I am a dog person. Having said that, I like cats well enough. I currently live in a place where pets are forbidden, but there is a stray cat that seems to have adopted the place. The fact that our next door neighbor feeds her probably has influenced that adoption,
I have become fascinated by the little creature. She is small and just the fact that she has survived for two years, that I know of, as a stray, indicates her intelligence. She is manipulative having learned that a pitiful meowing will likely get her some food (not from me; I have never seen a stray cat that cannot find food) and, as such, no longer hunts in the nearby woods. Here and there though, I watch her return to her instincts and stalk various little critters.
On cold nights and rainy days, she turns up the volume on the meowing and gets quite indignant if ignored and will for a spell. ignore those who ignored her. Then, she realizes that she is missing out on easy meals and comes meowing back.
I don't pet her because I don't want her getting attached (we're moving soon) but the neighbors do. It is rare that a stray cat allows human contact, but she is an odd little cat.
Many years ago, I kept cats. I doubt I will again, but, they are a lot of fun. If you have a little room and a minimum of time, they are a nice pet. Do a good deed though, and get one from a shelter.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Friday, January 27, 2017
Henry James
I am not sure how many people read Henry James these days. I had avoided him for long years because his writing is said to be very difficult. It is. However, not long ago, I saw a copy of a collection of his novellas at a much reduced price and figured, why not.
It was well worth the effort. James' writing is very dense. People do not write that way anymore, and reading his takes some effort, and considerable time. But, dense or not, the writing is exquisite, a richly descriptive prose.
The stories are the thing. He sets them among the nearly upper class of Europe and brings an American eye to the subject, often, one of the characters, frequently the narrator, is American. He sticks to the adage that writers should write about what they know. James was an American who spent much of his life in Europe, not among the impoverished nor among the Nobility, but among those who would be considered 'well off.'
His stories, always display a deep understanding of his characters, their motives and fears, especially the fears. They are primarily concerned with the psychological interplay of those inhabiting his stories. Human psychology is a tangled web and James' has the good sense to not give any definite diagnosis, instead leaving things sort of vague and cloudy.
Daisy Miller, The Aspern Papers, Altars of Death, and The Beast in the Jungle are all very fine stories, but the real star is The Turn of the Screw. The Turn of the Screw is a very unusual horror story. It is a ghost story, but it never quite becomes a gothic type horror story. Like all of his stories, it is a very ambiguous tale, and I will say no more about it because I want you to read it.
It was well worth the effort. James' writing is very dense. People do not write that way anymore, and reading his takes some effort, and considerable time. But, dense or not, the writing is exquisite, a richly descriptive prose.
The stories are the thing. He sets them among the nearly upper class of Europe and brings an American eye to the subject, often, one of the characters, frequently the narrator, is American. He sticks to the adage that writers should write about what they know. James was an American who spent much of his life in Europe, not among the impoverished nor among the Nobility, but among those who would be considered 'well off.'
His stories, always display a deep understanding of his characters, their motives and fears, especially the fears. They are primarily concerned with the psychological interplay of those inhabiting his stories. Human psychology is a tangled web and James' has the good sense to not give any definite diagnosis, instead leaving things sort of vague and cloudy.
Daisy Miller, The Aspern Papers, Altars of Death, and The Beast in the Jungle are all very fine stories, but the real star is The Turn of the Screw. The Turn of the Screw is a very unusual horror story. It is a ghost story, but it never quite becomes a gothic type horror story. Like all of his stories, it is a very ambiguous tale, and I will say no more about it because I want you to read it.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Practice as Entertainment
Anyone who plays or watches golf has had the fantasy of walking on a course and, suddenly, playing like Tiger Woods. Every one who has listened to good rock music has the fantasy of stepping on a stage and ripping off an Eric Clapton guitar solo. If you love baseball, you have likely pictured yourself striding to the plate to hit the grand slam homer off a top pitcher to win the World Series.
Well, good luck to you. Odd are against you. To a degree it is a matter of innate talent, but to a larger degree, it is a matter of practice. All great athletes, artists, and entertainers have spent long, long hours practicing, homing their skills. They all make it cleat that, to a degree, they enjoy practice, at least for a while. Of course, as they grow older, the practice gets a bit boring, but by that time, they have the skills.
