Well, its that time again, the uncluttering my life time, or at the very least uncluttering my living space, which in a sense is symbolic of my life, I guess... Out with the old, make room for the new...
So of course, since I have such a short attention span, it is also weird movie time!!!
This is how I do it, I get a few weird movies from Hollywood Video, or the library, and make a list of areas-old car, closet annex (the couch), kitchen, bathroom, studio, balcony, hall and bedroom. I set out a time to work on stuff usually 45 mins, with a 15 min break. I do one area for 45 mins and then watch weird movie for 15, then the next area 45 mins, and so on. Yesterday I was doing 30 mins and 10 mins, it varies with the day.
The movies this time are from the library.
First was "the Bride with White Hair" which I had never seen.
Hong Kong fight film with the gorgeous, and unfortunately late, Leslie Cheung, beautifully choreographed battles, fantastic sets, surreal yet amazingly erotic love scenes, the fingers in the mouth one was so cool, you could almost touch it. Honor, death, magic, good guys, bad guys, blood drinking, flying fighting (and love!) scenes, and of course women rule. What more could I want in a weird movie?
Second was "8 women" Huppert, Ardant, Deneuve, Beart, wow!!! Its a murder mystery of sorts. Classic in a cozy way. isolated house, snowstorms, phones down. However, its definitely French, a song and dance musical(!), with great costumes. Its seemed to be a period piece but not all the costumes were from the same period, but it worked. Twists and turns right down to the very end. ALL of the characters were seriously strange. It felt very much like a stage play, I mean I could see it down that way. I still have the theme song going through my head. Afterwards I watched the trailer, on the recommendations of my librarian, and he was right, from the trailer you had no idea that the entire movie, except 1 line is in French!
I didn't get a lot done, but I made a good start. I have Himalaya and then Raising Helen next. The balcony is now closed.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Mistakes will happen; fixing them so that they won't be repeated is the challenge.
The Jewish high holidays are Rosh Hashana (New Years) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the ten day period between them is called Teshuvah. Although this is a religious ritual that I do not follow as a matter of religion, the steps outlined in the article are the process I use when I have done something wrong. I also believe that people can do bad things without being bad people.
"Teshuvah: Dry Cleaning for the Soul
By Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Editor's Note: The following are excerpts from an article at www.aish.com.
Done something wrong? We all have. Here's how to fix it. Once and for all.
Many people misunderstand the concept of sin. They think someone who sins is a "bad person."
Actually, the Hebrew word chet does not mean sin at all. Chet appears in the Bible in reference to a slingshot which "missed the target." There is nothing inherently "bad" about that slingshot! Rather, a mistake was made-due to a lack of focus, concentration or skill.
The same is true with us. When we engage in irresponsible or destructive behavior, we have simply misfired. Every human being has a soul, a pure piece of Godliness that distinguishes us from the animals. When we do something wrong, it is because the soul's "voice" has become temporarily muted by the roar of the physical body-but our essence remains pure. We only need to make a few adjustments.
This is the idea of Teshuvah. Teshuvah literally means "return." When we "do Teshuvah" during the High Holidays, we examine our ways, identify those areas where we are losing ground and "return" to our own previous state of spiritual purity. And in the process, we "return" to our connection with the Almighty as well.
The process of Teshuvah involves the following four steps:
# Step 1: Regret. Realize the extent of the damage and feel sincere regret. This step is the most crucial, because unless a person truly feels regret and can distinguish between right and wrong, he or she will most likely continue in his/her errant ways.
# Step 2: Cessation. Immediately stop the harmful action. Can you imagine trying to ask forgiveness from someone while you continue to wrong him/her at the same time? Without stopping the bad action, all the heart-pounding in the world won't help.
# Step 3: Confession. Articulate the mistake and ask for forgiveness. In admitting our mistake, Jewish law prescribes that it be articulated verbally. The Torah requires us to be humble and contrite as we ask forgiveness. This is crucial in enabling the "victim" to heal.
# Step 4: Resolution. Make a firm commitment not to repeat it in the future. What concerns the Almighty is whether we're making a sincere effort to move in the right direction. This means making a serious commitment to change-and taking the right steps at the right time. Nothing can stand in the way of persistence and determination. An individual doesn't need to have all the answers right now. The key is the commitment to change."
