six movies this time, with five for a*list!

... not that anyone could tell from the AMC results.

I'm accustomed to the A*List not being correct, but usually the listing of tickets is a true representation of what happened for me at the cinema.

Nope, not this week!

In fact, the A*List does correctly show the movies I watched as part of my movie-lover's monthly package, though two of the films are grouped together.

Also, it may seem that they have erroneously listed two movies as the same when they should be different, but that is correct as shown.

What is not correct is the doubling of the movie set in Hawaii in the sixpack of movie tickets that are given.

That may have happened when the manager changed the movie time.

I'd bought the ticket for the 4:55 PM show, but then it was shifted to 5:15 PM, and I think perhaps my ticket was "replaced" by the one with the new time, though I only watched the movie once.

Of course, that's "Lilo & Stitch" I'm talking about.

See, I wanted to use my AMC e-gift card to have pizza -

you know, so I could eat pizza with Lilo and Nani in a scene in the movie -

a scene I know from my familiarity with this little monster story - 

and the only way I know to pre-order food is to also pre-order the movie.

Got it?

I knew I wanted this movie to accompany my second viewing of "Stitch Head", so then I would have a grand theme for my first Tina Tuesday of November.

Both have the word "Stitch" in their titles - check!

Both have monsters/aliens in them that scare "normal" people, but then charm them - check!

Both have singing and dancing - check!

Both have dogs - check!

Both have animation and both came out this year - check!

That made them as perfect as a pair could be.

Then I thought to see another pair of movies that AMC was offering as a single A*List selection...

two that were both psychological thrillers...

two that were both foreign-made...

and so I took them up on that offer!

"Vincent Must Die" came out in 2023 and was very well made, even if the title is a bit misleading.

It isn't just 'Vincent' who gets attacked when he catches the eyes of some strangers, but also people like him who call themselves 'Sentinels' and try to steer clear of society.

But is the viciousness transmittable to others?

That gave it a science-fiction flair that I truly enjoyed!

The other film in the 2-for-1 package was "Hallow Road", which starred Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys was parents called to come to the rescue of their teen daughter when she calls in the wee hours.

The problem is, the girl claims to have run over another girl in the woods.

But, did she?

It was a parent's worst nightmare, with quite a twist at the end.

Good science fiction!!!

That made a total of four movies on Tina Tuesday - wow!

As for that first "Stitch Head", that was seen on Halloween.

And I was supposed to see the 40th anniversary showing of "Back To The Future" this afternoon with Carolyn, but she was sick.

I'd already reserved the ticket online so I went...

but the little plastic grommet that held the two pieces of my new shift cable together chose to disintegrate shortly after I got off Truman Parkway...

leaving my car in second gear...

so I'd managed to coax my Saturn to Rincon Transmission on Mall...

as I knew they did not close until 5 PM... 

where they had immediately verified the problem and rectified it by judicious use of a little metal circlet to rejoin the shifter cable pieces...

and I'd chosen to go home rather than to a movie I was an hour late for.

Good choice.

i thank You, God. 

in shorts for laundry day!

"You're in shorts?! But it's November!"

 

True, my dear, but would you just look at that temperature? It's 76 and sunny and oh-so-blessedly warm!!! I've had the house wide open for two days, welcoming all that lovely warmth into the house to counteract the chill from the night.

 

"Good move! That will keep the electric bill below fifty bucks, which is a blessing of its own. It'll be interesting to see what will happen to electric rates since the two Republicans on that council lost their seats yesterday to Democrats."

 

Oh, please, I voted early, so that's been a done deal for me. Glad to know the two I voted for won. But right now, I'm more concerned with reveling in shorts!

 

"Let me guess: the long pants are all in the wash?"

 

Nope! They're in the dryer in this photo! That was taken about an hour ago. I've been home from the laundry for about thirty minutes now. And I had the oddest experience there today! Britney was there, as were two women she knew, and we all chatted and ended up having long hugs and a prayer session. Right place, right time, I tell you. If I had been ten minutes later in arriving, I would have missed that moment of community with strangers. I feel well and truly blessed!

 

"Good for you, dear. Timing truly is everything."

blessed with warm, sunny days!

Yes, after almost a month of highs in the 60's, this week has 70's!!!

Hallelujah, hallelujah!

That's why I enthusiastically answered Elissa's call for Music Bingo with a joyful "I'm in!" this morning!

Exclamation points in abundance!!!

(smile!) 

Sandy was even there at Midtown Sports Grill!

We three didn't have any luck with the four games, but we still had fun!

I do like the themes that Robert chooses, as they show a playful imagination.

The very first game was all Halloween-inspired: "Dead Man's Party", "Werewolves Of London", "Super Freak", "Devil Went Down To Georgia", "Back In Black", "Bad To The Bone", "Zombie Stomp"!

The next game was called the Drinking Songs Mix and had titles like "I Love This Bar", "Beer In Mexico", "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)", "Born To Be Wild", "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer", "Raise Your Glass", "Here For The Party", "Closing Time"!

See what I mean?

And the last game sent us home happy, with songs of our youth still fresh on our lips!