The great golfer Ben Hogan was once asked how he could spend hours on the practice range. He replied that iy was a matter of how you looked at it. The questioner thought Hogan was working. Hogan pointed out that, to hum, practice was as much fun as playing the game.
There is your clue. If you want to become good at anything, must practice and the only way to dedicate yourself to the practice is to have fun with it. You may never be Tiger Woods or Eric Clapton, but you can become competent at your chosen pastime.
Well, good luck to you. Odd are against you. To a degree it is a matter of innate talent, but to a larger degree, it is a matter of practice. All great athletes, artists, and entertainers have spent long, long hours practicing, homing their skills. They all make it cleat that, to a degree, they enjoy practice, at least for a while. Of course, as they grow older, the practice gets a bit boring, but by that time, they have the skills.
The great golfer Ben Hogan was once asked how he could spend hours on the practice range. He replied that iy was a matter of how you looked at it. The questioner thought Hogan was working. Hogan pointed out that, to hum, practice was as much fun as playing the game.
There is your clue. If you want to become good at anything, must practice and the only way to dedicate yourself to the practice is to have fun with it. You may never be Tiger Woods or Eric Clapton, but you can become competent at your chosen pastime.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Politics as Entertainment
I cannot speak for any other Nation, but, in America, politics is a grand form of entertainment. Of course, there is serious business to be done, but this last election has been a lot more fun than almost any thing else on TV.
During the campaign, Donald Trump's campaign speeches were far funnier than any stand up comedians routine. he reminded me of Lenny Bruce with less obscenity. Then, seeing Hillary's confused response to his rising popularity was hysterically funny. A team of comedy script writers could not have written better routines.
The recent displays of celebrity indignation at Trump's election have certainly been annoying, but looked at in a different way, they have been a hoot. Here we have these over paid, spoiled brats daring to stand up and criticize the American people is like a high satire. They are so insulated from reality that they have no idea what people are living through and that makes their pomposity so ludicrous as to make it laughable. Every time I see it, I feel like I'm watching clips from a Robert Altman film.
At the other end of the spectrum, you have the Inauguration parade. I'm not real big on marching band, but those who performed put on a fine show. I/m also not big on nostalgia, but I was reminded of the days when, in small towns and big cities, almost every holiday was celebrated with a parade. It was nice and it is sort of sad that it is a rite that has pretty much disappeared. In addition, the bands and marchers did a very fine job.
Now, we have the tension between the new Administration and the Old Guard building rapidly to a fever pitch. It is high drama at its finest. So, turn off, at least here and there, the run of the mill TV programming and watch some of this political drama unfold. It is fine dram and, here and there, you get some laughs.
During the campaign, Donald Trump's campaign speeches were far funnier than any stand up comedians routine. he reminded me of Lenny Bruce with less obscenity. Then, seeing Hillary's confused response to his rising popularity was hysterically funny. A team of comedy script writers could not have written better routines.
The recent displays of celebrity indignation at Trump's election have certainly been annoying, but looked at in a different way, they have been a hoot. Here we have these over paid, spoiled brats daring to stand up and criticize the American people is like a high satire. They are so insulated from reality that they have no idea what people are living through and that makes their pomposity so ludicrous as to make it laughable. Every time I see it, I feel like I'm watching clips from a Robert Altman film.
At the other end of the spectrum, you have the Inauguration parade. I'm not real big on marching band, but those who performed put on a fine show. I/m also not big on nostalgia, but I was reminded of the days when, in small towns and big cities, almost every holiday was celebrated with a parade. It was nice and it is sort of sad that it is a rite that has pretty much disappeared. In addition, the bands and marchers did a very fine job.
Now, we have the tension between the new Administration and the Old Guard building rapidly to a fever pitch. It is high drama at its finest. So, turn off, at least here and there, the run of the mill TV programming and watch some of this political drama unfold. It is fine dram and, here and there, you get some laughs.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Movie Remakes - A Suggestion
The movie industry turns out remakes of old movies, some of them with great regularity. I have a suggestion for a remake of a movie only made once, in 1935.
