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Apr. 10th, 2016 10:21 pm1.)Having a relatively low-key weekend. Read a bit more of Hamiliton, which continues to amaze and impress, apparently it's uncertain who his father was. At the age of 14, after his mother and various guardians die tragically, Thomas Stevens, a local merchant, takes Hamilton in as his clerk and apprentice. The kicker? Hamilton looks exactly like Stevens son, Edward. So close, the resemblance caused people to pause and comment on it. Meanwhile, Hamilton looked nothing at all like his brother James. This, the historian (Ron Chernow) states, explains some mysteries in Hamilton's story. Such as why his father abandoned the family. And why, Hamilton, who was exceedingly loyal and valued family above all things, remained distant and estranged from the Hamiltons.
Also, apparently Hamilton lied about his age. He was actually older than reported. Born in 1755 not 1757. There's inconsistencies in the records. Which makes me think, that they may have been trying to hide who his real lineage was?
The book is part detective story and part history novel. And it's a bit of a page-turner.
And...Dicksonian in its level of tragedy and horror. Actually, I think Hamilton could give David Copperfield a run for his money. Before the age of 14, Hamilton's father abandons him, mother dies of a tragic fever that almost kills him as well (at that time the treatment was enema, purging, and bleeding), is disinherited, loses a second guardian to suicide (her cousin), and taken in and put to work by a merchant.
2.) Got a hair cut and color that was ridiculously expensive, which is why I only do this every six-eight months. Well, that, and I'm not a fan of staring at myself in the mirror for a long time.
Lovely day, in the upper 40s, low 50s, sky a pristine shade of turqoise. On the way to the hair stylist passed a new store called "Painting with a Twist" -- it basically provides painting classes for $35-$55 dollars. Picked up a card about it. There's all sorts of little art classes and art establishments popping up over the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn, which is so pricy right now, it's outdone the upper East Side. And the languages are all European, French, Italian, German, and a bit of Spainish - but from Spain not Central America or Mexico. You see models, actors, celebrities, etc all over the place. Well, I don't -- I have horrific facial recognition skills. I wouldn't know a celebrity if they came up and rubbed elbows with me. People have to point them out to me. Usually if someone looks familiar to me, I dismiss it. Because I can't tell, unless I've been spending a lot of time with them. (I had to have someone point out Elijah Wood to me in a bar, I'd know clue it was him and we'd been staring at each other, waiting for the bartender to refill our drinks. He looked like all the other folks in the bar to me. Short, brown hair, with a beard.)
3.) ( what was making me ill )
4.) Still haven't made it to Batman vs. Superman or Deadpool. May try next week or just wait until it comes out on - on demand or netflix/amazon streaming, HBO, or the like. I don't really have time for movies at the moment. Have a lot at home. Traded in The Room and Macbeth on Saturday, for Bridge of Spies and Brooklyn. Currently have Grandma, End of the Tour, and 99 Homes. Plus everything saved on my DVR. So about 70 hours worth.
Watched:
* To Call the Midwife -- which was better than expected. They started in the 1950s just after the WAR and have progressed to the 1960s now. It's a show about midwives in East London during the 1950s and 60s. This episode focused on older women's health, the fitness movement, and birth defects caused by phyllida, aka Haden's syndrom. Also, one of the midwive's girlfriend was invited to live with them, by the nuns. (The nuns don't know that she's more than a girlfriend, which could be problematic.) I watch more for the characters than the social issues. It's not soapy in the last, more in line with other BBC period dramas. And far better written than Mercy Street. Heidi Thomas is the head writer.
* The Catch -- continues to be a fun twisty romp. This past week's episode had two B storylines, along with the A storyline. ( vague spoilers ) It's worth a look-see. Much more of a thriller/puzzle drama than soap opera like all of Rhimes other series.
* Speaking of which...Scandel took a break from political satire (thank god) and decided to go back to it's crazy bloody noir roots. ( Spoilers )
At this point there's only one or two characters that appear sane and aren't homicidial murders. The show is so over-the-top, it's hard to take it seriously. It's clearly a satire/parody of many of the male centric anti-hero shows on tv at the moment. But I'm starting to get tired of the "jaw-dropping moments" and "shocking plot twists", which at this point aren't all that shocking. Note to television writers, and novelists for that matter -- if you do the plot-twist/shock value bit every chapter or every week or every two weeks...it ceases being shocking and becomes predictable. The audience starts waiting for it, and after a while grows tired. Come up with something else to hold our interest.
Other than that, it was enjoyable. The acting is top-knotch and the dialogue is generally good. Also the plot tracked. Plus, a shout-out to Diana Ross, with the closing ballad, "Do You Know Where You're Going To - Theme song from Mahogany.
* Vampire Diaries - Stefan has finally gotten his wish, he's human. Awww...the irony, it's not lost on anyone. Especially since, he's trapped in a alcoholic loser, who killed half a busload of people due to his addiction and is going through wicked withdrawl while fleeing the authorities. Meanwhile the guy who got his body is about to slaughter half a fraternity house in Memphis.
All this ...while he blames his brother, Damon, for everything that has ever happened to him. If it weren't for Damon, he'd be happy. (Yeah, right. This is my difficutly with Stefan, he is moping with guilt, or blaming Damon for everything. )
Flashbacks to their youth though continue to intrigue. I watch because the brother dynamic interests me. But at this point the romantic relationships are growing stale. Stefan is awfully fickle. As is Caroline. I feel sorry for Alaric, Damon, Matt and Bonnie who are stuck with them.
Also, apparently Hamilton lied about his age. He was actually older than reported. Born in 1755 not 1757. There's inconsistencies in the records. Which makes me think, that they may have been trying to hide who his real lineage was?
The book is part detective story and part history novel. And it's a bit of a page-turner.
And...Dicksonian in its level of tragedy and horror. Actually, I think Hamilton could give David Copperfield a run for his money. Before the age of 14, Hamilton's father abandons him, mother dies of a tragic fever that almost kills him as well (at that time the treatment was enema, purging, and bleeding), is disinherited, loses a second guardian to suicide (her cousin), and taken in and put to work by a merchant.
2.) Got a hair cut and color that was ridiculously expensive, which is why I only do this every six-eight months. Well, that, and I'm not a fan of staring at myself in the mirror for a long time.
Lovely day, in the upper 40s, low 50s, sky a pristine shade of turqoise. On the way to the hair stylist passed a new store called "Painting with a Twist" -- it basically provides painting classes for $35-$55 dollars. Picked up a card about it. There's all sorts of little art classes and art establishments popping up over the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn, which is so pricy right now, it's outdone the upper East Side. And the languages are all European, French, Italian, German, and a bit of Spainish - but from Spain not Central America or Mexico. You see models, actors, celebrities, etc all over the place. Well, I don't -- I have horrific facial recognition skills. I wouldn't know a celebrity if they came up and rubbed elbows with me. People have to point them out to me. Usually if someone looks familiar to me, I dismiss it. Because I can't tell, unless I've been spending a lot of time with them. (I had to have someone point out Elijah Wood to me in a bar, I'd know clue it was him and we'd been staring at each other, waiting for the bartender to refill our drinks. He looked like all the other folks in the bar to me. Short, brown hair, with a beard.)
3.) ( what was making me ill )
4.) Still haven't made it to Batman vs. Superman or Deadpool. May try next week or just wait until it comes out on - on demand or netflix/amazon streaming, HBO, or the like. I don't really have time for movies at the moment. Have a lot at home. Traded in The Room and Macbeth on Saturday, for Bridge of Spies and Brooklyn. Currently have Grandma, End of the Tour, and 99 Homes. Plus everything saved on my DVR. So about 70 hours worth.
Watched:
* To Call the Midwife -- which was better than expected. They started in the 1950s just after the WAR and have progressed to the 1960s now. It's a show about midwives in East London during the 1950s and 60s. This episode focused on older women's health, the fitness movement, and birth defects caused by phyllida, aka Haden's syndrom. Also, one of the midwive's girlfriend was invited to live with them, by the nuns. (The nuns don't know that she's more than a girlfriend, which could be problematic.) I watch more for the characters than the social issues. It's not soapy in the last, more in line with other BBC period dramas. And far better written than Mercy Street. Heidi Thomas is the head writer.
* The Catch -- continues to be a fun twisty romp. This past week's episode had two B storylines, along with the A storyline. ( vague spoilers ) It's worth a look-see. Much more of a thriller/puzzle drama than soap opera like all of Rhimes other series.
* Speaking of which...Scandel took a break from political satire (thank god) and decided to go back to it's crazy bloody noir roots. ( Spoilers )
At this point there's only one or two characters that appear sane and aren't homicidial murders. The show is so over-the-top, it's hard to take it seriously. It's clearly a satire/parody of many of the male centric anti-hero shows on tv at the moment. But I'm starting to get tired of the "jaw-dropping moments" and "shocking plot twists", which at this point aren't all that shocking. Note to television writers, and novelists for that matter -- if you do the plot-twist/shock value bit every chapter or every week or every two weeks...it ceases being shocking and becomes predictable. The audience starts waiting for it, and after a while grows tired. Come up with something else to hold our interest.
Other than that, it was enjoyable. The acting is top-knotch and the dialogue is generally good. Also the plot tracked. Plus, a shout-out to Diana Ross, with the closing ballad, "Do You Know Where You're Going To - Theme song from Mahogany.
* Vampire Diaries - Stefan has finally gotten his wish, he's human. Awww...the irony, it's not lost on anyone. Especially since, he's trapped in a alcoholic loser, who killed half a busload of people due to his addiction and is going through wicked withdrawl while fleeing the authorities. Meanwhile the guy who got his body is about to slaughter half a fraternity house in Memphis.
All this ...while he blames his brother, Damon, for everything that has ever happened to him. If it weren't for Damon, he'd be happy. (Yeah, right. This is my difficutly with Stefan, he is moping with guilt, or blaming Damon for everything. )
Flashbacks to their youth though continue to intrigue. I watch because the brother dynamic interests me. But at this point the romantic relationships are growing stale. Stefan is awfully fickle. As is Caroline. I feel sorry for Alaric, Damon, Matt and Bonnie who are stuck with them.