Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 215

January 4, 2020: Moving on

Photo by Off Leash Studio

It’s been four days since Lulu’s sudden passing and it still hasn’t really sunk in.  For any of us.  Today, Akemi was in the kitchen cooking and, from the corner of her eye, caught what she thought was Lulu sitting, as she often did, impatiently waiting for a treat.  The situation with Lulu is, of course, different because, unlike our other dogs, there was no indication she was ill or extended decline that would prepare us.  Looking back now, I can pinpoint the instant she passed.  I’ve heard people reference “the light going out of someone’s eye” and always assumed it was poetic fiction but I experienced it with Lulu.  It’s hard to explain.  It wasn’t a simple case of arrested movement. The luminous vibrancy in her eyes just went dull.  And I knew.

Lulu will never be replaced.  She was one of a kind.  But I can tell that, as much as Suji loves being top dog, she also misses the company.  So, as I mentioned in yesterday’s blog entry, we are considering adopting – in all likelihood, another senior (because they have a harder time finding a good home), in all probability special needs (because they have an especially hard time finding a good home).

But choosing the right pug, not just for us but for Suji, is going to be a bit of a challenge.  Allow Suji to break it down for you –

So a senior pug, possibly special needs, not alpha or beta, who is chill with other dogs.  Also, Akemi would prefer a boy.

Ideally, we adopt from a local rescue, or even one out of Montreal or New York, but in the event we’re unable to find our perfect match here, we would then look to one of the following –

The Pacific Pug Rescue – The rescue that brought us Suji!

Pug Nation Rescue of Los Angeles – Visited this rescue on my last trip  to L.A.  A lot of needy seniors!

The Pug Queen – A tireless crusader, she’s in the process of rescuing a bunch of pugs from China.

Will, of course, keep you updated!

The post January 4, 2020: Moving on appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

January 4, 2019: Moving on

Photo by Off Leash Studio

It’s been four days since Lulu’s sudden passing and it still hasn’t really sunk in.  For any of us.  Today, Akemi was in the kitchen cooking and, from the corner of her eye, caught what she thought was Lulu sitting, as she often did, impatiently waiting for a treat.  The situation with Lulu is, of course, different because, unlike our other dogs, there was no indication she was ill or extended decline that would prepare us.  Looking back now, I can pinpoint the instant she passed.  I’ve heard people reference “the light going out of someone’s eye” and always assumed it was poetic fiction but I experienced it with Lulu.  It’s hard to explain.  It wasn’t a simple case of arrested movement. The luminous vibrancy in her eyes just went dull.  And I knew.

Lulu will never be replaced.  She was one of a kind.  But I can tell that, as much as Suji loves being top dog, she also misses the company.  So, as I mentioned in yesterday’s blog entry, we are considering adopting – in all likelihood, another senior (because they have a harder time finding a good home), in all probability special needs (because they have an especially hard time finding a good home).

But choosing the right pug, not just for us but for Suji, is going to be a bit of a challenge.  Allow Suji to break it down for you –

So a senior pug, possibly special needs, not alpha or beta, who is chill with other dogs.  Also, Akemi would prefer a boy.

Ideally, we adopt from a local rescue, or even one out of Montreal or New York, but in the event we’re unable to find our perfect match here, we would then look to one of the following –

The Pacific Pug Rescue – The rescue that brought us Suji!

Pug Nation Rescue of Los Angeles – Visited this rescue on my last trip  to L.A.  A lot of needy seniors!

The Pug Queen – A tireless crusader, she’s in the process of rescuing a bunch of pugs from China.

Will, of course, keep you updated!

The post January 4, 2019: Moving on appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

January 3, 2020: So far…in 2020!

So I was going through my blog archives in search of something else and I came across the following video from back in the day.  Actors Jamil Walker-Smith, Brian J. Smith, and David Blue watching the finished cut of SGU’s Time –

Good times!

I’ve decided to start a new feature on twitter titled – #AmazingPeopleWithWhomIHaveWorked

My modest attempt to add a little positivity to an overwhelmingly negative platform.  I’m going to try to post one a day.

