#radnor street open space

[chilled-ray]

Clouds

Two parts, close sticky stringy fingers reaching, grasping connecting pulling towards an embrace to Join I wanted to watch them longer but they slunk out of sight behind a tree for Privacy.

[neilevansrocks]

Row after row after row. #london #londonlife #londonlive #londonshots #londonbylondoners #igerslondon #iglondon #maybeldner #stlukes #backstreet #midcenturymodern #archidaily #architecture #justgoshoot #streetscene #streetsoflondon #streetphotography #thisislondon #vscobest #vscodaily #vscolondon #vscogram #vscogrid #vscoarchitecture #vscofeature #vscophile #vscopro #visualseduction #happeninglondon #concretre (at Radnor Street Open Space)

[budgerigorous]

short reviews of some public libraries in southeastern pennsylvania

In no particular order, and perhaps with undue emphasis on the quality of the restroom facilities:

Free Library of Philadelphia, Independence Branch -- Philadelphia, PA. Tiny city library branch with dedicated Chinese and LGBTQ collections, with the latter, the Barbara Gittings GLBT Collection, being the largest LGBTQ collection in a public library east of San Francisco. There is a Chinese reading room. We spoke with one reference librarian who was in the process of shelving some new books in the Gittings collection, and at the end we put the books we had read on top of their to-be-shelved pile because there wasn’t a cart near the collection shelves and we were both too shy to ask what to do with the books (sorry!). Bathrooms were either key-only or out of order, IIRC. 

Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library -- Philadelphia, PA. Impressive historical building and interior -- more like a museum than a library for the most part, but also definitely a library. Lots of steps and staircases. They have exhibits and a rare book collection that can be toured. There is a tiny teen cubby on the first floor. I don’t remember if we used the bathroom. Book Corner, the Friends of the Free Library’s used bookstore, is located close by and was staffed by a cat as well as several youths when we visited. 

Ludington Library -- Bryn Mawr, PA. It’s been a while, but I remember this library being light and hospitable inside, with a big selection. There was a cafe area and, I think, nice restrooms.

Radnor Memorial Library, Temporary Location -- Wayne, PA. Making the best of a single room, with tablets connected to the catalog and a circulation department behind screens. The librarian seemed concerned that we might try to sign up for a card despite not residing in the county. No worries there...

West Chester Public Library -- West Chester, PA. The fiction section is in the basement, which was weird, though of course there was an elevator to reach it. A lovely historical building, with fancy windows and tall wooden booths. Again, a small but clearly loved teen section. I don’t remember if we used the bathroom here either. 

Downington Library -- Downingtown, PA. Small, family-oriented suburban branch that recently moved from the historical building across the street into a new, larger building right next to a park. Not the best selection, but the library is well-used. Decent bathrooms.

Chester County Library -- Exton, PA. Spacious, well-lit, clean, heavily trafficked library stocked with almost every material a patron could want, including multimedia formats, microfilm archives, and large mystery and science fiction collections. Quiet study areas can be found near the front windows, behind the downstairs computer/reference area, and in the teen area and adjacent digital media lab on the second floor. Vending machines and a hot beverage station are available. Three out of four faucets in the women’s restroom don’t work.

Parkesburg Free Library -- Parkesburg, PA. Small local library in a small municipality near, but not on, the county line. A definite bent towards Christian patrons in the selection of materials -- I had never seen a collection of family radio dramas before. They had a free coupon exchange and were gearing up to celebrate the location’s 50th anniversary in December. Aarin used the bathroom, but I didn’t, so I can’t comment.

Spring City Public Library -- Spring City, PA. We arrived after hours and the library was, consequently, closed.

Phoenixville Public Library -- Phoenixville, PA. Before visiting this library, which is located just across the street from the picturesque but slightly sinister Reeves Park, all we knew about it was that it was haunted. It is a Carnegie library, with fancy stuff upstairs. The children’s section in the basement has a bare tunnel area adorned with a wraparound mural of sea life. From the unusual way the library is laid out and the strange acoustics we observed, it's easy to imagine how ghost stories might have arisen. Restroom use is limited to one person at a time.  

Lancaster Public Library, Lancaster City Branch -- Lancaster, PA. I was wildly impressed with this library and kept exclaiming as much to Aarin, who let me drag them around the building and take a bunch of photos. It’s good, OK? It’s a pretty library. They have tons of events, there’s quiet spaces as well as open areas, and there are computer stations specifically equipped and reserved for people with visual impairments thanks to a grant. The attached Friends of the Library bookstore offers an attractive selection of gently used materials. Also upstairs near the teen area there was a book cart that someone had labeled “Dolly Carton” on one side and “Cart Blanchett” on the other, with photos of the appropriate celebrity to illustrate each side, and I’m confused about why the cart has two names but glad to have seen it. I don’t remember anything about the bathrooms.

