Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Happy Birthday, auntlori!!
Happeeeee biiiiirthday tooooo yooooou!
Happeeeee biiiiirthday tooooo yooooou!
Happeeeee biiiIIIIrthday, dear auntloooooriiiii!
Happeeeee biiiiirthday tooooo yooooou!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Will we *ever* get a cinematic version of Eliza Doolittle who can SING??? It's like they're upping the ante by giving us someone who also can't act!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
And speak nice to her, cause I want her to be my mother
This is the cutest thing ever, but you'll have to close your eyes because the animation is absolutely atrocious.
The first year I went to Ireland one of the guys from YD had me listen to these. During the 60s(?) a group went into the Dublin schools and recorded children telling different religious stories. Then a few or so years ago some idiot took a really bad actress with a terrible Irish accent and made these crappy animations, but suffer through it cause the kids are worth the pain inflicted on your eyes.
The first year I went to Ireland one of the guys from YD had me listen to these. During the 60s(?) a group went into the Dublin schools and recorded children telling different religious stories. Then a few or so years ago some idiot took a really bad actress with a terrible Irish accent and made these crappy animations, but suffer through it cause the kids are worth the pain inflicted on your eyes.
Amusing side note: Oliver Plunkett's Head is a relic displayed in St. Peter's Church in Drogheda, 35 miles out of Dublin. Apparantly that was this child's reference for a long trip, to go to see St. Oliver Plunkett's head and back. :)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Getting the ball rolling
Songs to which we must dance at New Years:
Thriller
Maahi ve
Cotton Eyed Joe
With Catlike Tread
Hills of Donegal
Macarena
Suerte
Stayin' Alive
Magic Dance
That Thing You Do!
The Twist
Thriller
Maahi ve
Cotton Eyed Joe
With Catlike Tread
Hills of Donegal
Macarena
Suerte
Stayin' Alive
Magic Dance
That Thing You Do!
The Twist
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A Penguin of a Different Color
Thank you for inviting me to join this dear blog! I thought this might be appreciated here. What a shame it doesn't ship to the U.S....Sigh.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
This may be more awesomeness than a single blog can contain...
Kirk and Rush. It had to be.
Tangentially, why doesn't Rush ever wear socks?
Tangentially, why doesn't Rush ever wear socks?
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Silence of Mystery and Expectation
Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., preached on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s expectation during the first Advent when Christ dwelt in her womb. Here is the text of his homily:
The Virgin Mary, during the Season of Advent, sees what others have not seen. And she hears what others have not heard. She sees and hears the promise of the Archangel, Gabriel, who speaks to her the word of God, “Behold you are to conceive a Son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel, which means God is with us.” Mary lives the mystery of faith, this time of advent, as a time of expectation, a time of waiting for the birth of her Son. But she also lives this time as a time of the presence of God, of a new presence of God, in the womb of Mary.
We have all had the occasion by a moment to sense more intensely the presence of Christ in the Eucharist during the celebration of the Mass, during Eucharistic adoration, or even in the Tabernacle, when we walk into a Church. There is Christ. He is there whether we sense or experience his presence. But precisely because this is the case, we are sometimes given to experience that he is present. Such experience is not the source of faith, but in some way it is its consequence.
But what about the experience of the blessed Virgin Mary during Advent? It is reasonable, like the Fathers of the Church, to see Mary as the original tabernacle. The word became flesh and dwells among us. This being hidden but present among us is first of all realized during the time of advent in the home of Nazareth, in the womb of Mary, under the protection of saint Joseph. Mary meditated upon all these things and kept them in her heart. We can reasonably speculate that she read scripture during this time, in silence, most likely the words of Isaiah, his prophesies, and found in them a sense of the meaning of what was happening to her.
St. Augustine says that she conceived the Word in her heart before she conceived the Word in her flesh. So that her maternity was accompanied by an intensification and growth in faith, in contemplation, in the intelligent perception of mystery. The second Vatican Council says that during the time of her pregnancy the heart of the Incarnate Word beat gently below the heart of Mary, her immaculate heart. Two immaculate hearts, beating silently and prayerfully in the night of this world.
And during this time, Mary grew in faith and in love, in expectation and in quite joy. Such should be also our advent, a time to accept the silence of mystery and expectation, of quiet penance and joy, waiting for the dawn of Christmas, and the light of Christ that is to illumine the world.
The Virgin Mary, during the Season of Advent, sees what others have not seen. And she hears what others have not heard. She sees and hears the promise of the Archangel, Gabriel, who speaks to her the word of God, “Behold you are to conceive a Son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel, which means God is with us.” Mary lives the mystery of faith, this time of advent, as a time of expectation, a time of waiting for the birth of her Son. But she also lives this time as a time of the presence of God, of a new presence of God, in the womb of Mary.
We have all had the occasion by a moment to sense more intensely the presence of Christ in the Eucharist during the celebration of the Mass, during Eucharistic adoration, or even in the Tabernacle, when we walk into a Church. There is Christ. He is there whether we sense or experience his presence. But precisely because this is the case, we are sometimes given to experience that he is present. Such experience is not the source of faith, but in some way it is its consequence.
But what about the experience of the blessed Virgin Mary during Advent? It is reasonable, like the Fathers of the Church, to see Mary as the original tabernacle. The word became flesh and dwells among us. This being hidden but present among us is first of all realized during the time of advent in the home of Nazareth, in the womb of Mary, under the protection of saint Joseph. Mary meditated upon all these things and kept them in her heart. We can reasonably speculate that she read scripture during this time, in silence, most likely the words of Isaiah, his prophesies, and found in them a sense of the meaning of what was happening to her.
St. Augustine says that she conceived the Word in her heart before she conceived the Word in her flesh. So that her maternity was accompanied by an intensification and growth in faith, in contemplation, in the intelligent perception of mystery. The second Vatican Council says that during the time of her pregnancy the heart of the Incarnate Word beat gently below the heart of Mary, her immaculate heart. Two immaculate hearts, beating silently and prayerfully in the night of this world.
And during this time, Mary grew in faith and in love, in expectation and in quite joy. Such should be also our advent, a time to accept the silence of mystery and expectation, of quiet penance and joy, waiting for the dawn of Christmas, and the light of Christ that is to illumine the world.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A Couple of No-Name Slobs
Until recently re-watching this movie with Anne & Bonnie, I had completely forgotten how much I love it (Buddy Ebsen's creepy and Mickey Rooney's racist performances notwithstanding)!
(You know, I hate Mickey Rooney in pretty much everything...)
