Your task is to love what you don’t understand.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Monday, January 28, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
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.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Monday, January 14, 2013
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!
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!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
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 acertainty 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 Iwill 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.
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
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
-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.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
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!
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!
Monday, January 7, 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!
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!
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