Archive for April 2013
In “Oblivion” you get two Tom Cruises for the price of one. You get the actor who is accessible, likeable, the guy next door and you get the man of action. He comes through for fans of both and might even bring in a few more who are looking for a fast moving film with looks of what the future might be. The only problem I have, and which I have with many sci-fi movies, is that I need the “Big Bang” guys or Trekkies to explain the last half hour to tell me what it was all about.
Earth has lost a war in 2077 and most of the citizens have been moved to a planet called Titan. Jack Harper’s (Tom Cruise) mind has been wiped of past memories though a few seep through for a second of Julie (Olga Kurylenko) a woman he remembers but doesn’t know exactly why. He has been paired with Vika (Andrea Riseborough) as part of a perfect team and are monitored by Sally (Melissa Leo) a Southern talking TV image. Jack’s job is repairing drones and searching for any ‘scavengers’, people still living on Earth, before he and Vika retire to Titan.
Without going into spoilers Morgan Freeman and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, as head of a group of scavengers, capture Julie and Jack which is when they start to lose me. One thing I do like about films that take place in the future is how the filmmaker pictures it. In 2077 the motorcycles, drones, helicopters not to forget their all clear plastic and glass home referred to as Skytower with a swimming pool that will have you talking, as will the nude swimming scene, are a part of the future we can imagine.
Cruise, about to turn 51, works hard to keep his body in shape and while men will be jealous of his near nude scenes women will appreciate it. As their girlfriends sigh over Cruise the men will keep their feelings to themselves regarding Kurylenko and Riseborough, if they are smart.
“Oblivion” is visual candy in the landscapes, shots of recognizable parts of the USA buried in sand or lush parts that somehow managed to escape what happened to the planet. There are action scenes, perhaps one too many, for the guys and enough Tom eye candy for the women. All in all it is a visual experience thanks to the production crew and director Joseph Kosinski but now if I can only get the screenwriters Karl Gajdusek and Michael DeBruyn, (or you), to explain the last 40 minutes I would appreciate it much more.
(I want to thank Maria for having the patience to go through my blogs to find this–now I forget why I was looking for it!!!! In any case this was posted in 2007 so I am going to look it over and make any changes if need be though I don’t why there would be.)
1. I’m all thumbs on the Internet!
2. Many moons ago I took a vocational exam and got zero in ‘mechanics’
3. I was an habitual liar (and a good one) until I was 36.
4. I was an alcoholic until the age of 45.
5. I trust people.
6. I have been out of the closet since I was 12.
7. I started smoking at 12 (to appear sophisticated) and between the ages of 18-63 I smoked 2-3 packs a day–at the age of 65 I had congestive heart failure and now only smoke 15 cigarettes a day–I know, I know. (I stopped smokling July 21, 2008, before going in for an aorta valve replacement and haven’t had a cigarette since!)
8. I cry at movie and plays.
9. Sunsets thrill me.
10. In the 70s I use to take off–with the AAA travel book and a gay guide–from work every July 15-August 15, in my convertible with the top down, exploring a different section of the country each time–stopped when and where I wanted for as long as I wanted.
11. I have lived in NYC, Laguna Beach and Hollywood, California, Memphis, Tennessee (The best 10 years of my life), Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
12. Have traveled to Australia, New Zealand (Auckland is my most favorite city in the world), South America, Vancouver, Canada, Hawaii, Fiji Islands, Puerto Rico and took cruises in the Caribbean.
13. I have 4 ‘ex-lovers’.
14. I am basically a loner.
15. I believe in pleasure before business.
16. I have been both rich and poor–more of the latter–but happy under both circumstances (though rich is better!)
17. I am selfish.
18. I am stubborn.
19. I am giving.
20. Though I may ask where you would like to eat and/or what kind of food I already know what restaurant we are going to.