(You know, I hate Mickey Rooney in pretty much everything...)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
When in Rome, do as the Americans do.
Very interesting: a European perspective on the Manhattan Declaration.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Just a little housekeeping...
Since we all share this blog in common, it seems only right that we should all have full editorial access. To that end, I've made sure to grant administrative permissions to everyone.
This allows you to change the settings of the blog and extend invitations to any other family members that I have inadvertently omitted (and you know I have -- sorry to those of you who haven't been able to post!!)
Let me know if for any reason you find yourself without full access and I shall try to figure out what in thunder is going on!
This allows you to change the settings of the blog and extend invitations to any other family members that I have inadvertently omitted (and you know I have -- sorry to those of you who haven't been able to post!!)
Let me know if for any reason you find yourself without full access and I shall try to figure out what in thunder is going on!
"Faith takes nothing away from your genius or art..."
The Pope addresses the arts.
(I'm still a bit puzzled as to how Dan Brown got a mention in an article about artists... I can only assume it's some kind of vast Da Vincian conspiracy.)
(I'm still a bit puzzled as to how Dan Brown got a mention in an article about artists... I can only assume it's some kind of vast Da Vincian conspiracy.)
Friday, November 20, 2009
"Subtle links": God saves twins!
From our Charlottesville pro-life blog:
In life there are moments when the grace of God becomes so vividly and visually apparent that, if we were to try and capture such a moment in fiction or film, it would be dismissed as an improbable fiction. And yet the grace of God pervades every moment of every day, more wondrously than we can understand or seek to describe. That is what we are called upon to remember in those seemingly extraordinary moments -- not that the action of God in our lives is unusual, but that our realization of it is what is really extraordinary.
On this particular "Friday for Life", as we stood in a little group, praying in front of the genocide factory of Planned Parenthood, we experienced the usual mixture of reactions -- a whispered "God bless you" from an elderly man out for his morning constitutional, and a scarcely understandable shout that we should "get a job".
When the red mini-SUV pulled out of the parking lot and slowed at the curb near the sign, our prayers intensified. It was driven by an older woman, with a girl in the passenger seat. We fully expected we were about to "get it with both barrels", as the saying goes. As the older woman got out, and walked across the grass to speak with us, my mother made one last whispered petition to the Holy Spirit.
But this was a grandmother who had come to thank, not to attack. "I want to thank you," she said. "My daughter came here to have an abortion. But we've just learned that she's pregnant with twins... and she's changed her mind."
Blessings, hugs, and tears predictably followed.
Thanks be to God for his benevolence and for the little twin who saved two lives today. If Cain's question -- "Am I my brother's keeper?" -- were put to that little prolifer, the answer would clearly be "Yes!"
Love and prayers for mother, grandmother, and for that happy pair.
"...how subtle are the links which bind two souls which are so closely allied." -- Arthur Conan Doyle
In life there are moments when the grace of God becomes so vividly and visually apparent that, if we were to try and capture such a moment in fiction or film, it would be dismissed as an improbable fiction. And yet the grace of God pervades every moment of every day, more wondrously than we can understand or seek to describe. That is what we are called upon to remember in those seemingly extraordinary moments -- not that the action of God in our lives is unusual, but that our realization of it is what is really extraordinary.
On this particular "Friday for Life", as we stood in a little group, praying in front of the genocide factory of Planned Parenthood, we experienced the usual mixture of reactions -- a whispered "God bless you" from an elderly man out for his morning constitutional, and a scarcely understandable shout that we should "get a job".
When the red mini-SUV pulled out of the parking lot and slowed at the curb near the sign, our prayers intensified. It was driven by an older woman, with a girl in the passenger seat. We fully expected we were about to "get it with both barrels", as the saying goes. As the older woman got out, and walked across the grass to speak with us, my mother made one last whispered petition to the Holy Spirit.
But this was a grandmother who had come to thank, not to attack. "I want to thank you," she said. "My daughter came here to have an abortion. But we've just learned that she's pregnant with twins... and she's changed her mind."
Blessings, hugs, and tears predictably followed.
Thanks be to God for his benevolence and for the little twin who saved two lives today. If Cain's question -- "Am I my brother's keeper?" -- were put to that little prolifer, the answer would clearly be "Yes!"
Love and prayers for mother, grandmother, and for that happy pair.
The Manhattan declaration
Attention! From the signers of Manhattan Declaration, being released today at Noon EST, in Washington D.C:
We invite you to join with other Christians across the nation who support the sanctity of life, traditional marriage and religious liberty by endorsing the Manhattan Declaration.
Throughout the centuries, God has graciously provided His people with teachers and prophetic voices who apply His word to the critical issues of the day and who lead their hearers to embrace His life-giving authority and counsel in the midst of cultural madness. The Manhattan Declaration extends and honors that tradition, and we urge you to join us in affirming it. The Manhattan Declaration addresses with urgent eloquence the devaluation of human life, the corruption of marriage, and the erosion of religious liberty. With careful instruction, it brings light and clarity to all who read it. We trust that millions of believers will sign it, that countless others will be drawn or driven to give it fair consideration, and that our society will be changed by its strong yet sweetly reasonable message.
The Manhattan Declaration will be released this Friday, November 20, 2009, at a press conference in Washington D.C. It bears the signatures of many religious leaders, but this is just the beginning. The list of supports will grow dramatically in a short time and those who most need to hear this word will not be able to escape or downplay it. So please endorse this document by your signature and spread the word to others who might endorse it as well. Thank you.
Click here to view the Manhattan Declaration and lend your name to those who have already signed.
We invite you to join with other Christians across the nation who support the sanctity of life, traditional marriage and religious liberty by endorsing the Manhattan Declaration.
Throughout the centuries, God has graciously provided His people with teachers and prophetic voices who apply His word to the critical issues of the day and who lead their hearers to embrace His life-giving authority and counsel in the midst of cultural madness. The Manhattan Declaration extends and honors that tradition, and we urge you to join us in affirming it. The Manhattan Declaration addresses with urgent eloquence the devaluation of human life, the corruption of marriage, and the erosion of religious liberty. With careful instruction, it brings light and clarity to all who read it. We trust that millions of believers will sign it, that countless others will be drawn or driven to give it fair consideration, and that our society will be changed by its strong yet sweetly reasonable message.
The Manhattan Declaration will be released this Friday, November 20, 2009, at a press conference in Washington D.C. It bears the signatures of many religious leaders, but this is just the beginning. The list of supports will grow dramatically in a short time and those who most need to hear this word will not be able to escape or downplay it. So please endorse this document by your signature and spread the word to others who might endorse it as well. Thank you.
