Universal Music: In director Julie Taymor's (Titus, Frida, Broadway's The Lion King) new film Across The Universe, we are offered a story of politics, war, and love all set to the music of the Beatles. Universe is not the story of the Beatles but their music compels the storyline along in a brisk, rollicking, and touching film.
Set in the 1960's leading up to and continuing through to the Vitenam War, Universe stars Jude (Jim Sturgess) and Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), the star and continent crossed lovers who must endure the turmoil of the 60's in order to reach the peace of those strawberry fields.
The film starts out with the death of Lucy's paramour and Jude's arrival to America from England. When Jude befriends Max (Joe Anderson), Lucy's brother, Jude and Lucy meet and from there the rest is history set to music. Featuring 16 of the Beatles' classics, including, Strawberry Fields Forever, I Want To Hold Your Hand, and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, the songs tell the inner feelings and conflicts of the characters; they work and are perfectly in tune (pun intended) with what's going on around them and inside of them.
Taymor has captured the essence and funkiness of the 60's and the protests and the unrest of the country and the world and paints a colorful story and backdrop that is mesmerizing and compelling. This is by far the most ambitious movie of the year and even if you aren't a fan of the Beatles be prepared to be moved and tap your feet.
The film features mostly unknowns; the most famous of the starring cast is Wood who appeared in Thirteen, Running With Scissors and tv's Once And Again. Wood, in fact, is a standout and continues her rise to stardom. It's rumored she'll portray Anne Bronte in an upcoming film about the Bronte sisters and Alice in a movie about Lewis Carroll. Another thing that makes the film all the more wonderful is the cast does their own singing; this is more and more true these days with each musical film that is released. The days of dubbing appear to be over; thank goodness because the actual actor singing the actual song is so refreshing especially since a lot of real singers seem content to lip-synch.
This film wasn't one that I had planned on seeing but now I can't imagine not having seen it. Relive the days of the mushroom and bring your flower and enjoy a merry, musical movie.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3.5
paul
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
on the radio-Oct. edition
There are two songs I think are really hot and just in time too as the weather is getting chillier.
Bubbly by Colbie Caillat and one by Timbaland. Normally I would say I'm sick of Timbaland because he is everywhere and has that annoyingly catchy song "The Way I Are." However, his song Apologize with Colorado pop band One Republic is catchy and, thankfully, not annoying.
paul
Bubbly by Colbie Caillat and one by Timbaland. Normally I would say I'm sick of Timbaland because he is everywhere and has that annoyingly catchy song "The Way I Are." However, his song Apologize with Colorado pop band One Republic is catchy and, thankfully, not annoying.
paul
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Hump Day Humor
Sometimes when you are angry with someone, it helps to sit down and think about the problem.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
dvd pick of the week
On the street where they live: There's a documentary that was released this week that asks the question "How well do you know your parents?" It also goes on to ask "How well would you like to know them?" These two questions are explored in the documentary 51 Birch Street which mostly takes place in the titular Long Island home.
Filmed, directed and narrated by only son Doug Block, the film starts out with Mina Block, the matriarch of the family and it starts out as a documentary about Doug's father, Mike. Soon, however, a family tragedy and the remarriage of Mike becomes the impetus for the film to focus mainly on Mina and the life that Doug and her two sisters knew nothing about.
Featuring candid and personal interviews with the family, including uncle Josh who offers up a music video of his song I Flunk Adultery, the film follows the 54 year marriage of Mike and Mina and reveals things that were well hidden from the Block children. The secrets are revealed in diaries that Mina kept for a number of years. It's really a poignant, revealing and thought provoking documentary that deserves to be watched.
As Doug works to come to terms with the new view of his mother, father and of his own life and marriage, he narrates one of the most profound statements in the film, "Is there just one person that's perfect for you?" He answers no. He goes on to comment, "It's not a matter of finding a perfect companion. I think it's a matter of making accommodations so that it works out for both of you." That's the crux of any relationship; both parties finding accommodations so that it survives.
The film has touched people literally all over the world and don't miss the extras on the dvd which include the I Flunk Adultery music video and also how the Block family react to the film and it's premiere.
Vomit scene: No
peace,
paul
Filmed, directed and narrated by only son Doug Block, the film starts out with Mina Block, the matriarch of the family and it starts out as a documentary about Doug's father, Mike. Soon, however, a family tragedy and the remarriage of Mike becomes the impetus for the film to focus mainly on Mina and the life that Doug and her two sisters knew nothing about.
Featuring candid and personal interviews with the family, including uncle Josh who offers up a music video of his song I Flunk Adultery, the film follows the 54 year marriage of Mike and Mina and reveals things that were well hidden from the Block children. The secrets are revealed in diaries that Mina kept for a number of years. It's really a poignant, revealing and thought provoking documentary that deserves to be watched.
As Doug works to come to terms with the new view of his mother, father and of his own life and marriage, he narrates one of the most profound statements in the film, "Is there just one person that's perfect for you?" He answers no. He goes on to comment, "It's not a matter of finding a perfect companion. I think it's a matter of making accommodations so that it works out for both of you." That's the crux of any relationship; both parties finding accommodations so that it survives.
The film has touched people literally all over the world and don't miss the extras on the dvd which include the I Flunk Adultery music video and also how the Block family react to the film and it's premiere.
Vomit scene: No
peace,
paul
Saturday, September 15, 2007
movie minute
One Tough Chick: What happens when the place you call home becomes a place of fear; paralyzing you in your tracks and questioning who you are and what you've become? That's the question that Jodie Foster sets out to answer in the new tough-chick thriller The Brave One (R). Directed by Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, Breakfast On Pluto) the film brings to light the vigilante that each of us has inside of us. If you've seen the trailer for the film you know just about everything that happens but what you don't know is how Foster pulls the film up from just a big screen made-for-tv-type movie. A woman suffers a brutal attack that kills her fiancee and makes her a stranger to herself. It lacks oomph in a number of places but Foster makes up for that with her ever changing expressions that paint a picture of precision of what she's feeling and thinking. She could go the entire movie with no dialogue and we'd still be able to follow her on her journey from city walker/radio personality Erica Bain to a gun-toting crime stopping renegade.
As the "victims" build up in the city that never sleeps, detective Mercer (Terrence Howard) begins to suspect Erica and begins investigating her. Mercer himself is haunted by the criminals that he can't put away and reveals himself as conflicted and vulnerable during an interview. Foster and Howard have terrific chemistry; not to take anything away from Howard but it's mostly Foster. She should give a master class on infusing a role, any role, with all she's got.
As the film follows Erica to the inevitable conclusion and as she sets out to get her dog back, the film debates the morality of Erica's actions and offers no real easy answers. As Erica becomes tortured more and more with each killing; each one a hole inside of her, we too become conflicted too. I've no doubt that there will be cheering as the film nears its journey and that is probably the scariest part of the whole film.
The Brave One might not get any award nominations; I'm not even sure if Foster will garner one, however, the film will make one think about right and wrong; good and evil; white and black and just how thin the lines between those things are.
Vomit scene: Yes. Visible: No. Scene occurs after the subway shooting when Foster's character enters the bathroom of the club.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 4
paul
As the "victims" build up in the city that never sleeps, detective Mercer (Terrence Howard) begins to suspect Erica and begins investigating her. Mercer himself is haunted by the criminals that he can't put away and reveals himself as conflicted and vulnerable during an interview. Foster and Howard have terrific chemistry; not to take anything away from Howard but it's mostly Foster. She should give a master class on infusing a role, any role, with all she's got.
As the film follows Erica to the inevitable conclusion and as she sets out to get her dog back, the film debates the morality of Erica's actions and offers no real easy answers. As Erica becomes tortured more and more with each killing; each one a hole inside of her, we too become conflicted too. I've no doubt that there will be cheering as the film nears its journey and that is probably the scariest part of the whole film.
The Brave One might not get any award nominations; I'm not even sure if Foster will garner one, however, the film will make one think about right and wrong; good and evil; white and black and just how thin the lines between those things are.
Vomit scene: Yes. Visible: No. Scene occurs after the subway shooting when Foster's character enters the bathroom of the club.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 4
paul
Thursday, September 13, 2007
DVD of the week
Let them eat cold cake: If you're interested in seeing a quiet and well-acted drama and you really enjoyed the Julie Christie heartbreak film Away From Her (also out on DVD this week) then you'll think Snow Cake is good too. Not as good or well acted as Away but moving and impressive nonetheless. After a tragic accident occurs, taciturn and no-nonsense Alex Hughes (Alan Rickman) decides to meet the mother of the girl who died while riding in his car. It brings him face to face with an autistic woman who besides not wanting anyone in her kitchen does not do social. The woman, Linda Freeman, is played by Sigourney Weaver. Weaver and Rickman have got to be two of the most underrated actors in their 50's. It's also not the first time they've acted in a movie together; they were also in 1999's Galaxy Quest. If you like these two actors then you're in for a treat. It's refreshing to see Weaver as someone besides the "bitch" or Alex Ripley and to see Rickman as someone besides Professor Snape. Although having said that both had wildly diverse careers before their respective famous characters took off.
As Alex lingers in Linda's world to help with the funeral and, most importantly, the garbage, the two form a bond. The two open each other up little by little; Linda teaches Alex not to be so sad and Alex teaches Linda to share her kitchen and her home.
Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity from the Matrix movies) plays a woman with whom Alex enters into an intimate relationship with. The real star, however, is only on screen for about 12 minutes; Canadian actress Emily Hampshire plays Vivienne Freeman. Mostly a tv actress, Hampshire imbues the young woman on her way to visit her mom with an energy and life that infects each character and inspires them to add life to their daily existence.
The plus of this movie is that it's not a downer; it's life affirming and charming. The tagline of the film is 'Sometimes stopping is the most important part of the journey.' This is one journey worth taking. Unfortunately there are no goodies in terms of extras on the DVD. Some outtakes of actors playing in the snow in Canada would have been COOL.
Vomit scene-Yes. Visible-Yes Scene occurs after the car crash.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3.5
As Alex lingers in Linda's world to help with the funeral and, most importantly, the garbage, the two form a bond. The two open each other up little by little; Linda teaches Alex not to be so sad and Alex teaches Linda to share her kitchen and her home.
Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity from the Matrix movies) plays a woman with whom Alex enters into an intimate relationship with. The real star, however, is only on screen for about 12 minutes; Canadian actress Emily Hampshire plays Vivienne Freeman. Mostly a tv actress, Hampshire imbues the young woman on her way to visit her mom with an energy and life that infects each character and inspires them to add life to their daily existence.
The plus of this movie is that it's not a downer; it's life affirming and charming. The tagline of the film is 'Sometimes stopping is the most important part of the journey.' This is one journey worth taking. Unfortunately there are no goodies in terms of extras on the DVD. Some outtakes of actors playing in the snow in Canada would have been COOL.
Vomit scene-Yes. Visible-Yes Scene occurs after the car crash.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3.5
Rant of the week
Ok, well I haven't had one of these in a while but this one is long overdue. I'm sick of the tv and radio commercials from so called "normal, everyday" people urging us to contact our congressman to keep our troops in Iraq. These people claim with utmost certainty that should we pull out then America will be attacked again. Enough of the fear factor. That's what the current administration has been all about since 9/11. I've had enough fearmongering to last me a lifetime. SHUT UP, ALREADY!!!!! If I never hear another one of these commercials it won't be long enough.
peace,
paul
peace,
paul
Radical Radio-September Edition
Well don't believe the people who say there's nothing good on the radio unless you have satellite. I do and I could never imagine going back to plain old radio but there are some really good songs being played right (in my humble opinion). Below are just a few.
****Dance Floor Anthem-Good Charlotte-To listen to the song one would think it's a positive song; and it is in a way. Listen to the lyrics and you'll find that it's about breaking up and how everyone does it at one point or another. The lyrics, "Don't be afraid to get down say, I don't wanna be in love, I don't wanna be in love" are cynical sounding but the song is way more toe-tapping fun than that Tubthumping song from the 90's.
Because Of You-Reba McEntire (w/Kelly Clarkson)-Yes, the original American Idol winner did cover this song first and now joins Reba on a countrified version of the ballad. It works well as a country song and Reba & Kelly both blend nicely. It's from Reba's highly anticipated (I'm the one anticipating) new CD called Duets which comes out next Tuesday. I'm still not a fan of the lyrics but the song still sounds great.
Stronger-Kanye West-The first single off Kanye's new CD features some silly lines, "you know how long I've been on ya? Since Prince was on Appolonia, since OJ had Isotoners" but the song is a toe-tapping good time. The song does of course feature a sample which is from Daft Punk's song Harder Better Faster Stronger.
You Are The One-Shiny Toy Guns-This song from the quartet from LA is reminiscent of some of the best alt songs from the 80's such as It's My Life from Talk Talk and Send Me An Angel by Real Life.
peace,
paul
****Dance Floor Anthem-Good Charlotte-To listen to the song one would think it's a positive song; and it is in a way. Listen to the lyrics and you'll find that it's about breaking up and how everyone does it at one point or another. The lyrics, "Don't be afraid to get down say, I don't wanna be in love, I don't wanna be in love" are cynical sounding but the song is way more toe-tapping fun than that Tubthumping song from the 90's.
Because Of You-Reba McEntire (w/Kelly Clarkson)-Yes, the original American Idol winner did cover this song first and now joins Reba on a countrified version of the ballad. It works well as a country song and Reba & Kelly both blend nicely. It's from Reba's highly anticipated (I'm the one anticipating) new CD called Duets which comes out next Tuesday. I'm still not a fan of the lyrics but the song still sounds great.
Stronger-Kanye West-The first single off Kanye's new CD features some silly lines, "you know how long I've been on ya? Since Prince was on Appolonia, since OJ had Isotoners" but the song is a toe-tapping good time. The song does of course feature a sample which is from Daft Punk's song Harder Better Faster Stronger.
You Are The One-Shiny Toy Guns-This song from the quartet from LA is reminiscent of some of the best alt songs from the 80's such as It's My Life from Talk Talk and Send Me An Angel by Real Life.
peace,
paul
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Sunday, September 02, 2007
weekly post from August 31, 2007
Hello my friends & loved ones,
I feel great!!!!!!! One of my favorite commercials growing up was the Frosted Flakes commercial in which Tony the Tiger ended the commercial saying, "They're GREAT!!!!!" Anyway, I just wanted to start the email off on a positive note.
***MOVIE SPOILER ALERT*** I watched the movie Perfect Stranger this past week with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis. Not a great film but a good performance by Berry; the film tried to be this clever thriller but fell flat and didn't work for me. At the end, however, when it is revealed that Berry, not Willis, was the culprit all along I thought, 'She's going to get away with murder, isn't she?' And sure enough she did. It's not the typical Hollywood movie in which the bad guy/girl gets their comeuppance at the end; it's more the kind of film one might watch with subtitles in which the good guys all die and the bad guy rides off into the sunset.
America is obsessed with the happy ending; we even have a meal that's happy. We want everything to work out in the end and everyone to be alright and safe and cozy at home. That's not a bad thing but it just doesn't happen like that. Life is messy and sometimes the innocent get executed while the guilty roam around sipping pina coladas on some island. I'm not saying that we should all be fearful of the next moment; instead I'm saying that we should all live life as if our own lives depended on it. Don't walk around in a cocoon; don't think that everything single thing is going to be alright; don't think that mess won't touch you. Enjoy yourself and those that you love. Surround yourself with goodness and positive thoughts. Don't let anyone bring you down (you may do that to yourself enough as it is). Treasure what you have and what you have to give. And remember next time you see the "happily ever after" movie you can smile as you are walking out of the theater but don't be fooled.
Until next time: Stay happy, stay healthy, and stay safe.
love,
paul
I feel great!!!!!!! One of my favorite commercials growing up was the Frosted Flakes commercial in which Tony the Tiger ended the commercial saying, "They're GREAT!!!!!" Anyway, I just wanted to start the email off on a positive note.
***MOVIE SPOILER ALERT*** I watched the movie Perfect Stranger this past week with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis. Not a great film but a good performance by Berry; the film tried to be this clever thriller but fell flat and didn't work for me. At the end, however, when it is revealed that Berry, not Willis, was the culprit all along I thought, 'She's going to get away with murder, isn't she?' And sure enough she did. It's not the typical Hollywood movie in which the bad guy/girl gets their comeuppance at the end; it's more the kind of film one might watch with subtitles in which the good guys all die and the bad guy rides off into the sunset.
America is obsessed with the happy ending; we even have a meal that's happy. We want everything to work out in the end and everyone to be alright and safe and cozy at home. That's not a bad thing but it just doesn't happen like that. Life is messy and sometimes the innocent get executed while the guilty roam around sipping pina coladas on some island. I'm not saying that we should all be fearful of the next moment; instead I'm saying that we should all live life as if our own lives depended on it. Don't walk around in a cocoon; don't think that everything single thing is going to be alright; don't think that mess won't touch you. Enjoy yourself and those that you love. Surround yourself with goodness and positive thoughts. Don't let anyone bring you down (you may do that to yourself enough as it is). Treasure what you have and what you have to give. And remember next time you see the "happily ever after" movie you can smile as you are walking out of the theater but don't be fooled.
Until next time: Stay happy, stay healthy, and stay safe.
love,
paul
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
movie minute
Funeral Fun: What do you get when you mix together an uptight British family, a funeral, a shocking secret involving a midget and a drug that is most definitely not valium? You get this ridiculously funny movie about just how far people will go to protect the memory of the departed. Death At A Funeral (R) comes along as the summer blockbuster season putters to a close. The film starts out with an upsetting but surprisingly funny faux pas involving the wrong body being delivered for a funeral. Matthew Macfadyen (Mr. Darcy from the hit movie Pride & Prejudice) plays Daniel, the less successful and more stressed out son of the deceased. As Daniel's family gathers for the somber occasion, Daniel discovers something upsetting about his father and tries, at all costs, to stop the secret from getting out and making sure his father has the most dignified and moving funeral possible. The funeral is definitely moving; dignified is quite a different story.
This film features some very funny cast members. I must point out the standout performance of Alan Tudyk (Knocked Up) who plays Simon, the first person to be affected by the drug. Tudyk's performance is practically a movie unto itself; one that offers the elastic faced actor to offer up most of the movies hysterical moments. The film also features the usually quite arresting Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent) and while he does do his best in the role of Peter, the midget with money on his mind, he does seem out of his element and not just because of the different accents floating around him.
This film just gets more and more absurdly funny as it plows along toward the inevitable conclusion of the delivery of the eulogy; how it gets there is all the fun and one would have to be in a coma to not have at least a few guffaws. Just be warned there are a couple of gross out gags (thankfully those do not include upchucking, however, one does include something worse). The film's only weak point is the storyline between smitten and lurking Justin (played by Ewen Bremner) and Martha (played by Daisy Donovan).
Maven muppet director Frank Oz offers up an alternative to those blue over all the summer sequels; a late summer gem and hopefully a sleeper hit that the grown-up crowd will enjoy.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3.75
paul
This film features some very funny cast members. I must point out the standout performance of Alan Tudyk (Knocked Up) who plays Simon, the first person to be affected by the drug. Tudyk's performance is practically a movie unto itself; one that offers the elastic faced actor to offer up most of the movies hysterical moments. The film also features the usually quite arresting Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent) and while he does do his best in the role of Peter, the midget with money on his mind, he does seem out of his element and not just because of the different accents floating around him.
This film just gets more and more absurdly funny as it plows along toward the inevitable conclusion of the delivery of the eulogy; how it gets there is all the fun and one would have to be in a coma to not have at least a few guffaws. Just be warned there are a couple of gross out gags (thankfully those do not include upchucking, however, one does include something worse). The film's only weak point is the storyline between smitten and lurking Justin (played by Ewen Bremner) and Martha (played by Daisy Donovan).
Maven muppet director Frank Oz offers up an alternative to those blue over all the summer sequels; a late summer gem and hopefully a sleeper hit that the grown-up crowd will enjoy.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3.75
paul
Monday, August 27, 2007
Gonzo, Gonzo, Gone
Gonzogate is finally over. U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, whose tenure was marred by controversy over political firings and perjuring himself in front of Congress, finally offered his resignation today. This comes just a couple of weeks after Karl Rove (Bush's "Brain") stepped down and that was followed by the replacement of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Bye, Bye, Berto.
paul
Bye, Bye, Berto.
paul
Sunday, August 26, 2007
weekly post from August 24, 2007
Hello friends & loved ones,
Another week and one more day closer to September and fall. I won't remind you what comes after that. How is it that summer is near the end already? How is it possible that we are so close to starting a new decade? Where in the heck does the time go?
