Something is Amuck

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Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here and I must tell you I sense something is amuck. My novelist is eyeing her suitcase and carryon. This is never a good thing. She must be planning a trip which means I likely won’t be going with her. I could not sleep on the bed last night. I jumped down and went to the living room and lay in the recliner. It took me a long time to fall asleep and when I opened my eyes, I was surprised to see the sun streaming in the window. I headed outside and had a discussion with Bernard D. Bunny as he often rises early. He was nibbling on grass when I found him. I told him about my concerns, and he listened intently. He asked me about the last time I was dropped off at the canine resort about a year ago and I went in depth about all the horrifying details. He said, but you survived, and she came back and took you home. And I said yes, but that it was unbearably lonely, and I had to spend my days with some rather shady characters, though I did have a private room at night. He said if she is going to do the same thing again, she would indeed return to pick me up and I should consider the time apart from her to be an adventure. And a time to work on my blog story. I made it perfectly clear I did not like adventures as much as I relished order and control. Bernard said I would find a way to maintain order and control even if that order and control was only over myself. I nodded and thanked him for his wisdom. But still, I sense something is amuck, and I am most displeased. I will keep you posted. 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: WOLFS (2024) APPLE TV+

If you are looking for something light, fun and exciting to stream this summer, this is the movie for you. Originally this motion picture was supposed to come out in theatres in a wide release but then was given a limited release and streamed on Apple TV+. I can see where the film would have looked great on the big screen, especially the whimsical chase scene which is great. And I honestly wish it had gotten a wider release. That said I think a lot of folks will have a blast streaming it, what with its fun albeit twist driven script penned by director Jon Watts and terrific performances from its stars.

We start out somewhere in uptown Manhattan with the sound of breaking glass and many expletives from a female character. As the camera draws us closer, we find district attorney Margaret (Amy Ryan) in a panic and running around a high-end hotel suite. She is panicked as she attempts to call someone on her cell phone. She tells the person on the other end she was supposed to call them if she was ever in serious trouble…which she is.

We find out the person she is calling is in a private phone booth in a questionable bar somewhere else in the city. We soon meet Margaret’s Man (George Clooney), a highly seasoned cooler than ice professional cleaner who drives to her hotel and proceeds to clean up Margaret’s problem, a college aged young man known only as the Kid (Austin Abrams) who has fallen off the bed, crashed through a glass drinks cart and is lying motionless on the floor. As Margaret’s Man attempts to go about his job cleaning up the mess, there is a knock at the door. Margaret and Margaret’s Man are confused by this, but the ever cool as a cucumber Margaret’s Man tells her to answer the door casually. She does and to both their surprise in walks another cleaner who turns out to be Pam’s Man (Brad Pitt). Pamela Dowd-Herdry (voiced by Frances McDormand) has recently acquired the hotel and the last thing she needs is controversy. She witnessed the whole thing from a camera in the hotel room. She wants both Margaret’s Man and Pam’s Man to work together to clean up the mess and solve her problem. The two men are skeptical at first but begrudgingly agree to do so. But as they do, unexpected and bizarre events begin pop up which put the pair into continually deeper hot water.

Blueberry Bath

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Good afternoon. Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. Yesterday I was blindsided when my novelist asked the dogsitter to give me a bath. A bath mind you. It was shocking. Baths are bad enough when my novelist gives them to me, but to have someone other than my novelist bathe me is downright horrifying. But the dogsitter was going to bathe me whether I liked it or not. And I did not like it. I was very unhappy. I did all I could to escape this despicable predicament. I whined loudly. I tried to climb over the side of the tub. I attempted to call 911. But in the end, I came out clean. Clean, damp, and displeased. An altogether mortifying experience. The only positive thing I can say about the whole ordeal is that because it is summer I dried off fast. I am now in dire need of a grooming. I must have my gorgeous hair styled to my liking and there is no way I am letting the dogsitter become my stylist. I am rather fond of a spritz of blueberry styling spray before the brush glides through my luxurious curls. After all I went through taking my bath my novelist at least owes me that. I shall continue working on my story for my blog with the luxurious scent of blueberries in my hair. And 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 MAURITANIAN (2021)-NETFLIX

Here is a solid biopic thriller set in late 2001 when the United States was in absolute turmoil over the fall of the Twin Towers in New York City. The movie is based on incidents which happened to Mohamedou Ould Slahi, an engineer from Mauritanian whom Marines arrest and take to Guantanamo Bay detention camp in November 2001 where he they incarcerate but never charge him.

