The Gang

And should just go to bed.

But I had keto cookie dough ice cream with chocolate and whipped cream (which kind of renders the keto portion of it null and void?) and it's keeping me awake for a bit.

From another post - I'm struggling to define "stealth anthology series" - this is going to bug me. My mind loves to torture itself with semantics debates - it's the downside of being a professional wordsmith, who has to be precise with phrasing for a living. My work bleeds into my personal life, no matter what I do to separate it.

Found a definition via AI:

"A "stealth anthology" is a series that functions as an anthology but presents itself to the audience as a traditional serial drama with continuing characters and story arcs

The anthology format is hidden, or "in stealth mode," for a portion of the show's run.

The term gained prominence in pop culture criticism to describe shows that subvert audience expectations by featuring a new story or set of characters in each episode or season, despite having a continuous element that keeps viewers engaged.

A prominent example is the television show Quantum Leap, where a time-traveler jumps into a different person's life each episode. While the time-traveler and his holographic guide are continuous characters, the central story of each episode (the person's life they inhabit) and the supporting cast are always new.

How a stealth anthology works

The framing device: A consistent character or small cast provides continuity from one story to the next.

The new cast: Each new installment features a fresh set of characters and a self-contained plot that resolves by the end of the episode or season.

The audience hook: The continuous framing device pulls the audience along, even if they aren't invested in a particular week's story, allowing the show to explore many different genres and premises.

The genre shift: By essentially doing a different show each week, a stealth anthology can seamlessly move between genres like hard-boiled detective fiction, domestic comedy, musical theater, and science fiction.

Critics Pick Their Favorite Anthology Series of All Time
Aug 20, 2019 — How are we defining “anthology,” exactly? A show that tells a new story with new characters each season? In that case, it's probably “Fargo,” even though I had ...

Hmmm.

I'd say a stealth anthology series that is by episode is most like Pokerface or Quantum Leap or maybe Murder She Wrote. I don't know about Doctor Who - it has a serial through line, as does most procedurals. The characters build new relationships. Also Doctor Who has recurring characters. Actually it may be the very definition of "stealth anthology" - since it is a serial whose characters often change entirely with each new Doctor. Fargo, True Detective, American Horror Story, and American Crime are all stealth anthologies.

Okay, my brain has figured it out now and will let it go, so I can sleep.

I think it's Wednesday? Checks. Yes, Wednesday. That's the difficulty with short weeks, I get confused. And everything work wise has confused me today. I was confused when I got up. So was my Smart Watch - who asked me if I wanted to turn off the alarm since I was awake at 5:30, and I was like no, I'm going to attempt to go back to sleep thank you very much, I just had to go to the bathroom.

Some odd links that I stumbled upon:

1. Being Poor by John Scalzi - which is interesting, considering he's a multi-millionaire who has a collection of insane guitars, but whatever. He seems to get most of it right, and most likely experienced poverty at some point in his lifetime? Apparently, I'm right - he did experience poverty (most professional writers have - it's not a money-making profession and those who make it eventually, often suffered years and years of "starving artist syndrome"). Here, he explains why he wrote it and how it was received. Make of it what you will.

2. Meanwhile people asking for money to do weird things?

Romance Novelist wants funds to sell jigsaw puzzles of her book covers

This individual wants money to sell a board game based on Jane Austen Novels entitled Endearment (I don't know, it reminded me more of Bridgerton).

At least they are creative?

3. the Who Farewell Tour in Toronto

4. Yes, it's official. Paramount Skydance Merger Has Finally Closed

It's hard to say what if anything this means for future projects? But Paramount had to do a deal with the devil in the blue suit and orange puffy hair to seal the deal, so....

Note Paramount is the owner of the Star Trek franchise, actually now, Skydance Media is the owner of the Star Trek franchise. Skydance didn't own any film or television outlets prior - it produced films and television shows such as Foundation, Mission Impossible...and does Animation and video games.

Not to be confused with the UK company Sky Group Media, Skydance Media is an American Media Company. The names are similar so it is understandably confusing.

