Palin // Wurzelbacher 2012

Sunny - Hi 89 Lo 69 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 87 Lo 34 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Sunny - Hi 62 Lo 39 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Reach Out (I'll Be There), The Four Tops

I love Motown. The first time I remember hearing this song was in the movie, Cooley High. Mom for the first time could afford to take us to see a movie-- I must have been about 10 years old, she hadn't bought our house yet. So, since she trusted me and her English was still not great, I grabbed the newspaper and saw the ad for Cooley High...Sounded good... it was about high school kids growing up in Chicago. There were high school kids in our neighborhood at the time... I admired them... wanted to hang out with them.. So, my mom agreed and off we three went to the drive in. Oops. Not really intended for 10 year olds... Too funny. No permanent damage, I didn't get most of the movie... my brother fell asleep and my mom laughed at the situation and covered my eyes for a few scenes. It wasn't until I saw the movie again when I was about 15 or 16 did I get it. It's a really good movie with a great soundtrack. The music is what carried you from scene to scene... it's a dark look at growing up... the urban version of American Graffiti? No... it's not...

The lead vocalist of The Four Tops is now forever silent, may he rest in peace. We will always have the music...

Ramble:

So, this week we have all met Joe the Plumber. Is it just me or does anyone else see the resemblance between Joe and Sci Fi's Ghost Hunter Plumber Jason Hawes? I digress.

So much has been written about Joe Wurzelbacher. The guy is normal... raising a son... working, paying his taxes and living his life. He is an undecided voter who went to an Obama rally to find some answers. He asked a simple question. He was doing the right thing.. the American thing... He was taking this election seriously and collecting information so he could make an informed decision and cast his vote accordingly. Watch the complete exchange:


Go here to see his comments on CBS' The Early Show. Joe explains why it is important to get the facts and not rely on others to develop your own opinion.

Here is another clip... sense of entitlement??


and on MSNBC... I'm not Matt Damon and I'm not sorry we're in Iraq!


and on Good Morning America... That's a Socialist view


then you have this dumb@$$... Joe Biden... LISTEN to the exchange between The Oracle and Joe Wurzelbacher... not what he said...


So, because Joe asked a question... the liberal media, hippies, kool aid drinkers and other foul mouthed lefties are trying to trash this guy...trying to ruin him. Why? He just asked a question...

interview with Mike Huckabee-- When you can't ask a question of your leaders anymore... that's scary...



Look, Joe asked a question. His voice resonated with middle America... just like Sarah Palin. We are tired of politicians.... we are tired of the lies... we are tired of seeing our country slowly slipping away... we are tired of seeing our freedoms and liberties being taken from us... we are tired of those who feel they are entitled to our stuff... we are tired of the liberals apologizing for our country... In every interview... Joe has spoken for me... He is proud of our troops and what they have done and continue to do... He doesn't apologize for pursuing the American dream...

The only thing I feel bad for him is he is a Cincinnati Bengals fan... I'm so sorry Joe.. but even that... that makes me appreciate him too.

I got into it with someone earlier this week... He said that if Republicans are so concerned about getting folks registered to vote and having them vote Dem, we should be doing the same... HELLOOOO!!! Conservatives are busy working... making a living... paying GD taxes... We aren't hippy dippy lefties that are living off government grants and other government giveaways... we are busy supporting our families and other deadbeats like you...

McCain & Palin 2008.

Sarah & Joe in 2012.

Have a great week everyone!

Sunday Song, An American in Paris

Sunny - Hi 79 Lo 54 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 86 Lo 49 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Mostly Cloudy - Hi 46 Lo 30 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: An American in Paris, George Gershwin

One of my all time favorite movies has got to be An American in Paris. The clip above is from the 15 minute ballet sequence at the end of the movie. Beyond my love and adoration of Gene Kelly, this ending sequence personifies every reason I love musicals. The music of Gershwin takes you from beginning to end in this wonderful MGM musical. Vincente Minnelli captures a mood and directs this film flawlessly. Gene Kelly understood how the camera would see the dancing and knew how to set cameras for the most impact for me, the viewer... each perfectly choreographed scene took you to the precise place and moment and set you on an emotional ride... If you have never seen this movie... see it...

I can't remember when I first saw this musical.. I was little... 8 or 9... I just remember forever having a crush on Gene Kelly... my gosh he was probably 40 at the time of this movie... add him to the list of other older men... Yul Brynner... Cary Grant... Jimmy Stewart... I digress... However, I do remember having an epiphany when I was about 13 or 14 and realized that the final scene- ballet sequence was French Impressionist paintings that had come to life... wow... absolutely incredible... Gene Kelly played an aspiring artist... American ex-Pat, who stayed in Paris after WWII... so it makes sense that Impressionist works of art would be used as settings and back drops... The clip above is by far one of the sexiest, most intimate routines I have ever seen (The Gotta Dance ballet in Singin' in the Rain with Cyd Charisse comes pretty close... but that was seduction... a different kind of mating ritual). Look at the colors... the vibrant look is definitely influenced by Van Gogh... the orange the red... the blue... masterpiece...

Other Thoughts:

What is hate? Hearing the clip below, knowing the words were spoken in a church... it makes it crystal clear this man is an anti-semite... a Jew hater.... a hate America first kind of guy.... words can not describe how unsettling this is....




