Thursday, May 04, 2006

Aside from lightbulbs...

I have a little problem. My father’s coming to town [sorta] for a couple of weeks. He’ll be staying with one of his brothers during the week and with me on the weekends. Now, I don’t mind seeing my parents and I don’t mind [aside from the cleaning] having them come to stay, it’s just that I don’t quite know what to do with him. I mean, there is the obligatory trip or two to Kelly’s to down a pint or ten but then..? What the hell do you do to amuse your father? Oh and did I mention that he’s a slightly crazed Vietnam veteran who isn’t all that keen on crowds..? Yeah, it is relevant.

Suggestions would be awesome.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Um. This is kinda lame but what about the movies? Nothing more to add. :(

Shelley said...

He's very picky. And crazy. But maybe.

Rebecca said...

I can only suggest the Sydney Tram Museum at Loftus.
Being a member there, this is a one sided suggestion.

Belongum said...

Vietnam Vets are fellas I sorta know a little bit about - just in knowing probably more then my fair share of a few. Crowds freak me out some at times too... depends on what you want to achieve npb... are you the sort of person who needs 'quality' time with your old man, or not?

Shelley said...

I am still trying to think of my father and trams together, Rebecca. It's hurting my brain. Where the fuck is Loftus?

Quality time? Not really, he can be forced into phone conversations [the drunken ones are particularly funny]. And I do see him at least a couple of times a year now. I don't really anticipate long-winded D&Ms about my childhood or anything...dude, what is 'quality' time anyway? I just think that hanging around my flat watching telly might be a bit dull for us both. Of course, there will be moments of great illumination to be had within the flat.

Anonymous said...

Scrabble? Or get him to fix everything in your house that's broken.

Shelley said...

Hmmmm scrabble...if all else fails I shall be forced to rush me down to le Metro and buy me a box of letters.
I know I sound mean here but daddy's not very technical and I really would like my bond back. The lightbulb is about all I trust him with.
There's always book shopping - not that's quality.

Belongum said...

Yeah - it depends on your interpretation of the word 'quality'... very true. Depending on your tolerance for his 'pastimes' and hobbies... any other clue there mate - I can list a bundle of things for Viet Vets, but the big one depends whether they keep in touch with their service mates... those fellas they served with over there... is this an option (knowing that some vets don't keep up with thier service mates for some VERY good reasons!)?

Shelley said...

I suppose this says a lot about my father but I'm not really aware of him having any real hobbies. He spends a lot of time reading but, well, you know...
Since he stopped working he's become very insular. It's actually kind of depressing when I think about it. I'm never sure that Veteran's Affairs were right in throwing money at him or for their excessive regard for his health [that may well be his hobby these days]. It does say a lot about who he has become, though, that given the opportunity to do nothing, he pretty much does nothing. Mostly he just looks after the house and drives my mother around and looks after my cat [that probably counts as a full-time job].
We used to be quite close but I'm not sure that I like the new him so much. He's a bit too drugged for my liking. That's a bit awful, isn't it?

Oh and if he was hanging around old mates I so wouldn't be a part of it - filthy, groping old bunch of perves! Seriously had one assume I was my father's wife once - ew!

Rebecca said...

Loftus is the next station after Sutherland. It is just near the National Park.
Oh and sorry for the late reply, I was washing my hair.

Belongum said...

Hey, NPB... is there anything in what he reads that you can capitalise on? A place like Sydney... mate - there's heaps to do out your way. When you and your old man were close - what did you like to do together...? Yep... late still!