Imagine one of your friends needed help. You went to him with a plan that would hopefully get him out of a jam. The plan called for you to provide assistance and for him to gradually, but consistently, make changes that would put him in a position not to face the same dilemma again.
Sounds like a workable scenario to me. What do you think?
Yes, well I am sure you can agree. But, here is the problem. You hold up your end of the bargain. You pour your heart and soul into providing assistance. You utilize your resources and you spend night and day trying to create a situation that will help your friend. However, your friend isn't quite as devoted to digging himself out of the depths of disparity as you are in helping him.
Now, what do you do????
Like most people you reach a point where you have to say, "Alright, I have made the effort. I can't jeopardize myself anymore for someone who has less interest in himself than I have in him." You begin to withdraw from the quagmire and eventually you let your friend sink or swim on his own. Sure, you have second thoughts. But you look around and say to yourself, "It has to be me or him, and I have worked too hard to let myself be ruined by these circumstances."
Well, I am not so sure the USA hasn't reached this crossroads. As I have said before, I supported the war in Afghanistan. In fact, I still support our actions in Afghanistan and I do so for two reasons. First, I still believe that we can either capture or kill Osama Bin Laden, and I really don't care which development works out. Second, as time progresses and turmoil continues to unfold in Pakistan I believe we need to be close by to prevent any resultant surge from that country into Afghanistan.
But, Iraq continues to plague me. We seemingly make little progress. Sure, we are told that the surge is working. Still we read daily of insurgent bombings that results in many casualties and close to 100 American deaths each month. We have well over 100,000 troops in that country, struggling against guerrilla style attacks. We have nearly 1/4th of our entire complement of our military equipment in that country. We have gone deep into national debt, paying for not only the war but the rebuilding of that nation. And we see our own nation deeply divided as to whether we should continue in Iraq or withdraw.
Now, what has Iraq done. It successfully held elections and elected a government in a democratic manner. Yes, this was one of our goals. Iraq has been the reason why our government has had talks with such rogue nations as Syria and Iran. While these talks haven't necessarily been satisfactory, at least we have talked a bit. And, there has been some progress in the development of an Iraqi police force. Still, I am not sure Iraq has lived up to its end of the bargain.
Case in point. As of the first of August, the Iraqi government is going on a month-long vacation. Yes, a vacation. What am I missing here. We talk continually about the need for Iraq to begin taking over some of its own defense and its own rebuilding, yet the law-making body of that nation decides to go on sabbatical when so much is left to be done.
I am confused. I thought we had a deal. I thought the USA would do what it could do and Iraq would make efforts to do its share. In the end, hopefully Iraq would be a great nation, governing itself without the cruel leadership of a dictator such as Saddam Hussein. But, I am not sure the scales of justice are balanced here. The USA is doing its part, perhaps at its own jeopardy, while Iraq is taking a vacation.
There just seems something wrong with this picture!!!!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
This Ain't God's Art!!!
No big secret here!! Davis cannot stand tattoos. He hates them. He loathes them. He finds them bordering on contemptuous. And most of all he doesn't understand them.
Over time, I guess I have become more tolerant of this form of art (boy, it hurt to call it art). But, tolerant and appreciative are two vastly different words.
Yes, I have friends and many students who possess tattoos. And while I believe to have been successful in not judging the person by their exterior decorations, I just couldn't understand why someone would do such a thing. Yes, I have encouraged people NOT to be tattooed, but rarely with success. No, I didn't write them off, but I did demonstrate my displeasure, for what it was worth.
Finally, I am seeing some support for my point of view. A USA Today article dated July 23, talked about society's newest responses to tattoos. In particular the issue dealt with excessive or visible tattoos on persons who are involved in the military and law enforcement portions of our world.
The military has taken a stand on visible tattoos. Now the military has restrictions established as to where a visible tattoo can be found and what percentages sections of the body can be ordained with the inky designs.
The military has long had a "monopoly" on tattoos with veterans coming back with an artistic design celebrating their service to the country or remembering their mom or spouse. For some reason, 50 years ago, that form of tattoo didn't really bother me. But, as the tattoo became much more bold and somewhat frightening in appearance, I lost interest in the body art and turned more disgusted by it.
