Basement X

I will be out from May 1- May 15. I'll be taking a 2 week trip back to the motherland, Pakistan. Reason for this is that last November my mom had double bypass heart surgery and though it went well and she is doing fine now, she has been in and out of the hospital since then for minor surgery related problems. Then back in February my dad had an angiography. His procedure also went well but he too has been in and out of the hospital since then for minor post-surgery related issues.

Both my parents are well into their 60s, almost 70s, and have had health related issues popping up with increasing frequency these last few years. Since their surgeries they have been really feeling their mortality and have been suffering from minor depression from a combination of the surgeries & their age. They decided they would like to go back home to see their family and friends, whom they have not seen in many years, before, god forbid, anything else happens to them. Thusly, they volunteered me to take them and see them off safely as well as get them settled into their old digs. They will spend several months there and will return with a friend of theres.

Its been a pretty rough year; I was not at all prepared to deal with seeing my parents go in and out of surgery. It sounds childish but it always seemed like they'd be around forever...And ever.

I'm sorry to hear about the health ups and downs, but I hope that everything goes safely for you and your family with their health while you travel. I hope you get to enjoy yourself and though I'm sure it will be a lot of work helping them out, that you also get to enjoy your time.

Be safe and take care, and we'll talk to you very soon.

Damn. I hope your parents' trip will give them renewed strenghth and health.

Will this be your first trip to Pakistan?

I'm sorry to hear that man. Take care, and take care of them. I hope the trip will be wonderful.

Thank you all for the well wishes guys. It'a really appreciated. Hopefully this trip back home will help them recuperate some, as they're always happiest when they go back.

Arn, this'll only be the 3rd time I've been to Pakistan in 18 years. I was raised in NY from age 2 so, to me, all my family back in the old country are little more than just names and faces.

Still, I'll try and get some sight seeing done while I'm there as well as try and find a comic shop, though it's unlikely I'll find one.

I won't have access to e-mail or internet while I'm there which is a nice change. I'll also have to wait until I return to get my funny books. I spoke to my LCS and he agreed to hold down one copy of BoP & Zatanna for me till I return. The rest of my books I'll just pick up when I return. Barring any super cool issue that sells out like mad for some reason, I don't expect to have much problem finding 2 weeks worth of back issues.

And I still have to pack :-/

Will he not just set aside all the books on your pull list? Are you expected to get it every week?


Also, is Pakistan a very nice country? Weather, Country Side, and what not? I can say I really do not know much about it, at all.

Aw... I'll miss seeing you around on facebook and such, but you're going to have yourself and adventure! Much coolness.

It really sucks to hear about the issues your folks have been having... I can identify with your position of trying to help out and be optimistic. It can be very exhausting so make sure you grab some down time when you return to NYC.

Take some pictures for us, I would love to see what you've seen in Pakistan!

Don't worry too much about comics. I'm sure there are enough of us willing ot help out if need be. Just take care of you r parents, we'll take care of the rest if need be.

I guess departure is closing so I wish you a safe trip and the best of time for your parents and yourself.

wolf_2099 wrote:Will he not just set aside all the books on your pull list? Are you expected to get it every week?

No, this isn't like my old LCS. No personal connection and what-not. The guy I currently get my books from operates on a first come, first serve basis, however, I was able to get him to agree to at, the very least hold down those 2 books for me so I'm happy.

Also, is Pakistan a very nice country? Weather, Country Side, and what not? I can say I really do not know much about it, at all.

Pakistan has quite a few heavily populated city areas, where my family lives, and its got its sprawling country sides. The cities are slowly increasing and the country and farmland are slowly decreasing in size. Weather wise, it'll be hot as hell. Literally. Winter only lasts 3-4 months and even then there is no snow. Just lots of cold weather and rain. Spring starts in February and lasts till October and right now the weather is in the high 80s-early 90s so I'll be packing light lots of light clothes.

ChimeraCreative wrote:Aw... I'll miss seeing you around on facebook and such, but you're going to have yourself and adventure! Much coolness.

It really sucks to hear about the issues your folks have been having... I can identify with your position of trying to help out and be optimistic. It can be very exhausting so make sure you grab some down time when you return to NYC.

Take some pictures for us, I would love to see what you've seen in Pakistan!

Appreciate the sentiment and I will try to do some sightseeing and take pictures but I doubt I'll have that much free time.

Tragic Angelus wrote:Don't worry too much about comics. I'm sure there are enough of us willing ot help out if need be. Just take care of you r parents, we'll take care of the rest if need be.

Thats why you guys are the bestest.

XIII wrote:I guess departure is closing so I wish you a safe trip and the best of time for your parents and yourself.

Thank you very much.

I won't be around after this, I don't think, so thank you everyone for the well wishes., it really means a lot. Take care of yourselves and be well and I look forward to chatting with you all when I return.

Take care man! Sorry I haven't gotten round to responding sooner.

Hope you and your siblings are doing as well as could be in these troubling times. Hopefully your parents will enjoy their time out in Pakistan. Sounds like the weather is something to look forward to.

Let us know how it all went when you get back!

Yeah I am sorry too that I did not get in here sooner! I hope all is well man, when you get back and now that it is warmer we should hang out in the city again

I saw this a bit sooner than now, but still after you left. So you'll be reading this later anyway.

Hope your parents will both be fine!

Hello all!

Got to Pakistan safely and got the 'rents set up all nice and well and made my return late on Saturday. It's been really hectic since I got back; I'm still jetlagged and kind of on Pakistan time.

I havent had a chance to do much of anything except throw myself back into work and play catch-up with two weeks worth of work. Hopefully in the next few days things will calm down and I can start easing myself back into my regular schedule.

And thank you all for the well wishes, it means a lot.

How was Pakistan?

Glad you are back man and that all went well

Did they stick a finger up your ass at JFK customs?

wolf_2099 wrote:How was Pakistan?

Extremely hot. The weather was in the mid 90s every day. Surprisingly, my parents weren't even feeling the heat. It took me about a week and a half to get semi-adjusted to it.

Besides all the things I had to run around and do I had a chance to see the bazars and marketplaces and they are every bit as fun and as crazy as I expected. Everyone was selling something and shouting prices and negotiating. Unfortunately, me being a tourist, I stood out right away like I had a great big bullseye on my back. Every shopkeeper I talked to tried to rip me off. Still fun though.

XIII wrote:Did they stick a finger up your ass at JFK customs?

Verbally yes. Not physically. The customs guy was an asshole. When he read the dollar amount of the merchandise I had declared on my ticket, he got very confrontational and kept making snide & sarcastic remarks about every one of my answers. I didn't start an argument or anything because thats a one way ticket to an interrogation room. I understand this guy has an important & stressful job but there is no call to be a dick for no reason.