2019 in Movies

I am an unashamed movie nut.  For the last post of the year I pontificate on the best and worst from only the movies I went to see. I’ve also included what I considered to be the worst movies of the year, because that’s almost more fun. It was a fairly good year for movies although I never see as many as I would have liked. You won’t find my movies on many critics top ten for the year because we go to the movies for different reasons. I go to be entertained not to judge. I’ve also chosen a quote from each of the top ten movies. As you can see I lean heavily towards action (and science fiction) but I think these films are a lot more mainstream than the out of touch film critics whose top tens are usually incomprehensible and barely entertaining. If nothing else the films below (except for the bottom two) were hugely enjoyable. Again this is only one man’s opinion and reflects only the movies I saw this year.

Best Movies of the Year

#1 - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – There was no way this movie wouldn’t end up on top. Star Wars and the hijinks of the Skywalker clan have had a firm hold on my imagination since Luke first grabbed a hold of my soul back in the 1970s. This epic close to the cycle that began all those years ago brought the story full circle with an able follow on generation.

Luke Skywalker: The force will be with you.

Leia Organa: Always.

#2 - Avengers: Endgame – Any other year this movie would have ended up on top. It brings the myriad super hero plot lines together and poignantly ends several of the most popular but you end up cheering anyways. Marvel’s combination of humor action and heart are now legendary and on display in its highest form here. It should have been impossible to have all these heroes on screen at one time but it wasn’t and it was sublime.

Natasha Romanoff: Even if there's a small chance that we can undo this, I mean, we owe it to everyone who is not in this room, to try.

Bruce Banner: If we do this, how do we know it's going to end any differently than it did before?

Carol Danvers: Because before, you didn't have me.

James Rhodes: Hey, new girl? Everybody in this room is about that superhero life. And, if you don't mind my asking, where the hell have you been all this time?

Carol Danvers: There are a lot of other planets in the universe, and, unfortunately, they didn't have you guys.

Thor: [Stands up and walks to Danvers. They meet eye-to-eye. Thor summons Stormbreaker, which whizzes right past Danvers' head. She doesn't even flinch, and then smiles] I like this one.

Steve Rogers: Let's go get this son of a bitch.

#3 - Knives Out – This was a very nice surprise but it shouldn’t have been considering the cast. It was weird seeing Daniel Craig operating as a sleuth with a deep southern drawl but he owns it. A very fun plot with a seriously dark comedy surrounding the death of a renowned mystery writer captivated form the start. You think you see the twists coming but are still surprised. A very dated genre updated and spectacularly acted – fun from the start.

Marta Cabrera: I've never been to a will reading before.

Benoit Blanc: Think of it as a tax return by a community theater.

#4 – Joker – A look into the back story of one of the most fascinating of cinematic villains. Phoenix is mesmerizing as the loser whom life keeps piling on top of. The movie doesn’t celebrate his lunacy but you can almost understand it with the cards he is dealt. We’ve seen so many versions of this character over the years but this is one that I’ll always think of and that is high praise considering the earlier incarnations.

Murray Franklin: Do I understand that you did this to start a movement? To become a symbol?

Arthur Fleck: Oh come on, Murray. Do I look like the kind of clown that could start a movement? I killed those guys because they were awful. Everybody is awful these days. It's enough to make everyone crazy.

Murray Franklin: Okay, so that's it? You're crazy, that's your defense for killing three young men?

Arthur Fleck: No. They couldn't carry a tune to save their lives.

#5 – Ad Astra – It was a very good year for Brad Pitt and he effortlessly carries a huge sci fi concept film. He’s a lone astronaut in the near future charged with flying to the edge of the galaxy to find his long lost father. There is an eloquent comment on the nature of family and connections laced throughout.

Roy McBride: He captured strange and distant worlds in greater detail than ever before. They were beautiful, magnificent... full of awe and wonder. But beneath their sublime surfaces... there was nothing. No love or hate. No light or dark. He could only see what was not there... and missed what was right in front of him.

#6 - Parasite – I can’t believe a Korean language film made my list but Parasite is just that good, no astonishing. A lazy student is contracted to tutor within a rich family and his family latches onto the opportunity in the darkest comedic fashion possible. This movie spirals out of control and is a fantastic ride for the viewer.

Ki-taek: [to his son] You know what kind of plan never fails? No plan. No plan at all. You know why? Because life cannot be planned. Look around you. Did you think these people made a plan to sleep in the sports hall with you? But here we are now, sleeping together on the floor. So, there's no need for a plan. You can't go wrong with no plans. We don't need to make a plan for anything. It doesn't matter what will happen next. Even if the country gets destroyed or sold out, nobody cares. Got it?