Click here to view the Manhattan Declaration and lend your name to those who have already signed.
:::shrugs::: Yeah, fine...
I love it when the Archbishop of Canterbury (total congregation: 3) lectures the Pope (total congregation: over a billion) on those "internal [Church of England] arguments [that offer] lessons for senior Catholics."
I'm sure the Holy Father will benefit greatly from the Archbishop's wisdom and insight.
:::eye roll:::
I'm sure the Holy Father will benefit greatly from the Archbishop's wisdom and insight.
:::eye roll:::
Ah... A morning cup of genius...
For late-19th-century anarchists, terrorism was the “propaganda of the deed.” And the most successful propaganda-by-deed in history was 9/11 — not just the most destructive, but the most spectacular and telegenic.
Continue...
Continue...
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Book Corner
To read about what I thought on the book "The Da Vince Code" visit my rarely used wordpress blog sometime. I am hilarious (as always) and because this is a book worth riffing like no one's business.
I warn you; it's lengthy.
I warn you; it's lengthy.
All Saints Vigil
I was sorry to have missed it (although I had a BLAST where I was!) but take a look at the slides.... you can see one of JP and then there is one of Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. holding court - and, while you cannot see Eleanor (I know she was present), you CAN see the Gilbert!!! and a couple of slides of dear Fr. Bruno Shah, O.P. (aka Donlon family Chaplain)
awesome blossom!
Anyone who can, I highly recommend attending this wonderful celebration at the House of Studies in DC!
awesome blossom!
Anyone who can, I highly recommend attending this wonderful celebration at the House of Studies in DC!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
I resent being called a Perotistas...
but this Rich Lowry column concerning 2009's biggest non-fiction release is worth reading anyway.
You can show your support for Sarah by donning one of these.
Monday, November 16, 2009
That's no lady...
I had to pick my jaw up off the ground after watching this hideous display of unsportsman...er...womanlike like behavior!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Helen Alvare
It is an hour long talk, but it is a good one.
St. Albert's Day Lecture given at St. Vincent Ferrer (Dominican) Church in NYC.
St. Albert's Day Lecture given at St. Vincent Ferrer (Dominican) Church in NYC.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Genius, first thing in the morning
Chas on "Medicalizing Mass Murder":
WASHINGTON -- What a surprise -- that someone who shouts "Allahu Akbar" (the "God is great" jihadist battle cry) as he is shooting up a room of American soldiers might have Islamist motives. It certainly was a surprise to the mainstream media, which spent the weekend after the Fort Hood massacre downplaying Nidal Hasan's religious beliefs.
WASHINGTON -- What a surprise -- that someone who shouts "Allahu Akbar" (the "God is great" jihadist battle cry) as he is shooting up a room of American soldiers might have Islamist motives. It certainly was a surprise to the mainstream media, which spent the weekend after the Fort Hood massacre downplaying Nidal Hasan's religious beliefs.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
They fight crime!
Have a ball with this awesome plot generator! Somehow, they all sound vaguely like Gerard Butler movies...
(h/t Matt Alderman)
(h/t Matt Alderman)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Do they do a Midi-chlorians check?
Apparently, long long ago wasn't long enough to kill this religion.
I wonder where I can find an application to join their ranks...
For more information and to order your youngling gear today!
...I suppose I shouldn't mock too much, given that I knew where to find the picture and get all the links...
I wonder where I can find an application to join their ranks...
For more information and to order your youngling gear today!
...I suppose I shouldn't mock too much, given that I knew where to find the picture and get all the links...
Things to smile about this week.
Showstoppers Kristin Chenoweth and Judy Holliday.
The cover of the latest National Review.
The 'Miss Librarian' paperdoll by one of my favorite Esty artists.
The cover of the latest National Review.
The 'Miss Librarian' paperdoll by one of my favorite Esty artists.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Basking...
(AP/Fox News Photo)
Nyah nyah na-nyah nyah. :D
Just as a side note: Dede Scozzafava is the dumbest broad this side of the equator.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
From the USCCB (believe it or not)
Email your representatives!
http://www.usccb.org/action
http://actions.nchla.org/Core.aspx?AID=970&APP=GAC&IssueID=19513&SiteID=-1
http://www.usccb.org/action
http://actions.nchla.org/Core.aspx?AID=970&APP=GAC&IssueID=19513&SiteID=-1
Monday, November 2, 2009
On request: A battle
Maggie and Hyacinth (Jacek) dispute a theological point.
Jacek's rebuttal.
Maggie wins the argument through superior knowledge of the Summa.
Retreat back to the original sources.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween!
when the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake
spooks come out for a swingin' wake
happy haunts materialize, and begin to vocalize,
Grim Grinnin' Ghosts come out to socialize
now don't close your eyes and don't try to hide
or a silly spook may sit by your side
shrouded in a daft disguise, they pretend to terrorize,
Grim Grinnin' Ghosts come out to socialize
as the moon climbs high o'er the dead oak tree
spooks come out for the midnight spree
creepy creeps with eerie eyes, start to shriek and harmonize
Grim Grinnin' Ghosts come out to socialize!
when you hear the knell of a requiem bell
wierd glows gleam where spirits dwell
restless bones eptherialize, rise as spooks of every size
(maniacle laughter)
if you would like to join our jamboree
theres a simple rule thats compulsory:
mortals pay a token fee, rest in peace, the hauntings free,
so hurry back, we would like your company!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Another review
Nice.
Especially when you consider the string of "Anglican perverts" in his family tree. But some of his notions were a bit silly. I would have helped Pitt eat the silly bunny.
Especially when you consider the string of "Anglican perverts" in his family tree. But some of his notions were a bit silly. I would have helped Pitt eat the silly bunny.
Arbonne redux
Will any of these dates work?
Sunday November 15th
Sunday December 6th
Saturday or Sunday Jan 9-10th
Sunday Jan 17th
Sunday November 15th
Sunday December 6th
Saturday or Sunday Jan 9-10th
Sunday Jan 17th
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wha-?
<---What is the difference between these two Netflix sleeves?
The movie that even Netflix denies ----->
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Just bask in his brilliance...
"In a SPIEGEL interview, Charles Krauthammer, the leading voice of America's conservative intellectuals, discusses Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, the president's failures and the state of the United Nations and the international community."
Arbonne party?
A friend of mine has offered to come and hold a makeup party for us -- more for the fun of it than anything. She is a consultant for Arbonne. The date we have tentatively selected is the 29th of November. If enough people are interested, we could make it a sort of "ladies afternoon" in Charlottesville. Wine, cheese and crackers, and spa masks all around. There would be NO pressure for anyone to buy anything.