"Skydance Media, LLC (formerly known as Skydance Productions from 2006 to 2016) was an American media production and finance company based in Santa Monica, California. Founded by David Ellison in 2006, the company specialized in films, animation, television, video games, and sports.

In 2009, the company entered a five-year partnership to co-produce and co-finance films with Paramount Pictures. This agreement was renewed twice, extending to 2021. On July 7, 2024, Skydance announced its intent to merge with Paramount Global in an $8 billion transaction, under an agreement in which Skydance would acquire Paramount's controlling shareholder National Amusements, and then perform an all-stock merger with the company. On July 24, 2025, the merger was approved by the FCC, and the merger was closed on August 7, 2025, forming Paramount Skydance Corporation."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skydance_Media

5. IRS is asking taxpayer's to take a Tax Preparation Survey

"WASHINGTON – The IRS invites the public to participate in an anonymous feedback survey on tax preparation and filing options, which will run through Sept. 5, 2025.

The survey is being conducted as part of the Department of Treasury and the IRS’s efforts to fulfill a reporting requirement to Congress under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. The law directs Treasury to deliver a report to Congress by Oct. 2, 2025, on several key issues related to free tax filing options for the public.

Treasury and the IRS encourage taxpayers to share their perspectives and help inform this important congressional report.

To participate, visit the Free Online Tax Preparation Feedback Survey or the IRS.gov landing page. Participation is anonymous."

***

Off to bed.

So, I had the doctor's virtual appointment - took fifteen minutes, most of which was the doctor trying to get the tech to work. We argued over medication - he talked me into trying a certain type of meds again - which I felt was giving me joint pain, but he said no one gets that side effect and maybe it was something else? And it's the mildest I can use. So, I'm trying it again. Just going to try taking it - away from the rest of my meds. If you take certain meds together - they can result in side-effects.
And it is more than possible that it was water retention causing the joint pain - and the use of the diuretic is helping? God knows. Menopause is not for wimps.

Now waiting for someone to show up and test my apartment for lead. No one has shown up yet.

Saw another flick yesterday, Thursday Murder Club based on Roger Osman's best-selling mystery of the same name. It was directed by Christopher Columbus, and starred quite a few stellar British Actors of a certain age? Became spot the famous British Actor. Helen Mirren, Pierce Bronsan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie were the leads, with Tom Ellis, David Tennant, Jonathan Price, Paul Freeman and Richard E. Grant in supporting roles.

It's okay? I haven't read the book, so I don't know how close it is, or how good the book was? I'm guessing it follows it closely enough, since the author is one of the producers and consulted. Two female screen-writers wrote the movie. It's what I'd describe as a British Cozy Mystery or Parlor Room Mystery?

The detectives are a bunch of retirees at an independent retirement community, who hold a Thursday Murder Club each week, to solve old cold cases. As the film unravels we learn more about each - although the focus is solidly on Helen Mirren and Celia Imrie's characters, with Bronsan and Kingsley in the supporting roles. Bronsan has a bit more of a role than Kinsley does. There's some nice character bits. And the mystery plot has some nice twists and turns. It also ends in a satisfying manner.

Overall, a solid B effort. Not quite memorable, but worth the time all in all.

**

I also started watching Iron HeartM on Disney +- which is by Chinaka Hodge, with Ryan Coogler executive producing. Previously known for The Midnight Club. It's okay? I'm having troubles getting into it? And in this day and age - it kind of has to hook you in the first episode, or at the very least the second? And I find it more grating than entertaining? It may be that it is a bit too young for me? It's focus is a 19 year old college student who has been expelled from MIT for attempting to do more than the college was equipped for, and what it felt was plagiarism. Riri Williams wanted to create a group of Iron Man suites to protect fire fighters and police offices, but they felt she needed to do it on her own without utilizing Stark's design.
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Anyhow, I've an excuse to be insanely lazy today, because I've promised to be home all day for the test guy. So off to be suitably lazy.

