Dinner with Dad

[Sugar Smack]

Last night, I was in really high spirits because of something that happened at work. I'd gone from being graphics designer at the sports equipment company I work at to ad manager as well. I had done all the work I'd need to do till AUGUST, and was worried about how I'd go "looking busy" for 6 months.

Then I got an idea to do a 2007 promotional calendar (which they'd never done before) and got my bosses to agree to it within an HOUR! I'm psyched, taking my camera to the mountains & the beach for pictures.

Dad and I were going to our favorite Iranian restaraunt, Parveneh. I told him the news as the owner greeted us. Dad was really happy. So M. Parveneh is a man in his mid-sixties I'd say. A man of few words and an enigmatic expression. He nodded when I ordered a beer and Olivieh, and Dad got a lamb and rice dish. We had a good time talking, ate til we were full, and at the quiet at the end I said, "excuse me" and went to the counter to pay M. Parveneh with my card.

Dad yelled, "I was going to get that!" I winked at Parveneh & added a seven dollar tip to a $21 order. Dad got out of his chair and started fiddling with his wallet. I roared, "Sit DOWN, old man, this is part of the celebration! I'm paying!"

When I turned back around, Parveneh winked at me and handed me a box with a Napoleon in it, which Dad loves. He goes, "THIS is for your celebration." Then, dad tried to leave a cash tip. He stood at the table and fiddled with his wallet some more. Then Parveneh snuck up behind him and did this "bear hug" move from behind to get him to close his wallet. Then, Dad ran around the tables, trying to take the tip money out of his wallet, while Parveneh gave chase.

I really wished I'd had a camera last night. :woohoo:

[TheProphetess]

1. That's darn cute!

Gotta love the dad. :)

[Sugar Smack]

7. My father is playful, and he's a gentleman.

That was so great! My Dad's young at heart. He was the one who raised me and my bro as hardcore liberals. He's a retired professor of linguistics now, with a full social schedule. Yes, you gotta love the dad! :D

[GalleryGod]

10. Excellent story,Sugar. Hats Off to Dad. Glad he made retirement.

[Sugar Smack]

18. WOW, me too. He was chairman of the German Dept

for some years, I think sixteen, and he also taught Norwegian & Icelandic.

I'm feeling rather proud of my old Dad right now, but I let him know that every chance I get. Even when he "guilt trips" me, which is what I've heard parents are supposed to do. ;-)

[redqueen]

2. Awwwww

What a nice evening. :)

Congrats on your promotion!

[Sugar Smack]

8. Thank you my dearest redqueen.

It's an evening I'll certainly remember!

:toast: :pals:

[Taverner]

3. Dad sounds like a cool guy

Let's hope I have that kind of relationship with my kids!

[Sugar Smack]

11. Dad is the coolest! And thank you for saying that.

There was one time we went to Parveneh, and we really had the Olivieh on our minds. It's a delicious chicken-potato-egg salad you put in pita bread. Anyway, the restaraunt was rather crowded. They'd run out of Olivieh, M. Parveneh said, shrugging a little. I started doing this really exaggerated head-banging gesture on the counter, and my Dad grasped at the counter as though his knees were buckling. We were both wailing in protest as people stared at us and the normally straight-faced M. Parveneh laughed.

That was a fun time, too. :D

[In_The_Wind]

4. Congratulations Sugar !

:yourock: We'll celebrate when I get there!

[Sugar Smack]

12. YES, I cannot WAIT! Thank you so much

for your love & support of me. I'm so glad I know you.

:toast: :bounce: :hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :yourock: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[In_The_Wind]

31. You're a star!

We've got so much to talk about !!!

[SeattleGirl]

5. Your dad is a hoot!

That's a great story. And, congrats to you on your promotion!

[Sugar Smack]

13. Thanks so much! And he is! Get this-

He's good friends with this one married couple. They have two routines:

The husband, "Ron" greets him with an improvised made-up language. Dad responds very quickly in his own gibberish. It's always a sort of public spectacle, while Ron's wife rolls her eyes & smiles. They do this louder & louder until they sound like they're having an argument, then burst out laughing and hug one another. The code is: "I'll call you soon & we'll get together".

Also, when these two greet each other at one or another's house, one always stoops first to "show his respect". The other will do the same, and they'll continue this until they're flopping face-first on the floor. Each one wanting to be "lower" than the other!

:rofl:

[SeattleGirl]

14. That is so funny!

I would especially love to see the bowing routine!!! :rofl:

[Sugar Smack]

21. This is the we we all our with our close friends.

Hey, maybe I should start a "routines" thread for people who have certain things they do.

