We saw the Coen brothers movie, "A Serious Man" last night at our local art theater that seats about 100 people at tables with comfy chairs and serves wine and snacks brought by waiters.
That is to say, this movie is not main stream.
But I was looking forward to it because I love most of the movies made by Joel and Ethan Coen. And they grew up very close to where Dave lives in Minnesota. in a middle class Jewish neighborhood, the sons of college professors.
This movie is about a college professor in a middle class Jewish community in Minnesota in the 70s.
The reviews for "A Serious Man" have been all over the place. The New Yorker called it "unwatchable" and our local reviewer said pretty much the same. But I looked up "Rotten Tomatoes" and they gave it a positive 85% on their TomatoMeter.
Many of the reviewers have likened the lead character to Job in the Bible. I don't think so. Job suffered mightily but he was strong, never gave up on God (even when his loving wife begged him to "curse God and die") and - in the end - Job comes out smelling like a rose.
But the movie is very, very Jewish.
The guy has no backbone. About the only thing he has going for him is his integrity and in the end he looses that.
Here's the worst part. He experiences nothing but pain and suffering, much of it brought on by himself - THEN THE MOVIE ENDS.
We don't know:
-If the tornado kills everybody.
-If he has lung cancer.
-If he goes home and tells his wife he's sleeping in his own bed and if she doesn't like it she can go sleep at the Jolly Roger.
-If he gets tenure.
-What the heck the Polish language beginning has to do with anything.
By the way, this is a comedy.
All of the above might make you think I hated "A Serious Man." But I didn't. I was fascinated by it.
Like one of the reviewers said, Go see it..."but you will not understand anything that's going on!"
***
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Judy
I have this friend. I've known her for over 30 years but she lives across the state so I don't see her much. She's physically and spiritually beautiful. One of the things we have in common is that her husband had Alzheimer's and she took excellent care of him.
I couldn't help but be sad but relieved when he died a couple of years ago because she would be free to have a new life. Maybe even one like I've been blessed with.
But a few months later she was diagnosed with lung cancer.
I contacted her a few times - but not enough. Then she moved fairly close to me to be with her children so I made a mental note to see her. I was wondering if she'd feel well enough, with the chemo and all, to go to lunch.
Last week she died.
This isn't the first time I've experienced this. Below is a poem I wrote in the 70s. You'd think I would have learned my lesson.
MARGARET RITZ
Margaret Ritz, Margaret Ritz,
I'll call yo when I can.
You haven't seen me lately,
but that was the risk you ran,
When you chose me for a friend,
And cluttered up my plans,
I do important things, you know,
I'll call you when I can.
Margaret Ritz, Margaret Ritz,
I heard you when you said,
That friends are hard to come by,
But I've got to plan ahead.
Now you've played an awful trick on me,
In the church bulletin I read,
While mediating on my life,
"Margaret Ritz is dead."
***
I couldn't help but be sad but relieved when he died a couple of years ago because she would be free to have a new life. Maybe even one like I've been blessed with.
But a few months later she was diagnosed with lung cancer.
I contacted her a few times - but not enough. Then she moved fairly close to me to be with her children so I made a mental note to see her. I was wondering if she'd feel well enough, with the chemo and all, to go to lunch.
Last week she died.
This isn't the first time I've experienced this. Below is a poem I wrote in the 70s. You'd think I would have learned my lesson.
MARGARET RITZ
Margaret Ritz, Margaret Ritz,
I'll call yo when I can.
You haven't seen me lately,
but that was the risk you ran,
When you chose me for a friend,
And cluttered up my plans,
I do important things, you know,
I'll call you when I can.
Margaret Ritz, Margaret Ritz,
I heard you when you said,
That friends are hard to come by,
But I've got to plan ahead.
Now you've played an awful trick on me,
In the church bulletin I read,
While mediating on my life,
"Margaret Ritz is dead."
***
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Do They Like Us in Outer Space?
Do you wonder about what -or if - they know of us in space?
