Brendan Shea's Blog, page 36

Book Giveaway! Solar 101

Dear Readers,

Tuesday through Sunday of this week, May 6th-May 10th, please feel free to download a free copy of my book, Solar 101; an $8.99 value¹

Know that I have nearly eight years in the solar, storage and roofing industry. The helps in my book are for those new to solar and storage, and provide basic building blocks for maximum ROI, be it fiscal, environmental, or energy independence; none of those three are mutually exclusive.

Best, FitzGerald Press

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¹My book’s normal list price is fairly high for a short volume as I do have a significant knowledgebase with regard to solar electricity

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Original Story 1964

I happened into a beloved used bookstore in downtown Santa Cruz that has since closed its doors. A brewery is to open there, unless Shelter-in-Place stymies it. The store had a ground-floor entry with a sales counter naturally in front, non-fiction on the left, a down-stairwell on the right, and as I recall, some rare recordings on LP in the back.

Downstairs I invariably headed, on many a trip to this treasured destination. Downstairs was a realm of twenty or so handmade bookshelves containing a wealth of used paperbacks, including my loves of mostly mysteries, but I could have also forayed into the Sci-Fi arena as well. I found a ton of Dick Francis‘ and other mysteries there, and the books were not overpriced.

The last time I recall going there before the closure, I happened on a small corner of the store I may not have encountered previously. Whether I thumbed through several volumes, or perhaps I just glanced over at the gem out of the corner of my eye, I’m not sure, but what I do know is that I spied a classic volume, and one I’d never seen before.

I carefully picked up what was maybe a six by ten hardcover, an old edition of the children’s classic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and leafed carefully through its pages. Gingerly handling the book, I became aware that the illustrations and story were nothing like what I had seen in the movie I loved that starred Dick van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes. This book also was a delight, but totally different from the movie.

The man at the bookstore counter seemed nonplussed when I revealed, after more inner-conflict than I might like to admit, that the book might be mispriced. The soft pencil mark inside the cover on the right said, “$3”, but the man did not change the price, and I could barely suppress my excitement at the purchase.

My version has an inscription from the 1960’s, and may be a first edition. The copy of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang I bought is not worth more than $50 at most¹, but its sentimental value, notwithstanding any intrinsic market value, make it a treasure to me. I don’t have other fictional books of this caliber, nothing so unique, so finding this volume was really cool to me.

I highly recommend the book, the original that I found, and I wonder if the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang book, as originally written, will ever be made into a film. If it were done well, it would likely be a classic on a par with the original film, if different in tone. Roald Dahl co-wrote the original movie treatment for the 1968 film, explaining a good deal of its quality, and the cast was excellent as well.

For my own part, I’d have to brainstorm to come up with a suitable cast for the original tale, but again, it would be great fun to watch Fleming’s original story come to life, and also to see if it shed light on the man himself.

Original illustrations by John Burningham.

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¹And none of my other books, however good, would likely glean more that .50¢ at a yard sale.

The Switch

My dad, whom I got to know in person three times in fifteen-year intervals besides over the phone for 20 years, passed away in 2010, before he reached his seventieth birthday. My stepfather became part of my life in 1975, just before I first really met my dad, and my stepfather left this earth in 1994.

The Switch , coincidentally released in 2010, tells the story of a man who is clearly close with a woman but can’t make the social connection with her. Whereas men are microwaves behind closed doors in the marriage bed, this man is slow in the relationship department. But throughout the film we see time after time, evidence that he wants to be with her and only her.

The woman is set on having a child, seeing that her biological clock is ticking, asks her BFF and former boyfriend, Wally, a Wall Street broker outstandingly portrayed by Jason Bateman not to donate the “seed”, but to broker or procure it. The woman, Kassie, played by talented Jennifer Aniston, then feels a medical environment too sterile, no pun intended.

With the help of her somewhat kookie but loyal female bestie Debbie, and Juliette Lewis does a good job with this sadly throwaway part, she throws a party for the donor, Roland, in a skillful turn by Patrick Wilson, to indirectly convey the seed to Kassie. Wally gets drunk, and there ends up being a fairly covert switch that is a bit embarrassing to watch¹, but shows what true love can do to you.

