Shame on me for disappearing. The truth is, in addition to the auto-immune disorder that keeps me disabled, I have a chronic and crippling back problem that never goes away. It does, however, sometimes get a lot worse, and it’s been going through a little temper tantrum since about mid-October. Which means I’ve been at home, in bed, in excruciating pain, for three months and counting. I’ve got opioids, cannabis, muscle relaxants, and even regular injections of pain meds delivered via epidural (a long-ass needle that goes directly into the spine), but what I don’t have is the ability or desire or energy to pursue the things that used to bring me pleasure. Which is a beating-around-the-bush way of saying that I’m not watching movies. Movies are normally a great pass-time for people stuck in bed, but the above list is a testament to my brain-fog. I can barely follow a movie, let alone evaluate it.
And yet here I am, claiming to be “back.” I’ve been lured here by Sundance, an epic film festival that’s guaranteed to be dotted with golden nuggets, no mining required. I can’t guarantee things will be up to my normal standards but the Sundance slate holds so much promise and potential that I’m going to do my very best to deliver the care and attention these films deserve.
Thanks for hanging in there with me.
Happy watching,
J
xo
ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES 
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with pain and lack of energy/motivation–I hope you get through this bout sooner rather than later so you can start enjoying your life again! Looking forward to reading your reviews!
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So sorry to hear about your predicament. Take care.
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Sorry to hear this but hope that things start to improve for you!!
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Sending hugs from a faraway land. xx
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So sorry to hear about the back problems. Those can really be awful and it sounds like yours are. However, so glad to have some movie review backs, it hasn’t been the same without you!!
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Always hanging in there with you Jay. Sending big hugs and amusing comments and wishing you well ❤ miss you, you take care xx
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Oh dear. I wish I didn’t comprehend the feelings you are having or your pain, but I do. Go easy on yourself and take care 😊
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Sorry to hear what you have been going through Jay. Hope all settles down for you soon. Allan
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I was wondering what happened to you guys! I’m sorry to hear about what you’ve been going through Jay. Hope it all goes back down soon and you’ll be back at it!
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Jay, as Tubularsock would say ….. “Now THAT is a fucking drag!” However THAT is a fucking drag!. Wishing you better days and hoping you’ll get back in the saddle again and out of the barn!
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Hope you feel better soon !
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I hope you feel better soon! I look forward to reading your Sundance reviews and hopefully the films will help you at least take your mind off things! Best Wishes 🙂
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I’m sorry to hear you’ve been going through all this. I hope better days are ahead for you!
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Hope your doing well. Let me give you a virtual hug.
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oof that’s rough- I can only imagine! Wishing you all the best, happy to “hear” your voice again 🙂
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I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been in so much pain. I wish there was something around to help you. And, of course, Assholes is plural, so it shouldn’t just fall all on your shoulders.
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Nice to see you again. I hope you feel better.
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I smile to see a new post from you! You and Sean really elevate this place. But I understand you haven’t been feeling well lately. Take care of you, and Just post what you can, whenever you want. (Bows to the GOAT😌)
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Oh my! I’m so sorry you are dealing with that. I’ve missed your posts. Glad that you’re back. I hope you can get some relief. I recommend changing doctors until you find the rare good listener who will work with you to find a treatment that lets you enjoy life.
Thanks for getting back in the saddle. Your reviews are priceless!
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Jay, I’m glad you’re back but I’m sorry you’re going through so much pain. That’s very taxing. I hope you feel better soon.
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Pain sucks! … trying to construct coherent commentary through it sucks … all digits crossed that you’re on the other side of it 🙂 … and I know there’s a ‘for now’, or a ‘this time’, embedded in there somewhere, but we’ll go with the old one-day-at-a-time, eh?
Sending you a gently virtual hug, or three, from t’other side of the Rockies. 🙂
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Good to see you back Jay. I figured your long absence was likely due to ongoing health issues, but that’s terrible your pain has been so severe that you’ve been unable to even watch movies. I hope you’re able to get some relief and feel better.
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So sorry to hear! I love your posts and I’ve missed you:-)
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I am sorry to hear you have been going through so much pain. It is really nice to “hear” from you again. Sending you a vitrual hug!
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I’m so sorry to hear, sending you positive and healing vibes my friend! 🤗💐🦋
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It’s good to hear this as I was just at that point where I was going to check on you again. As someone who has had 4 back surgeries and has titanium cages in my back along with 2 titanium hips, I am VERY familiar with those long assed needles they stick in you and I would have to be sedated to get them after a while as I couldn’t take it. As I’ve been dealing with this for years, and tried everything and every known remedy under the sun, including everything you have, and yes, use vicodin as well when needed.. Then I got Covid, and with it came Long Haul Covid which has been basically a sheer hell – so I can relate, I couldn’t focus on the film, and the weird cysts that grew on my hands made it painful to type or even text.. the brain fog was just debilitating as was the pain, I lost my sense of really being able to speak because I couldn’t remember words or get them out, randomly a friend said here try this stuff as a guy at his daughters school has started a business a while back called ASYSTEM, and try these products.and since I’d tried everything..why not. One was an anti-inflammatory called Rapid Relief capsules, and a roll on for pain. Within a few weeks, I started noticing a difference.. like it’s hard to explain, but I started to ‘come out of it’ some. I’ve had set backs yes, even just this past weekend, but I’ve never had something actually work. Not everything works for everyone but just as I did, give it a whirl as again.. why not? 🙂 I do hope things get better and easier. I’m always around to talk to as someone who has been through it all and then some. 🙂 Love and hugs to you!!
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Dear Jay,
Sorry to hear you have been having such a difficult time with chronic pain, I do hope as the year continues you health improves.
Stay in touch even if you don’t feel up to writng movie reviews.
Best Wishes
Kevin
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good to have you back. i missed your reviews 🙂
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Jay, I returned to WordPress a short while ago and am just now catching up. I hope you are feeling at least a bit better by now. I so missed visiting this site and seeing your and Sean’s reviews! Take care, Bruce
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