kathleen_dailey

1. This week I received my spring Covid booster (shot number 8 on my personal hit parade). I'm still masking everywhere I go, even though I sometimes have to lower the mask briefly when I'm outside so that (1) I can actually get some oxygen into my lungs and (2) I can smell the flowery spring air, even in the deepest depths of downtown, for a couple of minutes. But everywhere else, it's Mask Up all the time, every time. Unsurprisingly, I'm usually the only masked person within eyeshot (except for the spouse). Thank goodness my optometrist is another observant masker (though her colleagues are hit-and-miss); I felt reasonably comfortable with her getting all up in my face for the annual eye exam.

2. While waiting for the eye doc, I was reminded that "the pairing of like with a groan or moan or other interjection represents a complete defeat for language." Two young humans were communicating in the manner described in the article and, apparently, understanding each other perfectly.

3. The archives in this week's ST: Disco ep were actually interiors of the Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library at the University of Toronto:



While a few of the shots were digitally enhanced, the place really does look Warehouse 13ish--mystical, otherworldly.

The past couple of weeks have been a bit of a challenge, what with many medical appointments for both the spouse and me, income tax muddles, and general Merc-retro-type miscommunications. But engaging with bureaucracies' appeal processes is something else again. It helps if one has a big mouth, immense staying power, and a spine of titanium.

On the medical front,

( Cut for Wheel-Trans appeal stuff )

On the property tax front,

( Cut for municipal tax appeal stuff )

In other news, we learned that our dear neighbours, whom we've known since we moved to our condo almost fifteen years ago, are moving--and that (for reasons) the move has to happen immediately. They're putting their unit on the market this week. We're very close with them, and just knowing that we could be there in a minute if they needed us or we needed them was so reassuring and comforting. They'll be relocating as soon as their unit is sold; they don't yet know where they'll go, but probably out of Toronto and possibly out of Canada. They're renting a temporary residence while the unit is being painted and staged and shown to buyers, so we'll still be able to see them for a little while, but wow. I'm going to miss them so much that I don't even know how to quantify it.

Finally, on a happier note, I'm very glad that Star Trek: Discovery is back, and I'm especially glad to see T'Rina and Saru getting screen time. The actors and their characters have so much chemistry that I'd gladly watch a whole ep that featured them. And my big hope for this short final season is that we find out at least a little bit more about Ni'Var.

"Those Talosians tried this trick with me in the Terran Universe once, and I blew them and their stupid singing plants off the face of the planet." Some people are protesting Georgiou's boasting of genocide. Me, I think it's in character. And her tone makes me think it might even be hyperbole.

Disco Pike might eventually replace Sisko (I so wanted to type Disco Sisko) as number 1 in my hierarchy of captains. And Anson Mount is visually believable as Pike.

Still not quite buying Ethan Peck, except for his voice. But I'm willing to be persuaded. Spock, do please take Burnham's advice on the beard.

I guess Amanda meant that Spock was HER only child.

Finally, that did NOT look like Vulcan's Forge to me. Too verdant by far.

I think this ep has made me an actual Discovery fan at last. I'm not at the 13/10 stage as some fans are, but I may eventually get there.