i am back in the city and i already miss chico, but my bed does feel pretty nice.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
my greatest loss yet
On Sunday November 25, 2007 at about 11:45 my dad died. This was the night of my last post. On his way back to Chico from our dinner in San Francisco, he somehow drifted off the road and hit a tree. He was killed instantly, the right side of his car was shaved off and the car burst into flames. This all happened about 10 minutes from Chico. No one knows what happened, but I think he was changing his CDs. It’s not like him to fall asleep or swerve for an animal, so that is my prediction. The San Francisco Police came to my house at about 4am, and told me. I then had to call my mom and family and tell them. My Aunt picked me up at about 7am and drove me to Chico. It’s now little over a week later. And I feel like it has been a month. Between meeting with Ric Newton (Funeral Director/Dad’s friend/friend’s Dad), putting together the slideshow and music for the service, cleaning out my dad’s place, writing the obituary, seeing my friends, family, and my dad’s friends and just plain…crying. I’ve been very busy. I still feel like it hasn’t quite hit me yet. It doesn’t feel real. It doesn’t feel like I will never see him again.
One of the many great things about my dad was how ridiculously organized he was. He had part of the history of his obituary written, everything in order, the songs he wanted played at his service and even had a goodbye card he had written to a few of us which started with "if you're reading this, it was ovbiously my time to go...". He even had $500 to go to his old favorite college bar, The Oasis, so that everyone could have a round on him. Here are the songs in order:
1. As Tears Go By-Rolling Stones
2. Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright-Bob Dylan
3. Lovely Cruise-Jimmy Buffett
4. With A Little Help From My Friends-Kenny Rankin
Everyone walks out to:
5. Friends In Low Places-Garth Brooks
I also made a mix that meant a lot to me and my dad, for everyone to walk in to.
1. One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer-John Lee Hooker
2. Lay, Lady, Lay-Bob Dylan
3. Angie-The Rolling Stones
4. Here For You-Neil Young
Since the death of my dad I have gotten so many compliments from people about him. He now has a Scholarship named after him at Chico State. Someone paid for the whole service, anonymously. I’ve learned how many organizations he was in, and how many people he helped. I’ve gotten to talk to his old biker buddies and hear stories and even spoke at his service. He was so loved and also showed so much love to so many people, I am so proud of him. I think the hardest part for me will be thinking about how he will never be able to walk me down the isle and never be able to see my kids and be a grandfather. But, apparently it was his time and I will have to accept that. I will post old pictures of him later, but for now I’ll close with what I read at the service.
“MY DAD
I HATE Jimmy Buffet and my dad knew this. He played him, and the Stones all the time. So, when we were reading the list of the songs he wanted played I knew I had to talk after the Buffet song. Most of you know how organized and business-like my dad was, but you should have seen how he already had his memorial planned. He had all his songs picked out in order and listed exactly where they were. And he has had all this done for years! He knew Ric from Lions and they bonded instantly when his daughter, Shawntel, and I were born the same month, and specifically listed him to take care of everything. He even had it planned out to have a $500 tab, on him, at the Oasis after the service and had his history of his obituary written and he said he in quotes didn’t want a lot of “rhetoric” and for us to just “get er done”. So I’ll try to make this short and sweet.
This last week someone sent us a card that said “It’s always too soon to say good-bye to someone you love,” and I know that that’s true whether the person is 95 or 62, like my dad was. Most of you don’t know how amazing he was, I didn’t even know until these last couple years.
When I was little, I LOVED my dad. We played catch, baseball, soccer and basketball together. I loved hanging out with him and its no wonder most of my friends were guys, I was raised like a boy! We camped and fished and hiked. I knew how to make the perfect campfire and how to set up a tent and hook a fish by the time I was 6. Then came high school…I was a teenage asshole and he was, well, just an asshole. We butted heads about everything. Unfortunately, I got my hard headedness from him. And earned the nickname of “Goddamnit Megan” from him. Nothing was fair, I had the earliest curfew, and well, I was an only child so I had no one to blame things on or help divert the attention from me. I think he was the only dad my friends were actually scared of. He told bad jokes and was so sarcastic my friends didn’t know if he was serious or not. And as I grew up, I realized this whole over protective thing wasn’t a new thing.
