Social Media Power

After we saw "The Social Network" I wrote that I was amazed by the genius of Mark Zuckerberg but wished he'd invented something important.


But, of course, I was wrong about that.


As I write this we're in the midst of unrest in Cairo. A while back, during the elections, Iranian young people let their voices be heard around the world.


George Clooney and others have made the world aware of the conditions in the Sudan.


None of this could happen without the social media. We're seeing - and more importantly - experiencing -worldwide events in real time.


By contrast, the folks in North Korea put up with their miserable lifestyle because they're a closed society. They don't know what's out here.





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RED

I have a reputation for not being spontaneous. But yesterday afternoon, when Dave said "Let's jump in the car right now and go to the movies," I said "OK."

We saw RED. This is an acronym for Retired - but Extremely Dangerous.

The film is totally and completely silly. The cast is glorious.

What fun to see some of our favorite elderly movie stars as cold blooded C.I.A. assassins.

Bruce Willis, age 56, stars. He could do this movie in his sleep. His love interest: Mary Louise Parker, age 46.

John Malkovich, age 58 is hysterically funny. Morgan Freeman, age 73, plays a man 80 years old. He gets to wear a great turquoise and gold outfit. I'm guessing that's why he took the part.

Richard Dryfus, age 64, is evil. But he's never looked better. (My son used to call him "the Rat Man.")

Helen Mirrin, age 66 is a cold blooded killer and loves her work. Her lover, whom she shot three times (but he forgave her because it was all in the line of duty) is played by Brian Cox, age 65.

Ernest Borgnine, age 94, is the record keeper.

We didn't go on 75 cent Tuesday so had to pay the big money: $1.25. But it was worth it.

I wonder if people ever think of me as Retired - but Extremely Dangerous.


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One Picture Says It All

I've shared with you before my admiration for political cartoons in general and, specifically, the creations of Dana Summers.

Today is the actual 25th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy.

I remember well, the day after the event, this drawing appearing in the paper. It said everything we were feeling at the time.

It reappeared in this morning's paper along with the explanation from Dana Summers as to how he came up with it.

I think it was inspired.

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Academy Awards

The Academy Award nominations came out today. I applaud their choices.

Here are the top ten movies:

The King's Speech - a wonderful movie. But for those of you who love car chases - you're out of luck. It's slow and sweet. And a real life story of someone overcoming circumstances in order to make a difference in the world. The only reason this movie has an R rating is because the future king adopts a potty mouth as part of his therapy. I love Colin Firth.

True Grit - A wonderful, gritty, classic western. Far more realistic than the cartoony John Wayne version. This one is true to the book. I love Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon.

The Black Swan - Scary, tense, suspenseful with periods of beautiful dancing. If you see this movie you'll never want to be a ballerina. This movie deserves its R rating. It's not called a physio/sexual thriller for nothing. I love Natalie Portman.

The Kids Are All Right - If you're offended by homosexuality don't see it. Otherwise, it's a funny, romantic movie about family members trying to resolve issues. I love Annette Bening.

The Social Network - I reviewed on October 9th.

Inception - I reviewed on August 10th.

Toy Story 3 - It's cute, sweet and beautifully filmed - but I'm just not a fan of animation.

127 Hours - I don't want to see it because it's about that guy who's hiking and has to chop off his arm. But I'm sure it's about the triumph of the human spirit.

The Fighter - This is the next film on our list. I've heard nothing but good things about it - even from those like me who don't like fighting.

Winter's Bone - Haven't seen it and it's gone now. But maybe it will come back since it made the list.

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Challenger Anniversary

Hard to believe we're coming up on the 25th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger tragedy.

Seven astronauts died, including teacher Christa McAuliffe, when the space shuttle blew up 73 seconds after takeoff.

I was living on the space coast at the time so the events were sered into my brain. But most everybody in Florida and in the country over the age of 40 remembers where they were and what they were doing when it happened.

I was on my way to the Chamber of Commerce in Melbourne when I heard it on the radio. I pulled into a parking lot, got out of the car and looked at the sky.

It was a mess.

I got back in the car. The announcer wasn't sure about if or when the astronauts died but, after looking at the sky, I knew. I sat in the car and prayed that they died instantly - with no suffering.

A few months later I was invited to do some consulting at a sub contracting company at the space center. It was a privilege but also stressful and hard. Because those left behind were still suffering in all kinds of ways from space shuttle Challenger tragedy.

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The Painted Houses

Several times a week I drive by a house I really like. It's very architectural. Sharp lines. It's painted a deep mustard color. The trim is dark green. Oh yeah, it also has red doors. Sounds strange but it works. It's especially striking at Christmas time when they put poinsettias everywhere.

Then the traditional house right next door was painted a baby blue with white trim. It, too, is attractive. But, of course, they clash. It's like eating pickles and ice cream. They're both good, but come on.