I don't know how your week went but my week was not the best one; in fact the whole second part of July and first part of August was not the best for me. I had something this past week and it wasn't pretty. Yes, I spent the better part of the week praying to the porcelain God. For me, it was the first time in 11 1/2 years. The last time that happened was February of 1996; shortly after my birthday. Although my birthday had nothing to do with me getting sick.
It got me thinking, though, just how many movies there are in which a character gets sick; and how many there are in which we as the viewer have to actually see it. I reviewed a movie on my blog last week in which the "sick" device was used multiple times. From now on I'm going to keep a running tally on my blog of movies I see in which a character gets sick and whether or not it happens off-screen or onscreen. I really think that when it comes to losing one's cookies, the less seen the better.
Until next week: Stay safe, stay happy, and STAY HEALTHY.
love,
paul
Another week and one more day closer to September and fall. I won't remind you what comes after that. How is it that summer is near the end already? How is it possible that we are so close to starting a new decade? Where in the heck does the time go?
I don't know how your week went but my week was not the best one; in fact the whole second part of July and first part of August was not the best for me. I had something this past week and it wasn't pretty. Yes, I spent the better part of the week praying to the porcelain God. For me, it was the first time in 11 1/2 years. The last time that happened was February of 1996; shortly after my birthday. Although my birthday had nothing to do with me getting sick.
It got me thinking, though, just how many movies there are in which a character gets sick; and how many there are in which we as the viewer have to actually see it. I reviewed a movie on my blog last week in which the "sick" device was used multiple times. From now on I'm going to keep a running tally on my blog of movies I see in which a character gets sick and whether or not it happens off-screen or onscreen. I really think that when it comes to losing one's cookies, the less seen the better.
Until next week: Stay safe, stay happy, and STAY HEALTHY.
love,
paul
Friday, August 24, 2007
How do you like to say it?
Check out this link to colorfully describe how one gets sick.
http://surveycentral.org/survey/20303.html
http://surveycentral.org/survey/20303.html
movies and more movies
Ahhhhhh, fall. The colorful foliage, the crisp air, the apples, the battening down of the hatches for the season to follow, ahhhhhh. Oh, and, of course, spending hours upon hours in a darkened room in front of a big screen. Yes, it's that time of year when the studios march out the serious films that aim to please the intellectuals and those who are soooooooo tired of the damn sequels. Enough already. Now, we have Shrek 4 and 5 and Spider-Man 4 to look forward to in the coming years not to mention the last two Harry Potter films. Oy, vey!!!!
Well for me fall and winter is a time to see all of the films that will eventually be vying for the little gold men. It's an exciting time for me as I pride myself on seeing ALL of the major nominees. The better to offer my humble opinion on who REALLY SHOULD be winning those men. So, without further ado and before the multiple critics and awards groups weigh in on their winners (hello Boston, hello, NY, hello LA!!!!), I will list the movies coming out in the next four months that I'm most looking forward to. I'll also offer a few early predictions on who will score a nomination for the big O.
I hope you enjoy the list as much as I've enjoyed putting it together.
Rendition-Blond funny girl Reese Witherspoon in a drop dead serious role? Yes, with Oscar winners Alan Arkin and Meryl Streep thrown in for good measure.
The Kingdom-Sydney Bristow (Alias) and Ray Charles impersonator together???? With hunkier as the years go by Jason Bateman???? Yes, it's true and it's also got a great director and is just one of MANY films this fall to deal with the quagmire in the Middle East.
The Brave One-Yes, we know Jodie Foster can act tough but what happens when she goes on a crime spree????? Hmmm, let's start jotting down ideas now as she goes face to face with cop Terrence Howard (not to mention some unlucky thugs).
Into The Wild-I read the book twice (only one of a literal handful of books I've read more than once) and this will either be a serious Oscar contender or a disappointing adaptation of a beloved book (remember, Memoirs Of A Geisha? Unfortunately, I still do.). Sean Penn has proven before how superb he is as a director; don't let us down Pennie.
Michael Clayton-Oscar winner and perennial hottie George Clooney and Oscar nominee Tom Wilkinson in a "layered" thriller set in a Manhattan law firm. I recently saw the trailer and was quite intrigued. Let's hope there's plenty more where that came from.
Grace Is Gone-Another movie that deals with the tragedy in Iraq. This one has a somber and unfunny John Cusack (who's had Oscar buzz surrounding him since this movie premiered at the festivals) as a widower whose wife was killed in Iraq and must now figure out how to tell his daughters.
Dan In Real Life-Steve Carell could read the phone book and I'd probably pee myself laughing. Perennial beauty and Oscar winner Juliette Binoche plays a woman who is dating the brother of Carell's character but he wants Binoche for himself.
Enchanted-I recently saw the trailer for this movie as well and it does put a little spin on all of those fairy tales. A prince and princess go from technicolor animation to real-life NYC. Throw in a little McDreamy (yes, from Grey's Anatomy) and you've got the makings of a hopefully very clever film with some great fish out of water gags. Thankfully it was changed from a Chicago setting with the princess being mistaken for a stripper. And, yes, it's a film with the terrific Oscar nominee Amy Adams......ahhhhhhh.
The Kite Runner-Just had the pleasure of reading this book earlier this year. Wonderful story and portrayal of 1970's Afghanistan. A tale of two friends who are torn apart by fear and silence. Again, either it will really work or have the book lovers hurling vitriolic stones.
Lions For Lambs-Ok, I'm not into this movie because of Tom Cruise at all. It is an interesting pairing of Cruise and Streep (who COULD get her 15th Oscar nod). Throw in Redford as a director and you've got the makings of a potential several category sweep when it comes to the nominations.
I Am Legend-This reads and feels like a movie one would see in the middle of the summer. Will Smith as the only "living" thing on earth after a plague wipes out most of humanity. The word is that there is hardly any dialogue at all in the first hour; just Smith and his trusty German shepherd. Kudos to the filmmakers for filming this in NYC and making it look like a true ghost town.
Leatherheads-The film's premise doesn't sound that interesting to me but the cast very much does. John Krasinski (American version of The Office), Renee Zellweger, and George Clooney. Directed by Clooney as well.
National Treasure:Book Of Secrets-I know, I know, it's a remake of 2004 popcorn adventure thriller. Why do I want to see it? Not because of Cage who is back as treasure hunter Ben Gates but because of the so-prim-and-proper-it hurts Helen Mirren who plays his mother. I just want to see her letting her hair down and shedding that corset.
Atonement-Another adaptation from another beloved book.
Some predictions for Oscar nods come January.
Marion Cotillard-La Vie En Rose (sure bet) ****
Julie Christie-Away From Her (sure bet) ****
Reese Witherspoon-Rendition
Jodie Foster-The Brave One
Jason Bateman-The Kingdom
Evan Rachel Wood-Across The Universe (sure bet) ****
Clive Owen-Elizabeth:The Golden Age
Tom Wilkinson-Michael Clayton
John Cusack-Grace Is Gone (sure bet) *****
Javier Bardem-No Country For Old Men
Meryl Streep-Lions For Lambs
Laura Linney-The Savages (sure bet) *****
Films
The Golden Compass
Lions For Lambs
The Kite Runner
Into The Wild
Well for me fall and winter is a time to see all of the films that will eventually be vying for the little gold men. It's an exciting time for me as I pride myself on seeing ALL of the major nominees. The better to offer my humble opinion on who REALLY SHOULD be winning those men. So, without further ado and before the multiple critics and awards groups weigh in on their winners (hello Boston, hello, NY, hello LA!!!!), I will list the movies coming out in the next four months that I'm most looking forward to. I'll also offer a few early predictions on who will score a nomination for the big O.
I hope you enjoy the list as much as I've enjoyed putting it together.
Rendition-Blond funny girl Reese Witherspoon in a drop dead serious role? Yes, with Oscar winners Alan Arkin and Meryl Streep thrown in for good measure.
The Kingdom-Sydney Bristow (Alias) and Ray Charles impersonator together???? With hunkier as the years go by Jason Bateman???? Yes, it's true and it's also got a great director and is just one of MANY films this fall to deal with the quagmire in the Middle East.
The Brave One-Yes, we know Jodie Foster can act tough but what happens when she goes on a crime spree????? Hmmm, let's start jotting down ideas now as she goes face to face with cop Terrence Howard (not to mention some unlucky thugs).
Into The Wild-I read the book twice (only one of a literal handful of books I've read more than once) and this will either be a serious Oscar contender or a disappointing adaptation of a beloved book (remember, Memoirs Of A Geisha? Unfortunately, I still do.). Sean Penn has proven before how superb he is as a director; don't let us down Pennie.
Michael Clayton-Oscar winner and perennial hottie George Clooney and Oscar nominee Tom Wilkinson in a "layered" thriller set in a Manhattan law firm. I recently saw the trailer and was quite intrigued. Let's hope there's plenty more where that came from.
Grace Is Gone-Another movie that deals with the tragedy in Iraq. This one has a somber and unfunny John Cusack (who's had Oscar buzz surrounding him since this movie premiered at the festivals) as a widower whose wife was killed in Iraq and must now figure out how to tell his daughters.
Dan In Real Life-Steve Carell could read the phone book and I'd probably pee myself laughing. Perennial beauty and Oscar winner Juliette Binoche plays a woman who is dating the brother of Carell's character but he wants Binoche for himself.
Enchanted-I recently saw the trailer for this movie as well and it does put a little spin on all of those fairy tales. A prince and princess go from technicolor animation to real-life NYC. Throw in a little McDreamy (yes, from Grey's Anatomy) and you've got the makings of a hopefully very clever film with some great fish out of water gags. Thankfully it was changed from a Chicago setting with the princess being mistaken for a stripper. And, yes, it's a film with the terrific Oscar nominee Amy Adams......ahhhhhhh.
The Kite Runner-Just had the pleasure of reading this book earlier this year. Wonderful story and portrayal of 1970's Afghanistan. A tale of two friends who are torn apart by fear and silence. Again, either it will really work or have the book lovers hurling vitriolic stones.
