It's supposed to be another scorcher today. Not quite as bad as yesterday, which got up to 93º F (34º C) according to the local weather people. Today will be a few degrees cooler, but only a few.
Yesterday morning wasn't bad, and after I walked the dog, I did some reading and took care of a few online errands. Dave and I had pre-planned to go to "The Odyssey" at the local IMAX theatre, so we left after lunch, with a little uncertainty about how Bailey -- alone in the house for the first time -- would handle our absence.
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| "Iron in the Fire" dahlias |
I really enjoyed "The Odyssey," and it's pretty remarkable, when you think about it, that we are still mining one of humanity's oldest stories -- or series of stories -- for new inspirations. It was big, sweeping, dramatic and LOUD -- too loud, honestly. I covered my ears for parts of it, like the fight with the cyclops in the cave and some of the battles. Dave has a decibel warning monitor on his watch, to alert him when his music room at school is getting too loud, and it was going off like crazy.
I thought the one thing Christopher Nolan could have done better is reinforce the names of the characters -- like, just say their names every now and then so the audience could hear who they are. I know some of the stories in "The Odyssey," at least roughly, but I could not remember the name of Telemachus' mother, and I swear no one called her Penelope until practically the end of the movie. Or maybe I was just overwhelmed by everything else going on.
Anyway, it was a good way to kill off a couple of hours, though expensive. Our tickets were £49, or $66, for the two of us -- and that's before any snacks! Odysseus could have outfitted his whole freaking fleet for that kind of money.
But it got us out of the house and into an air-conditioned environment, which was the goal all along. And when we got home, Bailey was waiting patiently for us, with no evidence of discomfort or anxiety and no damage to the house. Good dog!
And now, as I sit on our garden bench, she's lying on our poor dead grass, and it's time for me to walk her.
Dave made a blueberry pie yesterday, so we now have that for dessert. I teased him for deciding to bake a pie on one of the hottest days of the year, but it did taste good -- so I can't complain too much. We were out of cornstarch to thicken the filling so he used arrowroot, which he read could serve the same purpose. Well, it didn't. (I looked at the container this morning and it expired in 2015, so that could also be part of the problem!)
We have an inside camera which links to our smart speaker (Alexa), it allows us to check on our cat when we are away. You remind me we must check dates on our baking bits.
ReplyDeleteWe have a "dog cam" too -- ours is a Blink by Amazon. But I couldn't check it during the movie!
DeleteI read The Odyssey more than once for college classes but I wouldn't remember the names of all the characters. I do remember Penelope, though, because I named a certain dog after her. Good for Bailey, handling her first time home alone like a trooper.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I've actually never read "The Odyssey" itself -- only adaptations and summaries.
DeleteOnly 11 years out of date? Should still be OK 😁
ReplyDeleteHa! I know, I was horrified.
DeleteI know people fudge expiration dates with no problem but, yeah, 11 years might be a bit much. I’m glad you enjoyed The Odyssey. I’m stunned by how expensive it was. Bailey is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWhen you see it, the reason for the expense becomes apparent. It's very slick.
DeleteAt the IMAX cinema in Sheffield I paid £7.99 for my "Odyssey" ticket. Sorry - I just thought I would rub that information in. Good to hear that Bailey was a good girl when her cruel daddies deserted her for four hours.
ReplyDeleteYou mean Sheffield is less expensive than London?! NO!
DeleteI've read on other blogs that "Odyssey" is extremely loud. That would be one reason for me not to see it (apart from me not being all that interested in it in the first place).
ReplyDeleteBailey is such a good girl! You are finding out more and more good things about each other :-)
I would think not being interested is the key reason not to go! LOL
DeleteEleven years is pushing it a bit! Well done, Bailey, for guarding the house so tidily.
ReplyDeleteShe did do a good job and earned her keep!
DeleteWhat a star Bailey is! Poster girl for staffies. The deafening loudness is the reason I quit movies years ago. I see things haven't changed.
ReplyDeleteYeah, what is the deal with the volume? Why do people think that's good? That's not the cinematic experience I want.
DeleteBailey has settled so happily in with the two of you. She has definitely got her paws under the table!
ReplyDeleteShe has indeed!
DeleteI've heard elsewhere that the sound for the film is too loud. There is an immersive sound level, and a sound level that is just too loud.
ReplyDeleteI've heard the same about arrowroot being a substitute, so there must be something in it.
Are you allowed to water by bucket during a hosepipe ban?
I've just noticed your peace bouquet. Simple and full of meaning.
DeleteThe gap at the end of the sign word barbers between the r and the s looks like a misplaced apostrophe has been removed.
DeleteGood observation about the sign. Maybe the S was added later? In addition to being loud, this theater was equipped with seats that rumbled and vibrated with the low tones and I didn't particularly like that effect.
DeleteBlueberries can be especially challenging to thicken.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they are quite liquid when cooked.
DeleteOne of the reasons I no longer go to movies in theaters is because they play them at ear splittingly loud levels. The last time I went, I actually wore a pair of earplugs during the movie to muffle it down a bit.
ReplyDelete$66 for two movie tickets! Wow! Although we don't have IMAX around these parts, premium tickets to our theater are still only about $12. I can't think of the last time I've paid that amount. When I rarely go, it is to matinees for half that. I don't go at that time to save money but to avoid crowds.
Movie prices in London are insane, which is one reason Dave and I rarely go. Even conventional movies cost a lot.
