I initially watched this movie by mistake. I thought I was going to get the Steve McQueen film The Sand Pebbles but did not quite remember the correct name.
Liz Taylor and Richard Burton did not really appeal to me and I had read the rather scrabby reviews. I ended up watching it for the period costumes (maybe Liz wore some great jewelry I could cheaply copy) and the 60s art community at Big Sur.
So, I ended up liking it and disagreeing with the reviews. The story line was good. Illegitimacy was unusual then and of course the cleric head of a private school might find the situation to be both shocking and attractive, especially when the unwed mommy looks like Liz Taylor. The struggle between the two stars' world views seems genuine for the time and the dialog was pretty fair despite Taylor's occasional lapses into shrillness. The ending seemed as honest as it was sad.
So why the bad reviews? Well given the tabloid romance between Liz and Dick it was hard to envision the womanizing Burton as a straight-laced preacher who beat up on himself for wanting the younger free spirited artiste. It was equally hard to imagine Liz as reluctant to marry as Burton was her fifth husband. If the real affair had been less sensational the fictional one would have been more convincing. To contemporary audiences the situation may have instead seemed comical.
Sad business as both actors did fine jobs and the supporting work of Eva Marie Saint and Charles Bronson made the film very worth watching, IMO.
Today's young movie goers will not remember the "romance of the century" and Photoplay magazine is a distant memory for those of us who do recall the stories.
The Sandpiper is worth another look.
Sick of minimalism? Does minimalist clothing, furniture, food or freedoms get on your last nerve? Me too. I am a maximalist. I want more. I love collecting books, perfumes, household objects, plants and jewelry. Most of all I prize my Constitutional freedoms and choices. I do not want to be told what to do, what to read, what to eat or what to believe. I don't want to work hard and give it all away to fund someone else's idea of fairness.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Elizabeth Taylor: Jewish Convert.
Now here is an example of suspect motives. Liz either converted to marry Mike Todd or Eddie Fisher, not out of a deeply held philosophical desire or a long search into man's religions. Yet, jews seem proud of this conversion.
Yes, Liz was beautiful and rich, but the next few rounds of mates were hardly jewish and there is no evidence that she insisted on Burton, Warner or Fortensky converting.
Yet, Elizabeth Taylor, who could have dumped Judaism like last year's diamond necklace was true. She donated to jewish charities and was buried according to jewish tradition.
How much more should we welcome the convert who wants to be jewish after careful study and a thorough search into their lives and hearts. Not every one will remain faithful any more than any other follower of any other religion. To insist on 100% is silly. But let's be welcoming whether they be a "Sparkling White Diamonds" or "Black Pearls". Yes, I own Miss Taylor's fragrances!
The Maximalist.
Yes, Liz was beautiful and rich, but the next few rounds of mates were hardly jewish and there is no evidence that she insisted on Burton, Warner or Fortensky converting.
Yet, Elizabeth Taylor, who could have dumped Judaism like last year's diamond necklace was true. She donated to jewish charities and was buried according to jewish tradition.
How much more should we welcome the convert who wants to be jewish after careful study and a thorough search into their lives and hearts. Not every one will remain faithful any more than any other follower of any other religion. To insist on 100% is silly. But let's be welcoming whether they be a "Sparkling White Diamonds" or "Black Pearls". Yes, I own Miss Taylor's fragrances!
The Maximalist.
Jews in Kenya? Why not!
I just read a story at www.tabletmag.com about a group of Kenyans who adopted Judaism as their religion and lifestyle. The most amazing part of the story was not that these men and women should want to become jews, a very sensible religion, but that the author was surprised that the local synagogue might not be thrilled by this and might doubt their motives.
Why is this a surprise? It happened to me, a white woman and former Catholic, here in the US. It happened to people I know, some who were eventually accepted as converts and some who gave up feeling irritable and rejected. Seems there is a general reluctance among jews to accept converts, not just African converts, and it's been around for a while as I converted in 1980.
Come on my jewish "brothers and sisters"! Let's start welcoming people into the fold and spread our traditions, our liturgy, and our beliefs. We need it. If not for the numbers alone, then for the need to be understood and not feared or lied about.
Throw open the doors!
Why is this a surprise? It happened to me, a white woman and former Catholic, here in the US. It happened to people I know, some who were eventually accepted as converts and some who gave up feeling irritable and rejected. Seems there is a general reluctance among jews to accept converts, not just African converts, and it's been around for a while as I converted in 1980.
Come on my jewish "brothers and sisters"! Let's start welcoming people into the fold and spread our traditions, our liturgy, and our beliefs. We need it. If not for the numbers alone, then for the need to be understood and not feared or lied about.
Throw open the doors!
Fraud on Etsy.
I enjoy Etsy and I shop the site daily looking for cool vintage pieces at great prices or fabulous one-of-a-kind hand made gifts. I have done very well and have been pleased.