When I was born my dad boiled all my new toys to kill the bacteria. He cut off all the whiskers of my stuffed animals so I wouldn’t poke my eye. I was the one who could never cross Godman to see my friends and had to run home before the streetlights turned on. And as I was putting together the pictures this week I found one of me in roller skates with a helmet, knee pads, wrist guards AND elbow pads. And NO, I wasn’t outside in the street. I was inside…on the carpet. Once I went to college our whole relationship changed. We got along more like friends and I grew closer to him than ever. The only thing we really didn’t agree about was me transferring up to study art and him wanting me to continue with business…of course. I would come to town and we’d go out to dinner and get ice cream and just walk around and talk. He’d tell me stories and I’d listen to the same story I had heard 5 times already. He always told me things like “you can’t fool a fool” when he thought I was lying and to “ANTICIPATE” things happening, whether it be when I was playing sports or studying for a test. And of course he always told me…”a man has got to know his limitations”.
When we were finalizing the obituary the other day, I was reading everything he was involved in and was amazed. I knew he was involved with Chico State and also the Lions, but geez there were a lot more. The amazing thing to me was he never missed one of my games, performances, art shows and was home for dinner every night. He loved me so much, and I finally realized that these last couple years and am so thankful for that. I am so proud of him and love him so much, I just hope that wasn’t too much rhetoric. He would be so honored to know he now has a scholarship in honor of him and that all of you are here for him. He would have hated all this attention on him, but too bad. He deserves it more than most. I just want to close by thanking all of you for being here for him, my family and I.And I’ll see you all at the O.”
One of the many great things about my dad was how ridiculously organized he was. He had part of the history of his obituary written, everything in order, the songs he wanted played at his service and even had a goodbye card he had written to a few of us which started with "if you're reading this, it was ovbiously my time to go...". He even had $500 to go to his old favorite college bar, The Oasis, so that everyone could have a round on him. Here are the songs in order:
1. As Tears Go By-Rolling Stones
2. Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright-Bob Dylan
3. Lovely Cruise-Jimmy Buffett
4. With A Little Help From My Friends-Kenny Rankin
Everyone walks out to:
5. Friends In Low Places-Garth Brooks
I also made a mix that meant a lot to me and my dad, for everyone to walk in to.
1. One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer-John Lee Hooker
2. Lay, Lady, Lay-Bob Dylan
3. Angie-The Rolling Stones
4. Here For You-Neil Young
Since the death of my dad I have gotten so many compliments from people about him. He now has a Scholarship named after him at Chico State. Someone paid for the whole service, anonymously. I’ve learned how many organizations he was in, and how many people he helped. I’ve gotten to talk to his old biker buddies and hear stories and even spoke at his service. He was so loved and also showed so much love to so many people, I am so proud of him. I think the hardest part for me will be thinking about how he will never be able to walk me down the isle and never be able to see my kids and be a grandfather. But, apparently it was his time and I will have to accept that. I will post old pictures of him later, but for now I’ll close with what I read at the service.
“MY DAD
I HATE Jimmy Buffet and my dad knew this. He played him, and the Stones all the time. So, when we were reading the list of the songs he wanted played I knew I had to talk after the Buffet song. Most of you know how organized and business-like my dad was, but you should have seen how he already had his memorial planned. He had all his songs picked out in order and listed exactly where they were. And he has had all this done for years! He knew Ric from Lions and they bonded instantly when his daughter, Shawntel, and I were born the same month, and specifically listed him to take care of everything. He even had it planned out to have a $500 tab, on him, at the Oasis after the service and had his history of his obituary written and he said he in quotes didn’t want a lot of “rhetoric” and for us to just “get er done”. So I’ll try to make this short and sweet.
This last week someone sent us a card that said “It’s always too soon to say good-bye to someone you love,” and I know that that’s true whether the person is 95 or 62, like my dad was. Most of you don’t know how amazing he was, I didn’t even know until these last couple years.
When I was little, I LOVED my dad. We played catch, baseball, soccer and basketball together. I loved hanging out with him and its no wonder most of my friends were guys, I was raised like a boy! We camped and fished and hiked. I knew how to make the perfect campfire and how to set up a tent and hook a fish by the time I was 6. Then came high school…I was a teenage asshole and he was, well, just an asshole. We butted heads about everything. Unfortunately, I got my hard headedness from him. And earned the nickname of “Goddamnit Megan” from him. Nothing was fair, I had the earliest curfew, and well, I was an only child so I had no one to blame things on or help divert the attention from me. I think he was the only dad my friends were actually scared of. He told bad jokes and was so sarcastic my friends didn’t know if he was serious or not. And as I grew up, I realized this whole over protective thing wasn’t a new thing.