21. I divorced my family when I was 16.
22. I don’t NEED/WANT someones acceptance and/or approval.
23. Though I don’t wear a sign around my neck saying “I am gay,” neither do I deny it nor will I stand by and listen, not saying anything, to anti-gay jokes. (Or most posts except by those who have closed minds and they are, usually, Republicans and/or christians–small c.)
24. When someone asks me if I am gay I first reply, “Why do you want to know? Do you want to go to bed with me?” then answer yes.
25. I am a romantic.
26. I believe in ‘little things mean a lot’.
27. My favorite writers are Tennessee Williams, Larry Kramer, John Rechy and Maya Angelou.
28. The most exciting time I ever spent in the theatre was watching the performance of “A Chorus Line” when it became the longest running musical on Broadway–Sept. 29, 1983–the Shubert Theatre, NYC.
29. The second most exciting time was the first time I ever saw ACL–Thanksgiving, 1976, Shubert Theatre–I have seen over 100 productions of the show across the country.
30. The two worst Broadway to Hollywood adaptations are “A Chorus Line” and “Man Of La Mancha“.
31. I have champagne tastes and beer pockets.
32. I have never saved for a rainy day.
33. Have declared bankruptcy twice.
34. I absolutely detest housework–even send my socks to the cleaners.
35. I love gardening.
36. I love to cook and am great at it–you have never tasted shrimp scampi and Caesar salad like mine.
37. I have 17 finches, 2 cockatiels and 2 budgies. (Had.)
38. I love life.
39. I love people.
40. I am Mr. Pollyanna and Mr. Optimist.
41. Like Anne Frank I believe there is good in everyone.
42. I take people at their word.
43. I have hated only two people in my life–one was 50 years ago and I don’t remember what his name is or what he looked like–the other is an ex who i called my hater instead of my lover and now all I can remember is that he did his best and what he thought was right.
44. I dislike intolerance, prejudice and discrimination though I admit to all against negative people.
45. I have experienced that many splendored thing–loving completely and being loved completely in return.
46. I would rather have a good friend than a lover.
47. My favorite sound is children laughing as only they can.
48. I admire actors tremendously–even the bad ones–because I have never had the guts to do it.
49. I am great at motivating people but not myself.
50. I’ve been a big fish in a small pond and a small fish in a big pond–the former is better.
51. I was brought up on Hollywood movies in the 40s and 50s and still want life to be that way.
52. I am shy–at first meeting.
53. My favorite–and only–curse word is sh-o-o-o-o-t as only a Southerner can say it. (I was raised in a family where THE curse word was banana oil–don’t ask me why!)
54. I do not believe in physical monogamy.
55. I am a gentleman–will hold a door open for a female, walk on the outside, etc.
56. Moderation is not in my vocabulary.
57. Though I love writing I hate rewriting, editing.
58. I was fat for the first 31 years of my life–thin for the next 10–not as thin the next 31 years and have battled it the past 8 years–currently I am winning the war.
59. I ran an ad in the Advocate when I lived in Memphis–got over 300 responses–invited them to stay at my place either Memorial, July 4th or Labor Day weekend–over the 3 weekends 167 people showed–one became a very close friend and others I communicated with for many years.
60. Once I know the date I will acknowledge your birthday–even if after a certain age you don’t want me to.
61. My life is and has been an open book and have even gone as far as to publish it (Shameless plug–go to www.authorhouse.com–enter “Letting It All Hang Out” and you can order it–also, “The Free Prisoner”) (You can getter them for a better price at amazon and ebay!!! Those are, in some cases, autographed copies I gave to friends LOL)
62. I believe I will win the lottery and/or my books will become best sellers.
63. I am a list maker and, eventually, do everything on the list.
64. I am a prude when it comes to talking about sexual acts but not when doing it.
65.I have very little patience.
66. My favorite snacks are chocolate, peanuts, potato chips, salami and bread.
67. I would kill for a good carrot cake.
68. The amount of food I can consume at one sitting amazes even me.
69. The older I get the more of a homebody I have become.
70. I love watching animals move.
71. “Hide and Seek” by Pavel Tchelichew is my favorite painting.
