It's been a warm start to November, and sunny, too. But not clear enough for astronomy, as high haze has dampened my spirits all day today, the first one of the new session. Tomorrow will likely be a repeat. So I'm stuck at home watching for confirmation of Biden's win over The Monster. Should happen tonight.
I saw my specialist yesterday, re: my vertigo. Hearing test came out as expected, with the left ear mostly normal and the right one--well, let's just say the hearing aid will continue to come in handy. He put me on betahistine, 16 mg 3X daily, which is supposed to ease up things a bit as far as attacks of dizziness go. Since cutting out most caffeine and all alcohol, and lowering my salt intake, I'm down to only about an attack a week right now (instead of one every five years or so, previously). I am continuing with the exercise program, though it is mostly maintenance right now, until we can hike again. We have been outside walking segments at a time of the local rails to trails pathway. I have lost weight, especially in the middle area, and feel quite good these days, most of the time.
We both have had our flu shots now, though Deb is a week ahead of me as far as immunity goes. And Gustav's ashes were available to us today, so he is currently sitting in a small velvet pouch on our Day of the Dead altar. Usually our Samhain stuff is put away by now, but we extended it by a week. Piano practicing continues, and if the drug helps hold off further attacks of vertigo, I will re-invite a few friends at a time over to hear the pieces.
In film news, we watched an amazing animated feature called Kirikou And The Sorceress. From 1998, it incorporates several West African folk tales in a colourful and very fun story for all ages, as a unique new born baby faces off against all manner of dangers and tribulations, including the aforementioned sorceress. This one is highly recommended!
Now showing on Criterion.
That was Deb's pick, followed by end of the month film festival. I chose only one film, but it was four hours and 47 minutes long. Wim Wenders' Until The End of the World was first released in 1991, and he was forced to cut it to 3 hours. We saw that version and didn't like it very much. The director's restored version adds nearly two hours to the film, and though still with flaws, it was a much better epic to watch in this version. If you saw the earlier version, then don't judge the movie yet--try and watch the longer one. Though we had to break it up into several sessions, the time flew past. The story gets really interesting when all the characters are assembled in an oasis in the Australian desert, at an Aboriginal cultural centre. This part is among the best film segments I have ever seen! Sadly, the movie (a SF) loses its focus and changes gears, getting involved with recording dreams, which become addictive to the dreamer/viewer of such material. But up till that point (Wenders cannot end a movie satisfactorily in most cases), it is really quite amazing. The world wide locations and photography are astounding, with the best parts set in Japan and Australia.
Next, we began a new TV series by Fassbinder called Eight Hours Don't Make a Day. Each episode is an hour and 47 minutes long, and seems to be a German version of East Enders, only more intelligent. The first episode was pretty decent, and stars a lot of the usual Fassbinder acting clan. Grandma's birthday is quite memorable, as is grandma! Seems promising enough to stay with it.
Now showing on Criterion.
After that came Jan Svankmeyer's Alice, a film we saw many years ago. It's a flawed masterpiece, with some truly genius work being done here. It is easily the strangest Alice adventure ever made, though it follows the story very closely most of the time. It is very funny, very sad, scary, and very, very strange. It is fitting that the Quay brothers paid tribute to the director with one of their own films. Definitely worth repeated viewings. No drugs needed.
Ending November 30th on the criterion Channel.
Mapman Mike
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