This month the book club has wisely selected to read any of the already released Harry Potter books (since almost everyone was reading one already or about to purchase the newly released book, 6th in the saga). What a love of reading this series has inspired in children and for that I consider it to be a blessing to all of us. These books are inventive, imaginative, dark, and a little more grown-up then your run of the mill Sweet Valley High novella. What a joy to me to have more people discovering their love of reading. Out of all the many elements of my life, books have been the consistent source of learning, self insight, motivation, comfort, and entertainment for me.
Books are my best friends. They take me so many places, giving me the all access pass to people’s thoughts, feelings, dreams, and experiences. I am ever grateful to my parents for instilling in me the voracious adoration of the written word. Some days I dream about taking writing classes and making the leap from reader to author. There have been many times where I have been reading and thought to myself, “This could be my story”. It’s just so wondrous to know you are never alone when you have a good book.
The book club that I belong to meets once a month. Mostly we chat, eat delicious food, and share the stories of our lives. Beyond that we share a passionate love of literature. This has created such an appreciation of mine for what other’s read and tell me about. It’s as if it has quadrupled my reading capacity to hear other women share the latest book they are diving into.
Speaking of sharing, my cat tried to share Harry Potter last night by jumping onto the book and lying smack down in the middle of what I was reading. It was super-cute! That would be the most depressing thing about being a cat in my next life (jury is still out on whether I actually believe in reincarnation, but if I do, I want to come back as a cat, specifically one that is spoiled).
I’m going to figure out how to list some of my favorite books on this page for all of you dear readers. However, be warned that I like a myriad of books from rather diverse genres; sci-fi, non-fiction medical, biography, popular fiction, suspense, horror, and true crime. Not to mention my small collection of well illustrated children’s books.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Energy Crisis Averted!
Stupidity visits corporate America…yet again
We are all aware of the energy crisis affecting the great state of California. Let me tell you what the brilliant people who own the building I work in are doing to contribute to this dire situation. First let me set the scene for you, dear reader. I work in a 13 story office building in the heart of the impossibly hot San Fernando Valley. There are medium to large offices on the perimeter of the building with nice window views while the center of the floors are taken up with cubicles of workers, kitchens, copying areas, and conference rooms.
What has the management of my building chosen to do to help avert the rolling blackouts that are affecting so many of us (strangely enough I experienced one last night at my apartment complex-why do they always strike residential areas instead of the industrial center….hmmm, safety and security, perhaps. Hospitals are a gimmee, but then again, they have their own generators, so please do not lecture to me on why rolling blackouts are not applicable to one and all.)? No, they are not turning down the air conditioning. Not one bit. If anything it is colder then ever inside. Ironically people at most of their cubicles are using their heaters (more energy being used!). The geniuses here have turned down the lighting in all of the bathrooms. Hmmm…I wonder how much energy saving that is promoting. Do I sound unimpressed?
Seriously, people, how bad does the energy/oil situation in this country have to be before we change our ways? No, I do not drive a hybrid, but that is because I frequently drive long distances and these cars are not manufactured to last (remember electric cars? You can see why I am waiting for a “next generation” of hybrid to invest in this technology. Okay, okay, I'll get off my soapbox already.
We are all aware of the energy crisis affecting the great state of California. Let me tell you what the brilliant people who own the building I work in are doing to contribute to this dire situation. First let me set the scene for you, dear reader. I work in a 13 story office building in the heart of the impossibly hot San Fernando Valley. There are medium to large offices on the perimeter of the building with nice window views while the center of the floors are taken up with cubicles of workers, kitchens, copying areas, and conference rooms.
What has the management of my building chosen to do to help avert the rolling blackouts that are affecting so many of us (strangely enough I experienced one last night at my apartment complex-why do they always strike residential areas instead of the industrial center….hmmm, safety and security, perhaps. Hospitals are a gimmee, but then again, they have their own generators, so please do not lecture to me on why rolling blackouts are not applicable to one and all.)? No, they are not turning down the air conditioning. Not one bit. If anything it is colder then ever inside. Ironically people at most of their cubicles are using their heaters (more energy being used!). The geniuses here have turned down the lighting in all of the bathrooms. Hmmm…I wonder how much energy saving that is promoting. Do I sound unimpressed?
