One For the Road
I graduated from college in 1993 and moved to Orange County, California. Why? My two best friends were moving there to get hot jobs, and I wanted to do the same. It turns out that the job market was terrible, so I took a minimum wage job at a copy shop. The lack of money was problematic, but we saved up for Friday nights. Typically, we went to a movie or had an inexpensive meal—lots of driving around to see what was out there. I have so many good memories of those budget-stretched nights.
A year later, I had to move home, and my college friends moved back to their home state of Massachusetts. I eventually got an engineering job that started me off on the path to adulthood. Yet, one tradition remained from that time. Going out with friends on Friday nights.
Because I moved home, I reunited with my high school buddies. Since we were all employed, we could afford to go to good restaurants and bars. Our evenings concluded at my friend Ray’s, where we talked about life, work, girls, computers, technology, world events, and cars.
Around 20 years ago, my friend Ray moved to an apartment in Mira Mesa because it was close to his work. Two traditions formed at this time. The first was that Ray usually grilled something yummy for dinner, and then we watched something online. Wait. What is that?
Why it’s the latest thing. You need a high-speed internet connection. One MEGABIT minimum. You can search for videos and download them to a USB stick. Getting one video at this high speed only takes about an hour.
What strange things are available to download? Whatever you like. They even have full-length movies!
Watching stuff from the internet became the highlight of our week, and Ray became a master at finding unique material. It was at this time that he located our jam. The year was 2002, and the show was called Top Gear. It was a car program hosted by three very different guys, and they joked around while discussing and driving cars.
Every Friday night, we had to watch at least three episodes. Had we seen them before? Sure, but it did not matter because we could watch the same show a hundred times. But why was the show so special?
I have been trying to answer this question since I watched the first episode. My best answer is that the three hosts have great chemistry, the producers went far out of their way to provide interesting material, and the subject of cars is always appealing.
The Top Gear program ran until 2015 due to a blow-up with one host and a producer. (Note: The BBC tired new hosts without success and canceled the show in 2023.) In 2016, the three original hosts started a new show called The Grand Tour. It had a similar format, and in many ways, was better. Yet, after a solid first season, we began watching less and less Grand Tour. The hosts were getting older, and the magic was fading. “Been there, done that.”
We still get together every Friday night, but things are changing. Where to begin? How about the group’s parents? First, Tim’s father passed away, then Ray’s mother, followed by Susan’s father. My father has Parkinson’s, Ray’s father’s heart is not doing well, both my mother and mother-in-law had a significant fall with broken bones, and my father-in-law has substantial medical issues.
Ray is the nexus of our group. Six years ago, he stopped controlling his diabetes, which damaged his eyes, toes, and liver. He has started managing it, but the damage cannot be reversed. Ray used to be so dynamic and vibrant. Now, he is quiet and routinely discusses dying. I fear writing an article titled “Ray.” While there will be a lot of material, the article will be challenging to write.
As for me, I have been out of a job for way too long, and my minor health issues are no longer minor. The good news is we have a fantastic daughter who is healthy and happy, but there is a problem. She left for college two weeks ago, leaving a hole in our lives. Our house feels like a place with three light bulbs, one of which has burned out. There are shadows of her everywhere, and it is so quiet.
A recent event highlighted this life change. On September 12, 2024. The Grand Tour had its final episode titled “One For the Road.” It lacked drama, fun, and action.
I had to stop the video several times to walk around because I did not want to see the ending. And then it ended. Now, I have no desire to see any reruns or learn what the hosts are up to because doing so would be too painful.
Why am I so sad? After all, I have experienced the ending of many beloved television shows. Plus, I read cherished books with a final chapter. None of these left me so mopey. The answer is that nothing will ever replace that joyous moment in my life, and this mirrors our Friday nights. Now, we talk about getting older, health problems, and how bad politics have become. Fridays went from the highlight of my week to a depressing meeting where we cheered each other up.
Writing this article sparked a memory. My parents used to have big parties with all their friends. It was the ‘70s, and they did all kinds of crazy stuff. Now, they sit around and deal with medical issues. That is going to be me very soon. The last Grand Tour episode brought this into focus. My social life is finite, and the end is fast approaching.
Well, I am going to end this article with a final bummer. I enjoy the Paramount Plus show Lower Decks. It is an animated series set in the Star Trek Universe, and the writing is fantastic. Due to botched lower ratings, the streaming service canceled the show, and they are airing the final ten episodes on October 24.
I should be grateful because there have been far too many abruptly ended book series and television shows. Hopefully, I will get some answers about the Lower Decks characters.
