Looking out my window...

"The Girl Who Had Everything" - Elizabeth Taylor

 
Elizabeth Taylor: "Lassie Come Home" 1943

Elizabeth died today at 79. Whenever someone mentions her name I think of the Elizabeth Taylor as seen in the above photo. Not Cleopatra.

When I was a little girl I watched a lot of "old" movies. Some known as "B" movies. I fell in love with Cary Grant. Some had child stars of the time including Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, and Taylor. I liked Elizabeth especially because of her voice and that she and I shared the features of dark hair and a plainness of face.

I also liked her later movies before the jewels and glitter of "Cleopatra." Her mother was an actress and so was she. Not just a pretty face. She did marry a lot. Her average marriage lasted five years. I don't know why. I don't think she suffered from the Marilyn low self esteem. She was a strong and passionate woman. Perhaps too strong for the men of her time. I don't know.

I do know she will be missed by many people for many different reasons.

Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear Meltdown: No Special Effects Needed

 
Cups for Coffee
Picture by Sharon

I spent a week watching Egypt 'round the clock. My sleeping pattern completely changed: up at night, down during daylight. It took me 2 - 3 weeks to finally get back to a semblance of normality.

And then it happened. A huge earthquake in Japan. What a horrible event to watch, let alone live through or die in. Then a tsunami greater than any recorded. Swallowing cities and people.

It seems, as I think back, that these events more often occur in third world type areas. Japan is different. Highly populated with an educated, highly technical citizenship. A people who experience "quakes" often and without too much destruction because of the anti-quake engineering of buildings and structures. Everything was built to withstand a 7.0 earthquake, not an unheard of, unexpected 9.0.

And, then came the tsunami. Bigger and stronger than ever recorded. Traveling inland six miles. Destroying all and everything the earthquake did not. Sweeping up and out to sea thousands of people who have yet to be returned and washed ashore. Babies pulled from their mother's grasp. Husband and wives separated never to see each other again. Four floors of patients in a hospital swept away.

Two terrible disasters happening sequentially within the same day. No time to breathe, let alone rescue, between them.

Then before the people could get their bearings, before they could grasp the horror that had befallen them, the damaged Nuclear reactors were getting ready to meltdown.

The earthquake broke the electric grid, stopping the cooling system. Then the tsunami flooded the backup generator, thoroughly  demolishing any possibility of cooling the core. The reactors were dieing. Every day new events arose, from fires to explosions, despite all efforts being made.

As I write this, I don't know the ending. If it was a disaster movie, I would guess. But it's not a movie. And I don't want to guess the ending because it is too scary.

Two good movies to see: The China Syndrome and 2012. It is much easier to watch the movies than the videos the Japanese people have taken. When you watch special effects, no one really gets hurt. But, this is real and too many people to count are hurt.

**********************************************

One bit of good news has worked it's way through the rubble. A medical study done has shown that drinking multiple cups of coffee a day, helps decrease the risk of strokes in women. Good thing. I've been drinking a lot of coffee this past week.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

 
Drainage Pipe Photo found on internet.

Are you afraid of something? I mean like a phobia of a specific thing? Do you remember how you found out you were afraid? One horrible winter day, when I was in my very early teens, I had an experience I will never forget.

My girlfriend and I decided to take a walk from the older side of town to a new addition that was being built. In between the two locations was a vast wild field. A small creek flowed through the meadow, although we did not know it at the time. "Cuz this was an adventure!"

There was about six inches of snow over the ground, blown away in some parts, with high drifts in others. Even so, do you think we wore boots? Ha! Never on your tintype. As we walked along, our feet would sometimes break through a crust of ice between the snow and the ground, and our shoes would get wet from the melting ice beneath. The walking was hard work and it would take a bit of time to get to our destination.

About three-quarters of the way we finally came upon the creek. Now that I think of it, it was probably a drainage ditch rather than a creek. But, creek sounds better for the story. It was about 20 feet across with an immediate drop to about four feet below. The water was frozen.

We would never have dared to walk across it, knowing that the ice would probably break. But, we were in luck. There was a huge cement pipe coming out of the ground, going across the ditch, and entering the ground on the other side. It was a huge pipe, maybe four to five feet in diameter, making it easy peasy to cross. Aha, a bridge!!!

