“Neil, how come you usually write about things you enjoy, rather than about those that, in your opinion, bite the big one?” I asked myself the other day.
“Well,” I answered, “I’ve ripped into people I loathe. Trump and Putin, primarily. And I’ve discussed situations that worry me or piss me off. But there’s no denying that my natural orientation is to comment about aspects of life that ring my bell.”
“I understand,” I replied. “There’s no reason right now for you to mess with your natural orientation. So, let’s take a look at some of your recent bell-ringers. And, maybe, your readers then will tell you what they’ve been into of late. Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong!”
Okay! First up is a miniseries my wife and I watched two months ago: Escape At Dannemora, seven episodes in length and available on Paramount+ and elsewhere. It had been on our to-be-viewed list for a couple of years. Fortunately, we finally got around to it. It bowled us over. I place Escape in the pantheon of miniseries I’ve encountered, along with The Queen’s Gambit, Anxious People, The Investigation, Godless and a handful of others.
Escape At Dannemora came out in 2018, three years after the true events from which it draws its inspiration. Set in the town of Dannemora, in rural upstate New York, the show aims its beam at David Sweat and Richard Matt, convicted murderers imprisoned in Dannemora’s Clinton Correctional Facility, and at the married prison employee (Joyce Mitchell) who became emotionally and sexually involved with them. Ultimately, Mitchell helped them escape from jail.
Escape At Dannemora is not a docuseries. Anything but. All, or nearly all of its dialogue is imagined. After all, it’s not as though conversations between Sweat, Matt, Mitchell and the story’s other principals were recorded. And what dialogue! Completely realistic. No artificial ingredients. I’d never heard of the scriptwriters (Brett Johnson, Michael Tolkin, Jerry Stahl), to whom I now publicly tip my hat. As I do to Paul Dano (Sweat), Benicio del Toro (Matt) and Patricia Arquette (Mitchell), the actors who employed the scripted words to create characters as nuanced as French pastries. Ben Stiller directed the production with economy and precision. As couldn’t be more obvious, I highly recommend this show.
My dad loved halva, a moist, semi-sweet treat that, as I learned from doing a bit of research for this piece, originated well over a thousand years ago in Persia (present-day Iran). Unlike him, I wasn’t infatuated with the product, but ate it now and then while growing up. Halva disappeared from my diet, though, when I was in my 20s, maybe earlier, for reasons I’m not sure about. Possibly my obsessions with pizza and Cheez-It crackers left no room for halva, a product that isn’t easily found in stores in my country (the USA), and which the majority of the world’s population likely never heard of.
And probably I’d never have had halva again were it not for my pals Cindy and Gene, who bestowed sesame-based halva, the variety I am familiar with, upon me and my wife Sandy twice in the last several months (there are other types of halva in addition to sesame-based, as the Wikipedia article, the link to which is in the above paragraph, explains).
“This a weird gift,” I thought to myself when I saw what Cindy and Gene had presented to us on the first occasion. Man, how wrong I was! Halva was the perfect gift. That wouldn’t have been the case with the too-dense halva made by the Joyva company, the brand I knew in my youth. But the halva they’d chosen, from the Seed + Mill firm, is incredible. Its sesame paste is perfectly balanced with chocolate and salt. And the texture, light and slightly granular, is wonderful. Hallelujah, I’ve been blessed!
And finally: Some songs have the power to bring you up short and make you say, “Holy shit, this is fantastic!” I Want To Know, by the quite obscure rhythm-and-blues group the Gay Poppers, did such to me two weeks ago when the tune burst forth from SiriusXM Radio’s Carolina Shag channel.
I Want To Know came out in 1960, and the Gay Poppers were from North Carolina, USA. Not much else about the song or about the group can I find online. Except that the recording at some point became popular in parts of the dance-club world. It makes me want to dance, because its beat won’t quit, and because the Gay Poppers’ vocal prowess damn well is off the charts. Without further ado . . .
Yeah, Another Blogger 
familiar with halva though not with the mini series; glad that Ben Stiller is still active, though I wasn’t aware of him as director; but Hey! it’s good to have things that ring your bell, it keeps us engaged, charged up; what I’m really enjoying Neil is the last season of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ ; I never got to see the others ; musically I’m playing the old songs of Creedence on YouTube esp ‘Lodi’; keep well, Neil: may your bells keep ringing 🙂
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Hi there. My wife and I will start watching Curb soon. Probably within the next few days. What a crazy show. The situations are wacky.
