For What It's Worth


Thursday, June 30, 2022

Life, reading, watching update...


Saw this on a walk through Portland a few weeks ago. Seemed like a good sentiment for these times.


HELLOOOOOO again!

I thought I was on a roll with reading and blogging but, of course, Murphy's Law lol

I'll start with a life update then switch over to reading/tv.

😴 Post COVID really knocked me down with fatigue for about 3 weeks. I could not stay awake once 10 am rolled around. Think I'm over that.

💻 Then my computer cable for my monitor died. I cannot blog on a small screen so that took me out for a week while waiting for a new cable. Now I'm so far behind I decided to just do a catch-up post and *hopefully* get back to regular posting next week.

💪 I finally got into my PT and I think it's helping. Six sessions in and I have much less pain when I reach my arm across but it will be a long time before it fully heals. I can't lift any weights in workouts other than my PT exercises. I'm going to switch to yoga style workouts because most of those are about opening and strengthening the chest/shoulder muscles and avoiding lifting with my shoulders which is what I need.

Most of you have seen this already but this is Ms. Penny - my constant companion during therapy. For some reason she is very attached to me and they can't get her to leave me alone when I'm there. I do not mind at all! lol



BOOKS/TV/MOVIES

Read:




The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma ~Goodreads I listened to this on audio (loved the narration) and it was such a mindfuck of a book. I don't think *like* would be the phrase I would use but I also didn't mind it as much as other readers did. And I really liked the end - again other readers hated it. I really wanted to write a full review for this one but I'm several weeks away from finishing it (blasted computer cable!) and not sure I can do it justice at this point because it's a tricky book to review. I'll see if something magically comes to me lol

Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry ~ Goodreads I usually love Tamara Berry's (aka: Tamara Morgan) writing and twist on common tropes but this book drove me batty. It's a cozy mystery but a little more gruesome and update on the genre (which I expected from her). I was not expecting such a frustrating heroine though. Tess Harrow thinks because she's a thriller writer and has googled a few things about murder, that she's now an expert in all things and the cops are idiots. When in fact she's wrong about almost everything (& the cops are more than competent)  and puts her daughter in harms way constantly while thinking more about how she can fit real life murder an mayhem into her next book. I also thought the audio version did this book no favors. It made Tess sound even haughtier. On the plus side, the townspeople were great, her daughter was kind of cool, and there were some twists.

Reading:



Dim Sum of All Fears (A Noodle Shop Mystery #2) by Vivien Chien ~ Goodreads My light and fluffy (even though it's murder lol) cosy mystery bedtime Kindle read. The first two are on KU and I really enjoy this series so far.

Roxy by Neal Shusterman, Jarrod Shusterman ~ Goodreads (Recieved hardcover from the publisher in exchange for an honest review) I've started and stopped this book so many times. I was never in the right mood for it but I picked it up to read outside when the weather was nice and it finally matched my mood. It's a very strange book about two siblings who are very different but both get hooked on prescription drugs. What's strange is that the drugs (Roxy is Oxycontin, Addison - Adderall for example) also have POV's in the story. It's interesting reading how they choose *their mark* and go from helpful to potentially harmful. There's controversy surrounding this one and I know people on both sides of this issue. Those who have been addicted (I myself abused RX drugs when I was younger but not to this extent) and have friends that absolutely need and are alive today because of them. Weird, for sure, but I like it so far. 

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill~ Goodreads I'm listening to the audio of this thriller and it hooked me right away. It's about an author who is at the Boston Public Library when a murder occurs and befriends the group of strangers she was sitting with. It also follows her increasingly alarming correspondence with a man named Leo who is the beta reader for her current novel. I'm @ 50% in and I'm...
 


