Went to see Manhattan Shorts, which they are probably showing at a library or center in your hood. Ten pretty good shorts that you vote on. Some probably will get Oscar nods.
Reading Everything I Learned I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, Curtis Chin. This is for my book group and the restaurant was in Detroit. I think I might have gone to it in the seventies.
Horrible storms, I am hoping Jerry wasn't too affected by it. This is never going away, is it?
What's going on with you?
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Hurricane Helene missed the Pensacola area by making a sharp turn to the RIGHT (in keeping with the majority-MAGA crowd in the area). I'm very grateful, while remaining sickened by the destruction she has caused; my heart goes out to all those affected. But I don't think I'm getting off easy -- climate change is bringing more and more (and potentially stronger and stronger) hurricanes. I suspect that by the Ides of October we'll be up to Hurricane Zebadiah. The one due later this week is supposedly going to land to the west of Helene's path, which means once again a storm is aiming at my driveway. I thought I'd prepare by purchasing six boxes of Betty Crocker Deep Chocolate Cake Mix, but then I was told the phrase was "batten down the hatches," not "batter down the hatches." Luckily, i kept the receipts.
We did not check out the beach on Thursday when the storm hit, but I saw pictures of fools surfing the waters here. We did make it to the beach yesterday. It was a Red Flag day (dangerous currents), so none of our crowd went into the water, although I saw several jamooks bring their young and even younger kids into the water. I was tempted to go up to them and say, "I'm from the Darwin Awards. Can I have your names for my files?"
Basically a quiet week. I spent a lot of time boxing things up for my temporary move to Mark's bedroom (which should begin around Wednesday). I didn't realize I had so many books lying around. I've been doubling up on Claritin and Zyrtec in preparation for the dust and allergens that will be flying around when work begins on redoing my bedroom. I should be permanently settled by the time I return from our mid-October trip to Massachusetts.
Christina and Jessie are beginning to make a list of possible crafts for the family to do for Halloween -- some may involve sewing, and I am so much looking forward to jabbing my fingers with needles. The things I do for family.
On the animal front, Newcat is getting very bold, venturing out of Erin's room and interacting with everyone but me. **sigh** Walt has taken to calling him "The Zippy One," and is spending a lot of time bonding. Across the Bay, neurotic puppy chicken Nugget has decided she wants to be best friends with the adopted kitten Bushwacker; for her part Bushwacker has become very fierce and wants to attack any animal at least ten times her size. Mark has asked that we bring an extra snake cage with us when we travel to Alberquerque over Thanksgiving; I think he's planning on capturing a rattlesnake.
A heavy television week. I streamed 4.66 seasons of THE BAY and am waiting for the last two episodes. Also streamed the first season of SHAKESPEARE AND HATHAWAY, a rather light and cute detective show based in Stratford-on-Avon. Episodes of LAST WEEK TONIGHT, AGATHA ALL ALONG, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, THE PENGUIN, and the late night comics. With Jack, I watched INSIDE OUT 2 and THE INCREDIBLES.
A light reading week: F. Paul Wilson's second book in The Hidden duology,; the Doc Savage novel MAD MESA by '"Kenneth Robeson" (Lester Dent), my FFB; and an early Lawrence Block bluch-worthy, A STRANGE KIND OF LOVE, originally published by 'Sheldon Lord." Currently finishing up another Block -- BORN TO BE BAD, also published as PUTA. Coming up, another early Block as "Lord", the I'd-never-show-this-title-to-my-mother CAMPUS TRAMP; also three books on auto racing (!) by William F. Nolan.
Have a great week as you go into October, Patti. Stay safe, and plan a nifty Halloween costume.
Trying to think when was the last time I wore a Halloween costume and I think it was 50 years ago. I was a scarecrow-with a broom for my arms. Never clever with sewing either.
My brother and his (then) wife used to dress up for Halloween when the kids were young - they are 50 and 40 now! But since both are still basically Portland hippies, I can see them doing it still. Before we moved to Brooklyn, I remember my brother and I both going as Zorro, along with two friends, one of whom was a French chef and the other of whom was...right, Zorro. So this would have been 1957, when the Disney version was first on.
