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Man, I really need to start writing more. At the moment, my Dad is on his way to the wound care center on the bus. It's nice to think that he's still able to make use of it, interact with other people, challenge his mind a bit with getting out of his element, and it gives me a little downtime in the middle of the day, too. I just needed to help him get to it, but that was fine. (He said he didn't need "the fucking lift" - though, I think he could've benefited from it.) Either way, he'll be back here in a couple hours and I think a nurse is coming after that.
Last night I did a movie night, largely for Sara - was able to get Skinner, Clarktron and Anthony to come, only, Sara didn't show up. It was definitely a bummer. I had ordered two pizzas, got a ton o f wood. The four of us had an alright time, though. We watched a bit of Godzilla vs Monster Zero, then the Mastered in 4K version of Godzilla (1998), which turned 20 last week. I have quite a bit of nostalgia related to it. Then, we ended up straight up making it a late night... we put on and watched part of a Coburn film, then all of Men in Black. It was pretty cool. Though, I still have an entire large pizza that I really don't want to eat by myself. She wants to come over tonight, but like... I dunno, we'll see if we do a movie night or not.Yesterday, I had another appointment at the eye doctor, another set of tests - which came back normal, which is good. Afterward, I ran a bunch of errands - largely in preparation for the movie night.
On Monday night, her first full day here, we did a movie night with her, Fluff and Anthony - watching Demolition Man, which was pretty interesting, though, Fluff was a freaking mess. Worse than I've seen him all year.
I think it was Sunday I did a bunch of yard work.
I don't recall much of what I did on Saturday.
On Friday, my Dad and I went for a walk around the block for the first time since... February? It look 40 minutes, but we made a stop at a garage sale, which was nice. He had to stop quite a few times before and after, but we made it! I was trying to show him what it might be like to try to navigate walking from the parking lot to a local flea market he wanted to go to on Saturday. He used to go to it all the time, and his spirit is definitely willing, but I don't think he realizes the challenges he's facing, so, I think he got a little better idea after our walk. Friday night, I had Clarktron, Fluff and Anthony over for a movie night. Clark brought The Usual Suspects, which I hadn't seen - I thought it was pretty okay, though, Alicia had already told me the ending (which Fluff had also alluded to), so I sort of knew what to expect.
Thursday, I left New Hampshire and came back this way. The drive took like 4 hours and 19 minutes. I got back to the rental place just in time, returned the SUV I had, then went over to the shop to pick up my car, which had just had the air conditioner repaired (thank goodness!), albiet, for far too much money. It's gotten quite a bit of appreciation and use the past several days, though.
At this exact moment a week ago, Alicia and I were at the beach having the most normal moment I can recall having in recent memory. It was dreamy, just lovely. Actually, I'll get into the visit chronologically.
I had originally planned on coming out on Monday night, but after a rescheduled eye appointment (the doctor was overbooked), with possibly the most unpleasant test I've ever been through (I didn't even know how it would be, but I knew it would likely involve me wanting to now head out the following day - I was correct in that assumption). The test was just awful... I can only recall feeling like heck the rest of the night, and packing.
On Tuesday, I woke up nice and early, got everything I needed together. My dad woke up on the later side, probably like... 3pm? Later? I don't recall. I went out to take my car in for repair and rented what turned out to be a pretty sweet SUV. I headed back home, loaded everything up, got my Dad situated, and set out into the rain. For someone who hasn't driven further than an hour and change away recently, the first hour felt pretty brutal - my music wasn't working at all, I made a couple wrong turns - as I decided to use a different route than the one recommended. But, once I got my iPod working correctly and got into my zone, it got to be pretty okay. I had a lot of time to think, more so than I usually allow myself. I realized I hadn't traveled strictly for leisure in... ages, 13 years? Yeah, probably. The last sigificant trips I drove hundreds of miles for involved someone who was terminally ill, so, this was an incredibly welcome respite from that. It would be literally the closest thing I've had to a vacation since 2005. I coordinated things with Alicia before I arrived (it was the first time we had been in the same state this month), the sunset that greeted me as I approached my destination was awesome enough that I wanted to stop and photograph it, but I really wanted to get to her. After three hours and fifty minutes, I arrived there, having driven straight through without a stop.