This appears to be a book within book, within a book? Or a thriller inside another thriller within a third thriller??? Thriller inception...a thriller turducken? I don't know how I feel about it right now but I feel like I have to finish it at this point lol

Watching:

Movies: Bob's Burger Movie - I love the show and this was surprisingly good and stayed true to the show and characters. Loved it! I believe it will be on Hulu next month.
Buzz Lightyear - the controversy (2 moms kissing- for like a second) over this movie was ridiculous. I didn't love the premise - Buzz (the toy) is based on this Buzz version - a sci-fi movie. I guess I thought it was based on a *real* astronaut which I thought would be more fun. I didn't love it as much as I thought I would (the secondary characters were kind of weak) but it was cute and fun. Loved the cat!

TV: We watched S2 of Picard. I thought it dragged on a little too long but we liked it! Picard is one of my all time favorite characters and I'll watch him until there are no more. 

We got a Paramount Plus trial to watch Picard so now we're watching Evil. It's a pretty good show with an X-Files vibe. A non believing forensic psychologist helps a future priest investigate unexplained mysteries. A typical procedural vibe but more graphic and violent than usual and I think it explores religion and other topics without being preachy and often with unexpected outcomes. 

We finished Obi-Wan and mostly liked it. Unpopular opinion but I LOVED little Princess Leia! 

I think that's it for now! What have you been doing/reading/watching?



I'll leave you with a Figgy pic. He'll be 17 this summer (or might already be) and he's not doing great but he's hanging in there! I left a bone out for the dogs and he took a liking it to it. He only has like 1 tooth left, so he's licking and gumming it to death lol but if it makes him happy 😻

39 comments:

  1. 17! Amazing! How wonderful to have Figgy in your life for that long. Your PT companion is adorable too. Glad the PT is paying off. The Walls Around Us was so weird. I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either. I was perplexed.

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    1. He's a totally old curmudgeon kitty lol

      Oddly enough, I wasn't confused by the ending but I felt so much of it was jarring, back and forth but I kinda liked it maybe? Lol

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  2. Even during my hiatus, I've kept abreast with my friends' updates via Twitter...so I knew pretty much all of the above already...Glad you're past the post-Covid phase (hopefully) and PT helped and you even found an assistant 😂. Just like doing yoga at home, right? Each and every dog in your life is so helpful with your wellness routine LOL.

    (BTW, this is the first comment I write after my month-long hiatus...aren't you feeling special? 😆).

    The Walls Around Us is one of my favourite books ever, but I understand that it's not for everyone (well...no book is for everyone, but you know what I mean. I adore magical realism and books that cross genres, play with reality and defy expectations, but they don't make for easy, relaxing reads 😂). I was on the fence about Roxy, also because I loved Shusterman's Challenger Deep, and I've been wanting to read something else by him since then, but every time I chicken out for some reason...

    "a thriller turducken?"
    🤣

    "he's licking and gumming it to death"
    LOL, poor old kitty. Happy Figday!

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    1. I am honored to be the first lol

      They were always apologizing and trying to drag Penny away but I'm like - I have years of experience working out around pets. I'm fine - just leave her lol

      I really liked Walls Around Us - it wasn't too weird for me (for some reason because it's not what I usually read) but I thought the transitions between the pov's were sometimes clunky and I was SO much more interested in Vi. I listened on audio though and I don't know if it was that the narration for Vi was more compelling that if I read it.

      Figgy is Figgy. He's a hot mess lol but somehow keeps plugging along.

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  3. Well, Leia was yes a bit annoying and should have run faster. But she was a damn cool kid. But I do hope they do a s2 and Luke can have an adventure too
    Obi Wan all the feels

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    1. I get that she was bratty at first but I felt like that was the point. She's a somewhat entitled/spoiled princess that gets thrown into real stuff but I thought she adapted well. I thought she was so freaking adorable. And I hate kids lol

      Another unpopular opinion...I don't care about Luke lol There's already been so much Luke.

      Glad you liked it though! I know you have mixed thoughts on these series.

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  4. Oh, Figgy. what a cutie pie! And I love your PT buddy. I'm glad the exercises have been helping. I'm so curious about The Woman in the Library! I really haven't been watching much, but I'm planning to see The Black Phone this weekend.

    Lauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. He's so old and feeble at this point but just keeps going lol

      I'm almost done with Woman in the Library and it's weird. Whether it's good or bad weird will depend on the payoff I guess lol

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  5. I've recently gotten onto an exercise kick and and determined to lose all the weight I gained during the quarantine. Lifting weights and intense cardio isn't something I ever thought I would enjoy, but I find myself looking forward to it every day. Plus, it gives me an excuse to listen to audiobooks!

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    1. I'm (literally) getting too old for the intense workouts. Which is how I hurt myself lol

      Also trying to get rid of the COVID 5 (ok 10) pounds.

      I wish I could multitask with audiobooks but I can only listen while driving or in the shower. Or committed to sitting and listening.

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  6. Ha ha! I love your assessment of The Woman in the Library. Thriller turducken. Lol. I love it.

    I'm glad that you're finally doing better after COVID and not constantly falling asleep. I'm still doing that so I take naps most days. It's amazing how much this virus takes from you.

    I also loved young Princess Leia. I thought she was so cute and acted just like I thought Leia would as a child. I think the actress they cast was perfect.

    Corey and I want to watch Bob's Burgers Movie. We just need to have time to go to the theater, lol.

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    1. Ooh nice to see another Bob's fan! I don't know anyone else who watches it.

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  7. Fatigue was the main thing I had with Covid too. Sometimes after Covid is almost worse than when you have it! And Ms. Penny- what a cutie!

    The POV of the drugs and the stories within stories lol have me curious! I remember hearing that about the Shuterman one and I have to admit, I wonder about that...

    Obi Wan I agree with. Didn't love it necessarily but it was good enough. I'm starting Travelers again and stranger Things tonight...

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    1. I finished Murder in the library and it was a fun ride with a disappointing outcome.

      GREG! I have to watch ST stat! It's been awful avoiding spoilers.

      El better have everyone treating her great and I fear for Steve. Lol

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    2. Part 2 lol - Roxy is real weird but I'm liking it.
      And yes, covid sucked but it was 24 hours in bed, binge watching - the weeks after were worse. Or at least felt more draining.

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    3. Oh my gosh this show!!! I was already spoiled though- my daughter watched it already and was disappointed. I'm binging it now...

      I'm watching Hotel Portofino also... talk about two different extremes lol!

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    4. I'm sort of prepared to be disappointed lol The first half of S4 seemed to drag and now they're stuffing (I think) it all into two 2 hour *episodes*?

      We are watching The Old Man. I had zero interest in it but it's really good and compelling.

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    5. I watched episode 8 earlier and thought it was pretty good. I think the Russia sequence is unnecessary and drags it out, but I liked the El stuff. I'm gonna watch the last one maybe tonight...

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    6. We finished last night and I liked the episodes (but still way too much filler and too long separated) but I'm not thrilled with how it ended. Seems like a really prolonged rehash/ build up for just another season.

      For some reason I thought this was the last season and I was fuming at that ending lol Then I heard there will be a 5th and whew - but now I'm (less) angry for another reason lol

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    7. It feels like hours and hours of build up for... season 5. So yeah exactly! I mean, all that and they still didn't win? lol Still, I liked it. the Russia stuff got better. I liked El vs the helicopter- but weren't there TWO helicopters?

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    8. I agree! It's weird because I DID really like it. But I am still annoyed that I have to watch even more to get to some kind of satisfyingly conclusion. And if El doesn't get time to be happy (for an extended period of time) and get a really long nap - I'm going to be pissed lol

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  8. I love the figgy pic! I had this mental image of him refusing to relinquish the bone and just gumming away at it while the dogs look on in (im)patient sadness, lol.

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    1. You are not far off from the reality of that situation lol

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  9. I can't stand blogging on tablets or computers either, it's so difficult. Glad the PT seems to be helping! And having a dog companion would make it so much better!