My friend went first. Not slowly, but carefully, as I watched. Okeedookee, my turn. I took a few steps and got out almost to the middle when I looked down. I don't know what happened to me, but I couldn't move any further. My friend yelled at me to "come on." But, I was frozen in place. "I can't!" I yelled back.

And, I couldn't. Standing there, my two feet secured themselves on the cement pipe, my arms out to my side like a circus tight rope walker. Nope, those feet weren't about to go anywhere. I think I was in a state of mortal fear. "Walk!" she said. "I can't move!" I answered.

And, there we were. But, where was superman when I needed him. "Go baaaack!" she said. "I can't move!" I answered. I couldn't even move my head. I was like one of those wax figures in Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.

Time stood still.

I was frantically thinking I had to do something. But, what? I finally decided to lower myself down on the pipe so I would be straddling it, rather than standing. "Good, crawl over to me!" she said. "No, I can't!"

I ended up butt walking, more or less, backwards to the beginning of the pipe and was able to crawl onto the ground. I could breathe once more.

I had been terrified, helpless and cold. I couldn't feel my feet anymore. My face was covered with frozen tears. I needed my mommy.

My parents weren't home that day. Fortunately, the minister of my church lived close by. We stopped there. I told my sad story through more tears. Telling him that my feet were frozen and I feared frostbite. He and his wife took care of me very tenderly and seriously. Just the right combination for dealing with a young teenager: I felt loved and I was being taken seriously.

So, that's my story about discovering I was afraid of heights. Well, not exactly heights. Just anything above ground level. Even today, if I am going down or up stairs, I suffer from vertigo. And, don't even ask me about driving in the mountains!

My regret is, I never had an opportunity to tell Alfred Hitchcock my story. I think it would have made a good movie.

Oh, and what brought all this to mind is a video that my dear Roger Ebert had on his blog. Hold on and enjoy.

 

My Grandmother and The Suffragettes

 
Susan B. Anthony, American Suffragette.

 

When I was a VERY little girl, I remember my Grandmother (my mother's mother) would always participate as an election judge during the voting season. I could tell it was important to her. And, I would never understand why later in her life she changed from Methodist to Jehovah Witness - and, in doing so was told not to vote.

It was 1920 when women in the United States of America were finally permitted to vote. And that memory of my Grandmother as an election judge has stayed with me to today.

We owe those Suffragettes a huge debt of gratefulness for the harsh and deadly trauma they experienced. To pay that debt women need to vote. I always vote. And I always remember.

Below is a film trailer "Made in Dagenham" that opens this year. It's about women trying to get equal pay for equal work. In 1968.

And, we are still trying.

 

And, on it goes. How do we cope? We are women!

 

Multi-tasking During Retirement

I've taken the plunge, so to speak. Since many of my usual activities are inactive due to fibromyalgia, I decided to look at other aspects of my life that I could pursue. The picture of my newly received certificate is something I picked up along the way this week.

Yes I am an ordained minister of a church that has only two, but the best two, tenets I've seen lately:

1. Freedom of Religion
2. Do that which is right

While I am now able to perform marriage ceremonies, my only wish is to be able to listen to others and if asked give advice....with my tongue planted firmly in my cheek.

Oh, and I've joined this organization which encourages truth, discussion without hostility, and non-racist political views, as opposed to the tea party.

I do love my espressos!

 
 
This picture shows the "tender points" of fibromyalgia. And, yes they are tender and hurt. But, the wonderful thing about this disease is that it can actually hurt from your head to your toes and back again. It can harm any part of your body it chooses. And to all the people who for years have said to women "it's all in your head" - well, yes, it is. It's the brain not working correctly. Pain receptors that signal pain to the brain and then other receptors that send it back are broken. Signaling pain where it shouldn't be or more extremely than it is.

It's really difficult to explain to people who don't have it just how it feels. Sometimes nothing hurts and then I turn and reach for something and it feels like someone shoved a dagger into my arm. Currently my skin hurts on my arms and chest - kinda like prickly sunburn.

Not complaining, mind you. Just explaining.

 

And now, for something completely different:

I was telling the Chief that I noticed if I walked like a penguin, it didn't hurt so much. I looked it up and it's fascinating reading, but you can look it up yourself. Instead, here is a video of what I look like walking:

 

And here I am after I've fallen.

 

And here I am in a happier mood.

 

And may your life be a Happy Dance at least once in a while! Enjoy each step while you can. (Just some ministry advice for you).

