THIS WAS ONLY THREE WEEKS AGO…‽ https://twitter.com/petersagal/status/1245391575439548427

The one overwhelming question I have while watching @colbertlateshow with @StephenAtHome at home is “what is his son using as a camera and lighting rig? It looks GREAT!”

Because I need something g to do to fill time, I’m watching “Gone With the Wind” which I’ve never watched all the way through. Its casual approach to human slavery is super creepy (black characters lack surnames) but I need time fillers!

It’s on Netflix in Canada.

Oh wow! The introductory text talks of how this long ago time of Masters and Servants is some sort of life you can only dream of now! Dream? As in, ‘to yearn?’ Lordy!

And the Wilkes Family is well known for marrying its cousins!

So that… was a thing… I guess…

Taking the Colbert people out of this.

Why does Miss Scarlet’s father speaking with such a thick bad Irish accent? Also, why does she not sound southern either? Odd.

But man is the colour cinematography splendid!

But the people of colour’s dialogue can only be described as ‘Uncle Tomming.’ I apologize for using that phrase, but I cannot think of another way to describe it.

These are the oldest-looking teenage girls I’ve ever seen. Even so, Rhett Butler looks old enough to be their grandfather.

I just paused the thing to get some water because– OH MY GOD THIS THING IS ALMOST FOUR HOURS LONG!!!

WHAT IS SHE DOING AGREEING TO MARRY HAMILTON OUT OF SPITE? WHAT AN IDIOT!!

Also, I’ve got much farther into the movie than I ever have before. Last time was in the afternoon nap scene when I realized all of those young ladies were not going to make out and I was dossapointed.

Well, that was a short marriage, and now she’s a widow.

I wonder if •they• made out before he went off to war?

Why would anyone name their daughter ‘Pittipat?’ Maybe it’s a family name.

Ah, it’s ‘Pittypat,’ or simply ‘Pitty’ to close relatives. It makes so much more sense now.

At a Monster Bazaar to raise money for a hospital to treat southern soldiers, there’s a portrait of Lincoln with the title “Our President,” but also a sign saying “Buy a Hankie, Beat a Yankee,” so there’s some need for strengthening of messaging here.

Meanwhile, bidding to dance with young ladies being termed as slave auction’ is a too little too late, frankly.

Ah, just realized it would be a mathematical impossibility for that portrait to be of Lincoln.

The woman who married Ashley Wilkes is both incredibly stupid for not recognizing why Scarlett is worried about him, and far too good a person to be hanging around anywhere near Scarlett.

Comsidering all the jumping through the war’s details with title text, it’s amazing that the plot doesn’t move along quicker.

WOOOOOAAAHH! Just had Prissy (Butterfly McQueen) referred to as ‘a simple-minded darkie.’ Holy shit! Prissy is a bit of a ditz, but… yikes!

…and intermission (featuring Beautiful Dreamer), right after the “as God is my witness, I’ll never go hungry again” moment. Wow. Talk about an obstacle.

Gotta love a film with an Entr’act.

Took the opportunity provided by the intermission to achieve “Inbox 3!” W00T!

Just had the Yankee Deserter shot in the face. Just before, Pa told Miss Scarlett to be firm, but kind with servants, ‘especially darkies.’ No word of emancipation being part of that kindness, though.

The scene with Rhett proposing to Miss Scarlett reminds me of the scene early in Richard III where he proposes marriage to the newly widowed wife of the man he just killed.

I’m surprised at how much of a non-ending there is. She’s going to go back to Tara, Rhett won’t come back to her probably, and… what of Ashley and his son? What of her in her old age? What of the mill? What of Mammy and Pork? Odd.

Overall, ★★★☆☆ because of performances and cinematography.

This factoid does not surprise me in the slightest.

“Vivien Leigh worked for 125 days and received about $25,000. Clark Gable worked for 71 days and received over $120,000.”

This evening’s film was Wes Anderson’s “Isle of Dogs.” A delightful and inventive road movie / tale of redemption told with wit and heart-touching joy for life and truth. ★★★★★.

But here’s a little detail culled from IMDb in their ‘goofs’ section, the phrasing of which gets super dark at the end, and is absolutely perfect because of it:

“Messenger owl drinks water. Owls do not drink water; the only fluid in their diet is the blood of their prey.”

I just dug through the @pchh feed to find their episode from March of 2018 where they discuss the film, which I'll listen to later today.

Wednesday, I watched "Gone With the Wind." Pretty sure they haven't been on the air long enough to discuss that when it came out. Probably.

