My adorable nephews gave me cooties again. Last week I visited, and here I am a week later still sick. I thought it was a cold, but it could be bacterial. I’m going to my doctor tomorrow.
Though they flipped around like normal three and seven year old boys, I was constantly blowing the three year old’s nose, and the seven year old had the remnants of something from the week before, but he managed the snot better.
During my visit, I couldn’t teach the older nephew to play chess without the three year old flailing his arms at the pieces, with a constant stream of snot coming out of his nose. “Let’s make him ‘King of the Chess Game’,” proclaims my brilliant older nephew, with the idea of sitting his little brother in a chair above us, telling him that as ‘King of the Chess Game’, his job was to move our pieces. It worked for a bit. I counted three times that I had to blow ‘The King’s’ nose. The whole time I’m thinking, “Whatever this is – I’m getting it.”
On the “benefits” of being sick… I got a personal reply from a reputable journal saying “…this isn’t a standard rejection.” They praised my story, but can’t publish it at this time. They said I should send other work. If not for being homebound, and motivated by the “praise,” I might not be bothered to finish this other story that I started last year.
Another “benefit” of being homebound – movies. The first one — Sharknado! I’m a fan of absurdity, and in the movie, there were sharks climbing stairs, sharks on the highway, and of course, sharks in tornado funnels. And the ending – sublime ridiculousness! And I seriously loved Tara Reid and Ian Ziering (Pronounced eye-on – even better!) in this movie.
The second movie that I saw was Shampoo – totally sexy but deeper than that – and Warren Beatty was hot, of course.
I only saw the last half hour of this third movie. I don’t know if I could have handled the whole thing. I saw it in ’89. Glory with Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, is about the black 54th regiment during the Civil War. While netflix reviewers mostly gave this movie five stars, one person gave it one star saying, “Man’s inhumanity to man was too much for me. I saw only about fifteen minutes of the film.” I relate. The last half hour that I saw included a pre-battle talk that Broderick’s character gave to the men. I’m thinking, “No don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry…” Finally, tears came, but what caused the gusher was the background music slowly infused into the scene – the Harlem Boy’s Choir — that did it! Thinking of my nephew’s sweet little voice didn’t help.
The final battle scene – hard to watch but riveting. Here’s that snippet from the Harlem Boy’s Choir – you’ll see what I mean:
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Oh, yes, a children’s choir will do it every time. I want to cry, and I’m not even watching the movie!
Sorry you’re sick. What a good auntie you were to wipe boogs. And at your own peril, too.
That should’ve been the name of this post “Boogs at My Own Peril” — hahahaha!
Those boys choirs — oh my goodness — they strike an emotional chord. I knew immediately when I heard them in that movie that this was the Harlem Boy’s Choir. I like that Vienna Boy’s Choir also but for this movie this was a good choice.
My mom directed a boys’ choir in New Hampshire for several years. So beautiful.
Oh wow! That seems like a really cool thing to be involved in.
She’s a retired music professor. She loved directing that choir, even though it proved to be a big job.
I wondered if she had anything else to do in the music field. I can imagine trying shape young children up to be good singers or musicians could be quite a task. But still, I imagine it must have been a rewarding position.
She taught college students but this was a side thing for her. Her boys even sang for the pope once. Pretty cool.
That’s an accomplishment! She obviously had the expertise and skill to produce singers worthy of singing for the pope. I’m impressed!
Yeah, she rocked it. 🙂
Aw — that’s so cool — the proud daughter! I’ll bet she did, too!
I was texting my mom after commenting here, and I mentioned her boys’ choir since you and I had been talking about it. Turns out I got my facts wrong. It was my mom who sang for the pope not her boys’ choir. Had to come back here and correct that. I didn’t want to pull a Brian Williams. 😉
What — that’s even more impressive! I like that you find out these wonderful things about the people you blog with (with whom you blog — hahaha).
Oh my goodness, I can see why you would cry with the choir. It’s very a very moving piece. You know I’ve never seen Shampoo. I’ve always wanted to see that one. Feel better, Sandee. I hope you get your story published. I have my fingers crossed!
Thanks Amy! I hope I feel better tomorrow because really, I don’t want to go to the doctor.
I think you might enjoy Shampoo, Amy. Warren Beatty’s plays his character up well — it’s really subtle, but he has the personality in this movie that you can imagine someone addicted to sex and women having. It’s a classic.
And thanks for the good wishes about my story — I could use it!
Glad that you’re keeping yourself entertained during your convalescence. I recall seeing “Glory” when it was released with, appropriately, a friend who was a music editor. She gave that soundtrack her seal of approval. I thought it was a decent film and Denzel was great.
That is indeed saying something — when a music editor approves of the soundtrack. Denzel Washington was great in this and won an oscar, but I think Matthew Broderick should’ve won one also. I really liked him in it. I liked Andre Braugher too — wearing his eye glasses even into battle ~sigh~ What a tear-jerker!
You make me want to see “Glory” again. I’ve seen Andre on stage as recently as last fall. He’s a great actor.
Be prepared. Maybe I’ll watch the whole thing again too — I just have to be ready for it. If I recall Andre Braugher was the educated one of the troop. I know he has some theater to his credit — I haven’t seen him on stage though.
Oy, that’s because I was thinking of André De Shields. Oy. Can you tell I’m tired tonight?
And I could not recall André De Shields being in “Glory”. But it’s not very fresh in my head, either.
I’m seeing your comment at 3:03am — hahaha! Hopefully you’re fast asleep — hahaha! This is my norm, unfortunately to be up until way past witching hour 🙂
At 3:03am I was deep in much needed REM sleep, buddy. I hope you were productive way past the witching hour and not up late because you’ve been feeling lousy.
I’m so glad you were getting a good night’s rest. Me, I just work better when it’s quiet. I’m on my hiatus until April so it doesn’t cost me so much to stay up late now. You’ve probably heard me complain about living in the city — though I’m at the northernmost tip — it’s just so much going on around here during the day — the cars going by and construction on different blocks, the bands of kids — and believe it or not this is considered a decent nyc neighborhood — I’m also better able to think when it’s dark and quiet. So yes, I was being productive — and contemplative — hahaha!
I’m a night owl, too, which really conflicts with having to show up at The Grind at the ungodly hour of 9am. The off-Broadway play we saw tonight was “Rasheeda Speaking”, a spot on take about racism in the workplace starring Tonya Pinkins and Dianne Wiest. TP is sensational
Well at least you know how to go ‘out on the town’. That’s important for a healthy lifestyle, I think. I’m glad you enjoyed the show. I’ve never heard of Tonya Pinkins — I’ll have to google her too! It’s great when you get the opportunity to tell these people that you appreciate their work ~sigh~ Well, sweet dreams! As you can see by the time I posted this, I’m doing my usual late night thing…
We ran into her afterward and we told her that we thought her performance was brilliant. I highly recommend this one.
I’m in a theater waiting for Milton and now thinking about Andre Leon Tally – had to share that with you.
Ooohhh!! — I just googled him — he’s that designer guy! I didn’t know who he was before. Enjoy your show with Milton — perhaps we’ll hear the review in a post?
Sorry you caught the cooties, but your recovery day made a really enjoyable post:) Congrats on the non-standard rejection-kind of a big deal, really-glad you finished the other story.
Yay! — I’m glad you enjoyed reading it! Trying not to get my hopes up too high that the non-standard rejection means the Universe’s now opening up for me — but, at least, as you say, I finished my other story.