The People vs. OJ Simpson

On saturday Cal was watching Silence of the Lambs on Netflix.  As I was ready for a break, I decided to sit down and watch some of it with him.  It had been years since I had seen the movie and although it was just as disturbing as ever, watching it while working on the computer in the middle of the day made it a lot easier to get through.  Once the movie ended Cal started another show.  I wasn't quite ready to go back outside, so I decided to watch whatever he picked for a little while.  The title flashed on the screen and I was taken aback, The People vs. OJ Simpson.  I thought at first that it was a documentary, but quickly realized that it was a series.  I had never heard of it and was surprised with all of the big names in it.  Cuba Gooding Jr was cast as "the Juice."  John Travolta, David Schwimmer, and Nathan Lane all had big parts as well.

Cal and I enjoyed the series enough to watch the first three episodes.  We laughed out loud at some part and were completely shocked at others.  It was hard for me to explain to Cal just how big this case was in the mid 1990s.  Everyone wanted to believe that OJ was innocent.  The LA PD at the time was enthralled in a scandal and hit hard with accusations of racism.  The LA prosecutors office was incompetent and it showed.  Just as most Americans I still remember being relieved when the verdict was read.   Shortly afterward, however, I realized how incredibly wrong we all were.  It is so obvious to me now, but I guess at the time I just didn't want to believe that my brother's football hero was a murderer.  I certainly do now and this series only validates that opinion.

End of an Era

Several weeks ago Doug went outside to take the truck on its weekly drive only to find that it wouldn't start.  He wasn't too surprised as he had had that problem with it in the past.  He spent a little while charging the battery much as he had before, but it was all to no avail.  The Silverado just wouldn't turn over.  He decided to call Stuckman's and have it towed thinking that it might need a new battery.

It took Monteith quite awhile to look at it and on Wednesday we finally got the news that we were probably most expecting.  The cost to repair the Heinisch children's first vehicle was more than it would be worth.  Thus, we had a tough decision to make.  Keep a memory maker even though it wasn't a financially sound decision or call the salvage yard and get a price for it.  Doug asked me to check with everyone and get their opinion.  Cal was the only who hesitated.  Cam had never wanted to drive it, and Brett and Meg were pleased to be done with it.  It had served them well in high school, but it was time to say goodbye.

Thus, today Doug met Stuckman's back at Monteith to exchange the title and payment for the truck.  We had already cleaned it out a few days ago, so there wasn't much else to do.  I got one last picture of the truck and Meg and Jackie drove by to see it one final time.  It was a little sad when I thought about it, but it was definitely the right decision.

Star Wars Debates

Last night Cal and Hannah-Marie watched her favorite Star Wars movie, Attack of the Clones.  While they were enjoying the film Cal texted in the family group chat that "HM said that Empire Strikes Back is forgettable."  That led to immediate responses from the Heinisch family including a "Boo" from Brett and complete support for Hannah-Marie's opinion from Meg.

The part I enjoyed most from the text was the follow up conversation today about the Star Wars movies.  Everyone in our family had an opinion on their favorite movie in the series and ones that fell short in their eyes.  Characters were discussed as well as memories of watching the movies.  I thought back to when I saw the very first Star Wars movie in the summer of 1977.  As soon as I saw it I instantly became obsessed with the film buying all of the toys that I could and even receiving a set of Star Wars sheets for Christmas.  It has been fun sharing something that meant so much to me in my childhood with my own children.  It was the last film that my brother and I saw together.  He loved it just as much as I did.  I have wondered many times over the year what he would have thought about the sequels and the hype about the franchise.  He at least would be able to refute Doug's claim that my favorite Star Wars character had always been C-3PO, something that Doug made up years ago that the Heinisch children have never let me forget.  No matter who my favorite character was then (Luke Skywalker) or is today (Obi-Wan Kenobi), I am just thankful for the bond that the Star Wars series has created in our family.

Surprising News

Two months ago Doug called his childhood friend to check on he and his family during the nationwide pandemic.  As they were catching up, Doug's friend mentioned to him that he and his wife had separated.  Doug was completely taken off guard as was the rest of our family once he shared this information with him.  We had been close to their family.  Doug and I had both been in their wedding.  He and his wife were godparents to Meg and Cam.  Brett had invited their oldest daughter to his senior Prom.  We were even more shocked last month when we heard that the divorce proceedings had started.  After twenty-five years of marriage, we never would have thought that this would be a possibility for them.  We realized, however, that it wasn't our place to judge, put blame on anyone or do anything but be supportive.  A divorce during this tumultuous time had to be hard enough on their family without any of us being critical.