Police departments have taken perhaps an even stronger view of tattoos. Summer uniforms have become taboo for officers that have tattoos that are visible to the general public. And, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that First Amendment rights do not apply to uniform standards devised by police departments.
One of the statements that came from a spokesman who said that intimidation is one thing that comes to play when hiring police officers with tattoos. A tattooed police office could appear threatening to a citizen who is seeking assistance. That makes sense to me.
Call me chauvinist, but I guess I am particularly appalled by tattoos on females. Perhaps its my generation, perhaps its more a personal attitude, but I do hate to see a tattooed female. It just doesn't seem like a very lady-like thing to do. And no, I won't apologize for my feelings.
Case in point. Can you imagine your 80-year old grandmother with a tattoo on her arms and/or legs. Not a pretty picture in my mind.
Over time, I guess I have become more tolerant of this form of art (boy, it hurt to call it art). But, tolerant and appreciative are two vastly different words.
Yes, I have friends and many students who possess tattoos. And while I believe to have been successful in not judging the person by their exterior decorations, I just couldn't understand why someone would do such a thing. Yes, I have encouraged people NOT to be tattooed, but rarely with success. No, I didn't write them off, but I did demonstrate my displeasure, for what it was worth.
Finally, I am seeing some support for my point of view. A USA Today article dated July 23, talked about society's newest responses to tattoos. In particular the issue dealt with excessive or visible tattoos on persons who are involved in the military and law enforcement portions of our world.
The military has taken a stand on visible tattoos. Now the military has restrictions established as to where a visible tattoo can be found and what percentages sections of the body can be ordained with the inky designs.
The military has long had a "monopoly" on tattoos with veterans coming back with an artistic design celebrating their service to the country or remembering their mom or spouse. For some reason, 50 years ago, that form of tattoo didn't really bother me. But, as the tattoo became much more bold and somewhat frightening in appearance, I lost interest in the body art and turned more disgusted by it.
Police departments have taken perhaps an even stronger view of tattoos. Summer uniforms have become taboo for officers that have tattoos that are visible to the general public. And, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that First Amendment rights do not apply to uniform standards devised by police departments.
One of the statements that came from a spokesman who said that intimidation is one thing that comes to play when hiring police officers with tattoos. A tattooed police office could appear threatening to a citizen who is seeking assistance. That makes sense to me.
Call me chauvinist, but I guess I am particularly appalled by tattoos on females. Perhaps its my generation, perhaps its more a personal attitude, but I do hate to see a tattooed female. It just doesn't seem like a very lady-like thing to do. And no, I won't apologize for my feelings.
Case in point. Can you imagine your 80-year old grandmother with a tattoo on her arms and/or legs. Not a pretty picture in my mind.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Whew, I Think We Survived That Scare!!!!
Okay, you know I am not a big fan of George Bush. Well, I don't hate him like many liberal Democrats do. Then again, I am not a liberal Democrat. I am a moderate who frequently finds myself marking my ballot for a Republican. Dad, please forgive me!!!
And while I don't agree with George Bush on many issues, I have frequently said that I helped elect him. No, I didn't vote for him. But, I did participate in the electoral process so I feel quite strongly that he is MY president. That doesn't absolve him from the many mistakes I think he has made. And I have applauded him for some of his actions, giving credit where credit is due.
But last weekend I had a scare and, in my opinion, the whole country dodged a bullet. President Bush went into the hospital for a colonoscopy. During this procedure Bush was sedated. And, by the powers of the 25th amendment, he temporarily passed power from himself to his vice-president, Dick Cheney.
For the first time since the passage of the 25th amendment, I had major concerns. This is not the first time the 25th amendment has been invoked in this fashion. Ronald Reagan did so as he went to surgery following the assassination attempt against him, and George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton each had arrangements with their vice presidents as to how the 25th amendment should be used if either fell seriously ill. And even George W. did the same thing in 2002 when he had a previous colonoscopy.
But, something was different this time. In 2002 Dick Cheney wasn't the dark, eerie character that he is today. So much has happened since then to make the vice president a questionable character in terms of leadership capabilities.
Gee, where do we start. The ledger is a litany of secretive actions that appear to be nothing more than a list of questionable actions leaving the American public with little or no understanding of what really happened.