Mohamedou (Tahar Rahim) is attending a celebration with family on evening when police approached him and said the Americans wanted to talk to him. Shortly after, the Marines arrest him and take him to Guantanamo Bay. Three years later in February 2005 French lawyer Emmanuel (Denis Ménochet) approaches Albuquerque criminal defense lawyer Nancy Hollander (Jodi Foster). He tells her about Mohamedou and that his family has not heard from him since the night American military took him in for questioning. Nancy is skeptical at first but decides to take the case.

With the help of her young fellow lawyer Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) she heads off to Guantanamo Bay to find the underlying cause of the matter. Nancy is no stranger to the detention camp and advises Teri along the way.

In the meantime, Colonel Bill Seidel (Corey Johnson) tells Marine Prosecutor Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch) he will be heading up the prosecution of Mohamedou. Colonel Seidel explains to Stuart that Mohamedou may have been involved in the 9/11 attacks. But after Stuart and Nancy meet in a Guantanamo Bay gift shop, knowing they will be going head-to-head in the courtroom, the two begin to uncover information that may prove Mohamedou’s innocence.

Out To Lunch

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Good morning. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. My novelist got me up early today and demanded we go downtown to run some errands. She promised me lunch, so I feel somewhat pacified by that. I love having lunch downtown. There is a certain je ne sais quoi about it. Also, it gives me a chance to study people for my characters. They certainly have no problem studying me. You’d think they’d never seen a poodle in an eatery before. It is not like I am gauche when I dine. I use a napkin, and I take small bites. What more do they want?   

I must say it has been a much calmer week upon the return of my novelist. I am not as distracted by the need to sit by the door and wait for her return. I have been able to enjoy my afternoons outside with her close by. I have also been more focused on my writing and have made headway on my new blog story. It is a change of pace writing further along in my tale instead of week to week.

Bernard and I had tea yesterday and he was glad to see I was in good spirits. It is important to find joy in life, he told me. I wholeheartedly agreed. Joy and success. And money: lots of money. I would love to have lots of money. I am a poodle after all, and poodles have champagne taste. One can never be too curly or too rich. Bernard rolls his eyes at this but c’est la vie. I want that diamond collar and someday it shall be mine. 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: STAGECOACH (1939)-HBO MAX

Every so often I like to feature a must-see classic movie and this week’s is one of the best westerns ever made. It is directed by the legendary John Ford and the script was written by Dudley Nichols and Ben Hecht based on the 1937 short story “The Stage to Lordsburg” by Ernest Haycox. Shot in glorious black and white the film starts out simple enough. The year is 1880. Four people are taking a stagecoach from Tonto Arizona Territory, to Lordsburg, New Mexico. Amongst them are strait-laced Mrs. Lucy Mallory (Louise Platt), who is travelling to join her cavalry officer husband, timid whiskey salesman Samuel Peacock, cheery alcoholic medical doctor Doc Boone (brilliantly played by Thomas Mitchell), and heart of gold prostitute Dallas (Claire Trevor). Dallas is being chased out of town by the primarily female “Law and Order League”. The passengers are being transported by their lovable driver Buck (Andy Devine) who just wants to finish the job and get home to his wife. Also, along for the ride is Marshal Curley Wilcox (George Bancroft) who is on the hunt for escaped prisoner Henry the “Ringo Kid” (John Wayne) who broke out of prison to avenge his brother and father’s death at the hands of gunslinger Luke Plummer (Tom Tyler). Plummer and his family helped get Henry imprisoned because they told the law Henry shot their foreman.

