I've been watching something from my Alfred Hitchcock collection everyday recently while I do my morning and evening exercises. That really stretches out a movie, but I stay interested.
I can't even remember all I've seen. I got this $5 set at Walmart that has 20 movies on it, all directed by Hitchcock. Some of the film quality is less than optimum but it's not terrible. I keep thinking that if I had all these movies on actual 16mm film reels how much room it'd take to store them. And how much effort it'd be to thread them and watch them, although it'd be fun.
I'm watching the other movie by Hitch that stars Anny Ondra, "Blackmail." The first one was "The Manxman." I could be in love with Anny if she wasn't dead. If it could be 1929 again, I'd look her up. Probably not really, since I don't actually contact movie stars. I understand they don't appreciate that. There's a good Wikipedia article on her. She married the famous boxer Max Schmeling and they were married for a long time, until she died. And I wouldn't want to tangle with a boxer!
Anyway, "Manxman" was totally silent. "Blackmail" was filmed as both a silent movie and a talkie. The version I have is the latter, but it starts off silent and is silent for quite a while. Then the voices start in. I read, also at Wiki, that Anny's voice in this was provided by another person just off camera, speaking while Anny's mouth moved. Because Anny had a Czech sounding voice and that's not what Hitch wanted.
Another one I watched just recently was "Champagne," a silent movie about a young heiress. She's quite a handful, but her father teaches her a lesson of sorts about money by faking that he's lost all his money. I don't know that she actually learns the lesson but it has a happy ending. It has lots of funny bits. The leading man, Betty's love interest, isn't at all desirable so it's hard to root for him. But maybe they had different standards back in the '20s.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The Knives Are Out For Michael Steele
I heard that phrase today, "The knives are out for Michael Steele." I like the phrase, having heard it over the years.
Michael Steele, of course, is that yahoo in charge of the Republican party. He's a big goof as far as I'm concerned. He seems to get in trouble about as often as Dennis the Menace.
The most recent embarrassing thing for the GOP is their lavish expense accounts, chartered jets, lavish accommodations, and entertainment expenses that would make Hugh Hefner blush. Hey, where do I sign up to be a Republican bigwig?
When I go out to eat, let's say, I try to get by as cheap as possible, most of the time. Of course I splurge once in a while and have the dessert or a nicer entree. So we might spend $75 for a night out, not very often, and that includes a very decent tip. So I can barely imagine going out on the town and spending around $2,000 for the evening! It is just so out of the realm of my experience that I don't think I'd do it if I could. I'm a lot more frugal than that.
That's what this Republican guy was doing, living it up at a lesbian bondage club. Sure it sounds fun, but that might best be left off your official expense report, Stupid!
You'd think that conservatives would conserve. But we know, if from no other evidence than the Bush years, that they're remarkably profligate. They'll charge it! Scan the card! It's paid for!
About the phrase, though, that's what I wanted to get for. It recalls images of palace intrigue, knives being thrust through the curtains in the palace, and the minister of state is left in a pool of blood. No one knows who did it, but there's a brand new minister of state the next day who just happened to be available.
Michael Steele, of course, is that yahoo in charge of the Republican party. He's a big goof as far as I'm concerned. He seems to get in trouble about as often as Dennis the Menace.
The most recent embarrassing thing for the GOP is their lavish expense accounts, chartered jets, lavish accommodations, and entertainment expenses that would make Hugh Hefner blush. Hey, where do I sign up to be a Republican bigwig?
When I go out to eat, let's say, I try to get by as cheap as possible, most of the time. Of course I splurge once in a while and have the dessert or a nicer entree. So we might spend $75 for a night out, not very often, and that includes a very decent tip. So I can barely imagine going out on the town and spending around $2,000 for the evening! It is just so out of the realm of my experience that I don't think I'd do it if I could. I'm a lot more frugal than that.
That's what this Republican guy was doing, living it up at a lesbian bondage club. Sure it sounds fun, but that might best be left off your official expense report, Stupid!
You'd think that conservatives would conserve. But we know, if from no other evidence than the Bush years, that they're remarkably profligate. They'll charge it! Scan the card! It's paid for!
About the phrase, though, that's what I wanted to get for. It recalls images of palace intrigue, knives being thrust through the curtains in the palace, and the minister of state is left in a pool of blood. No one knows who did it, but there's a brand new minister of state the next day who just happened to be available.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Recess Appoint 'Em All!
President Obama once again drew the fire of the Republicans, by recess appointing 15 of his stalled nominees for various positions.
The Republicans of course want to block and obstruct everything the president seeks to do. So he really had no choice, unless he wants (as they do) the government to function without people in these important offices.
Sen. John McCain was the hypocrite of the day, lamenting that the president "little respect for the time honored constitutional roles and procedures of Congress." Time honored if you don't count the Bush administration, really not that long ago, about whose recess appointments, McCain said, "I would support it. It's the president's prerogative." Busted! Lamebrain.
Gee, I wonder what's changed!