"Teshuvah: Dry Cleaning for the Soul
By Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Editor's Note: The following are excerpts from an article at www.aish.com.
Done something wrong? We all have. Here's how to fix it. Once and for all.
Many people misunderstand the concept of sin. They think someone who sins is a "bad person."
Actually, the Hebrew word chet does not mean sin at all. Chet appears in the Bible in reference to a slingshot which "missed the target." There is nothing inherently "bad" about that slingshot! Rather, a mistake was made-due to a lack of focus, concentration or skill.
The same is true with us. When we engage in irresponsible or destructive behavior, we have simply misfired. Every human being has a soul, a pure piece of Godliness that distinguishes us from the animals. When we do something wrong, it is because the soul's "voice" has become temporarily muted by the roar of the physical body-but our essence remains pure. We only need to make a few adjustments.
This is the idea of Teshuvah. Teshuvah literally means "return." When we "do Teshuvah" during the High Holidays, we examine our ways, identify those areas where we are losing ground and "return" to our own previous state of spiritual purity. And in the process, we "return" to our connection with the Almighty as well.
The process of Teshuvah involves the following four steps:
# Step 1: Regret. Realize the extent of the damage and feel sincere regret. This step is the most crucial, because unless a person truly feels regret and can distinguish between right and wrong, he or she will most likely continue in his/her errant ways.
# Step 2: Cessation. Immediately stop the harmful action. Can you imagine trying to ask forgiveness from someone while you continue to wrong him/her at the same time? Without stopping the bad action, all the heart-pounding in the world won't help.
# Step 3: Confession. Articulate the mistake and ask for forgiveness. In admitting our mistake, Jewish law prescribes that it be articulated verbally. The Torah requires us to be humble and contrite as we ask forgiveness. This is crucial in enabling the "victim" to heal.
# Step 4: Resolution. Make a firm commitment not to repeat it in the future. What concerns the Almighty is whether we're making a sincere effort to move in the right direction. This means making a serious commitment to change-and taking the right steps at the right time. Nothing can stand in the way of persistence and determination. An individual doesn't need to have all the answers right now. The key is the commitment to change."
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
What kind of Leading man am I?
| Cary Grant You scored 23% Tough, 9% Roguish, 28% Friendly, and 38% Charming! |
| You are the epitome of charm and style, the smooth operator who steals the show with your sophisticated wit and quiet confidence. You are able to catch any woman you want just by flashing that disarming smile. When you walk into a room, the women are instantly intrigued and even the men are impressed. When you find yourself in trouble, you are easily able to charm your way out of it, or convince others to help you. You're seen as dashing, suave and romantic. Your co-stars include Katharine Hepburn, Irene Dunne, and Joan Fontaine, stylish women who know a class act when they see it. Find out what kind of classic dame you'd make by taking the |
 |
My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Classic Leading Man Test written by gidgetgoes on OkCupid Free Online Dating |
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Update on my post: its been really weird
J. is waking up!!! Off Ventilator! Can communicate a small bit, can brush teeth (demands to brush own teeth), paralyized on left side still :-(
Its going to be a long haul, having had a brother with a brain tumor, it all seems so familiar. J. will be going to the same rehab place.
His sister has a website up for updates,pics of happier times, and a guest book. She tells me about her days since this happened, I remember them. She is upbeat but realistic, she and his wife have acquired that morbid sense of humor that you do when you are pushing for survival. They have already shocked one doctor with it so I think they are doing well!
My momma is getting the hang of having mono, and starting to go out a bit more, then sleeping a long time. We are making plans for her trip up here for the sewing show, she even wants to do an all day class the day before. I had better bank some sleep myself.
Laurie made this comment,
I'm glad things are looking up.
Its going to be a long haul, having had a brother with a brain tumor, it all seems so familiar. J. will be going to the same rehab place.
His sister has a website up for updates,pics of happier times, and a guest book. She tells me about her days since this happened, I remember them. She is upbeat but realistic, she and his wife have acquired that morbid sense of humor that you do when you are pushing for survival. They have already shocked one doctor with it so I think they are doing well!
