August update: Real Life Keeps Interfering In My Media

[kylaraingress]

The heat was overwhelming during August. Add in the California fires (nowhere near us, thankfully) and the hurricanes (there's a hurricane Kate apparently?) and it's been not-so-fun weather time. And of course the earthquake on August 7. It's weird that I'm now used to them. More under the cut.

Not much to report this month, as Kate spent most of the month recovering from her surgery. She had another eye appointment, and is still getting that looked at. She was finally back to work on the 23rd.

My job has been going okay – had some webinars that were pretty successful, and am spending most of my days just keeping up with all the emails and admin stuff.

In terms of real world events, while I've been trying to keep up on the news of COVID and Afghanistan, at the same time, I try to make sure to give myself breaks from it as well. Kate and I both voted in California's recall election. We try to vote in every election regardless, but this one could really change how the state goes from here. I also am eligible to upgrade my driver's license to a Real ID for free, but had some problems with the paperwork. And, of course, the Texas abortion ban was how our news cycle ended for August.

I was saddened to hear about the deaths of both Una Stubbs and Ed Asner. Una was the heart and soul of Sherlock, and despite my feelings about the show now, was one of the few things I still felt love for. As for Ed Asner, he's got a lot of credits to his name, but I will always remember him as Cosgrove in Freakazoid, because it was such an off-kilter role.

Our apartment complex repaved our parking lot, so for a few days, we had the adventure of finding street parking for our vehicles.

On day trips, we went to the Henson Studios for a performance of Puppet Up!. Additionally, Kate took me to Frank & Son for my first visit (she's been there a couple of times). We also hit Modesto Theatre's 'we have to move' garage sale and got an ice maker and a new coat rack.

I signed us up for Amazon Prime Gaming and downloaded a couple of the free games that were on offer. I also found a new mobile game, Diggy's Adventure, and have been playing Skyrim. With regards to gaming movies, we watched Free Guy in a nice air conditioned theatre, and also caught Daniel Radcliffe in Guns Akimbo.

On the media front, we did a re-watch of the Burton-era Batman movies. And speaking of superheroes, we also re-watched Suicide Squad before watching The Suicide Squad (LOVE KING SHARK!). We've also been enjoying What If...? – sanctioned fanfic. We also finally caught Thunder Force, which adds to my 'Melissa McCarthy is growing on me ... like a fungus' thoughts.

Speaking of which, I've been loving her in Nine Perfect Strangers, which is on Hulu. We also finally buckled down and got AppleTV to watch Schmigadoon! (which was like the side B of Galavant) and fell head over heals for Ted Lasso.

We did a free trial of Digital Theatre and watched The Old Vic's production of The Crucible that I got to see in London, and then the David Tennant / Catherine Tate production of Much Ado About Nothing. We also finally sat down and watched the National Theatre production of Midsummer (with Gwendolyn Christie as Titania) – and loved every minute of it.

In real life, as mentioned above, Kate and I went to the Henson Studios for a production of Puppet Up! We had the money to buy VIP tickets, which got us a tour of the studios and a short meet & greet with Brian Henson. And 'weenie' puppets signed by him. The show was amazing!

My horror loving self finally got to catch Us and Jennifer's Body, and we did a re-watch of Attack the Block – the first time since both Boyega and Whittaker became household names. I've also been getting through Orphan Black finally, and we're giving the rebooted Fantasy Island a try.

Finally, on the nonfiction front, we also finally buckled down for Bo Burham: Inside, and the documentary Crip Camp.

August came and went with a bang, and I continually remind myself that 'May you live in interesting times' is considered a curse. I just go day by day, and do what I can. Hugs to those of you who want them, positive vibes / thoughts to those who don't. Let's hope September is less of a wild ride.