Seriously, people, how bad does the energy/oil situation in this country have to be before we change our ways? No, I do not drive a hybrid, but that is because I frequently drive long distances and these cars are not manufactured to last (remember electric cars? You can see why I am waiting for a “next generation” of hybrid to invest in this technology. Okay, okay, I'll get off my soapbox already.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Self Defense and Pet Peeves
Some of my sweet readers are aware that I have taken some hands-on self-defense classes. Hands-on mean the kind where you are encouraged to engage in full force physical combat kicking, punching, kneeing, and elbowing the male instructor who is wearing a full body protective padded suit with headgear. Over the course of 9 months I took the Beginners, Advance, and Weapons classes. Weapons is also known as defense against the armed assailant (someone who has a club, knife, or gun).
Having taken these classes, I find myself far more aware of my surroundings then I was B.C. (Before Classes). Perhaps that is why I have developed a special irksome pet peeve about the new stickers I see on the back of people’s mini-vans, trucks, SUVs, and cars. These cute little stickers identify the members of the family that, I presume, owns the vehicle. They show Mommy and Daddy, Big Brother, Little Sister, and even the Family Dog with their names printed neatly underneath. Have you seen them? They’re very popular here in L.A.
Each time I see these stickers I want to chase the owners down and have their IQ checked. Call me paranoid, but if some strangers knows your childs name from the back of your car, they have a better chance of persuading said child to come with them. To add to my point, mind you, I am not an alarmist, but these stickers could make a criminal aware of how many people live in your home.
There is enough needless information about all of us floating around out there on the internet, in the phone book, the library, the DMV, any number of services, systems, and sites. I am fully aware that if someone wants to hurt you or get to you the means are out there, but why hand it to them on a silver platter.
Alright, I’ll get down off my soapbox now. However, if anyone is interested in taking self defense classes, whatever your age, gender, or skill level, I highly recommend Impact. They have chapters in many different cities and train mostly women, but men too. It is highly challenging because of the verbal work, since your first line of defense is using your mind to talk your way out of having a physical confrontation. The bonding that happens in the classes is an incredible experiece because it is such a supportive environment that fosters emotional growth and self esteem. I wish very much that I had the opportunity to take the class prior to going to college, I think it would have helped me be wiser in some of the decisions I made then. Ah, hindsight is always 20/20 huh? Thankfully, there are a lot of parents having their teenage daughters take it.
Having taken these classes, I find myself far more aware of my surroundings then I was B.C. (Before Classes). Perhaps that is why I have developed a special irksome pet peeve about the new stickers I see on the back of people’s mini-vans, trucks, SUVs, and cars. These cute little stickers identify the members of the family that, I presume, owns the vehicle. They show Mommy and Daddy, Big Brother, Little Sister, and even the Family Dog with their names printed neatly underneath. Have you seen them? They’re very popular here in L.A.
Each time I see these stickers I want to chase the owners down and have their IQ checked. Call me paranoid, but if some strangers knows your childs name from the back of your car, they have a better chance of persuading said child to come with them. To add to my point, mind you, I am not an alarmist, but these stickers could make a criminal aware of how many people live in your home.
There is enough needless information about all of us floating around out there on the internet, in the phone book, the library, the DMV, any number of services, systems, and sites. I am fully aware that if someone wants to hurt you or get to you the means are out there, but why hand it to them on a silver platter.
Alright, I’ll get down off my soapbox now. However, if anyone is interested in taking self defense classes, whatever your age, gender, or skill level, I highly recommend Impact. They have chapters in many different cities and train mostly women, but men too. It is highly challenging because of the verbal work, since your first line of defense is using your mind to talk your way out of having a physical confrontation. The bonding that happens in the classes is an incredible experiece because it is such a supportive environment that fosters emotional growth and self esteem. I wish very much that I had the opportunity to take the class prior to going to college, I think it would have helped me be wiser in some of the decisions I made then. Ah, hindsight is always 20/20 huh? Thankfully, there are a lot of parents having their teenage daughters take it.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Life Lessons
This morning I was blessed to find survivor stories on the American Cancer Societies website. You see, my second Mom, my Italian Mother, the woman who has cheered me on, cooked me dinner, celebrated the wonderful moments with me and cried with me over the bad, her cancer is back. Nine years ago she fought a heroic battle against breast cancer. Five years after that everyone cheered her for finally being “cancer free”.
Ultimately that has not proved to be the case. This year the cancer has come back, but this time it is in her femur. Speaking with Mom#2 last week she was in good spirits, eating nutritiously, walking during the cool evening hours, and even joining a light fitness class encouraged by her oncologist. More then anything she sounded like she expected it. As if the big “C” had been pacing her through the spanning years, waiting to see her again. Her resolve and determination are there, but not her anger or denial like last time. Having beaten this before, she sees no reason why her success is not predetermined despite the severity of the situation.
