Giant

Do you have any idea how difficult it is finding a gently used bicycle? Scratch the gently used part, any used bicycle?? At least in the southern Maine area it was like trying to spot a polar bear in Florida. Usually I stick to gift cards or a bottle of Courvoisier for all father related things, but this year for his birthday my dad exclaimed he wanted a bicycle. I scratched my head at this... does he even know how to ride a bike? If he does I've never witnessed it.

So one Sunday afternoon, the squeeze and I picked up my dad and headed to Portland to go bike shopping. I figured the city out of all places would have a plethora of used bicycles to choose from, I see dozens of people cycling on my way to work every morning. What a crazy assumption that apparently was. We stopped at about four or five bike shops all over the city, and nothing. You heard me, nada, zip, zilch, nope, diddly squat. In fact, one of the places everyone mutually recommended, Port City Bikes, literally had nothing but tires kicking around in their shop.

I planned ahead in case this would happen and got a general idea of what the least expensive new hybrid bicycle would run me. That number is $400, we're talking an entry level beginner bike with no (literal) bells and whistles. Either I've been in the dark about bicycle prices because I haven't owned one since I was 13, or my frugal family genetics have me avoiding expensive hobbies. Now I know how people must feel when they shop for new cars after having the same Honda Accord for 15 years.

I told my dad if I catch it collecting cobwebs that he'll never hear the end of it. The squeeze was kind enough to buy him a bicycle helmet, with my dad's consent we picked him up a neon yellow one. I have to say I'm super excited about that in itself.

Now we just need to slap a tiny basket on the front to house a little dog.

Father's Day

I would like to wish a very, very happy Father's Day to my dad! Here he is in all his might and glory, being a good sport while trying to stay dry in my sister's XS sweatshirt out on the boat. He also just turned 52 years young two days prior, don't tell him he looks good for his age or we'll never hear the end of it (insert chuckle here).

I do want to acknowledge all the good he has done for me though, all the while looking much younger than he really is. When I was little I lived with my mum, my dad had visitations with me on Sunday's, which was for the most part usually his only day off. He would drive 40 minutes to pick me up in Windham, spend the afternoon taking me to see a movie, go to the mall, buy me Pokemon cards, grab some food, and bring me back home at the end of the night. I looked forward to Sunday's so much! 

My dad bought me my first video game, he surprised me with a Super Nintendo for my birthday one year. Whenever he would visit we would sit side by side, mouths open, eyes glued to the TV, and play Super Mario for hours. Somewhere there's photographic evidence of this. This led to quite the video game obsession and over the years my dad surprised me with an N64, Playstation 2, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advanced (not to mention many, many Pokemon cards).

Around the age of 15 I went to live with my dad, I was devastated to leave behind my school and the only friends I knew, fortunately it ended up being one of the best things to ever happen. My dad adapted pretty well to suddenly having a teenage girl living with him, I have to give him a lot of credit. 

Now at 26 I can say not much has changed, I still look forward to seeing my dad and we still have a lot of fun together. These days it's just him in the parent picture, and I'm OK with that. Papa, thanks for being you!