..."
I laughed again and he told me his children are farm animals. He's not sure what he'll be getting next, but he swore he'd name his next seven animals after me as a constant reminder that there are good people in the world who are willing to help someone in need.
I know it sounds goofy, but that meant a lot to me. And it's cool thinking there may be a chicken, goat, or even an evil goose named after me on a little spot of land southwest of Ft. Worth.
When we got back to his truck, he offered me sausage and cheese. He and his friend were coming back from a Germanfest in Muenster when the belt broke. I passed on the offer, but thanked him. He offered gas money and I refused. His look was priceless--just a big, old genuine look of gratitude.
That was payment enough for me :)
There was some rushing around to get ready for Candace and Toar since I spent more time than planned driving the guy around for a new belt for his truck. But everything was made with time to spare.
Time spent with Candace and Toar is always great. We all chatted, had a great meal, had some drinks, and played music.
Pictures say more than I can:
Candace at the absinthe fountain. (Jade Edouard in the glass).
Me at the absinthe fountain (Francois Guy in the glass).
Candace said something about fans. Cynthia has fans. This picture is the result :)
Toar and I are secure in our masculinity. After the photo was taken, we talked about monster trucks and hammers for two hours.
Cynthia has very long hair. It's like people holding a boa constrictor at a zoo!
Candace and Toar playing music.
Toar worked at teaching me a song on the banjo.
The aftermath.
It was a great evening--we had an absolute blast!!!
And I learned something. While we didn't play Scrabble (only talked about it), Toar told us how you can bluff in Scrabble. Who knew?
I went to bed late and woke up early for a walk. I didn't drink the usual water I drink when I have more than a couple drinks, so I had a little headache when I first got up. I think most people would have welcomed the rain, but it pissed me off--I wanted to walk!
I e-mailed my walking buddies from work and since it was a light rain and supposed to stop early enough, we went through with our plans.
The first several miles of the walk were chilly and in the rain. Then the rain stopped and it stayed chilly. It was good walking weather, and great company!
We ended up walking 15 miles. I don't know if I've ever walked fifteen miles like that. About 12 miles in, my left foot started hurting (I have very flat feet and we were keeping up a good pace on the trails.
But the conversations were great, and when you're talking with good friends and laughing, pain tends to fall to the side.
It still didn't stop me from taking a short nap after lunch, but the walk was the best! :)
The one big thing I planned to do this weekend--work--didn't happen. I have something I need to get done, and there's a slight tinge of guilt that it won't be done when I go in tomorrow, but the world will still spin and I'll go into the week with great memories and that trumps work any day!