Ear-worms, Errands, & Early Winter

This is what I woke up humming this morning. I must say I could play this score all day and not tire of it.  The brilliant Michael Ball & Il Divo - what’s not to love?  Yes, in case you didn’t already know, I am an incurable romantic.  So shoot me!

Jeffrey picked me up early and we set out in the (suddenly) frigid cold weather.  What happened?  Yesterday it was in the 50s and today we’re shivering in the 28’ F range with 20 mph winds!  And…I cannot wear long trousers because of the leg rash. All my summer shorts are in the laundry Jeffrey was taking home to wash for me and the only sweats I have are way too big for me nowadays. Three of me could fit in them. Not a great look, if you get my drift.

So guess who wore a kilt again today? The more I wear them, the more I love them. I wore the Scottish Wool one - and yes, with underwear - along with a tee-shirt under a long sleeve sport shirt and covered all with a hoodie. When he picked me up, Jeffrey thought I was nuts since he was bundled like an Eskimo or a frozen Elf.  Take your pick.

With lists in hand, we were off!

I had sets of house keys made for Jeffrey and Nicole, so they can get in if I’m not up to opening the door, for any reason. I also shopped for a small electric space heater for the bathroom. There is no vent in there for the central heat and the thermostat died in the old heater that's 10 years old. Bought that, too.

With winter making its early debut, Jeffrey wanted to look for flannel sport shirts.  We stopped at Eddie Bauer, Bass, and Dickies.  Finally found one he liked, a handsome plaid and well made; I probably should have followed his lead, but thought I’ll hold off a bit and see how the money goes. 

Hit the pharmacy for a refilled script that has done wonders for an annoying dry cough I’ve had since the hospital. The cough is almost gone completely. Grocery shopping was next then we headed for a few hot coffees and breakfast.

Happily, the wool kilt kept my torso and lower body warm. Because of the strong winds the only thing to get cold (now stop with the evil minds!) was my nose. The old Twig & Berries were fine, thank you. The hoodie kept my head and ears toasty and the feet weren't bothered at all.

Walked in the door around noon to a strange “chirp” sound that Jeffrey recognized immediately.  I was clueless until we walked into the bedroom.  The chirp was emanating from the smoke alarm, (which I thought was electrical since I had never changed a battery in the years I’ve been here) so Jeffrey asked for a 9V battery and hunted down the battery location inside the device.  Thank the Goddess he was here because I  could not have climbed a ladder to search for the hidden pocket. 

It took him a few minutes of huffing and cursing, following wires, setting off the test alert a few times, to zero in on the exact location. Let’s just say the battery compartment is well hidden. The battery power is only used if the electrical power goes off and it functions silently. How would I have known of the battery’s existence?  I wouldn’t. But FIVE years? That's some long-lasting battery.

He grabbed the laundry bag, the last of the house plants, and the new set of keys.  Then he gave me a hug and headed for home.

After putting everything away, I got into bed and took a short nap. Woke up a while ago with leg and back pain, had a quick sandwich for supper and took a pain med. I am tired, so I think I’ll snuggle into bed and read a few hours until I fall asleep.

Another day of adventure and misadventures; and tomorrow begins with Labs at the Center. Not sure I can stand being out of the house two days in a row.

I am amazed.

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Movie Memories and Music

OK, this is going to be one of those “Brain Fog” posts, so do try to keep up, or at least hang on as long as you feel it’s worth it.

Death has taken away some very special people recently, including Sir Richard Attenborough. Now you may have thought I'd be thinking more of Joan Rivers, but no, my friends. It’s Sir Richard for me this time round.

A brilliant character actor, dramatic actor, great clown, and one of the finest directors the film world has ever seen.  I was reading an Obit penned by his naturalist brother, Sir David, who is a genius in his own right, and putting the 2 together made me think of (hang on here) the original Dr. Dolittle film which starred Rex Harrison as Doctor D., Samantha Eggar, Anthony Newley, and Sir

Richard who played a jovial chap with an extraordinary animal in his company.  The famous “Push-me-Pull-you” as seen above (you had to be there).

Anyway, Attenborough provided a brief and sparkling presence and as I remember, larger than life, even for such a far fetched concept.  You believed.

Apropos of nothing.  Leslie Bricusse (Anthony Newley’s writing partner of many years) wrote a very touching song for the film that suddenly gave me an ear-worm. It's a love song.  Here is a cover of that song by Linda Eder: 

Beautiful, no?  No ifs, ands, or buts, about it. Well, now here’s the song from the soundtrack of the film sung by the Doctor, Rex Harrison.  Guess who he’s singing to and for whom the song was originally written?  You’ll hear it at the very end of the song; the last phrase.

