It was 10:30, and we were getting things ready to be cooked. The bird was to go in the oven at 11:30ish. Then, thunderstorm. Boom... lightning.. lights out. No power. The power was out until about 12:30. We were just getting things packed up to bring over to my dads to cook there, and the second I pulled the garage door release cord, *poof* lights back on. Whew.

The rest of the day, everything went great. We played games, ate, and I talked a lot with my grandfather. I like talking to him. I always like hearing about the days "back then" when he was growing up in the Bronx. Or his ventures walking through Africa and Italy in WWII. And, his complaints of his new lifestyle. For example, he was telling me last night about how his "complex" makes him seperate all his trash. Glass here, paper there, breaking down boxes, stacking things, etc... "In almost 90 years, I just throw things into the dumpster.. now it's like a job to just throw out my garbage." He's right. Then he starts cracking on downtown Saratoga. It is kind of funny how people here refer to it as a city, when it isn't. But, he's like "Downtown, downtown. Whoopty doo. When I was growing up there were 40 stores, mom and pop places, a movie theater, candy stores, and everything you need between our apartment and the subway. And that's just one side of the street." Again, he's right. Of course, different time back then when people didn't have cars, and everything was revolving around the "neighborhood". And he tells me about when he was living in Vegas (which he says was better when the mob was overtly running it), and they would say "Don't use the A/C as much to save energy." Everywhere you live, they probably say something like that. "When I was a kid we had to sleep on the roof or fire escape because of the heat. I paid my dues, I'm not turning nothing off." Classic stuff. I love it. I have a video somewhere when one Thanksgiving I was talking to him about this sort of stuff, and I just turned the video camera on, and left it on the table pointed at him. I have to find that. That generation is the link to times gone by. I think it's important to listen to these stories, gripes, and tales. Especially, from our family.

He did bum me out a little when he started talking about how he wants to have his funeral arrangements done beforehand. Not something I really want to think about, ya know. But, I told him if my dad was weirded out by it, I'd help him arrange things or make sure what he wants is done. I do hope he's around for some time longer. He's a great guy. I really love him.

After folks left, we relaxed, and watched Bad(er) Santa. Eh. It was ok. Then Suzy went to bed, and I watched some things I had recorded, and hit the sack.

Now, here I am. Just checking my email, writing this, and will be playing Monopoly with Kyla in a minute.

I hope everyone has a great day yesterday, and has a good weekend.