Brendan Shea's Blog, page 18

Life begins in the womb

I am going to lose followers on this, but I believe life begins in the womb. I believe in women’s rights, and hate to think of a woman being raped or abused, but I support the rights of the helpless ones in their bodies too.

Trump is often abhorrent to me, but I regret voting for Harris, as she is of the mind, as are many, that abortion is not taking the life of a living being. With her history promoting justice, I have to believe she is unclear on this point.

Interesting Movie

Slight spoiler alert:

This weekend I was given the choice between seeing the new Tom Hanks movie, or Conclave, about the Roman Catholic Church. I like Tom Hanks, but the film didn’t appeal in the moment, and Conclave looked interesting.

I was trepidatious, as Hollywood boasting an intrigue smacked of controversy and likely some content that I might not love, but my gut said to go for the intrigue, and the film was well made.

I guess for me, being a Christian, Catholicism has some theology that I don’t agree with, but the most concerning for me, is the required celibacy of the priests (especially, and perhaps of the nuns, not sure).

Saint Peter, upon whom Christ build His church, was a married man, and there is no Biblical precedent for priests to be celibate, that I am aware of. There has been so much sin perpetrated by Catholic priests, and I can’t judge, but I wish the priesthood would lift this stricture.

If priests want to marry, that should only make them more stable, and if they are among the few who will not be overcome by lust, then their celibacy should not cause major issues.

But on to the film. The excellent Ralph Fiennes is Cardinal Lawrence, resigned to his role as a “manager” as relegated by the sitting pope, and is reluctant to seek the papacy when his leader passes away. This reticence is also fueled by Lawrence’ crisis of faith.

Like me, his faith in the Lord is sure, but his faith in himself is shaky. He is, however, the man who seems to have the best grasp of overseeing the complex and challenging process of the conclave.

One of my favorite character actors, Stanley Tucci, plays the liberal Cardinal Bellini, who supports homosexuals and women in the clergy. This is contrary to what I believe; not that I believe in exclusion or prejudice, rather as I feel the scriptures show that such things are not intended. Tucci is also well cast, and with subtle nuances, portrays Bellini with elan.

John Lithgow is Cardinal Tremblay, who co-leads the field of electors as the film starts out. The seasoned Lithgow is very capable if marginal, while Tucci and Fiennes have a little more screentime.

Sergio Castellitto does well as Cardinal Tedesco, the conservative elector whom the main protagonists oppose. I somewhat sympathized with his traditional views while strongly eschewing his racist and other prejudicial vitriol.

Lucian Msamati is quite skillful as Cardinal Adeyemi, an elector from Nigeria, who deals with some difficulty during his candidacy.

Carlos Diehz puts in a significant turn as Cardinal Benitez, an unexpected elector from Kabul, who seems to transcend some of the opposing views of the other participating Cardinals.

Finally, Isabella Rosellini has some very key moments as Sister Agnes, a force to be reckoned with despite her marginalized role in the male dominated process.

There are some very good moments in Conclave. I am not sure how I feel about the story or the denouement, but if you are wanting a Hollywood view into the machinations of the papacy, Conclave might be for you.

(based on the book by Robert Harris)

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For the want of a nail…

If you feel you have something to do, say or contribute, if it is a kind or a helpful thing, if it is Godly and moral and right, don’t neglect it, as…

For want of a nail, the shoe was lost;
For want of the shoe, the horse was lost;
For want of the horse, the rider was lost;
For want of the rider, the battle was lost;
For want of the battle, the kingdom was lost;
And all from the want of a horseshoe nail.

And as the Bible says, “17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

-James 4:17

So I must consider things well, and then not neglect them, and the things that are not edifying, I must put away from myself.

And the things that are good, those I must do.

Today’s lunch was scrumptious

We headed to the mall today, and I recalled that they had a Ruby Thai Kitchen there. I like to get Panda on some of my days off, when I am not having a cheese sandwich and chips with fruit or vegetables, or tuna, or egg salad.

