My younger brother is certainly spoiling my evenings by dragging his drunk behind home from wherever he's been drinking, and then starting to pass out when I tune in something for us to watch via our T9 Android 8.1 TV Box.
We follow several scores of T.V. series that we watch together, so when he passes out during an episode of one of them, I cancel the episode and leave my insensible brother with basic cable to watch ─ he doesn't know how to operate the Android TV Box.
I cannot tolerate a drunkard unable to hold onto consciousness, yet who when awake continues to guzzle his beer as if he has somewhere to go and needs to feed a buzz.
He is a pitiful and disgusting sight when his brain starts folding up because it cannot withstand the abuse he so clearly relishes imposing upon himself. It saddens me to witness him as he becomes ─ I do love him, after all.
Anyway, by abandoning him as I do when he starts slipping away ─ even when he protests on those occasions where he realizes what I am about to do, and he then pulls himself from his oblivion ─ I am able to get to bed considerably earlier than I otherwise would have.
That was important last evening, for I had plans for the early morning today ─ a 2½-mile hike to the Liquor Discounter (Google map). I needed to buy my brother's Christmas bottle of booze, and I also wanted to buy some merlot wine for my wife.
I now do not recall just when I rose this morning, but I think that it was not too very long after 5:00 a.m. The Liquor Discounter did not open until 9:00 a.m., so I was able to put some work into the post I am constructing at one of my six hosted websites.
It was probably around 8:15 a.m. before I got on my way, and I assumed an easy pace since there was not much of a rush ─ the streets were not too busy with Christmas so near. Many people don't have to work, and of course school is out this week.
I found the temperature to be somewhat nippy on the fingers, but it was above freezing. And it looked as if the sky had some clearing in mind, for we've had considerable rain in recent days.
I hove into view of my destination at 9:06 a.m., and I found that it indeed had opened.
I have never been to the store before, but they advertise that for whatever they carry, they beat the B.C. government liquor store prices.
I already had in mind exactly what I was going to buy for my brother ─ a 1.14-litre bottle of Jameson Irish Whisky. But little did I know that I actually selected a 1.75-litre bottle ─ I wondered why my total bill came to $136.58. All the way home I was thinking that I must have grabbed a more expensive bottle or two of merlot than I had thought I was choosing.
Nevertheless, the $71.99 (before tax) bottle of whisky would have cost $74.99 (before tax) at a government liquor store. And since I got the extra large size, I now don't feel too obligated about buying him any lottery tickets ─ I had been thinking of also gifting him with a $30-pack of tickets.
As for the merlot, I bought four bottles.
And how much did I save over buying the same wine at a government liquor store? I have not yet checked, but I shall do so right now.
The Peller Family Estates 750-ml bottle cost me $8.49, but would have cost $8.79 in the government liquor store (before taxes in all cases).
The 750-ml bottle of Gray Monk merlot I bought claims to be a 2013 vintage on the label, and cost me $16.79. However, the government liquor store doesn't even list a 2013 vintage ─ only a 2017 vintage for $15.49 as a sale until December 28. Thereafter, its regular price is again $17.49. Consequently, I still feel like I came out ahead.
I paid $11.49 for a 750-ml bottle of Masi Mordello as a 2017 vintage, but the bottle of Masi Mordello at the government liquor store does not indicate a vintage and costs $11.99.
Finally, my 1-litre bottle of Italian Donini Collezione of 2017 vintage cost $9.49, but would have cost $8.99 at the government liquor store. However, it does not indicate a vintage, and that is a sale price effective until December 28. Thereafter, it's regular price will be back to $9.99.
Okay, the government liquor store did beat the Liquor Discounter, but only because the former's prices were sale prices. Overall, I still came out considerably ahead in the game.
I was back home from my errand before it was yet 10:10 a.m., and my brother was reading at the dining table with the CBC news station playing on T.V.
Once I put everything away and fixed up a stiff, rich caffeinated beverage, I tuned in a Christmas movie for us to enjoy ─ a wonderfully-acted 2005 feature titled The Family Stone.
I must say that I did not expect the movie to be as good as it turned out to be.
I have only now discovered that the actresses portraying a pair of sisters of what appeared to be approximately similar ages, are actually nowhere near in age.
Sarah Jessica Parker's character was wonderfully uptight, innocent, and vulnerable, and I grew quite attached to her. Her sister was portrayed by actress Claire Danes, someone I am not quite familiar with, though her name is vaguely familiar for whatever reason.
Sarah seemed so young in the movie. But according to Wikipedia, the actresses are not of similar vintage ─ Sarah is a little over 14 years older! I would never have guessed anything of the sort ─ way to go, Sarah!
I was happy with how the various relationships mutated and worked out for a happy ending (discounting the family matriarch's death, of course). I can see myself watching the movie again some day.
Well, my evening is already underway, and I promised someone that I would phone her this evening ere the advent of Christmas, so I need to bring this post to a close.
Before I do, however, I have two versions of a photo that I want to post.
The original photo was taken by my wife around June 11 of last year when she flew to Rome to visit her sister, who has virtually made Italy her home ─ the sisters are Thai.
Anyway, from what research I managed to do, I figured out that the photo she took was within the Pisa Cathedral, and specifically of the Tomb of Saint Rainerius or Ranieri:
This is Google Photos' "enhanced" version of the photo:
I only filed the original photo into a Google Photos album yesterday, so Google Photos only got around to creating the enhanced version today ─ I saw no notification of its existence yesterday.
They both look quite good!
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