Wrong Sided Ally

My Daughter is Apparently Rationing Photos for Me But I did Get This One
Where Granddaughter's Out to Lunch with Wingman

Other than non-stop rain yesterday was a pretty good day. I went a couple rounds with the union and that’s always fun. More importantly I got a head start on some needed scheduling work in preparation for the hiring of the replacement for my old job. She’s coming in tomorrow for a final interview with the political leaders but that should be a slam dunk. It will be nice to get back to doing only one job again.

I finished off The Wrong Side of Goodbye yesterday by Michael Connelly. After the semi-disappointment of the latest Jack Reacher novel I was a little concerned that Connelly would also fall short with Harry Bosch. I shouldn’t have worried, it was fantastic. Bosch’s stories always involve his relentless pursuit of justice usually with high placed political types working behind the scenes against him. Harry’s now retired from the LAPD but working for a small police force as a volunteer. He’s called in for a private case to track down a billionaire’s potential heir while also on the trail of a serial rapist. Connelly skillfully weaves the competing plotlines into a very hectic week for the redoubtable Harry with the usual ominous forces shadowing his every move. It was so good I found myself racing through it which is what usually happens when the writing is this worthy. A definite win.

Not such good news for the date night movie. The date was awesome, as a matter of fact, just having a date again was awesome; the movie – not so much. Allied packed a lot of star power both in front of and behind the camera and that’s what I found so disappointing. I think if Angeline Jolie had seen this movie ahead of time she wouldn’t have been worried about her husband and Marian Cotillard because there is absolutely no chemistry between the two. They are supposed to be deeply in love but neither actor, and we both know they’re capable of producing it, elicited a spark for the other. That’s problematic when the entire plot pivots on the supposedly depth of feeling between the two. The film is technically a masterpiece, visually stunning, with crisp editing, period costuming, and interesting camera shots but it lacked heart. My expectations given the talent involved were not redeemed, a clear miss.

I received another photo of the condo construction underway in Panama. I'm not certain when it was taken but it offers a good view of our condo on the third floor corner. There are even some people standing in our what will be the master bedroom and shows just how close to the beach we're going to be. It will be cool going to sleep with sound of surf so close.

Here's Another One Grandpa

Work Return and Cali-Dancing

Dominating a Bathtub

Returning to work after a four day weekend full of family fun and hijinks could have been depressing. Alright it was. I’m still buoyed however by the recently installed memories of the great times in New Hampshire (twice) and Rhode Island. I think I’m doing my part to disprove the old theory there can be “too much of a good time”. Work was almost relaxing as everyone finally seems to be settling into their routines at the new place. We still have the contractor buzzing around the facility doing their final commissioning of items on their punch list and addressing things that are already breaking down.

The Tree (Obviously)

My wife finished off the Christmas tree decorating while I was decimating the backup on my DVR. Somehow she accomplished this while talking non-stop on the phone for the entire time with assorted musqueteras. I sometimes marvel at her ability to multi-task which seems isolated to the telephonic arena. Buddy and I appreciated the peace and quiet to devour the stored up television shows.

We both took a break for the nightly FaceTime call with the First Blog Reader. She has added dancing to her repertoire, especially to calypso music (granted it is tough not to dance to Jump in the Line). This is no surprise given that her father is a musician and her mother is a direct descendant of a certain Panamanian who would rather dance than breath. Our granddaughter also gave us a tour of the apartment, when she wasn’t playing peekaboo. Today’s photos include one that was too funny. The IPhone 6 takes photos as one second videos and this photo captured her just after she crawled into her ball tent. She lost her balance as the photo was taken and you could clearly hear her say, “Oh No!” as she fell into the balls. She’s nothing if not the consummate entertainer.

Photo Where She Says "Oh No"

The Aftermath

Celebrations in Miami

As a retired cold warrior and product of that conflict I couldn’t let the passing of a certain bearded wretch pass without comment. Castro is finally and blessedly dead so hopefully Cuba can move beyond the fifties where he kept them entombed as part of his personality cult. Many leftists and those who don’t want to look too deeply have tried to lionize him for the positive things he accomplished during his tyrannical rule. They seem to forget the thousands he imprisoned and killed or the fact he was lobbying the Soviets to drop atomic weapons on the US. He exported pain and suffering throughout the Western Hemisphere. The latest being Venezuela which is approaching failed state status. Some people just can’t be dead enough.

Decorating Turn

Cali-Gals Out for a Hike

Yesterday certainly qualifies as the least diverting day of the Thanksgiving Day weekend. The only joy I could elicit from the day was that I did not have any of the hundreds of miles to drive back home that marked my Army career on this specific weekend. I did smile as I was out and about and saw the countless thousands who were unfortunate enough to be on the road returning home. I wasn’t trying to be cruel but after so many years of facing the hell that is holiday driving (and yes I’m thinking of you Connecticut) it felt almost liberating not to be doing that.

Tree is Up!

My Favorite Panamanian and I got out of the house for the usual Sunday efforts and journeyed back to our old Charlton haunts to purchase a Christmas tree. We have a favorite place that sells quality trees cheap, as long as you pay cash. The longer drive home is always a challenge given my perfunctory knot tying. I do miss the huge trees we used to get for the soaring celling on the old house. We overestimated the size of tree in the new house but the skillful application of a power saw and some top knot pruning addressed that.

As are the Christmas Signs

Once the tree is up and the lights tested my sole function is to carry stored Christmas decorations up from the basement. My wife, with ample evidence to back up her claims, believes I am extremely challenged in the style department. So I spent a lot of time up and down with decorations as she contemplated what the tree will eventually look like. She also supervised the seasonal change of her “message signs” to the Christmas version. Do you know anyone else with two complete sets of signs? I didn’t think so.

