Posted by The sweltering days are upon us, people. If you can avoid the outdoors, I highly advise it! 🙂 (I know, some people LIVE for this weather. My brother, Bob, is one. He lives in Texas and says that the heat is ‘dry’. Uh, huh…lol)
Changes are being made! If you poke around the blog a bit, you might see some alterations. I’m in the process of individualizing the Meet & Greet Archive section. I initially had the interviews in groups (A – F, etc.), but with over 260 interviews, the lists were getting too long to scroll. Hopefully, this makes finding things easier. I’ve also moved the MY BOOKS section to its own Featured area. Keep an eyeball peeled and let me know if these changes are helpful (or not).
I’m just starting to gear up for Draft #4 of my current manuscript (In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 3) which I plan to start later this month. I’ve also been thinking about my NEXT book which is going to be a total left turn from my usual writing. I don’t want to say too much at this point (way too early), but it will be non-fiction. I’ll address the reason(s) for the “one-off” later, when the starting time for that one begins. Stay tuned.
As for events, I finally have one coming up! The Harvest Craft and Vendor Show in Bartlett, Illinois (August 23 and 24) will be a new one for me. After that, the Heyworth Market on Main (in Heyworth, Illinois) is taking place on Saturday, September 15 from 11am to 3pm. As usual, all the details can (or will) be available in the Events section of the blog if you’re interested.
Okay, what have we been watching?
Sopranos (1999 – 2007) – Rewatch – What can I say? This amazing show turned out to be even MORE incredible now, having watched it at a different time in my life. We first saw it “around” 2010 or so and I thought it was good, but too complicated to follow (and not funny at all). During this second watch, I found some incredible humor, noticed more things, and appreciated the whole arc of each character. If it’s been some years since you’ve gone through all 6 seasons, do yourself a favor. Solid, solid recommend.
Beyond the Time Barrier (1960) – An experimental pilot testing a rocket-powered craft finds himself in the future, where he discovers a society completely devastated by a plague. (Google) The ironic nugget of this movie is that the main character time travels to 2024! Aside from that, it’s a standard 50s/60s take on the space age and the future. The acting is pretty laughable as is the technology, dialogue, and setting, but sure, it’s a mildly fun romp into nostalgia. I gave it a 4.1, but Charlie dug it and came in at 7.0.
Cage Without A Key (1975) – A high-school girl (Susan Dey) winds up in a rough women’s detention center after accepting a ride with a stranger. (Google) An absolutely ridiculous plot and circumstance provides the viewer with some good old-fashioned “After School Special” vibes. Implausible but necessary for the story, the characters are cookie-cutter, stereotypical, and painful to watch. The ending comes suddenly and if you’re not shaking your head in disbelief during the final scene, you weren’t watching closely enough (which, come to think of it, is probably a blessing in disguise…lol). I could only manage a 5.0, but Charlie was at a staunch 3.0. I think he might be on to something.
Hundreds of Beavers (2022) – A drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America’s greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers. (Google) This one is an odd duck, and not in a good way. Full disclosure – I stopped watching it around the fifteen minute mark. To be honest, I would have stopped before that for my own sanity. I know this gets high ratings on various sites, but there was something VERY disturbing about the animation, the cinematography, and the way shots were set up. It truly bothered and unsettled me. There’s something about the style that made it unwatchable. Yes, it’s surreal. Yes, it combines a host of film/animation/creative takes. But it was not for me. At all. I gave it a 0.0 because Charlie wouldn’t let me give a score in negative numbers. He rated it an 8.8. Obviously, it’s a hit or miss, depending on your own mileage.
America’s Got Talent (2024 – current season) – This is something we usually watch during dinner (as it’s easy to pause and come back to later). There are some incredibly talented people out there (and some that aren’t…), and it’s a fun ride. Good things: some of the acts, any time animals show up, Howie. Not so good: whenever the cameras show the audience commenting on something, the endless run up to each act that sometimes goes on longer than the performances themselves. Overall, a solid, fun show during the summer months.
And that is a wrap, people. Please share the blog far and wide. If you’ve read any of my books, PLEASE leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. And if you know of any author, musician, or artist who would like to be part of the blog in an interview, send them my way! (srovens@yahoo.com)
Sue Rovens 