I arrived at the motel and checked in, though, didn't know what make or model of vehicle I was driving (it seemed like the lady at check-in was judging me for that, as I guess that is questionable). I got the keys, headed back to the SUV, to see Alicia immediately pulling in - she knew my walk from a distance. We went over to the room and saw it together for the first time. It was old school, but clean. It had a biiig bed - I think maybe wider than it was long, and the room had three sinks, to boot. Nice! We watched TV for a bit - I had no idea what was what, so I put on FX and there was some odd movie on. We ended up being really close. I had done it, I was really there - it was a dream. We spent quite a while together, until she had to get going, we agreed to see each other in 7 or 8 hours, after she got in from a run. Afterward, I set out into the unknown to find something to eat, and ended up settling on McDonald's, reluctantly. Before going to sleep, I watched some of Arthur C Clarke's Mysterious World and went to bed, only to wake up every hour.
On Wednesday, I woke up super early and got in touch with her. There was a bit of miscommunication (I didn't get up as super early as her), but she would be coming over shortly. In the meantime, I realized my go-to's may need some MacGyvering (making tea and oatmeal with a coffee maker) - I figured out both, and then how to eat the oatmeal without a spoon. I also realized my clothes smelled like my house. She arrived around 9am, sweaty, err, glowing a bit, and went straight to hopping in the shower after I appreciated her current state. Eventually I hopped in the shower - she joked about how I use Irish Spring body wash and Head & Shoulders. Afterward, we headed out on just a nice drive. It was awesome to be in a strange place with her during the day. It had been ages since we'd done that. First, we stopped at a local grocery store which I have near me to get her some breakfast, which I thought was cool - as my discount card works there. Then we ended up stopping by a pharmacy to grab some money, and I ended up eating the muffin she got - it was really good. Shortly thereafter, we arrived at the beach. Wow. WOW. I hadn't seen an ocean in 12 years - I was enamoured of what was happening. We went over and sat on the rocks (during while she remarked my clothes smelled like my house - ha!), taking in the sunlight and scenery, eating raspberries. I think she was so surprised I was acting normal, that she kissed me right there. I was in heaven. A while later, I headed down the beach to take some photos, and she saw me run for the first time (maybe). I headed back to grab her and we went down to the water for the first time together - the first time I had felt sand in my toes and salt water on my feet in my 30s, and with my love. Even though the air and water temp wasn't exactly warm enough, we decided to try going in the water. We walked back to her car, got changed and then went back to go in. She did in fact make it both further into the water and for longer, but that being said, my man bits were disagreeing with the temperature, and for whatever it's worth, I know I take full cold showers more than she does, so whatever. Haha, it was fun, though. Afterward, we headed to an area of the beach that had a couple feet of water in it and hung out there for a while - that was actually relatively warm, though, she was getting cold, so I took off my shirt and let her wear it. I took some photos with her that I dig. Sometime after that, we went to another part of the beach close by that was just gorgeous... really picturesque, as a matter of fact, I took some photos that she said looked like they could be a postcard. Just, everything lovely and normal... what a delight. Oh! I should mention that the physical therapist that was seeing my Dad that day was a Godsend. During that time, she helped him out to the bus for his Wound Care Center appointment, that otherwise, I couldn't find anyone else to help. She pretty much help facilitate my entire visit - she helped facilitate my having a normal time with my love.
Afterward, we headed back to the motel, and were talking about something interesting which on the spur of the moment I ended up doing - it was pretty awesome. When we got back we spent some time with each other for a while, then ended up heading out to Panera for an early dinner. On the way there and back she showed me the area, which is really quite beautiful. I dug how old the buildings in the area are. She showed me this odd, but interesting house that looks totally out of place by a lake. After that, she ended up heading home for a while, and eventually I ended up heading back to the beach to get some photos around sunset time - which came out really solid, thanks in part to a passing storm and dramatic cloud cover. I went back to the motel and edited the photos and did some work. Alicia came back around midnight and we spent another two hours together.