I'm debating, do I want to take another walk? Eh, probably not. Depends on blood sugar - right now, it appears to be going down. My life is now being determined by blood sugar. Ah well, tomorrow, I'll see the doctor. [ETA: Took a walk with the intent of getting a gluten free freshly baked chocolate chip cookie - but the store closed at 3pm on Mondays, and I got there at 4pm. The Universe clearly didn't want me to get a chocolate chip cookie.]

I've done a lot of walking the last three days, and I'm tired. I think I'll be fine with the excuse of not leaving my apartment tomorrow - so that they can test for lead whenever they get around to it? I did laundry this morning, so got that out of the way at least, along with a shower just a moment ago, and several hours prior to that grocery shopping. Also took the new shoes I got from Allbirds for a walk yesterday - broke them in. I think they can handle maybe a mile, but the length of yesterday's walk might require shoes with socks in the future, or sandals? The new sandals can handle it. They were cheaper than the Allbirds. I keep getting Allbirds, and no matter the pair? It has a quirk.

Catching up on the End of August Memage:

27. Are you a fan of bananas? Do you like to bake with them, or eat them raw?

No. I do not like bananas. The appeal is completely lost on me.

28. When was the last time you spent a night (or more than one night) away from home?

May - when I visited my mother for mother's day.

29. How many times have you moved home so far in your life? Do you plan to move again in the future?

17 times. And yes, most likely. I rent - so I tend to move whenever the rent gets too high for the what I'm actually getting in regards to the apartment.

30. Has the area where you live changed much over the last decade?

Not really? I mean sections have - it's Brooklyn and NYC and this city is in a constant state of flux and construction, but overall no.

31. Do you have any plans for the next month?

Hmm. I have doctor's appointments at the beginning of the month. Nothing else that is definite at any rate

It's a beautiful day - with a clear blue sky, and in the low seventies. I'm thinking maybe Greenwood Cemetery today. Which I actually managed to do - took an hour and a half walk to, through, and from the cemetery - entering from another entrance. (I wanted to see what the houses across from the cemetery looked like - on the Windsor Terrace side of the fence, and well, not that great? Note to self - do not try to go the cemetery at night to do the night activities - unless you can get a chauffeur to take you to and from the cemetery. They have an electrical substation across the street from the Windsor Terrace entrance.) This resulted in nicely lowering my blood sugar (after the ploughman's lunch and the donut). It had gone high, now it's within range. If I'm doing carbs, try to exercise immediately afterwards. I didn't like the donut - it reminded me of a miniature bundt cake with chocolate frosting filling, except with the texture of a cake donut, and the donut taste. It was too thick and too much like cake. So far Sixteen Mills is really good at Belgian waffles and bread, not so much at muffins and donuts. Which is okay - other places can do those. Best muffins I've had - were at a place that appears to have disappeared or gone out of business? This happens a lot in the city. One never quite gets used to it.



***

Entertainment Bits

1. Watched this youtube podcast with Katee Sackhoff (Starbuck BSG, and was in Longmire, and Bo-Kataan in Mandalorian) and Tahmoh Penkikett (Helo BSG, and Ballard Dollhouse, among others). They discuss losing your confidence during your craft - that resonated with me. And how it can throw you off your game. Also how folks think your talent comes easily and you don't have to work at it - which couldn't be any more untrue.

Here's the Podcast

It's about halfway through the podcast. And then they talk about BSG filming and the audition process.

Katee Sackhoff (Starbuck from BSG) is doing podcasts with various castmates from BSG, and other science fiction serials, television shows, etc. She's done 69 in one year - which is kind of amazing actually. Most people barely get out 20. It's the new trend - former television stars doing podcasts on youtube and patreon. Everyone has one. Pick your television star. I personally like Michael Rosenbloom's the best, but we also have Will Wheaton, Katee Sackhoff (who I actually find kind of charming), Charisma Carpenter (whose voice sets my teeth on edge for some reason that I can't put my finger on - no fault of the actress, is rewatching Buffy as both Cordelia and Charisma Carpenter), Juliet Landau (is rewatching Buffy as both Juliet Landau and Drusilla)....

