The Vulgar Boatmen

Picture on left added

March 4, 2012

I haven't included a picture on this post but as soon as the two individuals, Aubrey and Walter,

get in range of my trusted iphone camera, I'll hang it up there on top. It supports the Title today, February 20, Presidents' Day, when school was at recess and the students were free to have a day's respite. Our grandkids, on the other hand, were recruited to clean Unit 1303 at the Condo. They dutifully did the job in a superb Bowie High School fashion and clearly

earned their pay. As for the Title, you may have heard the Song of the Volga Boatmen in

your travels through music land and if you did, then close your eyes to visualize both of

them toiling as you belt out the refrain, Aya Och Nem, Aya Och Nem.................................

If you're curious about this song, check the Internet for the version sung by the Red Army

Chorus. Duz Vidania, Comrades!

We received 2 visitors this past week. Pete drove up from Corpus Christi where he has

been helping Amber get settled in her new apartment. It was a 3hr+ drive and he only

stayed for lunch and a short walk. (see above) Darrell arrived on Wednesday and is staying

for 2 weeks near Pat's apt. Both of them joined us at the Violet Crown where the Oscar

winning movie "The Artist" was showing. I thought the performance was interesting but

occasionally difficult to get your mind around, however, the novelty of viewing a silent

type movie in this day and age probably made it a good candidate.

Darrell is leaving for home in NYC early tomorrow after a two week visit to Austin. It

was a nice visit and we were able to spend some quality time with him. Yesterday, Sunday,

John and Barri made a delicious BBQ at Isaac Pryor. Besides the Trapps, Darrell, Pat and

H&A, Melanie and her daughter, Adrienne, were there as well. I remember the days

when Adrienne and Aubrey were toddlers and now, both are beautiful young ladies all set

to challenge the future. Today, Darrell and Pat stopped at the Condo for a final Au Revoir.

As usual, we drifted in and out of memories about years passed; people and places he

recalls with animated expressions and gestures. Darrell has a remarkable talent for recalling events in years gone by, probably sharpened by his talent as a pianist, whose skill

in memorization of scores is essential. As he left, he wished us a nice cruise to England this

summer, winking as he referred to" our secret". I countered, that if he had tuned into Despicable Tours three months ago he would have been so informed, and all the wiser.

Just saw Hugo in 3D at the Violet Crown and thought it was very cleverly made. The story

was interesting although a little stretched out in time. Perhaps too much film devoted to

chases through the train station. The 3D and big screen made the story come alive and

the young actor playing Hugo was realistic. Annabelle and I thought he resembled

grandson, Walter, although Walter is better looking.

Getting ready for our cruise to the UK, we are heading to B.D. Riley on 6th street for their

fish and chips. We might even down a half pint of Guiness on draught to wash it down.

Austin is a mecca for all types of restaurants and many of them are within a mile or two of

360 Condominiums. This is a great convenience for us oldsters who are getting a bit

wobbly.

The Globe and The Swan

A swan and goose who have become friends on Lady Bird

Lake. Swan is on the right. Both are cleaning their

feathers.

February 13, was the first day that the Shakespeare Globe Theater put it's tickets on sale

for the July performances and I hurried to my computer to arrange for tickets to Richard 3rd.

Believe it or not, tickets to all the July performances were almost sold out. I guess having

the Olympics this year put a great surge on ticket purchases. However, I did manage to

nail down 6 for our team. Luckily, they were good seats. Riding on my lucky streak, I also

made reservations at the Swan, the restaurant attached to the Globe. (thus my reference to

the swan in my title.) How clever! I did manage to screw up the restaurant reservation, at

first, by hitting the wrong key on the computer. Instead of setting the date as July 18 which

was the date of Richard 3rd, I punched in Feb. 13, which was our current date. In a few

minutes, my laptop was humming and Justine at the Swan sent me an E-mail correcting

my faux pas. Now everything is right on track again. Amazing how quickly you can mess

up things with a premature SEND on the keyboard.

Saturday, Feb. 18, and it is raining in Austin. We worked out in the gym this morning.

Quite a few condo neighbors were also huffing and puffing with us although most of them

are young enough to be our grandkids. While they run at warp speed on the treadmills,

we trudge along, holding on tight to avoid a sudden catastrophic event. In the afternoon,

we went to the Violet Crown, the movie house nearby and saw The Descendants, a very

unusual film starring George Clooney. Aside from a basket full of foul language, which

is appropriate to the story, it was an excellent portrayal of a family visited by an unfortunate

happening that ultimately solidifies their relationship. It describes the frailties of

poor humans and how we manage to deal with problems that are often self-inflicted. In

the end the story seems to convey the message that we choose the course that is most

important for our own happiness as well as consideration for the happiness of others.

After we returned to our apartment, received a phone call from son, Darrell. He is arriving

on Feb. 22. The TV has been televising Whitney Houston's funeral and Dar and I discussed

rational behind the great public interest in her life. I thought she was an excellent vocalist

but thought that the outpouring of grief was somewhat overdone. Darrell, on the other hand,

felt that the public measured her worth more than just a singer but as a very dedicated

performer who gave every moment to her craft and as a performer himself, knew of

the constant effort, 24/7, she took to please the audience. What do you think?

Heron today, gone tomorrow

This is a great green heron on Lady Bird Lake.

Lauren and Chuck E-mailed the other day that they have completed purchase of property in

Panama on which they plan to build a home, Chuck is designing. At the same time, they have purchased a cabin in Monte Rio, California that they'll occupy when visiting the USA.

Lauren writes, "from feeling untethered and aimless just last year, to having 2 big projects

in front of us, is an enormous and welcome change." If I know the two of them, they'll

meet the challenge and reach their objectives with plenty of room to spare. In the meantime,

we'll have to decide which of their homesteads to visit first.

Saturday, Feb. 11 and a bright sunny but cold day in downtown Austin. We took our usual

stroll around Lady Bird Lake bundled up. Barri is on a business trip to the west coast but

is due back this evening. The Condo group is having its Valentine's Day party tomorrow

and a local liquor dealer is providing hooch for all, however, I don't think we'll partake.

We arise so early in the AM that when 7PM rolls around both of us are played out and

ready to hit the sack.

I have been spending much time thinking about my early years, way back as a youth growing

up in Hempstead, about the friends I had, both male and female. I can even recall their names.

I guess that becomes one of the easier activities one is able to pursue when your body

starts to refuse commands that your brain prescribes. I often think of Stan Abrams, Stan Small

and Sid Donow, buddies of mine who were always around to laugh and joke. Strange,

how I seem to miss them at this point in my life more than 70 years later. Then there's

Arlette Sager, who lived across the street and Lucille Moskowitz, my first sweetheart, I think.

I'll never know why I didn't keep in touch with them through the intervening years. I wonder

if they are still alive and think of me. Age 87, gives you plenty of time to dwell in your

reverie, like the songs that you recall from the past. So much has happened, all the schools you

attended, the big war, my marriage as a 22 year old, three children, my working life and all the

rest, experiences that now come back to me in old age. Where did all the years go? I often

wonder if I made the right choices in my early life and now, as an old man, I have the luxury of time to replay life in thoughts, some of which can bring a smile, while others, slow beads of water down my cheeks. How I wish I could see the old friends once again and renew those

carefree days of my youth.