I know there are literally thousands of
you out there waiting with semi-bated breath for more news on Great Aunt’s “cat
from hell” who emerged from her lifelong antipathy towards anything or anyone
human last week. During our First Friday call, the cat would not abandon her
perch on Great Aunt’s lap and demanded almost constant attention. You have to
understand what a sea change in behavior this represents because this was a cat
that engendered a standard warning to anyone entering Great Aunt’s house, “don’t
try to touch the black cat”. My Favorite Panamanian believes it is Soxfather
reaching out from beyond to change the behavior of one of his least favored
beings. I opined to my big sister that the cat, up there is years, in probably
getting ready to croak. She did not appreciate my bloodthirsty prediction and believes
her decade long effort to reach the cat’s psyche might be finally paying off. I
talked to her this morning and she says the cat is still affectionate – five days
now. I’m really beginning to doubt reality at this point.
 |
| The Cat from Hell Still on Great Aunt's Lap |
My loneliness was dealt a body blow last
evening when I was invited over to the Neighborhood Mafioso’s home to help
celebrate their youngest granddaughter’s confirmation. I apparently lucked out
by missing the actual ceremony where the local bishop spoke, spoke, and then
spoke some more. It was so fun seeing a healthy portion of the local Panamanian
Mafia again. I was a little stunned when the two granddaughters walked in. It’s
a sign of how long I’ve lived in one area (a novel experience after my vagabond
Army days) in that I first met them they were not even teenagers yet. They
walked in yesterday looking like two elegant ladies. I felt old but the company
made up for it.
 |
The Proud Grandparents With their Son, Daughter
and the Two Elegant Young Ladies Yesterday |
A game has developed with the
Neighborhood Mafioso’s husband and I where he sneaks beer refills to me under
the watchful eye of my Favorite Panamanian who never misses the opportunity to
scowl at our subterfuge. We remarked last night how much less fun it was
without that needed ploy but the beer still tasted appropriate. I Facetimed my
wife in so she could say hi and predictably she and one of the PanaGals were in
the condo pool. Since a couple of us just had to come inside as the temperature
dropped with the sun, she was suitably pleased. I had the advantage though
since I got to spend time with these more than excellent people just by walking
across the street. I was having such a good time I forgot to take any pictures
of the gathering so you’ll have to take my word on it. I’ve been doing well in
my comeback from a week of excess food after redeployment from Panama. That
effort came to a screeching halt last evening when they rolled out the desserts
which included my personal kryptonite. Yes. Whoopie Pies!!! I was helpless in the
face of a package of mini-whoopie pies and did my very best to demolish as many
as possible. I’ve never tried cocaine but this must be what it’s like because I
just couldn’t stop. Not that I wanted to. Exctra laps this morning in the pool and for the foreseeable future.
On Friday I saw the funniest movie I’ve
seen in a very long time. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is awesome.
It features Nicholas Cage doing a heartfelt send up of Nicholas Cage. He’s been
the center of so many memes over the years that there was rich territory to
explore on this effort and they mined it for all its worth. You have to admire
him for this because 99.9% of actors wouldn’t be secure enough to so thoroughly
skewer their cinematic personae like this. It’s also a very funny buddy flick
as Cage teams up with superfan Pedro Pascal in a kidnapping plot worthy of Cage’s
Con-Air era. This is Pascal’s best work since he was a Dornish prince. There
are also some hilarious bits where Cage interacts with a younger version of
himself. I can’t recommend this enough, Funniest movie I’ve seen in years. Cage
is my new hero, taking direct aim at Hollywood’s endemic self-importance.
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RECURRING CHARACTERS:
ABFA – Amazing Best Family
Athlete - my daughter
in law; BR3 – Blog Reader #3 – granddaughter
#3; BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel -
second granddaughter; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue
about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Curbside Girls – close friends of my
daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions
once my wife got involved in planning; Favorite
Panamanian - the wife (of course); FBR
- First Blog Reader - first granddaughter; First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since
high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited
with after many years; Maine and
Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my
wife is the 3rd musquetera (musketeer); Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia
member; 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; Pittsburgh
College Roommate– high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh;
Riggins - also known as the
Grandpuppy, son's dog; Soxfather -
my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course
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