So it's agreed by everyone, professional entertainment reviewers and the general public alike that last night's Academy Award show was one of the most boring ones in history. Outside of a few minutes in the last half hour the show dragged on and on. To me, the most exciting part seemed to be Ellen vacuuming and wondering if the vacuum would clog with all that glitter on the carpet but then I noticed that either it was the quietest vacuum or it wasn't turned on.
The audience attending the show at the Kodac Theater is made up of the most talented, both artistic and creative people on earth (and I do mean the entire world, not just Hollywood which no longer makes most of the movies any more). Consider all the accents just on the stage last night from people all over the world. How can such a boring show exist with so much talent available. Each year it's announced that the number of people watching have dropped from the year before.
Maybe it's time for Hollywood to give it up, and move it from country to country every year. Let England have a shot, let India have a shot, let the Orient have a shot, even Canada where many movies are made these days see if they can improve the quality of this most important entertainment award show. For sure, no country can make it any worse.
I don't usually watch award shows and last night reminded me why I dislike watching them drag on so. By the time it ended here it was 9:30. On the East coast they most have lost the audience 2 hours earlier at 10:00 their time.
It's time to reconsider the presentation of the show. Give up so many visions of the past and move it up to the present. If they don't, in 10 years there won't be anything worth watching or anyone caring enough to watch.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOAN
Tommorow is my cousin Joan's birthday. She was born almost 10 years after I was and for the longest time, my brother and I were the only kids until my cousins came along starting when I was 10 years old. Did I resent their arrival?? You bet your boots I did. My bother and I were the recepients of ALL the attention from Aunts and Uncles not to mention many surprising wonderful gifts which often showed up in the mail unannounced as well as the many gifts which came with a personal visit.
The age gap between us was also a big factor. My Aunt would often comment that some day the 10 and 13 year bridges would close but to the eyes of a child, it seemed impossible that one day my cousins and I would have a close relationship, not to mention friendship.
So here we are a LOT of years later and my Aunt's "bridge" has indeed closed. My cousins and I are friends as much as cousins and the only pain I feel on Joan's birthday is a reminder each year that my next birthday is not far away, and because I am so much older, I am the only cousin who can actually remember the faces of great Aunts and Uncles who have since passed away. I stopped counting birthdays a while ago, so I figure Joan and I are just about the same age with Lynn not far behind us.
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Joan. It's been a great run with many wonderful memories. I hope you, Lynn and I can collect many more memories before we hit "forgetting" age.
The age gap between us was also a big factor. My Aunt would often comment that some day the 10 and 13 year bridges would close but to the eyes of a child, it seemed impossible that one day my cousins and I would have a close relationship, not to mention friendship.
So here we are a LOT of years later and my Aunt's "bridge" has indeed closed. My cousins and I are friends as much as cousins and the only pain I feel on Joan's birthday is a reminder each year that my next birthday is not far away, and because I am so much older, I am the only cousin who can actually remember the faces of great Aunts and Uncles who have since passed away. I stopped counting birthdays a while ago, so I figure Joan and I are just about the same age with Lynn not far behind us.
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Joan. It's been a great run with many wonderful memories. I hope you, Lynn and I can collect many more memories before we hit "forgetting" age.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
THE DISAVANTAGE OF VOLUNTEERING
Ok last time I gushed what a great feeling volunteering brings. Now for the other side. My cousin is the leader of her daughter's scout group. Her daugher is 12 so I am assuming the rest of the girls are in the same age group. Unfortunately this is my cousin's first effort and because of her daughter, she picked the toughest way to begin volunteering, and there is now a split in her daughter's group. One of the members displayed horrid behavour and was excused from the group. Apparently some of the girls disagree with this choice and are taking it out on my cousin's daughter and my cousin has asked for advice on her blog. There have been some wonderful suggestions and I have also made one.
My first volunteer effort was the same (must run in the family). At the ripe old age of 25, I chose to volunteer to be advisor to a group of girls aged 13 to 17. What a tough lesson. Girls this age have no logic whatsoever. Their hormones are raging in all directions, few of them logical. It's a very hard to reason with them and no matter what the advisor suggests at least half will agree to disagree and dissention runs through the group all the time. Some say day while others just say night to be ornary.
I have suggested that the entire group be presented with the situation and for my cousin to present the choices to the girls themselves to decide what to do about this girl. It's very easy for this age group to put blame on others. If all the girls are made to be responsibile for the troop then they must accept the consequences of their actions. It's a surprise to most adults when the girls do understand that it's up to them to police their own group and dole out the punishment and I hope my cousin's group doesn't let her down.
