BTW

There's a post below that I tried to remove. Here's the irony: half the time I'll post something or make a comment, only to have it disappear after putting in the effort. This time, I decided that I didn't want the "Random Photos" sitting above the item on the Holocaust, so I hit 'delete". It seemed to delete, but was still sitting there. I then went and ran the backspace button through everything and it really seemed to do the trick. Nope---still there. This was all within half an hour or so of the original post. As I said, I'll be cursing my computer when I it eats my messages. My guess? After typing this rant, the photos below will disappear.

THE ECLIPSE

Here's a photo from the eclipse last month. It was quite cold and I had to sit outside and try to hold still to take the photo; it's not like I have a special camera, lens or tripod. I could just tell that my neighbour was staring at me too. She has another kid every year, as she's one of those religions, like the Duggars. So, I guess they'll be talking about me again---sitting outside and staring at the moon like some damned fool. I'm sure she didn't know that it was a significant event that only took place every couple of hundred of years. Her loss; it was a wonderful red colour.

RANDOM PHOTOS

The water skeeters are taking a break on the lily pads.

On Golden Pond.

Minter Gardens

OF FILMS AND FAMILY

`````It's been another one of those weeks; really horrific headaches and I cannot seem to get anything done now that I am on my days off. Instead, I am wasting my time lounging about on Youtube. I had found myself remembering, somewhere in the very distant firings of my mind, a film that I had watched with my Great Aunt. I decided to look it up to see if it was posted.

`````As with specific songs and smells, a movie can sometimes be more then an actual viewing event. This film was a lesson from my God Mother. She was a fan of Diahann Carroll; she had once gone into the city to watch the film at a movie theatre beside the Woolworths. I'd once seen a film with her there, and we'd lunched at the counter prior to the film starting. I loved these outings, for there was a wonderful wicker store across the street which featured exotic wares such as Hawaiian leis and fans. When we went to the department store, I'd always make sure to get little foil packages of free perfume samples. I'd insert these into my jewellery box, where they'd scent the twirling ballerina for months to come.

`````I looked forward to spending the nights with my Great Aunt and Uncle. They were truly wonderful, warm humans. They lived next door to us, and were surrogate grandparents, as mine were so far away from us. My Great Aunt was a firm believer in the healing powers of ginger ale and more food. When she died, her receipee for her sweet buns with the delicate filling went with her. She'd only ever had one son, and I wish I'd taken the time to ask her.

`````On one of my visits, we settled down to watch "Claudine" and I was taught that this lovely actress had difficulty getting her own television show. Some people didn't approve of the colour of her skin, and couldn't see her in any role but that of a maid. When "Julia" first aired on tv, there was concern that sponsers wouldn't be found and that the public would not accept a black woman as a nurse.

`````It might seem that my Great Aunt, being the mother of one child, would have nothing in common with the role embodied by Ms Carroll in the film, yet she came from a family of nine children herself and they were hardly well to do at the time of their youth. I grew up listening to them talk and debate politics. The radio was firmly set on the local talk radio channel, with one host being the favourite. Even when my Great Uncle died, well into his eighties, his mind was sharp and his funeral was attended by the local politician he still volunteered for. As a child I heard them speak of the people they respected; local politicians such as Rosemary Brown, who was the first black woman in Canada to hold elected office, and Dave Barrett, a social worker from corrections who became the Premier of the province. Politics and fairness was their passion, but not in the way that so many people assume that mantle. Far too many think that they know best and they need to fix the problems of the poor. That means they perceive themselves as superior or as social workers. No....these were just people who cared. They'd worked hard, really emphatized and knew the solution wasn't to have more overpaid guys in suits doing more studies.

`````So, I settled in and watched "Claudine" and thought of my relatives, both gone. There are so many of these magical little moments with people. Sometimes, they may be squeezed between commercial breaks, as surely as as I was caught between my Aunt and the end of that large old couch. But, they exist and we need to clasp onto them while we can.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Today, January 27, has been set aside as Holocaust Memorial Day. It's hard to believe that, not only did it happen, but it did so relatively recent in our history. It wasn't back when people rode about in armour and placed severed heads on poles. No; it was when Hollywood produced films which we still enjoy. We have relatives who are still alive from that time period.
It is also astounding that it was done with such precise detailing; the matter of factness of it all. The images and stories of the camps are familiar. I leave you with this instead. It's from the series "War and Remembrance", of which I have written previously. It is highly disturbing and graphic for television. It should be and we shouldn't forget.