#7 - Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood – Pitt is back as a Hollywood stuntman in the 1960s who is thrust into the middle of the Manson murder scheme. He’s rooming right next door to the Sharon Tate residence and Quentin Tarantino takes his usual license by reinventing the whole event in very satisfying fashion. He skewers Hollywood and the 1960s along the way in his customary irreverent and unforgettable fashion.

Bruce Lee: You're the one with the big mouth, and I would really enjoy closing it, especially in front of all my friends. But my hands are registered as lethal weapons. That means, we get into a fight, I accidentally kill you? I go to jail.

Cliff Booth: Anybody accidentally kills anybody in a fight, they go to jail. It's called manslaughter.

#8 - John Wick 3 – My favorite dog lover is back and just as dangerous although he does seem to be getting a little tired. Someone the filmmakers keep finding way to keep this series fresh and invested in the hyper-lethal Wick. It deosn’t hurt to have Halle Berry and her assassin dogs alogn for the ride; just pure escapist fun.

Zero: [With sword sticking through chest] Hey, John. That was a pretty good fight, huh?

John Wick: Yeah.

[John gets up and starts walking away]

Zero: Yeah. Don't worry about me, John. I just gotta catch my breath. I'll catch up to you, John.

John Wick: No, you won't.

#9 - Good Boys – One of the sleeper hits of the year as three pubescent boys go through a hilarious journey prior to attending their first “kissing” party. The innocence combined with false bravado is irresistible. This movie had me literally howling with laughter.

Thor: Look what I found at school today.

Lucas: What is it?

Thor: I have no idea.

Max: That's a tampon. Girls shove it up their buttholes to stop babies from coming out. An eighth grader told me that.

#10 – Yesterday – I didn’t know I was as big a Beatles asfan as I am until the hits kept coming. A neat little love story is wound around the concept of all the world forgetting who the Beatles were except for one unsuccessful singer. He becomes a huge star but loses some of himself along the way. The Ed Sheeran cameos are funny beyond words. I loved this movie with its sly British humor.

Ed Sheeran: I do have a suggestion though. Um, about the song. The title, Hey Jude. Jude is just, it's a bit old fashioned. That was the kid's name, right?

Jack Malik: What kid?

Ed Sheeran: That the song's about.

Jack Malik: Oh, the kid, the kid, the kid. Yes, the sad kid.

Ed Sheeran: Now, let me just give you this advice, right? Song title. I won't charge you a penny for it as well. Hey Dude.

Honorable Mention:

Where’d You Go, Bernadette – Sporting maybe my favorite character of the year the peerless Cate Blanchette is totally charming as a recluse whose world is crumbling around her.

The Kid Who Would Be King – A sneaky good movie about some modern kids chosen to wield Excalibur and fight off a demon horde.

Captain Marvel – Marvel studios scores with yet another hero following their tried and true policy of putting really good actors behind the masks. Brie Larson dominates as maybe the most powerful Avenger.

Alita Battle Angel – loved this sci fi semi-animated tale about a young girl inhabiting the mechanized body of a assassin.

Booksmart – Two female overachievers ponder life at their high school graduation. Smart dialogue and fantastic acting made this one of my surprise favorites of the year.

Worst Movies:

The Beach Bum – the worst movie I saw all year which is a huge surprise because I love both McConaughey and Isla Fisher. There is no redemptive quality to the lead character and no arc; just a series of increasingly embarrassing situations. I’m guessing McConaughey is ashamed by this and if he isn’t he should be.

Isn’t It Romantic – I was looking forward to this after seing the trailer but this send up of rom-coms fails miserably. Rebel Wilson may be more suited to supporitn roles because she couldn’t carry this. It just wasn’t “beguiling” at all. If you werer unfortunate enouh to see this you know what I mean.

2019 Superlatives:

Best Comedy:  Good Boys

Best Horror Movie:  Doctor Sleep

Best Drama:  Ad Astra

Best Romance:  Queen and Slim

Best Action:  John Wick 3

Best Special Effects:   Avengers: Endgame

Best Scene of the Year:  The huge beach concert scene in Yesterday when the song “Help” finally appears and the entire place goes crazy.

Of course the movies have assumed second place firmly behind those two min-heroes the FBR and the BRS. I would not deny you year-end pictures of these two superheroes. It is appropriate in this year of so many sequels that you should stay tuned to Frail Deeds for news of BR3.