72. Being surprised with unexpected gifts like a book or a gingerbread house.
73. I love giving gifts.
74. Being with someone I am comfortable enough to enjoy silence.
75. I admire Larry Kramer as a writer and an activist.
76. Birds of Paradise are my favorite flower.
77. In the theatre when the house lights come down and the curtain is about to go up I know I will be lost in the world on stage.
78. I am alone–by choice–but not lonely.
79. I have become a reality show junkie–Amazing Race, American Idol,
Survivor and Wife Swap though I know their reality is tinkered with. (And now “Undercover Boss!)
80. I like female blues singers.
81. Just sold 800 VHS tapes on EBay. (Still have my collection of classic gay movies like “Torch Song Trilogy”, “Maurice”, etc. on VHS–don’t ask me why I am keeping them!)
82. I looked for–and found–love in many wrong places.
83. The older I get the less I am willing to compromise.
84. I do crossword puzzles in ink.
85. I love a good tearjerker.
86. I can program a VCR, a DVD, a television but don’t know how to work ‘special effects’ on a computer/Internet.
87. I have gotten into a routine since I have retired which is something I very rarely did.
88. I have made love in places you can’t even imagine.
89. I have learned that things that may be important to me may not be to you.
90. Everyday, when I wake up, I look in the mirror and say, “Martin, you are fantastic!”
91. I fall asleep by ‘writing’ my next book or play.
92. I have not worn a suit, sports coat or tie since 1979 except one waiter’s job I had where you had to wear a tie. (Now that I am a ‘working’ theatre reviewer I do wear a jacket.)
93. The only food I won’t eat is oyster plant.
94. While I am great at giving advice I very seldom will take any.
95. I am very unforgiving to anyone who disrespects anyone I like or lies or puts anyone down or bullies anyone or thinks their way is the only way.
96. Aside from the heart failure 7 years ago I have been, and am, healthy. (See # 7)
97. I come across as a tiger but I am really a pussycat.
98. I believe in the ‘kindness of strangers’.
99. There is only one thing I would change if I had my life to live over again.
100. I have led, and am leading, a very good life with all its up and downs.
SO DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING NEW ABOUT ME? IF SO YOU HAVEN’T BEEN READING MY 7 DECADES SERIES–SHAME ON YOU! LOL
Once or twice a year a ‘small’ picture sneaks into the local cinema and stays for weeks and weeks usually because of word of mouth. Most of the time they are an English movie but “The Sapphires” is an exception being from Australia. The movie is based on the true story of four Aboriginal women who lived in the Outback where, until the 1970s, children were stolen from their families and adopted by ‘white’ families or put into institutions. This is not that story though the theme is mentioned now and then just as the similarities and differences in the treatment of Black people in Australia and how Black people were treated in the United States.
This is the story of the girls who are ‘discovered’ by an alcoholic talent scout, Dave Lovelace (Chris O’Dowd) whose claim to fame is that he once was a director of talent on a cruise ship. He hears their potential and when one of the girls talks about auditions to entertain troops in Vietnam he makes himself their manager. Dave talks them out of the country and western songs they have been singing and makes them over into a typical Motown girl group of the 1960s, using the songs, outfits and moves, oh, say like the Supremes. There is some playing with the facts during the movie such as the character Dave never existed but it looks like Australian writers (Keith Thompson and Tony Briggs, son of one of the women) and director Wayne Blaine have seen enough Hollywood movies and brought their lessons to this film. The girls each have their boyfriend angst and there is the infighting, not to forget to show a bomb or two going off in the Vietnam scenes, and a breakup here and there but all ends well, just like a Hollywood film would.