Remember several years ago when they sent that drawing by da Vinci out on a space probe so that alien beings could know what we human beings look like? Wonder what they thought of us. We never heard back.
Not to worry.
The current issue of Newsweek reminds us that TV signals begin their endless journey outward into the cosmos at the speed of light and never stop.
So here's the deal.
Approximately 70 light years from here, near the star Aldebaran, they're now receiving "Howdy Doody."
Out 50 light years, near the star Capella, they can catch the first episodes of the "The Brady Bunch." This is good because it was the favorite childhood program of our first lady, Michelle Obama. She named all of the Brady kids on "Leno" last night, including that strange little after thought, Oliver.
Out 30 light years away, near the star Altair, some little green being is probably watching "Saved by the Bell."
Is there life on other planets? If so, they're learning all they need to know from these programs and others, like "Spongebob Squarepants."
I hope they like us.
***
Remember several years ago when they sent that drawing by da Vinci out on a space probe so that alien beings could know what we human beings look like? Wonder what they thought of us. We never heard back.
Not to worry.
The current issue of Newsweek reminds us that TV signals begin their endless journey outward into the cosmos at the speed of light and never stop.
So here's the deal.
Approximately 70 light years from here, near the star Aldebaran, they're now receiving "Howdy Doody."
Out 50 light years, near the star Capella, they can catch the first episodes of the "The Brady Bunch." This is good because it was the favorite childhood program of our first lady, Michelle Obama. She named all of the Brady kids on "Leno" last night, including that strange little after thought, Oliver.
Out 30 light years away, near the star Altair, some little green being is probably watching "Saved by the Bell."
Is there life on other planets? If so, they're learning all they need to know from these programs and others, like "Spongebob Squarepants."
I hope they like us.
***
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Social Sins
Just heard a guy speak, actually rail on and on, about how some other people are living their lives. Especially those two big sins social conservatives like to obsess over.
Please don't yell at me about homosexuality. I'm not even gay.
Here's the thing. There are other sins in the Bible mentioned way more often. Here's a short list of themes that run from beginning to end, Old Testament to New Testament.
Gossiping - Huge theme. The Bible couldn't be more clear about how much damage gossip does.
Money Management - Jesus preached about this more than almost anything else. Don't spend what you don't have. Be a saver.
Coveting, Stealing and putting ourselves above others - OK, this is the basis for the whole world wide economic mess we are now in.
Taking Care of the Poor - I sometimes wish this wasn't emphasized so much because it really cuts into my time and my travel budget - but it's there. In spades. Take care of the poor, the widows and orphans.
Lying - Yikes! God really hates it when I do this. But God doesn't hate me. God loves me.
Loving Others - The is the entire basis for the Christian movement. And we don't get to pick and choose who's in and who's out.
Judging - I find it to be almost a full time job to deal with the above sins in my life so I don't have much time to judge others. No, wait, I started this piece by judging this guy and now I'm gossiping about him - so I have a ways to go.
***
Please don't yell at me about homosexuality. I'm not even gay.
Here's the thing. There are other sins in the Bible mentioned way more often. Here's a short list of themes that run from beginning to end, Old Testament to New Testament.
Gossiping - Huge theme. The Bible couldn't be more clear about how much damage gossip does.
Money Management - Jesus preached about this more than almost anything else. Don't spend what you don't have. Be a saver.
Coveting, Stealing and putting ourselves above others - OK, this is the basis for the whole world wide economic mess we are now in.
Taking Care of the Poor - I sometimes wish this wasn't emphasized so much because it really cuts into my time and my travel budget - but it's there. In spades. Take care of the poor, the widows and orphans.
Lying - Yikes! God really hates it when I do this. But God doesn't hate me. God loves me.
Loving Others - The is the entire basis for the Christian movement. And we don't get to pick and choose who's in and who's out.
Judging - I find it to be almost a full time job to deal with the above sins in my life so I don't have much time to judge others. No, wait, I started this piece by judging this guy and now I'm gossiping about him - so I have a ways to go.