The candidates so far…

#AmazingPeopleWithWhomIHaveWorked
Will Waring – One of the best directors and camera operators in the business. Worked with him on #Stargate's SG-1, Atlantis, and Universe, as well as #DarkMatter. Also known for his visual calling card: the pineapple. pic.twitter.com/A06RsF63WA

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 1, 2020

#AmazingPeopleWithWhomIHaveWorked
Carl Binder (@cpbinder) – Easily one of the best writers I've ever worked with and certainly one of the funniest and most entertaining. Had #DarkMatter gone another season, the time jump story he plotted out would have been a fan favorite. pic.twitter.com/YaC2MKGzV8

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 3, 2020

#AmazingPeopleWithWhomIHaveWorked @BrianJacobSmith – An incredibly gifted actor and a remarkably genuine, down-to-earth individual. My friend Ivon said it best: "He's easy to root for". #Stargate #Sense8 #Treadstone pic.twitter.com/wqrFwfdoiV

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 3, 2020

Things have been quiet on the home front since Lulu’s passing.  We’ve noticed Suji has been a little more needy and has taken to circling the apartment, looking for her adoptive sis.

So, Akemi and I have started having preliminary discussions about getting Suji a friend.  On the one hand, she’s a definite alpha, loves being the center of attention and wants ALL the love; on the other hand, she was a lot more comfortable with another dog in the house, especially when we would go out.

Which brings up another problem.  On the rare occasions when Akemi and I traveled, we felt comfortable leaving Suji with a dog sitter because Lulu went with her.  Now that she’s alone, this seems a less likely option give my gal’s separation anxiety.

Meanwhile, 2020 has been a fairly productive year so far.  I’ve made it a point to stick to a bit of a routine and ensure I accomplish a few things every day.  Namely:

A morning work-out.

Two walks for Suji.

Half an hour of spoken Japanese.

Two exercises of written Japanese (hiragana and katakana).

Progress on any of my ongoing projects (the horror script, the outline for the second episode of TimEscape, various pitches, continued research on that comic book project).

A blog entry.

So far, so good.

The post January 3, 2020: So far…in 2020! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

My Favorites Reads of 2019

2019 was not a great reading year for me, partly because I was busy working on a production, partly because I have grown disillusioned with the award winners and Best Of recommendations, but mostly because, after my staggering 2018 reading record, I was burnt out.  In the end, I managed roughly one fifth of the total number of titles I got through last year.

Still, there were some standouts.

These were my favorite reads of 2019…

The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker

In an isolated college town in the hills of Southern California, a freshman girl stumbles into her dorm room, falls asleep—and doesn’t wake up. She sleeps through the morning, into the evening. Her roommate, Mei, cannot rouse her. Neither can the paramedics who carry her away, nor the perplexed doctors at the hospital. Then a second girl falls asleep, and then another, and panic takes hold of the college and spreads to the town. As the number of cases multiplies, classes are canceled, and stores begin to run out of supplies. A quarantine is established. The National Guard is summoned.

Mei, an outsider in the cliquish hierarchy of dorm life, finds herself thrust together with an eccentric, idealistic classmate. Two visiting professors try to protect their newborn baby as the once-quiet streets descend into chaos. A father succumbs to the illness, leaving his daughters to fend for themselves. And at the hospital, a new life grows within a college girl, unbeknownst to her—even as she sleeps. A psychiatrist, summoned from Los Angeles, attempts to make sense of the illness as it spreads through the town. Those infected are displaying unusual levels of brain activity, more than has ever been recorded. They are dreaming heightened dreams—but of what?

Beautifully written with a style that embodies an almost dreamlike quality, The Dreamers is part suspense thriller, part contemporary sci-fi, but overwhelmingly a character-driven exploration of how our experiences may or may not shape us, and our reality. Walker tackles some lofty philosophical themes in a provocative, compelling, and incredibly entertaining manner. The spread of the contagion and struggles of the various survivors makes for a fast-paced, mesmeric read, but it’s when the story shifts to the victims, their bizarre dreams, and what they portend that this novel really transcends expectations.