I have in mind Charles Dickens' great story, A Tale of Two Cities. It is a story of the horrors of the French Revolution and, like many of his stories, is somewhat like a grand soap opera. It is a tale of love, betrayal, secrets, hidden family relationships, identities lost and identities mixed. It is complicated, to say the least, and maybe that's why it is not remade. Perhaps they believe that audiences could not follow all the twists and turns. Or, maybe, they cannot figure a way to get a car chase or space ship into to the story.
On the other hand, it does have killings, many, many killings, with a lot of blood, so that should get some attention. It even, at heart is the tale of a demented serial killer, only the killer is the French people. The Guillotine alone, should bring in the crowds.
All kidding aside, it is an important story, dealing with the results of insane repressions by one class against the other and the horror that comes when the tables are turned. Most of all, it is a great story of love, heroism, and sacrifice.
After 81 years, it is time to remake this wonderful story.
I have in mind Charles Dickens' great story, A Tale of Two Cities. It is a story of the horrors of the French Revolution and, like many of his stories, is somewhat like a grand soap opera. It is a tale of love, betrayal, secrets, hidden family relationships, identities lost and identities mixed. It is complicated, to say the least, and maybe that's why it is not remade. Perhaps they believe that audiences could not follow all the twists and turns. Or, maybe, they cannot figure a way to get a car chase or space ship into to the story.
On the other hand, it does have killings, many, many killings, with a lot of blood, so that should get some attention. It even, at heart is the tale of a demented serial killer, only the killer is the French people. The Guillotine alone, should bring in the crowds.
All kidding aside, it is an important story, dealing with the results of insane repressions by one class against the other and the horror that comes when the tables are turned. Most of all, it is a great story of love, heroism, and sacrifice.
After 81 years, it is time to remake this wonderful story.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
A Confederacy of Dunces
It is a rare thing to find a funny novel. Novels often have funny passages, but a novel that is laugh out loud funny from start to finish is a rare thing.
In 1980, John Kennedy Toole published just such a rarity. He never saw it in print. He committee suicide before then, but his Mother pushed the book to many potential publishers before finding a taker. The literary world should praise her persistence.
Toole created a character like few others in literature. The closest I can think of is John Falstaff but Toole's hero, Ignatius J. Reilly is far stranger and far funnier that Shakespeare's comic creation. Reilly is a genius and as lazy a human as you can imagine. He lives in New Orleans with his Mother and confronts the Modern World with a mind that would have been fear more at ease in the Middle Ages. He is morbidly obese, unkempt. and has few, very few, social graces.
He is forced, through odd circumstances, to go out and find a job. I won't mention the circumstances; you will have to read the novel. His entry into the working world and his encounters with a variety of exceptionally odd folks makes for the funniest novel I know of. Give the book a read and enjoy a nice, long laugh.
In 1980, John Kennedy Toole published just such a rarity. He never saw it in print. He committee suicide before then, but his Mother pushed the book to many potential publishers before finding a taker. The literary world should praise her persistence.
Toole created a character like few others in literature. The closest I can think of is John Falstaff but Toole's hero, Ignatius J. Reilly is far stranger and far funnier that Shakespeare's comic creation. Reilly is a genius and as lazy a human as you can imagine. He lives in New Orleans with his Mother and confronts the Modern World with a mind that would have been fear more at ease in the Middle Ages. He is morbidly obese, unkempt. and has few, very few, social graces.
He is forced, through odd circumstances, to go out and find a job. I won't mention the circumstances; you will have to read the novel. His entry into the working world and his encounters with a variety of exceptionally odd folks makes for the funniest novel I know of. Give the book a read and enjoy a nice, long laugh.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Entertaining at the Inaugural
It seems that many major performers are refusing to do their thing at Friday's Presidential Inaugural Ceremony. Who cares?
The Inaugural is a political event, not a night club show. Of course, some pageantry is involved and it is, in its way, impressive. It is a ritual of our Nation and a way of showing the World that we can change without violence and upheaval. Any entertainers who choose to perform should do so, but they must realize that they are not why people are watching.
