Tag Archives: blog post

Wrist to Forehead, Then to Bed

Did that sound like a little mini-poem or just like I was whining?  Maybe a whiny little poem?  Well, I will try not to make this a whiny blog post, and I probably will not go STRAIGHT to bed after I hit Publish.  Just saying.

“But I LOOOOVE you!”

This picture is from Mad Love starring Peter Lorre, Frances Drake, and Colin Clive.  That’s Lorre and Drake in the picture.  Colin Clive played Dr. Frankenstein in the James Whale directed Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein.   I have seen Mad Love a few times now, and I notice new things each time.  One reason for that is I am continually distracted by something or other each time I watch it.  Last night it was conversation with my husband.  Don’t tell Peter Lorre, because in Mad Love, he got really angry with Frances Drake for favoring her husband over him.  I’m no Frances Drake, so I could probably get away with it, but there is no point in taking a chance.

Yes, it seems I am resorting to my new thing of putting up pictures and rambling on.  Then again, I often do talk about movies on Wrist to Forehead Sunday, so let’s just go with it.  I did not watch any movies today, because I was invited to my sister Cheryl’s house for swimming and a cook-out.  Fun!  I love getting together with family!  I made a macaroni salad to contribute to the feast, so I guess I could have done a cooking post.  I missed a bet there!

Oh, and I went to Beer Belly Bob’s in Ilion and got some Yuengling to bring, so I can also give a shout-out to a local business.  That’s Route 51 Beer Belly Bob’s Discount Beverage  Center, 70 Otsego St., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-895-0936.  It’s a great place to purchase beer and other beverages.  The also have tastings sometimes.  As I was paying for today’s purchase, I noticed they are having one Thursday, Aug. 31.  I may have to go and write a blog post about it (preview of coming attractions).

Now it seems that I am having more of a Scattered Sunday post.  Non-Sequitur Sunday?  I say no matter.  I am over 350 words.  I call that more than respectable.   If I could find another picture to end the post with, I would feel content.

No, that is not my thigh. I got cans of Yuengling today.

I stole this picture from the D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. Facebook page.  I figured they wouldn’t mind, because it is advertising.  It is very good beer, if you like beer, which I do. Happy Sunday, everyone.

 

Saturday Sick Day

I’m taking a blogger’s sick day.  Of course, as regular readers know, that does not mean I will leave this page mercifully blank for a blessed 24 hours.  Good God no, I have to post every day, barring certain unforeseen circumstances such as electronic malfunctions.  It just means my post will be even more foolish than it sometimes is and I will apologize even less.

Here’s the funny thing about feeling so awful for most of today:  I had spent all day Friday planning how I was going to turn my life around and Get Stuff Done.  I was going to do X, Y and Z (no point in bothering you nice people with details) on Saturday, including looking ahead to the coming week and deciding specific things to do at specific times on specific days.  Oh, was I ever going to get my act together!

And I did manage to get a few things done today.  I woke up with a bit of a headache, discovered that I do not have any Immitrex (ooh, was that a HIPAA violation to mention the name of the drug?), decided not to worry about it, and set about my day.  I ended up having a rather nightmarish drive home around 11:30 with a raging migraine.  Then again, this is me:  I was still listening to “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” on NPR and trying to guess the right answers (I got a few).  So I suppose I am self-dramatizing a little.  You had a headache, Cindy, get over it, you weren’t DYING!

After some ibuprofen,  a long nap and a hot shower, I was not feeling too awful.  I did the dishes, looked at Facebook, and started supper.  It’s actually a pretty good supper, although I’m guessing at that, because I haven’t finished cooking yet.  I could have done a cooking post, except that I was too anxious to whine about my migraine.

So, act still not together but blog post made.  I still have time to plan for the coming week.  Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

It’s Flustered Friday!

Yesterday I said, “Next Up: Portrait of Dorian Gray”  (only I couldn’t italicize in a headline).  However, today being Lame Post Friday, I make bold to be lame enough to NOT have Mr. Gray and his pretty picture be next on Mohawk Valley Girl.  (Is that a contradiction in terms, bold enough to be lame?  Might make a good headline.)

Actually, I think I will begin a new feature today.  A subspecies of Lame Post Friday:  Flustered Friday. In fact, I am pausing in my Flustered Friday gyrations to make this post.  Then I will continue to Flus (yes, I know that is not a word; don’t be so didactic!).

When I got home from work, I went running, feeling pretty damn virtuous for running two days in a row.  I thought about it all day at work, hoping to instill it in my mind so I would not have to talk myself into it.  It worked.  I had meant to run on the mini-tramp again, watching more of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with my beloved John Barrymore.  However, the weather seemed so fall-like that I decided to run outdoors.

