Holding a Gathering

November 21, 2025 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good evening. It is I Gigi the parti poodle and Demeter the Persian cat is still missing. The Dachshund twins agreed to host our meeting. Ruffles the bulldog was there, Madeline the white and black cat that lives next door, Charlotte the Chow, Edison the Manx and of course Artemis, Demeter’s sister who is still in shambles. Bernard D. Bunny accompanied me and the group of us discussed what may have caused her disappearance. Madeline said she thought she saw her heading down the hill that night towards the park. Artemis said it is possible as her sister loves to take night strolls by the park. The park is small. A swing set, a climbing apparatus, some trees in the back. It is usually a safe place at night, but I pointed out my novelist saw a raccoon the other day. We all shuddered at this. Sometimes there have even been coyote sightings but not recently. Edison said it might be a good idea if we were to still consider she could have been kidnapped. And the park at night would be an excellent place to disappear. Especially since there is a trail that leads through the woods which is short and comes out in a bright area with houses. We all nodded in agreement. But what to do next? We are thinking of going as a group to the park tomorrow to try and see if there are any clues Demeter may have left behind if she was there. I will keep you informed on the matter. Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

You can check out my books Chicane and all five installments of the Musicology book series Musicology: Volume One, Baby!, Musicology: Volume Two, Kid!, Musicology: Volume Three, Twist!, Musicology: Volume Four, Sweetie! and Musicology: The Epiquad on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback editions. You can also check out Musicology’s web site at www.musicologyrocks.com and vote for who you think will win Musicology!

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: THE PENGUIN LESSONS (2024)-NETFLIX**

Here’s a heartwarming and poignant comedy-drama told with surprising depth. The movie was directed by Peter Cataneo and written by Jeff Pope and Tom Michell based on Michell’s true-life book about the time he spent as an English teacher in 1976 Argentina. The film varies from the book somewhat as Michell was twenty-three at the time the story takes place, and the arc of the penguin is a little different.

Tom (well played by Steve Coogan) is a risk adverse misanthrope who bounces around teaching at different schools until 1976 when he ends up at exclusive boy’s school St. George’s College in Buenos Aries. The academy is a haven of sorts from the political conflict happening in Argentina. When the school is forced to close for a week due to safety, Tom and his friend, Tapio (Björn Gustafsson) a science teacher at the school, take a trip to Uruguay to pick up women in bars. Tom meets a lady named Carina (Micaela Breque) at a dance club. They spend the night and early morning dancing, talking and walking on the beach. They happen to come across a large group of penguins lying on the sand covered in oil. They appear to be dead, but one starts moving. Carina encourages Tom to save the bird, take it back to his hotel room and wash it. They do and the bird survives. Carina tells Tom she cannot stay because she is married and leaves him with the penguin. Tom then must smuggle the creature through customs and brings it back to the school where Headmaster Timothy Buckle (Jonathan Price) has specifically said the teachers cannot keep pets. Tom hides him on his balcony and day by day the penguin begins to change his outlook on life.

Rounding out the cast are Vivian El Jaber as Maria, Alfonsina Carrocio as Sofia, and David Herrero as Diego.

Demeter is Missing

November 14, 2025 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle and I must alert you to something most distressing. Demeter is missing! Demeter the fluffy white Persian cat who lives down the street with her sister Artemis is missing! Bernard D. Bunny alerted me of the news this morning. All the neighborhood pets are on high alert. We have a neighborhood watch here and yet our precious fluffy Persian kitty sister has disappeared without a trace. Bernard is terribly shaken about it and has hidden his sister Belle in the secret burrow. Even I do not know where the secret burrow is located. My novelist seems calm about the whole thing. She said Demeter is a curious cat and has a reputation for prowling around at night. She said she may just be hiding somewhere to get out of the rain. I am less convinced. I believe Demeter was kidnapped. I believe someone took her. But why? Who? I must know. I absolutely must. If they are willing to kidnap as beautiful a cat as Demeter, they are bound to have their eye on a gorgeous parti poodle such as myself. I will have to round up all the pets in the neighborhood and deal with this matter post haste. Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

STREAM OF THE WEEK: SPEAK (2004)-Paramount+

Based on the National Book Award finalist of the same name by Laurie Halse Anderson this film is a must see for all teens. The story is about a fourteen-year-old girl named Melinda Sordino (brilliantly acted by Kristen Stewart). It is the first day of her high school year, but something devastating has happened, and Melinda is not the same girl she used to be in middle school. Her former friends Nicole (Tyanna Rolley) and Rachel Bruin (Hallee Hirsh) have ostracized her. Other students are calling her a “squealer”, laugh at her face and behind her back. All because she called 911 at a party the summer before.

But Melinda didn’t dial the police without reason. Melinda dialed the police because while she was intoxicated, a senior named Andy Evans (Eric Lively) raped her. Melinda is visibly traumatized by the event and is frightened to tell anyone what happened. Her behavior is misunderstood by her well-meaning mother Joyce Sordino (Elizabeth Perkins) and father (D.B. Sweeny), her history teacher Mr. Neck (Robert John Burke), and her new naïve social climbing friend Heather (Allison Siko). What’s worse, Rachel Bruin has started dating Andy.

Melinda finds an outlet for her pain in her art class taught by Mr. Freeman (Steven Zahn) who encourages her to be brave in her art and an ally in her biology lab partner Dave Petrakis (Michael Angarano).

The film is realistic in its portrayal of Melinda’s PTSD behavior and the way victims are often treated by those around them. It is also realistic in how predatory rapists behave: they invade their victim’s space, they use alcohol and drugs to dimmish their victims, and they isolate their victims to attack them. A lot of predatory rapists are repetitive in their tactics. Many, though not all, will plan out their rape out well ahead of time such as college men who pick out a woman in a class, often in Fall semester or quarter, charm her, groom her, and invite her to a party where they get her drinking to carry out their rape. Andy Evens is a good example of a psychopathic rapist. He appears charming at first and then shows signs of narcissism, irritation and violence. It is important to note studies show approximately 50% of repeat rapists are psychopathic.

Psychopathy is hereditary which means a psychopath has a 50/50 chance of siring or giving birth to another psychopath. It is likely Andy’s father, brother and/or uncle are/were also rapists as well. Rapists, psychopathic or otherwise, may also have abnormal white matter integrity in their brains which also have hereditary factors. Thus, it is bizarre that society traditionally blames the sane victim over the mentally compromised predator.

You can read interviews with real rapists and the way they carried out their attacks in the book The Rapist File: Interviews with Convicted Rapists by Les Sussman Sally Bordwell, and Ellen Frankfort. I am particularly fond of this one because many books on the subject will chronicle women’s stories of their attacks. It is more difficult to find books that get inside the rapist’s head. Other books of note are I Never Called It Rape: The Ms. Report on Recognizing, Fighting, and Surviving Date and Acquaintance Rape by Robin Warshaw and Fraternity Gang Rape: Sex, Brotherhood, and Privilege on Campus by Peggy Reeves Sanday.