There was:
And while I don't agree with George Bush on many issues, I have frequently said that I helped elect him. No, I didn't vote for him. But, I did participate in the electoral process so I feel quite strongly that he is MY president. That doesn't absolve him from the many mistakes I think he has made. And I have applauded him for some of his actions, giving credit where credit is due.
But last weekend I had a scare and, in my opinion, the whole country dodged a bullet. President Bush went into the hospital for a colonoscopy. During this procedure Bush was sedated. And, by the powers of the 25th amendment, he temporarily passed power from himself to his vice-president, Dick Cheney.
For the first time since the passage of the 25th amendment, I had major concerns. This is not the first time the 25th amendment has been invoked in this fashion. Ronald Reagan did so as he went to surgery following the assassination attempt against him, and George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton each had arrangements with their vice presidents as to how the 25th amendment should be used if either fell seriously ill. And even George W. did the same thing in 2002 when he had a previous colonoscopy.
But, something was different this time. In 2002 Dick Cheney wasn't the dark, eerie character that he is today. So much has happened since then to make the vice president a questionable character in terms of leadership capabilities.
Gee, where do we start. The ledger is a litany of secretive actions that appear to be nothing more than a list of questionable actions leaving the American public with little or no understanding of what really happened.
There was:
- Cheney's secretive meetings with energy industry officials concerning the direction of the USA in terms of energy usage. (My, isn't it interesting that the nation's two top leaders have had previous personal activities associated with the oil industry and now gasoline prices are higher than ever in history. I don't want to assign blame, I just think that it is rather an interesting coincidence).
- Cheney used an extremely strong-arm approach in the advocacy of a war against terrorism. I have long been a supporter of the war in terms of seeking out Osama Bin Laden and even in the elimination of Saddam Hussein. But, I have increasingly developed concern over a war that seems to have lost focus and has no apparent direction or goal.
- Cheney's suspected involvement in the outing of a CIA secret agent to punish her diplomat husband for his disagreement with some of the reasons to wage war. I don't care what Valerie Plame's husband had to say, her situation was, and should have been, off-limits in terms of being compromised by any government official. Not only was her life put in jeopardy, but an entire network of secretive collaborations were brought to a screeching halt.
- And, most recently, Cheney's off-the-wall declaration that he wasn't part of the executive department becase he was the President of the Senate. That allowed him to refuse to make public the topics of items that he had classified as top secret.
I am sure there are many other items that could be listed to verify the dark, secretive and powerful nature of Dick Cheney. I do know that he is NOT what I would be looking for in terms of presidential leadership. So, from 7:16 a.m. last Saturday until 9:21 a.m. the same day, I sat on my own little seat of pins and needles because I just don't trust Dick Cheney.
Thankfully the president's colonoscopy ended in time for him to prevent Mr. Cheney from doing anything overly overt.
Case in point might have been him dropping the F-bomb on a foreign leader as he did one member of Congress who dared to disagree and challenge him. In this crazy world, we don't need anymore loose canons in power.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Cleaning Off the Desk, Edition #1
Those who know me are well aware that I am an avid reader of the news. I receive four weekly news magazines and two daily newspapers and constantly scan the news locales on the internet. I frequently watch the news on television in the wee hours of the morning and having a discussion about the news is not an uncommon verbal exercise for me.
Thus, I find myself frequently snipping out an article from a magazine or newspaper that has struck my fancy. It doesn't have to be an earth-shaking story. Its might just be a tidbit that seems unique, it could be a dazzling bit of information, or it could be a though-provoking factoid that leaves me scratching my head.
At least two of those types of stories have sat on my desk for about a week...so I guess its time to clean off the work-station.
First, a story out of The Week, dated July 6-13. The article dealt with lost airline luggage and where it eventually winds up. Surprisingly I learned that if an airline settles with you, the maximum allowance you can receive for lost luggage is $2,500. While that might sound like a fair amount for an out-dated, ragged piece of American Tourister, I quickly discovered that the payoff can be a far cry from the actual worth of the lost item.
Most of the lost luggage is sold and winds up in Scottsboro, Al., where the misplaced items are removed from the tote and placed on sale at the Unclaimed Baggage Center. In this modern day version of "Wow, what a store," a shopper can find such brand names as Dior, Gucci, Tiffany and Prada. Lets not forget that if those names crop up you can be sure that Hilfiger, Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister are on the premises as well.
