One last hurrah
Got these winterberries (?) for the studio sometime before the holidays.
They’re shriveled and become fragile over time (as we do) and today I determined it was time to say goodbye.
The trash bag ripped on the way out for one last hurrah of color as the berries tumbled to the floor.
Snow White
As I batten down news consumption, I missed the hullabaloo surrounding the new live action Snow White from Disney.
Low box office returns inspired finger pointing.
What I do know is that the computer graphic dwarves were fine, performances memorable in the wrong ways, but it was the story that really didn’t help.
It felt jumbled and I really just wanted it to be over. Maybe things deviated from the original too much and I’m used to Disney rehashing verbatim.
More bad news: The popcorn was stale.
The good news: I got to see my brother.
Next time I’m picking the movie.
Only a facade remains
It’s not just democracies that can be deconstructed.
♠
Walked by last remnants of The United States Printing Co. building in Norwood. This is where they used to print US Playing Cards under brands including Aviator, Bee, Bicycle and Hoyle.
SIDENOTE
During World War II the company made cards that could be pulled apart when submerged in water. Inside each card was a section, when all the cards were put together it was a large map. These were supplied to POW’s who could use the map to reach safety, if they were able to escape.
My uncle worked at this factory, a matter of great pride for the family as our second church was Memaw’s kitchen table. It was always filled with rounds of Canasta and Euchre after plates were cleared. (It was also filled with cigarette smoke but that’s not important here.)
♦
Anyway, the final building of this production complex has been largely removed for expansion of apartments for the Factory 52 development. They’ve kept some choice bits, saving architectural elements and leaning into the history with murals and whatnot throughout the mixed use development.
I vacillate on my feelings for it all… Density is good. But the prices are (really) high. There’s good eats in their food hall! But what about the factories? (US Playing Card moved to Kentucky and Spain.)
♣
For what it’s worth, the tacos and wings from Shango’s for lunch on this day were phenomenal.
♥
Three chords and you’re into jazz
I marvel at those that can conceive, produce and perform music — it’s absolute magic in my mind as I’ve none of those skills.
So there’s great anxiety when I’m included in improvisational music sessions.
♫
We had a moving circle on the calendar to get together, pick up instruments and see what would happen.
This “Band Day” was largely Zan teaching me notes and Tom taping a crib sheet along the neck of a bass guitar so I could remember said notes.
Not chords. Notes.
One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you’re into jazz.
Lou Reed
I transcribed notes of our improvised song that included two verses and a bridge, the chorus never fully baked.
After a few rounds with that number it was time to experiment with different musical themes: hand clap song, vocoder song, moody synth piece and hot dog song.
There are rough voice memo recordings of these sonic sketches titled:
- Song 1
- Song 1 take two
- Song 2: Hot Dog
- Song 3
- Song 4
- New Recording 22
At the end of the day it was all silly fun (much needed) and a reminder that even a plebe can delight in attempted magic.
♫
I’ll close with the final moment of the day titled New Recording 23.
On the way home Mr. Mister came on the radio and I was inspired for the next tune that might include really coordinated handclaps.
Expired medication
I’ve been lucky (so far) to have avoided whatever bug / flu / cold that has entered the household.
It’s revealed expired medication and a bunch of those free Covid tests from the American Rescue Plan Act.
I’m researching what might be acceptable to keep around.
Engaging the core
On a call with Em she mentioned the value of simply standing on one leg for a short spell (like 30 seconds, minimum).
It’s hard.
It’s also great for engaging the core and improving balance.
I should do this with regularity.
A little lunch walkabout
Dandy weather on this St. Patrick’s Day.
I’d say I wore green to celebrate but my entire wardrobe is either green, brown or greenish-brown.
Had a walkabout during lunch and paused at this new infill that replaced a triangular parking lot in the heart of Northside. The line of the shadow felt like an extension of the building’s perspective. At least it did in real life — feels a wee bit off in the capture.
Semi-related, got a nice email about a map of Northside I made a long while back. Thinking it might be fun to take more walks (and notes) to update it.
Mickey 17 and a vegetarian breakfast casserole
We called off brunch out of an abundance of caution — sickness was present.
The good news is that everyone was understanding and we shifted the concept to a future, undetermined date.
I had already made a low carb vegetarian breakfast casserole and kind of glad I didn’t have to serve it — some things really benefit from time to meld. Roasted sweet potatoes, peppers, mushrooms and broccoli formed the base of this casserole, with skim ricotta on top to fun it up. And while it was fine this first day… it got much better as leftovers.
Went for a matinee in the afternoon.
Mickey 17 is a sci-fi outing by Bong Joon Ho. You might know him from Parasite or Snowpiercer among many films. He’s hard to pin down, mixing genres and social commentary.
I’d no expectations and enjoyed the rollicking space narrative that started to feel a bit reminiscent of current political nonsense. Toni Collette always elevates a scene, and extra props to R. Patz for discernible personalities between his duplicative roles.
As we shared reviews after the show we snapped shots for photoshopped giggles. It’s probably difficult to find the original versions of us.
The price of eggs
Industrial factory eggs laden with hormones and antibiotics to combat restricted movement and disease from overcrowding are still just $4.99 a dozen.
More expensive ones often use deceptive words to make it seem like they’re less unethical and can cost over twice as much.
In other news, the weather has been windows-open fantastic. I’ve been spring cleaning like mad (and weirdly enjoying it). Casey just got back from Florida and we’re planning to have folks over for brunch tomorrow.
A deficit of notions
Welcome to my store closing blog
It seems like just yesterday they were transforming an old grocery store space into a Kohl’s/JOANN Fabric and Crafts. (It was 2023.)
But now the JOANN is extra bankrupt and going out of business, which is a pity — it has/had a fantastic selection of fabric and notions.
We are facing a deficit of notions.
Reports say it was declining sales and mounting debt, but most stores were profitable so it was most likely a private equity problem.
BIG Sale Store Closing
The Trump Store on Beechmont Avenue is closing. Not due to lagging sales but the zoning permit expired. (Cincinnati Enquirer article)
I regret not stopping in to browse —partially to document the moment more thoroughly, but I was also curious where products were produced. I know it doesn’t matter to the fervent, but I was curious.