Lions For Lambs-Ok, I'm not into this movie because of Tom Cruise at all. It is an interesting pairing of Cruise and Streep (who COULD get her 15th Oscar nod). Throw in Redford as a director and you've got the makings of a potential several category sweep when it comes to the nominations.
I Am Legend-This reads and feels like a movie one would see in the middle of the summer. Will Smith as the only "living" thing on earth after a plague wipes out most of humanity. The word is that there is hardly any dialogue at all in the first hour; just Smith and his trusty German shepherd. Kudos to the filmmakers for filming this in NYC and making it look like a true ghost town.
Leatherheads-The film's premise doesn't sound that interesting to me but the cast very much does. John Krasinski (American version of The Office), Renee Zellweger, and George Clooney. Directed by Clooney as well.
National Treasure:Book Of Secrets-I know, I know, it's a remake of 2004 popcorn adventure thriller. Why do I want to see it? Not because of Cage who is back as treasure hunter Ben Gates but because of the so-prim-and-proper-it hurts Helen Mirren who plays his mother. I just want to see her letting her hair down and shedding that corset.
Atonement-Another adaptation from another beloved book.
Some predictions for Oscar nods come January.
Marion Cotillard-La Vie En Rose (sure bet) ****
Julie Christie-Away From Her (sure bet) ****
Reese Witherspoon-Rendition
Jodie Foster-The Brave One
Jason Bateman-The Kingdom
Evan Rachel Wood-Across The Universe (sure bet) ****
Clive Owen-Elizabeth:The Golden Age
Tom Wilkinson-Michael Clayton
John Cusack-Grace Is Gone (sure bet) *****
Javier Bardem-No Country For Old Men
Meryl Streep-Lions For Lambs
Laura Linney-The Savages (sure bet) *****
Films
The Golden Compass
Lions For Lambs
The Kite Runner
Into The Wild
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Run, Beckham, Run
I guess scientists didn't have anything better to do this week so they decided to calculate just which animal does run faster.
The scientists calculated the top speeds of five meat-eating dinosaurs and using the muscular and skeletal information of these animals, here's what they came up with:
Velociraptor: 24 mph
T-Rex: 18 mph
Compsognathus: 40 mph
Ostrich (fastest living thing on 2 legs): 35 mph
Speed of a top human sprinter: 25 mph
This means that if the T-Rex were actually after David Beckham he might be in some serious trouble. Posh, you might want to cover your eyes!!!!
paul
The scientists calculated the top speeds of five meat-eating dinosaurs and using the muscular and skeletal information of these animals, here's what they came up with:
Velociraptor: 24 mph
T-Rex: 18 mph
Compsognathus: 40 mph
Ostrich (fastest living thing on 2 legs): 35 mph
Speed of a top human sprinter: 25 mph
This means that if the T-Rex were actually after David Beckham he might be in some serious trouble. Posh, you might want to cover your eyes!!!!
paul
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
weekly post from August 19, 2007
Hello my friends & loved ones,
I was at a bar several weeks back and made a fool of myself. How? Well, I had had one too many glasses of white zin and started making a scene with someone at the bar. It was foolish, idiotic, and totally not who I usually am. Thankfully I haven't found myself starring in a video on youtube.
Youtube is my favorite site; I can spend hours watching videos on that site. It's somewhat addicting. People put anything and everything up there. Very few clips are truly funny but most of them are head shakers. What the hell was that person thinking, anyway? Oh, wait, they weren't. Kind of like my scene in the bar.
We live in an age where just about every phone you see comes equipped with a camera. Many people don't even think twice about taking pictures, even if YOU might be in it. And watch out if there's a fight or someone committing a crime or a highway accident or a bridge collapsing (see the clip someone took of the bridge in Minnesota collapsing). It gives new meaning to the phrase, "Smile, you're on candid camera." It's hard to know who's around with a camera. I offer this to you as someone who is thinking their lucky stars that, so far, I haven't seen a clip of me at my "best" in a gay bar making one hell of a scene.
I was inspired to write about this topic by a story I saw on Keith Olbermann's show this week. Yes, I've often talked about "my" Keith. I'd meet him in a heartbeat. His sense of humor is very similar to mine and he's entertaining and he reports the news.
So, to repeat an oft heard phrase from the 80's show Hill Street Blues, 'Let's be careful out there.'
Stay safe, stay happy, and stay healthy.
love,
paul
I was at a bar several weeks back and made a fool of myself. How? Well, I had had one too many glasses of white zin and started making a scene with someone at the bar. It was foolish, idiotic, and totally not who I usually am. Thankfully I haven't found myself starring in a video on youtube.
Youtube is my favorite site; I can spend hours watching videos on that site. It's somewhat addicting. People put anything and everything up there. Very few clips are truly funny but most of them are head shakers. What the hell was that person thinking, anyway? Oh, wait, they weren't. Kind of like my scene in the bar.
We live in an age where just about every phone you see comes equipped with a camera. Many people don't even think twice about taking pictures, even if YOU might be in it. And watch out if there's a fight or someone committing a crime or a highway accident or a bridge collapsing (see the clip someone took of the bridge in Minnesota collapsing). It gives new meaning to the phrase, "Smile, you're on candid camera." It's hard to know who's around with a camera. I offer this to you as someone who is thinking their lucky stars that, so far, I haven't seen a clip of me at my "best" in a gay bar making one hell of a scene.
I was inspired to write about this topic by a story I saw on Keith Olbermann's show this week. Yes, I've often talked about "my" Keith. I'd meet him in a heartbeat. His sense of humor is very similar to mine and he's entertaining and he reports the news.
So, to repeat an oft heard phrase from the 80's show Hill Street Blues, 'Let's be careful out there.'
Stay safe, stay happy, and stay healthy.
love,
paul
Monday, August 20, 2007
my next Everest
I think Josh Groban has a fabulous voice; so rich and melodic. I've sung a couple of his songs in church and the next one I'm going to tackle is the song in the clip below. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls7ila3srzI
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls7ila3srzI
Turn it up, August
Who says there's nothing good on the radio? Not me. Here's a few songs I'm currently enjoying and one that I could stand to NEVER EVER hear again.
"Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" (or thanks for the memories if the vowels are included) by Fall Out Boy who happen to be one of the best groups of the late kk00's (that's double k, double 00 or the 2000's). Bonus points: The lead singer of the group sports an androgynous look and the lyrics sound giddily gay.
"Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance (another great group of the late kk00's).
"4 In The Morning" by Gwen Stefani
"Summer Love" by Justin Timberlake, however, is a song I'd be fine with never hearing for the rest of my life.
peace,
paul
"Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" (or thanks for the memories if the vowels are included) by Fall Out Boy who happen to be one of the best groups of the late kk00's (that's double k, double 00 or the 2000's). Bonus points: The lead singer of the group sports an androgynous look and the lyrics sound giddily gay.
"Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance (another great group of the late kk00's).
"4 In The Morning" by Gwen Stefani
"Summer Love" by Justin Timberlake, however, is a song I'd be fine with never hearing for the rest of my life.
peace,
paul
Sunday, August 19, 2007
movie minute
The IN crowd: Yes, it's the third remake of a 1956 film about aliens from another planet who take over everyday human beings and make them stolid, automated persons. One of the ultimate non-conformity-is-dangerous-to-your-health movies returns in the form of The Invasion starring a radiant Nicole Kidman and a somnambulant Daniel Craig (yes, Mr. I'm-the-new-James-Bond).
If you've seen the 1956 film or the 1978 remake or even the crappy 1993 remake of a remake (Body Snatchers), then you know the basic plot of the film. A meteor hits the earth and the material is contaminated with a foreign substance that gets into a human host and turns that human into a less interesting and less expressive form of their former self. It's very similar to The Stepford Wives (another movie that suffered an inferior remake) except the trouble comes from another planet instead of our own planet.
Nicole Kidman plays Carol Bennell (yes, this time she's a female; the males were played by Kevin McCarthy in 56 and Donald Sutherland in 78) who discovers that something is not right with one of her patients and takes a sample of the alien substance to her lover, Daniel Craig, to investigate.
The film continues as more and more people are infected, or turned, many times forcefully and by a mob, until it seems that Nicole Kidman and her son are the only two on the planet not infected. The film is very timely with the recent outbreaks of SARS, the birdflu virus, smallpox in the midwest and the looming threat of biological warfare, however, the ending is too pat; too easy; too predictable. And there's not even a twist ending like there is in the '78 version. There is one gruesome scene in which two people off themselves in order for the turned people to see who reacts with shock so that they too can be turned.
The casting of this film is interesting; Nicole Kidman seems to work as she gives it her all but Craig is sadly miscast. Tony, Golden Globe, Emmy winner and Broadway star Jeffrey Wright, however, who plays scientist Dr. Stephen Galeano, gives his performance his all and it would have been just fine if HE had been Kidman's male lead star instead of Craig. But then poor Nic would have had to kiss a black guy.
The only two things this film has going for it are its timeliness and Kidman and Wright although his role is sadly too small. One other caveat; for those of you who are squeamish, the way in which the body snatchers turn the uninfected is truly gross. Don't say I didn't warn you.
It's not a surprising invasion but it does cause some fear in the fact that what happens if a virus that cannot be contained does knock on our door.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 2.5
Timeliness Factor: 5
If you've seen the 1956 film or the 1978 remake or even the crappy 1993 remake of a remake (Body Snatchers), then you know the basic plot of the film. A meteor hits the earth and the material is contaminated with a foreign substance that gets into a human host and turns that human into a less interesting and less expressive form of their former self. It's very similar to The Stepford Wives (another movie that suffered an inferior remake) except the trouble comes from another planet instead of our own planet.
Nicole Kidman plays Carol Bennell (yes, this time she's a female; the males were played by Kevin McCarthy in 56 and Donald Sutherland in 78) who discovers that something is not right with one of her patients and takes a sample of the alien substance to her lover, Daniel Craig, to investigate.
