Loneliness Infusion

Last night was the first time I really felt the isolation of my current living situation. These were times in prior years that Buddy the Wonder Pooch stepped up his game and made the house seem definitively less lonely. I felt his absence keenly last night. Part of the problem was also a lack of contact with my far fling family. I had a brief conversation with my wife as she and the Neighborhood Mafioso were headed out on their latest adventure in Panama. I also tried to connect with the FBR who’s always good for an injection of heart but she was unavailable.

Grampa - I am Available But You Must Consult my Schedule!

There are times, especially after a chaotic day at work, where I relish a few moments of solitude in the Man Cave but last night, for some undefinable reason lost in the cold fog, was not one of those times. I did eventually have a very brief conversation with my daughter and the FBR as they returned my call while I waiting in line at the movie theater. The biggest help however turned out to be the movie I chose to see.

I comfortable enough in my skin to admit that I love movie musicals and I really liked The Greatest Showman. It provided a nice lift on a cold winter night and had me tapping my feet several times. The film involves a highly fictionalized story of the life of PT Barnum the quintessential American showman. I’m always surprised to see Hugh Jackman sing and dance instead of skewer someone with adamantine claws. He’s the life blood of this and exudes charisma ably assisted by Michelle Williams and Rebecca Ferguson. I’ve always been a fan of Zac Effron but this was the first time he was clearly fighting well above his weight; strong testimony to just how good Jackman can be. I liked the story of inclusion and rejection of class distinctions. Barnum is such an American character which may explain why I liked it. There was a very clear rejection of prejudice from both ends of the political spectrum – aimed squarely at both Trump and the elites alike. The first half drags a little bit but whenever Jackman is surrounded by his circus troupe the movie soars. I couldn’t help smearing an unlikely smile on my face throughout. That cold winter night and empty house were no match to this movie. I’ve included two of the songs that especially got me going.

The Bad Cinema project count rises to #99 out of 100, with Abraxas, Guardian of the Universe as Jesse Venture tries and fails to become the next Ahnuld.

Retreating

It Was Raining in New Jersey but the FBR was Ready

I took the day off from blogging (you are very welcome) as I spent the entire day in our annual leadership retreat. It’s something I started a few years ago where we gather all the subordinate supervisors and spend the day talking about leadership and their profession. They have a difficult environment to operate in since they are members of the same union as the people they supervise and not all of them successfully straddle those two worlds. The union has become a more reliable partner in participating in these forums and reminding them the requirements of their jobs. It’s funny how many Bill Belichick quotes come up at these things, most importantly “Do your job!”

Leadership Retreat Dinner Last Night at Peppercorns

I led a two hour block on leadership which reminded me of my time as an ROTC instructor. It’s not that much different trying to teach leadership to civilians although they are in a lot worse shape than those long ago former cadets. We ended the day with a cocktail hour and then dinner at Peppercorns. The union business agent recommended that I as the GM cover the bar tab – sometimes you have to take a bullet for better labor relations.

Meanwhile Down in Panama
My Wife and the Neighborhood Mafioso are touring

Yesterday in Boquete

And it's Fabulous Gardens

Dinner with My Mother in Law and one of the Famous Pana-Gals

I’ve been back to the cinema over the last two nights trying to exhaust my free movie tickets before they expire. I saw 12 Strong which was an interesting look at the initial deployment of Special Forces Soldiers into Afghanistan following 9/11. While I’m sure Hollywood took some extreme license with some of the events it seemed to follow pretty much what I knew about the actual timeline. Chris Hemsworth continues to display amazing screen presence in whatever role he pursues and he nails the character of the Special Forces team leader charged with cooperating with an Afghan warlord to take the fight to the Taliban. Hollywood never gets all the military techniques and strategies right but the mission of the SF team rang true due to the solid supporting cast, especially Michael Pena. I’m convinced Pena is incapable of doing anything bad. It was interesting to see a couple of guys I knew from my time in the Army depicted as senior leaders but I’m sure they’re a little pissed the actors didn’t know how to properly tailor their uniforms. If nothing else the film is a fitting tribute to these heroes who started the payback process that unfortunately continues to this day.