Last month I found an absolutely delightful pair of silver and agate earrings with comedy/tragedy faces. The price was right. The seller had no feedback but had made man other sales and the items for sale were plentiful with multiple pictures. Nothing was outrageous, no too cheap diamond rings, no almost-free Prada bags and there was nothing that would have made a person suspicious, so I bought them. Me and one-hundred and ninety other buyers took the plunge from this new seller from Bulgaria.
Nobody got their items. Not one single person. Paypal eventually refunded me for my loss, but I'd have rather had my earrings.
It was a clever fraud. Instead of pics lifted from magazines or catalogs, the pictures looked real and occasionally there was a person in the pic modeling the item. And, as I've said, not one item looked too good to be true and nothing was expensive. This was a professional fraud calculated to look honest as can be and get a lot of sales fast (plus shipping). I am still angry, but I have to admire the cunning and the lack of obvious BS. This person did not make a mint on any item, but 190 items at an average of 25.00 is nearly 5k for a few hours of posting and photographing your jewelry and vintage housewares.
I don't know how much the Bulgarian authorities, provided she really is Bulgarian, prosecute this behavior and I do not know for far 5k goes in Bulgaria, but I wonder if she is laughing her butt off at us suckers. I wonder if Paypal takes the loss?
Last month I found an absolutely delightful pair of silver and agate earrings with comedy/tragedy faces. The price was right. The seller had no feedback but had made man other sales and the items for sale were plentiful with multiple pictures. Nothing was outrageous, no too cheap diamond rings, no almost-free Prada bags and there was nothing that would have made a person suspicious, so I bought them. Me and one-hundred and ninety other buyers took the plunge from this new seller from Bulgaria.
Nobody got their items. Not one single person. Paypal eventually refunded me for my loss, but I'd have rather had my earrings.
It was a clever fraud. Instead of pics lifted from magazines or catalogs, the pictures looked real and occasionally there was a person in the pic modeling the item. And, as I've said, not one item looked too good to be true and nothing was expensive. This was a professional fraud calculated to look honest as can be and get a lot of sales fast (plus shipping). I am still angry, but I have to admire the cunning and the lack of obvious BS. This person did not make a mint on any item, but 190 items at an average of 25.00 is nearly 5k for a few hours of posting and photographing your jewelry and vintage housewares.
I don't know how much the Bulgarian authorities, provided she really is Bulgarian, prosecute this behavior and I do not know for far 5k goes in Bulgaria, but I wonder if she is laughing her butt off at us suckers. I wonder if Paypal takes the loss?
So Gaddafi is Jewish?
The opposition must hate him dreadfully, or really, really want his job and cash to spread such an obvious canard. Is there anybody out there who believes that there is a single arab country who would have tolerated a coup by a jewish colonel? Is there anybody out there who believes that any arab country would have even had a jewish colonel in their military? Absurd and designed to bring the tyrant down...for the benefit of another ling tyrant.
Ok, let's spread a better rumor! Gaddafi is the love child of Golda Meir and King Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia. Can you prove it isn't true? The king must have had plenty of mistresses.
Of course it's rubbish, but so is the "my future predecessor is jewish" lie.
Ok, let's spread a better rumor! Gaddafi is the love child of Golda Meir and King Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia. Can you prove it isn't true? The king must have had plenty of mistresses.
Of course it's rubbish, but so is the "my future predecessor is jewish" lie.
My latest collectible author...Robert Nathan?
Robert Nathan!
He wrote deceptively sweet fiction and fantasy stories like "Portrait of Jenny" and "The Bishop's Wife". I know about him largely because of the movies based on these books and was surprised to discover that they were books at all. I thought the were the product of a slick screenwriter.
Not at all. Nathan was a prolific author and poet and one who seems sadly forgotten. The books are short and the stories seem simple when taken at face value. The more I read the more depth I find. They just need a little bit of thought.
My current find is his book "Mia" that deals with a middle-aged woman who seems not to have made a lot of her life. Our narrator seems conflicted about her and her hesitation to be happy. I would hate to spoil it for you, in case you find it someday, but the principle female characters "hit home". Sometimes sweet fantasies are a way of looking at hard truths
He wrote deceptively sweet fiction and fantasy stories like "Portrait of Jenny" and "The Bishop's Wife". I know about him largely because of the movies based on these books and was surprised to discover that they were books at all. I thought the were the product of a slick screenwriter.
Not at all. Nathan was a prolific author and poet and one who seems sadly forgotten. The books are short and the stories seem simple when taken at face value. The more I read the more depth I find. They just need a little bit of thought.
My current find is his book "Mia" that deals with a middle-aged woman who seems not to have made a lot of her life. Our narrator seems conflicted about her and her hesitation to be happy. I would hate to spoil it for you, in case you find it someday, but the principle female characters "hit home". Sometimes sweet fantasies are a way of looking at hard truths
Inflation? Economic Victory Gardens!