Now the art deco house directly across the street has been painted a bright Easter egg yellow. With white trim. I'd be ashamed to tell you how I described it to Dave but it involved a description of food poisoning.

Don't these neighbors know each other? Don't they look at each other's houses? Don't they care about us?

I wonder what's next.


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Angels in Disguise

We know that tragedy brings out the best in many people. In fact, it brings out the heroic in people. But the truth is that most folks are doing random acts of kindness every day.

We're still reading and hearing about those who've gone above and beyond since the Arizona tragedy.

The parents of little Christina-Taylor Green contacted a group of Trappist Monks in Iowa who hand-make caskets. But the monks didn't want to send an adult coffin. They wanted something special, something just for nine year old Christina-Taylor. They crafted a casket from red oak especially for her. The lid of the casket is inscribed with her name, date of birth and death - and a cross. They also sent five small keepsake crosses hewn from the same wood. They gave the coffin to the Green family free of charge after giving it a special blessing.

But the thing is, when any child dies it hits the monks especially hard. So they always give the child's casket to the family free of charge.


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Rituals

We here in central Florida are proud of our hometown syndicated cartoonists, Ralph Dunagin and Dana Summers.

As you know, I'm amazed at political cartoonists who make us think deeply with only a drawing.

But Dunagin and Summers also have a syndicated comic strip called the Middletons.

I can totally relate to Sunday's strip featuring Grandma Middleton. Sometimes when I'm on the couch watching the TV, I feel really drowsy. But after all the gyrations I go through to get ready for bed I'm wide awake again.

Can't believe that, when I was a young woman, I'd eat popcorn in bed - and then go to sleep.! If I did that now my teeth would fall out for sure.

In her book "I Remember Nothing," Nora Ephron says that one of the things she won't miss when she dies is taking off her makeup at night.

Oh brother, that's just the beginning.

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Happy Birthday

My good friend is going to be 70 years old soon. Sometimes, to cheer people up when they hit these alarming decade birthdays, I send them a list of celebs who're hitting the same age around the same time. They're always so great looking that it makes us feel better about ourselves.

For instance, Mary Tyler Moore was born close to my birth date but she's much older than me.

But the celebs I found that are hitting the big 7-0 around the same time as my friend are scary looking.

Of course, you recognize Nick Nolte to the left. If you look him up you'll find that most of his recent photos are similar to this one.

Then there's Dick Cheney. My friend has some health problems but at least she doesn't have a defibrillator permanently installed in her chest.

And then there's Sam Waterston. I love Sam Waterston. He played Jack McCoy on my all time favorite TV drama, "Law & Order." (Even though it's been cancelled you can still see "Law & Order" any time you want. Just turn on the TV. It will be there.)

Now Sam's doing commercials and I still like him, but - he looks really old!

So I guess I won't send my friend the usual birthday celeb photos. She looks a thousand times better than these guys.

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I Remember Nothing

I went to my book club this afternoon. We discussed Nora Ephron's "I Remember Nothing." I was the only one who liked it. I didn't disagree with some of their comments. The book is light and probably a compilation of previously written columns and articles. The book club ladies where thinking that since her most recent book prior to this "I Feel Bad About My Neck," did so well, she probably threw this one together.

Come on, she's Nora Ephron. One of the finest writers around and part of a writing legacy.

The book is light but I found some meaning in most every chapter. The first one, specifically about memory, made me feel really good. I could relate.

By the way Nora, was the man you met at the party who had a neurological disorder and couldn't remember faces Oliver Sacks?

I love the chapter "My Life as an Heiress." (Even though I'd read it previously in the New Yorker.) Ephron gives us the three stages of inherited wealth: Glee, Sloth and Dissension.

I love the chapter "My Life as a Meat Loaf. Ephron is a cook. (After all, she wrote and directed "Julie and Julia.") Her friend opened a swanky restaurant and named the meat loaf after her. Nora's Meat Loaf. What an honor. But it wasn't her recipe in the first place, (she uses Lipton's soup mix and a gourmet restaurant would never do that) and, after chef changes, etc. it became unrecognizable and then was discontinued.

A lot of life is like that.

In the back she has a list of things she won't miss when she dies. The last one is "taking makeup off every night." I'm now compiling my own lists of things I'll miss and things I won't miss. My first list is longer.

As I said, the book made me think and is very smart and funny. My book club ladies are smart and funny too but they didn't like the book.


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Are Boomers Bad?

This year the oldest Baby Boomers will turn 65.

An article by Marsha Mercer in the AARP Bulletin quotes TV commentator Paul Begala. Calling the Boomers "The Worst Generation," he says:

Boomers are the most self-centered, self-seeking, self-interested, self-absorbed, self-indulgent, self-aggrandizing generation in American history.

Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. My two oldest children are Boomers. I was born at the tale end of "The Greatest" generation. But how can we be so great if we parented these selfish Boomers?

The truth is that I don't agree with the negative portrayal of the Boomers. If they haven't been as self sacrificing it's because they didn't have to be. They went about experimenting, discovering, designing and building for the future. I don't begrudge the Boomers their creature comforts.

Mercer says that Boomers "haven't embraced civic engagement the way they have Botox and Viagra."

I don't know about that. Most of the Boomers I know are hard working volunteers and workers. And I expect that when they retire they will continue to make great contributions to society.


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Move That Stuff

Our minister started a new series this morning called "Move That Bus" It will focus on the "stuff" we can move out of our lives to make room for God.

OK, I thought it was going to be about cleaning my the closet - but no, he started out this morning on a much deeper topic than that - as usual.

But you know how good I am about living simply. Dave too. We're constantly throwing out and giving away stuff right and left. Last week I cleaned my closet (again,) loaded up the car and drove it all to our local Goodwill Boutique. Didn't even buy anything while I was there even though they have some cool stuff.

Then last night I was getting ready for a fantastic birthday party for one of my favorite people and discovered I had no shoes. Whoops!

As you know, Dave and I try to go bagless. On Christmas morning I scored a large cloth diaper bag with my name embroidered on it. Well, it's my granddaughter's name as well. She outgrew it and I can use it, so what a great way to recycle. I now have a monogrammed shopping bag.

Even though Dr. Bob's message this morning was powerful I think, along with clearing the wrong thinking out of our heads, it's good to get rid of the tangible "stuff" we no longer need.

So this week we're cleaning the garage.

Chocolate Milk Wars

In some misguided attempt to stop childhood obesity, Florida could be the first state in the union to ban chocolate milk in public schools.



Are we crazy?



I can understand banning Classic Coke.

Here are the facts. Chocolate milk is good for you. Some studies show that when milk and chocolate are combined the nutritional benefits of each doubles.

It's rich in protein, calcium, vitamin-D and other good stuff. A glass of reduced fat chocolate milk (which is how it usually comes) has 160 calories.

Michael Phelps drinks chocolate milk to recover after a swim.

So drink up kids. I think I'll have a glass myself.

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Cookbook

Just before Christmas my church put out a cookbook. Most church cookbooks are good because folks want their best recipes included.

But this one's exceptional. For one thing we have well known chefs and caterers in the congregation. There's even a pro section call "Celebrity Chef." In it there's the recipe for Bacon, Date and Chorizo Tapas that's served at the Imperial Wine Bar. And it doesn't look hard to make.

I love seeing my friend's recipes. When my friend, Gil, retired a few years ago he spent the following couple of years making desserts for various groups. Some of his favorites are in there, including his Lemonade Cookies.

A few years ago I became acquainted with Coke Cola Cake. Oh my gosh, it's to die for. The recipe's in the book.

The one that intrigues me the most is for Perfect Prime Rib. I've never attempted prime rib. It's way too expensive to risk messing up. But Tom, the man who entered the recipe, says it's easy. It looks easy. But at one point you have to turn off the oven and "DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR" for two hours.

Don't know if I could be that brave. I might have to call Tom and have him talk me through it.

Polly has many Asian recipes in the book. She really knows her stuff. Her Kung Pao Chicken recipe looks totally yummy.

There are several recipes for Tortilla Soup and Taco Soup. It must be popular. I've never tried these soups.

John Rivers, owner and executive chef of 4R Smokehouse, a popular (by that I mean the line goes around the block) restaurant has been very generous to the church over the years. More than once he's prepared fantastic meals for over a thousand people for church celebrations.

His recipes are in the book.

Here's a menu suggestion for you:

Creamy Spring Asparagus Soup
Perfect Prime Rib and/or Miss Sally's Crawfish Pie
Potato Fennel Gratin
Radish and Cucumber Salad
Roasted Pears With Blue Cheese and Walnuts

As you must realize, I've read the book from cover to cover. Don't know if I'll actually make any of the recipes - but I certainly hope I get to eat some. Especially that Coke Cola cake.


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The Paradoxical Commandments

In our excellent Sunday school class this morning we discussed "The Paradoxical Commandments." Many people think these commandments were written by Mother Teresa because she had them on her wall but they were actually written in 1968 by Kent Keith when he was 19 years old and a student at Harvard.

Over the years he's done great work in leadership and "The Paradoxical Commandments" have become kind of a cottage industry for him.

These commandments coincide very well with the teachings of Jesus who was (and is) both paradoxical and revolutionary.

So here are the commandments to help you begin 2011.

THE PARADOXICAL COMMANDMENTS

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self- centered. Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

People may really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help them anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.


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