The girls: Gail (Deborah Mailman) is referred to as the ‘Mama bear’, Julie (Jessica Mauboy) plays the lead singer, Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell) who is content being a backup singer and Kay (Shari Sebbens) the sister’s light skinned sibling who had been one of those children kidnapped from her family and brought up as a white city girl and, of course, will fall in love with the darkest skin soldier. They put over the songs and they handle deeper moments making them believable. Chris O’Dowd has enough charm to make the audience not realize they are wearing their hearts on their sleeves. The songs from “Heard It On The Grapevine” to “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch” bring the Motown sound and, through subjects from racism in the USA to the situation with Aboriginals and the war in Vietnam though lightly dismissed, brings the 1960s back.
Be sure to stay for the ending credits to see what these women did with the rest of their lives which is very impressive.
April 1998 was just like any other month with going to theatre to see Jim Baily as Judy Garland who was much better in Las Vegas years before, went to see sculptor Hanson’s work at the MOMA, had to get a new alternator for the car (charged the $85), Bob, Jim, Gino and I had dinner at Catfish Dewey’s (open) to celebrate Bob and Jim’s 40th anniversary, had a run in with David who stole my car keys, Bob, Jim and I went to the Coconut Grove Playhouse to see “An Evening With Jerry Herman” and dinner at The Cheesecake Factory (open) and work, plus my Social Security check, made life a little easier but I was still charging too much and spending more than I was taking in. I did get a call from the Powerline subsidized housing but I didn’t like it and was holding out for Gateway. May was a good month where I finally ended up in the black for a change.
In June Ronnie came down from Waterville, Maine, his home where he moved back to from New York and was currently living. His cousin David lived in West Palm Beach and though I knew him he never got in touch with me when he moved there so I was going to see him and Ronnie the following day. We went for finner at Franco’s (closed). We got together at Chardee’s (closed) for brunch the following Sunday and Ronnie told me he was having heart problems which is why he moved back to Waterville plus his mother had died and left him their house. He had a part time job working for the church catering meals. Bill Doolan, sort of an ex of Bill’s, and I met for lunch at Denny’s (open) and he told me he had Parkinson’s. The day after that Ted and I went for dinner at J. Alexander’s (open) for which I had a “2 Free Dinners” card though I don’t know why or how! On Sunday, the 17th, I took off from work and took Ronnie and David for brunch at the Marriott Marina on17th Street (closed) where in 2004 I had my 17th Leap Year celebration which was one of the best! The 3 of us spent the day walking around the marinas and that evening we went to see/hear The Gay Men’s Chorus of Fort Lauderdale at the Amaturo Theatre in the Performing Arts Center. Little did I know it would be the last time I would see Ronnie. A week later Bill Doolan, Bob, Jim and I went up to Boca where we ate at Tom’s BBQ (closed) and then went to see “The Heidi Chronicles” at the Caldwell Playhouse (closed). By now I had cut back to just working Saturday and Sunday.
Another month another problem with the car which cost $400 plus for rental and needless to say it went on a charge card. I was also having problems with my teeth as it had been over 25 years since I had all the work done including the implant. One of the first things I learned about old age is that your body changes including your teeth and gums which gives you problems but we don’t talk about that, do we? In August I registered to take a computer class at Fort Lauderdale High School and I told the teacher if I just learned how to turn on a computer I would be happy. Hey, come on, remember the first time you saw a computer? Did you see an ‘on’ button? Did you know what to do? In any case I did learn how to play Solitaire which was a good way of learning how to handle the mouse and I did learn how to turn on a computer which was good as soon I would have to know!
September was a good month starting with Marcello, the manager I didn’t particularly get along with, being transferred to a Jupiter store and then Hurricane Georges which was suppose to hit us didn’t! I was paying my bills, not charging as much and, for a change, didn’t have a problem with the car. Everything was looking good and then it got better and worse, in October.
Getting involved with computers–on the way to going broke again–death–old friends disappearing and new friends taking their place–life constantly changing but in many ways staying the same.
Though I didn’t particularly like the job at The Crabhouse I did make a few new friends like Laurie, Bob, the twins and others plus at least money was coming in though, as always, I was spending money I didn’t make yet plus the car was giving me a lot of headaches. In any case I ended 1997 with the following in my diary: “weigh less than I did a year ago–not a good year with being out of work so long–hope 1998 is better when I go into semi-retirement–well at least I start collecting S.S.”