Later in The Switch, Wally goes to his boss Leonard several times for help in time of need, and Leonard faithfully “shows up” every time as if he were Wally’s own dad. Leonard is played in a standout performance by veteran Jeff Goldblum, in a caliber of performance I’ve become spoiled by since I first watched him act in the 1980’s.

Kassie decides to move away to raise her son away from the big city, and this movie hit some key places in my with regard to single parenthood. I am not in favor of it, but that’s not what this blog is about. It’s about a movie that tells what happens when two people relate to each other in a certain way, and something, or someone comes of it, and things are never the same again.

As to the film, I think The Switch² could have just been a so-so romcom, but it is actually an outstanding romantic drama, thanks to the excellent cast³. I wish Juliette Lewis’ part was better developed though, because she is very talented, and her character seemed a bit too peripheral. Also the device around Kassie coming back into the picture was a little pat and rushed, but otherwise, I loved this movie… and you?

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¹This scene is not okay for young people, and not totally okay for anyone in my opinion, but I was okay with the movie because the character went to great lengths, and even a bit crazy because of his heart, and while good intentions can lead to bad things, denying truth can sometimes, have a similar effect.

²Based on a screenplay written by Allan Loeb, the film, formerly titled The Baster, was inspired by the short story “Baster” by Jeffrey Eugenides… and published in The New Yorker. (Wikipedia)

³Don’t miss Thomas and Bryce Robinson as the inimitable Sebastian!

… if it be Your will

I don’t try to hammer folks with the Bible. The Bible speaks for itself, and it states that people can see God’s truth in creation, so that not having read the Bible does not mean they are ignorant of being convicted about something they might feel uncomfortable with had they read scripture about it.

I’ll stick to judging my own sin, also known as falling short. God says to not judge another, and I believe we are still to use our brains and discern, but I am often stupid, and say things to others that are terribly critical. If I don’t, I might still think them, and that is wrong too.

In any case, my beef here is that there is a commonly used type of statement I’ve heard prevalently both prior to and during COVID-19, Shelter-in-Place, and that is, “We ARE going to do this.” or “This WILL be the profit we’ll make.” or “We WILL make this happen”, and self-will is a problem for me too.

Prior to Shelter-in-Place, I noted someone admirable in a professional, business capacity projecting progress, as we see often in the media, and they used language indicating the certainty of an outcome. Currently, during the quarantines, some make similar statements about finding vaccines and certain lifting of various restrictions.

In the context of the pandemic, it is perhaps easier to justify these types of statements. Staying positive can be very helpful in making progress and achieving greater strides against the virus, but in the context of stock shares rising pre-crisis, we are in danger of taking God for granted.

God loves us, and is not waiting for us to stumble so that He can crush us, but while I hate the negative side of COVID-19/Shelter-in-Place, I can’t help but think God will use this situation to bring about change, and getting our attention could be part of that.

Again, I am not free of sin, and casting stones would be both foolish and wrong, but I think it is important to say, “if it is God’s will…”, or if you don’t believe in God, have faith in good, but maybe use a small grain of salt with regard to what may occur. This is one man’s opinion based on:

James 4:13-15

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

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… the Goober Chunkie

FITZGERALD ON FOOD

Read John O’Hurley at The National Dog Show… “(pause) ‘tha’ Goober Chunkie”

Five Songs by Thomas Dolby

I was ‘hit hard’ by Thomas Dolby’s breakout ‘eighties hit, “She Blinded Me with Science”, and somewhat reviled by Aliens Ate My Buick’s, “Airhead”, although I think he was just going through a tough breakup as evidenced by the greater context of his works.

Some of Dolby’s ballads, however, from various albums, are beautiful, haunting, lyrically poetic, rhythmically hypnotic, and otherwise amazing. Some of the faster songs like Dissidents, The Ability to Swing, and Hyperactive are amazing, but the ballads are what I’m covering here, and I’m in awe of Dolby accordingly:

One of Our Submarines

From The Golden Age of Wireless album, ‘Submarines, is a graphic and visceral depiction of a submarine running aground and the chilling conditions and fate the crew are facing. Hauntingly poetic, ‘Submarines is a great Dolby tune.

Budapest by Blimp

What one YouTube reviewer called, ‘… possibly the greatest pop song written in the eighties’, Budapest by Blimp has catchy rhythms that parry and thrust as they riff and evolve throughout what appears as darkly romantic verbiage that morphs to a seemingly holocaust-evoking treatise.