***
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
What's Out There?
When I was a little kid I used to lie on my back in the grass and study the sky. I liked to pretend that my mom or Jesus would appear on the edge of a cloud. Sometimes, if I squinted just so, I could even see them for a minute.
Two articles in this morning's paper kind of address this issue.
The first tells us that European astronomers have found 32 new planets outside our solar system. Six of them are several times bigger than Earth.
The other story is about a professor at Macalester college in Minneapolis. His job is to find new galaxies. And he does. He says it happens so often that it gets boring.
But now they've discovered a galaxy that's altogether different than anything they've seen before. The professor says they were "flabbergasted" by what they detected.
This galaxy might tell us how all of the galaxies are formed.
What an amazing time in which to live.
They might find my mom out there after all.
***
Two articles in this morning's paper kind of address this issue.
The first tells us that European astronomers have found 32 new planets outside our solar system. Six of them are several times bigger than Earth.
The other story is about a professor at Macalester college in Minneapolis. His job is to find new galaxies. And he does. He says it happens so often that it gets boring.
But now they've discovered a galaxy that's altogether different than anything they've seen before. The professor says they were "flabbergasted" by what they detected.
This galaxy might tell us how all of the galaxies are formed.
What an amazing time in which to live.
They might find my mom out there after all.
***
Saturday, October 17, 2009
What Time is Breakfast?
I've been having Saturday breakfast with my Oldies for many, many years. During the 8 year period that my husband was on dialysis and I had to drop him off at 5:30 A.M. they met me for a very early breakfast.
They were reliable, responsible and always there for me.
As the years went by we adjusted the time back to a reasonable 8 A.M. I could set my watch by them. (Even most of you know that Mrs. Oldie has that standing hair appointment at 9:30.)
Last Saturday when we arrived at Panera's at eight they were finished eating and wondered where we were.
Today they weren't there. At 8:45 I dialed my cell but as I looked up I saw them. They were sitting down at a table for two.
We corralled them over to our booth. But they'd forgotten to stand in line to order their breakfasts so they left their things - including Mrs. Oldie's purse - and headed for the line.
They were gone a long time. Then we looked around and saw them sitting at yet another table for two happily eating their breakfast. Dave said, "Should we corral them again?"
We did - and had a pleasant visit. Mr. Oldie and Dave shared the contents of their sketchbooks.
We left for our walk but, later, on the way back to the car Dave said, "Do you think we should remind them of the hair appointment?"
But it was 11 AM so we didn't bother.
***
They were reliable, responsible and always there for me.
As the years went by we adjusted the time back to a reasonable 8 A.M. I could set my watch by them. (Even most of you know that Mrs. Oldie has that standing hair appointment at 9:30.)
Last Saturday when we arrived at Panera's at eight they were finished eating and wondered where we were.
Today they weren't there. At 8:45 I dialed my cell but as I looked up I saw them. They were sitting down at a table for two.
We corralled them over to our booth. But they'd forgotten to stand in line to order their breakfasts so they left their things - including Mrs. Oldie's purse - and headed for the line.
They were gone a long time. Then we looked around and saw them sitting at yet another table for two happily eating their breakfast. Dave said, "Should we corral them again?"
We did - and had a pleasant visit. Mr. Oldie and Dave shared the contents of their sketchbooks.
We left for our walk but, later, on the way back to the car Dave said, "Do you think we should remind them of the hair appointment?"
But it was 11 AM so we didn't bother.
***
Friday, October 16, 2009
Cell Phones and Driving
There's been much in the news the last couple of days about Maria Shriver being seen using her cell phone while driving after her husband and governor of California, Arnold S., signed a law forbidding it.
Most of the people I know use their cell phones while driving. I almost never do. Here's why: I can't seem to do two things a once these days. It's not so much the talking as the dialing, of course, but even talking seems tricky when I have to hold the phone.
Both hands on the wheel! Ten and two!
