Tuesday, November 13, 2012

at home in an alien land

i've been silent. i admit it. this year has been a whirlwind. there was an immigration. there was the purchase of a new (read: additional) house. there was a crash course in how to be a landlord. there was a 1200 mile Grapes of Wraith-esque move. there was a very itchy welcome to Texas party. there were fleas. there was the great pool incident of 2012. there was a narrow escape from induction into the Stepford wives community. there was the death of a car, and the subsequent replacement. there was unpacking. there was settling. there was a wedding! there was laughter. there was a second wedding 6 days and 2500 miles away. there was work. there was exhaustion.

there is the ever present struggle to become at home in an alien land.

it's been six months in texas. 11 months in the US together. Mark appears to be adjusting to the US. I still don't quite have the hang of Texas.

Sarah: i want to go by that place, the extra/surplus/stuff-you-need-and-can't-afford-place

Mark: the bathtub place?

Sarah: no, the richland hills place. north-ish. i think.

Mark: oh. that place. i think it's closed on Sunday

Sarah: that's retarded. what kind of big DIY store is closed Sunday? it's one of the two weekdays allotted to DIY. that would be counter to all profitability

Mark: I don't think they consider themselves DIY

Sarah: they don't offer install services, and they sell items to be installed. therefore, they must assume you are DIY. therefor DIY. come on. let's go

Mark: fair. but they're still closed.

Sarah: they can't be closed. we covered this.

Mark: It's Sunday. This is Texas, self appointed God country. Closed.

Sarah: Lies.

Mark: Look it up. We'll go, but if it's closed you're in trouble.

<after some internet searching>

Sarah: that the fuck? why would they be closed? when else but Sunday would God want you to work on your house? he certainly can't be smiling on those fuckers sitting around watching football and drinking beer!

Mark: you realize the first time we went there was a Sunday. It was closed. you knew this.

Sarah: No! it was after 6. that's why it was closed. not sunday related at all

Mark: that was the second time dear.