Jan 4, 2022

 

Happy new year.  This has been the flattest feeling start of a new year that I can recall.  Not that I'm alone, I think starting a new year in the midst of yet another Covid wave has many people feeling kind of zonked out.

But, life goes on, I've had three vaccine doses, I'm comfortable in my home and have food in stock, I have lots of books to read and it looks like some interesting things coming to Netflix this month.

It could be worse.  It could be so much much worse.  I'm one of the lucky ones regarding the actual effects that this pandemic has had on my life.

Dec 30, 2021

 

Almost the end of the year.

I spent time with friend Christmas Eve and for dinner on Christmas Day.  So far no indication that any of us got sick.  With the current numbers of infections in Ontario getting together may not have been the best idea but we were all vaccinated and asymptomatic and the number of people was well below the recommended 10.

I have no plans for any social contact in the foreseeable future.

On Netflix:

Power of the Dog.  It seemed slow at the start but by the end I realized what a joy it was to watch a film that took time for the story to unfold.  This was one of the best movies I've seen this year, or in the last few years.

Don't Look Up.  This was just wonderful.  

I've been watching lots of things this month but these two were real standouts.

I've also been eating a lot of things this month.  I've gained weight.  The problem now is to get through the days without constantly using food as a reward.

Dec 16, 2021

 

November and December have been much like the last 18 months.  Groceries, library and limited contact with other people.  To the dentist for hygiene and a small filling.

I have twice gotten together with one friend for dinner.  

I'm invited to a small gathering on Christmas Eve and a dinner on Christmas Day.  However, the daily case numbers in Ontario have taken off again and I think both those events may be cancelled for safety reasons.  Which is fine - it would be nice to see people but still, I'm quite happy being home on my own reading and watching Christmas movies. 

"Single All The Way" on Netflix is happy gay fun.  Thank you Netflix.

Movie: Werewolves Within (2021)

 

Comedy-horror (or horror-comedy) is one of my favourite movie genres.

This film is just a delight - fast moving, great dialogue, and well-acted offbeat characters.

Thoughts on a Quote

 

"We read books to find out who we are."

              - Ursula K. Le Guin

This struck me because it rings true, it has certainly been my experience.  But the last few years I have found I have less and less interest in books about people finding their place in the world or overcoming obstacles or working their way through struggles or bad relationships.  It would be nice to think that, being past 70, I know who I am and am no longer searching to find my "true self".  But it may well be that I'm just tired and have given up the search and have just accepted myself as I am without trying to understand.

I wonder if that is why so many older readers love mystery stories so much.  They're stories that are interesting and fun to read but aren't necessarily trying to teach you anything about yourself or life.  Although the good ones often do, but without it being the central meaning of the book.

Netflix Movie: Shimmer Lake

 

This was excellent.

The kind of movie I love - presumably not a big budget, no big special effects, but a clever story well written and directed and a good cast.

Author: David S Pederson

 

He has a series of books about a gay detective in Milwaukee in the late 1940's.  There's a bit of a retro mystery feel to them, a bit of a throwback to the "Golden Age" that I'm thoroughly enjoying.

He also makes clear the difficulties/dangers of being a gay person in that era.  

Good plots too.