Have a great week everyone!

War Movies

Mostly Sunny - Hi 100 Lo 75 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 85 Lo 58 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Sunny - Hi 83 Lo 60 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Life During Wartime, Talking Heads

As you know, Talking Heads is one of my all time favorite bands. The video clip is from the movie Stop Making Sense... which as you know was my all time favorite concert ever ever ever. The music is driving and makes you at minimum tap your foot at maximum get up and dance or work out... but listen to the words... a little disturbing...

Ramble: So, I haven't done a movie list in quite a while... I thought it was time... You ask, "What's the category?" That's easy! My Favorite War Movies! So without further delay and in no particular order:

-- Please stop the music video above if you intend to watch any of the trailers.

Saving Private Ryan, 1998


Lawrence of Arabia, 1962


Patton, 1970


The Longest Day, 1962


The Bridge on the River Kwai, 1957


The Dirty Dozen, 1967


The Guns of Navarone, 1961


Tora! Tora! Tora!, 1970


We Were Soldiers, 2002


Braveheart, 1995


M*A*S*H, 1970


The Alamo, 1960


The Big Red One, 1980


From Here to Eternity, 1953










The Sullivans, 1944


Since You Went Away, 1944


LIFE DURING WARTIME

Heard of a van that is loaded with weapons
packed up and ready to go
Heard of some gravesites, out by the highway
a place where nobody knows
The sound of gunfire, off in the distance
I'm getting used to it now
Lived in a brownstone, lived in the ghetto
I've lived all over this town

This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
this ain't no fooling around
No time for dancing, or lovey dovey
I ain't got time for that now

Transmit the message, to the receiver
hope for an answer some day
I got three passports, couple of visas
don't even know my real name
High on a hillside, trucks are loading
everything's ready to roll
I sleep in the daytime, I work in the nightime
I might not ever get home

This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
this ain't no fooling around
This ain't no mudd club, or C. B. G. B.
I ain't got time for that now

This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
this ain't no fooling around
No time for dancing, or lovey dovey
I ain't got time for that now

Heard about Houston? Heard about Detroit?
Heard about Pittsburgh, PA?
You oughta know not to stand by the window
somebody see you up there
I got some groceries, some peanut butter
to last a couple of days
But I ain't got no speakers
ain't got no headphones
ain't got no records to play

Why stay in college? Why go to night school?
Gonna be different this time?
Can't write a letter, can't send no postcard
I can't write nothing at all
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
this ain't no fooling around
I'd love you hold you, I'd like to kiss you
But I ain't got time for that now

Trouble in transit, got through the roadblock
we blended in with the crowd
We got computers, we're tapping phone lines
I know that ain't allowed
We dress like students, we dress like housewives
or in a suit and a tie
changed my hairstyle so many times now
don't know what I look like!
You make me shiver, I feel so tender
we make a pretty good team
Burned all my notebooks, what good are notebooks?
They won't help me survive
My chest is aching, burns like a furnace
the burning keeps me alive

Have a great week everyone!

Science Fiction Escape

Sunny - Hi 113 Lo 87 for Baghdad, Iraq
Mostly Sunny - Hi 105 Lo 77 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Scattered Thunderstorms (I hope) - Hi 90 Lo 71 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Men In Black, Will Smith

Ramble:

I am still not up to writing or dealing with anything of a personal persuasion and I am certainly not up to facing the realities of our current government. When did the Republicans Jump the Shark?? Have I stepped into some sort of Twilight Zone episode where black is white, right is wrong, and 2 + 2 = 5?

So Rod Serling speaks...

"You walk into this room at your own risk, because it leads to the future, not a future that will be but, one that might be. This is not a new world, it is simply an extension of what began in the old one. It has patterned itself after every dictator who has ever planted the ripping imprint of a boot on the pages of history since the beginning of time. It has refinements, technological advancements, and a more sophisticated approach to the destruction of human freedom. But like every one of the superstates that preceded it, it has one iron rule: logic is an enemy and truth is a menace..."

-The Obsolete Man, Season 2 from The Twilight Zone

-- If you are a Twilight Zone fan, that came from the introduction to an episode starring Burgess Meredith as a librarian. GREAT EPISODE!

Where was I? OH yes-- I am not facing reality. Instead, I am going to take a look at some of my favorite movies that allow me to escape into another time, another place be it a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away or into some demented twisted dark vision of the future. I'm going to escape into a world of science fiction... Please join me.

sci'ence-fic'tion (sī'əns-fĭk'shən) n. A literary or cinematic genre in which fantasy, typically based on speculative scientific discoveries or developments, environmental changes, space travel, or life on other planets, forms part of the plot or background. - American Heritage Dictionary

If you watch the trailers, be sure to turn off the Sunday Song.

In no particular order:

The Empire Strikes Back, 1980 - This is my favorite of the three six movies. By far it is the darkest of them all. No need to explore it any further, if you haven't seen it, you aren't interested. Right?

Lord of the Rings - the entire trilogy
Fellowship of the Ring, 2001
The Two Towers, 2002
The Return of the King, 2003 - Peter Jackson hit the mark on every count.