She began her chemo medication this week and has not begun to feel any adverse reactions. There is talk of her having a metal rod inserted into her leg to reinforce the femur, but she will be getting a second opinion on this procedure next week to see if is the course of action that is best for her kind of cancer. Illness teaches us patience, appreciation for what we have, and the amazing power of people coming together to make the best of difficult circumstances. If you have the time or the inclination, please include Mom#2’s health and recovery in your prayers.
Ultimately that has not proved to be the case. This year the cancer has come back, but this time it is in her femur. Speaking with Mom#2 last week she was in good spirits, eating nutritiously, walking during the cool evening hours, and even joining a light fitness class encouraged by her oncologist. More then anything she sounded like she expected it. As if the big “C” had been pacing her through the spanning years, waiting to see her again. Her resolve and determination are there, but not her anger or denial like last time. Having beaten this before, she sees no reason why her success is not predetermined despite the severity of the situation.
She began her chemo medication this week and has not begun to feel any adverse reactions. There is talk of her having a metal rod inserted into her leg to reinforce the femur, but she will be getting a second opinion on this procedure next week to see if is the course of action that is best for her kind of cancer. Illness teaches us patience, appreciation for what we have, and the amazing power of people coming together to make the best of difficult circumstances. If you have the time or the inclination, please include Mom#2’s health and recovery in your prayers.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Electronic Revolution Rocks the Hollywood Bowl
KCRW hosted another wonderful night of music last night at Hollywood Bowl last night called Planet Electronica. The opening bands were Bassacuccanova and Royksopp with Basement Jaxx tearing the roof off the entire venue. Every person from the orchestra seats to the dollar benches was shaking their asses off to the dynamic rhythm thumping tunes pouring one after another from the stage. The improved sound system and speaker arrays have made a HUGE difference to the Bowl, people are feeling the music better now that they can hear it and see it with the new video screens.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
A Golden Ticket for Burton
Woke up this morning and saw a free screening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory staring Johnny Depp. Being a Roald Dahl fan from my morbid childhood, I admit that I enjoyed this dark version that adhered to the book a bit better then Willy Wonk and the Chocolate Facotry, although Gene Wilder will always own my heart for his work in Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and of course, The Man with One Red Shoe (an unlikely sex symbol, I know, but hey look at Woody Allen-not my cup of tea, but he continues to be famous, go figure).
Anyhow, this movie is recommended, to Tim Burton fans despite what he did to Planet of the Apes. He managed to redeem himself. In fact, I am also convinced that I must see Neverland after the starturn by Freddie Hightower who plays the part of Charlie Buckett, one of Roald Dahl's most memorable and beloved childhood characters (aside from Mathilde and James).
Speak of Roald Dahl, I didstinctly remember that my parents did not like me reading him. Especially since I was and still am a gluttonous consumer of books. I was into such frightening Dahl favorites as The Witches when I was 7 or 8. Not the usual fair for a young child. He always put me in the mind of the real Brother's Grimm tales, the dark kind where there are true consequences for going into the dark woods at night or for eating beets and carrots out of the neighbor's garden.
Dahl was a man with a fantastic imagination. I would like to write like him someday. In 5th grade I even fancied that one day I would grow up to be a writer and attempted to write a Halloween tale about myself and my friends finding a haunted house. I handwrote (printed mind you) 27 double sided pages of the story before giving up. I think I spent more time describing the candy and costumes then the actual story, but hey, I was only what, 11 years old or so? Maybe someday I'll try taking a class on fiction writing. Lord knows I tried screenwriting in college and abhored that! It was terrible, all of my characters sounded like stupid stereotypes! Hell, no wonder Hollywood keep making the same damn shows over and over again...LOL!!! They must keep hiring from the college I graduated from, just kidding!
Anyhow, this movie is recommended, to Tim Burton fans despite what he did to Planet of the Apes. He managed to redeem himself. In fact, I am also convinced that I must see Neverland after the starturn by Freddie Hightower who plays the part of Charlie Buckett, one of Roald Dahl's most memorable and beloved childhood characters (aside from Mathilde and James).
