The Cheese Stands Alone

Sa 3/30/24- Gummy/ Raked Cones Backyard 740am (2-B). {745am: one 'EUPHORIA' gummie}. 820am (1-SB). {New 'SHINE' Indica 1/4 oz: 1030am (2-B)}. 325pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).   Up 6am: A breezy mix of sun and clouds with temps to just over 70. Wasted far too much time trying to find suitable gummies to get high, not to go to sleep. Watched 'THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS' (Kanopy). From IMDB: "An epic journey of friendship and self-discovery set in the breathtaking Italian Alps, The Eight Mountains follows over four decades the profound, complex relationship between Pietro and Bruno." Filmed in the Italian Alps, Turin, Italy, and Himalaya Mountains, Nepal. I really loved the cinematography. Best 'hiking' mountain footage I've ever seen. Areas of the Alps where hikers walk on trails that follow along mountain crests. Not at all like "mountain climbing". ***1015am: Opened a new 1/4 oz 'SHINE' Flower Indica THC 27% Began 'THE ...

 Fr 3/29/24- Pot Shop Conestoga 1st 710am (2-B). 755am (1-SB). 1010am (1-SB). 1215pm (2-B).  2pm (1-SB). 310pm (2-B). 535pm (2-B). 810pm (2-B).  Up 555am: {Buddy threw up a bit of clear liquid as I was waking. He seemed fine and ate with his usual ferociousness}. A mix of sun and clouds with temps to about 70.  Watched 'OUT OF THE FURNACE' (Tubi) {Janny recommended this film} One brother works at the mill and the other brother fights for Uncle Sam in Iraq. Neither man has the slightest chance at a better life and frustration and broken dreams lead to violence; with Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Shepard. 1 win & 10 nominations. "63" Metascore. A powerful film! Set and filmed in Braddock, Pennsylvania which is adjacent to US STEEL and 10 miles east of downtown Pittsburgh, PA. I watched a couple of reviews on YouTube and part of an interview with Christian Bale. He had a pronounced English accent and the reason that he got into acting was t...

 Th 3/28/24- Treadmill repair at noon/ 415pm  715am (2-B). 940am (1-SB). 1210pm (2-B). 435pm (1-B). 540pm (2-B). 810pm (2-B).  Up 540am: Bright & sunny with temps to about 60. I wrote a reply to Janny from her email earlier in the week. They are going to Orange Beach, Alabama over the Easter break with Jamie,  Melissa & kids and staying at an Airbnb.   Watched 'ANOTHER ROUND' (Amazon Prime). From wikipedia: {"Skardrud Hypothesis- Skårderud's unconventional suggestion that when humans are born they have a blood alcohol level 0.05% too low forms the central premise of 2020 Danish comedy drama film 'Another Round'} However, the lasting impression is that the film is about a guy who finally learns to relax and take life as it comes; with Mads Mikkelsen.  I really liked this one.  THE PREMISE: A depressed high school history teacher discovers a study that claims humans are meant to maintain a Blood Alcohol Content at .05% BAC. He gives it a sho...

 We 3/27/24- Treadmill Repair: 5pm/ cancelled  715am (2-B). 1050am (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 810pm (2-B).  Up 615am: {diarrhea 330am} Partly cloudy to sunny with temps to upper 40's and a 'freeze warning' for tonight. Watched 'BUBBLEGUM AND BROKEN FINGERS' (Hoopla). An amateurish attempt at Film Noir that's so bad, it's good. It mostly involves women in bikinis acting badly with automatic weapons. Some of the action sequences are not even plausible. For example, no one over the age of seven could believe that the violent amputation of a hand would be less problematic than a hangnail. Filmed near Las Vegas, Nevada.   Began 'WE ARE TWISTED SISTER' (Amazon Prime). The saga of a working mid 70's rock band from Manhattan and a young & dorky lead singer from Long Island. I shut it down near the one hour mark and the doc gives an interesting insight into how a band rises above becoming 'just a cover band'. I will definitely finish this one.  1020a...

