New site, Same Blog

I wanted to let you know that I am still writing a blog but it is now at a different site.

Here's the link so you can read what's been happening to me lately. Bookmark it. Love it.

http://reelvintage.wordpress.com/

Thanks for reading and I hope you continue to follow me at the new site!

Megan
xo

Life Moves Pretty Fast

"...If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Sometimes when an opportunity jumps out at you, there is no choice but to embrace it. That doesn't mean you stop and think about all opportunities, weighing the pros and cons. Instead, sometimes you just have to go for it and take the leap.

Might there be a question of if it's right? Possibly. *in the words of Mia Farrow*
Might it not work out in the end? Possibly.
Might it be something you'll learn from, positive or negative? Most definitely.

Take the leap. Take the plunge. Go for it. Sometimes you don't have to think. Sometimes you shouldn't think. Sometimes it's more about action than thought.

Go for it and enjoy the ride!

I found my destiny, not in far off places but within myself.

Does everyone remember the movie Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken (1992) like I do and LOVE it like I do?

 Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken - IMDB  <<<<Read about it here.

It was a movie, that from a very young age when I first saw it, left an impact on me. It didn't encourage me to run away from home or want to dive horses but it certainly made me realize that when you want to do something you love, and work hard, you can be happy! I wanted to be like Sonora, I wanted to be strong, I wanted to be funny, and I wanted to do something great. I wanted to be so great at something, that whatever challenges were brought before me, I could always persevere and go forth!

With that, I have begun reading the book the movie was based on. It was written by Sonora Carver, the woman who the movie is about. She was the actual woman who rode horses off a 40 ft tower into a pool. Crazy!!!



It's very interesting to read the actual story from her personal point of view. I knew, going in, the book would be different from the film because Hollywood always changes a few things. Well, come to find out they did change a few things to keep it dramatic and entertaining, but for the most part they didn't have to embellish too much. I mean, it's about a traveling show where girls dive horses!

I'm now halfway through the book and find myself being thoroughly entertained by her story-telling. She isn't very flashy about her memories, they almost seem matter-of-fact, but she does have the most amazing memory of her thoughts, feelings, the smells around her, the way things looked, etc. It's inspiring!

I hope you take the time to either watch the film, read the book or do both. It's a movie that will always stay with me and has now been cemented even further into my being now reading her story.

The Blessed Unrest

I'm listening to Sara Bareilles' newest album The Blessed Unrest. Though I have many artists I enjoy listening to and even follow closely, Sara is my FAVORITE. I discovered her in college when her first big studio album was released, Little Voice. Her melodies and lyrics jumped out of the speakers for me. She seemed to write every kind of melody that I immediately fall in love with, and every lyric as though they came from my heart. Since then, I have followed her career through every album, tour, and interview..

I hope you go out and buy her new album and heck, if you haven't listened to her music before, go and buy her others: Careful Confessions, Little Voice, and Kaleidoscope Heart.

With that, I leave you with a quote from Martha Graham. This quote was the inspiration for Sara to title her newest album as such.

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."

 

 

 

New Words

I love to find new words and learn what those words mean. When I was little, I would ask my parents what words meant as they'd fly out of the television program or movie we were watching, or book I was reading. I would turn to them and ask what the word meant. As I grew older, I soon realized that though they were answering me correctly, they more often were defining the word within the context of how it was used in the movie or television program.

But that's not what I wanted. I'm kind of a snob when it comes to word definitions.

I want the simple, scientific, without context definition of each word I ask about. I wanted my parents to be a walking dictionary where they would ramble off the definition precisely as Merrium-Webster had written. I imagined it like the end of "The Wizard of Oz" when the scarecrow get's his diploma; he changes his voice and rambles off a mathematical problem proving his now genius brain. That's apparently how I imagined definitions to be shared: in monotone. Now, I'd much rather it recited back to me much like Stephen Fry, whom of which undoubtedly knows every word and definition. I need a British scholar in the back of my pocket at all time.

Though I may be a snob in my preference for precisely recited definitions, I am not a snob in where I find new words. I love finding new words in movies, television, newspapers, books, strangers conversations, friends, family, etc.

