It turned out to be a rather busy three-day workweek thanks to Somara coming down with a cold by the time I returned from Dallas. This translates into me staying out of the house for longer stretches to limit my exposure. Thrown in other night-time engagements like therapy and I can’t really remember…this story has transformed more into my Thanksgiving blather.
I am thankful for the 27 years of friendship I’ve had with José. It was certainly turbulent when we were younger, know-it-all college students. I also probably strained matters more with this recent Summer I wish I could press the Undo button on after choosing the Marc Maron combo. Yet over the years, especially during the Long Dark Twenties with our monthly phone calls, I’m glad to consider him a member of my family.
Hence I made sure he and Nancy were cool with me visiting for a three-day weekend. I didn’t want to invite myself over as per my mother does. I always strive to be a good houseguest, pay for meals, (try) not to make a mess and compensate in other ways. Max thought I was cool and he didn’t have to be just because he’s a dog. I’m confident he smelled four cats, maybe seven, on me, it’s enough to make a dog suspicious.
So we drank the beer José has been brewing. It’s genuinely very good. Smooth. Not like the horrible stuff our mutual classmate Phil made in a chemistry class, ugh. We did our tradition of smoking cigars in the backyard to catch up, namely what the hell happened over the Summer and why I took a leave of absence. It wasn’t all about me neither. José shared the immediate goal of getting a permanent house in the Dallas area (I recommend it) and how they almost moved to San Francisco instead. There were old stories to make Nancy laugh too. José is a normal person, thus, his memory doesn’t go as far back as mine. Works in my favor! I can get away with making him laugh about the same storied about every five years! Most people love the classic tales of Maytag, Anushka ‘before and after’ and numerous cock blocks, most of which were by accident.
He did finally capitulate on giving me an interview while we were watching the Packer game, on the condition I never published it. In this era of privacy being whittled away for shit access (aka Facebook) in exchange for marketing blitzes, I could share his concern while finding it ironic since he works in social media, whatever the hell that is. Truth be told, José doesn’t really work in such a thing. Based upon his descriptions of his employer’s product, it’s more like the Yellow Pages and I’m cool with it. As for the interview, I didn’t ask any questions he’d regret answering should a prospective employer stumbled upon the transcript. However, José is my friend and I will honor his wishes. Maybe one day he’ll let me show this to our mutual friends. I certainly learned more about him since I never really asked until now.
With the Packers having a late start in their secure victory over the Vikings at the half, I had to drive back to Austin as it was getting dark. I did have work the next day too. We said our goodbyes with Nancy taking our picture in Packers gear (suck it Paul, the Bears were done on opening day) and I let them know, it’s their turn to come to Austin. Nancy is also welcome solo.
This trip was Vixen’s (my Prius C) first major journey. The verdict on a hybrid when traveling on the Interstate between 60-75 mph? Compared to Somara’s Honda Fit, Vixen’s mileage improved slightly over her city driving. According to the literature, hybrids are supposed to decline on consistent highway travel for their systems are optimized for stop-and-go traffic/idling. Not really. I left Austin with would normally be 250 miles remaining on the current tank. When I did finally arrive at their house, I still had about 50 miles left despite a 40-mile detour I accidentally made toward the northeast of Dallas. Set a new record on Vixen too. Over 49 miles/gallon! The flawed computer said 50-something, it’s always wrong. Filled her up before leaving Dallas, only used half the tank! The downside, on the return trip the battery contributed less than two percent to car’s movement. The drive helped me clear out several podcasts! I’m caught up on 99% Invisible, all the Stuff-History I had on the iPod and I got re-acquainted with The Mortified.
Thanks Nancy and José. Looking forward to you visiting us.