KIDS | Rub a Dub Dub

This pix first appeared in Scribbles April 2017

PETS |

ENCORE JOE FRIDAY POSTS | PHOTOS & TEXT BY JIM STEEL | LAYOUT BY SCRIBBLES

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IN MEMORIAM | Hunter

EDITORIAL | Goodbye 2018....and Good Riddance

As I always seem to say at this time, it’s hard to believe that another year will soon be coming to an end. Although it may come across as being bitter, I can honestly say I will not be sorry to say goodbye to 2018.

This was a year filled with many challenges and tearful farewells. Walking among us for a final time were our friend Bob Miller and my beloved dog Timmi, to name but a few. Their departures occurred within a week of each other, which made these losses even more painful.

When my laptop crashed in mid July, little did I know how difficult it would be to replace it. I ended up returning two faulty laptops before finding a third one that filled my needs and let me get back to creating Scribbles for you.

My health was far from good for much of this year. In addition to my usual aches and pains, I also experienced chest pain plus symptoms associated with a stroke and was rushed to the hospital twice via ambulance.
In November, shortly after getting a bad haircut, I passed out in my apartment. It was extremely terrifying when I came to and realized what had just happened. There were large bruises on my leg, shoulder and arm. I had bit my tongue and bled all over myself and there was a big bump on the back of my head. I went back to the hospital to check if I had a concussion (I didn’t) and a few weeks later began seeing a very irritating neurologist, who suspended my driver’s license.

Just when I thought things couldn’t possibly get worse, I developed a nasty rash on my face. My doctor said it’s rosacea and gave me an ointment that did more harm than good. Of all the health issues I’ve encountered, this is the one that upsets me the most. I can hide the other problems but it’s kinda difficult to hide your face.

To be fair, there were also some good days in 2018. I had a great time enjoying Pride in the Park, I was thoroughly entertained by musical groups who played the Performing Arts Centre, I had out of this world fun at Ctrl V's media day, enjoyed the grand opening of DJ's Comic Corner, won $91 from GIANT FM and became obsessed with painting the stairway that brings you up to my apartment.

As for our friends in Scribblesland, well many of them also faced great challenges, said goodbye to loved ones and had health issues. They too will be glad when 2018 is in the rear view mirror.

We have several Christmas themed posts for you to enjoy and there’s an abundance of things waiting in the wings. These posts have been delayed because I wasn’t feeling good but I hope to get to them soon.

My sincere wish for all of you is a holiday season filled with joy and a bright, prosperous...and healthy new year.

Your Friend & Scribbles CEO,

Ken

video duration: 0:55 min.

PETS | Santa's Helper

US | A Big Surprise!

PETS | A New Arrival

JOE FRIDAY |

PHOTOS & CAPTIONS: JIM STEEL | LAYOUT: SCRIBBLES

REVIEW | Bohemian Rhapsody

'BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY' SCREENSHOT (L TO  R) GWILYM LEE (AS BRIAN MAY) RAMI MALEK (FREDDIE MERCURY) JOSEPK MAZZELLO (JOHN DEACON)

Sometimes I question the wisdom of so-called movie critics. When Bohemian Rhapsody was released in early November many reviews were far from favourable. Some said the film was a sanitized account of Freddie Mercury’s life and should have delved farther into his sexual escapades. Others took aim at Rhapsody’s accuracy, while others nixed the acting and musical performances.

Were these critics watching the same movie as we were? Part bio pic and part rock concert, Bohemian Rhapsody was 2 hours and 13 minutes of pure enjoyment.

Looking almost like Freddie Mercury, Rami Malek embodied everything we loved about the legendary rock idol. His wit, his flamboyancy and his quirks, Malek mastered them all. It’s little wonder he’s been nominated for a Golden Globe Award, as has the film itself.

Bohemian Rhapsody filled theatres to maximum capacity and many Scribbles friends reported that the audience applauded when the show ended. Critics be damned. This epic production is a champion and it will, it will rock you. 

KIDS | Beautiful Birthday Boy

MICKEY MOUSE THEMED BIRTHDAY PHOTO BY: STACEY CLUTTERBUCK PHOTOGRAPHY

PETS | Ghosts of Christmas Past

REVIEW | Life Goes on for The Conners

CAST OF THE CONNERS (L TO R) MAYA LYNNE ROBINSON (GEENA) JAYDEN REY (MARY) MICHAEL FISHMAN (D.J.) JOHN GOODMAN (DAN)
 LAURIE METCALF (JACKIE) SARA GILBERT (DARLENE) EMMA KENNEY (HARRIS)  AMES MCNAMARA (MARK) LECY GORANSON (BECKY)

I’ve read reviews that really trash the new series The Conners and noticed a reoccurring theme. Many had already made up their mind that they weren’t going to like the series because it didn’t feature Roseanne Barr. Others made their opinions known after watching only a segment of the debut. In both cases there’s little the show can do to win the favour of those who prematurely wrote it off. 

I was a big fan of the original Roseanne series and one of the 16+ millions who tuned in to watch the reboot episode. I was bummed out when ABC pulled the plug on the mega hit after Barr’s late night racist tweet and thrilled when the network later announced that they had made a settlement with Roseanne that would allow them to bring a rebranded version of the show back, minus her character or creative input. 

One of the things I always enjoyed about the original Roseanne series was the stellar cast. In the earlier episodes Barr’s acting was at best, marginal. She would deliver her line then break the fourth wall by chuckling and waiting for the studio audience to stop laughing. Roseanne was used to doing stand-up comedy and it showed. Had they not surrounded her with seasoned actors and talented kids, it’s unlikely the show would have become so popular.

The Conners gives us more of what held the Roseanne series together with none of the abrasiveness associated with Barr. The writing has continued to be current and believable.

When they wrote out Barr’s character, they cleverly used a storyline that had already developed on the reboot, while addressing an issue that’s been in all the headlines. Although Barr scoffed at how they wrote her out, she had approved her character’s opioid addiction plot line featured in the Roseanne reboot.

The Conners has quickly become my “must-see TV” go to. With its plot twists and blending of new and familiar characters, there’s enough material for this series to continue for several seasons. Hopefully viewers and ABC feel the same way.

SCRIBBLES VIDEO | Spending Time With My Furry Friends

My sister Kim is experiencing a bit of empty nest syndrome now that her son has moved to his own place and her daughter spends a lot of time at her boyfriend's. This means her dog Scout has less company throughout the day and that's making the mini-dachshund feel a bit blue.

When Kim mentioned she was thinking of looking for a doggie daycare for Scout, I offered to give it a try at my place. So far Scout has enjoyed her visits with me and she is a great distraction on those days I want to escape my head (which has been frequently). 

Miss Kitty has yet to warm up to the doggie daycare concept. She has hissed at Scout a few times and for the most parts keeps her distance when the cute canine is here. 

Below is a short clip that features Miss Kitty, Scout and a couple more of the furry friends I have spent my time with lately.

video duration: 1:23 min.