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    1. I am way too old for that lol Dogs (or animals in general) make everything easier.

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  10. I have to blog on my laptop. it's just to hard to do on anything else.
    I'm glad the PT is helping. Penny is adorable.

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    1. I have a laptop that is small enough to take anywhere but I have it hooked up to a large monitor because I can't see lol

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  11. *HUGS* to Figgy. My he live like a king for the rest of his days.

    Glad you are finally getting PT and over COVID. I had a persistent cough for a few weeks. It wasn't bad, but annoying.

    Is loving little Princess Leia unpopular? We all LOVED her here. She's not quite Baby Yoda, but so dang cute and feisty. My girl and I cannot bring ourselves to watch Buzz Lightyear - it just looks so sad. Doesn't sound like we are missing much.

    I hope you have a great week!

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    1. It's Jen... another NEW change to the commenting. Your site wouldn't let me comment using my Google log in. Weird. Anyhow... let's see if these end up in SPAM too. haha!

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    2. You're comment is here!!! Without needing rescue lol

      I had been reading a lot of hate for Leia but I adored her. I think she's supposed to be a sheltered/spoiled princess at first but it was defiant Leia spark to me.

      Lightyear isn't sad (I mean it is a little lol but just a normal level) and it has a lot of funny bits but it's a weird connection to the Toy Story. And I don't really care IF it's connected but it's an odd way of doing it. Maybe good for streaming.

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear that you've been dealing with all of these challenges! Having COVID-19 and recovering from that, working through physical therapy and then these computer issues! I had to go to PT for my ankle for about a month two months ago. I had injured my ankle a few months before and wasn't able to run or workout on it like I used to be able to for almost five months. I can understand how difficult it can be to wait for something that you want to heal heal very slowly. I will be thinking of you today! <3

    claire @ clairefy

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    1. Therapy is kind of weird because you have to keep moving through the pain to get better but not toooo much lol I have a two week break to see how I do on my own then one more session and hopefully I'll be ok.

      I hope your ankle is doing better. Leg problems are so much worse because you have to put weight on it.

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  13. I've heard from friends and family that the post-Covid fatigue is terrible. I hope the worst is over for you. Glad the PT is making a difference! I really need to get back to doing some yoga. I enjoyed it and went to a weekly class but then Covid happened. I could have kept up with it at home but didn't. OMG I'm still laughing at the term "thriller turducken." Priceless! LOL

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    1. Being sick wasn't fun but it seemed like a very quick punch and it was over. Whereas the post covid dragged on was soooo draining.

      I finished the book and it was indeed a thriller turducken!

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  14. I'm happy you're shoulder is so much better! Penny is so cute! I'm also glad to hear your post-Covid fatigue is over.😊

    I love the Character of Picard. I need to get over to the library and see what DVDs they might have over there of some of the shows you alk talk about. I have never watched Bob's Burger, but my high school Physics lab partner (I'm friends with him on Facebook 😄) has been trying to get me to watch it. I have Hulu, do you think I would understand the movie without watching the series? 🤔

    I had a cat from a kitten, so I knew exactly how old he was, and around 16 years old he started looking shabby and we thought he was going to not live much longer, but he lived to almost 22. He got so shabby looking my ex started calling him "Re-animator," but he soldiered on. ❤

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    1. I don't know about Bob's. I hated the show when I first started watching. It was in syndication it sort of kept popping in and one day I loved it lol There's a lot of inside jokes that fans will get but it's hard to tell if any of the humor would come through if you didn't. I think it would come down to if you connect to any of the characters. But - I think the whole series is on there too lol

      We're putting Figgy to sleep today :-(. I found him when he was 6 weeks old, so I know his age too. Kevin always said he was an immortal cat vampire lol He also just kept plugging along but now his bad days or more than the good.

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  15. RIP Figgy. I will miss that little face so hope you do throwback photos. Enjoyed our Twitter discussions of Woman in the Library

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