Remember thou art dust...

Today is Ash Wednesday...the start of the Christian season of lent.  Traditionally, it is the time to "give up" things.  No, it's time to do good things for you neighbor, forgive those who you don't want to forgive, to show a little self discipline in your life.  The 40 days of Lent also mirror the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert- when He was tempted.  His temptation is a model for us...we easily fall and are tempted.  Seek God and be forgiven.  I look forward to Lent...a time of spiritual renewal and meditation.  It does not have to be as rigid as back in the day.  I remember my classmates saying how our class was going to give up doing homework for Lent.  Of course, our teachers would give us a look...and silently pray for guidance, patience and understanding!  Now, about the no meat on Fridays during Lent...

The Party's Over...

It is the day after.  Actually, the evening before was not bad at all.  A fresh new approach...an homage to the legendary places of yesteryear's Hollywood.  And Hugh Jackman made a most charming host; I can see why a few years ago he hosted the Tony Awards.  Charming, handsome and musically adept!!

The idea of having past award winners introduce the nominees was great.  Sure, the clips weren't shown, but having their peers say something nice and hopefully from the heart was very inspiring.  And to see Sophia Loren...such glamor, almost a connection to the Golden Age of Hollywood.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love Queen Latifah, but I wish she would have sung during another sequence in the show, not during the "Requiem" sequence.  IMHO her performing distracted from the visuals...or at least they should have had her voice over the visuals...was it a salute to the legends that passed and let's hear Queen Latifah sing?

Other than  that, it was an wonderful show.  A 7.5 on a scale between 1-10.  A very culturally diverse show, as well.  Thank you Hollywood for a wonderful year in film.  As was mentioned last night, film and the arts are the universal language.  (I sure hope the Tony Awards are just as good this year, too!!)

Y espero que a mi amigo en Espana este orgulloso de Penelope Cruz y su "speech."  Congratulations, Spain and Penelope!!!!

And the Oscar Goes To...

In a few hours the 81st(!) Academy Awards will begin.  According to some of my students, it is a boring show.  They prefer the "action" of the other award shows, but I digress.

This will be a short entry with my predictions as to who will be awarded filmdom's most coveted award...the Oscar!

Best Picture- I would like Milk to win, but it will probably go to Slumdog Millionaire.

Actress:  Meryl Streep for Doubt.

Actor: Micky Rourke for The Wrestler.

Supporting Actress:  Viola Davis for Doubt.

Supporting Actor:  Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight.  Best Animated film...Wall*E.  Well, that's all for now.  5 PM Pacific Standard Time is the beginning of the show.  Enjoy!  May Hugh Jackman prove to be an entertaining host!

Saludos a mi amigo en Espana que tratara de ver los Oscar...at 2 AM Monday!  

All My Exes live in Texas

This is just a shout out to a dear friend, an English teacher- mind you!  She periodically checks the blog to see if it is grammatcially correct; proper use of style and voice, and if the gerunds make sense in the appositve!  Hey!

Have a great day and thanks for reading.  See you at work Mrs.....

"I Did See Her!"

Today is the 151st anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to a young French peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous.  The classic 20th Century-Fox film The Song of Bernadette is about the miracle that occurred at Lourdes, France.  It is based on the novel of the same name by Franz Werfel.  I've never read the novel; my introduction to Bernadette was via the film when it was shown on local television.  It is a simple, wonderful, story that is full of faith and hope.  One does not have to be Roman Catholic to enjoy the story.  Bernadette had a vision that Mary appeared to her.  She conversed with her and agreed to meet with her for several times; the last meeting she would tell her who she was.  Bernadette went through much ridicule, humiliation and without any complaint.  As the story progresses she learns that it was Mary, under the title of the "Immaculate Conception" that appeared to her.  So, what does a young girl who had a heavenly vision do the rest of her life?  She enters religious life until the end.

The film brilliantly shows the scenes of the apparition; no fancy special effects needed...just an imagination.  The facial expressions of Bernandette (Jennifer Jones) in ecstasy are priceless.  Innocence and a genuine belief in God radiate from her face.  Jennifer Jones's portrayal of Bernadette is a classic.  I guess that is why it is called "acting."  And as to the supporting cast...notably Vincent Price as the "Imperial Prosecutor."  A villain who does find redemption.

The film is beautifully filmed in black and white.  The music by Alfred Newman does not overwhelm.  Just watch this film.  If religious movies are not your thing, watch it for the story aspect.  Keep and open mind and be tolerant.  Have your box of kleenex for the last 40 minutes.

Use your imagination for scenes that require it.  Enjoy!

"For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary.  For those who do not believe in God, no explanation is possible."   

Friends Forever!

Lucy and Ethel...perhaps television's most enduring friends.  Oh, the arguments they got into; the schemes Lucy got poor Ethel involved in...then the inevitable tears between them.  And what about the friendship as Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance?  Oh, that friendship lasted until the death of Miss Vance.  So, what does this Hollywood friendship have to do with today's post?

Once in a while, sentimentalism hits.  In elementary school and high school, everyone has lots of friends.  The older one gets, the circle of friends diminishes until you have a few dear treasures you can count on.  I consider myself lucky with the friends I have.  Some have moved on, as my grade school friend Frank, to heaven.  You never know how much you miss a friend until you have to give a eulogy.  That was a tough one!  There are friends who are always there and offer you everything...material help and spiritual help.  I consider myself so lucky and wealthy in that I have good friends surrounding me.  My friends in SoCal...we've gone through a lot of hell and moments of hilarity...I miss them living here in NorCal.  And what can I say about my co-workers...the sisters I never had- Lynn and Dorothy.  We may have our differences, but deep down inside we know there is love holding us all together.  And since the beginning of the year, new friendships have been made and will hopefully continue to grow. And then there are those who the hand of friendship has been offered and hopefully will be taken.  Writing in blogs is something that is cathartic.  I have no idea who reads them, besides the friends I nag to read it.  But, I hope that if you have read this entry, you come to the realization that you must have some good friends in your life.  Hug them and tell them how much you appreciate and love them.  Sometimes it is too late to even say goodbye!

"Amigos para siempre means you'll always be my friend...

 Friends for life, not just a summer or a spring,

 Amigos para siempre."