Reflections

Some more of the BRS Photo Trove

I’ve avoided immersing myself in the current presidential race squabbles. I use that word because it doesn’t strike me as a campaign yet. I did check in on the debates the past couple nights and left a little depressed. I don’t think the democrats get it. There’s a burgeoning mass of voters out here like myself who want nothing more than to throw the orange faced buffoon out of the white house next year. He’s given them more than enough material to work with and yet we see them veering further and further to the left. Those candidates who seem to get it and want to move the party more to the center and to, gasp, actually work with the republicans to govern are shouted down as “not true democrats”. The idiocy is not the sole possession of the democrats obviously but give us somebody we can vote for instead of just against. Fanaticism is the path to defeat in any aspect of life and I cringe at some of the things I heard. I cringe because they are playing right into Trump’s hands.

My Favorite Panamanian had a very good time last night squiring the BRS around while my son and the ABFA snuck down to Boston for a date. My wife hates pacifiers and had the BRS running around squawking almost nonstop. She even got her to say “abuela”. At least that was what she claimed she heard, I’m thinking there were biased ears involved. I was on a FaceTime call with a semi-sullen FBR when my wife and the BRS called on another line. The FBR immediately blossomed into a smile when she heard the BRS’ excited shrieks when she saw her cousin.

Predictably as a geographic bachelor for the night I spent an extended time in the Man Cave. I binge watched the final episodes of the latest episodes of Bosch into the wee hours on the night. It has taken a while but Titus Welliver has finally won me over. It’s a tough gig for an actor to inhabit the role of a well-defined literary hero but he’s captured Bosch’s world weariness as well as his iron clad morality.  I’ve caught completely up now and loved the final scene where the lonely Bosch’s missing dog shows up. Dogs still rule!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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^rd musquetera (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

Geographically Singled

BRS-a-Palooza

I’ve entered into another period of geographical bachelorhood although it will be blessedly short. My Favorite Panamanian is driving north to New Hampshire today to babysit for the BRS while her parents head into Boston to see Wolverine sing and dance. Since seeing the Greatest Showman my opinions on Hugh Jackman as a singer have softened but I’m not sure I’d pay money to go see him in person. My wife does not share this opinion along with my son and the ABFA.

Last night was the first time in a long time that I didn’t get to speak with either granddaughter and I missed it. We were back at the hospital last evening for a repeat of the ultrasound test for my wife that she messed up a couple weeks ago by eating after the prescribed time. This gave me some time to read which for some reason has become more challenging of late. I don’t understand it but time to read has become a premium and that is unacceptable. I’m at a loss to explain it as well.

My latest project is to re-read the entire Wheel of Time series. I’m halfway through the fourth book of fourteen so I may be overstating the lack of reading time. It’s probably that I don’t want to stop when I’m engrossed in a favorite book and Wheel of Time certainly qualifies for that. This will be the third time reading the entire series. This and Stephen King’s(The Master) The Stand are the only books I consistently re-read.

While I had to do without the infusion of endorphins that seeing my granddaughters usually engender, my Favorite Son did bless me with a bunch of photos of the BRS which I will dole out today and over the next few posts. He also included a video of the BRS stomping around in his shoes. I’ve only watched it a few dozen times. Luckily my Favorite Panamanian will return tomorrow and we have plans for a run up to my hometown on Saturday. My pre-pub crawl reconnaissance will continuity and there are a bunch of huge murals that have been created downtown that I want to check out.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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^rd musquetera (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

Bessonoified Again

BRS Running Some Circles

It’s been a rather mundane week so far with just work, car inspections, and the occasional action movie. Of course it stretches credulity to describe any time spent with my Favorite Panamanian as mundane. Yesterday she greeted me at the door and said I needed to teach her how to shop online. I immediately retorted that she didn’t need to add this technique to an already loaded repertoire when it came to shopping. The mundanity will not endure with contract negotiations coming up and that exquisite shopping gal headed north tomorrow for granddaughter babysitting duties.

As if the FBR wasn't scary enough!!!

The granddaughters were in fine form last night. All three of the New Hampshire bunch were battling colds although it was hard to tell with the BRS as she was running circles around her dad. He’s at the pinnacle of his cold and had to drive up to Vermont yesterday to visit one of his job sites. The FBR was every bit as saucy as I’ve come to expect. She started the summer camp portion of her day care yesterday and reluctantly admitted that dancing was involved. Luckily her abuela and Mom’s genes will stand her well in that department. 

