Many long-timers here might recall that while my dad is amazing in certain subjects, such as math and engineering (especially HVAC and related subfields), in other areas, he leaves much to be desired.
Case in point. We live in a part of Florida that is now on the outer edge of the threat zone of Hurricane Ivan. We’ve received the warnings, and have been told to make the necessary preparations. What is most important to my dad, you ask?
Getting supplies? Nope…
Boarding up? Nope…
Calling me to see if I’m alright? Not a peep…
If you guessed calling me to ask for my help to fix his internet connection, which has been down all morning, you’re the winner. He proceeded to tell me in excruciating detail, right down to the number, and the color of every individual light on both the cable modem and the router, both of which I set up for him, and which I knew well, since I had previously owned them both myself. And when my dad starts going, getting a word in edgewise at times is tantamount to expecting a newborn baby to master juggling ten balls in the air whilst riding a unicycle…
He then spend the next 5 minutes 34 seconds after that (yes, I timed him) saying how he’ll be fine without it for a while, how he knows I’m busy, and so on, you know, laying on the guilt trip mighty thick. And I really was busy, since he interrupted me while I was on the other line with a client who was anxious about the hurricane and wanted me to help make sure their systems for their business were properly shut down prior to unplugging them to avoid any possible electrical issues.
Sorry, my phone autocorrected Ian to say Ivan for whatever reason…