Sorry for the silence. March 2009 has been the worst month since late 2006.

Still here, though.

Since I’ve finally dragged myself up to UH, I suppose I should update you on my domestic situation.

Somewhat to my surprise, the arrival of Daddy M hasn’t really had any affect on my relationship with the two boys.

Oddly, they seem to be the only people in the house who know I’m “gay” (as it’s called these days) and they’re fascinated by it. But then, I’m sure I’m the only old man who pays any attention to them and even likes the same games they do.

JM, who’ll be twelve years old in May, is my first experience of a Lolita. He’s just adorable and often outrageously provocative. I keep a firm grip on my self-control button.

Daddy is neither handsome nor does he have a particularly interesting body, but like so many Filipino men I’ve met, he has a powerful sexual aura and would be, as would Husband, surprised to know some of the thoughts I have about him.

Daughter has won a major local beauty contest award but, of course, I can’t say exactly which one without blowing the anonimity of my situation. She is indeed a very pretty girl but, to my way of thinking, rather a silly lass.

Meanwhile, we have a new Old Lady and this one really is old. 84, in fact. She’s a pain in the butt. I have to hide the bowl of candy I keep filled for the boys because she will wait for me to go out for a smoke, then go into my room to steal a candy. Naturally, the boys tell me about it.

I challenged her once, said “stay out of my room!”. Landlady said, “she doesn’t understand.”

Bullshit. She understands perfectly.

Grief. The system at Hamilton Library today is absolutely snooze slow. Poor students.

Well, I’ve been a housebound hermit for the past few weeks because this winter’s weather is the worst it’s been in my many years here. I feel sorry for the tourists who spent much money to come here for a winter holiday. And I feel even more sorry for the street people. This is NOT a winter to be homeless in Hawaii.

I saw more films in February than I’ve ever before seen in one month, thanks to Ted Turner and his Oscar-related film feast. Most, of course, I’d seen before but enjoyed seeing again.

But there were some exceptions, most notably “Sophie’s Choice”. I read the novel but somehow missed the film, in which the magnificent Meryl Streep has never been moreso, definitely earned her well-deserved Oscar.

And then there was the Robert Redford directed “A River Runs Through It” with a very young, very beautiful Brad Pitt.

Both Meryl and Mr and Mrs Pitt looked splendid in the front row at this year’s Oscar awards show, although all three lost. Ms Streep did, however, gain the distinction of more nominations than any actress in Oscar history.

No question, she is one of our finest.