Tonight’s film was “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” which has held up far better than I expected. Its message of “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” still resonates. Watch it again on Netflix in Canada. ★★★★☆

Gaming has taken me to Batman: Arkham Origins, which I’ve played before, but it’s been quite awhile. It’s probably got too many side challenges, but right now, who cares‽ ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯

This evening movie was “Escape from Alcatraz,” the only potentially successful escape from the most secure prison of its time. Slow, quiet, but thrilling. ★★★☆☆ Eastwood when he was at his prime, IMHO.

Current book I’m reading (because movies and video games are not enough on their own) is “The Big Nowhere” by James Ellroy. The vocabulary of police in LA in 1950 is racist, which matches reality of the time (and even now, c’mon). Still, great characters and plot so far! (Chap 5)

Just saw a tweet by @jpadamson about how she hasn’t had coffee since this thing started. Neither have I! I’m not sure how I feel about that, but it’s true: not a drop. I’ll make some tomorrow morning so that I don’t go back to bed and I can… uh… get all that… gaming done?

Earlier today I saw a tweet from @scribofelidae about her Podcast app incurring her wrath. I’m guessing it had to do with “Episode Unavailable,” which is something I am dealing with now, and have a few times in the recent weeks. Having to delete the app, re-download it, then sync

Okay, sure, that solves the problem, but on an iPhone, ISN’T IT SUPPOSED TO ‘JUST WORK‽’ ISN’T THAT YOUR THING, ? I mean, C’MON!!

Okay, time to make a salad, celebrate the Healthcare workers at the top of the hour, then watch something to fill up the evening.

It’s a life. ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯

Oh! Turns out I have no lettuce. So! An errand!! Whee!!!

Today’s ‘event’ is laundry! Woo-hoo!

Laundry is completed, but the folding and putting away waits whilst I put together a formal application for the job I did as a ‘casual employee’ which has been posted for a week as a ‘permanent’ position on the Canada Employment Job Bank.

Not entirely sure why the job has been posted, and am not jumping to the conclusion I’m being snubbed for any reason. I’m guessing that either someone has actually quit, or they’re expecting a larger work load once this thing finishes up. Also possible that this is the job…/

…/ that I was told was coming, once they got a few things in place first. The timing is certainly right.

Anyway.

Just covering myself in case they see any of my blathering nonsense.

Of course, I’m flattering myself that •anyone• pays attention to my blathering nonsense.

Last night’s movie was “Zero Dark Thirty,” directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Dark, difficult to watch at times, and that the torture techniques were not condemned is a distinct shortcoming. That said, well made. ★★★★☆, losing the final star due to lack of humanity.

Tonight’s entertainment was a double-bill! First, “End Times Fun,” the latest stand-up special by Marc Maron. He’s funny to me, with observations which are sometimes WAY TOO UNSETTLING but he’s so darned charming with it! The ending reminded me of Bill Hicks’ material. ★★★★☆

Following that happy-go-lucky bit of wit was “Suburbicon.” Directed by George Clooney, and written by him with the Cohen Brothers, it’s a bit of silly fun with puns and old Abbot & Costello feel good laughs!

OK; it’s urban satire / horror / murder with race relations. ★★★★☆

Seriously, there’s a lot going on in that film, and I liked it a great deal. If you ever thought that the late-50s Americana was creepy as hell, this is right up your alley.

Also, Marc Maron’s reminding me of Bill Hicks’ material is a very good thing. To me, at least.

Today is Day №2 of people applying for either CERB or EI support owing to COVID-19, and here's the latest version of a 'plain English version' of how all of the various options may apply to you. https://twitter.com/JenniferRobson8/status/1246838616522993669?s=20

If you're in BC, then you still need to wait to apply for either the one-time $1,000 "BC Emergency Benefit for Workers" as well as the temporary rent supplement of $500 for low and moderate income renters which is paid directly to landlords. Those aren't set-up for applications.

They will be soon, as they're still saying "the middle of the month."

Additionally, BC Hydro has a Customer Crisis Fund Grant: https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/bill-payment/ways-to-pay/customer-crisis-fund.html, a one-time grant for residential customers dealing with financial hardship of job loss, illness or loss of wages.

This is part of their COVID-19 Relief Fund, which covers three times the monthly average bill, you have until June 30 to apply, and is a GRANT not a deferral of the charge. Full details on all the options here: https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/bill-payment/ways-to-pay/covid-19-relief-fund/residential.html?WT.mc_id=nl_res_COVID19relief

It's important to note that the COVID-19 Customer Assistance Program also gives you the option to defer payments or arrange a flexible payment plan to help you pay your bills, rather than a grant if you do not need that level of assistance.