something bollywood, to end the month

I wish I knew someone who worked at the DMV, 'cause I sure would love to recommend this one to them!

For one thing, they'd get to see how that driver's license process is handled in India.

For another, they'd get to see one of their (foreign) colleagues doing the testing.

And, for a third thing, they'd bet to watch folks cheering on said colleague for going after someone famous for promoting safe driving while not even having a license to drive.

Nice!

Here's the thing, though: Om -

the one on the left conducting the oral driver's test -

had already made the license for Vijay - 

he's the one on the right, tasked with getting at least six correct answers on the ten-question multiple-choice test in order to obtain a learner's permit - 

several days earlier.

He had even wrapped it up as a gift, with his 10-year-old son there to participate in the proud moment, and he was to get a selfie with the actor as his reward.

Instead, the actor pitched a hissy fit in front of the boy. accusing the father of calling in the media for what was meant to be a quiet event.

Vijay had not even asked Om to explain, and Om, star-struck mega-fan that he was, could not even get a word out in defense.

But Om did get his feelings hurt.

So, in front of said media, he had Vijay get out of the driver's seat of his SUV, telling all that it was because the star had no driver's license.

That certainly got folks talking!!!

The star who promoted safe driving and using a seat belt didn't even have a license?!

And the battle began, between the man who worshiped the actor as a god and the actor who viewed the man as a fan that had gone crazy for fame.

"Selfiee" was quite a wonderful movie!

I was not familiar with Emraan Hashmi, who played Om; he'll be 44 next month.

However, I knew the "movie star" and did enjoy seeing Akshay Kumar again (the last time was in "Good Newzz", which also had in vitro fertilization as a topic).

Before the movie started, the 55-year-old appeared onscreen to thank the fans for coming to see the movie and to assure them that he is grateful to them for their support.

It was quite moving, much like Tom Cruise's onscreen appearance had been before "Top Gun: Maverick" began.

Both had brought a tear to my eyes (yes, over-productive tear ducts).

(smile!)

I was glad I'd decided to take the chance to go out to the Royal in Pooler today.

I had missed the one that played there last week, as the only screenings were past 6 PM.

That would mean very heavy traffic to get there, then darkness on the way home.

Nope.

Today, though, the cinema had a 3:05 show!!!

That should work!

And it did, as it was between the lunch and shift-change rushes for the drive there.

Hooray!

I even got out while it was still daylight, beating sunset back to Savannah!

Whew!

I sure hope they'll have matinee shows in the future!

However, I was the only one there... so, they may not.

Fingers crossed!

I need more song and dance in my life!

(smile!)

coś polskiego, i presume

"Why is that?"

Why is what?

"Why is it that you presume something?"

Well, the location was on Livingston Avenue, so...

"So you felt the need to bring the good doctor into this."

Naturally. I was on an adventure and so was he.

"Naturally."

I was out there exploring an event listed on fb.

"Does that really say it's a church fair??"

It does, even though there was nary a church in sight.

"Then what's that building in the first shot?"

Well, believe it or not, that's a restaurant. Once upon a time - or so I heard from folks there - it used to be a rowdy, seedy, dive called The Wyld Dock Bar. The story goes that six years ago it became a swanky foodie place on the marsh there and they dropped the "dock bar" from the name.

"Have you been there before? Like, back in the day?"

Nope, this was my first time on that gravel road. I had no idea anything was back in this area of LaRoche except houses. Quite a smorgasboard of those, too, ranging from new McMansions at the start of the avenue to little homes that needed some attention as the pavement ended and the gravel began.

"That hardly sounds like your kind of drive."

Hey, I was there for the pierogi! It's been years since I had it fresh - not that Mrs. T's isn't good, 'cause it sure is - but Under The Eagle and The Two Sisters have been a long time ago.

"Those places both required cash, didn't they?"

Oh, you betcha! Don't bring your plastic or you'll be washing dishes! I had expected this group to require cash, but they took cards, too. The only thing they didn't have was to-go boxes.

"That's a surprise!"

I thought so, too. But it actually worked out for the best. I only ordered the one dinner, instead of the two I'd planned to get. And I ate that dinner on a real plate, with real silverware, sitting on the dock and overlooking the marsh of Country Club Creek.

"That sounds very nice, actually."

It truly was! it was another lovely day, with temps in the low 80's and a nice little breeze to ruffle the salt air. I hadn't planned to eat there... but I sure am glad that it turned out I had to! I couldn't very well make off with their china, could I?

"Yeah, it's nice how that worked out."

Plus, there was a fellow playing what sounded like Irish music on his accordion, and doing it quite well! So, I had a very nice meal of kielbasa, pierogi sauteed in butter, and haluska, with music as a backdrop and the lovely view of the marsh before me - very nice, indeed. And when I was done, I simply left. As I walked back toward my car, past the long line of folks awaiting their turn to order, I assured them the food was worth it.

"Well, that was nice of you."