300

November 7, 2025 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle, and today is our 300^th weekly blog. This is a milestone for us as we have not yet quit. My novelist often dreads Thursdays because she knows we will have to post something. It is not always her favorite activity. It is, however, my favorite activity, and like a good novelist owner I kick her with my paw and bark orders. The blog is not going to write itself, don’t you know. Bernard is always encouraging and listens to my exasperation after it is posted. Even as fall is approaching, he has continued to have tea with me in the afternoons and patiently listens to my gripes. Bernard is particularly fond of the green teacup with the gold trim and the dark pink roses painted on the saucer and inside the cup. As for myself, I prefer the white one with gold trim and violets painted on the cup and saucer. We often partake of green tea but on occasion we will try white or even strawberry or raspberry herbal. He tells me this time of year he is growing in his winter coat. He says he must change his diet as well to include twigs, greens, and tree bark. He does not hibernate, however, so we will be able to enjoy the holidays together. We have had to partake of our afternoon meetings indoors as there has been a lot of rain lately. But I do not mind sitting by the window watching the turning leaves fall and the rain drizzle down. I find it inspirational and marvelously moody. I must go now as I hear the kettle whistling and Bernard is already opening a box of French butter cookies. Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: FAY GRIM (2006) & BROKEN ENGLISH (2007)-HBO MAX**

Parker Posey is a terrific actress known for her independent movie performances and this week I thought I’d suggest two of her feature roles. The first one is Fay Grim written and directed by the fantastic Indi writer/director Hal Hartley. The film is a continuation of Hartley’s film Henry Fool. It centers around Fay (Parker Posey) as a single mother living in the city with her teenage son Ned Grimm (Liam Aiken) who has just been expelled. Fay blames the boy’s behavior on his dead father, Henry Fool (Thomas J. Ryan), an ex-con. Apparently, Henry had notebooks he wanted to publish that contain sensitive information that could put United States security at risk. Fay just wants to live a normal life. She wants to get her brother Simon Grimm (James Urbaniak), a famous poet who used to be a garbage man, out of prison so he can help her raise Ned. That opportunity comes in the form of Agent Fulbright (Jeff Goldblum) who sends her to France to find Henry’s notebooks and bring them back to the United States.

The second movie is Broken English, written and directed by Zoe R. Cassavetes. It is a romantic dramedy about a thirty-something woman named Nora Wilder (Parker Posy) who has never been lucky in love. She is a college educated woman working as a manager at a New York City boutique hotel and does her job well. But she feels she is stuck in her position and that her life is going nowhere. She successfully put her ex-boyfriend Mark (Tim Guinne) and her best friend Audrey (Drea de Matteo) together but finds herself on an endless string of blind dates and dead ends. Her mother Vivien Wilder-Mann (Gena Rowlands, Zoe’s real-life mother) is always trying to set her up. One of her attempts is a man named Charlie Ross (Josh Hamilton) who is still clearly dating his girlfriend. Nora’s most recent dating disaster comes in the form of mohawk sporting film actor Nick Gabel (Justin Theroux) who is one of the regular guests at her hotel. After things quickly go south, she ends up going to a Fourth of July party thrown by her friend Glen (Michael Panes) where she reluctantly meets a younger French man named Julien (Melvil Poupaud) who might be the one to change her life.

Halloween

October 30, 2025 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to wish you a Happy Halloween and introduce our blog. I must say this week was far more pleasant than last. I took a trip in fact. My novelist and I went to visit relatives. I love visiting relatives because I am adored there from the time I enter the room. It is always a warm and pleasant place, like a good book. My novelist went out to do grocery shopping after we arrived, and I was able to lie on a lovely couch in a nice cozy room and chat. I don’t know if they understood what I said to them, but it was a lovely chat just the same. After we came back this week, I had the extra delight of my novelist getting her Covid and Flu shots. It is always good to see her in a little pain after she puts me through Dental Day.

With the advent of Halloween, I do feel a chill in my pompom tail. Little strangers in peculiar fashion challenged outfits will soon be knocking at my door and demanding treats. This means I will be doing a great deal of barking to reprimand them for invading my privacy and taking treats without doing tricks. My novelist loves giving these strange creatures treats. I find this peculiar behavior appalling and quite frankly heartless as I must work to earn my treats. They merely ring the doorbell and are rewarded. An absolute disgrace. At least my novelist does not require me to wear a costume. How gauche would that be? Anyhow, I hope everyone has a delightful Halloween and until next week I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: WEAPONS (2025)-HBO MAX**

Rounding out our Halloween movie picks is this week’s choice, a thriller with an unusual twist. The tale was written and directed by Zach Cragger and is told from different points of view throughout the story, creating a smart and riveting atmosphere.

One night at exactly 2:17AM, seventeen kids who all hail from one classroom burst out of their houses with their arms pointed down like airplane wings and ran away, disappearing into the night. All save one: the eighteenth student Alex Lilly (Cary Christopher). Alex is a quiet and unassuming boy, who sits at the back of the classroom by himself. While other kids run to catch the bus or get to class, he walks slowly to wherever he is going. The town, of course, blames the teacher Ms. Justine Gandy (Julia Garner) for the children’s disappearances. Especially Archer Graff (Josh Brolin) whose son Matthew (Luke Speakman) is one of the missing children. He claims Justine is a witch. Marcus Miller, the principal, has Justine take a forced leave of absence until things settle down. In the meantime, Archer decides to conduct his own investigation

Justine goes against Marcus’s wishes and attempts to conduct her investigation as well. She starts by going to Alex’s house in hopes of talking to the boy and his parents. Meantime, she finds some solace with a policeman named Paul (Alden Ehrenreich) who is not exactly a perfect guy. Paul has a run in with a local drug addict named James (Austin Abrams) who may have answers to where the children have gone.

Also featured are Scarlett Sher as the narrator and Amy Madigan as Aunt Gladys.

Dental Day

October 23, 2025 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good morning. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce my blog. Let me tell you this has been a most harrowing week. Every year the most hostile of events happens: Dental Day. Dental Day is where I am suddenly snatched off my novelist’s comfortable mattress at some unholy morning hour, put in my novelist’s car, forced to hear her growl and literally scream at traffic whilst I am driven in terror to the vet’s. Whilst there, I am set on a cold hard counter while the nurse gives my novelist a breakdown of the procedure. This stranger then takes me out of my novelist’s arms into a dreadful back room where my gorgeous front leg is shaved, a needle is painfully stuck into it, and after a while everything slowly goes dark.

When I come to, the nurse who took me into the land of horrors, is enthusiastically petting me. I slowly realize I am incarcerated, lying on a towel in some sort of stark minimalist cage. I have no idea what has happened or where I’ve been and my mouth feels like a feral kitten was shoved inside. There is numbness in the back of my jaw. I can feel the film of some gel on my eyeballs of all places, and I can hardly keep my lids open. My novelist is nowhere to be found. I lie there, groggy, terrified, and alone. If that isn’t shocking enough, suddenly, a plastic tube I didn’t realize was shoved down my throat is pulled out. Half the day has somehow gone by.

