Vintage79: Mind@Play

Happy 34th Birthday, Aaron.

sireesanwar — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:45:16 GMT

I can't believe it has been 34 years since we lost you. It feels like it just happened. I wish we could visit your gravesite more often but it is so far away. I mean, I know you aren't there. You've been with God since that day 34 years ago. And I know we'll get to see you someday. We do think of you often. I wonder what you would be like and how you'd be with your sisters. You have 2 nieces and 2 nephews now. I bet you'd be a great uncle to them. Happy Birthday. We all love you.

What happened....

Friday Five: School

sireesanwar — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 01:18:10 GMT

from thefridayfive

1. Who was your favorite teacher?
Mrs. Taylor. Ronnie Taylor. She was awesome.

2. Why was that teacher so special?
When my best friend and I entered her class in the 6th grade she had taught our older sisters. Both of us were stressed out about that because both of our sister could be serious problems. But she loved both our sisters and us. Our social group loved her and she knew it. She kind of played favorites and let us stay inside the air conditioned class during recess where we'd talk or play with some kind of sack (it couldn't have been a hackey sack). She was strict but as long as we were good she was fine.

She loved an old show called Rider's in the Sky and I remember her and her love of that western. She also loved the California Raisins. She had a bank or statue of a California Raisin. While we were playing with that sack or ball we broke it. She'd stepped out. We were horrified and we didn't hide it. I remember Diane who actually through the sack being so upset Mrs. Taylor would hate her. She wasn't even mad. She did tell us we shouldn't have been throwing the thing in the classroom but I remember her hugging us and telling us we were already forgiven. We did try to glue it together for her.

She used to invite her students over (in groups with parents permission). I never got to go over but many did. I don't think my mom was against it. There was just never any time. When I was an adult and was visiting the area my best friend and I stopped by her house. She was outside in her yard. She immediately recognized us and though she was tiny she hugged us fiercely. We talked with her for a while.

Debbie (my BFF) texted me last year, I think, because she found that Mrs. Taylor had died. We were so heartbroken. It felt worse to me that she was only a couple hours away in Reno. I could have gone to see her but I was a year too late.

Still she was a teach that made all her kids love her and she was never far from your thoughts.

3. Do you think teachers get paid enough?
I don't know what teachers get paid all over the country but in California they make enough. They don't work the whole year and still make much more than I do. If I made that I'd have so much more financial freedom.

4. Do you have a favorite year of school?
Despite loving me 6th grade teacher. My favorite year was my freshman year of highschool. Most people act like that was the worst year for them but I loved it. I loved the rallies. I loved most of my classmates. I loved the friends I had and I enjoyed going to school. I gained a good group of friends in junior high and while a lot of them didn't go to the same highschool as I did... I was able to "collect" some great friends. We had a blast together and made great memories. Unfortunately, I didn't get to have the other 3 years with these friends because we moved. And I continued my highschool in a tiny school. I hated it.

5. If you could travel back in time and tell yourself something now that would have helped you get through school, what would you say?
Fight harder to go to the regular highschool. Don't give up on college just because it is boring as hell. And maybe be less afraid of what people think of you. Be you and if they don't like it then it is there loss.

Friday Five: Things

sireesanwar — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 20:17:21 GMT

From thefridayfive

1. What item would you be embarrassed for people to know you own?
Thinking... thinking... thinking... ummmm..... maybe.... a bunch of stuffed animals? I don't even know if I'm embarrassed by that. I like them. Get over it. I try not to just buy a bunch but I bought 2 peep bunny "pillow" recently and then when we were at Black Bear Dinner, I got an adorable black bear stuffed animal. He's freaking adorable.

2. What is something you splurged on just for you?
I almost never splurge on myself but like I said the black bear stuffed animal was the last thing. On and I bought into an app to watch my show. But only for the 2 months it will be on.

3. What is something that you own with no real world value that is priceless to you?
Just my favorite books.

4. Do you collect anything?
Books. Nothing regular. I don't love collecting things.

5. What item belonging to a friend/family member do you covet?
I don't really "covet" peoples things because that's not kosher. But I'm a little jealous most people I know have a good working car. LOL Yeah, I need to get me a car.

TV Talk: Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

sireesanwar — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 22:39:35 GMT

New show called The Black Dagger Brotherhood. Based on the book series by the same name written by J.R. Ward. This book series is one of my favorites. I still read them religiously and have re-read the series. There are some things I don't love about the series but overall I have enjoyed Ward's writing and several of her series.

A couple of years ago, Ward announced an agreement to put her series Black Dagger Brotherhood into a television format. This happens and then doesn't actually happen. Took over a decade for Outlander to actually be made. But things moved pretty fast and yesterday the first episode debuted on Passionflix.

I had never heard of Passionflix.

Passionflix is an entertainment streaming platform and production company. Founded in 2017 by director and producer Tosca Musk, screenwriter Joany Kane, and producer Jina Panebianco, it focuses on releasing original film adaptations of the best-selling romantic novels, while also streaming classic romantic movies. Passionflix also makes erotic thrillers. The Hollywood Reporter describes Passionflix productions in general as "saucier than Hallmark but much tamer than porn, tamer even than some R-rated movies."

I started looking around and noticed some titles of books I'd read. I was interested but didn't buy in until a couple of days ago when BDB was just about to come out. Because streaming services drop things typically on a east coast time table, I got to watch the premiere the night before. I was so giddy.

Is it cheesy?
Yep. The wigs aren't the best. The sets aren't the best. The special effects leave something to be desired. And there are some directorial decisions I would never make.

