Does your earring?

So I have been thinking about my Dad a lot lately (for those who don't know, my dad passed away around 8 years ago). I'm not sure why he's been in the front of my thoughts...it is probably just that there have been a lot of reminders around because of election time, the Christmas season, I've been playing a lot of Mariokart (a game we used to play until 3AM), I am currently drinking out of one of those frozen mugs (he always froze, and shattered, glasses in our freezer), and so on.

Speaking of Mariokart, here is who my Dad was all of those late nights while I spanked him at nintendo...

Who picks Wario? Seriously, of all the characters, Wario? But for some reason I think my Dad identified with him.

The funny part is that every single time he asked me if I wanted to play Mariokart, the dialogue would go exactly like this:

Dad: Nate, Wanna race?
Me: Dad, its 1:00AM
Dad: Come on, just a round of four...
Nate: Dad it always turns into more.
Dad: Remember how I pay for your car insurance.
Nate: It's a school night.
Dad: Turn it on, I'll go get me a Coke.
Nate: Are you sure you want to do this to yourself?
Dad: You're going down.
--45 races later...
Nate: I told you so Dad.
Dad: Let's just do four more...Nate?
Nate: (walking downstairs)

While there is some Wario resemblance, here is what my Dad really looked like (on the left...in case you couldn't tell):

This is the last picture that I have of my Dad (from my wedding, around a year before he died). My Dad always told me that my youth and good looks could never compete with his money and power (when we would argue who could better pick up on chicks). Now that I am older and wiser, I must say that I see the wisdom in his statement, and I agree.

Lately, I have been noticing more and more that have picked up a lot of my Dad's weirdness. I'll give one example:

No one was more fun than my dad at Christmas. He was as excited as any 8 year old kid on any given year. I am much the same. And because of that, he had a bunch of funky habits...all of which I have gladly picked up. I'm glad my wife lets me carry on with some of these things. For example, my Dad was funny about Christmas shopping. And my wife knows that I love to Christmas shop. So every year she saves some of it for me, even if she is in a position to get it done more efficiently (although I think deep down she knows --just like my mom did-- that if she didn't leave any, I would shop anyway and double up the budget--like my dad probably did most years).

*** Man Cave side note: It is acceptable for a man to love to Christmas shop as this is clearly distinguished from a love of shopping in general. A love of a limited list of other forms of shopping are also acceptable, such as: shopping for guns, motorcycles, sporting equipment, etc.

*** end side note.

I could name more weirdness that I have, but you'd have to know my Dad in order to think it was funny...hence, I will refrain from boring you.

So in tribute to my Dad, we are going to play a game in the Man Cave. This was a running game in my family for over 15 years (I think it may only be funny when you're really tired--or when someone thinks of a PG-13 or better combo). The title of this post gives any and all explanation necessary, but I'll start us off with one more. Hey Man Cave stalkers...Does your belt buckle?

P.S. I'll be real disappointed in my family if they don't start shooting these off without even thinking about it.