This Review of Bluey is called “Final Thoughts”

Like all parents of post-Cocomelon age kiddos, we know of the phenomenon that suddenly filled that TV time, and it recently -and quickly- become Bluey…. at least here in the States.

We heard about it, gave it a shot, latched on to the hype and were immediately hooked, with the catch phrases and meaningful moments, and even a themed party following. We eagerly awaited new seasons, re-watched the favorites, gave awws and sobs, until we finally the ‘very special’ 28 minute episode aired last Sunday, called “The Sign”.

The plot centers around the Heeler family facing a big life change: Dad/Bandit has a new job in a new city and we see progressively that Bluey, Chilli and Bingo are having difficulty accepting the impending changes from their own contexts. Though Bandit’s excitement is based on making more money, in a better job, and all for his family, Chilli especially is not fully, or in my opinion, at all supportive of what is in store, especially with the loss of memories.

To me, that just ain’t right.

For context, I recently moved from Queens, NY to the suburbs of New Jersey. Whereas we rented a house, we now pay that same amount for a mortgage, and when/if things go wrong with the place, we’re the ones taking care of it. My commute is longer, stores, schools, restaurants, essentially everything is now a drive away, not just around the corner. We still have the same jobs, but now we have a backyard, bigger rooms and peace of mind that we are better. Sure, we miss the convenience, our neighbor who became a close friend, his first school, friends, teachers, and that home was the place where our first memories with the little guy are based. But memories are best in the heart and mind, and hey I have the photos and videos to revisit as well.

The multiple Uno Reverse cards being thrown. I know when I was buying my house, I had to put down a nice chunk of change to secure it, and that was before assessment/mortgage approval. To pull out of the sale would mean losing that, and no one can really afford that, I don’t care how much sheepdogs make. So wait….now what about the Heelers, did they buy a new place also- where is their stuff? Now they are gonna have to pay the movers again, just to put it all back.

In the side story, Rad quits his job on the West Coast, so he and Frisky can stay where she is, flippantly mentioning that he will find a new job. We know he works on a oil rig, so that’s kind of niche and I know it pays well – but is a REALLY risky job, so maybe he’ll find something with less pay, but less chance being grievously injured is usually a perk that you can’t put a dollarbucks sign on. Usually.

Now Bandit pulled his own Reverse card as he is now NOT taking his new job- did he quit his old one? He wanted better and got no love for it. Maybe it was something more stable than sometimes being gone for 6 weeks as we remember from Curry Swap (S3 Ep9)

We had a fun episode about a koi pond being installed and no other mention/sight of it? (Tradies S3 Ep 32).

Everyone hums “Cat Squad!” but it’s not really any direct reference, much less than Chattermax.

Chilli’s sister Brandy couldn’t conceive (S3 Episode 31) and it looks like this situation is something she is at peace with – and now she’s pregnant? This irks me because many infertile couples saw this as a relatable issue, and filling in a solution where she has a happy ending is likely leaving some folks a little isolated.

By Christmas Swim (S2 Ep 51). Radley and Risky are on holiday or honeymoon, they were at least engaged, as Frisky ‘welcomes’ Bartleby to the family – so at the end of the next season they are getting married. Maybe they do it in reverse Down Under, like how water goes down the drain backwards and their mammals lay eggs.

And finally, for the ending, we already know they would stay since Lila and Bingo are in every class together throughout school and friends forever. (Daddy Drop off, Season 2 Ep 8).

OK so what DID I like from that episode? The little greenie (Mum School, S2, Ep14) cameo. Also the butterfly from Slide (E3 Ep46) makes a re-appearance. Also, I did appreciate the cameo by music guy (Markets (S1, EP20), Dance Mode (S2 Ep1) who is also ordained…wonder if he got paid twice or it was a package deal.

So yeah now to take a huge poop on it, but it was a predictable episode, sadder only because it will be the last episode for a while and nothing else is really hitting as close to the heart for kids- and parents- nowadays. 3/5 stars.

Super Bowl Prop Bets

I know – I’m taking a huge risk here; I should be calling it THE BIG GAME. However since this just a simple post and not a store ad for big screen TV deals, I think I am safe…for now.

