On This Day...

My Google Photos tells me that on this day back in 2008, I was sitting in Symphony Hall with Helaina, Rachael and Jacob. Thanks for that reminder, Google Photos. It's a good day to be reminded of something like that.

Tonight's Music Video

From a long time ago...

In Today's Mail

With all that's going on in the world, I'm glad to see that some people are still on top of things. Case in point, I finally received my prom mailing from Men's Wearhouse (get it?) today. It's about time! Hope I can have half the fun that these fine young gentlemen seem to be having (except for maybe that African-American guy. Maybe they told him not look too happy).

(As an aside, I don't know what's going on with that guy's eye on the far right side of this photo. My guess is that, due to the cutthroat nature of men's tuxedo modeling, his photo was likely sabotaged by one, possibly all, of these so-called friends.)

A Short Walk

With all that's going on, Sam hasn't been working for going on two weeks now, so it's nice to be able get outside with him. This is a little patch of water that Sam and I pass when we're on our walk along the rail trail. If you listen real close, you might be able to hear the frogs sing. It seems early for this kind of chorus but it's especially nice to hear after the cold silence of winter.

It's always nice to get outside with Sam, but it's particularly needed right now - to get away from the news and to get away from the occasional swings between the sometimes stress and the sometimes boredom of being home - and to instead walk together under cool blue skies, sometimes in silence, sometimes with the occasional drips of conversations that allow him to bring up things which might be on his mind.

Or sometimes, to just walk along together with thoughts unspoken, stopping every once in a while to listen to the frogs sing.

A Friday Night Update...on a Sunday

Sam and I continue on with our tradition of making popcorn and watching a show together on Friday nights. This tradition started almost five years ago (wow!) when we began watching Monk together.

When we finished watching Monk, we went onto MacGyver (the original series, not the current knock-off). Making this transition wasn't without some amount of trepidation.

We really enjoyed watching Monk together. Not only was it a good show, it was kind of Sam's first introduction into watching something a little more mature than what he was typically used to. It was a show that he (and I) enjoyed, partly due to the company we were keeping (for me, anyway) but mostly (for Sam) it had stories - and especially characters - we both enjoyed. The fact that the main character some obsessions, not unlike some of Sam's, helped.

I don't think Sam saw it that way but there were times, when Sam faced a particular struggle, we could (sometimes) relate it back to Mr. Monk. 

After spending about two years worth of Friday nights watching Monk together, we finished the series and, as with finishing a good book, a good long book - finding something we could both get into for a non-disappointing follow-up was a bit of a challenge.

We landed on MacGyver. One reason for MacGyver was I wanted something a little bit different from Monk, mostly because something too close might pale by comparison. But like before, I also wanted it to be something which, maturity-wise, would be a good fit for Sam. (It's also possible that the DVDs were on sale. This would have given it an edge in my decision making process.)

After a somewhat rocky start, we finally watched each and every MacGyver episode - and enjoyed, with a few exceptions, pretty much all of them.

Discounting the aforementioned "rocky start", it was kind of startling to me how progressive the show was. Not only was it progressive for it's time (presumably) but it was especially so in watching it through the prism of today.

Back when MacGyver was approaching it's inevitable conclusion, I spent a good bit of time trying to figure out what we would segue onto next. At first, it was going to be Chuck. I even bought the DVDs in preparation for this momentous event. (Also, the DVDs were on sale.)

But before we launched into the era of the Chuck  Friday-night-athons, things took a left turn. The left turn was spotting a "Lightning Deal" for a show called Quantum Leap.
 
As with MacGyver, I wasn't particularly familiar with Quantum Leap. But the show's description read like something Sam might enjoy. Here, because I'm too lazy (re: untalented) to think of a concise description, is how IMDB describes it: "Former scientist Sam Beckett finds himself trapped in time due to an experiment gone awry, leaping into the body of a different person each week." 

 In addition to sounding interesting, I figured that since the show was produced in the same era as MacGyver, it might have a similar ambiance to it, which might make a transition easier.


It's been difficult for Sam to get used to the idea that, each week, the show's Sam is "playing" someone completely different, located in completely different surroundings and living in a slightly different era. Why the main character would be confused by this situation is something we've struggled to understand. But we're doing better with it and it prompts a lot of discussion - which is always nice.

Anyway, Sam and I just finished the first season and we're enjoying the show more and more with each episode. 

If you're cooped-up and looking for something distract you, you can kill a few minutes and read this almost-a-year-old interview with the show's then star. It's pretty short and you might actually enjoy it.