Then somewhere, sometime later, maybe in the midafternoon I am taken back to the room where it all began, and my novelist is there waiting for me. I have no idea how to respond. The creaky whining sounds I make seem foreign and I am confused. I just want her to hold me and get me out of this prison. She carries me as…Him pays them, pays them, mind you, for torturing me! My novelist carries me out to the car and sets me on a blanket on her lap. She holds me till we get home. She is most gingerly with me, no longer the maniac who screamed and yelled at traffic that morning. After we get out of the car, I retire to the office and collapse on my pillow near the window. I stay there most of the day sad, groggy, confused and in pain. I refuse to eat, refuse to leave the office until bedtime when my novelist puts me on the bed, opens my mouth and injects some sort of liquid between my teeth and I find some sort of relief from the pain and fall asleep. At least Dental Day is over for another 363 days. I shall try to forget about it for now and hope I am not emotionally traumatized. Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: THE SUBSTANCE (2024)-HBO MAX**

Just in time for Halloween, this highly imaginative, highly innovative film is finally streaming on HBO Max. If you haven’t seen it yet, you really should. Inches from perfection this is a phenomenal tightly put together stunner of a movie that would have made Stanley Kubrick proud. Brilliantly and meticulously directed and written by Coralie Fargeat, had the third act starting with the moments after Sue’s bathroom scene up until its brilliant last shot been less over the top it would have been a masterpiece. Someone should have figured out at some point that this was no longer a horror film but rather a work of art and gone less for comical gruesomeness during the climax and more for a poignant message. Had that happened, it would have been the best film of the year and one of the best for years to come.

Exercise celebrity Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore in a fearless well-deserved Oscar nominated and Golden Globe winning performance) is great at her job. Except that she has hit her fifties. Her producer Harvey (Dennis Quaid who is deliciously vicious here) wants a newer, younger star. He callously takes her to lunch on her birthday and fires her over a large bowl of shrimp. Understandably upset, Elizabeth gets into a car wreck shortly after and meets a young handsome Male Nurse (Robin Grier) who slips her a note in her coat pocket with a USB file for The Substance, a way to a younger better self. Skeptical at first, Elizabeth throws the drive into the trash. But upon finding out there is an audition for someone to take her place, she recovers the drive and decides to go through with it. She contacts The Substance (voiced by Yann Bean) who provides her with an address. Shortly after, she receives a small package in the mail. Inside is a keycard with a number on it in bold print.

Heading to a sketchy part of LA and into some sort of hidden doorway that only opens halfway, Elizabeth finds a rather modern small facility where a locker matching her keycard number has a package in it. She takes the package home, opens it and follows the instructions. This DNA kit leads to the birth, as it were, of Sue (Margret Qualley, in a stunning performance that for some inexplicable reason did not garner her a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination) a younger version of herself and from that point on, chaos begins.

The film rightly won an Oscar for Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling for Pierre Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon, and Marilyne Scarselli.

An Experiment

October 16, 2025October 17, 2025 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. For the past several days my novelist and I decided to conduct a small experiment. We wanted to know which types of MBTI personality types are most likely to write which types of genres. We thought it might help writers to know where their strengths lie. For instance, if you started off penning a comedy and suddenly hit a bout of writer’s block, could changing the genre or partnering the genre to something in your wheelhouse be of help? The idea came about when my novelist, who is taking a writing class in science fiction thought about a time in college when she remembered one of her literature professors who was teaching from the novel The Left-Hand Side of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin had mentioned that Sci-Fi writers were a niche group. My novelist, who had always thought this to be true, wanted to prove the theory. And so, she began looking up sci-fi writers and their corresponding personality types and started to see a distinct pattern. She then decided to pose the question to AI and came out with the same list as her save for one author. And that author was in the same quadrant as most of the other writers. And so, I proposed that we try this with all genres, and this was what we discovered:

Action: ESTP, ENTP, ISTP, INTJ, ESTJ

Dramas: ENFP, ISFJ, INFJ, INFP, ENFJ, ESFJ

Thriller: INTJ, ENTP, INFJ, ISTP

Horror: INFJ, INTJ, INFP, INTP, ISFP

Comedies: ENFP, ENTP, ESFP, INFJ

Romantic Comedies: ESFP, ENTP, ENFJ, ENFP, INFP

Fantasy: INTJ, INFP, INFJ, INTP, ISFP

Science Fiction: INTJ, INTP, ENTP, INFJ, INFP

Mysteries: INTJ, INFJ, ISTJ, INTP, ENTP

Broken down by type the list would look like this:

ESTJ: Action

ISTJ: Mysteries

ESFJ: Dramas

ISFJ: Dramas

ESTP: Action

ISTP: Action, Thriller

ESFP: Comedies, Romantic Comedies

ISFP: Horror, Fantasy

ENFP: Dramas, Comedies, Romantic Comedies

ENFJ: Dramas, Romantic Comedies

INFP: Dramas, Horror, Romantic Comedies, Fantasy

INFJ: Dramas, Thriller, Horror, Comedies, Fantasy, Mysteries

ENTJ:

ENTP: Action, Thriller, Comedies, Romantic Comedies, Science Fiction, Mysteries

INTJ: Action, Thriller, Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Mysteries

INTP: Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Mysteries

It bothered us greatly that no genre came up for the ENTJ. We thought this was odd. And so, we decided to also ask AI to give us a more in-depth answer for each personality. Here is what it came up with:

ESTJs—often called “The Executive” in MBTI theory—bring structure, clarity, and purpose to their writing. They tend to favor genres that reflect their values: tradition, leadership, and practical impact. Here’s a breakdown of the genres ESTJs often gravitate toward:

Genres ESTJs Often Write

• Historical Fiction: ESTJs appreciate order and legacy. They often write stories grounded in real events, emphasizing discipline, leadership, and moral clarity.

• Political Drama & Legal Fiction: With their strategic mindset and respect for systems, ESTJs excel at crafting narratives around governance, justice, and institutional conflict.

• Military Fiction & War Memoirs: Their affinity for hierarchy and duty makes them well-suited to stories of command, sacrifice, and tactical decision-making.

• Nonfiction (Leadership, Business, History): ESTJs often write to inform or instruct, especially on topics like management, civic duty, or historical analysis.

• Mystery & Procedural Crime: They enjoy logical problem-solving and structured storytelling, often favoring detective fiction with clear resolutions.

Why These Genres Fit ESTJs

• They value clarity, structure, and purpose in storytelling.

• ESTJs often write with a moral compass, emphasizing justice, tradition, and leadership.

• Their writing tends to be organized, direct, and impactful, often aiming to educate or uphold societal values.

If you’re crafting an ESTJ character or channeling their mindset in your own writing, think in terms of legacy, leadership, and logic.

ESFJs—often called “The Caregiver” or “The Provider”—bring warmth, empathy, and social insight to their writing. They’re drawn to genres that explore relationships, community, and emotional growth. Based on recent analyses, here’s a breakdown of genres ESFJs often gravitate toward:

Genres ESFJs Often Write

• Romance: ESFJs excel at capturing emotional nuance, interpersonal dynamics, and heartfelt connection. They often write stories that explore love, loyalty, and the complexities of relationships.

• Slice of Life & Contemporary Fiction: With their focus on everyday experiences and social harmony, ESFJs often write character-driven stories that reflect real-world challenges and triumphs.

• Young Adult (YA): ESFJs are drawn to coming-of-age narratives that emphasize friendship, identity, and emotional growth.

• Poetry: Their sensitivity to emotion and rhythm makes them natural poets, especially when expressing themes of love, loss, and beauty.

• Fantasy & Science Fiction (with emotional depth): While not always their primary genre, ESFJs may write speculative fiction that centers on relationships and moral dilemmas.

• Biographical & Inspirational Nonfiction: ESFJs often write to uplift and connect, sharing stories of resilience, kindness, and personal transformation.

