All-the-Way House: A Review

Date: May 25, 2021

Music Video of the Day:

“Don’t you want to believe / This life, it means something / No one can save you / But yourself this time.”

Interstellar News: I just finished reading “All-the-Way House” by Keith R. A. DeCandido. I got an advance copy as part of a Pensacon exclusive. It’s his take on the Jersey Devil and it’s Book 4 in the Systema Paradoxa series on various cryptids.

It’s split into 5 chapters. Chapters 1 and 5 take place in February 2020, Chapters 2 and 4 take place in 1909, and Chapter 3 takes place in 1735.

cover of all-the-way house with the Jersey Devil artist rendering on the front

Chapter 1 introduces two Coursers tasked to deal with a “monster” on the beach at Atlantic City. Chapter 2 recounts how a then-Slayer first encountered the “Jersey Devil”. Chapter 3 is the secret origin of the Jersey Devil and the Leeds family. Chapter 4 dives into what they Slayer does with his newfound knowledge. Chapter 5 sees the coursers “deal” with the “monster” and explains the title of the book.

It’s well written, an easy read, and I was hooked on every word. It’s available for pre-order on Kindle or Paperback, and you can even get an autographed copy from the author! There’s one illustration in the back of the book, which is absolutely fantastic, and there’s a bit in the back about the origin and description of the Jersey Devil. If the Jersey Devil isn’t your Cryptid of choice, there will be 12 total cryptids available in the series.

TA Out!

Pensacon 2021

Date: May 24, 2021

Music Video of the Day:

“Oh, home, let me come home
Home is wherever I’m with you.”

Shameless Plug of the Month: Consider supporting THE KICKSTARTER OF THE APOCALYPSE. You won’t be disappointed, unless the world ends first.

Interstellar News: In February 2020, in the “before times”, I attended Pensacon. It was an interesting show in a very strange venue with a super cool hotel RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. Two weeks later the U.S. shut down and most cons didn’t happen or went virtual.

Hoping Florida would re-open, which it did, Pensacon was moved to May 21 – 23 this year. I went again, though this time to help a dear friend sell some books, and it was insanity. My brain is mushy but I am home and heading to bed soon. However, I wanted to chime in that the folks who run Pensacon do their best for the guests, vendors, and fans – well, except at the charity auction which made me want to do very illegal things to other humans.

“Read this book, unless you are an illiterate schmuck.” “Stay away from cheap plastic, it will attack you.” “Make sure to put the poles in just the right way and wrap them up tight.” “Jinkies.” “For every three books, you get $5 off… yes, I know I’m evil.” I loved spending time with good people, I enjoyed the hard work, and the food was mostly wonderful.

As the U.S. begins to reopen remember to be kind, safe, and stay hydrated!

TA Out!

VOY: “Drive”

Date: May 19, 2021

Season 7, Episode 3

Music Video of the Day:

“Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there.”

Interstellar News: I went to a nail salon for the first time in over a year and it felt wonderful. Tonight we also continued in our MCU movie marathon and watched Iron Man 2.

TL;DR: Paris and Kim enter a race while Torres thinks she and Paris are over. Kim likes one of the other pilots, but the curse of Harry Kim continues as she winds up being one of the bad guys. Paris and Torres are adorable, fight, almost get themselves killed, avoid getting everyone else killed, and then get engaged and married all in the same episode!

Favorite Quote:

Torres: Seems like the entire crew has come down with race fever.

Seven of Nine: Maybe you could persuade the Doctor to develop a vaccine.

Seven tries humor and it’s wonderfully delivered!

“She’s not a Borg, she’s not a hologram, and she’s not dead. Looks like you might have finally found yourself the perfect woman.”: There are parts of this episode I really enjoy. Paris and Kim get themselves into a road race but then there’s the added plus of the other pilot being someone Kim fancies. Torres trading in every favor she has, Paris realizing he’s about to be killed because he forgot their special trip, and how he pulls over to tell her how he feels. This is a really good episode in terms of the Torres-Paris relationship, Kim always being the bridesmaid, and even Voyager making friends with other species. Neelix becomes the crazed announcer when Seven doesn’t do it “right” and the whole ship is really enjoying themselves and getting a break from being years away from home. I love how Janeway tells the boys she thinks the race is a great idea and they weren’t expecting that reaction. The reveal that Kim’s “love” interest is the one causing problems was one I didn’t see coming, but probably should have.

Star Wars podracing
It’s the podracing episode!!!

What I dislike is that Torres and Paris never really communicate with each other until it’s almost too late, and that you don’t even realize they’re married until the very end if you pay close attention. Where’s Neelix gushing over Klingon wedding preparations? Where’s Paris asking Kim to be his best man? Where’s the EMH practicing for singing at the reception? Where’s the bachelor party on the holodeck where some shenanigans happen? I get why that’s not in this episode, but knowing it won’t happen in future episodes makes me sad. I don’t understand why he didn’t ask Torres to be his co-pilot from the get go. That would have changed the whole tone of the episode for me. For all its faults, I didn’t hate this episode. It earns itself 6 tubs of strawberries.

