Oscar Worthy

It is not your typical holiday fare.  It is not a light, frothy film.  It is a powerful drama that I am sure hits home.  It definitely packs a wallop.  Based on a novel called Push, the celluloid adaptation is known as Precious.  Apparently there is another film called "Push" and producers did not want to confuse the issue.  
Precious- about a 16 year old teen who is still in junior high, is a teen mother and lives in a home with a very physically and abusive mother, portrayed by Mo'Nique.  Mother wants to live and remain on welfare and because of Precious's status of teen mom, the mom will live off the dole.  Her first pregnancy is part of a dark secret Precious does not choose to talk about.  She seems to enjoy learning as she hits and tells a classmate to shut up because she is trying to listen to what the teacher says.  Her grades are somewhat good and her school counsellor suggests alternative schooling.  Her mom thinks school is a waste of time; she should live on welfare.  Precious wants to better herself, and that is such a positive in such a dark film.  She has a great fantasy life- imagining herself on the red carpet as a celebrity and other things.  I suppose lots of people escape to fantasy because reality is too harsh, too painful.  In an interesting non-glamourous role of Precious's social worker, Mariah Carey, tries to help the troubled teen.  
Precious does attend the alternative school where she slowly progresses and raises her reading level to that of an 8th grader.  Oh, she is pregnant with her second child, to which she gives birth and names him Abdul.  It is because of this second baby the mother goes into mega-bitch mode.  Needless to say, Precious survives this and wants nothing more than the best for her children.
Gabourney Sidibie is amazing as Precious.  Her first film and I would not be surprised that she gets an Oscar nod, as well as Mo'Nique.  It must have been physically and spiritually draining on all the actors in  this film to get through a lot of the scenes.  They are graphic and give a glimpse of what life is like for a lot out there in such a situation.  Not a film for all, especially small children.  It is a film to watch with friends and when you want non-escapism entertainment.  I'd even forgo the popcorn.  To say "enjoy this film" would be a mistake.  Go...see...learn...think...have hope.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

It is Christmas Day and it is gloriously sunny and warm- in the mid 60s.  It is quiet here in the Palm Springs area.  Just had a wonderful Christmas lunch- ham with all the trimmings.  My friends are watching a DVD...Valkyrie...starring Tom Cruise.  (Delightful holiday film, fun and frothy!)  
Last night I attended Christmas Eve services at St. Louis church in Cathedral City.  The church was overflowing and the music was so wonderful.  Everyone sang and it did not matter whether you could carry a tune or not.  The Gospel recounted the birth of Jesus and the homily was a wonderful holiday popourri of stories that told the holiday message without being too preachy.  One of them was as follows...
One Christmas Eve a young boy was looking at the stores and their displays.  His final stop was a pet store and he noticed a sign on the window that stated "Puppies for Sale."  He entered and the owner asked if he could help him.  The young boy asked how much the puppies were.  The shop keeper replied that the prices ranged from fifty to one hundred dollars.  The boy said he wanted to see them and eventually a dog and her litter came to the front.  There were five healthy puppies.  A straggler came slowly behind the healthy litter.  The boy said that he only had two dollars and thirty-seven cents.  He wanted to buy the straggler.  The owner said that he would give it to him free because the puppy was born with hip problems and would not be able to run and play like any other dog.  The boy didn't care and offered to pay a dollar a month until the puppy was paid for.
The man reiterated why did he want a dog that was not worth much.  The boy then lifted his pant leg and the owner saw a twisted leg with a metal brace.  The young lad stated that he could not run and play like his friends and that at least the doggie would understand him if he had the same problem.  And again he would pay full price to show that the puppy was worth the same as its healthy siblings.
It brought a tear to my, as well as other stories the priest told.  The most dramatic, if you will, was after Communion.  The meditation song was Silent Night with all the lights in the church off, save for the Nativity and holiday lighting.  I could not get through the third line as tears formed in my eyes remembering all my loved ones who are in heaven...Mama, Tia Luisa, Frank, Sister Louise.  Remembering my families....the Perezes, the Gonzalezes, the Mondoys, the Ellisons.  Remembering my friends Ron, Jon, Denise, Miz O,  Ismael, Dan.  Remembering all the children I have taught and teach...from 1982 to the present.  The men and women in our armed forces and police and fire departments.
After Mass I felt so happy and full of the Christmas spirit.  It is a joyous time that I wish we could keep all year.
Sometimes I feel that I am missing a special person in my life.  Yes, I would like that someday, but I am so fortunate and blessed to have wonderful people around me who love me and I love them back.
Merry Christmas!  Feliz Navidad.  Buon Natale!  Joyeaux Noel!
I even spoke to my dear friend Aidan.  He sounded good and will be retiring in January.  Be good to your friends and keep in touch.  Don't wait til they're gone to say you love and appreciate them!

You Are Now in Heaven and On Earth

The world has lost another great actress, Jennifer Jones.  My introduction to her was in the film The Song of Bernadette.  She was in her late teens when she auditioned and got the part of the young peasant French girl who had visions of the Mary.  She was a quintessential example of innocence in that film.  Of course, in later years she'd play a variety of roles- truly a versatile actress.  I am going to have to check more of her films.  Her role in The Towering Inferno with Fred Astaire was the last film I saw her in at the old Alexandria Theatre in SF.  She was truly a class act.  I don't think we'll see the likes of her again.  She was an original.  A lady.  Rest in peace, Jennifer.   And now you can actually see her and converse with her.

Where Has This Year Gone?

It was about a year ago that I started to keep this blog.  A year!  Where's the time gone?  I was rather apprehensive about keeping an online journal.  Let's face it, I'd be sharing my thoughts, feelings and idiosyncracies with the world.  And I must say I have enjoyed every single moment.  Those who have read the entries have gotten to know me and all my moods- silly, nostalgic, depressive, happy, patriotic, critical.  You have gotten to know the type of entertainments that bring a smile to my face.  You've gotten to know some of my friends, not in great detail, but yes, I do have friends!  LOL!  You've come to know that I am an educator- a profession I truly adore- it is an honor and privelege to teach, instruct, influence the future.
I had a dear friend from Spain come and spend time here in San Francisco; as the song says "un amigo para siempre."  I've tried to keep current friendships going this year.  I've rediscovered a good friend in Los Angeles and hope to nurture that friendship.  I lost a good friend, my principal Sister Louise.  I miss her dearly.
Am looking forward to my yearly holiday trek to Cathedral City in SoCal to spend time with my dear friends...to watch movies, cook holiday meals and play with my "goddaughters" Blue and Bonnie.
Only God knows what 2010 will bring.  Right now I am listening to Susan Boyle's rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" and my eyes are getting watery, especially with the line "there are dreams that cannot be."  Know that I am an incurable romantic about everything.  I tend to like little details about things, something I hope to enhance in future writings on this blog.
Thank you for reading.  I know it is not the most exciting blog online, but know that I am happy knowing that some people do take time to read at least one entry.

People Who Need People

Saturday the 12th of December was a rather special one.  I was able to go to Los Angeles to meet with my good friend Dan...remember, the social worker I talked about a few entries ago?  It was so nice to reacquaint ourselves after an almost decade long silence.  So many things in our lives, all wonderful and positive.  It was fun actually introducing Dan to the latest music and some new movies; after all, the art of film started this friendship.  Our original plans were to go to Universal studios and the movies.  Well, theme parks and films will always be there, but the chance to volunteer for a wonderful organization  is a once a year event.  And that is just exactly what transpired.  Dan works for the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team and they were sponsoring QUEST 2009, a beauty pageant.  He and his co-workers were to work this event and lo and behold, they needed some volunteers.    Did I mind?  No.  It was a chance to help, to volunteer, to do community service.  OK, so it was not in my hometown, but it was a chance to do something good.  My job was simple- direct people to the "Will Call" ticket table or tell them to go to the box office.  Many thought I was security- and I am as secure as a teddy bear!  Anyway, I was able to see people from all walks of life- government officials, members of the press, tv producer, etc.  It was an amazing cavalcade of humanity.  Mame Dennis would approve most certainly.
My "boss" for the evening was a very effervescent woman named Tara, one of Dan's supervisors.  You know, when you meet people you either like them or dislike them.  Tara most definitely made her imprint; her own words "I have a fan?"  She is an incredible person, hard working and nice.  I even told her that I would come down next year to help out.  I met several other supervisors, but the night being a busy one there was no chance to meet and chat.
Several speakers and the contestants themselves talked about the transgender community.  I have a greater respect for this community and have realized that they are also God's children.  Many of them are HIV+.  In fact, it is the transgender community that has the highest percentage of people with the HIV virus.  And victims of discrimination and domestic violence.  They are survivors.  And they are willing to work hard to overcome the intolerance faced by many due to gender, lifestyle choice, race, ethnicity, religion.  We do live in a somewhat ignorant society.  We don't take the time to learn about people.  We're complacent with the ones we know and don't dare take a risk to broaden our horizons in the area where human beings are concerned.
What I see in APAIT is compassion towards everyone.  It is a noble mission.  One that I applaud.  It seeks to educate about this horrid disease.  This pageant was an entertaining way to reach those who are ignorant about so many things.  APAIT embraces not only the Asian/Pacific Islander community, but all- Hispanic, African American- in short, people!
To all of the APAIT workers- God bless you on your amazing journey!
To Tara, keep sharing your infectious laugh and beautiful smile...and be nice to my friend.
To Dan, don't work too hard.  Thank you for inviting me to help out at this event.  Thanks for the friendship I truly appreciate!