A SAD HOBBY

`````I really enjoy watching documentaries, and some while back I came upon a BBC production called "My Fake Baby." It was on the topic of reborns; dolls which look like actual babies. Until watching this show, I hadn't a clue as to the interest in these dolls. I knew people collected dolls, much as some people collect spoons, or beer cans of the world. Watching the documentary, however, I realized that there was a sad edge to some of the fans of the dolls.
`````One of the women, who was older, was crying on camera. She held up a photo and spoke of the little boy she had lost. As it turns out, the boy in the picture was her Grandson. At first I thought that he might have died. He had moved away to New Zealand, and as she lived in England, she no longer saw him on a daily basis. When she held the doll, she stroked him and made references to how much the toy reminded her of the missing child.
`````Another woman was going to travel to the United States to pick up the newest arrival. She would literally push her pram about town, and pretend to feed it with an item which resembled formula. By the way, this came from a Dior bottle. There was a scene in which she went shopping, not for doll clothing, but for actual infant clothes at a high-end boutique and dropped a wad of cash.
`````The blond woman who sells the dolls relates how she got into it and states that she missed the attention that having a new born brings. She's very attractive and this comment lead me to believe that she might just be the sort of woman who needs to be the centre of attention. She was single and already had several young children of her own.
`````In each of these cases, there seemed to be some void that the dolls filled. Many of us have hobbies, and it's a fantastic way to pass the time. There's a problem when the edges of reality begin to be blurred and the hobby interferes with the here and now. It can happen in other ways; those people who move into hoarding, for example. But, these people are treating an inanimate object with the emotions usually reserved for other beings (human or animal). Are they scared to make that connection? Is there something else going on, such as loneliness?
`````I was astonished, when doing some research, as to how many websites are devoted to this topic. The posters often have names such as "so and so's mommy." There are videos on Youtube about the arrival home of the newest doll. I think it says something about the alienation in our society today that adults need to find fulfillment in this way.
`````By the way, the video I have posted makes reference to another documentary, which I have also watched and which is highly disturbing. This one is about men who can find love only with adult sized plastic dolls. They blame women for not accepting their looks, which is a cop-out. In watching the documentary, I noted that it was poor social skills, bad English, etc that would have turned people off. Women are not as image driven as men are; they are the ones who are apt to reject their counterparts merely on appearance. I highly recommend that video, but be prepared to be disturbed. If I recall correctly, the documentary is called "Guys and Dolls."

Reborn Doll Video Part Two

NAUGHTY FERAL

Ollie is laughing at me; he was caught in the act and he knows that no real consequences will follow.

Here's the story. I'm bad with electricity---I'm actually like the woman in the Carrie movie. Every light in the chandelair in the hallway went---every single one. So, I got the ladder out to replace them. The feral, whom I had rescued, noticed the hanging plant and decided a little salad would benefit his diet. In the photo, you will see what looks like a vine in his mouth. It used to be full of foliage.

By the way, half an hour later, the light in the hallway blew when I turned it on, and I had to replace two bulbs.

It's been one of those weeks. It began with the flashing red indicating that a "Snowfall Warning" was in effect. I ended up getting a killer headache, as snow is a trigger. The skylight is now leaking and I hate to think what it's going to cost whenever the guy shows up to fix it.

The computer? Look at the pictures and you'll get some idea. It takes me 30 minutes to 45 minutes sometimes to even log on. Then, it will just freeze up when some scan starts up again.

In the meantime, I am trying hard not to drown my sorrows in Butter Pecan. Mind you, this is Vanilla Wonderbread town, and that flavour is too exotic. Strawberry Haagen Daz is about as exciting as it gets, but the damage is the same.

HANDS OFF THE CLASSICS

Huckleberry Finn removes N-word: Political correctness takes on Mark Twain's classic Mail Online

`````I've written previously of my disgust over the lack of originality today. There's such a dearth of creativity that the media moguls fall upon bad television shows and turn them into movies. Music artists blatantly rip off songs of yore and call it sampling. Excellent books and movies are ruined when some director redoes it and sticks in a bunch of unnecessary special effects and sex scenes. This, however, tops it all.

`````Some imbecile who prays at the alter of Political Correctness has decided to rewrite Mark Twain's classic. It's repugnant that they can do so without the consent of the author. This is another prime example of how we continue to dumb down as a society. The rationale is that the book contains the "N" word.

