Hey, whaddya know. Another update. And in the same month. Go figure.

Went and saw The Punisher tonight. Good movie. Worth the $7.75. Was a bit disappointed in that they strayed from the comic, but what can you do. In the comic, Frank Castle (a.k.a The Punisher) is former military. In the movie, he's former military, but they also made him an ex-FBI agent. In the comic, his family is accidentally killed. In the movie, it's on purpose. In the comic, the mobs and other bad guys have no idea who The Punisher is, they just know him as The Punisher and everyone thinks Frank Castle is dead. In the movie, the bad guys know that The Punisher is Frank Castle and that he's not dead. Other than that, however, it's a good movie.

Sometimes, I wish life was like in the movies. In the movies, whenever anyone wants to remember someone or something, they just focus for a bit, there's a flashback sequence (usually with some zooms and focuses on important things) and viola!, they remember. Unfortunately, real life ain't like that. The other day, I was trying to remember my grandfather on my dad's side. He died of cancer when I was like 5. It's really hard, because the only things I can remember about him are not good things. I remember how, one day my grandmother made me some potato soup and filled the bowl right up to the very top. I loved my grandmother's potato soup. Well, she was afraid it was too hot, so she tasted it to be sure. Of course, the bowl was no longer full to the brim and I got mad and threw a fit. All I remember about my grandfather was that he spanked me. Bare handed. He did not need a paddle or switch.

The only other memories I have of him are worse. My granfather, I'm told, was very leery of hospitals, so as he was dying, they moved a hospital bed into their house so he could be at home. I have very vivid memories of seeing him waste away in that bed, tubes running to his nose, his arms and disappearing beneath his hospital gown. I remember my father and uncle having to carry him bodily to the bathroom because he no longer had the strength to walk. Where are my movie-like flashbacks? Why can I not remember anything but these horrible images? I can't even remember seeing him smile. Not once. All I remember is seeing him, frail and sick in that hospital bed. Then the next memory is of the living room, the bed absent, the chairs and tables replaced and a sense of melancholy permeating the house. When my grandmother passed away, it was her heart that finally went. I think it broke on that day. I can't remember my grandfather. I just remember one day he was here and then he was gone. The only other memories are cold, frozen pictures of him that evoke nothing in me. I don't remember when they were taken or where. I just hope that someday, like a dam in a raging river, something will give way and I'll be able to recall happier times with him. Until then, I'll be waiting for my flashback sequence. Waiting impatiently.

Well, it's late and I'm tired. Had a very rough night at work Saturday night. Maybe I'll tell y'all about it some other time. Got to call the cops to the park. Not a good thing, though. A poor 16-year old girl ended up getting arrested because her so-called friends left her there to get caught. You never really know who your real friends are.

Well, you all take care and I'll try to update again soon. Till then, be safe, cubbies.

Da 'Bear

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