Modigliani



Adrienne (Woman with Bangs) 1917



Every year I get an engagement calender for my desk -- always something beautiful and inspiring. This year I am enjoying artwork from the National Gallery of Art.

The featured work this week is Amedeo Modigliani's painting "Adriennne Woman with Bangs" 1917 --- oil on linen. I find this piece compelling and mysterious. I would like to know this woman. I wonder what she was thinking and what her life was like. So many questions.

Modigliani's portraits are captivating. I love the rich colors and his simple style that captures the subject in almost abstract caricature. Common feature among his works are the elongated neck and almond-shaped eyes. I wonder what my portrait would look like.

Enjoy the Gallery!

Saturday To Dos

Work out on elliptical.

Go for a walk if weather cooperates.

Go to library for peace and quiet to work on my Bible study class for church tomorrow.

Practice piano: Bach A-minor invention, Beethoven Moonlight Sonata, Joplin Pineapple Rag.

Work on my poppies painting - preliminary sketches and nail down the composition.

Go to grocery store.

Eat, drink and be merry.

Poppies on My Wall

One of my New Year's resolutions is to rekindle my artistic fire and create some beautiful artwork. My first project is to paint a picture for my living room. It will be a large painting of poppies. Poppies are my favorite flower to paint; they are delicate, colorful and full of whimsy and magic. Just what I need right now.

In my research I've found some lovely pieces of art for inspiration:

White Rabbit

My entry for the Doritos Crash the Superbowl commercial is now on my YouTube channel. It's an Alice in Wonderland theme and my darling hubby is the White Rabbit.

The rules limit the commercial to 30 seconds which was very difficult because I had some great footage that I couldn't use. Oh well.

I shot the commercial at the Historic Hynds building in downtown Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Eureka!

Say "Hello" to my new handbag!

It's perfect and beautiful! My Kindle and sketch book fit just right and it holds all my stuff. Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement in the Great American Purse Search!

Pursonal Shopping

It's time to buy a new purse, aka Handbag, Tote, European Carry All, or whatever. So what am I looking for?

Not This

Something large, but not enormous. Something stylish, but not prissy.
Something colorful, but not garish.

Too Scarlet O'Hara



Too Jack Sparrow



Too Samsonite Luggage

Too Cindy Lauper

Too Margaret Thatcher

So what features do I need? A front pouch for my keys. Separated compartments so I can quickly find what I need without digging through a pile of rubble. Dual purpose straps that I can carry in my hand or slip over my shoulder.


You might be wondering what I keep in my purse. Glad you asked:

Cell phone
Pens
Gum
Wallet
Business cards
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Nail file
Lipstick
Mirror
Band-Aids
Keys

I also want a purse that can hold my new Kindle Fire and a small sketch book and pencil case so I can sketch or draw at the drop of a hat.

Well, that's about it. Wish me luck. The great purse search begins!

Your mission. . .

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

Best Movie Ever!

Tom Cruise may be a madman in real life, but in this movie he ROCKS! It's still playing in our local theatre and I've seen it TWICE! Just sayin'.

I guess I was in the mood for a wild action flick and didn't even know it. This movie delivers big time.

Fave scenes:
Tom climbing the glass walls of the hotel.
Fight scene with Agent Carter and Moreau.
Dust storm scene.
Kremlin explosion.

I'll stop now. Don't want to give too much away. Watch it and let me know what you think.

Weighing In

Okay, I'll admit it. My bathroom scale has become my nemesis.

I've never had a weight problem in my life. Until now.

For me, the weight I am now is UNACCEPTABLE! I don't even have the courage to post it. Let's just say I weigh more now than I did when I was nine months pregnant.

I have never been on a diet in my life. And I don't ever intend to go on a diet. Until a few years ago, I chose to eat whatever I wanted but exercised it off. I was a runner and that kept my weight under control for decades. Things started to change in 2007 when I couldn't run due to a knee injury.

It was all downhill from there.

Reasons why I gained:

1) Portion sizes (I would eat large portions of food and go for seconds, sometimes thirds)
2) Wrong food choices (high fat, high calorie foods, high sugar)
3) Less exercise
4) Not really paying attention to what I eat (read or watch TV while eating)
5) Ignorance about how much fat and calories are in my favorite foods
6) Age (does peri-menopause cause weight gain?)

Last week I decided it was time to STOP THE INSANITY!

