Weblog 130
August 03, 2008~ 12:15am
Unexpected things are what snap the world to life. Good and bad. But the good ones not only wake us up, they delight us as well. This past week, everyone at work was watching for the black squirrel..
Someone had spotted him outside the kitchen window, chomping on some goodie he had found, and we all rushed to watch him. Most of us had never seen one in our lives, and were very excited. I went outside to grab some peanuts, hoping to give him reason to stay, or to come around again if he knew there was a handout in the offing. He was a little beauty.
But the sound of my footsteps approaching had him scurrying up the nearest tree and peering down, peeking around the trunk- his pointed ears twitching.
I rushed back inside to see if he'd ventured down to find the little snack, but he disappeared altogether, and now it seems like we imagined him.
I guess I should have left well enough alone. LOL!
Sometimes things just happen, and we can't force or coax them out. I think the squirrel was like that. He didn't want to make an appointment, didn't want to be predictable- he lives by surprise. (It's probably the reason he's survived as well as he has in a world where we all want to bag the oddity and claim it.) Sorry little guy. I didn't mean to frighten you off.
And speaking of wonders, there's been some terrific fogs this past week in Pittsburgh. Probably more a mixture of smog and humidity, but some mornings everything looked surreal. How about this picture from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from yesterday morning: the Golden Triangle cloaked in fog.
What a purple dream, right? A stage set for a ballet or an opera, nymphs and satyrs ready to tiptoe on stage and begin to twirl. I hear a throb of violins, a swelling of horns- a mighty clash of cymbals and the stage is alive- albeit, just with cars and commuters, and despite that gossamer look, it's simply a city in the summer heat...but magical. We do live for atmosphere, do we not? It makes all the difference some days.
August 03, 2008~ 12:30am
I just finished watching a movie. "The Savages" which stars two of my very favorite actors- Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney. It's a movie that can't miss based upon the leading roles- and it doesn't, but oh my God, it's one of the saddest, loneliest films I've ever watched.
Two extremely intelligent siblings in their early middle age, dealing with the dementia of an elderly parent who'd never been a good father to either of them, and they find themselves stuck with taking care of things. Linney tries brave denial and adopts a false cheerfulness which barely masks the emotional disintegration she's feeling-- and Hoffman is a depressive realist by nature who's in the midst of losing the most important relationship of his life. I don't know what I expected, but the steep chute of despair that I felt while watching this was not on the bill.
I knew the basic plot-- but I suppose I was expecting more black, acerbic humor- more rapier repartee, but this very painful film is so realistic that even bright, bright people are reduced to awkward, predictable sentences, lots of painful pauses- eyes filling up with either anger or tears dealing with one of the hardest situations in life: taking care of an impossible present, while standing in the unswept shambles of the past.
Even the very last scene- surprising in its hopefulness, did nothing but make me cry-- so emotionally raw was I by the time it rolled around. I can't honestly say that I'd recommend this film- it's that difficult to watch, but it's a solid story with magnificent acting. What I will say is this. Do not watch it if you are already depressed. I can't imagine what that would do, because I was relaxed and upbeat when I turned it on. Good acting? Oh, you bet.
August 03, 2008~ 12:15am
Old Bats
(my new favorite cartoon)
And ain't it the truth! Old age brings its own version of the 'dribble glass' prank. And add to that-- having to hang upside down, right in its path. It's a riff on the old joke about Satan showing a newcomer around as the fella chooses his place in hell, and the man sees fiery pits and sinners shoveling coal. In another room, everyone is simply standing around chest-high in shit, but drinking coffee. The newbie chooses the coffee room, and the devil laughs as soon as the man has his first cup in hand: "Alright...everybody kneel down. Coffee break's over!" LOL!!!
August 06, 2008~ 7:45am
I am white-haired and wise. I am....
(just thought you'd like to know. :)
August 08, 2008~ 7:45am
Stunning in their restraint, breathtaking in their balanced, yet often lop-sided perspective, there is something so compelling about
Japanese prints. I've always loved them. They make me feel calm and reflective. To see more of these, pay a visit here...such a treat. (And have a good weekend!)