Star Wars, 1977 - This movie captivated all of us. It was a new world that George Lucas created. It wasn't just about the special effects, which were amazing. It was about all of us walking into a theater and experiencing a world none of us had ever seen. It was about good overcoming evil. It was about heroes. It was about the imperfections found in heroes. It was about all of us cheering at the end when the Death Star was blown to bits. We bought into all of it and we loved it.

Brazil, 1985 -Terry Gilliam, best known for his animation for Monty Python created this world that is set in the future but somehow is so very familiar. This is a look at bureaucracy when a simple typographical error is made. If you have never seen this before, it's fun, it's dark. Robert DeNiro is great as Harry Tuttle. Great score.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 1977 - Writer/Director Steven Spielberg nailed it. John Williams created the perfect score which in this case was also an integral character - again. WE ARE NOT ALONE.

Young Frankenstein, 1974 - Gene Wilder wrote it, Mel Brooks directed it and scary mad scientist was never more hysterical. One of my all time favorite movies.

Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, 1954 - Back when I was a kid when there were only 3 channels, 4 if you counted UHF (and could get it), there was a Sunday show called Creature Feature on Channel 19 WXIX tv. It was great. I have only seen the original Japanese version once (and Raymond Burr isn't in that version). Terrific fun.

Japanese trailer

Blade Runner, 1982 - I did not realize that Ridley Scott directed this movie. It is one of my favorites and I typically don't like his work... Crap, what if I'm a replicant?

Metropolis, 1927 - I haven't seen this movie in a very long time (I have never replaced my VHS tape). Visually, it is stunning and a great example of German Expressionism. If you are unclear on what communism is, check out this movie.

The Terminator, 1984 - Before The Titanic, James Cameron wrote and directed this little movie. I have to wonder if he wrote in Arnold's accent. Can you change the future by changing the past? "Arr yu Sa-rah Conna?"

Alien, 1979 - Another one directed by Ridley Scott. Maybe I don't dislike him as much as I thought.

Soylent Green, 1973 - One summer while at my grandparents I stayed up and watched the late late show and this was the movie. Oh My Gawd! I decided I would never live in New York City because of this movie. "Soylent Green is made from ____!!!!"

Logan's Run, 1976 - This movie scared the crap out of me when I first saw it. I think by today's standards it will appear dated and hokey. I don't care. I still love it.

King Kong, 1933 - A classic.

The Day the Earth Stood Still, 1951 - Cold War inspired.

The Blob, 1958 - OK this was another Creature Feature movie... BUT besides the Blob, this starred the forever cool Steve McQueen. It doesn't get any better than that.

There are others-- E.T. The Extraterrestrial, Men In Black I and II, The Abyss, Sleeper, Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Omega Man, and Planet of the Apes.

And I do realize I do not have Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey listed. Just not crazy about it... Did I miss any of your favorites?

Have a great week everyone!

A Movie Meme...

I am awake early on a Saturday morning.... why....? hmmm? Because some say as one gets older... one doesn't need as much sleep... Oh yeah? Well take a look at the bags under my eyes...

Now where was I? Ah yes, despite the fact the folks in Hollywood are completely narcissistic and I question the talent of many, I still love the movies... I found this meme ages ago and saved it. I thought I had saved the link to give credit, but unfortunately did not.... so, if I stole this from you... please let me know, so I can provide some linkish love and appreciation.

The RULES: Top 100 Movies

Take this list of the AFI's top 100 movies and copy to your own blog; bold the movies you have seen. Leave a comment here once you have done so...


