Six Degrees
Grandma, Mom and I lunched at Sarduccis in San Juan Capistrano. We did not even need to discuss where we would lunch, nor what we would order once we got there. As we approached the restaurant, which is now next to the Depot, we ran into Steve Bukich. He was a couple years behind Dad at Newport Harbor High School and a good friend. He was awaiting the arrival of the train, which was bringing his father, Rudy Bukich. Rudy was a father figure to my Dad during those years of running around Bayshore and Lido. Rudy also was responsible for getting both of the boys into Construction… as well as Professional Football. He was a quarterback at USC, and for the Bears in 1963 when they won a few games and earned the NFL championship. He was also my Dad’s Best Man. I saw the 78-year-old man, the championship ring, and the validity of all those stories, from all those years ago – for the first time. He told my Mom that she was more beautiful than he remembered. The Seafood Cobb was better than I had remembered it too.
We swung by the Cadillac dealership because Mom wants to trade the Escalade in for something that is more fuel-efficient. She does realize that almost every car on the road would be more fuel-efficient. I like the Escal-awwwd, don’t get me wrong. However, we don’t have an entourage/posse/driver, and gas is no longer $1.24 a gallon. We estimated that over the years, our family has purchased almost 10 Caddy’s (trucks and cars) from this same dealership. Don’t calculate the fuel consumption on that. It turns out that Allen (of ALLEN CADILLAC) was the father of the boys who presently run the dealership. We initially met the Allen Caddy Clan when my Dad coached the boys in West Newport. The boys were 9 years old at the time. Relationships, sports, cars… there is a theme here. It wasn’t that Dad was a great car-buying negotiator, he was a really great baseball coach in the early 70’s.
I had my nails done. I don’t always have my nails done. Having my nails done for me usually occurs when I realize that my nails look like I’ve been digging myself out of a cave with my bare hands and I have no ability to focus the 11 minutes required to do them myself. I am concerned about proper salon sanitation and the things that they are saying…presumably about me. I almost peed my pants when “Jenny” said, “Are you married? Do you have buoy-friiiiend? You work too much. You need paraffin wax. Make soofffft. You need find yourself a buoy-friiiiend”. If you’ve ever had your nails done at a place called something like The Nail Resort, Beautiful Nail, Nails for You or Expert Touch, then you can fully relate to this video. “Honey, why you no liiike?!”
Mom: You know, if someone wants to be a swinger, that’s fine. It’s better than if they went around killing people. I’ve never been a swinger- and I don’t want to be, but you know, if that’s what some people need to get excited, so be it!
Carly: What size diamonds should I wear?
Jeweler: Nothing more than a .96 TCW. You want to attract a nice boy who will buy you even larger ones.
Carly: Why can’t he buy me earrings that are even larger than 1.2 TCW?
Jeweler: You are scaring me.
Carly: If I have a boy, I’m returning it.
Grandma: Are you expecting?
Carly: No, but I am expecting to pop out a girl somehow, someday!
Mom: Those Cadillac Margaritas were strong! Did I hug your father? Are you okay to drive? (as we are halfway home, after leaving Olamendi’s)