I put an app on my Kindle to help me lose weight. I logged in my weight goal and how many pounds I want to lose each week. It calculated that I will reach my goal weight on May 30.

I've never been a calorie counter, but I'm desperate. I keep track of my calories now. The app tracks my calories and my exercise for each day. If I stay under the daily amount, I will reach my goal. The best thing is that the more I exercise, the more calories I can consume. For example, my daily calorie intake is 1225. This amount was calculated based on my age, gender, height and how many pounds I want to lose per week. Today I worked out on the elliptical and burned 420 calories. This is added to my calorie total making it 1645.

Running = 557 per hour at 12-minute miles

This is great because it keeps me active. I count the calories lost in all my favorite activities: running, bowling, tennis, yoga, walking, etc.



Bowling = 159 calories per hour



Tennis = 557 per hour

Yoga = 119 per hour

Walking = 223 per hour - brisk

I also like this app because you can create recipes and it calculates how many calories per serving!

Guess what? It's working! I lost three pounds the first week. I think it's because I was under in my calorie total because of exercise. It's not an exact science. I'm probably burning calories right now typing this post, but I won't add it to my daily total.

So what does all this mean? It means I have more awareness of what I'm eating and of my body in general. I feel stronger and healthier and I know that I will reach and maintain my goal.

A New Year -- a new me!

Friday Flicks: The Fugitive

One of my favorite Harrison Ford flicks, The Fugitive (1993) is non stop action. The story tells of Dr. Richard Kimble who was convicted of his wife's murder. He is innocent and becomes a fugitive on the run, tyring to find the real killer (the one-armed man).

Tommy Lee Jones is the Federal Marshall who is trying to track him down. It's the best man-hunt movie in Hollywood history.

The train crash scene is spectacular! If you have the DVD, you know from watching the special features how crazy it was to shoot that scene.

Resolutions?

Okay. Let's DO this thing! (channeling Kung Fu Panda)

These are my New Year's Resolutions for 2012. 

LIST ONE:

1. Attend the Northern Colorado Wrtier's conference.

2. Start writing my novella.

3. Eat to live - not live to eat.

4. Play more tennis.

5.  Do the A to Z Blogging Challenge

6. Grow an herb garden.

7. Draw and paint more.

8. Change jobs.

9. Buy a house.


LIST TWO:

1. Rock black nail polish.

2. Say "NO" to home decorating parties.

3. Master "Bohemian Rhapsody" on karaoke.

4.  Watch "The Island" again and try to figure out what Michael Caine was THINKING!!!

5. Eat flax seed.

6. Learn Tai Chi.

7. Read "Crime and Punishment" for Dummies.

8. Wear Valentine's Day socks.

9. Cook a brisket.

10 Things I Will Never Do

1: Calculus.

2: Eat hominy.

3: Buy an SUV.

4: Knit.

5: Iron underwear.

6: Build a two million dollar garage.

7: Wear white pants.

8: Read  a book about computer codes.

9: Kill a deer.

10: Go on a cruise.

DISCLAIMER: Never say "never". . .

What's one thing you will never do?

New Year 2012

I hope you all have a wonderful blessed New Year!

I'm looking forward to a great year. My Word for the Year is FREEDOM. I believe that God gave me this word as my focus for the next 12 months. Freedom to be do what I need to be doing; freedom to grow, mature and persevere in various problems and trials; freedom to pursue my dreams; freedom to enjoy life, family and friends; freedom to help people in whatever way I can.

Ironically, the last day of 2011 I was watching the TV series "Roots" on DVD (a Christmas gift I received that was on my wish list). It's all about Freedom.

My goal this year is be more creative. I want to write stories and create works of art. These projects have been on the back burner far too long. It's time to get cooking. But they can't happen unless I prune the dead branches in my life which are time-consuming activities that were once a joy but have now become a burden. As I type this, the pruning shears are chopping away. I feel FREE!

What are your goals for 2012?

P.S. I changed my Skating Buffalo URL. Click here.
Also Fixing Madison is back.

Friday Flicks: The Perfect Gift

The Perfect Gift (2009) is part of the "Perfect Stranger" series of Christian movies, written and directed by Jefferson Moore. They ask a "what if?" question: What if Jesus was here today in modern America? What would he do? How would he interact with people and what would be his take on the social issues we all face today?

The Perfect Gift depicts what it might be like if Jesus arrived in a town during Christmas.