I sure understand the need to get work done while spending endless hours in traffic but maybe the compromise should be hands free talking.
However, I don't like other drivers not making eye contact with me due to chatting. That's rude and dangerous. A while back a woman bumped my car at a light. I got out, looked at the bumpers, walked to her car and tapped on the window. She never got off the phone.
Despite all the funny suggestions for ways the Terminator might punish his wife for this infraction, I'm sure they'll work this out.
My guess is that the strongest man in the world has said something like this.
"Maria, would you pretty please not use your cell phone while driving and being photographed?"
***
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
More About Cupcakes
That is to say, taking some common, inexpensive item and turning into something elite and way, way overpriced.
Yes, like coffee.
I heard from many of you. Some of you didn't believe me.
A couple of you reminded me that you caught the wave early when you paid for your kids to have hugely expensive wedding cakes made by smushing together hugely expensive cupcakes.
Now this morning's paper has an article by business columnist, and super intelligent, beautiful wife and mother, Beth Kassah. (I know this because she's a member of my church.)
She writes about Neiman Marcus' new Christmas Gift Catalogue. She's kind of lamenting that they've cut back on the over the top extravagance -like the thoroughbred racing stable in Kentucky for ten million dollars.
But they are offering the cute cupcake car pictured above for only twenty-five thousand.
As Beth says, "Who doesn't need a cupcake car?"
***
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Frustrating Doctor's Visit
I went for my annual check up yesterday. No big whoop!
But I've been having some headaches. This is no big whoop because I have a long history of sinus problems. By the way, sinus problems are the number one reason patients visit their doctors.
My doctor is something else! Always a little frustrating to be in her office but she's an excellent diagnostician and takes me seriously - sometimes too seriously.
Here's exactly what I told the nurse prior to seeing the doctor.
I've been having headaches for a few weeks. They're in my face and ear. I have a history of sinus issues.
Later the doctor sweeps in and says: "I'm sending you to get an MRI of your brain."
I laughed. I thought she was kidding. She wasn't. We finally compromised on a CAT scan of my sinuses - and brain.
So I still have the headaches until further information comes in.
What's her problem? Hasn't she ever seen "Kindergarten Cop?"
It's not a tumor!
***
But I've been having some headaches. This is no big whoop because I have a long history of sinus problems. By the way, sinus problems are the number one reason patients visit their doctors.
My doctor is something else! Always a little frustrating to be in her office but she's an excellent diagnostician and takes me seriously - sometimes too seriously.
Here's exactly what I told the nurse prior to seeing the doctor.
I've been having headaches for a few weeks. They're in my face and ear. I have a history of sinus issues.
Later the doctor sweeps in and says: "I'm sending you to get an MRI of your brain."
I laughed. I thought she was kidding. She wasn't. We finally compromised on a CAT scan of my sinuses - and brain.
So I still have the headaches until further information comes in.
What's her problem? Hasn't she ever seen "Kindergarten Cop?"
It's not a tumor!
***
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Get Your Flu Shot
One of the Backstreet Boys has swine flu. This is inconvenient because they're promoting their new CD.
But getting the flu is inconvenient for all of us. Also miserable and possibly life threatening.
No vaccine available yet for swine flu but it's coming. Dave and I probably won't be eligible to receive it because we're too old. Older people aren't getting swine flu. Woo hoo!
But if we could, we would. I'm all about getting vaccinated. One of my sons was telling me recently that he gets vaccinated multiple times when he leaves the country, which is often.
Good.
So get your regular flu shot. And, if you're eligible, get a swine flu shot.
I hope that Backstreet Boy, Brian, has a speedy recovery and, in the meantime, sneezes into his elbow.
***
But getting the flu is inconvenient for all of us. Also miserable and possibly life threatening.
No vaccine available yet for swine flu but it's coming. Dave and I probably won't be eligible to receive it because we're too old. Older people aren't getting swine flu. Woo hoo!
