The Cheese Stands Alone

Tu 4/30/19- Permanent Crown at 2pm. Up 650am; overcast and threat of rain all day. When I was in the dentist chair around 2pm it looked like it would really pour, but it missed us. Rain began in earnest around 8pm. Before it's over, we could get an inch and a quarter- to low 60's. Watched Netflix disc, 'A PRIVATE WAR'. A masterful performance by Rosamund Pike. She became the journalist, Marie Colvin. I watched some Youtube videos of the Colvin and Pike really got her down pat. spent time on the phone with the one thousand dollar life insurance policy, paid the $46.00 bill to Clinical Pathology, called CWLP, called Doug Bishop to cancel the remote start, and talked to Janny and Joe about the letter that I got for Janny yesterday from MetLife. Watched a little over an hour of the first episode in the mini-series, 'WOMEN IN LOVE' (Amazon Prime). Left for the dentist 140pm: The permanent cap went on with no pain or fuss, but the new dentist (Dr. Chang) not...

Mo 4/29/19- New Black Elantra Today Up 715am; cool, overcast with periods of light rain- 50's. Spent some time loading more films on Xfinity. Watched 'THE IDES OF MARCH' (Xfinity)  George Clooney stars and directs, with Ryan Gosling/ Evan Rachel Ward/ Philip Seymour Hoffman/ Paul Giamatti/ Marisa Tomei... "You can start wars, bankrupt the country, but you can't fuck the interns". Called Brittany? to put the money in the account, and I was surprised to learn that I've got two million 12 thousand dollars! Then Emily called back to say that I would need a little more money to cover the taxes and she called Epperson and they set up the deal. I called Doug Bishop at Green and he said the car would be finished by 1pm. Watched '1945' (Amazon Prime) A black and white Hungarian film about two orthodox Jewish men who return to their village in August, 1945. It could almost be a 'European Western'- two taciturn men dressed in black facedown ...

Mo 4/28/19 Up 8am; After midnight before I hit the hay last night because of the very late workout. Sunny, breezy, temps to upper fifties. Watched 'BE COOL' (Amazon Prime)   The sequel to 'GET SHORTY' and in that film Chilli Palmer gets into the movie business, and in this one he cracks the music scene. A star-studded cast with a few laughs, but not as good as the original; from novels by Elmore Leonard. 1245pm: mow the lawn, raked and done by 245pm. Putting the clippings on the beds in the back to retard weed growth....will this work? 3pm on the machines at FitClub West. 45" Octane (ARMED FORCES- Elvis). 45" Walk (Reality TV all workout). 45" Cross. 30" Walk. 30" Cross. Home to do the Weekly Cleaning, and then read downstairs and listened to live Sonny Rollins and more Harry Hole. In the tub with Hole and MY BLOODY VALENTINE. Watched the first episode of season one of , 'SIX FEET UNDER' (Amazon Prime), then an episode of...

Sa 4/27/19- Brandenburgs at Noon on 19th- BO Up 730am; overcast, 50's and light rain beginning late morning and continued through most of the day. Watched Netflix disc, 'ON THE BASIS OF SEX'   Not merely a biopic of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but more about the strange US Supreme Court case that paved the way for more sexual equality under the law. A caregiver was not allowed to deduct his taxes because he was a man. Played around looking for cars. I think I'll just buy a Hyundai. Many can be had for way under twenty grand. Leaving for the Brandenburgs 1140 am and will hit the PO on Monroe to mail the disc on the way. Talked until 230pm then I left and took a leak at the Arby's on Sangamon. I was going to buy a coffee, but the clerk turned her back, so I left. To the Hyundai dealership on Dirksen across from Penney's. Bought a new ( 4,000 miles; used as a loaner) 2019 Hyundai Elantra SEL- $17,000). This was the best deal because I got the most off becaus...