As I mentioned I talked to an accountant and I put in to collect Social Security starting March 1, 1998, when I would be 62. I ran into problems from the start in that I got a lot less than I expected because when I was a waiter in the late 50s and all of the 60s I did a stupid thing by not reporting all the income I was getting in tips and salaries at that time were really bad. Also the accountant ‘forgot’ to tell me about the more I made at work the less I would be getting in my SS check. Adding insult to injury a few months later I got a notice that I had been overpaid and owe about $780!!!
In January Perry Lee sent me a long list of subsidized housing in the 3 counties of Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. I knew I wanted to stay in Fort Lauderdale so I looked at a place on Powerline Road which was very depressing with people sitting in wheel chairs in the lobby and everything with a gray look. It was a 6 story building and would eventually be spruced up when an administrator from Gateway transferred there but at that time I knew it wasn’t for me. After that I looked at another building which was on Oakland behind a hospital and was gated and with my ‘parties’ I knew that wouldn’t work. The third place I looked at was Gateway and I knew that was it! I asked about an application and was told that it might be 2-3 years before I could get in.
It seems, reading from my diary, things were ‘normal’ again–a few quotes–“Car in garage–gas leak”–“Bob, James, Don, Alex, Don and I went to see “Gerry’s Girls’ and then Lester’s”–“I waited on Adam and his friend who sings on cruise ships –Adam was the former lover of Bruce who I worked with at Dan Dowd’s and threw him and Andy a wedding at the Rooftop–small world”–“Got the car back–paid cash for rental car–Tom didn’t charge me to fix the car”–“Lawyer won’t press suit regarding car crash”–“On February 11 Bob, Jim, Don and I had dinner at the Olive Garden and then went to see ‘Carousel’ and cried like a baby as I always do in the second act” .
It was on Friday, February 20, 1998, that I got a call that Perry Lee had died from cancer. I didn’t even know he had been sick as he didn’t say anything when I called him regarding Gateway. We had been friends for 42 years and made up what was the beginning of Joe and Albyn’s family referring to us as their sons. I have always been close to Perry Lee whether we lived in the same city or 1500 miles apart. We would not see each other for long periods of time and yet when we got together it was as if we had just seen each other the day before. When I think of Perry Lee I think of a whole group of people from my past and even today I silently thank him for being responsible for me having found Gateway and moving into a place that would save me in many ways.
The following week I brought my car into Johnnie and Mack’s to be painted, rust removed and dents removed which would cost about $1,200 which–Surprise Not!–I would charge.
In March I put in my application to move to Gateway, had the car painted, went into semi-retirement working only Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Nancy was in town and we had lunch at 811 Bourbon (closed) while a few days later Juan came in from Memphis and he, Jim, Bob and I had dinner at The Ark (closed) and the following week my car died and had to be towed–the day before Juan was suppose to return to Memphis we went to Tina’s (closed)–it was now 31 years, a lifetime ago, since I had joined Weight Watchers and I was wondering what the next 31 years will bring and where would I be in 2129–now that was being optimistic!
It all started the last week of March–I got some packets of seeds from The Dollar Tree store—4 packets for a $1–today I added two more pots and the last of the seeds–in the bottom left picture if you look closely at the far right pot in the corner you will see some buds–the blooming marigolds are in the apartment and every day a few new buds show up as do a few more flowers–still waiting to see what happens with the turnips and beets–will see next Sunday!!!
And another fast food franchise opens in Fort Lauderdale. It is big, looks and feels new and except that they focus on chicken tenders they are no different from Burger Wi-Fi or The Whole Enchilada or any other new franchise operation.
You walk in–and there are assorted sizes of their menus all over so you don’t have to wait to get up to the counter to see what you want–approach the counter, give your first name and order, pay, go get your drink,or in my case the lady behind the counter poured my coffee, get any condiments, find a table and when your name is called go back to the counter and get your order.