Lots of wonderful little surprises throughout, with more than a few narrative twists and authorial sleights of hand I never saw coming.

Recursion by Blake Crouch

That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived.

That’s what neuroscientist Helena Smith believes. It’s why she’s dedicated her life to creating a technology that will let us preserve our most precious memories. If she succeeds, anyone will be able to re-experience a first kiss, the birth of a child, the final moment with a dying parent. 

As Barry searches for the truth, he comes face-to-face with an opponent more terrifying than any disease—a force that attacks not just our minds but the very fabric of the past. And as its effects begin to unmake the world as we know it, only he and Helena, working together, will stand a chance at defeating it.

But how can they make a stand when reality itself is shifting and crumbling all around them?

The king of high-concept sci-fi returns with a mind-bending thriller that questions the very notion of reality – or what we perceive as such.  Timelines – two at first, then multifarious – cross and converge, dissipate and reform, stutter, stop, and restart in a challenging, occasionally convoluted, story about humanity’s ability to shape its reality. The plot may seem fantastic and far-fetched, but its theoretical grounding makes Recursion truly thought-provoking. And, yes, while it does get damned confusing at times, the pacing never flags and the book is a rewarding read.

The Sopranos Sessions by Matt Zoller Seitz, Alan Sepinwell

On January 10, 1999, a mobster walked into a psychiatrist’s office and changed TV history. By shattering preconceptions about the kinds of stories the medium should tell, The Sopranoslaunched our current age of prestige television, paving the way for such giants as Mad Men, The Wire, Breaking Bad, and Game of Thrones. As TV critics for Tony Soprano’s hometown paper, New Jersey’s The Star-Ledger, Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz were among the first to write about the series before it became a cultural phenomenon. 

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the show’s debut, Sepinwall and Seitz have reunited to produce The Sopranos Sessions, a collection of recaps, conversations, and critical essays covering every episode. Featuring a series of new long-form interviews with series creator David Chase, as well as selections from the authors’ archival writing on the series, The Sopranos Sessions explores the show’s artistry, themes, and legacy, examining its portrayal of Italian Americans, its graphic depictions of violence, and its deep connections to other cinematic and television classics. 

If you were a fan of what is considered by many to be the greatest series of all time, then you definitely have to pick up this book.  It offers fascinating insight into the show, its cast, and creator David Chase.

Exhalation: Stories by Ted Chiang

This much-anticipated second collection of stories is signature Ted Chiang, full of revelatory ideas and deeply sympathetic characters. In “The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate,” a portal through time forces a fabric seller in ancient Baghdad to grapple with past mistakes and the temptation of second chances. In the epistolary “Exhalation,” an alien scientist makes a shocking discovery with ramifications not just for his own people, but for all of reality. And in “The Lifecycle of Software Objects,” a woman cares for an artificial intelligence over twenty years, elevating a faddish digital pet into what might be a true living being. Also included are two brand-new stories: “Omphalos” and “Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom.”

In this fantastical and elegant collection, Ted Chiang wrestles with the oldest questions on earth—What is the nature of the universe? What does it mean to be human?—and ones that no one else has even imagined. And, each in its own way, the stories prove that complex and thoughtful science fiction can rise to new heights of beauty, meaning, and compassion.

The greatest living writer of short fiction returns with this amazing collection.  Chiang never disappoints.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

As the Civil Rights movement begins to reach the black enclave of Frenchtown in segregated Tallahassee, Elwood Curtis takes the words of Dr. Martin Luther King to heart: He is “as good as anyone.” Abandoned by his parents, but kept on the straight and narrow by his grandmother, Elwood is about to enroll in the local black college. But for a black boy in the Jim Crow South in the early 1960s, one innocent mistake is enough to destroy the future. Elwood is sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called The Nickel Academy, whose mission statement says it provides “physical, intellectual and moral training” so the delinquent boys in their charge can become “honorable and honest men.”