After a good run, cool-down walk, stretching and shower, I put on my short terry robe, got myself a glass of chocolate milk (my recovery beverage of choice) and sat down with the laptop. I was going to make a Running Commentary post.  First I checked my Facebook notifications and emails (I have four but only check three on a regular basis).  Soon I started to feel tired and brain dead.  This would never do.  I had plans with my friend Kim for 5:30.  I wanted to get my blog post done first so I would not have to worry about it.  I ate a small snack and tried again.

Eventually I went to the message string with Kim to double check the time for tonight’s adventure.  Not 5:30, but 5:00!!!  It was 4:36 by my computer’s clock when I made this discovery.  It was actually better to go at five, because Steven worked till six so I had a good shot at being home at least not too long after he got there.  I had time.  It! Could! Work!  (You remember that line from Young Frankenstein, don’t you?) (If you don’t, go watch Young Frankenstein! It’s a great movie!)

First I had to get dressed.  What to wear, what to wear, what to wear?  I need to do some serious work on my wardrobe.  Then I saw one of Steven’s Hawaiian shirts that would go awesome with my yellow capri pants.  I put it on.  Ooh, wrinkly.  I knew I had not put my iron away the last time I used it.  Did I have time? YES!  I scrambled around finding a notebook, pen, Tablet and purse.  I was ready in time, yes!

Our adventure was to DikinDurt Distillery on Smith Road in Herkimer.  I intend to write an article about them to submit to Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I’ll probably write a blog post as well (preview of coming attractions).  It was a fun visit.  We must go there again.  For one reason, you can only try three moonshines at a time.  For another, Steven will like to join us.

After leaving DikinDurt, we thought to go to Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, where they often have Friday tastings.  We stopped by my house first to pick up a couple of school supplies.  You see, Valley is having a promotion that if you donate a school supply, you get 10 percent off your purchase.

We tasted some flavored vodka.  We liked it but did not buy any.  Then we walked all around the wines deciding what too purchase.  Having enjoyed some blueberry moonshine at DikinDurt, Kim was looking for blueberry wine.  We found several choices as well as some other fruits.  I decided on some Faustino Tempranillo and Great Western Champagne.

As we left the liquor store, I mentioned to Kim that I was supposed to cook supper but really should have started cooking at five.  Oops!  When we got to my house, Steven was not there yet.

“Get cooking!” Kim said.

“I think I’ll get fixing myself a drink,” I said. Kim approved that modification of plans.

I got to pouring myself a glass of wine.  I’m still drinking it.  Steven came home while I was typing just now.  We still have to figure out what to do for supper.  I know it will not involve going out, because Steven is already in his sweatpants (that man is FAST when he gets home from work).  At least my ironed Hawaiian shirt made it to the distillery and the liquor store!

 

Next Up: Portrait of Dorian Gray

He was really a beautiful man, in addition to be a marvelous actor.

I had thought I might do a Running Commentary post.  I ran in place on the mini-tramp while watching the silent Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with the inimitable John Barrymore (I adore the Barrymores).  Then I was on Facebook and came across a movie poster I just had to download.  Well, I can’t just download it, can I?  I have to use it.  So this is Non-Sequitur Thursday after all (I thought after yesterday’s schizophrenic post, such a thing would be inappropriate, but I am ever one to go with the flow).  There is a bit of a theme, at least, because I am sharing all old movie posters stolen from Facebook.

What’s a guy like Joseph Cotten doing in a movie like this?

I have never heard of this movie, but what a title!  What a poster!  I should probably get on one of those streaming services (or whatever they are; you know technologically ignorant I am) where I can find all these obscure, old titles.  Oh, the blog posts I could write!

Ooh, a double feature!

I may have seen The Incredible Petrified World.  The title seems familiar, and I’m sure I have seen any number of cheesy movies involving women trapped in underground caverns or some such (you know how little attention I actually pay).  When I get a chance, I’ll look through my DVD collection and see if it’s there.  If so, I’ll have to watch it again and see what I remember.  I’ll let you know.

Oh Bela, how I love you!

I have definitely heard of this one but never seen it.  However, the person that shared it (on one the monster movie pages I follow), said there was a freaky, ambiguous ending.  I must add this of my list of movies to check out.

What I’m wondering now is, do you suppose there are readers who wish I had never learned how to download and share pictures?  A point to ponder on Lame Post Friday.  I hope everybody will continue to tune in.

 

Cheesy Monsters in Hawaii?

Today I introduce a new feature to my Mohawk Valley Girl blog:  Weary Wednesday.  It is kind of a companion day to Tired Tuesday.  Only I hope to not be quite as foolish as I was yesterday on Totally Tired Tuesday (many thanks to Granny K for the elusive adverb).  I have been noticing lately how many pictures are in my Media Library here at WordPress, so I think I will pick out a few to re-visit for today’s post.  Think of is as one of those clip shows like the sit-coms do. Full disclosure:  I HATE clip shows; my own hypocrisy is not lost on me.