As the stagecoach is getting ready to leave, they are stopped by the US Cavalry who tell them that Geronimo is planning an attack. The cavalry offers to escort the stagecoach all the way to Dry Fork station. Professional gambler and former Confederate Army officer Hatfield (John Carradine) notices Lucy as he is playing a game of cards nearby and chivalrously offers to protect her on the ride. They are also joined by a dapper bank embezzler named Ellsworth Henry Gatewood (Berton Churchill).

After parting ways with the cavalry, the members of the stagecoach run into Henry the “Ringo Kid”. Despite being friends with Henry, Marshal Wilcox takes him aboard the stagecoach as a prisoner. As the motley crew continue towards Lordsburg, they begin to find out secrets about each other and create bonds without fully realizing the imminent danger looming ahead.

Abandoned

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Good morning. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. Last week when…Him came to the door I ran outside to greet my novelist and realized she was not there. I was most disappointed. The Dog Sitter hurried out, fetched me off the sidewalk and brought me back inside. The two of them seemed upset over my jubilant attempt to greet my novelist and I got a gentle reprimanding. I thought that was most unnecessary. Especially since I was quite saddened to realize my novelist was not there. She had left for her relative’s place. I was forced to spend the weekend without my beloved companion. Not to mention…Him is not generous with treats. In fact, he does not give them out much at all. Neither does the Dog Sitter. I found myself starving. I had to depend on my meals for nutrition, and I find that to be most gauche. I was grateful my novelist made certain my water bowl was filled with cold water and lightly seasoned with Aquadent before she left. Otherwise, I would have suffered from thirst. I don’t think either of them bothered to watch the waterline while she was gone.

Over the course of the next three days, I became quite lonely, and my schedule was altered. I am used to getting up just before six to walk all over my novelist until she gets up and we go outside. But…Him does not get up early. And the Dog Sitter certainly does not get up early. I was forced to watch the morning light stream into my bedroom for two and a half hours before I was able to roam about the grounds. I would spend time sitting in front of the door and looking out the window waiting for her to bring sunshine back into my dismal existence. Occasionally, the Dog Sitter would take me outside where there is an old picnic table. I worked on my upcoming blog story while the Dog Sitter wore headphones and sketched. In the evenings out of sheer loneliness I would cuddle up with…Him. His eye was on the television but mine was on the door.

Finally, sometime in the late afternoon to early evening on Sunday, my novelist returned. You cannot imagine my delight. I jumped up and down with joy as she came to the door and greeted me. You must never leave again, I barked. You must never leave again. I do adore her so. Until next week, may your novelist be there to keep you company during the week until we meet again. 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: MUD (2012)-PARAMOUNT+

Jeff Nichols is a fantastic indi-film writer-director and this follow-up to his excellent previous movie Take Shelter is a homerun. Set on Mississippi River Island, it tells the story of two young teenagers Ellis (Tye Sheridan in a fantastic early performance) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland who is also excellent) who live on the river in boathouses in a small town. Ellis lives with his fisherman father Senior (Ray McKinnon) and his mother Mary Lee (Sarah Paulson) and Neckbone lives with his uncle Galen (Michael Shannon who stars in all Nichols’s feature films) who dives for muscle pearls. The two boys who know the town like the back of their hand have heard about a boat on one of the nearby islands that has a boat inexplicably stuck in a tree. When they take a speedboat out to investigate, they find someone has been living in the boat and meet a strange man named Mud (brilliantly played by Matthew McConaughey) who lives off the land and is waiting there to meet his longtime girlfriend Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). He tells the boys he will give them the boat in exchange for food and supplies.

Neckbone is skeptical but Ellis believes Mud is truly planning to meet Juniper. The distraction is good for him since his parents are presently disputing whether to move off the river or to keep their home which, if they move, will be torn down by the state. As he begins to take more risks to assist his new friend, however, he finds himself in deeper trouble as Mud’s secrets slowly start to emerge.  