As for the return trip home on Thursday, see above. All-in-all... I'm so glad I was able to make the trip happen. I seriously cannot wait to go back. Roadtripping was what I grew up on, I really want to make more of it happen.
Last night I did a movie night, largely for Sara - was able to get Skinner, Clarktron and Anthony to come, only, Sara didn't show up. It was definitely a bummer. I had ordered two pizzas, got a ton o f wood. The four of us had an alright time, though. We watched a bit of Godzilla vs Monster Zero, then the Mastered in 4K version of Godzilla (1998), which turned 20 last week. I have quite a bit of nostalgia related to it. Then, we ended up straight up making it a late night... we put on and watched part of a Coburn film, then all of Men in Black. It was pretty cool. Though, I still have an entire large pizza that I really don't want to eat by myself. She wants to come over tonight, but like... I dunno, we'll see if we do a movie night or not.Yesterday, I had another appointment at the eye doctor, another set of tests - which came back normal, which is good. Afterward, I ran a bunch of errands - largely in preparation for the movie night.
On Monday night, her first full day here, we did a movie night with her, Fluff and Anthony - watching Demolition Man, which was pretty interesting, though, Fluff was a freaking mess. Worse than I've seen him all year.
I think it was Sunday I did a bunch of yard work.
I don't recall much of what I did on Saturday.
On Friday, my Dad and I went for a walk around the block for the first time since... February? It look 40 minutes, but we made a stop at a garage sale, which was nice. He had to stop quite a few times before and after, but we made it! I was trying to show him what it might be like to try to navigate walking from the parking lot to a local flea market he wanted to go to on Saturday. He used to go to it all the time, and his spirit is definitely willing, but I don't think he realizes the challenges he's facing, so, I think he got a little better idea after our walk. Friday night, I had Clarktron, Fluff and Anthony over for a movie night. Clark brought The Usual Suspects, which I hadn't seen - I thought it was pretty okay, though, Alicia had already told me the ending (which Fluff had also alluded to), so I sort of knew what to expect.
Thursday, I left New Hampshire and came back this way. The drive took like 4 hours and 19 minutes. I got back to the rental place just in time, returned the SUV I had, then went over to the shop to pick up my car, which had just had the air conditioner repaired (thank goodness!), albiet, for far too much money. It's gotten quite a bit of appreciation and use the past several days, though.
At this exact moment a week ago, Alicia and I were at the beach having the most normal moment I can recall having in recent memory. It was dreamy, just lovely. Actually, I'll get into the visit chronologically.
I had originally planned on coming out on Monday night, but after a rescheduled eye appointment (the doctor was overbooked), with possibly the most unpleasant test I've ever been through (I didn't even know how it would be, but I knew it would likely involve me wanting to now head out the following day - I was correct in that assumption). The test was just awful... I can only recall feeling like heck the rest of the night, and packing.
On Tuesday, I woke up nice and early, got everything I needed together. My dad woke up on the later side, probably like... 3pm? Later? I don't recall. I went out to take my car in for repair and rented what turned out to be a pretty sweet SUV. I headed back home, loaded everything up, got my Dad situated, and set out into the rain. For someone who hasn't driven further than an hour and change away recently, the first hour felt pretty brutal - my music wasn't working at all, I made a couple wrong turns - as I decided to use a different route than the one recommended. But, once I got my iPod working correctly and got into my zone, it got to be pretty okay. I had a lot of time to think, more so than I usually allow myself. I realized I hadn't traveled strictly for leisure in... ages, 13 years? Yeah, probably. The last sigificant trips I drove hundreds of miles for involved someone who was terminally ill, so, this was an incredibly welcome respite from that. It would be literally the closest thing I've had to a vacation since 2005. I coordinated things with Alicia before I arrived (it was the first time we had been in the same state this month), the sunset that greeted me as I approached my destination was awesome enough that I wanted to stop and photograph it, but I really wanted to get to her. After three hours and fifty minutes, I arrived there, having driven straight through without a stop.