I have heard that many high school matching bands will be there. Great. It should be a wonderful experience and an honor those kids will remember for a life time. I have heard that some Country entertainers will be playing. Fine, the traditional music of America should be there. There are plenty of talented people in America who would love to perform at this huge event. Any who don't, don't. You won't be missed.
Actually, I would be far happier if the performances were limited to amateurs and little known talents. There are some very gifted folks who get no exposure and this would be a thrill for them. Let the big name, spoiled brat celebrities stay away. We'll all have some fun without them.
The Inaugural is a political event, not a night club show. Of course, some pageantry is involved and it is, in its way, impressive. It is a ritual of our Nation and a way of showing the World that we can change without violence and upheaval. Any entertainers who choose to perform should do so, but they must realize that they are not why people are watching.
I have heard that many high school matching bands will be there. Great. It should be a wonderful experience and an honor those kids will remember for a life time. I have heard that some Country entertainers will be playing. Fine, the traditional music of America should be there. There are plenty of talented people in America who would love to perform at this huge event. Any who don't, don't. You won't be missed.
Actually, I would be far happier if the performances were limited to amateurs and little known talents. There are some very gifted folks who get no exposure and this would be a thrill for them. Let the big name, spoiled brat celebrities stay away. We'll all have some fun without them.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Sequels
My Dad used to say, being an old fan of horse racing, that when you get a good horse, you ride it to death. Well, what's true in many areas is not true in books and movies, at least not often.
This comes to mind because I am reading Steven King's Doctor Sleep, a sequel to the Shining. It's okay, that's all. The Shining was an excellent, frightening, horror story and KIng should have left things there. Instead, he wrote a novel that, while its moments, it seems to be primarily an excuse for King to tout the benefits of AA. It is overly sentimental and down right preachy. He should not have revisited the story.
In movies, I thought the original Star Wars was decent entertainment. I never thought that we would be subjected to a seemingly endless stream of sequels and prequels, each more inane than the last. Raiders of the Lost Ark was a fine movie. They should have stopped there, the follow ups have steadily declined in quality and now it seems we are going to have another.
While I'm on the subject, there is serious talk of a Blade Runner sequel. Please, no. The original is about as good a movie as can be made. Let the story die there.
One of the few sequels I ever ran across that equaled the original is Larry McMurty's follow up to Lonesome Dove, The Streets of Loredo. Both his novel and the TV mini series version are great. Unfortunately, he decided to write a couple of woeful prequels.
Maybe there is just an incredible lack of imagination these days or, more likely, writers are just too pushed to turn out product. Whatever the cause, I would like to tell all writers one thing: if you have nothing new to say, keep quiet.
This comes to mind because I am reading Steven King's Doctor Sleep, a sequel to the Shining. It's okay, that's all. The Shining was an excellent, frightening, horror story and KIng should have left things there. Instead, he wrote a novel that, while its moments, it seems to be primarily an excuse for King to tout the benefits of AA. It is overly sentimental and down right preachy. He should not have revisited the story.
In movies, I thought the original Star Wars was decent entertainment. I never thought that we would be subjected to a seemingly endless stream of sequels and prequels, each more inane than the last. Raiders of the Lost Ark was a fine movie. They should have stopped there, the follow ups have steadily declined in quality and now it seems we are going to have another.
While I'm on the subject, there is serious talk of a Blade Runner sequel. Please, no. The original is about as good a movie as can be made. Let the story die there.
One of the few sequels I ever ran across that equaled the original is Larry McMurty's follow up to Lonesome Dove, The Streets of Loredo. Both his novel and the TV mini series version are great. Unfortunately, he decided to write a couple of woeful prequels.
Maybe there is just an incredible lack of imagination these days or, more likely, writers are just too pushed to turn out product. Whatever the cause, I would like to tell all writers one thing: if you have nothing new to say, keep quiet.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Entertainment and Politics
In recent weeks, we have witnessed the complete meltdown of many entertainers over the election of Donald Trump. I normally do not bring up politics in the blog, but I have to say one thing to these spoiled brats. "Get over yourselves."