Did you like it?
Hell yes. I was stunned. I was kind of excited even though I thought there was no way this could be good. But I was surprised. Yes, the cheese factor is high but this is a company in its infancy and they pulled in a big get with Black Dagger Brotherhood. There is a huge fan base for these books and while a lot of the fans have been vocal that they don't want to see it... it seems they all came to the Passonflix table when it aired because the fans crashed their system. Apparently, Passionflix did not anticipate well just how many people would come to see their new project. They have a better idea now.

There were moments I laughed and it wasn't because it was funny. At one point Wrath disappears into thin air and I was like, "What the hell just happened?" And then I remember Ward's vampires dematerialize all the time. It's normal in the books. But it is shocking to see. There are some very cheesy moments and it is at its heart a paranormal romance BOOK. But boy was I hooked.

I watched it Wednesday night.
And I watched it again last night.

It was steamy too. I mean that is all in the books. But I appreciate they don't go as far as HBO, Cinemax, or Starz... or any others and just show everything. I feel like they kept it more R rated than NC17 or MA.

What is this season about?
The first season covers the first book Dark Lover which is about Wrath (king of the vampires) and who becomes his mate, half-vampire Beth. So here is the description of the first book.

The only purebred vampire left on the planet and the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who killed his parents centuries ago.

But when his most trusted fighter is killed -- orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate -- Wrath must put down his dagger and usher the beautiful female into another world.

Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn’t there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of the Brotherhood and blood frighten her. Yet his touch ignites a dawning new hunger one that threatens to consume them both…

Heck, more than that happens in the first book. Wrath faces some of his issues. He faces the Brotherhood. He faces being the king of the vampires all while helping his friends daughter survive her transition into a vampire. A friend who was killed by the soulless Lessers who are the sworn enemy of all vampires.

Is it a fantastically produced show like Outlander or Game of Thrones?
Nope. But it is a good time. And I'm kind of excited that 1 book is going to be 6 hours worth of television.

After watching the entire series, it is safe to say I'm hooked and I love these males like they are my beloved characters. There is no going back so I created a community here: blackdaggerbh

Flashback Friday: Making Music

sireesanwar — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 22:08:02 GMT

Did you have one of these bad boys?

Electron ECHO Mini Pianos. I remember having a lot of these. I feel like we broke them and then got new ones nearly every holiday. I remember getting them in Easter baskets and stockings. And we played with them. They came with little books that taught you how to play a few songs on them. It was a really good way to get kids interesting in music but I don't know if it was successful.

Crazy things is it is the same piano as the picture. Love it. And I definitely remember playing "Happy Birthday".

The Electron ECHO Mini Piano is a small, monophonic keyboard toy popular in the 1980s. It's known for its simple design, limited functionality, and a unique, slightly warbling sound. While often sold under different names, like "Echo Electron," it's primarily known for being a pocket-sized, mail-order musical instrument.

Origin: Developed in the 1980s as a pocket-sized, monophonic toy.

Unique Sound: It has a distinctive, slightly out-of-tune sound characterized by a warbling pitch as the battery depletes.
Limited Functionality: It can only play one note at a time and lacks an "off" switch.
Mail-Order Distribution: It was primarily sold through mail order rather than in traditional toy stores. But I do remember them being in some novelty stores in Souther California.
Simulated Version: The Electron ECHO Mini Piano has been digitally recreated as a mobile app that mimics the original toy's sound and features.
Continued Production: Despite its age, the Electron ECHO Mini Piano seems to have been continuously produced, though the packaging has changed.

You can actually get an app now that similates this retro toys sound but it costs $1.99 so I'm not interested.

Friday Five: Gifts

sireesanwar — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 18:45:44 GMT

I don't know how I missed this one.

from thefridayfive

1. What was the best gift you received?
When I was a kid it was probably my HitStix but as an adult it was money for my birthday trip to Disneyland.

2. What was the worst gift you received?
Easy. I got a tall vase and a crappy poster of Elvis (like the ones you can win at fairs). It wouldn't have been that bad as I was like 14 and into Elvis at the time BUT it was stuff from my cousins room. Like crap you'd put in a yard sale. Stuff I knew was hers. And her mom is the one who gifted it to me. My aunt who had the money to buy a real gift. If it has come from my cousin it would have just been thoughtful because she had no money. But the same aunt gave my 12 year old sister a paperweight that looked like an ashtray. When my sister opened it my Uncle (the aunt's husband) blurted out... "why did you get her an ashtray?"

Oh wait. That same aunt once gave me a book on losing weight for my birthday. Bitch! Like she should talk.

3. What gift did you wish for, but never got?
As a kid, video games. When I was 16 a car. Now... a car. And I know people can't just outright buy you a car but cash towards it would be great.... but I know my mom will probably get me cooking utensils I don't need or more dish towels.

4. What was the best present you gave?
My niece would say taking her to Disneyland (but I didn't pay for it). But I got my best friend a signed X-Files script way back when it was on and we were both big fans. She loved it.

5. What was the worst present you gave?

This happened recently. It is popular now to have chain bracelets and several of them... all different types of chains. Got my cousins daughter some for her birthday and they were WAY too big for her to wear. In my defense, her mom told me her wrist size and it was WAY off. They can be resized but her mom will never do it.

But according to my mom... everything we get her even if she ends up loving it. She literally always complains about her presents. And yet most of the people I know love what I get them... some never says so I assume they don't.

Can I add one? Has anyone ever forgotten your birthday?
Yes, my mother. She decided to have a yard sale ON my birthday. Not an issue because I figured she'd buy take out and we'd have cake after. No biggie. But all day no mention of my birthday. Nothing. Then my best friend's mom showed up to the yard sale and the first thing she said when she saw me was, "Happy Birthday, Jill." and gave me a big hug. My mom just looked at me and said, "I forgot."

