67. Music & TV

Previous - 66. Freakish weather

Cable Car Museum

I have a little less than two hours to kill before my annual doctor's appointment, so I'm at the nice little cafe across the street from the Cable Car Museum, where I tend to visit only when I have a doctor's appointment (it's in a geographically awkward location on my hill). I would have to describe the decor here as '50s funky. There are models of pre-Century Series U.S. Air Force fighters hanging from the ceiling. There's an old style, metal, roller skate -- the kind with a key -- sitting on the counter where you pick up your drink order. The music is popular tunes from the '50s and '60s -- "Neon Cowboy" was on a moment ago and I've heard a couple Sinatra hits -- and, and I don't really blame them for this, I just heard my first Christmas song of the year. There's also a PBY model hanging from the ceiling, but WW2 was such a part of the '50s, I don't have a problem with that. ("Blue on Blue," a song I didn't remember but recognize.)

My intention was to continue working through my Medium folder but, for the first time ever, Medium seems to be broken and I can't access any of their links. There is something especially poignant about being in a place with a '50s theme while suffering the disappointment of not being able to access the Internet... frustrations of the future we never imagined. Flying cars, yes (and thank god that hasn't happened); space stations, sure. ("Do You Know the Way To San Jose," I would never have guessed, back in the day, I would know San Jose as well as I do.) 

TV

I think I mentioned I was starting "Rizzoli & Isles." I made it into the second season but didn't finish. There were two reasons -- that I was aware of -- I decided not to finish the season before returning the discs. First it was getting to be too much like "Criminal Minds" -- too much rape and violence against women. ("These Boots are Make For Walking.") Second, given the disturbing nature of the A stories, the B stories were becoming disconcertingly frivolous. I guess it was supposed to mitigate the sick content, but it just struck me as being inane. 

("Age of Aquarius" and I recognized it after the first couple notes.)

But watching "R & I" had reminded me of things I loved about "Castle" and when I returned the "R&I" discs I found a dirt cheap copy of the first season of "Castle" and bought it. Re-watching it I'm noticing additional weaknesses in "R&I" by comparison. Seeing the "R&I" victims before they died never stopped bothering me, but watching "Castle" I couldn't help noticing how much better the cinematography, use of music, and general writing is. Even the music over the closing credits is wonderfully crafted. By comparison, "R&I" is just sloppy.

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