Posted by 
Just about there, people. 2024 is coming to a close. It’s certainly been a year of…things. Both good and bad. Both crazy and calm. Both fear-inducing and hopeful. I imagine 2025 will be similar and swing wildly from “ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS?” to “THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER” and back again. I only hope that the latter (the best days) outweigh the other side.
There hasn’t been much in the way of writing over the past couple weeks. This time of year isn’t exactly conducive to sitting quietly and thinking about phrasing and ideas. (lol) By now, I kind of know this and refuse to place any expectations on myself as far as composition goes. I’m more stringent when it comes to getting cardio and weights in, especially with snackies and treats so close at hand. Still, the days between Christmas/Hanukah and New Years Day remain weird, timeless, and limbo-like. After 60 years, I’ve learned not to fight it anymore. 🙂
For those of you who do events (sell your wares at places other than your website), now is the time to start poking around for applications. Spring ones tend to fill up FAST. Keep an eyeball out for scammers, though. They’ve gotten VERY good at advertising events that look completely real…but aren’t. I’ve been hearing from other vendors that there are more and more scams out there. Be careful. Don’t lose your money. I did once (the person skipped town with everyone’s $), so I’ve become extra cautious. Things that may help:
- Call/write to the venue in question and ask if that particular event is actually happening. Some scammers provide addresses and venues that don’t even exist.
- Check and double-check the dates. Scammers will pull something like “XXXX is taking place on September 31! Hurry and sign up now!” (September only has 30 days)
- Check out the person who claims to be the host/hostess. If they don’t have a social media footprint (or if you don’t know them personally – I realize some people aren’t on social media), be wary.
Unfortunately, it can happen. Just be cautious when it comes to parting with your hard-earned money!
Top: Biscuit at 3 months.
Bottom: Biscuit at 5.5 months
Someone’s growing up! 🙂
Okay, what the heck have we been watching:
The Substance (2024) – Elisabeth Sparkle, renowned for an aerobics show, faces a devastating blow on her 50th birthday as her boss fires her. Amid her distress, a laboratory offers her a substance which promises to transform her into an enhanced version of herself. (Google) EVERYONE had been talking about this one, so of course this was high on our list. Right out of the gate, I could tell that this was going to be a wild ride – I just didn’t know quite HOW wild. Demi Moore (the lead) plays it raw, real, and does not let up. The special effects are pretty realistic as far as body horror goes, and the entire movie borders on the edge of ‘sanity’, ramping up beyond where you might think it’s going. To me, it was a combination of The Fly (1986), The Thing (80s), and a whole host of other body/sci-fi films. High recommend if you dig that genre. I gave it an 8.5 and Charlie came screaming in at a 9.3.
Carry-On (2024) – A young airline security guard is blackmailed by a mysterious passenger who threatens to smuggle a dangerous package onto a plane on Christmas Eve. (Google) Another must-see end-of-year film that snuck in under the 2024 wire. Normally, this one might not have reached my radar, but I’m a fan of Jason Bateman ever since Ozark, and probably before. He’s great at playing subtle as well as full-on crazy. This movie is no exception. A serious thriller where you might have to suspend belief, but only for a moment here or there. Solid acting. Solid story. Solid everything. I gave it a 7.9 and Charlie swung in at an 8.2.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) – Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) is an aging child star left to care for her wheelchair-bound sister Blanche (Joan Crawford), also a former child actress. Stuck living together in a mansion in old Hollywood, Blanche plots to get even with Jane for the car crash that left her crippled years earlier. But Jane is desperate to keep Blanche imprisoned as she plans a new rise to fame, and tries to hide Blanche’s existence from doctors, visitors and neighbors while she devises a way to get rid of her sister. (Google) I won’t even say that I finally caught up with this one (lol). I simply got around to seeing this – FINALLY. Does it hold up? Yes…in some ways. At 2 hours and 14 minutes, it does tend to push a few needless boundaries, but it was made in ’62. I imagine if they ever did a remake, they could get it down to about 90 minutes and still accomplish the same thing. If you dig retro movies that don’t pander to the masses, this is for you. I’m glad I saw it, but I won’t need to revisit. I gave it a 7.1.
Longlegs (2024) – Longlegs is a 2024 American police procedural horror film written and directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt, Blair Underwood, and Nicolas Cage. It follows an FBI agent in the 1990s who is tasked with tracking down an occultist serial killer responsible for murdering multiple families throughout Oregon. Cage also served as a producer on the film through his Saturn Films production company. (Wiki) I’ll be honest. I had to go back and re-read the story line to remember this one. It’s Nick Cage doing his Nick Cage weirdness, but it’s still a decent film. The story, for me, was a bit convoluted, but the acting and cinematography was solid. I didn’t find it scary or overly disturbing, although there are some images that might bother some viewers. If you do watch it, pay complete attention as there are storylines within storylines that can easily trip up the casual viewer. I gave it a 7.2 and Charlie sat at 7.9.
Okay, I think that’s enough of that. (lol) We HAVE started watching Squid Game (season 2) and have three more episodes to go. I’ve seen people pretty split on this new season, but I’m finding it to be strong and worth watching.
Have a GREAT New Year and I’ll catch you on the flipside – 2025! Thanks to ALL.
Sue Rovens 