Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

Imperialist aggressors must be defeated, or the whole world loses.

The willow is too close to the house.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

DeSantis transforms Florida into 1930s Germany with gators and theme parks.

It’s easy to sit in safety and prescribe what other people should be doing.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

Everybody saw this coming.

And we’re all out of bubblegum.

Just because you believe it, that doesn’t make it true.

Happy indictment week to all who celebrate!

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

We’ll be taking my thoughts and prayers to the ballot box.

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

This has so much WTF written all over it that it is hard to comprehend.

I’d like to think you all would remain faithful to me if i ever tried to have some of you killed.

Tick tock motherfuckers!

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

If you are still in the GOP, you are an extremist.

If you’re pissed about Biden’s speech, he was talking about you.

This blog will pay for itself.

The most dangerous place for a black man in America is in a white man’s imagination.

You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Cat Blogging / Open Thread

Open Thread

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I have to admit, I hate myself for this, but every time Steve follows me around the house meowing (he is chattier than Tunch, but less shrill), I find myself in this scenario:

“What’s up brother?”

MEOW!

“Stevie-boy!”

MEOW!

“Steve-O!”

MEOW!

“Steverino!”

MEOW!

And then I sit down and he hops up into my lap:

steverino

He has the most majestic whiskers, and I am the newest member of the Maine Coon fan club. It’s been a month today since the recent unpleasant demise of Tunch, the greatest cat ever, and almost a month since Steve decided to come hang out and help me out, and he has taken over the house. The dogs pay him no mind whatsoever anymore and he just does what he pleases on the few occasions he is not surgically attached to me. He’s really turning out to be a spectacular buddy.

This is also going to sound weird, but since he was fixed, his neck is half the size it was when we hooked up. And also, he has not sprayed, not even once. I’m going to credit the Feliway stuff I used from the day he got here. Even Tunch sprayed occasionally when I first got him, and he had been fixed for months. I just keep hitting the animal lottery every time I play.

So what are you all up to?

Reader Interactions

136Comments

  2. 2.

    Nicole

    Home after a play, and having a lovely dinner with friends. Looking forward to watching another episode of Orphan Black and conking out.

  4. 4.

    MikeInSewickley

    JC, glad you’re back home with your menagerie. It’s good to know that you have these munchkins to help you along wherever life takes you.

    …and reading the stories ain’t bad for us lurkers out here who need some happy time.

  8. 8.

    Yatsuno

    I think I finally got that recipe I’ve been teasing BHF about ready for prime time. And I actually did the laundry today instead of the usual time of tomorrow.

    Oh and I applied for an opening with the FAA.

  10. 10.

    Gravenstone

    Sorry I missed out on the Madison meet up, but a mid-week meeting wasn’t going to be an option.

  11. 11.

    muddy

    I had someone give me a big surprise. I have told this person that I hate surprises, even really good ones, but she won’t stop and takes immense pleasure over how far I jumped and how startled I was and what my face looked like, ho ho ho.

    I have PTSD and a heart condition. What the motherfucking fucked up fuck? It’s bullying is what it is.

    I am normally good at telling people to fuck right off, but it’s my sister and she has cancer. She’s always been super controlling and it’s natural that it would escalate under those conditions. aiee

  12. 12.

    lamh36

    Went home to NOLA for a few hours and got a hold of my aunt’s camera cause she wanted me to download her pics from it and get them printed out for her (she’s old school…lol).

    So I’ve been spending the last few hour looking at the pics. Found some great pics of my baby Maddie

    Here’s Maddie and Darryl. He’s 25 years older. My aunt was 42 when she had Maddie
    Maddie and Dede

  16. 16.

    Schlemizel

    @muddy:

    You should return the favor. Figure out what it is she doesn’t want & give i to her. With a nice little card saying you have an even bigger thank-you planned should she ever surprise you again. Leave her to worry about what that might be

  19. 19.

    Amir Khalid

    @furlyfly:
    Wow, you really know this stuff. Maybe when John Cole’s away, busy with things to do IRL or something, you could sub for him.