We didn't eat out. There was no cake and she never said anything else about it. Not even Happy Birthday.

Flashback Friday: I See

sireesanwar — Fri, 30 May 2025 21:43:07 GMT

Do you remember these?

Most people had a View-Master. I mean they are still around in various forms. I remember having tons of slides in all kind of stories. A lot of Disney stuff but all kinds of things. And we had the above projector for a minute. The mechanism on the side that makes the slide change jammed up and we could never use it again. It was so fun to go into our rooms all sit on one bed and project the images on the wall in the dark. We had so much fun.

Did you know they weren't for kids, originally? It was created in the late 1930s, by William Gruber, so people could see images from all over, much like the victorian optial device known as a stereoscope. In fact, they were mostly sold to adults but ended up being used during WWII as a teaching tool so airmen could identify enemy aircrafts. It wasn't until 1951 when Gruber and his partner Harold Graves bought out a company called Tru-Vue which came with a license to all of the Disney characters.

In 1955, View-Master in conjunction with Disney started producing scenes from the theme park so people could see inside the park from their homes.

In 1969 the Apollo moon landing was depicted in a View-Master reel. And then just never stopped. It might be low tech but it captures the imaginations of everyone who encounter them.

If you had one, how many of the slides did you have?
If you didn't, was there some toy that just captured your imagination?

Friday Five: What sets you apart....

sireesanwar — Fri, 30 May 2025 21:24:25 GMT

From thefridayfive

1. What sets you apart from your friends?
Distance mostly but I get what your asking. Not having kids. Maybe my willingness to do different things and try stuff. They are always telling me I'm crafty or outgoing and I'm really not. They just aren't likely to do any of those things normally. My bestie in TX, however, decided to try staining her own furniture. Turned out well and I was super surprised because normally she wouldn't attempt it. Heck, I wouldn't attempt it.

2. What sets you apart from your family?
I'm sane. They aren't clinically mentally ill but having to deal with them, I'm positive most of them are. I probably have tendencies but they can be so manipulative and traumatizing.

3. What sets you apart from your coworkers/fellow students?
Same as #2 because unfortunately I work with a lot of family.

4. What is the one thing about you that is most unique?
I have no idea. I don't see myself as unique.

5. What is your most interesting quality?
These self reflection questions are the worst. I guess my ability to figure out technical things. I guess.

North of North: A show you should watch

sireesanwar — Fri, 30 May 2025 19:29:12 GMT

I was so bored and there was nothing to watch so I was clicking around in Netflix and found North of North. I'm the type of person who has watched a lot of single episodes because I will try things and then decide they aren't worth going back too. This was not the case here. The first episode wasn't the best episode but it was intriguing. So I watched more. And now I've finished the first season which was 8 episodes long.

I now need a second season, which is coming but when? Not soon enough!

What is it about?
A young Inuk woman in a tiny Arctic village strives to forge her own path, defying societal expectations and gossip in her tightknit community.

What is actually about?
Relationships. Trauma. Family. Community. Culture.

Siaja is getting out of a toxic relationship and wants more than just being a stay at home mom. She wants to be part of her Inuk community. She wants to help where she's needed. And she goes about finding a job and helping out in her own, sometimes disastrous way. But at the heart of the show is Siaja's heart. She is very likable and she cares. She goes out of her way to impress her boss but also, in one instance, help the elders in her community.

But the show is also about her family. Her mom's issues and how it has affected her.

It went so far as to address cultural trauma indigenous people have experienced without making life and the show about that. It actually brought up a good point that while people move past traumas their behaviors often are products of these traumas. Such is the case with Neeve, Siaja's mom. There is a lot of trauma there but by the end of the season we are led to believe Neeve is dealing with it.

Then there is her ex. Don't get me started. I do not like him, but I don't think you are supposed too. And then there is Kuuk, her possible love interest. There are obstacles but it is clear he has it bad for her. And as one elder tells him, "bring her meat." Apparently, an artic way of stating your intentions, which leaves me thinking it would actually be romantic. And I really want to see him do it.... at some point.

But through it all, it is a comedy and is funny.

I very much recommend it.

Lilo & Stitch (2025)

sireesanwar — Thu, 29 May 2025 23:50:31 GMT

Disney has been on a live action kick. Don't get me wrong there are Disney movies I would love to see as live action. I want to say Cinderella (2015) was the first but I think that was when they really became a big deal. Because before that they had The Jungle Book (1994), 101 Dalmatians (1996), and Alice in Wonderland (2010).

I, personally, loved The Jungle Book with Jason Scott Lee. I remember watching it over and over. And Disney has done a halfway decent job with most of the live-action. But the one the never needed to make apparently is Lilo & Stitch. I loved the cartoon. I laugh every time I watch it. But this movie was underwhelming.

Maia Kealoha as Lilo was pretty cute but most of the time I couldn't understand her. Sydney Agudong as Nani was good but her storyline actually detracted from the original message of the movie. "Ohana means family. No one get left behind or forgotten."

And if you are remaking a movie shouldn't the store be similar. They removed Gantu? He is the main protagonist in the original movie. They say it didn't work as well in the live-action but I believe it was about money. It would be expensive to film a shark person. But instead they made Jumba and Pleakley essentially the same but tried to imply they were the protagonists. And yet they weren't. Not only that but the duo were seen mostly as humans because of budgeting. So why couldn't they do that with Gantu?