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he’s a little unhinged though, Neil , don’t you think ?
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Yup. He constantly starts or gets into arguments.
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I love halva, especially the sesame type. Thanks for the miniseries suggestion. I’ve followed your suggestions before and they have always been good. 😊 Cheers.
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Another halva fan!
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Wow, very interesting content! first time heard of halva and I wanna try 🤪
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Hi Annabel. Halva possibly is an acquired taste. On the other hand, you might love it from the first bite!
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tempting! then I must try, haha! ☺️
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We have Tahini, which is similar to your Halva, I think. Very nice though not a regular part of our diet.
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Where would the world be without sesame?!
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Halva sounds delicious
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Hi. If you try halva, let me know your opinion of it.
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Will do
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A miracle happened! I could read your post! I liked halva, from what I remember from my childhood. Don’t know any TV stories as I am busy doing things, but the beat is very good! My feet are stil tapping! I never heard of this group, so thank you, Neil!
Joanna
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Hi Joanna. The Gay Poppers didn’t have a long career and didn’t do a whole lot of recording. This particular song is a knockout.
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Thank you, Neil. I agree!
Joanna
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Ah. A couple of new things to consider for future enjoyment.
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If you give them a shot, I hope you’ll like them.
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Well, now I’m searching for a source to buy some good halva whilst listening to the Gay Poppers. Thanks for the suggestions.
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You’re welcome. By the way, your comments are listed as being from Anonymous, so I don’t know who this is.
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I love halva. I too was brought up with it and though I never have it any more it used to be one of my top desserts for dinner parties. Until we had a guest who just couldn’t hide her disgust with the taste and the texture. I’ve never dared serve it since!
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That’s a great story. Your guest proved that halva isn’t for everybody.
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Love this song! Just gotta get up and dance. I would’ve been nine years old when it came out, and I don’t recall listening to the radio much then, but this tune triggered a memory. I’m sure I heard it before, and it was unforgettable. Thanks for sharing. Now excuse me while I dance until I throw my aging back out.
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Rock on!
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I will be putting Escape on my watch list. Wonderful group of actors. I have never had a sesame-based halva. Sounds delicious! I will be on the lookout for it. Finally, terrific song. Keep those suggestions coming!
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Morning, Laurie. That song blew me away when it came on the radio. It’s got a lot of power.
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It certainly does. I think I’ll listen to it again as soon as I’m done with this message.
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I was also blown away by Escape. Patricia Arquette was a revelation in it.
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A fabulous show. It’s just so, so good. Who is this, by the way? You’re listed as Anonymous.
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Thanks for another set of recommendations! My sister lives a few miles from Dannemora. She locked her doors and windows during the search, but then realized that anyone breaking out of prison could easily break into her home!
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It was a scary time for the residents of that area. I don’t know who wrote these comments, by the way, because they were posted as being from Anonymous.
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I’m addicted to these little multigrain sesame rice crackers I found in the store recently. Not sweet but just so lovely. I can eat the entire package if I don’t watch myself.
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Those crackers sound good. There are so many addictive snack foods out there. If I didn’t have to watch my carbs, I would polish off a big bag of potato chips several days a week.
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I found a little bit about the Gay Poppers online at https://seven45rpm.com/2021/07/15/gay-poppers-i-want-to-know/, in case you didn’t see that particular link, Neil. Thanks for introducing us to the group! The song is danceable for sure!
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Thanks for sending that article. I guess they didn’t have much of a career. But they sure did record at least one dynamite song.
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Never heard of halva. Now I have!
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Hello there. Halva comes in different flavors. If you give it a try, I hope you’ll like it.
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I’ve come across the word ‘halva,’ but never have tasted it, and to be quite honest didn’t have any idea what it might be. Now, I’ll watch for it: to sample it, if nothing else. The same of the Gay Poppers you provided was pure deliciousness. Thanks!
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I love that song. It totally grabbed me as soon as it came on the radio.
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We use tahini, and though I’d vaguely heard of halva I knew nothing about it…until now!
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Afternoon. I have a feeling you would like halva.
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I’ll certainly look out for it.
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If you’re comparing Escape to Queen’s Gambit, I will have to give it a try. That was beyond excellent. Halvah–I used to eat a lot of that, forgot all about it. Hmm…
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There’s always room for halva!