Prissy: Lawzy, we got to have a doctor. I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' babies.

  Baby Robin on Fence

After losing my managerial position at the hospital, I finally found a place to work downtown. The Office Manager interviewed me. I liked her immediately. A kinship was formed. A few months after being hired I told her that I thought we had to be sisters separated at birth. She agreed. We laughed.

I'm caucasian and she is african-american. So what. We were both women of a certain age and working.  We had a wonderful time working with each other, her being my "boss" wasn't a problem for us. We laughed at the same things, remembered the same things. We could finish each other's sentences. It was one of my most delightful working experiences. No, it was one of my most delightful experiences, period. Someone could say something in front of us and we'd just look at each other and "knew." We were, however, professionals, so most of the time we wouldn't laugh, out loud.

Then I got laid off. This was the second time within a few years. And I know why (I was older. made more money than others and the zinger was I had been diagnosed with cancer a few months earlier.) I could have sued. I didn't. My family isn't of that nature.

It took me six months before I found another job. Which, by the way, turned into my favorite two years of working my whole life. While in training by my predecessor, who was perhaps 20 years old, I became so confused I could hardly stand it. She was talking a mile a minute, and my "old but wise" brain was having difficulty following her. I could take all the blame, but sadly her communication skills were nil, so it was like trying to translate what she was saying into something I could understand.

Any how, forgetting where I was, all of a sudden I said quite animatedly "Lawdy, Lawdy Miss Scarlet! I don't know nothing about birthing no babies!" Please note the title of this blog is the actual and correct quote, but oh well, close enough.

She stopped and looked at me as if I had lost my mind. Oh, dear, I thought. The pause was pregnant. The pause was pregnant for what seemed like 9 months. So, I said: Oh, I was quoting from a movie. Have you heard it before? She said: no. I said: You know, "Gone With The Wind?" She said: no.

Where or where was my sister separated at birth when I needed her most?

A day later we were having lunch with two other gals when I asked her: So, what was it that made him decide to hire me? She said: Well, he asked me who did I think should he hire, and I said I think the older woman was interesting. And he said: Oh, the one who wrote about the forest and trees!

So, that's how I got the job. From one description of my abilities that said; I am able to see the forest and the trees.

I asked her, do you know what the phrase "Can't see the forest for the trees" means? I'll let you guess what her answer was.

Any way, what brought the Gone With The Wind quote to mind is the excerpt of article below, which I found on Roger Ebert's twitter.

Beep-beep-m beep-beep, yeah
By Jim Emerson on June 2, 2010 9:27 PM

Over Memorial Day weekend I attended a high school graduation in Albuquerque. One of the graduating senior boys gave a speech using car parts as a metaphor for the components of a personality or identity. It was a clever speech he'd co-written with a friend, delivered with wry humor. Afterwards, the head of the school -- a man I'd estimate was in his 60s -- took the stage and thanked the student, quipping: "Baby, you can drive my car anytime."

Thud. Thunderous silence mixed with scattered, bewildered titters.

The next night at a graduation party, the kid who'd given the speech was standing around with a few friends and the uncomfortable subject came up.

"What was that?" he said. "'Baby, you can drive my car?!?'"

"It was creepy," said one of the girls.

I piped in: "It was creepy -- because it was totally inappropriate and made no sense. Unless he was trying to seduce you. He was just making a Beatles reference."

"Oh!" exclaimed a couple of students.

"I didn't even think of that," said the boy. "But still, it was creepy."

It was probably even creepier for those of us who did recognize what the old guy was lamely attempting to invoke. These kids were 16 and 17, so naturally I felt a little... old having to mention what I'd thought was obvious, if still undeniably awkward. Then again, one of them had earlier quoted Taylor Swift (sarcastically) and I didn't get that, either.

...As We Know It

Okay, so last night, I paid to view the above film (2012) on cable. It had John Cusak in it and I love John Cusak. I love Sci-Fi. Good Sci-Fi and even some not so good Sci-Fi. I have yet to read my favorite critic's review (Roger Ebert). So, bravely I go forth with my opinion of the movie. THEN, I will read Roger's take on it.

First, let me tell you about my father. He was a very good man and also very good at scrabble. And very smart.

