I’m writing this some 30,000 feet in the air on my way back to Phoenix. I just spent the last week in Glenview, IL which is an affluent suburb of Chicago with my Dad and stepmom. The majority of the week was spent being force fed Pakistani food, watching a 50 year old western show on Netflix called Cheyenne, and trying to convince my dad to change pajama pants each day. My dad’s a bit of an odd guy…which isn’t saying much from a fucking weirdo like me but if you’ve ever wondered where I get my “eccentricity” from it’s probably from the Y chromosome Dr. Shan gave me. My dad has never been hesitant to impart his words of wisdom on me…so I thought I’d share a few of his thoughts.
Thoughts on Religion
“Naveed, I don’t care what religion you practice…the main purpose of such organized beliefs is to develop a conscious for man”-Dr. Shan
“You mean conscience?”-Naveed
“Yes that too….it is to develop a conscience and conscious for man”-Dr. Shan
“wait, what?”-naveed
Thoughts on Grooming
“Naveed, shave your beard…the TSA will think you’re a terrorist”-Dr. Shan
“ya because the common Muslim name you gave me won’t be a red flag”-Naveed
“No one likes sarcasm Naveed”-Dr. Shan
Thoughts on Marriage & Family
“Naveed, a good age to get married and have children is 28… I don’t like little children though so take your time”-Dr. Shan
“Did you like me when I was little?”-naveed
“ya…I guess…I don’t remember it was some time ago”-Dr. Shan
Thoughts on Automobiles
“Naveed, you’re having car problems? You know I’ve had very few problems with these cars I purchased, they are very reliable…you should have purchased a Lexus, not an American car”-Dr. Shan
“uhh…Dad I don’t have money for a Lexus”-Naveed
“oh, good point”-Dr. Shan
In one of the books I’m currently reading, I came across the concept of “parent lottery”, the author’s idea was that he was able to fulfill all of his life’s dreams because of the parents he was blessed with and the teachings they instill in him. While I make fun of my dad a bit and we’ve not always saw eye to eye, I’m thankful to have a dad I could look up to and one who has always been there for me, as well as a person who has always tried to guide down the right path….regardless of the times I was a snotty ungrateful little shit (my words, not his).
