Army/Navy Thunder Run

I continued on my misspent ways during my geographic bachelorhood with a trip, once again, back to my hometown. I was joining the Cantankerous Friend, a Navy Veteran, to watch the annual Army/Navy game. Neither of us are academy grads so the game itself was secondary to getting together to see who would garner bragging rights. It’s kind of weird that we grew up five houses apart and both ended up with almost identical careers in the military, granted mine was with the more distinguished service but his still counted (at least it wasn’t with the zoomies who only qualify as para-military anyways). We both served 27 years and retired as O-6s. There must have been something in the water on Valley Street.

Army Navy Buddies' Last Night at the 'Nuche
My Kindergarten in the Background (for my kids)

We listened to some bad advice from a high school classmate who suggested Bender’s was the place to go to. It’s a new bar in Keene and since I’d never been there (I know, amazing, a bar in Keene I haven’t been in), was intrigued. We arrived just prior to game time to discover the place wasn’t even open until later in the day (on Saturday!!!). Luckily, I had the preeminent local social guru, and pub connoisseur, my Kindergarten Friend, to fall back on, as he had previously suggested Penuche’s Ale house as the place to be. As so it was. We were joined in short order by the aforementioned guru and in a bit of a surprise, the Keene Friend. He told me on my Thursday thunder run that he was not available on Saturday. When the Kindergarten Friend arrived to say he had almost run the Keene Friend over as when was crossing the street I sent him a text to see if he was available and voila, in he walked.

Bad Lighting but Still a Fun Crowd

We were seated at the bar with direct access to the Coors Lite tap, although the barkeep kept a close eye on us. In short order another high school classmate, she of the bad bar advice, arrived with her husband. The bar would no longer contain us so we moved to a long table directly behind us that had some college kids at the other end. As soon as we sat down, they left, probably afraid of losing cool points being at the same table as the senior citizens. We settled in to watch the game and Cantankerous was a little put out when everybody except himself and the bar tender rooted for Army. A final addition to the very fun crowd arrived in the person of the CRC, who had missed the pub crawl due to a Texas sized adventure. The game had turned into yet another class of ’73 mini-reunion, our class just flat rules!!!

Still Bad Light for CRC, Kindergarten Freind and Bad Advice Gril

While Army dominated most of the game, Navy made a spirited comeback and the game was decided with a stalwart Army goal line stand. It was a fun game to watch for all the pageantry and repeated scenes from the Army in the field which tugged at the ole heartstrings but what made it truly special was getting to spend time, once again, with my remarkable friends. I even got the opportunity to torture my son long distance by sending him a picture of the kindergarten (across the street from Penuche’s) that I never fail to point out to him and his sister. His response (sent from a friend’s birthday pub crawl – it’s in the blood) had all of us laughing. There was a lot of that. After Army’s victory, the Cantankerous One and I went out for pizza before the ride back to Worcester. This was the first time in a long time that for a large part of the day, it was just Cantankerous and I. I thoroughly enjoyed it, five houses apart will do that.

Mother's Day Lunch

The Three Sisters

Meanwhile my Favorite Panamanian was thoroughly enjoying her Christmas present as she and her sisters hosted their mom at a Boquete hotel for the weekend. Their brother joined them for a Mother’s Day dinner. My wife excidedly proclaimed she had found a great Italian restaurant for us to sample when we return there. It was obvious the sisters and especially my mother in law were absolutely enjoying their surprise time together. Much closer to the frost line, the FBR was scheduled to attend an indoor water park with her dad yesterday. A lot going on at this time of year. I just have to figure out if I can squeeze in another thunder run back home before my wife’s return. My friends in Keene are probably hoping I can’t as they need a break.

FBR Out and About Yesterday

Four movies fell in my A-Z watch, all keepers: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, love the very British humor and Sam Rockwell dominates; Hitman, better than I remembered, Olyphant a great action star; Hitman Agent 47, reboot was okay, not as compelling as the first; and The Hitman’s Bodyguard, banter between Jackson and Reynolds is awesome and then there’s Salma.

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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; 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 him 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 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; Soxfather - my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Mom Day and Mini-Thunder

As the attached photos will attest, my Favorite Panamanian has safely arrived in her native land. That was all in preparation for today which is when Panama celebrates Mother’s Day. The Panamanians celebrate Mother’s Day the right way, it is an actual national holiday. As my wife’s Christmas present, I flew her down to surprise her own mother for the day. They’re headed for an idyllic weekend in the mountain town of Boquete to celebrate along with the rest of her siblings. So, the first, and by far most important, task is to wish a heartfelt happy mother’s day to the remarkable Panamanian women who inhabit my life and make it so much fuller: my Favorite Panamanian, my daughter, my mother in law, Tia Loca, the Neighborhood Mafioso, our condo friend, and those fabulous ladies that comprise the Panamanian Mafia in all the far flung areas. Pana-moms truly rock!!!!