10 Things I Love About Christmas

1: Jesus Birthday -- The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

2:  Christmas cards -- I love giving them and I love receiving them. I like the ones with beautiful designs.

3: Christmas movies -- The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, Charlie Brown Christmas, The Perfect Gift, A Christmas Carol, How the Grinch Stole Christmas...

4: Christmas candy and cookies -- I miss my grandma's Bourbon Balls and Million Dollar Fudge, and my mom's Butterscotch Yule Log.

5: Christmas carols -- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Angels We Have Heard on High; Carol of the Bells; Good King Wenceslas, Do You Hear What I Hear?, We Three Kings...

6: Christmas tree -- I love the smell of the pine, the beautiful lights and decorative ornaments. I put  little white doves on my tree.

7: Spirit of Love -- This time of year people show more kindness that usual to others; helping at food kitchens, donating toys to needy children, donating clothes and food, giving gifts to each other.

8: Turkey dinner -- With all the fixin's!

9: Poinsettias -- The red leaves are breathtaking! I see God's amazing handiwork in these lovely plants!

10: Children -- Their joy and excitement thrills my heart.

One more:

11: Wrapping gifts -- I love to create beautiful packages for my loved ones with pretty paper, ribbons and bows.

What do you love about Christmas?
 

Tuesday Tunes: Good King Wenceslas

This song is so much fun to sing. I love the story of the Good King who helps the poor.  A wonderful Christmas message of ministering to others in need.

Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel.

“Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”

“Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,
You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,
Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.

“Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly,
You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.”

In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing,
You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.

Comedy Rule of Three

I am currently in the throes of writing comedy sketches for our Valentine's Day Dessert Theatre. I'm talking about fast and furious one-liners, short jokes and short sketches. All comedy, all the time.

I enjoy writing humor and have done it for years. In fact, one of my humor pieces is in an actual book called "Laugh Your Shorts Off" - a collection of humor compiled by my good friend and humorist Margie Culbertson.

For years I've written comedy sketches for our drama troupe, the Sunnyside Players. And I own an arsenal of books on comedy writing, as well as books by comedy writers (Steve Martin, Woody Allen, etc.) I guess you could say I take comedy writing very seriously.

One of the fun things I've learned over the years is the Comedy Rule of Three. This rule works both on stage and in print (humor columnists use it all the time). In a typical gag you have the set up and the punch line. But the rule of three includes three elements. The first two set the pattern, and the third line breaks the pattern with an unexpected twist.

Examples:
My son is a gifted athlete. He plays football, basketball and checkers.

Coffee, tea, or me?

So what's for dinner?  Braised salmon, beef Wellington, or Mrs. Paul's Fish Sticks.

Professor Hinkleman has assigned the reading list for this semester: War and Peace, The Grapes of Wrath and Poetry for Dummies.

Post some of your own. I'd love to read them!

Friday Flicks: The Homecoming: A Christmas Story

 I was in high school when The Waltons were on TV - this show was one of our family favorites. John Boy played a part in encouraging me to pursue my own dream of being a writer. The scene where he explains to Mama about what writing means to him always brings tears to my eyes.

Funny scenes:
Hawthorne Dooley (Cleavon Little) with John Boy at Miss Mamie's and Miss Emily's trying to borrow a car.

Charlie Snead (William Windom) - the turkey thief.

The missionary giving away toys to children who can recite a Bible verse ("Thy two breasts are like two young rows that are twins which feed among the lilies. Solomon Song Chapter 4:5")

Goodnight, John Boy. Merry Christmas!

Tuesday Tunes: Winter Wonderland

Christmas with the Rat Pack. Lovin' Dean Martin's version.

The Big Krause-bowski!

Hubby is a bowler. He loves the game and has been bowling for decades. He's very good at it, too.

Well, last year, he talked me into getting my own bowling ball and bowling shoes. I agreed and my game improved quite a bit. I used to search around for a house ball and could never find one that felt right. Now I have a custom made ball and it's great! Of course, hubby has been coaching me for years, showing me how to stand and where to aim for the strikes and spares.

But yesterday something happened that has never happened in the history of the universe: I won a game against hubby! I've NEVER beaten him in bowling. This was a first and it was so strange. Hubby was conflicted. Part of him was proud of me for doing so well, and the other part was upset for losing! He's very competitive and he had to deal with losing to his wife. C'est la vie!