Do you get it?

Basically, ANYWHERE!

I recently have begun keeping track of new words I learn from Nina Conti interviews and/or videos. She's by far my favorite comedian since she is beyond clever and witty but she is also, not surprisingly, incredibly articulate. I conclude it is because she is British as well as greatly educated and well-read. I truly believe that the British are better versed in language than Americans and are also, more importantly, actually encouraged to use articulate speech in every day life.

All of these words were found from interviews or social media and said by Nina herself. It's important I make this clear as she is also a ventriloquist and "speaks for many", but these words are all from Nina.

Monkey, her main puppet, finds the use of these words haughty and ridiculously foolish. He'd never be caught using these words. He's better than that.

I've put an asterisk next to the words I'd heard before but never knew the actual definition. The rest are completely new and are easy to remember but difficult to include in conversation. This will be a new goal and I shall be successful!

Intransigent - uncompromising.

Gauche - lacking social experience or grace; not tactful.

Counterintuitive* - contrary to what intuition or common sense would indicate.

Physiognomy - art of judging human character from facial features.

Conspicuous* - attracting notice or attention.

Wherewithal *- the money or other means needed for a particular purpose.

Metier* - an area of activity in which one excels; forte.

Flummox - perplex (someone) greatly; bewilder.

Nora Ephron: An Inspiration

I'm currently reading a book by one of my FAVORITE authors: Nora Ephron.

It's called "Wallflower at the Orgy" and it's about her life as a reporter/journalist and how she's always at the "party" but more often on the sidelines, taking notes and making observations. Only Nora would think to equate her work as a journalist to an orgy and somehow make that make sense. Brilliant. 

Anyway, in the second chapter she talks about the famed editor of COSMOPOLITAN, Helen Gurley Brown and a particular sentence stood out to me that exemplifies the reason why I truly love Nora as a writer:

"But no. Just the other night, it happened again. On the Merv Griffin Show or the Joey Bishop Show. One or the other."

I understand this simple section is not glamorous or even really clever, but you must understand what stands out to me; what makes it complete and utter brilliance.

In writing, she has made her confusion and lack of memory very conversational and natural. She's a reporter/journalist so you know that she understands what it takes to research and find your facts, but instead, she chose in that moment to write as though she's thinking out loud and can't quite remember what show this famed editor appeared on. It made me realize how the internet and search engines have ruined us (or maybe just me) for brilliantly written exchanges like this; an exchange that Nora made effortlessly and why so many enjoy her books, plays, and screenplays.

Writing can be a conversation, not a presentation. 

Thanks, Nora! I needed that.

She's Alone In There, I'm Working Solo

For some reason, I was an idiot and deleted my last post with this video. Normally, I'd dismiss my flub and move on but it's a requirement that I share this video with the world (namely the 7 people who haven't seen it yet! Seriously, who hasn't seen this yet?).

 

I've recently become enamored with Nina Conti. She's a British comedian and ventriloquist and she's beyond brilliant. I can't remember the last time I've laughed so hard, so consistently at the same video (as well as her many other videos). I won't share with you the number of times I've watched this particular video, as it may cross the line to repulsive. Without further ado...

 

NINA CONTI!!!!

 

 

 

Also, I highly recommend her documentary, "Her Master's Voice". It's heartwarming and hilarious, following Nina through a personal crossroads with life and her profession. She teeters back and forth from comedy to introspection with such ease, you find yourself crying and laughing nearly at the same time. Again, I will not share with you the number of times I've seen this documentary. As Nina might say (to herself, without moving her lips), "It's the madness."

Monday is Quote Day

What is now proved was once only imaged.

-William Blake

Monday is Quote Day

Lyrics from Ingrid Michaelson's song "Everybody".

Happy is the heart that still feels pain
Darkness drains and light will come again.
Swing open up your chest and let it in
Just let the love, love, love begin.

Everybody, everybody wants to love.
Everybody, everybody wants to be loved.
Oh, oh, oh.
Oh, oh, oh.
Oh, everybody, everybody wants to love.
Everybody, everybody wants to be loved.
Oh, oh, oh.
Oh, oh, oh.

