Thought for the day

Saw this one this morning, it just wouldn't leave my mind.

"Seek not the favor of the multitude; it is seldom got by honest and lawful means. But seek the testimony of the few; and number not voices, but weigh them."

Immanuel Kant, German philosopher (1724-1804)

Sure seems that so many folks today can only stand up if they follow the crowd.

Quote of the Day Goodreads.com

Quote of the day from Goodreads.com

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."

Michael Crichton born 10-23-42

Boy, did he hit this one "right one". So often, I hear students complaining about having to study things that happened in the past, I just want to shake them by the shoulders, and say " you need to know this, so you understand why you happened to be born at this particular moment in time." They just don't get it.

Quote of the Day from Goodreads.com

Quote comes from Isaac Asimov.

"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom."

I often consider how fast everything has to be these days, that folks are not happy if they have to wait in line for something, that they need to be connected 24/7/365.

What society needs to gather more of is also "understanding", which so many don't want to consider either.

Viva Algeria, a film

Viva Algeria, a film. English title

This is one of the films that James purchased when the local Hollywood Video store went out of business.

As we had just finished watching "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin" starring the late Leonard Rossiter, we were in need of something that we hadn't viewed before.

This is a fairly recent film, set in Algers. Three women connected by their place of residency - a mother, daughter and a prostitute - live very desperate lives.

Just a warning, there is a very explicit sex scene at the beginning of the movie, after that just one somewhat steamy scene, and implied gay sex scene. Being Gay in Algeria is a crime.

The local scenery in the film is quite interesting, I did not realize that Algers had such a hilly landscape, and so much greenery. The music was really enjoyable.

I needed to wash the dishes, I kept asking Jim what time it was, and yet I could not tear myself away from this film. This film is not for everyone, however, if you enjoy foreign flicks you might want to give it a shot! Just remember I warned you about the sex scene.

Libya is "free"

While, I would have liked for the rebels to have captured Gadhafi alive, so that he would have been required to stand trial at the International Court in The Hague, Netherlands, I feel hopeful that the people are much better off now that he is truly out of the picture. May God be with them.

Quote of the day

Quote of the day

Bertrand Russell

Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness.......

Go for it!

"Confessions of a Bigamist" a novel

"Confessions of a Bigamist" by Kate Lehrer

Usually, I only post positive comments about books I have read or movies I have seen, however, this posting is about as negative as I will ever get.

SPOILER ALERT, I will tell how it ends, as it is one reason I didn't like the book.

On the Diane Rehm show one morning, Jim Lehrer and his wife Kate were on Diane's show. She discussed, briefly, her book, so I thought it might be a good read. Placed a hold on it, then checked it out at the library. Glad I didn't pay for it.

While it started out rather well, writing was good, story was different, yet interesting. However, there came a time when I started thinking "why am I still reading this?" Answer, I just wanted to see if she was going to "Pay" for her amoral decision.

Basic outline of story Michelle is married to a "high-powered" internationally known lawyer, she owns a fairly well known company (get rid of clutter type of company) and is known as Daisy when she goes on speaking tours. They have no children, lead somewhat separate lives with all the traveling they both do, own a very sterile apartment in NYC. Husband is sent to Japan for 6 weeks, she travels to Texas for one of her seminars, where she meets a good-looking environmentalist who finds her attractive - he pursues her, since lawyer husband is in Japan, she thinks "what the heck", so starts an affair - I could have accepted it to that point - environmentalist decides to call her Mickey. Hence, we now have Daisy, Michelle, Mickey characters who have to play certain roles at certain places and times. Environmentalist is losing patience with her always going back to NYC, wants to go with her, she refuses, he offers her either calling it off or getting married - are you still with me here? - it is at this point that I am starting to get a little weary of her. They fly to Las Vegas and get married, are you still there?

Daisy/Michelle/Mickey are now starting to have qualms and fears of losing both husbands and both living styles...... and I am getting more tired of her ....... Consequently, Daisy, at a seminar in Philadelphia, seems to be having a nervous breakdown and basically implodes during the seminar....... Oh, I forgot the problems she has with her sister - that also involves a niece who seems to have an eating disorder........ She arrives at her sister's house quite ill - possibly pneumonia but never really stated - she decides that she is going to confess to lawyer husband next time they are together, or maybe she will divorce environmentalist husband. Are you ready for this?????????? She decides to stay married to each of them...... no consequences for being a liar, a fraud and a bigamist... Bad ending, sorry, Kate.

I would NOT recommend this book to anyone!