Beautiful, just beautiful. Dear Sophie. 

Isn’t it strange how our chemo-saturated, addled brains toss thoughts about like small boats in a swift moving stream? Just another trip through the Pointless Forest, sans Oblio & Arrow. How my choo-choo-train of thought brought me to this place is beyond me, but I’ve enjoyed the trip.  I hope you did, too.

And so it goes.

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Somehow, I Made it!

It all went smoother than I could have hoped. After e-mailing the family about my needs concerning this baseball game, I felt more comfortable. They covered all the bases. Sorry for the sports metaphor.  

Got the shot this morning and returned home. Family picked me up at 9:30 - our young athlete was already at the field - and the family was considerate enough to find a seating area where the morning sun would be blocked out by the surrounding trees.

When Zack saw me he broke into a smile that could encompass the Universe.  I had no idea that it was so important that I be present.  I am so glad I made the effort and was there for him.

Great. I still don’t know what I watched, but mimicked what the other family members did and nodded when tossed a verbal aside now and then, to fill me in on what I still don’t understand.

Both teams played well, as I understand it, and Zack’s team won the day. And in a scary moment when he was finally off the field and ready to leave, he threw his arms around me and said, “We won ‘cause you could be here with us.  You’re going to get better now.” 

 I. Almost. Lost. It.

After some back and forth it was decided that I needed my rest and couldn’t join in the post-game fun, so I was dropped off at the apartment.  Before I knew it Zack was out of the van and giving me a big bear hug and thanking me under his breath for not failing him; that we’d celebrate future triumphs together and we’d see one another soon.

I don’t know what he sees in me but whatever is good for him matters to me. And that’s that. His parents are the best and are well aware of the situation. Zack’s girlfriend also approves.

Still have a slight fever and feeling congested, so I am going to bed now.

And so it goes.

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R.I.P. Lauren Bacall

New York theater goers guffawed when word got out that Katharine Hepburn was to star in a broadway musical about Coco Chanel.  They roared when it was announced that Bacall was to star in a musical version of All About Eve. 

Applause was a hit and Bacall’s huge gay fan base flooded the theatre, seeing the show more than once.  I admit, I was one of those fans. It’s odd that this Obit doesn’t even mention Applause, which was a real triumph for her and spawned more than a few TV stars of the 70s.

Seeing her in person those few nights, working her ass off, was a thrill after seeing her for so many years on the big screen with Bogey. I was too young to have seen their films in first release, but the NYC art houses played them often, usually a double bill, and I was in film school, after all.

From HuffPo:

Hollywood icon Lauren Bacall, star of films such as "To Have and Have Not" and "Key Largo," died Tuesday at her home in New York City after suffering a stroke, according to reports.
She was 89.
The estate of her first husband, Humphrey Bogart, confirmed the news on Twitter.
Bacall's sultry appearance, smoky voice and provocative roles propelled her to fame, and would inspire generations of actresses. Her mastery of "The Look," a suggestive expression where she lowered her head and glanced up, has taken a place in Hollywood lore.
Bacall and Bogart met while filming 1944's "To Have And Have Not", the first of their four movies together. The couple married in 1945, had two children, and remained together until Bogart's death in 1957. Bacall would go without acting for almost 20 years after his death. (it was actually closer to 15 years.)
Born Betty Joan Perske on Sept. 16, 1924 in the Bronx, the actress had 72 film credits to her name. She began taking modeling and acting classes as a teen, and landed several walk-on roles in theater. A Harper's Bazaar editor hired her to model for the magazine, and she landed on the cover in 1943.
Bacall received her only Academy Award nomination for her supporting role in the 1996 film "The Mirror Has Two Faces," where she played Barbara Streisand's mother, but her list of accolades is indeed substantial. She won two Tony Awards for her stage performances and received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for Career Achievement from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in 1992. In 1997, she received the Kennedy Center Honor, which the Los Angeles Times reports surprised her.
"Listen, I never went into this business thinking of winning anything," Bacall was quoted as saying. "I went into it because I loved it and I wanted to be good at it. It was a form of expression for me. I love to hide behind characters. So [any recognition] I get is a perk. It's just an extra. Just the fact that all that happened to me last year, it is -- well -- fabulous."
Bacall wrote two memoirs, including "Lauren Bacall: By Myself", which won a National Book Award in 1980.

Theses deaths usually come in 3’s - so who is next?

And so it goes.

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Oxford’s ”Out of The Blue”

Yep.  Britain’s Oxford University has an all male A Cappella group called Out of the Blue.  They hail  from different schools within the university, and most all can keep their feet to the beat, as we say. They are really good and some are too cute for words. I thought it was great fun.  Just enjoy.