Yes, it was all 70's, looking for a double bingo to win $50, and guaranteed to keep us entertained while we searched and sang along: "Hot Legs", "Margaritaville", "Miss You", "Ballroom Blitz", "Feels Like The First Time", "Black Betty", "Thank You For Being A Friend" - what a fabulous way to end our time together!!!

(smile!)

mad scientists and carnival barkers!

Ken, what is the theme of today's activities for Halloween?

Absolutely correct!

I didn't even catch that gift from the Universe until I was watching a movie!

"Stitch Head" had just started and there was the ring leader, dressed exactly as Drew Carey had been for this morning's "The Price is Right".

How about that???

Right place, right time!  

Then, as the movie proceeded, who should pop up?

A mad scientist, doing as Dr. Frankenstein had, trying to create new life!

Suffering succotash, that's what happened in "Monster Of Ceremonies", the very last cartoon of today's "Toon In With Me"!

Right place, right time again! 

Bill and Toony's theme had been "Mad Scientists", but all of the other cartoons had been variations of "Dr. Jekylll and Mr. Hyde".

How very cool, and 'Guess who?" had a featured role - Woody Woodpecker!!!

I don't see him very often on my Saturdays with Bugs Bunny.

Then the title character of the A*List movie appeared... and the first thing that popped into mind was the Coach baseball my Rogue gave me!

That made "Stitch Head" the absolutely perfect movie for me!!!

And with no S&K Friday Fiesta scheduled - they all had trick-or-treaters coming - that meant dinner elsewhere.

But first, slunch, with Publix having an unexpected treat for me.

As a Publix Perk, I had $2 off my $10  purchase of sushi.

Hooray, an extra 5-buck special this week!

That was especially nice, as I'd missed it on Wednesday.

Now, to get dinner at Panera, courtesy of my blue-sky Penny, before the play!

I wonder what she will buy me this time?

(smile!) 

this just in: the last a*list of the month...

I figured that as long as I was here, I might as well write this up, too.

Otherwise, who can say when I might get to it?

(smile!)

So, where to start?

Oh, yeah: the order shown is not correct.

It starts off just fine, as the first one I saw was the Japanese anime, last Saturday.

I think I'm going to have to start letting these go by unseen.

"Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc" was paced so fast that I had a problem keeping up with the plot.

I probably should have opted for the dubbed version.

The thing is, I enjoy hearing the spoken Japanese.

Perhaps I should deign to watch the dubbed one to catch up on the story.

(smile!)

Now, here's where AMC's listing gets screwy.

The second movie I watched was "Regretting You", and that was on Tina Tuesday.

Maybe AMC got confused because I only wrote about the heart-throb heart doc appointment that I'd had the day before?

I thought the movie was a bit of a heart-throb, but packed with a good story.

I also liked seeing McKenna Grace again, all grown-up from her days of being "Gifted" at Tybee Beach.

True, that was in 2017, so she truly is an adult now.

And her teen-age love interest was none other than Mason Thames, who I've really enjoyed in several films now, not just as Hiccup.

(smile!)

Then, as I mentioned in an earlier post, came "Good Fortune" in the line-up.

That had been the only one that I saw with Carolyn.

Our schedules have been a bit off, but hopefully we'll get back on course during the next week or so.

Maybe I'll even manage to see all four of my allotted A*List films! 

(smile!)

such good fortune at the sound!

"At the sound of what?"

No, you misunderstand. "The Sound" is the name of the band I just heard after seeing "Good Fortune" with Carolyn.

"You went to hear a band? Was that over at Savannah Arts Academy?"

Nope. "The  Sound" is the name of one of the ensembles that are part of the Gretsch School of Music at GaSoU. They performed tonight at the Fine Arts Auditorium on Armstrong - and the concert was free! I tried to get Carolyn to go, but she wanted to see "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the cinema. We didn't have time to grab dinner between the end of "Good Fortune" and the start of our next events. I had hoped we would. She still had something to eat, though - I finally remembered to bring her the two bottles of Butter Pecan Ensure that I told her about months ago! She loved them, too!

'Very good. You've had those saved for her since the spring."

Yes, I know. This time, I knew she would be at AMC, so I made sure to bring them."

"And how was the concert you attended?"

It was fabulous!!! Three women and one man did most of the singing for the seven-member band. Olivia did those songs requiring a deeper tone, like "Living For The City" and "Live And Let Die". Elizabeth had a higher voice that worked great for "Black Velvet" and Toto's "Africa". Anna had just one solo, "Running Up That Hill", sung while she played guitar. Christian also strummed as he sang Jackson Browne's "The Road".

"Wow, what a great variety of songs! Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney And Wings, Alannah Myles, Kate Bush!"

Yes, it was, and I sang along with almost every tune they did! I think I surprised them with that. They stumped me twice with new artists. The very first song was Yola's "I Don't Wanna Lie", then again a couple of songs later with Laufey's "From The Start". I recognized the Joni Mitchell song, but I had to look up its name: "In France They Kiss On Main Street".

"Yeah, I don't think I would have known that one."

 Yes you would have, just not that funky name. I know you would have been singing along with Bonnie Raitt's "Angel From Montgomery", as well as Steely Dan's "Peg" - two of my favorites! Plus, they sang "Stop Dragging My Heart Around" - classic Tom Petty!