Screen Kiss

I’m hypothesizing at best able as to ‘Dolby’s lyrical meanings, but Screen Kiss has some pretty straightforward clues as to a woman finding provision in Hollywood, maybe through compromise, but certainly caught up in an abusive relationship. It is a sad story, but Dolby writes so beautifully that one can almost find comfort in the telling, and there’s a glimmer of hope near the ending.

My Brain is Like a Sieve

This song is from the last Dolby album I owned and listened to, Aliens Ate My Buick, and I saw him perform it live in Manhattan that year, 1988.¹ ‘Sieve deals with relational issues and maybe a breakup, as he deftly expresses to he former mate or friend how his psyche is fallible but that he still, ‘knows a hawk from a handsaw’², as he says that despite their having hurt him, he’s still willing to be vulnerable for their mutual benefit is my interpretation.

The Flat Earth

This song is one I’m unable to listen to in this moment and it is interesting that while I basically recall the melody, I have some trouble ‘marrying it’ to the lyrics. Beyond simple memory, it is because of the contrast and juxtaposition Dolby employs in many of his songs. They’re extremely catchy, but harder to pin down musically.  Simply put, I suppose ‘Earth is quite beautifully suggesting two things:

Life is what you make it
How you treat the Earth and its inhabitants is important and is up to you

Dolby’s uptempo songs are just as good, but I’m a sucker for the ballads

Asthma Helps for These Times of Illness

FITZGERALD ON HEALTH

Fighting asthma? Here are a few tactics that have worked for me:¹



Reduce dairy intake:

As I am dairy allergic, to avoid getting asthma, I try to keep my dairy intake to a minimum. I have the occasional pizza, use milk on cereal and enjoy some cheese during the week, but I try to lay off glasses of milk, or milkshakes. I love ice cream and other dairy, but when breathing is impeded…

Reduce Salts and fats:

Very hard for me to do, but I feel better when I eat more leafy greens, good proteins, whole grains, and less grease, fat, oil, salt, and other unhealthy foods. I think it’s good to have treats now and then, just not all the time.

Be careful when you eat and drink, if applicable:

I personally find that consuming dairy at night is the worst for asthma. If you have food or other allergies, careful avoidance during allergy season or extreme temperatures can help. Some are also allergic to dust, wool, synthetics, chemical products, animal dander, and taking protective measures can help you breathe easier.

Keep weight down:

Following a moderately healthy diet that is lower in fat, carbs and sugars helps me to trim pounds. When I eat out, I may splurge a bit, but then I go easy the next meal. Mild exercise² keeps me fitter, but intense exercise can bring on asthma for some. Cutting down on soda and caffeine also helps. The healthier I get, the less I use my rescue inhaler.

Reduce stress:

Organizing my work week in advance, exercising, and praying are effective in reducing stress; so is writing, reading, watching and listening to positive content. Due to stress and asthma, my breathing patterns are irregular, so I try to be aware of that to stabilize them.

Stress can cause shortness of breath:

Stress causes ones’ bronchioles or breathing tubes, to become constricted, so one feels “tight” in the chest³. I use a corticosteroid inhaler to help keep my bronchioles from becoming inflamed, which allows oxygen to reach the alveoli, where oxygen mixes with carbon dioxide, in a key part of the breathing process.

Use maintenance medications:

Asthma maintenance medications like Alvesco, can reduce the need for rescue inhalers, and I personally feel taking fewer medications can be a good thing properly handled, they also reduce my snoring, which can be related to breathing issues, and my family appreciate when I snore less

A Song to Uplift During Shelter-in-Place

I went to this school ’95-’97 but had nothing to do with this song save that I love it:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/millersville-university_listen-to-this-stirring-a-cappella-and-remote-activity-6656236772638412800-wZAj

(you may need a LinkedIn account to access; I will try to create other access if this proves to be so)

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Favorite Old-School TV

… nothing y’all haven’t heard of…? but if you have not, maybe check these out, from the ‘sixties to the ‘eighties, with 1-10 (and Spinal-Tap) scores beside:

The Avengers (11)

The series that debuted in 1967, with Diana Rigg & Patrick Macnee, recounting oddball espionage tales with the stars’ Emma Peel & John Steed characters saving the day week by week with great elan.