If you think you would be interested and could make it, let me know. I would need a rough head count before I went ahead and set it up.
If you think you would be interested and could make it, let me know. I would need a rough head count before I went ahead and set it up.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Nanny of All Sequels!
I've long felt that the one thing the original really lacked was belching crows...
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Things to smile about this week.
In addition to Eleanor's posts for today, here are some more things to smile about in the coming week!
Perfect design.
A new Shakespearean print. (Hubba hubba!)
The courage of martyrs.
And, Michael Buble.
Perfect design.
A new Shakespearean print. (Hubba hubba!)
The courage of martyrs.
And, Michael Buble.
St. Philip Howard
He shares the upcoming Feast of the Martyrs of England and Wales, but today is the anniversary of his death.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Things to smile about this week.
My favorite recurring feature on Genna's blog is her 'Happy Friday' post in which she lists those things currently making her smile. I thought it might be nice to appropriate that brilliant concept for the family blog, switch it to the beginning of the week (so we're not too derivative) and provide one another with things to smile about over the coming days. :)
So, herewith are the things I'm smiling about this week:
- These lounge pants from Anthropologie. (Genna! My catalog finally came!!)
- The Mother Teresa statue at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
- The new Wayne Weible book. (That's my mom's yellow plate on the cover and the table is the round one from our family room!! The bread came from Farm Fresh.)
- Space Oddity by David Bowie.
- Stationery!
- Shakespeare and Modern Culture by Marjorie Garber.
- Wasa crackers.
Can't wait to hear what's making everyone elsesmile!
So, herewith are the things I'm smiling about this week:
- These lounge pants from Anthropologie. (Genna! My catalog finally came!!)
- The Mother Teresa statue at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
- The new Wayne Weible book. (That's my mom's yellow plate on the cover and the table is the round one from our family room!! The bread came from Farm Fresh.)
- Space Oddity by David Bowie.
- Stationery!
- Shakespeare and Modern Culture by Marjorie Garber.
- Wasa crackers.
Can't wait to hear what's making everyone else
Friday, October 9, 2009
I don't know, Jani...
I think I may have discovered the ugliest shoes in the history of shoes...from Alexander McQueen's Spring 2010 collection. Talk about nightmarish! No, I wouldn't do this even for the sake of high fashion.
addendum: But these from Chloe are absolutely fabulous. This is where Genna closes her eyes and falls into a daydreaming reverie. :)
addendum: But these from Chloe are absolutely fabulous. This is where Genna closes her eyes and falls into a daydreaming reverie. :)
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Written chiefly by ladies for ladies...
Persephone Books' image-heavy blog is just as fun as their website!
I have read several of their books and, not only have I enjoyed the individual stories, but holding the sturdy, creamy paperbacks in my hands was a distinct pleasure in-and-of-itself.
Oh, to have the funds for their book subscription!
I have read several of their books and, not only have I enjoyed the individual stories, but holding the sturdy, creamy paperbacks in my hands was a distinct pleasure in-and-of-itself.
Oh, to have the funds for their book subscription!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Golly! Just put it on vibrate!
Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig stop their performance for rude theatergoers.
Good morning to everyone! Genna and I are glad to be back home and are sorry we were unable to post while abroad. Turns out we didn't have the internet connection we had anticipated. Genna transported to Paris a very heavy and elaborate ipod charger :-)
Inspired by our trip, I am trying to collect titles to movies having to do with France in some way. They might take place there, be filmed there, have to do with some part of French history, geography or French culture. In particular we are interested in those having to do with Paris. We hope to watch them in order to "extend the experience" and learn some more in a fun way.
So far we have the following compiled by the Walkers, Genna and I:
French Kiss
Charade
How to Steal a Million
Marie Antoinette (with Norma Shearer)
Desiree
Scarlet Pimpernel
Day of the Jackal
Bourne Identity
Man in the Iron Mask
Three Musketeers
Gigi
Anyone have any more to add?
Love to all,
Karen
Inspired by our trip, I am trying to collect titles to movies having to do with France in some way. They might take place there, be filmed there, have to do with some part of French history, geography or French culture. In particular we are interested in those having to do with Paris. We hope to watch them in order to "extend the experience" and learn some more in a fun way.
So far we have the following compiled by the Walkers, Genna and I:
French Kiss
Charade
How to Steal a Million
Marie Antoinette (with Norma Shearer)
Desiree
Scarlet Pimpernel
Day of the Jackal
Bourne Identity
Man in the Iron Mask
Three Musketeers
Gigi
Anyone have any more to add?
Love to all,
Karen
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Irving Kristol, 1920-2009
I'm sure we've all been reading the tributes to Irving Kristol since his death on September 18th. And many of them are well worth reading. But, this tribute is, of course, the best.
Friday, September 25, 2009
A precarious pink-eyed shadow...
The Telegraph selects twenty of Dan Brown's more egregious examples of amateurism.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Shakespeare Master Class: An Actor Prepares
I'm going through my annual Shakespeare fixation and reading and watching a lot of earnest analysis. This seems more than usually apt.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Kings Dominion
Here are some pictures from the Kings Dominion trip! These are the "favorites;" the Dominator and the Volcano.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Bernard Hepton
In my musing over the early Mansfield Park adaptation, I stumbled across an interview that may be of interest to certain people...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Back from California
Back from my trip to California - it was a great trip! I enjoyed spending time with those 'wild' Gildeas - who are all a great deal less wild than they used to be (or than they would like to think they are now).
Patrick was a ton of fun and Audrey's house is gorgeous!
Saw Uncle Rich & sundry of his children. Had a little lunch with Stojan & Janja - and if you believe that, I have a bridge in San Francisco I'd like you to take a look at.....
Missed the fires - although you can see the flames and plenty of the smoke from Patrick's aerie.
Star of the Sea
One, two, three:
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday dearest Mother of God,
Happy Birthday to You!!!