This is a charity video.  Yes, well.  It’s a medley (?) of songs by Shakira.  I know nothing…really, I don’t.

And so it goes.

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R.I. P. Elaine Stritch.

One of the very best has left us. I first saw her in Sail Away, then, of course, in Company (3 times!) She was everything and all that she put out there and her gay fans ate her up. Two friends attended her last 5 shows at the Carlisle, and said she did a different show each and every night. That takes guts and a certain rapport with your audience. As least I have “At Liberty” on DVD and can see her any time I wish.  But not tonight.  This is so sudden and so sad.

Variety:

Actress Elaine Stritch, star of Broadway hits including “Elaine Stritch at Liberty” and “Show Boat,” who was nominated for multiple Tonys and Emmys, winning three of the latter, has died. She was 89.

Stritch made her stage debut at New York’s New School in 1944. The actress understudied Ethel Merman for “Call Me Madam” while simultaneously appearing in the 1952 revival of “Pal Joey”; later she starred in the national tour of “Call Me Madam.”
Her professional relationship with Sondheim lasted decades. She made famous Sondheim’s sneeringly witty tune “The Ladies Who Lunch” in 1970’s “Company,” sang his enduring “I’m Still Here” in her 2002 solo show and performed in a 2010 revue of his tunes called “At Home at the Carlyle: Elaine Stritch Singin’ Sondheim…One Song at a Time.” The actress appeared in Garth Drabinsky’s smash hit “Show Boat” in 1994 and in Edward Albee’s play “A Delicate Balance” in 1996.
In 2010 Stritch replaced Angela Lansbury as Madame Armfeldt in “A Little Night Music” on Broadway.
The actress was profiled in the 2013 feature documentary “Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me” (photo above), directed by Chiemi Karasawa.

Read the rest HERE.

And so it goes.

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Fortune Cookies? Feh!

“The Mills of the Universe grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small. Patience is necessary at this time.” Yep.  That’s the best they could cough up.

 In truth, I guess it might be better than “You will meet a tall dark stranger who will whisk you away to an exotic location and lay you, honey, like you ain’t never been laid before.”  

Hmm!  On the other hand…

After Chemo and Infusion, I met a friend/co-worker for late lunch today at (think fortune cookie!) afterwards I was supposed to take pictures of him and his two boys - doing what little 3 & 5 year-olds do on muggy summer days. Photos to be sent to the grandparents in Belarus. Their government won’t allow them to visit the US for fear they’ll defect, although they have a well-established, profitable business in the country.

We had just finished lunch when he received a text from his wife calling off the whole adventure.  Seems the boys came home from morning classes at the YMCA with some kind of bug. Neither was feeling well and she thought it a bad idea that I be exposed to them at this time.

She is a nurse and although I was disappointed, I appreciate her concern for my well-being. I have to wear the isolation mask often enough, I don’t want to have the annoyance of it when I’m out having a good time with a friend and his kids.

So, like the responsible adults we are, Alex and I ordered a bottle of wine and chatted for a few hours.  It was just what I needed.  A light-hearted conversation with an intelligent, non-medical-related adult who can identify with my current life. I’m a lucky man.

When I arrived home there was a small package in the mailbox - along with the bills. The return address was Ontario, Canada.  When I opened the package there was another box inside. This one gift-wrapped, but without a card.  It had been raining for some time so the outer packaging was very wet, but the inside wrapping was a mylar gift wrap so the inner box received little damage

Now, there are few people anymore who have my home, snail-mail address (aside from creditors and  hospitals, that is) so unless someone comes forward who ever sent this is a mystery.

As there was no identifying information or instructions (and my birthday is next week), I opened the package.  It’s a deck of Tarot cards. One I’ve not seen before. The deck is called “The Ancestral Path” Quite beautiful. I guess I’m becoming a Tarot Deck collector.  Suddenly, I have five decks and I treasure them all.  There will be more of this surprise later.

Back to the mundane: One new prescription was for something called “the magic mouthwash” which actually is a a few drugs suspended in liquid meant to be swished around the mouth - then swallowed. The idea is to treat the enflamed esophagus so I can eat without choking hazard. I’ve been told it tastes “really nasty” - well I’ve had worse tastes in my 67 year-old mouth, I am sure. 

It needs to be ingested at least a half-hour before eating because it numbs the mouth interior and since I’m pigging out on soup tonight, (did you read that Dr. Spo?) I hope for a smooth transition.

I’d prefer Prime Rib, but that’s out of the question for now.

For now!

And so it goes.

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A Free-Wheeling Freberg 4th, and 1776

I did something I’ve not done on July 4th in the 8 years I’ve been alone and on my own.  I listened to the classic comedy album “Stan Freberg Presents, The United States of America" - all original songs and great sketches with big name (at the time) character and voice actors, including Freeberg, who wrote the whole thing. The great Billy May provides the orchestrations.  It’s been a standard of mine for many years.

