Sunday afternoon Girlfriend Brooks and I went to Billy's services in Harrison, New Jersey. This was my first time in Harrison, even though I've possibly been through it going to Newark Airport. From Vernon at my place it would've been an hour and 10 minute drive, from Brooks in Hackettstown it was only 54 minutes. The weather was sunny and warm, way better than it would've been if we had precipitation, plus wind.

When we arrived in Harrison, it was apparent that despite Sunday allowing for free metered parking, this was going to take some patience. I looked at Brooks once we approached a light after the funeral home where I said "well, since either of us don't know where we are, 50/50 shot whether we should take a left or right here, let's shoot for a left so we can try to do a glorified loop around the neighborhoods." So many driveways may have looked like open parking spots on the street at first , but then as you got closer it became apparent they weren't spots at all. As we got closer to Harrison I was reminded that it's been probably ten years since I've had to parallel park anywhere. I've been spoiled living here in country Northwest New Jersey these past 12 and a half years! In Boston I wouldn't say I was phenomenal at parallel parking, but with enough regular practice we did okay usually. Like so many things in life, when you fall out of practice, it just becomes a little tougher. After a couple of laps, Brooks and I spotted a spot that we couldn't tell if it was a new spot that had opened up or not. As we're saying "not sure if it's a spot or not let's try it," we slowly go by the spot. As I get halfway past the next car I hit the blinker and see in my rearview mirror there was a pretty big white pickup truck. Oh boy. Pressure is on! Fortunately, the guy in the pickup truck was patient. Even more fortunately, I nailed parallel parking into the spot IMMEDIATELY on my first shot! You couldn't have been off the street and into the space than I was. I think basically I got an adrenaline rush and blacked out while parking. I barely had to tweak the car at all straightening up in the space. Success!

On our way back, I asked Brooks if we could go somewhere just for a quick drink together. We were both dressed up, and I wanted to do something at least a little fun after the important Sunday afternoon activity we did of paying respects to our friends. I came up with the idea of having a quick drink at Mattar's Bistro in Hackettstown, where they have a wonderful patio. This ended up being a great decision for us. The weather was so comfortable and we were in the shade enjoying our drink. By then I just wanted an ice cold beer, and ended up getting a Lagunitas IPA. After one sip, I looked at Brooks and said "that sip just felt so amazing!"

It wasn't a long drive, just basically an hour each way, but a long and important day. Another remind to cherish, appreciate and love your wonderful friends and family every single day that you possibly can.

Brooks kept taunting me trying to force me to watch The Titanic for my first time ever. Many ask why I never saw that multiple award winning, billion + dollar earning film. Simply put? It's 3 hours long and I already know the boat sinks!!!

Fortunately we ended up watching a couple episodes of "The Rooster," with Steve Carell on HBO Max. We're really enjoying it.

Speaking of cherish, oh boy. Time to start planning next weekend when my parents hopefully visit me in Jersey for Memorial Day. Time to start cleaning too!!!

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