In reality, The Nickel Academy is a grotesque chamber of horrors, where the sadistic staff beats and sexually abuses the students, corrupt officials and locals steal food and supplies, and any boy who resists is likely to disappear “out back.” Stunned to find himself in such a vicious environment, Elwood tries to hold on to Dr. King’s ringing assertion “Throw us in jail and we will still love you.” His friend Turner thinks Elwood is worse than naive, that the world is crooked and the only way to survive is to scheme and avoid trouble.

The tension between Elwood’s ideals and Turner’s skepticism leads to a decision whose repercussions will echo down the decades. Formed in the crucible of the evils Jim Crow wrought, the boys’ fates will be determined by what they endured at The Nickel Academy.

Whitehead follows 2018’s The Underground Railroad with this equally powerful tale, a fictionalized account of the very real atrocities committed at The Dozier School for Boys (nicknamed The Nickel Academy), a reform school run by the state of Florida between 1900 and 2011.  Harrowing, heartbreaking, and altogether devastating.

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January 1, 2020: Goodbyes!

Thanks to everyone who left a message regarding Lulu, on twitter, instagram, facebook, and here on this blog.  Over a thousand well-wishes received.  Thanks so much.  It’s nice to see my gal was so well-loved.

On the other hand, at times like these, it’s hard not to second-guess, decisions made and not made.  So it was with my previous pugs and, despite the suddenness of her passing, so it is with Lulu.

I often refer to Maximus as the BEST dog.  And he really was.  Although stubborn in his refusal to go for lengthy walks and possessed of an affinity for food that often lead him into trouble (he once ate an entire take-out container of curry fussili he “rescued” from the garbage while we were out), you couldn’t ask for a sweeter, gentler, friendlier, laid-back pug.  When we would return home from trips and swing by our dogsitter’s place to pick him up, we’d invariably find him, sitting side by side with the house cat, sunning on the back porch.  He was wonderfully patient with kids, playful with other dogs, and loved nothing more than climbing into a stranger’s lap.

After Max received his cancer diagnosis, we tried everything we could to help him, but it was clear that he was fighting a losing battle.  He lost weight, his previously prodigious appetite waned, and he looked generally unwell.  It’s always a struggle to choose when to let go but I recall the moment Maximus followed me out to the backyard and then dropped onto his belly, looking up at me with plaintive, weary eyes.  I decided it was time.

In Max’s case, it wasn’t the timing of the decision that troubles me to this day but the fact that he was trembling when we brought him in to the vet.  It’s something he often did when visiting the vet, out of fear a borne from previous trips.  But this time, I thought, he had good reason to fear because I was bringing him there to die.  In the end, he went peacefully, but the fact that he passed away, fearful, still haunts me.

I like to say that Jelly was my longest relationship at 16.4 years.  She was my first pug and the opposite of Maximus.  Whereas Max was easy-going and affable, Jelly was impatient and demanding, free with her barks and bossy attitude.  At doggy daycare, they nicknamed her The Ref because of her penchant for jumping in whenever two other dogs started mixing it up.  In some ways, she reminds me of Suji.  They’re so much alike in many ways that I think that if the two had been alive at the same time, they would have downright hated each other.

Jelly suffered from a host of ailments in her later years, everything from hip dysplasia to spinal issues, but, in the end, it was a string of infections that ravaged her kidneys that proved too much for her little body to handle.  I remember seeing her go downhill and deciding the time was right, only to have her bounce back for several weeks.  The next time, I waited, and when it was clear she wasn’t getting any better and she started crying through the night, we brought her in.  She too went peacefully, but I’m still reminded of how bewildered she looked in her favorite pink bed as the vet techs fussed around her.

Bubba was originally intended to be a present for my ex’s brother but, after falling in love with the little guy, I decided to keep him and we got her brother a toaster oven instead.  I definitely got the better deal.  Bubba was neurotic, fearful of everything from skateboards and bikes to other dogs and parking lot entrances.  Sure, he was my dog in the beginning but, after Akemi moved in, he became her’s.  She doted on him and he became so attached that he would never leave her side.  When she would go out, he would cry himself hoarse.  I’d often come home from work to find the two of them sitting together – her working, him contentedly snoozing.