Left Behind

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Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. I must tell you I am most distraught. My novelist is leaving for the weekend to visit a relative who is having a birthday, and I am being left with…him. I am told the dogsitter will be involved as well. I was very upset about this new development, and I held a round table with Bernard D. Bunny and his little sister Belle. They said they would miss my novelist but at least I would not be left to fend for myself. Ridiculous. I am a magnificent parti poodle who can survive quite well on my own, thank you very much. When I want a treat, I whine. When I am hungry, I whine. When I want to go out and get some fresh air, I whine. All these actions result in me getting what I want. I do need a human to do the work, but how hard can it be to find a human who wouldn’t adore me. My novelist tells me there are bad people out there who would snatch up a little dog like me and use it as training for a dog-fighting rottweiler. Pish-posh. Firstly, I know that it is an urban legend and secondly, I would whip a rottweiler into shape. They may be the ninth smartest dog breed, but I am the second. I likely come from a long line of well-bred truffle hunters. Whenever my novelist wants a piece of chocolate, I bring her a truffle.

That said, I am already deeply depressed about not going with my novelist on her adventure. You would think she would take me everywhere. She takes me to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I don’t see why she can’t take me to her relatives. I will tell you how the whole ordeal goes next week. Until then I shall continue to work on my new blog story which is shaping up nicely and for now I shall 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 DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE (2025)-HBO MAX

This week’s movie is a silly, goofy, funny all-out delight and it’s Warner Bros. very first full-length Looney Tunes motion picture. Animation has been strong lately and this film is no exception. Designed in glorious 2-D, what makes this picture zing in addition to having Daffy Duck, Porky Pig (voiced by Eric Bauza) and Petunia Pig (Voiced by Candi Milo) as the leads, is the clever writing and the wonderful debut of the newest addition to the Looney Tune family, The Invader; a marvelous Grinch-channeling villain from another planet voiced by Peter MacNichol. The animation is marvelously true to the original Looney Tunes cartoons, and the story is on point.

When Daffy Duck and Porky Pig were very young, they were rescued from wolves by Farmer Jim (voiced by Fred Tatasciore). The two rapscallions grew up on his farm raising all sorts of ruckus and driving the ever-patient Farmer Jim right up the wall. Sadly, one day before walking into the sunset forever, Farmer Jim lovingly tells the two grown-up imps to depend on each other and always take care of their home. Which, of course, they are terrible at.

One day, the home inspector Mrs. Grecht (Laraine Newman) comes to tell them if they do not fix their roof within the week, they will be kicked out of their house which was left to them by Farmer Jim. Unbeknownst to them, the big hole in the roof was put there by a UFO. Forced to come up with the money for repairs, Daffy and Porky are now faced with the reality that they must for the first time in their young lives get jobs. After being fired from several occupations they appear to find their calling as entry level factory workers in a gum factory after meeting the beguiling and nerdy Petunia Pig who works there as flavor tester. However, not long after they begin their new career Daffy starts to suspect something is running amok there as he begins to witness things that seem peculiarly out of this world.

Les Dangers D’un Pouvoir Incontrôlé

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Good morning and Happy 4th of July tomorrow. I consider myself a fortunate Canis lupis familiaris as fireworks are banned in our neighborhood. This of course does not mean someone will not shoot some off, but it is a relief to know our neighborhood will not turn into an all-out war zone. From what my novelist told me about this place before I was born, it did not have a fireworks ban and was indeed a war zone with all sorts of explosives going off everywhere lighting the sky on fire. The smell of smoke hung in the air two or three days later. She still will not take me on walks from July 3rd until after July 5th. Apparently, she once had an unexpected run in with a patron who was leaving the drug dealer’s house across the street. She was going on a walk with my predecessor on July 5th, and a firecracker was hurled in her direction by said patron whom she had never even met. Even though she witnessed the drug dealer and his ill-mannered pit bull being evicted from the house by the police one night later that same year after an explosion went off in his house, she still does not take chances during the 4th of July. Even with the ban. I think that might be a bit extreme but then she is an introverted NT personality type.     