My momma is getting the hang of having mono, and starting to go out a bit more, then sleeping a long time. We are making plans for her trip up here for the sewing show, she even wants to do an all day class the day before. I had better bank some sleep myself.
Laurie made this comment,
I'm glad things are looking up.
Update on my post
Update on my post: click here
J. is waking up!!! Off Ventilator! Can communicate a small bit, can brush teeth (demands to brush own teeth), paralyized on left side still :-(
Its going to be a long haul, having had a brother with a brain tumor, it all seems so familiar. J. will be going to the same rehab place.
His sister has a website up for updates,pics of happier times, and a guest book. She tells me about her days since this happened, I remember them. She is upbeat but realistic, she and his wife have acquired that morbid sense of humor that you do when you are pushing for survival. They have already shocked one doctor with it so I think they are doing well!
My momma is getting the hang of having mono, and starting to go out a bit more, then sleeping a long time. We are making plans for her trip up here for the sewing show, she even wants to do an all day class the day before. I had better bank some sleep myself.
J. is waking up!!! Off Ventilator! Can communicate a small bit, can brush teeth (demands to brush own teeth), paralyized on left side still :-(
Its going to be a long haul, having had a brother with a brain tumor, it all seems so familiar. J. will be going to the same rehab place.
His sister has a website up for updates,pics of happier times, and a guest book. She tells me about her days since this happened, I remember them. She is upbeat but realistic, she and his wife have acquired that morbid sense of humor that you do when you are pushing for survival. They have already shocked one doctor with it so I think they are doing well!
My momma is getting the hang of having mono, and starting to go out a bit more, then sleeping a long time. We are making plans for her trip up here for the sewing show, she even wants to do an all day class the day before. I had better bank some sleep myself.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
From P & T land
Long ago and far away, I hung out on the Penn and Teller board and I joined the mofotightcircle. I don't go to the board anymore, but I still get tightcircle digests, and I know people there.
When I am in Vegas I do the post card thing for those mofolk who ask me too. I have never seen P&T live, but I loved their magical mystery tour series from the CBC-India, China and Egypt, China is the best.
Anyway today on the mofoTC someone posted this link about Teller, I thought it was funny. Warning: it has some language and references to P&T humor that may not be suitable for everyone, and some sad Katrina stuff but overall its funny, and Teller is wonderful.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/maralily/#entry_45424
When I am in Vegas I do the post card thing for those mofolk who ask me too. I have never seen P&T live, but I loved their magical mystery tour series from the CBC-India, China and Egypt, China is the best.
Anyway today on the mofoTC someone posted this link about Teller, I thought it was funny. Warning: it has some language and references to P&T humor that may not be suitable for everyone, and some sad Katrina stuff but overall its funny, and Teller is wonderful.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/maralily/#entry_45424
Laurie made this comment,
I'll read the link later (got to go to work) but I loved the post or e-mail or something you sent me about Penn getting caught on a latch during a magic trick.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Its been really weird recently
My mom, age 70! got full fledged mono with everything and her liver tests were off. She is getting better now, liver function fine, still has mono though. She is in fact doing better than most 20 somethings I know who have had mono. In the beginning she was complaining that she felt okay, it was just hard to get up!!! We responded then don't get up! She seems to be getting the hang of it. Its been less than a month and last night she went off to a village board meeting, my dad assured me he would go pick her up if needed.
My dad reacted in his usual way, letting her do whatever and then getting her back to the bed or couch when she collapses. When she has been hospitalized in the past she usually heads for the parking lot, with my father trailing, they have this routine down pretty good after all these years.
My dad had shingles a few years ago, he was back riding in a few weeks. My parents are usually healthier than their children, so it is quite scary when they actually do get sick.
####
On a very bad note, J. had a massive stroke about two weeks ago. He's in a drug induced coma and we all hope for the best.
This is hard to explain the relationship, so I will say he is the son of a
close family friends, brother of current friend, husband of a woman who
worked for me and my childhood friend. I have known these people literally all my life, his mom who worked in the hospital saw me right after I was born. Our parents went to college together. They have 3 children, and we have 4, we are the same ages at they are, except my baby brother. J. and I are the oldest of the children. Our families used to go camping together, I lived with his parents when I first came to Minnesota. I was at his wedding as well as numerous dinners, parties, ect... Needless to say this is very upsetting, a kind of a resigned helplessness.
