Tag Archives: SJ Perelman

A Couple of Pictures, Not Much of a Post

Posted on October 12, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Once again I have left it till too late in the evening to make a proper blog post. Oh, wait, it is Tired Tuesday! I am inadvertently appropriate. What is my excuse the rest of the time, you may ask. I will explain: shut up (with thanks to S. J. Perelman) (look him up) (or just wonder).

Where was I? Ah yes, tired Tuesday. My original plan was to go running and make a Running Commentary Post, using for illustration two pictures I took on Sunday’s cool down walk. I felt too tired to run (what a surprise) but managed a walk, thinking to make a Pedestrian Post . I took pictures on the walk and had some interesting narration in my head. But it is too long, which may be surprising for a 20 minute walk but not when you remember how much I like to talk.

I don’t know that I really captured the light.

I cut to the chase with the first picture from Sunday. I was struck by how the sun seemed to zero in on that one patch of color.

More than just a patch!

Walking up a dead end street, I found some more color. I spend a lot of time during the fall just staring at the trees knowing the beauty will not last.

I see professional and amateur photographers sharing their work on Facebook, and, yes, it is much better than mine. But I make bold to share my little contribution and hope you are all enjoying the season.

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Posted in humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged blog post, blogging, fall, fall foliage, pedestrian post, pictures, running, running commentary, SJ Perelman, tired, walking. Bookmark the permalink.

Martin Landau, Can You Help Me Now?

Posted on June 26, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Another day, another late post. These things happen, at least to me. No matter. I will attempt to write something worth reading, then attempt it again later today so I will be caught up.

Unfortunately I did not take any pictures at the Mind Twist Media Arts and Entertainment Expo yesterday. My friend, Kim and I dressed up and promoted Ilion Little Theatre. There were other vendors there, some musical entertainment, and a magician. Unfortunately, it was not very well attended. However, those who were there enjoyed it. The representative of Mind Twist I talked to said they would probably try for a date in May next year.

After the expo, Kim and I were quite relieved to get out of our costumes and into comfy shorts. We went to Lombardo’s Pizzeria Plus in Ilion, NY, for some food and wine. We split an order of chicken wings and an appetizer sampler. I really should avoid deep-fried food, but as I often observe, I can’t always do the right thing.

Back home, I relaxed with my husband, Steven. We watched Ed Wood. I had been thinking about that movie since I mentioned Martin Landau in my Friday/Saturday post (perhaps you read it).

So this is my Scattered Saturday Post, a day late. I say to myself, “Now that wasn’t so hard, was it? Why didn’t you do it yesterday?” And then, with thanks to S.J. Perelman, I explain, “Shut up.”

To Boil or Not to Boil?

Posted on February 22, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is time for my annual post in which I dither about whether or not to run the Boilermaker 15K in Utica, NY in July. At least, I do not remember if I write a post like this EVERY year (regular readers will not be surprised I am too lazy to go back and check). I certainly do not run the Boilermaker every year (those who do are welcome to feel smug about it; indeed, I admire their dedication).

Being me, I cannot just go ahead and make a decision of this magnitude. It is a decision of magnitude, by the way. For the next four and a half months (I just now counted on my fingers), I cannot slack off of running for a week here and there. I’ll have to keep better track of how long I run and how quickly I build myself up. Ten percent each week does add up, but I feel I must keep good track of how soon I’ll be running for how long. I am constantly looking at calendars and doing the math.

One might argue (oh, who am I kidding? There’s always one who WILL argue!) (you know who you are) that none of this matters a great deal. People who do not run at all have been known to run the Boilermaker 15K successfully. I can probably get by on sheer stubbornness. Additionally, many people walk during the Boilermaker; I’ve seen them. I would not bear that shame alone (and I daresay some of them do not even feel ashamed) (and who am I to judge?).

I will just explain to the ones who argue thusly, “Shut up!” (That is a S. J. Perelman joke I often use). I train for the Boilermaker because (1) It is fun for me. I like to run, and I feel good about myself as I am building up and (2) I do not WANT to get by on stubbornness nor by walking part of the course. Additionally, I do not want to feel all ate up after the run. I want to drink a beer! And hang out with some friends!

Hmmm… It begins to sound as if I have already made up my mind to run the Boilermaker. Well, why not? I’m in my mid-50’s. How many chances do I have to be bad-ass? It will be good for me to train for a 15K. If I stop eating like a pig, I may even meet a few of my weight-loss goals.

Of course, the final decision will not be made today. I will still have to register, and there is always a chance I will get shut out. It is a very popular race. But I thank my readers for allowing me to dither in this space. If anybody has any input on the matter, please feel free to comment.

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Posted in humor, personal, running and tagged Boilermaker 15K, Boilermaker Road Race, dithering, running, SJ Perelman, Utica NY, weight loss goals. Bookmark the permalink.

My Halloween Socks Are Clean

Posted on May 19, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

A few minutes ago, I thought to myself, “When in doubt, eat ice cream.” I thought it would be a good lead for a blog post, but it seemed ominously familiar. Once I finished the ice cream, I looked and sure enough, I once made a blog post with exactly that title. And pinged back on it two more times. This will be three.

Full disclosure: It was frozen yogurt and I realize that, even so, it is a poor way to work toward my weight-loss goals. In my defense, allow me to explain, “Shut up.” (That is a joke I proudly borrow from S.J. Perelman.)

I just took a break from blogging and looked for S.J. Perelman on Facebook, to make sure I spelled his name right. I ended up reading part of a Paris Review interview with him. Then I realized the Friends re-run that was on next was not one I wanted to see, so I got up and changed the channel to 20/20 on OWN. As you may guess, I am not particularly focused today. On the brighter side, I am in a much better mood than I was yesterday.

I did a very little writing earlier, on a letter to a friend. As I always maintain, any writing counts.

Steven just now reminded me that I have laundry in the washer. Oops.

The laundry is in the drier, except for the items I hang up to dry. Now, having skipped around in true Non-Sequitur Thursday fashion, I am going to sign off. I just remembered I was going to paint my toenails tonight.

Lame Lament

Posted on July 27, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

So here I am on another Lame Post Friday, feeling a little discouraged about this whole blogging business.

Oh, I can hear it now, the mean people saying, “So stop writing a blog! Nobody asked you to!” And then they say, with a sniff, “We’re not MEAN, we’re REALISTIC.” I explain, “Shut up” (an SJ Perelman reference I have used numerous occasions).

That parenthetical comment raises the half-baked philosophical question of where are the lines drawn between reference, homage and stealing somebody else’s stuff? I do hope the fact that I gave credit to Mr. Perelman absolves me from charges of plagiarism (which some people feel is the sincerest form of flattery).

My other philosophical question (half-baked, of course) is where is the line drawn between discouragement and feeling sorry for oneself? I believe the difference is one of point of view. I feel discouragement; you feel sorry for yourself (oh, not you, dear reader; I’m just giving an example).

I actually thought to write a non-lame (or perhaps semi-lame) post today. I was cooking something unexpected for supper and thought to write about that. Then I realized: far too much trouble for a Friday. I’ll save it for tomorrow or next week.

If boasting no other virtue, a lame post should be short. I’ll sign off now. Happy Friday, everybody.

Mohawk Valley Girl