I also breathed a prayer of gratitude that I'm retired. That meant I was here by 4:45 pm. The event was to begin at 5 PM, but it ran about twenty minutes late. I was the sixth one in line and I didn't get to order until another twenty minutes after that. There was one guy cooking pierogi and one woman serving, so the line had to be held up every few people to either await more potato-stuffed pasta or for the server to catch up with the orders.

"Sounds like they hadn't planned on having more than a few people show up."

I would say there were about fifty there, maybe sixty... and most of them were in line. Seriously. Some were still standing there from the time I got my food and ate it. Plus, there were a lot of others who'd no doubt arrived after work. The line went halfway out into the gravel parking lot, and the cars were lining both sides of Livingston all the way to LaRoche. I'm glad I was able to leave while I still had daylight to see what was where!

"That does sounds like a bit of adventure was had, though."

For sure... and less than five minutes from home. Amazing!

ready... set... lunch!

As Otto would say, "What was that middle part?"

LOL! Such a lovely, funny part in "A Fish Called Wanda"!!! 

"Set", as used here, means my attendance at the morning session of the Savannah Music Festival Volunteer Orientation.

That's where we all got to meet Therra, the head volunteer wrangler, a petite bundle of energy, and her assistant, Paige, among others.

This year's Volunteer Handbook is quite a hefty and useful tool, full of information about all the venues, as well as the rules.

Mostly, we need to smile and be helpful - I can do that!!!

(smile!)

"Ready" refers to the selection of the shows I wanted.

I already talked of two of them; this is another one at the Charles Morris Center, which I enjoy as it's small. This Saturday matinee of Trinidad & Tobago jazz with Cuban dance jazz promises to set my toes tappin'!

Speaking of dance bands, I signed on for the Galactic/Cory Wong/Nate Smith show, too.

It'll be held at the grassy lawn of Trustees Garden, so that will be new to me.

And what would be the last of the five chosen?

Something with a bit of class, naturally!

I opted for the first of the Philip Dukes chamber music series, to be held at the Trinity UMC, on a Sunday afternoon.

(smile!)

Now, it's time for "Lunch"!!!

Josie was in town for her last eye appointment, and that finished up right after the orientation at the Trustees Theatre - sweet!

We met up at Carey the H on Waters - hey, inside joke with the bfe! - which just happened to be the first Carey Hilliard's that Jo had been to as a girl - nice!

We talked about those memories, about me and how my A-Fib was doing, about her having an empty room for guests now...

hint, hint...

(smile!)

We talked about her Bird Buddy, too.

She had given one to me at our last luncheon, last month.

I had to tell her about the missing instructions and missing setup image... and me not having a tree to put it on.

I also told her I'm going to give it to one of my brothers, as they both like to feed the birds and watch them... and have trees.

I'm to make sure they let her know how their avian friends enjoy it - I can do that!

something different, right here

I was heading down the steps, but stopped halfway to the car.

 

Why go to the Purple Planet when I had yard work to do?

 

Moving is moving, right?

 

Whether I do the 35-minute walk at the fitness center or in my front yard, what's the difference?

 

Well, I had my answer soon enough.

 

This smaller half of the front yard took me and the Ryobi 40 minutes, with me pushing it hard through the tough growth.

 

Afterward, I sat on the front steps and took a break... 

and snapped the above shot of what I'd accomplished...

then I turned the camera toward the half awaiting its turn.

 

Should I continue?

 

After all, the 35 minutes on the treadmill, at 2 mph, at least three days per week, was all I've been doing the last three weeks, having worked up from 30 minutes each time.

 

I drank some water and pondered.

 

The mower's battery still had plenty of juice, so I resolved to go for it, but moved the blade up an inch.

 

Forty minutes later, most of the overgrowth was gone.

The battery had died out, too, and I was feeling a bit whupped myself.

 

Then a neighbor walking her little dog stopped and looked admiringly at the yard.

"This looks so much better than it did this morning," she told me. "Good work."

 

My spirits perked up at that!

 

I thanked her and told her that was the first time I've cut the grass in almost a year and a half, but I had thought I'd give it a go, being mindful of my A-fib.

 

She told me again what a nice job I'd done...

and I felt like a superhero...

just as littlest girl had that day in 2019.

 

Perfect time to break for a late lunch, maybe treat myself to po' girl ceviche...

yeah, fuel me back up while I wait for the battery to charge.

Perfect.

(smile!)

matchmaker, matchmaker, catch me a catch

... not a catfish, mind you. No one needs those in their life!

"Unless they're fried and all you can eat, right?"

LOL! But of course! That's how my Daddy always liked them! But I wasn't talking about the slippery water denizen, but the creepy crawlie that preys on the unsuspecting and trusting users of dating sites.

"You doing that again?" 

Nope! Not that it was a bad experience that I had with Harry. That's probably in large part because I'd chosen to use eHarmony. I was impressed with the battery of questionnaires they had me fill out before matching me up. At the time, I was "keeping a green tree in my heart so a singing bird would come," to paraphrase the Chinese saying.

"Those were two good years y'all had together."

That's true. But he was looking for someone to share forever, and, although I had thought that was what I wanted, I realized I was not yet ready to do that. Remember? It took me ten years after my first divorce to want to make another commitment. I still don't think I'm wanting to do that.