And then there is Cobra Bubbles. In the original, he is the social worker but had previously worked as a man in black (it seems). He knew who the Grand Councilwoman was when she showed up to retreive Stitch. But now he IS part of the CIA and basically has very little to do in the movie. There seemed no reason to sideline him.

The original Lilo & Stitich was humorous. This one not so much. I'm fine with taking scenes and giving them an upgrade which they did in part. Stitches famous "destroy San Francisco" gag in the original turned into a sand castle display which could work except there was no reason not to do it in Lilo's room as originally played. Then the scene at Nani's work that in the new movie was played like a western showdown. It was cute and added to the new film, while at every other turn they detracted from the original story.

Overall, the movie left me wanting my money back and I got in for free!

There were some fun easter eggs in this movie.

Tina Carrere, who plays the social worker (yeah it should have been Cobra Bubbles), originally voiced Nani.

Amy Hill, who originally voiced Mrs. Hasagawa in the original film, is playing Tutu, David's grandmother.

Jason Scott Lee, the original voice of David, makes a brief cameo as Nani's boss at the Luau.

David is wearing Maui's fish hook as a necklace.

Jumba shows some of his designs for other experiments including: Angel, Leroy, Reuben, and Sparky.

Tutu, puts on the visor that Mrs. Hasagawa wore in the animated version.

Flashback Friday: Gobbles the Crazy Eating Goat

sireesanwar — Tue, 27 May 2025 22:07:06 GMT

I forgot to post this on Friday. Does anyone else remember Gobbles the Crazy Eating Goat? We had him when we were kids and I kind of want him back. My mom made us sell him when we moved and I've thought about him ever since. He actually came out before I was born. I don't know why we had him. I think my mom found him at a yard sale.

He came with different items that you put in his mouth, cranked his tail and he ate them. We either lost all those items or he didn't have them when we got them. We feed him nails and screws but we loved it and played with him constantly.

Good times.

Why can't I post on DW?

sireesanwar — Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:48 GMT

This weekend was quiet. Just doing some house work and picking up then relaxing. Our local county faire happened this weekend and while I used to go every year this year was 3x as expensive than past years. I need a car so I didn't go. Just stayed home and decided to watch shows.

Finished off: Yellowjackets S3. Holy cow. Why am I watching this craziness? And Shawna is so f-ed up.

Finished off Matlock: Again, why am I watching this show? I don't think it is that good. Came to it for Jason Ritter and Leah Lewis but liked it a little more for Skye P. Marshall's Olympia but the flashbacks and voice rememberings are hella annoying. Plus, from go I knew the answer to the big mystery. I mean I want to see how it pans out but I don't know if I actually care.

Finished 9-1-1: Man this show just got so sad. I love 9-1-1 but one of the main reasons was Bobby's dad persona for the 118. Without that what will we be? Then at the end they rushed through some life events we would likely have seen next season. It felt like a end to the show but they are getting a 9th season.

Finally finished The Pitt: I still don't know why I let people talk me into watching this show. I care about the characters a little more but the show was pretty boring until the mass casualty event which is what I go into shows for. I don't know if I'll watch the next season.

Started watching Found: Going into it, I assumed it got cancelled but apparently not. It really isn't that good of a show but it sucked me in because Mark-Paul Gossler's character Sir is a psycho and the whole gross relationship he has with Gabi is so demented. If the show was just about that, I'd like it more. I think that it is because they are pushing that they are there to help the helpless but they are so woke. They mean they take cases of people the cops and news just don't see. It's a BS concept on some levels. On others I agree. But my thing is that it isn't about the cops not being interested and more about how they can do their jobs. Watching the show you get that. They are officials so their hands are tied a lot. I don't like Gabi. She's kind of a bull in a China shop and she's constantly threatening people. But one thing I really hate. She's out in the fray running around in 5 inch heels and this is supposed to be progress for a woman character? I'm watching to figure out what happens with Sir and then I think I'll give up.

Started watching Watson too. I want to like it but I keep thinking it is like House only Watson is talking about Sherlock all the bloody time. It's okay.

I'm looking forward to Black Dagger Brotherhood which comes out beginning of June. I imagine it will be bad but I love the books so it will be interesting to see on screen.

Ginny & Georgia will be bad soon. Then Resident Alien. And Ironheart. I'm excited.

Saw Thunderbolts* or New Avengers again yesterday. I love it.

And for some reason when on Firefox and trying to post here I have to do it in a private window or it won't let me do anything. So frustrating.

Friday Five: Would you?

sireesanwar — Mon, 19 May 2025 23:24:33 GMT

From thefridayfive

1. You're holding a dinner party and can invite three famous people from the past or present; who would they be?
I don't know. I feel like one would be Robin Williams because you know the night would be eventful.

2. You have the opportunity to question someone about something you've always wanted to know and receive a truthful answer; what would your question be?
What happened to Satinik? This would be my great-grandmothers sister. She disappeared during the Armenian genocide and it presumed to have died. No one knows for sure what happened.

3. If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?
Yeah, too hard to pick one.

4. If you could save other people's lives by completing an act that would lead to your own death, would you do it?
Probably. Depends on the act I guess.

5. Would you commit murder if you knew that you could get away with it?
Nope. In no way is killing someone okay.

Flashback Friday: What's in your mouth?

sireesanwar — Fri, 16 May 2025 07:15:25 GMT

Do you remember Fruit Stripe gum and Hot Cinnamon Toothpicks?

The "Five Flavor Gum" was invented by James Parker and first sold in 1960 by the Beech-Nut company.[1] In 1981 Nabisco acquired Fruit Stripe through its purchase of the Beech-Nut Life Savers's candy line from E.R Squibb. Farley's & Sathers Candy Company acquired the Fruit Stripe brand name in 2003 from The Hershey Company. Farley's & Sathers merged with Ferrara Pan during 2012, forming the Ferrara Candy Company, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrero during 2017.