From Springsteen to Madonna to Merle Streep, from Samuel Jackson to Steven King to Cher, celebrities seem to believe that we have elected the Antichrist. We have not. The American people have chosen a leader who they feel will represent the views and interests of the average folks. Seemingly, this does not correspond to what our celebrity elite think are our best interests and they are aghast, appalled that we dare disagree with them.
They do not understand in the least why we are ignoring their beliefs. They should be asking themselves, why would we listen to them? Just because you can play a decent role in a movie does not mean the you understand foreign affairs. Singing a song, does not mean that you are qualified to enter a scientific discussion of climate change. Telling a few jokes does not entitle you to tell people who actually work for a living how their tax money should be spent.
So, all of you entertainers should remember something. Americans can always find other people to sing and act and tell jokes. We don't need you. But, without us, you have nothing. Why, you might even have to go out and do some honest hard work and, trust me, you couldn't stand up to one day of it. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert DiNiro, Whoopie Goldberg, and all the rest of you, need to retreat to a corner, shut up, and just be glad you have made a bunch of money off the rest of us, the folks who work for a living..
From Springsteen to Madonna to Merle Streep, from Samuel Jackson to Steven King to Cher, celebrities seem to believe that we have elected the Antichrist. We have not. The American people have chosen a leader who they feel will represent the views and interests of the average folks. Seemingly, this does not correspond to what our celebrity elite think are our best interests and they are aghast, appalled that we dare disagree with them.
They do not understand in the least why we are ignoring their beliefs. They should be asking themselves, why would we listen to them? Just because you can play a decent role in a movie does not mean the you understand foreign affairs. Singing a song, does not mean that you are qualified to enter a scientific discussion of climate change. Telling a few jokes does not entitle you to tell people who actually work for a living how their tax money should be spent.
So, all of you entertainers should remember something. Americans can always find other people to sing and act and tell jokes. We don't need you. But, without us, you have nothing. Why, you might even have to go out and do some honest hard work and, trust me, you couldn't stand up to one day of it. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert DiNiro, Whoopie Goldberg, and all the rest of you, need to retreat to a corner, shut up, and just be glad you have made a bunch of money off the rest of us, the folks who work for a living..
Monday, January 9, 2017
A Request
I'm taking time out today, from my usual ranting and babbling, to ask for a bit of help. No, this is not a request for money, but I have a situation.
I live in Brunswick, Ga, with my long time friend, Deb. We wish to move to N. Georgia, near, but not in Atlanta. This is just not a good place for us to live.
However, in this town, there are no train stations, no Greyhound stations, the only airport is for small private planes, and we have no car. Neither of us, due to vision issues, can curretntly drive.
We would like suggestions on how we might get to N. Georgia. We do not have a lot of belongings and we would be more than happy to pay for transport.
If you have any suggestions, please contact me. If anyone knows the feasibility of using Uber for long trips, your comments would be welcome. If you, or someone reliable who you know, wish to make a little money for about a 7 hour drive , please contact me. Contact me at wrightjohn996@yahoo.com.
I live in Brunswick, Ga, with my long time friend, Deb. We wish to move to N. Georgia, near, but not in Atlanta. This is just not a good place for us to live.
However, in this town, there are no train stations, no Greyhound stations, the only airport is for small private planes, and we have no car. Neither of us, due to vision issues, can curretntly drive.
We would like suggestions on how we might get to N. Georgia. We do not have a lot of belongings and we would be more than happy to pay for transport.
If you have any suggestions, please contact me. If anyone knows the feasibility of using Uber for long trips, your comments would be welcome. If you, or someone reliable who you know, wish to make a little money for about a 7 hour drive , please contact me. Contact me at wrightjohn996@yahoo.com.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Gardening
Raising a garden, be it a full size vegetable patch or a window box or just a few flowers near the front steps, is a wonderful pastime. It brings beauty into your life and keeps you grounded, in touch with the basics of life.