  21. 21.

    Schlemizel

    @furlyfly:

    perhaps you would be happier somewhere else since here is so unbearably painful for you. Since you find it impossible to ignore posts you “know” are so injurious to your mental well being you really need to consider leaving and never returning. That would certainly teach the evil people here a lesson they will not soon forget

  22. 22.

    khead

    Just finished loading (pretty much) the last of our townhouse into a rental truck. Saved a bed, couch and TV for last.

    khead +1 too many boxes

  23. 23.

    TaMara (BHF)

    @lamh36: That’s a great picture. I had some fun with both my parents on their birthday’s last month. I posted high school pictures of them and almost identical pictures of each of them holding me in their first apartment.

  24. 24.

    newdealfarmgrrrlll

    awww, what a sweetie. His magnificent whiskers make me miss our late great TwitchyTail Furball. Steve is one handsome dude.

  25. 25.

    Paddy

    @Nicole: Tatiana Maslany has me totally gobsmacked. If she doesn’t get some g-d award the world is poop. And what, you didn’t plow thru all of them in one night? You have more willpower than me.

  26. 26.

    lamh36

    Alright comic book movie fans, the new Thor2 trailer premiered last week. Love the first Thor movie, and this one just so happens to be coming out in time for my birthday (Nov 5th if ya want to write it down…lol).

    Anyway, am I wrong that I kinda hope they do kill off Jane (Natalie Portman). I kinda don’t like her…lol

    So here it is: Thor:The Dark World Official Trailer

  28. 28.

    RSA

    his neck is half the size it was when we hooked up

    Is it his neck or his ruff? Our Maine Coons tend to grow a lot of fur on their necks during the colder months that only gradually goes away by the end of the summer; I wonder if it could be that?

  29. 29.

    brendancalling

    The boy child (9 years old and rising) and I just finished “the Chase” (Doctor Who, Season 2, 1964). He is now in bed and I have moved onto beers and doobage. Earlier this week, I introduced him to Mel Brooks via “Young Frankenstein”.

    I may get “Purple Rose of Cairo” to watch with him later this week. Innocent, but also very sad. Thoughts from fellow juicers-with-kids?

  30. 30.

    Betty Cracker

    Half watching Avatar on some channel with too many commercials and waiting for optimal Perseid viewing. Also making plans to take kiddos to Comic Con.

  32. 32.

    lamh36

    @Betty Cracker: was just saying to a guy at work, that I’d love to actual go to Comic Con once in my life. the big time official one is the San Diego one right?

  33. 33.

    Amir Khalid

    @lamh36:
    Well, Jane’s not essential to Thor Odinsson’s life like Pepper Potts (ugh, that name) is to Iron Man’s, or Lois Lane is to Superman’s. And the actress who was Mrs Darth Vader is wasted on such a peripheral character. I don’t dislike Jane myself, I just wonder why she needs to be there.

  34. 34.

    muddy

    @Schlemizel: I sent her a gift recently, I gave her a heads up to be looking for a package due to where she lives. She freaked out until I told her the contents of the package which would be arriving in 2 days.

    I don’t consider getting a small package of goodies in the mail a bad surprise that no one should do. She knows good and well that this is not what I refer to about “surprises”. Her surprise this time was randomly showing up on someone else’s vacation – out of state – with no warning. Surprise visitor who can’t really get around and will be staying for 2 weeks.

    If it were any random person I would have no problem dealing with her. But she’s in a really sad condition physically (and clearly somewhat mentally as well) and I can’t stand to be mean to her, honestly I don’t think she’ll be around too much longer. Just because she acts like an asshole doesn’t mean that I should.

    I have a crazy family, and since I am the one having head meds and therapy, I am naturally considered the *really* nutty one. Those that seek no help consider themselves just fine.

  36. 36.

    Steeplejack

    @muddy:

    Next time it happens, punch her in the face and tell her, “Oh, sorry, you startled me and I just reacted without thinking.” Bet it clears that shit right up.

    I hate bullies.

  38. 38.