The situation did, however, create a lot of conversations between Doug and I about our own marriage. There have been a lot of wonderful moments in our lives together and some challenging times as well.  We agreed that it has taken a lot of work to maintain a healthy relationship, but has been totally worth it.  The best part of our talks has been reminiscing about the favorite memories, from when we first met to our family vacations.  It hasn't always been easy, but it sure has been worth it.

Rock the Vote

Yesterday was the Indiana primary, one of Brett's favorite days of the year.  The primary was delayed a month this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn't lessen his enthusiasm for it.  This year Brett was more involved in the election process than at any other time in his life.  He ran for two positions in Bloomington - Precinct Committee Person for Monroe County District 10 and Delegate to the state convention.  He was also asked to be a reporter for various counties in his area tracking down the count totals by phone, email and other internet sources.  That kept him busy the entire evening last night and part of the morning today.  As an added bonus he was paid $100 for his effort and asked to work virtually on upcoming primaries in other states as well.  He was nervous when he started his task, but was thrilled to have had the experience in the end.

Brett called this afternoon to let us know the results of the Monroe County election.  He missed being a delegate for the state by thirteen votes.  He said that he was okay with that as it would have cost him $100 to serve.  He also wasn't as excited about the position this time as the convention was to be held virtually this year due to the pandemic.  Losing the precinct position was a little more disappointing as his challenger only beat him by one vote.  The good news was, however, that the head of the Republican party in Monroe County had already contacted him to serve as the chairperson of district 9 since he could be appointed to that position.  Brett was excited about the opportunity and glad for the chance to meet fellow Republicans starting his life in Bloomington politics.  We were definitely happy for him and glad to hear that it had all gone so well.  I know that when we hung up the phone that Brett was already looking forward to the November election and all the excitement that it would have to offer.

Woman in White - PBS Series

I finished the five part PBS series, Woman in White, today.  It was based on the book that I read this winter written by Wilkie Collins in 1859.  I picked up the book originally as it was widely regarded as one of the first mystery novels and was said to have started the genre of sensation novels.  Since I had really enjoyed the book, I was very interested in seeing what the screen writers would do with it as a television series.

I was pleased with the characters of the series.  They were entertaining and interesting just as they were in the novel.  The plot remained relatively the same with a few minor changes that did not detract from the storyline.  The most interesting difference between the novel and the television series revolved around one of the main characters.  In the book, Marian was the eldest sister, protector of the family and extremely observant.  In the series she had many of the same characteristics, but her most dominant trait was that of feminism.  In 1859 feminism was not the same as it is today.  Thus, the repeated speeches about female rights seemed out of place and did nothing to add to the story.  I definitely would have left her as was written by Collins.  Maybe PBS thought it would be too controversial to have her happily remain living with her newly married sister in the end, so that was why they added a trip around the world for Marian in the last scene.  It didn't hurt the story, but I have never needed modern day issues to be intertwined in a televised version of a beloved book.  That is probaly why I prefer the BBC adaptions of English novels the best.  Either way, I was glad to have watched it and impressed that they tried to bring a wonderful 19th century novel to life.

Week to Clean

Even though it usually takes me five or six hours, I normally try to clean the entire house all in one day.  Although our home looks wonderful when I finish, I am typically exhausted for the next several days.  Intense cleaning absolutely kills my joints, especially those in my arms.  Thus, I decided to try something different this week.  I split up the cleaning so that only a little bit gets done each day.  Today I spent about three hours working on the bathrooms and in the end was still able to go for a walk with Meg, run Cam to the golf course, regrip Doug and Meg's tennis rackets and address Cal's thank yous for him.  It was nice to accomplish so much, but the best part was that although I felt tired tonight, my arms were not in extreme pain.  I was even able to work on a puzzle with Doug before calling it a night.  Hopefully, I can keep to my new schedule and by Friday will have completed my to-do list while still enjoying the rest of my activities.