Anyway, what’s the best part of the game? The food, the camaraderie, the rare time when the team you are a lifelong fan of made it this far? For me, it used to be the food, but now that the game starts at 8pm, I’m having a cup of tea and cookies at that point, and dinner was whatever we were making (I am planning burgers. And tots!)

Now it’s about the prop bets. The half serious but mostly silly bets. Yeah I am the guy with the stopwatch carefully listening to how long the singer says “and the hoooommmee of theeeeee braaaaaaaavve!”

I’ve culled these bets from various sources, and since I have been doing this for many years, some historically fun favorites. And yes, there are TS references this year.

So feel free to cut and paste the actual bets starting below, ignoring my rambling here, make copies for you and the group, and pick an overall prize for the winner (whatever wings, dip, and/or beer that are left over?).

Prop bets

Coin Toss                    HEAD    / TAILS

The team that wins the coin toss will              KICK      /      RECEIVE

Length of the National Anthem (Reba McIntyre)    84.5 seconds  OVER / UNDER

Quarterback to be shown first during national anthem            MAHOMES   /  PURDY     / TAYLOR SWIFT

Who will have more passing yards   MAHOMES  /  PURDY

Who will throw more interceptions  MAHOMES / PURDY / EQUAL

Chiefs are 2.5 pt favorites over the 49ers – will they cover? YES / NO

Total points scores  47.5 points   OVER           /    UNDER

First Score of the Game will be by the             CHIEFS  /  49ers

And will be a  – TOUCHDOWN            FIELD GOAL

LAST Score of the Game will be by the            CHIEFS  /  49ers

And will be a  – TOUCHDOWN            FIELD GOAL

First Beer commercial:           Budweiser   / Bud Light  / Coors / Other beer

First Snack food commercial:  Doritos / Snickers / Cheetos / Avocados from Mexico

Which will be in a commercial first: A baby/ a dog / a horse / other __________

Which commercial first: VRBO / Uber Eats  / Neither will air

Number of times TS is shown on screen     5.5 times OVER / UNDER

Who will show up with Usher on stage: Alicia Keys   /   Ludacris  / Taylor Swift  / Other____________

Color Gatorade that is spilled on the winning coach – Yellow/ Green/ Red/ Water

Who will the SB MVP thank first: Team / Coach / Fans / God / Taylor Swift

Dry January

My wife decided she would do “Dry January” as part of her fitness/wellness goals, and I figured I would at least not enable her, but I suddenly find that we are almost 2/3 of the way there and I have not had much to drink aside from:

–The final sips of a good bottle of champagne from NYE,

–A hot toddy because it works as good as any medicine (and definitely better tasting than Robitussin DM)

There are other reasons why I haven’t imbibed, and why I have realized it’s not big deal.

Because work was stressful? Well if I am work from home, who’ll know about a lunch beer (it’s 5pm somewhere, right?). It may loosen my tongue, but it won’t make my jokes better.

But what about weekends, or a day off? Related to the reasons above, a couple of beers during an afternoon weekend, or a day off (like I took today to write this!) the buzz would put me out of commission and have me miss out on longer activities, like going to the park, arts and crafts, playing in the backyard. Or like right now, shoveling and/or walking on icy sidewalks!

Ain’t nobody got time for that. I only get a little time to hang out with the little guy in the mornings when I am commuting, I value that quality time; less so if I am hungover. Commuting home, I am using the last of my energy for him as well – playing games, practicing writing, watching TV and reading before bed, and I would rather be at my sharpest.

I’m already tired. Commuting sucks – from walking to the train, switching to another halfway through, then walking from the station to work, then reversing that at the end of the day – well that takes a lot out of me. Aside from the walking, I do morning stretches and weighted workouts. When I am work from home, I walk the little guy to school, then back and have an extended workout afterwards. So yeah I tap my reserves as much as I can.

Because I am chillin in the man cave with TV/video games/lounge pants/eating a cheeseburger (blue cheese and fried onions on a toasted english muffin, since you asked), and that pairs perfectly? Well yes but any of those things combined (and they were last Sunday!), was good enough for me – so it was not needed.

So 13 days to go, and the only challenge will be the event next week where there will be an open bar (the last one they held had mocktails….), but I should be fine, and not waiting with corkscrew in hand to decant a bottle of red to celebrate the groundhog seeing his shadow or not (in which case that would be white).

Dad Jokes

Dad jokes are like dad bods- secretly appreciated, or so we like to think (they are).