What sort of ways have you prepared for this possibility? I have 1) started an economic victory garden, 2) bought jewelry at or below scrap value, 3) shopped sale items more often at the grocery store and stocked up on non-perishables.
I am not a big Obama fan, quite the contrary as I think most pols fall in the category of people who want US to have less while they whoop it up. That said, I do appreciate Michelle's garden. I like it a great deal. During WWII and for many years after many people had Victory Gardens which allowed them to eat better and save their coupons for other things (or so I've been told). My family continued with the annual garden well into the 70s. It was a habit, it was fun, great exercise, and provided delicious vegetables that could be frozen or canned.
Oh how I hated canning and I am not prepared to go that route at this time, but with the price of food on the rise it seems sensible to grow otherwise expensive vegetables and fruits. This will free up money for other things and will give me a sense of achievement that green grassy lawns do not provide.
Thus far I have started winter squash, pricey peppers (I love peppers), peas, dill (have you seen the cost of dill seed), heirloom tomatoes, peas and cilantro. I have ordered many raspberry bushes, currants and an apple tree with four varieties on one tree. If I am going to plant new shrubs and trees anyway it stands to reason that they should yield expensive black raspberries and "antique" apples, no? What can be more "maximalist" than plentiful black rasperries?
There is a small possibility that I will add grape vines and acquire a food drying machine. The machine is particularly unlikely as that would punch a hole in the savings.
I am not a big Obama fan, quite the contrary as I think most pols fall in the category of people who want US to have less while they whoop it up. That said, I do appreciate Michelle's garden. I like it a great deal. During WWII and for many years after many people had Victory Gardens which allowed them to eat better and save their coupons for other things (or so I've been told). My family continued with the annual garden well into the 70s. It was a habit, it was fun, great exercise, and provided delicious vegetables that could be frozen or canned.
Oh how I hated canning and I am not prepared to go that route at this time, but with the price of food on the rise it seems sensible to grow otherwise expensive vegetables and fruits. This will free up money for other things and will give me a sense of achievement that green grassy lawns do not provide.
Thus far I have started winter squash, pricey peppers (I love peppers), peas, dill (have you seen the cost of dill seed), heirloom tomatoes, peas and cilantro. I have ordered many raspberry bushes, currants and an apple tree with four varieties on one tree. If I am going to plant new shrubs and trees anyway it stands to reason that they should yield expensive black raspberries and "antique" apples, no? What can be more "maximalist" than plentiful black rasperries?
There is a small possibility that I will add grape vines and acquire a food drying machine. The machine is particularly unlikely as that would punch a hole in the savings.
Things I hate, today
1.Rich celebs with tax shelters up the wazoo telling me I should pay more while they buy 200 million dollar yachts
2.Rich celebs with plastic surgery and personal trainers who talk about "great personalities" being most important.
3. The words "panties" (women aren't adult enough to wear underwear) and "bangs"...where did that come from?
4. Expensive cars from europe with bumper stickers that say "buy locally"
5. Expensive cars from europe with bumper stickers that say "live simply so others can simply live"
6. Vogue Magazine's puff piece on Assad of Syria's lovely wife. This is like doing a piece on the beauties of the Third Reich.
7. Vogue magazine on general principle these days.
8. Real Simple magazine's overpriced suggestions, I mean what could be "simpler" than a $230 bottle of trendy Bond perfume? Putzes.
9. Facebook ads, what the hell is a "Kanga-room" and why should I click on that link?
Now do I have trouble with splashy euro-cars? No. I do have trouble with posh trendies telling me to scale back and with fashionistas who believe that high priced garbage is "simple" or necessary. My husband tells the story of having to attend a "buy local and save energy" talk from someone who "flew all over the country" to give this advice. The person did not see a contradiction. Like Al Gore with his new palace and yacht expecting the home of the future to have old glass washboards. Ugh.
2.Rich celebs with plastic surgery and personal trainers who talk about "great personalities" being most important.
3. The words "panties" (women aren't adult enough to wear underwear) and "bangs"...where did that come from?
4. Expensive cars from europe with bumper stickers that say "buy locally"
5. Expensive cars from europe with bumper stickers that say "live simply so others can simply live"
6. Vogue Magazine's puff piece on Assad of Syria's lovely wife. This is like doing a piece on the beauties of the Third Reich.
7. Vogue magazine on general principle these days.
8. Real Simple magazine's overpriced suggestions, I mean what could be "simpler" than a $230 bottle of trendy Bond perfume? Putzes.
9. Facebook ads, what the hell is a "Kanga-room" and why should I click on that link?
Now do I have trouble with splashy euro-cars? No. I do have trouble with posh trendies telling me to scale back and with fashionistas who believe that high priced garbage is "simple" or necessary. My husband tells the story of having to attend a "buy local and save energy" talk from someone who "flew all over the country" to give this advice. The person did not see a contradiction. Like Al Gore with his new palace and yacht expecting the home of the future to have old glass washboards. Ugh.