I have arrived in the 21st century...again. I am on facebook!
I had heard of facebook but thought it was just another meeting place like myspace. I find myspace hard to maneuver through and I still haven't figured out how to ad my profile picture. Facebook is easy to use and I have found many people I know on it - friends, relatives, classmates, etc. Now I am encouraging all my friends to join up!
Even my husband is on facebook! I know, several of you just fainted. My husband doesn't even know how to use a computer, mouse, email, any of it. I have to say that I will maintain that one...like I do his email. That's cool. He has found possible relatives in France and that has peaked his interest.
So, to those of you that are not on facebook yet - what are you waiting for?
Many thanks to Don Miguel for telling me to get on it!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
To be Grateful at Christmas
Today was a good Christmas Eve day. I got to spend the day with my husband, we went to lunch (turned out to be free as a customer appreciation day) and some fun last minute purchases. Unfortunately, this day brought a sad purchase. Sympathy cards. Four.
It does seem surreal to be filling out Sympathy cards on Christmas Eve. A night the star appeared in the east and led wisemen and shepherds to meet the Savior. But that is what I have been doing.
In between my filling out the cards is the joyful sound of my children waiting for Santa, helping their father put up lights (yes, still putting them up) and the singing of carols.
And I fill out another card.
The news of these deaths of family and friends of family seemed to be just to much. It was to much with just one this time of year. But not as bad a blow as to the family that had to deliver such news.
Today, in a Christmas card, came the news of the death of the son of friends in NJ. He was 18 and killed in a car accident on November 29th. I sobbed when I read the card and found the memorial card inside. I didn't know him. He was the son of my husband's friends from high school but he still kept in touch. They came to our wedding. But it just hit me in the heart. Maybe because I am a mother.
A couple weeks ago, while unpacking boxes of decorations, their card from last year fell out of a box (I save cards with the decorations for years). It was a funny card and inside was a lovely picture of their son and daughter. Every year we get a card with a picture and have watched them grow.
I am not writing this to make you sad. But to pass on what was said in their card this year after saying how beautiful our children are:
"Please give them each and extra hug & 'I love you' at night."
I will.
I am grateful.
It does seem surreal to be filling out Sympathy cards on Christmas Eve. A night the star appeared in the east and led wisemen and shepherds to meet the Savior. But that is what I have been doing.
In between my filling out the cards is the joyful sound of my children waiting for Santa, helping their father put up lights (yes, still putting them up) and the singing of carols.
And I fill out another card.
The news of these deaths of family and friends of family seemed to be just to much. It was to much with just one this time of year. But not as bad a blow as to the family that had to deliver such news.
Today, in a Christmas card, came the news of the death of the son of friends in NJ. He was 18 and killed in a car accident on November 29th. I sobbed when I read the card and found the memorial card inside. I didn't know him. He was the son of my husband's friends from high school but he still kept in touch. They came to our wedding. But it just hit me in the heart. Maybe because I am a mother.
A couple weeks ago, while unpacking boxes of decorations, their card from last year fell out of a box (I save cards with the decorations for years). It was a funny card and inside was a lovely picture of their son and daughter. Every year we get a card with a picture and have watched them grow.
I am not writing this to make you sad. But to pass on what was said in their card this year after saying how beautiful our children are:
"Please give them each and extra hug & 'I love you' at night."
I will.
I am grateful.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Joy To The World!
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14
"And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever." 2 Samuel 7:16
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angels a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:8-14
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." John 21:29
"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." James 3:18
"Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:1-2
"Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;" John F. Wade
"And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever." 2 Samuel 7:16
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angels a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:8-14
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." John 21:29
"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." James 3:18
"Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:1-2
"Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;" John F. Wade
Many blessings and a joyful holiday
from the movie mommy's home to your home!
from the movie mommy's home to your home!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The Day the Earth Stood Still
The Day the Earth Stood Still is one of those movies that coulda been but turned out not to be. I guess I thought that this re-make with Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly would be the intelligent science fiction that the 1951 original had been. I just figure that if you are going to use the exact same title, character names and even robot of the original that there might be some inkling of the original left.
Maybe I am not being fair.
The story of both films is about an alien named Klaatu that comes to Earth, with a wicked cool robot, to find out if our violent species is worth saving. Klaatu is shot upon exiting the space craft, the robot defends him, Klaatu stops the robot from destroying all the soldiers, Klaatu escapes the hospital and meets a human woman and her son and learns about humanity. Well, this is where the similarity ends.
