It's funny when you grow up, and your parents kind of stop being "parents" in the traditional sense, and actually become your friends. Even though you can revert back to having that parent-child relationship every so often, you start to not notice the gap anymore, and have more equal footing. Of course, that doesn't keep me from telling my dad not to watch his old western shows, because he had always said "when it's your roof, you can make the decisions..." and now those words have come to haunt him.
My parents came to "Warshington" as my mom calls it, to visit last weekend, and had a fun-filled, action packed weekend. And for two people who live in a small town, (and having grown up there myself), I'm always suprised at how well they handle themselves in situations that aren't the norm for lil ole' Roanoke.
On Friday, we decided to go out to dinner in Capital Hill to a restaurant called Sonoma-a California-type cuisine restaurant with delcious wines, yummy cheese boards, and really simple-fresh food. Two bottles of wine later-everyone was feeling pretty happy, and enjoying their meals. Al and I had been invited to our friend Daniel's birthday party, which was also on the Hill-and since everyone seemed in good spirits-and my parents had met Daniel and his partner Michael before, we asked them to come along. We walked up to the bar-Remington's, I paid the cover, and we walked in. It took about 2.5 seconds to look around take in all the men in muscle shirts and cowboy hats to realize I had taken my parents to a gay bar--and not just a gay bar, but a LINE dancing gay bar.
My parents are pretty liberal compared to some of the people in Roanoke, VA-but even this was a bit eye opening of an experience for them. Luckily, they had a great time, stayed for a drink, and admired the line dancing, which I have to say was excellent. It was a fun night, and I have to give my parents major kudos for being such open-minded people.
The next day, I took my mom with me to go to my workout class-it's mostly African American women in my class, who just bring a huge amount of life to the class-they cheer, they laugh, and they totally make fun of me, but it's so much fun. Mom got a taste of the women yelling at her-which was another new one in her book-but again, she was gracious and took it in stride.
Meanwhile, my dad went with Al to go work out in the morning as well. After our respective workouts, we came home-I briefly met up with my friend Shannon and her boyfriend Richard, in town from Memphis.
And after that, we went to the Yankees vs. Nationals game. Even though I'm a Nats fan, for this game, I cheered on the Yankees, since my family are all Yankee fans. I was surprised at the number of Yankee fans at the game, but even more surprised at the language of some of the Nats. fans to the Yankees. As soon as the Nationals started to win, this one guy starts yelling "F*$% YOU!" over and over again to us Yankee fans--and of course, right in front of his 3 year old kid...nice role model. Sad day for the Yankees-but it was a neck and neck game, and one of the more exciting ones we've been to in awhile.
We went for a quick, easy dinner at Busboys and Poets, and then came home for a not so rousing game of Trivial Pursuit-with Al majorily kicking our butts. At one point, I answered a question wrong, and trying to copy the guy from the game, my mom starts yelling (jokingly) "You F#$(!!" My family and I just looked at each other and started rolling with laughter...to funny. I miss the days of sitting around with my family and laughing until I cry.
It was a good weekend, wrapped up with a nice brunch for dad.
And, of course, a lesson in researching bars BEFORE taking your parents to them...
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