Why These Genres Fit ESFJs

• They value emotional resonance, social connection, and uplifting themes.

• ESFJs often write with a strong moral compass, emphasizing empathy, loyalty, and community.

• Their stories tend to be accessible, heartfelt, and character-focused, often aiming to comfort or inspire.

ISTJs—often called “The Logistician” or “The Inspector”—bring discipline, structure, and realism to their writing. They tend to favor genres that reflect order, tradition, and logical progression. Based on recent insights, here’s a breakdown of genres ISTJs often gravitate toward:

Genres ISTJs Often Write

• Historical Fiction: ISTJs love accuracy and legacy. They often write stories grounded in real events, emphasizing tradition, duty, and moral clarity.

• Science Fiction (Structured & Realistic): They enjoy speculative worlds with consistent rules, especially those that explore technological systems, governance, or ethical dilemmas.

• Crime & Mystery: ISTJs excel at logical problem-solving and structured storytelling, often favoring detective fiction with clear resolutions.

• Drama: They may write emotionally grounded stories that explore family, responsibility, and societal roles.

• Dystopian Fiction: ISTJs are drawn to cautionary tales that explore the breakdown of systems and the consequences of disorder.

• Psychological Fiction: Their introspective side may lead them to write stories that explore internal conflict, trauma, or moral ambiguity.

• Nonfiction (History, Psychology, Law): ISTJs often write to inform or preserve knowledge, especially in areas that require precision and depth.

Why These Genres Fit ISTJs

• They value accuracy, structure, and realism in storytelling.

• ISTJs often write with a clear moral compass, emphasizing justice, responsibility, and perseverance.

• Their stories tend to be methodical, grounded, and purposeful, often aiming to educate or uphold societal values.

ISFJs—often called “The Defender” or “The Nurturer”—bring empathy, tradition, and emotional depth to their writing. They’re drawn to genres that reflect human connection, moral values, and the quiet strength of everyday life. Based on recent insights, here’s a breakdown of genres ISFJs often gravitate toward:

Genres ISFJs Often Write

• Historical Fiction: ISFJs love exploring the past, especially stories that honor legacy, family, and cultural continuity.

• Mystery & Cozy Crime: They enjoy structured storytelling with moral resolution, often favoring gentle mysteries over gritty thrillers.

• Fantasy (Character-Driven): ISFJs may write fantasy with strong emotional arcs, focusing on loyalty, friendship, and personal growth.

• Young Adult (YA): Their sensitivity and insight into emotional development make them natural YA writers, especially stories about identity, belonging, and resilience.

• Classic & Literary Fiction: ISFJs often admire and emulate timeless works that explore human nature, ethics, and quiet transformation.

• Psychological Fiction: Some ISFJs write introspective stories that explore mental health, trauma, and healing, often drawing from personal experience.

• Self-Help & Inspirational Nonfiction: Their nurturing nature often leads them to write books that comfort, guide, or uplift others.

Why These Genres Fit ISFJs

• They value emotional authenticity, moral clarity, and personal connection.

• ISFJs often write with gentle wisdom, focusing on healing, loyalty, and quiet courage.

• Their stories tend to be intimate, reflective, and deeply human, often spotlighting unsung heroes or everyday resilience.

ESTPs—often called “The Dynamo” or “The Entrepreneur”—bring a bold, action-oriented energy to their writing. They thrive on excitement, sensory detail, and fast-paced storytelling. Here’s a breakdown of the genres ESTPs often gravitate toward as writers:

Genres ESTPs Often Write

• Action & Adventure: ESTPs love adrenaline and movement. They often write stories packed with physical challenges, daring escapes, and high-stakes confrontations.

• Thrillers & Crime Fiction: Their sharp observational skills and love of tension make them natural at crafting suspenseful plots, especially those involving deception, chase scenes, or psychological manipulation.

• Romantic Comedy & Drama: ESTPs are charismatic and socially intuitive, which translates well into witty banter, flirtatious dynamics, and emotionally charged relationships.

• Urban Fantasy & Supernatural: They enjoy blending real-world grit with fantastical elements, especially when it allows for stylish combat, clever protagonists, and rule-breaking magic.

• Satire & Dark Humor: ESTPs often have a mischievous streak and enjoy poking fun at societal norms, authority figures, or pretentiousness through sharp, irreverent writing.

ESFPs—often called “The Entertainer” or “The Performer”—bring charisma, emotional vibrancy, and sensory richness to their writing. They’re drawn to genres that allow them to explore relationships, dramatic tension, and the thrill of the moment. Based on recent insights, here’s a breakdown of genres ESFPs often gravitate toward:

Genres ESFPs Often Write

• Romance: ESFPs excel at capturing chemistry, emotional highs and lows, and the drama of love. Their stories often feature passionate characters and dynamic relationships.

• Drama & Contemporary Fiction: They enjoy writing about real-life situations with emotional depth, especially stories that explore identity, friendship, and personal growth.

• Young Adult (YA): ESFPs are drawn to coming-of-age narratives filled with social dynamics, self-discovery, and vibrant emotional arcs.

• Fantasy (Character-Driven): While not always focused on world-building, ESFPs often write fantasy that centers on bold, expressive characters and magical experiences.

• Comedy & Satire: Their playful nature and social intuition make them great at writing humorous, witty, and socially observant stories.

• Memoir & Personal Essay: ESFPs often write from experience, sharing vivid stories that connect emotionally and inspire others.

Why These Genres Fit ESFPs

• They value emotional immediacy, sensory detail, and relatable characters.

• ESFPs often write with flair and spontaneity, favoring stories that entertain and connect.

• Their writing tends to be expressive, engaging, and socially attuned, often spotlighting personal transformation or relational drama.

ISTPs—often called “The Virtuoso” or “The Craftsman”—bring precision, pragmatism, and a love of mechanics and action to their writing. They tend to favor genres that allow for exploration, problem-solving, and physical or tactical engagement. Based on recent insights, here’s a breakdown of genres ISTPs often gravitate toward:

Genres ISTPs Often Write

• Action & Adventure: ISTPs thrive on movement and challenge. They often write stories featuring survival, exploration, or combat, with protagonists who rely on skill and instinct.

• Thrillers & Espionage: Their analytical minds and love of strategy make them natural at crafting suspenseful plots involving deception, puzzles, and tactical maneuvering.

• Science Fiction (Tech-Focused): ISTPs enjoy exploring how machines, systems, and innovations shape human experience—especially in gritty, realistic settings.

• Mystery & Detective Fiction: With their problem-solving mindset, ISTPs often write stories centered on logic, deduction, and uncovering hidden truths.

• Military Fiction & Tactical Drama: Their respect for skill, hierarchy, and precision often shows up in stories about elite units, covert missions, or battlefield strategy.

• Survival & Wilderness Fiction: ISTPs are drawn to stories where characters must rely on resourcefulness and physical prowess to overcome nature or isolation.

Why These Genres Fit ISTPs

• They favor hands-on protagonists who act decisively and solve problems under pressure.

• ISTPs write with clarity, realism, and technical accuracy, often avoiding emotional excess.

• Their stories often emphasize individualism, autonomy, and mastery—themes central to ISTP psychology.