"Wow. That's quite a set list for a bunch of twenty-first century college students."

Right? I was so impressed! Can't wait to hear them again! Right place, right time!

baseball is in my blood, as mr. willie would say

I missed the first two games of the World Series.

I'm not sure why I missed them, but I did.

Then, on Monday night, during Game 3, I accidentally tuned in... and stayed right there for seven innings. 

Here's the funny part: I was on FOX for "Two And A Half Men", as it was midnight30 and they are my signal to chill out for bed.

However, the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays had stalled out in a tie, so play continued.

There are no ties in baseball.

Even Banana Ball acknowledges that there are no ties in its version, with play rocking on in three tiebreaker innings designed to force a win.

Anyway, as I was saying, the show I'd come to see was not on... but I stayed.

My thought had been: it's already the 12th inning, it should be done soon.

Silly me.

I had not known that it had been tied since the 7th inning.

It would continue to be tied until the 18th inning.

Just think about that: thousands of fans still watching the game, there in Dodger Stadium, waiting for that tie-busting win to be played.

That's why I stayed for SEVEN INNINGS, waiting right along with them.

And, as I watched, getting familiar with the players' faces and names, I started feeling like a baseball fan again.

As I watched, my mind went back to a Savannah Sand Gnats game that went on for a mind-numbing TWENTY-ONE INNINGS, on a chilly April night.

Those of us die-hard fans that stayed until the last out was played did so not because we wanted to know who won - oh, no.

We stayed because the game wasn't over yet.

When a game goes into overtime on a baseball diamond, that's called "free baseball", meaning more innings you didn't have to pay to see... and that was like a party atmosphere!

I bet that 21-inning game was more than 25 years ago.

Who won?

I have no idea.

After a while, all of us at Grayson Stadium just wanted someone, anyone, to break that tie so we could, in good conscience, go home and get warm!

Funny, right?

My guess is the folks in Los Angeles wanted the same thing Monday night.

The temperature there had dropped into the mid-60's by that 12th inning and folks were wearing light jackets to try to keep warm in that game without end...

but the stands were still full of people who, like me, were waiting for that final out or that tie-breaking run.

The latter was what we all got, at the bottom of the 18th, when Freddie Freeman, a 35-year-old Dodger, hit a homer to end the game.

That put the Dodgers at 2 wins to the Blue Jays 1 win in the World Series.

The time was 3 AM.

I didn't bother to see if the Harper boys' show was coming on or not.

(smile!)

Somehow, I missed Game 4.

All I knew was that the Blue Jays won it, tying up the series.

Then, after I was done with all else I wanted to do, I tuned in for Game 5, the last one to be played in Los Angeles.

That meant I was there to watch a rookie 22-year-old pitcher - Trey Yesavage - strike out TWELVE Dodgers, a new record!

I was there to watch as the Blue Jays scored two runs in the 7th inning, then follow that up by making a double-play against the Dodgers!

I even enthusiastically wrote about it on fb!

I knew Jim Casey, a former pro baseball player, was watching the game, too.

Nice to feel like we were watching it together!

 

I even made sure to take a photo of the last pitch.

I knew for certain when it was coming in the bottom of the 9th.

The Dodgers never scored but the one run, so Toronto took that win!

What a marvelous game!

I do hope the Blue Jays win...

nothing against the Dodgers, but I do like Canada.

(smile!)

zombies and bloody ice cream!

It all began at 7 AM with Bill and Toony making a zombie movie.

Of course, I didn't see any of that until 3 hours later.

That scene is near the end of "Toon In With Me", when they're screening their film to adoring fans and Bash Hashtag.

Just what was the premise for their masterpiece?

 

Well, it was something I think many of us could relate to: "Office Zombies".

That's right, the undead were taking care of all those red-tape jobs that slow us down from getting on with our lives!

Hahahaha!

Boy do I know that frustration, having spent 7 hours on the phone with UHC last week about the unwanted change to my Medicare Advantage plan.

Fortunately, my last call was directly to Medicare.

One call, one person (Alfredo Cruze), and the problem was resolved.

I'm so glad this continued government shutdown didn't keep that person from doing his job!

 

I had another zombie film - amazingly, set in an office, partly - after WNS.

This was Wednesday, after all, so a trip to Asbury Memorial set up for dinner.

So good to spend time with Sherry G and Lowell, getting to know these transplants from Thomasville, a town I've been through often!

Then, I finished my peach cobbler talking with Pam and Walt again! 

Chicken Marsala was the entree, though I let someone else have my mushrooms.

After all the news from my ex about life in the fungi, I just don't find them appealing.

How could I eat music-lovers like me?

(smile!)

Back at home again, I launched into the first movie of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, having specifically saved it for this zombie movie day...

bwah hah hah!!!

The Cornetto trilogy were three films written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, all directed by Wright and starring Pegg with a varying cast, but always having Nick Frost in a buddy role. 

Titled "Shaun Of The Dead", it came out in 2004.

The two men were in their early 30's then. 

Simon was a bit of a slacker, but not nearly so much as Nick was.