A radio station in NYC used to play it every year on the 4th as my friends and I would be lying on the beach at Reis Park laughing and singing along.  Great fun and wonderful memories.

From Vaudeville to a little more high-brow:

The second something was to pop in the DVD of “1976 the Musical” which has become a sort of tradition.  I saw the play on Broadway (with pretty much the same cast), fell in love with the show and music and was very disappointed when a few important songs were cut from the film when it opened at Radio City Music Hall.  I mean, me being such a liberal, and all. It pissed me off.

Fortunately, the Republicans lost power and some of those songs and scenes were eventually restored for the Director’s Restored Version of the film on DVD.  This is the one I own.

One of the most important songs cut from the film was “Cool, Cool Considerate Men” perceived as a direct swipe at the Nixon Administration, it was ordered scrapped, even destroyed.  Fortunately for us, that didn't happen...

From Wikipedia:

The song "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men" depicts Revolutionary War–era conservatives as power-hungry wheedlers focused on maintaining wealth. According to Jack L. Warner, the film's producer and a friend of U.S. President Richard Nixon, Nixon pressured him to cut the song from the 1972 film version of the show, which Warner did. Nixon apparently saw the song as an insult to the conservatives of his time, it suggesting that the conservatives were the ones who were hindering American Independence as they danced a minuet singing the song that included the stanza, 

Come ye cool, cool considerate set 

We'll dance together to the same minuet

To the right, ever to the right 

Never to the left, forever to the right 

To further complicate things as mentioned above, the song is anachronistic, because, the terms "right" and "left" in politics were not coined until the French Revolution. Warner also wanted the original negative of the song shredded, but the film's editor secretly kept it intact. It was only decades later that the song was restored to the film.

So: Much praise for secretive, farsighted film editors. 

And: Damn Republicans! Always trying to rewrite history in their image.  Hrumpf!

The film  is long, but never boring, at least to me.  Ken Howard is always delicious to watch, especially with red hair. And, when the courier sings "Mama, Look Sharp" I always cry like a baby...never fails.  Great song, powerful statement.

The 40 year old film, a period piece, holds up very well. There is plenty for the eyes and mind to absorb; historic accuracy be damned.  Yes, the Congress was held in secrecy, but the play is a fly-on-the-wall kind of interpretation of what might have happened given existing records of what was reported as happening. Call it “artistic license” and be done with it. 

Anyway, that’s my story of celebrating the 4th. and I’l sticking to it.  As the film ended I heard the explosions of the fireworks display going off over the ocean a few blocks away.  That was enough for one holiday.

My clothes had dried out nicely, supper was delicious, and I was done in for the day.

I brushed my teeth and went to bed.

And so it goes.

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R.I.P. Paul Mazursky

Many good works, and some so awful they're hard to think about, or even remember. 

New York Times:
Paul Mazursky, an innovative director and screenwriter who both satirized and sympathized with America’s panorama of social upheavals in the late 1960s and ’70s in films that included “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” “Blume in Love” and “An Unmarried Woman,” died on Monday in Los Angeles. He was 84.
A family spokeswoman, Nancy Willen, said he died of pulmonary cardiac arrest at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Mr. Mazursky lived in Beverly Hills.
As the nation’s counterculture revolution shattered traditional norms of sex, marriage and conformity, Mr. Mazursky made his most popular and commercially successful films: lighthearted sendups of wife-swapping, yoga classes, group therapy, pot-smoking, midlife crises and other self-absorbed, middle-class indulgences that reviewers said he crafted with even-handedness and generosity.
Some critics complained that his satire wasn’t cutting enough. Others called his comedies crisp at a time when behavior was at its fuzziest. Vincent Canby, in a 1976 analysis in The New York Times, acknowledged: “Mazursky is a tough man to handle critically. He is alternately witty and brilliantly sarcastic, then suddenly, soddenly sincere and self-centered, only to explode unexpectedly as a first-rate social satirist.”
In his most vivid illustration of the technique, he explored the pain and dislocation of divorce, and its liberating effects, in “An Unmarried Woman,” released in 1978 and quickly embraced by the women’s movement. His screenplay was nominated for an Academy Award, while the film itself was nominated for a best picture Oscar and Jill Clayburgh for best actress.

More HERE.

And so it goes.

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Michael & Vito

Since this photo - and related video was released the so-called media hounds have been apoplectic in their attempts to identify the smaller white guy wrapped in Michael’s arms sucking face.

Well, his name is Vito Cammisano, who was on the swim team - and OUT athlete - at the same university as Michael.  I think they make a handsome couple.  I don’t care what the homophobic sports jocks think.

