Books and Television..
May. 7th, 2023 08:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatHaven't accomplished much this weekend, kind of crashed. Did make it outside twice to get groceries.
Hot flashes and perspiring seem to be linked with blood sugar fluctuations. Which is interesting.
But I have gotten my AIC down to a steady 6.0-6.1, and average glucose level at 117.
Today's was higher - but I also have a new sensor, and it always takes it a couple of days to stabilize. Also, I tend to exercise less and eat more carbs on weekends.
1. The Artist Way and Painting
While I've not necessarily stopped reading the book, I've given up on going to church and participating in their support groups associated with it.
I began to realize I was dreading it. And rewarding myself with chocolate mousse or sweets afterwards from local grocery stores in the area. (Not good for the diabetes.) Also, I have enough things that I'm worried about and dreading in my life at the moment - I don't need to add to them.
It was also doing a good job of triggering my social anxiety, and shutting me down artistically. The book was unblocking me, as were some of the activities, but the church was starting to shut me down - after it opened me up. Very odd.
I think the problem was : 1) the people I had the most in common with - were leaving the group, the people I had the least in common with were staying, (it went from 35 people to 25 in the space of 5 weeks) 2) Most of the people were performing artists, musicians, singers, and collaborative artists who were "professional artists" doing this for a living or money, not artists sneaking it on the side, while they had a day job. Or they were retired or recently quit/resigned/laid-off and trying to figure out how to be an artist for a "living". 3) there were rhythm games at the end of every session - I hate rhythm games. I can't do them well, and dread them.
4) We randomly counted off - and met in various areas of the church with other groups nearby. (I found this distracting), and watched the clock. Also nerve-wracking.
So, I stopped that after about six-seven weeks of it. I think I skipped the fifth and sixth session and stopped after the 9th. I attended about five-six of them, prior to giving up.
I told Wales all of this.
Wales: Don't stop painting. I really hope you continue the painting and drawing. Your work reminds me of...I don't know if you are familiar with Benard Goetz? He painted from memory - often using his wife as his inspiration. Also the artists who would do people on subway from a distance, but yours are more intimate. And in motion. I love them, and am enjoying them - please continue. That got you to do that at least.
I told her not to worry - I was enjoying that. It was making me happy. Making me enjoy the subway more, far less irritable and more aware of people. (Although I don't think they appreciate me staring at them, I do, I check them out and try to figure out how to draw them in my head. There was this man the other day who was wearing a leather vest and beads. Another had on a flowery jacket and was hugging his girlfriend.)
Also, lately everyone has been wearing black and dark colors - which is kind of boring to paint.
I've noticed something odd about non-visual artists over the years. Also, a lot of musicians or singers that I've met - can't draw (there are musicians who can - see Joni Mitchell - but for some reason, she mostly just paints and draws herself). CW said she just couldn't see in three dimensions. I think a lot of people don't think visually. When they listen to music they see the notes, mathematics, formulas, colors but not pictures. I see pictures of people, or a movie, or just feel the emotion of it. I can barely read music. I can't remember lyrics and the tune - and if I can, I can't replicate it. I can hear a Beatles song, sing it in my head, but I cannot replicate the sounds in my head outside of it. I'm not a musician. It's genetic, no one else in my immediate family is either - or many in the extended for that matter. We've all tried, we just aren't musically inclined. Nor can any of us dance - we all have two left feet. My father was horrible and dancing and singing. But he could draw, and paint, and write.
I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with how one thinks - if we think numerically or visually? If you can count - you are probably good with music. I can't count to save my life - which is why rhythm games do not work for me. But I can see whole movies and stories in my head. I can see words. I can see a face from memory and draw it. I just can't always place it with the person.
At any rate - the Artist Way did help me, but it didn't help me connect to people in my church. Oh well. May need to try something else along the way.
Mother told me that my cousin Casey, had stopped writing stories, and given up on becoming a novelist, and was now pursuing stand-up comedy. She'd taken a class in improvisational stand-up comedy - and was doing the comedy club circuit in PA.
More power to her. You couldn't pay me enough to do that. Been there done that with poetry. Also I don't like stand up comedy. I had a friend who tried to get me to do The Moth - and no. Just no. I don't like performing in front of lots of people. Been there done that. Not again.
2. Television.
* Queen Charlotte on Netflix - is amusing. Very witty dialogue.
And it falls more into satire than romance. Shondra Rhimes is poking fun at the British Aristocracy and Historical Romance Novels. Actually most historical romance novels poke fun at the British Aristocracy and history, not that they don't deserve it. Because of course they do.
Mother: (after watching some of the coronation) - one thing you can say about the Brits, no one does pomp circumstance better than they do.
Me: Well, I'd hope they'd be good at that - considering they've only been doing it for the last five or six centuries now. One would think they'd have perfected it by now.
Mother: I didn't watch much of it. It started at five in the morning.
Me: I forgot about it, and didn't watch at all, nor planned to. I do not care. I don't understand why they care.
Wales: Did you hear about the protests?
Me: No. There were protests?
Wales: Yes, apparently the young people don't get why they still have a royal family and want to do away with it. People were arrested and everything.
Me: All I saw on Twitter was people making fun of the tacky kitschy outfits the King and Queen were wearing. Dear God, they were awful. Charles and Camilla will never be known for their fashion sense.
Wales: Did Harry go? Oh wait he attended, but left early and didn't interact with anyone. I kind of identify with him - I've similar issues.
ME: Well, no. You didn't publish a tell-all book about your family and rip them apart publicly in the book and in a documentary with your spouse. If you did that - they'd justifiably never speak to you again. He complained about having no privacy - then published private moments with family members. I don't see his brother, sister-in-law, father, or step-mother forgiving him any time soon.
Wales: They planned the coronation on the same day as his son's birthday to give his wife and him a way out.
Me: I sincerely doubt that - I've coordinated things, it's hard work to get everyone's schedule to fit.
Wales: He's the King - he can make them do whatever he wants.
Me: Well no. He doesn't really have that much power. He's kind of a prisoner - people tell him what he can and can't do and when he can do it.
His power is somewhat limited.
It's ridiculous. I honestly don't understand the British mindset on this at all. I just ignore it. I mean - we do elect idiots to the Presidency from time to time, but the British do that too - with Prime Ministers. But a monarchy?
Mother: But the pomp and circumstance!
Me: So what? I mean...do we really need this?
Anyhow, if you like snarky humor and Bridgerton, you'll enjoy Queen Charlotte. If not, skip. Needless to say, it's not historically accurate, but it's not supposed to be. I wouldn't call it a romance, maybe bitter-sweet? So much as a satire.
* Shadow and Bone
This is the tale of two television shows. One is the superior - Six of Crows plot to take down Pekkar, with a group of young anti-heroes. These characters are interesting.
The other is the kind of paint-by-numbers YA fantasy romance - about Saint Alina attempting to destroy the fold. And how she must marry a prince to do it, when she's really in love with her child-hood sweetheart/best friend, who is just a solider. This storyline, I could do without. I've seen and read it one too many times. Last season - the General was after her (he still is), this season, a swashbuckling prince, while her true love (whose steadfast and true and boring as all get out) stands by her side and supports whatever she decides. This storyline is dragging the show down.
I kind of wish that we had two shows. And I could skip the Alina one and just focus on the Six of Crows.
Also, whomever is playing Jesper, Kaz and Injel is excellent. Particularly the actors playing Kaz and Jesper. I'm also partial to Genjay, who I wanted more of, before Kirigan apparently killed her. The problem with this - is everyone but Alina and Mal and Kirigan is interesting.
***
Both are filmed in the dark, so alas, you need a darkened room to watch them. Frigging Netflix. It needs to stop doing that. Not everything should be filmed at night. Broadcast Network television doesn't do this, just streaming.
3. Books
*Killing John Wayne
This is an odd book or well, audiobook. It's telling two stories - one the story of the atomic bomb testing in the Utah desert and how it may have resulted in millions getting cancer, while the government twiddled its thumbs and paid little attention or money to the victims. The other - about the life and death of the movie studio that filmed an epic in that desert, and was kind of killed by it.
In between all of that are the stories of the players involved, the cast and crew of the film, and its director and producers.
Howard Hughes managed to stop that film from being widely released after its initial release. I think Universal managed to pry the rights from RKO, and Hughes. But Hughes had most of the copies. And he also sued Universal with a cease and desist injunction - when they attempted to show it after Wayne died as part of a retrospective in the 70s. Since Hughes death, it may have been shown here and there, but rarely. It's not the most politically correct film in the world - and it is truly awful.
No one knows why Hughes was so adamant about it not being shown. Guilt? Hubris? Hughes was and continues to be an enigma.
They did try to sue the Atomic Energy Commission in the 1980s, didn't get very far. It is the Federal Government - that's hard to sue. The best they were able to do was stop future testing - there were protests in Utah. Also they put in place a financial reimbursement for anyone "residing" in the area between 1951-1959, and 1962-the end of 1962. This left out all the people in the Conqueror - since they did not reside in the state.
However, John Wayne's family set up the John Wayne Foundation for Cancer Research - putting most of his earnings and royalties from his films, and fund-raising towards funding cures for cancer, and research into cancer. At the tail end of his career - Wayne basically became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and put his money and efforts towards finding a cure.
Howard Hughes funded a medical research center - into cancer research, along with other ailments, including mental health, and scientific research in medical improvements and enhancements. He'd switched the funding from Aviation to medical health research in the latter years of his life.
I was astonished to hear this - and it reminded me that people are always more than one thing.
George HW Bush is the one who signed the ban on Atomic Testing, and ended the Star Wars Testing and Weapon Development that Regan had pushed forward.
Along with Gorbachev, who approached Regan and the US for detente, and an end to atomic weapons and testing.
Nuclear power was pushed back - after 3 Mile Island. Also Hollywood did film after film condemning the practice. They flipped from pro-Atomic Testing and Power - to banning it.
RKO's film library was preserved under Turner Broadcasting, and whomever bought them out. And seen on TCM Movie classics. Often called Radioactive Film Studio - RKO. And they produced several films during a brief revival.
Also were bought by Dina Merrill - only to have a lawsuit brought against them.
That same year, RKO Pictures entered into a legal battle with Wall Street Financial Associates (WSFA). Hartley and Merrill claimed that the owners of WSFA fraudulently induced them into signing an acquisition agreement by concealing their "cynical and rapacious" plans to purchase RKO, with the intention only of dismantling it. WSFA sought a preliminary injunction prohibiting RKO's majority owners from selling their interests in the company to any third parties. The WSFA motion was denied in July 2003, freeing RKO to deal with another potential purchaser, InternetStudios.com. In 2004, that planned sale fell through when InternetStudios.com apparently folded. The company's minimal involvement in new film production continued to focus on its remake rights: Are We Done Yet?, based on Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948), was released in April 2007 to dismal reviews. In 2009, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, a remake of a 1956 RKO film directed by Fritz Lang, fared even worse critically, receiving a 7% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. A stage version of Top Hat toured Great Britain in the second half of 2011. The most recent RKO film coproductions are the well-received A Late Quartet (2012) and the 2015 flop Barely Lethal. Two months after Dina Merrill's May 2017 death,[241] independent producer Keith Patterson sued RKO, Hartley, and his second-in-command, Mary Beth O'Connor, over the collapse of plans to create multiple TV series based on RKO properties, starting with Citizen Kane. According to Patterson's suit, O'Connor controls access to Hartley and holds both his healthcare proxy and an option to acquire RKO and its intellectual property at a deep markdown after his death.As of November 2022, 98-year-old Hartley was still making public appearances connected with his avocation as a painter.
It's a weird book. But in a way ends on a good note?
Hot flashes and perspiring seem to be linked with blood sugar fluctuations. Which is interesting.
But I have gotten my AIC down to a steady 6.0-6.1, and average glucose level at 117.
Today's was higher - but I also have a new sensor, and it always takes it a couple of days to stabilize. Also, I tend to exercise less and eat more carbs on weekends.
1. The Artist Way and Painting
While I've not necessarily stopped reading the book, I've given up on going to church and participating in their support groups associated with it.
I began to realize I was dreading it. And rewarding myself with chocolate mousse or sweets afterwards from local grocery stores in the area. (Not good for the diabetes.) Also, I have enough things that I'm worried about and dreading in my life at the moment - I don't need to add to them.
It was also doing a good job of triggering my social anxiety, and shutting me down artistically. The book was unblocking me, as were some of the activities, but the church was starting to shut me down - after it opened me up. Very odd.
I think the problem was : 1) the people I had the most in common with - were leaving the group, the people I had the least in common with were staying, (it went from 35 people to 25 in the space of 5 weeks) 2) Most of the people were performing artists, musicians, singers, and collaborative artists who were "professional artists" doing this for a living or money, not artists sneaking it on the side, while they had a day job. Or they were retired or recently quit/resigned/laid-off and trying to figure out how to be an artist for a "living". 3) there were rhythm games at the end of every session - I hate rhythm games. I can't do them well, and dread them.
4) We randomly counted off - and met in various areas of the church with other groups nearby. (I found this distracting), and watched the clock. Also nerve-wracking.
So, I stopped that after about six-seven weeks of it. I think I skipped the fifth and sixth session and stopped after the 9th. I attended about five-six of them, prior to giving up.
I told Wales all of this.
Wales: Don't stop painting. I really hope you continue the painting and drawing. Your work reminds me of...I don't know if you are familiar with Benard Goetz? He painted from memory - often using his wife as his inspiration. Also the artists who would do people on subway from a distance, but yours are more intimate. And in motion. I love them, and am enjoying them - please continue. That got you to do that at least.
I told her not to worry - I was enjoying that. It was making me happy. Making me enjoy the subway more, far less irritable and more aware of people. (Although I don't think they appreciate me staring at them, I do, I check them out and try to figure out how to draw them in my head. There was this man the other day who was wearing a leather vest and beads. Another had on a flowery jacket and was hugging his girlfriend.)
Also, lately everyone has been wearing black and dark colors - which is kind of boring to paint.
I've noticed something odd about non-visual artists over the years. Also, a lot of musicians or singers that I've met - can't draw (there are musicians who can - see Joni Mitchell - but for some reason, she mostly just paints and draws herself). CW said she just couldn't see in three dimensions. I think a lot of people don't think visually. When they listen to music they see the notes, mathematics, formulas, colors but not pictures. I see pictures of people, or a movie, or just feel the emotion of it. I can barely read music. I can't remember lyrics and the tune - and if I can, I can't replicate it. I can hear a Beatles song, sing it in my head, but I cannot replicate the sounds in my head outside of it. I'm not a musician. It's genetic, no one else in my immediate family is either - or many in the extended for that matter. We've all tried, we just aren't musically inclined. Nor can any of us dance - we all have two left feet. My father was horrible and dancing and singing. But he could draw, and paint, and write.
I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with how one thinks - if we think numerically or visually? If you can count - you are probably good with music. I can't count to save my life - which is why rhythm games do not work for me. But I can see whole movies and stories in my head. I can see words. I can see a face from memory and draw it. I just can't always place it with the person.
At any rate - the Artist Way did help me, but it didn't help me connect to people in my church. Oh well. May need to try something else along the way.
Mother told me that my cousin Casey, had stopped writing stories, and given up on becoming a novelist, and was now pursuing stand-up comedy. She'd taken a class in improvisational stand-up comedy - and was doing the comedy club circuit in PA.
More power to her. You couldn't pay me enough to do that. Been there done that with poetry. Also I don't like stand up comedy. I had a friend who tried to get me to do The Moth - and no. Just no. I don't like performing in front of lots of people. Been there done that. Not again.
2. Television.
* Queen Charlotte on Netflix - is amusing. Very witty dialogue.
And it falls more into satire than romance. Shondra Rhimes is poking fun at the British Aristocracy and Historical Romance Novels. Actually most historical romance novels poke fun at the British Aristocracy and history, not that they don't deserve it. Because of course they do.
Mother: (after watching some of the coronation) - one thing you can say about the Brits, no one does pomp circumstance better than they do.
Me: Well, I'd hope they'd be good at that - considering they've only been doing it for the last five or six centuries now. One would think they'd have perfected it by now.
Mother: I didn't watch much of it. It started at five in the morning.
Me: I forgot about it, and didn't watch at all, nor planned to. I do not care. I don't understand why they care.
Wales: Did you hear about the protests?
Me: No. There were protests?
Wales: Yes, apparently the young people don't get why they still have a royal family and want to do away with it. People were arrested and everything.
Me: All I saw on Twitter was people making fun of the tacky kitschy outfits the King and Queen were wearing. Dear God, they were awful. Charles and Camilla will never be known for their fashion sense.
Wales: Did Harry go? Oh wait he attended, but left early and didn't interact with anyone. I kind of identify with him - I've similar issues.
ME: Well, no. You didn't publish a tell-all book about your family and rip them apart publicly in the book and in a documentary with your spouse. If you did that - they'd justifiably never speak to you again. He complained about having no privacy - then published private moments with family members. I don't see his brother, sister-in-law, father, or step-mother forgiving him any time soon.
Wales: They planned the coronation on the same day as his son's birthday to give his wife and him a way out.
Me: I sincerely doubt that - I've coordinated things, it's hard work to get everyone's schedule to fit.
Wales: He's the King - he can make them do whatever he wants.
Me: Well no. He doesn't really have that much power. He's kind of a prisoner - people tell him what he can and can't do and when he can do it.
His power is somewhat limited.
It's ridiculous. I honestly don't understand the British mindset on this at all. I just ignore it. I mean - we do elect idiots to the Presidency from time to time, but the British do that too - with Prime Ministers. But a monarchy?
Mother: But the pomp and circumstance!
Me: So what? I mean...do we really need this?
Anyhow, if you like snarky humor and Bridgerton, you'll enjoy Queen Charlotte. If not, skip. Needless to say, it's not historically accurate, but it's not supposed to be. I wouldn't call it a romance, maybe bitter-sweet? So much as a satire.
* Shadow and Bone
This is the tale of two television shows. One is the superior - Six of Crows plot to take down Pekkar, with a group of young anti-heroes. These characters are interesting.
The other is the kind of paint-by-numbers YA fantasy romance - about Saint Alina attempting to destroy the fold. And how she must marry a prince to do it, when she's really in love with her child-hood sweetheart/best friend, who is just a solider. This storyline, I could do without. I've seen and read it one too many times. Last season - the General was after her (he still is), this season, a swashbuckling prince, while her true love (whose steadfast and true and boring as all get out) stands by her side and supports whatever she decides. This storyline is dragging the show down.
I kind of wish that we had two shows. And I could skip the Alina one and just focus on the Six of Crows.
Also, whomever is playing Jesper, Kaz and Injel is excellent. Particularly the actors playing Kaz and Jesper. I'm also partial to Genjay, who I wanted more of, before Kirigan apparently killed her. The problem with this - is everyone but Alina and Mal and Kirigan is interesting.
***
Both are filmed in the dark, so alas, you need a darkened room to watch them. Frigging Netflix. It needs to stop doing that. Not everything should be filmed at night. Broadcast Network television doesn't do this, just streaming.
3. Books
*Killing John Wayne
This is an odd book or well, audiobook. It's telling two stories - one the story of the atomic bomb testing in the Utah desert and how it may have resulted in millions getting cancer, while the government twiddled its thumbs and paid little attention or money to the victims. The other - about the life and death of the movie studio that filmed an epic in that desert, and was kind of killed by it.
