Ouch

I think I did get concussed from that bop on the head. I never went to the doc, but through the 4th I was dizzy every time I stood up. As a precaution I curbed any strenuous activity, but it's been 36 hours since the last spell (still got the bump )and I'm itching to go on a decent bike ride.

A Bunch of Who

Pyramid at the End of the World is the seventh episode of this season of Doctor Who.  Mighty fine,  but (spoiler) don't think I didn't notice they had the American surrender first (well, after the UN  but that went beyond saying) No coincidence that,  and bollocks.

"Empress of Mars" is one of the best standalone episodes of New Era Who.  What a hoot  - and a nod to the 3rd Doctor to boot!

"Eaters of the Light" was another good standalone, albeit with the superfluous "I'm gay" scene mandated by the servants of PC. Good on the Doctor for checking that ridiculous anti-Roman speech: too bad about the indoor toilets; enjoy your thatch huts.

The two part season finale was very impressive, albeit a bit deflated by BBC spoilers in the lead-up. Missy finally endeared herself to me, Nardole got his due, and the end was blissfully free of deus ex machina solutions. In fact, it was not a true end, but merely a pause in the action, a realistic outcome that was a nice change of pace. Spoiler: that doesn't apply to Bill's exit, which was fairy tale bs. I'm sad to see her go; she was 12's best companion by far. The return of the 1st Doctor was, naturally, welcome.

Facts

Yesterday I pointed out that a racist quote attributed to Lincoln was in fact composed in a letter TO him in 1862 by a man concerned Lincoln would free the slaves. I do not understand the desire to besmirch someone long dead, especially someone who accomplished as much in his life. Was Lincoln racist by the standards of 2017? I'm sure. But by the standards of 1862 he was a dangerously colorblind man. God help us all when the citizens of 2167 judge us by the criteria of their world.

AP World History

In the good news department, YaYa passed her AP World History exam with a score qualifying her for college credit!

Fireworks on the 4th!

The finale at Humboldt was AWESOME!

Fireworks '17

Vintage Baseball

Smiley and I now join you from the annual 1860's baseball game,  already in progress . . 

I bought this tee shirt at the ballgame to help subsidize it's return next year!

1776

Truer words were never spoken Ron.

Hit the Pause Button

It's the 4th of July. If I can pause political posts so can you my Lefty friend.

A Great Moment

As I was driving to pick up the family,  I could see the fireworks over the lake and their reflection in the skyscrapers downtown.  The blasts filled the warm night sky with sound,  and a moment later the echo off the buildings added to the din.   It was wonderful.  I may not say it often,  but rare is the moment I'm not grateful to be alive. There is so much to enjoy in every moment.

The Great Wall

This was the movie that was accused of "whitewashing" Chinese culture. Huh.  Well, it's a fantasy movie (the enemy are green monsters), and it has prominent Chinese leads, so the only strike against it would seem to be having Matt Damon star, but his character serves as a convenient Watson for everyone else to explain things to, and he's not even the big hero.   It's not a very good movie, but it's hardly a slur on China.

The Power Rangers Movie

I'm not going as far as Smiley, but it was REALLY good for what it was. I don't know the mythology of the show, beyond watching a few episodes with Jonah Slapczynski back in the day, but the movie treated the subject with respect and gravitas and you can count me impressed.