Tomorrow is the non-event that is Father's Day in Finland. I think even many of the stores have given up trying to make a thing of it, since no one buys much for fathers. Which isn't a bad thing, since what tends to get bought isn't really what is wanted. I haven't really heard any of my father friends say, "the gift was so thoughtful2 and just what I wanted". I didn't even realise it was coming up this Sunday until a couple days ago I was in the city with Smallsteps and while waiting for her to come out of the bathrooms, I stood next to a display about the size of a bedside table with a little printed sign that said "Remember Father's Day" and a small pile of socks on it.
if I get breakfast made for me, I am happy enough.
I changed the tyres today.
And yes, the car is filthy, but there is no point washing it as the roads are soggy and the rain keeps coming. Instead of doing it in the garage on the newly painted floors, I took it to an underground parking hall not far away, as I usually do. It is nicer to change them when there is solid concrete underneath and it is dry. The carpark I normally go to has put up ridiculous signs that say "no changing tyres" which I think is ludicrous, considering it is a shopping centre that has heaps of space and the only people changing the tyres there would be locals, who use the shopping centre. They should be encouraging people to visit. So the one I went to is where my gym is.
It was a workout.
I don't know what the deal is the last few years, but changing tyres has sucked. Last year when I changed them there were lockbolts on the wheels and the key was shredded, so I couldn't get them off. Suffice to say, I no longer have lock bolts - who the hell is going to steal stock VW alloys? This year, some of the bolts were extremely tight and I thought I was going to have to go to the hardware store and buy a mallet, but in the end I managed, though I was close to having a hard attack. Normally it takes me about 30 to 40 minutes to do them all, but it was closer to an hour today.
I needed to burn some calories anyway.
Went to the gym after for a proper workout.
My wife came to the gym also, for the first time in about two weeks. She got sick a week or two before me and has recovered at about the same time I have, so she was ill for longer. Ill or not, I think moving is better than not moving and I tend to get better faster than most people from flus, which I think comes down to me keeping the blood flowing. I reckon it creates a better environment for healing than sitting around on the couch, dwelling in sickness. My voice still hasn't recovered fully from coughing yet though.
Father's Day is not really about me anyway. We end up going to spend each of them with my Father-in-Law instead, which is fine since I want Smallsteps to spend as much time with her grandparents as possible, while she can. They are not in bad shape for their advanced age, but they are mentally slipping and once it really starts, I know how fast it can happen. I try to encourage her to talk to them often and ask them lots of questions. She is yet to lose anyone that she knows, but it that time is drawing rapidly nearer and it will be interesting to see how she reacts.
But we aren't quite there yet, even though just tonight she asked me how long I think I am going to live. She thinks it might be until a hundred, but that is wishful thinking and I said it is better not to think about it and just live. Mostly because I think old age is not going to be in my stars. But who knows. Whatever happens, she will have to cope with it the best she can. I don't want her to spend much time remembering me and a lot of time living life fully instead.
And on that happy note, time for bed.
Taraz [ Gen1: Hive ]
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