Lining Up

Is there Any More Chicken?

We’re approaching the final throes of establishing residency in our new home. My wife has deigned to decide on certain picture locations and the new couch should; arrive shortly. My lonely eyes have turned to the barren hillside directly behind our house. I want to do something about it because it also looks to be prone to erosion not to mention being fairly ugly (Buddy enjoys the rabbit population though). Since Deckzilla consumed nearly all the flat ground behind our house during his expensive growth period I’ve had ideas pacing about the cranium. My wife had to bid adieu to the Maine Musquetera who returned home to bake wedding cakes and therefore could offer some guidance.

The Hillside With Initial Plan Staked O

I staked out some modest plans for a flat path beside Deckzilla, cutting into the hill. I’ll build a wall there and throw the excavated dirt behind it to create a terrace for my wife’s plant craving to express itself (think Norse berserker with a field of peasants in view). I planned on an additional terrace further up the hill for more gardening space. I marked the tentative locations with rope and brought out the supreme authority to inspect. She liked the concept but thought my plans were too modest. I had to tell her I was not building an eight foot tall wall to create a completely flat surface. Negotiations will continue.

I Loved Chicken!

Out in far off (way too far off) California my daughter and the First Blog Reader abide. My granddaughter had her first taste of chicken yesterday and she roundly approved. Given her carnivorous lineage – no surprise there. She’s also bonding with the day care nanny my daughter hired during Wingman’s absence this time. My Elder Sister and the Soxfather ventured down to San Diego where they took in a game at Petco Field thanks to some tickets from my daughter’s friend. They came away completely impressed with Petco. My sister is complaining about the sexy new blog name for the Soxfather and wants one for herself. I’ll have to think on this. She’d probably object to the name my other sisters and I had for her growing up, M.O.S.P. (Miss Oh So Perfect); just guessing.

I polished off yet another of CG Cooper's excellent Corps Justice series with Presidential Shift. This time out the boys of the security firm are working closely with the US President (who sounded a lot like Obama) trying to root out corruption by exposing the guilty. You can imagine what type of hornets nest that kicked up, especially when a white supremacy group is trying to assassinate the First Lady with the help of someone inside the White House. A lot of moving parts which Cooper, showing some additional polish as a writer weaves into a very readable story. I'm already on to book 5.

Still the Accomplished Shopper

And Hand Waver

Frustration

Wife and Maine Musquetera - Slowed Down Long Enough for me to Snap a Picture

My excellent boss has been railing about the incompetence of the architect charged with building our new facility for months but yesterday I got to see it up close and personal. I think I now understand why the excellent boss needed a couple extra libations on First Friday – the architect is world class moron. The political bosses finally brought us into the planning process for the move to the new building because they realized they were out of their depth, a price they paid for listening to the moron.

Granddaughter Helping with the Laundry

We’re in charge of making sure everything works and now that final inspections are occurring they’re faced with a number of situations where the architect designed features that will not work. My excellent boss made me promise to behave in the meeting as he knows my penchant for suffering fools gladly is non-existent. This was a classic case where the planners refused to let operations have a voice and they’re now realizing the cost of their arrogance. The move will now be delayed into late September (if not later) as they try to remedy the situation they’ve painted themselves into. I think they finally invited us in the hopes we’d provide them with an excuse for the delay so they could blame it on us – no such luck.

Results of Edging Project

My wife was flitting about Central Mass shopping with her running partners, the Maine Musquetera and the Neighborhood Mafioso. They left shortly after breakfast and returned shortly after dinner. Despite their very full day they were still full of energy. I’d just come in from finishing off my edging project and could not match their liveliness level. I think the presence of close friends is like a fusion reactor for my wife – they tend to feed off each other. They hurried through dinner to insure they were ready to leave (almost on time) for the movies.

