Pwn3d… I sat down to read my e-mail this morning immediately after lighting off the coffee pot and before I'd consumed my first cup, in keeping with the Ritual de lo Habitual around these parts. And the first thing I read was this, from The Second Mrs. Pennington (in part):
Today’s Pic: More Kyoto
Have you sent Bobby a birthday card yet? I know he would really like one ;-).
Aiiieee! I immediately replied, thusly:
Sweet Jesus! I forgot his birthday. I can't believe I did that. I'm such a lousy father and grandfather and I'm SO embarrassed. Thanks for the nudge, and check your inbox in about ten minutes or so. There will be a gift card from Amazon in there shortly.
The only problem is I didn’t really, actually forget… his birthday isn’t until Tuesday next. Chances are pretty danged good I would have remembered between now and then. Chances are equally as good I might have forgotten, though. Old Age can really be a beeyotch, at times.
Please. Remind me… yet again, Gentle Reader… to NOT attempt anything that requires the least little bit of actual thought before I pour… and consume… that first cup. I have a tendency to embarrass myself, otherwise.
Yanno?
―:☺:―
So…yesterday was quite the gorgeous day, kinda-sorta. For mid-February, anyway. It was at least 68 degrees or so, complemented by bright sunshine around 1100 hrs yesterday morning. Albert The Propane Guy stopped by and filled up my tank around that time and we both agreed it was a brilliant day, especially considering what was in the offing for today…as in: we’re under a winter storm watch and it’s colder than the proverbial well-digger’s nether regions, as I type.
So, I did what any red-blooded, All-American biker would do when gifted with a brilliant day in the middle of February. I uncovered Miss Zukiko, dusted her off, and took her out for a spirited run that lasted about an hour and a half. I should have taken pictures of the poor girl when I uncovered her. You wouldn’t believe what over two months of accumulated dust looks like on a dark blue motorcycle. It took me nearly 15 minutes to dust her off and make her presentable. It was that bad, and words cannot begin to convey how dirty she actually was. But that didn’t affect her willingness to run, once she was cleaned up. At all. We both had a great time… And, you know what’s best about a ride in mid-winter?
I left home with a clean face shield.
I returned with a clean face shield.
Nary a bug-splatter. Not a single one. And that is nice!
It was still nice enough, weather-wise, when I returned to El Casa Móvil De Pennington that I sat outside and had a cigar while letting the lady cool off before I covered her up again. It was just a wee bit too early to pop a beer, so I made do with what was left in the coffee pot. That worked.
―:☺:―
Today’s Pic: More 
In my family you didn't "forget" until after the fact. Technically, you have a few days. Of course, my family is lousy with remembering birthdays - so it is always forgiven.
ReplyDeleteIn my family you didn't "forget" until after the fact.
ReplyDeleteAh, but in my not-fully-caffeinated state this morning I naturally assumed I had forgotten. It's that natural, knee-jerk male instinct kicking in... the wife (even ex-wives, in this particular case) is always right, ya know.
The fact I didn't instinctively know I hadn't actually forgotten speaks to what a lousy father I really AM, i.e., I haven't committed Bobby's birthday to memory. I always have to look at the calendar. And this year I didn't mark the day.
Sounds like a perfect way to spend the day.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think TSMP had incredible cheek sending you such an email...just seems somehow a tad bit "ha ha! caught ya"
I think it is so funny that you call your bike Miss Sukiko. At least you don't call her Bubbles or Muffin. ;)
ReplyDeleteBec here,
ReplyDeletehis birthday isn’t until Tuesday next...
Good heavens. You had no cause to feel guilty, Buck. We all remember and then forget before we remember again. (Unless we're obsessive)
An early Happy Birthday to Bobby! :-)
Kris: That was just one line from the e-mail, and was more of an aside than the gist of her message.
ReplyDeleteAshley: There's a story behind Miss Zukiko's name...
Bec sez: You had no cause to feel guilty, Buck.
True, in retrospect. Keep in mind... my eyes weren't fully-open when I read that line (aside from not being fully-caffeinated, my MAJOR problem), and the fact that I carry no small amount of guilt associated with being a divorced father. The guilt may be rational or irrational, but it remains, none the less. I frickin' HATE it, in all respects.
Thank you for the link. I like Miss Sukiko's name. Good choice. But it still strikes me as funny. Maybe it is the fact that she has a name. Boys and their toys.
ReplyDeleteAshley sez: But it still strikes me as funny. Maybe it is the fact that she has a name. Boys and their toys.
ReplyDeleteI was never in the habit of naming my cars or bikes until recently... very recently, like last year! The one exception was the name bestowed upon my car (The Green Hornet) by a friend not long after I bought the thing, lo, these seven years ago. She was spot on, and everyone in my immediate circle began referring to the Miata as the Green Hornet. It just sorta stuck. And you've read how Miss Zukiko came to be...