My wife first had to get home which went remarkably well, except for Logan Airport Parking. She arrived in Panama City and after a couple hours finally called from a restaurant as she celebrated her return with Tia Loca and a favorite cousin. She flew up to David yesterday and totally surprised her mother. Her mother accused me of being a party to almost causing a heart attack but I could tell how happy she was.  I made the nearly mistake of driving my wife to the airport by myself. The only parking close to Terminal E requires you to stay in the car and that was no way to send her off. So, after dropping her off at the terminal, I went in search which is not as easy as it sounds, since Logan changes their parking plan almost daily it seems. After three trips around the terminals I finally located what is now the only entrance to Central Parking. I followed signs and eventually found one of the few remaining parking spaces and walked to the entrance, walked to the moving beltways, and then walked to the terminal. All in all, it was nearly a half mile walk and that was from the nearest parking available. By the time I got to the terminal she had already checked her bags and was ready to enter security. I watched her as she eased into that line and I headed back on my half mile return trip. I then had one of those blinding flashes of realization and dashed back to the security station. When I said goodbye to her, she didn’t have her carry on bag with her. I quickly checked the area I had found her in and finding nothing, sprinted to the security area. I was able to shout to her as she walked into the baggage screening area and through pantomime asked about her bag. She signaled back not to worry that she had checked it in.

Leaving Boston

Arriving Panama City

I felt immense relief and took a much more leisurely pace on my journey back to the car. I’m usually very good about re-tracing routes (a necessity in the infantry). In my hurry to reach my wife, I had hurried enough to confuse myself when I tried to remember where I left the car. Anyone who has parked in Logan’s cavernous central parking area knows the dauting task I faced. I knew the floor and row I was in but it looked very different when I got there. I roamed about a bit and then pulled the old “push the alarm button” trick to find the car a row over than where I thought it had been. After this adventure I almost didn’t mind paying $9 for the short time the car was incarcerated. Returning to a much less vibrant home was weird. It is truly remarkable that such a small woman has enough personality to affect a house that way but it seemed much less like a home.

Keene Friend and I at L&L Last Night

I tried to remedy that yesterday with a quick run back to my home town where I linked up with Keene Friend for a movie and some hang time. The movie was less than memorable but the hang time was sublime. Keene Friend recently received a copy of a picture of his visit to us when we lived in D.C in 1989. The little boy between Keene Friend and I has grown into the strapping young man who recently served as my wingman on the annual pub crawl. Time is truly a thief, this seemed like just a few years ago.  While awaiting movie time, we went on a driving tour around Keene pointing out the many landmarks that held memories for each of us. We then had an early dinner at Lab ‘n Lager, and yes, they do serve food. Then it was back to Keene Friend’s house to watch the first half of the Patriots’ game. I had no illusions about the football as the Pats are having an historically bad year. If they are going to be this bad then they have chosen the right teams to beat. If all they beat are the Steelers (which they did last night) and the Jets then I can at least sleep at night. The pictures of the preening Steelers fans booing their own team last night was almost worth tolerating the disreputable offense the Patriots feature.

Myself, My Son, & Keene Friend 1989 D.C.

The movie we went to see was Dream Scenario. I thought this would be comedy gold. A movie where Nicholas Cage invades everybody’s dreams, talk about fertile ground. In the end the director couldn’t bring home the premise as the final act of the movie was a mess. Cage was his typical brilliant as a befuddled college professor suddenly thrust into the glaring light of pop culture fame. It doesn’t go well. I loved the send up of the cancel culture, today’s super-sensitive youth, celebrity, and the ivory tower college mentality (so thoroughly exposed just this week in congressional hearings on Ivy League antisemitism). This does give you a lot to think about, I just wish it had been brought home as effectively as it started.

Three movies fell in my A-Z watch, two keepers and one discard: Highlander Endgame, terrible movie, end of highlander series, pale imitation of original with really poor acting; High Plains Drifter, excellent Eastwood western as ghostly retribution falls on a town that deserves it; and A History of Violence, such a good movie, taut, violent, and so well acted.

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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; 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 him 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 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; Soxfather - my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Farewell Lunching

Today was a semi-sad as it marks the last full day I get to spend with my Favorite Panamanian for more than a week. She’s heading down to Panama tomorrow to surprise her mother on Panamanian Mother’s Day. While this means the household toilets can remain at Present Arms for a week, I’m still going to miss her. We were joking that these separations were almost commonplace during the first three decades of our marriage when I was sent off by the Army to play with well-armed friends and foes while she always had a trip to Panama planned in her back pocket. Since I’ve retired, we’ve gotten used to being around each other, all day, every day. This marks the first time in three years (pre-pandemic) that we’ll be apart for more than a day. This means, of course, a couple thunder runs back to Keene over the next few days to insure I don’t get too lonely. Soley for therapeutic measures, you understand. I took her out to lunch today to mark the occasions and reinforce that she’s required to come back next week.

