I'm here. It was by chance that I checked in , surprised and happy to see you folks here!

The Spotnicks - Orange blossom special (1963)

Swedish surf and fiddle

Merry Christmas!

I really liked "Luck." I have always been attracted to the racetrack scene. I grew up near Monmouth Park and loved to go to the truck when I lived there. Like in the restaurant business, there is a "front of the house" and a "backside", a mystique and the underbelly. So "Luck" held my interest, and with Nick Nolte and Dustin Hoffmann and Dennis Farina. etc., excellent acting, tight writing. I will watch. Nonetheless, it is nothing llke JFC, and watching this new pilot only made me miss the IB gang. I loved the smallness and the realness of JFC. The "Luck" pilot sowed the seeds for future episodes and multiple subplots. These seem to be variations on what we see on just about every TV show these days- extortion, murder, blackmail, double dealing intrigue. JFC was unique, with its message of hope and promise of redemption. I don't watch TV these days other than listening to MSNBC, so maybe I am off base, there are so many shows I haven't seen, and here I am making generalizations.  Still, "John From Cincinnati" was something very, very special. Thinking back to the JFC summer on the BB, it was just so exciting and fun, there we were, all abuzz. Our little hive.

Netflix brought me "One Fast Move and I'm Gone", the Kerouac documentary. Even with the promise of beautiful Big Sur scenery I couldn't make it through, but maybe it was my attention span more than the film itself. I'll try again.

Skorda's OK.

What are you up to?

I've read several short stories of DFW in the New Yorker, have not attempted "Infinite Jest", but it is getting to be winter, so why not? I read so much this summer, but not mush since then, I watch movies or just play scrabble games online. Today is the short day, it is getting dark, not even 3:30 yet. Oy, another winter is icumen in.

Write to me, Svennie.

I want to see pictures of your 85 pound puppy, Sven!

I'm here. I'm OK. Started at least 10 emails to you Sven, didn't send. Contact me, tell me stories. Please. thanks
Hope you are well, Ocean. And sweet Water Lily.

Taki's in the hospital. I am sad and lonely.

Yeah, Ocean, I really loved, "In a Better World", maybe one of my all time favorite movies. After that I watched "Brothers", the Susanne Bier version followed by the American version. The Danish version was so very much better, nuance instead of sledgehammer, but Jake Gyllenhaal was terrific in the remake. Then last night I watched "The Celebration", it came highly recommended but it was just too emotional for me, some parts were great other were simply too intense with screaming and all, the tirelessly dysfunctional family. Now I am back to "After the Wedding" and I am quite certain I will love this one. I've got enough Danish films lined up to last for awhile.

I want to see a picture of your new puppy, Sven.

I loved and adored "In a Better World." Then I watched "Brothers" also Susanne Bier, and after watching the Danish version I watched the American remake. It was as if they had erased all of the shadows.