Monday is Quote Day

Your task is to love what you don’t understand. 

Rainer Maria Rilke

Monday is Quote Day

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Martin Luther King Jr.

New Years Resolution - Book 1 - first thoughts

As you know from my previous entry, New Years Resolutions , I will be reading 12 books this year as well as learning how to play the ukulele. Well, I have officially begun.

I started Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury this week. I'm not very far and with that comes a confusion about what on earth is happening. Does this even take place on earth?

All I can say is that, I think the main character is a fire fighter and I think it takes place in the future. Of course, none of this can truly be confirmed until I read a bit more, but I'm fairly certain I'm right.

I will try, with all my power and will, to continue reading this book this week.

Of course, it has quite an opponent in "The West Wing" on Netflix streaming, but I will try my best to continue with the book. It's funny, because the characters on the show are constantly reading bills/depositions/articles/speeches that it makes me want to read, all the while clicking "next episode".

I will officially be designating Tuesday nights for reading. Hopefully by next week, I will be more than halfway into the book or even done.

Wish me luck!

Monday is Quote Day

I can't get enough of Ingrid Michaelson right now. Here are lyrics from her song "Soldier".


I sit in the back of a bus watching the world grow old watching the world go by all by myself.
I took a faith full leap and packed up all my things and all my love and gave it to somebody else.

But how do I know if I'll make it through?
How do I know? Where's the proof in you?

And so it goes, this soldier knows. The battle with the heart isn't easily won.
And so it goes, this soldier knows. The battle with the heart isn't easily won.
But it can be won. But it can be won.

Wife vs Secretary (1936)

Myrna Loy - Linda Stanhope
Clark Gable - Van Stanhope
Jean Harlow - Helen "Whitey" Wilson

I'm still trying to figure out my feelings toward this film so until I fully get a grasp of my thoughts, I will instead tell you the things I know of the actors and such.

Myrna Loy get's third billing in the movie credits but first billing on my blog because she rates pretty high in my book. (It's my blog and I can do what I want!) This is the same year that she and Clark Gable won "King and Queen of the Movies" so they were both hot commodities, especially when paired together. This is Myrna's second time in the same year working with Jean Harlow, the other film being "Libeled Lady" which is as close to a perfect romantic comedy as you can get. Myrna always plays the wife role perfectly. I can see why, though never a fan of the title, she was nicknamed "The Perfect Wife".

Clark Gable get's first billing in the credits but second on my blog because Myrna beat him out simply by being a classy, witty dame. This film comes two years after the Frank Capra hit "It Happened One Night", but three years before his iconic role as Rhett Butler in "Gone With The Wind". I wouldn't say that I'm indifferent to Clark Gable, it's more that I have never fully explored his filmography, though I have seen quite a few of his movies and enjoyed them all. Whether he is playing opposite Myrna Loy, Vivian Leigh, Claudette Colbert or Doris Day, he is the standard that all leading men should measure themselves against. He's a man's man that knew how to love the ladies and make them unabashedly love him back.

Jean Harlow, second billed in the movie credits but third here because I really don't know much about her other than she was considered an acerbic movie vixen and engaged to William Powell only to pass away before the marriage and well before her time should have been up. She was only 26. However, from the two movies I've seen her in and have mentioned in this entry, she was a good actress with intelligence, wit and fierce determination. I have no strong desire to see anymore of her movies but I do know that if I happen upon one I will be delighted by her performance.

Now my reaction to the movie.

First of all, the title implies a certainty possibility for infidelity which immediately made me not want to watch it but, considering the star power, went against my initial impulse. I was happy I did because it was a delightful film with each star bringing to the table their own brand of personality which brought extra depth to the storyline. Clark and Myrna are husband and wife who can't seem to get enough of each other. Seriously lovey dovey from the word go. He runs his own business which is very successful as indicated by their house and style of living. Though their relationship is solid and based on trust, his mother puts doubts in Myrna's mind that there could be a risk in having Jean be his secretary. Why put the temptation right in his sightline everyday? Well, Myrna doesn't worry her pretty little head about it, that is until his mother says those things. She doesn't want to be a worry wart but things start happening and being said that lead her to wonder. Though this is a serious topic, the movie has moments of comedy and light-heartedness. There are even moments in the beginning, that the trust that Clark and Myrna share is a wonderful sight to see and almost leads one to think that, because of this established trust, there could be a chance that Myrna and Jean could be friends. Maybe it only seems that way because they were friends in real life? Not sure?

