Tuesday, April 03, 2012

NONE BUT THE BRAVE DARE TO GO


When his parents were still smart
“Michael called, pick him up Friday at 4:00 pm.”

The news was dropped on me unexpectedly by TLW (The Little Woman), #2 Son was coming home for the week for a spring break. Who ever needed a break from spring?  That meant a drive upstate to Purchase, land of Pepsi and Saw Mill River Parkway traffic jams.

Entering the inner sanctum of a college man’s dormitory room, where three others also propagate various forms of fungi and micro bacterium, you cautiously step where no man has stepped before, invoking the help of God and arrival of mother, whether you believe or not.

There is a certain amount of pride in the décor. For instance: the corner bar, that houses a large speaker, a laptop opened and running a game, and a single dirty sock, is placed there to entice the young ladies on campus to stay for a while, perhaps for a beer, maybe some deep conversation, perhaps to find the other sock, with this sexy young bon vivant.
Strictly for illustrative purposes

There is last month’s laundry in the corner, waiting in rotation for last year’s to be moved, or buried, or sprayed, and of course the paper library that scattered throughout the apartment, revealing the instructions on how to keep the place neat.

One can not miss seeing the kitchen, richly appointed with last years crud, this month’s growth and next years micro organisms, happily reproducing and by now able to consume last years dishes and pots and pans that were some how missed when cleaning up the kitchen. Among the artifacts that are displayed is the entire collection of cereal boxes of General Mills and Post, equal opportunities for Pepsi and Coke, cigarettes and junk food, and cast iron opposed to Farberware.

#2 Son
Learning to walk in exaggerated steps, lifting you feet high (about waist high) to step over various items such as guitars, speakers, books, and maybe a guest sleep over, not to mention beer cans and bottles that are awaiting rebirth or metamorphosis from empty into filled.

The wall art, all selected with great care, 8 to 10 naked ladies with their backs turned to you and each one with a graphic all her own printed on her back, accompanies a large Bat Man poster, and a painting done in black and white that somehow looks great, but leaves one staring into it wondering why.

Be cautious and aware of stirring that may occur due to your own carelessness, awakening one of two of the inhabitants, slowly appearing from within their assigned cells, rubbing the last day and a half sleep from their eyes at 4:30 pm. Acknowledge their presence, but try not to look them in the eye or engage them in conversation.

Prior to my breakdown
Having mentioned this, I commented to #2 Son how much cleaner the place looked. (Really!)

“Mike, did you guys try to cleanup, it looks different, I saw a corner of the actual floor!”

“Yup, we all got together and did a little, like the décor, it still needs a little work though.” (Said with great pride)

When leaving, always make a note to schedule an immunity shot for your next visit to paradise found.


1 comment:

Laura ESL Teacher said...

Sounds lovely!