Proud Mary was a completely different movie. It was a little disconcerting to see the mild manner mathematician from last year’s Hidden Figures portraying a Boston hit women but she made it work. The film was kind of a mess but Taraji dominates. She plays an African-American female John Wick and somehow makes that work. She rescues the teenage son of one of her victims from the street while also butchering Russian mobsters and members of her own crime family left and right. Danny Glover is kind of wasted in a crime lord role. There are plot holes you could drive a duck boat through and Boston traffic is never as easy as depicted here. I’m thinking the constant blood bathes Mary immerses herself in would also bring more of a law enforcement response but the movie is worth watching for seeing the incomparable Ms. Henson mow down the bad guys.

The Bad Cinema project count rises to #97 out of 100, with R.O.T.O.R. an abysmal terminator/Robocop mishmash and Death Machines, an equally bad kung fu disaster.

That is All

Rare Ground

It was so much fun watching the Patriots achieve football history by earning their record tenth trip to the Super Bowl. That fun was only partially due to the game. I drove up to spend the afternoon with the ABFA and my Favorite Son to watch the game on his brand new television. I cannot believe how thin televisions are getting and this one has built-in speakers so the sound comes straight out of the screen.

My Fabulous Hosts With Equally Fabulous Results

My highly competent hosts were assisted by their canine partner in crime, Riggins who decided his rightful place for the game was either directly in front of me or sitting beside me on the couch. He must have sensed the lack of canine companionship I’m undergoing and he helped make the day special, even though he took a preternatural interest in whatever I chose to eat. The ABFA looked radiant even as she approaches critical mass with the imminent arrival of the BRS. She admitted to a little discomfort but it was hard to see as she gracefully negotiated the day being a perfect host.

Great Way to Watch the Game

We had a couple FaceTime calls with my daughter and the FBR who was particularly pleased to see her Christmas friend Riggins. She even demanded to see her auntie ABFA when she was not on the screen. It warms my heart to see these familial bonds taking root. The more deeply rooted Favorite Panamanian had redeployed to Panama City to welcome the visit of the Neighborhood Mafioso who flew in yesterday. We unsuccessfully tried connecting with her as well. I learned my wife and her extended family, who I’ve taken steps towards converting to Patriot fans, took over the Panama City TGIF sports bar to watch the game.

Riggins Wondering what all the Yelling is About

My wife was precluded from touching any Patriots’ gear with which most of the group was garbed in as her reputation as a jinx has reached even far off Panama. That must have been a fun bar to be in last night. My evening drive home from New Hampshire was also interesting as there were several accidents along the way. I’m guessing some Patriot fans who were a little too celebratory or they could just be suicidal Steeler fans.

Teh Master with his Well Embroidered Throwing Hand

I’m sure there are some Steeler fans who are contemplating suicide today along with all the other legions of Patriot haters as we in New England bathe in their tears once again. It wasn’t easy as Jacksonville truly showed up for the game. Their defense looked especially dangerous and fast but their habit of over celebrating each and every simple tackle must have tired them out by the end of the game. Even with Gronk knocked out by a cheap shot, the evil genius of Foxborough made the necessary adjustments at halftime and Brady, playing with twelve stiches in his throwing hand, staged another comeback for the ages, ably assisted by my favorite playoff Patriot Danny Amendola. I guarantee Wes Welker would have dropped each of the critical three catches Amendola made in the fourth quarter. I still haven’t forgiven Welker for the second Giants Super Bowl loss. At the end the game Jaguars stood in shock as the game fell out of their grasp, as it has for so many opponents during the Brady-Belichick era.

Still Can't Believe he Made this Catch

The best news I learned was I will be able to watch the Super Bowl. I know my wife and her Neighborhood Mafioso companion are returning that weekend and I assumed that meant on Sunday since that is when we always fly back. It turns out I may have been prescient back in September when I bought the tickets because it turns out they’re flying back on Saturday! The Super Bowl party in the Man Cave is on! I’m looking at you Great Aunt! I know my son is praying his first child decides to wait for his or her scheduled delivery date and doesn’t arrive Super Sunday. I’m not sure the ABFA shares his willingness to wait.

The Bad Cinema project count rises to #95 out of 100, with Giant of Metropolis, yet another Italian sand and sandal epic.

