No, Really, I Am an American

(Not to be confused with a re-return)

As previously noted several posts ago, Rich has left our good company to live in Arkansas; it has been a noticeable absence. For the holidays, it was deemed that he visit, and so it came to pass that on Sunday the 27th of December 2009 Rich returned to us.

The plan was that Rich would stay at the Halfway House for the initial part of his visit, then he would stay with Brad, and finally round out his visit at the Settlement. Rich’s train was scheduled to come into Union Station at about 2:58, thence there would be a gathering at the Halfway House. At least, that’s how it had been told to me; it was an amusing arrangement to me because we would once again be gathering at Chris and Mark’s house without Chris and Mark. Just like old times. However, because of the snow, Rich’s train was delayed by about two hours. This did not thwart our plans overmuch, though. VoW, Toni, Mike and I had originally thought to kill time out in Schaumburg following our lunch at the Olive Garden, but instead it was to the Settlement; I myself had pulled Dixie duty so I stayed at the Halfway House anyway.

Whilst at the Halfway House, I managed to kidnap Grant from his parents’ house down the street. I knew Al would be coming from work at the zoo and she mentioned to me that me Da would be out in the suburbs anyway. Now it really was like old time with Grant and me hanging out at the Halfway House.

Rich and Brad made it to the house before the others. There was hugging involved and Rich regaled us with a little bit of his journey and how much Amtrak sucks. It reminded me a bit of my first few train journeys in England and how inefficient they seemed to be in comparison with Japan. If I had been in Rich’s place trying to take the train, I might have gone insane. I think my favorite part of his tale was when he taught his fellow delayed passengers how to play Oh Hell.

By the time all was done and gathered, it was something like 7 o’clock. Our original thought had been to go to Yu’s for dinner, but it was way too crowded there so we ended up at Chevy’s. I don’t know if it’s timing or what, but it seemed to me that every time I’ve been to Chevy’s it hasn’t been overly crowded. Being at Mexican restaurants always makes me wish I drank margaritas; they always look super tasty but I can’t imagine my dislike of alcohol would allow me to truly enjoy them as they were meant to be enjoyed.

Back at the Halfway House, we somehow managed to play Phase 10, a game I haven’t played in at least a year. This seemed to be the theme of things to come now that Rich was back in town: we’d get to do things we haven’t done in a while.

‘Twas definitely a most joyous return.

There was a time when Al would host her “White Elephant Holiday Party” where the requirement was a gag gift and a donation of non-perishable food that would be given to one of the local shelters. I can’t actually recall if I attended them in high school, but I definitely remember going to them whilst a university student. As luck would have it, she was unable to host them anymore due to moving out of her parents’ house. We were sad to see them go but it was perfectly acceptable.

This year, however, GrAl decided to host people at their condo in Oak Park. (I refer you to my post about Friday breakfast in Oak Park and how I get to live.) It wasn’t going to be White Elephant, but the charitable donation was still a factor.

As previously mentioned, I am convinced I need to earn my way back into the group; thus, I offered GrAl my services should they need any additional help for the party. (I’m fairly certain that even if I were not trying to be on the “gets to live” team, I would offer my help.) This was either amusing or annoying since as of yet, I am still without a permanent vehicle of mine own. As it turned out, it mattered not, as the Ordonii were also happy to help. We had a few errands to run that involved dropping by the supermarket twice as it would happen.

I have always had this weird thing about arriving places ridiculously early. I think it has to do with my Filipino heritage in that Filipinos are always late to everything, as it is good manners. Since I was raised American, and it always annoyed me that Filipino time resembles little to actual time, I made a super conscious effort to always be early. So I was pretty happy to be among the first folks at the party. And I was helpful, hopefully adding more in my favor of “gets to live”.

The party divided into usual groups. People Al knew at university, people we knew from high school, and our group of folk. As the shenanigans continued, all parties started to mingle a bit more. I do confess I was strangely more comfortable interacting with Al’s friends from Butler than I was with the people I knew from Conant. Perhaps it’s the revertigo, but I just feel incredibly out of place with those people now. Also, I was greatly amused with Al’s friends the Connors, and how Ross was keen on naming his soon-to-be child either John or Sarah. I was all about this, since I am a geek, but at the time he posed the question, he thought only the lads would approve of this. Pffft. How can these names not be cool? It’s not like he’s going super overboard and naming the child Kal-El. (I say this not because it’s a Kryptonian name but mostly because Superman is lame. The answer is always Batman.)