Speak of Roald Dahl, I didstinctly remember that my parents did not like me reading him. Especially since I was and still am a gluttonous consumer of books. I was into such frightening Dahl favorites as The Witches when I was 7 or 8. Not the usual fair for a young child. He always put me in the mind of the real Brother's Grimm tales, the dark kind where there are true consequences for going into the dark woods at night or for eating beets and carrots out of the neighbor's garden.
Dahl was a man with a fantastic imagination. I would like to write like him someday. In 5th grade I even fancied that one day I would grow up to be a writer and attempted to write a Halloween tale about myself and my friends finding a haunted house. I handwrote (printed mind you) 27 double sided pages of the story before giving up. I think I spent more time describing the candy and costumes then the actual story, but hey, I was only what, 11 years old or so? Maybe someday I'll try taking a class on fiction writing. Lord knows I tried screenwriting in college and abhored that! It was terrible, all of my characters sounded like stupid stereotypes! Hell, no wonder Hollywood keep making the same damn shows over and over again...LOL!!! They must keep hiring from the college I graduated from, just kidding!
Friday, July 15, 2005
Smarter then the Computer
These are my two furry beasts. On the top in the black fur coat is Miss Love and on the bottom, looking startled, is her younger brother The Dude. They are cute, cuddley and full of mischief. Also the subject of me playing with the picture upload tool for this website, fun to be had by all, no doubt. Well, this proved to be a successful experiment and I am feeling pretty darn full of myself that the computer did not turn out to be smarter then me after all.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Mix Tape Memories
So I was watching The Family Guy last week and saw the episode where Stewie gives his babysitter a mixtape letting her know that the songs on it express how he feels about her, etc. Can I just admit right here and right now how much I used to love making and getting mix tapes. I know that this probably qualifies me as uber-dork of the year, but what the hell do I care? If you're even reading this, then you probably love to geek out and play video games, watch foreign films, read books about teenage wizards, or listen to songs that are have nonsensical lyrics, but a great downbeat. Am I right?
I remember this one mix tape I got from a guy in High School who later went on to break the heart of a best friend of mine. The first song on it totally puzzled me, it was The Police's "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic". I was like, "OMG, does he like me or something?" and being totally baffled that he would pick that song because the rest of the songs were really cool, but not at all sentimental or meaningful. There was a terrific mix that I lost or, I suspect was more likely stolen from me that was made by my first ever serious High School boyfriend Cody. It had some of the following song:
Six Month in a Leaky Boat by Split Endz
Emma by Sisters of Mercy
Eye of Fatima by Camper Van Beethovan
Wave of Mutilation by The Pixies
Joey by Concrete Blonde
Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Connor
Rise by P.I.L.
Sheriff Fatman by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine
Dream Kitchen (or something like that by who knows the band...if anyone remembers a song with the lyrics "It's just that there was I, pretending I was tied to the kitchen sink, and I though. This stuff so kind to my hands, I'm never gonna change to a different brand." let me know.)
Not too romantic I know, but memorable nonetheless because the guy is long gone, but the music memories still remain. In fact, after we broke up over I even went and saw Sisters of Mercy in concert in London with my cousin after college.
For my birthday one year, I asked all my friends to create CDs for me of either A. music that reminded them of me or B. music that they loved and wanted to share. It was a fantastic selection of gifts that year because my friends are extremely creative, not to mention esoteric. There were all out 80s mixes that were so sentimental it would've made John Wayne cry, then there were laugh out loud eclectic collections featuring such classics like the "Gang Bang Song" and "I Hate Birds".
Now-and-days my nephew just e-mails MP3 files to his friends and it won't be too far off before phones are capable of doing the same thing. However, the old cassette will be a sweet memory with it's handwritten label and lovingly created mix. *SIGH*
I remember this one mix tape I got from a guy in High School who later went on to break the heart of a best friend of mine. The first song on it totally puzzled me, it was The Police's "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic". I was like, "OMG, does he like me or something?" and being totally baffled that he would pick that song because the rest of the songs were really cool, but not at all sentimental or meaningful. There was a terrific mix that I lost or, I suspect was more likely stolen from me that was made by my first ever serious High School boyfriend Cody. It had some of the following song:
Six Month in a Leaky Boat by Split Endz
Emma by Sisters of Mercy
Eye of Fatima by Camper Van Beethovan
Wave of Mutilation by The Pixies
Joey by Concrete Blonde
Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Connor
Rise by P.I.L.
Sheriff Fatman by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine
Dream Kitchen (or something like that by who knows the band...if anyone remembers a song with the lyrics "It's just that there was I, pretending I was tied to the kitchen sink, and I though. This stuff so kind to my hands, I'm never gonna change to a different brand." let me know.)
Not too romantic I know, but memorable nonetheless because the guy is long gone, but the music memories still remain. In fact, after we broke up over I even went and saw Sisters of Mercy in concert in London with my cousin after college.
For my birthday one year, I asked all my friends to create CDs for me of either A. music that reminded them of me or B. music that they loved and wanted to share. It was a fantastic selection of gifts that year because my friends are extremely creative, not to mention esoteric. There were all out 80s mixes that were so sentimental it would've made John Wayne cry, then there were laugh out loud eclectic collections featuring such classics like the "Gang Bang Song" and "I Hate Birds".
Now-and-days my nephew just e-mails MP3 files to his friends and it won't be too far off before phones are capable of doing the same thing. However, the old cassette will be a sweet memory with it's handwritten label and lovingly created mix. *SIGH*
Andy Griffith is a Star
If you are a cinemaphile, you haven't really lived until you have seen Elia Kazan's film, A Face in the Crowd. This feature stars Andy Griffith as Lonsome Rhodes, a criminal turned celebrity who is engulfed by the power his audience imbues him with through the new media called television. It is a meditative film on what people have foresaken for themselves and imbued celebrities with, the reason, rights, and power of decisionmaking for them.
In the new DVD release there is a short "making of" featurette where Budd Shulberg, the screenwriter speaks about creating the film with Elia Kazan during a greatly difficult period of history in Hollywood. Both he and Kazan had testified for Senator Joseph McCarthy in the HUAC and were outcasts to greater(Kazan) or lesser degrees in Hollywood due to the blacklist. Overall it is a solid script, brilliantly cast with Patricia Neal as the savy woman that builds Lonesome Rhodes career, yet is betrayed by his womanizing ways.
In the new DVD release there is a short "making of" featurette where Budd Shulberg, the screenwriter speaks about creating the film with Elia Kazan during a greatly difficult period of history in Hollywood. Both he and Kazan had testified for Senator Joseph McCarthy in the HUAC and were outcasts to greater(Kazan) or lesser degrees in Hollywood due to the blacklist. Overall it is a solid script, brilliantly cast with Patricia Neal as the savy woman that builds Lonesome Rhodes career, yet is betrayed by his womanizing ways.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
My Gratitude Journal
Many years ago a dear friend of mine created a journal with these words on the front "Megastein's Gratitude Journal". It was a place for me to put 3 things down each day that I was thankful for, 3 small blessings that were uniquely mine. Reminders of why my life was worth living, why I was important to the universe, or even just silly thoughts that made me smile and redeemed some truly bleech occassions. Looking back on that journal and thinking of it resting neglected in my bedside drawers reminds me of the good feelings I had at the end of each day picking and choosing the special things to write in it.
Somedays were overflowing with wonderful news of people, places, events, and happenings for which I was grateful:
1. Balloons
2. Not getting a speeding ticket.
3. Being helped by the extra smart, fast, and helpful clerk at Barnes and Noble who knows me!
Other days I had to work to remember what I could be thankful:
1. Being loved.
2. Having a roof over my head and food to eat.
3. My friends who never give up on me.
No matter whether wanted it or not, that journal gave me perspective on life and it gave me good thoughts to go to sleep with. For many years I was an angry, negative person who had trouble focusing on the glass being anything but smashed under foot. The Gratitude Journal was a great tool to get me to see that my cup runs over with love, caring, and blessings too many to be counted.
Somedays were overflowing with wonderful news of people, places, events, and happenings for which I was grateful:
1. Balloons
2. Not getting a speeding ticket.
3. Being helped by the extra smart, fast, and helpful clerk at Barnes and Noble who knows me!
Other days I had to work to remember what I could be thankful:
1. Being loved.
2. Having a roof over my head and food to eat.
3. My friends who never give up on me.
No matter whether wanted it or not, that journal gave me perspective on life and it gave me good thoughts to go to sleep with. For many years I was an angry, negative person who had trouble focusing on the glass being anything but smashed under foot. The Gratitude Journal was a great tool to get me to see that my cup runs over with love, caring, and blessings too many to be counted.
Monday, July 11, 2005
For the Love of Animals
As some people may know, I have had the pleasure of volunteering for a no kill pet shelter in the Los Angeles area. It’s not glamorous charity work, but the recipients give back to me with a love and kindness that is too few and far between in the human world. Cats and dogs are the animals that my particular shelter caters to and they are lucky animals. The people running the place consider their adoptions and also their lives at the shelter, whether it be in the kennel, or in cattery, to be of ultimate importance.