The flavors were wet'n wild melon, cherry, lemon, orange and peach. Ferrero officially discontinued it in 2024. I'm so sad. I kind of wanted some. I always had this one me in highschool.

Bud Harmon married Betty Carpenter in 1938 and together they owned and operated grocery stores and restaurants, and raised a family of seven children, in their hometown of McCook Nebraska. When wartime shortages made certain items hard to get, Bud began to develop and manufacture his own products — detergents, salad dressings, syrups, pie fillings, and biscuit and pancake mixes. This let to the launch of Harmon’s Restaurant Supply Co. – a restaurant supply business. The business was later renamed to Harmon’s Grain Products, Inc.

Examples included liquid malt, liquid sun tea and a tobaccoless chew made from the discarded tea leaves. In the 1950’s Bud came up with the idea of dipping the lowly toothpick into a mixture of cinnamon flavoring to help curb appetites and smoking urges. Soon other flavors were added, and Harmon’s Flavored Hot-Pix became a well-known national brand.

OMG, I remember having tons of these and sharing them my freshman year of highschool. I remember going to the mall, going to the second floor, and going to a specific store (don't remember the store name) and picking up more. I don't know why they were so popular. When I moved to NorCal, I couldn't get them. And now I wouldn't even buy them because now I hate cinnamon things... well not cinnamon rolls.

Those were my nostalgic snacks as a teen. Did you have something like this you were into as a teen?

I won????

sireesanwar — Wed, 14 May 2025 20:20:28 GMT

Apparently, I won the #LJ26 "How you celebrate competition." And to think I wasn't going to respond. But it was right after Easter and when I read the post; my mind started working on a response. So I responded.

I won a year pro package on LJ. I'm excited.

Here is my response.

Flashback Friday: Learn to skate

sireesanwar — Fri, 09 May 2025 21:26:54 GMT

Fisher Price 1-2-3 Grow with Me Adjustable Skates

Does anyone else remember these? Or even had them. We had them when I was a kid and I remember loving them but being rather afraid to put wheels under me.

I never did learn to skate.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

sireesanwar — Thu, 08 May 2025 22:11:37 GMT

I'm all for clean energy and more environmentally friendly efforts. But only if they work. I understand trying to lessen the dependency on energies that produce pollution... (not carbon, as it is good for the environment). Clean air is important. Not polluting the planet with toxic chemicals is important. But you can't rely on "renewable" energy.

Renewable energy is an unstable product. It does produce the inertia needed to supply the power grid when there is a shortfall and you cannot make enough to supply the masses during cold snaps or heat waves. Case in point. Spain. They were relying heavily on renewable energy and their energy grid crapped out on them. Solar and wind don't produce a steady supply and weather easily interrupts them.

The joke about renewable energy is most of the time the only way to produce it is to have environmentally harmful components or rely heavily on traditional methods of power. This defeats the purpose.

Texas started relying on renewable energy in the form of solar several years back and when a cold snap came in with a freeze, there solar panel farms were useless leaving citizens without power. This isn't true with more traditional power sources.

Canadians will tell you about 60% of their power comes from hydroelectric but they have a backup of nuclear and gas (traditional). They even have coal sources. These are to enable renewable energy to be used because you can't rely on renewable alone. Granted hydroelectricity is far more stable than solar and wind.

The problem with hydroelectricity in the US is that most states aren't using it and someplace like California is too worried about appeasing environmentalists to sustain it.

California's power grid is a joke. The proof is in the pudding.

California is rarely extremely cold. So, our winter months are made up of far less power outages, which didn't used to be true. We used to have power go down at the slightest wind. Now, when the temperatures rise (90-115) the air conditioners are running to keep people alive and the power goes down. Much of the reason for this is that California has gotten away from their natural resource (Natural Gas) and have turned to wind, solar, and hydro. Hydro would help, if they'd stop removing dams and reservoirs, but solar and wind can't pick up the slack to millions of citizens.

If you want more renewable energy you have to have it backed up with something because it isn't sustainable. The real kicker in places that have converted heavily to renewable is when they are working with solar, they haven't gone through and added solar panels to homes and buildings. No instead they cut down trees (millions in some cases) to create a solar farm. The stupidity.

If you want a solar farm.... use the buildings. OR use all the bare patches of land. Start putting in parking lots with covers all with solar panels. I've seen this somewhere and it is brilliant. Shade for cars that get extremely hot in the summer, and they are producing power.

But then there is storage. It is not too hard to store energy for small scale things like a home, BUT for larger scale like the state they would rely on Lithium battery storage. Lithium batteries are made by destroying the earth. Good choice.

Look, am I an environmentalist? No. Mostly because they make extremely poor decisions and never think past the thing they are screaming about. I believe in Dominion. That is what is mandated by God for humans. Have dominion over the earth. This doesn't mean doing whatever you want. It means having respect. Caring for animals and treating them well, even if they are being raised for food. Taking care of the planet by not destroying it with lithium farms.

Nuclear isn't my favorite but it is the best source of energy and quite clean when done well. Coal is filthy but again, the earth provides it. Still, it isn't the best source. Hydro is good. Natural gas and oil are good as well. I know we are all about electric vehicles, but they are a problem because they are far more harmful to the environment than gas powered cars. And people love to say, oil isn't renewable, but it is. The earth produces it. It is giving us what we need, and we are now saying this is a bad thing.