Today I was happy to have some pad Thai, and while I usually pair it with eggplant tofu, Ruby Thai had a spicy fried fish. It looked so good I had to try it. The guy at the counter asked me if I was sure I wanted it; he said it was hot. I said I wouldn’t eat the green hot peppers but would likely enjoy the entree.

I opted for a bottle of water, as the Thai iced tea was expensive, and I was not unrewarded. On getting to my seat, I said a prayer, and chopsticked some noodles into my mouth, had a few veggies, and then, the fish. The breading was peppered nicely, the fish juicy and delicious.

I normally don’t go in for fish, but this tasted like some prime cod or haddock, and it was amazing. The water washed the meal down nicely, and while the portions were admittedly a little large for my CKD, I ate most of the food, hoping it would nourish my body; it certainly pleased my taste buds.

Since I eat fairly simply at work during the week, when we went to the movies I got popcorn with extra butter (a small one) and an ice cream cookie sandwich. It was a splurge, and I rarely have food that rich and salty sweet.

If you’re looking for a fairly healthy meal for a reasonable price in a busy but pleasant atmosphere, Ruby Thai Kitchen, is a great destination.

My CKD nurse is kind

I was complaining about my medical staff in an earlier chapter but that is a marginal aspect. My CKD nurse is great and always has my best interests in mind. I suppose that is her job, and she took an oath as a healthcare provider that might be obligatory as well as moral and idealistic, but she really cares.

When I first visited her, it was a letdown in that she told some sad stories about CKD patients, and showed me a somber video, thus my comments in the previous chapter, but again, I think CKD is a crushing diagnosis.

For me, while I can be profoundly negative in doubting certain things, I am also very cheerful and optimistic about most things, and am easily entertained and pleased in many respects. When I heard I had CKD, it was hard. But you can live a fairly normal life in the earlier stages of CKD. However if  you are on dialysis, or maybe if you have complications I haven’t had such as rejection of a transplanted kidney, then I suppose things aren’t as golden. 

I work from home, so the fatigue aspect is fairly minor, but as I noted previously, I do have to watch myself with prolonged physical activity.

My nurse meets with me online every few months, tracks my symptoms and other elements, encourages me, confirms my choices around dialysis, if it comes to that, and keeps me posted on my best options and upcoming items I need to know about. We have a good professional relationship and I am blessed to have such a kind assistant helper.

ꭥ

“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.”

— Psalm 54:4

What I am currently reading…

The most important book I am currently reading is called Tortured for Christ, by Richard Wurmbrand, about a Romanian Evangelical Lutheran priest who stood for Christ despite persecution and extreme torture. Through his sacrifice, many were saved from an eternity apart from God.

The book, Tortured for Christ, is well-written, compelling and inspiring, and so far recounts stories of many in the underground church risking their lives to share the gospel with Eastern Europeans and Russians, enslaved to the tyranny of communism and religious oppression.

The author, Wurmbrand, and his wife, Sabina:

Next, I am listening to a memoir by Henry Winkler, famous for playing Arthur Fonzarelli on the classic TV show Happy Days. As it happens, Winkler’s parents were Jews who fled from their home in Nazi Germany, as the war broke out in the 1930’s.

Winkler has had three adversities of note in his life: One, his parents did not treat him very well, two, he has severe dyslexia, and three, the wonderful blessing he received when his role as “The Fonz” made him an international superstar, overshadowed him later in life, and made it hard to be considered for other roles.

Despite his difficulty with words, Winkler got an MFA from the Yale School of drama, a significant triumph for any actor, but moreso perhaps for him.

The book, Being Henry… The Fonz and Beyond, does have some language and content, but Winkler’s triumph over the odds, his infectious enthusiasm and relentless persistence make the book a joy to read.

The third book I am currently reading is by the exceptional crime novel writer, Michael Connelly, and is called, The Waiting. I won’t give spoilers, but the book features the inspiring character, Renée Ballard, a tough, smart, beautiful lady cop, who overcomes bias, marginalization and sexism, to become a force to be reckoned with in the LAPD.

Maddie and Harry Bosch are also featured in the book, and the subject matter relates to two, real-life crime investigations.

