At some point during our stay in Maryland, I left a window open overnight in the bedroom where Dev and I were sleeping. I didn’t even notice because the heater works VERY efficiently in that room, compensating for the mildly cold air outside that night. But I weakened Dev’s sinuses which then caused her to catch Aidan’s sinus infection. Following tradition of the past 2-3 years, Devin would be sick for New Year’s Eve.
But not that sick - she was getting over it. And I was getting it. So we decided to take this NYE easy. I had made reservations at The Melting Pot for the early evening and then we planned on seeing a movie if possible but either way returning home to see the ball drop.
On the way to the Melting Pot, we were driving Ivan’s new 4Runner. Some idiot completely blows a red light on Ohio and State and nearly broadsides us - that it is my quick, cat-like reflexes hadn’t saved the evening and our lives.
Dinner was terrific although I was told we would have access to the whole menu, our menu was prix-fix. Our server compensated for the mostly-red meat dinner by hooking us up with a lot of ahi tuna for Dev to enjoy with the veggies. This would be the first time I’ve had fondue other than cheese and chocolate. It was tasty and romantic. We had a great time.
And oreo-cookie covered marshmellows dipped in chocolate are pure sin.
We came home, realizing it was too late for a movie, with our champagne glasses and the white wine + garlic seasoning from the Melting Pot. We got in our jammies and turned on Dick Clark’s Rocking New Year’s Eve only to realize that Dick Clark had been replaced by Regis and that Dick Clark had suffered from a stroke. Yes, the holidays have been a blur because we had heard nothing of this.
Then out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter. I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash. Thankfully, I didn’t have to tear open shutters or a sash. But the full moon on the breast of the ground without snow, gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear…nothing.
This confused me into the following day until I walked past the end of the street and saw a tow-zone sign bent back all the way to the ground, surrounded by tire-skid marks and dirt everywhere. This spot, where a car had obviously came crashing into after trying to take a turn too fast or just driving drunk, was a spot where we will commonly park Ivan’s car.
But we didn’t park it there that evening. 4-Runner saved, crisis averted, yet again. And after hearing the story of the friend of Umphrey’s McGee getting killed by a drunk driver - Dev and I agreed we’re done with using automobiles on New Year’s Eve.
Drunk drivers can suck it.
I was just listening to Gorillaz - 19-2000