Movin' On

Movin’ on

So this morning, I waited for the new TV and alarm installations while, once again, I pondered the death of my laptop, Hal the Computer. I figured waiting from 8AM to 1PM would give me copious quality time to read x-rays, pay bills, and do all the online stuff that gets in the way of my trips to ESPN.com and YouTube. Oh, just got a call from the TV guy; he’ll be here in about 20-minutes (that means an hour)…and it’s 1PM. And Hal; he hasn’t done squat and the IT crew hasn’t returned my call.

Waiting, for me, is like Dr. V. Kryptonite. And the waiting thing can get so bad it can even make this Dr. V. speak (and write) in the Third Person.

And as 2015 approaches, my number one resolution will remain not to say “Almost done” until the last spin of my electrically driven dental power tool is once and for all complete.

Yeah, it’s one thing hanging out for hours on end waiting for someone to show up or call back BUT what if you had to just sit there with your mouth open listening to Dental Assistant Extraordinaire Kolleen and I debate the merits of ice hockey as a true sport (played only by white guys?)

I swear 2015 will finally be the year that my dental time integrity soars to levels never seen before around here on either East or West Las Tunas (seriously and sincerely.)

All the waiting today was really just another slow-mo year’s end step toward the inevitable. And relax; I don’t mean still another USC loss to the bruins or even me running down Las Tunas in my jockstrap and powder blue and gold Victoria Secret push-up when the Las Tunas and Rosemead “development” finally gets built.

After almost 60 years, I’m leaving home. And while I wasn’t born in Monterey Park, I couldn’t have reached Disney’s Autopia pedals when we moved in. And I can still remember that first rainy January night. I had my own twin bed, a big back yard, and a brand new school (with TWO ramps) to check out in the morning. Never thought I’d stay so long but when I was in high school, I do remember John Lennon saying something about life happening to you while you’re busy making plans.

As I spend my last few weeks in the only true home I’ve ever known, I’m a little surprised by my emotions. It’s feeling almost like a break-up with the woman you still love. I ALWAYS return to It’s a Wonderful Life this time of the year and I’m really excited about the move to Pasadena but as I drive away and head up Garfield to a new home, I think I’m going to feel a little like George Bailey leaving Bedford Falls. Only I’ll wonder what would have ever happened to me without the beautiful life my family shared in this little old house.

And I guess my real fear is leaving mom, dad, and brother, Jay behind…as well as the part of my life I still cherish the most; when we were all together. Maya Angelou wrote “You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it’s all right.”

Looks like it’s time to bring a priceless piece of Monterey Park up Garfield to the Rose City.