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I appreciate that you listed other shows that rang your bell, allowing me to judge whether it was one I would like based on my opinion of the others you liked. The Queen’s Gambit was one of my favorites too. Looking up Anxious People and The Investigation makes me think you share my discerning taste. Halva, on the other hand, is a whole nother thing.
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Maybe someone some day will create a TV miniseries about halva!
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You knocked this one out of the park – a mini series recommendation, great music, and….halva!!!
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You don’t read about halva every day, that’s for sure!
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love halva and great song! Haven’t seen any of the shows.
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Our local Giant supermarket sells Joyvah halvah.
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That was toe-tapping music if ever there were….great! I say, stick with the chocolate but forget the halva……why ruin good chocolate?
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Hi, and thanks for adding your thoughts. I don’t know who this is, though, because your reply was posted as being from Anonymous.
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I first had Halvah at a deli in Manhattan when I was eighteen – definitely sweet enough for the biggest sweet tooth! Whenever I see it I remember those days. I wrote. Story about my adventures in NYC called “Sentimental Halvah”🤣
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That’s a good title for a story. Have you had any halvah in recent years?
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Not really – delis on the west coast are definitely not the same as those on the east coast.
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I enjoyed this slice of your life. Halva looks a bit like hummus?
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Hi Cindy. The form of halva I’m familiar with is made from sesame paste. Different things often are added to it. Chocolate, for instance. Or pistachio, for another example. Halva is pretty different from hummus. Halva is much denser. Have a good day!
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Neil, thanks for the heads up about the miniseries “Escape At Dannemora.” I recall the audacious escape, and I’m not surprised that the story has captured the imagination of our storytellers. Will check it out. > I’ve never heard about the Persian halva sweet treat. A quick Google search indicated that it’s available at several locations in West Los Angeles. Thanks 🙂
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If you buy some halva, I hope you’ll like it. It comes in different flavors. The one my wife and I were given — with chocolate and salt — is great.
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Thanks for the tip, Neil. Chocolate sounds great 🙂
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I’ve never tried Halva, sounds good.
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In a few seconds I’m going to go into the kitchen and help myself to a slice of halva!
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I came across halva back in the 80s when someone brought it to the house as a gift – similar to your recent experience. I think my tastes were sweeter then so I didn’t go overboard on it, but I’d probably like it better now. Especially if there was chocolate in it. There was NO suggestion of chocolate in what we had.
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The chocolate and salt in the variety we were given are a perfect addition to the sesame paste. This halva is delicious!
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I was 17 when that song came out! Too old now to remember it, but I did get up and shuffle about after reading this piece!
Thanks!
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I wonder if this, and similar songs, would be popular if released today. With luck and good marketing I think they might.
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I’ve never even heard of Halva, but now I want to try it!
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There’s a good chance you will like it.
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Good post.I subscribed. Have a good day🍀☘️⭐️💝
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Next time you’re in Edinburgh I’ll take you to a shop that sells a multiplicity of Eastern pastries. I’ll look out for that miniseries too – sounds good.
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Hi. You’ll like Escape. It’s a good ine. Take care. Regards to Alison.
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Wow! I haven’t had halvah since I was a kid until recently. Being hospitalized for 6 months, I lost weight on their food. My son urged me to eat more and I recently reintroduced halvah into my treats. Funny you should write about it now! I am enjoying it…
One of my favourite series on Netflix?? Godless!! I watched it all.
All the best, Miriel
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Godless is outstanding. It’s top of the line entertainment. Have a great day, Muriel. Till next time . . .
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I can’t remember when I last had halva, but I’m going to look for some after reading your post. Where can you find that brand, a health food store? The song is great too.
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Hi. The company’s website has a store locator. If you enter your zip code, it will tell you which if any stores near you carry the product. Any brand of halva, though, probably is good.
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I always enjoy reading your internal monologue…it proves that it’s not just me 😁
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Hi. Talking (silently) to ourselves can be fun!
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I like that you celebrate and promote the things you love/enjoy. There is already enough negativity in the World! Go you! Mel
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Thanks, Mel. Appreciated.