We finally got some rain this week after a nearly dry month, but it was light and intermittent, nothing like the south has had. Luckily (fingers crossed) they have dropped rain from the previous forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, as we are going to Carnegie Hall tomorrow to see Graham Nash in concert, with Special Guest Judy Collins (who we last saw about 50 years ago, in Central Park). We'll be staying over at a different Marriott this time. The last concert we went to in Carnegie Hall was 17 years ago.
Otherwise, it was a quiet week here, with all the action in my family out west. June (my brother's ex) had to have a plate screwed into her leg, which she broke in a car accident, and she'll be off it for a month or two, staying at her daughter's. And my sister in Arizona continues to work (mostly remotely, fortunately) while being treated for kidney cancer and diabetes, among other things.
We've added a few new shows. The second series of RIDLEY is on PBS, but we first watched the last two-parter from series one, which we must have watched before, though it wasn't at all familiar until the second half. PANDORA is a Belgian political show. An examining judge (as in France) is about to put the cap on a five year corruption investigation when it turns out her father (a leading politician) is involved. She is taken off the case, of course, but just in time to take on the case of a young woman protester who is raped in a parking garage by a gang of thugs. The person who discovers her is another politician, passed over for dad's job, who tries to leverage this into the position, even though we know he was not the hero he portrays himself as being.
Despite what sounds like a dark plot, STHLM: Blackout is a lighter, more fun show. (Both of these were on Prime, I believe.) In Stockholm, Arthur, a former investigative journalist, is a behind the scene producer on TV news, basically making sure the cameras are in the right place, and the like. He's a widower going on a first date with Mille, a teacher (I think) who is an enthusiastic follower of true crime podcasts. But then there is an explosion, and the star newswoman enlists Arthur to assist her. People come after her - including in the restaurant during Arthur's date - and he and Mille find themselves on the run with people shooting at him to get back the memory stick the reporter gave him. Mille is a delightful character - I loved when she nonchalantly used lock picks to break into an apartment ("I've been practicing at home"), and Arthur slowly loosens up. It is only 4 episodes of 45 minutes each, and we watched two each day. I hope here will be a second series.
Jerry, I like what that Sheriff in Georgia or the Carolinas advised - Write your name and people to notify on your arm in indelible ink, so when we recover your body we know who to tell.
Glad to hear Jerry and Co. faired the storm. I saw a news story about the bridge across Tampa Bay being near flooded and people still driving on it.
I tried out a John Le Carre audiobook, THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, and discovered after checking it out that is was not the full novels but was a BBC Radio cast production with Brian Cox. I stayed with the recording and the production was quite well done and I enjoyed the performances. I then found a unabridged version of LeCarre's first novel, CALL FOR THE DEAD, and discovered a minor character in that novel is the lead bad guy in SPY WHO. The end of CALL does include a clue that the minor character ends the novel.
I was able to see both children over the weekend. Boy #1's running club had a cross country meet in the Madison area. Boy #2 elected to receive lunch by tagging along to BOy #1's race and I picked him up at his dorm. After the race I and #2 went to say goodbye to #1. I told them they were allowed to acknowledge one another by saying hello. They did so in unison and I was impressed by the sound. I did not hassle them by praising the vocal harmony. Boy #1 stayed with his team and headed back to their hotel and #2 and I met his mom for lunch since she was working all day.
My wife and I then got to see Boy #2 play with the UW symphony orchestra on Sunday evening and we took him to eat afterwards. My wife was very pleased to see Boy #2 two days in a row and the concert was a good one. Boy #2 mentioned to his mother that all the other bass players are much better than he is. She pointed out he is the only first-year student and the only non-music major of the bass section. (Need I mention he has never been dedicated to regular practice...)
There is an instagram account by a Philadelphia guy who is a big fan of noir and crime fiction. After he mentioned his love for CISCO PIKE (staring Kristofferson) I signed up for Tubi. Yes, yet another streaming service. But, run with commercials and no fees. Tubi has a number of flicks I've not seen elsewhere and good number of '60s and '70s B-grade stuff. I discovered that MONEY MOVERS is on there. I first saw parts of MONEY MOVERS on cable a few decades ago and was fascinated with the story and unable to find the film until now. Crime story of an armored car heist in Australia and directed by Bruce Beresford.
I think MONEY MOVERS and PUBERTY BLUES started hitting cable after Beresford's BREAKER MORANT and TENDER MERCIES were popular. PUBERTY BLUES is another one that stuck in my adolescent mind and I re-watched that within the past few years.
If anyone is so inclined to listen to Boy #2's concert: https://www.youtube.com/live/ntmbIJuq7zU
Western NY is still under the Climate Change Spell with temps in the 80s or high 70s--10 degrees higher than Normal. But, I'll take that over what Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee are dealing with in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Diane and I are invited to a "surprise" 50th Wedding Anniversary party for two teachers Diane worked with for over 30 years.
Patrick is flying to Paris for a GOOGLE conference. Katie is booking tickets for our annual visit to NYC for Thanksgiving. I'm going to STEREOPHONIC and &JULIET while Diane is going to see ONCE UPON A MATTRESS and THE OUTSIDERS. We might both go see ROOMMATES if the schedule allows.
The Buffalo Bills were crushed in Baltimore by the mighty Ravens. All Bills fans are down and out today. Stay safe!
As a guy working in local government I am often jealous of the work travel opportunities other professions have. I'm sure I would have quickly tired of the travel and time away from family events.
What is STHLM? I loved STEREOPHONIC. What a nice tradition, George.
That is quite a bill at Carnegie Hall. Would have been nice to have both kids at the same school, Gerard. Tubi is on my TV but I have never clicked it till now. Looks pretty good for a free streamer.
Abbreviation for Stockholm. Part of the show name.
Thx!
What Gerard said - Stockholm.
I am pretty much back to normal now, I knew it was Monday today. Still don't wake up as easily and still fill groggy before 10:00 (it is 9:40 a.m. as I write this).
I am also very glad to hear that Helene missed Jerry and his family.
Tomorrow is Glen's 74th birthday. This weekend we watched his choice of movies and cooked for him. The movies we watched were MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS and BEETLEJUICE. We enjoyed both but our discs are pretty old.
I read ORBITAL by Samantha Harvey this week. It is on the short list for the Booker Prize and I read it initially because I thought it was science fiction and I thought it was exciting that a science fiction book was on the list. Now I realize that it is not science fiction, but I still loved it. It is about a science-related topic (astronauts on the space station) and it is definitely fiction, but it still does not fit the science fiction definition (or at least not mine). It depicts six astronauts on the space station, one day of their life there. Their thoughts, their activities, their regimen. It is short, about 200 pages, and very meditative.
Glen finished reading SUSPENSE by Parnell Hall, and now he is reading RITES OF PASSAGE: DEATH AND MOURNING IN VICTORIAN BRITAIN by Judith Flanders. That is the 2nd book he has read by Flanders in the last month, both about Victorian times.
"ScareUptheVote
@ScareUptheVote
This is the official account for the horror community's #ScareUptheVote campaign to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz."
More later...elder cat needs more scratching. Glad everyone's on the mend or avoided the worst.
Love the sound of ORBITAL. Are they doing a podcast, Todd?
I believe the plan is to ape CF FOR HARRIS.
We like Nobody Wants This too. Cute is right and they're very likable. Also sort of like the Aussie comedy Colin From Accounts, except for too much bathroom humor.
I don't have Paramount. I watched the first STHLM and liked it but only four?
I keep meaning to watch VERONICA MARS. She is so likable as is he. Article in NEW YORK MAGAZINE about the writer of NOBODY. Very much based on her life.
Jackie was a big VERONICA MARS fan.
Mi wife was also a big VERONICA MARS fan. She joined the Kickstarter to finance the film they did a few years ago. She still has the Kickstarter t-shirt somewhere.
VERONICA MARS was very much a criminous take on the same dynamic as BUFFY THE VAMPIRE-SLAYER. About the only squick it gave me was the degree to which VM seemed to worship her father. It was worth seeing. One of my colleagues on the network desk at TV GUIDE was also a contributor to the revival crowdfund, but TVG didn't pay so very well that I could throw too much in that direction (he didn't have to pay rent, happily for him).
Rob Thomas, as producer/co-creator of VM, did similar work on the similarly worthy PARTY DOWN (Starz) and iZOMBIE (CW).
Loved PARTY DOWN.
I did, as well. The audiences were slow to catch on.
https://actionnetwork.org/events/scare-up-the-vote
https://joycevance.substack.com/p/walz-versus-vance
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