I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. The extremely hot temperatures here are lessening. I was able to turn off the AC this morning and open the windows! Yippee! I am in desperate need of some fresh air.
We’re all hanging out in the living room this morning, drinking coffee and (sadly) eating donuts. Well, the dogs aren’t eating donuts and drinking coffee. They’re sleeping. But we are. I know they’re bad for me….but when Don comes in the door with a box, I cannot resist. Especially powdered sugar donuts. Or glazed donuts. Or Munchkins.
You know, I don’t watch very much television anymore; just a few shows here and there which, to me, are of high quality. Other than that, if I’m watching television, I’m watching Turner Classic Movies. My new favorite series? The Newsroom on HBO. It’s written by Aaron Sorkin, who is, in my opinion, brilliant. The cast is superb, led by the great Jeff Daniels. He makes it look so easy that I think he tends to be underrated as an actor, but he shouldn’t be. He’s the real deal. And this character, written for him by Sorkin, is complicated and dense and every actor’s dream.
If you haven’t had a chance to watch this new series, tune in. It’s what television should be and, most of the time, isn’t. So much of what I see on the air is formulaic, badly written and, sometimes, badly acted. I hate the dumbing down of television – whether it’s a series or a ‘reality’ show or the news. I think much of what is out there has not even one tiny smidgen of excellence. Why not aspire to something greater? The Newsroom is smart, funny, serious and it does what I think a good series should: it requires us to listen.
On another note:
My dear friend, Brenda of Cozy Little House, fell in her back yard yesterday. Our mutual friend, Judy of 20NorthOra, told me about it. Brenda has a broken bone and a badly dislocated ankle and is scheduled to have surgery this week. I’m sure she’s in a great deal of pain. I haven’t spoken to her yet, but as soon as I know more, I’ll pass the information on to you. Just wanted to let you know because I know many of my readers read Cozy Little House. If she doesn’t post today, you’ll know why.
This is the 2nd post I’ve read this morning about donuts. And I started a diet today. Wah!! So sorry to hear about Brenda. I follow her blog too. That must have been a bad fall.
That is awful news about Brenda’s fall. I know you will keep us posted.
I’m so sorry to hear about Brenda’s fall; thank you for passing that news along. Since she generally posts daily, her absence would’ve been noticed.
Yum, donuts!! Enjoy the donuts, and cooler temps, and open windows, and having your honey back home =).
Glenda
I’m so sorry to hear of Brenda’s fall. I’ll remember her in my prayers. I am an avid follower of her blog.
I just read Brenda’s post about her fall…ouch! I am keeping her in my prayers. My SIL broke his ankle last year and had surgery, it was not fun but he is doing well a year later. Praying for Brenda. On another note, now I want some doughnuts! Hugs, Linda
I want doughnuts NOW!
I read Brenda’s post about her fall. It sounded so scary and painful.
You are a good friend to her Claudia! I will keep her in my prayers.
Oh my gosh, poor Brenda. I’m so sorry to hear that.
We don’t have any of the premium movie channels and, unfortunately, we don’t even get Turner Classic Movies with our cable package, which is pretty basic. I’d love to be able to watch the old movies.
I think just about everything is being dumbed down these days, Claudia.
Donna
I don’t watch much television during the summer. I’ll see if I get that show you mentioned. I love Jeff Daniels. He’s one of my favourites. For a while now, I’ve only been watching reruns of Seinfeld and Third Rock from the Sun because I need to laugh. Also, sometimes The Golden Girls. I left a comment on poor Brenda’s blog. Take care. Don’t eat anymore donuts. Well, maybe just a few more. I’m sure you enjoyed every mouthful!
Claudia, I am glad you are relaxing today…even if you are eating donuts;):) I hate hearing that about Brenda. I hate today’s tv programs..all fake “reality”Smiles to you, Susie
I’m just catching up…oooh, poor Brenda!
Sorry to hear about Brenda. Regarding your precious Riley, have you ever tried lifting him by putting a towel under him? My friend did this with her dog for months and it really saved her back.
Minicat
I completely agree with your opinion on The Newsroom (and your opinion on glazed doughnuts)! I love how it goes past all the petty plot points usually seen on TV, like superficial romances, to deliver a hard-hitting reflection on our society. Each episode leaves my brain with something to gnaw on, and its controversial messages make great topics of debate among my coworkers at Dish and around the dinner table! Have you ever seen Sorkin’s other TV series like The West Wing? I haven’t yet but am very inspired to since I’ve taken such a liking to The Newsroom. I saw that they are all available from the Blockbuster@Home service that I get through my Dish account, so I plan to check them out soon. If you have any other Sorkin suggestions, pass them my way. I’m sure I can find them on Blockbuster@Home too, since there are so many titles to choose from! Thanks again for the great review on The Newsroom!