Another week where it is difficult to find good things. Maybe I am looking for miracles instead of little moments. Anyway, I am really enjoying AFTERMATH by Peter Robinson. I was puzzled about the acclaim CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN got. Seems pretty ordinary to me.
So far OZARK is not knocking me out. It seems like more of the same stuff as last year. The acting is swell but talk about unlikable characters. When Marty Byrde finds his daughter is smoking pot all he can think about is whether she might talk under the influence. Ugh.
Although I continue to enjoy BETTER CALL SAUL. Phil finds that inconsistent as he sees them as similar in their portrayal of evil.
Glad to get out with friends Saturday night. I am probably pushing Phil to do this but I think he needs to get out and talk to other people. He also went to his Sunday morning boys's club.
Megan wraps up the pilot for DARE ME. She has had so much fun taking on this new challenge. Going back to NY must be difficult. It will be some time before USA decides on it.
What about you?
17 comments:
Glad you're enjoying the Peter Robinson, Patti. I think he's quite talented. And I wish Megan all the best with this TV project!
Even for Robinson, I think that one was dark. I'm waiting for the new one. Never heard of CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN. I was looking for a reason to skip OZARK, so thanks.
We're watching only Netflix, Amazon Prime and Acorn other than the odd PBS show. This week: DICTE (Denmark; finished season one. She's a crime reporter at a newspaper and her personal life is very much a part of this - friends, daughter, ex-husband, child she gave up for adoption at 16), FAUDA (Israel; we're halfway through season one, going after Arab terrorist, but so far their missions have not had much success); DEATH IN PARADISE (on PBS and Netflix; gorgeous Caribbean scenery, though the island of St. Marie is as dangerous to visit as Cabot Cove. Nice comfort viewing), TIN STAR (Canadian; got much, much worse - IMHO - as it went on, but Jackie liked it so we finished the first season. Tim Roth was undercover cop in England who is now Police Chief in small town where oil company rules everything. But when he drinks, his violent undercover alter ego comes out - only not enough, if you ask me. THE last few episodes dragged, mostly.), DCI BANKS (British, obviously. Stephen Tompkinson was miscast as Alan Banks, period. The final season didn't use Peter Robinson's books and has gone far afield, and like SCOTT & BAILEY had a pretty unsatisfactory end.), MYSTERY ROAD (Australian six part series set in the far Northwest of the country, with Aaron Pederson as Aboriginal detective Jay Swan called in by local cop Judy Davis when two guys - one a football star - go missing. Great atmosphere, amazing photography, good acting. I may watch the original movie with Pederson - same title - after this. It's on Amazon Prime.), THE WEST WING (have watched 14 episodes of season one so far. I only wish we had that Administration now.).
I'll post this and come back.
We continue to cook under the brutal Summer heat in Western NY. We're supposed to hit a record high on Wednesday. You could cut our humidity with a knife!
The Buffalo Bills have named second-year QB Nathan Peterman their starting quarterback against the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday. Vegas set the Over/Under on wins for the Bills at 6 and 1/2 games. That sounds about right. Rookie QB Josh Allen is waiting in the wings.
My former boss at the College retired last week (he was supposed to retire when I did two years ago, but he pulled his retirement papers at the last minute) and then suffered a stroke. I'll be visiting him in the hospital today.
We're invited to a picnic today, but there's a threat of thunderstorms so it might be held inside our friend's house. Happy LABOR DAY to you all!
Jackie watches a lot more television than I do. She is watching (or still watching):
ABSENTIA, which I hated (one episode was more than I could take)
YELLOWSTONE (even she couldn't take the daughter)
SHOOTER (she hasn't started the new series yet)
KILLING EVE
The only things I watch that she doesn't: Yankee games and DINERS, DRIVE-INS & DIVES.
What else good is happening? After another heat wave, we just had three nice days in a row - upper 70s, less humid, pleasant. Unfortunately, the heat is back today, and the humidity.
We're leaving Wednesday for Bouchercon. Sadly, most of our friends are not coming for one reason or another, but a few will be there. Even though it is going to be hot and humid (like here!), I'm sure we will enjoy our first visit to the St. Petersburg area (we've only been to Sarasota before). I'm hoping when we get back next week it will have cooled off.
That's terrible, George. You should retire as soon as possible!
Patti, I just finished reading DARE ME and it knocked my socks off. I look forward (fingers crossed) to the show.
Sometimes happiness can be a mixed bag and sometimes it's just flat out great.
This week:
- Banjos. It's difficult to listen to a banjo without tappiong your feet. Mandolins are also pretty cool.
- Jessie went through her last round of initial chemo this week so we're that much farther along in the process. Next up, surgery -- possibly a double mastectomy, followed by radiation and a year of additional chemo. At the moment, all is looking extremely hopeful. On the I don't know if this is a good thing or not side, we just found out that he oncologist is leaving the area -- which may explain why he seemed to be phoning it in the last few weeks. With luck, the new oncologist will be knowledgeable, empathetic, and caring.