Having recently finished Connelly’s great volume, The Fifth Witness, a Mickey Haller legal thriller, I am eager to see what The Waiting has in store.

Meeting Michael Connelly

I had the pleasure of visiting a great new bookstore this weekend, Book Passage, in Corte Madera, Marin County, California, and of meeting their esteemed guest author, Michael Connelly.

I’d been wanting to hear Mr. Connelly speak for over a year, and have only been reading his work for a few years.

I grew up with mystery writers like Dick Francis, Robert B. Parker and John D. MacDonald, and when I got wind of Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch, Mickey Haller and Renée Ballard, I was hooked for life.

Connelly’s ability with plot, story and character are seldom rivaled, and to hear him speak was a privilege. He is an outstanding writer, but also a man of character, and he treated everyone at the event with courtesy and respect.

Sure, his readers are his bread and butter, but you can tell when someone is skillful, but also considerate, thoughtful and intentional about doing his work with excellence and interacting with his audience well. Connelly went above and beyond, to make this event a success.

I also had the honor of hearing Book Passage co-owner, Elaine Petrocelli speak; she interviewed Connelly, sharing that she’d been friends with him for many years. She was a great person to ask questions of him, and the two exchanged wit and humor to the delight of the audience.

There was a Q&A after the talk, and while I was unable to ask my question (about the background and origins of his Haller book, Resurrection Walk), I enjoyed hearing the other readers’ queries.

It is striking how loyal his readership is. I heard two fellow guests remark, “I hope he doesn’t kill off Bosch.”, and, “I have to ask him if Harry is okay!”, respectively. I too, admire his characters, and feel a kinship towards them.

It is also notable that Michael Connelly ages his favorites and gives them adversity and makes changes in their lives. Not all author’s of beloved series have the knack Connelly does with developing and bringing change, growth and even sad elements that impact us, and endear us to his protagonists.

The author spoke about his writing, answered audience questions, signed my book, and encouraged me in my writing. I really could not have asked for more. The event was memorable, and I’m looking forward to reading his latest book, The Waiting, and having the pleasure of walking back into the Bosch universe once again.

A Story, a Blurb & a Cover…

Story

So, the story is, that when I was an actor, I did everything I could to become a triple threat. Learning to act was important, but I also had to sing and dance (and I tried to add skills like horseback riding, drumming, driving 5-speed, fencing-a big fail, and more…)

I’d read mysteries since I was fifteen, so when I later became a writer, I eventually decided to write a mystery set in the world of dance. Thus was born my new mystery, Step, Turn, Murder.

(I must also say that a kind acquaintance who recently wrote an trilogy set in the world of dance gave me the germ of the idea; this story is wholly unique, however).

Blurb

Here is the blurb for the book:

Does it make you want to read the story?

Just when private detective Michael James Romanoff thinks he’s free to sink into the murky depths of his undiagnosed depression, another New York citizen goes and commits a murder. Now he’ll have to buck up and face that mire when up ‘till now he’s been able to withdraw from the world following his brother’s tragic death.

When he hears the call on his old police radio, he just knows he’s got to go out and investigate as a distraction; he can’t resist the call of a good case, and with his former cop-sidekick working with a hostile new partner, the road to a solution will be more difficult.

Romanoff figures he’ll coast through the thing as a lark, but then a billionaire offers him a million bucks to solve the crime for real and now he’s one-hundred percent committed. Add to that his debt to a loan shark, and the investigator is fully locked-in to solve the case.

Then he gets to date a witness, and begins to wonder if life really is a participation sport after all. Can he face his illness and the loan shark’s goons while trying not to screw up the relationship? 

He has so much on his plate that he might even begin to reconsider his lapsed faith as the mystery unravels around him…

Cover

Here are the covers I’m considering:

Do you have a favorite?

Please comment if you have any feedback on the Story, the Blurb or the Cover!

Here is a link to my Amazon Author Page, in case you want to buy one of my other books… or just read a free excerpt!

Travelings

My mom was traveling out of the country and asked me to drive her to the airport, so I fired up my jalopy, and headed up to her town. The traffic was light, even for a Saturday. Taking the 880 can be a grind as there’s usually many pockets of gridlock, but today, the going was easy.

