Tuesday, March 17, 2009

The Bell

This morning I joined my father as he went to his final prostate cancer treatment at MGH. We were a little early for the appointment, and shortly after arriving a steady stream of older men joined us in the waiting room. I was introduced to many of the guys my father became friends with over the past two months.

As we gathered around each other in the waiting room, there were congratulations given to my father for finishing his treatments. They even presented him with a kitschy certificate that looked as if it was printed from word.

As my father slipped away to change into his hospital gown, the Actor mentioned that his wife planed a busy weekend for them in New York. The Professor talked about how can't fit into his 40 slim suits anymore. Someone else casually announces that although he is having some trouble sexually he still dreams of sex. "They can't take that away from you!", yells another man from around the corner. The veteran says that he only dreams of the war.

My father slips in and out of the treatment room, the treatment itself only takes minutes. After he's changed we make our way to a bell, which is strangely located in between the bathroom doors. My father begins an impromptu ceremony by reading the words on the plaque under the bell and then rings it three times. Pictures are taken, hands were shaken, and farewells are given.

I join my father and another man, Frank, for a quick coffee upstairs in the cafe. After getting our coffee and finding a free table and the conversion turns to more mundane topics like, the economy, work, and franks new house. A few minutes late I excuse myself so I can get to work by 9:30.

As I walk out of the hospital my mind drifts back to the men in the waiting room, my chances of becoming sick, and what life is about. I send a text message to my girlfriend.

"Miss you.....love you......can't wait to see you again"

Monday, March 16, 2009

Observations from my recent trip to California

Observations from my recent trip to California

1) It's not always sunny and warm in Cali. (Unless if you are comparing it to New England)

2) In & Out is still the raining champion of fast food hamburgers.

3) Farting, although funny, is not a acceptable way to win an argument with your parents.

4) You can take the Clear Lake out of the trash but you can't take the trash out of Clear Lake. (Jen's observation, not mine)

5) Although they live on opposite coasts and have never met, both Laura's & my mother have the same antique sowing machine.

6) You should never miss an opportunity to sell a car.

7) Bass fishing can be a lucrative career.

8) I hope I'm elected.

9) Do everything you can to avoid driving over the mountains. (Unless if you enjoy being car sick)

10) Meeting the girlfriends family is nothing like a Ben Stiller movie.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Meet the Strohmeier's

Last night I flew to the west coast to meet my girlfriend. We've been dating about four months now. In my option the relationship has been progressing we'll, at a normal pace except for the fact that after this weekend we will have already met each others parents. I am not sure where this should fall on the standard relationship timeline, but it seams a little quick to me, but this was not by our design.

Shortly after we started dating my father moved to Boston to live with me while he underwent some medical treatments. So naturally, when someone is living with you for two months you would expect that they would meet your girlfriend. And of course my mom came to visit for two weeks as well.

The trip to the west coast was originally to meet her friends and go to Disneyland. But again due to circumstances out of her control we're ending up spending the weekend with her family.

I must admit. I have never met "The Parents" before. I'm a little concerned. After we started dating her father sent me strange messages via facebook......yes her father is on facebook. (Mine was to for a while, but left citing "there is just to much information on Facebook".) I have sense learned that her father has a strange sense of humor, and that there was no harm intended.

This mornning I woke up at 4:00 AM (7:00 AM my time), I'm sitting in their basement alone writing thsi blog wondering how he weekend will turn out.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Good Times

I found this video on my computer that is about 9 years old.