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday dearest Mother of God,
Happy Birthday to You!!!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Hyacinth
St. Hyacinth
Dominican, called the Apostle of the North, son of Eustachius Konski of the noble family of Odrowaz; born 1185 at the castle of Lanka, at Kamin, in Silesia, Poland (now Prussia); died 15 August, 1257, at Cracow. Feast, 16 Aug. A near relative of Saint Ceslaus, he made his studies at Cracow, Prague, and Bologna, and at the latter place merited the title of Doctor of Law and Divinity. On his return to Poland he was given a prebend at Sandomir. He subsequently accompanied his uncle Ivo Konski, the Bishop of Cracow, to Rome, where he met St. Dominic, and was one of the first to receive at his hands (at Santa Sabina, 1220) the habit of the newly established Order of Friars Preachers. After his novitiate he made his religious profession, and was made superior of the little band of missionaries sent to Poland to preach. On the way he was able to establish a convent of his order at Friesach in Carinthia. In Poland the new preachers were favourably received and their sermons were productive of much good. Hyacinth founded communities at Sandomir, Cracow, and at Plocko on the Vistula in Moravia. He extended his missionary work through Prussia, Pomerania, and Lithuania; then crossing the Baltic Sea he preached in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. He came into Lower or Red Russia, establishing a community at Lemberg and at Haletz on the Mester; proceeded into Muscovy, and founded a convent at Dieff, and came as far as the shores of the Black Sea. He then returned to Cracow, which he had made the centre of his operations. On the morning of 15 August he attended Matins and Mass, received the last sacraments, and died a saintly death. God glorified His servant by numberless miracles, the record of which fills many folio pages of the Acta SS., August, III, 309. He was canonized by Pope Clement VIII in 1594. A portion of his relics is at the Dominican church in Paris.
Popular depictions of him include the following:
Dominican, called the Apostle of the North, son of Eustachius Konski of the noble family of Odrowaz; born 1185 at the castle of Lanka, at Kamin, in Silesia, Poland (now Prussia); died 15 August, 1257, at Cracow. Feast, 16 Aug. A near relative of Saint Ceslaus, he made his studies at Cracow, Prague, and Bologna, and at the latter place merited the title of Doctor of Law and Divinity. On his return to Poland he was given a prebend at Sandomir. He subsequently accompanied his uncle Ivo Konski, the Bishop of Cracow, to Rome, where he met St. Dominic, and was one of the first to receive at his hands (at Santa Sabina, 1220) the habit of the newly established Order of Friars Preachers. After his novitiate he made his religious profession, and was made superior of the little band of missionaries sent to Poland to preach. On the way he was able to establish a convent of his order at Friesach in Carinthia. In Poland the new preachers were favourably received and their sermons were productive of much good. Hyacinth founded communities at Sandomir, Cracow, and at Plocko on the Vistula in Moravia. He extended his missionary work through Prussia, Pomerania, and Lithuania; then crossing the Baltic Sea he preached in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. He came into Lower or Red Russia, establishing a community at Lemberg and at Haletz on the Mester; proceeded into Muscovy, and founded a convent at Dieff, and came as far as the shores of the Black Sea. He then returned to Cracow, which he had made the centre of his operations. On the morning of 15 August he attended Matins and Mass, received the last sacraments, and died a saintly death. God glorified His servant by numberless miracles, the record of which fills many folio pages of the Acta SS., August, III, 309. He was canonized by Pope Clement VIII in 1594. A portion of his relics is at the Dominican church in Paris.
Popular depictions of him include the following:
Saturday, September 5, 2009
WHY CAN NO ONE WRITE AN E-MAIL CORRECTLY?!?!?!?!
WHY CAN NO ONE WRITE AN E-MAIL CORRECTLY?!?!?!?!
1. Everyone has to throw in some emoticons >: (
2. Everyone has TO constantly USES improper grammar
3. Everyone has to spel improperley
4. Everyone has to caPitalIze raNdom LeTtErs
5. everyone has to leave out capitals that should be there, even in country names, like
6. Everyone has to put in >>RANDOM, PUN(TUAT10N`~!!!
7. Everyone has to put random tabs everywhere
8. Everyone ignores proper salutations and closings!
9. Everybody, like, uses, like, the same, like, basic words, like again, and again, and again.
Why can't the Americans learn to write right?
SOLUTIONS:
1. If you can’t express emotion with your vocabulary, why should we consider little faces as expressive?
2. Why do you think it’s called GRAMMAR SCHOOL? So you can play hooky during arithmetic?
3. If you can’t spell it, you shouldn’t be saying it. And therefore, if you can’t spell anything…
4. The rules of capitalization didn’t change with the invention of the internet. (By the way, never capitalize “internet”; it’s much the same as “government”. Any attempt to spell “government” with a capital G will bring about Tolkien’s premature resurrection, and subsequent beatings by said zombie)
5. See above.
6. The point of punctuation is to PUNCTUATE your words: ergo, it clearly demarcates the sentences and phrases.
7. Consult my sister for the rules on tabs. Bottom line, THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED IN EMAILS, EXCEPT TO MARK NEW PARAGRAPHS!
8. The best way to learn the proper salutations and closings for e-mails is to research, in any good English grammar book, the proper salutations and closings for LETTERS. As in HAND-WRITTEN letters! It’s still the same, even online. Check it out: E-MAIL. It is still mail, although electronically transmitted.
9. I must confess, I too use redundant vocabulary. I also am not impervious to the detrimental exhibitions of the modern age.
To close: in drafting this rather lengthy missive, my title was read by Eleanor. She discovered a rather ironic fact: I had written “why can no one RIGHT an e-mail correctly.” And so, I humbly subside in my tirade of textual typos.
But still, the question remains: Why can’t the English learn to speak, and why can’t the Americans learn to write?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
I have to do who to the what now?
I don't know why they still send me posts and updates about this.....
Apparently, after a time it's all about what they deserve.
Given their recent liberal attempt to indoctrinate and their insensitive flubs, I wouldn't give them the time of day if they asked for it and I was the only person on the earth with a watch. Take that whatever your names are!
But, the thing that boils me the most. The thing that puts my socks in bunches. That one thing that makes me despise and loath everything that comes from that disgusting channel would have to be: their name change.
I'm sorry, but it is an unforgivable revamp. You might as well change the logo to a little pink fairy with pixie dust coming out of its wand.
Apparently, after a time it's all about what they deserve.
Given their recent liberal attempt to indoctrinate and their insensitive flubs, I wouldn't give them the time of day if they asked for it and I was the only person on the earth with a watch. Take that whatever your names are!
But, the thing that boils me the most. The thing that puts my socks in bunches. That one thing that makes me despise and loath everything that comes from that disgusting channel would have to be: their name change.
I'm sorry, but it is an unforgivable revamp. You might as well change the logo to a little pink fairy with pixie dust coming out of its wand.
A long time ago...about 30 years.
It would seem that despite all of George Lucas's hard work, people still wanted to make this story from long, long ago part of Americana history
Mostly, I must protest Harry Ford's participation in this. But, after Firewall I believe that nothing is too low for the man.
