Prince in May

Sometimes I wonder if this is a reply to Janet Jackson's "Control".

Banging My Head Against the Wall

For the last month, I've worked very hard to stick to a diurnal schedule. Taking exercise classes in the morning and going to bed at the same time as DH has helped. Part of the reason is so I can unpack boxes without waking DH because even if I'm super quiet, Princess is Bella treats every item suddenly appearing in her domain as a threat.

Silly puppy.

However, I'm finding that I'm not getting much writing done. We're back to DH consulting me on various items. Or simply plopping down on the chair next to me to talk about his day without any regard to what I might be doing.

*Sigh*

I feel like I'm caught between two worlds, and I can't do either well.

Plus, I've got friends who want to visit, but none of them actually live anywhere near me. That means traveling by plane, train, and/or automobile.

Maybe it's a good thing we're getting away for the weekend. I'll take my mini laptop with me, and maybe find someplace quiet to write.

Bitchy Sisters-In-Law, a Long Weekend, and a Comedy Show

It's been insanely busy around Chez Harden lately. DH has been working the day job full time, doing the timekeeping for the high school lacrosse teams (who just finished their season) and our semi-pro football team the Flag City Phantoms (who started their season a month ago), and trying to wrap up his parents' estate despite things still popping out of the woodwork.

I figured it was time for a break this coming weekend. DH planned to take Friday off to deal with a certain investment company, which is making him jump through a bunch of hoops to release the money due to the estate. He contacted the attorney for advice on how to deal with this particular entity, and she gave him suggestions of what to try first before wasting money on her fees to go medieval on the investment company's ass.

Only for DH to get texts from his two oldest sisters that essentially accused him of mismanaging the estate assets. This despite the fact  he updates all the sisters about what's happening on a regular basis. This despite the fact that in Ohio, the probate judge must approve everything before ANY disbursements can be made to the heirs.

The irony of all this is (1) I used to be a probate and estate planning attorney and (2) my own parents died during the same five-year period as DH's. It took fifteen months to wrap up my parents' estate, and they didn't have half the assets my in-laws' had for DH to deal with.

Even better, one of the sisters wants DH to do something illegal with the estate's money.

*facepalm*

I am so glad we have tickets to see comedian/actor Michael Rapaport this weekend with some friends. We might even squeeze the new comedy IF is the theaters. Anything to cheer up my man.

Yep, we definitely need a break from life.

Monday Movie Mania - The Fall Guy

Ahhhh! The 1980's. The good ole' days. When men were men, and violence filled the airwaves!

The Fall Guy takes '80's male toxicity and twists it around so it's an delightful ode to the movie stunt profession. Loosely based on the series that was Lee Majors' follow-up to The Six Million Dollar Man, this flick doesn't take itself too seriously. Frankly, it's nice to see a movie with more practical effects than CGI while at the same time, acknowledging the massive changes in the movie industry.


******


SPOILERS


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PROS
1) This is the first romantic action comedy movie since Romancing the Stone that had me laughing my ass off.

2) Ryan Gosling proved he has true comedic chops in Barbie (I don't count Crazy, Stupid, Love), but this movie with Ryan as Colt Seavers cements his talent in that arena.

3) Hannah Waddingham was delightful as the insane producer of the movie Metalstorm.

4) Ever since I saw Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada, she can do no wrong in my book. This role also gives Jody more power than she had in the series.

5) Lee Majors and Heather Thomas, the stars of the original Fall Guy series, made pitch perfect cameos. I only wish Douglas Barr had also been included.

6) All the little Easter eggs relating to Lee Majors' career had me laughing my ass off.


CONS
1) We needed a little more of Winston Duke as Dan, Colt's best friend and the stunt coordinator of MetalStorm.

2) They should have used Lee Majors' version of "Unknown Stuntman" instead of Blake Shelton's remake. Nothing against Blake, but Lee's version, or his own remake, would have added to the treasure of Lee Majors' Easter eggs.


This is the first really unexpectedly fun movie I've been to at the theater since the pandemic started. Overall, I give The Fall Guy 10 out of 10 stars.

From the Beginning

The title song from Prince's fourth studio album.

Super Cells and Twisters

Last night's writing was lost to the tornado-producing super cell that passed through our area. At least, we didn't get any hail like Illinois and Indiana. We're fine. I just spent the day trying to get caught up on things.

Take it easy folks. You never know when Mather Nature is going to drop a house on you.

Mammogram Time

Yep, that's right. I had my annual mammogram this morning. It'll be an annual event until I die or have my right breast removed.

It's the crap a breast cancer survivor faces.

I was in and out in roughly a half hour. A nice young lady named Michelle took the pictures and ran back to speak with the radiologist. Part of that half hour is giving the radiologist a chance to check my pics and compare them to the last several sets. Make sure there's no hinky business that need a further exam by ultrasound, a needle biopsy, or a core.

With the ultrasound, I only get slimed. The other two hurt like a mother.

Even though the mammogram is an annual, expected event, the fear comes out. The night before, I lay awake in bed and wonder if this will be the time the medical team will find something again. No matter what I do, what techniques I try, what sleep aid I take, rest doesn't come.

I went to the diagnostic center on four hours of sleep this morning. Luckily, it's only a mile from our house. If I didn't have to cross a major highway, I could walk there.

A couple of hours after I got home, I was out cold in my recliner. The exhaustion from fear eventually catches up with me.

I just wish I could avoid the fear.

Prince in May

Then came the reclamatiion of his name.

Some Early Fake Holiday Wishes

First of all, every single holiday is made up. Yep, they are. So, I chose the holidays that are fun and/or have a spiritual meaning to me. In this case, May 4th and May 5th are on the weekend this year so here's my early holiday wishes for you!

AND

Puppy Healing

Princess Bella had a rough Saturday. Between the pain pills and the soft food, the poor girl had some digestive issues. However, she's doing much better now. Back to her old rascally self and wanting to play.

Yesterday, she seemed determined to catch up on all the play time she missing over the weekend. Unfortunately, both DH and I were trying to catch up on a multitude of work tasks, and she was rather put out by our lack of attention to our real needs.

Alas, there's never enough time to do everything one wants to do within the spare twenty-four hours per day. Including spending the entire day playing with one's adorable pet. 

Today I must plug in some words on the current wip and start cleaning the house before GK and Grandpuppy arrive in two months.

Oh, and finish making my last two Christmas gifts for friends who have been waiting patiently.