Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 75
October 27, 2023
October 27, 2023: Tastiest parts of the chicken ranked!
#11. Gizzard
#10. Drumstick
#9. Feet
#8. Breast
#7. Liver
#6. Thigh
#5. Heart
#4. Wing
#3. Neck
#2. Butt
#1. Skin
Agree? Disagree? What are your Top 5?
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October 26, 2023
October 26, 2023: The Crime Binge continues!
Once I hit 50 shows, I’ll assemble a Top 10 list.
In the meantime…
Line of Duty (2012-2021) Season 2
Three police officers are killed in an ambush and a protected witness is seriously injured, the only surviving officer is DI Lindsay Denton (Keeley Hawes), but suspicion soon arises and the team of AC-12 have more investigating work to do.
My thoughts: I liked season 1 enough to keep going with this series and I’m glad I did because season 2 fires on all cylinders.
4.5/5
Dalgliesh (2021 – ) Season 2
Follows Dalgliesh’s crime-fighting career from 1970s England to the present day.
My thoughts: Another solid season of this cozy mystery series.
4/5
Full Circle (2023 – )
An investigation into a botched kidnapping uncovers long-held secrets connecting multiple characters and cultures in present day New York City.
My thoughts: Crosses the line between complex and convoluted. I found myself shaking my head at some of the character decisions and plot developments.
3/5
A Confession (2019)
DSU Stephen Fulcher intends on catching a killer of a missing woman, even if that may cost him his career and reputation.
My thoughts: A fairly standard procedural.
3.5/5
The Chestnut Man (2021)
A young woman is found brutally murdered in a playground and one of her hands is missing. Above her hangs a small man made of chestnuts.
My thoughts: Slow burn thriller that relies on incompetent police work and questionable decision-making pull off its twisted plotting.
3/5
The post October 26, 2023: The Crime Binge continues! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 25, 2023
October 25, 2023: Amazing Covers!
A few that caught my eye this week…
Captain Marvel #1 – cover art by John Tyler Christopher
Dark X-Men #3 – cover art by Dan Panosian
Marvel Zombies: Black, White & Blood #1 – cover art by Bjorn Barends
Edgewood #1 – cover art by Mahmud A. Asrar
Edenwood #1 – cover art by Jorge Molina
Red Sonja #4 – cover art by Lucio Parrillo
Action Comics #1058 – cover art by Carla Cohen
Action Comics #1058 – cover art by Jorge Jimenez
Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1 – cover art by David Talaski
Green Arrow #5 – cover art by Alvaro Martinez Bueno
The P.R.I.S.M. #1 – cover art by Matteo de Longis
So, which were YOUR favorites?
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October 24, 2023
October 24, 2023: The Phase-out!
As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, I have commenced my social media phase-out.
I haven’t posted to my personal facebook in something like two years and have only been activity insofar as I have been updating Suji’s page. But now that she’s gone, I see no reason to continue. Akemi has asked me not to delete my account so as to preserve the memories (and countless photos and videos), so I am otherwise done with the site.
The same applies. I’d have done it sooner, but I discovered a way to post via desktop so I ended up quite active there for a while. But my last post, a dedication to my gal Suji, will be my last. Like Facebook, rather than delete my account, it will simply no longer be updated, like a fly forever preserved in amber.
I have posted all my behind-the-scenes materials to the Dark Mater forum and the prospect of a Stargate reboot has led me to wind down my presence in that forum as well. I was most active in the pugs forum where I posted daily images of Suji, but with her gone, and less general interest in Sharky, that’s another account that will soon be mothballed.
X/TWITTER
The suppression algos before Musk bought the app were frustrating. Now, they’re altogether insufferable. I used to be fairly active, posting on average once an hour. Now, I post maybe 3-4 times a day but soon will be posting even less. The way this site is run quashes any enthusiasm to use it.
WORDPRESS
Which leaves us with this blog, almost 16 straight years of daily entires.
We’ll see how things go.
So, how active are you all on social media? And, more importantly, where?
The post October 24, 2023: The Phase-out! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023: Yet another one to toss into the maelstrom!
