19: The difference is the same

As of right now, I'm on the couch at Lori and Gail's trottage sitting in the cool morning waiting for Hank to wake up and realize he needs a walk. The vacation has been a stressful one for Hank, I can admit -- his people keep leaving him behind, or taking him on long hot walks. He doesn't seem to know where to sleep even though he knows where we are and should be aware he is welcome in bed with us.

So it's the annual trip up here and while I was ready to really enjoy it -- we finally got a date in the height of summer as opposed to a crisp early September or freak tornado week in August -- it seems this whole journey has been several small fiascos.

Monday, our packing was as chaotic as ever -- what about this, what about that -- to where we both forgot a few items we would like to have. In my case, it was jeans and a hoodie as I know as hot as it gets it does tend to cool down at night so if we actually get around to having a fire I might need to wrap a blanket around myself or something. There were also a few grocery items that were missed -- sandwich components, chocolate syrup for Mel's iced coffee we picked up impromptu at the big grocery shop. All in all not bad, and the car was bursting at the seams with luggage.

After a hectic day we got in the car about 6:12 or so. I don't miss having my family trailer, but it had the advantage of always being stocked with whatever we needed -- groceries, sheets -- my only responsibility was to bring up a plastic shopping bag of clothes and the same box of comics to read over and over. This is a combination remisicence of youth (and thus, lack of responsibility) and of a genuine sense of stability.

After an uneventful drive during which we played Mel's club playlist and reflected on what would have happened had we met each other a few years earlier, we got to the trailer ar our usual late dinnertime and immediately set about trying to make burgers as the sun was going down. It was chaotic as we had a hard time finding things (knives to cut buns, bbq tools, baking sheet for fries) in the dim kitchen where the fluorescent light was not properly coming on. We made do and noted the lack of much in the way of pantry items -- a few things lacking that we mught have expected to find were sugar for tomorrow's coffee (Mel likes to cure red onions with sugar and vinegar) and ketchup of all things, which was fine as neither of us puts it on our burgers, it was just for fries. 

Okay, no problem I suppose, and we made a list of things for me to go into town for tomorrow. I always end up going into town at least once, sometimes more. We didn't think to bring pickles, which we like, but were fine with lettuce and tomato and cheese. 

Day one was fine, good, great, perfect even. It had that mythical "So hot you absolutely must jump in the pool" quality I'm always looking for. I was sure to savor it. I made scrambled eggs with bacon, toast and hash brown patties. At the pool, another minor hitxh as the family pool was closed for health reasons (??!) So the nominally 18+ pool was a bit crowded with kids. But you know, there used to only be one pool anyway. 

We skipped lunch and made dinner, steaks I only slightly overdid but were still good, with baked potatoes that didn't necessarily cook evenly on the grill but we got one good one to share. (Funny moment when grocery shopping, I picked up two russet potatoes and Mel noted "yours looks a bit small," having, I guess, already allocated herself whichever one was bigger.)

Day two was interesting. On Monday before we left, I got a notification that I had gotten a second interview for a job. It's an interesting opportunity, selling to Indigo for a major publisher. I figured I could jandle an interview for a half hour while on vacation, sure, and set it up for Wednesday morning. After getting my setup, I dialed into the call and after we hammered out some technical difficulties, we got talking and ended up going twice as long as she described the job and I talked about how my experience related to it. I honestly think I killed it, which I have mixed feelings about since there are still some questions about the responsibilities involved and the level if pay, but that can be discussed. There's also 2 days in office per week and we were really hoping I would find something fully remote. At this point it would be something of a relief if I didn't get it, but I think I would try to make it work because as it turns out having more money is better than less.

The day proceeded. We took Hank to the beach, which he was a little meh on, then left him at home to go swimming again. After that, Mel had wanted to shower. I had gone to have one that morning in preparation for my call but decided that instead of waking her up with thunderous shower noises, I would go to the public shower and just rinse myself. (Soap/body wash was another thing I had forgotten, later we found some irish spring bars tucked away in the trailer.) Around this time Mel discovered there we no hot water. I had asked Lori earlier if there was any trick to getting hot water, a switch to press or whatever (as at mom and ross-) and she said no, if the propane is on it will get hot. What she did not mention, (I will chirp her here a little as that was literally her opening to do so) is that they turn the pilot light off when they leave (makes sense.) I couldn't figure it out and there was a lot of back and forth going nowhere so we resolved to rinse Mel's hair with cold water and make do, as it was time for dinner.

Well, partway through dinner, Gail sent me a video and I realized I was lighting to wrong thing, so I gave it a shot and it worked. I was so excited I went to tell Mel (who was calling for my assistance as she was tending to the side dishes for our ribs) that I walked into the screen door. You wouldn't think this would hurt but my neck got jerked and gave me a stinger I am still slightly feeling the effects of this morning. I'm trying to downplay it but it's not fun and kind of put a pall in last night. Also we were hoping to have a fire but it started to rain. Now it's going to be cooler today and I'm worried we missed our window. Should have knocked it out night 1 tbh.

Well, that about brings us up to speed. It's Thursday and it should be a nice chill day to cross some more stuff off the list. We contemplated staying an extra day (usually we are thinking of going home early!!) But I don't know that we are packed for that. Gametime decision, I said.

Well, it's been this whole post and Hank hasn't asked for a walk. I should get that done because I've got another trip into town and I'd also like to chill with some coffee.

Keep on rockin'

Scotto