ISFPs—often called “The Adventurer” or “The Artist”—bring sensitivity, aesthetic depth, and emotional authenticity to their writing. They’re drawn to genres that allow for personal expression, beauty, and introspection. Based on recent insights, here’s a breakdown of genres ISFPs often gravitate toward:

Genres ISFPs Often Write

• Poetry: ISFPs are deeply attuned to emotion and sensory detail, making them natural poets. Their work often explores love, nature, identity, and fleeting moments of beauty.

• Romance & Contemporary Fiction: They write emotionally rich stories that focus on relationships, personal growth, and the quiet drama of everyday life.

• Fantasy (Lyrical or Character-Driven): ISFPs may write fantasy that emphasizes wonder, emotional journeys, and symbolic landscapes rather than rigid world-building.

• Young Adult (YA): Their empathy and introspection make them well-suited to coming-of-age stories that explore identity, belonging, and emotional resilience.

• Memoir & Personal Essay: ISFPs often write from experience, sharing heartfelt reflections on life, love, and transformation.

• Artistic or Experimental Fiction: They enjoy pushing boundaries with form and style, often crafting stories that are visually or emotionally evocative.

Why These Genres Fit ISFPs

• They value authenticity, beauty, and emotional depth.

• ISFPs often write with a gentle, introspective voice, focusing on personal meaning and aesthetic experience.

• Their stories tend to be intimate, expressive, and quietly powerful, often spotlighting the inner lives of characters.

ENFJs—often called “The Protagonist” or “The Teacher”—bring passion, empathy, and visionary depth to their writing. They’re drawn to genres that explore human connection, transformation, and moral complexity. Based on recent insights, here’s a breakdown of genres ENFJs often gravitate toward:

Genres ENFJs Often Write

• Fantasy (Epic or Allegorical): ENFJs love crafting symbolic worlds that explore good vs. evil, personal growth, and societal transformation. Their stories often feature chosen-one arcs, moral dilemmas, and emotionally resonant journeys.

• Romance & Drama: With their emotional intelligence and insight into relationships, ENFJs often write stories that explore love, sacrifice, and interpersonal dynamics.

• Science Fiction (Social or Ethical): ENFJs may write speculative fiction that critiques society, explores future ethics, or imagines transformative change.

• Mystery & Psychological Fiction: They enjoy unraveling human motives and exploring inner conflict, especially when it leads to redemption or revelation.

• Classic & Literary Fiction: ENFJs are drawn to timeless themes of justice, identity, and human nature, often writing with philosophical depth.

• Biography & Inspirational Nonfiction: Their desire to uplift and guide others often leads them to write about real-life heroes, change-makers, or personal growth.

• Webtoons, Manga, and Comics: ENFJs often enjoy visual storytelling that blends emotion, action, and character development.

Why These Genres Fit ENFJs

• They value emotional depth, moral clarity, and transformational arcs.

• ENFJs often write with a visionary voice, aiming to inspire, connect, and elevate.

• Their stories tend to be character-driven, philosophically rich, and socially conscious.

ENFPs—often called “The Campaigner” or “The Visionary”—bring imagination, emotional depth, and boundless curiosity to their writing. They’re drawn to genres that allow them to explore ideas, challenge norms, and connect deeply with readers. Based on recent insights, here’s a breakdown of genres ENFPs often gravitate toward:

Genres ENFPs Often Write

• Fantasy (Whimsical or Philosophical): ENFPs love magical worlds that explore identity, morality, and transformation. Think The Alchemist or Harry Potter—stories that blend wonder with meaning.

• Young Adult (YA): Their empathy and idealism make them natural YA writers, especially stories about self-discovery, rebellion, and emotional growth.

• Science Fiction (Speculative or Social): ENFPs enjoy imagining future societies and technologies, especially when they challenge norms or explore human potential.

• Romance & Drama: With their emotional insight and love of connection, ENFPs often write stories that explore relationships, passion, and personal evolution.

• Adventure & Magical Realism: ENFPs are drawn to genre-bending tales that mix reality with fantasy, often with quirky characters and unpredictable journeys.

• Memoir & Personal Essay: Their introspective side often leads them to write about their own experiences, especially when it helps others feel seen or inspired.

Why These Genres Fit ENFPs

• They value authenticity, imagination, and emotional resonance.

• ENFPs often write with a playful, visionary voice, exploring what could be rather than what is.

• Their stories tend to be character-driven, philosophically rich, and emotionally vibrant.

INFJs—often called “The Advocate” or “The Mystic”—are deeply introspective, idealistic, and emotionally attuned. Their writing often reflects a desire to explore meaning, morality, and transformation. Based on recent insights, here’s a breakdown of genres INFJs often gravitate toward:

Genres INFJs Often Write

• Fantasy (Symbolic or Philosophical)

INFJs love crafting allegorical worlds that explore good vs. evil, destiny, and inner transformation. Their stories often feature chosen-one arcs, spiritual journeys, and moral dilemmas.

• Literary Fiction

They gravitate toward introspective, character-driven narratives that explore psychology, relationships, and existential themes.

• Science Fiction (Ethical or Visionary)

INFJs may write speculative fiction that critiques society, imagines utopias/dystopias, or explores consciousness and identity.

• Mystery & Psychological Fiction

With their love of hidden meanings and emotional depth, INFJs often write stories that unravel motives, trauma, and redemption.

• Memoir & Personal Essay

INFJs often write to process emotion and share insight, especially around healing, growth, and purpose.

• Poetry

Their sensitivity to language and symbolism makes them natural poets, especially when expressing themes of love, loss, and spiritual longing.

Why These Genres Fit INFJs

• They value depth, symbolism, and emotional truth.

• INFJs often write with a visionary, reflective voice, aiming to heal, inspire, or provoke thought.

• Their stories tend to be layered, philosophical, and emotionally resonant, often spotlighting transformation and inner conflict.

INFPs—often called “The Mediator” or “The Idealist”—bring emotional depth, imagination, and a strong sense of personal meaning to their writing. They’re drawn to genres that allow them to explore identity, morality, and transformation, often through lyrical prose and introspective characters. Here’s a breakdown of what INFPs often write:

Genres INFPs Often Gravitate Toward

• Fantasy (Mythic, Symbolic, or Whimsical)

INFPs love crafting magical worlds that reflect inner journeys, moral dilemmas, and archetypal themes. Think The Chronicles of Narnia or His Dark Materials—stories that blend wonder with philosophical depth.

• Young Adult (YA)

Their empathy and introspection make them natural YA writers, especially stories about self-discovery, emotional growth, and rebellion against conformity.

• Literary Fiction

INFPs often write character-driven narratives that explore existential questions, emotional nuance, and the beauty of everyday life.

• Poetry

With their sensitivity to language and emotion, INFPs frequently express themselves through poetry—often exploring themes of love, loss, nature, and longing.

• Memoir & Personal Essay

INFPs write to process and share their inner world, often crafting deeply personal reflections on identity, trauma, healing, or purpose.

• Magical Realism & Speculative Fiction

They enjoy blending the surreal with the real, using metaphor and symbolism to explore psychological or spiritual truths.

• Romance (Idealistic or Bittersweet)

INFPs often write love stories that emphasize emotional connection, authenticity, and the tension between fantasy and reality.

Why These Genres Fit INFPs

• They value authenticity, emotional resonance, and symbolic meaning.