My best friend & I call each other "Chuck", and it came out of highschool. We also use a made-up word, "RAK" which accompanies a face of happy devilry. It means, "Hi/I love you/you're funny/goodbye for now".

[SeattleGirl]

43. That might be an interesting thread.

I have one I could post there.

[GumboYaYa]

6. Congratulations, what a neat story. n/t

[Sugar Smack]

15. Thank you, GumboYaYa!

You're making me want to eat Gumbo or paella & watch "The Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" again. I wonder why.

:D

[Call Me Wesley]

9. Great news!

Congratulations on the promotion (which, of course, you deserved), and thank you for sharing this story. My hat's off to both your dad and Mr. Parveneh.

:hi:

[Sugar Smack]

17. LOL! I really appreciate it.

I love adults who are not afraid to leave room for silliness in their lives. The promotion was a blast from four years ago.

Four years ago, I was unemployed & going crazy from it. I got a job through a temp agency. The job was to do assembly at the place I'm working now. I did it for a year and was satisfied with it because at least I had a job.

Later, I showed my bosses my concern that their freelance graphic designer was ripping them off, "and I don't want to see you get ripped off" were my words. They asked me if I could do better, so I spent a week on the phone with my bro (a pro at graphic design) crying & trying to figure out Photoshop at home. I got 4 hours of sleep that whole time. When they dropped their guy & hired me in-house, I decided it was all worth it.

Please give the beautiful & marvelous Heidi a hug for me.
:loveya: :hug: I really think the world of you both.

[Beware the Beast Man]

16. I was waiting for the serious twist in this story.

Thank goodness it never came.

Sounds like it was a riot. :)

[Sugar Smack]

19. No serious twist, not today, babe. ; )

True moment I felt like telling EVERYBODY. And I don't usually reveal personal details. It was just too much, and seeing two men chase each other around a restaraunt (one of them Dad) made me dearly wish I'd had a camera with me.

:)

[ScreamingMeemie]

20. Awwwww....

sniffle...Daddy's are the best. Thanks for sharing that.

[Sugar Smack]

22. MISSUS GRUMPY!

You're the best. I know I've said that promiscuously to other DUer's but you're really, really the best, along with nnns, Joani, merh, and bridgit. & Jane pippin.

Thanks for reading it. Can you believe this is semi-typical behavior? Dad raised two hardcore, staunch liberals singlehandedly, and we will do anything, take a bullet, for him.

:loveya: :hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

26. What a rock solid foundation for you to grow up on...I have a dad

who encouraged me to laugh and appreciate life. It takes a special person to be like your dad.

And, you are too nice to me. You are one of the best Sugar...and I am grateful for our friendship. :loveya:

[Sugar Smack]

30. I am grateful for ours, too.

Some of the things about you I appreciate most remind me of my Dad:

A willingness to listen and understand

A great sense of humor

A need for truth

Loyalty

And a fabulous, built-in bullshit detector!



:loveya: back!

[ScreamingMeemie]

34. I am honored that you would say that.

Thank you Sugar Smack. :loveya:

[Sequoia]

23. Now that's a very sweet story and congratulations.

[Sugar Smack]

28. Hi, Sequoia!

:hi:

I haven't seen you around for some time. Thank you for the congratualtions. Couldn't have happened to a better featherbrain! :silly:

OTOH, my Dad really has inspired me. When he says he's proud of me, I get happy!

:toast:

How are you?

[Sequoia]

47. Thanks. I've been around.

Only have access at work though. My pop died long ago and it's funny when you get older and have kids you realize being a parent is hard work and there's so many questions I wish I could ask him...like WWII and Germany and things like that. When we'd have some kids over (13 yrs old)he wanted to tell us stories about his war days but I'd roll my eyes...don't embarras me, no one wants to hear about that old stuff. He went off to work one day and had a stroke. I flew back to NC and we went to his work place and there was his old car in the lot. It just made me sad and when I saw his old cap he always wore I just cried a river. Darn...see what you made me do....the screen is all fuzzy now and my makeup is running down my cheeks! LOL!

[Sugar Smack]

49. You just made me start bawling, S.

I am so sorry. Oh, GOD your story is so vivid and poignant. I'm honored you would share it with me. Bet we aren't the only two people crying at work right now.