Mission Fail

Aftermath - The Front Yard Tree Shorn of Lights

I failed in a mission yesterday. With my huge backlog of free movies to redeem I hoped to see three movies over the span of the day. I only made it 2/3 of the way to my objective. I normally avoid Saturday movie going and yesterday I was reminded why. I’ve become used to having the movie theater almost to myself on most of the days I go but it turns out a lot of people go to the movies on Saturday. I’ve always wondered why the movie theater had this humongous parking lot and when I came out from my second movie in the early evening I understood. The normally deserted lobby and parking lot were both teeming with activity. I decided to forego the third movie because I didn’t want to wait in the very long ticket lines. It’s not as if I didn’t have a stack of Christmas gifted movies to watch, a fully stocked DVR backlog, and those putrid bad cinema films I’ve subjected myself to fall back on.

What I Found Out There

I did fit in some actual tasks around my movie going adventures yesterday. It was moderately warmer so I ventured outside to retrieve the last of the Christmas lights. We always put these up in the warmer times of late November and early December while it always falls to me to retrieve in the frigid January wastelands. I’m always amazed at how much we put up. I think my wife sneaks out during the day to put more up while I’m away at work. Since she is enjoying warmer climes (see pictures below) I made use of her lack of supervisory presence to move my tool chest out of the dark corner she consigned it to a more accessible location. Since her garden tools had to be moved I anticipate a lively discussion on that decision.

Meanwhile - Wife is Still on the Beach - Dancing with a Cousin

Enjoying the Pool

Along with My Mother in LAw

Family Dinner at the Condo

I also had a lot of my usual Sunday chores to knock out since I’m traveling north to watch the Pats’ game with my Favorite Son and the ABFA today. I’m very excited about that invitation since playoff football should not be watched alone. The FBR checked in while still in the midst of her post-nap funk. I was able to get a couple of sneaky smiles out of her despite her best efforts to remain grouchy. The big question now is whether to undertake her first ever haircut.

To Cut or Not to Cut

  

Of the movies I did get to see the first was Den of Thieves. This was a director channeling his inner Michael Mann and trying to duplicate Heat. The main lesson pulled from this is Gerard Butler and Pablo Schreiber are no Pacino/Deniro but we already knew that. We follow two sides leading up to a major L.A. bank heist with equal time spent with both teams. Butler plays an out of control policeman who’s really difficult to root for while Schrieber builds on the interesting screen presence he displayed in last year’s 13 Hours. In the end the movie tries to be a little too clever for its own good and the action is parsed out sparingly until the final shootout which was impressive. 50 cent is somehow cast in another movie although his main contribution is to glower. O'Shea Jackson held his own on screen with Butler and continues his strong roll. In the end this is a passable cops and robbers piece, but again, it never really decides who the good guys are.

Winston Churchill is one of the most fascinating people in modern history and Darkest Hours chronicles his rise to power in the opening stages of World War 2. It provides an interesting view into British politics and the very small men who held power before him and tried to thwart his initial countermoves to Hitler. Stannis Baratheon still can’t grasp that elusive power he always grasping for, maybe it was the lisp. Gary Oldman is unrecognizable and thoroughly transcendent as Churchill dealing with Europe falling to the Nazi war machine while all around him quake. Its hard to remember who else is in the movie because of his towering presence. It isn’t a complete homage because it depicts some of his shortcomings and doubts but at the same time shows how different our world might have been if he hadn’t been placed by history in this critical role. I loved the scene of Churchill on the underground connecting with the commoners to recover some spine as well as his time with the king. A film that made history, even this very dark episode, kind of fun, back when you were allowed to tell good from evil.

The Bad Cinema project count rises to #94 out of 100, with Life returns a depression era film about bringing dogs back to life.

Friend Zone

Keene Friend (2d from Right) at Brew City Last Night

The First Friday of the laborious first week back from a tropical vacation was bound to welcome on any number of planes. I had a very full day with a farewell lunch for one of my managers and the arrival of Keene Friend for an interview. I’ve tried to convince him for years to come work for me and there could be an opportunity opening up shortly. In preparation for that he came down for the interview with my Assistant General Manager and the HR Director. I sat in on the interview but did not participate for ethical reasons because he is such a close friend. As I predicted he showed he would be a perfect fit if the job does open up.