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Frightening, I find my monologue becoming less and less silent…🤪
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Halva is GOOD s**t! One of our local cafes (named “Mosaic”) serves it. “Escape At Dannemora” sounds intriguing. We are watching “The Three Body Problem” on Netflix, (adapted from the first book of a trilogy by a Chinese SF author) and enjoying it, but I gather from a review in The Independent it may not be renewed??? It is dense, but interesting, so I hope they’ll finish the tale. When it comes to a writer’s choice(s) of what to express at any given moment, I’m with the late South African anti-apartheid writer Steve Biko: “I write what I like.” Carry on!
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Thanks for the tip about Three Body Problem. I’ll look into it. Have an excellent rest of the week. Take care.
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Thanks for sharing this idea Anita
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Thanks for reading this article. I appreciate it.
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I haven’t heard of ‘Escape at Dannemora,’ but having read the synopsis, we had something play out in real life that was unfortunately similar to that in the jail I used to work at. Now, on a separate note, I really enjoyed ‘The Queen’s Gambit.’ Thanks
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Hey there, Mark. Where was the jail you worked at?
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Kingston Penitentiary (Kingston, Ontario, Canada)
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I’ve never heard of Escape At Dannemora or halva. I am out of it, aren’t I. I’ll look for both. Thanks for the ideas.
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Hey, you’re not out of it. You’re with it!
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Neil, are you talking to yourself here lol
Also, halva sounds good, maybe on a bagel?
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Evening, Kathy. I never had halva on a bagel or on any sort of bread. But maybe it would be okay. I think it’s probably best all by itself, though.
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In a world where we are inundated with information about the most evil bastards (we loathe the same people), I so appreciate you not writing about things that bite the big one! My brain can’t take any more. I had never heard of Halva or any of the mini-series you mentioned. Guess what I’m going to be doing? Thank you, Neil! Have a fabulous weekend! 🙂
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Hello there. I appreciate your comments a lot. If you watch any of those shows, or eat some halva, I hope you enjoy them!
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It’s nice to know what has been ringing your bell lately, Neil. Of all the things you mentioned, I think Halva is what I might come across most realistically, not being into streaming (at all) or music (too much). But I do have a sweet tooth and remember liking Halva when I tried it in the past. I will definitely look for the flavor and brand you mentioned, it sounds scrumptious.
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Hi. You and halva are destined to meet!
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👍
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Wow. Quite an interesting blog here my friend. Nice Movie Review there which came out in 2018 and these movies usually reflect true events that occur in our lives. The most tragic ones are Murder scenes, so heartbreaking.
Anyways, I too love semi sweet treats too, mostly biscuits though I once spent months without eating any🙌👐
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Hi. Many thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts. I appreciate it. Have a good day.
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Thank you😀💯
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Wow! The Gay Poppers!
I wouldn’t have guessed about the chocolate/sesame combination, but I trust your taste in music, so now “I want to know” about the halva.
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Hi. I bet you’d like it.
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Nice to know I’m not the only person who talks to him/herself. I’ve never heard of halva, but now I really want to try it! Happy you found things to delight you, Neil! 🙂
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Hi, and good morning. Will you watch the solar eclipse today? I wasn’t planning to, but I guess I will. This event doesn’t happen every day!
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Will do my best to see it, yes!
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I’ve never had halva. I’ll halvta check it out.
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👍
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I’m glad you’re generally upbeat, Neil. There’s too much terrible stuff happening in the world right now, and it would be easy to get sucked into the pit of doom. Thanks for the recommendation of Escape at Dannemora. We’re going to start it tonight. I love limited series. They’re usually just right to tell a good story. Thanks!
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I very much like limited series too. The best of them are as good as any form of entertainment can get, I think.
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I feel the same way. They aren’t as rushed as movies, but they don’t drag on and start reaching for ideas to extend the plot.
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Adding Escape at Dannemora to my list. The actors were enough to lure me in but, frankly, way back when that story happened in real time I was fascinated by it. Sometimes the strange decisions people make in their life just leaves you scratching your head.
Halva? Never heard of it. But boy! am I curious. I’ll be on the lookout. If you could offer a clue about where to find this delicacy I’d be appreciative.
As for “I Wanna Know” – definitely Carolina shag music. 🙂
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I imagine it’s sold at stores that have a Jewish and/or middle Eastern and/or Asian-Indian clientele. There are a number of brands. I can’t vouch for any of the brands except for the one I had recently (Seed+Mill). Halva is sold online too.
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I found some by Seed/Mill. Do you recommend pistachio?
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It’s probably good. But the only one I’ve had is the one with chocolate and salt.
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