That said, if you read last week’s blog you know that my novelist is in a trance. She has been scanning over the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. And I thought, how can I put this insanity to good use. Well, it occurred to me I might take this time to address school clothes. My novelist and I are not influencers. So, we are not here to discuss the latest fashions. We are not trained in that area. But we do have some gentle suggestions based on costume design classes she was required to take at her university.

  1. Avoid fast fashion. Yes, we know it’s cheaper, but you get what you pay for. Even with the higher end fast fashion. Even if you do not care about it greatly harming the earth, know that fast fashion is designed to rip you off. You end up buying clothes and then tossing them away because they are not sewn right or they are made of subpar yarns and fabrics. It is better to buy less clothes of good quality than more clothes of poor quality. If you see something you like, always do a search on the brand to see if it is fast fashion and if it is, choose something else.
  2. Don’t go broke buying overpriced designer brands. You may have the desire to buy a few of these pieces but do not go crazy. Especially if they have a trendy look. You will not get your money’s worth out of them and there’s better ways to save or spend your money.
  3. Choose natural fabrics. Unless you are purchasing clothing for a job or something you must have for a school project, or your medical doctor said you had to wear them, try to always choose natural fabrics. Alpaca, angora, bamboo, cashmere, cotton, hemp, linen, genuine leather, mohair, ramie, silk, wool (especially merino wool which is softer) are amongst your best choices. They tend to last longer and generally feel better. If the item has some elastane (spandex or Lycra) mixed in that is okay. But try to avoid polyester, acrylic, nylon, faux fur, and neoprene as best as possible. The one clothing item I would omit from this list is running shoes or trainers because sometimes that is what you need to wear. But again, I would stick to brands like New Balance, Hoka, On Clouds, Puma and other non-fast fashion shoes.  
  4. Choose colors that look good on you. This is not always easy, but you can get this book which has been around since the 80’s called Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson that is a good start to figuring out what looks best on you and what colors you like.
  5. Choose clothes that fit you. Some places such as Nordstroms will make alterations to clothing which is wonderful. You book an appointment and go in. If, however, you do not wish to have alterations, make sure the clothes you choose fit you. Just because you like something on the hanger, or on a website, does not mean it will look good on you personally, or it may not be the proper size. If it doesn’t fit you, or looks odd on you even if it fits, you likely won’t wear it much and you’ve wasted your hard-earned money.

Until next week, I wish you a happy holiday and 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 TWILIGHT ZONE SEASON 3, EPISODE 3: IT’S A GOOD LIFE-PARAMOUNT +

Occasionally a television episode will stand out for one reason or another that I think is extraordinary. And it being the 4th of July I thought this would be a good one. Based on the 1953 short story “It’s a Good Life” by Jerome Bixby which is considered one of the best Sci-Fi short stories of all time, it is also considered one of the most chilling Twilight Zones of all time. Take note when you watch it that Rod Serling’s introduction is a little different than usual here. This is not by accident. He is pointing out to you that the monster in this episode has done something very important: it has isolated its victims.

Without giving much away, the story is based on three things: WWII ended only eight years before the short story was written, there is a fear of nuclear war, and there is a fear of totalitarianism. If we look at our society today, it has been four years since the war in Afghanistan ended for the US, there is a fear of AI, and there is a fear of totalitarianism. If you have ever wondered what the difference is between pop fiction and literature, this episode shows it brilliantly. Yes, the monster may be a child because it’s childish. Yes, this may be a small town because the inhabitants are isolated. But this is not a commentary on child rearing. The child isn’t really a child, and the town isn’t really a town. Everything here, all of it, is metaphorical. Great literature is often metaphorical, presents a strong argument and is layered. It’s not just there to entertain the reader. Remember that the root of the word “actor” means plaintiff or someone who argues a point. This can be applied to novels and short stories as well as film and stage. Look for lots of details in this episode, like what is the “corn field” when we think of the story in relevance to WWII and modern times and even what’s playing on the television in one of the scenes. An absolute must see.