"Maybe you should give that website another try?"

No, I don't think so. The three women I encouraged to use it -Bunny, Yvonne, and Penny - are still married to the men they met through it while I was dating the man from Charleston, so I know it's a valid method of meeting someone. I'm just not sure I want to be part of a couple, to have that responsibility for another... and how did I end up talking about this?

"You brought it up in the post title."

Oh, snap. I guess someone could take it that way...

".. and then you started in on dating sites with eels..."

... I did not. it was about catfish...

"... and here we are, still not on topic about the musical tonight."

Ah. Yes. That was the original point.

"Yes."

It was a lot of fun, too!!! One of the things about Asbury's God On Broadway series of sermons is that they get me all fired up to see a musical... and just getting a few songs instead. "Fiddler On The Roof" was one from a few years back. I'm so glad someone local finally picked up on the need for folks to see it!

"You mean, folks like you?"

Hey, I mean folks like everyone!!! I'm so glad that mi amiga Barbara spotted news of this performance in her emails! She's the one to thank for hearing about the production from Savannah Country Day School.

"Good for her! I guess she has students there that she tutors... wait a minute! That photo isn't from the theatre! That's Bill's painting in the background!"

Excuse you, Bill is the artist, but that's my "Ocean, Tumultuous", thank you very much. I had to wait until I returned home to take the photo of the program. This was one of those rare occasions when I was sans cellular. So, no photo of the stage and the special thanks of the senior high school students to D J Queenan, their retiring drama coach. No photo, either, of mi amigas Barbara and Sandy, joined by Kaye on this Saturday evening. 

"How very nice that she was able to be there!"

Yes, that's why we chose this night. Fridays are too hectic for Kaye to get away from work in time, and she does so love theater! We'll all be going again next Saturday to a different show! Who knows, maybe there will be another play after that, too!

"That would be very nice!"

It will! The theatre world is really getting busy right now. Plus, I saw so many others that I know from that scene! JoJo Ward, Travis Cole, Erin Muller, David Poole, even Gloria Rigsbee, the ticket manager at SavChTh who always knows my name! Oh, and Kathy and Preston Hodges of Asbury were there, too! And there was a fellow who kept catching my eye, but he didn't even come up to speak. Maybe he was a former student?

"Possibly. You certainly taught long enough to have students who now have teenagers that attend that school."

For real. (smile!) Now, I've found a Nicolas Cage movie, "Guarding Tess," and I'm going to settle back and enjoy that. I am so looking forward to his new one in April! And he'll be in it with my other favorite, Nicholas Hoult! C'mon, "Renfield"!!!

"Oh, yes!!! Nicolas of the dreamy eyes, ever since "Valley Girl" in 1983!!! Plus Nicholas the romantic zombie of 2013's "Warm Bodies", both together!!! WOW!!!"

Hard to believe I've loved one for four decades and the other for almost a decade. Okay, later! Gotta bounce! Movie's starting!

must be like the brick house

"What's that?"

This far south and east. It must be like the brick house of the three little pigs.

"Strange analogy, but I'll go for it. Got a wolf at the door?"

No, just Old Man Winter. Paul had hit me up for a chat tonight and when I called, he warned me that some serious cold weather was forthcoming... only it isn't going to make it here. Winter is going to huff and puff, but the chill winds are stopping at Atlanta.

"Hooray! Guess the Gulf Stream is hot enough air to ward off that death blow."

I'm not sure it's blowing quite warm yet, but maybe!

"What else was new in California?"

He's looking to retire in another two years, so we talked about his efforts at getting that paperwork all straightened out. Paperwork, man, it's a great energy vampire. The only way to get it under control is to spend hours on the phone or hours in person at someone's office. He'll get it done, though, I know.

"Did you talk about your recent paperwork battle?"

No, just the weather! 

"Seriously?"

Well, I did couch it in terms of what my warm heart needs to be happy. He and Cathy were both on with me, so they wanted to check on my A-fib thing, see what was up with that. I told them I have a visit with the cardio heart throb in another couple of weeks and I'm going to make sure he knows what's what.

"Yeah, you're going to have to tell him about that issue with TEVA USA's version of Sotalol."

For sure. He needs that information for any of his patients who are also lactose-intolerant.

"And what else did y'all talk about? I know these phone 'chats', they usually go on for an hour or more!"

Well, I told them I've already been to two plays this year and that more are due next month! Then I spoke of the Fathom event on Monday, which was a filmed live play called "The Confession"! Once I mentioned that it took place in an Amish community, Cathy lit up! I wish she and I could go to a play some time!! That would be a blast!

"Well, the next time you head to the West Coast, y'all should plan to do something like that."

For sure! Not sure just when that will be, though. I'm thinking I'll go there next year. I should have my finances under control by then. But that's a topic for another day!

"For real. So, tell me more about this play on film."

Well, did I mention it was a musical??? It was! Honestly, that was the deciding factor for me to take a chance on this one-day-only event. I mean, the fact that it had John Schneider in it certainly helped... but, what turned it into a "must" was that it was a musical!!!