All of a sudden, a well-packed suitcase could be a bargain for $2,500. But, lets not stop there. Among items that have been discovered in "lost" luggage have been a suitcase full of Egyptian artifacts dating back to 1500 B.C., a $17,000 diamond necklace, and a six-carat diamond solitaire. Of course, my favorites were the guidance system for an F-16 and an oil painting valued at $20,000.
Needless to say, the story had my attention from start to finish and I couldn't help but be elated for the person who bought a suitcase, unopened, and found $2,000 crammed in the side pocket. Sure, I felt sorry for the victim who lost his luggage, but I was thrilled for the person who found it and that the airline lost out on that piece of baggage.
The second article that I can now dispose of deals with the topic of cloning. I certainly have mixed feelings about cloning. Yes, I think sometimes we are messing with God's domain. But, I also think that the supreme being put us here to learn and better ourselves.
The article appeared in Newsweek, July 2-9, and featured pictures of 17 animals that we have successfully reproduced using the knowledge we have uncovered in the area of genetics. Of course, only the most remotely existing hermit would be unaware of Dolly, a cloned sheep dating back to 1997.
But since then the family tree of cloned animals has certainly wandered down the beaten path. The list includes the mouse (1998); bull (1999); pig and goat (2000); gaur and mauflon (2001); rabbit and cat (2002); mule and rat (2003); African wildcat (2004); dog, water buffalo and horse (2005); ferret (2006); and wolf (2007).
What a list. There is no doubt that we could take the cloning procedure up the ladder and create a person. But I, like so many others, don't really think that's such a wise thing to do. But, then again, I am not so sure the above list makes a lot of sense anyway.
Case in point, why would anybody want to clone rabbits when they are so good at reproducing themselves?
Thus, I find myself frequently snipping out an article from a magazine or newspaper that has struck my fancy. It doesn't have to be an earth-shaking story. Its might just be a tidbit that seems unique, it could be a dazzling bit of information, or it could be a though-provoking factoid that leaves me scratching my head.
At least two of those types of stories have sat on my desk for about a week...so I guess its time to clean off the work-station.
First, a story out of The Week, dated July 6-13. The article dealt with lost airline luggage and where it eventually winds up. Surprisingly I learned that if an airline settles with you, the maximum allowance you can receive for lost luggage is $2,500. While that might sound like a fair amount for an out-dated, ragged piece of American Tourister, I quickly discovered that the payoff can be a far cry from the actual worth of the lost item.
Most of the lost luggage is sold and winds up in Scottsboro, Al., where the misplaced items are removed from the tote and placed on sale at the Unclaimed Baggage Center. In this modern day version of "Wow, what a store," a shopper can find such brand names as Dior, Gucci, Tiffany and Prada. Lets not forget that if those names crop up you can be sure that Hilfiger, Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister are on the premises as well.
All of a sudden, a well-packed suitcase could be a bargain for $2,500. But, lets not stop there. Among items that have been discovered in "lost" luggage have been a suitcase full of Egyptian artifacts dating back to 1500 B.C., a $17,000 diamond necklace, and a six-carat diamond solitaire. Of course, my favorites were the guidance system for an F-16 and an oil painting valued at $20,000.
Needless to say, the story had my attention from start to finish and I couldn't help but be elated for the person who bought a suitcase, unopened, and found $2,000 crammed in the side pocket. Sure, I felt sorry for the victim who lost his luggage, but I was thrilled for the person who found it and that the airline lost out on that piece of baggage.
The second article that I can now dispose of deals with the topic of cloning. I certainly have mixed feelings about cloning. Yes, I think sometimes we are messing with God's domain. But, I also think that the supreme being put us here to learn and better ourselves.
The article appeared in Newsweek, July 2-9, and featured pictures of 17 animals that we have successfully reproduced using the knowledge we have uncovered in the area of genetics. Of course, only the most remotely existing hermit would be unaware of Dolly, a cloned sheep dating back to 1997.
But since then the family tree of cloned animals has certainly wandered down the beaten path. The list includes the mouse (1998); bull (1999); pig and goat (2000); gaur and mauflon (2001); rabbit and cat (2002); mule and rat (2003); African wildcat (2004); dog, water buffalo and horse (2005); ferret (2006); and wolf (2007).
