Last five movies watched

Pick of the bunch: "The Painter And The Thief" - an amazing Norwegian documentary about art stolen and inspiration found. Daring, riveting, deeply human, painful and beautiful, and so much more than you initially suspect.

[Viewed on: DVD I purchased from the recycling centre pre-Covid, Netflix, Kanopy x2, Disney+.]

Last six movies watched

Throwing in the Stonehenge doco 'cos it's film-length.

Pick of the bunch: As an Orstralian with a dance-mad sister, I have to go with "Firestarter". Be prepared for a near-overwhelming combination of stellar success and senseless tragedy.

[Viewed on: Prime Video, ABC iview, Netflix x2, Kanopy, SBS On Demand.]

When words were scarier than pain

On Saturday, my father and I watched the race meeting that included the finals of the Inter Dominion (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter_Dominion). A trainer was mentioned with the same name as a bloke I went to junior high with. It triggered a memory.

At some point each year, as part of our English assessment, we always had to give a speech. One year, the debating team was selected based on the highest-scoring speakers. I was among them, as was the fella who may or may not now be a horse trainer.

But as I recall it there was an extra round of selection on top of the speech component. Possibly there were eight of us and we had to debate each other to determine the top four.

Anyway, I distinctly remember the day before the team was chosen, the chap in question was "packing it", as we used to say. He'd been fine making an amusing speech, but the thought of participating in a debate terrified him. He told me: "I don't want to be here tomorrow. I'm going to get into a fight at footy training tonight."

That's exactly what happened, and he avoided selection.

I'm sure if the teacher had only been aware of his desperation not to debate, they'd have excused him (and spared him a punch-up). It's weird how our minds work when we're young. How we won't speak up. How we'll suffer in silence rather than face an irrational fear.

Moments

Running an errand, saw a striking blonde in overalls and a white T-shirt opening a boutique. She placed a sign outside the store that read, "Nothing haunts you like the vintage you don't buy."

Later, watering the garden, I disturbed a dragonfly that had been resting somewhere in the dense foliage of a fern. It buzzed around my head as if scolding me, then disappeared up into the sky.

Later still, there was a question on "University Challenge" about Timbuktu. Answered it instantly, having recently listened to a podcast about the city. (Got 13 right, below my average for this series.)

If someone wants to sell me a vintage sculpture of an irritated dragonfly made in Timbuktu, this blog entry will have a good ending. Otherwise, it's just moments.

Gingerbread fan

The leeches were returned to office :-(

Anyway...

Are you tuning in to "Hawkeye"? Seen the third episode yet? It features this wonderful Sammy Davis Jr number that I can't believe I'd never encountered before, despite loving "The Candy Man" since I was a Padawan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tis8oIEULaU

What a performer! They broke the mould when they made Sammy.

Zast zive zovies zatched

Pick of the bunch: "The Truffle Hunters".

[Viewed on: Prime, Disney+, Prime, Prime, Apple+.]

Gainful elections

This morning, we voted in a local-government election. Fingers crossed the present regime will be ousted. They appear to be in politics mainly for the perks. At the polling place, plague precautions were in force: compulsory masks, phone or written check-in, hand sanitiser, a new pen to use and keep ("78% recycled"). The weakest part was the social-distancing enforcement. Could have been a lot worse.

Friends of mine opted not to vote because too many people in their suburb refuse to wear masks. They know this from walking their dog, shopping, etc. Presumably those jerks would also flout the safety measures when voting. My pals are just gonna accept the fine.

Have I ever mentioned that I applied to be an election helper? You know, directing traffic or ruling a line through names in the roll or making sure punters stick their ballot papers in the correct boxes. Heard nothing back... until I moved cities, then they said I was eligible. Typical. Didn't really mind as I had a full-time job I dug. 

You've got to respect today's helpers, with the possible virus-transmission risk - especially in areas like my friends' suburb. Unlike certain politicians, they deserve to be paid well.

Tooth of the matter

When I was a primary schooler, half of one of my front teeth was broken off in a classroom accident. There was concern it would die and turn black. A relo had been to the holy Catholic site of Lourdes, France, and brought back a bottle of the local water. On a visit to my Grandma's house, some of that was applied to my broken tooth. It miraculously grew back! No, I'm only joking. But neither did it blacken and die. When I had it capped, the dentist told us the break *just* missed the nerves. Dad bought me a digital watch.

For the record, the cap lasted four decades! It only fell off during the current pandemic. There was no accident this time. I wasn't eating a toffee or doing boxing sparring. It simply came away. Maybe there'd been initial smaller pieces that I hadn't noticed. I can't tell you because I didn't notice them. I'm in no hurry to get the tooth recapped as I barely leave the house/yard. Yep, modelling career very much on hold. Could do with an Olympic swimming pool full of Lourdes water for my various other physical complaints, though.