The lady in the adjacent room to mine at the Waterfront Inn in The Villages apparently went to sleep with her television on. I discovered that when the jumble of noises woke me at 0138 this morning. I tossed and turned for a while and finally was inalterably awake.

I debated going down to the front desk to make a formal complaint, and finally gave up. I rapped on the door between the rooms that can be opened to make it a suite and loudly said “turn off the television!”

It was a female voice that responded a bit querulously, apparently thinking it was the front door. I did not respond, but was gratified that the babbling sound of voices abruptly ceased. Not knowing what was going to happen next, I stayed alert. Florida is a “stand your ground” state, after all, and I am traveling by air and defenseless against the predation of elderly hard-of-hearing guests.

Things stayed quiet, but I can honestly say that was as much of the Academy Awards as I was able to monitor, and it was probably over by that time anyway.

I had only seen one of the pictures nominated for anything. I saw “The Big Short,” about the rigged casino that is America these days, and really enjoyed it. Other than that, Hollywood does not have much relevance to the life I am living, and on the whole, I think that is best for all concerned.

I am traveling today, so I will keep it short and sweet.

After a delightful family brunch in Leesburg, Florida, my brother dropped me back at the hotel and he headed for the airport. I had made plans to hook up with van Dyke and his lovely wife, and we had spent some quality time together at the Roadhouse before she decided that her afternoon could be better spent than talking shop with a couple old geezers and departed for home.

I saw some of the other watering holes of The Villages and came away quite impressed.

Nice place. Great wedding. It was a delight to see the extended family, and how the next two generations are coming along. Marvelous trip.

I once said: “if you catch me talking about retiring to Florida, just shoot me.”

Now, I have to say, I may invest in one of those Kevlar vests just in case someone remembers.

Copyright 2016 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com
Twitter: @jayare303