Babylon 5 reboot!

The CW network is going to reboot Babylon 5.  Gizmodo article about it:

https://gizmodo.com/j-michael-straczynski-explains-why-babylon-5-had-to-be-1847759308

Normally, I'd be aghast at this.  I generally hate reboots of things I like.  And I like B5 a lot.

However, they've got JMS on board as both producer AND writer, and it sounds like they're going to give him a lot of latitude to basically manage his baby the way he wants.  I'm optimistic.

If you haven't seen the original, I'd encourage you to check it out.  The first season is a bit rough in spots, but the show finds its groove somewhere in season two, and season three really hits a home run.

Here's a taste:

 

Cheap fun

About a week or so ago, I bought a harmonica from Amazon.  It's this one.  Only thirteen bucks.

I've already learned O Susannah.  I can't play it flawlessly every time, but I'm getting there.

I saw my niece a few days ago, and she wanted to try it out.  She seemed to enjoy it.

If you've never played a musical instrument in your life, then this is a cheap and easy way to get started.  All it takes is practice.

Making music is fun.  Don't let that experience pass you by.

Raining again

Well, I knew those sunny, pleasant days couldn't last too long.  It rained again today, all day, and it's going to rain Thursday and Friday, too.

I swear this is the rainiest summer I've experienced in my entire life.

Starting Saturday, though, it's supposed to be very pleasant.  Sunny and temps in the upper 70s.  Which will be perfect for sawing and chiseling outside.  (I'm building a work bench.)

In unrelated news, comedian Norm MacDonald passed away recently.  He was one of the last--maybe the last--professional comedian who wasn't afraid to offend anyone and everyone.  I personally found his humor real hit-or-miss, but when it hit, it really hit.  One of his Conan appearances back in the day had me in stitches.

He was a heavy smoker who died of cancer, so I assume the cigs are what killed him.  

Don't smoke, folks.  Better not to ever start, but if you're already in the habit, then please try to quit.  My paternal grandmother died of emphysema due to smoking in her youth, and I watched her gasp away her final years while hooked up to an oxygen tank.  It's not a pleasant sight.

Anyway, R.I.P., Norm.

Dune 2021 early reviews

The first (of two, hopefully) new Dune movie hit Venice a few days ago, and some early reviews are in:

https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a37490215/dune-remake-reviews-divided/

I must admit that I'm encouraged by what I've read there.  Of course, it'll all be for nought if there's no second movie to complete the story, so any praise for this one must be tempered until filming starts for the second one.  Still, though, it sounds like it might not suck (as Hollywood's book adaptations too often do).

I'm optimistic.  :D

Local report

Hurricane Ida is now in Tennessee.  Here in north Georgia, it's been raining on and off all day, but no major wind or flooding in my area.  For me, this storm has been no different than any ordinary rainstorm.

On a related note, I found an article that claimed this summer has been Atlanta's ninth-rainiest in the last hundred years.  I don't live in the city, but I'm pretty sure my area has had at least as much as Atlanta if not more.

Twenty-one years ago, we were just emerging from a long and severe drought.  Very little rain in the 1998-2000 time period.  It seemed like everything was going to turn to dust.  Even massive oak trees with deep roots were losing their leaves early and looking stressed.  Then the drought broke in August 2000, and it rained almost non-stop for two weeks.  We haven't had a drought like that since.

I swore back then that I would never complain about the rain again.  I've mostly kept that promise.  Most of my talk about weather has just been of the observational sort, not the complaint sort.

Because I know that a period of severe drought will come again.  Maybe next year, maybe in twenty years, maybe not for another century... but it will come.  It's the nature of things.  And I'd much rather have too much rain than too little.

Hurricane Ida now a cat 4

Watch out, Louisiana.  Hurricane Ida is now a category 4 hurricane.  It's heading right for Baton Rouge according to the latest projections.  LSU folks, please get Mike to safety if you haven't done so already.  I remember what happened to a lot of animals during Hurricane Katrina, and I'd hate for something similar to happen to the tiger.

And to all you folks in the path of the storm, take care!  Take whatever precautions you can in the little time that's left.  Here's a site that will give you some ideas.

Best wishes to everyone out there.

And now for something...

...a little funky.  :D