In fact, they are both such slackers that they don't even realize that the zombie apocalypse has arrived until it comes in their front door... which they'd left unlocked, despite numerous warnings from their flatmate.

Then it's up to them to save a handful of folks, including Nick's ex-girlfriend and his mom. 

Pretty funny stuff!

The next Cornetto film was "Hot Fuzz" in 2007.

This time, Simon is a gung-ho city cop sent to chill out in a small country town and Nick, the slacker son of the police chief, becomes his partner.

Nick has seen every buddy cop movie out there and sets about catching up Simon to how that vibe works, especially with "Bad Boys II".

I really loved that Pegg-Frost comedy!

I saw it yesterday evening.

The last film of the Cornetto trilogy was "The World's End", from 2013.

I'm certain I saw that one during the pandemic.

It was about a group of folks trying to make it to a bar with that moniker, all while the world was falling apart at the seams from an alien invasion.

So, what's different about that non-trilogy movie, "Paul"? 

"Paul" is the one that started my run on Pegg-Frost buddy flicks.

I watched it on Monday, as there was naught else on TV... and loved it!!!

I chose it because I thought I remembered the scifi spoof playing out in Pooler a couple of years ago, but I'd missed it.

Well, it came out in 2011, so it certainly wouldn't have been that recent.

However, it takes two geeks from England, in America for a nerd convention and then a road trip to hit scifi hotspots, like Area 51.

Their trip gets derailed when they come across an actual alien!

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost wrote that screenplay, and had Greg Mottola direct.

Truly hilarious!!!

That's when I noticed Peacock currently has two movies of the "Blood and Ice Cream" trilogy in their line-up, so I've added these to the "My Stuff" bin there.

Oh, yes, I feel sure I'll be seeing them again!

It's football season and I'm quite disappointed how many nights that sport is taking up space on television.

Good to have viewing options! 

That said, I'm off to watch the World Series!

The Toronto Blue Jays are up against the Los Angeles Dodgers - so it's truly a WORLD series of baseball games, not just a United States series.

Go, Blue Jays!

happy bday 11 to the twins!

Yes, time has flown by since they were living at my house!

The year was 2019 and they turned five years old just before the move.

Now, it's six years later and they're in their last year of elementary school.

In the fall, they'll be going to a new school, starting middle school.

Wow!

Here's one difference between my knowledge of them and my knowledge of Christina's girls: I have known Alyssa and Leila since their births.

I first met them in the hospital in 2014, within a day of their entry into the world.

After all, they are the first twins my family has ever had!

I wish I knew more about them.

I haven't spent much time with them since their move to Guyton and then to Hinesville.

Perhaps that will change one day, though I'd like to have some one-on-one time with each one separate from the other.

 

For their birthdays, I admit to giving them presents based on instinct rather than any in-depth knowledge of their likes and preferences.

I know they like fun socks, like I do, so socks are the primary gifts.

Alyssa favors pinks, while Leila does not, so I made sure the gift bags reflect that.

Fortunately, my 'gift closet' was the source of all of it, from the gift bags to the little activity books!

My sock drawer yielded the dancing flute player socks, still brand new and in the wrapper - what a coup!

I know they will both really enjoy those!

Then there are the socks from Memorial Sloan-Kettering, with one pair splotchy blue tones and the other pair a lighter blue with an argyle design.

Altogether, they will each have four new pair of socks to mix and match as they love to do!

What else did I give them?

"Hereditary" items, as Miyah called them.

Those would be treasures I've had for decades, and have chosen to give my great-nieces now, rather than after my death.

For the twins, I had the perfect pair of treasures: creatures of lore, made of pewter and trimmed in gold!

I've given the Pegasus to Alyssa and the Unicorn to Leila.

I do hope they will enjoy their beauty for many years, just as I have!

Happy birthday, my dears!

frog or lizard?

"Amphibian or reptile?"

Sure, we could go that route, but I was keeping it simple.

"And just what are we talkin' 'bout?"

The photo on the wall of Examining Room 5 at Doctor Cobb's place.

"Oh, was this the day of your discussion with him about your 30-day heart monitor study? I was wondering when that was coming up."

Actually, that was yesterday afternoon! It went very well, too. He told me the study only found two instances of atrial fibrillation... and I was able to tell him when those were! That surprised him!!! I'd brought my journal and my exercise calendar with me and looked it up. Sure enough, those two instances were both on the night following my installation of the monitor pad in a vertical orientation on top of my sternum. I told him the weight of that pad felt like someone pressing on my chest and made me feel like I was suffocating! That had woken me in a panic twice in the early hours of August 27 and it had taken a while for me to settle back to sleep. That's why I called Boston Scientific the night of the 27th, because the thought of trying to sleep with that vertical mount was not what I wanted. I'm glad I switched over to the electrodes! He was glad that I only had that one limited time of a-fib action. Me, too!

"So, does he think you need to go back on the Sotalol?"

Nope! He still wants me to keep taking the Eliquis, but he doesn't think I need the Sotalol. I think he thinks he cured me the last time he zapped me. I think the a-fib is absent because the weather has been warm. I guess we'll both see in a month or so. The nights are already going into the low 40's, so it's just a matter of time before those are the highs of the day. I already find myself limiting my night-time exposure to cooler air.