What a list. There is no doubt that we could take the cloning procedure up the ladder and create a person. But I, like so many others, don't really think that's such a wise thing to do. But, then again, I am not so sure the above list makes a lot of sense anyway.
Case in point, why would anybody want to clone rabbits when they are so good at reproducing themselves?
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Okay, What is a Microgreen?
The recent story published by the Associated Press headlining the word "Ginormous" as one of about 100 new entries in the soon-to-be publised Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, caught my attention.
Its not unusual for our culture to put words together to emphasize the meaning. "Ginormous" is the hybrid creation of "gigantic" and "enormous." Think what Hollywood would have done with this word in its advertizing of such movies as Titanic or King Kong. My heavens, the box office sales would have been off the charts.
And, before you think I have a problem with "Ginormous," stop in your tracks. I have always used the word "Humongous" to emphasize the impact of major events on history and trust me, "The impact was humongous."
A few of the other words that will be included in the new publication will be "IED," an improvised exploding device, and "crunk," a reference to southern rap music. Well, now perhaps I have a problem here. The IED has been responsible for numerous American deaths in Iraq--I would love for that word to have never existed. And rap music itself is offensive to my ears regardless of what term is used to describe it (I know some of you disagree.)
But, the word that really caught my attention was "microgreen." Somebody please tell me what is a "microgreen." The story describes a "microgreen" as a "shoot of a standard salad plant." Which leads me to the next big question.....What is a standard salad plant?
We have become a salad eating culture. I love salad. Its a part of my regular diet. I don't feel as though I have had a meal if I haven't had some sort of salad with my entree. Typically its a tossed salad. But I enjoy such vegtable-oriented dishes as cucumber and onions in vinegar, cole slaw and wilted lettuce.
So I am still wondering what a "standard salad plant" is.
Case in Point. When I think of salad plants I picture such things as iceberg lettuce, bib lettuce, leaf lettuce, swiss chard, spinach, endive, arugula, kale, radiccho, and escarole. Now I guess I will have to add "microgreen" to my vocabulary even though I have no idea what it means.
Perhaps "lettuce" should just be called "lettuce." Of coures,that might put the ditionary company out of business and destroy the need for our population to create new words. Maybe we should just create a new salad....Lets see I will have microgreen with a "radbeet" on the side topped with a "cucumroom" and plastered with "French-ranch" dressing....mmmmm sounds delicious.
Its not unusual for our culture to put words together to emphasize the meaning. "Ginormous" is the hybrid creation of "gigantic" and "enormous." Think what Hollywood would have done with this word in its advertizing of such movies as Titanic or King Kong. My heavens, the box office sales would have been off the charts.
And, before you think I have a problem with "Ginormous," stop in your tracks. I have always used the word "Humongous" to emphasize the impact of major events on history and trust me, "The impact was humongous."
A few of the other words that will be included in the new publication will be "IED," an improvised exploding device, and "crunk," a reference to southern rap music. Well, now perhaps I have a problem here. The IED has been responsible for numerous American deaths in Iraq--I would love for that word to have never existed. And rap music itself is offensive to my ears regardless of what term is used to describe it (I know some of you disagree.)
But, the word that really caught my attention was "microgreen." Somebody please tell me what is a "microgreen." The story describes a "microgreen" as a "shoot of a standard salad plant." Which leads me to the next big question.....What is a standard salad plant?
We have become a salad eating culture. I love salad. Its a part of my regular diet. I don't feel as though I have had a meal if I haven't had some sort of salad with my entree. Typically its a tossed salad. But I enjoy such vegtable-oriented dishes as cucumber and onions in vinegar, cole slaw and wilted lettuce.
So I am still wondering what a "standard salad plant" is.
Case in Point. When I think of salad plants I picture such things as iceberg lettuce, bib lettuce, leaf lettuce, swiss chard, spinach, endive, arugula, kale, radiccho, and escarole. Now I guess I will have to add "microgreen" to my vocabulary even though I have no idea what it means.
Perhaps "lettuce" should just be called "lettuce." Of coures,that might put the ditionary company out of business and destroy the need for our population to create new words. Maybe we should just create a new salad....Lets see I will have microgreen with a "radbeet" on the side topped with a "cucumroom" and plastered with "French-ranch" dressing....mmmmm sounds delicious.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
It Takes All Kinds!!
