That day we had to go to the University of Memphis so Melody could get her cap & gown and speak to one of her professors about her future. The new University Center is more like a mall than a college building. It was very impressive and beautifully done. I waited in the bookstore cafe while she went to her appointment enjoying the cute college coeds wandering through. Ahh to be in college again, youth is truly wasted on the young.
I went out on my own that night to visit with my Aunt Jewell. She is a native Memphian and although she is my favorite Aunt I've never gotten to spend much time with her.
That's her with her dog Picasso. She lives in the Cooper Young District in a beautiful little house.
Her backyard looks like a park. It so peaceful and green. We had Tops BBQ for dinner. She knew it was my favorite and one of the things I missed most about Memphis. Best BBQ in the world! We caught up and looked at old family pictures. She kept offering me cocktails but my stomach was still too tore up for that. We had a great time though. I have a crazy family but she is one of the few I actually enjoy spending time with.
The next day Mark and Melody and I went down to Celtic Crossing in the Cooper Young District for her graduation party. I got to meet Brian Bomar and his wife from Mel & Mark's D&D game. I also got to see Rick another D&Der and his wife. He and I worked at a Computer Tech company in Memphis for awhile before I left. I got to meet two of Melody's gay husbands @WheelerThisWay and @Bugabeesbiscuit . Both great guys but I think I liked @WheelerThisWay a little bit more. Of course I did get to talk to him more so that may be why. Then @Bengalkatlady and her sister @Miss_Cody arrived.
I had met Kat through Mel on Twitter months ago but this was the first time I had gotten to meet her in person. She is a delightful woman and her pictures on Twitter don't do her justice. She is just the kind of sweet Southern lady I could see myself settling down with. Gotta love those southern gals! Sadly her and her sister didn't get to stay long as they had a prior commitment but meeting her was definitely the highlight of my evening. The service at Celtic Crossing was shite but they were quite busy. Still drinking with friends out in the open air on the patio of an Irish Pub in the cool Southern night air was incredible. Mel made up for her drinking so little a couple of nights earlier so it was my turn to laugh at her antics. A fun time was had by all! To her credit, even in her new high heels, Mel walked unassisted back to the car to spite the uneven & broken sidewalks. Even drunk she can handle her liquor, retaining her class and charm.
The following day was Melody's graduation. All of the long months of hard work, blood, sweat and tears were finally at an end. Going back to school with a family has got to be a hell of a challenge. There were certainly times that she felt overwhelmed and unable to go on. However Melody had made it to the finish line like I always knew she would. I am so proud of my friend. I know she can do anything she sets her mind to. She received a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry.
Again I apologize for the crappy picture but all I had that day was my camera phone. Despite being reminded by a friend on Twitter before hand I managed to walk out of the house without my digital one.
Melody is in the back row left side 3rd from the right.
Here she is Mel the Scientist. Look out world this smart woman will be taking over any day now! Graduation over we went home and I got to cook a meal for my chosen family. I made Herb Roasted Chicken Breast, Fettuccine Florentine, and Mozzarella Garlic Bread. It was very well received.
Even though I've known Mark & Mel for a long time it was the first time I had gotten to cook for them. Cooking for the people I love is my passion. I think I enjoyed cooking it even more than we all enjoyed eating it. The following day Mel and I drove around in my car. We got to see the city and relive old times when we used to hang out together doing nothing in particular. We stopped to visit my grandfather and pay our respects for his service to our country. Goddess bless all our veterans living and dead!
He served in the Army in World War 2. He was a Memphis taxi driver and a published poet. Sadly he died before I was born. I would have liked to have met him. After that Melody suggested we go to Williams Sonoma for a little shopping. I had never been there but due to my love of cooking had of course heard of it. We shopped for a while and I saw so many things I would have loved to buy. I thought I would get out without making a purchase but there was an item on sale I just couldn't pass up.
A metal Star Wars lunchbox with classic move poster logo. Complete with two sandwich cutters, a Millennium Falcon and an Imperial Tie Fighter, all for ten bucks. How could a geek like me say no?!? That night Mark suggested we go see THOR. Now I like comic books as much as the next geek but I've never been big on the Marvel stuff. I didn't expect much of this movie but one Mark was excited and two I was spending time with my friends. They could have suggested we go shovel poop at a horse stable and I would have been ok with it just because I would be doing it with them. BOY was I pleasantly surprised. This move ROCKED! It was perfection in motion. I have nothing bad to say of this film in any way. If you are a fan of comic books, or Norse Mythology run do not walk to the theatre to see this film!
Even the ladies will be pleased with this film. They thought of everything. The following day I went by myself to do the other thing I came to Memphis for. A little over a year ago my father died. He and I had not spoken to each other for over 15 years at the time of his passing (his choice not mine). I felt no emotion good or bad when I got the news and felt no reason to go out of my way to attend his funeral. I could not in good conscience however avoid visiting his grave my first trip back to town. He was laid to rest in West Tennessee State Veteran's Cemetery on March 16th 2010.
If the tombstone is accurate he reenlisted in the Navy and served in the Persian Gulf some time during the years we did not speak. He became a licensed psychiatric counselor after he retired from the Navy so perhaps he served in this capacity. Even with our bad history and the way he treated my mother and myself during my child hood standing there that day I couldn't help but feel a little proud of him. Rest in peace dad I bare you no ill will.
Once again I think this is a good place to stop for now. There will be a third and final installment of this post tomorrow. I would like to thank you for stopping by and as always have an awesome day!
No comments:
Post a Comment