and I thought I had problems...

Main Lady and I went out dancing Friday night (last night as I write this) where we met a couple we've known for a few years whom I'll call Landlord Larry and Made Mary.  Landlord Larry is a retired something or other and got into the landlord business some years back.  Having made his millions he's trying to get out, but no one is buying.  Being a landlord has been a real learning and growth experience for Larry, and he's become very adept with common household repairs, landlord tenant relations and monthly collections.  Once when I asked about the landlord business Larry informed me that if you don't collect the rent right away the average tenant will conclude that you're not interested in that money this month, and will go stock up on beer, wine and pot.

My Life: I hear a train coming

Lately things have been just a little on the hectic side of the fence.  I don't know just how far back I want to go with this, but...

Centenarian is getting worse.  No surprise here, the lady is well over one hundred years old.  When the old chassis started to fail Main Lady took Centenarian to the ER where she was examined and admitted with a problem in the boiler house.  She stayed three days and came out in worse shape than she was in prior to being admitted.  That's the beginning...

Book Review: Triple Tap by Fred Reed

Triple Tap (Dawson DC Metro Mysteries) on Amazon by Fred Reed

Fiction, File Size: 370 KB, Print Length: 164 pages, $2.99 USD, Copyright 2012 Violeta de Jesus Gonzales Mungia
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B007956J0O
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

I enjoy reading Fred.  The man's work resembles Hunter S. Thompson on 151 rum and steroids instead of Prozac and white wine.  This never imitated, rarely admired style carries over into Fred's fiction, which is no real surprise, and while the results of Fred's efforts are unlikely to gain him a nomination for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize or the Warwick Prize for Writing, the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction isn't out of the question.

A Walk in the Garden

Things in the neighborhood are a little chaotic these days. I may write more about the situation later on, but for now let me just say that drinking is not a good idea as I may have to operate with a clear head.  As I sat in front of my computer the other day I noticed this bird having a great time eating the insects he was finding in the lawn just outside my window. I have no idea what kind of bird he is, but he looks fancy.

Zimmerman - Martin Shooting

I've been resisting writing about this for a while, mainly because whatever I write is largely pointless. Beat and Release wrote about the Zimmerman shooting here, in This One Tells the Entire Story where he correctly predicted that Zimmerman would be arrested and charged.  The unsurpassed curmudgeon Fred Reed is the only author I've read who actually nails the problem - twice.  I recommend you read We Are Screwed - A Thought Possibly Not Unique to Fred and Some Things Detwaddled before you brace yourself for a long, hot summer.

Film Review: The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Rated: R
Running Time: 95 min
Genre: Horror | Thriller

Tomato Meter: 92%

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kristen Connolly as Dana (Virginal Hottie!)
Chris Hemsworth as Curt (Our Hero!)
Anna Hutchison as Jules (Our Hottie!)
Fran Kranz as Marty (Our Other Other Hero or Something!)
Jesse Williams as Holden (Our Other Hero!)
Richard Jenkins as Sitterson (Mad Scientist Number One)
Bradley Whitford as Hadley (Mad Scientist Number Two)
Brian White as Truman (Resident Hunchback)
Amy Acker as Lin (Another Bad Person)
Tim De Zarn as Mordecai (Frightening)
Tom Lenk as Ronald The Intern (Our Intern!  Whom no one will miss when he dies.)
Dan Payne as Mathew Buckner (Buckner Clan - Dangerous!)
Jodelle Ferland as Patience Buckner (Buckner Clan - Dangerous!)
Dan Shea as Father Buckner (Buckner Clan - Dangerous!)
Maya Massar as Mother Buckner (Buckner Clan - Dangerous!)
Naomi Dane as Japanese Floaty Girl (okay... this is hard to explain.  See for yourself.)
Ellie Harvie as Military Liaison (background extra)
Patrick Gilmore as Werewolf Wrangler (Our Werewolf Wrangler!)
Brad Dryborough as Chem Department Guy (Some Other Guy - I think he dies or something)

The things you have to know and understand about this film is that the title is a little unfortunate, it isn't a slasher film like some people claim, and that it was written and produced by Joss Whedon.  This is the same Joss Whedon that created Serenity, Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This film has Whedon's fingerprints all over it and it's his finest effort to date. Here's why, without spoilers.

My Life: Dog Walk Photos

I enjoy walking the dog.  Even when it's raining I enjoy a nice dog walk.  Here are a few of the photos I've taken as Excellent Rachmaninoff and I enjoy our daily canine constitutional.

Readers from Australia?

I posted a review recently of Marcella's Ristorante and much to my surprise I got a comment from someone in Adelaide, Australia.  The responder is Adelaide Venues with eponymous interests and he's referenced a place called The Marquis, which

...brings a contemporary Parisian experience to the centre of Adelaide. Experience boutique wines by the glass matched with a French inspired kitchen.

It's nice to see that someone is bringing civilization to the outback of the land down under.  Someone pass me my tucker-bag, saddle and stock whip; I'll hit the turps tonight, then I'm waltzing Matilda this month and next.

Easter Sunday and Familial Relations

I made it through Easter Sunday dinner, and I know exactly how I did it, too.  I wrote about my misgivings here, in Family Rant.  That survival knowledge will be very useful later on when The Girl shows up with Shotgun Bob for the next holiday circus - very likely Thanksgiving.  That gives me time to plan out an alternative strategy; a sort of 'Plan B' in case 'Plan A' slams head on into a runaway train hauling 87 tons of dynamite.  It's always good to plan ahead.

My Life: Myth and Main Lady

In 1998 I accepted a contract with the State of South Dakota to assist in alleviating their Y2K crises.  Not much happened on New Year's Eve, but there were a few events leading up to the big party in 1999 that got me a full week of the silent treatment.

My Life: Communication

I feel that accurate communication is important in most relationships, and by this I'm referring to people other than the mental midgets and drunks who cut me off in traffic and to whom I express my displeasure.  Main Lady is enthusiastically agreeable about this, and I try my best to be supportive of her position.  So when she rattles on and on about one thing and another, instead of instinctively zoning out and giving a non-committal grunt whenever I detect an expectant pause I do my best to follow along.  The other day I decided I'd had enough of following and wanted to lead.  I ended up pissing her off.

This is not my fault.  The real blame lies with Main Lady's neighbor, Johan Nagel-Pfünder.

Restaurant Review: Marcella's Ristorante - Pizzeria - Wine Bar

Marcella's Ristorante - Pizzeria - Wine Bar

615 N High St

Columbus, OH 43215

Marcella's Ristorante - Pizzeria - Wine Bar

Phone: (614) 223-2100

Sunday - Thursday: 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Friday - Saturday: 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Restaurant Review: Windchimes Chinese Restaurant

Windchimes

Windchimes Chinese Restaurant

5742 Frantz Road

Dublin, OH 43016

(614) 792-0990

Windchimes

Question

Last weekend I headed South to Columbus, Ohio where I visited with Big Mike and generally had a great time.  The only thing that bothers me about my otherwise excellent visit is the same thing that bothers me every time I make the drive from Sylvania to Columbus along U.S. 23, and in fact continues to plague me with the same sort of nagging you generally associate with your least favorite ear worm.

What is this thing?

Definition of Terms

At times I may use some terminology that others find clever, appropriate or inspirational.  In order to give credit where credit is due while simultaneously pointing persecutors at the innocent, here are a few terms and the point of origin as best I know it along with a brief definition.

Revised September 2017.