As for my cousin, it's a learning experience. I am volunteering with adults now, and sometimes unfortunately, it's not much different than working with teens but my time with the teens gave me the chance to hone my "reason with them" sense and it has come in handy more than a few times over the years.
I can only hope this experience doesn't sour the idea of volunteering for my cousin. It's so easy to just think "why bother" and walk away.This situation will pass and another will quickly takes it's place. Sometimes something wonderful happens and it reminds one why we volunteered in the first place. Don't give up cousin!!!!
My first volunteer effort was the same (must run in the family). At the ripe old age of 25, I chose to volunteer to be advisor to a group of girls aged 13 to 17. What a tough lesson. Girls this age have no logic whatsoever. Their hormones are raging in all directions, few of them logical. It's a very hard to reason with them and no matter what the advisor suggests at least half will agree to disagree and dissention runs through the group all the time. Some say day while others just say night to be ornary.
I have suggested that the entire group be presented with the situation and for my cousin to present the choices to the girls themselves to decide what to do about this girl. It's very easy for this age group to put blame on others. If all the girls are made to be responsibile for the troop then they must accept the consequences of their actions. It's a surprise to most adults when the girls do understand that it's up to them to police their own group and dole out the punishment and I hope my cousin's group doesn't let her down.
As for my cousin, it's a learning experience. I am volunteering with adults now, and sometimes unfortunately, it's not much different than working with teens but my time with the teens gave me the chance to hone my "reason with them" sense and it has come in handy more than a few times over the years.
I can only hope this experience doesn't sour the idea of volunteering for my cousin. It's so easy to just think "why bother" and walk away.This situation will pass and another will quickly takes it's place. Sometimes something wonderful happens and it reminds one why we volunteered in the first place. Don't give up cousin!!!!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
THE REWARDS OF VOLUNTEERING
I am often asked why I volunteer so much at our Moose lodge. The Moose fraternity is comprised of Lodges all over the United States and Canada and each Lodge survives mostly on volunteer help by the members.
My particular Lodge is very successful and it's the work of the members which makes it so. Sometimes the rewards are not always visible but last night we were witness to a very worthy reward.
Each year the men of most of the Lodges choose one woman they consider the one who helped their lodge the most and there is a celebration called the Sweetheart Dance at which time this one woman is crowned "Sweetheart". It's usually a well kept secret between the men as to who will receive this honor, although there is quite a bit of guessing among the women. To most non Moose members, it might be considered silly, but to a volunteer, receiving the acknowledgement of your work in front of your peers is a nice reflection on the appreciation of your Lodge brothers.
One of our members received such a surprised acknowledgement. Deb has given of herself to our Lodge and Chapter (women's division of the Moose)more than we can ever repay, yet each year the title of "sweetheart" always bypassed her.
Last night Deb was named Lodge sweetheart. The most rewarding part turns out, not that she finally received this well deserved volunteer reward, but the reaction of every woman attending. When her name was announced, the entire group of women and most of the men, as though it were rehearsed stood up at the same time, applauding and yelling cheers in unison. Everyone was so very pleased that Deb had finally received this well deserved honor.
To witness the joy on the faces of all these members reminded me what the joy of volunteering brings. Money is not always a reward. Sometimes just the acknowledgement is a much better reward.
My particular Lodge is very successful and it's the work of the members which makes it so. Sometimes the rewards are not always visible but last night we were witness to a very worthy reward.
Each year the men of most of the Lodges choose one woman they consider the one who helped their lodge the most and there is a celebration called the Sweetheart Dance at which time this one woman is crowned "Sweetheart". It's usually a well kept secret between the men as to who will receive this honor, although there is quite a bit of guessing among the women. To most non Moose members, it might be considered silly, but to a volunteer, receiving the acknowledgement of your work in front of your peers is a nice reflection on the appreciation of your Lodge brothers.
One of our members received such a surprised acknowledgement. Deb has given of herself to our Lodge and Chapter (women's division of the Moose)more than we can ever repay, yet each year the title of "sweetheart" always bypassed her.
Last night Deb was named Lodge sweetheart. The most rewarding part turns out, not that she finally received this well deserved volunteer reward, but the reaction of every woman attending. When her name was announced, the entire group of women and most of the men, as though it were rehearsed stood up at the same time, applauding and yelling cheers in unison. Everyone was so very pleased that Deb had finally received this well deserved honor.