Pandemonium

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Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to tell you pure pandemonium has broken out. My novelist has had her eyes glued to the computer since this morning because the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Preview dropped today. This for me is one of the most heinous weeks of the year. It is a most dreadful event where she pays attention to the sale but not to me. Alas, I am left to fend for myself as she drills down page after page looking at clothing and bobbles until her eyes are bloodshot and she walks around like she is in a trance. I, in the meantime, have been working on my new story The Dog Doctor which I will be releasing chapter by chapter. But there she sits, absolutely addicted. There is something profoundly wrong with that. Anyway, I am now going to go fetch myself some tea and dog biscuits and stay out of her way until the fever breaks. 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: HITCHCOCK (2012)- NETFLIX

Right now, Netflix has a fantastic array of Hitchcock films to watch including some of his very best work: Frenzy, Family Plot, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), The Birds, Rear Window, Vertigo and of course Psycho. And if you are a true cinephile you have seen them all, probably multiple times. If you have never seen these films, cinephile or no, all seven of these are required viewing. If you watch nothing else this summer watch all seven of these movies. Especially the last four as they are masterpieces. Movies don’t get much better than this. So, unless you are watching The Dekalog or all of Stanley Kubrick’s films, stop what you’re streaming right this minute and view every one of these.

Now to this underrated movie from 2012, which is about how Hitchcock went about bringing Psycho to life. One would think a director with as much success as he had would be able to make his next movie without much struggle. But alas, business jackasses are everywhere. Alfred Hitchcock (brilliantly played by Anthony Hopkins) reads the book Psycho by Robert Bloch and is immediately smitten. Not even his collaborator and wife Alma Reville (BAFTA nominee Helen Mirren) can convince him otherwise. He is so determined that no one knows anything about the book before he makes the film he sends his secretary Peggy (Toni Collette) out to purchase every copy.

Because he didn’t make enough money with Vertigo and the studio considered it a failure (If you can believe that. My favorite Hitchcock movie by the way.) they don’t want to finance the film. So, Hitchcock decides to put up his own money and goes to work hiring Joseph Stefano (Ralph Macchio) to write the script, Janet Leigh (Scarlet Johansson) and Anthony Perkins (James D’Arcy) to play the leads and  Vera Miles (Jessica Biel) whom Hitchcock had a bitter past with to co-star. In the meantime, Alma Reville has gotten fed up with her husband’s dismissiveness of her contribution to his success and considers starting an affair with screenwriter Whitfield Cook (Danny Houston).

New Story in the Works

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Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. I would like to let you know I am presently working on a new tale for the blog or as my novelist and I like to call it a blog story. The working-title is The Dog Doctor, and it is one of the oddest concepts I’ve penned so far. I will continue to keep you updated about it for the future and let you know when I will be releasing the chapters. I will also be trying a new writing process to craft it and we will see how that goes. Otherwise, it has been a rather dull week. Nothing to report really. I plan to spend the weekend relaxing and watching movies…or at least one movie. Perhaps Bernard and I will put up a sheet outside and invite Belle and baby Brendan to come and watch something wholesome by David Lynch. That would make for a delightful evening. Bernard is suggesting The Straight Story while I think the little ones would find Blue Velvet to their liking. Until next week, have fun at the movies and 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: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (1988)-NETFLIX

Much like Hobson’s Choice which I featured a couple of weeks ago, here is another film all cinephiles should see. One of the earliest movies from the brilliant Studio Ghibli it is one of their very finest, maybe even their best. Based on the semi-autobiographical short story by Akiyuki Nosaka, this astounding masterpiece is set against the backdrop of WWII Japan but not necessarily focused on war. It is more about society and belonging and the dismissive treatment of a country towards its citizens.  

The story starts out with an Imperial Japanese Navy captain’s son Seita (Tsutomu Tatsumi) whose mother (Yoshiko Shinohara) and his toddler sister Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi) must get to a shelter when an incendiary bombing occurs. Their mother runs for the shelter ahead of them while Seita gathers up Setsuko and her doll. The mother makes it to the shelter, but it is severely bombed, and she dies of injuries shortly after. This leaves Seita and Setsuko on their own.