People hate the drilling, but oil will come up from the ground on its own. It will pollute the ocean on its own. Humans need to have dominion and drilling it. Bring it out so it doesn't erupt on its own and kill wildlife and destroy habitats. Of course, humans are imperfect, and they tend to do the easy and wrong things which is why something like Deepwater Horizon happens. Which is why we have recovery efforts in place.

It will never be a perfect world but working with the planet is smarter than damaging it by not acting or doing the wrong thing.

Today in 2004

sireesanwar — Tue, 06 May 2025 17:31:16 GMT

The last episode (The Last One) aired. And we had to say goodbye to new adventures with our Friends. But they old adventures were still there and that also started the perpetual rewatch of the Friends episodes. And if you've never seen the show (where have you been?) you really should. I'll admit some of the earlier episodes aren't my favorites but it is a very funny show.

Thunderbolts*: Thoughts

sireesanwar — Mon, 05 May 2025 19:29:01 GMT

I have been waiting for Thunderbolts* to come out for so long. I was so annoyed they kept pushing it back. I am so glad it is out and yes I will own it. I adore Marvel. I don't think I ever thought I would. Growing up everything was DC and I wasn't a comic reader so I didn't know much about Marvel but "Captain America" sounded a bit cheesy. I was wrong. I admit it. I love Captain America: The First Avenger. Cap was the man. And Bucky was pretty cool but it was so sad watching him die. But I think in the first Captain America, you are more ingrained in Cap's emotions and being sad about the death of his best friend. I don't think you have time to adore Bucky. You like him but you don't get the chance to really get attached.

But then Captain America: Winter Soldier happened. And we got Bucky. James Bucchanan "Bucky" Barnes as the Winter Soldier. Tortured. Brainwashed. Confused. I still loved Cap but Bucky was that guy you couldn't help but love. Well, I couldn't help but love him. But I think a huge part of that is Sebastian Stan. I'd seen him in stuff here and there. I always thought he did a great job but his characters were often small. Then he went from Captain America: The First Avenger to Once Upon a Time as the Mad Hatter which made me really like him. And now that I'm watching Gossip Girl. I was happy to see him even if his character is awful. I like watching his movies... but some just don't appeal to me.

Anyways. The movie.

Yelena is in it. I do love Yelena. Black Widow is one of my favorites of the MCU. The dynamic between Natasha and Yelena is the best.

So the premise is that Yelena wants a more meaningful job than cleaning up messes for Valentina. But Valentina is trying to cover her ass and sends her ragtag team of misfits to a secure facility to kill each other. Yelena, Taskmaster, US Agent (John Walker, former Captain America), and Ghost are all sent to kill one another.

Taskmaster is killed by Ghost.

It becomes clear they were sent there to kill each other when everything locks down. In the preceeding fight, some boxes got knocked around and out of one comes Bob. No one knows anything about Bob. The group has to work together to get out before they are incinerated. It is like watching Stooges in the best way. A favorite moment happens here... Cucumbers. If you've seen it, you know.

There are some major revelations about Bob. Yeah, I didn't know anything about this character going in so good surprises. I loved the relationship between Yelena and Bob. Despite Yelena's unhappiness and cynical view of things, she was there for Bob and cared and that plays out through the movie. I love their "relationship" and how we get to see more growth there. I'd ship them but I'm willing to let them be just friends for now... but still.

And, of course, another awesome part is when Bucky enters the fray. In typical Winter Soldier fashion it happens on a motorcycle and that arm plays a fun part. There and some humor about his arm and his "age" but one of the things I love about his character is the out of time aspect. Same with Cap.

Alexei's humor is great in the movie. David Harbour is a great actor. I've been loving him in EVERYTHING. He is literally in everything now. While he seems bumbling at times, he's a hero at heart and a caring dad. Yelena and Alexei's interactions are so great.

I kind of loved that the point of this movie was the relationships we create and being there for someone.

I recommend this movie and I really liked it. Oh and there is a mid-credit and post-credit scene. So stay for those. The mid-credit is just fun but the post is for the furture of Marvel. YEAH!

Rating:

Some images....

Marvel Movies:
The Infinity Saga: Phase One (2008-2012)

- Iron Man (May 2, 2008)

- The Incredible Hulk (June 13, 2008)

- Iron Man 2 (May 7, 2010)

- Thor (May 6, 2011)

- Captain America: The First Avenger (July 22, 2011)

- Marvel’s Avengers (May 4, 2012)

Phase Two (2013-2015)

- Iron Man 3 (May 3, 2013)

- Thor: The Dark World (November 8, 2013)

- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (April 4, 2014)

- Guardians of the Galaxy (August 1, 2014)

- Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 1, 2015)

- Ant-Man (July 17, 2015)

Phase Three (2016-2019)

- Captain America: Civil War (May 6, 2016)

- Doctor Strange (November 4, 2016)

- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (May 5, 2017)

- Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7, 2017)

- Thor: Ragnarok (November 3, 2017)

- Black Panther (February 16, 2018)

- Avengers: Infinity War (April 27, 2018)

- Ant-Man and the Wasp (July 6, 2018)

- Captain Marvel (March 8, 2019)

- Avengers: Endgame (April 26, 2019)

- Spider-Man: Far From Home (July 2, 2019)

The Multiverse Saga: Phase Four (2021-2022)

- Black Widow (July 9, 2021)

- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (September 3, 2021)

- Eternals (November 5, 2021)

- Spider-Man: No Way Home (December 17, 2021)

- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 6, 2021)

- Thor: Love and Thunder (July 8, 2022)

- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (November 11, 2022)

Phase Five (2023-2024)

- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (February 17, 2023)

- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5, 2023)

- The Marvels (November 11, 2023)

- Deadpool & Wolverine (July 26, 2024)

- Captain America: New World Order (February 14, 2025)

- Thunderbolts* (May 2, 2025)

Phase Six (2025-2027)

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025)

Avengers: Doomsday (May 1, 2026)

Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027)

For madman01

sireesanwar — Mon, 05 May 2025 17:53:17 GMT

Thanks for the message. I actually tried to respond but because of your journal settings, I was unable. I friended you for this reason.

