Oh Most Excellent Dictator of things to come,
I announce a Most Excellent Event. The Lady Obama, ahem...... yes... soon-to-be First Lady has lent her image to the endorsement of this nationwide programme:
When in the course of Humanitarian Events...
I support it highly.
Enough pompous from me. Click the link, find an event in your area (you can narrow it down by mile), and Do it. Monday the 19th. It doesn't matter AT ALL whose politics you support. Someone's gone to the trouble to make this day of service inexplicably easy for the masses (you) and most of the events themselves are easy, too.
Food drive: Bring them non-perishable food. That's it.
Reading to children: Exactly that. Can you read? Good! Go!
Invasive plant removal: Ok, this one's just MY personal favorite. probably the most physically demanding event. And I'm gonna do it, with my hair pulled back and gloves on my hands..... which ends up sounding vaguely sexual. Hey! You have a whole new reason to volunteer, no?
There's an overabundance of events entirely for the purpose of collecting things for homeless or in-need families. So if you have a car, find an event close to you. Be part of this era, so that at least if you hate the policies and politicians currently in power, you can say YOU did better. You did something.
Oh, and in case you don't already read this excellent blog, check it out and add it to your sphere:
These Gentlemen
Long live shark-bear and his illegitimate descendants......
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Is it unhealthy to find this funny? And healthy to laugh?
(if you can't see the whole thing CLICK IT)Looking at Emily Horne's Flickr, I realized that I'm a sucker (in general) for a slight wrinkle across a male's dress shirt as he (the male) turns to look at or do something which doesn't correspond to the way he's standing.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Double Shot
This has nothing to do with espresso.
I've heard it said that getting over the finale of any relationship takes twice the length of the relationship. Now, this may not be true in all cases. But it's a benchmark, and I think it just might work that way. Human brains are excellent aren't they? An example, and this likely will just lead to new questions to write about, is a particularly bad relationship I once was in, about 3 years ago. I don't like to talk about it, but I am at a point in recovery that I can say all manner of things I could not say before. I can say the name of the person who destructively influenced a year and a half of my life simply by convincing me to continue dating him. And that is a huge step. I made it recently. Within the past few months, once I was talking, and referred to him, and it just came out and I nearly stopped, thought about what I'd said.....
I'd said it. Nothing had hurt me. That part was over.
I read a correspondence from the next longterm boyfriend I'd had and suddenly recalled 'flashbacks' that I used to have. He helped me through them. And I helped myself a lot. He knew what to do, what to say, and I can't begin to measure the gratitude I feel toward him for his patience. He's one of Many who were endlessly patient, who gave me hugs, shoulders to cry on, advice, respect, admiration ("of all things!", i thought at the time and understand now), places to stay when I was afraid to stay at my place, smiles, reasons to pick up and move on from it, and ways to do so.
After careful consideration, I sought counseling. It seemed logical. I talk to the wisest woman. And I waited to go to her until I was strong enough to form my own opinions about her, whoever she might turn out to be. I went in, reserved, thinking 'If I don't like it, I'll Never come back here.' I came back. And my life has improved drastically since.
The bad part seems like it never happened, in the sense that I no longer blame myself much. I accept that it happened. I hardly even think about it, actually; something folks told me would happen and I had the hardest time believing. I'm over it, essentially, yet with life experience. I've even developed an appreciation for things that occurred during that time that weren't all that bad. I wish I'd been kinder to myself, but I'm past the point of regret for anything done or not done.
And I love myself. In a non-solipsistic, non-narcissistic way, I see that I'm beautiful and important. That I deserve love and the best life can offer. And that I deserve to be the person I feel I am, not the character someone else tried to box me up to be.
I like my packaging, I like my contents, and yet I'm not here to be sold. If my personality excites you, impassions you, encourages you, Wonderful! I'm thrilled to be part of your life. I'm not going to change my interests to impassion you. My interests are broad, and I'm open to learning. I'm not going to encourage something I don't endorse. Doesn't mean I'll stop you, but I'm not going to lie. I may be here to entertain, but I'm also here to be entertained. It's not a "two-way street." I mean, drive where you want. No one needs someone else to drive in the other direction. It's those horses at the playground that you had to pedal in order for the person sitting opposite you to get to really move fast. I don't expect you to know the horses. They may have only been at one playground. But the concept is easy to understand. Even on stage, I'd expect an audience. In love, I expect love.
Didn't I say it had nothing to do with espresso?*
*Of course, the over-simplification of relationships boiled down to a concentrated formula which is what the masses are most willing to consume because of their rapid-pace inflicted on themselves and by the pressures of society could sound a bit like espresso. If you read into it.