The film continues as more and more people are infected, or turned, many times forcefully and by a mob, until it seems that Nicole Kidman and her son are the only two on the planet not infected. The film is very timely with the recent outbreaks of SARS, the birdflu virus, smallpox in the midwest and the looming threat of biological warfare, however, the ending is too pat; too easy; too predictable. And there's not even a twist ending like there is in the '78 version. There is one gruesome scene in which two people off themselves in order for the turned people to see who reacts with shock so that they too can be turned.
The casting of this film is interesting; Nicole Kidman seems to work as she gives it her all but Craig is sadly miscast. Tony, Golden Globe, Emmy winner and Broadway star Jeffrey Wright, however, who plays scientist Dr. Stephen Galeano, gives his performance his all and it would have been just fine if HE had been Kidman's male lead star instead of Craig. But then poor Nic would have had to kiss a black guy.
The only two things this film has going for it are its timeliness and Kidman and Wright although his role is sadly too small. One other caveat; for those of you who are squeamish, the way in which the body snatchers turn the uninfected is truly gross. Don't say I didn't warn you.
It's not a surprising invasion but it does cause some fear in the fact that what happens if a virus that cannot be contained does knock on our door.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 2.5
Timeliness Factor: 5
Saturday, August 18, 2007
A new superhero in NYC
Check out these clips of Jimmy Justice, recently featured on Countdown With Keith Olbermann, as he busts the people who bust you. According to James Huntley, the NYC traffic enforcement union president, the rules allow officers to sometimes park where others cannot. He also says, "I'm like really upset that he's doing this because now he's causing the NYC members to get embarrassed, they have to go home, they live in the city neighborhoods, um, and they haven't done anything wrong." However, former NYC Transportation Commissioner, Sam Schwartz, says that "besides the cursing, yelling, and name calling, Jimmy Justice has every right." YOU be the judge.
Enjoy,
Paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CEFAifA1vY&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=052S1yg-zR0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJJw9fSM0es&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CELZSD1ijWE&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0rSqX-elZY&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf-tcjc87hw&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DytIyFgtvKI&mode=related&search=
Enjoy,
Paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CEFAifA1vY&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=052S1yg-zR0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJJw9fSM0es&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CELZSD1ijWE&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0rSqX-elZY&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf-tcjc87hw&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DytIyFgtvKI&mode=related&search=
Monday, August 13, 2007
another video
Here are the four Presidents that make up Mount Rushmore in S.D. speaking about Bush, our current President. All of the comments that Bush makes are ones he actually said in real life.
Enjoy,
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw2UQziI4aY&mode=related&search=
Enjoy,
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw2UQziI4aY&mode=related&search=
youtube video
I was not offended by this video. I would be offended if the gay guy who offended the waiter was at my table. The whole world doesn't need to know one's sexual orientation. I do want to know, however, why the waiter or the manager didn't tell the guy at the table to keep it down or they will have to leave. Just a thought.
Enjoy the video,
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgD_ZOZOyrk&feature=dir
Enjoy the video,
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgD_ZOZOyrk&feature=dir
movie minute with a clip
Bourne one more time: If you haven't seen the first two movies, The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supermacy then get thee to a video store stat. Or not. You can actually catch the third movie, The Bourne Ultimatum, without having seen the first two movies but if you want to know exactly how Jason Bourne (played by Matt Damon) got to where he is now, you might want to check out the first two. You'll enjoy the first and may not like the second but the third time is definitely the charm.
Bourne has been trying to find out who he was and what happened to him and how he became a killing machine. It involves a cover-up (naturally) of epic proportions with a secret CIA building in NYC (huh?) and lots of assassins. The film's "regulars" are also back. Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, Scott Glenn and David Strathairn joins the cast as a seedy CIA agent bent on taking out Bourne once and for all and anyone else who gets in his way.
When a journalist for the Guardian discovers crucial information about Jason Bourne he publishes it and Bourne makes a beeline for the journalist. Paddy Considine, a wonderful actor, plays the journalist whom Bourne must protect.
The film boasts such locations as Berlin, Madrid, Morocco, England, Paris, and, of course, NYC. It also features some great cat and mouse scenes with a "you are there" look to the film. Paul Greengrass, director of last year's best film, United 93 (in my opinion), directs this film as well. He gives it an urgency and intensity that has not been matched this summer.
The film really does speed by and there are very very few flat moments. So for a good time call Bourne at your local multiplex. And check out the spoof of the film from youtube. The link is included below.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 4.25
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA1tM4lIjIU
Bourne has been trying to find out who he was and what happened to him and how he became a killing machine. It involves a cover-up (naturally) of epic proportions with a secret CIA building in NYC (huh?) and lots of assassins. The film's "regulars" are also back. Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, Scott Glenn and David Strathairn joins the cast as a seedy CIA agent bent on taking out Bourne once and for all and anyone else who gets in his way.
When a journalist for the Guardian discovers crucial information about Jason Bourne he publishes it and Bourne makes a beeline for the journalist. Paddy Considine, a wonderful actor, plays the journalist whom Bourne must protect.
The film boasts such locations as Berlin, Madrid, Morocco, England, Paris, and, of course, NYC. It also features some great cat and mouse scenes with a "you are there" look to the film. Paul Greengrass, director of last year's best film, United 93 (in my opinion), directs this film as well. He gives it an urgency and intensity that has not been matched this summer.
The film really does speed by and there are very very few flat moments. So for a good time call Bourne at your local multiplex. And check out the spoof of the film from youtube. The link is included below.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 4.25
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA1tM4lIjIU
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Some terrific pics for Tuesday
This guy, Henri Ayala, a Colombian with the Zippo Circus, shows off his balancing skills. Yes, he's actually standing on a chair on a high wire. I'm guessing there is a huge net below him to catch his possible fall. Now that's is truly incredible!!! Photo from BBC News.
paul
Saturday, August 04, 2007
more cool clips
I really like clever magic and these clips are really neat.
Enjoy,
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNSnSbH05qo&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW3kpAbcwn4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibtk5PxDDtQ&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvipCNfMUz8&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK8GkVm4G10&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET_MKohV0xU&mode=related&search=
Enjoy,
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNSnSbH05qo&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW3kpAbcwn4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibtk5PxDDtQ&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvipCNfMUz8&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK8GkVm4G10&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET_MKohV0xU&mode=related&search=
Commercials can be cool
Here are a few links to some entertaining commercials from youtube. Most of them are from other countries. There are also some other neat clips.
Enjoy,
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvTU0rlhBVw&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSOr3KfPc3A&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yw7oX5CXhk&mode=related&search=
Enjoy,
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvTU0rlhBVw&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSOr3KfPc3A&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yw7oX5CXhk&mode=related&search=
weekly post from August 3, 2007
Hello friends & loved ones,
It's a hot one today and has been all week. So far today it's gotten up to 97 degrees. I pray you are staying cool.
Jim and I recently watched Jay Bakker's reality show, "One Punk Under God." It was broadcast on the Sundance channel last fall and after watching it I developed a new respect for him. I think I got more out of it than Jim did. I was also fortunate enough to get to shake his hand and have my picture taken with him (twice) at conference in Arizona. I felt like a little schoolgirl with the famous quarterback. The first time I stood in line for my picture with him, instead of hitting the take picture button Jim hit the power button. So I waited in line again and this time the picture was definitely taken. I am so proud of him for the work he is doing with GLBT people.
I recently went out to a local bar a couple of times and both times I handed people one of my deacon cards; a Jay Bakker in the making or just coincidence? Only time will tell.
One other thing that touched me this week was the reemergence of Paul Potts (not PolPot as Jim commented). My friend Dougie sent me his cd in the mail after I had forgotten about him. Paul who? Paul Potts, the guy who earlier this summer simply wowed the judges on Britain's version of America's Got Talent by singing Nessun Dorma. I've included the link below; watch the whole thing. The best part of it, aside from the singing, is the look on crabby Simon Cowell's face. I remember watching it for the first time and both Jim and I thought for sure that he was lip synching. I even poked around online to watch other clips of other tenors singing the same song to see if it sounded the exact same or not. This guy, who worked as a cell phone saleperson, came out of nowhere. He took a chance on national telly and sang his heart out; his passion, his dream. I've often talked about following dreams and passions and taking risks and look where it got this guy.
In other news, today we had to put our 12 1/2 year old Golden Retriever to sleep. He seemed to have really good days and then he would decline again. Of course once we called the vet to come, Brewster, appeared more alert and perky than he had in 6 weeks. I had no idea it would affect me the way it has; I feel empty and like I'm missing a part of my body. Never one who was a dog person, Brewster was so loyal and so loving that I will definitely miss him.
Please pray for each other as I pray for each of you. Remember to stay safe, stay healthy, and stay happy. And for something feel good watch the link at the bottom.
love,
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
It's a hot one today and has been all week. So far today it's gotten up to 97 degrees. I pray you are staying cool.
Jim and I recently watched Jay Bakker's reality show, "One Punk Under God." It was broadcast on the Sundance channel last fall and after watching it I developed a new respect for him. I think I got more out of it than Jim did. I was also fortunate enough to get to shake his hand and have my picture taken with him (twice) at conference in Arizona. I felt like a little schoolgirl with the famous quarterback. The first time I stood in line for my picture with him, instead of hitting the take picture button Jim hit the power button. So I waited in line again and this time the picture was definitely taken. I am so proud of him for the work he is doing with GLBT people.
I recently went out to a local bar a couple of times and both times I handed people one of my deacon cards; a Jay Bakker in the making or just coincidence? Only time will tell.
One other thing that touched me this week was the reemergence of Paul Potts (not PolPot as Jim commented). My friend Dougie sent me his cd in the mail after I had forgotten about him. Paul who? Paul Potts, the guy who earlier this summer simply wowed the judges on Britain's version of America's Got Talent by singing Nessun Dorma. I've included the link below; watch the whole thing. The best part of it, aside from the singing, is the look on crabby Simon Cowell's face. I remember watching it for the first time and both Jim and I thought for sure that he was lip synching. I even poked around online to watch other clips of other tenors singing the same song to see if it sounded the exact same or not. This guy, who worked as a cell phone saleperson, came out of nowhere. He took a chance on national telly and sang his heart out; his passion, his dream. I've often talked about following dreams and passions and taking risks and look where it got this guy.
