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shadowkatI didn't go out at all today - even though it was for the most part, clear blue skies, and in the mid-fifties. Combination of a sinus headache verging on a migraine, and my right knee. I've put a knee compression sleeve on it, to provide support, and I'm icing it.
Commuting is becoming difficult, because Transit failed in making its subway stations fully accessible to anyone with mobility issues. The R train is the worst line in this regard. I thought the G line was bad, but the R is worse. Install ramps, not steps. RAMPS. Transit and I are going to have words on this issue, soon.
Only watched "Great British Bake Off" episode 9, and proceeded to go to sleep during it. So had to rewind (which is close to impossible on Netflix - I swear Netflix has the worst interface). Then watched church service, which also put me to sleep. (I actually fell asleep during it.) I've not been sleeping well - due to the knee issue. Last night, I turned and somehow moved the left knee into a position - it really did not appreciate, and it woke me up. (Note to younger self - never ever run on a tread mill - and if you do, and your knees go out - hunt down an orthopedist to fix them?)
Then, after the service, I made lunch, and clocked into the congregational meeting live-streaming on Zoom. (Gotta love technology.) It was unexpectedly interesting and in some respects informative, in a positive way. Apparently they have various controversial topics to discuss via the General Assembly - such as the Abolition of Prisons based on Racism (curious as to what they want to replace them with? I personally would like a more rehabilitative model based on Focault's approach.) That, they explained would involve a three-four year discussion, and research. (Yup). It took them a while to explain what it was. They stated it was Abolition on Racism, which is about as clear as mud. I mean, yes, we want racism abolished - but that's kind of impossible not exactly controversial? (Unitarians are fun - other religions discuss dogma or interpretations of ancient biblical text, Unitarians discuss social justice issues and how best to resolve them, which to be honest I find more interesting and productive. Honestly, why people care what was written in a long dead language over 2 million years ago is beyond me.) Less fraught hot button topics requiring discussion and action on...anti-authoritarianism and how to stand up to it, immigrant rights, and LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms. Also, training in civil disobedience. After this - they moved onto financial issues and we all discovered, with some dismay, that the former Minister, who had dissed the congregation way back in 2024 in a conservative Jewish publication...got paid $148K as a contractual severance package. And it's not like its a wealthy congregation without massive building expenses. People needed this to be explained - it was a contractual settlement, not a lot of explanation needed - it was negotiated by a prior board and folks no longer in a leadership position.
Honestly? I think the former minister shot herself in the proverbial foot. She's training to be a Rabbi - it's unlikely she'll get hired in New York. She's trying to sell books - and her audience was mainly that congregation. Also trying to make money doing Zoom Self-Help Torah Discussions, at $20, it's gone down to $18 a pop via Substack - again her audience was that congregation. She barely has anyone liking her posts on FB. She had a big following - she kind of burned that? Note to self: do not write about your former job and publish an interview on it in a magazine, onzine, or any publication that will be shared broadly. Not if you want another job in the not too distant future? Don't shit where you used to work. The stink can last a few years down the line. People may forgive? But they do not forget.
I think the church will change completely within the next few years, which isn't a bad thing. And I like some of the new leadership - far younger, that is moving it forward. Also, I think it's making some smart moves, and appears to be learning from past mistakes. So the meeting was rather positive, actually.
After that, I tried to watch Murder in a Small Town on Hulu (it's a new Fox series, about a Police Chief and a Librarian, based on a series of books published in the 1980s. It takes place in Canada, and was filmed in Canada? But honestly, I couldn't tell. If a Canadian who lives in the surrounding area hadn't told me that - I wouldn't know. For a while I thought it took place in either Oregon or Washington State. Although the area is called the Sunshine State for some reason or other? They don't mention the US or Canada at all, just various cities, Portland, Montreal, Gibbons, Philly...it could be a small town in Montana or Washington for all I knew? It's okay - kind of a cozy mystery series. Solve a crime each week. And the main focus appears to be on the developing romance between the Police Chief and the Librarian, played by Kristin Kreuk (Lana - Smallville), the Police Chief is growing on me, but didn't really grab me enough to continue with it? Also he kind of solves crimes the same way that Will Trent does? I like The Rainmaker better.
October Mememage
23. How do you dry your laundry? Indoors, outside or in a drier?
Indoors. (Outdoors is impossible where I live.) On a clothes drier hanger in my bedroom for clothing that can't be dried in a drier - and need to be laid flat, and in a drier for everything else. Occasionally, I send it out to be cleaned.
24. Do you own a calculator, or do you rely on your mental arithmetic skills?
Calculator. I can't do math in my head.
25. Have you ever had surgery?
Tonsils and wisdom teeth. Ages ago. Also a skin biopsy - it was negative. (Fingers crossed - that it never goes beyond that.)
26. Do you have a go-to ‘comfort’ novel you will return to again and again? Or do you prefer reading new fiction instead? Do you often reread books?
Yes - I have a go-to comfort novel(s). I re-listen to them, and re-read.
Right now, I'm re-listening to the Graphic Audio Dramatization of the Kate Daniels series (its an urban fantasy series by Illona Andrews). I've listened to it once already. Also, listened to all the audio books, and read all the books four times.
I love the characters, the dialogue, and the world building. If I fall in love with all the characters - then I'll re-read, and re-listen and re-watch as comfort.
Also did this with Sandition by Jane Austen and Another Lady (not the television version), Pride and Prejudice, several books in the Vicky Bliss series by Elizabeth Peters.
Usually, I prefer new fiction? But, well...I can't focus on it that well at the moment, so doing the re-listen of audio books while eating lunch at work, making lunch, breakfast and dinner.
Commuting is becoming difficult, because Transit failed in making its subway stations fully accessible to anyone with mobility issues. The R train is the worst line in this regard. I thought the G line was bad, but the R is worse. Install ramps, not steps. RAMPS. Transit and I are going to have words on this issue, soon.
Only watched "Great British Bake Off" episode 9, and proceeded to go to sleep during it. So had to rewind (which is close to impossible on Netflix - I swear Netflix has the worst interface). Then watched church service, which also put me to sleep. (I actually fell asleep during it.) I've not been sleeping well - due to the knee issue. Last night, I turned and somehow moved the left knee into a position - it really did not appreciate, and it woke me up. (Note to younger self - never ever run on a tread mill - and if you do, and your knees go out - hunt down an orthopedist to fix them?)
Then, after the service, I made lunch, and clocked into the congregational meeting live-streaming on Zoom. (Gotta love technology.) It was unexpectedly interesting and in some respects informative, in a positive way. Apparently they have various controversial topics to discuss via the General Assembly - such as the Abolition of Prisons based on Racism (curious as to what they want to replace them with? I personally would like a more rehabilitative model based on Focault's approach.) That, they explained would involve a three-four year discussion, and research. (Yup). It took them a while to explain what it was. They stated it was Abolition on Racism, which is about as clear as mud. I mean, yes, we want racism abolished - but that's kind of impossible not exactly controversial? (Unitarians are fun - other religions discuss dogma or interpretations of ancient biblical text, Unitarians discuss social justice issues and how best to resolve them, which to be honest I find more interesting and productive. Honestly, why people care what was written in a long dead language over 2 million years ago is beyond me.) Less fraught hot button topics requiring discussion and action on...anti-authoritarianism and how to stand up to it, immigrant rights, and LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms. Also, training in civil disobedience. After this - they moved onto financial issues and we all discovered, with some dismay, that the former Minister, who had dissed the congregation way back in 2024 in a conservative Jewish publication...got paid $148K as a contractual severance package. And it's not like its a wealthy congregation without massive building expenses. People needed this to be explained - it was a contractual settlement, not a lot of explanation needed - it was negotiated by a prior board and folks no longer in a leadership position.
Honestly? I think the former minister shot herself in the proverbial foot. She's training to be a Rabbi - it's unlikely she'll get hired in New York. She's trying to sell books - and her audience was mainly that congregation. Also trying to make money doing Zoom Self-Help Torah Discussions, at $20, it's gone down to $18 a pop via Substack - again her audience was that congregation. She barely has anyone liking her posts on FB. She had a big following - she kind of burned that? Note to self: do not write about your former job and publish an interview on it in a magazine, onzine, or any publication that will be shared broadly. Not if you want another job in the not too distant future? Don't shit where you used to work. The stink can last a few years down the line. People may forgive? But they do not forget.
I think the church will change completely within the next few years, which isn't a bad thing. And I like some of the new leadership - far younger, that is moving it forward. Also, I think it's making some smart moves, and appears to be learning from past mistakes. So the meeting was rather positive, actually.
After that, I tried to watch Murder in a Small Town on Hulu (it's a new Fox series, about a Police Chief and a Librarian, based on a series of books published in the 1980s. It takes place in Canada, and was filmed in Canada? But honestly, I couldn't tell. If a Canadian who lives in the surrounding area hadn't told me that - I wouldn't know. For a while I thought it took place in either Oregon or Washington State. Although the area is called the Sunshine State for some reason or other? They don't mention the US or Canada at all, just various cities, Portland, Montreal, Gibbons, Philly...it could be a small town in Montana or Washington for all I knew? It's okay - kind of a cozy mystery series. Solve a crime each week. And the main focus appears to be on the developing romance between the Police Chief and the Librarian, played by Kristin Kreuk (Lana - Smallville), the Police Chief is growing on me, but didn't really grab me enough to continue with it? Also he kind of solves crimes the same way that Will Trent does? I like The Rainmaker better.
October Mememage
23. How do you dry your laundry? Indoors, outside or in a drier?
Indoors. (Outdoors is impossible where I live.) On a clothes drier hanger in my bedroom for clothing that can't be dried in a drier - and need to be laid flat, and in a drier for everything else. Occasionally, I send it out to be cleaned.
24. Do you own a calculator, or do you rely on your mental arithmetic skills?
Calculator. I can't do math in my head.
25. Have you ever had surgery?
Tonsils and wisdom teeth. Ages ago. Also a skin biopsy - it was negative. (Fingers crossed - that it never goes beyond that.)
26. Do you have a go-to ‘comfort’ novel you will return to again and again? Or do you prefer reading new fiction instead? Do you often reread books?
Yes - I have a go-to comfort novel(s). I re-listen to them, and re-read.
Right now, I'm re-listening to the Graphic Audio Dramatization of the Kate Daniels series (its an urban fantasy series by Illona Andrews). I've listened to it once already. Also, listened to all the audio books, and read all the books four times.
I love the characters, the dialogue, and the world building. If I fall in love with all the characters - then I'll re-read, and re-listen and re-watch as comfort.
Also did this with Sandition by Jane Austen and Another Lady (not the television version), Pride and Prejudice, several books in the Vicky Bliss series by Elizabeth Peters.
Usually, I prefer new fiction? But, well...I can't focus on it that well at the moment, so doing the re-listen of audio books while eating lunch at work, making lunch, breakfast and dinner.
no subject
Date: 2025-10-27 12:11 pm (UTC)Remember the good old days - when we didn't know anything about the author except their name, and sometimes it was an alias or pseudonym? (Actually some authors understandably still use pseudonyms. My cousin got one for her books, and I'm considering it - although my name's insanely popular - there's over 500 people on the internet with the exact same name, including middle name. LOL!)
Actually I forget the names of most of the authors of the books I read...with few exceptions.
no subject
Date: 2025-10-27 01:20 pm (UTC)I grew up thinking my name was unique, a very common first name, but a rare last name. Then came the Internet and suddenly there were others with my name. There was a judge in Idaho. A couple men in Illinois. More in Kansas. I fairly sure I'm related to all of them. But it would take some digging I don't want to bother with to figure out how. I even discovered that a first cousin I hadn't seen in years gave his son the same name and the son now decades later owns (my name) dot com and is a professor who seems to specialize in gay lit in a particular foreign language.
no subject
Date: 2025-10-28 12:56 pm (UTC)I remember loving television shows, and having no clue who the creators were much less their names. I only had a vague idea. And while I did get more than I wanted of the personal lives of the actors, it was usually just fun gossip.
Now we not only get the information, we get "Everyone" and their "dog's" opinion on it, which is not necessarily a good thing - and the temptation to engage is often more than some of us (myself included) can resist. There's a kind of Schenfreud (sp?) delight to be had in gossiping over the horrible actions of famous people wildly successful in fields that we may have wanted to pursue? Also the tendency to rubber-neck while driving past an accident? It's very human, I think? But not healthy, and can become toxic. And as a result, we're bombarded with folks telling us, somewhat self-righteously, which writers/actors/artists to follow, read, like, etc based solely on what the writers/etc may or may not have done in their personal lives or backstage, which often is far more complicated than we may realize and not necessarily black and white or clear cut. Actually that's what I find the most aggravating - people telling me not to read or watch Harry Potter, because of what JKR's actions, or not watching or enjoying various films/television series written or created by Whedon? I'm sorry, people can be monsters in their personal lives yet still create fascinating and beautiful art. Watching or appreciating the art - doesn't mean you are condoning their behavior or excusing it or hand-waving it? The actors who were hurt most by Whedon - have said that.
I hear you on the name bit. Prior to the internet, and well my workplace, and living in NYC, I was blissfully unaware that so many people had the same name that I did. I knew it was popular - just well, not THAT popular.
I was also blissfully unaware that I might be related to Dwight D Eisenhower - 9 to 10 cousins once removed. LOL!
Cousins
Date: 2025-10-28 03:03 pm (UTC)Re: Cousins
Date: 2025-10-28 09:55 pm (UTC)