As you may know, I am not a fan of American (grunt) Football.  I prefer soccer, for obvious reasons. That's another story. But, I do have one major concern, however. And that is accidents (or otherwise major injuries) to Michael on the playing field.  Call me paranoid, but I don’t trust the locker room mentality of these guys, most of whom cannot write an intelligent sentence or speak in words of more than 2 syllables. If you get my drift.

Still, I think they make a great couple and wish them both well.

More later.

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Wurst Wins Eurovision.

I know I'm a little late with this, but I don't have TV service and it took a while to find out more details.  Conchita's win even has some old Russian (Soviet) Politicians bemoaning the fact that the USSR freed Austria.  He says, "we should have stayed:

"There's no limit to our outrage. It's the end of Europe. It has turned wild. They don't have men and women any more. They have 'it'.  Fifty years ago the Soviet army occupied Austria. We made a mistake in freeing Austria. We should have stayed." - Former Duma vice chairman Vladimir Zhirinovsky, reacting to the Eurovision win of Conchita Wurst.

Be that as it may, they didn't stay and Conchita is a huge hit all over Europe.  And I, for one, am thrilled, elated.  The song is powerful and her performance is excellent.  There is nothing we cannot accomplish.

More later.
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What’s That in the Mirror?

Animal, Mineral, or Vegetable?  Maybe a mutation of all three.  Whatever it is, it’s ghastly. 

But it IS alive. Of that I am sure. It’s the first day of May and the first time I’ve looked into a mirror in 3 days. I mean, what’s the point? 

Trying to get coordinates for the day and so far I’ve only succeeded in spilling coffee on myself, burning the sourdough toast to a fare-thee-well, and tossing out a few not-so-fresh vegetables that never made it into recipes I did not make.

Checked my email to find out what (if anything) I should attend to, only to find a nice surprise waiting for me. A $100.00 Amazon Gift Card from a company I’ve been doing surveys for since 2006. Who knew they offered such rewards? I never noticed these things before.  

Seems whenever one completes a survey 500 points are added to that account. I usually get 1 survey weekly, or 3 monthly, depending on what’s happening in the world. I just complete the surveys for fun to offer my opinions.  They want opinions, I got'em! But there it is. It will take a week or two to be delivered to my home address, but hey!, a surprise like that is well worth the wait. 

The wound is just about healed.  All the sani-strips have fallen off and the skin looks pretty healthy underneath.  The healing time has been longer than usual because of the Danazol, a steroid that inhibits all these good things the body wants to do.  (Sigh!) The itching is driving me crazy, so that’s a good sign.  I guess.

Just in time, too. I have Labs this morning to check the usual CBC as well as the reaction to the Chemo. Seriously, I’ve had no overt negative symptoms to the Chemo, which surprises me since I’ve had such violent reactions to other not-so-lethal drugs.  But, I’ll take that as good news if it’s doing anything positive to address and heal the disease.

I think a shower and a good face-scraping will make me feel a whole lot better, so that’s where I’m heading next. Maybe that will cheer me up and give a  positive spin to this otherwise dismal, gloomy, rainy day.

And so it goes.

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It's a Blogiversary!

And it's Mine!

Today begins the 8th year of this little one bedroom corner of the blogosphere and I must say, it's been quite a ride.

It was the prodding of Ron (the dear gossip) over at Retired in Delaware that finally got me going.  He insisted that others would be interested in what I had to say; that I am a good writer, and blah blah blah.

I've never considered myself a writer.  I write pretty much the way I speak in conversation, so that's really what I do. Some people are driven to distraction by my use of the "comma" since I use it to pause just as I do in natural speech. 

When I published the very first post, my old life was crumbling around me, my house was up for sale, the Ex was in the process of building his new house with his new flame, and within the next 4 months I would go from homeowner to homeless.

The Ex took everything (even gifts given to me) and I had nothing. Boxes of books, clothes, CDs, and the PC - that was it. Life was bleak and I was lost and alone for the first time in 30 years. 

First move was disaster. Thought by renting a bedroom from a (then) friend, I would be helping him out of financial stress, but it was an ugly setup by the Ex and his (whatever) and I was kicked out without due notice, explanation, or monetary compensation. He kept my money, period.  His karma. 

While physically healthy, mentally was another story. I was falling to pieces. I wrote sparingly about those personal trials, mainly because I couldn't believe people treated others so badly and had little regard for their feelings. Anyway, hindsight isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Second move was to a beautiful apartment in the back waters on the marshes near Delaware Bay. Peaceful and healing environment. That place, the jewelry store and then the part-time gig at Dos Locos helped me dig out of some heavy debt, and get through.

