Happy New Year!

Good Morning Folks!



Happy New Year and farewell to the the first decade of this century. It is not difficult to remember the worry coming into this decade and the century, the Y2K hubub. Remember when everyone was worried about the computers of the world crashing. Also, there was 9/11 early in this decade and for most of it the debacle of having George HW Bush as our president. His war and greedy buddies on Wall St. took us from prosperity to the end of the decade in financial ruin, almost another great depression.




Personally, I lost relatives and friends during this ten year span, most important of which was my mother in 2006. I will forever miss her.





As a nation and culture we lost scores of cultural icons such as Walter Cronkite, Ted Kennedy, George Carlin, and many others too numerous to name. For me many of these deaths ended the era that I grew up in, especially those political and entertainment figures that represented those times for me. Their demise has changed my world, and in a way that makes me feel set adrift somehow.




The positive aspects of these last ten years exist as well. My youngest daughter got married, another granson appeared on the scene and I retired after 27 years of teaching college. I moved from Prescott, AZ to Flagstaff after retiring. In additon, I got to spend 9 of the last ten years as a Park Ranger in Grand Teton National Park. In this last year of the decade I bought a condo here in Flagstaff. So I actually own something, or at least my name is on it, the bank really owns it.

Tasha & Jason, a year after wedding


As a last artifact of the year 2009 I list my top ten films. My main criteria is that I have had to see them in a movie theater myself. One problem with that is I have missed some great films that did not make it to my location. In addition, some very good films that have already won awards for the previous year did not go into general release until January 2009. Some of these that I did not rate were The Reader, The Wrestler, Grand Torino, and Nixon/Frost. Almost all of these would have been in my top ten. So here goes. . .



1. Avatar
2. Up in the Air
3. The Hurt Locker
4. Inglorius Basterds
5. Invictus
6. Star Trek: the Beginning
7. Summer Hours (French)
8. 500 Days of Summer
9. Is Anybody There (British)
10. this is a tie between Brothers, and The Blindside

Honorable Mention goes to Michael Moore's documentary, Capitalism, A Love Story.


My movie count was down from 93 viewed last year in theaters to 62 this year.



Now it is on to a new decade and whatever adventures that brings to us all. Let us hope that President Obama can turn things around and that we get out of all of these wars.


As we use to say back in the 60s, that is 1960s (oh so long ago it seems now) . . . Peace and Love!

The Aftermath . . .

Good Post Christmas Morning,

I was not going to do another blog for a while but my sister Marlene wanted a film review of the two that I have seen since my last entry. So, here goes, unlike the two previous films I reviewed the two that were viewed on Christmas Eve and Xmas Day were good ones. In fact, one of them was excellent and will make my top ten for the year. That was George Clooney's new film, Up In the Air. I had been a bit skeptical when I read the good reviews beforehand, but after viewing it I was very much impressed. It is the study of a man who spends about 350 days a year flying to fire people from their jobs. It is a great character study of a solitary man who loves that lifestyle. His life and attitude changes somewhat when . . . Oh sorry, go see the movie to find out what happens to him. I strongly recommend this one, especially if you like acting and character development without all the special effects.

My Christmas morning film (for which I got the ticket a day ahead anticipating crowds) was Sherlock Holmes, featuring Robert Downey Jr as the intrepid detective and Jude Law as Dr. Watson. This was another highly advertised holiday film. I found it it a very entertaining version of the Holmes saga. Much of his original character resides in Downey's performance with a more energetic upgrade for modern audiences. For example, whereas the original Sherlock was a consummate boxer among his many talents, this version is a martial arts expert. Other allowances for attention deficit modern audiences is a lot of action sequences with a bit of down play of the more deductive detective work which is the hallmark of the original. Although, at the end he ties together all the pieces in typical Victorian detective fashion. Jude Law's portrayal of Dr. Watson is a much more action oriented one as well. I think many modern audiences unfamiliar with Holmes lore from the books will miss the many references thrown in to the mix. One example was the inclusion of the character Irene Adler (played by Rachel McAdams). Her character is only mentioned in a passing fashion in Conan Doyle's writings about Holmes, but in this film she spices things up as a "love interest."

I found the film a bit too long at 130 minutes. With some more selective editing it could have been a much more effective presentation. But still, I enjoyed it and found it entertaining. Especially I enjoyed the villain and his dark presence in the film with a shading in the background of the infamous Professor Moriarty, Holmes' nemesis throughout the original writings. In addition, I liked that the director, Guy Ritchie, kept the backdrop Victorian London, which lent itself to great cinematography.

Christmas day went off OK. With the film in the morning and a couple of hours spent with my youngest offspring in the late afternoon it was a nice day. In addition I was able to squeeze in several phone calls to my daughter, other relatives in California, and friends. Of course, underlying much of the day, was the chronic heartache of missing my mother. I do not know if I will ever get over that.

