Bad Weather

Saturday we woke up to the site of an icy winter land. Overnight the precipitation froze into a light sheet that covered everything. Small pellets of sleet were falling from the sky and it was a mere sixteen degrees with a windchill of zero. It was a beautiful site.

I decided to cook upo some chorizo potato. Rather than do the usual tacos, I uppped my game by making crispy tostadas. I burnt the shit out of my first batch of tortillas, but the second was crispy golden. Add a lite layer of melted cheese and top with an over easy egg, I had crafted a delightfully delicious breakfast for Teegan, Yvette and myself.

After a shower and coffee I decided it was time to take a little walk. It was indeed fridged, but the roads really were not that slippery to walk upon. I made my way to the campus and saw some other signs of life. Bored students with nothing else to do. I also saw one of the strangest things that I’ve ever seen on the campus: A burning barrel in one of the dorm parking lot s. I didn’t see anyone attending it. I assume that the campus police hadn’t made their rounds just yet, of the simply didn’t care.

Later I decided to journey to the store. We needed baby shampoo. The roads were a little scary, I must admit. I only lost traction once on the way to and from.

The store, after the last week, was relaxing. I didn’t want to leave. I just.. walked. I shopped with ease and peace. I was happy. I made myself stay longer just k owing that the roads and likely hood of me getting out the following day would be very slim. What a shopping experience.

The end of the night I watched some UFC with Teegan. That is something I have never done. Watch UFC. He was really exciting and telling me everything I didn’t know. I don’t watch fights. Haha. It was actually a very great experience. I love this kid and will miss the fuck out of him when he leaves for college.

Sunday we woke up and I made some more breakfast. I had found some dehydrated shredded beef at HEB that is traditionally used to make Machacado, so that’s what I set out to do. Turns out, that makes a world of difference. In the past I’ve always used brisket, but the dried beef was a winner a reflected what I had always ordered at burrito shops for years.

The day was still cold as fuck. The sun was peaking through but not wanting to show itself. The outside pipe to the washer seemed to have froze, but we had prepared for that by keeping up with laundry. Unfortunatly, our water heater issue seemed to have came full circle leaving us once again with very Luke warm showers. So fucking weird.

Yvette and I spent a lot of time over the weekend watching Big Little Lies. I had watched the show nine years ago so it was pretty much new to me. I recalled the major plot points but not all the drama that happened in between. We enjoyed it.

The thing is, I only watched season one. The season was only based on the one book and it ended. They made a second seasons that I refused to watch. Haha. I guess we were going to watch season two.

I took another walk and the roads were full on shit. TERRIBLE SHIT. People driving were afraid to see Hazel and I walking because they might slide into us. I understand. Maybe if it’s that bad just don’t fucking drive unless you absolutely have to. They dog and I could barely walk a block.

The weekend I had a lot of anger. None of it was pointed towards anyone that was at the house. I just don’t understand people. People I know and people around the world. People take great things for granted. People died on the streets. PEOPLE ARE SHIT. I honestly hate most people. Fuck us! People tend to be selfish and only care about what immediately benefits them. People are cruel scared ignorant and unwillling to admit they re wrong. Fuck humanity.

Anyone reading this: think for a second about what you believe in. When you open your eyes, do you see the world we are currently living in? Does it make you happy? Is this what you wanted? This world of chaos? Cruelty? Is this what you wanted? I grew up with the lord and the church and I can tell you right now this is not what I believe in or what the Holy Bible teaches.

Monday was a bad weather day so the campus was closed due to the icy conditions. I’d take it. I decided to sleep in for a change. Why the hell not.

When I did finally wake up and start moving, I found some guest had come over. It was a gathering of Yvette’s family. The first of two of the day. Noah, Nadia, and the in-laws all showed up. I guess just because the roads were better and they wanted out of the house. I don’t think their arrival was planned. It was nice to see some other faces and I think Alaya needed it.

Afterwards. I made some beef ravioli and decided it was time for a little walk to the campus to check out the conditions. I will say that the roads were much better, but areas not in direct sunlight were terrible. Hazel and I did enjoy the sunlight for the first time in days.

When I came back to the house I owed Yvette some time alone. Alaya and I played together for a good hour and it was great. Who knew a little baby could cook so well. The perfect pairing of lemon and dumplings.

I made a random trip to HEB just to get out of the house. When I got back home, so did Lola. After three days. Word must have gotten out she was home because Noah, Nadia and the in-laws all showed up. Coincidence? I don’t know. I also don’t know what conversations were had.

We cooked and we had fun. Alaya was happy to see other people besides her grandparents.

Tuesday was another bad weather day off work. The weather was actually quite perfect. I slept in and everyone took off to get Teegan’s truck from my mother’s, where it has been since Friday evening covered and out of the elements. I took my time getting ready for the day. I didn’t really have anything I had to do so why not.

The day was pretty much consumed by watching the second season of Big Little Lies, cooking and taking Hazel for a walk. What a way to spend the day off.

Going into work on Wednesday just felt off. It felt like a Monday, but worse, because we only had three days of work. I couldn’t find the groove. Starting in the middle of the week is always a challenge—you press on the gas, only to immediately hit the brakes.

When Friday arrived, it felt suspiciously like Wednesday. There was a little sadness in the air on campus, especially in my area. You see, the end of January is often when people retire, and this time we were losing a guy who had been here for 22 years. He’s an excellent worker and an all-around good guy. He’ll be missed—not just for what he did, but for always being there when the campus needed him, often without even being asked. I know I’ll miss him, though I’ll likely still see him around town with his wife, enjoying a cold craft beer.

Jalapeño.

Chorizo potato tostada.