It takes me forever to start a script and sometimes, if I get bogged down on a scene, may take me weeks to figure it out. Yes, as I’ve already said, writer’s block is a luxury problem experienced by unemployed writers – and I do indulge every so often when I’m working on my originals. But as I draw closer to the end of a script, any script, I pick up the pace, completing portions in huge chunks. 7 pages one day. 12 another. Today, as I raced toward the ending of my latest pilot, I completed 21 pages in a single day. And I now have a first draft. Still kind of rough. Still a few plot points to work out, a little dialogue polishing to do. But I’m hoping to complete that tomorrow and then send it off for feedback in the coming days. It’s the latest in a surprisingly productive year for me: three pilots, two features, several deals, a few prospects and, of course, zero green lights.
Yesterday, I likened advancing in your screenwriting career to this –
7AOMOnce I’ve sent off my script, I’ll refocus my efforts back to my #CrimeBinge. Once I hit 50 series, I’ll put together my Top 10 list.
Looks like I can add dog sitting to my list of varied accomplishments. For three days last week (and this week) we looked after a cute Pomeranian in the building. And tomorrow is the first day of a 10-day stay for a neighbor’s pug who will, no doubt, love our pudgy Sharky.
I’m considering a second career.
Finally, today’s blog entry is dedicated to a most beautiful dog, my sister’s husky Fernando, who crossed the rainbow bridge last night. I was looking forward to him meeting the equally vision-impaired Sharky over the Christmas holidays but now, I’m hoping Suji isn’t giving him too much trouble on the other side.
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October 22, 2023
October 22, 2023: Sharky Sunday!
The plan was to wait until January before adopting a new dog but when Akemi caught sight of this little blind boy on the Pug Nation of L.A.’s website –
We knew we couldn’t wait. So we booked our flight and, following our whirlwind visit to NYC, we made a whirlwind visit to L.A. where we picked up our little guy. A video rundown of our first day: meeting him at the rescue, traveling from the rescue, short rib lunch, and relaxing in the hotel room…
I was, admittedly, a little worried before picking him up. What was his true demeanor? Was he housebroken and if not how long would he take to train? How would he travel? Would we love him? Would he love us?
Well, for starters, he is an absolutely sweet soul. Incredibly gentle and very affectionate. And he IS housebroken, perfectly behaved in the condo, waiting until he is outside to do his business. As for traveling – he was great. Didn’t love being in the carrier at first but we gave him a half a Benadryl (as per vet’s instructions) and he slept through the flight, waking up shortly after landing….
He spent much of his first day mapping the place, walking around, bumping into things.
He is very gentle taking treats from your hand and is surprisingly amenable to having his nails clipped and his teeth brushed….
He sleeps on the bed with us of course. We were a little worried about him wandering in the middle of the night and falling off, but he sleeps through the night and only wakes up when we do.
As for his backstory, Sharky was picked up as a stray this summer – which is somewhat baffling given his happy and trusting nature. HIs attitude, and the fact that he’d had at least two surgeries suggest he once belonged to someone who took care of him. He’s had several teeth removed (He has fewer teeth than Suji had in her old age!) and had an eye removed. When he arrived at the rescue, his other eye was so badly infected that it had to be removed as well. So, Sharky – who they estimate to be around 7 or 8 – has been fully blind until at least August. But he doesn’t let lack of sight hinder him as he is a very confident walker. He gets along well with other dogs and, while hasn’t interacted with any children, he perks up at the sound of kids – which also leads me to believe he may have been raised in a family environment.
Was he abandoned? Lost? Did he run away? How did this adorable boy end up on the streets? No microchip so I guess we’ll never know.
But no point in dwelling on the past. Sharky can look forward to happy future with us. He is a true momma’s boy, sitting in the kitchen with Akemi when she prepares lunch, crying for her when she’s in the shower, snuggling up in her lap when he gets into bed. He loves massages – ears and belly. And we absolutely love him.
The post October 22, 2023: Sharky Sunday! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 21, 2023
October 21, 2023: The Crime Binge continues!
Black Bird (2022)
Jimmy Keene is sentenced to 10 years in a minimum security prison but he cuts a deal with the FBI to befriend a suspected serial killer. Keene has to elicit a confession from Larry Hall to find the bodies of as many as eighteen women.
My thoughts: Gets off to a rousing starts but then settles into a predictable unwind of plodding plotting and clunky dialogue.
3/5
Peaky Blinders (2013-2022) Season 1
A gangster family epic set in 1900s England, centering on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby.
My thoughts: Honestly, I was expecting a stronger first season. Unique scenario but surprisingly standard delivery. Hoping season 2 turns things around.