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

RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; 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); 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; 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

Down Sloping

I now find myself the furthest away I’m going to be for the next twelve months from my favorite time of year – that, of course, being Christmas. At least I can say this past week rose to the occasion to meet even my lofty expectations. All of the blame for the fun lies with my incredible friends and family. It is wholly appropriate that we are getting pelted with ice and the Patriots look pathetic. It matches my mood right now as I have to deal with the downside of Christmas – that it has to end.

FBR and Daughter this Morning
She Inherited the Family Love of Corn Muffins

Luckily I have the memories of the past week to sustain me. The FBR and my daughter were the last to depart on Saturday morning with a car full to the brim with the spoils of Christmas morning. The FBR was happy because she gets to watch her IPad for the entire trip home. She returned to find that Santa had left a “big girl bed” in her bedroom. She was really excited about this development and in a completely unprecedented event asked my daughter if she could go to bed early on Saturday night and was asleep within minutes. The world was stunned by this but it’s an indication she liked the new bed.

FBR in her Brand New Bed

The BRS was in similar mode back at her home. My son and the ABFA are in the process of moving her accumulated toy wealth from the living room into the titular dining room which is being converted to a play room. The BRS loudly objects to this at times. She also finally finished opening the last of her Christmas presents. Her newest trick is to coax her father into opening the gate to the front stairs whereupon she races up to her room and turns on all the various devices she sees her parents turn on – the sound machine, the humidifier, etc. etc. When her dad asks her if she’s ready to go to bed she emits a squawk of indignation that would make the FBR proud.

The Puzzle Master at Work

Soxfather’s excellent family rose to the occasion on Saturday to help diffuse the pain of the end of Christmas. Soxfather’s cousin hosted his extended family and us in her beautiful home in Jamestown, RI. In a true turn of events my Favorite Panamanian said she would not function as my designated driver since it was further than the usual drives, so I was consigned to soft drinks for the night. This was probably a good thing considering how many Coors Lites met their maker at my hands over the preceding few days. I fulfilled Soxfather’s sister’s most fervent dream and did not exercise my legendary photographic talents that night. I’ve been through Jamestown hundreds of times over the years but in the past year discovered that I’m descended, through my mother’s side of the family, from some of the original settlers there.

Finally after the usual charging around on Sunday I consigned myself to the Man Cave to drown my melancholy. The Patriots did absolutely nothing to assist there as they appear done for the year, no leadership whatsoever from Mr. Brady. I finished off the second season of Mrs. Meisel which might be the funniest thing of television right now. One of the best parts of the past week was watching some episodes with my daughter. I also finished off the first season of the Witcher on Netflix which has the Superman actor running around with long locks fighting monsters. I still have an impressive stack of movies I received at Christmas to run through my new 4K blu ray player but most of those will probably wait form my Favorite Panamanian’s flight south next week. I also found a new obsession with the Ring doorbell we now have – I keep a close watch on my front yard throughout the day through my phone. For all of those who were worried I just got an alert and watched the city workers pick up the huge mound of rubbish Christmas resulted in from the front yard.

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

RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; 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); 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; 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

Final Holiday Event

As we’ve done for a couple decades now we finished up our Christmas celebrations with a trip back to my home town to Keene Friend’s house for a day after Christmas get together. This is a tradition from my earlier days when my buddies and I would gather at my mother’s house the day after Christmas, usually following a game of basketball at the local rec hall. Later in my mother’s life, after Keene Friend bought his house, the event shifted there. My kids grew up with the tradition and were actively campaigning to attend this year.

My Daughter with the BRS & FBR Yesterday

Earlier in the day my resident geek squad totally transformed the house while I was at work. My daughter and son, on their own initiative, went out and purchased a new Wi-Fi system that would cover the entire house and had it installed by the time I got home. My son opined that it was so easy even I could have done it. This was met with a scornful look from her sister. They went around and insured all the myriad devices in the home were shifted to the new Wi-Fi signal which is indeed much more robust than earlier. My son was a true Godsend as he had to work hard to get the AC system converted to the new signal.

Fellow Play Dough Enthusiasts

Inseparable

BRS with Other Granddad

The team was not done though as Wingman set up and installed the Ring doorbell device he and my daughter had gifted me with. I’ll now be able to identify whoever is allowing their dog to crap in my front yard and not pick it up. It is really cool. I just got an alert and saw my daughter pulling up to the house and was able to speak with her as she approached the door. Thank God we’re blessed with these talented children to drag us into current technology. It’s also a profound comment on the quality of these “kids” as they did all this out of the goodness of their prodigious hearts.