Seita and Setsuko go to their father’s sister’s house where their aunt (Akemi Yamaguchi) takes them in. Unfortunately, Aunt is a staunch believer in totalitarianism and an all-around bossy jerk (think Skyler White or Nurse Ratched) and forces Seita and Setsuko to sell their mother’s precious silk kimonos to buy rice for the family. After doing so Aunt says they have contributed nothing despite Aunt consuming a large portion of the rice. She also goes against Seita’s wishes and tells Setsuko about her mother’s death and belittles the two kids at every chance. She believes both children should work for the good of the war effort, despite Setsuko being a very young child. Her unrealistic expectations cause Seita to take his sister and leave to try and find a way to survive on their own.

Shower Curtains

~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good morning. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce my blog. Today the shower curtain rod came down. This was a most distressing event. My novelist had to hold up the rod whilst I hurried over to the computer to watch a video on how to put it back up. It is one of those curved types that is held up by tension. This is the video I watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K03RkODZ42M

And so, this kind man showed us how to take the horrifying tangle of curtains, rod and rings off the bathroom floor and put it back up. Now, we figured out ourselves to remove the curtain and the rings first so hurrah for us (not to mention it is not part of the video). Anyway,  I sat and studied his how to lesson intently. Of course, as all wise poodles do, I put on my blue light blocking glasses first as eye safety is paramount. Then I took notes which are never easy to do as one must understand I have paws and no opposable thumbs. I could hear my novelist shouting from the bathroom the blood was running out of her arms so I had bark back that it would take as long as it takes and then proceed to take notes with my paw.

When I finished writing, I hopped out of the office chair, retrieved a measuring tape, and trotted into the bathroom. I took the measuring tape and measured the distance from ceiling to rod to make certain the rod was even on both sides, also a challenge with paws. I then barked the instructions up to my novelist reading them off from my notes. She first had to put one arm down and then the other to allow them to recover and then she set the curtain against both walls and twisted the bar for tension. It was a challenge to get the ornamental ends snapped into place. The one went in without a struggle but the second required my novelist to get out her trusty step stool and angle herself correctly to pop it in firmly. We now have a working shower curtain and both of us learned a lesson in home improvement. I am certain Tim Taylor would be proud. 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: BAD INFLUENCE: THE DARK SIDE OF KIDFLUENCING (2025)-NETFLIX

Female psychopaths are exceedingly rare. Only 1 in 1050 women is a psychopath as opposed to 1 in 150 men. But they still exist and here is your chance to see one in the wild. Not to mention she’s a  pedophile to boot. I don’t know about you, but I am not an influencer watcher. I don’t get it. I don’t need someone to tell me what dimwit products to buy with their stupid amateur videos. There are enough professionally made commercials out there hocking uninteresting junk that pimp it better with professional actors, directors and writers. But apparently this seedy low-rent schlock is hot. Especially to grown men who make up 92% of the audience for these kids shows. Picture that lurid debauchery if you will. You’d think this low-rent YouTube content would play to other kids but no. It plays to mentally deranged scum.

Tiffany Rockelle is a reptile who happened to give birth to a human daughter. Unfortunately, the daughter was pretty and talented and so like every garden variety psychopath this female lizard saw dollar signs in her third eye. She started putting Baby Jane Piper into pageants when the girl was three years old. And if that isn’t enough to make you shudder, when Piper turned eight, Tiffany shed her scaly skin, tossed her sweet little cash cow in her car and headed out on the road for Hollywood. Once there, Foxy Loxy started building her own little cult, luring children and their mothers into her cave to devour them. And devoured them she did. She picked up some barely legal sucker to be her boyfriend/director to film videos of the pre-teens hanging out with each other and having a good time calling them “the squad” because “the fresh meat” wasn’t catchy enough. Slowly, she got the mothers to give up their expensive apartments and “save money” by moving the kids into a house where she used the mothers as her minions while she had her boytoy film the kids 24-7. That is not an exaggeration. A typical practice of any psychopath: isolate your victims.