Eventually, the party dwindled down to the usual group of folk. We passed the time as we do and were content to enjoy each others company. (Random query: others in its possessive has no apostrophe? Definitely need to re-read Strunk & White.)

Back in 2005, not long before I left for Japan, every Thursday morning, Grant, Mark and I (and sometimes others, but it was the three of us who were the most consistent to break our fast together) would go to Richard Walkers. It was here that I was introduced to the most amazing, delicious, bestest crepes in the known universe; it was also here that I learned to truly love and appreciate breakfast. We were there so often that it did indeed get to the point where the staff recognized us.

As luck would have it, we had to stop this morning tradition. Something about one of us moving to Japan…I forget the details. In any case, since returning to the States, we haven’t been able to go nearly as much. These past two Fridays, however, have been the most consistent we’ve been since 2005. Although, this Friday, we tried something completely different…

Last week, I tried to persuade Al of Grant and Al to join us; I knew that Al usually had Friday morning free, and even though I knew they are uber precious to her, I thought perhaps she would like to start the day off right with a healthy dish of grease…I mean, healthy breakfast. (To be fair, we weren’t going to Denny’s or anything.) She said she wasn’t available that Friday, but next Friday looked good; she even suggested Grant would join us. Mark seemed rather keen on this prospect and said he would even drive us to Oak Park if it helped coax GrAl out for breakfast.

And so, it came to pass that on Friday the 11th of December 2009, we went to breakfast at the Cozy Corner Coffee Shop in Oak Park. Just so you don’t think this was a super planned thing, it took us something like an hour to decide on this place anyway. Come on, people, have you ever known me to be friends with folks who can decide where to eat in under 30 minutes?

The Cozy Corner Coffee Shop was your typical greasy spoon; the kind of place you’d imagine in a film or something. Did it compare to the most amazing crepes in the known universe? No. But it was still quite charming. Enough for me to declare, “Remind me to get the waffles next time.” I have no idea if we’ll ever, ever dine there again, but I would like to think that we would.

Breakfast conversation was our usual breakfast banter. For once, I was not the one to mess with anything of me Da’s food — he did that all by himself! It was also something I would have only joked about but would never do: he put maple syrup in his coffee! Not like, half the container or anything, but not “I thought it was sugar” kind of accidentally either. It was a little alarming. But at least now I know that I can put maple syrup in his coffee and he can’t get cross about it.

Afterward, we were back to the GrAl condo. Mark had his final to finish up and since we were there, and knowing their holiday party was that Sunday, I offered to be useful. I have been trying to rack up points in the “gets to live” column for Zombie Apocalypse. It’s kinda like Santa’s List only far more important. You know, ‘cuz then I’d get to live. (I’m mildly convinced that since I’ve been three years abroad, my place in the “gets to live” category has diminished somewhat. I am now trying to convince my friends that I would be a good person to have on the team.)

I was so useful! I washed dishes, I took out the rubbish, I even went down into the creepy storage area, which isn’t nearly as creepy and “there’s a monster/slasher-type living there” as their last storage basement. I think I should totally get to live. Of course, after the final trip to the storage area, we got distracted by the Wii. It was a completely natural thing to happen with us, though.

And so, Mark and I spent the majority of our Friday morning and early afternoon in Oak Park with GrAl. It was ever such good times!

That evening, whilst the lads were to play poker with Mark’s co-workers, I invaded the Settlement and kidnapped Toni. We feasted at Boston Market. And thereafter, she introduced me to Death Proof; much like every other cool film known to man that’s been released in the last three years, I was completely unaware of this film’s awesomeness. Toni found this unacceptable and so the film found its way into the DVD player.

I was mildly traumatized in the first part of the movie, but the second part was hilariously charming and delightful. So much so that you know what? I would totally watch it again, if anything for “I’m okay!”

It was definitely a very good Friday.