    NotMax

    @

    Age 9?

    Nnimated;

    The Phantom Tollbooth (although the book is superior to the film)
    The Point

    Live action:

    Bless the Beasts and the Children (not religious, despite the title)
    May still a bit young, chronologically, for the first Indiana Jones movie,
    but you know him best.

    Does he like animals?

    Born Free
    The Black Stallion

  39. 39.

    muddy

    @Redshirt: Clearly, else I would not be dealing with her right now. ;-)

    I was also the one to care for my abusive mother when she was dying too, I guess it’s the martyred kind of hairpin I am. But I just want to do what I think is right. The fact that they act wrong doesn’t change what I think is right.

    I just like to whine and vent about it I guess.

  40. 40.

    Steeplejack

    @brendancalling:

    I don’t see a problem. He might get only the comedy and not the underlying sadness, but that’s not a bad thing. Probably just likes watching stuff with his dad.

  44. 44.

    muddy

    @Steeplejack: Oh lord, I loled and loled. So tempting. Especially when one is told, “..and then you just blow, dear!”

    Yes. Just. Out of nowhere.

    I once had a dream that my mother was twittering away with her hateful bullshit at me and I was about to punch her so hard that my fist would go right out the back of her head. I woke, horrified, just before doing it. I told it to my sister (not the surprise bully one) and said I must have woken myself in horror at what I was about to do.

    She said I woke myself in horror because even after my fist went through the twittering would have gone right on, and that would be the true horror. ;-)

  47. 47.

    Steeplejack

    @brendancalling:

    Check out anything by Hayao Miyazaki, especially Spirited Away, Castle in the Sky, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, etc. Also, My Neighbor Totoro is a great movie, but he might sneer at it as a big-shot nine-year-old (too girly).

  49. 49.

    muddy

    @Steeplejack: Oh, and I can never think to do something useful in the moment, because I overstartle and am too busy with freeze/flight to even get to the fight moment.

  52. 52.

    Randy P

    Speaking of cats, I have a question for the BJ cat people. I’m a cat person by marriage, not by instinct. The cats and I over the years have always gotten along fine, except for one thing: that biting thing. You know when you’re petting the cat, everything’s going along fine, the cat is purring, and then suddenly CHOMP with the teeth! Or suddenly the cat takes a swing at your hand with claws out. Doesn’t draw blood, but still, I hate that.

    Is it a “love bite” as my wife claims? Is it that I irritated the cat in some way? Whatever it is, that’s usually the end of the petting session for me.

    It’s probably personal prejudice, but for me there’s just something fundamentally different about that cat CHOMP, and play bites from puppies, even with their little needle-sharp puppy teeth. Maybe it’s the surprise factor. Or maybe it’s that puppies give more clues about “this is play”.

    I don’t want to start a cat-dog religious war here. Just want a few more outside opinions on what’s going on inside my cat’s tiny little mind.

  54. 54.

    lojasmo

    I want a coon. Steve gives not a shit about the Snowden/Greenwald “revelations.” Thinking people should follow suit.

  55. 55.

    Betty Cracker

    @CarolDuhart2: There must be, but I don’t know where. Might be worth looking up outside anyway. One of the most amazing Perseid displays I ever saw was in a city. Supposedly they’re super bright this year, or so I’ve read.

  59. 59.

    Steeplejack

    @muddy:

    Just concoct a situation where you punch her and tell her you were startled. It wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing if she gets the idea that you’re crazier than she is. Just sayin’.

    She’s counting on the fact that she can do whatever she wants and you’ll be the reliable, passive punching bag. Break the pattern.

  60. 60.

    muddy

    @Randy P: Sometimes it’s because they gave you a ridiculously subtle signal a millisecond before that you were to stop. And sometimes they are just overcome with passion about how much they like it. Sometimes the first follows from the shame of the second instance.

  62. 62.

    brendancalling

    @Steeplejack: i will look into these things.
    We also had this exchange. the kid is good with illustration. He says to m on the way to daycamp the other day,
    “hey daddy, guess what else I could be when I grow up?” “what,” I sez.