So lets hear it for Kent Couch of Oregon!!!
There is not doubt that this guy would be the life of the party. Of course, he could also be the death of the party--afterall, it takes all kinds.
Couch, for the second time in his life, used an ordinary lawn chair and a collection of 105 helium balloons to do what many of us would love to do--go airborne. The difference between Couch and the hundreds of us is determination and intestinal fortitude.
Couch managed to travel 193 miles on his lofty journey, soaring through clouds and watching the endless beauty beneath him. And to think he did this without all the technology that goes into the modern day construction of planes and helicoptors.
I can't even imagine the rush he must have felt as he headed skyward. I will never again be able to sit in my lawn chair around our campfire and feel the same about my earthly existence, epecially knowing that my lawn chair will not be registering on any radar.
Kent Couch and his obvious desire to experience the most out of life made me think about all those human beings (I might be strecthing the idea of humanity here) out there that approach life from the negative point of view and all of us have probably said, "It takes all kinds."
"Case in Point!" Just think how we sat mesmerized in front of the television and watched the murder trial of O.J. Simpson or read about the greed associated with Enron CEO Ken Lay. I am certain many of us wondered how such atrocities could take place, let alone take place with the apparent involvement of noteworthy citizens such as Simpson or Lay. And I am certain many of us said, "It takes all kinds."
And it doesn't end there. The misbehavior of former WVU football players Chris Henry and Pacman Jones as they moved from the college level to the professional field of play. How can people with so much going for them be so out of touch with reality.
Oh well, I guess it takes all kinds.
There is not doubt that this guy would be the life of the party. Of course, he could also be the death of the party--afterall, it takes all kinds.
Couch, for the second time in his life, used an ordinary lawn chair and a collection of 105 helium balloons to do what many of us would love to do--go airborne. The difference between Couch and the hundreds of us is determination and intestinal fortitude.
Couch managed to travel 193 miles on his lofty journey, soaring through clouds and watching the endless beauty beneath him. And to think he did this without all the technology that goes into the modern day construction of planes and helicoptors.
I can't even imagine the rush he must have felt as he headed skyward. I will never again be able to sit in my lawn chair around our campfire and feel the same about my earthly existence, epecially knowing that my lawn chair will not be registering on any radar.
Kent Couch and his obvious desire to experience the most out of life made me think about all those human beings (I might be strecthing the idea of humanity here) out there that approach life from the negative point of view and all of us have probably said, "It takes all kinds."
"Case in Point!" Just think how we sat mesmerized in front of the television and watched the murder trial of O.J. Simpson or read about the greed associated with Enron CEO Ken Lay. I am certain many of us wondered how such atrocities could take place, let alone take place with the apparent involvement of noteworthy citizens such as Simpson or Lay. And I am certain many of us said, "It takes all kinds."
And it doesn't end there. The misbehavior of former WVU football players Chris Henry and Pacman Jones as they moved from the college level to the professional field of play. How can people with so much going for them be so out of touch with reality.
Oh well, I guess it takes all kinds.
What Do You Want for Half Your Paycheck?
It seems like each visit to the movies is more expensive than the previous. The movies cost more...of course they are paying some of these stars a lifetime salary for an hour of screen time; and the outrageous price of concessions makes you wish for a long, cold winter requiring heavy jackets so you can more easily sneak food into the theater.
Since summer began I have visited our illustrious movie establishment twice. There are several reasons why the number is minimal. First, the issue of price as previously stated. But other reasons exist. The theater is located at the mall...and heaven knows I hate the mall (but that will be another discussion somewhere down the road). Furthermore, I hate sharing a movie with people who are there to do anything but watch the movie.
"Case In Point." The first movie I watched at the theater this summer was Mr. Brooks starring Kevin Costner. While some of the reviewers downgraded the film for its numerous subplots...I thought it was great. In fact, I loved the subplots. Life is a series of subplots. We all have 27 different things going on in our life, half of which are related to each other. So, why can't the critics accept that and enjoy the film....I know I did.