To witness the joy on the faces of all these members reminded me what the joy of volunteering brings. Money is not always a reward. Sometimes just the acknowledgement is a much better reward.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
FINALLY AN OPEN SATURDAY NIGHT
It's 4:30 Sunday morning and I am sitting her wide awake blogging. You may wonder why I am doing this at such an unGodly hour and I will tell you.
For the first time since last June 2006, I did not have either a Moose function or a social function last night. Yes, I have been busy every Saturday night for that long. I didn't realize it until last night but it's true. Between our lodge and other lodges in our district plus a few out of the district, there has been something fun to do most Saturday nights. These included parties leading up to and including the Holidays. During the holidays, I had a chance to visit with non Moose friends a couple of Saturday nights which was wonderful. I also had a weekend convention in September. It just seems that I was out somewhere all the time.
Last night, there was nothing anywhere so I stayed home. What to do?? What to do?? Hey, I haven't had a chance to relax and read for a long time. Harry Potter has been patiently waiting for me to catch up on book 6 and it won't be long until book 7 will be out so what better time to catch up with Harry and wait for the final episode? I remember reading the first Harry Potter book all night - it was that good, so why not do it again.
The truth be known, I fell asleep by 8:30. I must have been much younger when I read the first one. Anyway, so I sit here at 4:35 A.M. wide awake writing this.
Starting next week with the District Valentine's party, the Moose events begin again. Soon every Saturday night will be filled with Installation of new Officers at the different Lodges which I love to attend, even if I am not participating.
Now I know why I need the Moose fraternity so much. For the most part it's fun. Besides, attending something every Saturday night obvously keeps me awake!!!
For the first time since last June 2006, I did not have either a Moose function or a social function last night. Yes, I have been busy every Saturday night for that long. I didn't realize it until last night but it's true. Between our lodge and other lodges in our district plus a few out of the district, there has been something fun to do most Saturday nights. These included parties leading up to and including the Holidays. During the holidays, I had a chance to visit with non Moose friends a couple of Saturday nights which was wonderful. I also had a weekend convention in September. It just seems that I was out somewhere all the time.
Last night, there was nothing anywhere so I stayed home. What to do?? What to do?? Hey, I haven't had a chance to relax and read for a long time. Harry Potter has been patiently waiting for me to catch up on book 6 and it won't be long until book 7 will be out so what better time to catch up with Harry and wait for the final episode? I remember reading the first Harry Potter book all night - it was that good, so why not do it again.
The truth be known, I fell asleep by 8:30. I must have been much younger when I read the first one. Anyway, so I sit here at 4:35 A.M. wide awake writing this.
Starting next week with the District Valentine's party, the Moose events begin again. Soon every Saturday night will be filled with Installation of new Officers at the different Lodges which I love to attend, even if I am not participating.
Now I know why I need the Moose fraternity so much. For the most part it's fun. Besides, attending something every Saturday night obvously keeps me awake!!!
Thursday, February 8, 2007
MORE CANDIDATES PART III
Well Rudy has confirmed that he,too, will be running for President. It obvously took him a little longer to scrounge up the $37.50 to apply. He kept saying he was going to run but since he didn't, I couldn't figure if he was short on time or money and I was just getting ready to send him at least the 50 cents.
So now we have at least 1010 people born in the United States (don't forget that's one of the two prerequisits - the other being the candidate must be at least 36 years of age). It's going to be a tough choice but I am sure the American people as wise as we are will come up with someone perfect. After all didn't we do that the last time??????????????
So now we have at least 1010 people born in the United States (don't forget that's one of the two prerequisits - the other being the candidate must be at least 36 years of age). It's going to be a tough choice but I am sure the American people as wise as we are will come up with someone perfect. After all didn't we do that the last time??????????????
HOW TO LOSE MORE WEIGHT
I had my last continuous appointment with my bariatric surgeon yesterday. Feb 9 will be exactly a year since I had the bypass surgery. My weight loss has been phenominal and for the first time in a VERY VERY long time, I can walk into a store and pick something to wear off the rack, which I did last week. I found a long dress to wear to a Valentine's party and it fits me perfect. This is great but I still have at least 50 lbs to lose.
