Laurel A. Rockefeller's Blog, page 13

Summer update: The Sweet Spot Remains the Best restaurant in downtown Johnstown Pennsylania

Good morning everyone. I hope your summer is going well and starting off smoothly.

A new sign at 145 Franklin Street welcomes patrons.

Back in March I dined at The Sweet Spot in downtown Johnstown Pennsylvania. Located at 145 Franklin Street, the Sweet Spot replaces the series of pizzerias that tried and failed to thrive in the space. Specializing in burgers, bubble tea, and now milkshakes, the Sweet Spot offers very high quality food at a middle range price. On 7 June 2024 I stoppe...

China’s Last Emperor and the Importance of Asylum

One hundred years ago civil war was raging in China. After mass killings of Manchu ethnic Chinese, the Guo Ming Dang party (aka “Nationalists”) overthrew the Qing dynasty in 1912. The last emperor is officially known as the “Xuan Tong” for his reign title. But most people refer to him by his given name (unheard of for every other Chinese emperor in history) Aisin-gioro Pu Yi – or simply as “Pu Yi” which is his generational name followed by his personal name.

Born in February 7, 1906 and cr...

Requiem for Mithril, an update on “Mithril and Me: A Love Story.”

It is with great sadness that I announce that at 741 am EDT on Monday, 10 June 2024 Mithril died. She was born 15 June 2003.

Mithril was the heart of the entire Life with Cockatiels series. Right now I am not certain if there will be another book (as planned) for the series. It’s too soon for me. 21 years is a long time and I met Mithril when she was just 3 weeks old, taking her home at 6 weeks. She was a huge part of my life.

Part of my shock and grief right now is that I expected h...

Sleeping Perches for Cockatiels

September 2006, Brooklyn New York. Mithril sleeps on a swing hung from the top of her cage.

Sleep is important for all animals. Whether we have scales, fur, or feathers, getting enough sleep is essential for our health. So much so that every year furniture stores insist that only the most expensive mattresses, foundations, and bedding will make sure we sleep well. As people who live with and love animals, we appreciate that finding the best and most comfortable sleeping spaces for ...

Main Street Pizzeria is Johnstown Pennsylvania’s Worst Pizzeria

I love to support small businesses. As an independent author it makes sense to support others whose businesses, like mine, need a bit of a lift.

Sadly, I cannot recommend Main Street Pizzeria. Located at 502 Main Street in downtown Johnstown Pennsylvania in the space formerly occupied by Capri Pizza, they are only open from 10am to 4pm Monday through Thursdays and on Fridays from 10am to 8pm. Closed weekends. This alone tells you that Main Street Pizzeria has one core clientele: downtown bus...

Mothers, Daughters, and Body Image

Mom and me during her 2001 visit.

The mother-daughter relationship is the most important relationship in any girl and woman’s life. Our mothers are our foundation, the lens through which we see ourselves. My relationship with my late mother was no exception. She taught me how to look at myself and ultimately to loathe myself.

Reading Christopher Eccleston’s book “I love the bones of you” and about his relationship with his parents has made me reflect recently on my own relationship...

All about Rose Tyler: a Look at season one of Doctor Who

Good morning everyone! I hope your day so far is fantastic – absolutely fantastic!

After finally getting my copy of “I Love the Bones of You” by Christopher Eccleston and reading it, it felt proper to rewatch my DVDs of season one of Doctor Who – Christopher Eccleston’s run as the Ninth Doctor. I recently binge watched it and noticed, maybe way later than I should, that despite the show being named “Doctor Who,” the focus of the series is not the Doctor – but Rose Tyler. Let’s take a l...

World Building: Beinarian Weddings and Engagement Customs

“High Priestess Wehe blessed them, “Hand to hand, heart to heart, flesh to flesh, blood to blood, soul to soul.  As your souls have found one another, let them never be parted again, in this life or in lives to come.  Let your minds, hearts, and souls be ever enriched by one another.  May your bodies be blessed with children who thrive and live many yen-ars after you are gone…and may you know only love for one another as long as you both shall live.”  Smiling, Wehe embraced both in open court an...

Jimmy McGovern’s “Hearts and Minds” explores inner city schools in Liverpool England

Many years ago, probably 2016 and shortly after seeing season 1 of Doctor Who for the first time, I discovered the 1995 drama “Hearts and Minds.” Written by Jimmy McGovern and staring Christopher Eccleston in one of his finest performances ever, it focuses on Drew Mackenzie, a working class English teacher in his first year at a tough inner city school.

Episode 1.Episode 2Episode 3

Hearts and Minds is a very edgy piece and precisely the sort of role that Mr. Ec...

Book Review: “I Love the Bones of You” by Christopher Eccleston

I love the Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston. You already know that by my recent discussion about the Ninth Doctor. When I found out he wrote an autobiography focusing on his relationship with his father and his struggles with both anorexia and depression, I knew I had to buy a copy and read the book.

“I Love the Bones of You” is very much a tell-all sort of autobiography. Eccleston holds nothing back, beginning with his earliest childhood memories. The book is somewhat arranged topicall...