 Tu 3/26/24- Dentist 1pm 650am (2-B). 830am (2-B). 310pm (2-B). 535pm (2-B). 820pm (2-B).  Up 6am: Cloudy & windy with temps to about 50.  650am: FIVE MILES AT 4.0 {Slower} PACE AND ZERO SLANT; the new TUESDAYS WITH STORIES. Will do The Weights later, or not at all.  Finished '3- BODY PROBLEM' (Netflix). The first season ends with 'A Toast To The Bugs'. The series crackles with innovative ideas; alien attack in 400 years so they prevent any human advancements in science that could possibly repel the invasion; Brain launched into space and is drifting off course; People who welcome the invaders and refer to them as 'Our Lord'; Why was Saul (the young black physicist) selected to be a 'Wall-watcher'.  I watched YouTube videos about '3-BODY PROBLEM' (Netflix). Now I have a much better understanding of the storyline. Apparently, the series is based on a three volume Chinese book series. The books concentrate on the 'big ideas' and neglect...

 Mo 3/25/24 710am (2-B). {one 5 mg THC/ 20 mg CBD}. 810am (1-SB). 950am (1-SB). 1255pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 540am: Occaisional light rain & windy conditions with temps to about 60.  Wrote up 'VIENNA BLOOD' by Frank Tallis for the blog. Watched 'INDIGNATION' (Hoopla).  {from a novel by Philip Roth} What a terrific ending! Olivia is a very old woman in a nursing home who remembers a very special boyfriend from her days at Winesburg college. The boy's sexually repressive attitudes and his rotten family life were really just incidents in Olivia's recollection. There were pictures of a vase and roses repeating on the wallpaper in her rest home and this is what reminded her of Marcus; with Logan Lerman and Sara Hadon. I really enjoyed this film and it's an accurate portrayal of the guilt and shame that were a toxic byproduct of America's sexual mores of the 1950's. "78" Metascore...Benjamin Franklin's definition of 'De...

 Su 3/24/24 8am (2-B). 850am (1-SB). 935am (1-SB). 1240pm (2-B). 545pm (2-B). 820pm (2-B).  Up 620am: Partly cloudy & breezy with temps to upper 50's.  The Weekly Cleaning Watched 'EVERY SECRET THING' (Hoopla). Two seven year old girls kidnap a baby. The child dies, they get seven years, and the film happens after they are released from prison. Another child is kidnapped and they become prime suspects. Very creepy and I liked this one a lot; with Diane Lane, Danielle Macdonald (TOURIST), Elizabeth Banks, and Dakota Fanning. "46" Metascore and I would have rated it much higher. More '3 BODY PROBLEM' (Netflix). In the late 1960's  a Chinese female scientist stationed at a remote communications center received an alien message from another galaxy telling her not to establish contact because it would be catastrophic for humanity. However, the Chinese scientist replied that she would help the aliens because the people of earth were on a path to extincti...

 Sa 3/23/24 725am (2-B). 815am (1-SB). 1210pm (2-B). 240pm (2-B). 545pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  ***Buddy was sick around 245am and threw up in the bathroom.  Buddy's stomach acid must be off the charts because a black tile was discolored within minutes. I fed him at 3am and he seemed fine.  Up 550am: Partly cloudy with temps to upper 40's.  *** 7am: I called State Farm customer service- 1 (800) 782-8332 after I put the new vehicle sticker on the Elantra. I noticed that my insurance card was good only until January, 2024. I found out that the insurance had been paid, and when I checked the kitchen cabinet I found the new cards taped on the door. My insurance is effective until the middle of July, 2024.   Watched 'ALONE' (Netflix). A woman is moving to somewhere in very rural America and she's pulling a Uhaul trailer. Along the way she provokes a driver (or he was waiting for prey) and she is kidnapped. She escapes the house and finds herself in an immense ...

 Fr 3/22/24 710am (2-B). 8am (1-SB). 1030am (1-SB). 1215pm (1-SB).  250pm (2-B). 535pm (2-B). 820pm (2-B).  Up 550am: Partly cloudy with temps to low 60's and rain predicted for tonight.  Watched 'MY NAME IS LOH KIWAN' (Netflix). A melodramatic portrait of a young refugee in crisis. A boy and his mother escape from North Korea into China.  From there the goal is for the boy to gain refugee status in Belgium and establish a better life in the west. This is where his dire ordeal begins.  He is desperately poor, has no friends or resources, can't speak the language, and for a time lives in a public restroom. Later, he is robbed by a pretty female Korean refugee and she becomes the love of his life. The girl works as a marksman in a shooting parlor. I've never heard of this but it seems like just another thing that people can bet on. The film is a bit heavy handed on moralizing, but I liked it. Watched 'COMIN' UP SHORT' (Amazon Prime: 1hr). 'Shorty' ...

