Uncle Simon had always been peculiar, and always will be. It was fun on Christmas day and birthday parties, never knowing what you’ll be gifted or what fun story he’ll have - Stories that make you question whether he’s really just making it all up.

But in the end you have to believe him, how could he even make up a story that strange?

But that’s just it, Uncle Simon is fun on when you see him once or twice a year, something to laugh about when you go back to classes.

Not when you have to live in his world, his very peculiar and eccentric world. Not when he washes his dishes with soap that smells like rotten fruit, or has strange people come over late at night with papers of illegible drawings and writing. Not when you have to live with him whilst writing your dissertation.

My mum says that that I’ll learn more about life living with him. I’m sure that’s true. But my dissertation had a due date, learning about life does not.

Dad says that’s he’s fun, that I could do with some fun. I say that distance makes the heart grow fonder.

I’m being harsh. I love uncle Simon, and I am voluntarily living with him after all.

That being said, his many last minute excursions are not conducive too academic writing, or schedules. He hates schedules.

Right now uncle Simon is doing pull-ups in the doorway with his cat snoozing around his neck, and too give him credit, the cat is rather fat.

Tomorrow I’ve been told we’re visiting a friend of his who runs a cryptid tour guide spot off the side of the highway.

I doubt that there’s really cryptids there. Maybe a hippie commune, or some stray teenagers secret smoking spots, but no cryptids.

Last time we went I found some incredibly interesting rock formations that my professor was astounded I found.

I think that’s why we’re going back. Uncle Simon knows we’re not always on the same page, but I appreciate the effort, because I know he thinks that the place is a sham (he knows what traces real cryptids leave behind).

Nonetheless he’s pretending to want to go again, and so am I. But that’s ok, because I love Uncle Simon and I know he’s doing his best.

So here I am rushing my draft schedule forward, because I wouldn’t miss looking at strange rock formations and fake cryptid tourist attractions for the world.