6 of 7

"Are you referring to the Borg from "Star Trek" with that designation?"

Um, no. That would be Seven of Nine, and she/he/it was a Borg drone, who was in several episodes of "Star Trek: Voyager", one of the spinoff series. I'm simply stating the number of movies in the NCG Rom-Com Film Festival that Carolyn and I saw together. Including the one from today, that would be six of the seven! This last one was "My Best Friend's Wedding", which was a perfect end, just as the Elvis film was perfect as the first one for us. Lots of music and talk of friendship!

 

"I thought you owned that Julia Roberts movie."

 

Yes, Comcast did reward me with that one. And, yes, I did see it quite recently. However, I watched Cameron Diaz in her debut movie last weekend and it was good to see her again. Good for her for accepting her lack of singing ability and being brave enough to let it be used for humor! That's really her singing "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" in the karaoke scene. And her 24-year-old self is so charming that the initial boos turn to loud applause as she croaks her way through it!

 

"But she was so good singing in the nightclub in "The Mask"!!!"

 

No, dear, she just looked good doing that. She lip-synced "Hey, Baby, Ain't I Good To You", but it was Susan Boyd who sang for 'Tina Carlyle'. 

 

"Oh! Wow. I guess they must have really wanted Cameron for her looks."

 

Perhaps so. She was just 21 years old then. But for this movie, Julia Roberts picked her to be in it. Amazing, right? She recognized her comedic talent.

 

"That's great! What a nice little tidbit of trivia!"

 

Carolyn is just full of stuff like that. We talked about the movie from last week, "How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days", too, which we'd had to see separately, due to schedule conflicts.  

 

"Yes, I recall you saying that. Did y'all die at Chili's?"

 

We did! When she asked where I wanted to go, that's what I said, so that's where we went. I was wanting some chips and salsa, as well as that Cajum Shrimp Alfredo Pasta. As I told our waitress, Lexi, I am hooked on that dish! I ate all the shrimp, and the bread, but took most of the pasta home for another meal. I took home most of the chips, too, as well as a fresh serving of salsa that Lexi brought me! This is the third time I've had her there.

 

"Very nice to have leftovers!"

 

Most def! And when I arrived home, the Universe had one last thing for me.

 

"Let me guess! A cool odometer reading!"

 

You betcha!

I almost missed it, too, but a flicker of light drew my eye.

Mileage: 245030.

A nice round number...

must be from Mama. 

Right place, right time...

watching a movie about friendship...

spending time with a friend!

(smile!)

my left foot

No, that isn't a reference to the 1989 movie with Daniel Day-Lewis.

I can't even believe that sprang to mind, as long ago as it was.

Perhaps my mental jukebox keeps track of movie stuff, too, to cue up for me when a stray phrase drops a quarter.

At any rate, I'm literally talking about my left lower appendage.

Kindly ignore for the moment that it's wearing a sandal in February.

Notice the toenails, please.

See how nicely trimmed and neat-looking they are?

Now, take a gander at my right foot, also sandal-clad.

Again, focus on the toenails.

These are all different lengths and not nearly as nice as the ones on the other foot.

That's because I can easily bend down and take care of my left foot.

Not so for the right side, as the inguinal hernia prevents that flexibility.

I did manage to contort enough to catch that middle toe, though, by standing with my heel down and my toes all straining upward to the clippers.

However, when I tried to get to the toe between that one and the little toe, the clippers only succeeded in nicking the toe and making it bleed.

That's why I was so grateful for a warm day so I could wear sandals.

Yesterday had not quite been as warm, nor will tomorrow be.

But the weather song had predicted the low 70's and it's actually been better than that for this Thursday.

Most excellent!

That allowed me to go wash clothes in shorts and sandals, again.

I had known it must be time... I was almost out of panties!

Remember: I have a drawer just for them!

Now, all of those will be clean, as well as all the long pants and my favorite sweaters, as well as a few socks.

Well, the ones for the left foot, at least.

I'm so looking forward to seeing the surgeon about that hernia!

The appointment is on Tuesday and I am so ready for it!

ggbd, revisited

Part of me misses this grand day of silliness.

Goth Girl Blog Day... just saying the words seems silly. 

Part of me, though, still observes it in remembrance of Sam Johnson.

It's thanks to him that I went to my very first Dragon*Con.

Had he not convinced my Mom's BFF to take us there in 2008, how would my life be different?

Would I have gone those other times to show off my cosplay designs?

Would I?

My little girls are not yet of an age to share that event, but, soon.

I am realizing that time passes just a bit faster these days.

Perhaps that's akin to parallax error?

Watching my children grow certainly seems to speed up time.

Nice to have this day to help me mark it.

memories of warm days, to you and you and...

This went to my first niece yesterday.

Her two tiny musicians are Girl Scouts now.

The photo on my phone is from C J's 13th birthday party in 2022.

That meant July, with warmth in the air!

"Wow," was her reply.

The next photo went to her mom.

That's from Chloe's 5th in October 2023.

My outlaw Melinda replied almost instantly, "Miyah bday. Cool."

I get it - Miyah's 5th had been at the same place the year before.

I said, "Near some lake. Really nice warm day!"

"Yes it is."

Yes, it is!

The third photo went to my eldest niece.

This is the most recent photo I have of her, her mom, and her daughter.

They were at the Jenkin's BYOP in 2023.

"Love the blast from the past," Christy replied.

I told her, "Love the three generations!"

That was a sunny, warm day, too.

The fourth photo through the ether went to the hostess of that party.

This one, though, was her and a group at a party that she didn't host.

It was taken a month before the other photo, when Harry was doing well.

Robin loved the image.

"Happy, warm time," I texted back.

All the way to Augusta went photo 5, to my oldest paternal cousin!

That's her in the middle, doing karaoke!

This is a little earlier, but the same year as the last three.

Bev texted, "So much fun!"

"Sure was! Hoping to see y'all for Easter."

Now, I need to find out when that holiday will be this year!

What a fun way to spend some time with others this has been: sharing photos and memories!

Makes me warmer already!

cold day, hot men: part 2

Subtitle: Thanks, James Van Der Beek, for making a hero move.

See, I figured out why this special from December of 2024 was re-aired.

On February 11th, that actor who'd been in "Dawson's Creek" died.

James would have been 49 years old next month on March 8th.

That's him, second from the right, in the brown pullover and tam.

The woman to the left is Mandy Moore, the choreographer of their burlesque dance routine to Joe Cocker's "You Can Leave Your Hat On."

Starting from the left, the men are Bruno Tonioli, Taye Diggs, Anthony Anderson, Chris Jones, James Van Der Beek, and Tyler Posey.

As diverse as their ages (in 2024) are their distinguishing features.

Bruno is the 68-year-old Italian dance machine of the stars.

Taye is the 53-year-old hunk that once helped a new divorcee find her strengths and get her groove back.

Anthony, at 54, represents the chunky boy next door that could always make you laugh and feel pretty, as a game show host always should.

Chris, that tall drink of water in the middle, at 30 years old and a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, fulfills every woman's fantasy of making it with a buff football player.

James, 47 years old, was the genteel white dude who had been a teen-bop heart throb on television.

Tyler, the tattooed 33-year-old Latino with the musical background, is the perfect addition for the six-man team. 

Together they represent a flavor for every female fantasy, which was obvious when Bruno, Tyler, Chris, Anthony, James, and Taye took the stage for that one-night performance in Los Angeles.

But let me set the record straight: this was not a Chippendales strip show.

Anthony Anderson had lost his father and three brothers to cancer and wanted to do something to encourage men to take action.

He knew that men, no matter what race, have a problem with associating going to a doctor with stripping down and showing weakness.

What might put that action into proper perspective than to strip down with a few others, in front of an audience, and to bare all in the name of fighting prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer?

He went ahead and booked the theater where the show would be held.

The problem, then, was trying to get other male celebrities to bring their star power for that fundraiser.

The first to show up was Taye Diggs, unsure of whether he really wanted to strip down, but wanting to honor the deaths of his mom and dad to cancer.