He's a good sport, though. All through the game he was showing me what to do and how to throw the ball. He was teaching me a new technique involving throwing a curve ball. I won, but if he hadn't helped me, I don't think I would have.

I learned about the Killer Shot and I got three! Yay, me.

Friday Flicks: A Charlie Brown Christmas

I was eight years in 1965 when A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired on TV. This show was one of my best childhood memories. I loved Linus the best! He was the voice of reason, kindness and compassion.

A Christmas Carol

For the past several years, I've begun a tradition of reading Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" during the month of December. It's my favorite Christmas story and from the amount of movies based on this Victorian tale, it's inspired others as well. My favorite film version features Patrick Stewart as Scrooge.  What are your Christmas traditions?

CHAPTER 1:

Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it: and Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.

Tuesday Tunes: Angels We Have Heard on High

The Christmas season is the perfect time to feature some of my favorite Christmas songs on Tuesday Tunes. I'm a huge fan of the Mannheim Steamroller and own all of their Christmas albums. This group is amazingly talented and totally INSANE! Happy Holy Days!

Friday Flicks: The Black Stallion

A beautiful, heartwarming story. This is the kind of movie I would make if I had the resources. Boy meets Horse. Horse afraid of Boy. Horse and Boy become friends forever. The images are stunning; each frame is a work of art. The film embraces the themes of courage, freedom and love. The long sequence of silence on the deserted island depicting isolation and loneliness is similar to Castaway  (2000).  However, in this case, the castaway has a flesh and blood companion rather than a soccer ball.

I really enjoyed Mickey Rooney is this film. He was made to play this role.

Tuesday Tunes: Mr. Sandman

Good music and a little beefcake for breakfast. This was one of the songs in the repertoire of our ladies acappella group.

Movies on My Wish List

As an avid movie buff, I have a large collection of movies in my personal library. However, there are still quite a few I would like to own.
The Godfather (Best Movie Ever)

Butterflies are Free (I love Goldie Hawn in this flick. A funny story with a serious message)

Year of the Dog (an off the wall story of a lonely dog lover who goes crazy)

Hannah and Her Sisters (One of my favorite Woody Allen flicks. I have no idea why I don't have this movie. I guess it slipped through the cracks)

The Nanny Diaries (read the book, loved the movie)

Sex and the City: The Movie (I laughed, I cried, I wanted to kill Big!)

I'm Not Rappaport (One of Walter Matthau's best performances)

Fatal Attraction (O, what a tangled web we weave...)

Spider-Man (First movie...the best)

Phone Booth (Colin Farrell. Enough said)

Lilies of the Field (Uplifting, inspiring classic. One of Sidney Poitier's best!)

No Country for Old Men (Not everyone's cup of tea...but Josh Brolin is amazing!)

Twas the Day Before Thanksgiving

The Grinch has stolen Thanksgiving. At least at my house. There is a revolution. Tomorrow I will not be slaving away cooking and cleaning all day. I will not have to listen to endless football games on TV. I will not have to set the table, clean the bathrooms, make the gravy, bake the pies, mash the potatoes and wash the dishes.

I will start the day with a morning run (the temperature will be in the mid 50s!) I will have a healthy brunch. I will meet my BFF at the park and we will walk around the lake. We will go to the movies to see Leonardo DiCaprio in "J. Edgar" and I will have popcorn and Pepsi. We will go to Barnes & Noble and have peppermint mochas and chat about fashion, books, movies, and all that jazz. I will go home and do whatever I want the rest of the day!

Best Thanksgiving EVER!

My Cupcakes

I love baking and my specialty is cupcakes. Hence, I will be making cupcakes for our church Thanksgiving dinner this coming Sunday. I've decided to make two flavors:

1) Chocolate espresso cupcakes with peanut butter cream cheese frosting, mini-reeses peanut butter cup garnish and chocolate sprinkles.

2) Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, Hershey Kiss garnish and ginger snap cookie sprinkles.

Photos to come.

Friday Flicks: You've Got Mail

This is one of those movies I never get tired of watching. I love the chemistry between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Which reminds me, check out Joe Vs the Volcano (1990) and Sleepless in Seattle (1993).

You've Got Mail (1998) was written and directed by Nora Ephron (Yay, Girl Power!) and is a modern remake of The Shop Around the Corner (1940) and the musical In the Good Old Summertime (1949). Sweet and funny, it's the perfect romantic comedy.

