Not being fully prepped ....

28 May 16
08:05 hrs

     Yes. Not being fully prepped ...Does Not Give You The Right To Be An ASSHOLE!

     Or be GRUMPY, BITCH, ANGRY, CURSEY,  or any of seven pissed off dwarves that live in your world.

     So there we were, out for our first camping experience of the season. The trailer was loaded with all the amenities. My Better Half and I had prepped the interior. Over the winter I had completed some maintenance on the Mobile Wayward Inn - a broken door latch had to be replaced and other odd things that come up from time to time. In the spring I de-winterized it the plumbing. This was also the first time we would be hauling the Mobile Wayward Inn with the Prairie Pearl. (By the way, it tows like a dream.)

     So we get out to the location. There was some confusion as to where the camping area was in the park but we found it and with my Lobster's ground marshalling directions I slid that unit right in with no problems at all. We all worked together, including Loin Fruit #2, and the trailer was open for business in no time. The wood guy came by and we bought some wood. Out came the axe, choppitty chop, the wood was split... It was wet. Not just damp on the outside but on the inside. The Junior Couch Monkey wanted to make the fire. Knock yourself out kid. It was about this time that I heard my Better Half running the water pump in the trailer. It didn't run long before it died out. I popped in and checked the system levels and discovered that the batteries were toast.

     In the winter I had forgotten to pull the batteries and maintain them on a trickle charge. @#=&_××₩*€&/$#%!!!!!

     How could I miss that? It's fundamental. Loin Fruit #2 and I rig the solar panel and I reconnect the truck power. By limiting everything we may yet salvage the trip. Ah, but the fire is not going and tonight's fare is supposed to be tubes of mystery meat roasted over an open fire. And for that we need...an open fire. It took me three or four attempts but it finally lit off. But at what cost? My shitty attitude caused my Lobster and Loin Fruit #2 to go for an extended walk around the campsite just to get away from Sir Grumpsalot.

     Was I grumpy with them? No. I was angry with myself because I had let them down by not having the batteries inspected and maintained. The fact that the fire was a real pain to get lit was just icing on the cake. There is nothing wrong with getting angry. It is a normal healthy emotion. It's not normal or correct to take the emotion out on others when they are not the causal factor.

     And what of Loin Fruit #1?

     We have decided to eliminate the drama factor by allowing him to stay home alone for the weekend. That's right! Here's a huge chunk of rope. Try not to screw up and hang yourself with it. No car, no partying, don't burn the house down and stay out of my whiskey! All the usual criteria. Oh and by the way my dear son. ..The Neighbours know that we are leaving you home alone and they have our phone number.