Saturday Saviors

My Saviors Last Night

I’ve spent the last few days vigorously attacking my DVR backlog in a determined attempt to ward off the incipient loneliness that comes with the severely empty house. This iteration is especially acute because of all the fun experienced with the entire family as well as my in-laws down in Panama. I’ve made no progress on finding out who turned off the upstairs heat in my absence and I’ve concluded someone hasn’t been completely honest with me; probably embarrassed by forgetting to turn it back on. Since nothing is missing except for a sense of ease the end result probably just saving me some money overall for not heating that area.

Despite Being a Little Sick - Still Made it to a Book Store
4th Generation to Enjoy Medicinal Effects of that Locale

The loneliness highlighted above was roundly defeated last night as Great Aunt and Soxfather journeyed north from Rhode Island to take me out to dinner. Another plus, Great Aunt loves Brew City and that’s where we ended up. This had the corollary effect of having my favorite waitresses all checking their phones to insure it was indeed Saturday since I’m a Friday fixture there. It was all too much fun and exactly what I needed as these two people are a sure bet to raise my spirits by their mere presence. It was one of those nights I didn’t want to end but they eventually pried my hands off their arms and escaped after rescuing said spirits.

And Still a Super-Hero

I had a thoroughly entertaining video call with the FBR who continues to embellish her high five repertoire. She now has mastered the “up high, down low, in the middle, cut the pickle, tickle tickle”. You have to be a member of the family to appreciate what that means as yet another silly family tradition is passed to the next generation. Unfortunately the FBR was also sporting a fairly high fever that she woke up with. It didn’t slow her down too much and the only interruption in their schedule was moving her nap from her bed to my daughter’s chest. My Favorite Panamanian remains her typically moving target down in Panama. She followed up a huge Friday family party with a day squiring her mother and aunt up to the mountain town of Boquete yesterday. I did receive the customary sessions of guidance on how I should be conducting myself back here. Meanwhile the FBR is taking in her first ever chocolate festival in North Conway, New Hampshire with her parents. I’m guessing this will be a strong indication of the strength of her ABFA chocoholic genes.

Earlier in the day I took in Alita, Battel Angel, a movie I was looking forward to. I’m completely unaware of the manga series that served as the basis for this sci fi action flick which probably helped. I thoroughly enjoyed this mostly CGI adventure which was so expertly done that I soon forgot who was CGI and who wasn’t. Set in the distant future as a downtrodden city is controlled by another city hovering above and almost everyone seems to have cybernetic limbs. We are quickly introduced to a sprightly teenaged girl seeming cyborg. She figures out she’s an advanced combat model and severed cybernetic limbs are soon flying across the screen. The supporting cast was uniformly awesome led by the incomparable Christophe Walz and Mahersala Ali (who it seems is in every movie lately). The action is non-stop and expertly staged as long as you suspend your disbelief in the computer generated nature. Loved it.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                            

BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law, formerly known both as MEF – Most Excellent Fiancé & MEG – Most Excellent Girlfriend; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rdmusquetera (musketeer); Buddy – AKA the Wonder Pooch – family dog, a black lab – hates squirrels, died in 2017; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Excellent Boss – my former direct boss at work; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues