a*list and another French anime

Oh, yeah: it's Tina Tuesday, and another double header was in play.

I seem to have baseball on the brain of late.

That's the fault of the Eagle Scout, the Great Scott.

He keeps posting photos of him at different ball parks, watching the Braves' teams as they win, lose, and get rained out.

Yes, I do miss baseball...

but that is not the topic at hand, now is it?

Nope!

Movies, that's what this post is all about, movies in Savannah!

What do these three movies have in common?

Well, "Civil War" and "Hard Miles" were both 1 hour and 49 minutes long.

For real!

"Spy x Family Code: White" was 1 hour and 50 minutes long.

I'm serious!

In addition, each would have cost me $10.49, if not for my A*List membership.

Viewing them at AMC cost me nothing, except the monthly fee, which is less than $25.

So, for all you math fans, the three movies would have run $31.47, not including the prices of the three movies from last week's viewing. 

That means, with my savings, I have money to burn on popcorn and such, like this ultra-cool, color-changing cup!

I got that one on Friday, with a special coupon that netted me a cameo popcorn and that sturdy, reusable, plastic cup for only $7.

I like it so much that I bought another today, instead of opting for the Tuesday $5 cameo special.

I think I'll give the cups to Alyssa and Leila... maybe.

They really are nice cups!

What about the movies?

"Spy x Family Code: White", from 2023, was a delightful Japanese anime, watched in Japanese, of course, and with Carolyn!

It features a "dad" who is a spy, a "mom" who is an assassin, and a foster 5-year-old girl who can read minds.

Oh! There's also a dog that can see the future!

I really would like to see that one again.

"Hard Miles", also from 2023, would be worth a second take - get the joke? - if only for the fabulous roadside views along the 726-mile bike ride to the Grand Canyon.

Matthew Modine has one of his best roles ever in it, as a counselor of troubled teens.

Remember me saying that every counselor I've ever known has their own childhood issues that they're working out?

Well, his character certainly fits that model.

Oh, and it's a true story!

What about "Civil War"?

From all the hype, I was expecting something akin to the real-life war zone that erupted in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021.

I had actually avoided the movie, fearing that would be the case.

Nope.

It was a battle between war-zone photographers of all ilk, but concentrating on that of a jaded veteran and a naive newbie.

In other words, lots of action with hardly any character development.

I take that back.

We get to watch the newbie transform from a person with heart into a crazed zombie who will risk all for that "perfect" photo, for that money shot.

Sure sounds like "Nightcrawler" to me, just in a different locale.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, thanks, never want to see that again.

As for "Pattie et la colère de Poséidon", I'd gladly watch it again!

Given the lackluster "Epic Tails" instead of directly translating the French to "Pattie and the Wrath of Poseidon" probably didn't help this 2022 anime version of a last voyage of Jason with his decrepit (and dead) crew.

I've always enjoyed Greek mythology, and so apparently did Miss Julie's bunch of seniors from an elderly home down the road.

Brought by the same film company - TAT - that gave me "The Jungle Bunch: Operation Meltdown" two months ago, this one had much nicer-looking animals, except one seagull who must have been a pirate at some time, with his peg-leg, half-wing, and blind eye.

Sure did have a great story, though!

I also liked that it promoted libraries and theatre and imagination.

I'll be looking forward to more of their movies!

a luncheon, a dinner, and a brunch... plus pizza!

The luncheon was back on April 9th, a regular Tuesday rather than a Tina Tuesday.

The time and place had originally been noon at Olive Garden...

so that meant the meal was with Yvonne...

(smile!)

However, she was detained by family in the hospital...

a situation I have experience with...

so delaying lunch (by only an hour)...

and changing to a closer locale (Kayak Kafe Midtown)...

fit our needs perfectly.

Add an adorable, and humorous, Hunter waiting on us, and we both left with smiles!

(smile!) 

The dinner was at the Smiths & Kamerons Friday Fiesta, the first one I've been to since the Savannah Music Festival began.

How wonderful to see everyone again!

My biggest little brother greeted me with quite happily, especially as I brought him a list of golf matches that are fundraising for the Georgia Sheriffs Association.

He and his buddies can help that organization raise money, and maybe awareness, too, for the Youth Homes they operate.

That'll be great!

(smile!)

The brunch was today.

Yes, it was to have been a luncheon...

and for Dawn it no doubt was.

But I'd had a nightmare involving 'Nancy', of "Ghosts" -

she's one of the ghosts in the basement that had died of cholera -

having hold of my arm and trying to move my furniture out...

only, we weren't at my house but at my brother Tony's...

and I'd slept until 11 AM trying to get loose from her.

Crazy!

But having refried beans with queso, and fajita shrimp, was wonderful!

I'm so glad we were at Cancun this time around!

(smile!) 

And what's that about pizza?

Saturday, as it was the 3rd such day of the month, was designated BOGO day by Papa John's, and I've been looking forward to it for two months!

Somehow, I missed it in March.

Not this time!

I had it on the kitchen cabinet for Elvis to alert me to the event!

The one on the left is pepperoni and banana peppers.

The one on the left is Canadian bacon and pineapple.

Both have been delicious!!!

I ate pizza for lunch and dinner on Saturday, then for Sunday breakfast!

I'll have pizza for dinner tonight, then breakfast the next two days.

Ah...

live is good!!!

(smile!)

 

Now, I have a documentary, "Canary", on AARP as a MFG.

(smile!)

for Jean Marie, and for Samuel Marquieth

She was the first I visited at Greenwich today.

Jean Marie Morgan would have been 38 years old on this date.

I made sure the dragonfly paver was cleared of leaves, then I placed five shells onto it.

That niece sure did love going to the beach, too, just as I do.

After, I sang "Happy Birthday" to her and took my leave to visit Mama.

That visit was cut short by rain, but not before I sang "The Trees of The Field" to her.

Then I went home and washed my car in the rain, after changing into shorts.

She even looks blue again without most of the oak pollen caked on, doesn't she?

After being outside with that task for about 40 minutes, I had to change clothes again.

Not so much because I was wet, but that the temperature had dropped 15 degrees F.

That meant it was time to stay inside and deal with the 15th anniversary of Sam's death.

I'd been in receipt of text messages since before my alarm went off from members of his family in Atlanta and in Virginia.

The first one had included the photo of my friend.

That was followed by someone who wrote: "May his spirit always rest in peace. Thank God for giving us a brother who brought us all laughter. To God be the Glory!!!!!"

I certainly know that sentiment well.

Then, in mid-afternoon, came remembrances of his tastes in food.

"I remember those thick peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."

"Lord!! A jar of jelly!!"

"And they would be double-decker sandwiches!"

"Not one egg sandwich but 5!"

"And don't forget all the comic books!"

Very nice to have been included in all of that.

I just wish I knew who the phone numbers belonged to... and how they included me.

Now, I'm going to catch "Young Frankenstein" down at Club One.

Thomas Houston is in that musical and I feel the need to see him today.

He knew Sam Johnson, too.

earth day celebration, a la asbury

What was waiting to greet me as I walked across Waters Avenue at Henry Street?

Roses, warmed by gentle kisses from the sun.

Right place, right time, they assured me.

The rose in the foreground, and the rosebud in this shot of the threesome, are deep red.

The middle bloom has a purplish cast.

Very cool.

Here's Reverend Billy Hester, with a guy who purports to be the "biggest fan ever" of musicals.

Nice joke, as everyone knows that's me!

They were doing a big reveal of the third musical to be performed with this year's God On Broadway series: "Avenue Q".

I remember seeing that in 2019, when the Bay Street troupe performed it at Club One - sweet!

Then it made sense why that guy had been chosen to help with the reveal: he's the biggest fan ever of gay musicals!

I admit to having limited knowledge of those, but I've expanded that knowledge greatly over the last decade.

Speaking of me, there I am!

I'm sitting near the window, wearing my "it's spring" dress!

That's because it was already in the upper 70's at 11 AM!!!

Hallelujah!!!

Why were children in motion?

They were off to Godly Play, so they missed the panel discussion with Ellie Covington, Bill Anderson, and David Alley, which was in lieu of Billy's sermon.

So, why are we all standing now?

We were applauding Susie Williams, who has spend much of her life living "green" and helping to make sure the garden space at Asbury Memorial has been lovely for so many decades.

Then we were all standing again to sing "The Trees of The Field", that Jewish song I so love!

I'll be going straight to Greenwich so I can sing it to Mama as I clap my hands over and over!

I may even share the Prayer of Four Directions with her and Frank.

I liked that so much that I asked Billy for a copy of it.

He said this went so well that we'll have "Part Two" next week!

Hooray!!!

Such a wonderful Sunday this has been!

I just may watch it sometime!

i'm a who do what??

First, kindly understand that I don't particularly like history.

It was truly one of my least favorite subjects in school, at all levels.

Second, kindly note that I don't tend to take on positions of authority within a group.

Sure, I did volunteer myself at SERMACS in 2019, and that turned out to be fun and, surprisingly, a good success.

All of that said, guess what I did tonight?

I volunteered myself as the new Historian for Post 36 of the American Legion.

Doug had sent around a list of positions that needed to be filled and that was the one that had appealed to me.

Perhaps it spoke to the writer in my head...

yes, that's probably the case.

He'll send me a description of the post, as it won't be official until next month.

Meanwhile, the Two Firsts Club is coming along!

Look at those lovely, blue, high top chairs for the bar!

We're hoping to have a liquor license in time for Veterans Day.

That's a worthy goal!

(smile!)

a*list and spring fling are flung!

"Well, alrighty then! 

I figured you weren't going to movies any more!

It's been about three weeks, right?"

 

Nope! 

I just had too much else going on while I was dancing and volunteering.

In addition to the SMF35, and impromptu visits with blondes, I also had petsitting duties.

 

"So I see!

Dane and Frosty time!"

 

Not quite.

Frosty has died, so it was just me and the dog.

Tony was off for his "Walk To Emmaus" and Laura had a conference in Florida.

I was supposed to have Dane for the 11th to the 14th, so I changed my schedule at the Savannah Music Festival so I'd be home with him at night.

Well, mostly.

Laura came home Saturday night, though, as she was homesick...

so I was back to my bed that night. 

I'm glad I'd washed my sheets Thursday night while I was there!

(smile!) 

"Good for you, girlie!

So tell me about your movie fun."

 

The only new one is "Monkey Man", the one Dev Patel wrote, directed, produced, and starred in.

It's quite good, along the same lines as the "John Wick" movies.

Here's a funny thing: when his character goes to buy a gun, he's shown one "that John Wick used".

"Shrek 2" gave me a joke, too!

As they pass the fairy godmother's house, Donkey says she has plenty of potions.

The Ogre rejoins: "Why don't we pop in for a spell?"

Oh, and let's not forget the science pun in "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire"!

A photon is checking into a hotel and the clerk asks, "Can I help with your bag?"

The photo replies, "No, thanks, I'm traveling light."

Of course I adored that one!

At least that 15-year-old was good for jokes!

(smile!)

 

"True! Otherwise she was just another teenager."

 

That's right. 

 

"So, what's the deal-ee-o with the odometer?"

It's special, don't ya know!

I hit that mileage on Monday after seeing Ghostbusters.

I'd promised myself that if it rolled over to 234,000 when I got to Jason's Deli, then I would stop and buy slunch and dinner there...

and it did!!!

2 3 4, 0 0 0

"Nice round number you have there!

But why Jason's Deli?"

 

That's the last place I had such a nice round number, back in December.

Makes the math easy, right?

So, I've traveled a measly 1500 miles in roughly four months.

As Jane Lynch would say, that's a pitiful 375 miles per month.

No wonder I've had wanderlust eating at me lately!

 

"For sure.

You need to wake up somewhere different, my chickadee.

Meanwhile, what'd you get at the deli?"

 

The usual kid's meals of pepperoni pizza and chicken penne alfredo, both obtained nearly for free, as I had $10 in Deli Dollars.

Sweet!

Plus, I tried out the new Alamo Wrap, as it came with chips and salsa.

 

"Hey, maybe you'll win the trip to the Alamo in their sweepstakes!"

 

Maybe I will, maybe I will.

I had not even heard about that sweepstakes until I got the email afterward.

 

"I sure hope you do!

Meantime, what was the Spring Fling all about?

Baseball and picnics and such, like the one in Okinawa?"

 

It was kid movies at the NCG Cinema down the street.

I had hoped some of my nieces and nephews would bring their kids, but... nope.

That's okay, I still went to two of the four $2 movies.

I'd never seen either of them, as it turned out.

"Stuart Little" came out in 1999, a live action film dealing with adoption of older kids as well as diversity.

I very much enjoyed it, especially as it had Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie!

The next week, I saw "Monster House", an animated film from 2006.

It also dealt with diversity, as well as bullying, and told the tale of a love gone wrong.

You know how much I lean toward such things.

"I do, indeed.

Well, I'm glad you've found another to add to your collection."

Thanks!

Now, let me tie this up, as tomorrow is a day of chores.

You know - dishes, yard work, taking out the trash, sweeping...

"Okay, okay, let me go before you put me to work!"

tina tuesday... and there was flan!

Seriously!

I was in Pooler,

with mi amiga, 

Barbara,

for a double header

at the Royal

and our luncheon

at Jalapenos -

of shrimp ceviche

for each of us -

included

this delightful

dessert!

(smile!)

I had carefully selected the movie times to allow for a leisurely dine at Slapfish, but it was gone.

That's okay, we still had seafood!

We had two fabulous sports movies, too!

Both were set in the 1950's, though we hadn't realized they had that in common.

The first was "The Long Game", featuring a a group of teenaged, Mexican-American, golfers, in Texas, called the San Felipe Mustangs.

They won the State Championship in 1957, a year before I was born.

I told Barbara I'm going to recommend that one to my brother, Smitty, as he loves golf.

The second movie, "Maidaan", was an Indian film.

Nope, no Bollywood in this one, just futbol - i.e., "soccer" - and lots of it!

The focus was firmly on the football coach, Syed Abdul Rahim, who was under constant attack for using players from all over India, rather than only choosing those from the state of Bengal.

The film begins in 1952, with the Indian team being soundly defeated, 10 -1, in the Asian Games, leading the council to want a new coach.

Instead, he convinces them to allow him full rein to choose the best players from all over India, with him being solely responsible for their losses.

The movie then followed him on his scouting trips, on the training of the players, and on their trips to the Olympics in the intervening years (a feat no other Indian team has managed in the last 62 years).

The film ends with their successful - Gold!!! - entry at the 1962 Asian Games.

Very exciting... but also a bit sad for me.

The coach had lung cancer for several years, and died in 1962.

1962.

That was the year my brother Ronnie was born...

and he died of lung cancer...

and would have been 62 years old in July this year.

I snapped the photo of the sun setting as we were done, with the palm trees lending a tropical flair and reminding me what a special day this has been.

i thank You, God.

not for another 6 months!

Yes, that was the news from my cardiologist today -

he'll see me in six months!

Not in three, or four - 

nosirreebob!

Six months!

(smile!)

I really did try to tell him that the warm weather was the reason my heart beat on time.

Just look at how steady that line of temperatures is that started yesterday!

In the eighties!!!

Oh, I do so love it...

and so does my warm heart.

That calls for a bit a poetry -

no, even better, a haiku!

Even better than that

is a knock knock joke haiku!

Here's just the thing, 

courtesy of Danny Beam!

"Knock knock!!!"

Who's there?

"Hike"

Hike who?

Unsuspecting son,

Dad waiting with bated breath,

Sets the perfect trap.

 

Hahahaha!!! Hahaha!!!

blonde flowers bloomin'

If I'd gone to Hilton Head, I would have missed them...

and watching their delighted faces as they ran the spiral

around the base of the Japanese magnolia.

If I'd gone to Hilton Head for a movie... 

I would have missed seeing them dancing

in and out of the rows of tiny purple flowers

that run vertically in my front yard.

If I had gone to Hilton Head with the physicist...

that bag of blackberry brambles and sticker vines,

that brown bag with withered lantana of 2023,

that stepping stool would not have been there

for the blonde flowers in Mrs. Ansley's tree.

If...

then...

what tiny words for perspective.

If I had gone to Hilton Head...

I would not have been here...

right place, right time.

i thank You, God.