possibilities

I almost never use Peacock or Hulu, so I let both of them lapse this month. But now I feel like I should get them. I'm trying to be rational, though. I want to see Poker Face, if they ever release another season. Not sure what else, though. I think I did watch something on one of them recently, but now I can't remember what it was or which service it was on.

Apparently there's a whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak. I don't know if it's everywhere, or just local to here. I read about it in the local newspaper, They were begging people to get vaccinated for it-- apparently it's one of the ones you're supposed to get every 10 years, and most people don't know that. Ginger tea with honey and all the sympathy you can use! We should probably go to the small talk thread if we're going to continue talking ailments....

One of my doctors has a patient who was still cycling at 60. I didn't know that was possible, either-- and it is defintiely rare. But I was regular as clockwork until about a year ago, and no other symptoms, either. Of course, since then, all hell as broken loose. My hot flashes give Vesuvius a run for its money. From what I gather, age of menopause seems to be mostly a genetic thing-- i.e. you can predict age of the change by looking at someone's elder relatives and their age of onset. I didn't think to ask my mother or grandmother, so I can't verify this with my own case, though. It's just what I read in one of the many tomes I've been consuming on the subject since my body went berserk.

I'm 59 and only had any symptoms of perimenopause about a year ago. Some of us are late bloomers? ceasers? But yes, she should have had a guess, or someone her age (or a doctor) should have mentioned it. I am liking seeing more references to menopause on tv, though. So I'm fine with the show working it into the story, even if it's a little silly that it took a youngster to point it out.

I wanted to also bring salt wwater taffy (for Icarus) but I couldn't find a picture I really liked.

My guess is that she's using sex as a drug to deal with her depression?

Or tell us stories in Small Talk?

When there are so few strories about us that celebate our actual lives, i think there is no room for stories about us "choosing" death. It's like the kill the lesbians trope. Nobody would object to once in a while one of us being killed off in a story. But when it's wildly disproportionate to all other representation, and made to seem more beautiful than tragic, and more thought is put into it than into most of the few other stories about us, it grossly reinforces the idea that dying is the most interesting thing we do and the most compelling story to be told, it doesn't do a damn thing for the bulk of us who've been treated like garbage when now everybody is all maudlin about someone saying: yeah, I don't actually want to live.

God, no. I never watched Supernatural and I find Padalecki and his co-star from that show repulsive. Their presence here and on Tracker sets off a massive aversive response in me. I have no idea why anyone likes either one of them. I thought Vince was saying what's his name (Cameron?) is acting unwisely as trainer because of his unprocessed feelings about the death of his brother and their crew, hence my comment about his demons. But thanks for crediting me with more cleverness than I actually exercised... --- I do think the show is invested in the idea that outsiders are antagonists. Hence the arsonist firefighter they had briefly last season. And now this guy. I don't know why shows do this. There is enough challenge in the fundamental premise of the show-- the firefighting and rescue operations, as well as the prisoners working toward freedom, without manufacturing cheap drama from transient villains they introduce and then knock down. It's like they set up a great idea and then ignored it in favor of shallow stunts. --- I agree it's good if they develop the characters beyond their professional roles. Sometimes I think they do that well. I like Jake's relationship with Jen. But then they sent Jen away. Why? Did the actress want out? I also like that they really have done an excellent job of not being sexist or in any way showcasing gender inequality or leaning into those kinds of stereotypes or writing tropes. The main problem seems to be their main character, honestly. And I wonder if that's because Max T is dictating that stuff because he likes playing it that way? That, and the transient opponent and triangle stuff. I mean-- I liked Diego. And they disposed of him and gave him thug friends. Why? --- I like watching people triumph over adversity, It's more fun when it seems like real problems, not inexplicable and stupid shit.

When he came to Zeke's door, he said that Zeke's hatred of him was stronger than his fear of leaving the apartment [Zeke stepped one foot out of the door when he opened it to Sir] and S said that proved useful and he would cure him to get him out of the way so Gabi would be free. He seems to think Gabi is bonded to M&A because they need her, and if she felt they were all okay, she would go back to him.

If Gavin wants out, I have to respect that. But it's a big loss for representation, and it also makes me sad. But the way they're handling it, they are making Eddie look like the one thing I liked about him is being retconned out of existence, i.e. he was a great dad and now he's acting like he is clueless and stupid in that area. Of course, if they've decided that Gavin wanting off the show means they can get rid of Eddie, too... well, hahahahaha-- I would find that kind of amusing. "Oh, we only kept you around because you served the narrative as a support character for Christopher, but now that that's over, we don't need you anymore". Actually, I did also like him as Buck's friend. But he's been said to be a pain in the ass off camera, so I wouldn't be heartbroken if that lost him his job, either.

On the one hand, his parents want him to follow the rules and not be impulsive. On the other hand, they were in favor of him disobeying his trainer in this episode. The show wants it both ways. Much like Gabriella. Btw, Gabs seems depressed. I find her annoying, but the show seems to be treating her depression as an annoyance, rather than taking it seriously. I wonder if THAT will blow up in anybody's face. The show seems to be trying to tread a line bewteen fire/rescue drama adrenaline and soap opera angst. I personally prefer the f/r drama and wish they would get rid of the angst. But I don't think they are sincere in breaking up Bode-Gab, even though I think it's the worst part of the show. Eve's on the job empowerment and personal growth are enjoyable for me to watch. The lucidity of the New Love Interest Who Is Just Friends With Bode is also enjoyable for me. The wallowing and repetitiveness of both Bode and Gabriella is draining. I find Manny to be a credibly fucked up father for Gabriella. That's all the commentary I think he deserves right now.

I have a feeling the show has decided that Bode's antics are never going to bite him in the ass, because he is The Hero. So it will be Leones Win Over Other Guy Who Hasn't Faced His Own Demons. I watch 911, which is glorious for its absurdity. So I can handle some absurdity. Campiness for campiness is okay with me. My problem with this show is that it's mopey and that doesn't work well with the absurd. I did not know about "I don't care about" [the mass condor death]. Just thinking about it raises my blood presure.

I forgot all about the * . I got Icarus and Carrie Nation. In honor of Icarus, I bring roasted marshmallows

2/5.