Binghampton: Part 2

Saturday I decided to skip the graduation and go for a bicycle ride instead. Maybe I should have gone to the ceremony but on the other hand one of the speeches from a student was all about us being failures and dying. I think I made a good choice. In case you have never been to New York I’ll let you in on a little secret, it has big hills and lots of them. The ride started out ok but I quickly knew I was in trouble after coasting down a steep road for about twenty minutes. That sounds good but keep in mind it was a circular route so if I am going down I am going to have to come back up at some point. Fortunately the uphill was spread out amongst other down slopes and flat parts. The total length was 25 miles and it was definitely the hardest ride I have done yet. After graduation the boys decided to go play golf. There were eight of us, Cara’s dad Gary, Cara’s uncle Bob, Annie’s dad Herb, Annie’s brother Andrew, Brian, Eric and I. Annie came along for the stroll and to help feed the bugs. We decided to divide into two teams, old and young. Happily I made the young team, so Eric, Brian, Andrew and I took on Bob, Gary and Herb. We decided to play the best ball.* That was a very good thing because Brian and I suck. (no really, we suck.) In nine holes each us contributed only once as having hit the ‘best ball’. While playing we also managed to feed the entire bug population in the area. Herb brought Off bug spray and I am pretty sure we used it all as we sprayed ourselves ten times each. And even that only brought short relief. I figure all the bugs that drank my blood got a good deal since it probably still had beer from the night before and Gatorade from the bike ride. Unfortunately Eric and Andrews’ good play was not enough to overcome the old men and they won. On an upbeat note I only lost two golf balls in nine holes. (Or was it three?) For dinner we had my favorite food, Spiedies. After all Binghamton is the home of the Spiedie and it would be sacrilege not to have some when visiting. After dinner we all sat outside around a fire, smoked cigars, drank Labatts (imported, good), made smores, had wonderful conversation and relaxed. I think the fire might still be smouldering.

Sunday we woke and prepared for Cara’s party. After much work everything was in place. At one point Eric, Amy, Cara and I went to Walmart to pick some things up and I let Cara pick out the graduation card I was going to give her. We also picked up the balloons for the party; taking four of us might not have been the wisest decision. On the other hand the two in the back (Eric and Cara) were able to tell Amy if any cops were trying to pull us over since that was all they could see. And I could tell her if we were about to be hit from the right side since that was all I could see. Amy could only see forward and to the left. For future reference keep in mind that several bags full of inflated balloons take up a lot of space in a car. The party went well with lots of family and friends stopping by. There was way too much food but I did what I could to help out and all the while drinking Labatts. (you know) After much merriment and congratulations it was 7:30pm and I decided driving back to the Burg was not going to happen. I decided to follow Eric and Amy to Baltimore for the night. Gary tried to get me to take the Labatts but somehow I managed to distract him long enough to get away. We got to the big city safely. I learned that it is not easy getting a bicycle into an elevator with one hand while holding luggage in the other and trying to get another person with luggage in also. (stupid city, no elevators in Da Burg) Sleep came very fast.

Monday morning Amy went to work while I almost killed Eric and I on the way to pick up his car. Apparently he meant my other left. (stupid city) I got him to his car and headed home. The drive was pretty uneventful until we (other swift drivers and myself) came up behind a state trooper. Usually I see this as a good thing because normally they seem to be in a hurry so I just fall in behind and follow. This one was apparently out for a Sunday drive and kept to the speed limit. At one point he got off the highway and then got back on. I have never seen them do that before but always thought it would be an effective move to catch the rabbits among us. As he pulled off the highway it was like opening the gates at the beginning of a horse race but when he got back on we all slowed back down. He did not seem to be inclined to give chase to the few of us who had decided enough was enough and we were leaving the party. I made it home safely and without ticket. Another successful trip comes to a close.

I am sorry this was so long. I blame the Labatts.

* That means everyone on the team hits but each time instead of playing where each ball lands you play from where ever the best shot landed.