Mostly, I must protest Harry Ford's participation in this. But, after Firewall I believe that nothing is too low for the man.
The "Inartful" Dodger
Turns out the White House isn't going to fit American schoolchildren up for brownshirts ...just yet.
Although, as the brilliant and sexy Mark Steyn pointed out yesterday while sitting in for Rush: children are being indoctrinated with liberal agitprop EVERY DAY in the public schools. Obama was/is simply carrying on a longstanding NEA tradition.
Although, as the brilliant and sexy Mark Steyn pointed out yesterday while sitting in for Rush: children are being indoctrinated with liberal agitprop EVERY DAY in the public schools. Obama was/is simply carrying on a longstanding NEA tradition.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September 1, 1939
by George J. Marlin
Seventy years ago today, Adolf Hitler started the most horrendous war in the history of mankind by ordering the German Wehrmacht to invade and conquer Poland. The Polish army fought valiantly but they were no match for Germany’s sixty-five highly mechanized divisions and 1.8-million troops. By the time Polish resistance ended on October 5, 200,000 Poles were dead or wounded and 400,000 were taken prisoner. But the invasion also set in motion a moral battle that led to the global moral leadership of John Paul II and the Catholic Church’s rise as an institution opposed to all forms of political religion.
Hitler, who despised Poland and held that all Poles were subhuman, ordered his invading army to kill “without pity or mercy, all men, women and children of Polish descent or language.” In the first thirty days of occupation, the Wehrmacht destroyed 531 towns and villages and murdered over 16,000 civilians. Hitler’s aim was more than expanding Germany’s borders; he wanted the “annihilation of living forces” by means of extermination and enslavement. “All Poles,” Heinrich Himmler declared, “will disappear from the world.” The Nazi Governor General of Poland, Hans Frank, told his henchmen: “The Pole has no rights whatsoever. . . . A major goal of our plan is to finish off as speedily as possible all troublemaking politicians, priests, and leaders who fall into our hands. I openly admit that some thousands of so-called important Poles will have to pay with their lives. . . .Every vestige of Polish culture is to be eliminated. Those Poles who seem to have Nordic appearances will be taken to Germany to work in our factories. . . .The rest? They will work. They will eat little. And in the end they will die out. There will never again be a Poland.”
(Read the rest of this chilling yet breathtaking piece.)
Seventy years ago today, Adolf Hitler started the most horrendous war in the history of mankind by ordering the German Wehrmacht to invade and conquer Poland. The Polish army fought valiantly but they were no match for Germany’s sixty-five highly mechanized divisions and 1.8-million troops. By the time Polish resistance ended on October 5, 200,000 Poles were dead or wounded and 400,000 were taken prisoner. But the invasion also set in motion a moral battle that led to the global moral leadership of John Paul II and the Catholic Church’s rise as an institution opposed to all forms of political religion.
Hitler, who despised Poland and held that all Poles were subhuman, ordered his invading army to kill “without pity or mercy, all men, women and children of Polish descent or language.” In the first thirty days of occupation, the Wehrmacht destroyed 531 towns and villages and murdered over 16,000 civilians. Hitler’s aim was more than expanding Germany’s borders; he wanted the “annihilation of living forces” by means of extermination and enslavement. “All Poles,” Heinrich Himmler declared, “will disappear from the world.” The Nazi Governor General of Poland, Hans Frank, told his henchmen: “The Pole has no rights whatsoever. . . . A major goal of our plan is to finish off as speedily as possible all troublemaking politicians, priests, and leaders who fall into our hands. I openly admit that some thousands of so-called important Poles will have to pay with their lives. . . .Every vestige of Polish culture is to be eliminated. Those Poles who seem to have Nordic appearances will be taken to Germany to work in our factories. . . .The rest? They will work. They will eat little. And in the end they will die out. There will never again be a Poland.”
(Read the rest of this chilling yet breathtaking piece.)
The Obama Youth Brigade
"Write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president."
Like, informing on their parents?
Like, informing on their parents?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Airbrushing out Mary Jo Kopechne
Only a Kennedy could get away with it.
By Mark Steyn
We are enjoined not to speak ill of the dead. But, when an entire nation — or, at any rate, its “mainstream” media culture — declines to speak the truth about the dead, we are certainly entitled to speak ill of such false eulogists. In its coverage of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s passing, America’s TV networks are creepily reminiscent of those plays Sam Shepard used to write about some dysfunctional inbred hardscrabble Appalachian household where there’s a baby buried in the backyard but everyone agreed years ago never to mention it.
In this case, the unmentionable corpse is Mary Jo Kopechne, 1940–1969. If you have to bring up the, ah, circumstances of that year of decease, keep it general, keep it vague. As Kennedy flack Ted Sorensen put it in Time magazine: “Both a plane crash in Massachusetts in 1964 and the ugly automobile accident on Chappaquiddick Island in 1969 almost cost him his life.”
That’s the way to do it! An “accident,” “ugly” in some unspecified way, just happened to happen — and only to him, nobody else. Ted’s the star, and there’s no room to namecheck the bit players. What befell him was . . . a thing, a place. As Joan Vennochi wrote in the Boston Globe: “Like all figures in history — and like those in the Bible, for that matter — Kennedy came with flaws. Moses had a temper. Peter betrayed Jesus. Kennedy had Chappaquiddick, a moment of tremendous moral collapse.”
Read the rest!
By Mark Steyn
We are enjoined not to speak ill of the dead. But, when an entire nation — or, at any rate, its “mainstream” media culture — declines to speak the truth about the dead, we are certainly entitled to speak ill of such false eulogists. In its coverage of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s passing, America’s TV networks are creepily reminiscent of those plays Sam Shepard used to write about some dysfunctional inbred hardscrabble Appalachian household where there’s a baby buried in the backyard but everyone agreed years ago never to mention it.
In this case, the unmentionable corpse is Mary Jo Kopechne, 1940–1969. If you have to bring up the, ah, circumstances of that year of decease, keep it general, keep it vague. As Kennedy flack Ted Sorensen put it in Time magazine: “Both a plane crash in Massachusetts in 1964 and the ugly automobile accident on Chappaquiddick Island in 1969 almost cost him his life.”
That’s the way to do it! An “accident,” “ugly” in some unspecified way, just happened to happen — and only to him, nobody else. Ted’s the star, and there’s no room to namecheck the bit players. What befell him was . . . a thing, a place. As Joan Vennochi wrote in the Boston Globe: “Like all figures in history — and like those in the Bible, for that matter — Kennedy came with flaws. Moses had a temper. Peter betrayed Jesus. Kennedy had Chappaquiddick, a moment of tremendous moral collapse.”
Read the rest!
There's a Surprise...
...the government is giving us our money for trading cars that we like for cars we dislike and THEN taking some of our money back.
Some Surprised By 'Clunker' Tax
The Cash For Clunkers program is adding to the activity at treasurers' offices all around South Dakota. First, people were asking for proof of ownership, so they could show they owned their vehicle for a full year, allowing them to cash it in. Now, they'll be returning to register their new vehicle. And when they do, new owners need to bring every bit of paperwork provided to them by their dealer.
"That means they need their title, their damage disclosure, their bill of sale and the dealers have 30 days to get that to them," Minnehaha County Treasurer Pam Nelson said.
But many of those cashing in on the clunkers program are surprised when they get to the treasurer's office windows. That's because the government's rebate of up to $4500 dollars for every clunker is taxable.
"They didn't realize that would be taxable. A lot of people don't realize that. So they're not happy and kind of surprised when they find that out," Nelson said.
For now, the biggest impact of the program hasn't hit this office yet, as most of the paperwork is still in the hands of the dealers. But Nelson expects to see move activity in her office in the next month.
"I'm anxious to see what it's going to be like. I have no idea how many people we're going to see. Hopefully the dealers can process their paperwork in 30 days," Nelson said.
And that's when the line at this office will give some indication of how many cars the government program moved off of local lots.
Nelson adds that if you did recently purchase a vehicle, ensure your dealer gets you the paperwork in time because if they don't you could pay extra interest and penalties.
Some Surprised By 'Clunker' Tax
The Cash For Clunkers program is adding to the activity at treasurers' offices all around South Dakota. First, people were asking for proof of ownership, so they could show they owned their vehicle for a full year, allowing them to cash it in. Now, they'll be returning to register their new vehicle. And when they do, new owners need to bring every bit of paperwork provided to them by their dealer.
"That means they need their title, their damage disclosure, their bill of sale and the dealers have 30 days to get that to them," Minnehaha County Treasurer Pam Nelson said.
But many of those cashing in on the clunkers program are surprised when they get to the treasurer's office windows. That's because the government's rebate of up to $4500 dollars for every clunker is taxable.
"They didn't realize that would be taxable. A lot of people don't realize that. So they're not happy and kind of surprised when they find that out," Nelson said.
For now, the biggest impact of the program hasn't hit this office yet, as most of the paperwork is still in the hands of the dealers. But Nelson expects to see move activity in her office in the next month.
"I'm anxious to see what it's going to be like. I have no idea how many people we're going to see. Hopefully the dealers can process their paperwork in 30 days," Nelson said.
And that's when the line at this office will give some indication of how many cars the government program moved off of local lots.
Nelson adds that if you did recently purchase a vehicle, ensure your dealer gets you the paperwork in time because if they don't you could pay extra interest and penalties.
"Then they came for me..."
While Congress rests up from its latest assault on our republic, WSJ offers 5 fictional narratives that may help us to keep one step ahead of them.
:::cue 'Twilight Zone' music:::
:::cue 'Twilight Zone' music:::
Thursday, August 27, 2009
EVIL MUTANT ATTACK SQUIRREL OF DEATH
I never dreamed that slowly cruising on my motorcycle through a residential neighborhood could be so incredibly dangerous!
Little did I suspect... (Click here for the rest!)
Organ transplant ethics
[I posted this on my personal blog a day or two ago. I guess I will post things on here as well if I think they might interest everyone. :::smile:::)
Coming out of China…
"The majority of transplanted organs in China come from executed prisoners, state media reported Wednesday in a rare disclosure about an industry often criticized for being opaque and unethical….
Condemned prisoners are “definitely not a proper source for organ transplants,” the report quoted Vice Health Minister Huang Jiefu as saying. He has publicly acknowledged that most transplant organs are taken from executed prisoners, but only with prior consent.
Foreign medical and human rights groups have long criticized China’s organ transplant trade as being opaque, profit-driven and unethical. Critics say death row prisoners may feel compelled to become donors.
…
China has acknowledged that kidneys, livers, corneas and other organs are routinely removed from prisoners sentenced to death, but gave no details. Chinese transplant specialists estimate at least 90 percent of transplanted organs come from executed prisoners, human rights groups say."
Read the rest of the article here.
Sigh. What do you do when people need transplants to live, but the living are not nearly meeting the demand as donors? I for one would love to be an organ donor (not a living donor, mind you, but donate my body after I’m dead) but there are no cut-and-dry laws in Maryland about when exactly someone is dead and their organs can be removed. And this is not the case in MD alone; unfortunately there is no consensus on the definition of death.
Is a person dead when they are brain dead?
Is a person dead when there is no brain stem function?
Is a person dead when their heart stops?
Is a person dead when a combination of the above occurs?
Who knows. I come down with those who assert that a person is actually dead when there is no longer holistic bodily function. Philosophically, at this point the human body no longer has a telos or end toward which it is working. Instead, different machines are keeping different parts of the body “machine” working separately. Nothing is integrated; the body is working like parts of car work, but there is no life, no soul.
In the end, though, it is the doctor’s call. Whether the rest of us without white coats agree with it or not, the doctor is the one who is there and who has to make the decision: is the thing in front of me on the table a person or a cadaver?
We need to pray for our doctors, that more of them recognize the weighty responsibility they carry, and we need to encourage them to continue to live their vocations as doctors rather than bow to the utilitarian society in which we live.
Coming out of China…
"The majority of transplanted organs in China come from executed prisoners, state media reported Wednesday in a rare disclosure about an industry often criticized for being opaque and unethical….
Condemned prisoners are “definitely not a proper source for organ transplants,” the report quoted Vice Health Minister Huang Jiefu as saying. He has publicly acknowledged that most transplant organs are taken from executed prisoners, but only with prior consent.
Foreign medical and human rights groups have long criticized China’s organ transplant trade as being opaque, profit-driven and unethical. Critics say death row prisoners may feel compelled to become donors.
…
China has acknowledged that kidneys, livers, corneas and other organs are routinely removed from prisoners sentenced to death, but gave no details. Chinese transplant specialists estimate at least 90 percent of transplanted organs come from executed prisoners, human rights groups say."
Read the rest of the article here.
Sigh. What do you do when people need transplants to live, but the living are not nearly meeting the demand as donors? I for one would love to be an organ donor (not a living donor, mind you, but donate my body after I’m dead) but there are no cut-and-dry laws in Maryland about when exactly someone is dead and their organs can be removed. And this is not the case in MD alone; unfortunately there is no consensus on the definition of death.