In between all of that are the stories of the players involved, the cast and crew of the film, and its director and producers.
Howard Hughes managed to stop that film from being widely released after its initial release. I think Universal managed to pry the rights from RKO, and Hughes. But Hughes had most of the copies. And he also sued Universal with a cease and desist injunction - when they attempted to show it after Wayne died as part of a retrospective in the 70s. Since Hughes death, it may have been shown here and there, but rarely. It's not the most politically correct film in the world - and it is truly awful.
No one knows why Hughes was so adamant about it not being shown. Guilt? Hubris? Hughes was and continues to be an enigma.
They did try to sue the Atomic Energy Commission in the 1980s, didn't get very far. It is the Federal Government - that's hard to sue. The best they were able to do was stop future testing - there were protests in Utah. Also they put in place a financial reimbursement for anyone "residing" in the area between 1951-1959, and 1962-the end of 1962. This left out all the people in the Conqueror - since they did not reside in the state.
However, John Wayne's family set up the John Wayne Foundation for Cancer Research - putting most of his earnings and royalties from his films, and fund-raising towards funding cures for cancer, and research into cancer. At the tail end of his career - Wayne basically became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and put his money and efforts towards finding a cure.
Howard Hughes funded a medical research center - into cancer research, along with other ailments, including mental health, and scientific research in medical improvements and enhancements. He'd switched the funding from Aviation to medical health research in the latter years of his life.
I was astonished to hear this - and it reminded me that people are always more than one thing.
George HW Bush is the one who signed the ban on Atomic Testing, and ended the Star Wars Testing and Weapon Development that Regan had pushed forward.
Along with Gorbachev, who approached Regan and the US for detente, and an end to atomic weapons and testing.
Nuclear power was pushed back - after 3 Mile Island. Also Hollywood did film after film condemning the practice. They flipped from pro-Atomic Testing and Power - to banning it.
RKO's film library was preserved under Turner Broadcasting, and whomever bought them out. And seen on TCM Movie classics. Often called Radioactive Film Studio - RKO. And they produced several films during a brief revival.
Also were bought by Dina Merrill - only to have a lawsuit brought against them.
That same year, RKO Pictures entered into a legal battle with Wall Street Financial Associates (WSFA). Hartley and Merrill claimed that the owners of WSFA fraudulently induced them into signing an acquisition agreement by concealing their "cynical and rapacious" plans to purchase RKO, with the intention only of dismantling it. WSFA sought a preliminary injunction prohibiting RKO's majority owners from selling their interests in the company to any third parties. The WSFA motion was denied in July 2003, freeing RKO to deal with another potential purchaser, InternetStudios.com. In 2004, that planned sale fell through when InternetStudios.com apparently folded. The company's minimal involvement in new film production continued to focus on its remake rights: Are We Done Yet?, based on Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948), was released in April 2007 to dismal reviews. In 2009, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, a remake of a 1956 RKO film directed by Fritz Lang, fared even worse critically, receiving a 7% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. A stage version of Top Hat toured Great Britain in the second half of 2011. The most recent RKO film coproductions are the well-received A Late Quartet (2012) and the 2015 flop Barely Lethal. Two months after Dina Merrill's May 2017 death,[241] independent producer Keith Patterson sued RKO, Hartley, and his second-in-command, Mary Beth O'Connor, over the collapse of plans to create multiple TV series based on RKO properties, starting with Citizen Kane. According to Patterson's suit, O'Connor controls access to Hartley and holds both his healthcare proxy and an option to acquire RKO and its intellectual property at a deep markdown after his death.As of November 2022, 98-year-old Hartley was still making public appearances connected with his avocation as a painter.
It's a weird book. But in a way ends on a good note?
no subject
Date: 2023-05-08 09:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-05-08 09:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-05-09 12:12 am (UTC)People do like their pomp and circumstance.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-09 07:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-05-08 04:59 pm (UTC)