This was a particularly busy weekend starting out with my throwing a party at Mi Cabanita on Friday night just to get all my old Mamaroneck friends together one last time before I start getting settled into the White Plains social scene. Six and a half years in da ‘Neck, and friends I’ve made throughout that stretch all came out that night. As I told everyone, White Plains isn’t very far of a move, but this was as good an excuse as any just to get everyone back together again. I was able to get Marissa’s band to play, even reuniting with Yayo on drums for this one show (Yayo had been replaced because he started his own band that was going to demand all of his time. And it is a very cool band, so it’s understandable). The talent of these guys is just incredible. Even though they hadn’t played together in probably 8 months, they just got up there and rocked like old times. Hector made prime rib for everyone and the drinks were flowing all night. Great stuff.
The following day I woke up pretty hung over. I had paced myself really well up until about midnight, drinking nothing but Heineken Lights because I didn’t want to poop out too early since it was my party. But by midnight the shots started coming left and right and I stopped refusing them. Got so drunk I ended up leaving without taking my gifts with me, and even forgetting to tip out the bartenders! So when I woke up on Saturday, I decided to head back over to MC to have some lunch and pick up my stuff. Hector made me some killer shrimp ceviche (the absolute BEST thing you can have for a hangover), and a carne asada. Just what the doctor ordered. Hector was telling me how everybody had been asking about Liz who came up from Queens for my party, looking hot as always. He told me he had to tell everyone that he didn’t know what her story was but that she came with me so she was off limits. I said “Yeah, Liz is a great girl”, and without skipping a beat Hector says “Yes, and great LOOKING too!” 🙂 I guess she’s got a lot of admirers in Westchester now!
Saturday night was mellow, with yes, more hanging out at MC, but this time just to practice darts a bit. I’ve been having problems leaning forward on my gimpy leg and getting a comfortable release, so I’ve been a bit off my game. In any event, it was a nice relaxing night, finishing off with a sackful of Hector’s empanadas with salsa to go. When you have a little buzz going and you just want a little somethin somethin to cure your munchies, nothing beats empanadas, especially with the refreshing brightness of pico de gallo.
All the while, I had felt like I was coming down with something since Friday. A scratchy throat turning into a bit of a cough, I have a feeling it’s gonna get worse over the next few days. I woke up feeling like crap on Sunday, but I had a full day ahead of me. First, I had the wake for Uncle Richard down in Chinatown. I hate driving down there; fuggin rude ass pedestrians clogging the streets pushing shopping carts and baby carriages and being all gross, spitting everywhere. I can’t stand it, so when I got down to the block of the funeral home, I just pulled into the parking garage and accepted the fact I’d be raped ($28 for 2 hours). Still better than sitting in traffic for an hour just trying to circle around the block. So I enter the funeral home, do the bit with the incense, and pay my last respects to Richard. He looked particularly gaunt, sure signs of how much weight he lost over his final months and how difficult it must have been. I hadn’t seen their side of the family for quite some time, pretty much only weddings and funerals over the past few years. I was impressed at how his daughters had grown into perfect young ladies and how my Aunt Betty was being strong and holding up about as well as one could hope. On balance, I realized that Richard was in a better place now and had indeed led a successful life even if it ended quicker than the rest of us would have liked. Seeing the pictures on the collage they had put together really brought back some strong emotions, especially the one with my dad in it. It’s interesting how one’s perspective changes as you grow older. Back then, it was just another family gathering and just another picture to pose for, but looking at the pictures today, you look at their expressions and you just wonder if they knew how special and wonderful those family moments were. I think they did.