- The beach. The white sands of the Emerald Coast are beautiful. Both Christina and Jessie (and the grandkids) hit the beach as often as they can. Since Kitty and I have a hard time negotiating the sand we seldom go, but I am happy and grateful it gives the rest of our family so much pleasure.
- Goats. It turns out they react positively to human smiles. Some people can learn from them. And baby goats galluph with such joy. Again. we could learn from them.
- Labor Day. The traditional end of summer and a day for barbecues and family, but it's also a time to remember all that labor has done for us. It built our country and it made our lives easier. Although labor has fallen out of favor recently, I'm glad today gives me a chance to reflect on its positive aspects.
I hope you and Phil have a wonderful day and an even better week.
Only have one episode of Ozark left. Liked the first season better. Love Better Call Saul. Will start Jack Ryan next. Got good reviews so far.
Saw Searching. Liked it better than I thought. Not been many movies out recently that have caught my interest.
Have seen some good concerts this month. Alejandro Escovedo at the Ark in Ann Arbor. Underappreciated artist. Lucinda Williams/Steve Earle at Meadowbrook. And best of all David Byrne at the Fox in Detroit. Byrne's show had all 11 musicians(6 drummers)constantly in motion. Very visual show.
Going to the Detroit Zoo Wednesday-supposed to be 89 degrees out.
I like Peter Robinson a lot. I recently read a lot of short stories in various collections and magazines. Read Black Hats by Max Allen Collins-liked it didn't love it. Am half way through the new Jeffrey Ford-Ahab's Return-and enjoying it a lot.
Hoping to see Searching this week.
Would have loved to have seen any of those concerts.
Jerry-we have a friend whose daughter in law has just been through a similar scenario and came up with a clean scan. I hope Jessie shares her good fortune.
Thanks for the TV recs, Jeff. We need them. Started WORRICKER on George's rec and we enjoyed PAGE 8 although I think we may have seen in back in 2008.
St. Pete's is really pretty.
I'm happy that we have cooler weather here. There's even a chance of a few sprinkles tomorrow morning. I'm not holding my breath. As usual, we don't watch much in the way of TV or movies, other than PBS Newshour and The Great British Baking Show, which has now concluded. Usually at this time of year I'm excited about football season, both college and pros, starting, but for some reason this year I don't have any interest. It just seems like a time-waster. Maybe that will change as the season progresses.
I'm not sure why, but the truth is, I'm having some trouble working up much enthusiasm for anything. Maybe I need to pull a really good, favorite book and reread it.
We saw the Lucinda Williams/Steve Earle concert a couple of months ago. She is doing another concert here in November. We usually see Earle's benefit concert for his autistic son's school with guest stars like Emmylou Harris and Graham Nash. It's usually in December.
I know how you feel, Rick. And aside from Phil's illness, I blame it on Trump. I can hardly bear to open the newspaper to see what new atrocity he is behind.
I saw her perform once, Jeff, and really enjoyed it. Have several of her CDs although we rarely play music anymore. I am not sure why.
Makes me very happy to hear that Phil and you are going places and doing things. This is good. Also, Jerry's good news.
We had rain here this morning with more in the forecast. We have survived August and may be done with the 100s for this year. Good news here.
I hope to attend Bouchrcon in 2019 where it is here in Dallas.
Kevin
Finally I can think of something to contribute. I consider myself happy in my life but can't express it well, and mostly it would be the same thing week after week.
I am happy we took the step to clear out our front and back yards (tiny ones because we have a condo, but still very, very overgrown), so now we can start fresh. I love succulents.
Also happy it is cooler here, although it is still hot for Santa Barbara.
Happy to see that Phil is improving, and happy that you are back blogging.
Kevin, all things being well, we will be in Dallas next year for Bouchercon.
Believe it or not, the first one I went to was the first New York Bouchercon in 1977. It was held, basically, in one ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria, with single track programming. We've only been to cons on the East Coast or the Midwest, except for Las Vegas in 2003. Since my wife retired, we've been able to go more often - Chicago, Madison, Baltimore, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Raleigh, New Orleans, Toronto.
I have been working on that same issue, Tracy, Phil always did all the gardening and since he is unable this year, it has become overgrown quickly. I am afraid I am mostly hacking away at it but still it looks better.
I will miss not being at Bouchercon this year but last year was a struggle and this year would be impossible. Maybe Dallas. Although I have to say I am not good at it. I seem to fall between a fan and a writer and am uncomfortable with that fit. I know I should be networking more and just don't like doing it.
Heck, I don't know what I am anymore, Patti. Hope everyone makes it here in 2019..including me.
Network as much as you want and no more. Easy for me to say, in my lack of network, ever since ceasing to be a network reporter.
Glad to read of the better news for people. Taking a few steps toward Getting Things Done here, too.
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