Anyway, I saw Mr. Brooks during a Friday afternoon matinee. And, not really to my surprise, I was the only person in the house. Wow, this was great! For the first 10 minutes I enjoyed my popcorn and lemonade and was taken into the world of an extremely successful serial killer.
Then, the unthinkable happened. As I sat enthralled by the developing personality on screen, two ladies walked into the theater. Okay I thought, "I have to share my movie with them." Little did I realize at the time that my thoughts carried tremendous weight. I certainly did have to share my movie with them because, despite a completely empty theater other than the one seat that I occupied, the ladies decided to sit right behind me. And, they proceeded to begin a discussion almost immediately. Furious? Those of you who know me know how I felt at that minute. After a few minutes I finally found a new seat and overcame my hostilities to enjoy the movie.....all the time hoping that Mr. Brooks might want to demonstrate first hand his techniques on a couple of rather rude women.
The second film I saw this summer was Live Free or Die Hard starring Bruce Willis. I am a long time Die Hard fan. Even today, if I have the remote in my hand and an installment of that series is on television, the channel-surfing stops there.
Maybe I am easily influenced by films. Perhaps that is because I am selective about what I am willing to spend half of my paycheck on for entertainment. So, right up front, I loved Live Free or Die Hard. In fact, I think that it might be the best film of the series. Yet, I also recognize that it needed at least the original film's events to set the stage for this one. I was mesmerized by Willis' ability to survive the trauma of an action movie, though I am not sure how many stunts were carried out by stunt men.
I was also captivated by the idea that the story could be feasible. I am not trusting enough to think that our massive computer networks are safe and secure. That doesn't limit my use of the computer and the world wide web, but it makes me well aware that security will always be questioned by me and certainly many others.
I did notice the naysayers of this film butchered it for what they saw as improbablities. Well thats okay! Some people get their enjoyment that way. I consider the movies entertainment and am willing to overlook what others see as a flawed time frame or an impossible scenario as long as I am entertained by the movie.
Afterall, thats what I want for half my paycheck.
Since summer began I have visited our illustrious movie establishment twice. There are several reasons why the number is minimal. First, the issue of price as previously stated. But other reasons exist. The theater is located at the mall...and heaven knows I hate the mall (but that will be another discussion somewhere down the road). Furthermore, I hate sharing a movie with people who are there to do anything but watch the movie.
"Case In Point." The first movie I watched at the theater this summer was Mr. Brooks starring Kevin Costner. While some of the reviewers downgraded the film for its numerous subplots...I thought it was great. In fact, I loved the subplots. Life is a series of subplots. We all have 27 different things going on in our life, half of which are related to each other. So, why can't the critics accept that and enjoy the film....I know I did.
Anyway, I saw Mr. Brooks during a Friday afternoon matinee. And, not really to my surprise, I was the only person in the house. Wow, this was great! For the first 10 minutes I enjoyed my popcorn and lemonade and was taken into the world of an extremely successful serial killer.
Then, the unthinkable happened. As I sat enthralled by the developing personality on screen, two ladies walked into the theater. Okay I thought, "I have to share my movie with them." Little did I realize at the time that my thoughts carried tremendous weight. I certainly did have to share my movie with them because, despite a completely empty theater other than the one seat that I occupied, the ladies decided to sit right behind me. And, they proceeded to begin a discussion almost immediately. Furious? Those of you who know me know how I felt at that minute. After a few minutes I finally found a new seat and overcame my hostilities to enjoy the movie.....all the time hoping that Mr. Brooks might want to demonstrate first hand his techniques on a couple of rather rude women.
The second film I saw this summer was Live Free or Die Hard starring Bruce Willis. I am a long time Die Hard fan. Even today, if I have the remote in my hand and an installment of that series is on television, the channel-surfing stops there.
Maybe I am easily influenced by films. Perhaps that is because I am selective about what I am willing to spend half of my paycheck on for entertainment. So, right up front, I loved Live Free or Die Hard. In fact, I think that it might be the best film of the series. Yet, I also recognize that it needed at least the original film's events to set the stage for this one. I was mesmerized by Willis' ability to survive the trauma of an action movie, though I am not sure how many stunts were carried out by stunt men.
I was also captivated by the idea that the story could be feasible. I am not trusting enough to think that our massive computer networks are safe and secure. That doesn't limit my use of the computer and the world wide web, but it makes me well aware that security will always be questioned by me and certainly many others.
