It's been some time since my last visit to a movie theater and although I enjoy films, I am not a big fan of at-home viewing. I was thinking of movies as my mind wandered the other day. Of course, Los Angeles has so much history where movies and movie-making have a co-starring role. A favorite? I can't think of one. There are many. Why choose?
One that immediately came to mind was 500 Days of Summer. This movie was released in 2009 and stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zoey Deschanel in a fast-paced and decidedly offbeat comedy. … (35 comments)
Although it has been some time since I have driven past it, I do recall seeing the building since I entered the world many years ago: that place of my birth.
I was born at St Vincent's Hospital in Los Angeles where my mother and her sister were also born. My younger sister and my five cousins on my Mom's side as well. Incredidbly enough, each was delivered by the same doctor including my Mom and my Aunt. My younger brother, the last one born in that group, came along too late as the hospital had closed … (35 comments)
Off I Go Wandering. Again. Unlike many ActiveRain members, I am not a hiker. Definitely not in the traditional sense. I tend to do my exploring in a more urban setting. My backyard could be defined as the streets of my neighborhood. Daily, I find much.
A few weeks ago I encountered a pack of Porsche. I am sure they were ready to pounce. And nearby, a sleek Jaguar rounded the corner. Mind you, there are less exotic types as well. Many. But they rarely capture the attention of most. It can be difficult to stand out in a place … (33 comments)
Hits and Misses It's rare(I can't recall ever using one) that I include a baseball reference of any sort in a post. So it might come as a bit of a surprise that I mention the Los Angeles Dodgers and the team's clinching their seventh consecutive National League West division champshionship earlier this month.
I mean, there's still time until talk of another World Series game is played or a win is reported despite what some local sports media outlets may say/predict.
When it comes to hits and misses, we can see comparisons to everyday life. More hits. Fewer … (24 comments)
While looking at some quotes recently for an ActiveRain post I found this author. The name Daniel Lubetzky was not immediately familiar to me but further investigation has shown him to be a person who has a message I find quite interesting. Combining entrepreneurship, philanthropy, kindness and more is something that I find intriguing. Admirable too. To say the very least. I was reminded of a challenge by Carol Williams in December 2018 that coincidentally seem to align with my blogging return to ActiveRain after a posting respite of sorts.
Her challenge of finding a quote "that … (51 comments)
Pondering Those Good Vibrations This post title might cause you to channel the Beach Boys. That's understandable to me. I don't if it's my California roots but that 1966 song did bring back some old memories as the inspiration passed me on the road the other day. A rolled down window(a classic image for a classic song, right?) captured for a split second as it was the genesis of this thought I guess.
But my mind was also influenced by the connections we make each and every day. If we are fortunate we have memories of some of … (33 comments)
The other day arrived with the sound not of a gentle pitter-patter but somewhat more intense. Definitely not a light rain or just a drizzle. In Southern California we have experienced more precipitation than usual and most of us are grateful for that. The usual walk as dawn was breaking that day would be postponed. In the scope of things to be concerned this really is not an issue. At least I didn't think so.
Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses. … (23 comments)
As I was reading the news about Netflix and their proposed purchase of The Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, my mind wandered. No surprise. These things happen. I have been to The Egyprian a few times for non-movie events and the historic Hollywood site is a wonderful place for fans of architecture, film and yesteryear(the theater was built in the 1920s and was home of the first showing of a motion picture according to a Reuters story I read). The Egyptian is currently owned by the … (36 comments)
A kind of twist on thought processes. Well kinda. But a bit more. Maybe. Juat a thought. Maybe More. On second thought possibly less. Worthy of additional thought. And pondering. Of course, wondering too. Because it's time. Ir's always time. To wonder.
Pondering leads to many things. Including more pondering. But it also can lead to things beyond pondering. It's interesting, to me, how the mind works. Thoughts that seemingly overtake us. Consume. But what's the meaning?
Do we learn more through those thought processes and additional pondering? My pondering brings forth many thoughts. And not always … (59 comments)
Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half John Wanamaker
You may know of John Wanamaker as the Philadelphia merchant(1838 - 1922) or perhaps of the department store that once bore his name. His … (74 comments)
A Windy But Not Really A Blustery Day It was a rather windy day. It felt warmer especially in light of the cooler remps we have been recently experienced in Southern California. A wind greeted me as well as I started on my walk in the neighborhood. Not a hint of rain was in sight but palm fronds askew here and there indicated some recent activity.
At first, my pondering led me to think of "March comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb".
