Poignant and compelling

I took a break from the Real World and went to see a matinee of 'The King's English.' This finely crafted, exquisitely acted movie is one of my all time favorites now. It is a must see movie -- one of the best I've ever seen. I am not a film expert or critic; I simply know what speaks to my sensibilities. This movie, which highlights King George VI of England's speech impediment, and his courageous attempts to correct it, is poignant and moving. It brings British royalty -- anointed by God? -- to a very human level.

It speaks to all of us, and our frailties as humans.

Enjoy!

Silent NIght

Christmas.

I imagine hordes of people flocking to malls and shops, frantically searching for just the right present. At risk of sounding as if I'm spouting cliches, the true gifts of life are health, happiness and the pursuit of freedom. If you're employed, thank the gods of employment. If you're hale, healthy and whole, don't take that for granted.

For those of us who have lost family members and friends, my heart goes out to you. All too well do I know the heartache & heart break of loss.

Merry Christmas.

(Sleep in heavenly peace, Kuro, sleep in heavenly peace.)

In like a lion

Winter hit yesterday. On the heels of a balmy November, during which we had a 2 week Indian Summer, temperatures dropped and so did snow. I was in Seneca Falls for a seminar today; by the time the class was over, the roads were covered in the white stuff and slippery.

My new Hankook iPikes have great traction. I tried to fish-tail a bit, to get the hang of winter driving. My heavy Volvo wagon with its brandy-new tires (less than 250 miles on 'em) stuck to the road like glue.

Consider this

If you can start the day without caffeine
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains
If you can eat the same food every day and still be grateful for and enjoy it,
If you can find joy in the small things in life
IF you can understand why those you love are too busy to spend time with you,
If you can overlook it when those you love take out their fears and fury on you when something goes wrong even though you had nothing to do with it
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment
If you can face the world without lies and deceit
If you can conquer tension without medical help
If you can relax without liquor and sleep without the aid of drugs
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs and wake up cheerful, happy and ready to go
If you can honestly say that deep in your heart, you have no prejudices against creed, color, religion, politics, gender
Then:
you are almost as good as a dog.