New Bloggy Update! 9/13/23

Event-a-Palooza.

I’m sure I didn’t make that up…but for the moment, I’ll own it because that’s what’s been going on over the past few weeks and will continue through December. This past Saturday, I attended the Dark History and Horror Convention (in Champaign, Illinois) with a bunch of other groovy authors and art folks. It was a long day, but lots of fun was had. I was able to connect with some folks, old AND new, and Charlie discovered that a sagging couch might not be as friendly as it appears. (lol)

This Sunday, we’re back on the road (okay, in reality Heyworth is about 10 minutes from our house) for the Market on Main in Heyworth, Illinois which runs from 11am to 3pm. I haven’t done an outdoor event in a while, so part of the festivities will no doubt involve Charlie and I attempting to put up the tent. The weather, as of this writing, promises to behave itself. More info can be found on the Events page of the blog.

And dare I say, I have three events in October! Tomes of Terror, Wordsmith BookShoppe, and Wheaton Haunted Flea – October 14, 21, and 28, respectively. As it gets closer, I’ll be posting all the info about each one in the Events section – so be sure to check on that!

Yes, I am planning on doing NaNo this year. I think I mentioned that before. I’ll be working on In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 3. Fifteen short stories that fall into the horror category. I have basic ideas for 13 of them as of this typing, but where they end up is anyone’s guess. As I’ve stated many times, I’m a pantster – I start with the most basic of concepts and don’t know what’s coming until I sit at the keyboard. I’m looking forward to the short story form again. I just need a break from “the novel” way of thinking.

In random news – I had a most awesome visit from my sister. She was here for a few days and we were lucky enough to see a fox in the backyard! So cool! Noodle has been fighting a kitty cold for about a week now. A call to the vet assured me that there isn’t much they can do for a general cold. Kitties apparently get them every now and then, but there’s no cause for concern. So, we’re just keeping an eyeball on him. (he’s better today 🙂 )

Okay – what are we watching?

River Wild (2023) – Joey fears there could be trouble ahead after her brother invites a childhood friend with a troubled past on their whitewater rafting adventure. When they become stranded in raging rapids, the thrill-seeking trip quickly turns into a desperate fight for survival as someone seems intent on sabotage to ensure shocking secrets stay buried. (Google) This is one of those films that starts off one way and somewhere around the half hour point, it changes direction. It’s a solid thrill-ride that plays a bit fast and loose with logic, but the movie is good enough to overlook some of the character’s choices. I would recommend this to anyone who likes suspense in an outdoor setting. I gave it a solid 7.2 and Charlie gave it an 8.

The Father (2020) – A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages. As he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality. (Google) Is there anything that Anthony Hopkins can’t do as far as acting goes? Once again, he leads…nay, commands this film throughout its hour and thirty-seven minute run time. No special effects are needed. This is acting at its best, pure and simple. But, having said that, you can’t watch this while doing anything else. No phones, no washing dishes. You need to be present for every scene and every bit of dialogue because it’s too easy to miss something here. People looking for an intense and serious work of drama – this is for you. I gave it an 8.8 and Charlie gave it a 9.

The Conspiracy (2012) – Two young filmmakers select a crazed conspiracy theorist as the subject for their next project, but they soon come to believe that the man isn’t as delusional as they originally thought. (Google) This “mockumentary” presents real footage mixed in with “docu-drama” spliced in – but, no spoilers here, this is not a true-to-life story. Some of what is shown IS real, but keep your skeptic hat firmly in place as the film goes deeper and deeper into “the findings”. I don’t want to give too much away, but if you end up NOT watching this, I think your life will be just as filling.

Who is Erin Carter? (2023) – Series. Erin Collantes, a British teacher in Spain, finds herself caught up in a supermarket robbery. When one of the robbers claims to recognize her, her life threatens to unravel.(Google) I couldn’t help myself, but every episode that I watched, I thought of “Who is Eric Cartman?” from South Park. (lol) I went in cold and left five (out of seven episodes later) still cold, with a side of distaste. I found the main character to be so eye-rollingly annoying and unrealistic that I wanted to throw a pillow at the screen. There were SO MANY plots/scenes/situations that the audience was simply supposed to overlook and accept that it made the show’s premise almost a satire. You know, if they played it as a “joke” on the genre, it might have been better. But, as it stands (and I know that this is a BIG DEAL show right now), I found it cringe-worthy and bowed out after the fifth episode.

Telemarketers (2023) – The unexpected 20-year journey of two unlikely office buddies, who stumble upon the truth behind the work they’ve been doing at a seedy call centre, persuading people to give money to charities, and vow to expose the American telemarketing industry. (Google) A real take on the behind-the-scenes happenings of what happens in (many) call centers. If you’ve EVER worked a low wage, blue collar, nightmare job, this is for you. This three part series is well worth the time.

And that is a proverbial wrap, people!

Have a great week and don’t forget to spread the blog far and wide! 🙂