Fr 4/26/19 Up 650am;  sunny, very breezy, to mid 60's. Watched 'THE INVITATION' (Netflix) Dir. Karyn Kusama (DESTROYER)  A man and his girlfriend attend a dinner party in the Hollywood Hills hosted by his ex-wife and her new husband- Menace, Murder, and Mayhem ensue:  "Manson- Esque". I loved it! Downloaded a Clapton/ Blues album from Hoopla. Called Dax and got the 'Full Authority' of Joe straightened out. Dax will not do anything to my account on Joe's sayso unless I am incapacitated. This was not stated in the letter from Ameriprise. Called insurance about bill from Clinical Pathologies of Central Illinois. Aetna denied the test, and I will pay by credit card, and they'll send me a receipt so that I can send it to 'Your Spending Acct'. Watched a 17" short film called 'THE HUMAN VOICE'. A one act play where Rosamund Pike gets dumped over the phone. Then I skimmed the highlights of 'HOSTILES' Rosamund Pike...

Th 4/25/19 Up 730am; overcast and cool- temps to mid 60's. Wrote up 'PAGAN BABIES' for the blog. Watched Netflix disc, 'DESTROYER' Nicole Kidman is phenomenal as Detective Erin Bell, a washed up LA policewoman who wrecked her life when she infiltrated a gang of bank robbers. It's seventeen years later and she must find, Silas, the leader of the gang. Watched all the bonus features and looked for other films by the director, Karyn Kusama. Ordered books for the Contemporary Book Club through October; $28. 1pm: reading 'THE LEISURE SEEKER'. 315pm- Wabash PO and Planet Fitness. 45" Walk (HANNA). 45" Recumbent Bike (read 'THE LEISURE SEEKER). 45" Cross (HANNA). 30" Walk (FLEABAG). 30" Cross (OFF CAMERA- Rosamund Pike). In the tub for the 'Best of  Clapton' (this is truly the best compilation of  his work!) and more '80's Road Trip'. 'MOMENT OF TRUTH' (Amazon Prime) Low budget, film fes...

We 4/24/19- Contemporary Book Club Up715am; light rain early, cloudy to 60. Xfinity Is Back!!! Watched 'THE 15:17 TO PARIS' (Xfinity)   One of the strangest movies of all time! Based on an actual event- In 2015 three American friends subdue a terrorist on a train while on vacation in Europe. The film tracks their journey from middle school to the day of their heroism; "My God is bigger than your statistics", "I went to war to save lives", "I didn't want my friends and family to find out that I died hiding under a desk", "Black people don't exactly hunt in the leisure time", and all of the 'toy weaponry' is seen as a normal (noble?) part of childhood. The three heroes, and the Frenchman that was wounded, all play themselves in the film! Strange as Hell!!! 1015am: Began the preparation for tonight's meeting. Computer on sleep and I'm skimming, 1045am. Finish the prep-work, then to FitClub West- 130pm, and wil...

Tu 4/23/19 Up 730am; overcast, cooler- mid 60's. Watched Netflix disc, 'THE MULE'  An 80 year old horticulturist from Peoria, IL becomes a drug mule for a Mexican cartel. Wholly implausible premise, but well done anyway. The same problem as 'THE GAUNTLET'. Before Xfinity runs it asks to 'allow Adobe flash player' Can't get Xfinity stream on the PC or the phone. Seems like a problem with them, but I tried to update adobe flash player- no help. *******When I got to Planet Fitness I went to Xfinity and things were just fine, and when I got home I was able to access Xfinity with the phone, so I hope that they were just down a few hours this afternoon to make service so much better. Will see tomorrow... Watched the last half of 'LOLLILOVE' This is one of the most blistering satires that I've seen in a long time. A rich and clueless California couple tries to 'help the homeless' by giving them lollipops with a cheery message on ...

