Obsessed Inspired Effort

I’m finishing up a weekend full of yard chores I’ve been putting off for a long time. Before I can delve into my sloth I must take a moment to recognize that while this weekend was not a lot of fun, I was buoyed by the memories that these dates in August are rife with. That’s because Friday marked the 16^th anniversary of my daughter and Wingman while Saturday was my Favorite Son and the ABFA’s 11^th anniversary. In other words, this weekend delivered the completely awesome recollections of those two weddings and the times surrounding them, first in Charlton and then in Nashua. The nicest remembrances is reflecting on the two families both couples have created in the ensuing years. I could not be prouder of all four superstars. I know I proclaim to be blessed in life, a large percentage of that consecration comes from my association with them, and, of course, the granddaughters. Happy Anniversary you crazy kids and thanks for the inspiration.

Best Weekend Ever #1 and #2

Now, as to that obsession inspired effort. When I latch on to a task, I tend to get obsessed with finishing it. I blame the Army, which kind of insisted on accomplishing missions. A couple years ago, I decided it was time to watch my entire library of movies, in alphabetical order, the “heroic” A-Z watch chronicled at the bottom of my blog posts for those past few years. Since, as a retired individual, every day is a weekend, I’ve thrown myself into the task this year (the titular obsession), at the expense of other duties, sleep, and a burgeoning honey-do list furnished by my Favorite Panamanian.

The Refurbished Fireplace

Since old folks, such as myself, occasionally lapse into self-examination, I realized I needed to address some of the postponed work. I decided this weekend would see to that since it was one of the rare weekends without events and the last of the summer I would have free with the imminent arrival of the granddaughters next weekend. The first mission was pouring cement footings for three of the stairs on the back hill that provide access to my wife’s vast garden complex. While I had the cement mixing, I also wanted to spruce up my style challenged fireplace. I use the word “cement” just to piss off my son. I know it’s really concrete but I like to see his head explode with exasperation when he hears me call it cement (father of the year kind of stuff). He’s a very serious construction engineer who doesn’t brook such obvious failures in terminology. The fireplace has been suffering the indignity as a platform for one of my wife's large flower pots, so it needed some love. 

Two of the Newly Footed Stairs

That consumed a large percentage of Saturday, and I rewarded myself with some Man Cave time that evening, along with a movie or two. After church today, I informed my Favorite Panamanian that  I would be clearing out the garage and, if she could manage it, not to come out and offer her expertise. I’m fortunate enough to be married to a woman who considers herself an expert in whatever mission I have in front of me. I think I’m not alone in this type of situation as it seems to be a characteristic that is bestowed upon most women once they walk down the aisle. Somehow, I managed to get the garage cleaned and power washed before she decided to check up on me. Since this involved cleaning, I was given wide latitude. I did the monthly checkup on the snow blower (making sure it starts) while it was out on the driveway. A good friend drove by and helpfully informed me that it was too early in the year to be out there snow blowing. So, I wasn’t without comic relief.

There’s a strange sense of accomplishment when you finally get to long delayed chores. I felt really industrious and somehow, freed from the movie instilled obsession. I’ll still continue with that; I’m into the S’s, but I’ve resigned myself that I won’t finish until my return from Panama next year. I’m hesitant to bad mouth the watch because I’m genuinely enjoying it. It’s a lot like visits from old friends. I’m also getting rid of the stinkers which will provide additional space for future additions to the library, non-stinkers only.

Six movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: Rush Hour – strange but effective chemistry between Tucker and Chan; Rush Hour 2 – Tucker starts to grate on your nerves after watching these together but Roselyn Sánchez, Yikes!!!; Sabrina – thought I would kick this one but it’s a highly entertaining rom-com; Safe – Statham being, well, Statham, so enjoyable; Safe House – thrilling spy drama with Reynolds holding his own with Denzel; Safety Not Guaranteed – just love this movie, my daughter put me on to it and it’s a non-stop quirky pleasure, if you haven’t seen it, check it out. I especially love the climatic scene.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; CRC - Connecticut Riverboat Captain – another close friend from high school, renowned sailor of the big river; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn; Czech Connection – Czech couple who’ve become good friends along with their daughter (the Czech Shadow); 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 3^rd Musquetera (musketeer); Namesake Nephew – son of Great Aunt and Soxfather named after me; 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; PCR - Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; PCR+1 - Pittsburgh College Roommate’s wife; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother-in-law (whom I miss more than I can ever explain); Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course