LIFE WITH THE Kid Brother is an ongoing comedy routine. For most of our 57 years of brotherly love, he has slipped into the character of one of the many old-time comedy duos, expecting me to immediately slip into the other half of the team. I always do.
Our FaceTime call this week was almost successful. He removed the cover from his iPad. He saw me. I saw him. However, he wasn't there on time. When I tried him at 5:05 my time and he wasn't there, I phoned his home number. One of his roommates answered and said he had just stepped out. Thirty-five minutes later, he called me on FaceTime.
First, I told him how happy I was to see his face this time. Then I asked, "What's the story, Chuck? Is Monday not a good day for us to talk? You seem to be busy when it's our time."
"It's fine. It's fine. I just have things to do. I'm here."
"I know you're there now, Chuck. But you were supposed to be there more than a half hour ago. Would another day be better?"
"I'm here. I'm here."
"So am I, wise guy. And I was here a half hour ago, too. Do you get busy Mondays?"
"Yeah, I got things to do."
"Well, should we change back to the weekend? How's Saturday since you play softball Sunday?"
"Good idea. Saturday," he finally agreed and then added, "And don't be late, Norton!"
As Ralph Cramden would say, "One of these days! Bang! Zoom! To the Moon!"
It was a very pleasant conversation.
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| LIFE WITH THE KID BROTHER IS ONE BIG RAINBOW (OF HIS OWN MAKING). LA VIDA CON EL HERMANITO ES UN GRAN ARCO IRIS (DE SU PROPIA CREACIÓN). |
MI VIDA CON the Kid Brother es una rutina de comedia. Durante la mayor parte de nuestros 57 años de amor fraternal, se ha metido en el carácter de uno de los dúos de comedia, esperando que yo actúe (inmediatamente) como la otra mitad del equipo. Siempre lo hago.
Nuestra llamada de FaceTime esta semana fue casi exitosa. Se quitó la cubierta de su iPad. Él me vio. Yo lo vi. Sin embargo, no estaba a tiempo. Cuando lo probé a las 5:05 mi tiempo y él no estaba allí, llamé a su número de casa. Uno de sus compañeros de habitación contestó y dijo que acababa de salir. Treinta y cinco minutos después me llamó a FaceTime.
Primero, le dije lo feliz que estaba de ver su cara esta vez. Entonces le pregunté: "¿Dime la cuenta, Chuck? ¿No es un buen día para que podamos hablar? Parece que estás ocupado cuando es nuestro tiempo".
"Está bien, está bien, sólo tengo cosas que hacer. Estoy aquí."
"Sé que estás ahí ahora, Chuck. Pero se suponía que estarías allí hace más de media hora. ¿Sería mejor otro día?"
"Estoy aquí, estoy aquí."
"Y yo también, chico listo, y yo estuve aquí hace media hora, ¿estás ocupado los lunes?"
"Tengo cosas que hacer."
"Bueno, ¿debemos volver al fin de semana? ¿Juegas al béisbol los domingos; cómo es el sábado?"
"Buena idea, el sábado, al mismo tiempo¡"él finalmente aceptó y añadió, "Y no llegue tarde, Norton!"
Como diría Ralph Cramden: "¡Uno de estos días! ¡Explosión! ¡Enfocar! ¡A la Luna!"
Fue una conversación muy agradable.
The Kid Brother thinks he's Ralph Cramden and I'm Ed Norton.
El Hermanito piensa que él es Ralph Cramden y yo soy Ed Norton (con el libro).
I love hearing about your conversations with Chuck! "Don't be late, Norton" Hahaha!
ReplyDeleteJennifer:
DeleteI've got 1 hour and 7 minutes until our next FaceTime. I even have my alarm set! The little shit!
He's a real card!
ReplyDeleteDebra:
DeleteThat he is. A joker! (OK, sometimes an Ace, too.)
You gotta keep the act together!
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteWe can sometimes be in the middle of a serious conversation and he'll say, "I don't know and I don't care!" to which I'm supposed to respond (and I do), "What was that?" He says, "I don't care!" And I say, "Oh, that's our shortstop." Every so often, I'll say, "OK, Chuck. No comedy routines until we finish." The act will remain together forever!
It must be good to know that he does keep himself busy, so don't be late!
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteAnd yet when I ask him what he's been doing, he'll say, "Nothing. Got nothing to do." As he would say, "Sheesh!"
It sounds like he is fully engaged in having fun, having a life, sounds like a success. Keep calling, keep having fun.
ReplyDeleteHe has a busy life and it seems that he likes where he lives and does his own thing. Nice that you could see him this time though.
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteIt's not easy for him sometimes, but he has a life I never expected he would be able to have and I'm so grateful. AHRC makes it possible for him to live seemingly independently while being looked after. We are so lucky. We have another call in an hour. We'll see how it goes.
Ha' ha' ha' this really made me smile and I guess that you and Chuck have a lot of fun together.
ReplyDeleteHeron:
DeleteHe can drive me crazy; I adore him; and we have been a comedy duo for most of his life... And, again, I adore him.
"hello ball!" one of my all-time fave routines. I like chuck's rainbow too.
ReplyDeleteanne marie:
DeleteOne of my favorites, as well. And listening to Ed Norton is like listening to Chuck. So now you know what he sounds like.
I remember that scene from the Honeymooners, a funny show for the time.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteSome of it is very dated (and offensive) and some of it is still absolutely brilliant. "Hello, ball!"
Hey Norton! I can So relate to this when I look back on my early years working with the 'Chucks' of the world.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say that these were the best years of my teaching career......so much fun and I learned plenty as well.
I still use some of their expressions to this day and I smile as I do.
You and Chuck have something that most people couldn't dream to have, Mitchell. Savour every second (and don't bite your lip off. lol)
Jim:
DeleteAnd, as you well know, it's not always fun. There has been lots of heartache. But so much love and so much gratitude for the life he's had since moving into a residence at the age of 27. It transformed him... and me. I also have expressions I still use from my work from years ago... and obviously Chuck constantly gives me new material. We'll see what happens today!
LOL!!! too funny.
ReplyDeleteLaurent:
DeleteOh, I have years of Chuck stories. Sometimes he even intends to be funny.
He must drive you crazy - while wishing you could reach through the screen to give him a hug.
ReplyDeleteRozzie:
DeleteI can't tell you how grateful I am for your comment. He DOES drive me crazy and I DO wish I could reach through the screen and give him a hug. Thank you for your sensitivity and understanding.
how jolly; how fortunate you two are to have each other.
ReplyDelete