Tuesday Tunes: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

In honor of Veterans Day this week, I hope you enjoy the musical stylings of the Andrews Sisters singing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy!

Sunday Sermon: Songs of Joy

When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev.

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying his seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying his sheaves with him.

Psalm 126

Friday Flicks: The Godfather

After I saw The Godfather (1972), I read Mario Puzo's novel three times in succession, analyzing every detail. I was mesmerized by the narrative. I didn't know much about the history of the Mafia and Puzo's story blew me away. (No pun intended). The film was a beautiful adaptation of the novel. A perfect movie, from score to screenplay to the stunning cinematography.

To Kindle or Not to Kindle...

So I'm seriously considering buying a Kindle. I was raised Old School with regular books where you actually turn the pages, flip the corners, write in the margins and enjoy the colorful cover art. So why am I chucking it all for an e-reader?

Good question.

My reading material lately has consisted of nonfiction, plays and magazine articles. I love reading fiction and something makes me think I would read more if I had a Kindle. It holds thousands of titles, as well as magazines. I could read my books while in line at the grocery store, post office, doctor's office, etc. 

Then again, if I did decide to get an e-reader, I would have to compare the Kindle to the Nook and do some comparison shopping. Look at the pros and cons, study the features of each and figure out which one is right for me.

What are your thoughts on e-readers? Do you have one? How do you like it? What do you like best about it? Least? What would you recommend?

Tuesday Tunes: Stuck in the Middle With You

Talkin' bout old times...this song always makes me smile. Not even Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (1992) ruined it for me. (That movie was FREAKY!) The video is bizarre, not exactly what I imagine when I hear the lyrics.

Sunday Sermon: Good Samaritan

  But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
 
  In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
 
    “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
 
  The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
 
   Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10: 29-37

Friday Flicks: Psycho

Psycho (1960) is the last movie in my Spooky October series. But I've saved the best for last. This is my absolute favorite Hitchcock film. From the cast, to the script, art direction, cinematography and music, Psycho is brilliant.

If you're the kind of person who looks for symbolism and visual motifs in films, this is the movie for you. Look for the reflected image of Norman on the porch when he gives Marion the sandwich, depicting his dual personality. Marion is wearing a white bra and slip in the hotel with Sam and then later is seen wearing a black bra and slip at her apatment and the Bates Motel, depicting her change from law-abiding citizen to thief. Also, the other secretary is played by Hitch's daughter Patricia.

LILA CRANE: I can handle a sick old woman!

Tuesday Tunes: The Times They Are A-Changin'

I didn't become a serious listener to Bob Dylan until hubby introduced me to his music in 1975 when I was 18. Before that I'd only heard "Blowin' in the Wind" on the radio. I like his folk period best. and this album is my favorite -- just Dylan, acoustic guitar and harmonica. He is a natural story-teller and his songs are poems set to music. Even now when I listen to this album, I am transported to another place and time.

Graveyard Party

I write song parodies when the Muse strikes. This was originally posted on my blog in 2007. It was campaign season and John McCain was front runner in the primaries at the time. I wanted to tell a story about Conservative Republican Goths. Sung to the tune of Ricky Neslon's "Garden Party."

 

"Graveyard Party"

 by Luana Krause

 

I went to a graveyard party to reminisce with my old friends
A chance to share goth memories, and quote Anne Rice again
When I got to the graveyard party, they all knew my name
But I didn’t recognize them, they didn’t look the same

CHORUS
No clove cigarettes, black fingernails or chains
You see, their tattoos said “Hummers Rule,” and they voted for McCain

Goths arrived from miles around, everyone that I knew
But Spider flashed her wedding ring and raved about her “dude”
And sitting on a headstone, scribbling little notes
Crow was on his laptop, checking NASDAQ quotes

CHORUS
No clove cigarettes, black fingernails or chains
You see, their tattoos said “Hummers Rule,” and they voted for McCain

Just as I was leaving, I saw my old girlfriend
Ophelia said, “How are you?” and gently took my hand
Her corpse-like deathly pallor really turned me on
But she just wanted a donation for a Rush Limbaugh telethon

CHORUS
No clove cigarettes, black fingernails or chains
You see, their tattoos said “Hummers Rule,” and they voted for McCain

Billy Collins

I discovered Billy Collins several years ago when I read The Trouble with Poetry: And Other Poems. It caught my eye at Barnes & Noble because it had this captivating image of a black bear on the cover. (Yes, you can judge a book by its cover...this one was FABULOUS!)