If you want to go further (and you should), do two things. First, check out the show's first episode - or technically, the first two episodes, (since I think it was a two-parter). It's called, "Genesis". And then, if you do nothing else, skip ahead to episode eight, titled, "The Color of Truth". And while you watching this episode, imagine this episode playing on network TV in this day and age. It wouldn't happen.

And while you're watching this episode, imagine watching it with someone like Sam and imagine how many times the show has to be paused for questions and for explanations.

And if you decide to go still further, and again, you should, imagine that it's Friday night and imagine that you have a bowl of popcorn in your lap. And imagine that we're watching this show (or any show, really) together - because it makes any good show (or anything, really) better if we're doing it together.

Tonight's Brief Comment

Playing a board game with Sam can take a lot longer when it turns out, we're both trying to let the other one win.

Random Notes From the Week

With the exception of visiting one job-site, I've been working out of home this week. Besides getting some actual work done, I think my biggest accomplishment throughout week was teaching Sam how to make his own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. One more talent for him to rely on.

***

And I guess by being home, it was helpful in maybe fighting against the tide to try to keep things a little calm and "normal" (whatever that means) and to tone things down when the atmosphere was a little, shall we say, elevated..

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I made two visits to the grocery store this week, once for milk and bread (one of each, thank you) and once for items on Sam's weekly list - bananas, apple juice and... something else that I don't remember.

The second trip was with Sam, earlier this morning. My thinking was that if we could scoot out today, we might avoid the expected madness of going to this store tomorrow (Saturday). We'll know if this was a wise move or not tomorrow - that is, if we're insane enough to go there again. (Though I promised Sam we'll get his usual Saturday pizza at the other grocery store - so there's that).

Today's visit was bad enough. It wasn't that the store was mobbed - which it was - it's just that people are acting like... people - and I hate that. Husbands were driving up in front of the store to drop of their wives (presumably) who then frantically darted into the store, pretty much elbowing people out of the way to stock up on god knows what.

Inside, people were pushing carts with mountains of food, in some cases, spilling over the sides (You'll have to take my word for it. I was too disgusted to take any photos). Some people had so much stuff, they were wheeling around two carts. In at least a couple of cases, people had "helpers" that would grab stuff off the shelves for them in between pushing cart number two. Insane.

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Did I mention that I hate people?

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Let's all calm down and watch a video...

 LATE UPDATE: Well, there used to be a video here. Apparently, YouTube decided to take it down!

I hope you have a relaxing evening...

Old Artwork

After over twenty years and at least as many back aches, it's finally time to replace to my old mattress. Like most things, it's not as easy as it should be. First, Storage Spot #723 has to be cleaned out. Storage Spot #723 is what used to be the "space" under the bed.

Most of this conglomeration of stuff is entirely my fault. Under my bed, along with twenty years worth of dust, is yet another huge stash of books, to go along with the huge stash of books on the bedroom bookcase, and the huge stash of books shoved into my closet. All-in-all, more books than I will ever read in what's left of my lifetime. If I knew which ones I would never get to, I'd get rid of those first.

Also under my bed are several troves of old artwork- some by Dad, but most - by far most - from my kids. All of this artwork is from when they were much, much younger.

Here's one undated example...

This piece of art by Jake, is probably in the neighborhood of twenty-five years old. As you can see, it's a classic and a joy.

For better or worse, between the the just un-buried troves from under my bed and the still buried troves stuffed under my bureau, I probably have several hundred of these such classics.

You can "look forward" to me posting more of them in the days and weeks ahead (maybe), as I run out of things to say, particularly things that have to do with the spreading virus.

But let's not leave on that note. Let's leave on these...

 This lovely portrait by Rachael...

And this pretty sky by Helaina...

Have a joyful day... and stay healthy.

Still More Signs of the Times

Here are a few photos from our sample-less Saturday grocery shopping. Apparently, the apocalypse is upon us...

One of many signs posted throughout the store. I forgot to mention in the previous post that rice was wiped out at that store's rice aisle. There were a few remaining sacks and boxes at this store. At least there were yesterday.

Apparently, people are following the well-informed advice of government officials and are therefore stocking up on bacon. Hurry, only a couple of boxes remaining! Oddly, there seems to be plenty of Canadian bacon left. Do we not trust the Canadians?

Normally these racks are filled with hotdog and hamburger buns, as well as a variety of sandwich and dinner rolls. All gone. Unbelievably, there are still a few boxes of Ring Dings and mini-muffins left. I figured those would be the first to go.

Likewise, the bread rack. On the way out of the store, the guy that checks receipts said something about a few of the bread delivery guys didn't even show up today. Not sure what to make of that. Is there no bread to deliver... or are they, like most normal Americans, hording it all, either for themselves or to maybe sell on the black market (...or maybe eBay)?