Godfather, The (1972)
Shawshank Redemption, The (1994) --Great movie, but hard to watch because of Tim Robbins
Godfather: Part II, The (1974)
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The (2003)
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (2002)
Schindler's List (1993) --Powerful
Shichinin no samurai (Seven Samurai) (1954) -- One of my favorites
Casablanca (1942)
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Star Wars (1977) --But of course
Citizen Kane (1941) --"rosebud"
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Dr. Strangelove (1964) --am I the only one that believes this is over rated, not to mention a propaganda piece?
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - my favorite of the trilogy
Rear Window (1954) --any Hitchcock movie is a favorite of mine-- but this had one of my favorites... James Stewart
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) --Harrison Ford!!
Pulp Fiction (1994) -- yuck
Usual Suspects, The (1995) --I love Kevin Spacey
Memento (2000)
North by Northwest (1959) --another Hitchcock movie... this one with Cary Grant
12 Angry Men (1957) -- love this one
Buono, il brutto, il cattivo, Il (The Good, The Bad & The Ugly) (1966) --back when Clint Eastwood was.... Clint Eastwood...
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) -- the cinematography is breathtaking. I would have loved to have seen this on the big screen.
Psycho (1960) -- Hitchcock!
Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, Le (Amelie) (2001)
Silence of the Lambs, The (1991)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) --a tradition... a favorite...
Goodfellas (1990) -- dark, ugly
American Beauty (1999) -- dark ugly and another favorite...
Sunset Blvd. (1950) -- This was directed by Billy Wilder... I LOVE this movie... William Holden and Gloria Swanson... "We didn't need dialogue... We had faces!"
Vertigo (1958) --Hitchcock, Stewart
Matrix, The (1999)
Cidade de Deus (City of Gold) (2002)
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) - Gregory Peck
C'era una volta il West (Once Upon a Time in the West) (1968) -- I think I have seen this one, but I can't recall the plot so, I won't count it.
Apocalypse Now (1979) --Michael's favorite line... "I love the smell of napalm in the morning... it smells like.... like victory."
Pianist, The (2002) --fabulous
Third Man, The (1949) --another movie I believe I have seen but can not recall the storyline
Paths of Glory (1957)
Taxi Driver (1976) -- ugly
Fight Club (1999)
Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (Spirited Away) (2001)
Some Like It Hot (1959) --what is funnier than Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis in drag?
Double Indemnity (1944) -- another film noir... this is a good one-- I've gone blank on the name of the actor that played Walter Neff.... he was the dad on My Three Sons... Barbara Stanwyck is also in this one.
Boot, Das (1981)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) --this is a frantic movie with an interesting plot... I only watched it once... but it is in my personal library I enjoyed it that much...
Singin' in the Rain (1952) -- not my favorite Gene Kelley musical, but none the less I love the movie and especially the "gotta dance" sequence...
Chinatown (1974)
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Maltese Falcon, The (1941)
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
All About Eve (1950) -- Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, Celeste Holme, and Marilyn Monroe-- this movie is loaded with great lines.... just loaded! probably the most quoted... "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night"
M (1931)
Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957) -- This is a great great movie. Alec Guinness
Se7en (1995) --disgusting... for the sake of being disgusting
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) --"Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony."
Saving Private Ryan (1998) --a wonderful tribute to the greatest generation
Rashômon (1950) --another Japanese movie- I believe I saw this back in my college days, but can't recall the plot.
Raging Bull (1980)
Wizard of Oz, The (1939)
Alien (1979)
American History X (1998)
Sting, The (1973)
Léon (1994)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) --This Frank Capra classic should be required viewing of every single politician in Washington...
Manchurian Candidate, The (1962) --This is a great movie and Frank Sinatra is fabulous
Vita è bella, La (Life is Beautiful) (1997) --What one man does to protect his son... the emotion behind this movie isn't powered by the horror of the holocaust or the concentration camps but the love a man has for his son and what he is willing to do to protect him from evil... I need to watch this again.
Touch of Evil (1958) -- I have to be in the right mood to watch this movie. The last time I pulled this movie out, I fell asleep watching it. Directed and starring Orson Welles, and Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh.
Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The (1948) --great movie about greed.
Finding Nemo (2003) --love this one!
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) --visually this movie was stunning... but... I fall asleep watching this... every time... C'MON!! It's boring!!
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Great Escape, The (1963) --no one is cooler than Steve McQueen
Modern Times (1936) --
Clockwork Orange, A (1971) --I watched this movie a lot when I was in college. I don't think I could watch it again. Violence for the sake of violence.
Amadeus (1984) --fabulous
On the Waterfront (1954) -wonderful
Ran (1985) --powerful
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Annie Hall (1977) --I caught this a couple of months ago at my mom's. I think it is still funny.
Wo hu cang long (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) (2000)
Jaws (1975) --"I think we're gonna need a bigger boat"
Apartment, The (1960) --Jack Lemmon and Shirley Maclaine
Braveheart (1995) --"they may take our lives, but they'll never take Our Freedom!"
High Noon (1952) --My very favorite western. A man that does the RIGHT thing even though no one supports him...
Aliens (1986)
Fargo (1996) --"oh, I think I'm gonna barf."
Strangers on a Train (1951)
Shining, The (1980) --This is one scary movie- although the book was much better...
Metropolis (1927)
Blade Runner (1982) --I think this is my favorite science fiction movie.
Sixth Sense, The (1999) --yeah yeah yeah... I see dead people.
City Lights (1931) --I've never been able to find this to watch it.
Donnie Darko (2001)
Duck Soup (1933) --I admit... I have never found the Marx Brothers funny...
Great Dictator, The (1940) --I thought this was horrible
General, The (1927)
Sjunde inseglet, Det (The Seventh Seal) (1957)
Princess Bride, The (1987) --"My name is Inego Montoya, you kill my father. Prepare to die." This is a must see... What a wonderful story, and how nice... it can be watched and enjoyed by everyone.
Dogville (2003)

OK.. your turn... leave a comment when you have completed yours!

If Jim Morrison Were Still Alive, He'd Love a Good Show Tune...

Sunny - Hi 102 Lo 77 for Baghdad, Iraq
Mostly Sunny - Hi 66 Lo 48 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Riders on the Storm, The Doors

Ramble:

I once dated a guy that thought he was the reincarnation of Jim Morrison, but of course he couldn't be the reincarnation of Jim Morrison, because he was born before Jim Morrison died... I never said he was real smart....

In any event I chose this song for two simple reasons. 1) Michael loves this song and 2) It has been raining for nearly 2 weeks... Saturday was the first day in ages that we had beautiful skies and perfect temperatures... because of the perfect weather... I worked in the yard gardened...one of my favorite things to do... however, I am now paying for it... everything is achy and it even hurts to type... so this week's entry is going to be easy and will require little thought on my part...

