the kid discovers mr. bean

Thanks to Netflix I am getting acquainted with many shows and movies that  I haven't seen in years. Ihave always liked the comedy of Rowan Atkinson, from his small parts in Four Weddings and A Funeral and Love, Actually to his epic craziness in his various Blackadder series and Johnny English spy soot films. But my all-time favorite comic performance is still "Mind the Baby, Mr. Bean" from his 1990s Mr. Bean series. I just had to share that episode with the kid, and not only did she love it as much as her momma, but she insisted on seeing the rest of the series. So we have hopped around, and then binge-watched from beginning to end all nineteen episodes. She even likes singing along to the Latin choral theme song.

Ecce homo qui est faba [Behold the man who is a bean]

Mr. Bean wants to go to the fun fair, but has also unwittingly invited a baby to tag along ...

These roller coasters are so dull

Maybe if I give the baby a balloon it will stop crying?

Or a lot of balloons?

It's awful that there are only nineteen episodes, but Netflix also has available the Mr. Bean animated series, which I had never seen before, so now we are discovering and enjoying together. There are a more of them — 26 double episodes, which is nice. After that, who knows, maybe I can start her off on Blackadder, too, as all four seasons are available ...

where did john malkovich go?

My mom has dementia, and thankfully, at least so far, her deterioration has been gradual. Sometimes I don't even notice that some new word or thing is "missing" for her until it is pointed out to me, situationally.

The other night we were watching the movie Johnny English, starring Rowan Atkinson (who mom loves) as Britain's most inept spy. John Malkovich was playing the super-villain, complete with an outrageous French accent. Mom recognized him, but as she usually does these days when we are watching a movie, she asked me what his name was. I usually tell her and she nods, as it sounds familiar to her. But when I said, "John Malkovich," she shook her head. It was a complete blank. It was gone.

John Malkovich and Rowan Atkinson in Johnny English

Now to be fair, it's hardly essential that she recall Malkovich's name, no matter how much of a movie buff she used to be. But I couldn't help but wonder, where did his name go? Where do all of the things that she is gradually forgetting go? Do they just shrivel up and die? Do they evaporate "into the ether," as in one of her favorite expressions. One of her past favorite expressions, that is, as I highly doubt she would know what I meant by "ether" these days. So many words, so many nouns, so many names. All gone.

Au revoir John Malkovich. Your name may be gone, but at least for now, your face still seems familiar.

"say hello to the spikes of doom"

"Say hello to the sofa of reasonable comfort."

So much to love: Rowan Atkinson, Richard E Grant, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent, Joanna Lumley (all as The Doctor), Jonathan Pryce, and Julia Sawalha, from Comic Relief: Doctor Who - The Curse of Fatal Death.

royal wedding

I'm getting married in the morning ...

These days, thanks to DVRs, it's not necessary to get up at the crack of dawn to watch the wedding of the century (plus, no commercials). I was able to get up at the regular time, do my usual morning routine, feed the cats and dog and child, walk the dog, walk with the kid to school, walk back home (in some seriously muggy weather for 8am), have a bowl of raisin bran and soy milk topped with a sprinkling of granola on top, check email, and then flip on the tube and start playing the recording. That's how I like to attend a royal wedding.

This is truly a major event, especially for England, and the general giddy air that I'm seeing on screen reminded me of when I attended President Obama's inauguration. It is socially important for people to have a part in such events, no mater how small a part, if only camped out on the living room sofa. I remember seeing some of the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles on what now seems a very tiny television compared to today's big flat screens. It seemed very long and boring, sort of like the train on Diana's dress. Although a tad old-fashioned-looking (she had to have her shoulders covered), Kate's dress is much better. Diana's was such a long time ago ...

Watching the guests arrive, there are some out of this world wonderful hats, I assume most are by Philip Treacy. Most of them seem designed to fall off the side of the head, much like the one Kate is so famous for wearing. Posh's hat is quite subtle in comparison to most, but looks fantastic, as does she. And of course, so does her husband. It is truly a modern era if Becks can come stubbly to a royal wedding. Mr. Bean! (Rowan Atkinson) How cool is that? And he's stubble-free. Elton John looked nervous — clutching his program. Posh 'n' Becks were invited, but no Fergie. The Queen doesn't forgive.

I love the little crown mounted on top of William's chauffeured Bentley as he was driven to the Abbey with his brother Harry, both resplendent in their uniforms. Can't help but feel sad at their mother's absence. It's amazing how they can still manage to look diffident in these crcumstances. Ahhh Brits.

The ceremony was very CofE, reminiscent of Episcopal services I've attended. Westminster Abbey is truly a glorious space and the trees and greenery made it even more magical. Catherine looked beautiful. It's been a long road. At 29, she's the oldest woman to marry a royal, as well as the only to be college-educated. A far cry from pretty but naive 19-year old Diana. Best man Prince Harry seemed to whisper to his brother as she walked up the aisle, "Wait until you see her." William looked thrilled when she reached him.

Good luck, kids. All the best.