My contributions have been minimal over the 2 years that I have been involved with them. Sometimes I think of it as more therapeutic for me then beneficial for the animals. Although I have two cats of my own, I didn’t often feel that I was giving back to soceity. What more, I didn’t know what I had to give and was at a loss to find it. A dear friend suggested this shelter. It was without the stress of dealing with terminal illness that some volunteers encounter on a daily basis, plus it did not have a human factor that could be incredibley emotional. Strangely enough, it proved to be emotional anyway. I saw and understood the sort of daily struggles that are faced to keep a small number of the immense population of dogs and cats from euthanasia.
Cut to: ME GETTING ON SOAPBOX
“PLEASE HAVE YOUR ANIMALS SPAYED OR NEUTERED TO PREVENT FURTHER, NEEDLESS ANIMAL DEATHS”
ME GETTING OFF SOAPBOX
During my childhood my parents encouraged our involvment as a family, and as individuals in charity work. I don’t think they did it consciously, but somehow I came the conclusion that my money was worth something to research organizations like The American Cancer Soceity, but so was my time. Therefore it was natural to prepare and serve Christmas meals when that holiday didn’t coincide with Hanukkah. Or to go help out a toy drive by wrapping gifts if I had extra hours during High School. It’s why several years ago I took part in the Breast Cancer 3 Day event(an incredible, life-affirming, powerful event). I’m glad to have these experiences, it has made me a more well-rounded person and more appreciative of what life has afforded me. It’s why I give of myself, along with the money. Yes, volunteering is selfish...teeheehee!
Don’t imagine that the shelter employees have time each day, to pet and talk to each and every animal that walks through the door. There are behavior specialists and veterinarians, but on a day to day basis, we volunteers fill the gap by socializing the animals and preparing them for that special day that they will be taken home. We teach the dogs to sit and not to bark in their kennels. Take them on walks while they learn proper leash ettiquette. We take the time to sit with the cats, stoke them, play with them, or coax the particularly shy ones out of hidding.
I am thinking of having my birthday party at the shelter. Inviting my friends to help with cleaning up the kennels or whatever the shelter needs. Or maybe having a day out at the beach for a Coastal Cleanup if animals prove not to be everyone’s cup of tea. I’m really liking the idea of a volunteer day for my birthday this year. It’s personal to me, much more so then some party (not that last year wasn’t great). It feels good to me in a different way then the parties, and that is a feeling that I want to share.
Look up, look out from your own life and see what is around. See if there is something you can do for your fellow human being or animal. It could be small, but it makes a significant difference. Please don’t wait for a special occasion, like a holiday or a birthday. Everyday, can be the time to discover something new about yourself, and others. Volunteer.
My contributions have been minimal over the 2 years that I have been involved with them. Sometimes I think of it as more therapeutic for me then beneficial for the animals. Although I have two cats of my own, I didn’t often feel that I was giving back to soceity. What more, I didn’t know what I had to give and was at a loss to find it. A dear friend suggested this shelter. It was without the stress of dealing with terminal illness that some volunteers encounter on a daily basis, plus it did not have a human factor that could be incredibley emotional. Strangely enough, it proved to be emotional anyway. I saw and understood the sort of daily struggles that are faced to keep a small number of the immense population of dogs and cats from euthanasia.
Cut to: ME GETTING ON SOAPBOX
“PLEASE HAVE YOUR ANIMALS SPAYED OR NEUTERED TO PREVENT FURTHER, NEEDLESS ANIMAL DEATHS”
ME GETTING OFF SOAPBOX
During my childhood my parents encouraged our involvment as a family, and as individuals in charity work. I don’t think they did it consciously, but somehow I came the conclusion that my money was worth something to research organizations like The American Cancer Soceity, but so was my time. Therefore it was natural to prepare and serve Christmas meals when that holiday didn’t coincide with Hanukkah. Or to go help out a toy drive by wrapping gifts if I had extra hours during High School. It’s why several years ago I took part in the Breast Cancer 3 Day event(an incredible, life-affirming, powerful event). I’m glad to have these experiences, it has made me a more well-rounded person and more appreciative of what life has afforded me. It’s why I give of myself, along with the money. Yes, volunteering is selfish...teeheehee!
Don’t imagine that the shelter employees have time each day, to pet and talk to each and every animal that walks through the door. There are behavior specialists and veterinarians, but on a day to day basis, we volunteers fill the gap by socializing the animals and preparing them for that special day that they will be taken home. We teach the dogs to sit and not to bark in their kennels. Take them on walks while they learn proper leash ettiquette. We take the time to sit with the cats, stoke them, play with them, or coax the particularly shy ones out of hidding.
I am thinking of having my birthday party at the shelter. Inviting my friends to help with cleaning up the kennels or whatever the shelter needs. Or maybe having a day out at the beach for a Coastal Cleanup if animals prove not to be everyone’s cup of tea. I’m really liking the idea of a volunteer day for my birthday this year. It’s personal to me, much more so then some party (not that last year wasn’t great). It feels good to me in a different way then the parties, and that is a feeling that I want to share.
Look up, look out from your own life and see what is around. See if there is something you can do for your fellow human being or animal. It could be small, but it makes a significant difference. Please don’t wait for a special occasion, like a holiday or a birthday. Everyday, can be the time to discover something new about yourself, and others. Volunteer.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Bowling for Video Games
Last night I had the pleasure and the pain of seeing the premiere of Video Games Live at the Hollywood Bowl. Yes, the very first concert to feature music composed for the gaming medium...fun huh? You would think so, what with all of the Nintendo shirts, geek glasses, electronic sidekicks, Atari retrowear, and families that were in attendance. However, that was not completely the case. Someone in the video game world putting on this show got it into their head that just like the Beastie Boys on Grammy night, they too, wanted to send a political message telling people that they were just as socially savy as their compatriots in the rest of the music industry.
Here’s what this genius did:
During the music for Medal of Honor (a rather realistic looking WWII game that Steven Spielberg helped design) the presenters of Video Games Live decided to put real images of WWII on the onstage screen. The host for the evening, composer Tommy Tallarico (Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Advent, Earthworm Jim) says to the audience something to the effect of, ‘Videogames get a bad wrap for being violent, here are some images of war, but they are not graphic.’ Yet they go on to show airplanes bombing cities, the bombed out remains of what look to me to be Hiroshima or Nagasaki, painfully thin victims of Hitler’s concentration camps, children on buses leaving their weeping parents behind, huddled masses of cold people staring at the camera looking shellshocked, no this is not at all graphic or violent.
I’m sorry, but where is the rating for this concert!!! At least at movies like Saving Private Ryan and The Pianist, I know what I am walking into. At a show like Video Games Live, you expect to be at a family friendly venue. At this point in life I have no children of my own, but I do have a 19 year old nephew, who have watched grow up, and I have friends and family with young children too. It would’ve been nice if Tommy Tallarico had been honest, and said that although this footage was not bloody and brutally graphic, that the content was somewhat hard to watch and it might be advisable for parents with small children to take them outside.
Now, bear with me, because here is where I become a complete and utter hypocrite. My favorite Video Game composition and visual lighting display persented in the show last night (and don’t let my tirade stop you from going, it was a revolutionary idea, as well as a delightful artist endeavor and very enjoyable overall) was from a game I had never hear of or seen before called G-d of War. This game is violent, but it’s fantasy violence with minotaurs, fighting skeletons, a hydra, and various creatures that looked to be drawn from Greek mythology. Incredibley beautiful and beautifully scored to boot, this was an amazing performance to watch. The Bowl was a creative venue that added to the G-d of War presentation because the illumination was such that you felt the main character was spiraling down into the very pits of hell amid the red swirling lights that moved over the circular disks of the procenium arch. It was absolutely spectacular.
There was one guy in the audience the stole the show though. He was rocking back and forth to every single musical interlude except the Final Fantasy solo piano. This boy did not have eyes for anyone or anything other then the laser lights, video screens, orchestra, and music. He was digging that music like it was running a direct beat to his soul. It made me laugh and my boyfriend laugh, but then I felt mildly bad because I thought, “Hey, what if he’s autistic”. No way, he was just a kid TOTALLY INTO the LA Phil doing Video Game Tunes!!! Super cool, super funny too! One of those, gotta see it moments, I swear!