[tuseriesdetv]

Upfronts 2017 (NBC): Nuevas series, renovaciones y cancelaciones

El éxito que ha tenido esta temporada la cadena del pavo con This Is Us no se lo cree ni ella misma. Se apresuró a renovarla por dos años más antes de llegar a ese, para algunos, decepcionante final, y esperemos que no le salga el tiro por la culata. La franquicia de Chicago le sigue funcionando y sus nuevas comedias se van asentando. Law & Order: SVU también seguirá un año más, y ya van diecinueve. Echemos ahora un vistazo a las novedades:

The Brave

Antes conocida como For God and Country, y escrita por Dean Georgaris (Tristan + Isolde, The Manchurian Candidate), trata sobre militares de élite que se juegan la vida para llevar a cabo operaciones encubiertas tras las líneas enemigas y salvar inocentes y el apoyo técnico desde Washington. Protagonizada por Mike Vogel (Under the Dome, Bates Motel), Anne Heche (Hung, Aftermath), Sofia Pernas (Jane the Virgin), Tate Ellington (Quantico, Shameless), Demetrius Grosse (Westworld, Banshee), Noah Mills (Sex and the City 2), Natacha Karam y Hadi Tabbal. De los productores de Homeland.

A favor: Como no sea morir por la patria o algo así...

En contra: Sus protagonistas, totalmente insulsos.

Law & Order: True Crime

A mediados de julio, NBC dio luz verde a esta antología que contará la historia de un juicio real en cada temporada. La primera hablará de Lyle y Erik Menendez, que mataron a sus padres en 1989 a la edad de 21 y 18 años. Edie Falco (The Sopranos, Nurse Jackie) interpreta a Leslie Abramson, la abogada defensora de los adinerados hermanos de Beverly Hills, y Gus Halper (Power, Goat) será Erik Menendez. Creada por Dick Wolf (Law & Order: SVU, Chicago Fire) y escrita por Rene Balcer (Law & Order). Ocho episodios.

A favor: Una temporada más de American Crime Story. A caballo regalado no le mires el diente.

En contra: Sería conveniente no esperar algo de la misma calidad.

Reverie (MIDSEASON 2018)

Thriller de Mickey Fisher, el creador de Extant, sobre una exdetective especializada en comportamiento humano que vuelve al trabajo para investigar un nuevo programa de realidad virtual con consecuencias muy peligrosas. Protagonizan Sarah Shahi (Person of Interest), Jessica Lu (Awkward), Dennis Haysbert (24), Sendhil Ramamurthy (Heroes) y Kathryn Morris (Cold Case).

A favor: El regreso de Sarah Shahi.

En contra: Huele a corto recorrido desde aquí.

Good Girls (MIDSEASON 2018)

Jenna Bans, guionista de Scandal o Desperate Housewives, nos trae un drama con tintes de comedia sobre tres mujeres de los suburbios cansadas de llegar a duras penas a fin de mes que deciden atracar un supermercado local a punta de pistola de juguete. Las cosas se complican cuando descubren que el botín es mucho mayor de lo que esperaban y que el gerente le ha visto la cara a una de ellas. Protagonizan Mae Whitman (Parenthood, Arrested Development) y Retta (Parks and Recreation, Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce) junto a Matthew Lillard (The Bridge, Scream), Manny Montana (Graceland, Conviction), Reno Wilson (Mike & Molly), Izzie Stannard y Lidya Jewett (Hidden Figures). Se busca reemplazo para Kathleen Rose Perkins (Episodes), dando vida a la tercera protagonista, que no continúa tras el encargo de serie.

A favor: Se anuncia como un poco de Thelma & Louise y otro poco de Breaking Bad, pero innova suficiente.

En contra: Tampoco le vemos un futuro muy extenso.

A.P. Bio (MIDSEASON 2018)

Un filósofo (Glenn Howerton, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Fargo) pierde el trabajo de sus sueños y empieza a trabajar en un instituto como profesor de biología de alumnos avanzados. Allí, deja claro al director (Patton Oswalt; Veep, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) que no va a impartir clase de ciencias y decide usar a sus brillantes alumnos para recuperar su antiguo empleo. Completan el reparto Mary Sohn (Teachers), Lyric Lewis, Aparna Brielle, Jacob McCarthy y Nick Peine.

A favor: La esperanza de que no sea una comedia más sobre un profesor disidente.

En contra: El miedo de que fracase en la novedad.