Yeah you have probably heard most of these, but there’s at least a couple new ones for your routine.

• How did the student cross the ocean? On a Scholar ship.

• What do you call it when your cocoa takes too long? Hot Choco-LATE.

• What happens when you step on a grape? It lets out a little wine.

• I’ve invented a DIY surgery kit – It’s called Suture Self.

• What do you get when you freeze Holy Water? Popesicles.

• Did you hear about the cell phone towers that got married? The reception was amazing!

• Remains to be seen…if glass coffins become popular

• IMO, the most remarkable invention ever…was the whiteboard.

• At first I didn’t like having a beard…but it grew on me.

• What’s the best time to go to the dentist? Tooth hurty.

• What happened to the short-tempered doctor? He quickly lost his patients.

• Why do nurses carry red crayons? In case they need to draw blood.

And to close it out, a story length one…

A teenage boy is getting ready to take his girlfriend to prom. First he goes to get a tux, but there’s a long line at the suit shop. He waits and waits, and finally gets his tux.

Next, he has to get some flowers, so he goes to a florist, but there’s a long line. He waits and waits, and finally gets the flowers.

Next he goes to get a limo, but there’s a long line at the limo place. He waits and waits, and finally gets the limo rented.

Finally the day of the prom comes and they head there, but there’s a long line at the entrance. They wait and wait, and finally get into the prom.

They start dancing happily and having a good time. When the song is over, she asks him to get her some punch, so he heads over to the punch table and there is no punchline.

Re/Connection, Pt I- Steak, you claim?

Subscribe to continue reading

Subscribe to get access to the rest of this post and other subscriber-only content.

Already a subscriber?

Reboot

Yes I am back. And so are you! I appreciate you not forgetting about me. Somewhere, simple minds are smiling.

So where, and what, the hell have I been up to since mid-2016?

• I met a neato lady.

• Then moved to Queens.

• ….and married her (the lady, not Queens. Though she is my queen). The wedding was epic.

• I found a new job.

• We moved to another place in Queens.

• We moved to another place, our first home, in New Jersey. Having betrayed my Brooklyn roots twice in this regard, I can’t show my face there again.

• Both my cats crossed the rainbow bridge.

• We had a little boy. Yes, I’ll be talking about him a lot.

• I milked paternity leave for all it was worth, but didn’t think to start a daddy blog.

• I started a garden.

•I read a lot of books, but still have a ton that I haven’t gotten to yet.

• I’ve gotten through a bunch of queue-d up shows, but still have a ton that I haven’t gotten to yet.

• I embraced the dad bod, and dad jokes.

• Yes, pandemic.

• I’m back at work, 70% in office, which is 45% more than anyone needs to be.

• I still write letters, both good and bad, to companies. They cared, at least a little.

• I’m back writing here. I hope you care, at least a little.

100 Word Prompt – Room

Yes I am back! It’s slow at work today, and I saw a prompt in my email, one that inspired me within seconds. Thin Spiral Notebook’s challenge, a reminder of past challenges (Trifecta, Ketchup with us – ah the memories).

So here’s 100 words on…

ROOM.

We walked past cubicles, down the carpet, plush save for a slight indentation from the front desk to my office door. Many miles back and forth for me and the students.

I held my breath as we walked to my new space. This next step was what I had been waiting for. Several years of hitting my head on another university’s glass ceiling had been giving me headaches.

She unlocked the door. “You’re the most experienced new guy, so we gave you the big room.”

It was a big room, with a big glass window, the morning sun shining through.

A Chocolate Chip off the Old Dog

Dear Nestle Corporation,

Perhaps recently you have received a challenge, double dog dare (not involving buckets of ice, or iced up flagpoles), or other dumbassery humorous rant about the rich warm melty awesomeness of your products.

Well, I am writing to thank you as well! With the addition of dark chocolate chips to your product line, you have accomplished several things. First and foremost, a new chocolate chip ‘option’. Milk Chocolate and Semi-Sweet chips have been the mainstays for a long time; with the addition of Dark Chocolate chips we now have the best of both worlds; the intense flavor of semi sweet chips AND the meltability (not a word, in the dictionary, though I suspect you all have internal buzzwords) of milk chocolate. It is now my go-to for any cookie or baked good that requires it (or if it’s optional, or even if it’s just logically possible).