"Guess folks won't be wearing skimpy costumes this year. You'll be able to spot the locals from the northern transplants!"

Hahahaha! Yes, I guess so! So, what's your guess about the picture of the critter on the wall at his office? 

"I think it may be a lizard. I feel sure I'm seeing little legs, not flippers."

Yeah, I told nurse Robin that's what I decided, too. At first I thought it was a frog, but the more I looked at it, the more I saw lizard characteristics. In particular, there's the eyelids. I don't think I've ever seen a frog with such fancy lids. However, when I was in Panama, I had noticed plenty of lizards skittering about with fancy eyelids. Maybe I'll post the pic on fb and see what folks say... that will be fun!

bee's perspective of b y o p

That's how I described this snapshot to the hostess.

Robin got a kick out of my take, that's for sure!

"I saw you over there with your camera," she told me.

I know she did.

I was rather captivated by this pollinator, perhaps as much as he was by this loofah blossom.

I had wondered if he might be dead, but then I saw him walk onto another part of the flower, paying no heed to the human so close to him.

He had a job to do and he was doing it, no matter what.

What a bee!

And who was that in the jeans and the neon green shirt, right in line with the bee?

Robin Jenkins, of course!

Here she is again, with her grand-daughter, having fixed something for the girl.

Her grand-children are the reason for this year's Bring-Your-Own-Pumpkin party, that's certain.

The annual BYOP began when her and Harry's kids were little, to unite friends and family in the fall.

This year is a continuation, and I am sure her husband was right there with us.

I was there with my brothers, naturally!

There's the youngest one, in his brightly patterned shirt, having just turned 58 years old yesterday.

Smitty, my biggest little brother, now 65, is right across the table from me.

Many thanks, Robin, for making sure to get some photos of us!

Silly me, I didn't get a single shot of any of them this time around!

I did manage to take this photo of the pumpkin-shaped cheese ball that Robin made.

Pretty nifty, right?

And she used rubber bands to make those indentations - very clever!!!

She has it ringed by a plethora of different crackers, sure to satisfy anyone's taste buds!

(Yes, that 'plethora' is for my first niece!)

So much good food, with grilled hotdogs and chili, as usual - perfect!

And my favorite pumpkin?

This one right here, that the dad was helping his daughter pull forth.

Here's the thing: the dad didn't know who it was.

I told him that I really liked his 'Jack Skellington' and he said... "Oh, I thought I might have seen it before."

I guess 'Jack' was there to let me know that I was right place, right time. 

There are no accidents.

(smile!) 

I'm so glad I was there! 

Many thanks, Tony and Laura, for the ride!

Many thanks, Smitty and Mary for the ride offer!

Now, time to watch "Hocus Pocus" and prepare for the fun week ahead! 

take 5 fairy tales, shake well, and serve on bare stage

"Fairy tales aren't like cocktails, dear girl. They cannot be mixed up like that into some new story that makes any sense."

I didn't say anything about making a new story, g'friend. I said only to mix and serve on a bare, empty, stage. That's what was done tonight at Savannah Country Day... and it was amazing!!! The one-act play festival is coming up and their entry is "The Secret In The Wings". They have to start with a bare stage and end with a bare stage and have all done in less than 55 minutes.

"Yes, I'm aware how that works. Not my first rodeo! LOL!"

Hey, just giving you a little refresher. Here's the thing: I had not realized this was a competition entry! All I knew was it kinda sorta snuck up on me, as I knew naught about it until yesterday when I saw a post from SavCounDay about it. I guess I need to "fb friend" their director, James Venhaus, so I'll have a better heads-up. I mean, David Poole keeps me up on things at SavArtsAcad, fortunately. Anyway, I knew that tonight was my only opener, and that was by sheer luck. You see, I was supposed to go to a dance recital downtown, but Kathy Mayin backed out on me and it sold out. So glad that left me free to be south side instead!

"Yeah, having an inside connection is the way to go, as you don't have any nieces or nephews with kids going there. So, what fairy tales were part of this? Talk to me!"

Yes, ma'am! These were definitely obscure, but I knew four of the five. Grim, dark, tales, all. And they were told wrapped around a central tale, "The Seven Swans", a variation on "The Six Swans" in number only. Got it? There were seven sons, all noisy boys, and they were turned into swans. Their sister was the only one able to turn them permanently back into human form, but the stipulation was she had to knit sweaters from nettles for each of them. She also had to keep silent until the task was done. Folks thought she was a witch and she was about to be killed when the swans came for their sweaters... but one was not quite finished. One boy was left with a flapping wing, but the other six were fine.

"Yikes! That is a dark tale."

So it is, and that is the central piece, told in its entirety. The other tales were told "in the wings" of that one. Get it? It's a pun!

"I see. If you say so."

No, truly! The other four were begun before this one, then had their endings after that one about the swans. So, first up was "Beauty And The Beast", which only resembled the Disney version because the father plucked a rose from the neighbor's garden for his daughter. The daughter was terrified when she saw the flower and even more so when her parents said they'd asked the neighbor to babysit her while they went out. "But he's an ogre!", the girl cried, "he's got a lizard tail!". I think that was another pun, with 'tail' for the 'tale' he was to read to her.

"Sure, I see where you're going with that."

Anyway, he starts reading about "The Three Blind Queens" and that story begins unfolding. It starts with three young kings who all wed sisters of a fisherman before they go off to war. The royal nursemaid doesn't like the queens and plots to have them killed, with her having their eyes as proof. Instead, the three queens rip out their own eyes, pleading for the lives of not only them but their unborn babies. So they live in the wilderness, starving, with two of them eating their babies. So there is only one child that lives.

"Damn! Cannibalism??? In a fairy tale???"

I told you they were dark! Actually, really appropriate for Halloween, don't you think? Anyway, that story takes a break while the child grows up and the next tale begins. That one is "The Princess Who Wouldn't Smile", in which a sourpuss lass is to be wed to the suitor who makes her laugh. This time, the tale runs through the attempts of two unsuccessful gents. Then we segue into "Allerleriauh", in which a daughter is to be wed to her father, but pleads for a gown of gold, a gown of silver, and a gown of stars before she does so.

"Incest??? Dark, dark, dark..."

Yes, but we never see any violence on stage. We just hear the set up and part of the tale, then we're off to another tale. With that fourth one, the story takes a break when she runs away with the three dresses. That's when the tale of the swans is enacted, and it runs all the way through. Then we get the ending of "Allerleriauh", followed by the wrap-up of "The Princess Who Wouldn't Smile", and then the finishing reunion of the three kings returning from a 17-year war to their "Three Blind Queens". Whew! Such fast pacing!

"And what about the little girl and the ogre?"

Well, here's the beauty part of that! Bear in mind that the actors bring onto the stage what they need for each scene, with items coming on and going off throughout the play. By the time they return to that initial story, there are several lamps onstage, each with a child and parent. Now, the girl is the mother and the ogre is her son, with her comforting him after a nightmare. Such a sweet scene and so reminiscent of the scene where Belle cradles the Beast after his brush with death! I "got it" at once!

"Oh, yes, I love that scene!"

And, in the background, the parent and child groups start moving off with the lamps, presumably taking the children to bed, then the girl and ogre also leave. it was just so beautifully choreographed that I didn't realize that it was all done until it was back to bare stage again. Wow! Just fabulous!!!

"That sounds cool. How long did it take for them to perform all that?"

Just over 49 minutes! I told you it was fast!

"Wow!"  

Yes, indeed! I abstained from taking photos until after they came out for their bows, and only just managed to catch that photo before they were all off stage again. I think they have a strong performance and a very good chance of winning the competition. I'm so glad they had this tonight for me... and for only $10. Wow! Now, I'm going to watch "The Corpse Bride", as I'm in the mood for more dark, Halloween-themed entertainment. Peacock has this, so it's free to me! Later, chica! Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite! LOL!

catching up with keanu and channing

Trust me, this post is practically already written.

That's because I'd waxed rhapsodic a mere two days ago about the two movies that I'd missed, partly or totally, last week.

Those were "Good Fortune", with Keanu Reeves as a kinda sorta angel, and "Roofman", with Channing Tatum as a kinda sorta escape artist.

But lets check the A*List reel to see what else was screened, shall we?

Yes, there was a third movie, wasn't there?

"Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" was not the concert fest that I'd hoped for.

The last time I'd been to a movie that featured his music was in 2019, I was dancing in my seat almost the entire time.

"Blinded By The Light" this was not.

Instead, it was a deep look at Bruce Springsteen at a troubled time in his life, when mental illness was threatening to destroy his career.

Had it not been for his support network, that made sure "Nebraska" was recorded and released exactly as he wanted in 1982, there might not have been the music several years later in 1987 that inspired the journalist Sarfraz Manzoor to pen his memoir of the impact of Springsteen's music on his life.

Come to think of it, I do hope the musician has seen that 2019 movie.

We each and every one of us have an impact on others, whether we are aware of that impact or not.

That's important to remember.

We are not alone. 

h2o meter and WNS

This past bill from the City of Savannah for water, sewer, and trash was the exact same amount as the bill for the previous two-month period.

The note on this bill claimed the reader was "unable to reach the meter".

Okay.

Well, they won't be able to claim that again!

Today, the long-awaited digital reader for the meter was installed.

Looking carefully, the fellow in the neon-yellow vest crouched over the yard is putting it in place!

This morning, he was across the street, doing their meters.

He made it to mine right after his lunch.

He warned me that the water would be off for about fifteen minutes, so I made sure to not take a shower right then.

(smile!)

I look forward to the next bill being more accurate than the past one.

I also looked forward to the Wednesday Night Supper, as I knew it would be Beef Stroganoff - that isn't something I get to eat anywhere else!

 

It was every bit as good as I recalled it being in the spring - yum!

I fixed myself a nice side salad, grabbed a couple of spice cookies for dessert, and sat down with tennis-playing Linda of the choir!

She was all alone, but soon we had others. 

Reverend Billy himself sat right between us and kept up a lively conversation about tennis and pickleball! 

Linda asked if I had seen any good movies, so I told her about "Good Fortune", telling her I kept wanting to call it "Good Karma".