Allen had the 4 piece chicken tenders dinner with a soda and blueberry cole slaw for $8.79 including tax and I had the grilled turkey sandwich meal which had cranberry, lettuce and mayo spread on the egg bun plus the blueberry cole slaw and coffee for $7.73
Neither Allen or I were impressed with the blueberry cole slaw or, the bottom line, with PDQ–which could be standing in for “People Dedicated to Quality” or “Pretty Darn Quick” which they are–though nothing wrong with the place it is just another fast food franchise with all the superficial trimmings and TVs but not the table service.
First and foremost a standing ovation and a “Bravo!” to the Broward Performing Arts new sound system. It has been a long time since each spoken and sung word in a musical was as clear and understandable as it was at this performance of “The Addams Family”!
From the first three “Snap! Snap! Snap!” anyone familiar with the Addams family from the New Yorker cartoons to the TV shows and movies will be right at home. For those not familiar with them you will be after the first song “When You’re an Addams” is finished.
Wednesday (Jennifer Fogarty) the child of Gomez (Jesse Sharp) and Morticia (Keleen Snowgren) Addams has invited Lucas (Bryan Welnicki), to whom Wednesday is secretly engaged, and his parents Mal (Mark Poppleton) and Alice (Blair Anderson) Beineke to meet hers. Wednesday has told her father about the engagement but has sworn him to secrecy to not tell her mother. Gomez finds himself between a rock and a hardstone as he has never lied to his wife and feels he can’t betray his daughter. Knowing the Addams, when Wednesday asks the family to act ‘normal’ around the Beinekes, who are from Ohio, you know it is going to be a rough, and funny, night.
In the opening number the audience gets to meet the complete Addams family and what their idea of normal might be. The brother of Gomez, Uncle Fester (Shaun Rice) is in love with the moon, no one is sure what side the 102 year old Grandma (Amanda Bruton) is related to while Wednesday brother Pugsley (Jeremy Todd Shinder) is afraid when she gets married she won’t be around to torture him anymore. And then there is the all around butler/house man Lurch (Don Olson) while the Addams Ancestors who have come back for one night for the annual gathering of the family hover all over the sets.
“The Addams Family”, since it premiered in Chicago in 2009, then Broadway in 2010 and touring since 2011, has consistently gone through changes whether it be songs by Andrew Lippa or the book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and has added zingers regarding current people and places in the news. The songs by Lippa seem to be takeoffs of other songwriters and at one point I thought Fester’s song “But Love” was going to turn into Billy Flynn’s, “All I Care About” from “Chicago” but you will always have the snaps! There is strong backup by the 7 piece orchestra lead by Nolan Bonvouloir.
The cast is uniformly good with Fogarty’s Wednesday standing out with a strong voice. The only weak character, and this seems to be the fault of the direction, is the part of Morticia. I have seen this role played by 2 different actresses and both seemed nervous on stage and unsure of their dancing, consequently the big tango number doesn’t work as they look as if they are counting each step in their head before doing it.
“The Addams Family” may not be a classic Broadway show but it is for all the kids of any age and except for a few risque moves and lines it is a show for the whole family.
First act: 1 hour and 8 minutes Intermission: 17 minutes Second act: 53 minutes
Next stops: 4/22 Sarasota 4/23: Tallahassee 4/24 Pensacola then Michigan
Young people who went through ‘Occupy Wall Street’ should go to see “The Company You Keep” to see how people protested the Vietnam war which had the government killing college students while some of those a little older were members of the Weathermen Underground, a revolutionary group to bring down the U.S. government by robbing banks, blowing up buildings and, in some incidents, killing innocent bystanders. Some members disappeared becoming upstanding members of communities for decades and in recent years some have given themselves up after their children had grown and they still had their guilt.“The Company You Keep” is the story of one woman, Sharon Solarz (Susan Sarandon) surrendering after being wanted for 30 years in connection with a killing at an attempted bank robbery.