Bruno Tonioli was the next to walk through the door for the training session; he'd come to honor his friend and mentor.

Chris Jones showed up just a few days before the show, to replace a man who'd had to leave; Chris was there to honor his coach.

Tyler Posey's mom had died of breast cancer, having postponed going to the doctor until it was too late.

That had almost been James Van Der Beek's story, but with him being the one who had waited until almost too late.

As he finally told the others at dinner a few nights before the show, he had known something was wrong, but he didn't want to see the doctor, afraid his worst fears might be true.

That sounds like exactly what Daddy had done in 2008, and like exactly what Mother Pat had done in 2006. 

Both of them were dead within a year.

Now, James Van Der Beek has died, after a three-year battle.

The re-airing of the 2024 special was done to continue to raise awareness.

Fox even kept the QR code onscreen at all times, encouraging viewers to donate to support colorectal cancer research.

That truly is a disease that should claim no lives and cause no heartbreak, as a simple screening can lead to its discovery and treatment.

Want to be a man that takes care of his loved ones?

Get a colonoscopy.

Have a prostate exam.

See your doctor on a regular basis so they know you.

Cancer doesn't discriminate, it's an equal opportunity killer.

cold day, hot men: part 1

At least the weekend was nice.

Now it's Monday and the sheer agony of Hell has descended back upon this latitude, borne on winds from the north.

A high of maybe 49 F???

Followed by a low back into the 20's tonight that persists into early morn?

How preposterous and ugly is that???

Fortunately, I'm retired, so I don't have to get out into that for work.

Unfortunately, Two First Posts has a meeting at 1630 to discuss moving forward with plans for a soft opening next month.

At least it will still be daylight.

Meanwhile, I enjoyed a last viewing of "The Mask" with brunch today!

What, no breakfast?

Nope!

Not when the weather is posting temperatures in the 30's at 10 AM.

I stayed in bed until noon, thanks.

I'm so glad this dollar-movie-night reward was waiting to entertain me again.

That may not be my Elvis, but he's close enough for me!

I'm sure Jim Carrey was given free rein to say whatever sprang to mind during that shape-shifting scene in the cabaret.

"Tell Auntie Em not to forget to feed Old Yeller for me."

Hahahaha... I'm sure that confabulation wasn't scripted!

"Tell Tiny Tim I won't be home for Christmas."

Might that have been a reference to another green-faced person who's been around since Jim Carrey was just two years old?

"Tell Scarlett that I do give a damn."

Well, he'd started with a reference to a classic from 1939, might as well end with another from that year!

Jim was 32 years old when "The Mask" came out in 1994...

as was my "Clark Gable" middle brother, also born in 1962.

We all grew up with those movies on the TV every year, firmly etched onto our memory.

My guess is Jim Carrey's mental jukebox is slapped loaded with snippets from every movie he's ever seen, just waiting to be inserted into quips!

That's fine by me.

I just love those inside jokes!

Okay, let me get psyched up to go outside to that American Legion meeting.

Good to know I have more hot men waiting here for my return.  

Last Wednesday, Fox re-aired "The Real Full Monty" and I saved it.

Of course, I've been tied up with all the Olympics ice dancing and figure skating events, breaking out my analytical chemist skills on all that data, so I haven't had much time for regular shows. 

And, yes, Jim Carrey is hot, in a boy-next-door way.

Plus, I love a man who can make me laugh!

(smile!)

o weather song, o weather song, why so many changes?

On the 9th, a Monday, I could not go to Music Bingo.

By 7 PM, the time it was to begin, the temperatures were already falling, with a -5 degree wind chill. 

Yes, I had gone out earlier, when the sun was out... but not after sundown.

That chilly vampire can bite into my heart! 

I checked back on the WSAV weather song on Wednesday, the 11th.

Tuesday and Wednesday had been blessedly warm as forecast, so much so that I had the windows thrown open to let all that in!

The song was to go right into its usual notes, with a slight warming trend!

 

That allowed me to plan on completing my AMC A*List trio that Thursday, which I did... kinda sorta.