The job at the jewelry store and a few early readers kept me closer to sanity and away from the edge of the cliff of the mentally disturbed. Slowly I began to put a new life together and bit by bit, I stepped out of the shadows of the past, let it go and embraced the new places life was taking me. It was time to move on, again.

The third move (2010) into this tiny place in the center of this tiny beach town was the best of the lot, of course. 

Fortunately, when the jewelry store closed in 2009, I became employed full time at Dos Locos and, as they say, when one door closes, another one opens. Usually a better one. That was certainly true in my case. 

I love living in town, love(d) my job, (miss it terribly) love sharing adventures, silly stories of the quirks of the place and people, and wouldn't change a thing. 

The current health situation being the exception.  But, I'm not going there today.  

Today is a celebration, of sorts. Over the years bloggers and readers have come and gone and I like to think some who've have hung around and commented through the years, have become like friends.  I've even met some personally (hope to meet more down the road) and they've taught me a lot.  Probably not intentionally, but from these total strangers I've learned a good bit about kindness and generosity, and all through this here web thingy…….

So today I indulge in two units of fresh blood (the blood of an 18-year-old, as they say at the Center) in the hope that I may still be around come the next blogiversary in 2015. It may not be much, but it is something positive to focus on, if you get my drift. 

So mote it be.

*

O.M.G. "COSMOS - 2014"

I mean, if you haven't seen this already, just look at the promo for the new series. Breathtaking!!!

Thirty four years (half my lifetime) ago, for the first 3 months of 1980 I sat glued to the tiny black & white TV set in my West 4th. Street, NYC apartment. I was captivated, mesmerized watching all 13 episodes of Carl Sagan's masterpiece series, "COSMOS: A Personal Voyage."  I also made a point of watching the series when PBS ran again it during their annual Pledge Drive later that same year.  Talk about dedication!!!

Cosmos is one of the brightest jewels in the PBS crown and, as I've viewed  episodes on YouTube, the series holds up beautifully even today.

Now I see that the late Carl's partner in life and science crime,  Ann Druyan, has taken the plunge once more providing all new information, and updating what wasn't (couldn't be) known 34 years ago. The new series begins airing this weekend on FOX and National Geographic stations. 

The frontman (presenter) this time round is my hero of Astrophysics, (after Sagan, of course) Neil deGrasse Tyson. The story of Tyson's history with Sagan going back to when Neil was 17 years-old,  proves that this series was destined to happen. It was written in the STARS, as they say.  Hey, don't laugh.  I'm holding back a gusher, here.

I have to say that THIS series would be the only reason I would love to have access to television service today.  Sadly, I do not have service and at this point, I couldn't afford it, anyway.

I won't embed it here, but if you're curious about how exciting Tyson can make you feel about science, here is a LINK to a video of his appearance on Moyers & Company back in January. The video is less than a half-hour and full of wit, humor, science, questions and answers. Enjoy.

It's off to bed for me now.  A transfusion appointment is scheduled for 7:30 am tomorrow; I think that means I'm in for a 2-unit, all-day marathon.

And so it goes.  

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Super Bowl Caturday

A Blast from the past.

And so it goes.
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Pete Seeger R.I.P

Remembering how The Weavers were vilified, then watched the individual black-balling and smearing of Pete and his message.  Watching him overcome all that to become the great American poet and troubadour in his later years gave me such joy and hope.  Especially during my own anti-war years.

One of a kind. He done good!  He's gone home now. 

And so it goes.

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Spoiled Souls, Frank Capra's Lost Horizon, and a Black & White Victory

Everyone I know who was going away for the holidays has gone. Those staying behind are whining about missing out.  These are the same people who went on ski vacations last winter to Vermont and Switzerland.  The same ones who went on a cruise to no-where this summer.  You know, those poor, unfortunate souls. 

(Bring up the tiny Violins, and more cowbell over here, please!)

Watched Frank Capra's Lost Horizon yesterday, not having seen it in a few years, and marveled at his filmmaking genius. Great cast, shot on a shoestring budget and he had a winner for the ages all round. The fascinating stories surrounding the film are legion and the film holds up today, even without a new digitally mastered DVD. (Anyone hear that?  Hint, Hint!)

The one good thing about viewing films alone is that one can watch scenes or bits of scenes over and over to get more out of them.  I do this a lot. Even before film school with only 16mm prints available (no video tape or DVD back then) I would check them out of the visual arts lending library at MOMA on the weekends and enjoy a feast for 2 days. 

With the invention of VHS then DVD this hobby was made ridiculously easy.  I did it yesterday…with Lost Horizon.