After awhile old Tiffany started doing what she had intended to from day one which is turn the films into her own *ahem* “personal fantasy videos”. And after that her actions became a long list of revolting illegal and immoral acts which you must see to believe. If you happen to read this post and you have any association whatsoever with this Ophiophagus hannah, get out now.

Gigi’s Birthday

~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good morning. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to tell you last Friday was my birthday. In the past when Tucker was alive, we would break out the Aquadent and have quite the bash. This year, however, I decided to celebrate with decorum. Bernard D. Bunny, Belle D. Bunny and their new little cousin Brendan D. Bunny joined me for high tea this week where we dined on scones, pastries and of course cucumber sandwiches. They were scrumptious. I was licking my paws afterwards. Every year I dream of receiving a diamond studded collar which I most deserve. My novelist, however, presented me with a brand-new Mini Skinneeez leopard instead. Although I adored the dog toy, my dreams of elegance were once again dashed. Sometimes novelists simply don’t understand their poodles. We poodles think big and desire great things. Next year I plan to own a small country and rule it with a benevolent iron paw. Perhaps I’ll even invest in a tiara. If I can’t wear something sparkly around my neck at least I can wear something glittering on my head. 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: HOBSON’S CHOICE (1954) HBO MAX

Every so often I like to pick a brilliant classic film every cinephile should be required to see. And so, this week I am featuring a small masterpiece by the great director David Lean who also cowrote this magnificent script with Harold Brighouse and Norman Spencer. One might consider it an early feminist film of sorts about an overbearing, sexist father and his much wilier future thinking daughter.

The story takes place in 1880s Salford, England where Henry Hobson (Sir Charles Laughton), a blowhard tyrannical widower, runs a moderately upscale shoe-making shop. He has three daughters and no sons. He endlessly needles his thirty-year-old eldest Maggie (Brenda de Banzie) who runs the financial part of the business, about being thirty and will always remain an old maid. He has selfishly decided that since his wife has died, Maggie will forever take her mother’s place as in his mind she is too useful to lose. His younger daughters Alice (Daphne Anderson) and Vicky (Prunella Scales) each have boyfriends. Alice is seeing Albert Prosser (Richard Wattis), a young solicitor and Vicky is seeing Freddy Beenstock (Derek Blomfield) a corn merchant’s son. Both sisters want to marry their beaus but Henry, upon finding out he will have to pay a settlement for each marriage, refuses and decides they will remain in his shop as well.

One day, a wealthy older woman named Mrs. Hepworth (Helen Haye) comes in the shop and demands to know who crafted her boots. Up from under the floor comes shoemaker Jim Healer (Joseph Tomelty) who looks at her boots and says they were made by William Mossop (Sir John Mills), a gentle ignorant soul but also a highly gifted shoemaker. Mrs. Hepworth demands seeing Willam and when he comes up from below, she tells him she has been to every shoe shop around and he has made her the best pair of boots she’s ever worn. She then gives him a small sum of money as a thank you.

Shortly after, Maggie, who’s fed up with her father, his drinking, and his insults, calls William up at the end of the day when they are the only two still in the shop. She tells him he is a phenomenal shoemaker and deserves a better career. She says she plans to marry him, poach him, leave her father’s shop, and start a shop of their own.

From Meriam Webster Dictionary:

Hobson’s choice : noun
Hob·​son’s choice ˈhäb-sənz-
1 : an apparently free choice when there is no real alternative
2 : the necessity of accepting one of two or more equally objectionable alternatives

From Cambridge Dictionary: Meaning of Hobson’s choice in English

Hobson’s choice
noun [ U ]
uk /ˌhɒb.sənz ˈtʃɔɪs/ us /ˌhɑːb.sənz ˈtʃɔɪs/
a situation in which it seems that you can choose between different things or actions, but there is really only one thing that you can take or do:
a case of Hobson’s choice: It’s a case of Hobson’s choice, because if I don’t agree to their terms, I’ll lose my job.