It’s All About Time

Before I launch into another trivial chronicle of my life just past I’d like to once again marshal the legions of prayers for the gallant Miss Louise.  She’s suffered a setback while in rehab and needs our help once again.  In typical courageous fashion she’s rangering her way through this latest roadblock so when you drop to your knees tonight give her a little shout.

Buddy Sniffs Out His Arch Enemy Squirrel in Front Yard as Snow Starts

Yesterday saw the first noticeable snow fall at the house on top of the hill.  Buddy the Wonder Pooch escorted me out to pick up the newspaper when we noticed the white stuff was coming down with conviction.  A brief hope of firing up the new snow blower was quashed by the need to go to work.  We only got an inch but a lack of depth has never prevented snow throwing efforts by certain crazed ex-members of the military.  It was so cold yesterday that the grass was still snow covered when I got home from work.  The driveway was mockingly clear.

A Few Minutes Later Looking Out into the Back Yard

For those of you who’ve read the blog for any length of time you’ll know how much I hate long meetings.  Yesterday I was “blessed” with a day long meeting at Worcester’s Union Station.  A bunch of transit professionals from across New England came down to hear about some of the new technology we’re fielding here. 

Drive Into Work

Luckily the electric bus worked as advertised this time and the rest of the day was actually pretty valuable as we shared information and railed against the politicians for inflicting an extremely unreliable yet politically connected fare box forced down our collective throats.  We went out to see the electric bus perform around noon time and I wasn’t prepared for the cold.  Since I was the one making the presentation I couldn’t wimp out and my loyalty to the Sox cost me as I was wearing only an inadequate Red Sox jacket.

It was one of those times when you get so cold that it takes hours to warm back up.  Added to the pain of forced incarceration in a day long meeting while was an accompanying headache as well as the bone deep chill.  This all combined to have me questioning the wisdom of the weekly date night movie.  I am soooo glad that I’m married to someone who motivated me to overcome my wimpiness.

We went to see what turned out to be my favorite movie of the year so far, About Time.  It’s a very cute British romantic comedy about a father and son who can travel back through time whenever they choose.  The movie doesn’t make a big deal about the earth shattering ramifications of such talent as most time travel movies do.  It stays on a very human level as the guys use this talent for what a lot of us would do, they go back to fix some of their social mistakes and help friends. 

Best Movie of Year So Far

I liked this movie on so many levels.  The characters were touchingly lovable both in the lead actor’s (one of those Weasley boys from the Harry Potter movies and son of Gleeson) adoringly awkward romantic life as well as his relationship with his dad, the incomparable Bill Nighy.  It also raises serious questions about what you would do given the same talent.  Would you go back, how far, what would you fix?  Would I go back to college to fix that tentative brush of a first kiss with my college sweetheart that turned out to be a signature moment for the relationship?   The night of – definitely; a week later, definitely not. 

This is a movie that makes you think even while making you fall in love with the story and the characters.  It sends the timeless message of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of savoring life as it inexorably marches by.  Don't let those special, yet barely recognized moments of pass by without appreciation.  Take some of your own time and wisely spend it seeing this movie.