• INFPs often write with a lyrical, introspective voice, aiming to connect, heal, or inspire.

• Their stories tend to be intimate, imaginative, and morally rich, often spotlighting transformation and inner conflict.

ENTJs—often called “Commanders” in MBTI theory—tend to gravitate toward genres that reflect their strategic minds, bold vision, and desire to influence systems or provoke thought. Based on recent insights, here are some genres ENTJs are often drawn to as writers:

Genres ENTJs Often Write

• Science Fiction & Dystopian: ENTJs are future-oriented and love exploring systems, power structures, and societal evolution. Sci-fi and dystopian genres let them build worlds that critique or reimagine political, technological, or corporate systems.

• Thrillers & Political Intrigue: With their love of strategy and high-stakes conflict, ENTJs often excel at writing tightly plotted thrillers, especially those involving espionage, leadership struggles, or corporate warfare.

• Historical Fiction: ENTJs appreciate the lessons of history and may enjoy reinterpreting pivotal moments through a modern lens, especially when leadership, revolution, or innovation is involved.

• Nonfiction (Leadership, Sociology, History): Many ENTJs channel their analytical strengths into nonfiction, especially works that explore leadership theory, social systems, or historical analysis.

• Fantasy with Political Depth: While not always drawn to whimsical fantasy, ENTJs often enjoy writing epic fantasy with complex political systems, power struggles, and moral ambiguity—think Game of Thrones over Harry Potter.

Why These Genres Fit ENTJs

• They allow ENTJs to explore power dynamics, challenge norms, and propose visionary alternatives.

• ENTJs enjoy structured storytelling with clear goals, rising tension, and decisive outcomes.

• They often write with a purpose—to persuade, provoke, or lead readers toward a new understanding.

ENTPs—often called “The Visionary” or “The Debater”—are imaginative, intellectually agile, and endlessly curious. They thrive on novelty, subversion, and pushing boundaries, which makes their writing bold, genre-bending, and idea-driven. Based on recent insights, here’s a breakdown of genres ENTPs often gravitate toward:

Genres ENTPs Often Write

• Speculative Fiction (Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Utopian)

ENTPs love exploring “what if” scenarios—alternate futures, radical technologies, or societal upheaval. Their stories often challenge norms and provoke thought.

• Satire & Dark Comedy

With their wit and irreverence, ENTPs excel at poking holes in institutions, ideologies, and social conventions. Think Catch-22 or American Psycho.

• Fantasy (Unconventional or Meta)

ENTPs enjoy twisting tropes, breaking the fourth wall, or creating chaotic magical systems that reflect philosophical or political ideas.

• Thriller & Conspiracy Fiction

Their love of complexity and layered plots makes them natural at crafting stories involving secrets, manipulation, and intellectual cat-and-mouse games.

• Philosophical Fiction

ENTPs often write stories that explore abstract ideas—identity, freedom, morality—through allegory or surrealism.

• Graphic Novels, Manga, and Experimental Formats

They’re drawn to hybrid forms that let them play with structure, visuals, and nonlinear storytelling.

• Nonfiction (Manifestos, Essays, Polemics)

ENTPs often write to challenge, persuade, or provoke—especially on topics like innovation, politics, or cultural critique.

Why These Genres Fit ENTPs

• They value intellectual stimulation, novelty, and subversion.

• ENTPs often write with a playful, provocative voice, aiming to entertain, challenge, and inspire.

• Their stories tend to be idea-driven, structurally inventive, and thematically bold.

INTJs—often called “The Mastermind” or “The Architect”—bring strategic depth, intellectual rigor, and visionary thinking to their writing. They gravitate toward genres that allow them to explore systems, ideologies, and transformation through tightly structured narratives. Based on recent insights, here’s a breakdown of genres INTJs often write:

Genres INTJs Often Gravitate Toward

• Science Fiction (Hard, Dystopian, Philosophical)

INTJs love exploring future systems, ethical dilemmas, and technological evolution. Their sci-fi often critiques society or imagines radical change.

• Fantasy (Epic or Political)

They enjoy building complex worlds with intricate power structures, moral ambiguity, and strategic conflict—think Mistborn or A Song of Ice and Fire.

• Thriller & Psychological Fiction

INTJs excel at crafting layered plots with intellectual tension, manipulation, and high-stakes decision-making.

• Philosophical & Literary Fiction

Their introspective side leads them to write stories that explore existential themes, identity, and the nature of truth.

• Historical Fiction

INTJs often write about pivotal moments in history, especially when they can analyze systems, leadership, or ideological shifts.

• Mystery & Crime

With their love of logic and deduction, INTJs often write cerebral mysteries with strategic pacing and minimal emotional excess.

• Nonfiction (Strategy, History, Psychology, Philosophy)

They frequently write to inform or persuade, especially on topics that require deep analysis and structured argument.

Why These Genres Fit INTJs

• They value intellectual depth, strategic complexity, and thematic precision.

• INTJs often write with a visionary, analytical voice, aiming to challenge, reveal, or reshape.

• Their stories tend to be idea-driven, tightly plotted, and morally layered, often spotlighting transformation through insight or power.

INTPs—often called “The Architect” or “The Thinker”—bring analytical depth, abstract imagination, and philosophical curiosity to their writing. They gravitate toward genres that allow them to explore ideas, challenge assumptions, and construct intricate systems or theories. Based on recent insights, here’s a breakdown of genres INTPs often write:

Genres INTPs Often Gravitate Toward

• Science Fiction (Hard, Philosophical, or Speculative)

INTPs love exploring futuristic technologies, alternate realities, and abstract concepts like consciousness, time, and identity. Their sci-fi often includes complex systems and thought experiments.

• Fantasy (Intellectual or Metaphysical)

They enjoy building intricate worlds with unique rules, often using magic or myth as metaphors for philosophical or psychological ideas.

• Philosophical Fiction

INTPs frequently write stories that explore existential questions, moral ambiguity, and the nature of truth, often through allegory or surrealism.

• Mystery & Psychological Thrillers

With their love of logic and deduction, INTPs often craft cerebral mysteries or thrillers that hinge on puzzles, secrets, and internal conflict.

• Literary Fiction

They gravitate toward introspective, idea-driven narratives that explore human nature, societal structures, or intellectual dilemmas.

• Nonfiction (Philosophy, Psychology, Science, Systems Theory)

INTPs often write to analyze or explain, especially in fields that reward deep thought and abstract reasoning.

• Experimental or Postmodern Fiction

Their love of breaking conventions and exploring meta-structures often leads them to write nonlinear, genre-defying works.

Why These Genres Fit INTPs

• They value intellectual depth, abstract exploration, and structural complexity.

• INTPs often write with a detached, analytical voice, aiming to provoke thought, reveal patterns, or challenge norms.

• Their stories tend to be idea-driven, layered, and unconventional, often spotlighting internal conflict or systemic critique.

We found these insights fascinating and hope sharing them with our readers was enlightening if not helpful. Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: CITIZEN X (1995)-HBO MAX**

Of all the films HBO has produced, this is amongst their finest hours. The movie was released on HBO in 1995 to great critical acclaim and won a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy for Donald Sutherland’s fantastic supporting acting performance. In fact, I would say the film stands toe to toe with both The Silence of the Lambs and Memories of Murder. After watching the recent HBO film Mountainhead a couple of days earlier, it is heartbreaking to see how movies in general have severely declined in quality.