But if we could, we would. I'm all about getting vaccinated. One of my sons was telling me recently that he gets vaccinated multiple times when he leaves the country, which is often.
Good.
So get your regular flu shot. And, if you're eligible, get a swine flu shot.
I hope that Backstreet Boy, Brian, has a speedy recovery and, in the meantime, sneezes into his elbow.
***
The Informant
Dave and I saw this movie last night. It stars one of my favorite actors, Matt Damon, is directed by Steven Soderberg and produced by George Clooney. The reviews have been, generally, good, with some mention of Matt being nominated for an Oscar.
But it hasn't been well attended. Yesterday there were seven other people in the theater. Mostly people don't think it's entertaining.
It's a true story. In all of the reviews I've read it's been described as being about big business and corporate greed.
I don't think that at all. I think it's about mental illness.
Matt Damon's character is bi-polar. He's a good natured liar of global proportions. Most of the time he's a happy, lying genus/duffas who calms himself with irrelevant thoughts that constantly race through his brain,
Here's the question we discussed on the way home. Does mental illness excuse our actions? I don't think so. Anybody as smart as Matt's character has got to know that there's something very wrong with his mind.
So then there's Jesus' question: Do you want to get well?
If you see this movie be mindful of Marvin Hamlisch's excellent music. It helps us understand this man's feelings.
***
But it hasn't been well attended. Yesterday there were seven other people in the theater. Mostly people don't think it's entertaining.
It's a true story. In all of the reviews I've read it's been described as being about big business and corporate greed.
I don't think that at all. I think it's about mental illness.
Matt Damon's character is bi-polar. He's a good natured liar of global proportions. Most of the time he's a happy, lying genus/duffas who calms himself with irrelevant thoughts that constantly race through his brain,
Here's the question we discussed on the way home. Does mental illness excuse our actions? I don't think so. Anybody as smart as Matt's character has got to know that there's something very wrong with his mind.
So then there's Jesus' question: Do you want to get well?
If you see this movie be mindful of Marvin Hamlisch's excellent music. It helps us understand this man's feelings.
***
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Cupcakism
An article in the current Newsweek tells us that cupcakes are the big new hip, postmodern signifier.
You know, like coffee in the 90s.
When my kids were little I baked hundreds and hundreds of cupcakes. Yes, we had those times when one of them said at bedtime "Mom, I forgot. I have to take 50 cupcakes to school/church/scouts (whatever) in the morning."
I was not creative. I kept plenty of Dunkin Hines chocolate cake mix, frosting and cupcake liners on hand. No sprinkles or gumdrops. Just hard core cupcakes. And lots of them.
Now Newsweek is saying that to be a "cupcakist" is to put your faith in the church of the cute, expensive and sweet. And many of these "followers" don't even sell cupcakes. They sell cupcake emblazoned paraphernalia like T shirts, stickers and earrings.
They're selling the idea of cupcakes. They're counting on the fact that we consumers like to overpay for the privilege of buying a status symbol.
Places that do sell cupcakes are selling "high concept" ones like mango with margarita custard, dressed up in special pleated paper cups after baking. Critics are calling this proliferation of expensive cupcake stores "bourgeois anachronism."
Come on folks. We're coming out of a major recession. Do they think we're actually going to fall for this?
Apparently we have.
And the next big lifestyle choice, according to Newsweek? Bacon.
Soon we'll all be "Baconists."
***
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Finding My Oldies
Yesterday I did my two-mile-fast-walk on Park Avenue. My very favorite street. As I walked I thought about my Oldies.
They're having a bit of a hard time. I try to drop by their condo more often. By the way, their condo is big and beautiful but bursting at the seams with stuff.
So I stopped by to see them but they weren't home. So I walked to the three restaurants they frequent the most. Not there.
I was feeling sad.
Next I walked to my church where one of the groups was having a big rummage sale.
There were my Oldies! Happy as could be. Buying stuff. He had his arms full. When I met them for breakfast this morning he was carrying his new briefcase that he bought for two dollars.