How do I STILL not have one of these shirts?

How appropriate is this?  I think, very.  This is a cheesy blog post!  I say it with a cheesy grin.  Soon I hope to publish a few more write-ups of cheesy movies.

Oh, if only I could drink beer and be this skinny!

It actually has not been a horrible day, although I feel beat enough to just sit and drink a beer (in fact, I am drinking water right now).  Could it be a sign of my ever-increasing age and waistline that things seem to get to me more these days?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!

This is probably as close as I will ever get to a tropical vacation.

Just to change things up a little, I add a more cheerful shot.  It is a lovely photo of me and my wonderful husband, Steven, at a fundraiser for H.A.L.O. (Helping Animals Live Organization), a no cage, no kill cat rescue.  Perhaps you read my blog post about it (although it was some time ago; I wonder if I can find the post and make a link).

I have no idea where I stole this one from.

I end with a kind of a self-portrait.  This was my Facebook profile picture recently, until I replaced it with a picture of Nosferatu yesterday.  As regular readers know, I’m kind of into monsters.  And now that I think about it, this was kind of a Frankenstein’s monster of a post, pieced together with whatever came to hand.  NOW what will I do for Non-Sequitur Thursday?  I hope you’ll stay tuned and find out.

 

Roger Corman on Mental Meanderings Monday

It is getting later and later in the day on Monday and I still have not done my blog post.  It will, for sure, be Monday Mental Meanderings, but I fear my mental is far from meandering.  It is still.  It has stopped.  I looked for some monster movie pictures to pep up my post a little. I did not find any.  Whatever will I do?

The movie is not as sexy as the poster would make it seem.

At last! I found something! This is the movie we watched last night, a Roger Corman confection which I enjoyed very much.  I must say, the monster was much scarier in anticipation than in sight.  When we finally saw the monster, we laughed and laughed.

I believe there is a sexy brunette or two in this flick.

This is a movie we watched some time previously.  Earlier today I found a write-up I started about it.  I worked a little more at it but fear I must watch the movie again before I can finish it properly.  Who me?  Watch a cheesy movie again?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!

“That won’t qualify for the Dolgeville Violet Festival.”

I close with a shot from another favorite Roger Corman film of mine:  Little Shop of Horrors.  I have little use for the musical, on stage or on screen, but I adore the original cheesy movie.

I guess I don’t have much else to say.  Friends, it’s Monday.  I managed to NOT whine about how I can’t seem to write a blog post today.  I’m afraid that is the best we can hope for. But perhaps I will see you all on Tired Tuesday.

 

Wrist to Roger Corman to Tempest

Hello, it is Wrist to Forehead Sunday, the day I just can’t get much done and write a foolish blog post so I can get back to not doing it.  I am looking at (I can’t say “watching,” but I am periodically glancing at the television screen) a Roger Corman movie.  I thought I had not seen It Conquered The World before but now I am remembering parts.  I really will have to watch it with some attention some day and write a blog post about it.  For now, however, I am still in All Tempest All The Time mode.

I draw your attention to the entry at the bottom of the sign.

Yes, we performed at the Utica Zoo yesterday.  It was a great deal of fun, and I think the audience enjoyed it, too.  I guess the zoo has a lot of stuff going on. I’ll have to check out a few other events when I get a chance.  That would no doubt be worth a blog post.

Next time I want to be the guy with his sword up in the air.

This is one of the cast photos taken after the performance.  We do one smiling nicely and one “in character.”  My character tends to smile nicely each time. An exception would be a picture taken in Little Falls, when the King’s drunken butler was next to me.  I shared that photo before, but for anybody who has forgotten:

Luckily he is not a “method” actor, or he may have drooled. Ew!

I have been thinking again today about what a great cast I have been working with this summer.  I will miss them when this is over.  Then again, there is always the next play.  That is a cheerful thought for Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

 

Speedy Saturday Post

My plan right now is to post something really really fast, so we can get on to the movie-watching portion of the evening.  I cannot do a true Scattered Saturday, because I have not done a whole hell of a lot today. I wrote some post cards and took a very uneventful walk to the post office to mail them.  Then I waited around till it was time to go to the Utica Zoo for this afternoon’s performance of The Tempest with LiFT Theatre Company.

The performance was fun and went pretty well.  I think the audience liked us.  The Utica Zoo is a fun place to be.  I only wish I had gotten there a little earlier, so I could have gone into the gift shop and purchased some post cards.  I do like to have a variety of post cards.