That got us talking about he PBS show, "Good Karma Hospital", as well as the various mystery shows I watch with Madame Blanc and Miss Fisher and the "Marlow Murder Club" trio of women. She likes that last one, too.

Carmen and her hubby, Bill, as well as their 4-year-old grandson all sat with us, too.

Then, at the next table, was Sherry Giddens and her hubby, Lowell!

So good to see her again!

She always spreads plenty of good cheer!

(smile!) 

sloth alert!

Recently, I befriended Richard Nordquist on fb.

"Isn't he the fellow you worked with when you were a pioneer of distance-learning at Armstrong some few years ago?"

The very same. I doubt he really remembers who I am, but he kept coming up as "someone you might know", so I went ahead and officially added him to my list of fb friends. And he, in turn, accepted my request and has added me to his list of fb friends.

"Okay... "

And, today, he posted the above image of a baby sloth cuddling up to a toy sloth, as well as a poem.  [Photo: A six-week-old orphaned two-toed sloth clings to a plush toy during International Sloth Day at the Panamerican Conservation Association in Panama City.
Photo by Enea Lebrun / Reuters / The Times]

"Oh, that's so adorable... and sad... poor little orphan."

Yes. Anyway, as I was saying, I've only recently friended him, so I stopped to read some of the comments. One was a person saying they'd never seen a sloth in person, and he'd responded about seeing one in a zoo... so I added my personal take. "Richard Nordquist, I would see them fairly frequently when I was stationed in Panama. They're extremely slow on the ground, and, about twice a year, they would cross from one side of the mangrove swamp to the other. If one was in the road, I would have to wait several minutes for it to get by before I could pass. Interesting times!"

"Interesting indeed! That was while you were at Galeta Island, right? During your eight years of being in the Navy?"

You go it! Panama was my very first duty station. I didn't mention it to Dick, but those animals are as large as a man when grown. Certainly not anything you want to run into with your car... or get out of your car to deal with in person. Nope! So, we all knew to let them finish their slow crawl across the road, whether it made us late to our shift or not. Better safe than wrecked in the swamp!

"What did Dick have to say about that memory you posted?"

Well, I don't know that he'll say anything, but he did "like" it. That's good enough for me! (smile!) 

3rd tina tuesday of october'25

What did I do on this third Tuesday of October?

I saw three movies... and all were wonderful movies I'd see again!

So, let's check the receipts for this fun day, shall we?

Yes, let's. 

First was a trip to NCG Cinema for a French animation film, "Falcon Express".

That would be "Pets On A Train", as it's known in the USA. 

Why the name change?

I don't know, as this wonderful Christmas-time story received no press.

I loved it, of course, and even more so as it was a holiday movie!

Take one raccoon, nicknamed Falcon (not Rocket!), trying to make sure his friends get a good feast for the occasion.

He hooks up with Hans, an ill-tempered badger, to hijack a train loaded with lots of goodies, including gifts, plus lots of people's animal babies.

Not just "fur" babies, either! 

There were two birds, a pair of expectant hamsters, a cat, a greyhound, a chihuahua, a boa constrictor, a retired police dog, and even a fish!

The people are forced to leave the train - some malfunction - which is why only the critters are aboard when Hans sets it to running full tilt boogie down the track, trying to derail it on a rickety bridge - oh, horrors!

(smile!)

I loved, loved, LOVED the "Die Hard" riffs sprinkled throughout!!!

Even the bad guy was named 'Hans' - perfect!

Yes, I'd gladly see this again!!!

(smile!)

Afterward, I popped over to Aldi's for cheese and fruit.

I got three kinds of cheese (Gouda, Muenster, and Swiss) and 3 apples.

That cost $7.06, leaving a Senior SNAP balance of 35 cents - whew!

[I'm mindful that the ongoing government shutdown - proof positive of a weak POTUS - will be over before the month's end so SNAP will continue.] 

(smile!) 

I had two delicious slices of the Muenster for lunch - so good!

I haven't had that cheese for well over a month!

Then it was off to the AMC cinema for a double header of two that were on my A*List last week, but that I didn't see.

The first was "Good Fortune", the new one with Keanu Reeves - loved it!!!

He wasn't a killer this time, just a low-level angel with aspirations of finding a 'Lost Soul' and earning himself a pair of big-boy wings...

only, he's a bit like Clarence, indulging in human vices like drinking and smoking...

and he manages to royally cock up the situation.

Very funny!

I even liked Seth Rogen in this.

This was a very good debut by Aziz Ansari, who wrote and directed the piece, as well as starred in it. 

(smile!)

My second choice was "Roofman" again, last viewed a week ago.

To my amazement, I found I had missed a full forty minutes of the movie during that first viewing...

and yet had enjoyed it and found no harm to the story.

I still don't recall ever hearing about the real Jeffrey Manchester, though.

Perhaps the Savannah news simply hadn't carried that tale.

More likely, though, is that I wasn't watching the news.

After all, why would I start that bad habit? 

(smile!) 

I made sure to fill up the Saturn's tank before leaving that side of town.

Gas was just $2.539/gallon, so that's a deal!

I found out I'm still getting good mileage: 31.1 miles per gallon.