In other news, today we had to put our 12 1/2 year old Golden Retriever to sleep. He seemed to have really good days and then he would decline again. Of course once we called the vet to come, Brewster, appeared more alert and perky than he had in 6 weeks. I had no idea it would affect me the way it has; I feel empty and like I'm missing a part of my body. Never one who was a dog person, Brewster was so loyal and so loving that I will definitely miss him.
Please pray for each other as I pray for each of you. Remember to stay safe, stay healthy, and stay happy. And for something feel good watch the link at the bottom.
love,
paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
Friday, August 03, 2007
Passing of our pal
We had to put our beloved Golden Retriever, Brewster, down today. For the past 6 weeks he's been getting thinner and thinner and eating less and less. When the vet came today he said that Brew looks like a cancer patient; we had thought that's what it was. We didn't want to put a 12 1/2 year old dog through that so we thought it best to let him go. There's no telling how long he would have kept up and suffering more and more.
Here is Brewster with our 23lb (yes, 23lbs!) cat Perry. They were both the same color and sometimes if Perry was sleeping right up against Brewster it was hard to tell he was there.
Who will look at me intently while I'm eating my dinner? Who will drool on the floor when I feed him a cookie or snack? Who will whine from downstairs that he wants to come up if Jim and I are napping and he's still downstairs? He would have to be prompted to come up, he wouldn't do it on his own. Who will run off down to the creek if I'm outside with him and turn my back for a second? Who will find the grossest carcass and sniff at it and lick it and eat it? No, it won't be my spouse Jim. I'm going to miss that wonderful dog.
paul
Thursday, August 02, 2007
movie minute
Hair Galore: First things first: Let's get the original Hairspray, directed in 1988 by John Waters, out of the way. The film is not so much a musical as it is a movie with sometimes too long scenes showing characters dancing. It's 1962 Baltimore and desegregation is one of the main themes. Most notably desegregating the popular Corny Collins tv show. This is a show whiter than snow and "shake my groove thang" Tracy Turnblad is just the one to get the show colorized. There's something else going on in the film as well and that is being comfortable enough in one's own skin to get on national tv to shake it like a tailfeather. In today's "everyone wants their 15 minutes" culture, it's a timely theme. The original sags a lot and doesn't have verve or fun.
Fast forward 14 years later and the film becomes a Broadway musical. The 2007 film of Hairspray is based on the original and the musical. This time around instead of Ricki Lake, newcomer Nikki Blonsky takes on Tracy's toe tapping and hip hopping. Whereas Lake's Tracy was pushy and too competitive; Blonsky is perky and determined to win without resorting to petulance or arrogance.
John Travolta fills Devine's shoes as Edna Turnblad and I have to tell you I never thought that Travolta would make such an appealing and cheek pinchable woman. Whereas Devine's Edna was harsh and unpleasant; Travolta's is a waif of a housewife with only good intentions.
The film is pure fun much like last year's High School Musical in which one of that movie's stars appears in this film as Link Larkin. The numbers with the exception of two are full of pizzazz and energy. There are some leftovers in this film from the original: Jerry Stiller who played the father in the original plays Mr. Pinky in this version; Ricki Lake plays a talent scout near the end; and John Waters plays a flasher. One other thing very worth noting is one of my favorite young actresses Amanda Bynes. Bynes plays the best friend of Tracy, Penny Pingleton and Bynes's winsome face and facial expressions are a delight. She should have a great career ahead of her.
Hairspray is full of fun and finger snapping and although the ending does differ from the original it does make sense especially in today's atmosphere of total inclusion. This is a film amid the string of summer sequels worth seeing more than once.
Bags of popcorn: (out of 5) 3.75
paul
Fast forward 14 years later and the film becomes a Broadway musical. The 2007 film of Hairspray is based on the original and the musical. This time around instead of Ricki Lake, newcomer Nikki Blonsky takes on Tracy's toe tapping and hip hopping. Whereas Lake's Tracy was pushy and too competitive; Blonsky is perky and determined to win without resorting to petulance or arrogance.
John Travolta fills Devine's shoes as Edna Turnblad and I have to tell you I never thought that Travolta would make such an appealing and cheek pinchable woman. Whereas Devine's Edna was harsh and unpleasant; Travolta's is a waif of a housewife with only good intentions.
The film is pure fun much like last year's High School Musical in which one of that movie's stars appears in this film as Link Larkin. The numbers with the exception of two are full of pizzazz and energy. There are some leftovers in this film from the original: Jerry Stiller who played the father in the original plays Mr. Pinky in this version; Ricki Lake plays a talent scout near the end; and John Waters plays a flasher. One other thing very worth noting is one of my favorite young actresses Amanda Bynes. Bynes plays the best friend of Tracy, Penny Pingleton and Bynes's winsome face and facial expressions are a delight. She should have a great career ahead of her.
Hairspray is full of fun and finger snapping and although the ending does differ from the original it does make sense especially in today's atmosphere of total inclusion. This is a film amid the string of summer sequels worth seeing more than once.
Bags of popcorn: (out of 5) 3.75
paul
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Hump Day Humor
All Time Dumbest Questions Asked By Banff Park Tourists
Yes, they're ALL TRUE as heard at the information kiosks manned by ParksCanada staff!
1. How do the elk know they're supposed to cross at the "Elk Crossing"signs?
2. At what elevation does an elk become a moose?
3. Tourist: "How do you pronounce 'Elk'?"
Park Information Staff: "'Elk.'"
Tourist: "Oh."
4. Are the bears with collars tame?
5. Is there anywhere I can see the bears pose?
6. Is it okay to keep an open bag of bacon on the picnic table, or should Istore it in my tent?
7. Where can I find Alpine Flamingos?
8. I saw an animal on the way to Banff today -- could you tell me what itwas?
9. Are there birds in Canada?
10. Did I miss the turnoff for Canada?
11. Where does Alberta end and Canada begin?
12. Do you have a map of the State of Jasper?
13. Is this the part of Canada that speaks French, or is that Saskatchewan?
14. If I go to B.C., do I have to go through Ontario?
15. Which is the way to the Columbia Rice fields?
16. How far is Banff from Canada?
17. What's the best way to see Canada in a day?
18. Do they search you at the B.C. border?
19. When we enter B.C., do we have to convert our money to British pounds?
20. Where can I buy a raccoon hat? ALL Canadians own one, don't they?
21. Are there phones in Banff?
22. So it's eight kilometers away... is that in miles?
23. We're on the decibel system, you know.
24. Where can I get my husband really, REALLY, lost??
25. Is that two kilometers by foot or by car?
26. Don't you Canadians know anything?
27. Where do you put the animals at night?
28. Tourist: "How do you get your lakes so blue?"
Park staff: "We take the water out in the winter and paint the bottom."
Tourist: "Oh!"
paul
Yes, they're ALL TRUE as heard at the information kiosks manned by ParksCanada staff!
1. How do the elk know they're supposed to cross at the "Elk Crossing"signs?
2. At what elevation does an elk become a moose?
3. Tourist: "How do you pronounce 'Elk'?"
Park Information Staff: "'Elk.'"
Tourist: "Oh."
4. Are the bears with collars tame?
5. Is there anywhere I can see the bears pose?
6. Is it okay to keep an open bag of bacon on the picnic table, or should Istore it in my tent?
7. Where can I find Alpine Flamingos?
8. I saw an animal on the way to Banff today -- could you tell me what itwas?
9. Are there birds in Canada?
10. Did I miss the turnoff for Canada?
11. Where does Alberta end and Canada begin?
12. Do you have a map of the State of Jasper?
13. Is this the part of Canada that speaks French, or is that Saskatchewan?
14. If I go to B.C., do I have to go through Ontario?
15. Which is the way to the Columbia Rice fields?
16. How far is Banff from Canada?
17. What's the best way to see Canada in a day?
18. Do they search you at the B.C. border?
19. When we enter B.C., do we have to convert our money to British pounds?
20. Where can I buy a raccoon hat? ALL Canadians own one, don't they?
21. Are there phones in Banff?
22. So it's eight kilometers away... is that in miles?
23. We're on the decibel system, you know.
24. Where can I get my husband really, REALLY, lost??
25. Is that two kilometers by foot or by car?
26. Don't you Canadians know anything?
27. Where do you put the animals at night?
28. Tourist: "How do you get your lakes so blue?"
Park staff: "We take the water out in the winter and paint the bottom."
Tourist: "Oh!"
paul
Friday, July 13, 2007
Here are some pics from our amazing vacation in Arizona. Enjoy.This first pic is a photo of Jim and his friend (and now my friend) Florin who lives in Bucharest. Hopefully Jim and I will be able to go to Romania next year to visit him. Florin is an activist of GLBT people (and the pastor of the church) in Bucharest. He takes a risk everyday as people are much more conservative and closed-minded there.
A photo of Jim feeding the ducks at the resort. This is how we started every morning; going out and feeding them. They would see us from the other side of the pond and then hop in the water and swim over as fast as they could. Sometimes they'd even hop up onto the grass. It was a lot of fun. I didn't get a chance to feed the sparrows which ran rampant by the outside bar at the resort. Jim tried to feed the sparrows one morning and the woman behind the bar told him not to. I was going to sit where no one could see me but I never got a chance; too busy.
Me with Jay Bakker (yes, Jim & Tammy Faye Bakker's son). He was part of a panel at the conference in AZ and, for me, it was the highlight of the conference. I waited in line twice to get my pic with him. The first time my spouse turned the camera off instead of taking the pic. Jay preaches to the GLBT community that they are loved and God loves them for who they are. He's a straight ally and I really look up to him.
A picture of a real live roadrunner. Smaller than the one portrayed in the Looney Tunes cartoons but just as fast. It didn't actually run like the cartoon roadrunner but we could see it's feet moving pretty damn fast. It probably would have run if we tried to chase it. Jim decided to try and make the noise it was making and it started coming toward the jeep we were in. It crossed right in front of the jeep but was moving way too fast for me to get a better pic of it.
A picture of one of the red rock mountains. They all have names such as one rock that looks like Snoopy (from Peanuts) laying down and the mountain is called The Snoopy. One of the guides on one of our day tours told us a few years ago a man climbed one of the mountains and then could not get down. He called 911 and asked for a helicopter rescue. When he found out just how expensive that would be he somehow found his way down.
