No Clothes --- Days 15/217 - 219

Walk: Hood,  AMC Kubuki Theater (The Odyssey)

Distance: 4.5 miles average

The Odyssey movie Ratings:

Rotten Tomatoes Critics: 95%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience: 97%

Ciwt: 78% (mostly for special effects and scope of undertaking by Writer/Director Nolan)

So Ciwt went to the first matinee of The Odyssey because of its very high Rotten Tomatoes ratings and because she had never read the Homer poetic epic.  This would be her chance to have a superb getaway and take in one of the most significant works of the Western canon. (Wikipedia)/ among the greatest literary achievements in human history (historyandculture.org).

What she actually saw (between naps) was more of the same movie making she's been staying out of the theaters (sadly) to avoid:  zero meaningful dialogue, acting that went from blunt to inept, AI generated monsters and creepy settings, one man taking on the entire world,  prolonged manly fight after manly fight after manly fight causing horrific death after horrific death after horrific death.  Brute movie making.  In other words, for her, the emperor had no clothes.

This is not movie making that Ciwt values.  But clearly it is movie making of the times and Ciwt is a dinosaur. Her list of 'her type' of movies is extensive, and basically duplicates any Top 100 Movies Ever lists - maybe in slightly different order.  She's certainly no stranger to violence and loved: Psycho, Pulp Fiction and much of Tarantino's work, The Godfathers 1 & 2.  In terms of modern movies of her type she would point to Parasite as the most stunningly brilliant movies she has ever seen - including its bloodbath and early stomach turning setting.

Every one of these movies - and more - have some combination of great acting, meaningful dialogue and plot, depth, psychological/human truth, intrigue, often humor.  The list goes on.  They were worth Ciwt's time (often multiple times) and she would happily recommend them.

But today's aesthetic - at least in movies for now - has morphed.  She gets it; it is bigger than her apparently.  That a movie as one note as The Odyssey can be reviewed by the audience as Perfect in every way from cinematography, sound mixing, acting writing and direction, ABSOLUTELY INSANELY INCREDIBLE, etc is disappointing to Ciwt but no longer shocks her.

But it does disappoint her. 

Little Lifts --- Days 15/215 & 216

Walk: You know - Hood & Presidio

Distance: 4.5 miles average

So, Ciwt's longer time readers (thank you!) have probably noticed often takes what appear to be the same routes on her daily walks (ie, hood & Presidio).  But they are never the same to her.  No matter how often she walks down this block or that block, or that Presidio path there are always things - little, spectacular, new, new to her eyes -  that lift her up or change her mind or just generally make her thankful she got out walking.  That's the nature of walks, it's what they do.

The picture above made her laugh.  It is a storefront window that doesn't mention what it sells, what its name is or even what the bear(?) is all about - just promotes supporting local businesses.  Whimsical, Fresh, Good reminder.

Then as she walked past the little local library as she does many times a week, she noticed the soft pink bloom of one of its trees and thought is was lovely color for relaxing into a good book.

Hats Off. Ooops, No ON and SAFE! --- Days 15/212 - 214

Walks: Hood and Presidio (of course)

Distance Average: 4 miles 

Val Diamond, San Francisco Hat and Harnass

So Ciwt finally got on the Bridgerton bandwagon, and, like many viewers past and present, can't wait to see whatever 'hairdo' the Queen is sporting each time she comes on the screen.  

Not easy - dangerous actually - for her to pull off.  Ciwt knows because she was friends with the man who crafted the ultra heavy 'hats' worn by San Francisco's former 45-year extravaganza Beach Blanket Babylon.  Her friend was a high quality picture framer and also the son of woman who had very bad scoliosis.  When he saw BBB soon after it began in 1974, he feared for the actors wearing, singing and moving around in the hats and approached the producers about trying to invent a bracing system for the Spectacular SAN FRANCISCO! headpiece. 

As you can see above, it was an actor in itself, updated according to current events.  People went mad when it made its nightly appearance.  The starring prop was also huge, heavy, off balance and truly dangerous to wear. The producers said "Go for it" which he did creating a support system that was 'comfortably' wearable, sturdy, safe and also invisible. It lasted the lifetime of the show and did parts of his payments.  Besides lifetime hugs from Val Diamond, the beloved BBB actress who wore the harnassed hat, he was given lifetime tickets for the always sold out event - which is the how Ciwt first saw the show. 

Dinner+/_ for Four --- Days 15/209 - 211

Walks: Hood, Presidio. AMC Kabuki

Distance Average: 4 miles

A foursome of actors on Ciwt's favorites list, intelligent/ultimately thought provoking and truthful script, great comic timing, superior film making.  Ciwt is not necessarily recommending The Invite.  But, overall, what's not to like - even though the movie events often made her squirm?

In the Pink --- Days 15/205 - 208

Walks: Presidio and Hood

Distances: 4 miles average

So during Amazon's Big Spring Event the other day Ciwt got herself confused with a young Barbie fan and bought this new iPad.  Actually, it's cute and happy to work on.  Maybe next sale, she'll get a doll.

July 4, 2026 --- Day 15/204

Walk: Presidio

Distance: 3.5 miles

Happy Anniversary, Americans, wherever you are!

And our animals too!

And our animals too!

Country Portraits 5 --- Days 15/202 & 203

Walks: Hood and Downtown

Distances: 4.5 average

Frederick Remington (1861-1909), Bronco Buster, 1895, bronze, de Young Museum, San Francisco

So, Where's the Cute? --- Days 15/200 & 201

Walks: AMC Kabuki, Hood

Distances: 4.5 miles average

So Ciwt went to Toy Story 5 daycamp recently.  The movie was pretty good even though Ciwt, not having kids, didn't know several generations of the starring toys.  

It was the generation of AI, CGI, VR, AR - whatever they are - that didn't work for her.  Toy Story 5 was preceded by 1/2 hour of upcoming animated movie previews.  And they all looked exactly the same.  Exact same fully drenched colors, same fleshy, rounded characters, same skies, clouds, insects, etc.  Somehow the charm of animated characters has disappeared.  And, without the old cuteness and artistic wonder factor, contemporay animated movies come across almost as plain old grown up movies - only with stuffed and talking animals, toys, cars, etc. in the main roles.

Olden Cute Days: