I awoke humming Barry Manilow (American Bandstand? What the heck?) music, and went downstairs to find that the coffee made was "Pumpkin Spice" flavored. Who invented that? Such cruelty to disparage coffee that way (almost as bad as the "Cranberry Cream" coffee that DH purchased). Ick. Why can't coffee just be coffee? Then I turn to my trusty Yerba Mate tea, and we are, sadly, OUT.
I should just go back to bed. This can't bode well for my day.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Satchel Paige, on age and dumb kids
"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was?"
Satchel Paige
This question cracked me up. Because I really can't answer it.
As I was growing up, when I'd ask my mom how old she was, she always said "19" (note that she was 32 when I was born). It's pretty sad to admit how long it took me to realize that couldn't possibly be true. So when I told her she couldn't be 19, she admitted I was right, that she actually was 29. Again, a woefully long amount of time went by before I did the math. Once I cornered her on it, she said she feels like 19 on the inside, that the body changes but the way you feel doesn't. Oh. Too deep for a child.
Now that I've hit 40, I wonder how old I would be, if I considered Paige's quote above. See, I love my brain right now. I love how I feel on the inside. I like myself for the most part (we are talking inside here, the outside leaves MUCH to be desired). And yet, I have to admit I've felt this way a long time. I think maybe my mom was right, you never really feel different as you age. I can't think of what would be my happiest year, unless you count this last year. I think I have a general satisfaction with the parts of my life that I have control over. External things could change for the better in so many ways, but as it is, I'm happy. No one would call me jolly, but I do feel content.
The weirdest thing about getting old is sometimes feeling childlike while I'm around other adults, my peers. I've been known to move to the back seat of a car, when another adult is going to get in, out of respect. That was taught to me as a kid, and it recently had to be pointed out to me that I was actually older than the woman getting in. Somehow my head said she was older than me and I had to move for her. Yes, I got mocked a bit for this! But it was a genuine impulse.
I got a little jolt Saturday when watching Saturday Night Live, with the adorable Zac Efron hosting. Damn if he isn't cute! Of course, someone cheerfully pointed out that he was the same age as my son. Oh. Ick. When you realize that James Bond is younger than you, it IS sobering. When we saw the most recent Bond movie, I was rooting for him and M to have an "encounter". This appalled my teen sons, who made retching noises for several minutes. But, what's so crazy and sickening about that? Judi Dench is a great looking lady. Is the idea that appalling? I must be old after all, as I thought it would be a great twist to the movie.
Satchel Paige
This question cracked me up. Because I really can't answer it.
As I was growing up, when I'd ask my mom how old she was, she always said "19" (note that she was 32 when I was born). It's pretty sad to admit how long it took me to realize that couldn't possibly be true. So when I told her she couldn't be 19, she admitted I was right, that she actually was 29. Again, a woefully long amount of time went by before I did the math. Once I cornered her on it, she said she feels like 19 on the inside, that the body changes but the way you feel doesn't. Oh. Too deep for a child.
Now that I've hit 40, I wonder how old I would be, if I considered Paige's quote above. See, I love my brain right now. I love how I feel on the inside. I like myself for the most part (we are talking inside here, the outside leaves MUCH to be desired). And yet, I have to admit I've felt this way a long time. I think maybe my mom was right, you never really feel different as you age. I can't think of what would be my happiest year, unless you count this last year. I think I have a general satisfaction with the parts of my life that I have control over. External things could change for the better in so many ways, but as it is, I'm happy. No one would call me jolly, but I do feel content.
The weirdest thing about getting old is sometimes feeling childlike while I'm around other adults, my peers. I've been known to move to the back seat of a car, when another adult is going to get in, out of respect. That was taught to me as a kid, and it recently had to be pointed out to me that I was actually older than the woman getting in. Somehow my head said she was older than me and I had to move for her. Yes, I got mocked a bit for this! But it was a genuine impulse.
I got a little jolt Saturday when watching Saturday Night Live, with the adorable Zac Efron hosting. Damn if he isn't cute! Of course, someone cheerfully pointed out that he was the same age as my son. Oh. Ick. When you realize that James Bond is younger than you, it IS sobering. When we saw the most recent Bond movie, I was rooting for him and M to have an "encounter". This appalled my teen sons, who made retching noises for several minutes. But, what's so crazy and sickening about that? Judi Dench is a great looking lady. Is the idea that appalling? I must be old after all, as I thought it would be a great twist to the movie.
The Soloist, new movie coming out
Geez I'm chatty lately! So much stuffed in this pretty little head begging to come out (ha).
Okay, The Soloist is out now, or at least opening soon. I have to highly recommend this, even though I haven't seen it. What I do know is that rather than reading the book, I actually read Steve Lopez's column in the LA Times, as the whole story unfolded (which later became the book). Steve Lopez is my favorite columnist anyway, but this is one of his best series.
He's dealing with poverty, mental illness, people's attitudes towards the mentally ill, and shows how people can make a difference, even though there may not be a happy ending. He spends a great deal of time on skid row, meets a schizophrenic musician, gets to know him, and finds that he's actually a former Juilliard student that once schooled with Yo Yo Ma. He doesn't clean him up, make it all better, and suddenly the bum (sarcastic here) becomes a star. Not that easy.
Actually, it's far more realistic than this. Lopez tries to help while battling the mercurial moods of the schizophrenic, the lack of appreciation for his efforts, several wasted attempts at help, lost meetings, wasted money, etc. He shows that even when shone a better life, a more "normal" life, a person who is mentally ill may not choose that. If he even consciously has a choice in the matter.
Many people may find it amazing that someone so incredibly, deeply messed up could have such a staggering musical gift. Savant like.
It's amazing and touching. Especially in that Lopez gets into this so deeply, when he could easily report from afar. The movie has Robert Downey Jr. playing Lopez (generous!) and Jamie Foxx as the musician (I think his name was Nate). It has Oscar potential, but I don't want that interfering with Viggo Mortensen getting an Oscar for The Road (if it ever comes out). It's billed as a 'feel good' movie, but if it is close to the original column, that may be misleading. It's an intense, real story. It doesn't have to 'feel good'.
Okay, The Soloist is out now, or at least opening soon. I have to highly recommend this, even though I haven't seen it. What I do know is that rather than reading the book, I actually read Steve Lopez's column in the LA Times, as the whole story unfolded (which later became the book). Steve Lopez is my favorite columnist anyway, but this is one of his best series.
He's dealing with poverty, mental illness, people's attitudes towards the mentally ill, and shows how people can make a difference, even though there may not be a happy ending. He spends a great deal of time on skid row, meets a schizophrenic musician, gets to know him, and finds that he's actually a former Juilliard student that once schooled with Yo Yo Ma. He doesn't clean him up, make it all better, and suddenly the bum (sarcastic here) becomes a star. Not that easy.
Actually, it's far more realistic than this. Lopez tries to help while battling the mercurial moods of the schizophrenic, the lack of appreciation for his efforts, several wasted attempts at help, lost meetings, wasted money, etc. He shows that even when shone a better life, a more "normal" life, a person who is mentally ill may not choose that. If he even consciously has a choice in the matter.
Many people may find it amazing that someone so incredibly, deeply messed up could have such a staggering musical gift. Savant like.
It's amazing and touching. Especially in that Lopez gets into this so deeply, when he could easily report from afar. The movie has Robert Downey Jr. playing Lopez (generous!) and Jamie Foxx as the musician (I think his name was Nate). It has Oscar potential, but I don't want that interfering with Viggo Mortensen getting an Oscar for The Road (if it ever comes out). It's billed as a 'feel good' movie, but if it is close to the original column, that may be misleading. It's an intense, real story. It doesn't have to 'feel good'.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Does anyone read anymore?
The Twilight of Books, essay from New Yorker magazine 2007
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2007/12/24/071224crat_atlarge_crain/
I was startled recently when speaking to an old friend. I asked her if she was reading anything interesting, just to break the ice from a long absence. She said she never reads, not since high school. Ouch.
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2007/12/24/071224crat_atlarge_crain/
I was startled recently when speaking to an old friend. I asked her if she was reading anything interesting, just to break the ice from a long absence. She said she never reads, not since high school. Ouch.
More random thoughts on Dirt Music, Tim Winton
In a previous post, I mentioned how Winton seems to idealize children. After I posted that, I went back and discovered that many of the children in his books (as well as adults) have names that are of animals: Bird, and Luther Fox in Dirt Music; Fish in Cloudstreet. All the books also seem to discuss how trees seem animated into human form during various crises. Hmmm.
Dirt Music, thoughts
I finished Dirt Music (Tim Winton) with a sense of loss. I was sorry to see the story end, especially as no clear conclusion was reached. That's okay, I'm a grownup, I can handle there not being a defined ending (I've given up on happy endings). Without giving any spoilers, a few thoughts:
Tim Winton is so detailed and thorough that you get a sense of every detail in the scenes. The weather, the feel of the dust on your skin, the smells of the eucalyptus, as well as the emotions of the character are felt, not simply read. I didn't care for the main female character, I thought she was unsympathetic and apathetic to other characters, even the one she loves. The male lead is great, but of course, it's fiction! He has to be THAT perfect to make it work.
The main themes are overcoming your own personality flaws, and the fear of being left behind. Winton's main character Lu has lost everyone he loves; on this journey he meets several characters that could represent those faces from his past. He also has to face the reality that his own perceptions from the past may have been wrong. Horrifyingly so.
Rumor has it that this will become a film. Rachel Weisz is signed to play Georgia, which sounds fine. But there is a bit of a mystery regarding Russell Crowe and Colin Farrell. IMDB, the movie database, lists Colin as playing Lu. However, another report says Russell would play Lu. The other main male character, Jim, is pretty fascinating: he could be played by Russell but defintely not Colin. So I'm not sure which is accurate. I hope that Russell plays Lu, but he could do the character Jim Buckridge with a bit of a evil streak which might be interesting to see.
I'd be very interested to see how a screenplay could be written to show the amount of time passing as well as do justice to the Australian terrain and the long stretches without dialogue. My first reaction was that it would be compared with Tom Hank's Castaway. I think Russell could carry that, I don't think Colin has that much depth.
Anyway, this book had me take out the atlas, the dictionary, and use Google several times to see the trees and earthforms he describes. I think a geologist would particularly like this book, lots of rock talk.
Lastly, I've noticed that in the three Winton books I've read that Winton seems to idolize children, almost in a mythological way. That's not a bad thing, but it just seems that the children in his books develop almost a fairy like quality of mystery and perfection.
I have two more Winton books coming in the mail. I am rationing them, savoring each chapter so I don't run out of this delicious stuff too soon. Highly recommend!
Tim Winton is so detailed and thorough that you get a sense of every detail in the scenes. The weather, the feel of the dust on your skin, the smells of the eucalyptus, as well as the emotions of the character are felt, not simply read. I didn't care for the main female character, I thought she was unsympathetic and apathetic to other characters, even the one she loves. The male lead is great, but of course, it's fiction! He has to be THAT perfect to make it work.
The main themes are overcoming your own personality flaws, and the fear of being left behind. Winton's main character Lu has lost everyone he loves; on this journey he meets several characters that could represent those faces from his past. He also has to face the reality that his own perceptions from the past may have been wrong. Horrifyingly so.
Rumor has it that this will become a film. Rachel Weisz is signed to play Georgia, which sounds fine. But there is a bit of a mystery regarding Russell Crowe and Colin Farrell. IMDB, the movie database, lists Colin as playing Lu. However, another report says Russell would play Lu. The other main male character, Jim, is pretty fascinating: he could be played by Russell but defintely not Colin. So I'm not sure which is accurate. I hope that Russell plays Lu, but he could do the character Jim Buckridge with a bit of a evil streak which might be interesting to see.
I'd be very interested to see how a screenplay could be written to show the amount of time passing as well as do justice to the Australian terrain and the long stretches without dialogue. My first reaction was that it would be compared with Tom Hank's Castaway. I think Russell could carry that, I don't think Colin has that much depth.
Anyway, this book had me take out the atlas, the dictionary, and use Google several times to see the trees and earthforms he describes. I think a geologist would particularly like this book, lots of rock talk.
Lastly, I've noticed that in the three Winton books I've read that Winton seems to idolize children, almost in a mythological way. That's not a bad thing, but it just seems that the children in his books develop almost a fairy like quality of mystery and perfection.
I have two more Winton books coming in the mail. I am rationing them, savoring each chapter so I don't run out of this delicious stuff too soon. Highly recommend!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Excerpt from Dirt Music
"You put up a tent to make a space you think you can deal with. You know the whole night's still out there - the land, the sky and every creeping thing - and you understand how thin the fabric is, what a pissy pretence you hold to, but with your tent blown open you feel more exposed than if you'd lain down on your mat beneath the stars. You can't see what's coming."
from Dirt Music by Tim Winton
from Dirt Music by Tim Winton
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Back to high school
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3g5G0PFuXQ
A friend forwarded this to me. ARGH! It's painful but still fun. The 80's lurks on Youtube. Wonder where Adam Ant is now...
A friend forwarded this to me. ARGH! It's painful but still fun. The 80's lurks on Youtube. Wonder where Adam Ant is now...
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Morro Rock, north of Montano de Oro
Morro Rock, the focal point of Morro Bay, east of San Luis Obispo. I've never seen a photo do it justice, it's just too massive and stunning. It's HUGE. This photo may be an attempt, but you really can't grasp the enormity of it. For my out of state friends, this is on the "must see" list for visitors (hint hint!).
A favorite place...
This is from Spooner Cove at Montano de Oro state beach near Morro Bay. We hike here occasionally, and it is just the ultimate California beach. The only bad memory from here is a badly sprained ankle: wish I could say it was from a tough hike but it was just getting out of the car.
New Treats on their Way
Yay! Haven't placed a book order in forever: Borders is sending out:
Tim Winton's The Turning, and That Eye, That Sky (because I'm a huge fan, currently finishing Dirt Music). His book The Riders is my all time favorite, and Cloudstreet is in the top ten.
Also, Out Stealing Horses by Per Pattersen (just love the name) and Astrid & Veronika by Linda Olsson (recommended online).
After Dirt Music is done, I want to go back to Knut Hamsen's Hunger, which I have seen quoted so many times that I really want to get it as a whole instead of bits and pieces.
Neiner neiner neiner!!!
Tim Winton's The Turning, and That Eye, That Sky (because I'm a huge fan, currently finishing Dirt Music). His book The Riders is my all time favorite, and Cloudstreet is in the top ten.
Also, Out Stealing Horses by Per Pattersen (just love the name) and Astrid & Veronika by Linda Olsson (recommended online).
After Dirt Music is done, I want to go back to Knut Hamsen's Hunger, which I have seen quoted so many times that I really want to get it as a whole instead of bits and pieces.
Neiner neiner neiner!!!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Getting Back on Track with my Blog
After a long interval, and the loss of a previous blog, I'm ready to get back in the habit of throwing my thoughts out into the universe.
My previous blog did me much good in a time of tremendous stress. It was therapeutic to vent away, firing off random sequences of mostly irrational ideas. Sometimes it was quotes that I loved, sometimes pictures that spoke to me. And it gave me the junior high enjoyment of listing my favorites of everything that seemed to matter. Sometimes speaking my mind meant saying things other people didn't want to hear.