I've heard it said that getting over the finale of any relationship takes twice the length of the relationship. Now, this may not be true in all cases. But it's a benchmark, and I think it just might work that way. Human brains are excellent aren't they? An example, and this likely will just lead to new questions to write about, is a particularly bad relationship I once was in, about 3 years ago. I don't like to talk about it, but I am at a point in recovery that I can say all manner of things I could not say before. I can say the name of the person who destructively influenced a year and a half of my life simply by convincing me to continue dating him. And that is a huge step. I made it recently. Within the past few months, once I was talking, and referred to him, and it just came out and I nearly stopped, thought about what I'd said.....
I'd said it. Nothing had hurt me. That part was over.
I read a correspondence from the next longterm boyfriend I'd had and suddenly recalled 'flashbacks' that I used to have. He helped me through them. And I helped myself a lot. He knew what to do, what to say, and I can't begin to measure the gratitude I feel toward him for his patience. He's one of Many who were endlessly patient, who gave me hugs, shoulders to cry on, advice, respect, admiration ("of all things!", i thought at the time and understand now), places to stay when I was afraid to stay at my place, smiles, reasons to pick up and move on from it, and ways to do so.
After careful consideration, I sought counseling. It seemed logical. I talk to the wisest woman. And I waited to go to her until I was strong enough to form my own opinions about her, whoever she might turn out to be. I went in, reserved, thinking 'If I don't like it, I'll Never come back here.' I came back. And my life has improved drastically since.
The bad part seems like it never happened, in the sense that I no longer blame myself much. I accept that it happened. I hardly even think about it, actually; something folks told me would happen and I had the hardest time believing. I'm over it, essentially, yet with life experience. I've even developed an appreciation for things that occurred during that time that weren't all that bad. I wish I'd been kinder to myself, but I'm past the point of regret for anything done or not done.
And I love myself. In a non-solipsistic, non-narcissistic way, I see that I'm beautiful and important. That I deserve love and the best life can offer. And that I deserve to be the person I feel I am, not the character someone else tried to box me up to be.
I like my packaging, I like my contents, and yet I'm not here to be sold. If my personality excites you, impassions you, encourages you, Wonderful! I'm thrilled to be part of your life. I'm not going to change my interests to impassion you. My interests are broad, and I'm open to learning. I'm not going to encourage something I don't endorse. Doesn't mean I'll stop you, but I'm not going to lie. I may be here to entertain, but I'm also here to be entertained. It's not a "two-way street." I mean, drive where you want. No one needs someone else to drive in the other direction. It's those horses at the playground that you had to pedal in order for the person sitting opposite you to get to really move fast. I don't expect you to know the horses. They may have only been at one playground. But the concept is easy to understand. Even on stage, I'd expect an audience. In love, I expect love.
Didn't I say it had nothing to do with espresso?*
*Of course, the over-simplification of relationships boiled down to a concentrated formula which is what the masses are most willing to consume because of their rapid-pace inflicted on themselves and by the pressures of society could sound a bit like espresso. If you read into it.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Something Something Darkside.......
I was asked today what I would suggest for a goth preteen who has little interest in schoolwork. I'll keep this post non-humorous. What I suggested was a 'fashion show' with photographs taken, like my friend and I used to do. Completely innocent, naturally. We were sort of urban neo-classical goth, to put a really pretentious spin on things. We were into Shakespeare... and the Spice Girls.
So, it's not surprising that goth preteens these days like Twilight. My feelings on the book/movie aside (perhaps in a later post), there are more productive things one can do with one's time than join the current trend. It was impossible for me to realize that at 13, when all I wanted in the world was an AOL account (which I never got, and am glad I didn't) and to become the new Spice Girl when Geri dropped out. It may sound stupid to you, as it certainly does to me now, but what fairytale do teens these days have?
Vampires, apparently. Personally, I was always more fond of Cinderella. Keep the evil close to home.
Drat, I said I wouldn't use humor. Sarcasm was included and my intention has failed. Hopefully at least my remark was successful. Any of them.
So, it's not surprising that goth preteens these days like Twilight. My feelings on the book/movie aside (perhaps in a later post), there are more productive things one can do with one's time than join the current trend. It was impossible for me to realize that at 13, when all I wanted in the world was an AOL account (which I never got, and am glad I didn't) and to become the new Spice Girl when Geri dropped out. It may sound stupid to you, as it certainly does to me now, but what fairytale do teens these days have?
Vampires, apparently. Personally, I was always more fond of Cinderella. Keep the evil close to home.