Parts that stood out.

-Incredibly suggestive dialogue by both stars and extras. Here's a clip as proof. PHEW!



Here is a quote from Myrna regarding this movie and the future of movies when it comes to sex..."Where sex is concerned, the double entendre, the ambiguity, it seems to me, is much more effective than being too explicit. This is something the moviemakers don't seem to understand today."
I agree with her whole-heartedly and this may be the real reason I will not should not read "Fifty Shades of Grey."
 
-Jean Harlow is a career-woman and very good at her job. I do not mean that to imply she's "good" at her job and will try to land the boss, but she's genuinely very effective in her role as secretary and you have no doubt that when Clark says he'd "die without her", he means it. Even Myrna agrees, in a business mindset.

-Jean refusing to leaver her job if/when she get's married. Quite a radical idea for a woman in the 30's. I admire her for that but I also struggle with it because it has to do with her relationship to Jimmy Stewart in the film, and who would do anything to ruin their relationship with Jimmy Stewart!?

**Spoiler**

-Quite often we, as a society, are presented with many films where women are competing for a man. It's so often that we don't even see it as something that is being subliminally taught to us; that women should not and cannot be friends with each other. Though the movie primarily shows this competition between Myrna and Jean, there is a moment at the end where the two share a scene and speak frankly about the situation. Jean ultimately tries to explain the misunderstandings that have occurred and show Myrna that if she doesn't accept the real innocent truth then she'll lose Clark forever to whomelse but Jean. She plainly says that if Myrna doesn't go back to him then she, Jean, will gladly take her place with the understanding he'll never love her the way he loves his wife. It's a kind of solidarity I wasn't expecting and found it to be refreshing.

So there you have it, a movie I wasn't overly excited to watch and didn't immediately love, ended up being a movie I'd watch again and again (if only for the natural banter between Myrna and Clark). Please leave a comment or let me know if/when you watch the movie and what you think of it.

New Years Resolutions

I have two resolutions for 2013.

1) Read 12 books.

There is no official list of books that I must read, it just has to be 12 books. Essentially one book for each month. Whether it takes me a month to read each book or not, I will read 12 books in 2013.

I already have some ideas for books I want to read.

Fahrenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury

Animal Farm
by George Orwell

1984
by George Orwell

Of Mice and Men
by John Steinbeck

Oliver Twist
by Charles Dickens

Anything else I read will be because it looks interesting or was recommended by a friend or family member.

2) I have been surrounded by song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson that it has finally come to pass: I will learn the Ukulele (baritone or tenor). If I get good enough and obtain cajones to make a video of me playing, I will upload it here. I am already fearful and excited.

Happy 2013!

Choose to be Happy

I work at a small company and we employ a wonderful woman, we'll name her Juanita (because I don't know a Juanita, so it's fun), and she has Down Syndrome. What I love about her is that she is always happy. No matter what she is doing, she is smiling and saying hello to everyone!

She comes to work everyday and helps clean our kitchen area and then proceeds to get our trash in the office area, among other duties most others would groan about.

This morning she spoke with a colleague across the hall and said, "Oh, you have an iPad!" The colleague corrected her and said it was an iPhone. Juanita proceeded to say, "Oh, same thing!" She finished this with a large belly laugh and I couldn't help but smile and giggle myself.

First of all, she's right! Same thing. And second, when you say something funny, even if you're the only one who thinks it's funny, the correct thing to do is commit to the situation with a belly laugh. Enjoy life. Be happy!

Thanks, Juanita for the wonderful lesson!

Monday is Quote Day

I'm eighteen years behind in my ironing. -Phyllis Diller