We used to think we were the unlucky ones, with my brother's brain tumor, my car accident injuries, my other brother, but this is so beyond that right now.
####
a bit worried about someone else too.
My dad reacted in his usual way, letting her do whatever and then getting her back to the bed or couch when she collapses. When she has been hospitalized in the past she usually heads for the parking lot, with my father trailing, they have this routine down pretty good after all these years.
My dad had shingles a few years ago, he was back riding in a few weeks. My parents are usually healthier than their children, so it is quite scary when they actually do get sick.
####
On a very bad note, J. had a massive stroke about two weeks ago. He's in a drug induced coma and we all hope for the best.
This is hard to explain the relationship, so I will say he is the son of a
close family friends, brother of current friend, husband of a woman who
worked for me and my childhood friend. I have known these people literally all my life, his mom who worked in the hospital saw me right after I was born. Our parents went to college together. They have 3 children, and we have 4, we are the same ages at they are, except my baby brother. J. and I are the oldest of the children. Our families used to go camping together, I lived with his parents when I first came to Minnesota. I was at his wedding as well as numerous dinners, parties, ect... Needless to say this is very upsetting, a kind of a resigned helplessness.
We used to think we were the unlucky ones, with my brother's brain tumor, my car accident injuries, my other brother, but this is so beyond that right now.
####
a bit worried about someone else too.
Laurie made this comment,
I hope your mom is better soon and I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's stroke.
Susan made this comment,
Thanks Laurie!
Oh she will be, she has a sewing show to attend with me up here in Nov.
yes, it is definitely not good, but maybe he'll be okay eventually.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Katrina vs SF 1906
From http://www.livejournal.com/users/anguisetteowner/339297.html
"Here is a timeline to use in comparing the government reaction in New Orleans to the government reaction the last time an American city was destroyed—The San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906:
* The earthquake struck at 5:13 AM.
* By 7 AM federal troops had reported to the mayor.
* By 8 AM they were patrolling the entire downtown area and searching for survivors.
* The second quake struck at 8:14 AM.
* By 10:05 AM the USS Chicago was on its way from San Diego to San Francisco; by 10:30 the USS Preble
had landed a medical team and set up an emergency hospital.
* By 11 AM large parts of the city were on fire; troops continued to arrive throughout the day,
evacuating people from the areas threatened by fire to emergency shelters and Golden Gate Park.
* St. Mary's hospital was destroyed by the fire at 1 PM, with no loss of life, the staff and patients
having already been evacuated across the bay to Oakland.
* By 3 PM troops had shot several looters, and dynamited buildings to make a firebreak; by five they
had buried dozens of corpses, the morgue and the police pistol range being unable to hold any more.
* At 8:40 PM General Funston requested emergency housing - tents and shelters - from the War
Department in Washington; all of the tents in the U.S. Army were on their way to San Francisco by 4:55 AM the next morning.
* Prisoners were evacuated to Alcatraz, and by April 20 (two days after the earthquake) the USS
Chicago had reached San Francisco, where it evacuated 20,000 refugees.
Note-- this was an earthquake which, unlike the hurricane, came without warning. Not only that, it was in 1906; telephones were barely in use.
Source for times and dates: http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist10/06timeline.html
found at the Daily Kos, via thebitingfairy"
Thanks Brian!
"Here is a timeline to use in comparing the government reaction in New Orleans to the government reaction the last time an American city was destroyed—The San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906:
* The earthquake struck at 5:13 AM.
* By 7 AM federal troops had reported to the mayor.
* By 8 AM they were patrolling the entire downtown area and searching for survivors.
* The second quake struck at 8:14 AM.
* By 10:05 AM the USS Chicago was on its way from San Diego to San Francisco; by 10:30 the USS Preble
had landed a medical team and set up an emergency hospital.
* By 11 AM large parts of the city were on fire; troops continued to arrive throughout the day,
evacuating people from the areas threatened by fire to emergency shelters and Golden Gate Park.