Lunch Today

Has anyone else noted that we’ve heard almost nothing about Ukraine since October 7^th? That was when the Iranian surrogates, Hamas, launched their attack on Israel followed closely by Iranian surrogates in Syria attacking US bases, Iranian proxies, Hezbollah attacking northern Israel, and Iranian backed Houthis in Yemen attacking whatever shipping sailed too close to the Arabian Peninsula. It’s no news that Russia and Iran have become close allies as Iran, an outlaw state, is one for the few willing to support Putin’s Ukrainian adventures. While the Russians are regularly getting their asses handed to them on the tactical battlefield by the Ukrainians, the Russians remain the preeminent world power in shifting the strategic information space. I’m sure they’re delighted with the diminished coverage of their Ukrainian invasion and I wouldn’t put it above Putin as asking Iran to employ their terrorist assets to assist in shifting attention elsewhere. As usual, the boots on the ground, be they Palestinian, Lebanese, Yemeni, Syrian, or Ukrainian are paying the price for this. Not that Putin or the incarnate evil that is the Iranian regime cares one iota.

Five movies fell in my A-Z watch, all keepers: Equalizer 3, new addition to the library, McCall still very dangerous on the Amalfi Coast; Help, guilty pleasure for Beatles fan; Hercules, the Rock manages Herc well; Hide and Seek, thought I would get rid of this but it still scared the hell out of me; and Highlander, epic original, “There can be only one!”, the Kurgan still one of best villains, ever.

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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; 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 him 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 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; Soxfather - my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Party Time

The Christmas party season which was one of the most enduring casualties of the pandemic is making a comeback this year. We hadn’t had our traditional Christmas party for the past couple years. One of her friends mentioned to my Favorite Panamanian that this was missed and that was all it took. If I had made the suggestion, it would have been dismissed as yet another example of my excessive need to socialize. Be that as it may, she took the suggestion from the friend to heart and our annual Christmas party was reborn. We first had a negotiate another party Friday night, organized for the volunteers for our church. I got to go because I’m married to one of those volunteers (last time I volunteered for something, I ended up in a uniform for 27 years).

Favorite Panamanian and I Last Night

Neither my Favorite Panamanian nor I knew the people hosting, so I was a little concerned as we arrived. Especially since it was at the home of one of those houses with an incredible outdoor Christmas decoration display. I’m all in favor of those, despite now lacking the energy to accomplish it myself. The party turned out to be a great, if subdued time, as I was seated in close proximity to a plate of chocolate chip cookies. We struck up a conversation with a couple who were parents of next door neighbors of the hosts. They were life long residents of Worcester which is always fun to discuss since we are late comers to the city. He had also served in the Army, stationed in Germany about ten years before I got over there, so there were some notes compared about our European experiences. Since he arrived married, we stayed away from a discussion on English girls. Oh, and there was beer served, so it wasn’t all religious, as I had feared.

Wife Outside Friday Party Home

At the Friday Party Home
Must Insure Wife Doesn't Learn About this Feature

Saturday was spent in final prep for our party. My Favorite Panamanian had done a deep dive into Pinterest (damn that place) and came up with a series of games she wanted to play. I was charged with inflating a lot of red and green balloons. She took some pity of whatever my diminished lung capacity may be by buying a hand pump balloon inflator. I laughed when she showed it to me but I really appreciated it before my time with the balloons was finished. She then had me draw dice symbols on the balloons. That wasn’t much fun either. She remained decisively engaged in the kitchen creating her usual wide array of truly impressive hors d'oeuvres (Pinterest again) when she wasn’t finding another strand of lights to hang from unsuspecting house plants.

Appetizer Table Eventually Got Really Crowded

The Mafia Gathers

Too Much Food and Beautiful Women

The Balloon Game

Some of the Silly Gifts

Next Door Neighbors

The majority of the party goers were members of the Panamanian Mafia which insured a good time was going to be had. It was. We included a few of our neighbors, plus the Neighborhood Mafiosos, which one of our parties would not be complete without. I ate way, way too much food (as well as a “few” beers, sue me!). It was a great party and we had a lot of fun with the Pinterest sourced games. Although I’m not sure my wife was totally informed of the actual rules, we got creative when needed. It turned out the balloons were marked for destruction as part of the dice game with silly presents under each balloon after someone rolled the dice (hence the need for my earlier art work).

