Routinely

Really Miss the New Jersey Contingent

A true sense of the normal routine re-asserted itself yesterday albeit with a steep price. That fee was the departure of the New Jersey contingent which officially ended the Christmas holiday celebration at the house. The FBR staunchly announced that she didn’t want to leave. I think she’s grown enamored of living under grandparent rules. I was at work but she was typically charming in her departure. When my Favorite Panamanian told her how much she was going to be missed the FBR told her she should put on a coat and come outside for a proper farewell.

And Certainly the New Hampshire Contingent as Well

It’s a true testament to the FBR’s hold on both of us was that my wife complied. Anyone who knows my wife understands what a rare event it is to see her outside when the temperatures are below 50 degrees but the FBR culls that kind of devotion. I immediately noticed how quiet the house seemed after the last few days of granddaughter cacophony. I miss it a lot but that’s what makes the days they are in residence so much more special and anything but routine. Our appeal apparently faded during the drive home to New Jersey because she refused to break away from playing with some of her new toys to talk with us last evening, so fleeting is fame.

Another part of our routine, at least lately, was the return of Deckzilla Dude to continue working off his punch list. The bathroom vanity now has knobs and the cabinet had its door reversed so they open easier. Curtains should be going up today and there’s probably just a couple days of work left but the Dude moves in mysterious ways and it will be more like a week, I’m sure. On our way to the movies last night we made our obligatory stop at Home Depot for curtain rods and other last minute needed items. The end is in sight, I keep telling myself.

It was a more welcome return to routine as we pulled into the local movie theater which I’ve sadly neglected for entirely more important activities over the past weeks. There are now ten movies playing I planned to see and have failed to so far. We addressed one near the top of that list last night with Aquaman. The DC universe may have finally found the charismatic male superhero they’ve been searching for in Jason Mamoa who carries this immense movie with ease. His readily apparent physical presence is softened with a true comedic touch as DC finally stops taking itself so seriously. There are probably too many subplots as the main plot delves into the internecine politics of sub-surface civilizations and shoe horns in Black Manta which would have made more sense for a sequel. Oh, and when did sharks learn to growl? There are a lot more important questions left for the viewer but all in all this was a great, very entertaining ride as Amber Heard displayed real chemistry with Mamoa. There were almost too many stars as Nicole Kidman teamed up with one of those pesky Star Wars clones as Aquaman’s parents and his younger brother is portrayed by the older Patrick Wilson. It all, somehow, works and credit should go to the director for keeping the tone light and mobile through the long running time.

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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