This leads to a question I have, and I decided that since you have mastered all things chocolate, I would ask. As Ms. ODNT says “Gimme cookies – after all I have my own cow, so the milk sitch is taken care of.” She also says “Never hurts to ask!” (I verified this with her on her FB page. Yes I used trickery, since my Force powers are not quite Master level).

Submitted for your discussion/considerations, the (n) chip cookie. Yes I know, undefined, perhaps even infinite?! How did we get to this point? Well a little unauthorized biography never hurt anyone, so here’s what I have figured out…

First there were chocolate chip cookies. There were also chocolate cookies, and it was inevitable that the two would be spliced together to create double chocolate cookies. At some point afterwards, white chocolate chips crashed the party and the first triple chocolate chip cookie was baked, and enjoyed. Soon claims like ‘ultimate chocolate cookie’ and ‘death by chocolate’ were tossed around, probably because many people don’t know past ‘quadruple’. Including me. So I have the following in mind (which I may or may not have already made, and I will not confirm because if people even suspected I have a cookie like this in my house, well, need I say more?)

1. A chocolate cookie batter
2. White Chocolate chips
3. Milk Chocolate chips
4. Dark Chocolate chips
5. Semi-sweet chocolate chips – which means…quintuple chocolate cookies!

But wait! There’s more!

6. Frosted with melted chocolate – which means…sextuple chocolate cookies! (ok readers, get those ‘a cookie better than sex….tuple?!’ jokes out there).

But wait! There’s even more!

7. The frosting is spread on the bottom of the cookie and another quintuple chocolate cookie is attached to it. Which means…um…

This is what I wonder – would #7 make it an undecuple cookie ( 5 +6 =11), or would it ‘simply’ be a septuple cookie, as the additional cookie would count as just another ‘topping’?

As well as writing to you, I will be posting this to my blog, asking Ms ODNT to pass it along as well as Ms MelMags (consider also that Mags’ decision on this and anything might be the final word), running a classroom poll, and perhaps asking random people on the street. I feel that we can settle this issue as accurately and chocolaty as possible.

Thank you for your time and for continuing to expand your product, so that our own baking experiences can push the cookie sheet even further.

Peter D.

________

Yes, I will be sending this letter/linking them here.

Yes, Yes I want to know your opinion and/or recipe.

No, I do not have these cookies in my home.

If I did, then yes you can have one.

 

Ketchup With Us-sie

Ms Mel and ODNTWant to see you as an ‘us’. Not necessarily you and I, just you and who(m)ever else is around. PlUS, USSIE sounds better than selfie. I am not sure, but if you are from Australia, perhaps it’s an AUSSIEUSSIE. In any case, snap and post and link and be adored by US!

Right off the bat, I thought, I can’t have an ussie without GUSSIE!

I should point out, 1. though it appears that way, she did not take the photo.2. though it appears that way, I am not gripping her like a vise.

Next, why not take advantage of dinner with a fellow blogger whom you all know and adore.

I met Mr G. and his TMWGITU for dinner at Junior’s in Brooklyn (the only location I truly acknowledge as existing) since it is doomed to be shut down and later re-inserted (?!) into the overpriced condos that will sully the spirit and memory of yet another NYC landmark. We enjoyed both experiences.

Finally, since I am a Jr., a Three-Pete for you!

MaT and I took my dad (BT Sr) out to Peter Luger (also in Brooklyn) for his 65th birthday last week. Ok, while not an US-SIE (and done in portrait, not landscape), it was a punny thing. 

 

Boiron’s Sick Fixe

Well I went and did it.

I got sick.

Not that it is something to look forward to, or that I self-sabotaged by ignoring the free flu shot drive at my office, smooching it up with a handrail on the Q train, or ignoring my mother’s historical advice to wear a hat or I’ll catch my death out there.

Nope I just caught one, which was easier than squishing the first living mosquito in NYC, which happened to be in my office. (That took 4 days, and I think it died of boredom). I know, cold season was supposed to end, but in the period between midterms and finals, when everyone was coming back on germy aeroplanes, and since we were at that point in the Northeast USA where it is rainy and 45 degrees one day and a sunny 70 the next, the constant confusing shuffle of sweaters, scarves, a/c and heat gets me every time. So I took a sick day (a Friday; again, no coincidence!) and decided that along with rest, tea, and boring movies, I needed some meds.

