found_drama

Just back from Maine where we helped my maternal grandparents to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Grandpa didn’t want the pageantry of a full-on cake, so we talked him down to cupcakes:

(The cupcakes in lieu of cake.)

It’s been a little hard for me to come to grips with it. I was certainly eager to help them celebrate 50 years (!!!) but my Grandpa has been pretty sick these past couple of months. I’d been trying to “head in the sand” it a little bit but my mother in her wisdom assigned me the project of coming up with a slideshow for the event. Burned down to DVD, I managed to fit 218 photos into about 20 minutes without it being too tedious or boring. More so, I then took it upon myself to get the scans over into a little book (thank you, iPhoto) that folks could inscribe their well wishes.

(Their best man from the wedding makes the toast for the 50th.)

A bit trying, emotionally but we all got through it. Even if I did almost lose it when my Grandpa stood up to announce that he was leaving. “I’m getting to old for this sort of partying.” The man has an awe-inspiring presence. Such a charm and charisma - - it’s no wonder he’s managed to keep my Grammie around for 50 years.

That said, the highlight of the weekend came when the photographer snapped a picture of my Grandpa and the best man. Grandpa was explaining the connection to the photographer. “This is John Gallagher. He was the best man at my wedding.” Then he pauses a moment, eyebrow raised. “Actually, no. I was better.”

Via dystopianethic, the 10 Word Meme: Write ten words beginning with that letter, including an explanation of what the word means to you and why. F_D has “V”:

1. Vermont. Firstly because it’s my home. Secondly because it’s home to outstanding outdoor activities in all seasons. The Green Mountain State.
2. Veneer. Encountered in so many contexts now. A way to make something look nice. Whether you’re making something good look great or else something that looks like a piece of shit less so. Typically the latter.
3. Vixen. When I was a little kid I first encountered this word in the title sequence of Disney’s animated version of Robin Hood. At the time it didn’t make much sense. Robin Hood was a fox. Maid Marion was clearly a female fox. Their copy editors no doubt fucked this up. It wasn’t until several years later that I put it all together after encountering the word in another, much more metaphorical context.
4. Vanquish. Though analogous, it’s not to be confused with “victory” (see below). Think “winning” but in a fantasy role playing scenario.
5. V-2. The Nazi rocket-powered bombs. The proto-ballistic missle. Arguably the sperm that fertilized the Cold War love child.
6. Videodrome. Cronenberg’s films haunt me in ways that are difficult to describe. “Long live the new flesh.”
7. Vasectomy. Every man should get one as a 40th birthday present to himself.
8. V-neck sweater. An essential article of clothing for every female but I have yet to see a man who can pull this off without looking totally silly. Unless there’s an argyle print hugely spreading across the abdomen. That’s acceptable.
9. Vox populi. It’s like democracy without the checks and balances.
10. Victory. Because no one likes to lose and everyone loves: “VICTORY FOR THE FORCES OF DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM!”

currently playing: fleep… “Black Magic”