***
(Return To Weekly Archives)
Unexpected things are what snap the world to life. Good and bad. But the good ones not only wake us up, they delight us as well. This past week, everyone at work was watching for the black squirrel..
Someone had spotted him outside the kitchen window, chomping on some goodie he had found, and we all rushed to watch him. Most of us had never seen one in our lives, and were very excited. I went outside to grab some peanuts, hoping to give him reason to stay, or to come around again if he knew there was a handout in the offing. He was a little beauty.
But the sound of my footsteps approaching had him scurrying up the nearest tree and peering down, peeking around the trunk- his pointed ears twitching.
I rushed back inside to see if he'd ventured down to find the little snack, but he disappeared altogether, and now it seems like we imagined him.
I guess I should have left well enough alone. LOL!
Sometimes things just happen, and we can't force or coax them out. I think the squirrel was like that. He didn't want to make an appointment, didn't want to be predictable- he lives by surprise. (It's probably the reason he's survived as well as he has in a world where we all want to bag the oddity and claim it.) Sorry little guy. I didn't mean to frighten you off.
And speaking of wonders, there's been some terrific fogs this past week in Pittsburgh. Probably more a mixture of smog and humidity, but some mornings everything looked surreal. How about this picture from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from yesterday morning: the Golden Triangle cloaked in fog.
What a purple dream, right? A stage set for a ballet or an opera, nymphs and satyrs ready to tiptoe on stage and begin to twirl. I hear a throb of violins, a swelling of horns- a mighty clash of cymbals and the stage is alive- albeit, just with cars and commuters, and despite that gossamer look, it's simply a city in the summer heat...but magical. We do live for atmosphere, do we not? It makes all the difference some days.
August 03, 2008~ 12:30am
I just finished watching a movie. "The Savages" which stars two of my very favorite actors- Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney. It's a movie that can't miss based upon the leading roles- and it doesn't, but oh my God, it's one of the saddest, loneliest films I've ever watched.
Two extremely intelligent siblings in their early middle age, dealing with the dementia of an elderly parent who'd never been a good father to either of them, and they find themselves stuck with taking care of things. Linney tries brave denial and adopts a false cheerfulness which barely masks the emotional disintegration she's feeling-- and Hoffman is a depressive realist by nature who's in the midst of losing the most important relationship of his life. I don't know what I expected, but the steep chute of despair that I felt while watching this was not on the bill.
I knew the basic plot-- but I suppose I was expecting more black, acerbic humor- more rapier repartee, but this very painful film is so realistic that even bright, bright people are reduced to awkward, predictable sentences, lots of painful pauses- eyes filling up with either anger or tears dealing with one of the hardest situations in life: taking care of an impossible present, while standing in the unswept shambles of the past.
Even the very last scene- surprising in its hopefulness, did nothing but make me cry-- so emotionally raw was I by the time it rolled around. I can't honestly say that I'd recommend this film- it's that difficult to watch, but it's a solid story with magnificent acting. What I will say is this. Do not watch it if you are already depressed. I can't imagine what that would do, because I was relaxed and upbeat when I turned it on. Good acting? Oh, you bet.
August 03, 2008~ 12:15am
Old Bats
(my new favorite cartoon)
And ain't it the truth! Old age brings its own version of the 'dribble glass' prank. And add to that-- having to hang upside down, right in its path. It's a riff on the old joke about Satan showing a newcomer around as the fella chooses his place in hell, and the man sees fiery pits and sinners shoveling coal. In another room, everyone is simply standing around chest-high in shit, but drinking coffee. The newbie chooses the coffee room, and the devil laughs as soon as the man has his first cup in hand: "Alright...everybody kneel down. Coffee break's over!" LOL!!!
August 06, 2008~ 7:45am
(just thought you'd like to know. :)
August 08, 2008~ 7:45am
Stunning in their restraint, breathtaking in their balanced, yet often lop-sided perspective, there is something so compelling about
Japanese prints. I've always loved them. They make me feel calm and reflective. To see more of these, pay a visit here...such a treat. (And have a good weekend!)
(Return To Weekly Archives)
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few~ thanks for
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