While made from natural ingredients, this is not what I was aiming for at 10 am.

Anyway, I was the lucky winner of a sample pack of medicine by Boiron, not once, but twice!

Along with my Netflix subscription, I was set!

So here’s a breakdown of what I had, what I did, and how it worked. (This is a review of experience and not medical advice– if you are sick, consider your options, general health, or doctoral advice if needed!)

OscillococcinumIndividual bottles of caplets. Reserved for Flu-like symptoms. Package of 6 ‘doses’.

Simple enough – pop the cap and pour the pellets on your tongue to dissolve within 30 seconds. You’ve done this enough times with the leftovers of a box of sno-caps. (Yes you have – be proud!). Tossing the bottle over your shoulder is not recommended. Recycle, people!

Do you sense the medicine working right away? Honestly no. It was on the second day of trice daily doses (what they recommend actually) that I really feel it ‘kick in’, and the side effects were not severe at all.

It gave me a moment to be realistic about what we want from medication, and what the case should be. Medicine typically doesn’t ‘work’ in one dose, there’s no cure for the common cold or flu, so treatments are to cure or ease minor symptoms like fever and cough, not to cure. Then again, some popular brands (I will not mention them here), start working by the time the second dose comes up, but the side effects are riding shotgun, and both barrels go off. Yes my head is clear, but so clear it feels like I am floooooattinng awaaaay. I get skittish, I don’t blink much (even though my eyes are dry) and I feel like I just drank 3 cups of coffee. I am not looking to get that sensation (never was). If my chills are gone, but I’m slightly paranoid… how is that ‘better’?!

Anyway – The Pros – as I mentioned, at the start of the second days’ dose of Oscillococcinum, I sensed that it was now fully interacting with my system, and with that noticeable differences. Aches start easing, you rest easier, and chills fade. All without feeling on the other side of the energy level. So that’s good. I kept going with it, along with resting, and I found myself eased back into ‘normal’ life by the end of the second day.

The Cons – the regiment. If you miss the dose time, you start to feel a bit lousy, so set your timers! I could imagine if I missed a complete dose (sleeping doesn’t count as I take it right before bedtime), I might have to start from scratch again. If true, that will set you back. Three times a day gets you through a smaller package of 6 within 2 days. If you have a rough cold, oscillococcinum is not the cheapest option, and you better make sure your local pharmacy has it in stock. It makes me wonder if twice a day would have worked, just to stretch it a bit.

Chestal.

An ‘expectorant’, made to suppress cough, and help congestion. 2oz (a cap cup is included) every 2 hours, and, like the oscillococcinum, the results are gradual, so no need to re-explain.

The Pros – because of the dosing, you will feel it come along faster. Took it in the morning and by lunch, my symptoms were halved. It’s extremely pleasant tasting, as it is mainly honey-based. That is another big pro! No terrible, gag inducing flavor that you ‘justify’ a direct correlation between terrible taste and effectiveness. It’s not necessary!

The Cons – The expectorant is made with honey – not sure how it might affect those who have to watch their sugar. Having to take doses every 2 hours is higher maintenance, and again, after a lengthy meeting where I had forgotten it, and timed it so my dose was expected at the beginning, my cough started to return by the end. A few doses later and I was back on track. You have enough in a 8.45 oz bottle to last at least 5 days, which should take care of most colds. 

So let’s break it down.

Value: Yes Boiron products are expensive – a packet of 6 Oscillococcinum will run about $17 at local pharmacies, the 30 count about $27. The leading market brands (non-homeopathic) are competitively priced. Typically I buy the generic store brand, they are usually on sale, and I get them before cold season. You don’t get sick often hopefully, so these companies know, so they charge you according to the one purchase you do each winter.

In that context, Would I buy Boiron based on price for how I felt while taking it? Absolutely. I admit that I checked their website for coupons, and I wound up ordering it on Amazon, where I got a great deal on a 30 count, which will last me longer than I hope to need it.

Would I recommend it based on what it did for me? Again, absolutely, but I would make sure those who I suggest it wouldn’t expect ‘fast fix’ medicine, and know that the investment for feeling your best when you’re feeling your worst, as part of your total well being.

Check out www.boiron.com for information on their products in your country.