"You saw him sing years ago, right?"

Yeah, like four decades ago! It was while I was in San Diego, so that meant 1983 or '84. He was the famous draw for some special event in Calico. Maybe a salute to gold-mining days in that ghost town cum tourist spot. Dave Eschedor and I just wanted to do something different, so we'd gone out there. What was cool was watching Schneider do his stunt from "The Dukes of Hazard", a popular redneck show on TV.

"I didn't think you watched that show..."

I didn't, but I did know of it. I saw the 'mercials for it! And in those, he'd get into the side seat of the vehicle by jumping through the passenger window. Neat trick! And after the parade through Calico, he did that trick, then he sang a few songs. I don't remember what tunes, but he did have a nice voice. They may have been patriotic songs... and there may have been fireworks that night... and I do remember panning for gold and riding through a mine in a cart. Good times!

"So, what was he doing in "The Confession Musical"?"

He was the husband of a rich, but dying, woman, who had decided to leave her fortune to her long-lost daughter, not him. That prompted him to hire a city girl to portray her daughter. And what was the problem with that plan? I'll tell you! The daughter, Katie, had been raised Amish in the small Hickory Hollow community, something that slick city gal knew utterly nothing about! But, as happenstance would have it, she had just found out she was adopted and wanted to find her birth mother. The whole thing was told from the vantage point of her best friend, Mary. Very cool!

"Oh, that sounds like a pretty funny story line!"

It was, and I found myself laughing out loud several times. I wish it had more song and dance moments, though. Still, there was one of those that really stood out. It was centered on a barn-raising and was reminiscent of STOMP's ability to make music with everyday implements... so you know I loved that!

"I know you did! That live show that STOMP did in Savannah was totally awesome!"

For real! And you know what I liked about the character Katie?

"No, what did you like about Katie?"

The fact that she was smart and kept her clothes on! LOL!

"Well... of course she did. She was Amish. Why would she be naked on stage?"

The other Katie was nekkid all throughout the movie on Sunday night!

"What are you talking about? I thought this play was shown Monday??"

That's correct, it was. But "Ghosts Can't Do It", with Bo Derek as a very different Katie, was the flick I watched on Epix the night before. let me tell you, her real-life husband, who was the director of that movie, must really love showing her off to the world. This was a decade after her break-out role, so she was 33 here. And still playing the pin-up girl: naked in the pool, naked in the shower, naked here, naked there, naked everywhere! LOL! I guess they felt the need to give folks something to distract them from the small amount of dialogue she had.

"Whoa! Was it in German??" 

No, it was in English. I just liked this poster. They translated the title to "My Mind only wants One Thing"... no doubt because this Katie was fixated on wanting sex with her husband (74-yo Anthony Quinn) even though he had killed himself rather than become an invalid. So, he guides her through the process of finding a suitable body for his spirit to inhabit and that young stud on the cover becomes the target. There's just one problem: the young one has to die is the old ghost is to move in. Really rather funny! And Anthony Quinn is just a hoot in this! But the dark-haired hottie with the Italian eyes... ooh la la!

"And who was he? Spill the beans!!!"

Funny that you should mention foodstuff. When I couldn't find anything much on Leo Damian after a flurry of activity in 1989, I wondered if he had died. Nope! He's on youTube with his own cooking show! For real!

"Hmm. Interesting. But he's only done that for less than a decade. What'd he do in those intervening years?"

I don't know. He just stepped out of the public eye, then re-emerged. Okay, enough about all this. Those Harper boys will be coming on soon and I need to brush my teeth.

"Alrighty, then I'll take my leave."

Thanks... later!!!

farewell to diamond, farewell!

I had begun this process the first week of December.

I had almost 8000 points still available for travel, but I wasn't going to use them.

Booking a vacation with them would slow down the process.

Plus, I was trying to emphasize a point to Diamond: I cannot travel as I once did.

The atrial fibrillation truly does limit how far I can drive.

Basically, I can go about 150 miles, as the trip to Waycross revealed.

Sure, I had that 45-inning vacation, and Daytona is a bit farther away than south Georgia.. however, I also had two scary moments of vertigo on the drive down, proving to me that the A-fib is still present (remember, there is no cure, only control) and will rear up during strenuous acts, such as continuous highway driving around congested areas.

So, most definitely no more of that is allowed.

As, they have no vacation sites that are less than two hours' drive from here, and as no one else has stepped up to help pay the annual maintenance fees, it's time to let it go.

That's why I asked to be part of the Transitions program.

It took being on hold for 47 minutes to talk to someone about that, but I held the line.

At last, Tara answered and, after confirming that I met all the requirements to be admitted to that program, she enrolled me and told me what to expect and how long it would take.

Thank you, Tara, for your honesty.

When I'd heard naught for almost two months, I sent an email, a gentle reminder of my situation and why I needed the Transitions program, then I called, too.

The paperwork arrived at the start of last week for the four contracts I have (the original one with Epic, that was taken over by SunTerra before Diamond bought that one out; then three smaller collections of points purchased in 2007, 2008, and 2011).

