Guests And Fish

      Happy National Tattoo Day! It’s also World Emoji Day, Lottery Day, Yellow Pig Day, and Peach Ice Cream Day. I will say, without knowing until a minute ago, I had peaches for breakfast! No ice cream, but peaches. I have fruit every morning, and this week, I bought some peaches. I know it’s of no big concern, but I find it interesting. Maybe I’ll have some peaches with ice cream when I get home from practice. I’m not sure if that would be considered “Peach Ice Cream,” but since I only have vanilla, it would definitely taste like peach. I don’t know what the hell the Yellow Pig thing is, I don’t look up their significance, you can if you like. I find Emojis interesting. I think their ability to add context to a text is immeasurable. Too many times, it’s difficult to know what the text “means,” without context. I’ve heard of people having nearly full conversations, with just emojis alone. I am not there. I have never seen one. Even if I did, I wouldn’t know what it said. I’m sure I could make something up, but I’m not sure how accurate, or filthy, it would be. I have had whole interactions using gifs. Which is sometimes fun. Now emojis get a day? Wow! Apparently, they’re here to stay. We keep getting more of them, and I’m a little embarrassed to mention how many times I’ve looked to see if they’ve added one yet that expresses my exact feeling. It’s getting close. I often say weird things, and find it helpful to put an emoji that relates that I’m not being serious. I often still use the old ones:) just to make sure people aren’t getting offended by my attempt to be funny. That is a whole other issue, that I’ve tackled a bit before, and will probably mention again, but alas, not now. Because, it’s Tattoo Day. Wow! What was once the mark of a prisoner, or sailor, now has its own day. Nothing says: “Welcome to the mainstream,” as having your own national day.

     I have tattoos. But I am not “enamored” by them. I recently saw a shirt that stated: Make Tattoos Weird Again. I think that pretty much sums it up for some people. I don’t think the shirt was a proponent for “weird tattoos,” I think it was about keeping them on the fringe. If everyone has one, they aren’t “weird” anymore. Sometimes I wonder what the nursing home is going to look like when I get there, with all this flabby decorated skin, that can no longer be deciphered, along with perfect tits?! Are they going to remove their implants before they get there? This may be another topic for a different day, but it kind of feels the same. Although, I do not think breast implants share the stigma, that once adorned tattoos. Again, another day. We can’t all be “bad boys.” Some people are getting them just to look cool. It no longer means “you’re tough.” Now it means “you’re trendy.” I acknowledge it still does take a certain amount of “toughness.” It does hurt. But, like prison, it can’t hurt that bad if you’re willing to do it again. I once saw a bumper sticker that stated: Tattoos Are Addictive. I think there is something to that. Very few people stopped with just one little one on their ankle. Something about choosing a permanent decoration is appealing. The artwork is getting out of control! In a good way. Some of the stuff I’ve seen is truly turning the skin into a canvas. That’s the stuff I gravitate towards. Art! A lot of people have things that mean something to them. But, if the rest of us can’t appreciate it, you just have ink on you. Plus, a lot of people seem to get self-conscious when people want to look at their tattoos. It always makes me wonder: What’s the point of getting visible tattoos if you don’t want anyone to look? I’m sure some “trendy” person will tell you: “It’s for me, it’s not for everyone.” Well, then I would say: Nothing, and walk away.

     Enough of that. Here I am again, coming to the end, and just getting started. Oh well, luckily there isn’t that much to say. Until I start:) Last week ended our current Birthday Cluster. We had a surprise party for my dad at the Press Box in Rancho SD. I had never been there before. It was nice, mostly a sports bar, which I found a bit strange. Although, they did have a semi-private room, which we reserved. The menu was vast, and I could instantly see why my sister thought it would be a great spot. Whatever you want, they have it. And it was good! If you couldn’t find something you would eat, you’re the problem. Sorry, I know we’re not supposed to say things like that, but I feel that way sometimes. My dad was truly surprised. My wife and I got there early to decorate the room, and welcome the guests. I saw people I hadn’t seen in years! It was nice. There were only about 13 of us, but it was enough to light my dad up. I don’t recall seeing him so happy. My mother, father, and sister, all texted us the next day, personally, to thank us for the job we did, and to let us know that they honestly felt that we were able to set the tone of happiness, that made the whole thing enjoyable for everyone. That felt good. It was a success. Everyone had a wonderful time. Sunday, we went to my mother-in-law’s to see Susan’s sister and niece. Yes, they’re still here! They’re supposed to leave today, but I just found out they’re staying until next Wednesday! Yikes! There’s starting to be all this drama, and it keeps reminding me of that old saying: Guests, like fish, start to smell after 3 days. Well, it’s been 2 months! My mother-in-law, and her boyfriend, seem over it. I know my wife wants to spend time with her sister, and niece, but I also know she wouldn’t see them this much if they lived here.