    “An artist!”

    My heart simultaneously lifted and sank. That’s a hard fuckin’ row to hoe.

  63. 63.

    Hal

    @Amir Khalid:

    I don’t dislike Jane myself, I just wonder why she needs to be there.

    Especially when they had the opportunity to use someone like the Enchantress and Sif.

    Plus, they could have had a side story where the Enchantress tries to beat out Dazzler for a record contract like they did in the comics.

  65. 65.

    Steeplejack

    @brendancalling:

    If he’s “artistic” you should definitely show him the Miyazaki movies. Amazing, visually stunning animated movies that put Disney, Pixar, etc., to shame.

  66. 66.

    brendancalling

    @NotMax: he loves my cats! he’s already seen all the Indian Jones movies. Last year, I took him to see “Hugo”, which he was engrossed in, followed by a Buster Keaton marathon on TCM, which he loved. I’m thinking some Chaplin too. I definitely want to watch “Jaws” with him.

    Y’all know I’m a dickhead online, but when it comes to the boychild, I’m just a smoosh. I can’t help it.

  68. 68.

    muddy

    @Steeplejack: I just can’t be like that, I can’t bring myself to do it. It’s like sometimes I get my way in some annoying public situation because I finally lose my temper and when I raise my voice they give me my way.

    So I think how easy to just start off with that and not waste my day, but I can’t put it on. It’s quite inconvenient.

  69. 69.

    rammalamadingdong

    @Randy P: Not all cats are the same but if you are not a cat person by instinct you are probably petting or scritching in the same spot for too long. Dog people tend to do that with too much pressure. I usually rotate between three spot, about five rubs per spot, with cheek caresses in between. It’s an art.

  71. 71.

    YellowJournalism

    Going to see “Elysium” tonight, starring Obama’s ex-boyfriend. Next week the kidlets are back home, all nicely spoiled by their grandparents. Then it’s a mad rush to get ready for school and my youngest’s birthday.

    If we ever move into a larger home, I’m going to look for a Maine Coon for the boys. I love a chatty kitty.

  72. 72.

    muddy

    @brendancalling:

    My heart simultaneously lifted and sank. That’s a hard fuckin’ row to hoe.

    There are a lot of art connected jobs. It doesn’t need to be a hard row, unless you are just making weird paintings in a garret or something. I was discouraged from art when I went to college the 1st time because it “wasn’t employable”. Was miserable and dropped out of engineering. Went back to school in my 30’s for art and became a potter. I do fine. And there are a lot of jobs where you use art without being a lone craftsperson.

  73. 73.

    metalgirl

    We had an amazing dinner at Mateo in Durham, NC tonight before wandering over to see Bill Maher at DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center). A perfect start to a great vacation week to come. Tomorrow, we drop Tom off at RDU for his vacation in Paris, France with his girlfriend, and head to south Topsail Island for lots of R&R. Life will be good after I get everyone packed for these trips (such is the life of a Mom) :)

  74. 74.

    Steeplejack

    @muddy:

    You don’t have to break the pattern in the comically overwrought way I suggested, but you can break the pattern. When she shows up in the middle of someone else’s vacation, you can tell her, “Hey, sorry, no room for you right now. You can either get on a plane and go home or you can pay your own way at the Red Roof Inn and we’ll see if we can fit you into the activities.”

    ETA: The big secret of bullies is that people let themselves be bullied because they don’t want to be “impolite” or “rude” or whatever. Trust me, nothing you come up with will be as impolite or rude as the bullying.

    ETFA: I’m bullying you about this right now! Oh, God.

  75. 75.

    Eljai

    @Paddy: There is something very engaging about that character. I had a friend who moved from San Francisco to western Indiana. It was an adjustment.

  76. 76.

    NotMax

    @brendancalling

    If he likes Keaton and doesn’t mind older b&w stuff, his taste is nonpareil.

    In that case, any of Preston Sturges’ romps might tickle him.

    The Lady Eve
    The Palm Beach Story
    The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek
    etc.