Pretty good for a vehicle that's 24 years old!

(smile!)

What a good Tuesday this has been!

happy Diwali! appetizers for all!

That had been my intention with my winnings from last week's Music Bingo.

I especially wanted to share with Marcia, as it was her 65th birthday!

However, sharing with her middle daughter, Amanda, was perfect.

Sandy even took one of the Southwest Egg Rolls!

The sriracha sauce was so good that Amanda even ordered some for her burger!

Winner!

That was as close as any of us got to winning, that's for sure.

Not even Elissa pulled a win at Bingo.

But Marcia sure did, as George made sure to treat her to three veggie appetizers for her bday65 - what a great guy!

My win came when I got home.

Comcast rewarded me with a $1 Movie Night, so, in honor of the Festival of Lights, I selected "The Grand Budapest Hotel".

Why that one?

Because my blonde roots confused it with "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", that's why.

Hahahaha!!! Hahaha!!!

Still, I very much enjoyed this 2014 piece from Wes Anderson.

I even managed to catch this brilliant photo of the three principals of the film: 'Monsieur Gustave' (Ralph Fiennes), Concierge of the hotel, speaking of the painting ("Boy With Apple") to the hotel's Lobby Boy, 'Zero' (Tony Revolori), who has leaned down from the upper bunk and is visible in the make-up mirror...

wow.

Right place, right time.

(smile!) 

midnight pulp film festival

For the most part, Midnight Pulp consists of psychotronic films that Jim Reed would have gladly shown on his Wednesday nights at Sentient Bean.

I do miss those social events!

I'm glad Comcast granted me free passage on this channel this week.

That was definitely a nice change of pace from the norm!

I'm not saying all of my choices would ever be worth a second viewing...

but it was an interesting film festival.

As before, I watched an even dozen and have listed them in order.

Do notice the lurid posters for these movies - they're great! 

(smile!)

"The Endless Summer" (1966)
Interesting documentary of two surfers traveling in search of warm water 
and warm air and waves.

The search led them from Monterey, CA, to several countries in Africa,

then to Australia and New Zealand before hitting Hawaii.

Gorgeous views of the water!

-------------------------------
"Aquarium For Your Home: Saltwater Reef" (2008)
Literally, a salt water tank to watch for an hour.

(smile!)

-------------------------------
"The Little Shop Of Horrors" (1960)
The movie, not the musical.

This was presented as the case study by two detectives of the many
deaths around Mushnik's flower store.
Nice touch: Jack Nicholson as the masochistic dental patient.

"Hundreds Of Beavers" (2022)
imagine if Beavis thought he was Wiley Coyote in a show 
where he had to fight people dressed up as rabbits or fish or
beavers to get his apple cider still restored -

yeah, pretty stupid.
I'm so glad I didn't go to this when it was in Pooler.

---------------------------
"Big Hair, Long Lashes" (2017)
Soft porn documentary showcasing 7 college-age girls working out of a

and doing lots of butt shots and leg extensions while in lingerie.

Seriously.

I should let the physicist know about this one.

(smile!)

-------------------------------
"Ghost Squad" (2015)
Three seventh grade boys (Charlie, Alex, and Nick) have to 
spend the night in a haunted house or get beat up
What is the ghost?
A dog left behind a hundred years ago.
Nice to see Kevin Nealon as the cool dad!

"The Lost World" (1925)

Whoa - a silent movie!!!
Prof. Challenger claims to have lost his colleague to dinosaurs -
reporter Malone gets the newspaper to fund the "rescue" mission 
in return for the scoop, should the dinosaurs be real.
Pretty cool movie!

---------------------------------------
"Bob Sideburns News" (1970)
17-minute Short!!! 
Part of a larger episode of The Firesign Theatre troupe, just focused

on the news anchor with the long hair and cool sideburns, but with

skits by other members.

I had a boyfriend in Okinawa, from Ohio, who'd come there from Germany

where Firesign Theatre was very big still.

He - Michael Young - had several of their albums.

--------------------------------------
"Christmas Song" (2012)
Hallmark meets "Pitch Perfect" in this tale of two music teachers
forced to compete in a contest when their schools are merged -

yeah, there's that ugly word again.
Natasha Henstridge and Gabriel Hogan are the teachers -
pretty good!

"Convoy" (1978)
Kris Kristofferson as 'Rubber Duck', a trucker hauling a load across 
AZ when he runs afoul of the sheriff (Ernest Borgnine).
He ends up with a trail of other truckers and even buses coming along into

NM and into a conflict with a politician in an election year.

Ali MacGraw as camera buff hitching a ride and a story.

Good to see a buff and nearly nude Kris again in this oldie!

----------------------------------------------
"Sex And Buttered Popcorn" (1989)
Ned Beatty hosts this documentary about sexploitation films from
the 1920's to the 1950's, mostly produced by Dan Sonney and Dave 
Friedman - so much nudity, female AND male!!! Also taboo topics
like child marriage and drugs - the producers acknowledged the films

were all about making money!

-----------------------------------
"The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow" (1999)
Fellow comes to a small town bar looking for stories for his book,
gets told of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman -
very true to original by Washington Irving.