They've also discovered that conventions is the way to go - you can do theater, network with folks in the craft, meet up with old friends, and get paid for it. And since they can't get residuals any longer - this is the only money they get. So if you are into going to fan conventions? More power to you.

2. Finished a few television shows:

High Country - an Australian detective limited series. It only has one season. I think it probably was set up for more than one, but didn't get picked up for a second season? The detective is half-aboriginal and half-white. She is selected by the current, retiring sheriff to come up to the High Country from the City Police department in Melbourne, and take over his position. So, Addy brings up her wife and the wife's daughter to the High Country, and ends up investigating a bunch of missing persons cases.

It's good, a bit choppy in places, but I really enjoyed it. The lead played by Leah Purcell was quite good. But her wife, kind of got on my nerves, and I wanted more of her relationship with the retired sheriff, Sam and the father of her kid's boyfriend.

Wednesday S2 - Part I - which is actually better than S1, partly because they wisely bring in and focus more on Wednesday, Wednesday's family and less on her fellow students and the school. We see less of Enid, and there is less of the romantic triangle bit. Wednesday doesn't have a romance at all - the wrote out Xiaver completely. And this actually works better, because Wednesday doesn't work with a romance.

It gets better as it goes. And while Thandie Newton is underused? Her grandmother is a lovely addition. And once again Burton's style is often better than the writing, but overall - it was an entertaining binge.

*****

On the way home yesterday, I passed a sign in the subway that stated, black print on a white backing in huge letters:

friend (noun)

a person who listens to you, and often responds, and supports you.

I've been meditating on it off and on ever since.

Had the required dental visit - which I do, infrequently. I get the same lecture every time: you should come every six months, if not sooner, you should wear mouth guard or you can do botox injections -
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Because I slept badly the night before - due to various factors, inclusive of being aggravated by the building management's incompetence in scheduling building inspectors and high blood sugar - I didn't walk as far as planned today. Also Transit was doing track work - so the trains were screwed up again. Lots of construction work everywhere - I live in a city that is perpetually under construction.

On the way to Lofty Pigeons books, the only book store that doesn't appear to carry a lot of Stephen King or Neil Gaiman books, I found a twenty dollar bill and a ten dollar bill on the sidewalk. I looked down, saw what I expected to be a one dollar or five dollar bill, and it was a twenty. Then looked around to see who dropped it - there was no one nearby. So I decided the Universe wanted me to buy a book today. It was also in the exact amount as the book I wanted to buy - $30.00.

So I did manage to buy the book I'd been hunting everywhere - since I read about it on coll's journal - "The Antidote by Karen Russell". I kept talking myself out of it - telling myself to buy it on Kindle (except I tend to lose track of the things I get on the Kindle, also I don't really own them outright? If I stop using the Kindle - they go bye-bye.)

***

The Sourdough Foccacia Bread that I bought yesterday is amazing. That has got to be the best sourdough foccacia gluten free bread that I've ever had. It doesn't require anything - not even really butter. You know it's good bread - when you can eat it plain. I decided to do a ploughman's lunch, with the bread, some hard swiss cheese, brie, some hard salami, English Mustard (Frackles), dill pickles, celery, carrots, olives, and some lettuce. It was lovely. And for desert - another piece of bread with butter, plus the unsweetened matcha latte (unfortunately only the ones in the city have unsweetened almond milk, the ones in Brooklyn - I had to get whole milk or skim, because their nut and oat milks have agave.)

I've decided I may order the bread, and pick it up on the way home from work sometimes. You can do that. Or get Doordash to deliver it.

All in all a productive day. I even got my allbirds shoes, which I can wear without socks. Although I'm wrestling with getting orthoshoes - with inserts. You can get them with FSA, but I don't think I have enough left on the card - with the dental appointments, and soon, contacts, plus other meds that I put on it.

Here's another wall mural or Brooklyn Street Art - that I saw on the way home from the dental appointment.



( close ups of the mural )