Weekend thoughts
The fam had a very nice weekend, however it didn't start out so well.
Saturday, I appeared as Rocky at the Race for the Cure in New Britain, CT. If you don't know, this is a breast cancer event where money is raised for research and survivors are celebrated. It's a really fun, heartwarming event. Unfortunately, someone tried to spoil it.
One of Rocky's jobs during these events is to meet and greet kids, giving hugs, handpounds, high-fives and autographs. It was during one of these meet and greets where I was blindsided by what appeared to be a group of teenagers, knocked over and pushed around a bit. I wasn't hurt, but it sure scared the hell out of me. Ready to end the appearance (as we're all taught to do...once something like that happens, we're supposed to leave immediately), I ran off to the event organizers' tent where I, instead of being allowed to leave, was afforded two very large and protective CT State Police officers, who protected me for the rest of the day. Talk about feeling important! Wow...these guys never left my sight (however limited my sight is in that suit). They were awesome, and I was remiss in getting their names. So, if you're a CT State Trooper who was Rocky's bodyguard on Saturday, thanks...a ton.
We took in Spiderman 3 in IMAX. Don't go see this movie without spending the extra few bucks for the IMAX show. It was simply awesome!
Mothers' Day was interesting, that's for sure. My father in law booked brunch for the fam...as he always does. After last year's feeling of being herded around at what was advertised as a nice hotel in Avon (Avon Old Farms), my FIL booked us at a restaurant with an excellent reputation in Manchester, CT (The Adams Mill). Each of us loved it...except him. While he complained that the restaurant wasn't nice enough, we happily devoured the buffet, raving over some of the choices (I've never had better seafood newburg!).
I'm sort of concerned for my FIL, as he's been on a downward spiral for three years (well, the three years I've known him). He's living his life angry at the world. He seems to retain perceived slights for eternity, and I'm afraid he's going to go to an early grave because of it. At this point, he refuses to speak to his daughter (not my fiancée...her older sister), and her husband (my brother in law) over an incident where he became overbearing while working on the house my sister and BIL are building. They apparently had words and my FIL wrote them both off, currently refusing to speak to them, let alone acknowledge their presence. The worst part is, they all live in my FIL's home until the new one is built!
The fam has to sort of walk on egg shells when he's around...it's unpredictable when it comes to what sets him off. I'm fortunate, he doesn't quite know how to handle me (as my method of debate with him only serves to confuse him and confront him with the fact that he's not the boss of me). Therefore, he doesn't attempt to run my life all that often. However, he's gone so far as to cease all communication with his wife's side of the family, due to a complicated set of events several years ago. He won't let go, and his hatred just boils beneath the surface as he misses out on holidays and special times. Why, oh why are people like this? It's terribly difficult on everyone, including the one harboring the anger and hatred.
But what my FIL missed out on was a fun wiffle ball game, catching up with everyone, good food, little ones running around, sunshine and blue skies. I got to see my two favorite cousins, my uncles and aunts and all those who love me and Kathleen. My FIL apparently got to brood about whatever while staying home...again. It's really sad. We get loud (shocking, no?), silly, giggly and just forget about everything in the world. We're tight, that's for sure. We'd go to the mat for each other, without even thinking about it. But that's what families do.
I just wish I could make my sister see that having her daughter's first birthday party on Father's Day really isn't fair to the fathers in the family. She's strong willed, to say the least. While I don't like it, I'll have to live with it. I guess we'll just have to figure it out...then again, we always do.
I did learn that I enjoy having Sunday evenings free. I think that'll be the other night (along with Friday) I cross off the proverbial bowling night list this fall. Then again, how about getting that job, just so I can pay for the bowling! Yeah, that would help.
How do the Orioles give up six in the ninth to lose, anyway? No complaints, but that must have been ugly! The Rock Cats lost two yesterday, but come home at 16-14. Time to do some damage, boys!
See ya on the lanes!