We went to see Bad Moms, which I quickly ascertained was aimed at a female audience since I was one of two brave male souls in a crowded theater. This movie was absolutely hilarious. Three suburban moms decide to forego their expected PTA-centric roles and enjoy life. This is superimposed upon society’s expectations while affirming how moms feel about their children on a fundamental level. My wife did not stop laughing for the entire length of the movie. The whole female audience was in tune with the jokes/sentiments and though I felt like an outsider the laughter was infectious. It was turnabout fair play as the only males in the cast were either stupid or used as sex objects. This follows a pleasing stretch of R-rated female comedies that dominate. Speaking of dominating Kathryn Hahn owns every scene she’s in and should be charged with grand theft by the other actors; she’s the best thing about the movie which is already one of my favorite movies of the year. It definitely earned the R-rating though, so don’t bring the kids. You wouldn’t want to share mom tradecraft secrets with them anyways. Great movie – go see it.

Wingman in New York Last Night

Not much news flowing out of California as the Soxfather and sister continue their visit. I’m sure they’re having too much fun to chronicle. The daily pictures do help. Wingman carries on his foray into northern New York – wherever the hell Clifton Park is. I’ve been receiving some daily updates from the builders of the condo down in Panama. Yesterday’s had some pictures taken off the coast in front of the condo location where apparently whales come each August. This just keeps getting cooler.

Condo Whales

Finally a friend posted this video on Facebook which is about as spot on as possible.

The Maine Line and Side Out

Elder Sister, the Soxfather, and the First Blog Reader Dining Out Last Night

I’ve been pushed to the side for the next couple days as the Maine Musquetera descended from the north to spend a couple days with her friend/sister – my wife. She did her usual trick of assuaging my “consternation” at my demotion by bribing me with her homemade cupcakes. I’m so easy. I’m glad these two good friends have some hang time together. Life’s been so busy over the past few months that stopping to take a breath and enjoy time with a good friend cannot be underestimated. The Neighborhood Mafioso showed up for a ladies conclave which allowed me to escape to the man cave as I do not believe my input was required.

A Good time, I'm Sure - So Jealous

Prior to this since the day was strangely mild (and moist) I finally got around to some lawn work. The prior owners never edged the lawn and this made for a very entertaining couple of hours as I sought o find the edge of the sidewalk under the encroaching sod. It was a lot more work than I thought it would be but I was strangely pleased that I was doing it. That’s one of the unstated benefits of home ownership – working the land; even in this small insignificant fashion. I think I must have been a farmer in a prior life.

We did check in on the Californians, both permanent and temporary. I’ve decided to anoint my brother in law with the nom de guerre of “Soxfather” in the blog because of his Italian heritage and fanatic love of the Red Sox (the less we say about departing Sunday’s game before the 9^th inning the better). He and my elder sister were reveling in their proximity to my daughter and the First Blog Reader who seems to be realizing this aunt and uncle will be something special in her life’s journey. Wingman continues his globetrotting on the farewell tour, spending last night in Buffalo of all places but still showing he has his signature moves on the keyboard.

Buffalo Last Night

Wingman Gyrations

I knocked another of the Corps Justice series by CG Cooper with Prime Asset. At the end of the last book the security company’s prime technology guru was kidnapped and this latest installment tracks the group’s efforts to rescue him. The book brought back memories of Joe Pickett as they had to traverse the Wyoming wilderness, dodging snow storms and grizzly bears in their pursuit. Another good read; Cooper has fully trapped me into the reading the rest of the series.

Favorite Sonning

At Wild Wings Yesterday

Someone just told me it is August. Somehow – that seems impossible. I was back on a rainy Route 2 yesterday but at a decidedly more sedate pace as we headed north to New Hampshire to link up with the Favorite Son in recognition of his recently passed birthday. The ABFA was absent, as she had been for most of the week and was wending her way home from Nashville from a business conference. We found a significantly grown Riggins in full greeting mode when we arrived. Buddy, who seems to have no patience with young canine relatives, tried to shrug off the persistent attention. He eventually gave up and hid out in his cage to avoid the youthful harassment.