    Has he seen It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World?

    @Betty Cracker

    San Diego Comic-con, in its Hollywoodized current form, can be somewhat overwhelming.

    Two smaller cons which consistently get two thumbs up from aficionados are Wonder Con and Mid-Ohio con.

  77. 77.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @YellowJournalism: Going to see “Elysium” tonight, starring Obama’s ex-boyfriend.

    Hah. That was a kinda weird thing to say, wasn’t it? I like him, but he’s been whining about Obama since 2009.

    Is the Thor movie good? I was never a big comic book guy, but I always like the way Norse mythology was brought into those. Iron Man, meh. Robert Downey kind of annoys me.

  79. 79.

    Anne Laurie

    @Randy P:

    Is it a “love bite” as my wife claims? Is it that I irritated the cat in some way? Whatever it is, that’s usually the end of the petting session for me.

    Scienteriffic theory is, the cat gets overstimulated and flips from feelsogood to makeitstop really quickly. (Insert tacky old joke about ‘cats are like tiny women in fur coats’). With practice, you can usually get a ‘feel’ for when a particular cat is going to go into the overstress mode & quit while you’re both still in a good mood. Some cats, you just have to restrict your strokes to a particular area — usually their rocky little heads, but some cats prefer back-of-the-neck or base-of-the-tail rubs. But, yeah, quitting when they lash out is a good idea for all parties.

    Some cats (not all, but some), if you make a sharp ACK! noise when they lash out, will remember after a few incidents that you’re picky like that, and give you more explicit warning that it’s getting to be too much. You know, they kind of “ach! ach!” noise your mom made when your toddler self was going for the lit stove or the electrical outlet — that’s a Parental Warning that cats & people (& dogs) share, one that doesn’t have to be ‘translated’ to be effective.

  83. 83.

    Redshirt

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Thor got mixed reviews. It’s a comic book movie, so set your expectations accordingly. As such, I thought it was great. I’ve been a Thor fan way back, and dug Kenneth Branagh’s take on the Norse pantheon, and the Marvel version of the stories. Thor is the Norse Storm God, but also a hero in New York. Far out!

  86. 86.

    NotMax

    @brendancalling

    In that case, Sturges should be right up his alley.

    Also Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House and The Coca-Cola Kid come immediately to mind as being in the same absurdist vein

    For when he’s older, keep Baghdad Cafe, Gregory’s Girl,Local Hero and The Gods Must Be Crazy stored in the back of your mind as possibilities.

  88. 88.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @NotMax: The Lady Eve

    The scene where Henry Fonda’s father comes down the stairs singing and then starts banging and bellowing for breakfast about put me on the floor the first time I watched it. Eugene Pallette was one of my favorite character actors but when I checked IMDB for his name I learned some unpleasant stuff

    Gargantuan-bellied, frog-voiced character actor who was a staple in forties movies. After World War II his ultra-right-wing political views fuelled his ‘bomb’ paranoia and he bought a property in Oregon which he turned into a well-stocked compound in case the Russians attacked. Many of his old Hollywood friends, including Clark Gable, visited him there (some came to hunt and fish)
    During the filming of In the Meantime, Darling (1944), Pallette became involved in a violent altercation with director Otto Preminger when he refused to perform in a scene in which he was to sit down at a table and exchange lines with a black actor (Clarence Muse).

  89. 89.

    Anne Laurie

    @brendancalling: Has he seen Fantasia? The dinosaur sequence (set to Rite of Spring), at least, should interest him. And Fantasia 2000 isn’t as strong, but if he’s capable of thinking about being an artist he’ll love the idea of connecting music to different visual styles (not to mention: What would happen if you gave a flamingo a yoyo?)

  90. 90.

    muddy

    @Steeplejack: Yeah, I know I should put my foot down. I just feel tremendously sorry for her, and even though she starts shit with me, I feel like I’m kicking a kitten. Mind you she’s 17 years older than I am, but I’m trying to be the grownup now.