Spiderman (10)

Also debuting in 1967, this animated series was the first such Spiderman production, with a great them; a unique and fun show.




Columbo (10 but a little dark)

For 35 years, Peter Falk’s classic detective Frank Columbo faced off against dozens of killers who foolishly thought him incompetent. No Clouseau but seemingly bumbling, Columbo played a great hand of “poker”, and always got his man… or woman.




Mrs. Columbo (10, as I recall)

Lovely Kate Mulgrew played Kate Columbo née Callahan, the master detective’s equally cagey and adroit wife. Apparently the Columbo’s later get a divorce and she goes back to using her maiden name. I don’t enjoy most newer Star Trek series’, but would briefly watch Mulgrew as Captain Janeway in the ‘Voyager series, just to enjoy her scenes.




3 if by campfire: (WWW: 9; B: 8; BV 8.5)




Wild Wild West starred Robert Conrad and Ross Martin and featured gizmos, gadgets, humor and derring-do. I loved the more recent Will Smith movie with messrs. Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh as well.






Bonanza was a well known staple with Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, Michael Landon and Pernell Roberts, as a widowed father and his three sons, serving up adventure on the Ponderosa.






Big Valley featured Barbara Stanwyck, Richard Long, Lee Majors, beautiful Linda Evans, and Peter Breck. Like Greene’s male “counterpart”, Stanwyck played a matriarch who led her children with grit and wisdom, doubtless an innovation at the time.




The Six Million Dollar Man (8-10)

Millions of kids tuned in to watch Lee Majors as half-cyborg, Steve Austin, “rebuilt” after a parachute accident.
Favorite episode:

Sasquatch (with gorgeous Stephanie Powers)


I loved the show, and Richard Anderson as Oscar Goldman, Martin E. Brooks as Dr. Rudy Wells, and my smokin-hot teen crush Lindsay Wagner as Jamie Sommers, who later had her own show:




The Bionic Woman (10)

Favorite episode of this awesome TV gem with the lady from Ojai:

Fembots






Tenspeed and Brownshoe (10)

Ben Vereen and Jeff Goldblum make a great team in this very short lived but fun and well-liked detective show.




Moonlighting (11)

Cybill Shepherd, Bruce Willis, Allyce Beasley, Curtis Armstrong, & Eva Marie Saint. If ya’ haven’t seen it, it’s a must. Favorite character name: Miss DiPesto.




Remington Steele (10)

Stephanie Zimbalist, Pierce Brosnan, and Doris Roberts star in one of my favorites from the ’80’s. It predated Moonlighting in it’s debut by two years, though I’m not sure which was conceived first. There are some parallels, although it’s not as kookie as the classic Moonlighting.

 

 

 

 

 

Fried Potatoes with Apples & Onions

Growing up in West Berkeley, I went to the former 9th grade only high school West Campus for a semester. I could walk to school in maybe 10 minutes. I think I got an hour for lunch, and my mom, wanting me to stay in school, would go to great lengths to encourage and cajole me to that end.

I regret to say that I dropped out of high school, but that was many years ago, and I’m blessed to have had a good work life, largely due to the knowledge and wisdom of my family, and no doubt a bit of protracted and impactful osmosis as well.

In any case, my mom told me that she’d make me lunch if I wanted to come home now and then, and being a “foodie”, I wasn’t going to turn down that offer. The dish I remember her making was fried potatoes with apples and onions.

She’d put what I assume was olive oil & butter in what was definitely a cast iron pan, added raw or cooked potato slices, green apple slices, and onions, sautéeing the ingredients over medium-high heat, and doubtless adding some unknown herbs. The result was crisply-patinated, delicious warm veggies & fruit with buttery-tender insides.

It was a treat to have a walk, a home-cooked meal, and another walk back to school. Kind of a sabbath or midday break like the Europeans have in their workdays. As much as I hated school, I could return there feeling somewhat peaceful… kind of like I’ve felt reading the Psalms, in good relationship times, and on a quiet summer’s day.

Several years later I got my GED and shortly after that, went back to school. University agreed with me greatly, and as an older if still immature man, I did well academically for the first time. So is this blog about potatoes, or life…? Maybe it’s just thoughts brought about by a plate of good food.

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