An example of BoBA reality

Allow me to illustrate, using words, a typical Bedlam conversation.

"We understand you," said Mom to me.
"I hope so," I replied.
"But you have to understand us, as well. Choose the right words."
Well, duh! I've had to deal with that for the last two decades plus! It seems she didn't tire of saying the same old recycled advice that Mary Schmick hinted at in a column that Baz Lurhmann glorified a decade or so ago.
"Well, I congratulated him on finding his keys. Isn't that enough?"
"But it's too late. He doesn't need it."
"Okay, then I take back the congratulatory remark, and replace it with, 'Note to self: your key is in your compartment. You should have shook your head and kicked yourself for not looking for it there first.'"

That's where he found it. Four hours after the search began, sacrificing a buffet run to Hokkaido, on Cherry and Spring.

I'm happy for Dad. He is, once again, able to do what he does best: accommodate to those living in the mad house that is Intercommunity Care Center in Signal Hill. Too bad he interpreted the reminder as an insult. And it's a bummer that of all the places he didn't look for first, one of them just had to be that compartment of his.

It's a bummer to be senile, innit? In my dictionary, it's the same as old. Well, I can sympathize, because, sometimes, I don't look in the places I am most familiar with first when looking for something important. It happens.

And then we go off and fantasize about what we think SHOULD have happened, losing our touch with reality for a few idle minutes. I've observed this for a while, and it's a cycle. It happens every day in this house. Sometimes it's flat out fun to watch from a distance. Sometimes, the rationale would make the audience boo with disgust, as if it were a sitcom gone wrong.

But it makes people think about how good times, followed by bad, followed by good, alternate with each other. It's the Yin-Yang, the balancing act, that mystique that is the Bedlam.

On the mystique of the izakayas in Gardena, the Bedlam, and Dagwoods

Yesterday, I went down with my big sis and her fiancee down to this izakaya in Gardena called Azuma. I ate this big combination plate of teriyaki and tempura. The decor and look of this is consistent, I would think, with those in Japan. There are a lot of izakayas down in Gardena. It is a strong testament to the Japanese-America community there. I literally went through the kitchen to get to my seat. Brilliant.

I learned something about the aura of the Bedlam today. It does not favor me over my other family members, nor vice versa. It favors itself over everyone, with everyone. Last week, I was given the epithet of family scapegoat after misplacing my wallet. This weekend, my father misplaced his car keys. As I acknowledged the Bedlam at work, I sympathized.

I don't believe anyone would want to misplace his or her car keys. No way. Well, to be safe, at least order two or three backup copies, and store them in a place that is safe, deep in your family vault. Problem solved. And if you need to buy another, since you are using one in reserve, you can. Very unfortunate for Dad.

I've never been to Dagwoods. This is a sandwich/fast food chain down in Quebec. I'm hearing those commercials about the food there while listening to the Habs. When I go to Montreal for a visit, I wil make it a priority to check it out and have a bite to eat. With some poutine, I might add. But only if they get Stanley Cup #25. And if they don't, well, I may still go...but there are no guarantees.

As of this blog post time, it's Game 6 of the series between the Canadiens and Boston Bruins, and the Bruins are leading 5-4. The next game at the Bell Centre could be the last one.

Meanwhile, down in Northridge and Santa Barbara, the Dirtbags and 49er softball clubs are back to and continuing their winning ways. 16-2 and 9-2 hurtsplosions by the Bags (where was this the past few days pre-Pepperdine 10-0 washout?) combined with 8-6 and 5-2 wins over the Gaucho softball teams made things mighty nice today for the folks.