I haven't done this in a long time so, I thought I would present another list of favorite movies... This time I'm going with musicals... yah yah.... shat up.... all right all ready.... Sheesh! Look... musicals make me happy.... and quite frankly, if you are opposed to musicals... I strongly urge you to take a look at some of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein or Lerner and Loewe collaborations... Often, the musical will tackle difficult subjects... prejudice, neglect, abuse.... you know the stuff of real life...or at least an episode of Judge Judy or Judge Joe Brown.... I know there are times that breaking into a song and a perfectly synchronized dance routine would really add that special punch to my point....

So... in no particular order....

1. The King and I, 1956. Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr... Ahhhh... Yul.... I've always had a serious crush on him. I think I've mentioned it before, but I saw him perform on stage as the King of Siam. He was brilliant.. he had one lung and had cancer again... in fact he died shortly after I saw him. He danced in red and let me tell you, he was simply wonderful.

Favorite songs- all of them... Getting to Know You, Hello Young Lovers, Shall I Tell You What I Think of You.

2. The Sound of Music, 1965. Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Nannies, Nazis and Nuns.... Favorite moment... Christopher Plummer on stage singing Edelweiss... which is symbolic of a free Austria. In his eyes and in his voice you see and hear the utter sadness as he realizes the home he loves so much has disappeared.

3. Oklahoma, 1955. Shirley Jones, Gordon MacRae, Gloria Grahame, Eddie Albert, and Rod Steiger. Love and jealousy... in O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A, Oklahoma, OK-L-A-H-O-M-A!

Favorite songs- The Farmer and the Cowman, I Cain't Say No, O' What a Beautiful Mornin'.

4. Carousel, 1956. Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae again. This is a tough one... Gordon plays a carnie... Rob... I know carnies scare you... just bare with me... ok.. where was I? Oh yes... Shirley plays the young naive girl that falls for the bad boy... They end up getting married... he becomes a deadbeat living off her wages, he beats his young wife, they make an appearance on Jerry Springer, she gets pregnant and suddenly he wants to become a better person....

Favorite songs- If I Loved You and Soliloquy.

5. South Pacific, 1958. Rosanno Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor, and John Kerr. WWII and prejudice... it ain't easy being green....

Favorite songs- Bloody Mary, Carefully Taught, There is Nothing Like a Dame, Bali Ha'i--- the only reason I list this as a favorite is because of Peter Boyle's character in Honeymoon in Vegas... hysterical.... 6. West Side Story, 1961. Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno. 2 gangs in New York City... instead of wielding guns... they have songs and dancing.... When your a Jet....

Favorite songs - One Hand One Heart, Gee- Officer Krupke, and Somewhere.

7. Singin' In the Rain, 1952. Gene Kelley, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Cyd Charisse. To watch Gene Kelley dance is always magic for me. Like, Yul... I've always had a crush on Gene Kelley... favortie scene is the dream/dance sequence.... Broadway Melody Ballet.... the energy and grace... and of course Cyd Charisse.... I of course can't forget Donald O'Connor- incredible dancer-Make 'Em Laugh....


8. The Wizard of Oz, 1939. Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan, Billie Burke, and of course Margaret Hamilton. This movie is a classic... There is so much about this movie I love... ever see the guy in the sequence as our heroes travel down the yellow brick road that gets hung on the set? Is it true or is it an urban legend? Hmmm??? I don't know... but either way, once it is pointed out to you- it's creepy... Ever watch the movie while listening to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon?

9. My Fair Lady, 1964. Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, and Stanley Holloway. Julie Andrews played Eliza on stage and of course I adore her, but is there anyone more graceful more beautiful than Audrey Hepburn?

Favorite songs- On the Street Where You Live, I Could Have Danced All Night, I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face, Get Me to the Church on Time

10. Brigadoon, 1954. How can you go wrong with Gene Kelley, Van Johnson and Cyd Charisse playing in Scotland--- err uh... a studio made up to be Scotland? Ya can't!

11. An American in Paris, 1951. My guy Gene Kelley and the ungrateful French twit, Leslie Caron.... I have to say if I were forced to pick between this and Singin' In the Rain... I'd take An American in Paris... Who can resist a Gershwin tune? Not this girl!

Favorite part of the movie- Fantasy Dance Sequence set to Gershwin's American in Paris.


12. Cabaret, 1972. Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey, Michael York. The legendary Bob Fosse directed this musical. Highly stylized... the crisp cool destinctive lines... a girl trying to make a living and live a life all the while the Nazis are taking power....

Favorite songs- Money, money, Cabaret, Tomorrow Belongs to Me.

13. Fiddler on the Roof, 1971. Topol, Set in pre revolutionary Russia... Tevye struggles with daily life and the changes that occur in his homeland. I absolutely love all the music in this movie... Topol brings such life to the character of Tevye...

Favorite songs- Tradition, Matchmaker, Sunrise Sunset, Sabbath Prayer, Anatevka...

14. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, 1954. Howard Keel and Jane Powell. This is just a campy fun movie... it involves kidnapping... and avalanches... and springtime... I love Howard Keel's voice.... Riff from West Side Story plays one of the brothers in this one... and Cat Woman from the 60's television show Batman is in this and for the life of me, I can't think of her name....not Eartha Kitt... the other one...

Favorite songs- Bless Yore Beautiful Hide, The Barn Dance, June Bride

15. The Music Man, 1962. Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, and little Ronnie "da Vinci Code" Howard. What can be more heartwarming that a naive young girl falling in love with a bad boy (con man)? Didn't we cover this already with Carousel? Ahh... yes... Carousel didn't have a marching band or a barbershop quartet... The Music Man does.... see the difference?