    The other set of family members went along with her crash of their vacation (they were all coming here) and kept the secret for her – they cleverly went to the shore this weekend though, leaving her here. I’m just trying to focus on seeing family members I have not set eyes on in 2 years including children (yay!), and suck it up. It’s unlikely she will be physically able to do this shit anymore, and I told the collaborators that while I understood her pathology I did not appreciate their playing along and that they were not allowed to play a second time.

    And as I say, I don’t think she will be around much longer in any case. I am glad to have gotten to see her, she thinks this makes it okay. It’s not, but I take a deep breath.

  91. 91.

    Yatsuno

    @BillinGlendaleCA: Yeah, since April been getting big hints it’s time to redirect my federale career. Having a boss I can’t stand helps that a lot.

    @Anne Laurie: The Firebird sequence in 2000 is also pretty spectacular and really in a similar vein to the dinosaur vignette. They seemed to have a LOT of fun with the Stravinsky stuff!

  94. 94.

    cckids

    @brendancalling: Galaxy Quest, The Iron Giant, The Indian in the Cupboard, Searching for Bobby Fischer, the live Peter Pan.

    For starters. The LOTR series, if you think it isn’t too scary. The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Get Smart, the TV series.

    I miss having 9-ish year olds sometimes, mine are in college.

  95. 95.

    muddy

    @Steeplejack:

    ETFA: I’m bullying you about this right now! Oh, God.

    Ha! omg yer so mean!

    It’s not the seeming rude or impolite that gets me, people often find me a bit too direct in conversation. It’s just I know how fragile she is really. Well, bullies generally are. Anyway I just can’t be mean to old people that are going to die soon, well not ones I love anyway.

    I’d be happy to be rude, impolite, and mean to Dick Cheney.

  96. 96.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Redshirt: I’m not averse to comic book movies.Though I am I think the only person who didn’ like the Dark Night Batmans and I have no interest in the most recent Superman. The X-Men movies are a guilty pleasure of mine, mostly because Ian McKellan. Bad quality video but really funny.

  97. 97.

    RandomMonster

    @Randy P: The cat is suddenly overstimulated and momentarily can’t control its response. It’s entirely natural and some cats are more sensitive than others. I have three cats, and each one has his/her own thresholds and warning signals. Here’s my advice:

    1. Don’t pull your hand away, because you’ll be pulling against claws and/or teeth. This takes a little bit of discipline that’s perhaps a little challenging to master, but I recommend it. Let the cat grab and bite, but leave your hand still.

    2. At the same time, say “Noooooooo” or “Ouch!” or “[cat’s name]!” Let the cat know it hurts, but in a nice and chiding way.

    3. When the cat releases, praise him/her. You can probably give a nice stroke to say that you’re still friends.

  100. 100.

    Gex

    Just really, really, really pleased you are enjoying your Maine Coon so much.

    I was already having a tender day, so being reminded of the month marker from the day has me sniffling. RIP Tunch.

    All hail Steve!

  101. 101.

    Felonius Monk

    and he hops up into my lap

    Of course he does —- he knows where his tuna comes from.

    He looks like one happy cat, John. But I’ve got this great Tuxedo with an impeccable cummerbund who does silent meows and then barks. I’ve never had a cat that barked before.

  102. 102.

    Schlemizel

    @muddy:

    The wife’s family has a couple of bullies including my SIL and I have found that if you try to make nice to them they just bully more. I understand your concern about her physical health but you need to set boundaries at some point. What if he doesn’t go out? You can do it nicely but you need to set some rules

  103. 103.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Redshirt: mostly I liked LOTR. Great battle scenes, especially the Ents and the ghost army.

    I would love to see the trees come to life and throw some rocks at the Inhofes of the world.

  104. 104.

    CaseyL

    I indulged in a book run to Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, one of my favorite spots. As usual, bought about twice as many books as I intended to (they sell used and new books, and I always browse the used books and always grab two or three, besides whatever new ones I’m getting). Just finished one of them, an alt-history novel, where Anne Boleyn gives birth to a healthy boy (and so keeps her crown and her head). Pretty good book; I may go out and get the sequel.