Hallelujah!

One was missing two of the needed pages (out of 5); when I called yesterday with questions, I was told the paperwork for that 2011 contract would be resent to me within a week or two, but that I should proceed with the others.

That's what I've done.

Today, I went through the process of having the three documents associated with each of the three contracts notarized, for a total of nine notary stamps affixed.

I also made copies, of course, just to have for my records.

I paid the $1000 fee to have each ownership contract released, knowing that I would never see that $3000 again, nor would I receive any funds from Diamond for relinquishing those 15,000 points back to their 'inventory'.

I am absolutely fine with that.

I just want to be done with vacation ownership; yes, I've had fun with it, alone and with others, but the time has come to end it.

Now, those three sets of notarized papers are on their way and out of my hands.

Hallelujah!

The postal clerk even date-stamped the envelopes and posed them for this photograph, as my proof of posting.

Thank you.

Now, to await the paperwork for that last contract, to close it out, too.

I will be so relieved to have this over and done.

Somehow, serious matters like this take a lot of energy out of me.

I feel enervated and almost immobile from the weight of them.

Just one step at a time, one breath at a time...

taking care of business.

midweek lunch ladies!

Today, I had this lovely lass at luncheon!

 

What a breath of spring air she is and pretty as a picture, that first niece of mine!

 

We were out at Houlihan's again, as that seems to be our 'new' favorite!

 

I think what that really means is Christina likes being spoiled by a three-course menu, especially one that includes a delectable chocolate dessert.

 

As for me, I'm exploring their seafood options.

 

You know: I see food and I eat it!

(smile!)

 

Yeah, that's one of those older jokes... 

which is appropriate, as I'm old-er, too!

 

As for this grilled pesto salmon, isn't it a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds?

 

And that ain't pasta it's sittin' on... it's spaghetti squash!

 

I'd never had it before and it was great!

 

This is the only place I've ever been with spaghetti squash on the menu.

 

Yeah, we'll be back, for sure.

(smile!)

 

Tomorrow, I'll dine with the delightful Dawn, at 'our' usual place.

I've come to realize that she likes to associate a particular place with each girlfriend, perhaps to keep her social calendar in order.

I'm fine with being linked to Thai food!

The King & I usually has some specials of the day, so I hope they have Shrimp Salad again.

With the rice noodles, it's unlike any other version I've ever had!

Oh, that reminds me of this joke meme posted by my artist chico in Chico!

A really nasty woman sitting... in a diner... called over [the] waitress 9rudely) and said, "I don't know what kind of ruse you're trying to perpetrate. I've had soup du jour before, and (points to bowl), this isn't it."

Hahahaha! Hahaha!

Methinks her French is sorely lacking!

(smile!)

Now, I have a meeting with Smitty to finish up his business taxes, at last.

The forms came late, so we're doing the best we can.

I spent more than five hours on this over the weekend, but it's done except for signatures.

And, he says this is the last time for these EOY reports...

the business is officially closed!

Good for him!!!

And bye for now!

valentines from gals o' mine!

As I told my first niece this afternoon, 

"Well, the envelope finally arrived today. 

Nothing inside, though, the flap was open. 

Well, i take that back: the love was still there. 

<3"
She texted back, 

"Good! 

We sent a lot! 

Maybe that is why it popped open."

For sure!

(smile!)

 

Its arrival made me realize I had overlooked talking about how I spent that particular evening.

I was with mi tres amigas!

Barbara had set up a movie night with all of us, unbeknownst to me.

All I knew was that she had suggested we go to the matinee of the new Liam Neeson movie, "Marlowe", a film noir piece.

I was most def down for that!!!

Than she sent a message wondering if we might want to eat beforehand.

Maybe at Jason's Deli?

Well, sure, that sounded great!

And it was, too.

The weather was just lovely for a 3 PM slunch!

I mean, would you look at that weather song?

Sure, rain would be on its way tomorrow, but it would be a tad warmer than it was on that sunny Valentine's Day, so a bit of rain would be jim dandy!

(smile!)

 

That's how that day was, too -

absolutely jim dandy, no candy needed!

Barbara and I practically had the deli to ourselves!

Then, at the cinema, she told me she didn't know just who all might show up!

She had invited Sandy and Brenda, and let Carolyn know, too.

Sandy was sick, though, and Brenda was recovering from a kidney stone, but Carolyn showed up!

And the movie?

Utterly a love love poem from the 1940's, from the clothes to the music to the language used!

But wait - isn't that the littlest girl?

You betcha!

I had poked a little to get a response about the cards full of love - and puns! - that I'd sent out.

Christina obliged with two photos!!!

So, there's Miyah, so cool, with a pizza my heart!

Not to be outdone, there's Miss Chlo, too!

Orange she a sweetie bear?!

She is, she is!

(smile!)

Yes, this Love day of 2023 was quite nice!

It had started four days earlier, on Saturday, the 11th.

Instead of the regular cartoon hour at 9 AM, it was a little something different: "Live, Laugh, Bugs!!!"