By the way. I spent six dollars myself at the rummage sale. I bought two Barbie dolls for fifty cents each and a small lamp that I LOVE for five dollars. Couldn't wait to get it home but was afraid that it couldn't possibly work at that price.
But it did! It is beautiful. I've looked at it more than my new TV.
Mr. Oldie was upset with me at the rummage sale because he wanted it too. But I found it first.
***
They're having a bit of a hard time. I try to drop by their condo more often. By the way, their condo is big and beautiful but bursting at the seams with stuff.
So I stopped by to see them but they weren't home. So I walked to the three restaurants they frequent the most. Not there.
I was feeling sad.
Next I walked to my church where one of the groups was having a big rummage sale.
There were my Oldies! Happy as could be. Buying stuff. He had his arms full. When I met them for breakfast this morning he was carrying his new briefcase that he bought for two dollars.
By the way. I spent six dollars myself at the rummage sale. I bought two Barbie dolls for fifty cents each and a small lamp that I LOVE for five dollars. Couldn't wait to get it home but was afraid that it couldn't possibly work at that price.
But it did! It is beautiful. I've looked at it more than my new TV.
Mr. Oldie was upset with me at the rummage sale because he wanted it too. But I found it first.
***
My New TV
I bought a new television set. It's big.
OK, here's the reason. My 25 year old TV in the bedroom wasn't doing it for me anymore. In fact, I haven't turned it on in four months. So I gave it away.
Then I researched TVs. The guy at Best Buy seemed bemused by my typed notes that were revised each of the three times I visited him. I said:
Doesn't everybody come in with research and notes?
No.
Well, they should.
So, yesterday morning the Geek Squad arrived, moved my TV that's only ten years old to the bedroom and installed my brand new Sony Bravia LCD 40 incher in the living room.
Woo Hoo.
Do you believe in coincidences?
Last night I came home from dinner with friends and turned on my new TV. It was frozen. Then I turned on my old TV. It was frozen. Oh, oh, the Geeks must have messed up something.
But this morning the sets worked fine and I read in the paper that my cable company had a glitch last night and all of the TVs in the area were frozen.
So it was a coincidence.
However, as I'm writing this I still haven't found anything that interests me on my big new TV. Maybe Dave will find something when he arrives.
Maybe golf.
***
OK, here's the reason. My 25 year old TV in the bedroom wasn't doing it for me anymore. In fact, I haven't turned it on in four months. So I gave it away.
Then I researched TVs. The guy at Best Buy seemed bemused by my typed notes that were revised each of the three times I visited him. I said:
Doesn't everybody come in with research and notes?
No.
Well, they should.
So, yesterday morning the Geek Squad arrived, moved my TV that's only ten years old to the bedroom and installed my brand new Sony Bravia LCD 40 incher in the living room.
Woo Hoo.
Do you believe in coincidences?
Last night I came home from dinner with friends and turned on my new TV. It was frozen. Then I turned on my old TV. It was frozen. Oh, oh, the Geeks must have messed up something.
But this morning the sets worked fine and I read in the paper that my cable company had a glitch last night and all of the TVs in the area were frozen.
So it was a coincidence.
However, as I'm writing this I still haven't found anything that interests me on my big new TV. Maybe Dave will find something when he arrives.
Maybe golf.
***
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Dave's Coming!
Dave's arriving this weekend. The following is from the Bible. It's how I feel.
Listen! My lover!
Look! Here he comes,
leaping across the mountains,
bounding over the hills
My lover is like a gazelle or a young
stag.
Look! There he stands behind our
wall.
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattice,
My lover spoke and said to me,
Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me,
See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone
Flowers appear on the earth,
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
***
Listen! My lover!
Look! Here he comes,
leaping across the mountains,
bounding over the hills
My lover is like a gazelle or a young
stag.
Look! There he stands behind our
wall.
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattice,
My lover spoke and said to me,
Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me,
See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone
Flowers appear on the earth,
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
***
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