A picture of me with the Grand Canyon behind me. Jim and I (well, really I wanted to) were going to do the skywalk but it is 240 miles from the South Rim of the GC. The South Rim is the place where most tourists go to see the GC. It's the one that was in the Brady Bunch. The GC is just so huge; it's amazing.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
AA vacation, epilogue
We are back in Dalton and the sinuses that took three days to dry up (what a great feeling to not sneeze and have a runny or stuffy nose all the time) took minutes to come back when we stepped back into the hot and humid air of Western, NY. I never ever thought I would prefer a dry and hot 120 degrees to a humid and hot 95 degrees. I'd take the dry heat anyday of the week.
I already miss AZ but it is nice to be back home. Also conferences are always exhausting. The next conference we go to we will follow the same plan; vacation for a few days before the conference starts.
Now reality starts again.
More later,
paul
I already miss AZ but it is nice to be back home. Also conferences are always exhausting. The next conference we go to we will follow the same plan; vacation for a few days before the conference starts.
Now reality starts again.
More later,
paul
Friday, July 06, 2007
AA vacation, Day 9
Didn't do too much today. There wasn't even any worship this morning. I meant to go to an afternoon workshop but I was too tired and sweaty after doing laundry with Martha this morning. It will be nice to go back home with only clean clothes.
In a bit we will be going to the final worship service and then having dinner at Carrabba's with our Romanian friend Florin. He's a great guy; soft spoken, to the point and more into activism than being a pastor.
Tomorrow morning we leave: Early.
It's been a great vacation and will be nice to get back home.
Till later,
paul
In a bit we will be going to the final worship service and then having dinner at Carrabba's with our Romanian friend Florin. He's a great guy; soft spoken, to the point and more into activism than being a pastor.
Tomorrow morning we leave: Early.
It's been a great vacation and will be nice to get back home.
Till later,
paul
AA vacation, Day 8, Part 2
Thursday was a hot one. 120 in downtown Phoenix and some areas of Phoenix got up to 136.
After dinner on Thursday, Deacon Deb, her partner, Martha, and I went to sing karaoke. Martha sat and took pics and Deb and I sang. We did a duet to MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine" and I did a solo to The Wallflowers's "One Headlight."
It was a bittersweet day because tomorrow is our last day in beautiful, resorty, Arizona.
And still no tumbleweeds. I have met some really neat people from all over the world: England, South Africa, and Germany to name a few.
peace,
paul
After dinner on Thursday, Deacon Deb, her partner, Martha, and I went to sing karaoke. Martha sat and took pics and Deb and I sang. We did a duet to MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine" and I did a solo to The Wallflowers's "One Headlight."
It was a bittersweet day because tomorrow is our last day in beautiful, resorty, Arizona.
And still no tumbleweeds. I have met some really neat people from all over the world: England, South Africa, and Germany to name a few.
peace,
paul
Thursday, July 05, 2007
AA vacation, Day 8, Part 1
Today started out like all of the other days so far except that I had not slept at all; maybe one hour at the most. I was given a book on Romania by our friend Florin and left it on the table at the restaurant last night. The three of us had been discussing Jim and I possibly going sometime next year. I've NEVER been overseas so that would be fabulous. Of course Jim says I only want to go so I can get one of those stamps in my passport. Oh, he knows me so well (heehee).
Thankfully this morning I went back to the restaurant (they also serve breakfast....whew) and they did have it in the lost and found. Thank the heavens!!!!!!
We did the morning service and then me and my friend Corinne went to see Sicko, Michael Moore's new film. Much better than Fahrenheit 9/11. Michael Moore may be a lot of things but he is not evil and he's not a bad guy. The film should be a blaring wake up call to ALL AMERICANS in this country. Why in the hell are we so friggin' complacent and afraid of the government that WE elected. What the hell is wrong with this picture? Lots!
In other news it's a sweltering 120 in downtown Phoenix and I have to say I have gotten used to this weather and I don't mind it one bit. The only thing I don't like is the heat of the car when first getting in.
More later.
peace,
paul
Thankfully this morning I went back to the restaurant (they also serve breakfast....whew) and they did have it in the lost and found. Thank the heavens!!!!!!
We did the morning service and then me and my friend Corinne went to see Sicko, Michael Moore's new film. Much better than Fahrenheit 9/11. Michael Moore may be a lot of things but he is not evil and he's not a bad guy. The film should be a blaring wake up call to ALL AMERICANS in this country. Why in the hell are we so friggin' complacent and afraid of the government that WE elected. What the hell is wrong with this picture? Lots!
In other news it's a sweltering 120 in downtown Phoenix and I have to say I have gotten used to this weather and I don't mind it one bit. The only thing I don't like is the heat of the car when first getting in.
More later.
peace,
paul
AA vacation, Day 7, Part 2
Well it got up to 115 degrees in Phoenix yesterday. I got to meet Jay Bakker, the son of Jim and Tammy Faye. A straight guy, Jay founded Revolution Church in Phoenix and now travels to the GLBTQI community with positive messages for a hurting community.
He's a great guy; very well spoken and smart.
After that I suntanned for a bit but I don't think it did any good. Jim and I went to evening worship and then took our Romanian friend, Florin, out again for dinner.
Long day and I'm beat.
More tomorrow,
paul
He's a great guy; very well spoken and smart.
After that I suntanned for a bit but I don't think it did any good. Jim and I went to evening worship and then took our Romanian friend, Florin, out again for dinner.
Long day and I'm beat.
More tomorrow,
paul
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
AA vacation, Day 7, Part 1
On our way out to worship this morning we again stopped to feed the ducks. They are so cute. And there are bunny rabbits hopping ALL over the resort. Sometimes I don't even notice them at first because they are so still. We can get relatively close to them but once we start walking their way, they hop away.
Worship this morning was good. The preacher has three adopted children; two Hispanic and one Chinese. Of the three two are deaf. The preacher was raised Southern Baptist and his spouse is Jewish. Talk about a melting pot!
Later this morning we'll be hearing Jay Bakker, the son of Jim and Tammy Faye. He is an advocate of gay rights and he's not even gay. Excellent!
It's currently 94 degrees at 9:29 am. Yesterday it got up to 108 and today and tomorrow it is supposed to hit 115. Everyone is saying it's going to be the hottest day of the year. I've spoken to several people who have lived here for quite a long time and they don't like the heat; they'd prefer the heat (and humidity) of Florida. Give me this any day.
Happy 4th.
paul
Worship this morning was good. The preacher has three adopted children; two Hispanic and one Chinese. Of the three two are deaf. The preacher was raised Southern Baptist and his spouse is Jewish. Talk about a melting pot!
Later this morning we'll be hearing Jay Bakker, the son of Jim and Tammy Faye. He is an advocate of gay rights and he's not even gay. Excellent!
It's currently 94 degrees at 9:29 am. Yesterday it got up to 108 and today and tomorrow it is supposed to hit 115. Everyone is saying it's going to be the hottest day of the year. I've spoken to several people who have lived here for quite a long time and they don't like the heat; they'd prefer the heat (and humidity) of Florida. Give me this any day.
Happy 4th.
paul
AA vacation, Day 6, Part 2
Well I survived the long and drawn out business meetings. Remember as lay delegate for the church I had to be there to vote. The old adage remained true throughout: Everything has been said just not by everyone. So, of course, "everyone" had to try to say everything again and again and again.
This evening we blew off worship and took out Jim's Romanian friend Florin. We took him shopping and then had dinner with him. He's a neat guy and very soft spoken. Jim makes fun of his English but it's all in good fun.
It's late and I'm beat.
more later,
paul
This evening we blew off worship and took out Jim's Romanian friend Florin. We took him shopping and then had dinner with him. He's a neat guy and very soft spoken. Jim makes fun of his English but it's all in good fun.
It's late and I'm beat.
more later,
paul
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Tuesday humor
I found these amusing......enjoy and beware of The "S" people.
I was at the checkout of a K-Mart. The clerk rang up $46.64charge. I gave her a fifty dollar bill. She gave me back $46.64. Igave it back to her and told her that she had made a mistake in MY favor and gave her the money back. She became indignant and informed
me she was educated and knew what she was doing, and returned the money again. I gave her the money back again...same scenario! Ideparted the store with the $46.64.................They Walk Among Us, and Many Work Retail.
I walked into a Mickey D's with a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for a sandwich. I handed it to the girl and she looked over at a little chalkboard that said "buy one-get one free." "They're already buy-one-get-one-free", she said, "so I guess they're both free" She handed me my free sandwiches and I walked out the door.................They Walk Among Us, and Many Work Retail.
One day I was walking down the beach with some friends when one of them shouted, "Look at that dead bird!" Someone looked up at the sky and said, "Where?"
While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the north?" When my Brother explained that the sun rises in the east,and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, "Oh I don't keepup with that stuff."................They Walk Among Us!!
I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I
got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open.
I told him, "The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days aweek." He responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?" Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, "Uh, Pacific."
My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.................They Walk Among Us!
My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.
I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. "Now," she asked me,"has your plane arrived yet?"
While working at a pizza parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for sometime before responding. "Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm
hungry enough to eat 6 pieces."
paul
I was at the checkout of a K-Mart. The clerk rang up $46.64charge. I gave her a fifty dollar bill. She gave me back $46.64. Igave it back to her and told her that she had made a mistake in MY favor and gave her the money back. She became indignant and informed
me she was educated and knew what she was doing, and returned the money again. I gave her the money back again...same scenario! Ideparted the store with the $46.64.................They Walk Among Us, and Many Work Retail.
I walked into a Mickey D's with a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for a sandwich. I handed it to the girl and she looked over at a little chalkboard that said "buy one-get one free." "They're already buy-one-get-one-free", she said, "so I guess they're both free" She handed me my free sandwiches and I walked out the door.................They Walk Among Us, and Many Work Retail.
One day I was walking down the beach with some friends when one of them shouted, "Look at that dead bird!" Someone looked up at the sky and said, "Where?"
While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the north?" When my Brother explained that the sun rises in the east,and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, "Oh I don't keepup with that stuff."................They Walk Among Us!!
I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I
got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open.
I told him, "The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days aweek." He responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?" Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, "Uh, Pacific."
My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.................They Walk Among Us!
My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.
I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. "Now," she asked me,"has your plane arrived yet?"