In this new version, Klaatu is interested in saving the Earth not humans per se. The Earth is a valuable commodity because it can sustain life and if we aren't going to take care of it - then we don't deserve it. Reeves is very good in this deadpan roll with very few words (personally, I think these are the best roles for him) and gets his message across with some good special effects. Connelly plays a scientist that is brought in, with a dozen other scientists, to figure out what is heading toward Earth, where it came from and then what does the alien want. I really would have liked to seen more science in the science fiction. She isn't sure about Klaatu but helps him escape and then drives him around as he decides the fate of Earth. He decides humans should be destroyed and through some contrived scene staging decides they are.
This movie offers nothing new with special effects, story or acting.
There was a great scene with Reeves and John Cleese that should have been expanded and maybe is on the cutting room floor. Once again cut the intelligent and keep the corny.
Oh, did I mention it was corny? Flat, typical characters that single mindedly see Klaatu as a threat which leads to "FIRE all missiles!"
It is hard to compare it to the original that was sending a message of impending self destruction of the human race. 1951 was a time of atom bombs, bomb shelters and fear of commies. The message was as clear then as it is now - humanity needs to unite before we destroy each other. Klaatu's message was also clear that he could do the job for us.
There are different types of science fiction in my book. There is what I call the "cerebral" type of Gattaca and Sunshine. The "popcorn" type of Independence Day and Armageddon. Then there is the "blended" type of iRobot, Artificial Intelligence and The Island. The blended science fiction can be the most satisfying for your thinking and action parts of the brain. There is a good story, message and some good action (maybe more than some action).
There are plans to remake the blended classics of Fahrenheit 451 and Logan's Run (I thought The Island had that covered). I really hope they get it right or change the titles.
The Day the Earth Stood Still could have been a great blend. The message was there and could have been presented in many different ways. The acting could have been there - I blame the casting and directing. The special effects were nothing new. Groundbreaking is what this movie needed.
Those that know the movie mommy, know that I am not out to see award winning cinema every time I watch a movie but I expect some satisfaction.
I am afraid I cannot recommend this movie to plunk down up to $10 on. Maybe a matinee or the $1 theater would do.
MM (out of 5 M's)
Maybe I am not being fair.
The story of both films is about an alien named Klaatu that comes to Earth, with a wicked cool robot, to find out if our violent species is worth saving. Klaatu is shot upon exiting the space craft, the robot defends him, Klaatu stops the robot from destroying all the soldiers, Klaatu escapes the hospital and meets a human woman and her son and learns about humanity. Well, this is where the similarity ends.
In this new version, Klaatu is interested in saving the Earth not humans per se. The Earth is a valuable commodity because it can sustain life and if we aren't going to take care of it - then we don't deserve it. Reeves is very good in this deadpan roll with very few words (personally, I think these are the best roles for him) and gets his message across with some good special effects. Connelly plays a scientist that is brought in, with a dozen other scientists, to figure out what is heading toward Earth, where it came from and then what does the alien want. I really would have liked to seen more science in the science fiction. She isn't sure about Klaatu but helps him escape and then drives him around as he decides the fate of Earth. He decides humans should be destroyed and through some contrived scene staging decides they are.
This movie offers nothing new with special effects, story or acting.
There was a great scene with Reeves and John Cleese that should have been expanded and maybe is on the cutting room floor. Once again cut the intelligent and keep the corny.
Oh, did I mention it was corny? Flat, typical characters that single mindedly see Klaatu as a threat which leads to "FIRE all missiles!"
It is hard to compare it to the original that was sending a message of impending self destruction of the human race. 1951 was a time of atom bombs, bomb shelters and fear of commies. The message was as clear then as it is now - humanity needs to unite before we destroy each other. Klaatu's message was also clear that he could do the job for us.
There are different types of science fiction in my book. There is what I call the "cerebral" type of Gattaca and Sunshine. The "popcorn" type of Independence Day and Armageddon. Then there is the "blended" type of iRobot, Artificial Intelligence and The Island. The blended science fiction can be the most satisfying for your thinking and action parts of the brain. There is a good story, message and some good action (maybe more than some action).
There are plans to remake the blended classics of Fahrenheit 451 and Logan's Run (I thought The Island had that covered). I really hope they get it right or change the titles.
The Day the Earth Stood Still could have been a great blend. The message was there and could have been presented in many different ways. The acting could have been there - I blame the casting and directing. The special effects were nothing new. Groundbreaking is what this movie needed.
Those that know the movie mommy, know that I am not out to see award winning cinema every time I watch a movie but I expect some satisfaction.
I am afraid I cannot recommend this movie to plunk down up to $10 on. Maybe a matinee or the $1 theater would do.
MM (out of 5 M's)
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