Back in the day, when families watched television together, sitting in front of the TV, someone usually sat close enough to the TV to manually change channels when needed...which actually has nothing to do with this blog. I guess it's scene setting. I remember the following:

We'd be watching a movie and all of a sudden my Dad would say something to the effect of "he's going to die" or "she's going to leave him" or "the guy in the glasses did it." In other words, he was foretelling what was going to happen. And, he was always right. When his prediction came true I'd say "Dad, how did you know that?" And he smiled.

After years of this, I finally told him "Don't do that! You're spoiling it!" He'd smile. Then one day I said to him "Dad how do you do that?" And, he smiled.

Then. once when I was a teenager,  I asked and he said "Honey, there's only so many endings." I thought about that. It's the kind of knowledge that comes with living, experiencing movies, and different plot formulas. It's almost like algebra.

And now, today, I'm doing the same thing he did. That is why I REALLY like a movie that I can't figure out. LOVE 'EM. "Memento" is a good example. Didn't have a clue. Had to watch it several times. Oh, and "Alien" the 1st ever woman hero! When the last cute guy was killed off, I was shocked!

So...the plot for "2012" is simple. The world is going to end. Someone is going to try to save it. Some will live, some will die. And in between a lot of special effects.

Could have been a good movie. Wasn't. By the end I was almost hysterical with internal laughter because it was so STUPID. It was stupid because of the writing.

Sample of dialog: old black (African American, Negro, Person of Color) man during last phone conversation with son.."Son, I love you...(no please, please don't say it)God knowz I dew!" OMG It's "Gone with The Wind."

Then, young scientist explaining to person of power "The world is ending, (no, no, no...OMG he said it) as we know it." Every scene, okay, maybe every other scene has this kind of dialog

Cusak is addicted to his laptop (probably likes to tweet, eh Roger?) It's the reason he and his wife divorced. He has more of a relationship with the laptop than his kids. Near the end of the movie he has his laptop in a shoulder bag (never without it) while trying to save someone. In his effort the laptop falls into eternity, he watches it, and then saves the man. Is the symbolism lost on anyone? UG!

Good special effects. NOT! These days, you expect the cgi's to be excellent and life like. The special effects in this movie looked like someone had watched all previous World Ending movies from the last 20 years, then cut and pasted them into this movie. Come on guys. Where's PhotoShop when you need it.

The disasters that befall our world don't stop. It's much like the tv commercials (as seen on tv) where you get 3 rags for a dollar, but wait there's more! They just keep coming.

And lastly, John Cusak. John, whatever possessed you to do this film! You're a good Chicago actor. Are you an idiot? You need the money that much? What!? As a fan, I'd like an explanation. How many "takes" were done before you could say your lines without bursting into laughter?

And, Woody! What were you thinking. You're weird enough without the facial hair and LSD tripping as you meet your Tsunami!

So...thumbs down on this one, or my new bad movie indicator: "Release the Kraken!"

Now, I'm going to go read Roger's review.

OMG! Roger gave it 3 1/2 Stars. Well, like I said in another blog, Roger and me have so much in common, we like the same movies.

Wait, I get it, it was a comedy. Okay then, I give it 3 stars. LOL

 

Roger Ebert's Journal

Roger Ebert's Journal

Who do you read? Good Roger, or Bad Roger?

By

Roger Ebert

on December 9, 2009 11:24 PM |

This message came to me from a reader named Peter Svensland. He and a friend have been debating about my qualities as a film critic, and they've involved a considerable critic, Dan Schneider, in their discussion. I will say that he has given the question a surprising amount of thought and attention over the years, and may well be correct in some aspects. What his analysis gives me is a renewed respect and curiosity about his own work.

Continued...

 

His link is in my sidebar...

 

 

This is but a nano sample of Roger's Journal writing. Savage Chickens is one of the cartoons I try to read daily. To see them both together was like a sign...calling out to me to read it and more.

O'Rouke"s was a famous bar in Old Town. I was a fan of Roger even back in the mid sixties. And I had a wonderful and amazing time living in Old Town where O'Rourke's resided. It was a Pub. Not a bar, saloon, nor tavern. Nope. A Pub. On a corner in my neighborhood!

I would venture there after work for a scotch on the rocks of the day. I knew that Roger, along with other newspapermen frequented O'Rourke's. While to this day I feel a kinship with Roger, I have never met him. I've followed his life somewhat over the years and valued his movie reviews to the highest. We like the same things. He has triumphed over trials I dare not describe. We are kindred spirits and in that way we have indeed met.