Drat, I said I wouldn't use humor. Sarcasm was included and my intention has failed. Hopefully at least my remark was successful. Any of them.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Welcome to a Beautiful new year! For the intelligent, the humourous, the musical, the whimsical in All of us
Hello, and Welcome to 2009!
I've long expected this to be a good year, actually ever since 2008 began. But, no matter! 2009 is a time for romance, adventure, and culture, as evidenced by the activities of my day. For your enjoyment and enlightenment, I give you:
Presidential hopeful for the year 2020, who plans great things for us all
Music I like coupled with the reason I'm going to rent a particular trilogy...
Unconventional (and sometimes shiny) exercise
Chechnya; conflict for centuries. I encourage you to look up other sources on it, as well
Creations from the artistic mind of a friend of mine. Tongue twisters found elsewhere
Fantasy-based comic. Dig into the archives to start at the beginning!
NASA's International Year of Astronomy is upon us
The Song on which my Film is based, progress of which I shall update throughout the year
Certainly Something listed ignites your passion?
Buona Notte e la Buona Fortuna!*
* I have never studied Italian. Please take no offense if I inadvertently mangled your preferred language.
I've long expected this to be a good year, actually ever since 2008 began. But, no matter! 2009 is a time for romance, adventure, and culture, as evidenced by the activities of my day. For your enjoyment and enlightenment, I give you:
Presidential hopeful for the year 2020, who plans great things for us all
Music I like coupled with the reason I'm going to rent a particular trilogy...
Unconventional (and sometimes shiny) exercise
Chechnya; conflict for centuries. I encourage you to look up other sources on it, as well
Creations from the artistic mind of a friend of mine. Tongue twisters found elsewhere
Fantasy-based comic. Dig into the archives to start at the beginning!
NASA's International Year of Astronomy is upon us
The Song on which my Film is based, progress of which I shall update throughout the year
Certainly Something listed ignites your passion?
Buona Notte e la Buona Fortuna!*
* I have never studied Italian. Please take no offense if I inadvertently mangled your preferred language.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Curious Case -Of A Film Review
Perhaps a short film review is in order. I have neglected to write one in such a long time.
For those wishing to view 'the Curious Case of Benjamin Button', this possibly contains spoilers.
More satisfying than the average 'feel-good' movie, the aesthetic and cinematic effects accomplished in 'Button' consistently impress. It is based quite loosely on a short story of the same title by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but resembles Fitzgerald's life perhaps more closely than it does his story. Set in 2005 as a frame story, in NO, Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina, that part doesn't stretch for believability. The story itself is fantasy: a man aging physically from old-to-young with a brain that ages typically. A coming-of-age story (no pun intended) with elements of dream logic, romance, and adventure, it doesn't leave much to be desired. The gravelly tone Brad Pitt's character uses throughout begins to wear on the eardrums, but is continually countered by his changing physique. He begins as an old man, unrecognizable under makeup and prosthetics and slowly transitions younger, all the way to infancy. Cate Blanchett's transitions are also well-managed, from a makeup standpoint as well as the change of actresses from child to adult. The acting is superb, with a focus on character portrayal, not actor promotion. If what you're looking for is crisp lines and vibrant colors, a few tears, several smiles and giggles, the very slightest element of magic and an entertaining story from start to finish, don't hesitate.
Also, I'm listening to Portishead's 'roads' and Telepopmusik's 'Love can Damage your Health'. I recommend both highly.
For those wishing to view 'the Curious Case of Benjamin Button', this possibly contains spoilers.
More satisfying than the average 'feel-good' movie, the aesthetic and cinematic effects accomplished in 'Button' consistently impress. It is based quite loosely on a short story of the same title by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but resembles Fitzgerald's life perhaps more closely than it does his story. Set in 2005 as a frame story, in NO, Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina, that part doesn't stretch for believability. The story itself is fantasy: a man aging physically from old-to-young with a brain that ages typically. A coming-of-age story (no pun intended) with elements of dream logic, romance, and adventure, it doesn't leave much to be desired. The gravelly tone Brad Pitt's character uses throughout begins to wear on the eardrums, but is continually countered by his changing physique. He begins as an old man, unrecognizable under makeup and prosthetics and slowly transitions younger, all the way to infancy. Cate Blanchett's transitions are also well-managed, from a makeup standpoint as well as the change of actresses from child to adult. The acting is superb, with a focus on character portrayal, not actor promotion. If what you're looking for is crisp lines and vibrant colors, a few tears, several smiles and giggles, the very slightest element of magic and an entertaining story from start to finish, don't hesitate.
Also, I'm listening to Portishead's 'roads' and Telepopmusik's 'Love can Damage your Health'. I recommend both highly.
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