Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Random Thoughts from Missouri

I am sitting in the library at the Jefferson College annex, here in Arnold Missouri. I realize that it is only the end of August, but I am in a reflective mood today. So here are some random thoughts.

New places, do not mean that everything will be perfect, if anything changing where you live can sometimes create more issues than resolve.

Time moves too quickly, it needs to slow down.

Love all the greenery here in Missouri, walk outside your door, you may walk into a forest.

Miss Manitou Springs, Colorado because it was a cool place to escape to, and it was at the foot of Pikes Peak.

Paperless world is confusing, needs to be simpler to understand.

Want an I pad from Santa this year.

Need to finish my models for my display at the Jefferson County Library, that will be taking place in January of next year. Will be a great display and will be posting more details as it comes closer.


Monday, August 15, 2011

Mondays' Music Moves Me.

Feeling nostalgic today, looking back at some of the music and performers from the 1960's.


For my first video, something a bit different, some dancing, comedy and singing featuring Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr. Peter Lawford, and Frank Sinatra.  Almost the whole Rat Pack.





Frank Sinatra near the end, he was still great.





Joni Mitchell





A classic from the Kingston Trio




Friday, August 12, 2011

A Review... The World at War

Recently I have been watching "The World at War", for those not familiar with the program it was a documentary that aired in 1974 and was narrated by sir Lawrence Oliver.


The World at War, looked at what lead to World War Two, and the war itself.  What made it different though was it had interviews not just with participants of a battle, like Pearl Harbor or the Bulge, but also civilians caught up in the event, and when possible political members.


You got perspectives that are not always brought to light in a documentary much less a history book.  The World at War, also incorporated music, and clips from films to show how the society of PreWar America was at odds with the rest of the world.


But for me, it is the interviews that have the most impact, the fact that people like Adolf Galland, one of Germany's top aces, or a survivor of the death camps was interviewed, those moments are irreplaceable, because many of the people interviewed in 1974, are long since gone, all they could tell is lost... except for the interviews done on this show.


I was 14 years old when "The World at War" first aired, I watched it religiously on Saturday nights, and today, I still watch it in amazement as I see events recaptured with what was rare and in many cases unseen footage... and the striking interviews,  If you have the opportunity, check out the DVDs from a local library, or purchase them.  They are well worth the time to view.  You will never look at World War Two the same, after seeing it through the images in "The World at War."


http://www.peteava.ro/id-565321-the-world-at-war-15-home-fires-britain-1940-1944-bbc-ro-part-i



Thursday, August 11, 2011

into the forest

These photos are of a forest that is along side the parking lot, where i  work in Arnold Missouri.  For the past week, I have been going into this forest, and these photos come from those journeys.













Friday, August 5, 2011

A Review... Mamma Mia

Last evening, August 4th, my wife and I watched a movie that was to say the least surprising.  The film was "Mamma Mia" a musical that came out in 2008, if you don't remember the film, there is a reason... it came out against  "The Dark Knight."


However, this film was well worth the wait.  For not only did it use the music of Abba, to express the emotions, and carry forth the story line; it also had Pierce Brosnan, James Bond, singing.  Yes, Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep both sang in this dynamic film.


For those who have never seen "Mamma Mia" it is the story of a young woman, Sophie(Amanda Seyfried) who is about to be married, the only thing she wants is to know who her father is.  She has read her mother's diary and found that there were three possibilities, Bill (Stellan Skarghad) Sam (Pierce Brosnan) or Harry (Colin Firth).


In hope that she will at long last know her father and have him walk her down the aisle on her wedding day, she invites all three to the small Greek island she has grown up on.


The movie plays out as her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep) finds all three of her former lovers on the island.  There is a wonderful play of angst, protectiveness and realization by all three men as to why they are really on the island, and as Donna confronts her past and discovers things she has kept locked away.


The music is of course wonderful, and Meryl Streep does a remarkable job singing, Pierce Brosnan, well he is no Billy Joel, if anything his voice is more raspy in the tone of Rod Stewart.


The acting, especially between Streep, Brosnan and Seyfried aka Donna, Sam and Sophie is amazing.  There is a scene near the end where Streep sings "The Winner Takes it all"  and Brosnan stands being torn apart, his expressions are sincere, as if he and Streep were not acting, but truely expressing conflicted emotions.  The sign of how good he can be, and how deep his skill is.


If you haven't seen this move, do!  You can rent it at local movie stores, Red Box or the public library.  It is a wonderful film with great music and a heart rending story.


Oh, does Sophie find out which was her father, and does he and her mother get together and live happily ever after???  You will have to rent the movie to find out.