 Th 3/21/24 705am (2-B). 8am (1-SB). 12pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 550am: Partly cloudy with temps to about 50. ***I set up an 'Alert' with my Heartland accounts and it took less than a minute. I still can't believe that they offer this service because it would seem to eliminate late fees. Maybe not.  Spent some time in the belly of Hoopla and discovered a few decent films to mark as 'faves'. ***9am: Call from Tony. The reason that the belt is slipping is that it's still coated with oil. Wiping the belt didn't work because you can only get off so much, and I'm going to need a new drive belt; $100 service call and the belt is under warranty. Watched 'THE CONTENDER' (Hoopla). A female US senator is involved in a lengthy confirmation process for the vice presidency and evidence is found that she willingly participated in an orgy in college. She refuses to speak of the incident or even to address the issue because she feels that it's ...

 We 3/20/24 730am (2-B). 805am (1-SB). 910am (1-SB). 125pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 820pm (2-B).  Up 620am: Mostly sunny with temps only to upper 40's. Watched 'BLACKBERRY' (Kanopy). Blackberry introduced the keyboard to the cell phone, but when Apple incorporated the keyboard onto the screen, that was the real game changer. When telephone networks stopped selling 'minutes' and began selling 'data' profits exploded. Blackberry once owned 45% of the cell phone market and now they are zero percent. The company went down in flames due to illegal stock manipulations, but the CEO's made out like bandits and no jail time. Almost like a cheap, made for TV film, but very enjoyable. 13 wins &34 nominations. "78" Metascore.  Began 'MONK' (Netflix). Monk is a San Francisco police detective on leave who suffers from many neurotic behaviors (especially OCD) and is probably on the spectrum. However, he remains a superb detective. The show's saving...

 Tu 3/19/24- Taxes Epperson 1pm 715am (2-B). 750am (1-SB). 1005am (2-B). 1240pm (1-SB]. 545pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 6am: Bright & breezy with temps to about 60. Watched 'TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES N.M.' (Tubi). A crew of law breakers go on a spree through the desolate American West of the late 1990's. They consist of a pair of lovers, a psycho, an undercover cop, and a couple of hostages. They've got thirty kilos of 'H' that belongs to the mob and they've got to unload it. It's almost camp because it's so chock full of the most absurd 'tough guy' dialog, however it boasts a star studded cast; with Kiefer Sutherland, Kim Dickens. Vincent Gallo, Kevin Pollak, Max Perlich, Rod Steiger, and Martin Sheen. Directed by Kiefer Sutherland. Filmed in various small towns in Utah; St. George, Heber City, Hurricane, Park City. 950am: PC is 'Off' and will hit the treadmill to get in the miles before the tax appointment.  1005am: FIVE MILES AT 4.1 ...

 Mo 3/18/24 720am (2-B). 815am (1-SB). 1010am (1-SB). 1235pm (2-B). 545pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 6am: A mix of sun & clouds with temps only to 39. A 'Freeze Warning' is in effect through tonight.  ***8am: Called Epperson to confirm tomorrow's appointment at 1pm and called Brewer to extend Buddy's prescription with Wedgewood.  Watched 'FROM DREAMS TO TRAGEDY: The Fire That Shook Brazilian Football' (Netflix).  February 8, 2019: Fire at 'Vulture's Nest' which was a youth training camp for the Flamengo Soccer Club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ten players died (16 survived) and management was aware of the electrical hazards, but neglected to do any repairs because they were planning to relocate the players within the year. Shipping containers were used to make the dormitories. A row stacked two high, a hallway and another row stacked two high- a double stacked rectangle shape with a hall in the middle.  More of 'IRON REIGN' (Netflix). I finish...

