Sometimes my father absolutely baffles me.

[moominmuppet]

He's so logical. So sensible. He tracks his gas mileage obsessively. He knows his finances to the penny.

And then there are the decisions that he gets utterly set on, and I can't make the least sense out of. Like yesterday, when I had to debate with him for 50 blocks about why taking Euclid, to get from E. 172 to W. 11th, was NOT a more reasonable choice than taking I-90 (locals will understand why this is so damned baffling, we're talking a total drive time difference of probably close to an hour). And today, when the plan is apparently to come up from their hotel room in Akron (my brother's at Kent), pick me up from work in East Cleveland, and then drive back down to Akron, in rush hour, because "there are all sorts of restaurants and a movie theatre right across from our hotel". Keep in mind, I need to be back in Cleveland, at home, no later than 10pm or so if I'm going to have a hope in hell of being functional tomorrow. Keep in mind that Cleveland has no shortage of movie theatres. No shortage of restaurants. No shortage of these things paired together. WTF, Dad, WTF? Really, if you're set on chain restaurants (my folks seem to have a thing for them), I can and will find them for you up here. I just don't understand why I'm going to spend an extra two hours, minimum, in the car, when we've only got about five to spend together today, in order to get to something that's perfectly available here.

Edit: Finally convinced him that Valley View, and the innumerable restaurants around it, was a better option than driving to Akron just because he already knew where they were down there. Hoorah!

Comments

[kingtycoon.livejournal.com]

That's really peculiar - I mean? Is he like a construction work enthusiast and he wants to see what's up with the Euclid corridor? I've made that exact trip once or twice just for the scenery but I'm enthusiastic about urban blight - maybe he is? Maybe he wants to have extra time hanging out with his daughter? That's a possiblity.

You could make him stop in valley view - midway between cleveland and akron and take in a movie and a chain resteraunt there - a worthwhile stop maybe? And if likes scenic routes - you can follow the river all the way to akron - it's pretty in spring down riverview.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

That's really peculiar - I mean? Is he like a construction work enthusiast and he wants to see what's up with the Euclid corridor?

*snerk* If it were that, I'd actually understand. I'll go just about anywhere for curiosity sake. But this seemed to be that he honestly expected the straight line of Euclid to be more efficient somehow.

Maybe he wants to have extra time hanging out with his daughter? That's a possibility.

That did occur to me, but we don't get much actual conversation time in the car, compared to at a restaurant or someplace, because I'm in the backseat talking to the back of his head. And four large people in a car really isn't a comfy way to spend time.

Valley View was the most logical choice in my eyes; right down 77 from where I live, and easily accessible, with ridiculous numbers of restaurants (when I just did a search, so the family can debate the issue in the car, I came up with 40 within a 1-mile radius of the theatre). Thankfully, I called and explained this, and he's willing to go with that option, instead.

[chameleonpixie.livejournal.com]

Knowing your family . . . this post cracks me up.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

*chuckle* We certainly function in our own odd collective fashion.

[jajy1979.livejournal.com]

Try convincing dad not to do Dinner and a Movie every single time you see him. Anna and I aren't big movie buffs, and while free food is nice, something else for a change would be appreciated.

[kat-chan.livejournal.com]

I miss the theatres at Valley View. And the days when Quaker Steak was the only restaurant there.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

Yeah, development down there recently has just been crazy.

[kat-chan.livejournal.com]

That's not too good, with it being so close to the national park and all.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

*nod* No kidding.