A Sample of Christmas Framed Photos

The Neighborhood Mafiosos

We were having such a good time I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to the time and surprised myself when I finally did to discover it was after midnight. That is bound to happen when you are surrounded by such excellent people celebrating my favorite time of the year. Since Panamanians were involved, dancing eventually started, led by my Favorite Panamanian. She was fueled with more than her usual adult beverage consumption since one of the guests had showed up with a pitcher of mojitos which she cannot resist and combined with her traditional sangria. I was reminded so much of the parties of our early marriage as it was near 1am and I was exhausted where she was still encouraging her compatriots to join her on the dance floor. This morning seemed to occur with entirely too much reality but it couldn’t dim a great time spent with good friends. Christmas season is officially kicked off.

The Dancing Starts Up

Wife, After 1AM, Trying to Rally the Troops

Too Much Fun

Two movies fell in my A-Z watch, both keepers: Hellboy, the new one, not as good as originals but some fun moments; and Hell or High Water, one of best films of last ten years, gets better every time I watch it, pre-Yellowstone Sheridan.

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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; 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 him 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 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; Soxfather - my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Cranking Up

It’s been a fairly uneventful week, or, as uneventful as any week can be with the Favorite Panamanian in residence. We’re cranking up for a couple holiday parties (I mean Christmas parties!! Dammit!) this weekend. One tonight for a group of church volunteers my wife has fallen in with, so that should be “fun” (do church groups even drink beer? Asking for a friend). Tomorrow we’re hosting some of the Worcester Chapter of the Panamanian Mafia which promises to be a lot more entertaining because I’ll know all of the people as opposed to tonight when my Favorite Panamanian is the only one I’ll know. The only problem with tomorrow’s party is the week leading up to it. My kids are nodding sagely as they have been through this before with their mother. In reality, I’m kind of worried because she’s been semi-sane this week but I’m confident her hair will be fully engulfed tomorrow. Pray for me.

FBR with her First Conquest

Only a bit of granddaughter news; the FBR completed reading her first ever, full length novel. It was the first in the Harry Potter series and she is justifiably proud (as are certain grandparents). Reading and the love thereof is the best gift that can be given to a child. It opens worlds, visions, and concepts a non-reader will never know. Just look at the glaring example of our former president to see the danger of being a non-reader. But it’s Christmas time so I’ll lighten up. I completed most of my Christmas shopping online and have gotten to know the Amazon delivery guy pretty well. I’ve got this down to a system where even Amazon’s arcane packing scheme cannot thwart me. I put each person’s gifts in a separate order and include a thankyou note for each gift. This means when Amazon puts gifts from three different orders in one box I can sort them out appropriately. Having three granddaughters to shop for has made this exponentially more complicated (not to mention, fun). I forgot to include a note for one and had to consult with my son for clarification.

The Front Entrance with Wife's New Creations
Lighted Version Tomorrow

Today's Amazon Haul in the Man Cave

The Christmas season also means decorating outdoors. Since we are once again flying south for Panama right after the holiday my Favorite Panamanian has taken mercy on me. She created her special front door displays in the garage while I was putting some lights up. I wasn’t even asked to climb a tree this year (you see, there is some benefit to getting older). I was forbidden from turning the lights on until later today because, in her words, it wasn’t December yet. Since we’ve now crossed that threshold, my electric bill starts spiking tonight. My wife receives her Christmas present a little early. I’m sending her down to Panama next week to surprise her mother for Panamanian Mother’s Day. She’ll be gone a week and since that means geographic bachelorhood for myself, I’m already coordinating two trips north to hang with hometown friends.

For date night we went to see Napoleon. I was excited to see this epic film but went in realizing I was bound to be disappointed. I’m a victim of knowing too much about the guy, having read most of the books written about him during my military career. For me to actually admire a French military figure was a huge undertaking in and of itself. I was right. It’s a fine film, well-acted, but they missed the essence of Napoleon, one of history’s great military leaders. He comes across as a bit of a brutish dork, which he certainly was not. They only covered a couple of his battles in the movie and missed out on the sheer genius he employed in his many others. I know, I know, it’s a movie but if you’re going after such a massive historical figure, simplification will hurt you. There is no mention of the Napoleonic Code or his role in lifting France from the chaos of the revolution. He was so much more than the portrait painted here. The director (whom I love normally) is from the UK and I guess there’s still some animus towards the most famous Corsican. In my view, a clear miss, but again, I’m biased.

Five movies fell in my A-Z watch, four keepers and one discard: Mission Impossible, Dead Reckoning, Part One, a new addition to the library, they just keep delivering; Hot Tub Time Machine, so funny “what if” movie (watched out of order due to granddaughter filing sabotage); Helen of Troy, a BBC miniseries, got only because of Sienna but she can’t even save it, discard; Hellboy, Ron Pearlman is perfect for the part; and Hellboy 2, The Golden Army, rare a sequel can maintain the good humor of original, except for here.

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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; 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 him 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 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; Soxfather - my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course