News from the Neighborhood

[rolanni]

It seems that the alpacas have taken on another Hand -- a white rabbit about the size of Mozart. This will bring Staff up to seven, I believe: four mallard ducks, white rabbit, dog, and Liz.

Our authors' copies of Absolute Magnitude #21 arrived! Yay!

While I was in town this morning, one of the street people couldn't rest until she had shown me the pair of Perfectly Good Shoes that were in the wastebin at the corner of Temple Street. They were, she said, too big for her, but hardly worn at all. I agreed that people throw out the strangest things, but pointed out that I hardly needed high-heeled sandals. She allowed as how that was very true, and carefully put the shoes back into the bin, making sure they stayed together.

The pharmacy had to call the insurance company to get a "vacation override" so they could fill the prescription that will run out while we're in New York. Before they did that, though, they recommended that I just take the prescription with me and get it filled there. Um, no. Yes, I'm sure there are lots of pharmacies in New York City, but I don't see why I should be put to the inconvenience of seeking one out when I have a perfectly reputable pharmacy that I deal with all the time in town, which has a valid prescription on file and can fill the dern thing now. Insert "The Insurance Company Doesn't Pay For My Drugs So Why Should I Play By Their Stupid Rules" here. This took more time than I wanted, but actually worked out well for the gym, which has been getting crowded again, as the Summer People trickle back up to Maine for the season.

Only Nick the Assistant Manager was on at the video store when I stopped there -- and he was outside hanging up a banner advertising the availability of "Aviator." I coulda walked off with half the store by the time he realized I was in there. On deck for the weekend, "Chocolat" and "A Midsummer's Night Dream."

Also, the New York Times movie reviewer hated "Empire Falls." Now, I don't dispute this: "Empire Falls" sounds like the sort of movie I wouldn't particularly like, myself. But one of the points that she makes -- IMHO unfairly -- is that the voice-over for some of the sections has a "Pepperidge Fahm" accent, which she finds just too Too. Well, OK, but -- that's really what an Old New Englander accent sounds like. It's dying out, thanks to television, but in the context of the time in which the movie is supposing to be taking place, the accent is not inappropriate.

So, there.

The house has been vacuumed, the bread is baking, the dishes are done, and kinzel's home with the pizza.

I'm gone.

Comments

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

You haven't become the silent partner in an alpaca breeding farm, have you? They look terribly cute.

I liked Chocolat, know nothing of Empire Falls...and agree totally about Insurance Companies. We pay our dues, they shouldn't screw with us.

End of story.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

You haven't become the silent partner in an alpaca breeding farm, have you? They look terribly cute.

Alas, the cats have a non-compete clause in their contracts. They and only they get to be cute.

The alpaca farm is on my way in to town, and, let me tell you, I keep a verrrrry close eye on those rogues.

I liked "Chocolat" very much. May have to watch it again before the rental's up.

"Empire Falls" is based on the novel of the same name, written by Richard Russo, who's a big deal in these parts. It is, so I apprehend, a story of betrayal and redemption across two generations living in the fictional town of Empire Falls, Maine, placed on the equally fictional Knox River. The movie crews were up here for months blocking traffic and creating Consternation while shooting scenes in Waterville, Winslow, and Skowhegan -- the three actual area towns that, if you squeeze 'em together and shake slightly, would make Empire Falls.

Mr. Russo got lots of attention for his book, and Mr. Newman liked it well enough to do the movie, but -- I strongly suspect it's not my kind of thing.

[kinzel.livejournal.com]

One thing:

the movie folks paid to use/revamp several restaurants -- all places we've had meals in -- and by golly, you can't get much more realistic about Maine eating places than those.

If you're in Maine and recognize an eatery from the movie -- please stop and get a meal so you can say you did -- and help support Maine, which is being written out of the Bush admin budget as rapidly as they can get away with it.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

If you're in Maine and recognize an eatery from the movie -- please stop and get a meal so you can say you did -- and help support Maine, which is being written out of the Bush admin budget as rapidly as they can get away with it.

Does this mean we're going to Skowhegan for breakfast tomorrow? I don't think they serve breakfast at the Bob Inn...

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I have this sudden feeling that "Empire Falls" is depressing for several hours followed by two minutes of warm fuzzies.... 8^)