While working at a pizza parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for sometime before responding. "Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm
hungry enough to eat 6 pieces."
paul
AA vacation, Day 6, Part 1
It's hard to believe we've been here for 6 days. Both Jim and I were wiped out after all the excitement and stimulation yesterday.
We woke up this morning (actually, Jim woke up and I wanted to sleep longer but I finally got up after Jim kept saying in a whiny voice, "Come on."
We went out and fed the ducks for a while then drove to get breakfast. We stopped at a place called The Good Egg. The food was alright and not bad pricewise.
Jim is at the morning worship service then he's off to bible study. I've opted to skip those since I'll be in business meetings all day. Normally I wouldn't attend but I am the lay delegate for the church because the real lay delegate could not attend. The board approved me to be the alternate this time. So I have to vote on anything that requires a vote. I familiarized myself with the info yesterday so hopefully I'll be ready.
It's a wonderful 90 degrees in Scottsdale at 9:11 am.
more later,
paul
We woke up this morning (actually, Jim woke up and I wanted to sleep longer but I finally got up after Jim kept saying in a whiny voice, "Come on."
We went out and fed the ducks for a while then drove to get breakfast. We stopped at a place called The Good Egg. The food was alright and not bad pricewise.
Jim is at the morning worship service then he's off to bible study. I've opted to skip those since I'll be in business meetings all day. Normally I wouldn't attend but I am the lay delegate for the church because the real lay delegate could not attend. The board approved me to be the alternate this time. So I have to vote on anything that requires a vote. I familiarized myself with the info yesterday so hopefully I'll be ready.
It's a wonderful 90 degrees in Scottsdale at 9:11 am.
more later,
paul
AA vacation, Day 5, Part 2
Well the conference is officially on. The different regions met separately with their elder (the equivalent of a bishop) and we discussed how each church in the region is doing (we are region 3). It's the same each time; congratulations and accolades...yada, yada, yada.
After that Jim and I napped for a while and then we went to the first service of the conference. Our moderator (the equivalent of the pope) Nancy Wilson preached. It was a 2 hour service with lots more congratulations and applause. It got to the point where I was not going to give anyone else a standing ovation. Again, it's the same each time.
We then caught up with one of our fellow congregants who had moved to Phoenix a few months back. It was good to see him and his new boyfriend. Then a group of us went to the main pool at the resort and ordered dinner and drinks. One glass of pinot noir was $12.00. Yikes! By the way, the food was unsatisfactory.
It's been a long day; so much interaction and catching up with people; it's exhausting.
I'm going for a short swim now and will write more tomorrow.
love,
paul
After that Jim and I napped for a while and then we went to the first service of the conference. Our moderator (the equivalent of the pope) Nancy Wilson preached. It was a 2 hour service with lots more congratulations and applause. It got to the point where I was not going to give anyone else a standing ovation. Again, it's the same each time.
We then caught up with one of our fellow congregants who had moved to Phoenix a few months back. It was good to see him and his new boyfriend. Then a group of us went to the main pool at the resort and ordered dinner and drinks. One glass of pinot noir was $12.00. Yikes! By the way, the food was unsatisfactory.
It's been a long day; so much interaction and catching up with people; it's exhausting.
I'm going for a short swim now and will write more tomorrow.
love,
paul
Monday, July 02, 2007
AA vacation, Day 5, Part 1
This morning when we woke up we were having such a relaxing morning; Jim at the computer, me still half sleeping in bed until I heard Jim yell, "Ewwwww!" I asked him what it was and when he didn't say anything I looked over and saw a cockroach on its back. Apparently Jim picked it up thinking he had dropped something and felt "all legs" as he said. The resort must spray because the cockroach was dying but still alive. Jim threw it out our room door and later when we stepped out, we saw that something had eaten it. All that was left were the wings. We were also surprised to see a covey of chukkah quail.
We went out to have breakfast; actually Jim ate and I had orange juice. Then we went to a grocery store called Basha's. In Arizona we are able to buy wine and hard liquor at the same store we shop for our groceries. Convenient.
After that we went back to the resort to register for the conference. I told Jim I wanted to be very early but we got there at about 8:30. Registration started at 8. It probably wouldn't have made much difference as it seemed that people had started lining up before 8. We spent two and a half hours in line to register. There was a meltdown with the computers with the info in them and they had to manually enter everyone's name to make the tags.
We are chilling a bit now and will have our first meeting at 1. Right now in pretty Arizona it is 100 degrees. I just can't get over the landscape here. Lots of open fields with cacti, bushes, palm trees, and sand. I really like cacti; they are just wonderful plants. Apparently birds can sit on them without hurting themselves and we even saw one with a bird's nest inside.
I'm off for a quick snooze.
more later,
paul
We went out to have breakfast; actually Jim ate and I had orange juice. Then we went to a grocery store called Basha's. In Arizona we are able to buy wine and hard liquor at the same store we shop for our groceries. Convenient.
After that we went back to the resort to register for the conference. I told Jim I wanted to be very early but we got there at about 8:30. Registration started at 8. It probably wouldn't have made much difference as it seemed that people had started lining up before 8. We spent two and a half hours in line to register. There was a meltdown with the computers with the info in them and they had to manually enter everyone's name to make the tags.
We are chilling a bit now and will have our first meeting at 1. Right now in pretty Arizona it is 100 degrees. I just can't get over the landscape here. Lots of open fields with cacti, bushes, palm trees, and sand. I really like cacti; they are just wonderful plants. Apparently birds can sit on them without hurting themselves and we even saw one with a bird's nest inside.
I'm off for a quick snooze.
more later,
paul
AA vacation, Day 4, Part 2
After getting checked in and taking a brief nap, Jim and I met up with a couple from the church and decided to go tooling around Scottsdale for a restaurant. We drove around for about 20minutes before finally deciding on an Italian restaurant called Arrivederci. It was really Italian and really good food. I had cannelloni di carne. I didn't have dessert but I did try an Tuaca which is kind of like a scotch drink. I was going to try grappa but Jim said that a diesel engine could run on grappa so I decided not to chance it.......this time.
So far I'm really enjoying Arizona. I'm used to the heat and I'm not even sweating. I also saw, for the first time ever, not one, but two dust devils. One crossed right in front of us. So cool!
Now I'm going for a short swim in the pool and lounge in the jacuzzi for a bit.
More tomorrow.
paul
So far I'm really enjoying Arizona. I'm used to the heat and I'm not even sweating. I also saw, for the first time ever, not one, but two dust devils. One crossed right in front of us. So cool!
Now I'm going for a short swim in the pool and lounge in the jacuzzi for a bit.
More tomorrow.
paul
Sunday, July 01, 2007
AA vacation, Day 4, Part 1
This morning we woke up and planned to travel to the Grand Canyon. When we checked out of the Best Western, Jim was in line to hand in the keys and more than a few people were expressing their dissatisfaction with their stay at the hotel. In fact, when Jim was next in line to be helped, the manager said to Jim, "I'm helping her," (referring to another woman) and walked away. The friggin' manager. I'm so glad we weren't the only ones disappointed. I've told Jim to never book us at a Best Western again; especially in the Grand Canyon. I did, of course, fill out the comment card to express my dissatisfaction and I mentioned that Stefan (see previous post) was quite helpful. I don't care if it gets thrown away, at least I filled it out. Unfortunately, neither one of us did a good job of researching the Skywalk. Jim usually does the research but I was the one that wanted to do it. Come to find out the Skywalk is not at the South Rim; this is the place that most people go to see the Grand Canyon. In order to get to the Skywalk, we would have had to drive 70 miles south to Flagstaff then drive West then drive up North; all told it would have been over 200 miles from where we were.
We did spend some time at the GC and it is so breathtaking. One interesting statistic I read was that over 250 people either fall or are rescured from the GC each year. There is even a book I came across that has stories of people who have fallen to their demise or who have had to be rescued; that's the whole book. Also, according to one of the guides, a few years ago a man climbed one of the rock formations (in Sedona) and when he got to the top he could not figure out how to get down. He called 911 and when told how much it would cost for a helicopter rescue (over $3,000) he managed to find his way down.
We just got through checking into the resort in Scottsdale; it's called the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort. This is where we will be staying for the next week during the conference. There are 651 furnished guest rooms, 72 villas and 119 newly renovated casitas. This is what we are staying; a mini suite in a casita. Each casita has 4 mini suites. We were supposed to have a regular room but at the check in counter we were told (again) our room wasn't quite ready. So we were given a mini suite at no extra cost. The resort has bunnies, birds and other little critters literally all over the place. I'm definitely going to spend some time feeding them. No signs not to so I'll be feeding away. It's fun for me. I've also told Jim that we WILL go swimming this week. It's a really cool place. I've taken plenty of pics. It's a huge property and a great place for a world conference. If you'd like to see pics of the resort, I've included a link below. And it's a dry 109 degrees right now with a hot breeze blowing; but no sweat.
http://www.fairmont.com/scottsdale/
Now we are off to find some of our church people and do something.
More later,
paul
We did spend some time at the GC and it is so breathtaking. One interesting statistic I read was that over 250 people either fall or are rescured from the GC each year. There is even a book I came across that has stories of people who have fallen to their demise or who have had to be rescued; that's the whole book. Also, according to one of the guides, a few years ago a man climbed one of the rock formations (in Sedona) and when he got to the top he could not figure out how to get down. He called 911 and when told how much it would cost for a helicopter rescue (over $3,000) he managed to find his way down.
We just got through checking into the resort in Scottsdale; it's called the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort. This is where we will be staying for the next week during the conference. There are 651 furnished guest rooms, 72 villas and 119 newly renovated casitas. This is what we are staying; a mini suite in a casita. Each casita has 4 mini suites. We were supposed to have a regular room but at the check in counter we were told (again) our room wasn't quite ready. So we were given a mini suite at no extra cost. The resort has bunnies, birds and other little critters literally all over the place. I'm definitely going to spend some time feeding them. No signs not to so I'll be feeding away. It's fun for me. I've also told Jim that we WILL go swimming this week. It's a really cool place. I've taken plenty of pics. It's a huge property and a great place for a world conference. If you'd like to see pics of the resort, I've included a link below. And it's a dry 109 degrees right now with a hot breeze blowing; but no sweat.
http://www.fairmont.com/scottsdale/
Now we are off to find some of our church people and do something.
More later,
paul
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