TA Out!

Sports Night: “The Giants Win the Pennant, The Giants Win the Pennant”

Date: May 17, 2021

Season 2, Episode 10

Music Video of the Day:

“I wish it didn’t hurt / I wish I didn’t care…”

Interstellar News: Sorry I’ve been MIA again. In 2020 it was my new year’s resolution to write a post for every day. I had never kept a resolution all year and I was determined last year. This year, I realized time was more precious and I didn’t want to spend it all behind the computer. I’m still watching Trek, Mavel’s MCU, and I’m almost at the end of Sports Night… but a dear friend thought I should right about Sports Night tonight.

Favorite Quotes:

Jeremy: It’s the 49th anniversary.

Dan: And deserving of a tribute.

Jeremy: A 49th anniversary tribute?

Dan: What, there’s a law it’s got to come with 5s and 10s?

Jeremy: Well, none that I know of.

Dan is his usual excited and passionate self while Jeremy is, well, a Vulcan.
hand washing is so hot right now (Zoolander)
Dare to “look left”

Dan: You never saw Thomson’s home run?

Isaac: No.

Dan: You were at the game.

Isaac: I was washing my hands.

Dan: Never wash your hands.

Isaac: If only you’d been my mother.

This did NOT age well in the 2020’s.

“According to the dictionary, momentarily means for “for a moment” and “in a moment.””: Casey runs into Pixley, Dan is obsessed with a game that happened almost 50 years ago that Isaac happened to be at, Dana finally realizes the dating plan was stupid, and Isaac shares his “big secret” to Dan. Dan being super, extra excited about something is not new, but it’s disheartening to see Isaac so sad and embarrassed. One of the wonderful things about watching TV and movies at home, and streaming, is I can always pause it to use the restroom or take the pupper out to potty. Isaac, unfortunately, did not have such an option and missed out on a piece of sports history.

Russ Hodges with the text of "this giants win the pennant"
“There’s this famous announcer’s call, maybe the most famous ever. “The Giants win the Pennant! The Giants win the Pennant! The Giants win the Pennant!” His name was Russ Hodges and he– he just kept going.”

The whole Casey/Pixley/Howard scene at the top is fantastic because Howard is played by Tom Cavanagh and he’s just always fantastic and because Casey is at his best. WHY Pixley gives him her number and why he’s flirting with her is beyond me, I guess it’s because Casey wants what he can’t have. However, it shows him that he’s moved on from Dana and it helps Dana to see that she missed her opportunity because Casey has the attention span of a goldfish. I hate that this is done, though, because Season 1 was all “will they won’t they”, and then they have this epic kiss, and then it’s put on hold because of the stupid dating plan, and then it just abruptly ends. Not one of my favorite episodes, but also not a terrible one.

TA Out!

Mother’s Day 2021

Date: May 9, 2021

Music Video of the Day:

My mother’s favorite song to dance to at a wedding.

Interstellar News: In May 2018, my husband and I drove up to NJ to pick up my Mom and move her down to NC to live with us. We had no idea how long she had left, but knew she couldn’t live alone. She lived with us in our new-to-us house for 7 months and passed away in January 2019. 2018 was the years of lasts for us… her last birthday, last Mother’s Day, last Thanksgiving/Christmas, and last new year. It’s been an incredibly difficult three years, mostly due to the pandemic, but I have not been without mother-like people in my life.

My mom and I when I was about 2
My Mom and me, sometime around 1988 in Brooklyn.

There’s my step-mother, Roberta, who has never tried to be my mom and does her best at keeping my dad in line. She thankfully does not take after any Disney step-parents.

There’s my mother-in-law, Debbie, who is the kindest soul on the planet. Her prayers are so sincere and genuine, and she loves my cooking.

There’s my work mom, Jasmine, who has been the best mentor I’ve ever had. She is probably the only reason I was accepted into graduate school and will probably the only reason I pursue a PhD.

There’s my NY mom, GraceAnne, who has warmly accepted me as one of her children. She gives the best hugs, shares the most beautiful pictures on social media, and is the biggest champion of her son’s many accomplishments.

There is my godmother, Linda, and my Aunts, Dolores and Virginia, who all check in on me from time to time.

There are countless other moms in my life: my cousins, my close friends, my sorority sisters, my co-workers, my single mom friends, my fur mama friends, and all of the other folks who identify as a mom in some way or another. The teachers, like me, who call their students their “kids” and can’t imagine ever leaving them. Today is a day to celebrate mothers of all kind, be they were birth moms or adoptive moms or just feel like a mom.

All of these wonderful and strong women have helped me to be the person I am today. Happy Mother’s Day to them, and to all who read this today.

TA Out!