    I used to spend a lot of weekends reading. Not so much anymore. I feel a little guilty for not being out hiking or socializing or whatever, but also really enjoying disappearing into a story well told.

  105. 105.

    Schlemizel

    @brendancalling:

    Early Woody Allen – Take the Money and Run or Sleeper are good for a laugh & (IIRC) kid friendly at least to the level of Young Frankenstein.

    Hows things going with the kid? I miss your blog. Your calls were the highlight of my day some days.

  106. 106.

    muddy

    @Schlemizel: It’s more her mental health I think is fragile. I think I will wait until they are leaving in a few days, and while having fond goodbyes I will say, Never surprise me like that again or you will not like my reaction. With full eye contact, and being very serious. In front of the other people, then no one can pretend they don’t know the score. This avoids having unpleasantness and passive aggressive remarks for the several days left in this visit if I say it too early, and gives her a couple of days on the road before she can get on the phone and talk to me again.

    Then they can all get in the van and drive 1000 miles home together and think about what they have done. Meanwhile I will be relaxing in solitary splendor, and have awarded myself a staycation for the next couple of weeks.

  107. 107.

    handsmile

    @brendancalling:

    Two days ago I saw Chaplin’s City Lights on the big screen (Brooklyn Academy of Music Cinema) with an audience a good quarter of which were children under the age of ten (with parents in tow).

    Somewhat to my surprise, their chirps and peals of laughter rang out throughout the film (though its majestic final scene did bring a rapt silence to all in attendance). The reaction of the children added immensely to my own enjoyment of the movie (one I’ve seen numerous times before).

    Which is all to say that as you were considering introducing your son to Chaplin’s films, City Lights might be a great choice, particularly with his “taste for slapstick and absurdity.”

    Enthusiastic seconds as well for Steeplejack’s recommendation of Miyazaki’s animated films (#47) and cckids recommendation of Iron Giant (#95). If at nine years old, your son appreciates the Preston Sturges films suggested by notmax (#77), your progeny is quite a film prodigy.

  108. 108.

    Dead Ernest

    @brendancalling:
    Unless I missed this already being suggested;
    Peter Sellers!! The Pink Panther series especially.
    If / when you think he’s either old enough, or if he’d not register the sexual stuff, Fish Named Wanda, and other Kevin Kline comedies.
    Oh, maybe Walter Matthau (sp?) comedies
    All with great slapstick, great comedy timing.

  109. 109.

    ruemara

    @lamh36: you have to since you’re such a fan girl. I think I’ll be volunteering next year, so there could be a BJ meet-up in SD, if the nerds are so inclined.

  111. 111.

    Punchy

    Johnny…is BJ doing a fantasy league this year? Also, ergo…anyone got any advice on how to draft in an auction league?

  112. 112.

    Redshirt

    @Punchy: This is my first year with no Fantasy since like 2000. Kinda sad, kinda glad. Took up quite a bit of time, for little result.

    Auction? Go for value. A Matt Stafford rather than a Peyton Manning – you’ll save a ton of money and the stats might be close by year’s end (maybe!). Money you can then spend on running backs, WR’s, etc.

  113. 113.

    Gravenstone

    @Hal:

    Plus, they could have had a side story where the Enchantress tries to beat out Dazzler for a record contract like they did in the comics.

    /blinks

    Really? I can’t say I followed Thor back in the day (although I have retroactively come to love the Simonson run). But, yeah, no.

  115. 115.

    different-church-lady

    Sorry but the best cat in the world award goes to the tuxedo currently snugged in the crook of my left arm, purring so hard he’s cooing. Better luck to Steve tomorrow.

  116. 116.

    Hal

    @Gravenstone:

    Oops. I was slightly off. It was a singing contest. Two actually:

    To make a long story short, the Enchantress traveled to EArth to steal some mystical energy. The source of the energy happened to be in a disco where Dazzler was singing. They engaged in a singing contest and Dazzler wins. This enraged Amora but several of Earth’s superhumans happened to be in attendance and came to Dazzler’s aid.