DeleteGood for Bailey! I'm glad you won't have to be anxious when you leave her alone. I'm also glad you mentioned how loud the Odyssey is - we weren't likely to actually go to a theater to see it, but now we'll definitely avoid it. I really hate loud things!
ReplyDeleteI suppose some of it depends on the theater where it's showing -- surely they have some control over volume. I am not a fan of loud movies either.
DeleteGood on Bailey!!!
ReplyDeleteRight?! Such a relief.
DeleteAnother retirement task - check the dates in your kitchen cabinets (and fridge)!
ReplyDeleteHa! I do the fridge pretty regularly and I've even done the spices, so I don't know how this one got past me.
DeleteWhen I used to go out to hear bands I became quite adept at using bits of cocktail napkins to use as earplugs. I think every movie I've been to in the last decade (admittedly, very few) have required me to revisit this skill. Why do they do that? It can actually be painful.
ReplyDeleteI guess the cinema managers feel like they have to give people an experience they can't have at home, and that includes ear-splitting volume.
DeleteI hope you gave Bailey an extra treat along with some "good girl!" pats on the head!
ReplyDeleteOh, she's had plenty of those!
DeleteGood girl Bailey! The first time I left "The Odyssey" was right after the cyclops -- too loud and cold. Then I came back about 40 minutes later and they were fighting again and that's when I left for good. I'll stream it someday. But wow -- I paid 8.50 to go -- in the evening. How can anyone afford to go to the movies in London? I know IMAX is more -- but yikes!
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't realize you'd seen it and bailed! I don't blame you.
DeleteWe're thinking of going to see The Odyssey today, but 3 hours! I'll have to take some ear plugs. Or a cocktail napkin.
ReplyDeleteTapioca is a good alternative as a thickener.
It is quite long. This seems to be a trend with movies these days. No one sticks to the two-hour mark any more.
DeleteGood thinking about going to a movie tat's airconditioned to keep cool.
ReplyDeleteA dark movie theater is a nice retreat from the heat!
DeleteI have heard and read several reviews of Odyssey. The youngsters seem to think it is magnificent. I am not sure that it is the movie for me- having been familiar with the adventure since 8th century BC. Staying power, I would say! . Having ear plugs in cinema's is a thing for sure, Our theater offers them in a bowl at the entrance.
ReplyDeleteGood Girl. Bailey - I am impressed. I wonder about her former life. She seems to be aware that she is on steady ground now and can relax into your schedules.
I'm glad the "youngsters" like it -- I suppose it's a great way for them to learn the stories if they're not already familiar. (I'm not sure how often it's taught in high school English classes these days! I never read it in mine.)
DeleteI would love to see the film, but its length gives me pause. I'm on a diuretic! LOL Glad that Bailey did well in your absence; that's a relief. Now you don't have to worry about leaving her briefly.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it IS long. But you could sneak out during a slow moment. :)
DeleteYum...blueberry pie sounds divine. It's great that Bailey was a good dog home alone. That first time leaving a dog in a new house is always a stressful endeavor. Stay cool!
ReplyDeleteYeah, we weren't sure what to expect. I didn't think she'd be destructive but I was afraid she'd be noisy!
DeleteMy paper today said the temps in west London reached 100 yesterday, but I might have misread it. 93. 100. It's ALL hot when you have no AC! I'm glad Bailey behaved.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on where they were measured. It always seems hotter out by Heathrow and in that area. I Googled my local temps so presumably they're right!
DeleteEscaping the high heat by going to the theater is a good idea. With the exception of the loudness, you both enjoyed it so all is good.
ReplyDeleteSweet Bailey has passed with flying colors. Trusting her to be alone in the flat for a few hours is great.
Yeah, it's a huge relief to know she can manage on her own.
DeleteDave and I probably have the same amount of long past due items in our respective kitchen cupboards. Was curious the other day about how old some of my spices might be since I rarely use more than four or five and have at least thirty or forty different ones. I did find one that died in 2012. Stopped looking after that. Job for another day.
ReplyDeleteJust keep the four or five and ditch the rest.
DeleteHa! Yeah, spices in particular have a tendency to hang around long after their expiration dates. I always take dates on spices with a grain of salt, too (no pun intended). I keep them past their dates quite often, though not usually as far past as that arrowroot!
DeleteGood dog Bailey :)
ReplyDeleteYum for blueberry pie!
All the best Jan
Yeah, the pie was a nice surprise -- but I gotta admit, I would not have fired up the oven on this particular day.
DeleteThe camera angle has Bailey resembling a kangaroo at rest, just a little. I used to go to the nearest cinema on pensioner discount days but always got out just in time to miss the bus and have to sit and wait for half an hour or longer if the busses were running late. Now I just wait for movies to make it to TV land.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she's part kangaroo?! Sometimes cinemas can be more trouble than they're worth, for a variety of reasons.
DeleteI enjoyed the Odyssey though I think seeing it in imax would have been overwhelming. I thought the score in the final fight scene was absolutely riveting. I usually zone out in that obligatory final drawn out battle between hero and villain in movies but the soundtrack in this one was so compelling it kept me glued to the action, and I’m keen to experience it again to analyze exactly how it managed that!
ReplyDeleteInteresting that the music is what drew you into the scene! I don't even remember the music, but we all respond to movies differently, right? I thought it was very good overall.
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