People say as we get older we get nostalgic for the good old days.  Well, I am one who doesn't think the "good old days" of my youth are anything to celebrate (A topic for another post, if I'm still around to write it) but the films of the so-called Golden Age of Hollywood (30s thru 50s) - the harsh realities of the studio system notwithstanding - gave us the best art and entertainment at a very low price. 

I am told there is a DVD box set containing many of Capra's films (couldn't be all of them, puleeze, who could afford it?) and if there is one of his films I'd love to see again, right now, it's probably one of the most difficult to find. "You Can't take it with You." 

Again, a great cast, brilliant writing and a story for the ages. Capra pretty much had his own stock company at the studio.  You're likely to see the same players in many of his films with the  majority of additions being leading players.

About 30 years ago as old Hollywood heaved it's last breath and Ted Turner was the master of all the vaults and archives, he decided to take all the BEST black & white films in "his" vast acquired library and colorize them for marketing to new audiences who (he thought) would never sit through a B&W film again.  Of course, he ignored the popularity of films like Paper Moon and others of the 70s - all first run and award nominees. Turner was not a film person. 

It's hard to explain really; one didn't need to see colour to experience it in our imagination - cinematically. We knew Jezebel's gown was red, we were told it was and we saw it so.  Turner clearly had no knowledge for the way lighting design, costumes and set decorations were integrated into the making of a visually exciting B&W experience.  He would listen to no one. It was a huge mistake.

The results were disastrous and he lost tons of money in the process. No one wanted to see a sickly pink younger version of Jimmy Stewart, Thomas Mitchell, Lionel Barrymore, Clark Gable, or Gary Cooper on their home screens.  Turner finally admitted defeat and dropped the rest of the project.  And we are the beneficiaries of the backlash from film buffs all over the world.  Myself, included. I was a member of the New York Film Society and American Film Institute at the time.  You can be sure I put my 2-cents in. 

I don't know what happened to all the VHS copies of  the colorized classics, but I am sure someone somewhere is still hoarding them waiting for a comeback. They will make a killing.  (Ahem.) Remember 8-track tapes???

Jeez, where did all that come from?  Dunno. 

Anyway, We can go into "fullscreen" vs "letterbox" at a later date, too.  Aren't you excited?  Oh, just say, YES! and let move's on. 

One of my all-time favorite holiday films is "It's a Wonderful Life" (yes, Frank Capra) and I just may watch that one tonight.  Capra always had a political viewpoint, and the film's story line is more appropriate today than ever.  Besides, I still love my angel, Clarence, after all these years.

And so it goes.

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2013: What Brought Us Together

A video compilation of the year.  A little earlier than usual, but I guess that's to be expected from a year that was full of explosives - good and bad.

Here's the description from the YT site:

Published on Dec 16, 2013

A six-minute tribute to some of the moments, people and stories that 'brought us together' this year, from tragic to triumphant, challenging or inspiring. Here's to 2013.

And so it goes.

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A Search, A Celebration, & A Surprise

Yesterday I began shopping for a new phone. Chose to remain with the present carrier, so the search was on at their site for their offerings. This kind of shopping is like no other. A phone by a manufacturer may look the same as another model - price appears to be the only difference - the features of one may overshadow the other. And, many of those gimmicks are lost on me. I have no idea what they're for, how to use them and probably will have no use for them anyway. 

I looked at smartphones like mine, (it's still available and tempting to go with what I already know) then I thought of going back to the simple life with a flip-phone. They cost so little and are much smaller today than my last one.

However, the reality of my fat fingers tapping on teeny-tiny keyboards turned me off to that option.  Oh, how quickly we are spoiled. I could never use one of those tiny things again and besides, I've gotten used to using the bluetooth, voice-texting option. Like I said, spoiled.

So I shopped and shopped, compared various options (I mean, what is advanced GPS and how will it make my life/world better?) and manufacturers, including LG, Virgin's own "AWE" (not making this up) with a "Apple-like front facing camera for video and chat", to Samsung's sleek new Android version of a Mercedes, until mine head vas schpinning.  Who knew there were so many different phones with all those options?  Not I.

I was dizzy, more confused than ever.  Decided a breather was in order with either a cold compress or a good night's rest. I chose the latter. Slept like a stone. Dreamed of owls and woke well rested.

Today's diversion - a couple of hours celebrating Linda's (our GM) 50th birthday party at the restaurant - was a marvelous time. Attended by many of her Irish friends as well as other locals and restaurant staff it was grand to be out celebrating with Linda, as well as celebrating being out in general. I had a glass of wine, schmoozed, and made the rounds. Great fun but I quickly tired out, said my good-byes, and drove home.  

Two social engagements, 2 days in a row…how much more could my poor little heart handle? It felt good to be alive and out among the living, especially with dear friends/co-workers who did their damnedest to take care and watch over me.  Bless them, really. 