Su 3/17/24 810am (2-B). 850am (1-SB). 120pm (2-B). 3pm (1-B). 4pm (1-SB).  645pm (2-B). 835pm (2-B).  Up 630am: Breezy with a mix of sun & clouds with temps to mid 40's. Freeze Warning posted for tonight.  Did the Weekly Cleaning Watched 'THE ABYSS' (Netflix). Due to extensive mining in remote Sweden, a town sinks into the Earth (Abyss?). Although there are scenes where characters are nearly trapped in the mine, that's not the major focus of the story. The biggest rescue sequence takes place in the local high school while the building collapses beneath them. Some (most?) of it was corny, but still somewhat engaging. (Think 'The Perils of Pauline' in Scandinavia). Set in Kiruna, Sweden which is in the far northern part of the country. https://www.google.com/search?q=mining+disaster+Kiruna%2C+Sweden&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1016US1016&oq=mining+disaster+Kiruna%2C+Sweden&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigAdIBCDk2NjJqMGo0qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome...

 Sa 3/16/24 720am (2-B). 835am (1-SB). 915am (1-SB). 220pm (2-B). 545pm (2-B). 820pm (2-B).  Up 6am: Partly cloudy & windy with temps to mid 60's. Watched 'CORSAGE' (Kanopy). The film is set in 1878, yet it references 'electric lights' and 'moving pictures'-1) 1882 Edison formed Edison Electric Illuminating Company, but only half of the homes in the US had electric power by 1925.  I would guess that Britain would even be further behind than the States in establishing their power grid. 2) First paying customers at a theater happened in 1895. These 'time inconsistencies' are probably to show how far the empress was ahead of the curve. She's very open to new ideas and concepts. The movie is a kind of encapsulation of brief scenes within the life of The Empress and there is very little plot. It's all about how Empress Elisabeth chafes at her exalted position within the monarchy and the limited social expectations of the late 19th century. Som...

 Fr 3/15/24- Urgent Care  725am (2-B).  825am (1-SB). 120pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 605am: Partly cloudy with temps almost to 60.  ***Made the decision to go to Urgent Care on Koke Mill for the right ear. It still is clogged and I'm getting a ringing sensation. If I don't take care of it now, it's going to get infected. But first, a movie... Watched 'PAST LIVES' (Hoopla).  A Korean boy and girl are friends in Seoul as pre-teens and the girl and her family immigrate to America. But, they meet 12 years later, and then finally in NYC after a separation of twenty years. The woman has married an American writer and her childhood friend hasn't found anyone as his long lost soulmate. A very nuanced love story that is like no other. A perfect title because this love triangle could very well be an example of romantic attractions that remain viable through past lives; Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro. "94" Metascore. I really liked this one. I wa...

 Th 3/14/24 725am (2-B). 805am (1-SB). 105pm (2-B). 245pm (1-B). 540pm (2-B). 820pm (2-B).  Up 615am: Thunderstorms early, then the threat of more rain all day with temps to about 70. In the early afternoon it looked like it would get really bad in the early evening (A 'tornado warning' was posted), but it all blew over to the north.  ***945am: A Republic garbage truck stopped for 3 bags of gumballs. I thought I would have to pay $2.00 per bag?  Watched 'RICKY STANICKY' (Amazon Prime). I picked this one because it features Andrew Santino (WHISKEY GINGER).  When they were preteens, three friends invented a fake 'pal'  to take the blame for all of their shenanigans and twenty years later the decision throws a giant monkey wrench into their lives. Complete suspension of belief is imperative, but there were some funny bits; with Zac Efron, Amdrew Santino, Jermaine Fowler, John Cena, Jeffrey Ross, and William H. Macy. An unusual number of writers, yet this was m...

 We 3/13/24 755am (2-B). 840am (1-SB). 1235pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 810pm (2-B).   Up 630am: Mostly cloudy with temps to mid 70's. Rain in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow.  Paid Cards: I have $4,500 remaining in checking and I hope this is enough to pay taxes next Tuesday. Watched 'I DO NOT CARE IF WE GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS BARBARIANS' (Kanopy). This is a film about the making of a town square recreation of the Odessa Massacre  that occurred  in the Fall of 1941. The film concentrates on the reactions and opinions of the townspeople and actors in the reenactment. Fun Facts: 1) In 1941 Hitler was incensed with the Romanians for their harsh treatment of the Jews. The Nazis hadn't begun to act on their eventual policy of 'Zero Tolerance' and Romanian bloodlust might have emboldened Hitler to implement The Holocaust. 2) After the Germans, the Romanians killed more Jews than any other nation. A great film about 'The Truth' vs. 'Propaganda', especia...

