I am going to allow myself to become a bit nostalgic, something I try to avoid. All those long years ago, when I was a kid, the 4th of July was special. The town had a parade, not much, but fun. Then, it was off to my Grandma's house where my Uncle would already have his barbeque fire started.
We had no elaborate frill, just a half oil drum mounted on legs. He was a machinist and made it himself. Ribs and chicken were tended to by him alone (well, with the help of a bit of vodka). Grandma made potato salad, cole slaw and corn on the cob and an angel food cake. We feasted, told stories, played games and, come dark, took off for a local drive-in movie ( a now extinct enterprise) where, for a very small charge, you could sit and see a grand fireworks display. Then home and to bed.
Looking back, it wasn't much, but we all had a fine time. Now, it seems that most businesses are open on the 4th, few towns bother with parades and the whole fun spirit seems\s th have gone away. Ah well, such is life. I have no problem with change, but I have a big provlem with change that brings no good. We have lost a lot.
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Thursday, June 22, 2017
The Dark Tower as a Movie
I loved every word of Steven King's 5 volume masterpiece The Dark Tower. Read the first volume, The Gunslinger and you will not be able to stop until you finish the whole thing (I believe it is somewhere around 4 or 5 thousand pages)
Now, coming soon to theaters near you, a film version. Now, I vould see a TV miniseries, but a movie? How will the story be compressed that much. I see nothing that can be cut and leave the story comprehensible. Now, it is true that you could have some awesome special effects, but surely the story is more important than the effects, right? Well, in terms of todays movies, maybe not and that is why I will not waste $10 or more to go see it. I loved the books too much.
Now, coming soon to theaters near you, a film version. Now, I vould see a TV miniseries, but a movie? How will the story be compressed that much. I see nothing that can be cut and leave the story comprehensible. Now, it is true that you could have some awesome special effects, but surely the story is more important than the effects, right? Well, in terms of todays movies, maybe not and that is why I will not waste $10 or more to go see it. I loved the books too much.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
US Open vs Twin Peaks
This week is the US Open, at a new course, Erin Hills, in Wisconsin. The course is long, difficult and truly beautiful. The Open is Golf's severest test, a great field is there, and it is a sure bet that, come Sunday, there will be drama and tension of the highest order.
In contrast, on various blog sites, I see much ado about the return of Twin Peaks. I have no intention of watching this. Long ago, 25 years to be exact, I watched the original series, for a while, and I reached a conclusion. Well, 3 possibilities. One, Lynch is quite insane. Two, he is trying to conduct some weird, dark, magical working to damage the mind of Americans. Or, three, he is a con man who wants to see if he can put out loads of inane crap and have the American people buy into it.
Of course, the three possibilities are not mutually exclusive he very well could be an insane, conniving, dark magician. It really does not matter in the least to me. I refuse to fall for pseudointellectual drivel anymore. In my younger days, I read Burroughs and watched ergman movies. I listened to Avant Garde, electronic music and peered at abstract paintings and after all of my exploration of the weird in art, I reached a conclusion. Most, not all, but by far most of it is absolute dreck, created by people who are incapable of doing any real art and too lazy to get real jobs.
There is more meaning, more drama, more real emotion and more joy in one episode of The Simpsons than in all of Lynch's work combined. And there is a lot more entertainment in a US O[en than in any of the TV shows that so captivate the pseudo-intellectual crowd
In contrast, on various blog sites, I see much ado about the return of Twin Peaks. I have no intention of watching this. Long ago, 25 years to be exact, I watched the original series, for a while, and I reached a conclusion. Well, 3 possibilities. One, Lynch is quite insane. Two, he is trying to conduct some weird, dark, magical working to damage the mind of Americans. Or, three, he is a con man who wants to see if he can put out loads of inane crap and have the American people buy into it.
Of course, the three possibilities are not mutually exclusive he very well could be an insane, conniving, dark magician. It really does not matter in the least to me. I refuse to fall for pseudointellectual drivel anymore. In my younger days, I read Burroughs and watched ergman movies. I listened to Avant Garde, electronic music and peered at abstract paintings and after all of my exploration of the weird in art, I reached a conclusion. Most, not all, but by far most of it is absolute dreck, created by people who are incapable of doing any real art and too lazy to get real jobs.
There is more meaning, more drama, more real emotion and more joy in one episode of The Simpsons than in all of Lynch's work combined. And there is a lot more entertainment in a US O[en than in any of the TV shows that so captivate the pseudo-intellectual crowd
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Eating
The consumption of food is a necessity but it is often a simple, pleasant pastime. Dinners with friends and family are a fine way to spend some quality time.
To take eating from the realm of necessity to the realm of pleasant pastime is simple. Just take some time, relax and add a few nice touches. Use the good dishes and stemware and the good utensils. Use nice bowls to serve and decent napkins. Make a table centerpiece, nothing fancyl a vase with a few flowers will do. Dress up the food using a variety of garnishes.
Most of all, make the time special. Turn off the TV. Play some appropriate music, Motzart is more appropriate than Zepplin, and Grover Washington more appropriate than Jane's Addiction. Ban cell phones and Ipads from the room.
Or, if having people over to watch football, set up a nice, simple buffet and set out iced tubs of beer. Have a barbeque and play country music a serve on paper plates with wads of paper towels.
In other words, create an atmosphere and, then, relax and have some fun.
Even if you live alone, you can turn meals into a nice pastime. {;ay your favorite music, treat yourself to a nice wine, and eat off nice plates using real glasses. Even if you can't cook, put that frozen or take out dinner on a plate and sit at the table to eat. Make the atmosphere different
Even breakfasts and lunches on work and school day's can be a nice pastime. Just do something out of the ordinary, a special treat or abstinence from news and business talk before setting off to the day's madness is a way to turn a necessity into a pleasure.
Take the time, at least occasionally, to make eating into a pleasant pastime.
To take eating from the realm of necessity to the realm of pleasant pastime is simple. Just take some time, relax and add a few nice touches. Use the good dishes and stemware and the good utensils. Use nice bowls to serve and decent napkins. Make a table centerpiece, nothing fancyl a vase with a few flowers will do. Dress up the food using a variety of garnishes.
Most of all, make the time special. Turn off the TV. Play some appropriate music, Motzart is more appropriate than Zepplin, and Grover Washington more appropriate than Jane's Addiction. Ban cell phones and Ipads from the room.
Or, if having people over to watch football, set up a nice, simple buffet and set out iced tubs of beer. Have a barbeque and play country music a serve on paper plates with wads of paper towels.
In other words, create an atmosphere and, then, relax and have some fun.
Even if you live alone, you can turn meals into a nice pastime. {;ay your favorite music, treat yourself to a nice wine, and eat off nice plates using real glasses. Even if you can't cook, put that frozen or take out dinner on a plate and sit at the table to eat. Make the atmosphere different
Even breakfasts and lunches on work and school day's can be a nice pastime. Just do something out of the ordinary, a special treat or abstinence from news and business talk before setting off to the day's madness is a way to turn a necessity into a pleasure.
Take the time, at least occasionally, to make eating into a pleasant pastime.
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