The Republicans are a sickening bunch. They need to be thwarted. If President Obama has this authority, then why shouldn't he use it? Especially in the light of their blatant obstructionism. If he waited for the Republicans he'd be waiting forever. I'd just go ahead and recess appoint 'em all and say Suck on them lemons!
We have one president and one party who are trying to do the right thing. Then we have the Republicans, a party whose platform is vandalism.
The Republicans of course want to block and obstruct everything the president seeks to do. So he really had no choice, unless he wants (as they do) the government to function without people in these important offices.
Sen. John McCain was the hypocrite of the day, lamenting that the president "little respect for the time honored constitutional roles and procedures of Congress." Time honored if you don't count the Bush administration, really not that long ago, about whose recess appointments, McCain said, "I would support it. It's the president's prerogative." Busted! Lamebrain.
Gee, I wonder what's changed!
The Republicans are a sickening bunch. They need to be thwarted. If President Obama has this authority, then why shouldn't he use it? Especially in the light of their blatant obstructionism. If he waited for the Republicans he'd be waiting forever. I'd just go ahead and recess appoint 'em all and say Suck on them lemons!
We have one president and one party who are trying to do the right thing. Then we have the Republicans, a party whose platform is vandalism.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Eric Cantor Threatened By Gunshot
Republican Congressman Eric Cantor was recently almost the victim of a gunshot.
It appears that someone in the same county that Cantor sometimes works shot a gun at random. The person -- no identity or motive is officially known -- shot a gun in the air, with the bullet coming down and landing a little later.
The congressman states that it was obviously meant for him.
It appears that someone in the same county that Cantor sometimes works shot a gun at random. The person -- no identity or motive is officially known -- shot a gun in the air, with the bullet coming down and landing a little later.
The congressman states that it was obviously meant for him.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Armageddon Comes With A Whimper
In T.S. Eliot's poem, "The Hollow Men," he says, "This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper."
And so it was for the Republicans' hyped up fear of Armageddon if the health care reform bill was passed. Nothing happened.
It was funny to hear President Obama riffing on this today at Iowa City. Instead of asteroids hitting the earth and the ground opening up to swallow everyone, it was a nice day, the birds chirping and people strolling casually on the Mall.
Oh no, the Republicans have co-opted Chicken Little!
And so it was for the Republicans' hyped up fear of Armageddon if the health care reform bill was passed. Nothing happened.
It was funny to hear President Obama riffing on this today at Iowa City. Instead of asteroids hitting the earth and the ground opening up to swallow everyone, it was a nice day, the birds chirping and people strolling casually on the Mall.
Oh no, the Republicans have co-opted Chicken Little!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Enjoying Those Dreadful Moments
I've been doing a ton of reflection on the concept of enjoying my life.
Of course it's easy and expected that we will enjoy our lives when times are good and things are going smoothly. But what I mean is to enjoy our lives when times are tough and things are going terribly. Like those times of ultimate stress, when your belly feels like someone's wringing it out like a sponge, and the bags under your eyes reach your chin.
I've had that kind of stress for the last month and a week. I don't want to state the particulars of it, but this is true. It came to a terrible, dreadful head just today. I was up against a deadline vis-a-vis this whole situation, after the month and a week's build up, and the deadline could not be postponed. It was then, it had to be then. It was do or die.
All through the morning, there was one thing on my mind, the terrible dreadfulness of it all. And at times, the thought of how great I'd feel when it was over, and how much greater I'd feel, say, two months from now when there is more or less a resolution, and the old is left behind and the new has come. That was my feeling through the morning.
Then as the morning advanced on, I knew it was T-minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. Then -- it was an inexorable moment -- the do or die moment came and my stomach was doing such contortions, my eyes were hazy, and if it had been possible with our present human structure to spontaneously combust, I surely would have done so!
In those moments, before the 10, 9, 8 .... just before that ... I was thinking, "Enjoy this feeling." My mental talk was going like this, "This feeling is as intense and rare as any feeling can be. You cannot fake this feeling, even if you mentally put yourself in this predicament. Because it would be simply a mental thing and not a thing of actuality, involving real people and real life consequences. You can fool yourself, but you can't fool yourself that well! So ... to the extent that you can, zero in on this and ... enjoy it."
The truth is I never really talked myself into an actual experience of enjoyment. Because that thought keeps slipping away in the struggles and exigencies of the moment. But it is a heck of a philosophy and seems to be true to me as a way to experience the conditions of life. If you can manage it!
To wish away the experiences of life is to wish away our lives. And that is a very mentally self destructive attitude.
Of course it's easy and expected that we will enjoy our lives when times are good and things are going smoothly. But what I mean is to enjoy our lives when times are tough and things are going terribly. Like those times of ultimate stress, when your belly feels like someone's wringing it out like a sponge, and the bags under your eyes reach your chin.