While in my former blog, I didn't refer to anyone by name, and spoke mostly of my own personal events in what I thought was anonymity, I ended up having it used against me. A former friend, unhappy with recent actions I had taken, had given the address of the blog to many former friends and some genuine enemies. They read my pathetic attempts at poetry, my ramblings on my problems with recurrent depression, and viewed my favorite photos. They relished the idea that they had my secrets, and used them to question my state of mind. While I know there is no true anonymity on the Internet, it was private, or so I thought.
I was genuinely sickened: it felt like the world had read my private diary.
I gave up on the blog for months. I thought it would be meaningless to put myself in that position again. I missed it.
So, I'm back. I need this. If it slams me again, so be it. I am doing this purely for me, a place to organize my quotes, pictures, and thoughts. I will be cautious, and can only suggest such caution for others as well. To the friends that I give this blog address to, I ask you please respect my desire for privacy and realize the great faith I have in you by sharing this junk with you!
My previous blog did me much good in a time of tremendous stress. It was therapeutic to vent away, firing off random sequences of mostly irrational ideas. Sometimes it was quotes that I loved, sometimes pictures that spoke to me. And it gave me the junior high enjoyment of listing my favorites of everything that seemed to matter. Sometimes speaking my mind meant saying things other people didn't want to hear.
While in my former blog, I didn't refer to anyone by name, and spoke mostly of my own personal events in what I thought was anonymity, I ended up having it used against me. A former friend, unhappy with recent actions I had taken, had given the address of the blog to many former friends and some genuine enemies. They read my pathetic attempts at poetry, my ramblings on my problems with recurrent depression, and viewed my favorite photos. They relished the idea that they had my secrets, and used them to question my state of mind. While I know there is no true anonymity on the Internet, it was private, or so I thought.
I was genuinely sickened: it felt like the world had read my private diary.
I gave up on the blog for months. I thought it would be meaningless to put myself in that position again. I missed it.
So, I'm back. I need this. If it slams me again, so be it. I am doing this purely for me, a place to organize my quotes, pictures, and thoughts. I will be cautious, and can only suggest such caution for others as well. To the friends that I give this blog address to, I ask you please respect my desire for privacy and realize the great faith I have in you by sharing this junk with you!
Lope de Vega quote
With a few flowers in my garden,
half a dozen pictures and some books,
I live without envy.
Lope de Vega
This pretty much sums up my current desired existence...
half a dozen pictures and some books,
I live without envy.
Lope de Vega
This pretty much sums up my current desired existence...
Agony River by Scott Wannberg
Agony River
Temperature has a headache
swears it won't rise to your occasion
Speeding patrol cars out of fashion
find enough time to spotlight your cold skin
Agony River just called collect
promises to flow to the front door in a few hours
Strange faces from the ongoing confusion
only make the decision that much harder
Pull the plug or mop up the bleeding deck one last time
in hope it will never show up again
Pain aches for you and it calls me over and
wants to know the secret of reaching you
Idiot, I tell it, the only secret is in
the sunlight, how it still finds a way to bathe you
when all the experts have run off to the airport
for their red eye flights home
Agony River winds its way to the sea
and we are nothing more than
belligerent fish
waiting for some omnipresent hook
to call on us for some kind of sustaining belief
Scott Wannberg
Temperature has a headache
swears it won't rise to your occasion
Speeding patrol cars out of fashion
find enough time to spotlight your cold skin
Agony River just called collect
promises to flow to the front door in a few hours
Strange faces from the ongoing confusion
only make the decision that much harder
Pull the plug or mop up the bleeding deck one last time
in hope it will never show up again
Pain aches for you and it calls me over and
wants to know the secret of reaching you
Idiot, I tell it, the only secret is in
the sunlight, how it still finds a way to bathe you
when all the experts have run off to the airport
for their red eye flights home
Agony River winds its way to the sea
and we are nothing more than
belligerent fish
waiting for some omnipresent hook
to call on us for some kind of sustaining belief
Scott Wannberg
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Invisible Ink
"The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible."
Nabokov
Nabokov
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)