I usually do a street stroll for my solo Saturday walk, but yesterday I had a hankering to hike the My Bitch trail one last time this year. And once again Swan surprised me by offering to join me. This was especially nice because I get a little nervous alone up in the hills. I just can’t seem to stop my mind from thinking about all the trouble one false step could get me into. Anyway, it’s good to have a companion along on the trail.
It was a pleasant 5K stroll, and Swan seemed to enjoy it. She joined me again this morning but cautioned it was for the last time—this year. Fair enough.
Swan has been joining me for my nighttime activities as well, but advises she’ll be seeking employment in the new year so she is taking advantage of the opportunity to spend time together while she can. I usually leave the house around four and she joins me around six, so I still have time out alone. Last night I hung with Chris and Shyrel at Sloppy Joe’s.
When Swan arrived, I was ready for some dinner. We went to Mylene’s and sat down to order. The waitress advised that the kitchen was swamped with orders and it would be thirty minutes before our meal could be prepared. I didn’t want to wait, so we said next time and got up to leave. The owner apologized, but hey, I appreciated the heads up and was glad they were doing such good business. Oh, and Mike, the fellow WHS grad I met on Friday, was eating there—small-town life in a small-world scenario.
Plan B was Jewel Cafe, a couple of blocks further up the highway. And by golly, right after we sat down, the waitress advised the kitchen was very busy, and it would be thirty minutes before our food would be prepared. It seemed the fates had ruled against dining out with my girl on a Saturday night, so we went to Wet Spot instead. I did order an enchilada from Sit-n-Bull while there, but eating in a bar isn’t as appealing as it might sound.
I may have had a beer or two over my limit and had a misunderstanding (alright, I was a dick) with Swan after we arrived home. I apologized this morning, and we are back to normal again.
Facebook memories reminded me of my hill climbing in Korea six years ago.
I’ve resolved to make no resolutions for the new year.
In life, you have to be yourself–everyone else is already taken.
And my last Star Trek joke of the year:
Okay, that’s it for this year.
This may be one of the more detailed looks at the My Bitch trail that I’ve seen. Do you always carry around goodies to give away randomly to kids you encounter?
Swan has been joining me for my nighttime activities as well, but advises she’ll be seeking employment in the new year so she is taking advantage of the opportunity to spend time together while she can.
I thought she was already employed by you as a kind of caretaker, no? Is she not satisfied with her income or something? Will she still be a paid caretaker after she finds other work, or are you releasing her? I’m all sorts of confused.
I may have had a beer or two over my limit and had a misunderstanding (alright, I was a dick) with Swan after we arrived home.
Booze: the cause of so much unnecessary conflict, violence, and general stupidity.
re: Star Trek meme
What struck me about that meme was the Millennium Falcon symbol visible in the lower-left panel—a Falcon with a Vulcan hand gesture inside it, implying a fusion of Star Trek and Star Wars. Interesting.
Let me take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year. Best of luck in 2024—an election year for the US that’s guaranteed to be crazy, so prepare yourself and batten down the hatches. There’s a shitstorm coming.
Kev, yes, I always try to have something in my backpack for kids I encounter on the trail. I usually carry cookies and lollipops. Swan handed out some leftover Christmas candy yesterday. I’ve been doing sweet handouts for so long now that I have “regulars” who look for me when I pass by. Swan says giving out goodies is the best part of our walks.
I don’t consider Swan an employee–the money I give her is an allowance, not a salary. She does help out around the house and cook sometimes, but that’s voluntary on her part. Swan has a tutoring gig and does her meat business on the side, but I guess she is hoping to find a “real” job, even if she doesn’t need the money.
Heh, I hadn’t even noticed the Falcon depiction. I guess the joke was on me!
Happy New Year to you, Kevin. I’m glad I’ll be experiencing the coming shitstorm from a distance.
Very good on the punctuation McCrarey, cause I believe “Bitch, (comma) walk”, has a whole different meaning then “Bitch Walk”. Then what do i know, I went to public school in New Jersey.(don’t tell anyone)
That’s a nice snowy Korea pic. Whereabouts what that shot taken?
Are we going to have to start calling you Richard(Dick)McCrarey instead of John McCrarey? Ah, it happens to the best of us. I’ve been a Richard so many times I’ve considered legally changing my first name.
Your 2024 resolution is no resolution. At least you’re honest. Ee could use an honest guy like you in Congress. For me McCray, in 2024 I will drink no more. No less either.
Happy New Year John! And Maligayang Basong Taon to your lovely companion and your support staff. Hey, its like you’re still working at Yonsan, you still have a staff.
Peace Out!
Addendum: “Ee” becomes “We” and “Yonsan” becomes “Yongsan”. Sorry, I started the New Year festivities early.
Soju, yes, I am usually comma-tose too, but the value of punctuation cannot be overstated. An example: No more beer! or No, more beer!
The snowy climb was out Pyeontaek way; if I recall, that’s Mount Asan or something similar to that.
Indeed, I can be a Dick when triggered!
I am lucky to have a sweet woman at my side and some helpers around to keep life easy and healthy. It’s like a dream!