As I proceeded up the street I pondered Winnie … (36 comments)
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction 'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try I can't get no, I can't get no Even if the song was not a Dick Clark certified billboard blockbuster in your day, you likely have heard of it. Maybe you shouted it as the turntable of your phonograph spun the 45. Could it have been you humming along as you cruised down the boulevard as it was playing on your car radio? Perhaps it was background music while grocery shopping the other day or in the elevator.
The world of critical review is interesting to me. The varied quotes on the subject of criticism and critical review appear to cover a range of opinions much like a review of or by any critic might express. Positive. Negative. Thumbs-Up. Thumbs-Down.
For those of you who have followed my posts over the years may know that I enjoy movie-going. I often choose to see movies that are not widely known. Rarely a box office success in dollars, I see movies to enjoy. And to experience. Lots of different reasons. Obscure may be an appropriate word to … (38 comments)
You can learn so much while in the grocery store check-out line. Although it may be an opportunity for some not-so-casual voyeuristic activity or harmless eavesdropping, the subtlety taking place at that unlikely business doesn't cease to amaze me.
A temperature check of the health of our community. Well kinda. It's the stuff that pondering inspires.
I wonder if more people actually know the names of the top American Idol finalists versus who are members of the United States Supreme Court. This is not a pop quiz for the Jeopardy! television quiz show. … (37 comments)
I don't know(but somehow I doubt)if Theodor Geisel was widely known as Ted. But I feel "Ted" better known to most of as Dr Seuss in his words was expressing his love of life and living to me. Not to everyone, mind you. Just me. Dr. Seuss talked. To me. The doctor and I were friends.
I read many of those books seemingly endlessly starting with One Fish, Two Fish. I read and re-read those in my possession to myself and to anyone close enough to hear my voice. I am amazed at the creativity of the man. Anyway in … (39 comments)
Unanswered. Still to be answered. Ahh, the leading question. Open-ended ones. Some are rhetorical. Others are repeated. Multiple times. And repeated again. Just because.
Lots of questions. Too many maybe? Not enough perhaps.
I believe a lot can be learned when asking the right question. Careful listening is a part of that learning process. So much more than seeing a reaction or hearing one. What has been said. Or not.
I am not an expert. Not at all. I am a student. In fact, I learn nearly everyday. But over the years … (45 comments)
I was right...my prediction was correct...The awards presentation of the 91st Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is now history. My prediction that the ceremony would extend beyond three hours was true. Predictably. Some quotes from the night but from the past:
I, uh...I have a television so I'm going to spend some time here to tell you some things [to orchestra conductor:] And, and... and sir, you're doing a great job, but you're so quick with that stick so why don't you sit. 'Cause I may never be here again … (41 comments)
Don't wish to be normal. Wish to be yourself. To the hilt. Find out what you're best at, and develop it, and hopscotch your weaknesses, Wish to be great at whatever you are.
Lois McMaster Bujold
While the rain took a break, I noticed a display of artwork on one of the sidewalks while walking in the neighborhood. Take a pause. Ponder-worthy? Drawing comparisons between hopscotch and … (47 comments)
And This Will Work Best It doesn't matter what "this" is. And for that matter "best" is not only subjective but it really doesn't have a definition. Bigger. Better. More Value. Perceived. Or Real.
More Shiny. Or Less Showy. And as far as promised results are concerned. Three out of five can't be wrong, can they? Too broad a brush? It happens in real life. And of course in any sales promotion activity. Puffery? Perhaps. Maybe it's something else.
Who is to blame? Amd why is "blame" even being discussed? Are we too trusting as consumers? Too … (32 comments)
The fastest way to break the cycle of perfectionism and become a fearless mother is to give up the idea of doing it perfectly - indeed to embrace uncertainty and imperfection. --Arianna Huffington
On Uncertainty. I ponder. It may be the ideal pondering activity.
Unlike Ms. Huffington, I am neither a mother, not even a parent nor an influencer but I can ponder. I take her words and try to find meaning.
I'm okay with breaking the cycle of perfectionism although I have been known to relapse from time to time. It happens.
Becoming fearless. I'm not without fear. Some fear is rational as … (22 comments)
Your source for real estate information in the San Gabriel Valley and northeast communities of the city of Los Angeles including: Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Temple City, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Bradbury, Azusa, Glendora, Claremont, Glendale and La Canada Flintridge as well as Highland Park, Monterey Hills, Eagle Rock, Mt Washington, Montecito Heights, Glassell Park and Sagamore Park.
;)
;)
;)