All of the cartoons were in a loving vein and so were the little vignettes before 'mercial breaks, like this one.

Usually, Pepe Le Peau is the pursuer of the the pussycat, but not that time!

She clearly was all over him!!!

I think he had gotten doused with perfume...

yeah, sure, let's go with that line of logic.

(smile!)

Whatever the reason, the kitteh did not recognize him to be of the skunk persuasion.

That reminded me of this meme that Lorrie B had posted, one that I admittedly had to look at pretty closely to see just what the joke was...

and then I "got" it!

"Despite his parents' reassurances, Bill couldn't shake the nagging suspicion he might be adopted."

 

I laughed out loud, too!

That's when I got off the Book of Face.

If I'm laughing out loud to the jokes, it's definitely time to leave and keep that smile on my face!

Thanks, Lorrie of the Legos, for that one last month!

Thanks, Christina and Miyah and Chloe for the love in the mail!

Thanks, Barbara for setting up a lovely evening!

Thanks, Carolyn, for joining us for that hit of Neeson!

And, thank You, God, for the warmer weather!

(smile!)

i am savannah

Think about it.

How much do you represent the place where you live?

I'm not talking about your job description or any position held in city offices.

I speak of how much you embody the everyday rhythm within your community.

If I were to have asked a question today of Mischa Richter, I would have asked why he had not included anyone associated with the tourist trade.

Was he wanting to concentrate only on those who stay there year round?

After all, those are the ones with the task of keeping the place alive when the population shifts back to the few thousand - less than 4,000 - present on any census count.

The 2020 documentary, "I Am A Town", focused on life in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in the absence of those who had been on vacation, those who have flown back out to their own everyday lives in their own towns.

If there are any tourists present during the filming, folks on holiday who have flown in for the artists' wares and beach life, they must be in limited areas of P-Town, as they certainly are not visible.

Perhaps that small community are graced with tourists only in their downtown area, much like we are in Savannah.

Tourists rarely, if ever, venture south of Victory Drive, except perhaps to visit Wormsloe Plantation or Fort Pulaski.

Seriously.

Those of us who reside midtown and southside have no contact with those out-of-towners.

Unless we venture to events downtown, we need not even consider the seasonal flocks of vacationers who are partaking of the history or folklore or famous architecture, the ghost stories and walking bar tours and southern cuisine, of this centuries-old seaport.

I would think the residents of that small New England town regard the tourists as the industry that keeps their schools and hospitals and police force and fire department in fine working order for the rest of the year.

What did I like about the slow-paced film?

I liked that, on more than one occasion, someone held a book - a real, paper-pages, book - and read aloud a passage or two to share what it said.

I liked that, on more than one occasion, a piano repairman would burst into song after getting the ebony and ivory keys in working order, singing a Tom Waits song the first time, then an Iris DeMent tune a bit later, before his third number, which was his own creation.

I liked that those in the movie felt at ease with the director, no doubt because his own family has been part of that community for a century.

And I liked that Richter dedicated the film to the man in the rowboat, a Vietnam veteran who fairly much kept to himself and did a bit of line-fishing until his death.

I'm glad I brought this event to the attention of the J-Dawg.

The physicist does like documentaries and this was surely one he would not see elsewhere.

In fact, this was its last screening at a cinema, so I'm glad the Tybee Post Theater had it.

I had always enjoyed the Southern Independent Film Tour screenings at the Lucas Theatre, and this reminded me of those, complete with artist Q&A afterward.

This one used Microsoft Teams, which the bfe recently was exposed to, and so he got a kick out of seeing that technology in this venue, too.

Yes, all in all, a very lovely adventure on a Sunday afternoon - having a late lunch with the bfe at a place new to both of us (Papa's BBQ & Seafood), topped off with a different kind of cinema experience down at Tybee, on a blue-sky, fairly warm, day.

Just perfect...

(smile!)

showdown? this ain't the OK corral!!!

Maybe not, but it was the second stop on the Banana Ball World Tour, so you know what that meant: anything goes!!!

I was keeping closer watch this time around, as I'd missed a bit of play yesterday.

Seriously, you can't look away for even a minute, or the game can be done with an inning and you didn't even see the pitches and hits!

Many of these innings seem to fly past in a two or three minute blur - they do!

That's a tenth of the time of a regular inning of baseball.

But this isn't baseball, now is it?

Nosirreebob... it's Banana Ball.

And so I was careful to limit my chat comments to the between-inning breaks, though that first one was just before the first pitch.

"So glad to have some baseball to warm up this chilly day!"

Then it was the second inning and my boy, Bill LeRoy, was not just a hitting coach but a player again, having his turn at bat... there's a song about that somewhere... and coming across home plate moments later! Woohoo!

The Bananas took the point for that inning.

Sure they had scored two runs, and the Party Animals had scored one run in that inning, but runs aren't counted until the 9th inning.

The team with the most runs in an inning gets the point; that's the rule.

Speaking of rules, folks like to act like the Savannah Bananas were the first ones to ever change the rules in baseball.

Well, a bit "Harrummphf!" to that!

The 2008 Summer Olympics changed some rules, to make the games better fit the time constraints for televised play. 

