Richard V. Rupp

June 28, 2021

Good Monday Morning. Hopefully, the start to a great week.

 

A Phyllis Diller quote applies to me these days – "I'm at the age when my back goes out more than I do."

 

In my last post, I indicated that I was binge-watching the new and final season of "Bosch." I have now finished and gone back to read a LOS ANGELES TIMES article by Greg Braxton about the show that I set aside because it indicated there were spoilers in it. The article is based on an interview at the Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood of Michael Connelly, Author of the Bosch novels, and Titus Welliver, who plays Bosch in the Amazon produced show. The title of the article provides insight into what is happening in today's world – "TV's hero cops are under scrutiny. But, 'Bosch' knew the system was broken all along." I believe the final episodes of the show prove this. Thank you, Author Michael Connelly, for bringing us "Bosch."

 

First, I like that Los Angeles Police Department Detective Harry Bosch's credo is "Everybody counts or nobody counts."

 

I have been a fan of this show since its beginning. The LA TIMES article confirmed much of what I felt. Part of the reason I loved the show in that it takes place in Hollywood, my hometown, and is in the crime genre, which is the one in which I write. I love seeing my old hangouts Musso & Franks, Pink's Hot Dogs, and El Cholo's.  But, the main reason I like the show is that it is well written, well-directed, and well filmed. The photography is excellent, the lighting is perfect, and the audio is constant and understandable to me. Titus Welliver, who plays Bosch, indicated in the TIMES interview that, "We had the luxury, the privilege to shoot one-hour episodes like they were one-hour movies, rather than doing the standard thing of here's the establishing shot of the exterior. I've got directors of photography, friends of mine who are in that world, who say, 'This might be one of the best-shot shows of all time.'" I agree!

 

The end of the last episode left me feeling there would be a spinoff – P.I. Bosch??? And, I was right. Not sure of the title yet. I can't wait.

 

I think Bosch would agree with the philosophy of Edward Diener, who was born in Glendale, which is adjacent to Hollywood. He ended up a University of Illinois professor who suggested that "money can bring happiness up to a certain income level, that genetics and cultural factors impact one's satisfaction and that a few strong social relationships are critical to contentment."

 

As binge-watching Bosch indicates, I'm with the rest of America. According to a Nielsen study, Americans are using streaming platforms than watching broadcast networks. Streaming accounted for 26% of viewership, versus 25% for over-the-air networks.

 

I may have run into a pandemic-generated supply chain problem. My Aqua Fitness class, which my muscles are still rebelling against, requires you to bring a noodle. Last Saturday, I spent most of the day trying to purchase a noodle. Big 5 Sporting Goods, REI, Walmart, and Target all were out of them. So I came home and tried to order one on the Internet. The soonest I could get one was mid-July. Finally, I got on the phone and found a swimming pool supply store that had some. The owner advised me that he has had a problem reordering them, so I had a six to select from. My SUV now has a bright yellow noodle in the back.

 

Billionaire Jeff Bezos, Amazon funded "Bosch." I have placed him in my "rocket-setter" class, which is a step about the "jet-setter" class. To solidify his "rocket-setter" designation, he is planning to head into space next month. This has prompted a tongue-in-cheek petition with over 20,000 signatures for him to be denied re-entry to Earth after his self-funded spaceflight because he's "an evil overlord hellbent on global domination." Jeff, it sounds like you should start your own space colony.

 

I Googled jet-setter to get an idea of how to spell rocket-setter. Numerous articles came up, each with a different way of spelling the term – jet setter, jetsetter, and jet-setter. I am going with jet-setter and rocket-setter.

 

So in my upcoming novel SKYWARD, the Bowman Twins are rocket-setters. Maybe my publishers' editors will have a different idea. It will be interesting to see what changes they make in my manuscript.

 

Cheers,

 

Richard V. Rupp, Author

Website – www.richardvrupp.com

Email – rupprisk@gmail.com

Copyright©2021 by Richard V. Rupp