Mo 4/22/19- To Salisbury, then the first mow of the season Up 640 am; partly cloudy, breezy- to upper 80's. Watched 'LOW DOWN' (Amazon Prime)  The film is based on the life of jazz pianist, Joe Albany from the memoir of his daughter, Amy- Jo Albany. Slow moving, yet very dramatic, and while I was watching the film I ordered the book from Amazon; with John Hawkes, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, and a small role for Taryn Manning "Pennsatucky" on ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK. 10am: Wrote an email to Janny, and then getting the mower in the car for the trip to Salisbury. Texted the guy and said I'd be there in 45" and I got there about 1110 am. He and his helper spent several minutes making it right. The bolt had sheared off, and he had another chassis and he made it work. No Charge, and I was back to the house and doing the first 'mow of the season' by noon. Raked, trimmed, and swept by 1pm. The tulip tree was beautiful, but only for about a week, ...

Su 4/21/19- Easter Sunday; Wheel feel off the mower!!! Up 730am; sunny, breezy to upper 70's. Wrote up 'SING,UNBURIED, SING' by Jesmyn Ward (April selection for the Contemporary Book Club) and 'HIT MAN'- Lawrence Block for the blog. Watched 'THE HIGHWAYMEN' (Netflix);   Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson, Kathy Bates.  Based on the police manhunt for the Clyde Barrow Gang in 1934. Surprised to learn that 20,000 people attended Bonnie Parker's funeral and 15,000 were at Barrow's. Noon: checkout the lawn mower. When I got the motor started, and all set to mow.....the right rear wheel fell off!!! I texted the guy and said I'd bring it in tomorrow....he said OK. Read 'PAGAN BABIES' by Elmore Leonard for an hour in the living room, and biked to Planet Fitness about 230pm. Hardly anybody working out....nice. 45" Walk (HANNA). 45" Recumbent Bike (read 'PAGAN BABIES). 45" Cross (HANNA). 30" Walk (FLEABAG). 15" ...

Sa 4/20/19 Up 6am; sunny, breezy- to mid 60's. Watched Netflix disc, 'GREEN BOOK'. Almost a romantic fable about the relationship between a gay, black pianist and his Italian driver as they experience 'Jim Crow' on a concert tour of the deep south in the early 1960's. Then, 'ADVENTURES IN TINSELTOWN' AKA- 'ENTROPY ' (Amazon Prime)  Stephen Dorff falls in love with a model, she becomes pregnant, aborts, and he loses her. During the breakdown of his personal life, he is thrust into the 'Hollywood Hell' of film making. The film is largely an autobiographical work by director, Phil Joanou who is known for his rock videos featuring U2. Then an eleven minute short called, 'WELCOME TO THE LAST BOOK STORE' (Amazon Prime) A young man who is wheelchair bound tells how he opened a book store in Los Angeles. 115: reading (Finished 'BURN BURIED BURN'), and Planet Fitness/ Wabash PO later. 3pm on the bike for the 25"-30...

Fr 4/19/19 Up 645am; overcast, windy- to low 50's. Watched 'SCORCHED' (Amazon Prime) A Slightly above average comedy in which three bank employees pull off three different heists... simultaneously, and get away with it; Alicia Silverstone/ Rachael Leigh Cook/ Woody Harrelson/ John Cleese/ and a very small part for Jeffery Tambor. Then, 'THE GAUNTLET' (Xfinity) Clint Eastwood/ Sondra Locke  The film boasts (flaunts?) an unbelievable plotline and cartoonish characters, yet somewhat saved by a few funny and wry moments in the script. The 'big shootouts' outside of  'Gus Mally's' (Sondra Locke) house and city hall in Phoenix were almost a parody. Got a text invitation to Easter dinner at the Brandenburg's and I declined. Will meet up next Saturday at their house at noon. 115pm: to FitClub West 45" Octane (Volcano Suns). 45" Walk (Reality TV all workout). 45" Cross. 30" Walk. 30" Cross. Since it was early when...

Th 4/18/19- Dentist/ Chiropractor Up 7am; heavy rain last night and chance of rain through Friday- temps only to around 50. Got a noon appointment today to reattach the temporary crown for the fourth time! Watched Netflix disc, 'LETTERS FROM BAGHDAD' A biopic of the author and British expert on the Middle East, Gertrude Bell. Actual film footage from early 20th century really was effective and Tilda Swinton was the voice of Gertrude Bell. Watched the last half of the first episode of 'HOOKED' (Amazon Prime). Read and scanned the news about the release of the Mueller Report. 1130am: left for the dentist. I arrived about 1140 am (for some reason the traffic signals were out at Koke and Old Jacks?) and I saw Melissa getting into her car right next to me when I went into the dentist.... Hi! Hi!. The technician made the temp much lower than surrounding teeth thinking that this might help it stay in place. Hope it works (I actually suggested this). Stopped a...