After the performance, my friend Kim and I drove back to Herkimer, where we went to a brief wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquors.  Then I went home, where my dearest husband Steven was, and we got some dinner at PK’s Pub.  Yes, I could write blog posts about the wine tasting or the dinner, or, for that matter, the performance of The Tempest or this morning’s walk to the post office (yes, I know, I said it was uneventful, when has that ever stopped me?).  So many posts, so little time.

I am now over 200 words.  I call that respectable.  Maybe not  a good post, but respectable. Happy Saturday, everyone, and I hope to see you all on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

 

It’s All About Me, and The Tempest

 

In lieu of my usual Friday Lame Post, I thought I would continue my theme of All Tempest All The Time and plug tomorrow’s show at the Utica Zoo.  They have a nice little amphitheater.  Last year we performed Much Ado About Nothing there.  That had the charm of rhyme:  Much Ado at the Zoo.  Well, we can’t have everything.

We rehearsed at the zoo on Wednesday.  Did you know they block off the Parkway on Wednesday nights for the Utica Roadrunners?  Kim and I had to take a little walk to get to the zoo.  Oh well, I needed the exercise.  Alas, I did not bring my Tablet so have no pictures of rehearsal.  I just don’t imagine I will be able to get any of the performance either, because, you know, I’ll be acting.

The show at the Utica Zoo begins at 2  p.m. and is free with admission to the zoo. Cue jokes about animals in cages and on stages (I won’t make any of those jokes myself, because it still is Lame Post Friday, you know).

I’ll close with a couple of pictures from our dress rehearsal at Caroga Lake, where we performed Aug. 5.  Naturally I chose pictures that included me, because, as you know, it’s all about me.

That’s me with my arms upraised, you know, acting.

 

I chose this one, because I thought it would be nice to include one with swords out. I’m hoping for some actual sword fights in next summer’s Shakespeare play.

For more information about LiFT Theatre Company, you can visit their Facebook page.

 

 

 

 

Too Much Detail on a Tired Tuesday Run?

I have this recurring dream where I am trying to get somewhere and my legs won’t work properly.  I can’t pick up my feet, I can’t move forward, it’s simply dreadful.  I pretty much felt this way at work today, and I worried tonight’s run would be more of the same.  However, I have not been running since July and I was determined to begin again.

I made a bargain with myself that I would only run for 20 minutes.  I could hang for 20 minutes.  This would work.  Of course it was a rigamarole getting ready to run.  I wanted to put in a load of laundry while I ran, including the pants I had worn to work today.  Since I had gotten sweaty at work, I took advantage of this.  I stayed naked while I filled the basket with laundry, then put on my running clothes (sorry if that gave you an unfortunate mental image) (then again, what are you doing picturing me naked?  Shame on you, you dirty-minded thing, you!).

Of course I was still sweaty.  I put powder on my upper body, but my second sports bra  still rolled up as I put it on and I couldn’t reach the back to unroll it.  I hate when that happens!  I got it, though, because, like I said, I was determined.  If this is too much detail, tough.  I calls it like I sees it.  I almost got out the door before I realized I had not thrown the laundry in.  Back up the stairs to retrieve the basket, then down to the basement.  I figured it could count as my warm-up.

Usually when I run, I make a left at the end of my driveway and head to German Street.  If I have not been running in a while, I head to Caroline Street, then go up and down the streets, working my way back home.  I decided to mix things up, so turned right and headed towards Meyers Park.  I even crossed the street and ran down the opposite side from my house.  The sun came out from behind a cloud, showing me that I had not picked the shadier side of the street. No matter.   It was my first run of beginning again, and I was going to persevere.

Persevere was what I had to do, because I never hit the I Can Rock This stage.  I won’t say that every step was an effort, but a goodly number of them were.  I tried to distract myself by looking around.  Mostly I noticed other people’s porches and wished I was sitting on a nice porch, perhaps enjoying a beverage.  I had told a work friend that I might reward myself with a glass of wine after my run.  Suddenly I remembered… chocolate milk!  When I was training for the Boilermaker 15K, I got in the habit of re-hydrating with chocolate milk.  I read somewhere that it is an excellent recovery drink.  I must say I enjoy it quite a bit.  I knew there was milk and chocolate in my refrigerator.  That thought sustained me for the rest of the run.

I ended up running for 22 minutes.  I felt pleased with myself that I had gone at least a little over 20, especially since the devil on my shoulder had been whispering that 15 would be just as good.  The cool shower felt wonderful, and the chocolate milk was heaven.  I probably won’t run again tomorrow, because I have rehearsal for The Tempest (no, that is not over yet, and I will no doubt write more blog posts about it), but I hope to run on Thursday.  Sooner or later, I must hit that I Can Rock This stage.