She was gracious enough to permit me to watch the Patriots game unfettered by household tasks. The game was against hated rival from New York (I know – redundant) who are having a down year but can always be counted on to play the Pats tough. Yesterday was no exception with the Patriots employing a bewilderingly ineffective defensive scheme. I get the impression the defensive coordinator has all these wild ideas and Belichick comes over after they blow up in his face and straightens everything out. The Pats still have Brady which was all they needed at the end of the game where he mounted the seemingly inevitable game clinching comeback.

Game On

California checked in with the First Blog Reader in high form bouncing from one side of the apartment to the other demonstrating her prowess at throwing the ball and contorting her face into wild formations. Wingman was also a frequent target as she repeatedly crawled to his location and demanded to be picked up. I’ve written before that this is certifiably as a trait she inherited from her mother who perfected it with me at a similar age and led to the inevitable inability to deny her anything. 

Catching Up

She's Not the Only One Happy

I decided yesterday that time was better spent with family and friends, new and old, than confined down here in the Man Cave writing my nonsensical ravings on Frail Deeds. Sadly that excuse is no longer valid today as the Thanksgiving Weekend starts to fade into the history books. We did give it a fairly good run though. Yesterday was no exception. I awoke feeling pretty good despite the ravages of a little too much partying (is that even possible?) the night before in Rhode Island. My Favorite Son was up ministering to the digestive results needs of the canine population and we sat down together in the Man Cave awaiting the feminine side of the equation to rise and meet the day.

Friday Night in Rhode Island

We were concerned about Buddy because he’d also overindulged while down in Rhode Island. Being fully aware of his counter climbing proclivities we’d taken measures all day long to keep him away from the magnificent meal Great Aunt had prepared. After the meal as her superb in laws gathered for her annual party we lost track of Buddy and his nefarious cousin Remy’s activities. The Soxfather reminded us when he entered the kitchen and found both of them finishing off an apple pie which was latest victim in Buddy’s increasing list of infamy. Buddy, knowing he’d been apprehended in the act with no chance of denial, immediately sentenced himself to the cage.

My Sister's Turkey Day Table

Buddy and Remy Serving their Time with Riggins Visiting

The time at my sister’s house has become a true highlight of this weekend each year. It started as a tradition to have Thanksgiving with my mother since she always worked the holiday itself and wouldn’t attend my father’s family celebration after the divorce. We’ve maintained the tradition because it is just so much fun. The best part is the party when we sit around the table for non-stop conversation and laughter. The Soxfather’s sister commenced her usual attacks on my photographic prowess, a lack of ability I proudly embrace. She does seem to complain solely about pictures featuring herself which of course only leads to more photos of her, in the worst possible light. She even gifted me a tree ornament which of course proved prescient.

That's Her in the Center Background

And Again

It was fun hanging out with my son yesterday morning in the Man Cave. We see him and the ABFA all too infrequently with their busy schedule and have to savor every opportunity. My Favorite Panamanian forced two home cooked meals on them in the half day they were with us yesterday. I don’t think they objected. Yesterday seemed like a blur as days filled with family and friends are wont to do. They had to leave early in the afternoon to head up to New Hampshire to help the ABFA’s parents prepare for a dinner party which we would also be attending.

Two Old Army Buddies Who Definitely Out kicked their Coverage in the Wife Department

Before that however we had a lunch reunion with some very old friends. I’ve written before about an old Army buddy that’s become a successful sci fi writer. He’s also the charter member of the Panamanian mafia being the first guy I ever met married to one of the beautiful ladies of the Path Between the Seas. Anyways, he’s from Boston and was up in the area for the holiday. The two Panamanian ladies, his and mine, conspired to meet up for lunch and we rendezvoused at an Applebee’s close to their travel path back to Virginia.

First Blog Reader in California

They were also traveling with a friend confined to a wheel chair who turned out to be a great guy as well. There’s a bond established between Soldiers who served together and especially first assignments together. Panama was the first commissioned assignments for both of us, both former enlisted men, and the years were sloughing off in massive bunches yesterday as we recounted and remembered together those times in the early 1980s in Panama. It had been decades since we’d seen each other but the friendship was still there waiting as soon as we got together.

The Ball Tent Re-Opened

After we sent them on their way south we started the journey north to New Hampshire for the dinner party at the ABFA’s parents’ house. I’ve written before in glowing detail of just how much fun they are to spend time with and last night was no exception. They gathered many of their family members, most of whom we hadn’t seen since the wedding for a very informal and completely enjoyable evening. It was another chance to pass time with the son and ABFA which only cemented the time in the win column.

New Friends

Since my wife had made the late night drive back from Rhode Island, for obvious reasons involving adult beverages, I “volunteered” to make the drive home from New Hampshire so I had to behave, a rare occasion that, in that area. We set out around 10pm and were halfway home when we received a frantic call from our lunch compatriots. Their friend had left his computer bag and computer at the Applebee’s. We continued past home to retrieve the bag which had luckily been turned in.  So another late night arrival home but only after another day extremely well spent.

Serial Goat Stroking

Meanwhile in California my granddaughter completed her task of completely charming the entire San Diego area with her growing assortment of funny faces. She made some new friends, embraced a couple goats, and slept for the entire ride back to Los Angeles which was the most exciting part of the weekend for her parents. The ball tent had finally been disinfected and she was happily showered in plastic balls upon her return. Her FaceTime calls have become events.

Dancing with Dad