I Won't Let You Down

Ferris Bueller, Take Two

Favorite Movies in Riverside

While browsing through my Netflix, looking for a suitable movie to stream down while doing my quilt applique, I found this illustration of Riverside's Favorite Movies. I was kind of surprised.  Not that I expected a stream of Jane Austen flicks, or some weighty and thoughtful human interest movies like Mostly Martha, but . . . well. . . welcome to my (depressing) world.

I knew we'd have some element of white power, given the letters to the editor in our local newspaper about all those socialists in Washington and Don't You Dare Cut My Social Security.  Boyz in the Hood points out the reason why perhaps my students have so many spelling problems.  But, wow.  We have multiple universities here, and are less than 60 minutes (on a good traffic day) from a major metropolis with world class art museums.

Obviously none of the finer points of living here has translated to our Netflix viewing habits.

Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

Monarch of the Glen

 Dave and I decided to watch an old BBC series titled Monarch of the Glen, about a castle on a loch in Scotland.  We needed something to do together, as we all too often retreat to our own caves.

The setting is luscious, with an grey stone castle of obvious vintage on the edge of a deep water loch bordered by hills and mountains.  Makes you kind of want to be a billionaire or something. 

The story line is anchored by Glenbogle, the fictional estate, with its cast of interesting characters.  The series played in prime time in England, so the language and the subject matter are family oriented, but interesting.  I loved hearing the deep Scottish brogue, and have more than once wondered aloud if we should go and visit there.

Anyway, long story short--we finished the series the other night.  I can't reveal any details as a friend is watching it too, but it was satisfying and sentimental.

Says You Radio Show Taping

Last Saturday, my friend Judy and I got tickets for the taping of the radio show titled "Says You." Amazingly Judy's next door neighbor was right across the aisle and using my phone, he took this picture of us (that's why it's sort of soft-looking).

What is Says You? "A game of whimsy and words and bluff and bluster," according to the website. It was held at Pomona College in the Mabel Shaw Bridges Auditorium, built in 1931. Across the interior ceiling are huge renditions of the signs of the zodiac in creamy white, against an aqua background. It's an old-fashioned auditorium, with large red velvet curtains, cushy seats and a broad proscenium and stage. Lovely.

They had two shows to be taped, with lots of clever jokes, puns, recurring jokes. It was a good day, with good company.

Return to Cranford

Return to Cranford is the new show this week on Masterpiece Classic, and is a sequel to the first tale, Cranford, which aired last year. This new one is just as delightful, just as wonderful and was well worth my time at the computer, streaming it down from the PBS website.

Judy Dench leads a wonderful cast of actors who portray citizens in the small town of Cranford, just as the railroad comes to town. Hurry, though. The episodes are only available for a short time, and you don't want to miss them.