Surrounded by my Fantastic Staff (and the union business agent)
At the Farewell Lunch Yesterday

I scheduled the interview for late in the afternoon so there was a natural transition for the commemoration of the First Friday of the Week. This marked my inaugural Friday effort at Brew City this year since all prior ones had been pursued on a beach in Panama. We had a great turnout and Keene Friend fit in seamlessly. I was treated like a returning hero by our favorite waitress (never underestimate the power of generous tips). We returned home where  Keene Friend agreed to spend the night. After a trio of video calls to say hi to my far flung family we tried to go down the hill for dinner out. We didn’t want to wait and since even the bar was packed we returned home for some burgers and a couple movies in the cave. It’s appropriate Keene Friend was with me for the latest bad cinema film as we both revel in wretched movies.

Emerging from Hide

The New Jersey contingent finally came through with some photos of the FBR and she was even mildly interested in talking with us last night. I think it was the presence of Keene Friend. Later Wingman sent me a text explaining his recent reticence. He’s dealing with some disturbing family health news. I wish we were close enough to hang out together this weekend. It can be so difficult to have people you care about in pain but not close enough to hug them.

With her Buddy

Catgirl

Supervising Dad

The Bad Cinema project count rises to #93 out of 100, with The Bat, definitely not a sci fi film but it had Vincent Price, so there was something.

Ruined

I hesitate to make the claim because I’m sure my mentor in this area would have serious issues with the standards I consider to have “achieved”. In times past whenever I had the house to myself and my Favorite Panamanian (the mentor in question) wasn’t around to monitor cleanliness I’d let the house sink into a more comfortable (at least for me) morass of clutter. Those days have departed the realm because my claim now is that I’m not comfortable with the clutter.

It’s taken her more than 35 years of marriage to beat this rudimentary skill level into me. I was actually vacuuming this morning, in the basement. I stopped halfway through to question my sanity. What the hell has she done to me? It now bothers me to see the same level of disorder I used to revel in – my lame effort at asserting male dominance (as long as she wasn’t around). It seems I’ve lost even that modicum of revolutionary spirit. I can only take solace in that it took her the aforementioned 35 years to beat these habits into me. There may still be hope though – I didn’t make the bed this morning.

At the Board Meeting Yesterday,
Political Boss and I Recognizing one of my Drivers for Heroic Actions

I couldn’t blog yesterday due to an avalanche of meetings on the political side and dealing with the personnel turmoil within the management ranks. It turns out my operations manager decided at the last minute to rescind his resignation so one hole was plugged but I have to fill another key training position and I will probably lose my Assistant General Manager shortly to a GM position. While everybody throws their hands up in panic I think this is one of the good things about coming from a military career. The military is constantly in flux as key leaders are regularly changed out every couple years. The lesson learned is that no one is irreplaceable and its more important at identifying the replacement and having a succession plan than wringing hands about losing someone.

On a more somber note one of my key managers and one of my favorite people in the world was hospitalized while I was in Panama. He was diagnosed with leukemia and immediately underwent an aggressive chemo therapy regimen. I went to visit him in the hospital yesterday and was relieved to find him looking better than he has in months. I had to wear a mask and undergo screening before I was allowed to enter the ward which had my fears embellished. He was positive despite still facing another two to three weeks in the hospital. He’s an Arab American whom I’ve come to respect and am praying he will pull through.

I know that I’ve been stingy with photos of the FBR but it’s not my fault. My Jersey daughter has been under the weather and along with Wingman is currently dealing with the onset of a virulent case of the “Terrible Twos”. All parents know whereof I speak. The FBR has had scant interest in talking with her grandfather in recent calls although last night she made a point of telling me, in the most charming manner possible, that she was coming to visit us in a couple weeks and expected me to be available to play. She then demonstrated her latest feat of crawling underneath her trampoline in pursuit of a toy train.

