Monday, 16 June 2025

Supergirl Villain Reveal Goes Hard!

In Sherlock Holmes (2009), Lord Blackwood is portrayed as a powerful and sinister figure with apparent ties to the aristocracy. If he had a secret father, as implied in the plot or backstory, it raises the question of how he could legitimately hold the title "Lord." Here’s how this could still be possible, in the context of British peerage and storytelling: #1 – Illegitimate Birth with Later Legitimation If Blackwood was born out of wedlock, he would normally not inherit a title. However, if his parents later married and he was recognized, British law could legitimate the child (especially if it suited political or noble interests). #2 – Title by Royal Appointment or Patent In rare cases, the monarchy can create a peerage for someone, regardless of parentage. Blackwood could have been: Elevated to the peerage by royal decree. Made a baron or viscount for political or secretive reasons (e.g. as a favor to his biological father). #3 – Illegitimate Son of a Nobleman with Influence If his father was a powerful noble or even royalty, Blackwood may have been given the title unofficially, or as a form of cover-up. Some historical lords were widely recognized despite questionable lineage if they held power or property. #4 – Self-Styled Title for Intimidation or Cult Use It’s also possible he wasn’t a real lord under the law but used the title as part of his image: His cult and followers revered him. The public and authorities may have accepted it due to fear or ignorance. #5 – Inherited via Maternal Line or Special Circumstances If his mother was from nobility and there were no male heirs, some titles (especially Scottish ones) could pass through female lineage, depending on the patent. It’s rare, but not impossible in fiction or creative license. Bottom Line: In the Sherlock Holmes film universe, Lord Blackwood being the son of a "secret father" doesn’t necessarily contradict his title. He may have: Been legitimized post-birth, Inherited under special conditions, Been appointed, Or simply adopted the title as part of his dark persona. Fiction, especially gothic and steampunk stories like Sherlock Holmes (2009), often plays loosely with historical rules to enhance intrigue.

Sunday, 8 June 2025

Appendix: English — The Language of Lazy People and Shortcuts

English didn’t get famous for its precision. It’s the language of shortcuts, snappy phrases, and colorful idioms that let people say a lot with just a few words.

Why say “water causes wetness” when you can just say “water is wet” and be done with it? That’s efficiency at its finest!

English inherited a ton of fancy grammar rules from Latin, French, and Germanic languages—but instead of keeping all those complicated verb endings and case markers, English tossed a lot of them out the window. Who has time for that?

English loves shortcuts so much, it gave us gems like:

  • “Gonna” instead of “going to.” Because why bother with the full phrase when you can just squish it?

  • “Wanna” instead of “want to.” Sounds cooler, feels easier.

  • “OK” — a mysterious abbreviation that took over the world because it’s short, simple, and anyone can say it.

  • “Hang on” — literally telling someone to “hang” while you figure things out. Easy to say, no need to explain.

  • “Piece of cake” — no cakes are involved; it just means something is easy. Why explain it fully when a quick idiom does the job?

  • “Shoot the breeze” — because talking casually should feel as effortless as shooting... well, the breeze. No complicated verbs needed.

These shortcuts make English fun, fast, and practical — perfect for texting, casual talk, and memes. But they also mean English often prioritizes convenience over accuracy.

So when you hear “water is wet,” just think of it as English showing off its lazy muscles. It’s like the language rolled out of bed, threw on some sweatpants, and said, “Good enough!”


Thursday, 5 June 2025

Peter Randall and The Raindogs

Peter Randall and The Raindogs:

  • Formation: The band emerged in the early 1990s after Peter Randall had established himself in the Canadian music scene through his previous band, Timeline. Randall sought to create a new project that blended rock, pop, and Americana influences, which became The Raindogs. The precise lineup and individual band member details remain limited in public records.

  • Musical Style: Their sound combined melodic rock with elements of roots and folk, fitting well within the 1990s Canadian alternative and adult contemporary scenes. Their self-titled 1994 album was produced by Ken Greer (of Red Rider), which indicates a professional studio effort with notable production values.

  • Gigs and Performances: The Raindogs performed primarily in the Toronto and Ontario live music circuits during the early to mid-1990s. They appeared on television programs such as Citytv Toronto’s Breakfast Television and Lunch Television, showcasing their music to a broader audience. Specific concert dates or tour details are not widely documented.