Christmas Chaos

Favorite Son with the Granddaughters

Riggins on Squirrel Watch

ABFA's Parents

FBR - Canine Lover

The ABFA provided some more photos of the Christmas day fun which I include today. They couldn’t make it up to Keene for reasons that will be fully explained in the New Year. They were still packing up their Christmas haul as well as the BRS support package which is not unsubstantial. Luckily Riggins had gone home with the ABFA’s parents the day before to free up some space. The BRS was a huge hit this Christmas and she even slept through each night which was a huge problem last year. Having to drive away from them was the hardest part of yesterday.

With their Abuela

The ABFA is in Charge of Placing Marshmallows in Sweet Potato Dish
A Self-Appointed Position

ABFA's Mom

Keene Friend had done his usual superb job getting his house ready for us with snacks and drinks liberally spread throughout the house. We were joined in short order by the Cantankerous Friend and Keene Friend 2. In one of the strangest events in recent history the FBR and the Cantankerous Friend soon became good buddies. I think the Cantankerous One was a little in shock as he hasn’t had to deal with a situation where someone actually likes him right off the bat. It was fun to watch them hang out for the rest of the evening.

FBR Getting to Know Cantankerous

Became Good Buddies

The Gathering

Another friend brought a couple of Chihuahuas which she claimed were dogs although I wasn’t fooled. The FBR on the other hand was completely enthralled with a small animal that actually seemed to enjoy the attention. The poor FBR is firmly part of a cat lover’s home although she has inherited my strong inclinations towards canines. She spent a good hour with the little thing and kept exclaiming “She likes me!” in astounding fashion (probably what the Cantankerous Friend was thinking all night long.)

Making Another New Friend

She Doesn't Run Away Like Cats

Wingman and my daughter had to leave early because they were traveling to Boston. Wingman got on an early morning flight today to commence his group’s reunion tour which kicks off next week. Wingman and my daughter booked a room in an airport hotel to avoid an early morning drive. The FBR remained with us to minimize distractions (at least on their end). We drove home (more correctly my Favorite Panamanian drove) through a fairly intense snow squall that thankfully left us at the New Hampshire border. It was almost as if New Hampshire didn’t want to let go of us, which was, as always mutual, and much like I didn’t want to let go of the past few days.

She Likes Me

She Really Likes Me!

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

RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; 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); 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; 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

Bliss Induced

I set such high expectations in my mind going into Christmas that I sometimes set myself up for failure. I place Christmas on a high pedestal based on my childhood and the fantastic people I’ve shared the holiday with over the years that it’s almost an impossible task. Or so I thought! The past couple days have exceeded even my lofty hopes and the blame falls squarely on my family and friends. 

Christmas Bliss

After a half day of work, technically, on Christmas Eve I became immersed in the ocean of excellence that is my family. I say technically because I arose at 3:30am and joined Keene Friend to greet my early arriving employees with Christmas wishes. I apparently caused some issues at home. I told the FBR she was authorized to wake the entire house up on Christmas morning because it was special. She jumped the gun and was loudly attempting to do so on the 24^th until Wingman informed her I’d meant Christmas morning. Rehearsals are a vital tool in proper execution.  I was home at noon time and found Soxfather and Great Aunt had joined my Favorite Panamanian, my daughter, Wingman and the FBR. Their arrival had caused a burnt chocolate pie but Wingman ride to the rescue with replacement pudding.

Son, BRS, and ABFA

Daughter, FBR and Wingman

Soxfather was once again in the “zone” that is reserved for him and my granddaughters. The FBRs squeals of delight at the silliness brought back so many memories of her mother’s similar reaction a few decades ago with Soxfather. He’s a multi-generational charmer. After a quick, but very needed, nap I accompanied my wife and the FBR to mass. It was typically packed and the FBR spent the entire service passing her Frozen figurines back and forth with a young gal in the pew behind us. They were fast friends by the end of mass and the FBR even invited her back to the house. The parents of her new friend thanked the FBR for “making” the service for them by being so entertaining. That was needed because we had an octogenarian replacement priest who did nothing to enliven what turned into an unneededly solemn service.

Cousins on Christmas Eve

Why Do we Have to Wait?

These Two!

The Favorite Son, ABFA, and the BRS had rolled into town in the afternoon and the house was truly “lit” for Christmas when we returned. Soxfather and Great Aunt were with us because Great Aunt had to work on Christmas Day so they wouldn’t be joining us for the Christmas Morning chaos. That meant another huge dinner centerpieced by the ham Wingman’s mother sends us every year. The meal was followed by a frenzied gift exchange as both the FBR and BRS wanted to assist in gift distribution. I swear that half the joy I pull out of Christmas now is seeing the holiday vicariously through the joy of my granddaughters’ eyes experiencing their first few. It’s almost intoxicating. The FBR was in charge of leaving the cookies and milk (she was very definite about this) for Santa Claus. She also wrote out a message for Santa, sounding out the words herself. I was very impressed with her being barely four years old and accomplishing this.

FBR Note for Santa

BRS was Ready to Help with Cleanup

As the young’uns headed up for the anticipation laden Christmas Eve sleep Great Aunt and Soxfather hit the road home. The rest of us cleaned up the debris and adjourned to the Man Cave for the annual viewing of Love Actually. We’re going to have to come up with an edited version when the kids are old enough to stay up with us but it was still a great celebration of love that still had us laughing and loving together. Probably my favorite part of the entire day was the late night session as my son joined me in the preparation of the Christmas turkey. He grown into the kind of man I’m proud just to spend time with. 

Christmas Morning

Wife Trying to Impose Order

Best Gift - Time with Granddaughters

The Very Best

The FBR’s rehearsal was validated when she awoke the entire house at 7am on Christmas morning. Her foghorn rivalling efforts had us all up and ready to descend the stairs to find out about the Naughty List appeal results. The FBR was a little put out to discover both my wife and I were out of bed by the time she came charging into the room because she’d wanted to jump on us. I told her it was her own fault for her very effective wakeup call. She recovered from her pique to discover Santa Claus had consumed her cookies and milk.

Favorite Panamanian Modeling

ABFA and BRS

BRS Piggy Backing her Dad

The turkey went into the oven and everyone descended into the usual blur as presents were exchanged. This is truly my favorite part – seeing the reaction and the joy each other’s generosity results in. The big gift to my two kids was an 11 disk set of DVDs where all of the family video VHS tapes from their youth had been converted onto; more on that later.  Mimosas were created for the adults amidst the chaos and we all tried to keep up with the two young cousins who were truly in the “Christmas Zone” that this holiday creates for the very young.

Test Driving the Gifts

Another Tradition I put All my Gifts on at Once

The traditional late morning breakfast of hojaldras and fried dough was moved to the dining room because of space requirements. At one point I asked the BRS who each family member was and she correctly pointed out each person I named. I am very impressed by both my granddaughters. I know this will come as a huge surprise to readers of Frail Deeds. As the morning’s debris as cleaned up and newly acquired toys were tested I sat back to reflect just how blessed my life is, which is a direct result of the people I was sharing the holiday with. That included the ABFA’s parents who arrived just after the major gift opening frenzy and jumped right in as part of the family. It wouldn’t be Christmas without them now.

Son and I on Dinner Prep

Turkey Came Out Perfect

We spent part of the afternoon in the Man Cave watching the first of the DVDs of family memories. Everyone was howling in laughter at the 1991 versions of ourselves. Wingman particularly enjoyed seeing so many of the more “charming” traits of the FBR evidenced in the young version of her mother. Soxfather was up to the same tricks he was now engaged in with another generation and all the ladies had very tall hair. It was also a little startling to see how little grey hair I had and the less said about my waist compered to now the better. The segment included Christmas 1991 at my mother’s house and it was cool to see so many of the traditions we still engage in as well as seeing my mom and Aunt Peg. We also saw that my appreciation of my wife’s derriere is not a new thing, but less said about that etc. etc.

The Dinner Team

FBR Wondering Where Dinner Is

My son and I rushed upstairs to find the turkey finished and jumped into creating the rest of the Christmas dinner. It’s a tradition dating back to the 1991 (we correctly identified that in the tape we just watched) that the men are responsible for Christmas dinner in our house. I’m usually exhausted by the time dinner is ready but that was not the case this year as my son took on more of the burden. I guess this qualifies as an official start for the passing of the torch.

Christmas Dinner ABFA Parents on the Left

From the Other End

Shortly after dinner Keene Friend finally arrived which completed the requisite gatherings. While the Christmas evening frivolities might be a little tempered compared to those of my youth we were loud enough to receive a cautionary admonition from the FBR after she’d gone to bed. She told us it was okay to continue laughing but to try and be a little quieter. This of course led to another bout of laughter. We adjourned to the Man Cave to watch the rest of Christmas 1991 which provided an elegant connection which for me is what Christmas is all about – connecting with the people you love. As I said a couple day’s completely immersal in bliss.

I Was Dragooned into Watching Peppa Pig on Two
Separate Tablets Simultaneously

Which Meant I really Needed a Beer

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

RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; 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); 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; 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