3.5/5
Love/Hate (2010-2014) Season 3
The story of the organized crime scene of Dublin is revealed, centered on Darren, who wants to stay out of trouble but ends up returning to his old habits and his old gang.
My thoughts: In a similar vein, this is a show I was on the fence about after its first season but now ranks as one of my favorite shows on this crime binge.
4.5/5
Dalgliesh (2021 – ) Season 1
Follows Dalgliesh’s crime-fighting career from 1970s England to the present day.
My thought: Just a well-plotted cozy mystery series.
4/5
Love/Hate (2010-2014) Season 4
The story of the organized crime scene of Dublin is revealed, centered on Darren, who wants to stay out of trouble but ends up returning to his old habits and his old gang.
My thoughts: Compelling, character-driven storytelling.
4.5/5
The post October 21, 2023: The Crime Binge continues! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 20, 2023
October 20, 2023: Recent Yes/No’s! Pick the Best and Worst!
Spicy Truffle Chicken Sandwich? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/2WL2RHQDOT
— Joseph Mallozzi
(@BaronDestructo) October 20, 2023
Apple Cider Bacon? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/LKi9hz4uCg
— Joseph Mallozzi
Daifuku Anpan? Yes/No
The hybrid mochi brioche sweet was born of a mom’s love, a friend’s kindness, and a very long trip https://t.co/otPEf4w8hu via @RocketNews24En
— Joseph Mallozzi
Nutella-Marshmallow Toast? Yes/No https://t.co/N5ZMK1yVBU
— Joseph Mallozzi
1700-year-old bottle of Roman wine? Yes/No https://t.co/ykXr4yEbrC
— Joseph Mallozzi
Peanut Butter-stuffed Onions? Yes/No
Thanks(?) to @jertam for the tip! https://t.co/yCyB4Jdt3f
— Joseph Mallozzi
Red Velvet Bagel Bomb? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/gd8JAnURLc
— Joseph Mallozzi
Boooooo Frappuccino? Yes/No https://t.co/bYKpbvIp9b
— Joseph Mallozzi
Dancing Squid? Yes/No https://t.co/keXnohzk0A
— Joseph Mallozzi
Beanless Coffe? Yes/No https://t.co/QatjObb1Hn
— Joseph Mallozzi
Potato Volcano? Yes/No pic.twitter.com/0aiONXUejM
— Joseph Mallozzi
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October 19, 2023
October 19, 2023: The L.A. Update!
My birthday present from Akemi – a birthday pillow to add to my growing collection!
As usual, very little sleep the night before our flight out. We woke up at 5:30 a.m., breezed through security, sat at the gate for two hours, and finally caught our flight to L.A., getting into our hotel a little after noon. Akemi suggested checking out a place called Nonna’s Empanadas, a short walk from the Sofitel. We tried four varieties. Overall, better than your average empanada but the truth is I’m not a huge empanada fan.
We came across an L.A. location of Magnolia Bakery, a place I wanted to check out while in NYC last week. I had their famed banana pudding. Highly recommended.
For dinner, we met with recent LA transplant and former neighbor Kevin and his girlfriend Elle. For dinner, we enjoyed half the menu at Pine and Crane in Silverlake. Delicious.
I got the hotel to send up two foams pillows to add to the two feather pillows that came with the room.
The next morning, we enjoyed a fantastic breakfast at Republique Bakery. I did the wild mushroom rice bowl and an excellent matcha latte. Oh, and about four different desserts, all equally fantastic.
Finally, the time had come! We went to Pug Nation of L.A. where we picked up our little guy, Sharky.
I’ll save a proper introduction for this weekend’s Sharky Sunday post, but suffice it to say he is a very sweet pug.
Super relaxed.
We flew out at noon the next day. He was exhausted.
And a surprisingly great flyer. We made it back home a little after 8:00 p.m. and, following a final walk of the night, he settled in quite nicely on the bed, lying between us sprawled out and taking up as much room as possible, reminding us very much of Lulu in that respect.
He’s settled in nicely. Loves his new home. But I do think he needs a friend…
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October 15, 2023
October 15, 2023: One more trip down memory lane with my gal!
Tomorrow, we leave for L.A. to adopt the new addition to the family. No one will ever replace my girl, but here’s hoping Sharky forges his own unique path and settles into a comfy new life with us.
The post October 15, 2023: One more trip down memory lane with my gal! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
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