Favorite songs- Gary Indiana, Goodnight My Someone, The Wells Fargo Wagon, Marian the Librarian

16. Guys and Dolls, 1955. Marlin Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra, Stubby Kaye. Gambling and God....

Favorite songs- Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat, Adelaide (was this song in the Broadway production?), Luck Be a Lady, Oldest Established.

I truly love all these movies.... They are all timeless, yet reflect the time period they all were made...

There are a bunch of others that I love. A few of them are: 42nd Street, Camelot, Meet Me in St. Louis, A Star is Born (1954- Judy Garland), Showboat, and Oliver.

Chicago and Moulin Rouge haven't been around long enough for me to decide...

Never liked State Fair....

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

IMDB

Amazon

related - My picks for Chick Flicks.

My picks for sophomoric humor and classified as I'm Not a 15 Year Old Boy.

Have a great week everyone!

You Know... I'm "eh".............

Sunny Hi 99 Lo 74 for Baghdad, Iraq
Mostly Cloudy Hi 66 Lo 53 for Northern Kentucky, USA

Happy Birthday, Cory!! (Wednesday)

Song of the week: This One's for the Girls, Martina McBride

I have absolutely nothing to blog about...well, I do... but I'm not in the mood... For instance, I could write about Harriet Miers. Conservatives are walking two separate paths right now... many feel betrayed others are standing by their man. I've read countless blogs and they run the gamut-most criticizing the president for his selection, others stating they are leaving the Republican party... Many are upset with President Bush because he did not select someone that we KNOW to be conservative. Others believe we need to trust President Bush. I'm in the latter category along with a few others... Hugh Hewitt and Thomas Sowell, a man I have a tremendous deal of respect for. So, like my Therapist,
I too am "passively" supporting the President. By no means, would Miss Miers have been my choice, but I'm not the President. George W. Bush has surrounded himself with some of my favorite people, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary Condoleeza Rice, Secretary Don Rumsfield, John Bolton... The very fact that these folks cause liberals to break out into hives and organize peace rallies makes me very happy. President Bush has had an intense presidency...He vowed that he would fight terrorism and he has kept his promise (Is he as aggressive in the fight as I would like? No...) He hasn't done anything about illegal aliens...well, we knew that when we voted for him... twice... Do I agree with everything he has done? No. Good Lord, he spends money quicker than I do! Regardless, President Bush has my support and I trust him. He is the right man in the right job right now. So, despite the accusations from the left, President Bush has never lied, so when he says, "[...]Harriet Miers will be the type of judge I said I would nominate: a good conservative judge. [...]" I believe him.

President's Radio Address, 10/08/05 Transcript and Audio

Picture of my therapist, Ron stolen from The Therapist .

So, what's with the title, Cath? Well, it's my mood.... I'm not in a great mood, I'm not in a bad mood, I'm just... "EH"... So, knowing that I don't have anything in particular that I want to ramble about, I thought I'd take this opportunity to follow up on a few things.

1. A few weeks ago, I added the guest map to my sidebar... to date, it's just been me and Robinik.... Grazie, Robinik! Talk about hurt feelings... be a sport... please sign my guest map...
2. How do you like the 3 columns? I am HTML illiterate... I'm still not sure how I did it... I'm just glad its working... and I didn't blow anything up. Also, as a little fyi...I have added some links to my blogroll (something I've been meaning to do)...
3. I have to take a moment to thank the lovely and talented Wonder Woman at A North American Patriot. She singlehandedly increases my blog traffic... At least I know my ramblings amuse her... She sends folks my way every Sunday to read them as you can see here, here, here, here, and here. When I get to 10,000 hits on my blog, then can I borrow your tiara and truth lasso? Pleassseeee?
4. A hearty hello to all my Italian friends at the Italo American Flag League... True patriots and lovers of freedom all... I love that Italian accent too... very sexy...
5. Some of you may remember that I made a retraction and was working to get my money back from the HSUS... Well, I'm still working on it... Patience is a virtue... right? Once I get our money back, I'll provide a full report. The lesson here is... research your charity prior to making a donation.
6. I have added a few more names to my military tribute list, located on the left sidebar. If you would like to add a name to my list, nothing would make me prouder. I'd like to take a moment to welcome Corporal Mitchell Neil Price home. He just finished his second tour of duty in Iraq. It is an honor to know this young man.
7. Lastly, because I'm in an "eh" kind of mood... and I really don't like it when I feel like this... nothing knocks the "eh" out more than a good Chick Flick--- As all 4 of you that read this will recall, I reviewed my I'm Really Not a 15 Year Old Boy list back in August. My Chick Flick list is ...yes... geared toward the chick.. (namely me since it's my list), but I think some of the boys will like some of these movies also...

So.... in no particular order... here is my list of Chick Flicks...

