I’m a sucker for Liam Neeson revenge flicks.
Critics weren’t impressed with this one. But it’s 87% for audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Police at the Station and They Don’t Look Friendly
Another great Adrian McKinty book.
He’s one of my favourite authors.
#6 in the Sean Duffy series (2019).
Duffy is now a father. Less self-destructive than ever.
He’s cutting down on booze and cigarettes.
Belfast, 1988.
A man is found dead, killed with a bolt from a crossbow in front of his house.
This is no hunting accident. But uncovering who is responsible for the murder will take Detective Sean Duffy down his most dangerous road yet, a road that leads to a lonely clearing on a high bog where three masked gunmen will force Duffy to dig his own grave. …
Amazon
The audio version is best as reader Gerard Doyle is superb.
Click PLAY or listen it on YouTube.
The title comes from a Tom Waits song called Cold Water.
Staying Quiet helps the Oppressor
Elie Wiesel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986.
Immediately after they were sent to Auschwitz, his mother and his younger sister were murdered.
Wiesel and his father were selected to perform labor so long as they remained able-bodied, after which they were to be killed in the gas chambers.
Wiesel and his father were later deported to the concentration camp at Buchenwald. …
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Quote by German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller
Skiing March 2021
Pandemic seemed a perfect time to get on to the slopes.
Staying in Banff for 5 nights, I enjoyed 1 day at Louise, 2 at Sunshine.
Loving my new Shady Ray ski goggles.
It was ALL great. But my favourite run is the (easiest line) on Eagle Creek coming off Goatseye.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Gun Violence in the USA
America’s gun problem, explained
The United States is the worst developed nation. By a lot.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
All Systems Red is a 2017 science fiction novella by American author Martha Wells. The first in a series called The Murderbot Diaries …
The series is about an artificial construct designed as a Security Unit, which manages to override its governor unit, thus enabling it to develop independence.
It calls itself Murderbot, and likes to watch unrealistic soap operas. …
I don’t think I’ll continue with the Murderbot Diaries.
The Alienist – season 1
The Alienist is an American period drama television series …
… an ad hoc team assembled in mid-1890s New York City to investigate a serial killer who is murdering street children.
The series incorporates fact with fiction by including the characters that are historical figures, such as Theodore Roosevelt, who held the post of police commissioner from 1895 to 1897. …
Dakota Fanning is good as Sara Howard, Roosevelt’s secretary and first woman employed by the NYPD.
The cast is believable aside from Luke Evans as John Schuyler Moore.
The plot didn’t work for me.
But I loved the setting and seeing technology of that day.
In fact, an Alienist in NY City in that era is what we’d today call a psychiatrist.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke
The 9-year-old son of a jailed white supremacist disappears.
A black Texas Ranger is called in to assist with the investigation.
Interesting plot.
Interesting setting – Lake Caddo, a sprawling, irregular inland sea divided between Texas and Louisiana.
Interesting timing. Trump was just elected. It’s Texas.
I don’t envy this cop.
Oh. He has a cruel mother. A wife with whom he is trying to reconnect.
Overall, this book is quite good.
Switching to Shoppers Drug Mart
Shoppers Drug Mart is Canada’s largest pharmacy chain with over 1000 stores.
As I hope to become — yet again — a traveller, I’m thinking it might be better (in future) to have in-person access to all these stores.
Since I went on blood pressure medications a few years ago, I’ve been dealing with local, independent pharmacies. Good service, but they rarely have what I need in stock.
So … I’ve made a second trip back in person to pick up my DRUGS.
That’s been a hassle a few times over the years, as I travel so much.
The independents and Shoppers both now ship for free — but I have more faith in the big company.
Actually, I would have gone with Amazon Canada Pharmacy — but they haven’t launched that service yet.
ESSENTIAL Travel to Banff
I flew for the first time in a year — Vancouver Island to Calgary.
Essential travel to get my first vaccine March 18th.
Essential Doctor’s appointment next day. I hadn’t had an annual medical in over 15 months.
LAB TESTS Calgary are run by a monopoly ~ Alberta Precision Laboratories. Not enough capacity — obviously — as my first available slot was April 12th.
Happily, I could get lab tests in Banff March 23rd.
Travel out of Banff is non-essential, … so I better stay until my vaccine starts to kick in. 😀
Lounging-in-place in my US $60+ / night private hostel room. Only departing for essential food and drink.
And EXERCISE, of course. That’s essential too.
