I have been intending to make a post every day this week but ran out of time. First, Election irritations: 1) the Molinaro/Riley ads are awful. I am so happy to not live in a so-called swing state. One nasty congressional race is too much; 2) I am inundated with texts from senate and house races in other states. LEAVE ME ALONE. Texting back "stop" doesn't work. Second, because we have unplugged from politics since being awakened and then disenfranchised, we have immersed ourselves in the '80s. We're currently watching "Highway to Heaven." I loved the show when it was on, and it has aged well! What a great show! Finally, last night I had a dream that had my father in it. It had something to do with food. It felt like a dream, a confusing medley, more than an ADC; regardless, it was good to see him.

We finished watching Three Pines (eight episodes) and were so disappointed to discover that there will not be a second season! 

My classes are going well so far, but unfortunately I have a couple of grad students who are "taxing."

I am "stealing time" from my to do list because this post is so overdue! First, on Monday, I hit the first social security eligibility age: 62. I am not retiring right now, and probably won't for quite a while, but at least it's nice to know that I am "old enough" for the sh*ttiest payout. 

On my birthday, when I made my daily call to my mother, it rang several times (seven, I think) and then her answering machine picked up. This is strange, because since she switched to cable phone, it usually just rings and rings, regardless of whether she is not answering, she's on the phone, or it's out of order. My father's voice came on, with his wonderful message. It took me by surprise, and brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful it was to hear from him on my birthday!

This brings me to my dreams. One was about a co-worker from 25 years ago (who became a friend) and I working in some kind of office with lots of desks but few other people. There were a bunch of groundhogs living in the desk drawers and we were very protective of them when others came around complaining. I had another with my mother-in-law in it, involving our current cat. She was trying to put him out for the night (he is 100% indoor cat). Then I had two (maybe three?) of my father. In the first, he was watching television or a movie on a flash drive. I know screens are tiny now, but this was something that has not been invented yet. Maybe it exists in heaven! In another, he was in a facility of some sort, cheerfully bossing everyone around.

I mentioned movies, so I'll share that we watched The Wife, She Said, and You are so not coming to my bat mitzvah. All were excellent in different ways. The Wife would have been a lot less good, but was made better due to quality acting. We watched the limited series Surviving Death which was also excellent, and are currently enjoying the show Three Pines. I almost can't handle suspense any more, but so far, I'm managing (I used to love both true crime and suspense but that's less true in recent years).

Finally, Saratoga. Thank God another season is over. This year's death toll IIRC was 14, two in one day and one of those on national television. It always sparks investigations that lead to nothing and ridiculous platitudes about the health and safety of horses being of utmost importance. Bullsh*t. While 14 is outrageous, it is not atypical.

 We recently watched a two-part Netflix documentary about the Iran hostage crisis. It was good, almost riveting, although I'm not sure anyone who doesn't remember the crisis (and possibly students of 20th Century history) would find it interesting. I've been unable to figure out why it was made now. There doesn't seem to be any book coming out or anything. The program argues that the crisis and bungled rescue attempt are the reasons Carter was not re-elected to a second term. I disagree. No question the hostage crisis was a big part of the reason, but there were many others: the stupid decision to not go to the Olympics and the horrible economy -- to name just two.

I got a bizarre Facebook note last night -- having to do with Donna, since it would have been her 61st birthday. Freaked me out.

Bob noticed a new season of Bluebloods had started, so the past week or so we have been
streaming episodes. I know months ago I wrote about the first episode of season 11 -- that I thought the
show should have gracefully vanished after season 10 as planned and that the way COVID-19 was
handled was outrageous. I've had some issues with the show over time, but in recent years it has
become almost a parody. If season 11 was bad, the episode we watched last night, number 6 I think of
season 12, stooped to a new low in terms of offensiveness. Every story was negative, and of course
the main characters are so smug.

I have two topics in mind, one COVID-19 related (in a strange way) and one not. On October 15, while I was in my graduate class on Zoom, I got a text message from a friend from K-12 days. It said her brother had died of COVID-19 (not vaxxed) that morning after 22 days on a vent. He had a bonded pair of female Beagles, and the plan was to take them to a shelter. She lives in another state and did not want that to happen. I think it is likely they would have found homes, but she did not want them separated. So I told Bob, and we adopted them. We picked them up an hour north of where we live, in the same town where the shelter is that Rosie and Harry came from! They are darling, and Harry is happy. Several weeks ago I tried to adopt a nine year old Beagle mix that I saw on Petfinder, and the rescue denied me! I told myself that day that my next sweetheart would find me -- and I was right X2!

 

This is the other subject I wanted to write about for a while. We watched the Netflix limited original series "Maid" recently. The book Nickel & Dimes was better, but the series was binge-worthy, interesting, provocative. Not to minimize the domestic abuse issue or gloss over the struggles of the poor, but a couple of things irritated me. First, the actress who played the lead did not seem like a hard-working but impoverished single mom. She seemed like a Vassar co-ed. Second, the character struck me as manipulative with a big entitled attitude. She so reminded me of Donna that I felt angry. Donna was alcoholic, bulimic, a victim of various types of abuse but also a master of manipulation with a huge chip on her shoulder. I guess it is finally okay to mention Donna, another friend from K-12 times, since she has been dead for over six years. She caused me a lot of heartache for over 40 years and she socially ruined high school for me. She was mean to a lot of other kids. I think the character in the series would have many more serious flaws than shown, along the lines of Donna (plus smoking cigarettes).

Interesting POV. I'm not sure I agree - the horror of this series comes more from how evil and mentally disturbed this guy was. He was extreme even for a serial killer. I didn't think the theatrics or photos (admittedly the one showing his teeth was nightmare worthy) were any worse than the other true crime shows we've seen or even the average Criminal Minds.
 

Last week we watched the new season of Blue Bloods. I was surprised when they announced a season 11 after 10 was supposed to be the last. The show seemed "done" to me but I wondered how they would handle two major issues, the pandemic and civil unrest.Well, the answer is: badly. Seriously appalling in both cases, although I suspect the racial issue will be the subject of future episodes (but perhaps not). The pandemic story seemed like an aside so they could pretend COVID-19 was a minor incident in the past and not address public health or the huge, still unfolding cultural impact this long crisis has had and will have on our society. It would have been better if they didn't make another season IMO. The actors not wearing masks, not social distancing, not dealing with the subject in a serious way is pathetic and cowardly. Or maybe everyone connected to the show thinks it is a hoax. As if the dead son's surprise progeny is shocking or scandalous or likely or worthy of center stage treatment. What a crock! How about a real story line - grandpa battles the virus.