Steel Magnolias: I love the relationships between the women in this movie. I love their strength. I love the laughing through tears... Casablanca: I must have been 10 the first time I saw this movie... The Joy Luck Club: When I try to explain my relationship with my mother, often I will reference this movie.
Notting Hill: This is such a charming movie. Julia Roberts character is such a pain in the a$$ (I think most women can identify...bad choices in men). In the end, she picks the good guy... the nice guy... the guy that treats her with respect...the man that puts her on a pedestal...
The Wedding Singer: This movie is so cute. The music of course reflects my youth... Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore have great chemistry on the screen and they are fun to watch.
Serendipity: I have had a crush on John Cusack ever since 16 Candles. I have seen, I think almost everything he has done... This is such a feel good movie... Serendipity... what a wonderful word...
It Happened One Night: Claudette Colbert... I love her in everything I that I have ever seen her in. (Since You Went Away is one of my all time favorite movies... you will see that on another list). Clark Gable... I just love him. He was handsome and he behaved like a man.
When Harry Met Sally: This was when Meg Ryan was still sweet. Was I the only one that thought.... wow...Billy Crystal.. he is cute...
An Affair to Remember: Cary Grant... Why wasn't she at the top of the Empire State Building? Love Actually: I hesitated in putting this in my top 10 Chick Flicks... but the reason I include it is for the first 10 minutes of the movie. The film makers set up hidden cameras at Heathrow International Airport at locations where people were arriving. Have you ever been to the airport to just watch people? If you are ever down in the dumps.. I highly recommend going to the airport and watching the arrivals...

There are others... Sleepless in Seattle, Breakfast at Tiffanys, Philadelphia Story, On Golden Pond, The King and I (I have always had a thing for Yul Brynner), anything with Gene Kelly or Cary Grant or Jimmy Stewart... The crushes I had on these four men... these movies will show up on other lists...

I wish I could put The Way We Were on this list... but I just can't do it...not anymore...the reason, you ask? One word... Barbra....

Movie poster images courtesy of IMDB.

TV trivia... In what television series was this establishment mentioned? Click on the photo to enlarge.

The song... well that is dedicated to my beautiful and bright nieces...Aimee, Kamae, and Kaeli...

So that's it. Have a great week everyone!!

Keepin' It Light

Sunny Hi 112 Lo 83 for Baghdad, Iraq
Hazy Hi 87 Lo 61 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Afternoon Delight as interpreted by Will Ferrell

This week I am keeping it light. I have for my own sanity kept the news to a minimum this past week. Visions of people being forced out of their homes in Gaza, the governor of my former home state "blah blah blahing" about having a higher standard of ethics, the $253,000,000.00 decision made against Merck & Co., Cindy Sheehan hype amidst all the memorial services and funerals that took place locally, etc, etc, etc is just more than I can handle. So, this week, I will just provide you with blips and blinks of things that have amused me over the past several days.



OK, this photo was taken when the decision was made in the Merck & Co. Vioxx decision. Are these lawyers emotional because they won a decision that "rights the world" or are they mentally computing 30% of $253,000,000.00? You decide.

OK... the weirdness has already started. Thanks to Angry in the Great White North I have found out that Christopher Walken is running for President in 2008... Is this a joke? You decide...

09 August, 2005
Actor Christopher Walken to run as Candidate in 2008 Presidential Race
For Immediate Release
New York - Early today, actor Christopher Walken, 62, held a private conference at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York in which he announced his intentions to run for the Presidency of the United States in the 2008 Election.

My caped crusader friend, Wonder Woman at A North American Patriot found this web site Grouchy Media. WW is an intelligent broad with a lot of spunk. She is well written and approaches topics thoughtfully. Spend some time with her, eh? Grouchy Media has some fantastic videos.... turn up the volume to listen to some thrash and take in the images. Powerful and uplifting. See the good works that our men and women in uniform are doing.

I find myself visiting Japan Window more and more. I am instantly drawn into the photographs. This is definitely a place I go to take in the sights of Japan as seen the the lens of this photographer.

By now, I'm guessing you are cursing me for choosing "Afternoon Delight" as the song of the week. Well, I figure this is one way you will be reminded to visit often (or not)...If I get enough comments, I may change the song... I must admit, this by far is one of the worst songs ever written and what is even worse is that it is so darned catchy.... By the way, whatever happened to Starland Vocal Band?

I really love movies. One of my favorite pastimes (which sadly, is happening less and less) is firing up the DVD and watching an old classic. Nothing beats seeing Jimmy Stewart in It's A Wonderful Life or Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffanys or Roman Holiday or Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? or Gary Cooper in High Noon. But then there are the more "recent" classics like The Princess Bride, Field of Dreams, Jaws, or the Lord of the Rings Movies. I just love movies! If it is a good enough movie I can enter and live in that world created by the director. Does that make sense? Something I have decided to do from time to time on this blog is list movies that I find appealing. I have already mentally come up with some categories: "Tear Jerker Chick Flicks", "Teenage Angst", "Feel Good Sports", "I'm Really Not a 15 Year Old Boy", "Fun with Holidays", "Musical Mania", "John Wayne Personified", etc...