I bought the book and read the whole thing in one afternoon. And then I read it again. And again. His poetry is contemporary, moving, funny and sublime. His powerful imagery gently leads you into the world he has created.

Introduction To Poetry

I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.

But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.

They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.”
― Billy Collins

Friday Flicks: Rosemary's Baby

Rosemary's Baby (1968) is the third movie in my Spooky October series and was inspired by the novel by Ira Levin. It's a "horror story of Satanism and the occult set in modern-day Manhattan." Levin also wrote "The Stepford Wives." Stephen King described Levin as "the Swiss watchmaker of suspense novels, he makes what the rest of us do look like cheap watchmakers in drugstores."

Friday Flicks: Cujo

Cujo (1983) is the second movie in my Spooky October series. I've always been a fan of Stephen King's stories. I didn't actually watch this movie until a couple of years after its release when I saw it on video. My son Luke was the same age as the boy in the movie and even looked like the kid. I also drove a Pinto that was always breaking down. I could SO relate to this mom!

Vivian Maier Photographer

So I'm looking through my American Photo magazine November/December issue and find this series of photographs by Vivian Maier. I could NOT believe my eyes. These are the most beautiful photographs I've ever seen. I read the article and found out that this woman had shot an estimated 100,000 photos from the early 1950s until the mid-1990s. She died in 2009 at the age of 83. No one had ever heard of her. She was a nanny for a wealthy family in New York City and a very private person.

According to the article, there is no evidence that she studied photography formally. Her work was discovered in 2007 by John Maloof, a self-described "third-generation flea-market seller." He found some of her photos in a commercial storage locker being auctioned. He paid $400 for a box of more than 30,000 negatives.

Check out her work at the Vivian Maier website.

Tuesday Tunes: Bach A Minor Invention

I've been working on this piece of music for years. And I'm still not good enough to record myself playing. I found this video online just so you can see what I have to deal with. Bach's music is inspiring, brilliant and absolutely beautiful.

Friday Flicks: The Others

It's October and that means ghosts, goblins, witches and all that spooky jazz. This month's Friday Flicks will feature my Spooky October series of must-see scary movies. My first choice is The Others (2001) starring Nicole Kidman. A creepy story with a wild twist at the end.

Afro-Blue Jazz Choir

I heard this group on The Sing-Off this season and they are amazing. Check out their music.

American Boy

Tueday Tunes: Blue Skies

The amazing Jazz singer, Ella Fitzgerald, sings Blue Skies. Listen for her super cool skat singing.

Friday Flicks: The Truman Show

I'm a huge fan of Jim Carrey. I love his style of comedy. My best J.C. movies -- Bruce Almighty, The Majestic, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Fun with Dick and Jane, The Yes Man.

The Truman Show 1998 is his best quasi-dramatic performance. The concept for this show was brilliant. A TV show about a real person who has no idea his life is fake. Everyone he knows, every person he meets, the world he lives in --- all fake. Philosophically, we're dealing with Fatalism vs. Free will and Man (Cristof) as God. Carrey's performance was spectacular. He played Truman with the perfect balance of humor and tragedy.

Bear Switch Wins BEST FILM!!!

The winning film in the Shoot Out 24 Hour Filmmaking Festival was disqualified, so the organizers awarded The Bear Switch Project as Best Film!

That gives us three awards (Best Film, Best Comedy, Best Actor). Thanks to Susan, Ron, Peter, Christi, Justin and Jacob!

Go to the Shoot Out website to see why she was disqualified.

Tuesday Tunes: Dancing Machine

Talkin'  'bout my generation...

I was 17 in 1974 when this episode of the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour aired. Killing two birds with one stone today. One of my favorite TV shows of all time AND the amazing Jackson Five!

Our Movie won Best Comedy at the Shoot Out

The Bear Switch Project wins two awards at the Shoot Out Cheyenne Filmmaking Festival -- Best Comedy and Best Actor! WOW!

Go to my Skating Buffalo blog and check it out!

Teddy Bear

No Friday Flick today. I'm getting ready for the Shoot Out Filmmaking Festival which begins today and will last until Sunday. The movie I'm entering is called The Bear Switch Project and if I didn't have to worry about copyright law, I would use this song in my soundtrack!

This song is a tribute to my movie and the hard-working cast and crew that made it all possible:

Strange Week

It's countdown to the Shoot Out Filmmaking Festival which begins this Friday and I finally have everything in place. No worries, Mate.

Taking on a project like this is a mixed blessing. Part of me is very excited to try something new, be creative and work with some amazingly talented people.

The other part of me can't wait until it's over!

I wonder if this is typical. I'm finding it to be a pattern with me. But I can't bear the thought of not trying challenging, exciting, adventurous things. Life would be so uneventful.

The closest thing I can compare this experience to is walking through a wardrobe and arriving in Narnia. It's a totally different reality, full of beauty and danger. But I wouldn't want it any other way.

"But  courage, child: we are all between the paws of the true Aslan."

Friday Flicks: The Savages

The first time I saw this movie I had no idea what I was getting into. The Savages (2007) is a poignant film about dealing with an aging parent. It's labeled a comedy, but I found it tragic and heartbreaking. I wept more than I laughed.

Director Tamara Jenkins creates a perfect movie. It draws you in emotionally and you really connect with these characters which are brought to life by the amazing talents of Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Philip Bosco.

The story: Wendy and Jon Savage are siblings who put their estranged father in a nursing home. They must deal with the guilt of their decision  and their abusive childhood.

Skating Buffalo Productions

Check out my new blog promoting my film making endeavors, Skating Buffalo Productions. The name was inspired by the Roger Miller tune "You Can't Rollers Skate in a Buffalo Herd." I have fond memories of that song from my childhood and wanted to take it to the next level. A buffalo roller skating is whimsical and somewhat bizarre -- which represents my movie making mission.

I am Cherokee and a native of the West, thus the buffalo is an appropriate symbol representing my ancestry and my home in Wyoming. I've been blogging about my latest project for the Shoot Out 24 Hour Filmmaking Festival here in Cheyenne.

I invite you to read my blog and leave a comment. Thanks so much! Here's the link: Skating Buffalo Productions

Must See TV

I'm getting DVR ready to record some of my favorite TV shows and some new shows that look promsing.

OLD STANDBYs:
The Office
Glee
America's Next Top Model
Top Chef
Survivor
Project Runway (already in progress)
Modern Family
The Sing Off
Harry's Law
Joyce Meyer
Intervention


NEW SHOWS:
New Girl
2 Broke Girls
Up All Night
The X Factor

In Remembrance 9-11

Remembering the 10th Anniversary of 9-11 and honoring the families who lost loved ones that day. "Today we are all Americans."

Friday Flicks: My Big Fat Greek Wedding

The great thing about My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) is that although it's a cute romantic comedy, there is a serious message about pursuing your dream. Tula is tired of her life as a waitress in the family restaurant so she decides to go to college so she can get a better job. Her dream comes true...and then she meets Ian and finds true love as well.

Evolution of Dance

Tuesday Tunes: A Fifth of Beethoven

Cool disco tune from Saturday Night Fever. Get out your dancing shoes.

Friday Flicks: The Bad Seed

I saw this movie years ago on TV and it still creeps me out. It's the story of a little girl who plays piano, wears pretty dresses and murders anyone who gets in her way. Her mother is horrified when she realizes that her precious daughter has the same genetic disposition for cold blooded murder as her biological grandmother, a notorious serial killer. Our community theatre is producing this play for our 2011-12 season.

Jen's Birthday

I've really gotten lax in my Bible reading lately. Need to focus on what's important and not get too busy "doing stuff." It's so easy to see your schedule start to control you rather than vice versa. I exercise everyday for my physical and mental well being, but I've neglected my spiritual well being.

Today I changed all that. Instead of haphazardly reading the Bible or a devotion for two minutes, I'm going to treat it like a meal and enjoy every bite. Since it's the first day of a new month, I'm reading a chapter of Proverbs each day. Proverbs was written by King Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived. It's about wisdom and knowledge. Today I read chapter one and I really felt God speaking to me in verse 33 "but whoever listens to me (wisdom) will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Lately I've been seeking peace and casting my worries on God. This verse was like God was talking straight to my heart. I will live in safety and will have no fear.

I've been reading the gospel of John and today I read chapter six about Jesus being the Bread of Life. Verse 35 -- Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

And I want to say "Happy Birthday" to my daughter Jennifer. She is 35 years old. We haven't been with her on her birthday since she was 17. This is a wonderful day. We will be having her favorite ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins (pralines and cream ice cream and white cake) and going out to dinner. Jen, you ROCK!