Rise (MIDSEASON 2018)

Antes conocida como Drama High, es una comedia musical inspirada en el libro "Drama High" (2013) de Michael Sokolove, que trata sobre su propia adolescencia. Escrita por Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) y producida por Jeffrey Seller (Hamilton), contará la historia de Lou (Josh Radnor; How I Met Your Mother, Mercy Street), un extraordinario y apasionado profesor del departamento de teatro en un instituto de clase obrera que cambió las vidas de sus alumnos y del pueblo entero. Completan el cast Auli'i Cravalho (Moana), Shannon Purser (Stranger Things, Riverdale), Marley Shelton (Death Proof, Planet Terror), Rosie Perez (Search Party), Rarmian Newton (The Family), Amy Forsyth (The Path), Shirley Rumierk (Collateral Beauty), Damon Gillespie, Joe Tippett, Ted Sutherland, Taylor Richardson y Casey Johnson.

A favor: Glee.

En contra: Ted Mosby.

Champions (MIDSEASON 2018)

Creada por Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project), que además participará como personaje recurrente, y Charlie Grandy (The Mindy Project, Saturday Night Live), esta comedia monocámara trata sobre Vince, el dueño de un gimnasio sin ambiciones en la vida (Anders Holm; Workaholics, The Mindy Project), que vive con su hermano pequeño Michael (Andy Favreau, Aquarius), que es idiota profundo. Les cambia la vida cuando aparece un ligue de instituto de Vince, Priya (Kaling), con un hijo adolescente (J.J. Totah; Back in the Game, Glee). Completan el reparto Mouzam Makkar (The Exorcist, The Vampire Diaries) y Nina Wadia (Still Open All Hours, EastEnders). Dirigida por Alan Spiller (The Mindy Project, Modern Family).

A favor: Suponemos que el toque Mindy.

En contra: A saber qué tiene de especial, el argumento está trilladísimo.

Por último, ¿qué pilotos no se han convertido en serie?

The Sackett Sisters (todavía en consideración)

Spaced Out

What About Barb?

Relatively Happy

Shelter

Untitled Kourtney Kang & Nahnatchka Khan

Redliners

Renovaciones

Tres días después de cancelar Timeless, la cadena decidió cambiar de opinión y renovarla por una segunda temporada. Al parecer, el encargo es de diez episodios que se emitirán en 2018, quién sabe si en verano, pero no volverá en septiembre. Siguen intentando encontrar un hueco en la midseason para Chicago Justice y Trial & Error.

Law & Order: SVU (19ª temporada)

Will & Grace (9ª temporada)

Chicago Fire (6ª temporada)

Chicago PD (5ª temporada)

The Blacklist (5ª temporada)

Chicago Med (3ª temporada)

Blindspot (3ª temporada)

Shades of Blue (3ª temporada)

Superstore (3ª temporada)

This Is Us (2ª y 3ª temporada)

The Good Place (2ª temporada)

Taken (2ª temporada)

Great News (2ª temporada)

Timeless (2ª temporada)

Cancelaciones

The Blacklist: Redemption (1ª temporada)

Emerald City (1ª temporada)

Powerless (1ª temporada)

Aquarius (2ª temporada)

Grimm (6ª temporada)

Aún por estrenar

The Carmichael Show (31 de mayo)

The Night Shift (22 de junio)

Midnight, Texas (25 de julio)

Marlon (16 de agosto)

Bye Bye Birdie (Diciembre)

Jesus Christ Superstar (1 de abril)

Agenda semanal

This Is Us se muda al jueves en un intento de recuperar el concepto "Must-See TV", competirá con Scandal y, además, se emitirá después de la Super Bowl y contará con un especial de Navidad; Tendrá un parón en octubre por la NLF y otro en febrero por los Juegos Olímpicos. Great News también se va al jueves emparejada con el revival de Will & Grace -que competirá con The Big Bang Theory- quitando el sitio a Superstore y The Good Place, que se van al martes. La miniserie de los hermanos Menendez completa el bloque del jueves. The Blacklist pasa al miércoles y Blindspot y Taken se marchan a morir al viernes. Chicago Med tendrá que esperar a la midseason. Lunes:  8-10 p.m. — The Voice 10-11 p.m. — The Brave Martes: 8-9 p.m. — The Voice 9-9:30 p.m. — Superstore 9:30-10 p.m. — The Good Place 10-11 p.m. — Chicago Fire Miércoles: 8-9 p.m. — The Blacklist 9-10 p.m. — Law & Order: SVU 10-11 p.m. — Chicago P.D.

Jueves:

8-8:30 p.m. — Will & Grace 8:30-9 p.m. — Great News 9-10 p.m. — This Is Us 10-11 p.m. — Law & Order: True Crime - The Menendez Murders / Chicago Med

Viernes:

8-9 p.m. — Blindspot 9-10 p.m. — Taken 10-11 p.m. — Dateline NBC

Sábado:

8-10 p.m. — Dateline Saturday Night Mystery 10-11 p.m. — Saturday Night Live

Domingo:

7-8:20 p.m. — Football Night in America 8:20-11 p.m. — NBC Sunday Night Football