We 4/17/19- First Bike Ride of The Season; Temp Cap Falls Out Again!!!! Up 640 am; cloudy to mostly sunny- to upper 70's and breezy. Put The Volcano Suns on to Google Play Watched 'ONE EYED GIRL' (Amazon Prime) A better than average film from Australia about a guilt ridden therapist who seeks help and becomes inextricably involved with a cult group similar to Jim Jones's outfit. Then watched 'THE PINEAPPLE EXPRESS' (Netflix) A process server and a pot dealer launch a riotous drug war; Seth Rogen/ James Franco/ Danny McBride/ Rosie Perez/ Craig Robinson/ Gary Cole- A classic pot film and a classic comedy by any definition. Downloaded 'LOUDER THAN BOMBS'- The Smiths from Hoopla and will bike to LA Fitness. First bike ride of the season and first since the tuneup. 2pm biked to LA Fitness. 45" Cross (QUICKSAND- I thought that I had the last twenty minute episode of BLACK SUMMER, but I deleted it- Put it back this evening). 45" Walk (QUI...

Tu 4/16/19- Chiropractor 230pm. Up 7am; partly sunny with temps to mid 70's; Spring Sprang? Watched Netflix disc, 'THE FAVORITE'   "A sweet and beguiling confection with a deliciously poisoned center". Based on the relationship between Queen Anne of England, Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, and Abigail Masham, Baroness Masham; Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz. The film contains an especially weird soundtrack, and a dizzying array of costumes and whacky set designs. Then, 'CATCH ME DADDY' (Amazon Prime) A young couple flee Leeds to hide in rural West Yorkshire. The girl's Pakistani father sends some thugs to get them back, and mayhem ensues; moody, high energy thriller, but the accents were so pronounced that subtitles were imperative. Plan to leave for the chiropractor at 215pm for the 3pm appointment (need a half hour to fill out paperwork?). Actually, there was a lot of paperwork. Much of it I didn't complete, and no quest...

Mo 4/15/19 Up 650am; I awoke to the 'backing-up alarm' sound of a large truck, and at first I thought that it was a watch alarm going off somewhere in the house. The woman next door had ordered a dumpster and they were putting it in her driveway. A sunny with temps only to the upper 50's. The tooth is very sensitive and I hope that I will not need a root canal. I wish that I have NEVER replaced this crown. It never caused any problems and now it's a major problem. A little after 10am I made an appointment for 130pm today. I told the receptionist that it's time to call in the 'A- Team'. I tried to download the book that I bought at Ebooks Now several weeks ago, and had no success. I sent an email to the company asking for instructions.  I did get it on some kind of Google drive that allows me to read it on the living room PC, but not on the phone. Watched 'BLACK SNAKE MOAN' (Amazon Prime)  A lurid Southern Tale of Race, Religion, and Sexual ...

Su 4/14/19- Up 730am; A true 'Weather Event': A mix of rain and snow and slightly more than a trace (1/4- 1/2") of ground cover- Wintry mix and 30's all day. Branches are scattered all over the front lawn, so it must have really blew last night. It's been pretty calm all morning. Watched 'THE CRASH' (Xfinity) The Federal Reserve is behind the biggest insider trade in history. The Reserve hacks all of the world's markets in order to crash the system so that they can buy when it bottoms out. The movie ends at the crash and offers no ideas as to what this would mean to life as we know it. Obviously the film was made before the last presidential election as 'the president' is a Hillary Clinton look-alike. Then, 'THE SEAGULL' (Xfinity) This film was referenced in yesterday's film, 'LITTLE MEN'. Greg Kinnear's character was staging Chekhov's play, 'THE SEAGULL' at on off Broadway theater.   A dysfunctional, ye...

Sa 4/13/19- Library Book Sale Up 650am; cool, partly sunny- to upper 50's. Watched 'LAYER CAKE' (Netflix)  One of the better film adaptations I've ever seen. The only changes made the story even more cohesive. But why did they feel the need to change mob boss Mr. Ryder's name to Mr. Temple? I wrote up the novel 'LAYER CAKE' for the blog. Then watched 'LITTLE MEN'  An excellent small film about a family that inherits a house in Brooklyn. A Chilean woman rents a workspace and the new owners are forced to raise her rent. The film is about how this effects the relationship of the Chilean woman's son and the son of the new owners; with Greg Kinnear. 1230pm: to the library books sale. Becky was downstairs with a big sign directing people to the 3rd floor; the room where we have the meetings. Nice selection and I got twelve books for six bucks. All familiar authors: catnip for me. Decided to head for FitClub South. On the machines a little b...

Fr 4/12/19 Up 720am; bright and very windy all day- much cooler; to mid 50's. Watched Netflix disc, 'WIDOWS'  Viola Davis/ Liam Neeson/ Robert Duvall/ Colin Farrell, and Cynthia Erivo, the singer in 'BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE'     A gang of  very proficient career criminals are killed during a heist, and their wives decide to pull off a 'five million dollar robbery' that was to be the gang's next score. Lots of plot twists, and most notable is that the mastermind of the gang was not killed in the first heist. Set in contemporary Chicago and the corrupt political system is the source of the money in the film. Called the MetLife insurance about the $1,000 policy and got an address to send the death certificate Called dentist and got a 2pm appointment. 1140 am: left for Salisbury after a call to the mower guy and told him I'd be out to pick up the mower. Picked up the mower and back to 940. Swept some leaves around (the wind is blowing lik...

Th 4/11/19- State Farm 1pm Up 650am; cloudy, warm, very windy- 70's. 7am called the dentist office and left word to get an appointment to have the crown reattached. Watched Netflix disc VICE' Christian  Bale/ Amy Adams/ Steve Carell/ Sam Rockwell    An interesting and biased look at George W. Bush's corrupt administration with Dick Cheney's heavy hand on the controls.  Called the dentist at 1040am and got an eleven o'clock appointment, and I actually got there on time! Out in fifteen minutes and they gave me some glue so that I can do it myself...if need be. I made it clear that I would be having them doing the technical stuff (if I'm paying the big bucks). In the parking lot I called the mower guy in Salisbury and he said it would be ready tomorrow. I said I'd be there (he's going to be in and out on Friday) tomorrow or Saturday. I called the bike shop and the bike was ready, so I drove over.  $70 for The Silver Tune-up; $120 fo...

We 4/10/19- Dentist 4pm: Crown; FELL OUT 1015pm!!!! Password protect downstairs PC Up 730am; last night was a celebration; 6 beer night! Sunny, breezy- high 60's. 'MICHAEL JACKSON: SEARCHING FOR NEVERLAND' (Xfinity) More than just a positive spin on the Michael Jackson legend, it's an out and out valentine to the man!  The opening credits reveal that Michael Jackson had been acquitted of all child molestation charges and he was returning to Las Vegas from Bahrain to begin a residency on The Strip. His severe drug problem is never mentioned, and he's lovingly depicted as a lonely man who has only his three children and his two trusted bodyguards in his life.  The film is based on a memoir by these two bodyguards, and although the film is an interesting cautionary tale about the hazards and pitfalls of fame, one cannot help but wonder how much is Truth and how much is Gloss? 1125am; to FitClub West then on to the dentist for the 4pm appointment. 45" Oct...