When I was born my dad boiled all my new toys to kill the bacteria. He cut off all the whiskers of my stuffed animals so I wouldn’t poke my eye. I was the one who could never cross Godman to see my friends and had to run home before the streetlights turned on. And as I was putting together the pictures this week I found one of me in roller skates with a helmet, knee pads, wrist guards AND elbow pads. And NO, I wasn’t outside in the street. I was inside…on the carpet. Once I went to college our whole relationship changed. We got along more like friends and I grew closer to him than ever. The only thing we really didn’t agree about was me transferring up to study art and him wanting me to continue with business…of course. I would come to town and we’d go out to dinner and get ice cream and just walk around and talk. He’d tell me stories and I’d listen to the same story I had heard 5 times already. He always told me things like “you can’t fool a fool” when he thought I was lying and to “ANTICIPATE” things happening, whether it be when I was playing sports or studying for a test. And of course he always told me…”a man has got to know his limitations”.
When we were finalizing the obituary the other day, I was reading everything he was involved in and was amazed. I knew he was involved with Chico State and also the Lions, but geez there were a lot more. The amazing thing to me was he never missed one of my games, performances, art shows and was home for dinner every night. He loved me so much, and I finally realized that these last couple years and am so thankful for that. I am so proud of him and love him so much, I just hope that wasn’t too much rhetoric. He would be so honored to know he now has a scholarship in honor of him and that all of you are here for him. He would have hated all this attention on him, but too bad. He deserves it more than most. I just want to close by thanking all of you for being here for him, my family and I.And I’ll see you all at the O.”
Sunday, November 25, 2007
my dad is here
My dad came to visit me for Thanksgiving. Yesterday he met me at work and we tried to go to this little Bavarian place I thought he’d like, but it was packed, so we headed over to a little family owned Italian place. The food was fair, the service…horrible. We had to ask for the check 4 times. It took longer to get the check than to decide what to eat, order, get our food and eat. But oh well, it’s always good to see ol’ Dad. After that he wanted to see some old bars he used to go to when he lived in the city. We headed to Inner Richmond and walked around before deciding on an old dive bar. This really drunk guy, as in could barely stand up, walked up to me (sitting next to my dad) and asked where I got my good looks from. I told him my dad and pointed to him right next to me. This caught the guy off guard and he left me alone…until my dad went to the restroom. He came up and told me I reminded him of the lion from Wizard of Oz (because of my hair). I said ok, thanks? And my dad came out and we left.
The next day he wanted to go to breakfast so I took him to this amazing place in the Upper Fillmore called the Grove. It reminds me of a lodge at Tahoe. We ate and then he took me to Ikea to get a bookshelf. We got home and put it together, by that time it was dinnertime and we finally got to go to Suppenkuchen (the Bavarian place). It was really good, had a couple beers, he took me home and then he went home. Good to see the Pops.
The next day he wanted to go to breakfast so I took him to this amazing place in the Upper Fillmore called the Grove. It reminds me of a lodge at Tahoe. We ate and then he took me to Ikea to get a bookshelf. We got home and put it together, by that time it was dinnertime and we finally got to go to Suppenkuchen (the Bavarian place). It was really good, had a couple beers, he took me home and then he went home. Good to see the Pops.
Friday, November 23, 2007
moped city
kate wants to buy a moped, fix it up and then sell it to me. rock on!
i love that san francisco is so dog friendly. i love dogs.
Brenton visited me at work today and surprised me with Jonathan Owens!
what a good day. thank you God.
i love that san francisco is so dog friendly. i love dogs.
Brenton visited me at work today and surprised me with Jonathan Owens!
what a good day. thank you God.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
VH1's Best Week Ever
Yes, like the title says, this past week, including last weekend might be going down in my Best Week Ever hall of fame. It seems my month and a half of Worst Luck Ever, or so I hope, is over. Sam has been here and we had a blast. We have been eating amazing food, drinking mimosas and lots of beer. Unfortunately she left me yesterday. But thanks for visiting and please come back soon. I love you!
Last night was my first night in the house alone since my flat mates have been gone. I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I rearranged the living room by myself and dang, we have some heavy furniture. I’m a little sore but it feels good.