Jesse Cole and his boys in yellow have just streamlined a few things, to make it flow that much faster... but, it's still baseball, with the crack of the bat and smack of the ball!

As I said here, "Love seeing them have so much fun playing the sport they love!"

And just what kind of fun was it this time?

Oh, you mean besides the dancing umpire...

and the spontaneous choreography of the players catching the pitcher's vibe...

and the player in the red lab coat?

Well, hold onto your hat, 'cause the sight of this ten-foot tall Banana on stilts might blow it off your head!

And did the pitcher actually try to lob that ball into his strike zone?

I can only say this: the bat made no contact and the batter struck out.

Very funny to watch!

That was in the 8th inning, so the Bananas felt safe in putting forth that stunt, as they were ahead, 4 points to 1 point for the Animals.

The Bananas even scored an additional point that inning, so the game seemed set.

But, no, no, no!

The 9th inning saw the Animals claw their way up, scoring 4 runs! Game tied!

That meant it was a good thing that Josh had brought out his whiteboard to explain what would happen next!!

(The teacher in me really does like those segments of the game!)

The tie would be broken by a series of showdowns.

For the first showdown, the team on the field would have the pitcher and a single fielder, versus a lone batter who would have to be tagged out by the fielder or pitcher.

The showdown - essentially, an inning that follows the regular nine played for the purpose of breaking a tie - would allow both teams to have one at-bat.

Neither team scored got a man across the plate, so a second showdown was needed.

This time, it was the pitcher versus the man at bat.

As one might expect, each time scored, giving each team 6 points instead of 5, but maintaining the tie.

Time for the ultimate showdown to bring this match-up to a close!

So the team in the field gets a pitcher and and fielder; the team at bat gets the batter and bases loaded.

Sort of like a pinball machine, when you get a bonus and have multiple balls at play simultaneously, guaranteeing points, right?

Absolutely!

However, it all depends on that lone batter actually getting a hit... and the guy for the Animals did, bringing in all three men on bags!

The Bananas were less fortunate, not getting a single man back to home.

Big win for the Party Animals!

Big win for us, too: Saturday fireworks!

(smile!)

ya gotta look deeper than the icing for the cake

"Great googly moogly! What are you talking about?"

 

This whole "Banana Ball" thing. Underneath all that crazy clown circus is, really and truly, very good baseball being played, and played by folks who really love the game.

 

"Yeah, I think I stand with Jim Casey on this one."

 

I hear you. The former MLB player was quite firm on that last night when you posted about the upcoming game tomorrow night. He isn't the only one with that opinion, either. The Sweet Caroline girls couldn't stand the circus so they left the Bananas before they left Savannah. Admittedly, I wasn't a fan of their stadium antics... but I do love the baseball they play. That's as solid as anything the Sand Gnats gave us.

 

"How can you tell? There's so much nonsense that you can't pay attention to the game."

 

Pish posh. Here's the real deal: if you don't watch closely, you're going to be left with just the icing and never get to the delectable cake underneath. Just scrape that gooey stuff to the side for those who are just there for the sweets. The real deal below it is fabulous! There's a reason this team has won several championships since they hit this port city. They have talented ball players and the baseball they play is full of heart and truth.

"Sounds like you've had some kind of epiphany."

 

 I have, ever since this game tonight. I think I have the Super Bowl to thank for that, as well as years of sitting with Mister Willie. All of these sports that are thought of as just physical finesse have strategies to their play, just like chess does. They are games of logistics, games of the mind, though that doesn't necessarily mean all these young dudes are geniuses... 'cause they aren't. They don't have the experience yet for mental gymnastics, that's what the coaches are for. The coaches and managers are the ones guiding the players in the moves to be made to advance the game, but it's still up to the men - or women - on the field to execute those moves successfully.

After watching the game-delaying tactics employed by the Chiefs against the Eagles, I have a much better understanding of some of the Banana Baseball Rules. Stepping out of the batter's box? That's an attempt to throw the pitcher off his rhythm and is worth a strike in Banana Ball. Popping out to the mound to chat with the pitcher? That visit is a game delay tactic to grant the pitcher a brief respite and is not allowed in Bananaland, not by the catcher, not by the coach, not by anyone. And the two-hour time limit? That makes sure the game moves right along, so all the fans have a good time and get home before 10 PM.

"You trying to teach me baseball? Like you did with the Rogue years ago, when the Single-A team was still here?"

Oh, that was such a great game with the Peace Guy! Full of laughs and baseball, just like that joke I shared with him! That taught him a little about the sport, too. Education and humor go hand in hand, remember. 

(smile!)

But that was real baseball, not Banana Ball. In fact, I learned tonight that I didn't know the rules as well as I thought for this new, faster, version of the game.

There's one particular issue concerning time that I'm fuzzy on. 

For regulation baseball, 34 minutes is 'lost' for the two-minute team change on the field within, and between, innings. I'm not sure how that time factor is handled by Banana Ball.