You need very little, some decent dirt, something to dig with, and some seeds or seedlings or even grown plants. That will do. Just learn what the plants you wan and need to thrive, and provide it, when possible. Of course, there are limits. You cannot grow palm trees, outdoors, in Michigan, or Blue Spruce Trees in the desert, but, within reason and with some planning, you can grow something you like where you live.
Even with little space, you can grow something. I like having some potted fresh herbs growing in the kitchen. My Grandmother, used to take sweet potatoes, cut off the end, stick toothpicks around it, and suspend it in a vase of water. In no time, she had a lovely little vine. She would get a few violet leaves from a neighbor, root them (basically, stick the leaf in some soil and keep it damp) and would line her windowsills with pretty little violets. Then, around her front steps, they had a very tiny house, she would plant wild periwinkles that she found growing in nearby vacant lots.
The time you spend gardening, and it can be as much or a little as you wish, is always time well spent. It soothes the soul and provides hours of simple, wholesome pleasure.
You need very little, some decent dirt, something to dig with, and some seeds or seedlings or even grown plants. That will do. Just learn what the plants you wan and need to thrive, and provide it, when possible. Of course, there are limits. You cannot grow palm trees, outdoors, in Michigan, or Blue Spruce Trees in the desert, but, within reason and with some planning, you can grow something you like where you live.
Even with little space, you can grow something. I like having some potted fresh herbs growing in the kitchen. My Grandmother, used to take sweet potatoes, cut off the end, stick toothpicks around it, and suspend it in a vase of water. In no time, she had a lovely little vine. She would get a few violet leaves from a neighbor, root them (basically, stick the leaf in some soil and keep it damp) and would line her windowsills with pretty little violets. Then, around her front steps, they had a very tiny house, she would plant wild periwinkles that she found growing in nearby vacant lots.
The time you spend gardening, and it can be as much or a little as you wish, is always time well spent. It soothes the soul and provides hours of simple, wholesome pleasure.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Movies and Comic Heros
In recent years, film makers have tackled about every hero ever created in comic books and comic strips. We have had countless Batmen and Supermen; we've had Hulks and Thors and Spidermen and Ironmen. We've seen X-Men and The Fantastic Four, and going back a few tears, we had the awesome Conan.
I am going to remind film makers of another great comic strip that would make an fantastic movie, Terry and the Pirates.
This strip was around for many years and had one of the best story lines around. Terry was a young American adventurer, seeking his fortune in China, the pre-Chairman Mao China. He was involved in a world of intrigue, mixing with warlords, spies, ex-patriot Americans and shady Europeans, in a dark, complex lawless world. And, of course, there were pirates; thieves and smugglers, sinister and murderous, led by a fantastic character, the Dragon Lady.
The strip was daring for its time, with a female as the lead villain and about as much sex and violence as a newspaper comic strip could get away with. The adventures of Terry and his many strange accomplices were great, entertaining fun.
I just wonder why this fine hero has been overlooked. True, he has no super powers, but neither does Batman. A film maker, with a decent budget and a good imagination could turn good old Terry in to a fine movie. Actually, since, over the strip's lifetime, many plots unfolded, this could make series of films. Think, Indiana Jones, only much darker.
I am going to remind film makers of another great comic strip that would make an fantastic movie, Terry and the Pirates.
This strip was around for many years and had one of the best story lines around. Terry was a young American adventurer, seeking his fortune in China, the pre-Chairman Mao China. He was involved in a world of intrigue, mixing with warlords, spies, ex-patriot Americans and shady Europeans, in a dark, complex lawless world. And, of course, there were pirates; thieves and smugglers, sinister and murderous, led by a fantastic character, the Dragon Lady.
The strip was daring for its time, with a female as the lead villain and about as much sex and violence as a newspaper comic strip could get away with. The adventures of Terry and his many strange accomplices were great, entertaining fun.
I just wonder why this fine hero has been overlooked. True, he has no super powers, but neither does Batman. A film maker, with a decent budget and a good imagination could turn good old Terry in to a fine movie. Actually, since, over the strip's lifetime, many plots unfolded, this could make series of films. Think, Indiana Jones, only much darker.
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