"To love another person is to see the face of God."
-from the musical Les Miserables

In Search of A New Home

OK...this was a spectacular film, I must admit.  An incredible orgy of destruction as only Hollywood can give us.  The storyline reminded me other films that Mr. Emmerich has given the world...ID4 and The Day After Tomorrow.  In fact, these films follow the same formula of the Irwin Allen disaster films.  People from all walks of life somehow meet in some horrible doomsday scenario, and only a handful remain to survive and start life anew.  And I would add various tributes to earlier disaster films and TV shows...When World Collide, Volcano, Armageddon and Battlestar Galactica.
But, my concern today is the children, especially little ones.  As adults we know this is just a film, but little kids when they hear the world "will end" in 2012, they just get plenty frightened.  Parents out there, this is a great teachable moment.  Don't leave it to the teachers to explain that we are going to turn into cosmic dust.  Children today have so much to fear that this just adds to the anxiety.
The world isn't going to end in 2012.  Let face it, the Mayas ran out of stone to continue writing.  And how many doomsday scenarious have we survived?  Imagine children who have seen this film and feel their first earthquake?  Panic, maybe?  Parents, be nice and take the time to explain about Mother Nature's disasters.

The Day After That

Today is the day the world remembers those with AIDS.  Funny how humanity, or organizations, set aside one day to remember a disease, world event, or whatever.  And today you needed to wear red; I chose a red tie.  Not to make a fashion statement, but to remember all those who have perished or are living and/or surviving with this plague.
We've all watched or heard of people- from celebrities to the next door neighbor- who are living with AIDS, and we feel sorry, or at least attempt it.  It doesn't hit home, like the other diseases, until you know someone who has been diagnosed and is living with it.  For me it was my best friend from grammar school, Frank.  He was two years older than me; we met on a Good Friday in 1967 and were having a discussion about movies. (yes, even in the 60s it was a preoccupation!)  He was discussing Thoroughly Modern Millie whilst I was discussing John Huston's The Bible...In the Beginning.  Well, from that day on we became the brothers we never had at the time.  Our families became one family- my introduction to Filipino food and culture and his introduction to Nicaraguan food and culture.  He convinced me to go to the same high school and college, which I did.  I even applied to join him at USC.  I was accepted  but did not have the guts to pursue it.  
Needless to say our paths took different ways.  He worked for a medical school in the admissions office; I became an educator.  Our friendship was thriving, though.  Through Frank I was able to see a lot of the United States.  In fact, my first trip to New York City was with him and my first Braodway musical was Twiggy and Tommy Tune in My One and Only.  We even got to see Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera in The Rink.  Oh, we had fun as school chums do.
But happiness can turn to sorrow.  In the early 90s he was complaining about not feeling well.  Our friendship by then was relegated to weekly phone calls.  Then, on one particular Saturday I went to visit Frank at home.  His mom and sister were subdued; Frank had been diagnosed with the HIV virus and didn't look good.  I tried to cheer him up to no use- he started to cry, took my hand and kept repeating "I don't want to die."  For once I was at a loss for words.
Frank died in 2001, a week after September 11th.  In fact, he was in New York in August visiting family who moved out there.
I got the phone call from his sister that if I wanted to say goodbye, that I'd best hurry.   Within 30 minutes, he was gone, listening to his favorite musical, Camelot- the motion picture soundtrack.
I was numb.  I lost my best friend.  The hardest thing to do was write a eulogy, which the family had asked me to do.  A funeral mass, a burial, a reception.  And all the memories that our friendship had built.  I miss him lots- he introduced me to foreign cinema and our love affair with Evita drove people crazy.  Was Patti Lupone the better Eva?  Or her alternate, Terri Klausner?  
Yes, today is the official day to remember those with AIDS.  Let us not forget that it is a disease that does not strike down one segment of society, but countless men, women and children.  May they rest in peace.  Amen.