I only really caught one such instance. That was the within-inning husband-calling contest. Recognize the emcee? He's the guy in charge of field promotions that I met in Daytona in August! He told me then how much he loved the Bananas! Nice to see he's working with them down in Florida.

"Nice. Okay, stop with the time delays. What's up with the local baseball scene?"

Well, here's the message I sent out yesterday evening. "Baseball on youtube channel @Savannahbananas right now!" along with the photograph here. I alos told them this was the first game of the 2023 Banana Ball World Tour and was being played in West Palm Beach, Florida. I sent it out to lots of folks I've been to baseball games with: Scott, Jeff the Ex (and Amy), first niece Christina, twins' dad Michael, stepmom Bonnie, Tony and Laura, Smitty and Mary. Then I sent it to people who have talked about wanting to attend a Bananas game: orwhi Susan, Emily and Boone, Eric Mitchell, cousin Penny and cuz'n Jeff Powless.

"Hold up! Is that pitcher wearing a cowboy hat? For real???"

Yep! That's Kyle Luigs, Bananas pitching coach as well as Bananas player for at least four years. He's a real ace. I'm kind of surprised he wasn't wearing his boots.

"Uh, huh."

 

He wasn't the only one with a cowboy hat, either.

Here's the pitcher for the Party Animals, another team out of Savannah, with that group sporting one of the alternate names first proposed for the Bananas.

Notice that he's wearing shorts!!!

Tight, clingy, hot pink shorts.

He was wearing them quite well, too.

(smile!)

"Yeah, yeah, we all know you first starting watching the Sand Gnats because of the nice tushes on the catchers."

Hey, it's the same reason I like watching dancing and figure skating!

Makes for sweet dreams, right?

Jolly well right!

(smile!)

Bonnie was the only one to "join me" in watching the game. It was pretty short notice, but I'm hoping more will be there "with me" tomorrow.

 

"Good luck with that. And how did she feel about the game?"

 

Well, why don't you be her and I'll be me and I'll share the textversation we had! The broadcast began at 1855, and first pitch was 1900, when the two-hour clock started counting down to game end. And, yes, I'm using military time, so subtract 1200.

(smile!)

 

*** *** ***

 

2012 bonnie
Crazy, a little baseball and lots of silliness. 

Not my cup of tea, but it seems like it is a hit.

2013 to bonnie
It's crazy fast! Already bottom of the 6th!
[There's only been 75 minutes of play so far. In regulation baseball, that would mean about three innings had been played, if the game was low-hitting.]
 

2014 bonnie
Do they play till someone wins... no ties?

2015 to bonnie
No ties, but play only until the 2 hours is up.

[Not quite, as I learned, but that's for another post, when the game ends in a tie.]

2016 bonnie
What if neither has a point?

2017 to bonnie
That has not happened. These boys are good.
All a team needs is more runs than the other team to 'win' the point for that inning.
Only one team can 'win' each inning.

2020 to bonnie
So, Bananas won 4th and 6th.
Animals won the 5th.
No one scored for first 3 innings, so no points to either team for those.

2022 to bonnie
Animals are up at top of inning, so bananas always have a chance to score.

[Plus, they like to come from behind and have a challenge.]

2026 to bonnie
If both teams score same number of runs in an inning, neither gets the point for that inning.

2032 to bonnie
Animals took 7th. Game tied again, with each team having 2 points.

2034 bonnie
Ok. These guys are not college guys?

2036 to bonnie
These guys are all over the map. 

Regular guys, retired pros, college, whoever wants to play.

[Case in point: 76-year-old Hall of Fame pitcher for the Red Sox, Bill "Spaceman" Lee, stepped in for one inning tonight with the Bananas. That was amazing!]

 

[He wasn't the only retired pro there.]

Another guy, who's name I missed, stepped in to play right field for at least one inning, at the game down there in Florida.]

2038 to bonnie
Bananas left the college league to play 'banana ball' as their full time gig. 

ESPN loves it.

 

[There may be a glitch though, with the City of Savannah. Fans First Baseball was allowed to lease Grayson Stadium as part of a league baseball team. Now that they have left the Coastal Plains League, they may be in violation of that lease. Time will tell.

Hopefully they will be able to stay. They have just purchased a new building, with yellow trim, for their new headquarters, right across from the stadium.]

2056 to bonnie
Bare-chested pitcher!

[What a lithe, limber fellow he is! Reminds me of a favorite former ballet dancer who is one of three reasons I so love "Die Hard".]

2058 to bonnie
Very exciting finish!

[Thanks to an unwritten rule that in the 9th inning, every run scored counts as a point.

That means each team has a chance to really rack up some points!

The Animals scored 2 runs, counted as 2 points, giving them a total of 4 points.

The Bananas, who love the challenge of being the underdog, had 3 runs. Coupled with their 2 points, that gave them 5 points total and ended the game.

Period.

No need to go to three outs, the tie was broken, play was done.

Very nice!]
 

*** *** ***

 

And, yes, that time was correct.

The game was over by 9 PM, as promised in the Banana Ball Rules.

They'll be back tomorrow, same banana time, same banana channel, and so will I.

Who's joining me?

(smile!)