The movie is based on the book The Killer Department: Detective Viktor Burakov’s Eight-Year Hunt for the Most Savage Serial Killer in Russian History by Robert Cullen which is about one of the most notorious and prolific serial killers of the 20^th century. I wanted to choose a terrifying movie with the advent of Halloween coming on. And so, I chose one of the bloodiest, coldest, most calculating leviathans of them all: bureaucracy.

In the USSR in 1982, while workers are harvesting a collective farm, the body of a child is found. The body is taken into the morgue to be inspected by new forensic specialist, Viktor Burakov (Stephen Rae, who turns in a phenomenal performance that should have won him a Golden Globe and an Emmy and shockingly he wasn’t nominated for either). Burakov demands the police search the woods around the farm and they come back with seven other children’s bodies. Burakov realizes he has a vicious child molester and serial killer on his hands and goes to the members of the provincial committee for crime for help. But when he asks for computers, manpower and a press release to warn the public of the danger, they refuse. After all, to admit there is a serial killer in the USSR, is to admit they have a problem thought unique to the decadent western world. However, his commanding officer Col. Mikhail Fetisov (Donald Sutherland) the head of the provincial committee for crime knows Burakov is right. He promotes Burakov to detective and puts him in charge of the case. As there has never been a department of such in the USSR, it is named The Killer Department.

The tenacious Burakov works diligently on the case as more bodies of young people start to show up. He pleads and begs with the members of the provincial committee for crime to help him start watching the train stations where he believes the culprit picks up victims and takes them to the woods to kill, rape and mutilate. Burakov and Fetisov find themselves in a long, drawn-out fight to cut through red tape as they bring in psychiatrist Dr.Alexandr Bukhanovsky (Max von Sydow) to help them fight to bring down an elusive blood-thirsty monster. Rounding out the cast are Jeffrey DeMunn who is superb in his Emmy nominated roll here and Imelda Staunton who plays Burakov’s wife.

Chimpanzees

October 9, 2025 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good morning. Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce my blog. This week I have been considering chimpanzees. They are intelligent primate, but can show physical aggression and be extraordinarily dangerous. They like to stand up on their hind legs, swagger, bang on objects, charge, hit, throw rocks, and bite. They like to change their physical appearance by making their hair poof as if they had goosebumps. They also like to form social coalitions so they can form a group and have control over other chimpanzees. We know now, thanks to people like Jane Goodall and Darwin that many animals have feelings, emotions and inner lives. But what if, like humans, some of them don’t. Chilling to consider, isn’t it?

I thought I would ask AI about the matter and here is what it said:

“Yes, some non-human primates, especially chimpanzees, do exhibit behavioral traits that resemble human psychopathy. While we can’t diagnose animals with psychopathy in the clinical sense, researchers have used models like the triarchic model of psychopathy—which includes boldness, meanness, and disinhibition—to study these traits in chimpanzees.

🧠 Key Findings from Research:

• Chimpanzees have shown individual differences in traits like:

• Meanness: aggression, lack of empathy, and callousness toward others.

• Boldness: fearless dominance, social assertiveness, and low anxiety.

• Disinhibition: impulsivity and poor behavioral control.

• These traits are assessed using adapted personality measures and behavioral tasks, such as approach-avoidance tests with novel stimuli (e.g., mannequins).

• Some chimpanzees engage in violent or manipulative behaviors that mirror human psychopathic tendencies, including brutal intergroup aggression and strategic deception.

🧬 Nature vs. Nurture:

• Just like in humans, early-life experiences and genetic predispositions play a role. For example, trauma or disrupted social bonding in infancy can influence the development of antisocial traits.

• Interestingly, the genetic contribution to psychopathic traits appears strong in both humans and chimpanzees, suggesting evolutionary continuity.

This line of research is helping scientists understand the biological and evolutionary roots of psychopathy—not just as a disorder, but as a spectrum of traits that may have adaptive functions in certain social environments.”

Although my novelist has occasionally visited zoos, I have not. I am afraid to go because I might see a chimpanzee. How would I explain to this sometimes volitile creature that they are acting rude? How would I explain the importance of manners? How would I teach it to speak French? How would I show it how to drink tea? How would I attempt to educate it in how to use a map? This puzzles me greatly. NASA did something interesting with chimpanzees. They shot one into space. That must have been a relief knowing there was one less chimpanzee on earth for a while until it was returned to avoid bad press. It was aptly named Ham. In fact, something like thirty-two primates were shot into space over time. That made me think I might like to study rocket science. Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: BALANCE (1989)-YOUTUBE**

One of my favorite shorts, if not my most favorite short of all time is this Academy Award winning mini masterpiece written and directed by Chrisoph and Lauenstein Wolfgang. I might note, I am not the only one out there who has marked this special cinematic piece amongst their personal best of breed as well. The premise is simple yet striking. A group of five well-dressed fishermen stand on a square platform somewhere in space and time. Each of them has a different number on the back of his coat: 23, 35, 51, 75, and 77. What the numbers mean are up for debate. However, they may be there to identify each character in lieu of a name to show anonymity or perhaps show how people are reduced to nameless cogs in a corporate, societal, or political system. When each fisherman moves, the platform tilts, and the others must move a few steps to get the platform back into balance, so no one falls off one of the edges. To say much more would be to ruin it for the viewer. I will instead give you this link and this link to watch the short. An absolute must see film.

Aesthetics

October 2, 2025 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. For the past few days, I have been pondering the word aesthetics. Certainly, I consider myself a poodle of extraordinary aesthetics. However, being an ENTJ and my novelist being an INTJ, aesthetics seems to mean less to us than whether something works. Sensory perceptive and sensory judgement personality types, which we try to keep our distance from, especially the extroverted ones, are all about aesthetics because, well, they are sensory. They will have never ending discussions on how the perfect butter horn should be made or exactly, precisely what color the banister should be painted. Or how to spend shocking amounts of money to sculpt themselves into the perfect body type. My novelist and I prefer to discuss abstract ideas and visionary brainstorming. It isn’t that we dislike beautiful things we just like things to be well-made and/or work well no matter what they look like. Some of the greatest rock stars of all time are not pretty but their music is astounding. Some musical celebrities today are hired for their looks, which is most unfortunate. Especially when someone whose aesthetics are not as exemplary may be much more talented and would pen far better music gets left on the sidelines. Beauty in our society is more than overrated. It’s disturbingly worshiped. If the dull flat metal plane with the small worn brown seats and no first class can take off, fly and land and the shiny sexy one with the neon party lights and the big plush cherry red reclining chairs crashes into the ocean, bursts into flames, is circled by sharks, and everyone and everything on it gets destroyed, which one are you going to board? Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: AKA CHARLIE SHEEN (2025)-NETFLIX**

This week’s film is a biographical documentary on one of Hollywood’s most notorious living movie stars, Charlie Sheen. This two-parter is told mostly through Charlie Sheen’s memories of his life from childhood to present. It is fascinating which celebrities participated in the documentary and what they had to say about the man who include Jon Cryer, Chuck Lorie, Dennise Richards, Sean Penn, Heidi Fleiss, and brother Ramon Estevez. Sheen’s father Martin Sheen and his older brother Emilio Estevez decided not to be a part of the documentary but footage of them is in the film.