Friday Five: Books, TV, & Movies

sireesanwar — Thu, 01 May 2025 21:14:16 GMT

From thefridayfive

1. What is your all time favorite book?
I think it is still Outlander. I can't think of another book that comes close.

2. What is your all time favorite movie?
I don't know. I have a lot of favs. Here are my genre go tos:
Romance: While You Were Sleeping, Little Women (with Winona Ryder), Pride & Prejudice (Kiera), The Notebook, It Ends With Us (being ruined), Moulin Rouge!, The Holiday
Action: Twister, A lot of the Marvel movies..., Speed, Godzilla 2014
Drama: Apollo 13, Hunger Games movies,
Disaster movie: Deepwater Horizon or The Impossible
Fantasy: Labyrinth, Princess Bride, Willow, Harry Potter movies

3. What are you reading right now?
Temperance of the Shackleford Sisters by Beverly Watts

4. What is your favorite show on TV?
Currently on. I think it is Tracker. I just love it. Stranger Things. The Witcher (with Henry), Bridgerton. But always and forever: Friends, The Pretender, and Firefly.

5. What is the last movie you saw in the theater?
Let me think... let me think... hmmmm.... Captain America: Brave New World. I like Sam. Don't get me wrong. By Steve is always going to be Cap to me. And logically Bucky would make a great Cap... super soldier and all. I don't love Sam as Cap but it might be better if he was a Super Soldier. I just keep thinking he's going to die... and going up against a Hulk!? How did he not die?

There are a lot of movies coming up including Thunderbolts* which I'm super excited about. Yay for more Bucky.

I'm all about traditions! My choice is family and home!

sireesanwar — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 18:47:38 GMT

LiveJournal is celebrating its 26th birthday!

Birthday is a special holiday. Some prefer fancy celebrations with a crowd of guests, while others would choose peace and serenity. Everyone has their own unique way of celebrating!

As for me, I prefer gatherings with family & friends.

Warmth, coziness, sense of belonging

A holiday is a tradition that brings the family together. It is a moment when you feel as a part of something eternal, of a circle where you are loved and supported simply for being who you are. Such days remind us of the importance of our beloved ones, the warmth of home, and the strength of family ties that grant our lives their true meaning.

How do I feel about holidays? Let me tell you!

What were holidays like when I was a child?

When I lived in Southern California, we'd pile into the car and go to either my Uncle Don's house (my father's brother) or my Aunt Martha's house (my mother's sister). We had fun at both but I'd say my aunt's house was more fun.

First, my aunt's children were much closer to our age so we had fun playing with our cousins. Second, there were more restrictions at our uncle's house.

Both families had a cousin that was nearly an adult who were the sweetest woman in the world and I adored both my cousin Laura (uncle's daughter) and my cousin Christine (aunt's daughter). After Laura got married, we barely saw her.

Our family eventually moved to Northern California, to live closer to more of my mom's side of the family. BUT my cousin Christine is still the sweetest person who goes out of her way to make people feel special and loved. I think she'll always be one of my favs...

But one of my favorite things about going to my Aunt's house for Christmas Eve was the drive home. It would be really late and we'd stop in neighborhoods that were decked out in Christmas lights for the season. You could drive through tunnels of lights and see fantastic displays. It was magical.

Now, we gather for all major holidays for food and fun. Lots of food, lots of talking (and being loud), and so many games. When we were much younger we would stay up late playing games before going home. Now that we are all adults, we don't stay as late but always games.

This Easter, we had a bunch of Armenian food (some recipes on my journal) and had a huge Easter egg hunt for all the little cousins (nearly 300 filled plastic eggs).

We do the egg hunt every year. At Christmas we do a White Elephant exchange. Both are enjoyable those we need to work the kinks out of the WE for the kids. Crying is always involved.

What are the crucial ingredients for a good holiday?

Lots of food. You need options. And leftovers. One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving and Christmas is that you had a week, if not longer, of leftovers that give you great snacks, easy lunches and dinners.

But I think spending time with my family and having fun is the most crucial. I look forward to it every year.

What's my favorite holiday?

I always want to say Christmas because it is just magical but having just experienced Easter... I think that might be better food wise. Probably because that tends to be the time of the year we all break out the family Armenian recipes and get cooking. So for me it is a toss up between Christmas and Easter.

What was my most memorable celebration in recent years?

Hmmm... probably just at Easter. Hiding nearly 300 filled plastic Easter eggs for a dozen kids so they have an amazing time; is pretty fun. However, some how we had nearly 17 eggs that were not found. Our plastic eggs are kept in those 18 egg holding cartons from the store. So they are all in their cartons and stored in a big container. So that gets broken out every year. Having them in the cartons means we don't have to count them... just fill the cartons back up. But like I said 17 were missing.

But there is now an extra bag with "medium" sized eggs that don't fit into the cartons. Some of the kids looked for hours afterwards and found some of the larger eggs that are not part of the egg carton count. And one egg from last year was found. Yuck.

How would I like to celebrate one of the future holidays if I didn't have to worry about money?

