2016 – Late to the Theater

Film Review: Under the Shadow (2016)

Longtime readers of my blog are familiar with my constant complaint that quality horror movies are few and far between. It probably makes me a snob, but the older I get the less interested I am in spending time watching something for the sake of supporting the genre. I just don’t have the patience for fountains of gore and crying teenagers in their underwear unless there is an intelligent twist on it, such as Cabin In the Woods or It Follows.

Enter Under the Shadow.

The UK’s entry for foreign language film for the Oscars, it was somehow not nominated. I’ve no idea why, and it’s a shame because this film isn’t just a great scare, it’s important. As I mentioned, intelligent horror films are few and far between, and one with such a riveting premise as Under the Shadow is doubly notable. It’s especially worthy of promotion as the world moves into a more xenophobic phase because it is about precisely that: superstitious thinking.

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New Year’s Eve Eve

Hola!

I missed last week’s entry because I had a family emergency in addition to holiday stuff going on, but I wanted to just throw out a ‘HAPPY NEW YEAR!’ since I know I’ll miss it otherwise!

I appreciate you, reader! I don’t always say it, but I do. I appreciate the comments and discussions, and reading your posts (even though I forget to say anything or Like them), and just getting those much-needed windows into other people’s lives and perspectives.

Let’s be honest – 2017 is not looking so hot. This article does a fantastic job collecting some articles to help you understand what we’re in for next year and beyond. Basically I would advise against asking a Magic 8 Ball what’s on the horizon, because of the risk of sudden heat burns when the thing self-destructs. But that doesn’t mean you can’t hope for the best, and do good things in the meantime.

I had a much cheerier article planned but the deaths of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, and a few other people cast a pall. Writing about what hair products, Xmas presents I’ve received, or my favorite new coffee just seemed gauche. So! I will write some fluff NEXT week, but for this one, I’m shaking 2016’s dust and ash off and boldly going into our future, whatever that may be. Maybe things will be great! I sincerely hope so!

Either way, I wanted you to know that I’m still here. I’m listening, watching, reading, and doing a little tiny bit of writing, but mostly, I am thinking. And planning. I don’t know what to expect, but at this point I’m prepared for anything.

Have a WONDERFUL and safe New Year’s Eve! And if you can’t be good, be careful!

Come On Baby, Hold Together

Since the future is looking kind of bleak, I’m resolved to do my best not to be part of the problem.

So although it’s only December, I have decided to make a New Year’s Resolution, and put it into practice now. I barely blogged at all in November; partly it was exhaustion, partly I was busy doing other things*, and partly the existential despair into which I plunged while watching a cabal of goblins gather to undo the Good Work of the past eight years.

My New Year’s resolution is this: I will blog at least once a week, on Fridays. If it isn’t about movies, it will be something interesting. No, I won’t just ramble about how I am doing, but I will review some new book/product/whatever that I am exploring, as I am always checking some new thing out. I will do my best to be entertaining, informative, and fair, and bring a bright spot of interest to your week.

Since the future is looking kind of bleak, I’m resolved to do my best not to be part of the problem. After all, we’re in this together now!

So, stay tuned for tomorrow’s blog entry, which is about my John Clare cosplay/Halloween costume!

And this weekend is Spooky Empire, which was rescheduled due to Hurricane Matthew! I’ll get to meet THE Elvira, and be in the same room as the Stranger Things cast! I’ve been looking forward to it most of the summer; originally I was going to wear my costume but since it’s kind of a pain to put on, I think I will skip that and just wear my favorite Hannibal T-shirt.

So keep an eye on your inbox, and have a great day!

*In no particular order, I:

Volunteered on a Saturday to help sew festive holiday pillowcases for the leukemia ward of a children’s hospital
Edited my novel some more
Had Thanksgiving dinner with my sister and her family, including a homemade 12-lb turkey, which I brined and roasted, homemade mashed potatoes, green bean casserole from scratch, and handmade cheese and herb monkey bread
Knitted my Mom some yoga socks, then worried they were too big and started another pair because that’s how I roll
Experimented with new hair care products
Read like 5 books
Donated to the food drive at work
Participated in the work potluck
Purchased, assembled, and painted two wooden picnic tables for my backyard. They are bright purple and I keep forgetting to take a photo
Cook healthy meals at home and go to the gym at least twice a week
Spent time with friends and family

Actual News Footage from January 2017

Sources have provided me with actual footage from the Trump inauguration ceremony.

sauroninauguration — We should have made the “orange” connection, if nothing else

Sorry. I shouldn’t have gone for the low-hanging comedy fruit but… sigh.

Ah well. Time to sack up and continue my lifelong project of leaving the world in better shape than I found it in, no matter how much of a shitshow the next four years turns out to be. Volunteering, donating stuff, time, and money, and being productive with personal and creative projects ought to help me forget about the impending apocalypse.

Maybe I’ll cheer myself up by donating blood today. I’m sure when the rioting starts there will be a lot of injuries and hence a call for it.

UPDATE: Here is an inspiring link to an article my friend wrote – in these situations, rather than give up hope, you should feel the opposite. You should feel determined to fix as much broken shit as you can. In those little fixes, big repairs happen.

Just like when I had cancer, it’s time to do research. It’s time to gather information and realize that every situation can be met with the right tools. It’s time, in short, to get organized, plan for what’s next, and lay groundwork for the rebellion.

Who’s with me?

Love,
Acha (just call me Mon Mothma for the next four years)

Read it if you’re feeling shitty. Then, when you’re done feeling shitty bit don’t know what to do with yourself, find something positive to do that will fix something, anything. Fix that broken toilet seat, sew that button back on, wash those dishes! Then, find something else. Keep going! Be useful, to yourself and others! Be the kind of American you think doesn’t exist!

It’s in your hands!

“I’m trying to find a word…”

“…to describe this election without being disrespectfullllll…. “*

Howdy!

Hopefully you noticed my lack of posts during October, which is usually my busiest month. The reason, simply put, is that the American election is going on this year and the possibility of my country flying into a chasm of corruption, racism, cronyism, and orange sludge has been massively getting me down.

basejumping — Ha ha! Ha ha! Ha- TAKE ME SWEET EMBRACE OF DEATH

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