I was surprised last night on date night by movie I hadn’t heard a lot about – Anna. I’ve always loved Luc Besson movies and didn’t realize this was his latest until the end credits rolled. I then knew why I enjoyed the movie so much. It had everything you’d expect in a Besson movie, almost non-stop action, beautiful/capable women, and some interesting twists. Anna is a fashion model who also happens to be a 1980s KGB assassin who may or may not be a double or even triple agent. Besson employs an interesting use of flashbacks during certain plot points so the outlandish action has reference points. Sasha Luss has real screen presence as Anna and even holds her own with Helen Mirren, her KGB handler, no easy task. The fight scenes were very John Wickian which is certainly not a bad thing although it strains belief that the waif thin Anna could really knock out all the assorted henchmen she does. Luss somehow makes it work though in the very physical fight scenes. I know most critics aren’t showing a lot of love for this but ignore ‘em – this was a great ride.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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^rd musquetera (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

Miracle Cure and Europe Bound

FBR and Daughter Getting into Swing of the Weekend

I stumbled on a cure for the after affects for the shingles vaccine that I wrote about in my last post. Fortunately the cure was right in my wheelhouse – beer! I hosted last week’s First Friday celebration on Deckzilla and the affects faded in direct correlation to my consumption of Coors Lite. I’ve always touted the medicinal effect of a good First Friday celebration and I now have semi-scientific proof.

Just Hanging Out

Saturday was chore day with a chance to run around the yard with what my Favorite Panamanian calls my new toy – the battery powered lawn mower. It was kind of weird in that it was so quiet. I guess I can live without the normal lawn mowing experience of vibration and noise but my wife actually came out to see if I was working because she didn’t hear anything. I could literally mow the lawn at midnight without disturbing the neighbors. Of course that would only happen if I partook unduly of my newly discovered miracle cure.

The big new on Saturday was a trip to AAA where we decided on a September trip to Europe. This was something I’d promised my Favorite Panamanian but she always chose return trips to Panama instead. I lived in Germany for two years during my misspent youth but she’s never been there. My annual bonus showed up in the bank on Friday so off we went. We planned on a trip to Italy and Spain but by the time we sat down with the agent my wife, along with her 51% of the vote, decided instead on Switzerland, Austria and Southern Germany. Her reasoning was that so many of her friends had been to Spain and Italy she felt like she’d already visited there. She can be exotic.

Wingman and FBR at Last Week's Grad

Sunday was completely consumed by a long planned project. During the renovation project the roof was removed from the garage and stayed uncovered for a couple weeks before it was enclosed. Combined with the demolition and subsequent construction there was a lot of debris liberally scattered throughout and behind the many shelves and items in storage. The only way to get at it was to remove everything. So that was my Sunday, at least seven hours of it. I’m sure the house looked like Exhibit A from a Jeff Foxworthy monologue with everything spread out in the driveway and front yard.

Playground Supervisor

I was about halfway through when I was chiding myself for taking this on, mainly because of the heat. I eventually got into a rhythm and started to feel that little bit of accomplishment that is integral to continue with a seemingly thankless task. Inevitably I found a lot of the tools I thought were lost and my Favorite Panamanian was there to organize her shelves which helped a lot. The blower got a big workout as the dust and debris was finally removed. Since I was sweating up a storm I found myself literally coated with dirt and dust by the time I was finished. Some showers are more like a religious experience than others.

New Favorite - Corn on the Cob

Slip Sliding

Granddaughter Facetime calls helped alleviate the drudgery of the chore. The BRS is fighting yet another Day Care cold but that didn’t appear to slow her down as my son was in hot pursuit each time she got to her feet. She’s also asking my wife to sing one of her favorite lullabies each time we call by patting her own head. It’s too cute to adequately describe.

Toy Story with Wingman and Woody

The FBR also had a good weekend. It started out with a viewing of the new Toy Story movie with Wingman. She brought along her Woody doll and I can just imagine how much fun that was. The best news was that Wingman’s restaurant is now serving lunch during the week which will allow him weekends off with his new schedule. This meant my daughter’s family was together for the entire weekend which was appropriately celebrated at several playgrounds.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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^rd musquetera (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

Injection Hubris

FBR Was in Dance Mode Yesterday

One of the things I took out of my Army career was the semi-required attitude where you refuse to acknowledge any sickness or malady. It was considered a sign of weakness, at least in the infantry, to acknowledge something was physically wrong. It’s an attitude that served me well in earlier years despite the frustrations it provided my sister and especially my Favorite Panamanian who thinks a trip to the doctor should follow any, even minor, affliction. I say this in preparation for describing my day yesterday when the pharmacy called to say the shingles vaccine had finally arrived and I should stop by for the first of two shots.

