No that isn’t the name of some sultry
Southern Belle; it’s an observation of what our May has been like so far. This is
the weather I expected to find when we returned from Panama in mid-April, certainly
not that we’ve allegedly reached Mid-May. I find it bordering on un-constitutional
that I still have the central heat on in the house (of course I live with a Panamanian,
so might be understandable). I’m ready for some more “typical” May temperatures,
but this is, of course, New England, so, no guarantees. I remember fantasizing on
the beach in Panama how great it would be to be back home and experiencing four
seasons again. I wasn’t ready for an extended winter. I am glad to finally see
leaves on the trees
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| Snuck a Photo of Wife Cake Making |
So, enough bitching and moaning. It’s
been a busy week around the household. My Favorite Panamanian is in the midst
of creating one of her signature granddaughter birthday cakes. This one is for
BR3 who turns six this year, semi-too fast (something all my granddaughters are
afflicted with). They caught it from their parents who also grew up way too
fast. I try to avoid the kitchen during these processes because she employs
virtually the entire kitchen and doesn’t suffer my foolishness lightly when she
is cake-focused. She is a true artist.
 |
| The Artiste at Work |
We had the cable guy in today, during
the heaviest of our “April” showers. The cable TV picture had deteriorated
lately and after fighting my way through the less than helpful AI assistance
online, I finally got them to agree to send a technician. He knew exactly what
the problem was. The cable company made a system-wide upgrade. That resulted in
the need to add a filter to the cable where it enters the house. We conversed
about what an upgrade is supposed to accomplish. He was a good dude.
Hopefully tomorrow’s delivery of the
new washing machine goes as smoothly. I disconnected the one its replacing
earlier today and was lucky enough to get the flood it created cleaned up
before my Favorite Panamanian returned from church and archly reminded today
was a Catholic day of obligation. Yesterday, I had my first physical therapy
appointment to address my balky left shoulder. It’s been on the fritz since I injured
it carrying beer down the stairs for the February birthday party for my wife.
My son did most of that work when the elevator inconveniently died for the day.
The therapist was good and was able to diagnose where the problem existed. I am
the proud owner of a rotator cuff impingement. She gave me a bunch of new
exercises and said it should take about six weeks to resolve. This getting old
is the gift that just keeps giving.
Date night this week had us back in the
cinema to see Mortal Kombat II. I am blissfully unaware of the background lore surrounding
this movie series. That being said, this was a very fun ride as a plucky group
of semi-humans fight for earth’s future against an evil force composed of scary
monsters and hot Asian ladies. Again, not sure about the attendant mythology,
but this had great fight scenes and groan worthy dialogue between fights. Karl
Urban continues creating memorable characters as the lead, a self-involved action
movie star who is unwillingly forced to fight in the cosmic battle. There is
some needed comic relief along the way. I’m sure while this was clearly made
for those who understand the back stories, it weas still a lot of fun for a
non-believer.
Finally, I must comment on a very
funny movie my daughter convinced me to watch. Splitsville is hilarious. It
revolves around two couples who are veering between open marriages and divorce.
The two guys in this are classic idiots and stage one of the funniest movie
fights I’ve ever seen. There are a series of extremely funny situations that
are expertly milked for every possible potential, such as one guy inviting the series
of his wife’s lovers to take up residence with them. Dakota Johnson, fully
recovered from her Madam Webb debacle, is one of the best things in the movie
as she is seemingly the only sane one of the four involved. My daughter’s
recommendations usually run to the artsy fartsy kind of socially relevant type
of movie I generally try to avoid (plague like) but this was a true pleasure. We
must still be related.
The A-Z watch continued with five movies,
all keepers: We’re the Millers – very funny R-rated comedy, Sudekis and Anniston
have great chemistry and then there’s that dance; What About Bob – great character
from Murray to explore his most annoying yet lovable side; What Dreams May Come
– stunning visual effects while exploring the afterlife, Williams is so good in
this; What Women Want – back when Gibson was acceptable, very funny; Where
Eagles Dare – fantastic WW2 action drama with Richard Burton and Eastwood matching
acting styles.
----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------RECURRING CHARACTERS:
ABFA – Amazing Best Family
Athlete – my daughter
in law; BR3 – Blog Reader #3 – granddaughter
#3; BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel -
second granddaughter; Cantankerous
Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything,
poses as radical leftist to attract women; CRC - Connecticut Riverboat Captain – another close friend from high
school, renowned sailor of the big river; Curbside
Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in
Brooklyn; Czech Connection – Czech couple who’ve become good friends
along with their daughter (the Czech Shadow); Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions
once my wife got involved in planning; Favorite
Panamanian - the wife (of course); FBR
- First Blog Reader - first granddaughter; First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since
high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with
after many years; Maine and Virginia
Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the
3rd Musquetera (musketeer); Namesake
Nephew – son of Great Aunt and Soxfather named after me; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close
friend and Panamanian mafia member; 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; PCR - Pittsburgh College Roommate – high
school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; PCR+1 - Pittsburgh College Roommate’s wife; Riggins - also known as the
Grandpuppy, son's dog; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex
and my wife and I; Soxfather – my
brother-in-law (whom I miss more than I can ever explain); Tia Loca –
wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my
son in law; Upstairs Neighbors – American
couple and great friends who live in condo above us in Panama; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course