The tough part is that I am down to solid bedrock and the only way to lose it (outside of starving myself) is to exercise. I have to get motivated. I am having an IPOD downloaded with Disco music and maybe I can persuade myself to do the "John Travolta Saturday Night Fever bopping" to this wonderful music down the walking paths on the grounds where I live. It won't be pretty and since I live in a senior park, I might give some old person a heart attack, but maybe it will start trimming the remainder of the weight off.
The tough part is that I am down to solid bedrock and the only way to lose it (outside of starving myself) is to exercise. I have to get motivated. I am having an IPOD downloaded with Disco music and maybe I can persuade myself to do the "John Travolta Saturday Night Fever bopping" to this wonderful music down the walking paths on the grounds where I live. It won't be pretty and since I live in a senior park, I might give some old person a heart attack, but maybe it will start trimming the remainder of the weight off.
Monday, February 5, 2007
MY BROKEN FOOTBALL HEART
Well, it over and done. The Colts won and outside of the pro bowl, the football season is over and I am quite sad. How quickly both the college and pro season flashed. Just yesterday it was August and the pre-season games were just starting and now it's February and done. The highlight of the year of course was my favorite team USC Trojans beating Michigan at the Rose Bowl and being named number 2 in the country. It would have been a little sweeter to have them play for the number 1 spot at the Orange Bowl against either Ohio or Florida but there is a long tradition with the Rose Bowl and it's always sweet to have the team beat any of the big 10 teams.
Yesterday, was a great day. My Moose lodge sponsored a fun day starting at noon, with lots of good food supplied by our Ladies (we had two tables full of finger food before the game then during half time, the left over food was removed and entire new dishes filled the two tables again). We had many opportunities to lose one's money and the line to do so lasted until 15 minutes before the game when we closed it down (the point is to watch the game) and still people complained. True to form this year as in years past, many poured over the squares trying to pick just the right one (or ones) and more times than I care to admit, they would declare they were done spending money, only to show up 10 to 15 minutes later asking if any more pools had been opened. People continue to amaze me. We have been doing this so many years and I never get tired of people watching. I love to watch the people pile so much food on their plates, they have trouble carrying them without toppling over. Now I wonder to myself if I was like that before having the bariatric surgery (yesterday I had 4 chicken wings and 4 pieces of shrimp at half time and a cold hot dog without the bun after the game). I hope people weren't watching me gorge myself in the past but it's too late to regret it now. My friends walk past me looking at my plate with sad eyes but my eyes aren't sad or filled with jealously at all. I am very contented with my choice of this surgery, not regretting it for one second.
I am grateful for this wonderful organization I belong to. The friends who share the same interest (food notwithstanding) and I look forward to the next season of my beloved sport. Time will pass very quickly and hey, August is only 6 months away. I can wait!!!!! GO USC TROJANS - I am ready!!!
Yesterday, was a great day. My Moose lodge sponsored a fun day starting at noon, with lots of good food supplied by our Ladies (we had two tables full of finger food before the game then during half time, the left over food was removed and entire new dishes filled the two tables again). We had many opportunities to lose one's money and the line to do so lasted until 15 minutes before the game when we closed it down (the point is to watch the game) and still people complained. True to form this year as in years past, many poured over the squares trying to pick just the right one (or ones) and more times than I care to admit, they would declare they were done spending money, only to show up 10 to 15 minutes later asking if any more pools had been opened. People continue to amaze me. We have been doing this so many years and I never get tired of people watching. I love to watch the people pile so much food on their plates, they have trouble carrying them without toppling over. Now I wonder to myself if I was like that before having the bariatric surgery (yesterday I had 4 chicken wings and 4 pieces of shrimp at half time and a cold hot dog without the bun after the game). I hope people weren't watching me gorge myself in the past but it's too late to regret it now. My friends walk past me looking at my plate with sad eyes but my eyes aren't sad or filled with jealously at all. I am very contented with my choice of this surgery, not regretting it for one second.
I am grateful for this wonderful organization I belong to. The friends who share the same interest (food notwithstanding) and I look forward to the next season of my beloved sport. Time will pass very quickly and hey, August is only 6 months away. I can wait!!!!! GO USC TROJANS - I am ready!!!
Thursday, February 1, 2007
MORE CANDIDATES
I wrote the first blog on "Too Many Candidates" on January 24. Since then 3 more people have applied for permission to form a committee and that doesn't include Rudy (the former mayor of NY) Guliani who seems to be running but not committing (how he can do both I haven't figured but the newspapers seem to understand). I keep trying to figure how all these people are raising the $37.50 it costs to apply.