I arrived at the motel and checked in, though, didn't know what make or model of vehicle I was driving (it seemed like the lady at check-in was judging me for that, as I guess that is questionable). I got the keys, headed back to the SUV, to see Alicia immediately pulling in - she knew my walk from a distance. We went over to the room and saw it together for the first time. It was old school, but clean. It had a biiig bed - I think maybe wider than it was long, and the room had three sinks, to boot. Nice! We watched TV for a bit - I had no idea what was what, so I put on FX and there was some odd movie on. We ended up being really close. I had done it, I was really there - it was a dream. We spent quite a while together, until she had to get going, we agreed to see each other in 7 or 8 hours, after she got in from a run. Afterward, I set out into the unknown to find something to eat, and ended up settling on McDonald's, reluctantly. Before going to sleep, I watched some of Arthur C Clarke's Mysterious World and went to bed, only to wake up every hour.
On Wednesday, I woke up super early and got in touch with her. There was a bit of miscommunication (I didn't get up as super early as her), but she would be coming over shortly. In the meantime, I realized my go-to's may need some MacGyvering (making tea and oatmeal with a coffee maker) - I figured out both, and then how to eat the oatmeal without a spoon. I also realized my clothes smelled like my house. She arrived around 9am, sweaty, err, glowing a bit, and went straight to hopping in the shower after I appreciated her current state. Eventually I hopped in the shower - she joked about how I use Irish Spring body wash and Head & Shoulders. Afterward, we headed out on just a nice drive. It was awesome to be in a strange place with her during the day. It had been ages since we'd done that. First, we stopped at a local grocery store which I have near me to get her some breakfast, which I thought was cool - as my discount card works there. Then we ended up stopping by a pharmacy to grab some money, and I ended up eating the muffin she got - it was really good. Shortly thereafter, we arrived at the beach. Wow. WOW. I hadn't seen an ocean in 12 years - I was enamoured of what was happening. We went over and sat on the rocks (during while she remarked my clothes smelled like my house - ha!), taking in the sunlight and scenery, eating raspberries. I think she was so surprised I was acting normal, that she kissed me right there. I was in heaven. A while later, I headed down the beach to take some photos, and she saw me run for the first time (maybe). I headed back to grab her and we went down to the water for the first time together - the first time I had felt sand in my toes and salt water on my feet in my 30s, and with my love. Even though the air and water temp wasn't exactly warm enough, we decided to try going in the water. We walked back to her car, got changed and then went back to go in. She did in fact make it both further into the water and for longer, but that being said, my man bits were disagreeing with the temperature, and for whatever it's worth, I know I take full cold showers more than she does, so whatever. Haha, it was fun, though. Afterward, we headed to an area of the beach that had a couple feet of water in it and hung out there for a while - that was actually relatively warm, though, she was getting cold, so I took off my shirt and let her wear it. I took some photos with her that I dig. Sometime after that, we went to another part of the beach close by that was just gorgeous... really picturesque, as a matter of fact, I took some photos that she said looked like they could be a postcard. Just, everything lovely and normal... what a delight. Oh! I should mention that the physical therapist that was seeing my Dad that day was a Godsend. During that time, she helped him out to the bus for his Wound Care Center appointment, that otherwise, I couldn't find anyone else to help. She pretty much help facilitate my entire visit - she helped facilitate my having a normal time with my love.
Afterward, we headed back to the motel, and were talking about something interesting which on the spur of the moment I ended up doing - it was pretty awesome. When we got back we spent some time with each other for a while, then ended up heading out to Panera for an early dinner. On the way there and back she showed me the area, which is really quite beautiful. I dug how old the buildings in the area are. She showed me this odd, but interesting house that looks totally out of place by a lake. After that, she ended up heading home for a while, and eventually I ended up heading back to the beach to get some photos around sunset time - which came out really solid, thanks in part to a passing storm and dramatic cloud cover. I went back to the motel and edited the photos and did some work. Alicia came back around midnight and we spent another two hours together.
As for the return trip home on Thursday, see above. All-in-all... I'm so glad I was able to make the trip happen. I seriously cannot wait to go back. Roadtripping was what I grew up on, I really want to make more of it happen.