 Tu 3/12/24- Dentist 220pm {No Insurance!} 725am (2-B). 810am (1-SB). 1140am (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 810pm (2-B).  Up 615am: Partly cloudy & breezy with temps to just over 70.  Watched 'THE NICE GUYS' (Netflix). Who says Film Noir must be downbeat and glum? This film is a very funny and very clever addition to the genre. A pair of mismatched detectives search for a missing porn actress and uncover proof of collusion between Detroit auto makers and pollution in downtown Los Angeles; with Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, and Kim Basinger. Many scenes were shot in Atlanta, Georgia although the film is set in Los Angeles. The Comedy Store is in several shots. 9 wins & 34 nominations. "70" Metascore. I had seen this one before, but I might even watch it again sometime in the future.    Began season #1 of 'SEINFELD' (Netflix). I watched about half of the episode and understand why 'the comedy guys' love this series so much. It's the essence of observatio...

 Mo 3/11/24 715am (2-B). 810am (1-SB). 910am (1-SB). 120pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 615am: Bright, breezy & sunny with temps to mid 60's. Watched 'THE GIFT' (Netflix).  A couple seems to be harassed by a neurotic man from hubby's past. The hook is that it was the husband who was a psycho and 'the gift giver' is just trying to even the score. A very intelligent psychological drama. I really like it; with Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, and Joel Edgerton. 2 wins & 12 nominations. "77" Metascore.    Finished episode #5 of 'GLORIA' (Netflix). I decided that I'll move on to something else. I couldn't understand what was going on. Who were the 'good' guys? Wrote a short Chat 12pm: Running late and I'll hit the sidewalks and do the weights when I return. {No weights today}  130pm- 305pm: To Washington Park...Parkview,  Wash.Pk southside,  Wiggins,  Outer Park,  Park,  Wash.Pk northside, up the hill,  Parkview,  F...

 Su 3/10/24 830am (2-B). 940am (1-SB). 1045am (1-SB). 1250pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  ***My right ear is very clogged and the 'rubber syringe treatment' last night seemed to make it worse. Up 7am (The New Time!)- Bright & sunny with temps to upper 40's.  Did the Weekly Cleaning Watched 'ALL GOOD THINGS' (Netflix). A profile of a couple involved in the ruthless and lucrative New York City real estate industry during the mid to late 20th century. This storyline seems eerily close to the life of Fred Trump, Donald Trump's dad. [Seymour Durst, mogul/ son, Robert Durst]. The film is a recreation of a bizarre True Crime Story that's chock full of  mystery, murder, and mayhem; with Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst, Frank Langella, Philip Baker Hall, and Nick Offerman. "57" Metascore, but I would have rated it higher.   Finished 'SHINY FLAKES: The Teenage Drug Lord' (Netflix). On the internet I learned that Max has since been arrested for s...

 Sa 3/9/24 710am (2-B). 750am (1-SB). 1140am (2-B). 550pm (2-B). 810pm (2-B).  Up 530am: Partly sunny & breezy with temps to low 40's.  Composed a note for 'Freda Rimmer' on Nextdoor. Is she a retiree from the computer room on So. 7th? Watched 'UNTHINKABLE' (Netflix). A man with known terrorist connections is apprehended and claims that he has hidden three nuclear bombs in three American cities that are to detonate in six hours. This film is the record of his interrogation.  The film poses the age-old question. Is it ever justifiable to sacrifice one life to save a million lives? The question isn't answered, and at the end of the movie we don't know if the bombs are real or if it was all a hoax to expose the underbelly of America's 'War On Terror'; with Samuel L. Jackson, Carrie-Anne Moss, Michael Sheen, and Martin Donovan. It raised some topical issues, but a little too corny.   Finished 'THE GENTLEMEN' (Netflix). In the final scene ...

