My Daily Walk with Bagel: A Virtual Adventure with Tour Notes, Wednesday February 7th 2018

For my future self, who is bound to spend nights reflecting on life around this time. This blog post is an attempt at something new which is an attempt at pushing my creative boundaries, one step at a time. More over, this post will be a reminder of the mundane things I'm bound to forget when my time here--at this house--is done. I often times overlook the smaller things in life, something I'm getting better at not doing. So let us begin.

1

This is where our walk begins. The gold Toyota Sienna on the right is that of the father of Ms. Paula who lives there. He visits from New York every other month or so. Very kind people. The house with the red Mazda is that of another kind neighbor. He and his wife live there, and he rides a motorcycle as well. One time, he stopped driving to reverse to see if Bagel and Iyou were okay. Although you were simply correcting Bagel, his gesture has stayed with you both. He even invited you over for a cookout when he saw you walking Bagel. Just very kind and genuine people who were once your neighbors.

2

Even though you can't see it Ratha, the house directly to the right is that of an older white gentleman who walks his dog Olivia everyday like you do with Bagel. Bagel chased Olivia during halftime of a Chargers game over the street on the other side of Harris Houston. Ironically, he looks like Joey Bosa to you.

3

Side note: I've never noticed this yellow fire hydrant before. I've walked this street about 1,000 times. Crazy what you notice when you slow things down.

4

Funny story, there was an older gentleman who sat on this rock when the weather was warm. You used to think he was going through a midlife crisis and would sit on the rock to think and get away from his problems. You two waved to each other from time. One day you saw his daughter get off the bus and walk home with him. Your theory was wayyyy off. Goes to show if we let our minds wander, they can go to dark places.

5

There's a very nice guy who lives in the house with the pink accents. He says 'dude' a lot and is kind as well. Now that I'm typing this, you've been blessed with some great neighbors during your time here, Ratha. You would catch him walking, usually around 12pm/early afternoon.

6

Maura and Stu live in a house in this picture. They are bums and have nothing better to do. They put a piece of trash on the Camborghini and you almost got into a physical altercation with them two. Across from them are two houses. One house leaves a pitbull and a doberman outside, the other has 3 dogs who always bark at Bagel when you walk. All very cute dogs!

Left View

Downward View

Right View

7

The top of the hill. This is the point where Harris Houston, a secondary main road, separates Hunting Ridge from Houston Hills. You always stop to let Bagel pee here on the bushes that usher residents in

8

If you trek to the top of the hill, you can sneak into the PNC Music Pavilion. They just put the gate up within the past year. You and Bagel have ran up and down this hill many times before. He loves it, and because he does, you do too.

9

The guy with the white Impala in his driveway also has a Nissan TItan and always backs up directly in front of the Impala with an inch to spare. Every time. You don't know how he does it, but you're impressed every time you walk by.

9

You saw a guy here cleaning his 2018 Camry XLE with his wife a few days after the snow storm in January of 2018. That shit was nice. Hopefully when you reflect on this, you'll have your Camry by then, or perhaps a car you'll enjoy more.

10

An elderly Indian lady who you see walk every once in a while, once told you it was only "us three" out walking, referring to you, her, and Bagel. You appreciated that as you three all shared a smile and went your separate ways.

11

It was on this block you met Mr. Reid Campbell. He was a veteran and every time you'd ask him how he was doing, he told you he's "still kickin." You looked forward to the possibility of seeing him whenever you cross Kempsford from Hunting Ridge to Houston Hills. Hopefully he's somewhere 'still kickin.'

12

The house to the right always had cones aligned straight across their drive way. One fall night, you were walking Bagel as you saw a hooded teenager run behind this house. A lady pulls up next to you and asked if you saw someone. You point to where you saw him run. She says it's her son and that they had a bad argument. She pulled in the driveway, parked in front of the cones, got out, and screamed for him to come home. You walked home hoping every thing turned out well, even if you'd never know.

13

The lady's that lived here are kind and so are their children. One of their sons predicted FSU would beat Duke when he found out you rooted for the Blue Devils. They didn't.

13

A couple of yards after this sign, you would cross the street into your backyard and conclude the walk. All in all, it was about 1 mile. 45 minutes if you and Bagel walked, about 30-35 if you two jogged/walked. It was a part of your daily routine, unless it was heavily raining or snowing.

14

The star of the show. The love of your life. Your son, Bagel-Oscar The God.

(Bagel if you are reading this on my iPad while I'm out, I'll be back soon. I LOVE YOU!!!)