Tu 4/9/19- Dax at 1pm: Painted front stoop Up 7am; Bright and pleasant- to 70. The Brandenburgs are going to 'THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON', the the Nantahala National Forest. Watched 'MIRAGE' a new Spanish film from Netflix    During a freak storm in 1989 a young boy witnesses a murder while filming himself playing Cindy Lauper's 'Time After Time' on electric guitar. The storm causes a crossed timeline and he encounters a woman from 'now'. An engaging thriller that doesn't completely lose the thread like most time travel adventures. Getting the details about repainting the front stoop. 'THE AMERICAN DREAM PROJECT' Englishman James Marshall and friend, Todd Williams drive Indian motorcycles from New York to California and along the way they find new insights into the American Dream; the first three episodes (Netflix). 1215: preparing for the meeting with Dax at 1pm. Spent a full hour talking about the investments and the additiona...

Mo 4/8/19 Up 630am; partly cloudy, temps to low 70's- the best day of the season. Watched 'THE BALIBO CONSPIRACY' (Amazon Prime) Anthony LaPaglia     In the Fall of 1975 Indonesian special forces invaded Portuguese Timor, and five Australian news reporters were murdered during the insurgency. A very compelling story about a relatively unknown incident in world history. Hundreds of thousand were killed as even the United Nations did nothing. Wrote an email to Janny and Joe as they travel up the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then watched 'ONLY MINE' (Netflix) Charming cop is revealed as an obsessive and deadly stalker. At the end of the film they claim that it's based on a real incident, but after checking it out, it's as much based on reality as 'DEADLIEST CATCH' is based upon 'MOBY DICK'. This is just a sub-par stalker film that anyone over the age of seven would have trouble believing. 130pm: to the 'Y'- 'TEEN MOMS 2' is feat...

Su 4/7/19 Up 645am; rain last night, but ended at 530am. More warm temps, maybe to 70- partly cloudy. Mitch and partner arrived just after 6am, and working on the backyard. I was asleep and very surprised to see them working so early. They used my hedge trimmer and they will put the bags of yard waste in on the street. The city is due to pick them up next week...I hope. The chart about times of the pickups is very hard to understand. Will write up 'THE SNOWMAN' for the blog. Watched Netflix disc, 'AT ETERNITY'S GATE'  A moving and turbulent portrait of nature, art, and the artist, Vincent Van Gogh. Willem Dafoe deserves every bit of the acclaim. However, two disturbing 'non-truths' are promoted in the film. First, it is not generally believed that Van Gogh was shot by a young villager as was depicted, and second, the notebook that was 'discovered' over a century later does not contain the authentic sketches of Vincent Van Gogh. These two disc...

Sa 4/6/19 Up 7am; sunny to high sixties. Watched 'BETTER START RUNNING' (Xfinity) This is a quirky, absurdist comedy, and why on earth would Jeremy Irons agree to be part of this low-rent Cohen Brothers wanna be? Irons is the Executive Producer. Somewhat affecting, but decidedly half-baked, however, sometimes half is enough. After I finish the movie the plan is to drive to Salisbury and drop off the lawn mower, and then to a short workout at FitClub West. Need to be home by 4pm so Mitch and his people can do the Spring Clean Up. 10am- Let the adventure begin! I called at 1030am and he was at the shop and I was there by 11am. A pleasant, sunny drive in the country, and it was easy to find his shop- right on the edge of Salisbury, and I drove by it, but turned around within a block. Will pick it up mid-week. Drove to FitClub West and...45" Octane (RID OF ME). Talked with Dr. Floyd the last 10 minutes. 45" Walk. (Relaity TV all Workout). 45" Cross. 30...

Fr 4/5/19 Up 630am; tossing and turning 3am to 4am, then crazy dreams- cloudy to 50's. Forgot to check the mail after thinking the phone was lost, but got a Netflix disc this morning when I threw out the trash. I was able to locate the lawn mower service on West Old Jacksonville Rd. Watchet 'BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE' (Netflix)  Jeff Bridges/ Jon Hamm/ Chris Hemsworth/ Dakota Johnson/ and Cynthia Erivo steals the show with her A cappella soul singing. The film is a very clever neo-noir thriller set in a nearly vacant hotel-resort in late 60's Lake Tahoe where crime and mayhem come to play. It's also a very real valentine to the power of soul music. Then, 'THE BLEEDER' The true story of Chuck Wepner, the white guy from Bayonne NJ who went fifteen rounds with Muhammad Ali; with Liev Schreiber/ Elizabeth Moss/ Ron Perlman/ and Naomi Watts under a long red wig that made her nearly unrecognizable. Called C&M Sharpen/ Mowers and will bring the mow...