 Fr 3/8/24- Buddy Sick {610am: 1 gummy}. 725am (2-B). 820am (1-SB). (1055am: 1 smaller gummy}. 210pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 6am: Rain last night and will continue through Friday evening with temps to mid 50's.  ***645am: Buddy got sick in the living room while I was typing. I opened a new can of Friskies and he was sick again at 755am. No food again until at least 9am. OK- 920am. Watched 'HAMSUN' (Kanopy). What it's like to be on the wrong side politically when the 'enemy' assumes control. A powerful film about Knut Hamsun, the Danish poet who felt that Hitler's most important objective was that Western Europe must become independent of British influence and that Norway would be an important partner in this Germanic reign. Hamsun agreed with Hitler's goal of a Europe dominated by Germany, but he was against The Fuhrer's methods. Hamsun's wife was extremely pro-Nazi, but they fell out because she thought that he had robbed her of her...

 Th 3/7/24 705am (2-B). 840am (1-SB). 115pm (2-B). 535pm (2-B). 810pm (2-B).  Up 550am: Cloudy with temps to mid 50's. I was going to watch 'THE PIG, THE SNAKE AND THE PIGEON' (Netflix), but wanted something a little more substantial. 'Pig...' seems to be lots of chop-socky, car chases, and gags. Not in the mood this morning.  Watched 'MEA CULPA' (Netflix). Vapid & silly tale of a Chicago artist who is on trial for murder. His female defense attorney's in-laws are behind the cover-ups and the murder. This film rises only to the level of a 4th rate crime novel; with Kelly Rowland and a Tyler Perry Production.  Title defined: Acknowledgement of one's fault or error. Mea lives in Chesterton, Indiana which is about 45 miles south and east around Lake Michigan. She commutes to the Loop and I never thought about people living in Indiana and working in downtown Chicago, but I guess it's very doable. "33" Metascore. Began 'THE GENTLEMEN...

 We 3/6/24 705am (2-B). 1220pm (2-B). 545pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 530am: Partly cloudy & breezy with temps to mid 50's. I wrote up 'THE GREEN RIPPER' by John D. McDonald and 'HOPE OF HEAVEN' by John O'Hara for the blog. Watched 'AFTER YANG' (Hoopla). A look at the emotional side of Artificial Intelligence. If a bot can think, it's not a stretch to believe that they might begin to experience emotional reactions.   "Technosapiens" "Techno Beings"..."What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly"- Lao Tzu... ***I cancelled the bucket hat from Amazon  and ordered another cap. Much  cheaper ($6.50) and will arrive on Monday.  Finished 'A KILLER PARADOX' (Netflix). According to the authorities, the fat sidekick was responsible for all of the murders. Lee Tang is not charged for anything due to inconclusive evidence, and the detective gets to keep the dog. A complex series that should...

 Tu 3/5/24- Buddy Sick 8am (2-B). 855am (1-SB). 110pm (2-B). 545pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 7am: Diarrhea at 3am and a restless night. Strong storms with lightning & thunder ending mid morning with temps to low 50's. It doesn't look like 2-3 inches of rain fell on Westview although the rain gauge is not out yet.  ***Buddy threw up his breakfast. I bought four cans of '9-Lives' yesterday and I'm wondering if the switch from 'Friskies' might be at fault. After more 'Friskies', I gave him some '9-Lives' about 10am and he seemed fine.  Watched 'LOST IN PERFECTION' (Netflix). A strange film from Taiwan about a middle aged and plain woman who seems to latch on to rich older gentlemen and bilk them of their savings, investments and life insurance. She's on the level, but a corrupt prosecutor uses a female news director to pump up the 'black widow' angle to take attention away from a political scandal. A fascinating story and i...

Mo 3/4/24 725am (2-B). 815am (1-SB). 1240pm (2-B). 355pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 620am: Partly cloudy & windy with temps to mid 70's. Heavy storms predicted for tonight...{At 8pm I noticed that 2 to 3 inches of rain could fall beginning about 1am}.   Watched 'THE LOST KING' (Kanopy). I thought the film was about Madness & Obsession, but the farfetch'd tale is based on actual events. A woman really did find Richard III's remains and she also was able to convince the current royalty that Richard III was a rightful King of England. A very fine & intelligent film; with Sally Hawkins, Steve Coogan, and Harry Lloyd. Directed by Stephen Frears and Steve Coogan was a co-writer. "64" Metascore. FUN FACT: Richard III was the first king to  implement the concept of 'innocent until proven guilty'.    Watched 'THE TRUE STORY OF JOHN DILLINGER' (Amazon Prime; 52"). The first 'War On Crime' only lasted about eighteen ...

