Quote of the Day-----Goodreads

These rough sketches, which are born in an instant in the heat of inspiration, express the idea of their author in a few strokes, while on the other hand too much effort and diligence sometimes saps the vitality and powers of those who never know when to leave off.
Giorgio Vasari
In his Lives of the Most Excellent Italian Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, Giorgio Vasari (born July 30, 1511) wrote artistic biographies and essentially created the first book of art history.


Enough said.

"Wadjda" a Saudi film

Wadjda, 10 years old, living in Saudi Arabia, only wants ONE thing a NEW bicycle.  Hard to believe that in our world today, a young girl would be denied the right to own a bicycle, yet that is just a small thing denied women in Saudi Arabia. 

If you listen to NPR, you will hear, from time to time, stories about Saudi women protesting the fact that they are denied the "right" to drive automobiles - listening to a news story is one thing, seeing their plight on film is truly an eye-opening experience!  One you might ponder for quite some time, especially if you are a Western woman who takes life for granted with issues such as driving a car!

Wadjda lives with her mother, who depends on a not-so-nice driver to drive her to her job.  Wadjda's father does not live at the family home, late in the movie it will become clear as to the standards that do divide men and women in this culture.

Besides having to wear the "veil", women's outer garments are always Black, while men's garments are generally always white ----- in an area of the world where heat is a major issue, this difference truly does deliver the separation of the two.

Wadjda's desire for a bicycle leads her down a very sticky path, both at home and in her girls' school, where the head mistress is highly intolerant.

The one shining light in the movie is Wadjda's "boy" friend, who is willing to let her ride his bike, even though he knows it is highly forbidden.....

The young actress portraying Wadjda is exceptional, she has a sparkle in her eyes, sometimes a wickedness in her eyes, but always her eyes are a major part of her on screen performance.

This is a must SEE film for everyone. Hope you will consider this one.

The Girl in the Cafe, film by Richard Curtis

Bill Nighy is one of my favorite British actors, so when I saw this one I checked it out.  Kelly Macdonald plays opposite him.

Bill portrays "mild mannered Lawrence" who works as a civil servant, dedicated to his work, known for his knowledge of "facts and figures", but with no life outside of his work.  At lunch one day, he wanders over to the only table he might be able to sit at with a "quiet" young woman, he politely inquires if he might sit at the table with her as all the other tables are full - she does not refuse, so down he sits, and away this story goes. 
Lawrence is "smitten" over Gina, his antics are quite humorous, especially considering his lack of "woman knowledge".

As a member of the group representing the British government attending the G-8 summit in Reykjavik, Iceland, Lawrence is allowed to invite a guest to travel with him, so invites Gina. Co-workers' eyebrows go up, when Gina boards the plane with him.  Little does Lawrence know that Gina might be his undoing at the summit.

Bill and Kelly are really well paired in this film.

This film was well worth watching - one sitting, non-stop - and VERY thought-provoking, as the subject matter is World Poverty. Richard Curtis, obviously, made a very thorough attempt to have his facts and figures pretty accurate.  Makes one wonder what it will take for the "have" countries to really make a difference for the "have-not" countries. 

Quote of the Day-----Goodreads

How much does one imagine, how much observe? One can no more separate those functions than divide light from air, or wetness from water.
Elspeth Huxley
Her childhood on a coffee farm in colonial Kenya provided writer Elspeth Huxley (born July 23, 1907) with background for her memoir, The Flame Trees of Thika.

Quote of the Day----Goodreads

I'm quite illiterate, but I read a lot.
J.D. Salinger
July 16, 1951: The iconic tale of teen angst, Catcher in the Rye, was published 63 years ago today


I find this one especially true!  
Happy day to you all.

Quote of the Day-----Goodreads

In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.
Thurgood Marshall
The first black justice on the Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall (born July 2, 1908) was part of significant civil rights decisions