By doing this Sharon involves some who were with her in those days and have turned around their lives, all having done quite well. We meet Jim Grant (Robert Redford), a respected lawyer whose wife recently died, leaving him with a 11 year old daughter (Jackie Evancho), who goes on the run to find his former lover Mimi (Julie Christie) who can clear him and is currently running drugs for her new partner Mac (Sam Elliot). We meet Fitzgerald (Nick Nolte) who owns a lumberyard, Jed (Richard Jenkins) who is a university professor, Billy (Stephen Root) a farmer, organic of course, and Daniel (Chris Cooper), Jim’s brother who takes his niece. Last, but certainly not least, is Henry Osborne (Brendan Gleeson) as a police chief who was involved in the case of the bank robbery and the guard who was killed.
Redford brings in younger faces with Ben (Shia LaBeouf) as a reporter who has a a former girlfriend in the FBI, Diana (Anna Kendrick) who supplies him with information about Jim and Rebecca as Osborne’s daughter. There is Diana’s boss, Cornelius (Terrence Howard) who goes on the search for Jim and/or Mimi as Ben tries to get to them first for the ‘big’ story and Ben’s boss Ray Fuller (Stanley Tucci)..
This is a film many young people should go to see to learn the history of their grandparent’s generation who were not passive when they knew the government was wrong. They should see how professional, older actors can raise the level of a film and are a presence on the screen. For those of us over 60 it reminds us of what individuals Redford, Christie, Sarandon, Nolte, etc., brought to the screen and still do. Though Redford’s face hasn’t aged too well in screen terms those of us from “The Sting” days will see him as he was then just as looking at Christie the beauty of “Darling” shines through.
The directing by Redford, with the screenplay by Lem Dobbs is pedestrian, though there is a scene with Susan Sarandon in prison, and another between Redford and Christie in a log cabin, that make the film worth seeing along with the performances by the other older actors. He does make a major mistake with the Hollywood ending which, if you have seen any movies, know is coming way before it does.
This was one of my first blog posts—January 28, 2006–at the third site I started to blog at–7 years later I still believe in all these plus a few more!
Some of the philosophies I have gathered for myself after 70 years (okay 77 now):
1. Life is uncertain–Eat dessert first!
2. Never say never.
3. Eliminate try from a sentence and it becomes a positive statement.
4. Say won’t instead of can’t which makes you honest.
5. Those who think they know it all are very annoying to those of us who do!
6. “I do my thing and you do your thing. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, and you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you and I am I and if by chance we find each other; It’s beautiful.” Frederick S. Perls
7. Promises are made to be broken.
8. When you feel guilty you are spending time in the past, when you are worrying you are spending time in the future and when you do either you are not dealing with the here and now.
9. “There is good in everyone.” Anne Frank
10. When love is gone I will not stoop to become your friend.
11. What goes round comes round.
12. Most people don’t learn from past mistakes and keep repeating them.
13. I do not need another to validate or approve of me.
14. It’s human to err, divine to forgive but harder to do the latter.
15. When a person lies it is usually to make them look better in your eyes.
16. Being alone doesn’t mean you are lonely.
17. People will do what they want to do even though they say they won’t/don’t.
18. Some people believe that negative attention is better than no attention at all.
19. “If you really love me you will…” should not be said to someone you love.
20. Eliminate negative people from your life.
21. Live as if today is the last day of your life.
22. Do stop to smell the roses, look at nature.
23. Appreciate what you have.
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And now a few more:
24. Another way of putting #17–people are selfish–even the do gooders let you know they are doing good and that’s why they do it.
25. People are really ugly when they can hide behind the Internet
26. I am a very happy, positive person and become more so as I get older!
27. The people I am most disappointed in are those that call themselves christians and the people I admire most are those who live their life as Christians.
28. It is possible to make real friends after meeting them on cyber space.
29. Yes, what mother said is still true: do not discuss religion and/or politics.
30. Children know it all or so they think–adults realize how little they know.
greatmartin 