I got up to her house early, and loaded up my car with her hefty suitcases and we headed for lunch. She couldn’t find her water bottle, so I went to Safeway and found her a nice one at their Starbucks, but it was 24.95 and it later turned out to have a leaky top… so much for last minute shopping.

We’d planned to maybe get lunch in Oakland, but the water-bottle set us back on time, so we went over to 4th Street in Berkeley, found some decent free parking and walked to the Oceanview Diner (formerly Bette’s Oceanview Diner, pre-COVID). The wait was not bad for the popular eatery, and we go seated in about fifteen minutes, at a quieter table outside. I can shout with some of my family there, but with mom, it was nicer outside.

We both had the Vegetarian Sandwich: Avocado, roasted red bell peppers, marinated cucumbers, baby greens, and house-made vinaigrette on baguette for only $12.99 (I had mine on light rye bread); it arrived with a heavenly coleslaw, and I had iced tea. The sandwich was delicious, but I was unable to find a protein side, and the plethora of veggies had my stomach rumbling a bit.

Still, it was a light meal, not too filling, and very healthy. We weren’t rushed away from our table, and got going in plenty of time to reach SFO. The traffic over the bridge wasn’t bad either. Sometimes going through the city can be a slow and painful process. Cars weren’t going fast, but as a sometimes slower driver (yes, I stay on the right when turtling), it was just my speed.

We parked and walked a bit to the baggage check, and the woman told my mom she hadn’t paid for her second suitcase. My mom was sure she had, but got out her credit card. The airline rep kindly admitted her extra bag as a comped item and we were super thankful. Going on an international flight, does not inspire one to look for extra stress or expense.

I got her to the checkpoint and gave her two big hugs, and she made her way to through the airport. I retraced my steps back to the parking garage; it was a long walk, as her gate was about a half mile away from the baggage counter, in the new Harvey Milk Terminal 1. I’d never done so much walking when dropping someone off at SFO, but located my car and headed home.

It was good to see my mom, eat lunch and see her off on her trip. Back in my digs, I got to relax, pop open a cold orange soda, and relax with my family. Tomorrow was church, and then it would be time to go back to the grind. But I’m fortunate to love my job. The weekend isn’t over, and I’m enjoying the peace and quiet.

In closing, I saw this bumper sticker on my journey today, and it gave me a chuckle:

TV Trio

Three similar shows I enjoy…

The shows watched at home have changed over the years. We’ve retired (and the networks have retired) The Mentalist, Elementary, Castle, This is Us, The Good Doctor and more.

We still watch AGT, The Voice, Grey’s, The Masked Singer, the Dick Wolf shows like FBI, Chicago Med/Fire/PD, and various of the Law & Order franchise.

But there are three more recent shows that are similar to each other in some respects. Here they are in order of release:

WILL TRENT (ABC)THE IRRATIONAL (NBC)HIGH POTENTIAL (ABC)

Will Trent is highly original, has some sexual content (which I try to limit) and the dyslexic detective is able to visualize crime scene events after the fact, and draw conclusions that most of his colleagues can only strive for. Trent is an orphan who makes the best of a difficult childhood and compensates for his reading handicap by dictating notes to a micro-cassette recorder.

Alec Mercer (The Irrational protagonist) is not, “The Science Guy”, but the behavioral science guy, and The Irrational truly has a unique concept that shows Mercer and his team conducting social experiments that help reveal human tendencies. These outcomes inform crime investigations, and Mercer also diffuses certain perilous situations by psychoanalyzing the perpetrators in question.

I thought that CBS would come out with a similitude of the above two shows, but ABC checked in this season with a concept similar to Will Trent, High Potential. Morgan Gillory is a single mom of a gifted son and artistic daughter. Morgan can visualize crime scenarios like Will Trent, but has a higher EQ than Trent, and is deputized by the local police when they learn she has limitless knowledge and insight.

There is much more to each of these shows, but suffice it to say that they all stimulate and entertain me, and I hope they all stay around for a while…