If money wasn't an obstacle but made it possible... I'd love to take the family somewhere for a holiday. Like a family away holiday. Rent a house somewhere fun. Somewhere my cousin April doesn't have to worry about stairs and other issues that are obstacles for her MS. So she could also relax and just enjoy herself.

I've always wanted to go overseas for Christmas. Germany. Some of the Scandinavian countries. Sometimes magical. Also, if I got to go to Germany I could visit my friend there. She's visited me and I've always wanted to visit her but it is never possible.

April's kids have never been to Disneyland and I would love to take them. Honestly, I think I'd take all who wanted to go including my best friends and their families. I think that would be amazing... go for an extended trip.

How do you feel about celebrations?

Pick your option and share your story!

I remember....

sireesanwar — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 23:12:58 GMT

After the siege of Van (then in Armenia) was already underway, an invitation by the government to a group of 250 Armenian leaders to assemble at Constantinople where they were arrested and then executed. It is in memory of that April 24, 1915, event that the date of the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day was later set.

On July 21, 1915, the city of Van was ordered to evacuate. A Russian soldier (the czar had allied with Great Britain and France against the Ottoman Turks) that had befriended my great-grandparents, gave them two horse with which they fled. The gathered "important" things including a family rug they used on one horse for riding.

My great-grandmother was pregnant at the time.

They fled north crossing the Bendimahi River, where they crossed with the help of said horses while the Ottoman Turks murdered Armenian's left on the shore. They eventually made it to Archangel Russia, where they were treated as enemies (believed to be Ottoman Turks). Russian officials wanted to send them to Siberia, however, an English officer overheard my great-grandfather speaking English and asked how he spoke it so fluently. One of the few "important" things my great-grandparents had with them was my great-grandfather's diploma from the University of Edinbugh. According to the English officer, graduating from a British University made him virutally an English citizen. He helped convince officials to sell them passage to Ellis Island in New York. They arrived in October of 1915 where they made a life, had my grandfather in April the next year, and served to help other Armenians find any family that remained.

Friday Five: Feelings?

sireesanwar — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:36:28 GMT

From thefridayfive

1. Who was your first crush?
The babysitter's son. I was like 5 and he was 18. His name was David and I remember nothing about him except that he was nice to little kids.... and I told him I was going to marry him. FYI that didn't happen.

2. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert... except online.

3. What is your favorite non-sexual thing you like to do with the love of your life?
Don't have a love of my life.

4. What is one quirky habit your partner does that either annoys you or makes you grin?
Don't have a significant other.

5. Do you believe in monogamous relationships?
Yes. I want one guy and when I find him that will be it. I think the trick is finding him.

Sleep, TV and frustrating family

sireesanwar — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:45:13 GMT

This weekend was so good. Sleep. I got to sleep in for way longer than planned on Saturday. I think I needed it. I haven't been getting a lot of sleep because there has been so much going on that by the time I get into bed I'm shorting myself on sleep. Not cool. So this weekend was event and obligation free so I decided to make it a relaxing weekend of sleeping in and binging stuff.

So I got about 3 hours of extra sleep on Saturday. I woke up shocked I'd slept so late but total rested. It was amazing.

I listened to this podcast about Melatonin and how people assume it is to make you sleep but all it does is help your body get there. So Melatonin is a super anti-oxidant. Our bodies need anti-oxidants to help fight off illness, stress, and inflammation. In the podcast, podcaster even stated that recent studies suggest you can dose yourself during the day because Melatonin is light sensitive. So during the day it isn't making you sleepy but at night it will help with falling and staying asleep.

I have never had trouble falling asleep but I'm a very lite sleeper so I wake up constantly which means I do not get restful sleep. The Melatonin has been working wonders there. I have been sleeping through the night and waking feeling more rested. But because I've been going to bed late or having to get up even earlier... not enough sleep.

Hence, the catching up. I can't say enough how much I needed that. I caught up on some shows: Monarch, The Rookie, Ghosts (US), Finding Your Roots, and For All Mankind. I also watched a Doc on Zodiac on Netflix. I think it was called This is the Zodiac Speaking. It was okay. I mean in the first episode I was convinced but as you keep watching you realize all of it is speculation. They have no real evidence. I mean it sounds highly possible this Allen guy could have been the Zodiac Killer but there needs to be some proof like with Jack the Ripper and the DNA match.

I also watche G20 with Viola Davis. I mean it wasn't bad but it was like all of the Presidential actions movies. She's a badass and she kicks butt. But so do all the other Presidential action movies. I do think my favorite part is when the South African operatives find her kids and the son sees them in action he says, "You're from Wakanda." That cracked me up.

I also retried The Pitt. I can't say I love it. Is it a gritty medical drama that seems realistic. Sure. But can you follow it. Not a chance. I know ERs move quickly but the way they bounce around makes it hard to follow or invest in a case. And covid. Look, I get it happened, but I don't want it in my shows. I go to shows for a break from reality.

I think the highlight of the weekend was having a new episode of Tracker to watch. It was an intense one too. Really good but intense.

And discovered this weekend that the guy my niece followed to Arizona, she broke up with like several months ago. She's now sharing an apartment with a friend. I don't know why she doesn't share these things. I mean we don't have to have a retelling of her life but we talk and text with her and I'm sure we mention him but she doesn't say.. oh we broke up? Why the secrecy? Just tell us because Easter is coming and we were going to send them both stuff. I'm so glad what we bought is generic and not just for him. Geez. I mean I don't need her to text me and say, "We broke up." But when her birthday came around in March she told us any gifts needed to go to a new address. And we were under the impression they moved into a new apartment together. Why not just say then that she moved in with her friend and her and Mario split. AHHH. Whatever.