A Very Happy Mom

As part of our small attempt to celebrate his birthday we planned on lunch at a sports bar and then an action movie (he did breed extremely true in some regards). This was my first experience at a Buffalo Wild Wings and I was extremely impressed. Any place with dozens of screens devoted to every sport imaginable, including a thirty foot one, will have my undying admiration. The lunch was a stinging reminder of how much I miss the weekly lunches he and I used to share when he worked closer to Worcester.

Riggins trying to Get Buddy to Come Out

Buddy Thinking - I've Seen This Show Before

Riggins Closing the Door Since He Wouldn't Come Out

We made a tactical error in that the restaurant was located in a shopping mall. My wife’s shopping spirit, always enhanced when exposed to the New Hampshire tax free environment, kicked in. When the first attempt at the movies failed due to overcrowding she quickly “convinced” us we should swing by the odd Macy’s and Home Depot while we waited for the next show (she’s devious that way).

A Rare Sight - My Wife Seated in a Mall

We went to see Jason Bourne, the latest installment in the Ludlum assassin journey. The movie had all the elements you expect from a Bourne film: action, locales, and a seedy CIA official; Tommy Lee Jones this time out. Matt Damon continues to fully inhabit the character showing the pain, wear, and tear of post-assassin life. He’s drawn back into the CIA web by an old girlfriend (don’t you hate when that happens) and is soon on the run again. Although this time he’s running towards the chasers which made for a very exciting confrontation in Las Vegas. Damon’s well known leftist political bent is a little exposed as the movie gets preachy at times but Bourne is such a compelling character this just slides by. A well-crafted, exciting political thriller that didn’t disappoint, well except for the annoying guy down the row from us that kept getting up and trampling over us to address what I’m sure was some kind of gastro-intestinal issue (get an end seat next time dude!).

So Glad to Have Momma Home

Ice Cream - Much to ABFA's Delight

After the movie we received intel that the ABFA had returned home and she linked up with us for a very fun dinner. Our “go to” place from my son’s college years, Bugaboo Creek in Newington, has closed its doors (yesterday apparently) so we made do with a nearby steakhouse (still uncomfortably close to shopping opportunities). There was also a nearby Coldstone Creamery where we adjourned to after dinner so they could properly practice their arcane arts of ice cream upon us. It was too much fun. I’m going to try and include two videos today, one of Riggins and I getting reacquainted and another from California.

Granddaughter at the Red Sox Angels Game

Welcome to Red Sox Nation

There was a simultaneously momentous event taking place in far off California. My sister and brother in law (got to come up with an apt nickname for him) were taking my daughter along to commence indoctrinating my granddaughter into Red Sox nation. We received updates as my granddaughter thought the point of the exercise was to wave at everyone. We thought she was going to end up being a loser as the Sox were terrible for most of the game. We listened to the game as we headed back to my son’s house and were high fiving as the Sox, down to their last strike, rallied for five runs to win. My granddaughter had already left the game for an overdue nap but my sister and brother in law had no such excuse. I’m told there was a considerable amount of profanity in play as they listened to the end of the game in their car as they drove home from the game. Oops.

Reports are also leaking out about the fun I missed out on Saturday up in Keene. Scores once again played host to the remnants of Keene High Class of 1973 as my Pittsburgh College Roommate blew into town for a hasty get together. It looks like Keene Friends 1 and 2 amply held up their end of the bargain and sent an appropriate amount of beer downrange. The Pittsburgians spent yesterday with the Stanley Cup as one of the champion Penguins (hate saying that) invited them along for the day. This is in line with what the Roommate has been trying to convince us of for years – that he’s kind of a big deal in Pittsburgh.

Saturday at Scores

Sunday with the Cup

Meanwhile Wingman is Somewhere in the Mid-West Farewelling