Surreal

In the afternoons during the work week, I'll sometimes walk over to the convenient store next to the office and grab myself a cold beverage, sometimes a scratch off ticket, just to get out of the building. Lately, I've been working thru my lunch hour to meet some deadlines so the short 10 minute excursion is the only time I get out of my cubicle (except to get a cup of tea or something) all day. I usually go with the 2 other people in my department who go everyday, rain or shine, for an iced coffee thing that this store makes very well. Its safe to say that the staff behind the counter now has a pretty good idea of our buying habits, and usually has everything ready to go when we pop in.

Today, I threw a "what the fuck" into the visit. As you know, tomorrow we're doing the memorial/cast the ashes thing for my father. So, In that regard, I wanted to get a few things in memory of my dad, that I knew what he'd love to have as a "last meal". I wasn't driving in the car pool today so I couldn't really stop on the way home. That being said, I went over to the beer cave and picked up a six pack of Budweiser along with my usual pomegranate & cranberry juice. When I start to wait in line at the checkout, the women behind the counter did a double take when she saw what I had. I just shrugged and waited my turn.

At that moment, another friend from work walked in, saw the beer and was like "Wow, you? Budweiser? Really? That just doesn't compute.". As it was my turn at the checkout, and I looked at the women behind the counter (who still couldn't get over the beer) and asked for a pack of Marlboro Reds. The look of shock and awe I got from the girl and all three of my co-workers was hysterical.

After giving away the reason for the odd purchases, everyone seemed to feel better, myself included. Really, can you see me buying Budweiser for myself, let along taking up smoking?

Anyway, I thought it would be nice for my Mom & I to sit on the beach with my dad's favorite vices and say goodbye. Because, it's really about him and his life. What better to sum up my dad than the beach, a beer, a cigarette or 4 and his family. Well, most of his family because my sister (I have a sister?) refuses to come. Oh well, thats her decision. It will be nice just the same.

Oh, and did you know that one pack of cigarettes is over $7? How can people even afford the habit?