Anyway…Meanwhile, back sat the ranch...

The new phone saga continued. With clear head and un-crossed eyes a return to the search brought up a tab unnoticed yesterday.  Under the "Specials" menu I spotted an item called "iPhone4 - Apple". I didn't know what to make of it, never dreamed Virgin would (could) offer Apple products.  I was wrong. Then I thought they must be refurbished.  Wrong again.

Clicking on "details" under iPhone4 I got quite a shock. New phones with all standard features - but no price.  A "Place in cart to see special price." appeared.  So I did. Happy surprise.  How much more of this can I take?  Dunno, but I am liking it. 

For $199. (12 payments financed) or prepaid for $99. the iPhone4 could be mine.  Well, say Hello to a no-brainer!  Whipped out the Discover Card (extra 5% cash back on online purchases through 12/31) with free 1-day shipping, and I'll receive a $15. credit for returning the dead phone.

Well, before you could say, "Prissy, get the rose water" I clicked the "Place Your Order" button and the new phone will be in my hot little hands tomorrow between 8 am and 8 pm. There weren't many left, and I believe I snagged the last White one available.  I didn't see clues that this was only a Holiday Weekend Special, but I am happy I found it. It's nice to know Virgin is an authorized Apple carrier.  Who'da thunk it?

The iPhone4 is not the latest and greatest (that would be me, of course!) but it's more than I will ever need.

Activation is free, and I'll find out if I keep my present phone number or must select a new one.  I'm not overly attached to the present number anyway, so a new one may be on my gay agenda in the near future. The current month's usage should carry over to the new phone.  Again, there is no extra charge for the iPhone service. I get to keep my current plan.

Stunned, pleased, and giddy from wine and the all round good vibes.  Yes, that's the ticket. That is a good day.

And so it goes.

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Colour me puzzled.

For some unknown reason an email notice that a $250.00 credit in my name issued by Amazon found its way to my inbox today.  I have no idea how this could have happened. Quelle surprise!

Now, I keep track of all expenditures and of course, all items  purchased from the big A.  Filed away for various reasons: date of purchase, warranty info, prices, purchases from partnered companies via Amazon, product categories, gifts, gift cards, etc., and I cannot figure out where this windfall is coming from.

In all the years I've done business with the big A, I have had to cancel 2 orders  and only because the items were on back order for weeks and wouldn't arrive in time for the gift-giving.  But, those were years ago and my account was never charged (Amazon doesn't charge for an item until it is shipped) for those orders.  I checked.

OK, At first I thought it was spam, phishing, or some slick sales come-on, but links and return address were legit.

 I am a Prime Member and believe me, that pays for itself every year. Free film streaming, ebooks, two-day shipping are convenient, welcome luxuries.  Customer service follow-up to questions regarding product descriptions,  or improperly filled orders have been resolved quickly and smoothly.  These have been rare instances, to be sure.

No, it isn't a gift card from some unknown admirer - I should be so fortunate - and the note states I can use any or all of the amount on a purchase now or it can remain in my Amazon account until I do.

I sent an email reply asking for details as I am curious to learn more. So, we shall see what they have to say.

The only thing I need to order soon are Senseo coffee pods. The last local hold out locally finally succumbed to Keurig-mania and discontinued all else. If you happen to have a Senseo machine, don't give up hope.  Friend Peter (at Tippin' the Scales) reminded me that Amazon still carries the Senseo product line, which now includes more brands then ever.  More variety, too.  Prices and quality are far better than those for Keurig packages.  A pod costs about half  that of a k-cup.  The coffee is better, too.

Oy!  Back to Standard Time!

The time change this year really fucked up my system and nerves. And my nervous-system and the systemic system of nerves and...never mind.  Having set the clocks back before turning in last night, imagine my surprise when I woke up to see the clock across the room reading 3:45 am!  My internal clock said it was 4:45 closer to my usual wake-up time. My body clock usually works fine, but this year it looks like it will take some time to adjust. I can always blame it on the drugs…yeah, that's it.  The drugs!

I dread the shorter days more than ever. Not a big fan of nightfall at 4 pm every day.  Must hang on until December 22, when the days begin getting longer again.  Even if it's only a minute or 2 each day. That always cheers me up.

Didn't visit the restaurant today.  Didn't have the energy to face the stares because of the damned mask or field questions to which I have no answer.  Instead, I'll stop by tomorrow for a longer visit; it won't be as crowded and I can sit and chat for a while. Aside from the low-grade fever of last week everything seems to be going along OK. Maybe I ought to knock off the health-related updates, since I doubt many readers are interested in hearing about that stuff. It's scary and boring.  I know.  Trust me!

Still, it is what it is, after all.

And so it goes.
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