`````What these pencil necked geeks are missing is that the "N" word was an accepted way to speak at the time. The teachers could introduce the book with a lesson on this. There could be a worthwhile discussion of how the fight for civil rights continued well into the 20th century, as there were areas that forbade blacks and whites from marrying until the l960's. When Billie Holliday sang of "Strange Fruit" (hanging from the tree), it was because lynching still took place within the realm of her memory. It's not an acceptable word now, and we no longer practice slavery, but these are artificats of the past that we must not hide from. We cannot white-wash it as easily as that picket fence the kids were tasked with painting in the book.

`````Changing this work of art is not going to change the fact that some people hate. I read this book as a child and I never called anybody by that ugly moniker. Likewise, I watched "Gone with The Wind" and it never clouded my judgement. I certainly did not think that every black woman spoke like Hattie McDonald. That package of Aunt Gemima syrup never convinced me that all women sported a triangular piece of material on her head and served as a cook. No---hatred is an infestation that takes hold for other reasons. It's bred in people who need to blame others for their own shortcomings.

`````The irony in all of this is that songs continue to be pumped out in which the "N" word is used; songs which will never contribute anything meaningful to our culture or be remembered 100 years from now as this book is. So, where are the cries of censorship? Why aren't they bleeping those songs and sticking in another, more acceptable word in its place?

`````It scares me to think of what classic might be next. In school we also read "The Grapes of Wrath" (grade ten). I recall Steinbeck using the word Okie, which was very derogatory during the dustbowl era. Are we going to hunt for gypsies and replace it with travellers? I guess almost every cowboy and Indian tale has got to go.

`````This angers me greatly, not only for the disregard to the artists, but for the wasted opportunities. When I think of the fantastic teachers I had and the tie-ins to history that they would have incorporated. This is such a shame.

LET THE PICTURE TELL THE STORY

Norton did it again; telling me my subscription was up, when it certainly wasn't. Of course, they never did get it working right after they cut off my account. They then gave me this very detailed explanation of what went wrong and how to fix it (of which they said I'm not allowed to repost). In the meantime, they continue to run scan after scan which bumps me off line.

THE DUMBING DOWN CONTINUES

Downton Abbey downsized... by two hours because American TV executives fear its intricate plot will baffle U.S. viewers Mail Online

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In the past, I have blogged of my dislike of reality television and how it prompted me to cancel my cable years ago. There were a few programs that I liked and missed, but reading this article made me realize that things have gotten beyond hope.
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PBS was once the bastion of good broadcasting. A person could count on it for having quality shows. It was the sort of stuff you knew you should watch; it was good for your brain.
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Evidentally, North Americans aren't as swift as their European counterparts. A mini series which was well received in England and which was highly anticipated by many, has been gutted. In order to make it palatable for the simple minded, the show has been cut by two whole hours. There's no way anything can be cut by that amount and not lose its heart.
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This speaks to a fundamental problem with our society. In Europe, people like to linger and savour life. When they go out for dinner, it takes hours. The French will understand the intricate smell and bouquet of the wine. The conversation, the bread and the entire feast is to be experienced. Fast food is gauche. Over here, it's a fact of life and what people live for. In fact, many people don't know how to eat properly or how to handle a fork and knife. So too are we with our literature and film. People need it spelled out for them---they have to be hit over the head with a plot line to follow it. I'm astounded by how stupid people are when I read the comments on Youtube. They just don't get it. They absolutely cannot follow story development. They'll get bored unless something blows up every five minutes at least.
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The decline into what I call "Movies for Morons" is bound to get worse with the popularity of 3-D. It's not like anybody is going to greenlight deeply intellectual films that are heavy on character and plot. No---the focus will be on constant noise and motion.
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I am very disappointed in PBS. I hope they manage to avoid sinking into the reality show morass.