The challenge in watching this movie is what made/makes Charlie Sheen tick. His association with other celebrities is fascinating, such as Nicholas Cage and Mathew Perry. His experimental lifestyle and capacity for living the fast life is harrowing. And his relationship with his father and ex-wife Richards is extraordinary. But the real question here is how we decipher what kind of person he really is and why he has lived the life he has. Some experts think he has bipolar disorder. Others believe he has extreme narcissism. Still others think his actions may be linked to drug withdrawal. Some believe he exhibits psychopathic traits. I do agree with most of these thoughts and would add it appears he has a good chance of having the genetic allele MAOA which is responsible for aggression and impulse control. He also might have 5-HTTLPR which is associated with psychopathy and addiction. But only a psychiatrist could make these determinations. He is typed as an ESTP which is the most likely personality type to be psychopathic (and an actor for that matter) followed by ENTP, ENTJ and ESTJ. ESTPs are even jokingly called the Con Artist Personality Type. Interestingly his father Martin Sheen is typed as an ISFJ which is a perfect match for ESTP and probably explains their incredible bond as a father and son. The bottom line however is Charlie Sheen is interesting to listen to and you kind of like him…at a distance…and hope he can and is pulling his life together.

Go To University

September 25, 2025 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good morning. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce my blog. This week my novelist’s alma mater commenced fall classes, and it got me thinking about my time at the Sorbonne. I adored studying Literature, Language, and Culture there. One may not realize this, but they have a special program at the Sorbonne for highly gifted poodles. I was delighted to spend time relaxing and studying at the Montparnasse and engaging in intellectual conversations with other highly gifted Caniche. It put a wag in my tail and a spring in my trot. Which makes me think of all those Gen Z students out there who should be going to college right now and are not. How much is this generation getting lied to and cheated? My novelist and I worry that the great scheme is that universities may start only offering classes in business, law, communications, law enforcement, religion, and political science. Or in other words, vocations psychopaths go into. I find it perplexing that most of the individuals who stand on golden soap boxes and tell people not to go to college, go to college themselves. Send their mentally compromised offspring there to boot. I might add there are a fair number of young men out there who should be studying at universities and are not. Do they think they are going to get the woman of their dreams who is likely going to college if they themselves do not go? Do they think an educated woman is going to want an uneducated man? It seems to me that that there is an evil force that wants this generation and the one after it to be uneducated, impoverished fools, draining their parents’ savings by living at home and working menial labor occupations. All this wilst our country’s level of knowledge falls behind the rest of the world, and we collapse into a state of disease, famine and oppression. I am but a mere poodle, but I would say a con artist who tells an intelligent young person who should be getting an education not to go to college should be doused with honey and introduced to a pack of angry rabid chihuahuas. Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: SIZU (2022)-HULU**

If you are looking for a smart, intense, amusing action film this cleverly written and directed piece by Jalmari Helander is for you. Set in the Lapland wilderness of Finland in 1944 towards the end of WWII, we meet a man named Aatami (Jorma Tommila who turns in a great visceral performance). Accompanying him are his beautiful horse and his unbelievably cute well-trained Bedlington Terrier. Aatami is panning for gold in the river and isn’t finding all that much…until by happenstance he comes across enough gold to fill a couple of saddle bags. All he wants to do is peacefully return home and be rich. As the three of them begin heading back, they happen to cross paths with a caravan of Nazi soldiers. The soldiers are led by Bruno (Aksel Hennie) and his right-hand gunman Wolf (Jack Doolan). The Nazi’s have captured several young Finish women, including one named Aino (Mimosa Willamo) that they are hiding in one of the trucks and are using for recreational purposes.

Bruno is aware the Germans are going to lose the war, and he and his entire troupe will all be executed. But when Aatami falls and his large and numerous gold nuggets tumble out of the bags, Bruno sees it as the answer to freedom. He thinks it will be easy to overtake the old man and gather up the gold for himself. What Bruno doesn’t want to believe are the reports he gets from headquarters of what kind of a man Aatami is and the unbelievable lengths he will go to so he can stay alive and keep his treasure.

I will add this film is unashamedly gory at points and not for the squeamish, but if you are a fan of tarantinoesque films, I highly recommend this entertaining dark humored thriller.

Back to Back

September 18, 2025 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good morning. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce our blog and to tell you it has been a brutal week. I had terrifying appointments back-to-back. On Tuesday morning I was rudely awakened and whisked off to the groomers where I was bathed, trimmed, buffed, brushed and every horrific thing you can imagine. After it was over I was certain I was done with all the nastiness for the week. And then Wednesday morning, I was snatched up, put in the car and dashed off to the vet. THE VET! I was not ill. I eat healthily and keep myself in good shape. But there I was at the vet. Whilst there in that cold minimalist building, they poked, prodded, snogged and weighed me. I was escorted into the dreaded back room where I was administered shots. Shots that hurt. They also drew blood out of my neck. It was mortifying. All just to be told I was fine and to come back and get my teeth cleaned. TEETH CLEANED? That’s near surgery! They knock me out and when I wake up, I am in unbelievable agony. I was terrified getting my teeth cleaned was on today’s agenda. I mean, why not? I’ve been thoroughly tortured two days in a row, why not make it three? Fortunately, my sarcasm led to nothing. I am writing this in the safety of my home or my palace, as it should be. But just to be safe as soon as I finish this, I am spending the rest of my day hiding under the bed covertly penning my blog story. Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: UNKNOWN NUMBER: THE HIGH SCHOOL CATFISH (2025)-NETFLIX**

Here is a popular, riveting documentary that plays out like a dark twisted fairy tale. After you reflect on watching it, you’ll know what I mean. Without giving too much away, the story focuses on the first love of a couple of middle school students. Lauryn is a quiet, pretty athlete, and Owen is a likeable more outgoing one. The two are happy and have a lot of fun together. Their parents befriend each other, and everything seems idyllic in the kids’ small-town world.

And then when the young couple enters high school, Lauryn starts receiving angry, vicious text messages from an unknown source. Shortly after, Owen starts to receive angry, vicious text messages as well. Whoever is sending the texts seems to know a lot about the two kids’ lives. Disturbingly so. Suddenly, the texts stop for several months…and then they start up again with the messages becoming more brutal and relentless than before.

Everybody becomes a suspect: fellow students, rivals, teachers, cousins. Paranoia abounds and fingers get pointed at everyone, while the two kids spiral further into despair. The principal is alerted, the police are brought in, and then the FBI is assigned to the case as all of them try to sort out this dirty snowball that continually rolls, grows, and barrels out of control.

Most profoundly is the oddity of the perpetrator. But even more illuminating is how bad humans are at recognizing when someone close to them is mentally ill. And of course, in the end it is technology/science that finds resolution where people fail. Some viewers will find the whole story disturbing, unbelievable, and disgusting. Others will see it as a study in psychology. Although I did not know who the perpetrator was until their reveal, once I did, all the puzzle pieces fell into place. Because the bottom line is trying to apply logic to the actions of a compromised mind is an act of futility. And believing the words of a pathological liar is the folly of fools. Anything they say is up for debate. Overall, I found the film to be a well-executed exercise in predictable human behavior.

After watching the film, you can read this article which may give some insight into the perpetrator’s actions.