Where do I start? What do you want to hear? To say the very least it was a trying weekend, but I can’t complain because I got off easy. As you may have read, one of my best pals from home, Trevor, has been called back to the Army after serving 4 years in the hopes of getting a free college education. Trevor did his time and was finishing his first year as a student at Penn State in the drama department. He is made for the screen, but you wouldn’t have guessed it this weekend. I’ve never seen him in such a state of dismay. His looming 18 months of service put a serious damper on my visit home. Once again, I got off easy, because I’m back at my desk bitching about the current administration while Trevor waits to be shipped off in less than 24 hours.
Upon finally seeing Trevor on Thursday, (he though I wasn’t coming home Wednesday night so he went to spend time with his relatives) I asked him how he felt. He replied, “Every day gets worse.” This indicated to me that the next few days wouldn’t be easy for anyone. With this in mind, I cruised down to Evan’s house and spoke to him and his mother about the election. Bonnie told me people stole the Kerry/Edwards signs from their front yard so they had to hand make signs. Clearfield County is Bush country. It’s a scary thing. Every discussion I engaged regarded politics and the main reason people are voting for Bush (from what I gathered) is their belief that our country needs to be on the offensive. This inspired a correlation to another “offensive” world leader who attempted to homogenize culture in the late 1930’s. They didn’t appreciate that, though most of them don’t care for Jews.
Many friends and some family told me they believed if we didn’t continue our war on terror that “we” would be at serious risk. This prompted the freak out response of “We! What the hell are you talking about we?” These people live 150 miles from anything that could be remotely considered a “terror target.” I explained to them, that if they are living in fear of attack, then I must be walking around with a huge target painted on my back. They explained to me that it is my choice to live in an area deemed a “primary target” (this made me question where their information came from) which caused another gasp in disbelief. Maybe they are right and the rational thinkers are wrong, but if we choose to live in a high risk area, should we be the only people permitted to vote in an election that determines the course of international relations? This led me to believe that this election isn’t about Left and Right or Democrat and Republican. This election is Rural vs. Urban or Small town overly patriotic minds vs. Big city overly informed minds.
Returning home a couple weeks before the election was truly an eye opener. Kids, if you are reading this and taking any stock in what I’m saying, please call your friends and relatives in the swing states and talk to them about the major implications of their decision. The race is so close and we can’t afford to let this slip through our hands. Can you imagine what G.W. Bush is capable of if he doesn’t have something like the possibility of a second term keeping him in check? And God forbid we lose some Supreme Court Justices and the Bush administration gets to appoint new ones. It could be the end to fundamental rights like privacy, free speech and even an overturn of Roe V. Wade.
Ok, I’m going to stop preaching, but you get the picture. Please activate yourself. We have barely over a week left in our attempt to win back this country and begin the rebuilding process in the wake of the Bush Administration. Make the calls, send the emails and keep on keeping on.
Last Wednesday, Christie picked me up from work and we hit the road with central PA in our sights. The drive went surprisingly well, and I managed to make it home in time to see the Yankees complete the worst choke in playoff history. It was so disappointing, especially since Johnny “Charles Mason” Damon hit two homeruns in their final rout in the Bronx. It was a serious dagger through the heart, but you have to admit, Boston deserved it. They played harder and wanted it more. They gave it everything they had and in the end, they certainly looked like the better ball club. Our bats shut down, our bullpen blew some big games and our starting pitching was at Tampa Bay levels. Hats off to you Boston, but I still hate you.
After the game, it was time to get drunk. Without Trevor and Evan, I didn’t know where to start. Luckily my old friend Jeanette was camped out at a bar called Dingers. We sat around getting wasted and smoking cigarettes until the bar closed at 2am. It is always funny seeing kids from high school who want to tell you their story about coming to New York. They tell you how they went to Ground Zero and ate delicious food. Those conversations are oddly comforting.
On Thursday, Rachel, my older sister, and Mom met me for lunch at a downtown (term used very loosely) establishment where all sorts of upper middle class folks meet for lunch. Unfortunately, my mom’s old boss was in the house so she was a bit rattled because the guy was such a prick to her. I asked her if she wanted me to start shit, but she calmed down so I didn’t have to kick some adult’s ass. John Kordish is a pussy and if given the right opportunity, I’d punch him where his balls should be. Then Judge Ammerman and his wife who live a few doors down. Though the guy always seemed like a bit of a dick, he was quite nice to me despite our previous encounters when I was facing some minor criminal charges.