Is a person dead when they are brain dead?
Is a person dead when there is no brain stem function?
Is a person dead when their heart stops?
Is a person dead when a combination of the above occurs?
Who knows. I come down with those who assert that a person is actually dead when there is no longer holistic bodily function. Philosophically, at this point the human body no longer has a telos or end toward which it is working. Instead, different machines are keeping different parts of the body “machine” working separately. Nothing is integrated; the body is working like parts of car work, but there is no life, no soul.
In the end, though, it is the doctor’s call. Whether the rest of us without white coats agree with it or not, the doctor is the one who is there and who has to make the decision: is the thing in front of me on the table a person or a cadaver?
We need to pray for our doctors, that more of them recognize the weighty responsibility they carry, and we need to encourage them to continue to live their vocations as doctors rather than bow to the utilitarian society in which we live.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
There are three of them and Alleline.
Genna and I started a great analytical conversation last night with the greatest mini-series ever as our topic.
Since so many of us have seen and loved this story, I though I'd open the floor generally for insight and analysis. (I am particularly interested to get the KWhites' take on it since they just finished it last night!)
For those who have yet to see it: SEE IT!! For those who have seen it and are joining the discussion, make sure you clearly label spoilers in the usual manner (ie. police tape, sirens, brass bands, etc.)
SPOILERS BELOW!!!!
ABANDON HOPE YE WHO ENTER INTO THE SPOILERS!!!!
Genna and my discussion thus far has centered around the ambiguous relationship of Bill & Jim. As I told Genna: I think the implication is that Jim had a "crush" on Bill when they were at Oxford and remained devoted to him throughout his Circus career. That being said, I believe the relationship was platonic -- with Jim being the doggedly devoted one and Bill relishing the devotion.
I think this is very important when considered in light of the strong Biblical thread that runs through the screenplay. (Bill & Jim as David and Jonathan? Perhaps that's reaching...) As part of my research into the topic, I'm going to try to discover the source of the Biblical quotation cited by Jim at the end. If memory serves it's a line from the story of Joseph (he of the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat.) On a basic level, this reference serves to underscore Jim's betrayal by his "brother" who surrendered him to a foreign power and only barely intervened to "preserve" Jim's life.
Jim is probably my favorite character.
Since so many of us have seen and loved this story, I though I'd open the floor generally for insight and analysis. (I am particularly interested to get the KWhites' take on it since they just finished it last night!)
For those who have yet to see it: SEE IT!! For those who have seen it and are joining the discussion, make sure you clearly label spoilers in the usual manner (ie. police tape, sirens, brass bands, etc.)
SPOILERS BELOW!!!!
ABANDON HOPE YE WHO ENTER INTO THE SPOILERS!!!!
Genna and my discussion thus far has centered around the ambiguous relationship of Bill & Jim. As I told Genna: I think the implication is that Jim had a "crush" on Bill when they were at Oxford and remained devoted to him throughout his Circus career. That being said, I believe the relationship was platonic -- with Jim being the doggedly devoted one and Bill relishing the devotion.
I think this is very important when considered in light of the strong Biblical thread that runs through the screenplay. (Bill & Jim as David and Jonathan? Perhaps that's reaching...) As part of my research into the topic, I'm going to try to discover the source of the Biblical quotation cited by Jim at the end. If memory serves it's a line from the story of Joseph (he of the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat.) On a basic level, this reference serves to underscore Jim's betrayal by his "brother" who surrendered him to a foreign power and only barely intervened to "preserve" Jim's life.
Jim is probably my favorite character.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Naughty Nineties
Izzy and I have been watching Abbot and Costello skits today and, even though everyone has seen this bazillions of times I just thought I'd post it anyway. Classic.
Alive Again
Matt Maher's newest cd is available for pre-order! SHRIEK! You can listen to his single there too.
Disney can be positive about marriage??!!??
So, this is not exactly an extremely intense movie, but David & I went with Nathanael (who'd already seen it) to watch the newest Pixar/Disney movie yesterday. I for once was actually fairly impressed with how Disney portrayed marriage and family (usually they score LOW in my book for that one). Anyhow, it was a cute watch...
Also, it turns out being married helps one survive cancer...
Six-Month Book Review
No Man Is An
Vital Friends by Tom Rath. Very quick read, but Rath offers a great, fresh perspective on our friendships that is well worth the time. The Archdiocese of Washington has been basing their recent popular lecture series regarding relationships on this book. ****
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Re-read this one for the third time. It is balm for the soul. :) ****
Introduction to Metaphysics by Martin Heidegger. I admit it: I love Heidegger, and I love this book in particular. It embodies my own personal philosophy that has developed over time. *****
Misanthrope/Tartuffe by Moliere. Two hilarious (yet meaty) plays that have made me an undying fan of Moliere. Mommy and I are going to see his grave in Paris! ****
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume. Although Hume makes great sense, I honestly don't like him at all. But if you want to see where a lot of the problems of modern/contemporary philosophy are born, this is a great work to read. **
The Unity of Philosophical Experience by Etienne Gilson. Although Gilson ultimately has a rather depressing thesis, his roundup of the history of philosophy is positively delicious. ***
Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution by C.P. Snow. Snow identifies a major problem that is only growing exponentially with each and every day. But because the writing style leaves something to be desired, I cannot give it a high rating. If you are interested, you can read my book review from May 2009. **
Mysterious
Solaris by Stanislaw Lem. Great work of science fiction. As all really decent sci-fi should do, it gives plenty of food for thought. *****
The World’s First Love by Fulton Sheen. As always, Sheen dates himself a bit with all the discussion of the evils of Communism, but even that can't ruin this beautiful work of love by a devoted son who truly, deeply, loves his Mother. *****
The Tasks of Philosophy by Alasdair McIntyre. We only had to read a chapter or two of this book for class, but I ended up reading the entire thing in my free time. McIntyre is slightly cynical (realistic?) about where philosophy is headed; however, the way he meshes classical, medieval, and contemporary philosophy so that they are constructive and relevant is the work of genius. I cannot WAIT to hear McIntyre lecture in person at CUA in a couple months. *****
Phenomenology of the Human Person by Robert Sokolowski. As always, Monsignor Sokolowski shows us the beauty of truth as evident in the world around us. I do not find his works as philosophical per se as those of McIntyre, Heidegger, or Descartes - Sokolowski's seem more meditative in nature - but that does not detract from "Fr. Soko's" (as his students term him) wisdom. ****
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