Saturday, August 15, 2015
Friday, August 14, 2015
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Manners
A couple weeks ago I went with Steve down to the San Ysidro Outlet Mall. The mall is within a stones throw of the US/Mexico border. Everyone there, workers and shoppers alike, were way more polite than at any other place I've been to. I don't think they have any less cause to be angry than people anywhere else. I think they've figured out that taking their anger out on each other only makes things worse.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Quote: The Dead Weight of the Past
“...if one has courage, the whole enormous load of fear, the dead weight of the past, can be shed.” - Deepak Chopra
Quote: Courage
"Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently." - Maya Angelou
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
When Women Go 'Into the Woods'
I watched 'Into the Woods' on DVD last week and again last night with Everardo. Such a great musical and I really enjoyed the movie. Even though they changed some of the 2nd half, the critics were lukewarm and lots of people hated it, I really liked it. The first half tells the story of four fairy tales merged together and the second half looks under the hood to all the grey areas and presents the characters with the consequences of their actions. Stephen Sondheim's music and brilliant lyrics are on full display and I loved the children's fairy tale set.
One of the consequences in the second half is that several people die including the Baker's Wife. She falls off a cliff after a dalliance with The Prince. On the surface this is just a plot twist, but I was reminded of Susan Sarandon talking about her part in 'Bull Durham' and how that role was one of the few offered to women where the character is able to fully express herself without paying a severe, even fatal, price for it.
Take for instance 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice': a curious lad looking to turn hard work into lazy play takes a tool he doesn't fully understand and causes an environmental disaster. His consequences; a swat on the rump and the flood just disappears.
Now compare that to 'The Red Shoes': a female dancer forsakes the domestic roles expected of her, follows her passion, and dies. I've long been aware that gay characters had to meet disaster in order for the book to get published up until not too many years ago. I'm just starting to become aware how often women get the same treatment.
So ladies; ignore the cautionary tale of 'The Red Shoes', follow your curiosities and your passions, make room for other parts of your life or not, as you wish. And you won't die from exhaustion or be pushed off a cliff for it. But don't cause any more environmental disasters. We boys have already done too much of that.
One of the consequences in the second half is that several people die including the Baker's Wife. She falls off a cliff after a dalliance with The Prince. On the surface this is just a plot twist, but I was reminded of Susan Sarandon talking about her part in 'Bull Durham' and how that role was one of the few offered to women where the character is able to fully express herself without paying a severe, even fatal, price for it.
Take for instance 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice': a curious lad looking to turn hard work into lazy play takes a tool he doesn't fully understand and causes an environmental disaster. His consequences; a swat on the rump and the flood just disappears.
Now compare that to 'The Red Shoes': a female dancer forsakes the domestic roles expected of her, follows her passion, and dies. I've long been aware that gay characters had to meet disaster in order for the book to get published up until not too many years ago. I'm just starting to become aware how often women get the same treatment.
So ladies; ignore the cautionary tale of 'The Red Shoes', follow your curiosities and your passions, make room for other parts of your life or not, as you wish. And you won't die from exhaustion or be pushed off a cliff for it. But don't cause any more environmental disasters. We boys have already done too much of that.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Quote: David Foster Wallace
"Learning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think." - David Foster Wallace
Sunday, August 09, 2015
Saturday, August 08, 2015
Men get erections.
They're an absolutely necessary part of the human race and our physiology. They generate hormones required for a healthy body and a long productive life. We need to stop expecting men to apologize for them. Anyone uncomfortable with that needs to check their own shame in the mirror.
Friday, August 07, 2015
Kiss Me Kate
At the Old Globe Theater to see Kiss Me Kate. Unfortunately, one of the actors was injured and tonight's performance was cancelled. But it's a lovely evening in Balboa Park and you can't complain about that.
Quote: You're Not Even Free
"As long as other people's opinions matter more than your own you are owned by them. You're not even free."
- Oprah Winfrey
- Oprah Winfrey
Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Word of the Day:
Rotogravure:
ro·to·gra·vure rōdəɡrəˈvyo͝or/
noun
a printing system using a rotary press with intaglio cylinders, typically running at high speed and used for long print runs of magazines and stamps.
NORTH AMERICAN
a sheet or magazine printed by rotogravure, especially the color magazine of a Sunday newspaper.
plural noun: rotogravures
"The rotogravure section sported a gushing article on country gentry, and the centerpiece was a color photo of Emrys Hall."
Tuesday, August 04, 2015
Thin layer of ice.
While the truth of this may be uncomfortable, to me it inspires gratitude for that thin layer of ice. Gratitude and appreciation for all that we have and what it takes from all of us working together to keep it strong.
Sunday, August 02, 2015
Saturday, August 01, 2015
Cat sitting at Villa de Fanta
Who's a handsome boy?
Breakfast with Stella.
Spanky came out to say 'hello'.
Hangin' with Stella.
Stella in the garden.
Music in the Park
Roy, Steffen, and Jess.
Sinatra with Steffen
Watermelon gazpacho.
Meat pie, sweet potato salad, and hominy.
Plum tart. Chef Jess channeling Martha Stewart.
Sunset over Mission Valley.
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