Bubba was incredibly healthy until almost the very end.  He developed a cough and, what at first we assumed to be pneumonia, turned out to be cancer.  I was working on Dark Matter’s third season at the time, away from home for much of the day, so I left Akemi to monitor his condition.  She knew him better than anyone and she would know when it was time.  And she let me know, texting me while I was on set, shooting one of our latest nights.  In Bubba’s case, he was clearly having trouble breathing, so there was no second-guessing the timing of the decision.  But the night did offer one of the saddest photos I’ve ever taken of Akemi saying goodbye to her favorite boy.

Lulu was different.  She could be aloof yet loving, obstinate yet playful, patient yet extremely determined.   Although scrappy in her early years, she grew disinterested in other dogs outside of her immediate pack family, preferring instead the company of people, guys in particular.  She was a bit of a flirt, at times capricious with her affections, but a tough cookie who always backed her pack-mates and proved a great companion to Suji, especially when she was first settling in.

Lulu was also different in that, unlike the pugs, her passing was sudden.  She’d developed a cough that we’d been treating with antibiotics and her condition seemed to improve in that regard.  Still, it was clear she was having trouble breathing (an issue she’d struggled with through most of her life), so we’d purchased a bronchodilator for her.  It was the first thing we used as we, at first, assumed she was struggling for breath, but when her pupils started flicking rapidly from side to side, I knew it was something far worse.  We whisked her up and rushed her to our bet, only two blocks away, but were too late to save her.

All signs point to a stroke and, as others have suggested, it was fairly quick and perhaps preferable to the suffering from an extended illness.  But I still can’t help but wonder IF we’d gotten to the vet sooner, IF we would have taken her to the vet immediately upon our arrival from Montreal for a check-up, IF it would have made a difference.

Lulu’s passing brings to an end that old gang of mine.  And one of my best memories I have of them was at bedtime, how they would all sleep on my side of the bed – Bubba tucked up against my left side, Lulu right up against my right, Maximus down by my feet, and Jelly on the pillow beside me.  It was tight, not always exactly comfortable, but they were great times.

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December 31, 2019: Lulu

I hadn’t really planned on getting a french bulldog, but a series of fortunate events saw us welcome this little, big-eared frenchie into our home.

Lulu settled in quite nicely with the rest of the pack, but it was clear from the get-go that she was different.  Smarter, stronger, and spryer than our three pugs, she seemed to possess boundless energy, playing relentlessly until she would collapse in a heaving but clearly content heap.

She was also very sneaky.  There were times when I would come home to find her standing on the kitchen table, looking guiltily back at me with that “Shit, you’re home early!” look.

And while that adventurous spirit wasn’t always the cause, she WAS a regular at our local vet. Over time, the cone of shame became her trademark accessory.

She was an obsessive gal, enamored of her various toys.

And she developed her stick-fixation at an early age.

Throughout her life, Lulu played hard – but rested even harder.

Particularly in her later years, she loved a good snooze.

She wasn’t huge on walks, especially in her later years, but she did love the sun.  She would often park herself by the window and while away the hours soaking up the rays.

Despite her tough girl stature, she was incredibly sensitive.

But an overwhelmingly happy dog.

Her laid-back nature made her a great companion to our cantankerous special needs rescue, Suji, who took a quick liking to her.  It helped that in addition to being laid-back, Lulu was infinitely patient.

In her later years, she slowed down significantly, developing hip and spinal issues that made walking difficult.  And yet, despite her mobility issues, she remained spirited, spry – and very stubborn.

At twelve and a half years old, she had the distinction of being the oldest frenchie in the neighborhood.  And, while she no longer enjoyed the company of other dogs, ignoring them for the most part whenever she encountered one at the park, she  loved nothing better than the attention she would receive from passersby.