Here's another sign that was posted in several places throughout the store. It's entirely possible that these signs have always been there, but I don't remember seeing them before. Maybe my attention is drawn to them because of all the empty shelves. Still, I'm pretty sure that people climbing up the racks will become a growing problem.

Here's some lady(?) at the check-out, throwing a sack of Hershey's Kisses onto the belt along with what appears to be three dozen eggs. Look, I get it. I know this is serious, but for god's sake, can we please face possible death with a little bit of dignity? At least put back the chocolate.

Here's a sign from store #2. Note the highlighted limit of only three items each. Also note the un-highlighted comical line at the bottom about considering your neighbors.

This is the aisle where the above sign was posted... another empty toilet paper aisle.

More Signs of the Time

Being Friday night, Sam and I went out to the grocery store so he could choose something to eat for Friday night dinner and to pick-out something for his weekend breakfasts. We found what he wanted with little problem - at least, less of a problem than it was to find a parking spot - but geeze, the place looked like the day before a predicted blizzard, maybe the worst blizzard in human history - only on steroids.

People were nuts. In many areas of the store, the place looked as if it had been looted. The paper goods aisle was completely empty - of paper goods that is, not people. People were staggering up and down the empty aisle, as if in some zombie-like state, searching in vain for the unseen mega-packs of toilet paper.

The meat aisle was little better. The few packs of beef left behind from the apparent rampage were strewn all over the empty case. It looked like a house that had been ransacked by an especially sloppy and inconsiderate burglar. Why are we hoarding beef? Do all these people have freezers? Do they realize that at some point they're going to have to eat it all?

And the lines at the check-out were a nightmare - even more so than usual. To their credit, the store had shockingly opened all but one or two of the registers. Even still, the lines were spreading down the aisles. It looked like a mob of people waiting for the gates to open at a stadium - only these people had shopping carts.

One look at this and I told Sam to put the chicken strips and potato wedges back while I went and put back his frozen waffles. There was no way I was going to stand in one of these lines for three items. I showed him where to wait for me (leaving out the instructions, "If I don't make it back...") and I fought my way back to the frozen food aisle.

On the way to the frozen food aisle, I saw an employee come out of the back of the store and begin to wheel a pallet of toilet paper to the empty toilet paper aisle. A few people were taking notice and began to follow him.

On my way back from the frozen food aisle, I passed the paper goods aisle and the same guy was now stopped and a crowd of people had formed around him. Everyone was reaching in all directions. Everyone was thrilled to see him. And everyone was all smiles. But what happens when this guy hands out the last roll of toilet paper?

I leave feeling bad for him. I'm sure it will get ugly(er).

I met Sam in our designated spot and we got the heck out of there.

Tonight, I think, we'll have tacos.

Sign of the Times

Yesterday, both Sam and I received emails from the two grocery stores we hit up on Saturday mornings. The emails were about the precautions these two stores were taking due to the increasing encroachment of the coronavirus. The emails went through some of the protocols these stores were initiating in response to the threat.

The emails mentioned stocking more in-demand products such as disinfectant and, presumably, toilet paper. And they mentioned increasing in-house cleaning in the stores, with a particular focus on doing more wiping down of shopping carts and touch pads and checkout lanes and the like.

One other thing they both mentioned was the discontinuing of handing out food samples - at least for the foreseeable future (or as one email put it, placing it on hold "indefinitely" - the meaning of which I had to explain to Sam - unfortunately using my patented style of over explaining before walking part of it back and then reexplaining it, thus making it even more confusing than it ever needed to be).

Anyway, I've been wondering when this shoe would drop, and it's with mixed feelings that it finally has.

Being the coward that I am, I'm glad that I'm not the one that had to break this news to Sam; that it was time to put this sampling stuff on hold - at least for a little while (and having to put it on hold was rapidly reaching a point where we would be foolish not to).

But getting samples on Saturday mornings, which led to being "friends" with the Sample Ladies, has been a big deal to Sam for quite some time now. And it's been one factor, among many, that's contributed to Sam's growing confidence (relatively speaking) and independence (very relatively speaking) in dealing with the outside world.

More than missing the loss of the samples, Sam's concern, unsurprisingly, was over what would happen to the "Sample Ladies". I pointed out that this was for their protection as much as ours - maybe even more so. And this time, I kept it pretty simple - which, also unsurprisingly, seemed to help.

Today

Sam, from his family portrait, dated 6-30-09.

Happy birthday to one of the hardest workers I know, my cooking buddy, my errand helper, the guy who keeps me company, whether on quiet walks together or at home - and one of my four favorite people in the entire world.