Yes, I did see the Korean pop concert, but that was last Saturday. 

Yes, I did watch "Goat", the animated basketball movie with the inside joke in its anagram title - Greatest Of All Time - and laughed a lot!!!

Here's another inside joke: the giraffe is voiced by Stephen Curry, who literally is the GOAT for having popularized the 3-point shot.

So, what makes this a kinda sorta trio?

I didn't actually watch "Mercy" a second time, I just got a ticket for it.

Hopefully that will mean it will stay a bit longer!

 

Friday the 13th didn't quite make the note forecast, and steadily chilled.

However, its tune changed for the better after that, with a promise of super-duper 70's by midweek! 

Despite the chill in the evening, I still made it for the S&K Friday Fiesta and even treated myself to the Caldo Tlalpeno for a change.

Consider it a variation on chicken soup, with slices of avocado lurking within.

It was very tasty, but I didn't eat that roasted pepper on top - too hot for me!

So nice to see my brothers, SILs, Betsy, Jimmy, and Becca!

Lots of hugs to get... and to give!

 

Time to jump ahead two more days to Sunday, the 15th.

I had hoped to see an improvement for Monday, but it was the same.

No Music Bingo or Rom-Com Film Festival that night!

But I did go to a movie on Saturday and an SBHF7 event Sunday.

 

Let's jump right over that low note of Monday and well ahead to the steady notes through Thursday, the 19th, shall we?

Nothing but lovely warmth, even if there was a bit of rain.

Then, up ahead, the joyous tones give way to woe, sinking into the depths of despair and thrashing around in the basement again!

Drats.

Yet another Monday to be spent at home, eh?

That just meant I must plan ahead!

 

I still got in another trio on my A*List.

"Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die", the new science fiction with Sam Rockwell in the lead, was the movie seen on the 14th.

The story chronicled his 117th try at finding the right mix of people at Norm's diner who could help him succeed at giving AI of the future some laws of robotics.

Notice I said it was his 117th effort, so he was getting a bit jaded, but still persevered.   

I liked getting the back story on the people selected for that attempt.

One was a mother whose son was killed at a school shooting and been replaced, free by the government, by a clone.

Two were high school teachers who were at a school where shootings occurred and where substitute teachers were regularly said to have "gone on sabbatical" when they failed to show up.

Very dark at times, but also hopeful.

"Wuthering Heights" turned out to be a tale of obsession, not love.

Sure, it was beautifully filmed, but was a dark tale of broken people.

Only "Solo Mio" truly shone, brilliantly, serving as a love story to Italy.

It was so wonderful to 'be' back in Rome at the Tripoli Fountain and on the Spanish Steps, as I had been in 2012!

I loved 'being' back on the twisty, narrow streets leading to the piazza in Siena, and actually watching Il Palio there!

And I experienced Tuscany's vineyards in a new way, along with music from Andrea Bocelli in his home!

"Nessun Dorma" never sounded more emotional than when sung by that great tenor... and Kevin James, who truly can sing opera!!!

Oh, and what about that NCG Rom-Com Film Festival movie, "How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days"?

I had to see it on my own, as Carolyn and I couldn't seem to get our schedules, and the weather, to cooperate. 

Fortunately, Comcast gave me that one as a reward a few years ago.

 

And just what notes have the weather song from Sunday, February 22nd, included for the week ahead?

Well, it rather reminds me of a line from a Herman's Hermits song.

"I'm Henery the 8th, I am,

Henery the 8th I am, I am,

I got married to the widow next door,

she's been married seven times before,

and every one was a Henery,

(Henery!) 

she wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam,

(No Sam!) 

I'm her 8th old man, I'm Henery,

Henery the 8th I am, I am,

Henery the 8th I am.

Second verse, same as the first!"

See what I mean by that?

Monday is a 'no Music Bingo' Monday yet again, with Tuesday being more of the same cold nonsense.

At least Carolyn and I have made plans to see the last of the Rom-Com movies together on Thursday, with dinner afterward!

I am so thankful for warm days sooner rather than later!