And Then Play Time 

I knocked it out over lunch and half listened to the list of side effects because I believed I was, as in the past, going to be immune to them. I did take pause when he recommended I take the shot in my left arm instead of my offered right. Everything went well until the middle of the night when apparently my body woke up to the foreign substance that had been injected. I was warned there might be a low grade fever and general lethargy. I woke because my teeth were chattering from the fever. I was concerned my wife would notice and summon an ambulance but everything settled down except for a wake up every twenty minutes. I slumped out of bed after the alarm since today was supposed to be a pool day. I drove to the YMCA but finally made an adult decision that I shouldn’t ignore the effects as my left arm was painful to lift above shoulder height. A bit difficult to swim with that condition. I returned home and spent the pre-breakfast workout time on the stationary bike. This stuff is supposed to affect for 24-48 hours so I’ll just have to push through the lethargy. At least it is First Friday and that always has a medicinal effect.

Back at the movies last night for the fourth night in a row and I was rewarded with the best of the lot in Late Night. Emma Thompson is a bona fide treasure and she carries this well written comedy effortlessly. She plays an aging late night talk show host struggling to stay relevant in today’s society. She hires Mindy Kaling straight out of a chemical plant to spice up her writing team and hijinks ensue. Kaling deserves a lot of credit because she more than holds her own as the naïve yet determined writer. The script is smart and takes on a lot of the expected issues with a grace and wit. Thompson is so eloquent, even when she’s not talking. She is the reason to go see this – a true master of her craft at work.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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^rd musquetera (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

Divotted Shoulder

BRS in Action

I promised Great Aunt I would reveal all health related news after I was remiss in this area few years ago. That failure resulted in some fairly direct guidance which, like any good Soldier, I cannot ignore. I had my semi-annual dermatology appointment which calls for a fairly attractive lady doc running her hands all over my body. It is definitely not as much fun as it sounds. The worst part being the results, which over the past couple visits, led to Mohs Surgery and the accompanying scars. I did however manage to finally get a beard past my Favorite Panamanian as a result of my last bout with Mr. Mohs. I was doing really well this time out and only scored a minor freezing of a spot on my neck when I heard the “uh oh” which is dermatology-speak for “we’ll be doing a biopsy”. She dug a spot out of my left shoulder and said she’d let me know. Fortunately I got the results back yesterday and there will not be a need for surgery although I now have a divot in my shoulder.

Translated Father's Day Gift Cards into new Electric Mower
Cutting First Floor Grass Last night

Granddaughters have been on the quiet side this week. The BRS continues to completely dominate dinner time as we laughed as my Favorite Son tried to keep her plate stocked with food as she shoveled it in at an alarming rate. She then demanded her post-dinner walk around the neighborhood in a manner that suggested she didn’t appreciate having to remind her dad about the requirement.

The FBR Finally Achieved a Quiet Interlude with Pee Wee

The FBR today graduates from one level of pre-school to another. My daughter used a great technique to get the FBR to talk to us last night. The FBR has taken to being non-communicative with us and expects us to simply bask in her video presence during our calls. Last night when our daughter called she turned the screen so we were talking with her instead of the FBR who was sitting next to her. All of a sudden the FBR was very interested in what we had to say and even deigned to talk with us a little bit; so cool.

We’ve been to the movies each of the past two nights (3 for me but who’s counting). Tuesday night we saw Men in Black International. This was every bit as silly as it was fun. Thor was back with his Avengers Valkyrie buddy and they still have the chemistry. This was a coming out party for Tessa Thompson and she passes with flying colors in a lead role. She plays a hyper-smart gal who worms her way into the black suit after a lifelong pursuit. She’s teamed up with Thor who’s seen better days as an English agent. This was everything I hoped it would be and as long as you don’t take it seriously, c’mon it’s a MIB movie, truly enjoyable. The plot was a little predictable but provided a great ride around the globe as the agents tracked down in inter-dimensional mole in the agency. I did say it shouldn’t be taken seriously, right.

Last night called for the new Shaft movie, because there were so many unanswered questions from the previous incarnations. Again, a lot of fun here as Samuel L. dominates in the role he was born to play. The entire premise was the conflict between today’s metrosexual millennials and Shaft’s misogynistic generation (mine I guess). That proves fertile ground as Shaft reunites with a long lost son (the millennial in question) trying to solve the murder of his son’s friend. Jackson literally chews up the scenery and was worth the price of admission alone. The plot doesn’t really matter as long as it provides the appropriate level of mayhem and “coolness”. A great ride that had me laughing almost non-stop, again, very fertile ground.

Some More BRS Magic

Artistic

Directing the ABFA on one of their Walks

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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^rd musquetera (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