trip #1

MUST FIX COMPUTER AT HOME. I simply write better during the evenings. But I wanted to briefly state that this weekend was our first trip to Bakersfield. It was no doubt a rough experience, but at the same time, quite positive. Before I indulge on the details of the weekend in a later post, some images I'm left with include walking into Dad's apartment and meeting his roomate and the handfull of resident assistants, all of whom look like high schoolers sitting in detention, forced to smile as they work on homework in these big massive binders used to document my Father's every move. Then there was taking Dad to our hotel room to visit with the dogs and watch a movie, and Jenny doing her job and snuggling up under Dad's arm like a teddy bear for an entire 2 hours. And then miraculously snagging four seats at the bar at Black Angus for dinner - where the wait was 1 hour and 15 minutes - there were 4 seats in a row left for me, Mom, Dad, and sweet Sarah, Dad's "personal assistant," right in front of the big screen to watch the Laker game. Dinner was so classic and so fun - and if anything, left the impression with Sarah that my Dad is a social, outgoing, fun-loving, FOOD-loving, distinguished, smart and amazing man - who deserves the best environment and life to facilitate these qualities in him. Fortunately, Sarah is incredibly down to earth and cool - and Dad clearly enjoyed hanging out with her, if not more than Mom and I that night! So with Sarah on our side - you better believe I'm raising a fuss to get this high-school dropout apartment situation changed ASAP. But all discrepancies aside... Dad seemed content, and had an understanding that this is where he's supposed to be right now - and it's his job to do. Sarah also reassured us by saying, "if it's any consolation, he asks for Robin all the time..."