I've had that kind of stress for the last month and a week. I don't want to state the particulars of it, but this is true. It came to a terrible, dreadful head just today. I was up against a deadline vis-a-vis this whole situation, after the month and a week's build up, and the deadline could not be postponed. It was then, it had to be then. It was do or die.
All through the morning, there was one thing on my mind, the terrible dreadfulness of it all. And at times, the thought of how great I'd feel when it was over, and how much greater I'd feel, say, two months from now when there is more or less a resolution, and the old is left behind and the new has come. That was my feeling through the morning.
Then as the morning advanced on, I knew it was T-minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. Then -- it was an inexorable moment -- the do or die moment came and my stomach was doing such contortions, my eyes were hazy, and if it had been possible with our present human structure to spontaneously combust, I surely would have done so!
In those moments, before the 10, 9, 8 .... just before that ... I was thinking, "Enjoy this feeling." My mental talk was going like this, "This feeling is as intense and rare as any feeling can be. You cannot fake this feeling, even if you mentally put yourself in this predicament. Because it would be simply a mental thing and not a thing of actuality, involving real people and real life consequences. You can fool yourself, but you can't fool yourself that well! So ... to the extent that you can, zero in on this and ... enjoy it."
The truth is I never really talked myself into an actual experience of enjoyment. Because that thought keeps slipping away in the struggles and exigencies of the moment. But it is a heck of a philosophy and seems to be true to me as a way to experience the conditions of life. If you can manage it!
To wish away the experiences of life is to wish away our lives. And that is a very mentally self destructive attitude.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Good Grief, Joe Biden
I understand the enthusiasm and the sentiment of Vice President Joe Biden, telling President Obama that it's a big deal that health care reform passed. But, really, you have to use the "F" adjective right there at that minute, with the entire world listening in?
Back stage, off camera somewhere, yes, some high fives and boisterous celebration. Right there at the signing ceremony, a little decorum and not ultimately upstaging the big guy would be good.
These seem like very simple principles, that very simple people, most of us, are able to adhere to on a daily basis. We might feel like saying certain things, but that little editor in our brain tells us to hold back.
Back stage, off camera somewhere, yes, some high fives and boisterous celebration. Right there at the signing ceremony, a little decorum and not ultimately upstaging the big guy would be good.
These seem like very simple principles, that very simple people, most of us, are able to adhere to on a daily basis. We might feel like saying certain things, but that little editor in our brain tells us to hold back.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Met A Long Serving Teacher
I met a lady today who was a third grade teacher for 43 years.
That's a very long time to be a third grade teacher.
I asked her if she ever meets people who say, "You were my teacher." And she said she does.
I told her I coincidentally met up with one of my third grade teachers last September, who remembered me.
It put me in mind to search for a few teachers on Facebook. I actually saw one when I wasn't even looking. He's in one of the same groups that I am.
That's a very long time to be a third grade teacher.
I asked her if she ever meets people who say, "You were my teacher." And she said she does.
I told her I coincidentally met up with one of my third grade teachers last September, who remembered me.
It put me in mind to search for a few teachers on Facebook. I actually saw one when I wasn't even looking. He's in one of the same groups that I am.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Who All The Tea Party Wackos Hate
The Tea Party people "love America," except for all the days when they want to secede from the union! They're not content waving the American flag. They're claiming old flags from history as more valid. Real patriotic stuff there!
They love their "rights." They just don't love the rights of others. In fact, they have no love at all for others. Others are the enemy. If you're other than them, you're scum. That's how they think.
We've heard of their hatred again in the last few days, the N word being hurled at Civil Rights heroes and other blacks, gays called faggots, Mexicans called wetbacks, etc. Whoever you are, they hate you. Those who disagree with them are "Hitler." LOL!
That's the "America" the Tea Party haters want to get us "back to." I personally don't see it resonating with normal people.
They love their "rights." They just don't love the rights of others. In fact, they have no love at all for others. Others are the enemy. If you're other than them, you're scum. That's how they think.
We've heard of their hatred again in the last few days, the N word being hurled at Civil Rights heroes and other blacks, gays called faggots, Mexicans called wetbacks, etc. Whoever you are, they hate you. Those who disagree with them are "Hitler." LOL!
That's the "America" the Tea Party haters want to get us "back to." I personally don't see it resonating with normal people.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The First Day Of Spring
Well, this is a day that's always a happy one for me, when spring gets here.
Break out the bunnies! And the crocuses! And the feeling that newness is in the air!
It's been a tough winter, very tough. And expensive for snow removal, even if the heating bill has been about average or a little under the usual. The sun, though, turns out to be the best snow remover ... and it doesn't cost a thing, if you're willing to wait for it to get around to it.
Yippee! We're there! Officially!
Break out the bunnies! And the crocuses! And the feeling that newness is in the air!
It's been a tough winter, very tough. And expensive for snow removal, even if the heating bill has been about average or a little under the usual. The sun, though, turns out to be the best snow remover ... and it doesn't cost a thing, if you're willing to wait for it to get around to it.
Yippee! We're there! Officially!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