Su 3/3/24 740am (2-B). 835am (1-SB). 1255pm (2-B). 545pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 6am: A mix of sun & clouds and very windy with temps to low 70's. The 'complete' Weekly Cleaning. Watched 'THE INFORMER' (Tubi). I had seen this one before, but it was well worth a second look. An informant for the FBI gets the goods on the Polish mafia, but the feds renege on their deal; with Joel Kinnaman, Rosamund Pike, Common, Ana de Armas, and Clive Owen. "61" Metascore.  Watched 'TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL' (Amazon Prime). He was a world class ice skater, a champion equestrian, a successful pop star, and an actor who happened to be gay.  It's  also an insightful look at how studios had an iron grip on who and how one could become a star.  1210pm: PC is 'Off' and the plan is to do the weights and then hit the sidewalks. Change of plans: maybe too windy to walk outside.  Weights: 3 sets/ 15 reps. 110pm: To Esporta...45" Precor.  45"Treadmill....

 Sa 3/2/24 735am (2-B). 935am (1-SB). 315pm (2-B). 545pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  ***An unsettling anxiety dream about taking a semi from an unfamiliar loading dock to a city that I had never seen before. The dilemma is that I wanted to quit or retire, but I can't. Up 615am: Bright & sunny with temps to 60. Cleaned up all of the ongoing series:  Finished 'WILD DISTRICT' (Netflix). The female prosecutor will run for president of Columbia and the guerrilla hero rethinks the breakup with his 'nurse/ girlfriend'. I will definitely watch season #2, but I'll let it simmer for a while.  Finished 'THE INDRANI MUKERJEA STORY: Buried Truth' (Netflix).  The voiceover at the end of the film says that after almost seven years the 'alleged' body of Indrani's daughter is still in the morgue. How can they disregard the DNA evidence? This can be proven to a 99.9999% probability.  Finished 'AMERICAN CONSPIRACY: The Octopus Murders' (Netflix). Nothing w...

 Fr 3/1/24 745am (2-B). 8am (1-SB). 1215pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 815pm (2-B).  Up 650am: {Thanks, Buddy} Flurries in the morning, then cloudy with temps to low 40's.  Watched 'DISRUPTED' (Amazon Prime). This was a pleasant surprise to stumble upon a grade 'A' movie festival quality Film Noir. A brass knuckle killer is on the streets of San Francisco and Oakland. Two black hoods and a 'fat fuck' take their revenge. It's got a twisted and engaging plotline that holds together superbly and peppered with very droll dialogue. Also, a deft satire of black stereotypes- black thug grows to like heavy metal even though it's the whitest stuff in musical history. Written and directed by Andre Welsh. More of 'THE INDRANI MUKERJEA STORY: Buried Truth' (Netflix). I shut it down 17 minutes into the final episode. I will finish the series tomorrow morning. The defense has chosen not to believe the DNA evidence that the body found is that of the defendant's...

 Th 2/29/24 705am (2-B). 8am (1-SB). 1225pm (2-B). 540pm (2-B). 810pm (2-B).  Up 530am: Partly sunny & breezy with temps to about 50. I wrote up 'THE CAPE COD LIGHTER' by John O'Hara and 'MISSING YOU' by Harlan Coben for the blog.  Watched 'FOE' (Amazon Prime). In the near future the Earth's resources have been ravaged and a couple lives on a desolate farm.  A government official comes to the farm and notifies the man that he has been chosen for a one year, exterrestrial mission and a clone of himself will be provided to stay with his wife. Emotional mayhem ensues and the hook is that when the movie begins the viewer is unaware that the husband is actually the clone. The woman decides that she prefers the clone and she leaves her husband and has a clone made to keep him happy. An interesting & intriguing idea and well worth a look, but I felt it could have been better; with Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal, and Aaron Pierre. "44" Metascore. W...