I did notice the naysayers of this film butchered it for what they saw as improbablities. Well thats okay! Some people get their enjoyment that way. I consider the movies entertainment and am willing to overlook what others see as a flawed time frame or an impossible scenario as long as I am entertained by the movie.
Afterall, thats what I want for half my paycheck.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Today is a new day!!!
Well, today is a new day!!!
After 35 years in the classroom I find myself retired and stumped by the question, "What are you going to do now?" Honestly, I don't have an answer to that question.
Sure, I hope to do some substitute teaching, and when I asked my athletic director about continuing to announce many of the athletic events at the school where I worked during the past 17 years he quickly responded, "That's a lifetime job."
But, "What are you going to do now?" continues to be a bigger question than I could have ever imagined. Years ago I considered getting a few nice flat yards to mow (to heck with those hills---climbed too many of them in college). Then a bicycle accident destroyed an arm...thus lawnmowing is more of an adventure today than a way to make a few extra retirement bucks. Driving a floral delivery truck or a customer service vehicle for a car dealership would be nice....but I don't want a schedule. I had a schedule dictated to me for 35 years and it's one of the reasons I retired.....I am not anxious to get into schedule-following again.
I went to a movie yesterday, shampooed a carpet today, have spent two days having my truck repaired, and have continued my usual camping routine for the past several weekends. But, going to the movies everyday would be cost-prohibitive (and besides most movies aren't worth seeing); housework is not my favorite chore; and camping season ends when the cold weather arrives.
So the question persists! "What are you going to do now?"
Well, why not a blog. Certainly, I am not sure it will be read by many people...perhaps by none. Still it will be my 15 minutes of daily creativity. It will give me a reason to read the newspapers, watch the news, share my opinions (feel free to disagree...but you will have trouble converting me), and continue to believe that I have an answer--right or wrong.
Where will I go with this blog. Well the door is open. I enjoy current events, a class I taught for six or seven years. I do enjoy SOME movies and SOME music; sports at least at the high school and college level are fun; sports at the professional level are out of control; politics are always fun; religion isn't necessarily off-base, but not a topic I would ever spend much time on; and life in general is always worthwhile (otherwise it wouldn't be life).
Anyway, TODAY IS A NEW DAY!!! Welcome to my blog. Hope you enjoy it!
After 35 years in the classroom I find myself retired and stumped by the question, "What are you going to do now?" Honestly, I don't have an answer to that question.
Sure, I hope to do some substitute teaching, and when I asked my athletic director about continuing to announce many of the athletic events at the school where I worked during the past 17 years he quickly responded, "That's a lifetime job."
But, "What are you going to do now?" continues to be a bigger question than I could have ever imagined. Years ago I considered getting a few nice flat yards to mow (to heck with those hills---climbed too many of them in college). Then a bicycle accident destroyed an arm...thus lawnmowing is more of an adventure today than a way to make a few extra retirement bucks. Driving a floral delivery truck or a customer service vehicle for a car dealership would be nice....but I don't want a schedule. I had a schedule dictated to me for 35 years and it's one of the reasons I retired.....I am not anxious to get into schedule-following again.
I went to a movie yesterday, shampooed a carpet today, have spent two days having my truck repaired, and have continued my usual camping routine for the past several weekends. But, going to the movies everyday would be cost-prohibitive (and besides most movies aren't worth seeing); housework is not my favorite chore; and camping season ends when the cold weather arrives.
So the question persists! "What are you going to do now?"
Well, why not a blog. Certainly, I am not sure it will be read by many people...perhaps by none. Still it will be my 15 minutes of daily creativity. It will give me a reason to read the newspapers, watch the news, share my opinions (feel free to disagree...but you will have trouble converting me), and continue to believe that I have an answer--right or wrong.
Where will I go with this blog. Well the door is open. I enjoy current events, a class I taught for six or seven years. I do enjoy SOME movies and SOME music; sports at least at the high school and college level are fun; sports at the professional level are out of control; politics are always fun; religion isn't necessarily off-base, but not a topic I would ever spend much time on; and life in general is always worthwhile (otherwise it wouldn't be life).
Anyway, TODAY IS A NEW DAY!!! Welcome to my blog. Hope you enjoy it!
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