    They later met again when Dazzler spots her in an airport. Amora teleports her to Asgard and challenges her to a duel. At first Amora doesn’t take it seriously and then begins to absorb Dazzler’s life force after Allison gained the upper hand. Odin soon arrives and demands to know whats going on. Amora claims Dazzler disrespected her so Odin orders another singing contest. Amora goes first and mesmerizes every man in the room. (similar to the abilities of Venus) But then Dazzler takes her turn and Odin admits she has a better voice. He then teleports her back to Earth.

    Odin is Simon Cowell.

  118. 118.

    FlipYrWhig

    @brendancalling: I don’t have kids, but my favorite recent movie pitched at kids but with heart and something interesting to say is the first Ice Age. I happen to think it’s sneaky-brilliant.

  119. 119.

    Suzanne

    I didn’t study at all today. I suck.

    However, my nails look great, and I took a nap, and took the mini and the puppeh to the park. It’s still hot enough that we go to the playground at about nine PM. Ludicrous.

  121. 121.

    handsmile

    @NotMax:

    Well, strictly in my own HO of course, Sturges is certainly a lot more better than Allen. (I have enormous regard for Sturges’ work as a writer and director; as for Allen, it erodes more each year and with most of his successive films.)

    As for accessibility, I think the verbal and thematic sophistication of Sturges’ screenplays, especially when combined with the swift pacing of his direction, demands (and rewards) closer attention and comprehension than what can be mustered by most children (at least those of my acquaintance) and a good many adults.

  123. 123.

    Suzanne

    My nine-year-old, who is a pretty sensitive kid and still finds lots of things scary, really enjoyed the Hunger Games movie. Also loves the Percy Jackson movies. Pixar and Miyazaki are always good. Kung Fu Panda was also really cute. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was fabulous. (Whatever you think of the Christian themes, that story is pure magic.) She watched Mulan about 387 times.

    The two-year-old loves, loves, LOVES Finding Nemo and the classic Disney princess movies.

  126. 126.

    gogol's wife

    @Yatsuno:

    The FAA put me through college and grad school. I love them. (I worked for them as a clerical in the summers and other vacations.)

  128. 128.

    Mnemosyne

    @muddy:

    Because I am evil, I would pretend to faint the next time she does it and be difficult to revive. When I finally “wake up,” I would tell her, “I’d better make an appointment with my cardiologist — he said it’s not a good sign when that happens.”

    But, then, I’m evil.

  129. 129.

    gogol's wife

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    I know this thread is long dead but I just saw this and it depressed the hell out of me. Pallette is one of my favorite Shirley Temple co-stars (Stowaway). Oh well, I guess all my favorite actors were wingnuts.

  130. 130.

    Mnemosyne

    The one caution I would give people about showing Sturges movies to their children is that you may need to prepare them for how African-Americans are portrayed. You can kind of tune it out as an adult, but it’s pretty disturbing to have (for example) the members of the Ale & Quail Club using a black bartender for target practice in The Palm Beach Story, and that’s only the most extreme example. Anything involving African-Americans in his films is very, very dated humor.

  131. 131.

    Not Sure

    @Redshirt: Maine coons (we have two) do shed quite a bit of fur in the summer; it’s almost like a completely different cat has come to your house. Wait until October, when the winter fur comes back.

  133. 133.

    NotMax

    @Mnemosyne

    A bit disingenuous, that, as what you point to applied to the vast, vast majority of films from the medium’s inception through at least the post-WW2 years.

    Of course that doesn’t in any way mean that stereotyped or caricatured, demeaning portrayals are right.

    As snapshots of what was/is the accepted norm, the contrast in portrayal and status of women and minorities in popular entertainment from then to now can be instructive.

  134. 134.

    asiangrrlMN

    Such a gorgeous boy – and he looks quite pleased with himself in that pic. He is a terrific addition to your household, and I’m really pleased that he found his way into your life, Cole.

    @Yatsuno: Thanks for sounding the bell, Yutsy. Good luck with the possible new job!

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