Strangers

Three Identical Strangers hit the Cleveland International Film Festival a few months ago, but I didn't get a chance to see it then.

I'm not sure I would have even known about it, had it not been for a friend of mine, Josh, who was adopted into a Jewish family.

The movie centers on three adopted men finding out they're separated triplets - all of which happens in the span of like, three days.

Of course, there is the fun of the discovery and finding out their commonalities, but the movie take a dark turn. Turns.  Plural.

It's not just that the boys were separated on purpose, it's that it happened for an alleged psychological experiment. And not just them, but any number of identical Jewish twins. I say 'any number of' because no one truly knows how many.

So, those are some of the spoilers, but not all of them.

Depending on your point of view, regarding the boys, there is discussion about nature vs nurture. It all ties into what folks think the experiment was about and what it might have been about. Either way, the points of view still apply.

I would say the whole audience was captivated by the subject, but I'd also say the filmmakers missed a number of opportunities. Yes, they could have kept delving into how eerily these guys were alike, but never discussed their differences. There is also a part regarding each of the boys and their mental health issues as children. Sure, they mention it - barely - but in a movie that is so much about a psychological experiment, I would have thought it would go into greater detail, or at least tie in a little more.

The movie was very interesting and I liked it a lot. It's not an upper and there are no real outcomes, but still it's weird to know that in the 60s-80s weren't far enough from the Holocaust to forget that experiments were still happening involving the Jews.  The irony of course was that it was in America and with Jewish children.....with the help of a Jewish run orphanage.

Ok....maybe not irony, but sadness.


See it if you can in the theater, or when / if it comes to Netflix.



2018 Movie Count / Goal:  10 of 12


Song by: the Kinks

My Music Monday

I come to the end of my Facebook series of top albums during my formidable years. There are so many more than 10, but like your children, they can't all be winners.

For my last selection, I went with Touch, by the Eurythmics.

Truth be told, I could have easily gone with Sweet Dream or almost any one of their albums.  And for this selection, I could have gone with any one of their songs from Touch.  Not a clunker in the group.

I toyed around with ones that has "official" videos, but like the Trident panel, I'm the 5th dentist who is like the cheese that stands alone. I rather highlight a deeper track.

You know how music shows are: they pretend they're live but they're just artists lip-syncing to the song. So no official video for "No Fear, No Hate, No Pain (No Broken Hearts)", but you do get the recorded version of audio.

Resistance

I'd say, "I got nothin'", but I do - it just might not be written as much as shown. I can't seem to deal with the SCOTUS stuff, though horribly annoyed am I at emails I get asking for donations to help block the current nominee.

FUCK. YOU.

Give money?  To whom exactly? And to do what?

The senate votes on this turd. Do I actually have to donate $$$ for a democrat (cuz let's face it, there isn't a republican who won't vote "aye" for this guy) to vote 'no'?   Politics on both sides of the aisle is just shameless.

So the rest of my post are just visuals on current and semi-current political shit.  No more commentary.

Song by: Muse

Hello Kitty Kat

Kitty Kat lovers:  REJOICE !!!!!

We are Sophie heavy this week.

Soph has taken to hanging out on the ottoman in front of me. And she takes ALL the ottoman. {sigh}

Sister and Brother.  One active. One very very passive.

On a truly windy day, Shep might just be able to fly. 

It would be such a relief if she'd just do a blog post or two per week.

Song by: Smashing Pumpkins

12 of 12

So I'm doing my 100th 12 of 12.

Normally it is 12 pictures taken on the 12th of the month. Since I only post once per day, you get my images the following day. All pictures taken with my iPhone. Click images to enlarge, if you choose.

Created by Chad Darnell and picked up from, what I can tell, any number of random bloggers who then link back to him and vice versa. Chad is no longer doing this, nor is successor coordinating the linking of other 12 of 12'ers anymore. Now it's just Erik and myself - that I know of.....as it's the only blog post he's still doing......for now.  

I still continue to do this, because of all my consistent post topics, I actually like this one the most.




Truth be told - in the back of my mind for the last 2-3 years, today was going to be my last ever blog post.

I figured I didn't know where to end it, so #100 of 12 of 12 seemed like a good enough milestone as any.

As it turns out, I was kind of right - I do NOT know where or how to end this. So for the time being, you are stuck with me......at least until blog entry #5000.   That was my second option.

04:53.  Sophie visiting me as I "get ready" for the a.m. dog walk.

05:25.  Steak for breakfast. 

.....well, steak and an anti-anxiety med as I start to pre-treat for his nail clipping on Saturday. 

06:20  Doggie Daycare Drop Off

06:35.  Iced Tea and a b'fast sammie. 

Blobby didn't have b'fast at home. 

07:15. Charge entry. 

My charge entry person is on PTO and I have two secretarial openings, so I entered all Pulmonary Function professional charges. 

12:05.   Hour long conference call. 

Little did I know I'd be presenting, let alone to the hospital president and the president of physician services.  I nailed it. 

17:45.  Shutting down.  Not emotionally. 

17:55.  Driving home.  Kind of. 

18:10.  Provisions. 

Milk. Cherries. Panko. Fresh fish. Ice Cream. You know, the staples. 

18:35.  Mom Wild Turkey and her 5 kids making their way through our struggling lawn. 

19:35.  Dinner prep.  Using two of those provisions I bought. 

21:20.   Peanut Butter and Chocolate ice cream.  Or what was. 

WTF?

.....the thing is - it was only a matter of time before someone from the BLOTUS administration stuck their foot in mouth from the Thailand cave thingy.  The question wasn't really if, more like when, but definitely, 'who'?

It was the Feckless Cunt........no, the other one........KelleyAnne.

It is my assumption that she floated some kind of fucking test balloon for the administration - though I don't know why. They don't care what most Americans feel and their base will cheer them on no matter what.

My first thought? 

Surely this is a fucking sick joke, or seeing how far this administration can push folks in its absurdity in what they do on a daily basis.

Surely they are not so stupid - - hard as it is to believe, I don't think they are.   They're just assholes. 

Of course there were the 1400 twitter replies. While amusing, somewhat predictable. I tried to find some I liked more than others.

....I love you Trish Thornton. 

I love you Sienna..............and Regina George!

Song by:  OK Go

Ad of the Month

I guess it should be "Ad of the Every Now and Then".  I'm not great with the consistency on this one. Though it could be argued that the Madison Avenue guys are falling down on their job.

Let's start off with, I could not have told you if Gain was still a product, or if it had gone the way of Vanquish or Breeze.

The ad made me laugh, for nothing else that you don't really see jockstraps in ads of any kind.

It's not only amusing that the kids put a strap over dad's face, but it's more amusing to watch dad's sleep-state reaction.  It doesn't look like his first time of sniffing a jock...........clean or used.  And it looks like he's reliving some really good memories doing it.


dddd

Making Mirrors

Sunday we went on a triple date with friends to go see the newest exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art. 

Kusama.

Yayoi Kusama is an contemporary artist who was way ahead of her time. As you see her work, it evokes the likings of many other artists who came after her, as she originated it and others co-opted her work while she received zero credit - be it paintings, sculpture, performance art or installations.

Infinity Mirrors is a series of, well, mirrored rooms or mirrored spaces.  The rooms, for the most part are full sized boxes that hold 2-3 people at a time. Each exhibit is timed where you spend anywhere from 15-30 seconds in them.

There are other parts of the exhibit that are the paintings, sculptures and polk-a-dots - all culminating in a final interactive room called 'Obliteration".

The above image is from a portion where you just stick your head in. I found it very cool. And hot. All the lights made it very very very warm.

Most of the rooms were dark, a few were not. Some you could take pictures in, some you could not. One you weren't even allowed to take your camera in and a security guard came in with you.

We usually went in two at a time, and alternated who went with whom, so we go to spend a quality 30 seconds each with everyone

I'm in here with Chef Bob.

Here I am with 710.  

This was my third favourite room. Most everyone else said it was their fave. 

My favourite I'll show at another time, my second was the pumpkin room - the one with the hovering security guard. 

This room I'm there with Matt. 

....and then Obliteration Room. 

Everyone is given 5 dots to place anywhere in an all white room.  James and Matt were thoughtful as to how and where they placed them. They separated all their dots.   

I did not. 

Since I'm taller than your average bear, I placed them high - it will take a few weeks before anyone obscures my art with their shitty dot-work. 

It was a nice show. I liked the mirrored rooms a lot. The paintings and phallic sculptures were not my thing (I know, right!).   Kusama was forced, as a young child, to spy on her father's infidelities, which probably explains the penis-like and vagina-like sculptures.

The show has already been to NYC and DC, but if you have a chance, by all means, go see it.




Song by: Gotye

My Music Monday

Continuing, but almost done with, 10 formative albums - and here, a selection of.  Week 9:  Laurie Anderson with "Smoke Rings" from her film and album Home of the Brave.

Yes, it's 8 minutes long.  Deal with it.  I can't tell you how many times I saw this movie in the theater. I ended up dragging anyone / everyone I knew to it.  Mostly individually.  It never made the leap from VHS to DVD, or streaming.

Shame. I think you'd like it - even 32 years later.

This Boy

One would think that people would learn from other's mistakes - be it Bill Clinton, Harvey Weinstein, Roger Ailes,  Matt Lauer and so on and so on and so on.  ....and in Jim Jordan's case, Jerry Sandusky.

Granted the sexually predatory doctor from THE Ohio State University infractions came years ago. One one hand, Jim Jordan should have gotten out in front of it regarding his knowledge, especially in light of Sandusky & Co.

On the other hand, I'm thinking he was hedging his bets that it hadn't really come up before so maybe he had dodged a bullet and no one would be any the wiser.

He lost that bet.

About a half-dozen wrestlers have publicly stated that Jordan would have had to know - and at least one stating he told him directly - about the 'abuse'. 

Yes, I put it in quotes. Lingering showers and lingering hernia checks are creepy for sure - and completely inappropriate, but sexual abuse?   These are men who dress in singlets and roll around on the floor with other men until they pin one to the ground. 

I call that foreplay.

I don't really mean to dismiss what these guys went through. Straight guys {cough cough} are probably very traumatized by the notion that another dude is holding their nuts for 15 seconds.

Maybe more went on than that. I haven't read a lot about it to be honest  - not the details.

It's Jordan's strike backs that are just so typical in this BLOTUS environment: Blame the media and liberals trying to bring him down. Unfortunately, in this day and age, it's a tactic what is quite effective.

Jordan is an ass.....and a hack, but he's one who'll probably secure in his job and probable re-election.



........and yes, I doctored  (read: completely made up) the title image. Thank you, Break Your Own News Generator!




Song by: the Beatles

Madman Across the Water

Where last week we saw some Sophie, I'm sorry to say she makes not appearances today. It was a weird week - the holiday in the middle of a work week....I'm all screwed up on time.

It was so so hot too, we spent little time at home......on purpose. We hiked one day - in the highest shaded area possible. And through a creek.  The other day we went to Bow Wow Beach.  No swimming for humans, but dogs are ok.

Meandering in a stream

Shep is becoming more comfortable in the water. He's not swimming yet, but he splashes about, by himself and some new buddy dogs (not pictured)

Now and unexpected photo series. 

The idea was to get him to pose (ha!) so you could all see the beach. 

He has other ideas. 

Kerplunk!

It's the first time he's gone all in. I think he thinks it was dog-knee high and it wasn't. 

Shep panicked. I panicked. 710 tried not to. 

710 tried to get him to swim over a few feet to walk out, but he didn't. He struggled to climb out of the water, and he did. The entire 30 seconds felt like 30 minutes. 

Lesbians stood by cheering him on.  Later recounting the story to neighbors / friends, I said, "lesbians....there's nothing they can't do!", to which Dan quickly replied, "....except be President".

Song by: Elton John

the New Pollution

While Scott Pruitt doesn't quite have the Dr. Evil pinky-to-the-mouth move, I'll give him this - he has the actual evil part down.

Not unlike Dr. Evil - he's not the sharpest tool out there.  .....though he is a tool.

Now an unemployed one.....that is, until one of those big corp big-wigs who has been blowing him to let them pollute our air and water ways hires him at ten times the salary he was making as head of the EPA.

For what little time he was in office - I'm guessing he was in line to have the highest number of investigations.  And to be clear - HE was the one being investigating.  EIGHTEEN federal investigations (with a 19th on the horizon).  That's more than one per month - if you average his time at this temp job.

I don't even think Oswald got much of a look-see from the government

"However, the unrelenting attacks on me personally, my family, are unprecedented and have taken a sizable toll on all of us."

Boo-fucking-Hoo. 

The attacks were unrelenting because "you" kept inviting them with bad decision after bad decision. ....and that's just in day-to-day operations. It doesn't even include your Earth-raping policies you put forth for that aforementioned blowjob.

As for your family - perhaps you should not have used government contacts to attempt to secure your wife a $200k/yr job, or sought out a Chick-Fil-A "business opportunity" for her as well.

For me, there is a problem with Scott Pruitt leaving the EPA.  He's already caused irreversible environmental damage. A named replacement isn't about to change any of the policies he's enacted. The problem will be - the next guy / gay just has to be less stupid than their predecessor (well......I'm assuming!) and he / she won't raise as many flags while they hasten the end of our existence.

Don't get me wrong - I'm glad Pruitt is gone. I believe many are.




Song by: Beck

Hot Hot Hot

I try not do complain about the heat, because I complain about the cold.

My rationale is: you can bitch about one, but not the other. Should I stick to this - I'll moan about the frigid temps, as it takes a lot more to get me to warm up than cool down.

Ditto with sex.

Ok. That was a lie.

Still, Mother Nature has been testing me this last week with the temps in the 90s and low 100s. Mother Nature and Father Time, that is.

....and the big house with no central air.

In the past, we've skirted around getting it installed. My reasoning is:  we truly only need it for 12-20 days per year. That's a huge expense for two-three weeks. And then when it's not hot again, the thought goes right out of my walnut-sized brain.

This year might be different. Well, next year, actually. 710 is getting quotes. Alas, for a 118 year old house with no duct work, make for a pricey endeavor, as creative ways would be needed for retrofitting the house.

I say 'next year' because the HVAC guys all say it can't be done until Winter.

Yesterday's 4th parade and picnic were a scorcher. They are usually warm, but everyone was melting at 93 by noon.  We gathered to say hi to all those in the parade........and then we went home. We did not 'march'.   We went to the after picnic but that too was beyond hot.  It was possibly the least attended, and I'm assuming it was because of the climbing temps.

The picnic was still fun. I made a cucumber-tomato-red onion salad. It was a cool item and was gone within minutes....and I made a lot.

Allegedly we are to get a break in the weather in a few days. Hopefully we will.  And hopefully next summer we will have a/c.



Song by: the Cure

Fireworks

Could celebrating Independence Day 2018 be any more laughable?

As a country, we are in a place that is so anti-American it's beyond irony. It's a joke. But not a funny / ha-ha joke.

What people are passing off as patriotism is tragic. Not that I'm the most patriotic guy out there..........as I am clearly not. And I'm not one for sitting through (or staying up for) a fireworks display. I'm also not one to participate in such shenanigans by attending lest someone I think 'murica is great.

It is not. We are not.

I will go to our neighborhood picnic, but it is to see neighbors.........no one is passing it off as a celebration of county - just of Hebrew National hot dogs............and cupcakes.

Still, King George is more to the left and a lot less controlling than the current administration.

Now, that is irony.


Hope you all have the day off.




Song by: the Tragically Hip

Lazy

It's a "holiday" week.  I am in training for two days of this week, which in a way only makes it a two-day work week.

Still..........I'm being lazy in blog activities. I could write something profound - for the first time in 4935 posts (including this one), but then expectations would be set for other profound posts, and honestly, who has the time?

Today I've decide just to do not-so-random tweet and memes I've been snagging over the last few weeks that pretty much tell what you already know.  Not all are super-timely as I'm trying to stay away from social media.  Just overlook that.

(totally stolen from Bob)

Song by: Love & Rockets