The song "Afternoon Delight" was featured in the movie Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy. This by far is one of the dumbest movies ever made and falls into the Category of "I'm Really Not a 15 Year Old Boy". When I am at work or with friends and the guys start talking about movies, I am able to pipe in and recite my favorite lines from such movies. I think most women find this disturbing. I find these movies hysterical. Yes, childish, yes cornball, yes dirty, but good grief they are funny! So in no particular order here is my top ten list of movies, category: I'm Really Not a 15 Year Old Boy

1 Monty Python and the Holy Grail-- I'm French. Why do think I have this outrageous accent, you silly king.

2 There's Something About Mary-- Those goofy bastards are just about the best thing I've got going in this... crazy world.
3 Airplane! --I am serious, and don't call me Shirley4 Stripes--We're soldiers, but we're American soldiers! We've been kicking ass for 200 years! 5 Blazing Saddles--I want rustlers, cutthroats, murderers, bounty hunters, desperados, mugs, pugs, thugs, nitwits, halfwits, dimwits, vipers, snipers, con-men, Indian agents, Mexican bandits, muggers, buggerers, bushwhackers, hornswogglars, horse thieves, bull-dykes, train robbers, bank robbers, ass-kickers, sh**-kickers, and Methodists!6 Raising Arizona-- The doctor explained that her insides were a rocky place, where my seed could find no perch
7 Office Space -- I love kung fu movies
8 Pee Wee's Big Adventure--tequila! "Paging PeeWee Herman"
9 Honeymoon in Vegas-- We're the Flying Elvises, Utah Chapter!
10 Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy-- I killed a guy with a trident

That's it. As I pulled the pics for these movies I thought of even more... History of the World Part I, The Rutles (All You Need is Cash), The Jerk!! (I can't believe I forgot that one), Night Shift (Michael Keaton, Henry Winkler, Shelley Long), Clerks, This is Spinal Tap (..but this one goes to eleven) Ah well...

Courtesy of JoAnna, a bit of a diversion for you to peruse. This is too cute... a little demented... go check out 30 Second Bunny Theatre at Angry Alien Productions. There you will find soon to be classics like, Jaws in 30 seconds (and re-enacted by bunnies)

Now, I must note, as a conservative, it can be extremely painful to go to the movies, listen to music, or watch television, read a book... etc... Inevitably, I end up "boycotting" someone for a period of time because he/she just had to open his/her mouth and say something ridiculous. With age (so some say) I have learned to take on Laura Ingraham's attitude of Shut Up and Sing. There are some that will forever be on my list of "not a dime will I spend".... but, for the rest...I have found Libertas A Forum for Conservative Thought on Film to be helpful.

Oh... and to Mr. Myripple, I haven't forgotten your blog, I'm simply ignoring you. I suggest you read my blog in its entirety and maybe you will understand that anger isn't the "American Epitaph as you claim. I'm still considering responding to your blog, but I think it is you that is angry without hope. Come to the other side... the right side and you will see that it is ok to be angry now and again... You'll also come to see that there are a lot of reasons to be hopeful and happy. In America, anything is possible with perserverance and a positive attitude.

Try this out...create your own conspiracy here.

Welcome back Otimaster! I hope you had a wonderful holiday!! I'm still waiting to get a translation on what Otimaster means...

I have added to the sidebar under "with humble appreciation" a direct link to Tribute, which originally was posted 7/3. There I have maintained a growing list of men and women that I owe thanks. I have added Casey Sheehan to this list.

I can't let this go without sharing my memory of this song... Afternoon Delight came out the summer of our Bicentennial. I was 11...My grandparents, mom, and brother piled into the car to go visit my Uncle Steve and cousin Chuck (Benjy back then) in Cherry Point, North Carolina where Uncle Steve was stationed (remember, he's a Marine). Anyway, between spats and who was on the wrong side of the seat..."stop touching me"... "Mom, tell Terry to knock it off"... this song came on every other song on every single station.... we would all stop talking and start singing... I'm not exaggerating... I swear... at least that's how I remember it... We DIDN'T KNOW what this song was about!!! Good grief....

Afternoon Delight

The Starland Vocal Band

Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight

gonna grab some afternoon delight.

My motto's always been; when it's right, it's right.

Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night.

When everything's a little clearer in the light of day.

And you know the night is always gonna be there any way.

Thinkin' of you's workin' up my appetite

looking forward to a little afternoon delight.

Rubbin' sticks and stones together makes the sparks ingite

and the thought of lovin'' you is getting so exciting.

Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.

Started out this morning feeling so polite

I always thought a fish could not be caught who wouldn't bite

But you've got some bait a waitin' and I think I might

try nibblin' a little afternoon delight.

Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.

Please be waiting for me baby when I come around.

We could make a lot of lovin' 'for the sun goes down.

Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight...

And now a few pictures from last weekend...

This is my nephew Cory. He was stung for the first time just moments after this picture was taken. He is a cutie and he is all boy.

This is my nephew Caleb. He is by far one of the gentlest souls I have ever known. He is always very serious and whenever I have asked him for permission to take his picture, he is always serious. My grandfather and he look so much alike...


This is my niece Kamae. She is 7 and ready for adventure. She looks so much like me when I was her age...
This is mother and daughter watching tadpoles in the Maumee River. Mom is my other sister-in-law, Maria. She will be giving birth to niece #3 (for me) her 4th on September 2nd. I'm so lucky to have her as a sis in law. I couldn't ask for more. I have lucked out on the in laws.... I love them all and Maria is at the top of the list...

Have a great week everyone. Keep the faith, afterall this is America. We have the best of the best keeping watch over us...