Th 4/4/19 Up 715am; overcast, and rain beginning early this afternoon; upper 40's. Watched 'CYRUS' (Xfinity) John C. Reilly/ Jonah Hill/ Marisa Tomei      A fantastic film from The Duplass Brothers. All three of the leads (and Catherine Keener!) were just about perfect. A cringe-worthy examination of a very dysfunctional relationship, and I loved every minute of this one! Got a text from the Brandenburgs from the road. They're spending the day in Nashville and the night at Cookeville, TN. Then, 'ICEBOX' (Xfinity- HBO)  Concerns a twelve year old Honduran boy who flees his country because he has been targeted by a gang. He's captured at the Arizona border and sent to a US child detention center and his uncertain journey begins, and even by the end of the film you feel that his official status will be in flux for many years to come. Called Biketek and they're ten or twenty bucks more than R&M Cycle, so off to West Washington. $60 says the guy...

We 4/3/19- Dentist at 1110 am. Up 7am; cloudy- to 50's. Wrote a brief Update to Janny; about 'WE OWN THE SKY', my late vote, and met Judy Anderson. Watched 'AMERICAN BEAUTY' (Amazon Prime) Left an hour, and switched to 'ALL ALONG THE WATCH TOWER- SOUR ROCK' to finish from last night. This was a kind of anti-rock documentary. It gave the impression that the idealism of the 60's was about people who cared about humanity in a general way, but could care less about the guy living next to them. Will leave for the dentist about 1045am, and head to the 'Y'. Out of the dentist at noon, and they want to replace a very old crown on the lower left side. $800, and next week is 'Crown Week'- such a savings! But, if I let it go, underneath the crown an infection could grow, and I'd need a root canal. That adds another two hundred. What a fucking racket! Stopped at the gas station a Wabash and Archer for a thirteen dollar fill up. 45...

Tu 4/2/19- The Brandenburgs at 11am Up 630am;  sunny to partly cloudy- temps to near 60. Watched Netflix disc, 'SORRY TO BOTHER YOU'.......The film can best be described as an "Absurdist black comedy/ satire using magical realism and science fiction inspired by telemarketing".  I loved it! Watched some more of the Allman Brothers documentary. 11-12pm: The Brandenburgs- $65,000 check Then, 'THE LEISURE SEEKERS' (Xfinity) Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren as an old couple who escape suburban Massachusetts to travel to Hemingway's house on the Florida Keys. He is losing his battle with dementia and she is dying of cancer, so this is their last ride into the sunset. The film ends with their double suicide, yet it's still strangely uplifting; first English-language feature for Italian director, Paolo Virzi, and from a novel by Michael Zadoorian. After the film I ordered two books by Michael Zadoorian from Amazon- 'THE LEISURE SEEKER' an...

Mo 4/1/19 Up 7am; sunny, breezy- to 50. Wrote up 'THIS SIDE OF PARADISE' for the blog. Watched 'THE DEBT' (Amazon Prime) Jessica Chastain/ Helen Mirren/ Sam Worthington/ Tom Wilkinson    In 1966 three Mossad agents travel to East Berlin to bring back a Nazi war criminal for trial in Israel. He gets away, but since they assume he will never talk, they agree to say that they located and killed him. Thirty years later, after they are famous for this fraudulent mission, the Nazi doctor resurfaces: Well worth a look. Got a call from the Federal Employees Life Insurance company. They needed to know how many beneficiaries on the policy (2- Jan and myself), and they told me that we would each get a check for a little over $4,000 probably as early as next week. Janny had texted that they needed my signature on a document and they wanted to come over at 11am on Wednesday. Since I have a dentist appointment, they are coming tomorrow at eleven. Then, 'DUANE ALLMAN: ...