This morning, Lulu collapsed after finishing her breakfast.  I believe she suffered a stroke.  We rushed her to the vet only to be told her heart had already stopped beating.

I’ll miss her snoring and determined attempts at sleeping in, the way she would demonstrate her disdain for walks by turning around and immediately heading for home, her brilliant strategy of barking incessantly whenever I was on the phone until I would give her treats to shut her up.  But mostly I’ll miss the sweetest french bulldog I have ever known.

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December 30, 2019: Travel! Art! And BIG New Year’s Eve plans!

Five hours and forty minutes, ninety-seven kpop songs, and a smoked meat sandwich later we are back in Toronto.  And I am exhausted.  I may have to redeem one of the massage tickets Akemi gifted me for Christmas.

Our last full day in Montreal saw us all attend the special Van Gogh exhibition in Old Montreal.

Sadly, the gift shop offered no Starry Night cufflinks, so I went home empty-handed.

Super excited about New Year’s Eve tomorrow.  Throughout my life, it’s a night that has never failed to disappoint.  Even on occasions where I have absolutely no expectations, it still manages to underwhelm.  Except this year.  This year, will be the best New Year’s Eve ever!  I have no doubt because, this year, I’m going to be in bed by 11:00 p.m. and asleep when everyone else will be ushering in the new year.  Let me know how it goes!

I leave you with a few of the videos I snagged at the Arsenal Contemporary Art Museum of Montreal –

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December 29, 2019: Suji Sunday!

Suji doing her impersonation of Lulu.

Lulu looking dreamy.

That thinking look.

Snack time!

Table manners! –

Riding out early tomorrow to get ahead of the big storm!  See you in Toronto!

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The Top 25 Kpop Songs of 2019

Well, I could have easily done a Top 50 Kpop Songs of 2019, but elected to stick to half that for the purposes of this blog post.  And so, here you go – My Top 25 Kpop Songs of 2019…

25 – Violeta by Iz*One

Feel bad for this relatively young group which debuted in 2018 only to be caught up in the recent Produce scandal and placed on indefinite hiatus.

24 – I’m So Hot – Momoland

Their 2018 release, Baam, remains one of my Top 10 all-time favorite kbops. Members Taeha and Yeonwoo “left” the group this past November and it will be interesting to see how that will affect the group dynamics.

23 – Party Is Over by Giriboy

Fairly accomplished at age 28, Giriboy – who debuted back in 2011 – already has a pretty solid discography under his belt.

22 – Kill This Love by Blackpink

My wife Akemi’s favorite group (alongside the group sitting at #1 on this list), Blackpink are one of only a handful of Korean groups that have broken into the international market – and Blackpink has done it in a big way, their appearance at this years Coachella engendering a social media response that dwarfed that of any other performer.

21 – Bon Bon Chocolat by Everglow

Everglow debuted in a big way this year, and landed two songs on this list. Despite the chocolate theme, I wasn’t totally onboard with this song the first time I heard it, but it’s really grown on me.  And the accompanying dance is one of the more entertaining offerings of the 2019 kpop scene.

20 – Side Effects by Stray Kids

Stray Kids delivered some solid hits in 2019, and multiple songs landed on this list, starting with this one.

19 – TMI by Hot Place

Formerly Badkidz, this group changed their name to Hot Place following the departure of 15 (!) of their group members, relaunching with this song in February of this year.  Love the song and the video is fun – if you’re okay with those videos that interrupt the music for onscreen action.

18 – Devil by CLC

CLC had three 2019 releases in my Top 50, but only one in my Top 25 – this one, their fourth digital single.

17 – Super Clap by Super Junior

Their 2008 release, Sorry Sorry, is one my all-time favorites (as is that insidious ear worm, Can You Feel It?), but they scored big time in 2019 with this terrific track off their ninth album.

16 – Double Knot by Stray Kids

And Stray Kids land a second song on this list with this 2019 single.  But, wait! There’s more!