All these candidates who are covered by the press seem like legitimite contenders for the White House. I wonder how many of them are not applying for President but are really running for Vice President. It's not like the person who becomes President of our Country is like the President of a company who has to worry who is behind them trying to take their job away. No one can sneak behind him and snatch the position and house from under his nose. The President of the United States is really stuck with the job and always the crabbing about how the job is being done. Everyone seems to be taking pot shots at George W. including members of his own party. If your own former supporters are complaining, then something is very wrong and should be addressed immediately. George W. doesn't seem to want to hear any of it. He is bound and determined to keep the plan he and the Veep set 4 years ago with very little modification, except to increase the military presence in Iraq. I am thinking instead of increasing human personnel, maybe he should send about 2000 or more bomb sniffing dogs. Maybe they can find what our soldiers can't.
Anyway I digress from the present number of candidates. I have decided to vote for the person who supports the "Bomb Dog Plan" and hope for the best. Does anyone know which of the candidates has the most dogs??
All these candidates who are covered by the press seem like legitimite contenders for the White House. I wonder how many of them are not applying for President but are really running for Vice President. It's not like the person who becomes President of our Country is like the President of a company who has to worry who is behind them trying to take their job away. No one can sneak behind him and snatch the position and house from under his nose. The President of the United States is really stuck with the job and always the crabbing about how the job is being done. Everyone seems to be taking pot shots at George W. including members of his own party. If your own former supporters are complaining, then something is very wrong and should be addressed immediately. George W. doesn't seem to want to hear any of it. He is bound and determined to keep the plan he and the Veep set 4 years ago with very little modification, except to increase the military presence in Iraq. I am thinking instead of increasing human personnel, maybe he should send about 2000 or more bomb sniffing dogs. Maybe they can find what our soldiers can't.
Anyway I digress from the present number of candidates. I have decided to vote for the person who supports the "Bomb Dog Plan" and hope for the best. Does anyone know which of the candidates has the most dogs??
SUPERDAY SUNDAY
This Sunday is one of my favorites yet saddest days of the year. It's Superbowl Sunday. I love football and this is the most exciting day but it also means the end of the season which makes me very sad indeed. I don't have a favorite team since L.A. doesn't have one so I just enjoy the game and the commercials.
Our Moose Lodge really knows how to celebrate Superbowl Sunday. We have more than a few pools going (usually anywhere between 20 and 30) and a ton of free snacks and food. Before I had the bariatric surgery, I would feast like everyone else. In fact last Superbowl sunday was 5 days before my surgery and my last real feast. This year I will have to watch what I eat and more important how much I eat. No fancy snacks and absolutely no sandwiches - just veggies and maybe a little chicken.
This doesn't deminish the day for me in any way. I love doing the pools (I am one of the money takers)watching people trying to pick their squares like it makes a difference which ones they pick, and deciding how much to spend. They pick a few and absolutely swear they won't be back for more then the moment we open a new pool, they are back for more apologizing like it's my money they are spending. Basically it's not just the game, the excitment, the food I love. It's people watching which is the most fun.
One more thing, it's even more fun when I win money on the pools so I look forward to a fun day (even without gorging on food) spending a great day with my friends, taking their money and hoping that I am a big pool winner. Do I have a preference which team wins. My brother wants the Colts to win so I guess I will root for his money too.
Our Moose Lodge really knows how to celebrate Superbowl Sunday. We have more than a few pools going (usually anywhere between 20 and 30) and a ton of free snacks and food. Before I had the bariatric surgery, I would feast like everyone else. In fact last Superbowl sunday was 5 days before my surgery and my last real feast. This year I will have to watch what I eat and more important how much I eat. No fancy snacks and absolutely no sandwiches - just veggies and maybe a little chicken.
This doesn't deminish the day for me in any way. I love doing the pools (I am one of the money takers)watching people trying to pick their squares like it makes a difference which ones they pick, and deciding how much to spend. They pick a few and absolutely swear they won't be back for more then the moment we open a new pool, they are back for more apologizing like it's my money they are spending. Basically it's not just the game, the excitment, the food I love. It's people watching which is the most fun.
One more thing, it's even more fun when I win money on the pools so I look forward to a fun day (even without gorging on food) spending a great day with my friends, taking their money and hoping that I am a big pool winner. Do I have a preference which team wins. My brother wants the Colts to win so I guess I will root for his money too.
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