Then it was on to running errands that included an oil change and crock pot purchasing. My next stop was the hot tub in our backyard that could house a cheerleading squad. I managed to log a good amount of hot tub time this trip and I plan to continue this trend on future visits. Evan, Trevor and I met up to ride to Clarion where my little sister attends college. We met her at The Roadhouse which is the restaurant she works for. After a heated political discussion and some ribs, we cruised over to check out her apartment before returning to Clearfield to spend the night in the bars.
Friday crawled by until we ended up at home watching Ali G with the family. My mom thought he was retarded because she was in the other room listening rather than watching with us. She said, “I only hear what I can see.” That is a direct mama Belin quote, and I’m sure she’ll give me shit about posting it, but it was hilarious. Anyway, she cooked an amazing dinner for Trevor and the rest of us. At dinner we had another heated political discussion which ended in the typical frustrating fashion. Mom, Bruce, Trevor, Evan and I settled into a solid game of Balderdash which ended with a JJJay win. My mom thought my “King of Bullshit” title was fitting. We passed out in front of the TV after various extracurricular activities.
Trevor and I woke up mighty early on Saturday in order to meet Christie and her sister, Jen, in time to get some tailgating in before the Penn State vs. Iowa game. This was one good way to get Trevor’s mind on something other than him impending service, but it didn’t do the trick. The poor kid seemed out of sorts all day and it was with good reason. We managed to shotgun a beer and put back a couple sandwiches prior to heading into the stadium for the 12pm kick off. We had great seats, but the funny part was that her seats were two rows up from my family’s seats that I frequented during my childhood. It is really a small world. I’m sure Christie and I were at the same games back in the day. We sat a few seats from each other in a huge stadium not knowing we would one day be friends. It was strange.
Penn State completely sucked. Well, let me be fair. The Penn State offense completely sucked. The Defense played a fantastic game, but the offense couldn’t back them up with even a field goal. The final was Iowa 6, Penn State 4. Yes, they only scored 10 total points which was doubled later that night in the first game of the World Series. Despite the low scoring contest we had a great time and ran into some old friends. Later that evening, Trevor wasn’t feeling up to any public appearances so we sat in his room and slammed PBR’s while playing the new James Bond game. Awhile after midnight I said good bye and good luck to the bravest kid I know.
I’m not going to mention anything about the Notre Dame collapse. Feel free to rub it in at any given time. I still hate Boston.
Sunday morning mom cooked me a farewell breakfast before hitting the road. No one was home at the Zangrilli house when I stopped in so I loaded what looked to be Christie’s bags and hung out for a bit. Eventually she showed up and we hopped on the highway. We didn’t have any trouble getting back to the city, and the alternative route she purposed worked out with roses. Kyle was kind enough to help me unload the car before we settled into the third reason why I hate Boston; the Jets and Patriots game. Dan joined us to watch the Jets squander many different chances to win the game. The Patriots proved to be the better team, but the Jets held their own against the defending champs. Hopefully we will fair better at the Meadowlands.
Then it was off to some Mexican joint on St. Marks for Mr. Ian Perry’s birthday dinner. Happy Birthday Warrior Perry, you are a maniac. We had a bitching crew assembled that included the man of honor, Noah, Action, Daylen, Beach, Little Beach, Justin, Liz and some dude I didn’t know, but I think his name was John. We powered through some chips and salsa while watching the game on Action’s handy handheld TV, (sorry for that). My enchiladas reminded me why I love New York while the margaritas began to take their toll. After dinner we headed to 2A for a few drinks and Tequila shots before I had to call it an evening. It was a long trying weekend, and despite Perry’s request for karaoke, I couldn’t stand to be awake a minute longer.
Additionally, happy birthday to mi main man Karl who's team better pick it up if they don't want to go the way of the Yankees. Anyway, I’m back, so prepare for more regular updates. Sorry for the absence, but it was necessary. Please activate and for the love of god, vote.
1 Comments:
holy crap! you had me worried that you got trapped in a bathroom or something. good to read your weekend was fun. nice entry. s.t.
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