:hug:

[Sequoia]

52. Righty Oh!

Our dad loved us as little kids but didn't know how to handle us as we got older and sassier. Little kids are adoring and trusting and when we grew up and moved away he'd take little kids home from his church and let them ride on his tractor. He died around Christmas and when were going over his stuff we found presents for the children. When my daughter was born long after he passed away I thought it was sad that he and she would never know each other. He would have spoiled her royally.

You have a great weekend. Now everyone, go hug your dad!

[NoSheep]

24. Nice story! I also had dinner with elders last night. It was great!

[Sugar Smack]

33. Look, hey! Tell us about it, would you?

:bounce: :toast:

[NoSheep]

37. My best girlfriend is from Minneapolis. We live in the Triangle area of NC

Her parents, in their late 60's, came to see me last night in my new house in Durham. They're here to stay with her for 2 weeks.
I grew up with fairly conservative parents. Although they were independent thinking, their experience was fairly limited. I have always felt alienated from folks in their generation who grew up around me here in NC.
My friends parents are educated, well traveled and radical as hell! Very bohemian and down to earth. I love talking with them and they like me too, which is very flattering as I admire them a great deal.
They made themselves at home in my home, which is also a complement.
We had prosciutto and cheeses and olives and melon and asparagus and wine and we talked and talked and laughed.
we didn't have to sit at a table and eat with utensils and be all uptight. It was more about being together and less about the ritual of entertaining and conforming to familial roles.
We can talk about politics and agree on everything and also learn from each others unique points of view.
I'm glad you had a good night with your own dad!

[Sugar Smack]

42. NoSheep.

I loved your story. Thank you SO MUCH for it.

[bridgit]

25. there now ya'see...

i been saying for some time, "why i bet she just says she's doing nothing when she actually is all along" congrat'z Sugar :toast:

[Sugar Smack]

35. LOL!

I don't know exactly why, but your post hit me just right & I've been cackling like a madgirl for some time. Jeebus, I love you, bridgit!

:toast: :hi: :loveya: :applause: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[no name no slogan]

27. Your dad is the bomb-diggity-bomb

Has he worn that "Uff-Da" shirt I brought him yet? I'd love to see the looks on his folk dancing group's faces. :D

[Sugar Smack]

36. Oh, yes, but you DO know that "uff-da"

means, "AW, heck", right? At least that's what The Linguistics Professor told me. He may have been telling tall tales. :o

[no name no slogan]

50. Your pa is as intelligent as is his handsome

And he's right about "Uff Da" too! :loveya:

[SharonRB]

29. Very cute story, Sugar

Congratulations on your promotion!

Are you coming to New York next week?

[Sugar Smack]

38. Ah hell's bells, no. I've got a somewhat grumpy boss

who appreciates the fact I've had an appendectomy & the flu, but he draws the line afterward at "frivolous" time off and has cut me off from any partygoing, even if for just one day. I'd love to see you again & sit down & talk with you again, dammit.

:o

[SharonRB]

40. Oh, darn!

So sorry you can't get the time off. Can't even come for Saturday and Sunday? Maybe we'll be able to meet up again some other time.

I didn't realize you were a graphic designer. So am I.

[Sugar Smack]

53. Let's do that; I would really like to see you again.

And the graphic design? WOW. I feel like I'm very lucky. I wanted to major in it in college, but suppplies were too expensive. I majored in Enlish & History instead. I took the "path of most resistance" to get here. 10 years of retail & food service hell, specifically.

[GOPisEvil]

32. First, congratulations, roomie!!

Second, your dad sounds like a hoot! :thumbsup:

[Sugar Smack]

39. Thank you honey.

He really is. When Eric & I were little he'd embarrass us by singing "Paint it Black" in public, using a sort of patented whiny voice, like it was a funeral. Now, we love that stuff.

[GOPisEvil]

41. Oh, now that is hysterical!

:rofl:

[LynneSin]

44. Sweetie - you need to come up to NYC to celebrate with us

:bounce:

[Sugar Smack]

45. I WISH!

Right now I can't take a single day of sick-leave, or anything-leave, off.

And I would love to see you again,

~Love, dammit, me.

[RPM]

46. must be nice to have a father who is still alive.

i miss mine.

but, i got enough entertainment out of him in our 29 years together that i dont feel shorted at all.

[Sugar Smack]

55. Hey, RPM-

When I was in my late teens it just hit me one day that this wonderful man who raised my brother & me singlehandedly- he'd won custody- would not be around some day. And that the only person I would be able to truly relate my sorrows to was him. So I really am grateful to you that you had appreciation of a good situation.