* St. Mary's hospital was destroyed by the fire at 1 PM, with no loss of life, the staff and patients
having already been evacuated across the bay to Oakland.
* By 3 PM troops had shot several looters, and dynamited buildings to make a firebreak; by five they
had buried dozens of corpses, the morgue and the police pistol range being unable to hold any more.
* At 8:40 PM General Funston requested emergency housing - tents and shelters - from the War
Department in Washington; all of the tents in the U.S. Army were on their way to San Francisco by 4:55 AM the next morning.
* Prisoners were evacuated to Alcatraz, and by April 20 (two days after the earthquake) the USS
Chicago had reached San Francisco, where it evacuated 20,000 refugees.
Note-- this was an earthquake which, unlike the hurricane, came without warning. Not only that, it was in 1906; telephones were barely in use.
Source for times and dates: http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist10/06timeline.html
found at the Daily Kos, via thebitingfairy"
Thanks Brian!
Laurie made this comment,
Note-- this was an earthquake which, unlike the hurricane, came without warning. Not only that, it was in 1906; telephones were barely in use.
That final note on the post was exactly what I was thinking the whole time I was reading it. Amazing.
Susan made this comment,
Yes, amazing isn't it? When I used to travel frequently to San Fransisco, I used to like to stay at this small hotel off of Union Square called the King George which has survived the 1906 quake
Thursday, September 8, 2005
If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when? Hillel-30 BC-9AD
From Terry k's blog today:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/pecunium/131557.html
#############
God I wish I had something else to write about.
An author friend of mine once said he wrote about things which pained him, this seems to be one of the times this is what moves me.
What we did on our vacation by way of Making Light
Words fail me.
Gretna, well right now I want to wipe them from the face of the map. It's not a good response, not a rational one, and one which; if induldged wouldn't really make me feel any better; but the more I see of the venality of those who might have helped the colder runs my blood, the more coherent becomes my rage and the more I want an Old Testament God of wrath and smiting to manifest himself and show these people how they have failed their fellow man.
"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am for myself alone, what am I? If not now, when?"
When indeed, and what are they?
#########
I understand Terry's want of "an Old Testament God of wrath and smiting to manifest himself and show these people how they have failed their fellow man."
Throughout the New Orleans/Katrina Tragedy I have many times been reminded of religious texts, particularly the Torah/OT/Books of Moses. I have seen some people write that this is punishment for the sins of the city, but it would be hubris to think so, one only has to look at the Book of Job to see that.
On a humanity level so many people have failed in so many ways, though there are also the brave and compassionate. I know people are looking for heads to roll, so there will be heads. Maybe those really responsible will be held accountable but in my scepticism I truly doubt there will be more than scapegoats.
"No man is an island, entire of itself
every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main
if a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were
any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls
it tolls for thee." -- John Donne
http://www.livejournal.com/users/pecunium/131557.html
#############
God I wish I had something else to write about.
An author friend of mine once said he wrote about things which pained him, this seems to be one of the times this is what moves me.
What we did on our vacation by way of Making Light
Words fail me.
Gretna, well right now I want to wipe them from the face of the map. It's not a good response, not a rational one, and one which; if induldged wouldn't really make me feel any better; but the more I see of the venality of those who might have helped the colder runs my blood, the more coherent becomes my rage and the more I want an Old Testament God of wrath and smiting to manifest himself and show these people how they have failed their fellow man.
"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am for myself alone, what am I? If not now, when?"
When indeed, and what are they?
#########
I understand Terry's want of "an Old Testament God of wrath and smiting to manifest himself and show these people how they have failed their fellow man."
Throughout the New Orleans/Katrina Tragedy I have many times been reminded of religious texts, particularly the Torah/OT/Books of Moses. I have seen some people write that this is punishment for the sins of the city, but it would be hubris to think so, one only has to look at the Book of Job to see that.
On a humanity level so many people have failed in so many ways, though there are also the brave and compassionate. I know people are looking for heads to roll, so there will be heads. Maybe those really responsible will be held accountable but in my scepticism I truly doubt there will be more than scapegoats.
"No man is an island, entire of itself
every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main
if a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were
any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls
it tolls for thee." -- John Donne
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