Enough! I am getting out of this negative funk by writing, editing, and creating new plots. That way, my fans will get a proper ending.
You’re the best -Bill
October 16, 2024
A year later, I had to move home, and my college friends moved back to their home state of Massachusetts. I eventually got an engineering job that started me off on the path to adulthood. Yet, one tradition remained from that time. Going out with friends on Friday nights.
Because I moved home, I reunited with my high school buddies. Since we were all employed, we could afford to go to good restaurants and bars. Our evenings concluded at my friend Ray’s, where we talked about life, work, girls, computers, technology, world events, and cars.
Around 20 years ago, my friend Ray moved to an apartment in Mira Mesa because it was close to his work. Two traditions formed at this time. The first was that Ray usually grilled something yummy for dinner, and then we watched something online. Wait. What is that?
Why it’s the latest thing. You need a high-speed internet connection. One MEGABIT minimum. You can search for videos and download them to a USB stick. Getting one video at this high speed only takes about an hour.
What strange things are available to download? Whatever you like. They even have full-length movies!
Watching stuff from the internet became the highlight of our week, and Ray became a master at finding unique material. It was at this time that he located our jam. The year was 2002, and the show was called Top Gear. It was a car program hosted by three very different guys, and they joked around while discussing and driving cars.
Every Friday night, we had to watch at least three episodes. Had we seen them before? Sure, but it did not matter because we could watch the same show a hundred times. But why was the show so special?
I have been trying to answer this question since I watched the first episode. My best answer is that the three hosts have great chemistry, the producers went far out of their way to provide interesting material, and the subject of cars is always appealing.
The Top Gear program ran until 2015 due to a blow-up with one host and a producer. (Note: The BBC tired new hosts without success and canceled the show in 2023.) In 2016, the three original hosts started a new show called The Grand Tour. It had a similar format, and in many ways, was better. Yet, after a solid first season, we began watching less and less Grand Tour. The hosts were getting older, and the magic was fading. “Been there, done that.”
We still get together every Friday night, but things are changing. Where to begin? How about the group’s parents? First, Tim’s father passed away, then Ray’s mother, followed by Susan’s father. My father has Parkinson’s, Ray’s father’s heart is not doing well, both my mother and mother-in-law had a significant fall with broken bones, and my father-in-law has substantial medical issues.
Ray is the nexus of our group. Six years ago, he stopped controlling his diabetes, which damaged his eyes, toes, and liver. He has started managing it, but the damage cannot be reversed. Ray used to be so dynamic and vibrant. Now, he is quiet and routinely discusses dying. I fear writing an article titled “Ray.” While there will be a lot of material, the article will be challenging to write.
As for me, I have been out of a job for way too long, and my minor health issues are no longer minor. The good news is we have a fantastic daughter who is healthy and happy, but there is a problem. She left for college two weeks ago, leaving a hole in our lives. Our house feels like a place with three light bulbs, one of which has burned out. There are shadows of her everywhere, and it is so quiet.
A recent event highlighted this life change. On September 12, 2024. The Grand Tour had its final episode titled “One For the Road.” It lacked drama, fun, and action.
I had to stop the video several times to walk around because I did not want to see the ending. And then it ended. Now, I have no desire to see any reruns or learn what the hosts are up to because doing so would be too painful.
Why am I so sad? After all, I have experienced the ending of many beloved television shows. Plus, I read cherished books with a final chapter. None of these left me so mopey. The answer is that nothing will ever replace that joyous moment in my life, and this mirrors our Friday nights. Now, we talk about getting older, health problems, and how bad politics have become. Fridays went from the highlight of my week to a depressing meeting where we cheered each other up.
Writing this article sparked a memory. My parents used to have big parties with all their friends. It was the ‘70s, and they did all kinds of crazy stuff. Now, they sit around and deal with medical issues. That is going to be me very soon. The last Grand Tour episode brought this into focus. My social life is finite, and the end is fast approaching.
Well, I am going to end this article with a final bummer. I enjoy the Paramount Plus show Lower Decks. It is an animated series set in the Star Trek Universe, and the writing is fantastic. Due to botched lower ratings, the streaming service canceled the show, and they are airing the final ten episodes on October 24.
I should be grateful because there have been far too many abruptly ended book series and television shows. Hopefully, I will get some answers about the Lower Decks characters.
Enough! I am getting out of this negative funk by writing, editing, and creating new plots. That way, my fans will get a proper ending.
You’re the best -Bill
October 16, 2024