Hugs for you. :hug:

[auntAgonist]

48. heartwarming story Sugar Smack .......congrats

on the success at work too!! Your Dad sounds WONDERFUL! (so do you btw!)


aA

[Sugar Smack]

56. Hi, aA!

Thank you! You are so nice to say that. He keeps me tied to family history on his side as well.We have family all over NC, and Dad keeps us informed of our roots. Any time he points something out about our family, or tells stories about them, I really get interested.

Now, this was the stuff he tried to tell me & my bro when we were teenagers, stuff we yawned at then but want to hear over & over now.

[Misunderestimator]

51. Great vignette, SS!

Very sweet. And Congratulations on the job front too... That sounds exciting!! :toast:

[Sugar Smack]

58. Thank you-

The promotion is exciting, and it means little to no supervision.

On the Dad front, I think I'll send him a link to this thread as a little present.

[Richardo]

54. great story, SS

And congrats on you promotion. :toast:

[Sugar Smack]

59. Richardo!

:toast:

You know, my Dad was a little concerned about me at one point because about 6 yrs ago I was a total fluffhead about politics & for the past 2 years have become rabid. "Who'da thunk it?" he's said.

The name "Richardo" makes me want to watch Fargo tonight. Again! And I love your dogs. Both of them. :D

[Richardo]

61. Fargo, you betcha. I just saw it again on Bravo last weekend.

You should see my five 'real' dogs.

[Sugar Smack]

63. OK, besides Steve Buscemi & Frances McDormand,

my FAVORITE character was the hooker with the muckle-mouth. The one that he'd picked up to see a BLIND musician play. The way she contorted her face was amazingly funny, and she's actually quite pretty.

NNNS & I were here, and we rewound that scene about a hundred times. We nearly pissed ourselves laughing.

*you do know who I'm talking about, right*?

[Richardo]

64. Carl: "Enjoy escort work?" Hooker: "What the hell're you talking about?"

:rofl:

[Sugar Smack]

66. Hooker: "So what do you do?"

Carl: "Ahh...WAITER!"
Hooker: Goes cross-eyed.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Poor Carl coudn't have a decent conversation with ANYONE, did you notice?

[supernova]

57. Where is this place?

It sounds wonderful and I'd like to try it! :D

Your dad sounds like a wonderful guy, Sugar Smack. And congrats on your promotion! :D

[Sugar Smack]

60. Hey, supernova, you have got to try it.

There's a "Whole Foods plaza" near Eastgate. It's right smack between Eastgate and our laughable University Mall.

Anyway, it's off to the side of the Plaza. Near a Burger King which is next to 15-501. Well, it's located right next to a hair salon and a cutesy-poo "gift shoppe" called "The Purple Puddle". Parveneh. The name in Iranian means "Butterfly". And the owner is the waiter, and I love that guy.

Thanks for the congrats on my promotion too. :toast: :bounce:

[supernova]

62. Hey, I think I've seen that place

I've never been in there, though. Based on your rec, I'll definitely have to try it! :thumbsup:

You tell such wonderful stories! :D

[Sugar Smack]

65. Are you serious? Thank you!

This is the best forum, I think, to tell your things, the little ones, that make so much sense to you. There's some nonsense here of which I'm not immune, but I really like "good stuff".

I am really on for the 25th. D'you think I should start another thread about it? Esp. to get out Jamaesiene & Kick-ass-bob?

[supernova]

67. Ask Jamastiene, by all means

Bob says he has family stuff to do (wifey's birthday, go figure) Excuses, excuses.

I think we scared him off when we went to the Hibernian. :P ;-)

Yes, start another thread. I haven't heard from ncrainbowgrrl yet either and she usually makes it. As does dicksteele and his SO. :hi:

[no name no slogan]

70. I love your stories

it's one of the things that attracted me to you in the first place! :loveya:

[Sugar Smack]

71. Really? Your smart-assy little threads about music were what

did it for me! Ay-Karumbah!

:D

[swag]

68. Big congratulations. And great story.

[Sugar Smack]

69. Thank you, swag.

There had to be a remarkable hookup of timing, luck, acknowledgement of an opportunity, balls (of course), and desperation to pull this off.

So, they are giving me carte blance with a camera to go ahead and take pictures for the calendar. I can't wait to start taking road trips. That's what my father was so bouncy about at Parveneh, the fact that I've had 3 dozen jobs, this one stuck, and now I'm very happy with it.

[Redstone]

72. Wait. You do graphics design and advertising? Want to come work

for me? I really need some help, and it sure would be nice to have someone I wouldn't have to train.

Redstone

[Sugar Smack]

73. Believe me when I say

I am totally thinking about that.