Yes, I'm still here...
2024.02.26
Song of the day:
Yes, I’m still here…
A friend asked me yesterday if I was still doing this blog because it’s been a month since I’ve checked it, and yes, I’m still doing it. It’s just been a super busy few weeks, and I guess I haven’t had a lot to say! So, let’s catch up a bit, shall we?
Had some fun at a couple of Sharks games at the end of January, and enjoyed building the Lunar New Year LEGO Dragon.
I turned 56 on February 4, and my mom came out to visit for a few days. We enjoyed a number of meals, met up with a couple of friends, saw a movie, watched a lot of TV while it was pouring down rain, and enjoyed the AHL All-Star festivities.
Every other Sunday in February was spent seeing a musical - two in San Francisco and one in San Jose. My favorite of the three was The Wiz (one of my all-time favorites), followed by Chicago and MJ. I had fun at each of the shows with friends, and am glad to check a couple of those off my list of seeing for the first time. I saw The Wiz on stage in the early 90s in Chicago and have been wanting to see it again ever since. I’m so glad they’re doing this revival. It’s soooo good!!
I made it to the movies a few times in the last month…here’s a quick rundown:
Argyle - My mom and I saw this when she was out, and we thoroughly enjoyed it! Is it bonkers? Absolutely. But it was action-packed, engaging throughout, and funny. Also, there’s a cute cat!
Turning Red - I’d watched this multiple times on Disney+, as it was released directly to that streaming service in the early days of the pandemic. I always thought it was a bummer that it never got a theatrical release so was thrilled when they brought it to theaters for a few weeks. It was fun to see it on the big screen, and it’s still one of my favorites.
Bob Marley: One Love - This was excellent! I have never been a Bob Marley fan, nor have I been a fan of reggae music in general. However, I’ve always thought Bob Marley was extremely talented and that he lived a fascinating life - one that was cut short far too early. When I first saw the previews I knew I wanted to see it, and then when I learned that the Marley family - Ziggy Marley most of all - were involved in the production of the movie, it was a done deal. I learned a lot and highly recommend it whether you like the music or not.
This week I’m going to see a documentary called Kiss the Future. Per IMDB, “Kiss the Future celebrates the underground art and music scene that thrived during the siege of Sarajevo. The biggest band in the world, U2, paid attention and shined a light on the crisis in an effort to support the besieged Sarajevans. The film culminates in a post-war unification concert. A cautionary tale about the rise of nationalism, and an uplifting celebration of the power of the human spirit and art as a tool of survival and inspiration.” I have a feeling it’s going to be intense but also very good. I’ll keep y’all posted.
I’ve also read a few books recently…here’s a quick summary of those as well:
Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel Linden - I think I finished this on the day I last posted on this blog. It was fine, though not my favorite. I liked her prior book better.
With or Without You by Eric Smith - I enjoyed this, but it wasn’t my favorite of Eric Smith’s young adult novels. Still, it was a fun story, and Eric’s writing is always good.
Lonely Hearts Day by Kasie West - This was a cute and fun novella. I’ve read all of Kasie’s books, and this was a great little read. She’s one of my favorites.
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams - This was great! The story is told in two separate timelines - a style I tend to like - and it’s fascinating. I learned a lot about the history of Harlem, from the perspective of a Black man who lived it and a Black woman learning about it as she goes. It’s a good one, but be advised, there are some sex scenes. If that’s not your thing, you can skim past them. I did. :-)
I’m currently reading The Royal Game: A Novel by Linda Keir, and it’s fun so far! It’s also told in two timelines, and much of it is ripped from recent headlines about the royal family in England. I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes. I’ve heard there may be a movie coming as well. I’d watch it.
Let’s see, what have I been watching on TV?
Grammy’s - I enjoyed it; Trevor Noah is great; didn’t agree with all the wins - as if anyone did - and didn’t watch all the performance, but some of them were AMAZING (Tracy Chapman! - see the Video of the day below to relive the magicaa); overall it was one of the better Grammy broadcasts in a while.
People’s Choice Awards - I started watching these and got bored so I just read the winners online. Meh.
SAG Awards - Didn’t love the Netflix broadcast, and wasn’t all that surprised by the winners, but it was okay. Enjoyed some of the reunions of TV and movie casts.
The Floor - Y’all. This is seriously such a good show! The finale is this week, and I’m excited! If you’re not involved you’re missing out. Anyone watching it?
Quantum Leap - They are doing such good things with this show. I absolutely love it, but it’s over for this season. I hope it’s renewed for next year! Anyone else a fan?
The Rookie - The new season of this show started last week, and as usual, it was a good one. I love this show - okay, I love Nathan Fillion, but the whole cast is great. Anyone else watching this one?
There are a few other things I’m watching, but these are the shows on the top of my list these days. What are you watching?
So that’s basically what’s been happening over here…no real notes on anything else. I can tell you that I took down my last Christmas tree over the weekend, which is earlier than I usually get it down. Last year it didn’t happen until April because of the evil that was COVID. But it’s down and put away for another year, and I’m about halfway finished re-boxing the ornaments. Yeah, there are a lot of them. I’ll get it done this week. Probably. I met one friend for lunch on Sunday and another for dinner and the Chicago musical, so that made for a busy, but great day. I made up for it by not leaving the house on Saturday. Balance is key, right?
Alright, that’s it for now. Have a great day!
Video of the day:
I'm going to read The Royal Game next after I finish what I'm currently reading! I think you've met Keir Graff. He and his family were at Todd's rooftop concert party.
I've missed your posts too! Did you watch The Irrational, Jesse L. Martin's new show? I'll watch him in anything, and it's nice to see him in a leading role. It's coming back for Season 2.