I’ve been adamant about using my free movie passes before they expire so I’ve been to the cinema every night this week. I saw The Shape of Water which was magnificent. Del Torro is a fascinating director and is up to his usual hijinks with texture and color. It’s kind of a bizarre interspecies love story involving a handicapped cleaning women and the creature from the black lagoon but inexplicably it works. Boy does it work and that directly attributable to the actors involved, especially Sally Hawkins as the mute cleaning women in a truly eloquent wordless performance. She’s ably supported by the incomparable Richard Jenkins and Olivia Spencer as her friends. Every horror film needs a monster and that’s supplied by Michael Shannon in his full unhinged government man mode fighting the cold war as only the early 1960s called for. I loved that there were so many levels to this unconventional story with the underlying message on the value of life. Loved this movie.

I wasn’t going to miss a Liam Neeson action flick like The Commuter but I struggled to like it. He may finally be getting too old to be convincing in the action scenes but most of those in this movie had him having his ass handed to him by a variety of opponents. He plays a former cop on his train commute home after getting fired when he’s approached by a mystery woman with a task to identify a mystery passenger. I struggled to accept both the concept and the impossibility of the task as well as the seemingly supernatural nature of the bag guys. The train ride becomes increasingly tense as the inevitable deadline stop approaches with Neeson ceaselessly running up and down the length of the moving train. The supporting characters, the fellow train passengers, are a strength and there’s a nice “I am Spartacus” moment but I could never fully suspend my disbelief for this to really work for me.

The Bad Cinema project count rises to #92 out of 100, with The Manster and no, I’m not kidding.

Gas Lighted

I’m testing a theory whether it is possible to gaslight yourself. Gaslighting is defined as a form of manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual, hoping to make them question their own memory, perception, and sanity. It is therefore appropriate that a gas stove was the initiator of this internal quandary. I’m adjusting once again to solitary living while my wife continues to bask in the glory that is Las Lajas, Panama. I returned home last night after work to find the gas burner on the stove still lit from my early morning breakfast prep before leaving for work. What kind of idiot does that?! Me, apparently.

View out my Office Window Today
I Prefer Last Week's View

I was given a dose of my own medicine at dinner last night as my wife video called me from the condo pool area where she’s hosting a group of her family. I think it was worse for me because I knew exactly how much fun they were having in that tropical paradise while I was prepping for today’s eight inches of snow. The highlight of my night was having the snow blower start up on the first try. Doubting my seemingly rapidly debilitating mental processes (here is where Cantankerous Friend would pounce) I took on the cerebral task of reinstating my wife’s message sign wall last night. She has a full complement of Christmas signs that replace the usual ones for the holiday season. I was a little smarter this year in that I took a photo before the signs came down so I’d have a reference point. It was still a pain in the ass but I found I like having the wall to greet me each day as I walk in the door. An energetic black lab would be preferable but we can’t have everything.

Reference Photo

I received some startling news at the movie theater. I’ve got one of those Starpass cards where you can accumulate points to earn free tickets and popcorn. Needless to say I’ve been fairly accumulative when it comes to points because of my movie going habits. I haven’t paid much attention but they changed the system a few months back and instead of giving you the ticket when you earned it the award is just registered in the system. A guy, who I’m nominating as employee of the year for my theater, was concerned enough to point out to me that I had bunch of unredeemed free movies that were scheduled to expire over the next month. I asked him how many and he gave me a piece of paper to start writing and by the time we were finished it turned out I have 21 free movie tickets to use before the  end of February. I think I can do it.

Last night’s effort at reducing the total was Jumanji – Welcome to the Jungle. This movie had a pretty tall expectation to ascend. The original Jumanji was principally shot in my hometown and therefore had a special place in my movie going heart. Ascend it did because it didn’t tread upon that well liked Robin Williams original. There was a cool homage to the original when the new characters stumble upon the house Williams built while trapped in Jumanji but everything else was new. It was a great concept of transporting the usual high school stereotypes into new bodies for the game. A nerd inserted into the body of the Rock, the jock into a diminutive zoologist, the mousy girl into a Lara Croft type, and finally, and most hilariously, the hot popular girl into the body of Jack Black. This was really fertile ground which was ably assailed by the writers and especially the actors. Rock and Kevin Hart continue their roll as excellent foils for each other but Jack Black dominates inhabited by the hot girl. The story dragged at times but the actors all deliver and bring home the promise of the plot on all levels. A really fun movie and hey, it was free.

The Bad Cinema project count rises to #90 out of 100, with Night of the Blood Beast, just about as bad as you would think.