All’s Fair in Marriage and Politics

Posted on October 11, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Animals (2026)

This is Ben Affleck’s film, through and through. My wife, about halfway through our viewing of it on Netflix last night, said, “Talk about emotional acting!” No, melodrama doesn’t even come close. Political intrigue is probably a better description.

The story is about political spin. This story makes sense only when it’s over. There were too many hints along the way that weren’t explained: like, the father of the kidnapped child knew who was responsible; and, the spin doctor brought the financier into the picture. But did Affleck’s character know how it would end?

The foot-stomping sequence at a political rally is a tension riser. (Or was that our “attention” riser?) The political cover story is way too slick. And coming out a month before the midterm elections, it’s a reminder that not all is as it seems. There’s the spin and then there’s the truth. Appearances can deceive.

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Counterintuitive: Sex, Young; Live Long

Posted on October 10, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Only The Good Die Young (1977)

When I listen to this song, I imagine a 17 year old Jewish boy trying to persuade a 17 year old Catholic girl to let down her guard and ‘do the dirty’ with him. Her name, VIRGINia, is the not so subtle clue.

Was there something in the air in 1977? Meat Loaf’s “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” was released that same year, and the dialog between the (17 year old) boy and the (17 year old) girl follows along a similar line.

I remember being 17. The hormones were raging. Only sex could relieve the sexual tensions. But maybe Billy Joel was right: only the good die young, which is why I’m still alive almost 60 years later!

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Something to Remember: History Repeats Itself

Posted on October 9, 2026 by cdsmiller17

White Bird (2024)

We watched this two hour film on Netflix last night. It is the story of living through the Nazi occupation of France from a young student’s point-of-view. Sara is a Jewish teenager who somehow managed to elude arrest by hiding in a fellow student’s family barn. The white bird became her symbol of hope, sent to her by her mother.

This film was delayed for almost two years, but I’m not exactly sure why. COVID-19 may have been partially to blame, and the SAG-AFTRA strike didn’t help, either. It was timely, in any event, since the film came out in the United States one month before Donald Trump was re-elected in 2024. The story line is a reminder of what can happen when a Fascist leader comes into power, without checks and balances. Which reminds me, Trump may be the reincarnation of Mussolini. .

Honestly, you were warned.

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Someone Asked the Obvious Question:

Posted on October 8, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Is Chris Bledsoe’s “Lady” the Same as the Lady at Fatima?

I’d considered asking that same question, but then got sidetracked along the way. Here’s the YouTube video:

I thought that comparing the Miracle of the Sun chart with Bledsoe’s first sighting of “The Lady in White” (Hathor) might yield some information.

At minimum, there are connection points, but is it conclusive? No. I would suggest looking at my post of the Marian sightings for more information.

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Ooh, That’s Interesting…

Posted on October 7, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Today is Putin’s 74th Birthday

I’d lost track of that: today Regulus is rising in Egypt. I didn’t connect the dots. Could these two events be related?

Perhaps. What do you think?

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Yesterday, I had Yet Another Medical Procedure

Posted on October 6, 2026 by cdsmiller17

CT Scan

It’s full name is a computed tomography scan. This time, it’s to see if any cancer has spread to areas around my prostate. (I’m learning so much about the human body, my human body.)

When Susan had a similar CT scan while we still lived in Midland, she proved to be allergic to the dye they flood the body with. She ended up staying an extra six hours to fully recover at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. So, you can imagine my concerns for going through this procedure.

Altogether it was an interesting experience. The thing they warn you about is the warm feeling that floods your neither regions when they insert the dye. They said, “You’ll think you’re peeing yourself.”

Good thing they warned me, because it felt just like wetting the bed when I was young!

Now we wait until a week tomorrow for the results.

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October is a Strange Month for Sports

Posted on October 5, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Baseball, Football and Hockey?

Sunday, being the sports day of the week here in North America, is very busy, indeed. The division playoffs are being played in MLB (Major League Baseball); the NFL (National Football League) has just entered its 4th week of scheduled games; the CFL (Canadian Football League) has started their playoff schedule; and the NHL (National Hockey League) season has just begun. How much can one man take?

I’m not subscribed to Sportsnet, so I watch mostly football and baseball games on American TV, but for hockey, now, I have to rely on YouTube for highlights. Canadian football is still showing on CTV.

To say I’m watched-out would be a misnomer. I’m washed-out, definitely.

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Behind Closed Door Secrets in Four Households

Posted on October 4, 2026 by cdsmiller17

The Perfect Lie (2026)

This Netflix series was filmed in the Netherlands in Dutch. The original title is “De Eetclub” which to my ear is ‘the eatclub’ but translates into English as “The Dinnerclub”. The show is dubbed into English which is a bit tiresome when you’re hard of hearing and trying to read lips. There is a version that’s subtitled instead, but that takes away from watching the subtle emotions playing across the actors faces.

When we watched the 7th (and final) episode last night, all the lies were uncovered and the guilty were arrested. But one mystery remained: who threw Hanneke off the balcony of a house she was renovating for one of the families? The final shot makes you realize that there might be a possibility for a season 2.

There is a lot of switching between the present and the past in flashback. The colour tone is the only clue to help the viewer keep track: the present time looks dull; and the past looks brighter. Otherwise its a confusing mess to watch. So, don’t watch this show unless you like being mystified. .

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Should We Really Worry About Artificial Intelligence?

Posted on October 3, 2026 by cdsmiller17

The ENTIRE History of Medieval Europe

Two weeks ago, this cartoon video appeared (for the second time) on YouTube. Immediately, I knew that the maker of the title hadn’t fact-checked the years. 1429? They must suffer from a mild case of Dyslexia.

Like all matters that have to do with the education of our children and grandchildren, we want things to be accurate when they seek information on the internet. But who failed in their position of AI editor?

Was it even human?

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Independent Alberta will Split Canada in Two

Posted on October 2, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Mark Carney as Alberta’s Saviour

For decades, Albertans have concluded that they are being ignored by the Liberals in Ottawa. And, on the surface, this was true, usually because the province had no representation in Parliament after the Harper years. However, since Mark Carney has been Prime Minister in 2025, the tide has turned. Lately, the big Canada First projects that his government has put forward for approval seem to be centred on getting Alberta’s resources to the world. That cannot be accidental.

When Albertans vote on the separation referendum later this month, it will be self-defeating if they decided that a full referendum needs to be put on the ballot at a later date. Cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face comes to mind.

Each province (think, an independent Quebec) has the right to choose their destiny, but the spectre of becoming a part of the United States should be a sobering thought. Do they really want to become the proverbial 51st state?

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