15 – Congratulations by Eric Nam

Former Atlanta, Georgia native and current South Korean music star Eric Nam’s collaboration with former 2AM Club vocalist Marc E. Bassy takes the #15 spot on this list.

14 – Gogobebe by Mamamoo

My favorite Korean group lands at #14 with this release.  The accompanying video is typical of Mamamoo – fun, humor, lively choreography, and visuals that feature each of their distinct personalities.

13 – Astronaut by Stray Kids

Following the departure of Woojin, Stray Kids delayed the release of their album, Cle: Leavanter, eventually releasing the video for Astronaut, their first video without their longtime fellow group member.

12 – Picky Picky by Weki Meki

This one lands firmly in Akemi’s Top 5.  Another song that really grew on me the more I heard it.

11 – Snappy by Chung Ha

She’s been dubbed as The Korean Beyonce which, I’m sure, is intended as a compliment but really is just a lazy shorthand to describe one of South Korea’s most successful musical artists.  Delightfully distinct in her own right, she scored a huge hit with this song in 2019.

10 – Want It by Itzy

Arguably one of the biggest 2019 debuts in kpop was this group with their two solid hits, Icy and Dalla Dalla.  And while Icy and Dalla Dalla were in my Top 50, two other songs this group released were the ones to make my Top 25.

9 – Lit by Oneus

Mamamoo RBW label mates Oneus debuted with two terrific singles.  Lit was one.

8 – Valkyrie by Oneus

Any this song, Valkyrie, was the other.  I went back and forth on which one should take precedence on this list, and ultimately decided to go with Valkyrie.  But it was damn close.

7 – Psycho by Red Velvet

A late arrival in 2019, this is the lead single off Red Velvet’s new album, The ReVe Festival Finale.  It’s a particularly sad song to listen to in the wake of group member Wendy’s recent accident, the result of alleged negligence on the part of SBS.

6 – Ninety Nine by AOA

The official goodwill ambassadors to the 2018 Winter Olympics, AOA, released this single in late November and it quickly vaulted into my Top 10.

5 – It’z Summer

This B-side release didn’t even get an official video, but it was my favorite song from this debut group.

4 – Miroh by Stray Kids

Stray Kids lands no less than four songs on this Top 25 list.  All great, but this one’s my favorite.

3 – Gottasadae by BeWhy

South Korea’s pre-eminent rapper, BeWhy, lands a solid #3 with a great song and equally great official video.

2 – Adios by Everglow

One of the first kpop songs I fell in love with, it’s a killer bop and the choreography in the official video is nothing short of outstanding.

1 – Hip by Mamamoo

To be honest, this one wasn’t even close.  Fantastic song by a fantastic group with a fantastic video featuring fantastic choreography.

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December 27, 2019: Mundane books and more horror movie tagline!

Ah well.  An overnight ice storm has rendered the various streets surrounding mom’s place defecto skating strips (This morning, Akemi and I watched a squirrel literally slide down the driveway).  As a result, we are housebound.  No smoked meat lunch.  No going downtown to check out that condo in Old Montreal.  No walkies for the dogs.  Instead, it’s a lot of computer time.  I wrote about it, and did a little more reading of those two perfectly average novels which – surprise surprise! – were selected as 2019 Top Reads. It’s almost reached the point now that, if a book has received an award, that is reason enough to avoid it.  It’s almost as if people are giving awards for effort or what they imagine a well-executed version of the book COULD have been.

Awww, man.  Don’t get me started.  Let’s file away this rant for another day.

Okay, one final round of Name the Horror Movie by its Tagline.  This time, it’s the Foreign Horror Film Edition!

1 – They haven’t finished being alive.

2 – A tale of love.  A story of horror.

3 – Do you want to meet a ghost?

4 – Don’t let her inside…

5 – She always gets a part.

6 – Every family has its dark secret.

7 – Enter a world of madness and suffering.

8 – Some lines should not be crossed…

9 – Some people would kill for company.

10 – Fear will find you.

The post December 27, 2019: Mundane books and more horror movie tagline! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.