Here’s what this genius did:
During the music for Medal of Honor (a rather realistic looking WWII game that Steven Spielberg helped design) the presenters of Video Games Live decided to put real images of WWII on the onstage screen. The host for the evening, composer Tommy Tallarico (Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Advent, Earthworm Jim) says to the audience something to the effect of, ‘Videogames get a bad wrap for being violent, here are some images of war, but they are not graphic.’ Yet they go on to show airplanes bombing cities, the bombed out remains of what look to me to be Hiroshima or Nagasaki, painfully thin victims of Hitler’s concentration camps, children on buses leaving their weeping parents behind, huddled masses of cold people staring at the camera looking shellshocked, no this is not at all graphic or violent.
I’m sorry, but where is the rating for this concert!!! At least at movies like Saving Private Ryan and The Pianist, I know what I am walking into. At a show like Video Games Live, you expect to be at a family friendly venue. At this point in life I have no children of my own, but I do have a 19 year old nephew, who have watched grow up, and I have friends and family with young children too. It would’ve been nice if Tommy Tallarico had been honest, and said that although this footage was not bloody and brutally graphic, that the content was somewhat hard to watch and it might be advisable for parents with small children to take them outside.
Now, bear with me, because here is where I become a complete and utter hypocrite. My favorite Video Game composition and visual lighting display persented in the show last night (and don’t let my tirade stop you from going, it was a revolutionary idea, as well as a delightful artist endeavor and very enjoyable overall) was from a game I had never hear of or seen before called G-d of War. This game is violent, but it’s fantasy violence with minotaurs, fighting skeletons, a hydra, and various creatures that looked to be drawn from Greek mythology. Incredibley beautiful and beautifully scored to boot, this was an amazing performance to watch. The Bowl was a creative venue that added to the G-d of War presentation because the illumination was such that you felt the main character was spiraling down into the very pits of hell amid the red swirling lights that moved over the circular disks of the procenium arch. It was absolutely spectacular.
There was one guy in the audience the stole the show though. He was rocking back and forth to every single musical interlude except the Final Fantasy solo piano. This boy did not have eyes for anyone or anything other then the laser lights, video screens, orchestra, and music. He was digging that music like it was running a direct beat to his soul. It made me laugh and my boyfriend laugh, but then I felt mildly bad because I thought, “Hey, what if he’s autistic”. No way, he was just a kid TOTALLY INTO the LA Phil doing Video Game Tunes!!! Super cool, super funny too! One of those, gotta see it moments, I swear!
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Music, Heart and Soul
Got some new albums, or more specifically, my beau did and I am really enjoying them. The new Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, and The Shield Soundtrack (yes, that violent cop TV show on cable, FX to be specific). There is one track on the Gorillaz album that has Dennis Hopper doing spoken word and it sort of reminds me of an old Peter and the Wolf performance I heard when I was a kid. I must've been 6 years old and it scared me because I remember hearing the sound representing the wolf and being frightened because it was so ALIVE. A couple of years ago I heard that this version had been redone with the words spoken by David Bowie and I would like to have that someday, because his voice is so melodic and entrancing. It would be wonderful to listen to. HAHA, I reread what I had written and belatedly realize that I have once again missed my point altogether. So like me. Anyhow, I'll have to get back to this later, work calls.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Saturday musings before the 4th
It's a long weekend due to the 4th of July. I admit that I often do not think about the Holiday so much as the fact that I just get time off work with my friends to party. This is much the same as Memorial Day and Labor Day. However, since Sepetember 11th and the subsequent War in Iraq, my ponderings regarding these magical "days off" has increased. More then anything I think about the fact that people die for these Holidays to be created. People that were brave or not, people who wanted to "do the right thing" by defending their Country, fighting for Freedom or simply were trying to generate money to realize their dreams of going to school, having a family, or raising themselves out of socio-economic straits.
I'm not so into partying when I think about the personal losses other's have suffered so that I did not have to work 1 extra day a year. As Americans, I don't think we publicize or teach the reasons we have National Holidays enough. As a school child, I don't remember thanking a service person for fighting for me in the Persian Gulf, Korea, or Vietnam. As an adult, I must remind myself to look at each and every soldier's face from Iraq and think to myself; this is someone's son or daughter, Mother or Father, this someone's friend, confidant, true love, and it becomes personal.
I'm not so into partying when I think about the personal losses other's have suffered so that I did not have to work 1 extra day a year. As Americans, I don't think we publicize or teach the reasons we have National Holidays enough. As a school child, I don't remember thanking a service person for fighting for me in the Persian Gulf, Korea, or Vietnam. As an adult, I must remind myself to look at each and every soldier's face from Iraq and think to myself; this is someone's son or daughter, Mother or Father, this someone's friend, confidant, true love, and it becomes personal.
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