October over! Unbelievable!

Howdy Folks,


Haven't been with you for awhile, again. Seems to get more cumbersome to write something, especially since the only feedback I get is from daughter Natasha. Who, by the way, has her own much better written and more interesting blog coming from Okinawa. You'll have to contact her on Facebook if you are interested. I am not to give out the address, only she will "anoint" those deemed appropriate for it.


As alluded to above (and obvious to all of you) October has whizzed by. Tomorrow is "All Hallows Eve," Natasha's favorite "holiday." Last weekend my friend Marc came up to Flagstaff and we hiked in the Kachina Peaks (also known as San Francisco Peaks officially, but not to Hopis or Navaho's). The colors were outstanding. The Aspens were in their full glory, or maybe just a bit passed prime. It has been difficult to get up there lately with all the rain and wind we had before and since our hike. In fact, the Aspens around my condos are already nude of leaves with all the storms we have had. Ahead we are supposed to have a week of sunny, 60+ degree days. However, we are never sure of the wind situation. Today was nice but with about 20mph gusts.


Next week are the elections. I am dreading that, or the result of it. I have voted already. I get an early mailed ballot. In all probabilty my votes will not matter much having voted straight democrat. In AZ, for statewide elections the "other" party usually wins. But, I have voted in every election since coming of legal age and I do not believe that you earn a right to "bitch" if you don't vote.


The political climate is so hostile these days. There are no compromises what so ever. Everyone wanted change and they voted for Obama, but like a bunch of "instant gratification" babies, they think things change overnight. Look at what we had before when the republicans controlled everything. They are the ones who got us in this mess with their greedy ways. Now, all these people want to bring them back with their same approach that got us here. The Tea Party people do not present alternatives; they just "bitch." Most of them are frightened white people who are afraid of the "colored horde"that they think is taking everything from them. Most of their rhetoric and those of the so-called conservative pundits seem a bit racist to me.


The world has changed. The United States is a backward facing nation. We are frightened of everything different. The religious right is no better than the extreme elements of Islam. They proselytize about everything that was accepted scientific fact in the previous century. Everyone wants what science brings us technologically (IPads, IPhone, etc.) but do not believe in the basic tenets of science. Are we doomed as nation to keep going down this path of IGNORANCE. No one reads books or reputable news sources, and those that read only get their information from the Internet and believe what any "yahoo" writes on their blog with out proof (that includes mine). I hope we do not continue on this path as a nation or as individuals. We need people who are critical thinkers, not just uneducated demagogues spouting "bullshit" as Hitler did in the 30s. Dumb is not good, only pitiful. We do not need followers blindly falling in line behind the likes of Sarah Palin (the epitome of ignorant), Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, and others.


Not much else going on in my world. I have seen a few movies since last I posted. Today I saw Nowhere Boy, a really good film about the early years of John Lennon's life, his relationships with his aunt who raised him and his mother are key. I was pleasantly surprised that this small independent film made it to Flag. It is very well done and a bit sad. The performances by the actors are great. Yesterday I went down to Scottsdale to see the opening of the final Swedish film in the trilogy that started with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I have read all three books and seen the first two films. This one, The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, relies very heavily on viewers having seen the previous two, or read the books, others, I fear will be lost. I like it very much but I knew what was going on.


Hereafter is an interesting film and an especially different subject matter for the director, Clint Eastwood. Matt Damon and Belgian actress Cecile De France do a good job in a movie that is a little weak at certain points. I have loved Cecile since seeing her in the french film Avenue Montaigne. I enjoyed very much the movie RED. It is a bit over the top but is supposed to be. After all, it comes from DC Comics. Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren (another favorite), Morgan Freeman, and John Malkovich romp around fighting their former employers the CIA who have retired them and now want to get rid of them. Secretariat is a nice and predictable presentation that has as it's main asset Diane Lane, another actress I adore.



That's about it from windswept Flagstaff for now. Happy Halloween and election day. At the very least get out and exercise your right as an American, VOTE!


Cheers all!

Fall Rains Have Come . . . With a Vengeance

God Morning Folks,




I was awakened this morning with a very violent thunder, lightning and rain storm. Last evening we were subjected to an early hail and rain fest. Fall has come in with a roar after several very warm days. The temps are now pleasantly in the 60s and 70s, perfect weather as far as I am concerned.



The trip to California to see family is a little over a week in the past now, and as is the case with most of these forays out of Flagstaff these days, it almost seems that it never happened (but not quite). It was a good trip with many baseball and soccer games and visits with family, which was the primary purpose. The grandsons are growing fast. One thing that I thought might not be in the cards was getting to spend a little one-on-one time with Zac, the eldest of Tania's offspring. Granted it was not for a very long period just an hour or so but it was greatly valued. My reason for believing that it might not happen is because he is 13 going on 14 rapidly, not an age that lends its self to close contact with adults. But, he made very obvious shows of affection with me and spent some time that was very much appreciated. Both Cole and Torin also seemed glad to see Gramps.





Another very nice activity that I was able to engage in was seeing my sister Marlene and brother Russell. On two separate occasions I had breakfast with each of my siblings. Of course there is my sister Norma. She is always there for me and she and Scott graciously open their house to this old curmudgeon. Of my family members she is my rock. I have to say that I did have some nice extended conversations with my eldest daughter, Tania, as well.



Speaking of daughters, today is my youngest's second anniversary. I cannot believe it has been two years since we were all rushing around getting this wedding off the ground. Jason and Tasha were under pressure to find a place to live as well as get the married. They had a rough first year and a half being stuck here in Flagstaff with making a living in this financial recession a struggle. They survived it as an intact couple and are now living half way around the world in Japan. They have gotten a handle on their finances. Here's to them and their future together!



While in California I saw three movies, and one since I returned, all were fairly decent. The first was, in my opinion, the best. That was The Town, directed, co produced, co-written, and featuring Ben Afleck. He did a great job in all aspects on this gritty Boston based film. Second of the four on my list is the one I viewed most recently. The Social Network chronicling the invention of "Facebook" and the eccentricities of it's creator was a well done film as well. You cannot go wrong when the writer for the film is Aaron Sorokin (also creator and writer of my favorite all time TV show, The West Wing). An interesting but slow moving film that I saw while in southern Cal was Cairo Time starring Independent film actress Patricia Clarkson. It was great tour of Cairo, Egypt while being a different kind of "almost" love story. Lastly, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps was better than I had expected. I went to see it the last morning of my visit. Primarily, it was to be a diversion until the grandsons got out of school and was surprised that it was an interesting film dealing with the most recent financial collapse. Michael Douglas, Josh Brolin and Shia LeBouef (an actor I do not usually like) did a nice job but I love Carry Mulligan. She is one of my new favorite actresses along with the Kate and Cate.



That's about it from rainy but beautiful Flagstaff.



Adios Amigas y Amigos!