Today Kate came over and we took the mopeds (thanks Brenton) to get some turkey sandwiches and headed off to the beach for a little picnic. It was gorgeous out today.
Kate left, and now I’ll be going on night 2 alone. Tonight will be spent watching amazing movies (Peter Pan on VHS) and horrible ones (Grind) and reading Vogue and Ikea catalogues and probably a little cleaning, maybe some homework if I have time.
Last night was my first night in the house alone since my flat mates have been gone. I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I rearranged the living room by myself and dang, we have some heavy furniture. I’m a little sore but it feels good.
Today Kate came over and we took the mopeds (thanks Brenton) to get some turkey sandwiches and headed off to the beach for a little picnic. It was gorgeous out today.
Kate left, and now I’ll be going on night 2 alone. Tonight will be spent watching amazing movies (Peter Pan on VHS) and horrible ones (Grind) and reading Vogue and Ikea catalogues and probably a little cleaning, maybe some homework if I have time.
Monday, November 19, 2007
what a fabulous week
Wednesday 11/14
Class was cancelled which meant I got to hang out with Lo for her birthday. I went over to her house and brought her her present (a chia pet and a nice bottle of champagne). Lo, Sally, Eric and I all went to dinner and Dave met us there. It was fabulous. After that we went to see one of Lo’s favorite…Manchester Orchestra, where we met Zach. She bought $50 worth of merch that Steve and I took turns holding for her and then headed over to Delirium, of course.
Thursday 11/15
Lo and I went to NFG, thanks to Steve. We were both tired and there weren’t that many people in the Fillmore. The crowd wasn’t responding well, even though Jordan was trying really hard. I felt bad, we left early.
Friday 11/16
I got up early and headed to Chico. I needed to get out of the city for a minute. Sorry to everyone there. I didn’t call anyone while I was there, except the girls. Went to dinner with my dad. Had drinks with Mon, Jay and Sam.
Saturday 11/17
Got my hair did. Went out to see Jay’s house. RODE HORSES Jay. YAY! Did laundry. Picked up Sam and headed back to the city.
Sunday 11/20
Woke up early and went SAILING. YES! With my Mom, Aunty Karen and some of her friends. Oh man was it pretty. We were on a 40 foot boat with low winds. It was freezing and foggy, but worth it. We sailed over to Angel Island to do a Segway tour then sailed back. The bay was so calm, I actually fell asleep on the way back. I’m going to devote an entire blog to pictures or make a video or something.
Monday 11/21
The new Sigur Ros film is premiering tonight. I hope Sam wants to go!
Class was cancelled which meant I got to hang out with Lo for her birthday. I went over to her house and brought her her present (a chia pet and a nice bottle of champagne). Lo, Sally, Eric and I all went to dinner and Dave met us there. It was fabulous. After that we went to see one of Lo’s favorite…Manchester Orchestra, where we met Zach. She bought $50 worth of merch that Steve and I took turns holding for her and then headed over to Delirium, of course.
Thursday 11/15
Lo and I went to NFG, thanks to Steve. We were both tired and there weren’t that many people in the Fillmore. The crowd wasn’t responding well, even though Jordan was trying really hard. I felt bad, we left early.
Friday 11/16
I got up early and headed to Chico. I needed to get out of the city for a minute. Sorry to everyone there. I didn’t call anyone while I was there, except the girls. Went to dinner with my dad. Had drinks with Mon, Jay and Sam.
Saturday 11/17
Got my hair did. Went out to see Jay’s house. RODE HORSES Jay. YAY! Did laundry. Picked up Sam and headed back to the city.
Sunday 11/20
Woke up early and went SAILING. YES! With my Mom, Aunty Karen and some of her friends. Oh man was it pretty. We were on a 40 foot boat with low winds. It was freezing and foggy, but worth it. We sailed over to Angel Island to do a Segway tour then sailed back. The bay was so calm, I actually fell asleep on the way back. I’m going to devote an entire blog to pictures or make a video or something.
Monday 11/21
The new Sigur Ros film is premiering tonight. I hope Sam wants to go!
Monday, November 12, 2007
love and anorexia
i ran into this picture for some reason and i had forgotten about the whole anorexica phase...this is gross, how is linsey lohan able to walk right there?
i also ran into this one and it made me miss my dog(RIP) like crazy.
i also ran into this one and it made me miss my dog(RIP) like crazy.
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