  • Reception: While they did not achieve major commercial breakthrough, the band garnered a modest following and respect within Canadian music circles for their songwriting and musicianship.

  • Legacy: After the band’s active years, Peter Randall transitioned towards humanitarian work and politics, but The Raindogs remain a notable part of his artistic legacy.

If you want, I can help draft a short bio or band history based on this info for promotional or archival use.

 Thursday, June 5, 2025



https://pop-the-cherry-say-i.blogspot.com/2025/06/thursday-june-5-2025-raccoons-are-back.html

The raccoons are back on the radio. Of course they are. Toronto’s preferred theatre of governance continues: the great “one-way door” debate, now in its fifth or fiftieth season. Experts solemnly explain that the method doesn’t really work—especially not with raccoons, who laugh at symbolic gestures and bureaucratic metaphors.

No capturing. No hunting. And absolutely no killing. All effective strategies are either banned outright or considered too uncivilized for modern sensibilities. Instead, we rely on half-measures that make the city feel humane while leaving the residents helpless.

Funny how no one ever went on the radio during the years of infestation—when raccoons nested in attics, squirrels turned basements into nut bunkers, and skunks treated porches like rent-free condos. The public silence was deafening. But now, now that someone’s got a microphone and a quota to fill, we’re pretending to be shocked by the state of things.

I never complained. Thought it was better to just deal with it quietly. But I still remember the pandemic squirrel incident—the one time a rodent made headlines. The city, embarrassed by media pressure, sent both police and firefighters to remove it. As if they were conducting a tactical rodent extraction. Not because it made sense, but because optics.

Sometimes I wonder if I should’ve been a squeaky wheel. Because clearly, in this city, grease doesn’t go to the patient or the pragmatic—it goes to the loudest whiner with the best soundbite.



https://pop-the-cherry-say-i.blogspot.com/2025/06/thursday-june-5-2025-raccoons-are-back.html

Tuesday, 3 June 2025

  Dune is not science fantasy in the Star Wars sense. It's deeply speculative, internally consistent, and grounded in logic, even when it includes extraordinary elements like prescience.


✅ Why Dune is not "science fantasy" (in the fairy tale sense):

  • No magic: Everything (spice, sandworms, Bene Gesserit powers) has rational explanations.

  • Future sight isn’t mystical — it’s evolutionary and drug-enhanced perception.

  • Religions are sociological constructs, not supernatural truths.

  • Psychic powers like the Voice are biological training-based.

  • No impossible physics: No FTL travel, no teleportation — only folding space via guild navigators using spice-induced multidimensional awareness.

Frank Herbert called it "anthropological science fiction", not fantasy.



So where does Dune sit?

LabelFitWhy
Hard sci-fi✅/⚠️It’s too speculative for “hard” but logically coherent.
Speculative epic sci-fiGrand scale, deep political and ecological worldbuilding.
Philosophical sci-fiExplores power, destiny, ecology, evolution.
Science fantasyNo true fantasy or magical logic.





In contrast:

WorkFantasy ElementLogical Inconsistency
Star WarsThe Force, space magicSound in space, lightsabers with mass, no science basis
AnnihilationDNA-refraction shimmerPhysics-breaking mutations, symbolic transformations
The Fifth ElementAncient prophecy, god-beingTotally magical logic
DunePrescienceLogically justified by spice and human evolution




So yes: Dune is one of the most internally rational epics in sci-fi — mythic in scale and structure, but not mythic in logic.

  Kristin Adams, the Canadian actress known for her role as Natalie in the 2004 film Childstar.


🎬 Career Highlights

Kristin Adams is a Canadian actress with a diverse filmography spanning over two decades. She gained recognition for her role as Natalie in the 2004 film Childstar, a satirical comedy directed by Don McKellar. The film explores the challenges faced by a young American actor and his overbearing mother during a film shoot in Canada. Adams' portrayal of Natalie contributed to the film's critical acclaim, including four awards from the Vancouver Film Critics Circle, such as Best Canadian Film and Best Director. en.wikipedia.org

Beyond Childstar, Adams has appeared in various film and television projects. Her notable film credits include Falling Angels (2003), Where the Truth Lies (2005), and Leslie, My Name Is Evil (2009). In addition to her film work, she has made appearances in television series such as Beach Girls (2004), My Babysitter's a Vampire (2009), and At the Mercy of a Stranger (1999).