Have a great New Year and a safe celebration of same.

Winter Solstice!

Good Morning,

Tomorrow the winter solstice occurs, the marking of the official first day of winter and the shortest day of the year in this part of the world. In most North American aboriginal cultures the winter symbolized death. It is the time when the leaves are gone from the trees, the landscape becomes stark, and in the past, food/game becomes scarce. Many tribes of the plains would break-up into smaller band level units to survive. Older, weaker animals, including humans would more often die in this season.

Our culture, at least the quasi-Christian part of it, celebrates Christmas, the so-called birth of Christ, the Messiah. However, historical Jesus was not born during this time of year, but in a totally different season. As is the case with many groups, the early Christian church, the date was changed to coincide with other factors important during that time. Even though it is supposed to honor this man/god and his teachings (that most Christian don't seem to follow), it has become a time of financial gain and garish displays. Although one good result for many is the gathering together of often far flung family members.

As for my Christmas, it will be spent at home in Flagstaff for the first time ever. I will not make the sojourn over to southern California to be with family members there. Instead, the holiday, or at least the dinner part, will take place at daughter Natasha and son-in-law Jason's abode. Since I have not gotten to spend a Christmas with Tasha since she was a little girl it is nice to be able to do that. I will miss being with my sisters, niece, and brother for the holiday meal. Also missed is time spent with my grandsons, daughter Tania, and other son-in-law, Steve. It is a hectic time a year for Tania so I do not get to spend as much time with her as I would like anyway.

Most of all I miss being with my mother on this holiday. She and I spent many a solitary Christmas Eve together sitting in our respective recliners watching Xmas movies on TV while all of our other extended family members had gone off to be with their other kinsman. I remember "way back when" when everyone would stop by Mom's on Christmas Eve. The grandchildren would be running around playing and everyone else talking away with one another. The next day my mother and I would get up, unwrap our presents, have breakfast, and get ready to head over to sister Norma's house where everyone would gather throughout the day. But those days are over. Mom is no longer with us and everyone has moved on in their lives.

Movies: I have seen two films in the last week one that was OK, nothing special, and the other, atrocious. Robert DeNiro's new "family film," Everybody's Fine, struck a cord with me as a father who feels like his offspring have gotten away from him some how as he, and they got older. The movie is a bit too long and drags some, but as previously stated, just OK. The second film, Did You Hear About the Morgans, is truly bad. This cinematic offering proved once again that Sarah Jessica Parker is very limited in her acting abilities. Another actor who is limited (but who I like) is Hugh Grant. Although he is as amusing as ever, his performance here leaves a lot to be desired. I love Mary Steenburgen and Sam Elliot but they are truly wasted here. If you must see this film wait for the DVD.



I wish you all Peace and a very Happy Holiday!


Adios

Just abit more snow . . .

Afternoon from still snowy Flagstaff,

I did get out to go Cross-country skiing on Thursday, the first day the Nordic Center was open. The conditions were great and the few folks that were out early as was I, were pretty ecstatic.

There was about 2 1/2 feet of the white stuff out there at 8000 feet. Just that extra thousand feet from in town was enough to keep me breathless on the trail. After a couple of hours I was "done in" for the day.

This weekend was supposed to be fairly snowy, but no where near the blizzard and accululation of last Monday. It has turned out to be mostly snow flurries without much accumulation. Natasha and I were going to head out to ski this weekend but never made it. My plan is to try to get out again tomorrow with, without the daughter. Temps are supposed to be hirer this coming week so need to get out there again before it gets too mushy.

I did see a movie today that was a 3 3/4 stars in my 5 star rating system. The movie, Invictus, directed by Clint Eastwood had very good acting performances by Morgan Freeman playing South African President Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as the Captain of the South African National Rugby team. The story chronicles Mandella's attempt to bring blacks and white Africanners together through this teams attempt to win a World Cup in Rugby. It is a very inspiring and true story. I highly recommend it even for those who do not know this sport as I do not.

Adios Amigos y Amigas . . . Felice Navidad

Careful What You Wish For!

Afternoon Folks,

Well, we got it, and are still getting it, snow that is . . . started with a few flurries yesterday, nothing to shout about . . . but, this morning about 5:30 it started in earnest and has not stopped all day. According to NOAA it is supposed to snow all night with accumulation up to around 23." Not only that but it is supposed to snow off and on all week long.

Somewhat interesting is the fact that the Flagstaff Nordic Center had their big sale on Saturday. I went out to pick-up my prepaid season pass and take my XC skis in to get "tuned-up" (1/2 price). Now, it looks like they will be opening up on Thursday. That is great news. Hope my skis are ready!

Other plans and appointments might need to be put on hold or changed. My annual physical was scheduled for tomorrow at the VA clinic but it is 10 miles down the highway and it may not be possible to get there. Daughter Tasha wanted a ride down to Prescott on Saturday. That may not happen if the interstate is at all "iffy." That would also sabotage my plans to visit my friend John, who is getting cancer treatments down in Phoenix . But . . . there is the positive aspect, XC skiing.

Tasha and I went to see Brothers with performances by Toby MacGuire, Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhall (sp). It is an excellent movie, especially in terms of the acting, but a real "downer." So, as I usually say for this type of movie, "it is not for everyone." Do not expect it to be "uplifting." As Natasha said, "I really liked it, but do not ever want to see it again!"

Later . . .

Finally, A Bit of Real Snow, But Not Enough!

A Good Morning from Snowy Flagstaff,

I just returned from an early morning icy drive to the Flagstaff airport where I dropped off my son-in-law Jason. He is headed to Texas on a job that will keep him occupied for the next three weeks and pay the rent. Daughter Natasha is not all that happy to see him go but in these economic times you have to do something to make a living.

We got about two inches of snow overnight, which is the first "real" snow of the season. There were a couple of days earlier in the month where we had some flurries but nothing much came out of it. My hope this first small snow is a harbinger of a good season for getting out on the boards for a bit of vigorous exercise.

It looks like the holidays have kicked into overdrive now. We had a nice Thanksgiving here at my condo. I made a ham and Tasha did gravy and stuffing to go with the baked yams and broccoli (and punkin pie for desert of course). We spent the rest of the afternoon watching one of my favorite holiday movies, Home for the Holidays, with Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr, Ann Bancroft, et al. It is the hilarious depiction of a pretty dysfunctional family coming together for Thanksgiving. It is the only movie I know of that deals specifically with this holiday.

As for other movies . . . I saw The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock the other day and liked it. As I have said in the past about movies like this, it is not a great movie but is very entertaining. Bullock does one of her better jobs acting the role of a southern mother who takes in a basically homeless large black boy who most people have written off. It is the true story of Michael Oher who plays football for the Baltimore Ravens now. I recommend this movie. It is the story of the relationships and football is only peripheral.

Hope everyone had as good a Thanksgiving as I did (without being at the Hammond's, or other friends, my usual the past few years). It was good to spend it with my daughter Natasha and her husband, a first for us.

Now we can begin the rush to Christmas . . . and so it goes!

Almost Thanksgiving!

Buenos Dias from Flagstaff (thought I'd give things a bit of an international flair),


Not much going on here in Flag for me. I am gearing up for a nice little Thanksgiving meal here at my condo with daughter Natasha and son-in-law Jason. I am foregoing my traditional, at least for the last few years, holiday meal with my friends the Hammond's in Prescott. In all probability I would not have been welcome this year after deflating their "windbag" conservative friend last year. However, I will miss being with them.


I cannot remember how long it has been since I spent this holiday in San Diego with family. When Natasha was younger she and I would go over for Thanksgiving. Mostly, that had to do with the arrangements involved in the divorce where her mother had her for Christmas. But as I remember those were good times. At any rate I am looking forward to putting together our little meal for my youngest and her husband. It has been a long time since she and I have had Thanksgiving together.


Speaking of Thanksgiving, the historical event that commemorates it is pretty much a mythology of American culture. After the long hard winter the Pilgrims, a fanatical religious group thrown out of England, invited the Native-Americans to a feast, or so the story goes . . . Isn't it incredible to think that this was the beginning of nearly the end of Native culture in North America. Granted that may be a bit of an over statement, but think about it. In a bit over 200 years the Euro-Americans destroyed most of the indigenous population of what is now the USA. Not much to give thanks for from those that have survived. Guess they have their revenge in the Casinos.


My friend and mentor, John Haynes at 75 has been diagnosed with cancer. So far all we know is that he will have to undergo some chemo, and possible radiation treatments. He started with a back ailment and loss of feeling in one leg. In the exploration of this by the Docs at "Barrows" in Phoenix they found a spot on his lung. We do not know the prognosis, but the "C" word always brings with it great apprehension. My fingers are crossed for him. It has been a truly difficult last few months.



As for movies . . . Went to the much anticipated 2012 and was again disappointed. My guilty pleasure or weakness in films is the disaster genre. I have always been a "sucker" for them, the best of which in recent memory (in my opinion) was The Day After Tomorrow. Despite the great CGI effects 2012 just misses it. The small interwoven stories seem trite for the most part, and the 2 hours, 38 minutes make it way too long. The only thing I can say for it, besides the CGI, is that I did not look at my watch during the film, which is usually an indication of boredom. It is kind of like being on a roller coaster (not one of my favs), you are excited while it is happening but kind of ill when it's over.


Happy Thanksgiving!