On a Roll

 (This is a continuation of the previous post).

. . . and what's the deal with all these TV shows and movies about vampires?

Vampires?

Really?

Has it come to this?

The writers are all out of ideas, and now have to make believe about "blood sucking" folks in an effort to make things exciting?

Reading about this stuff is bad enough, or as bad as your imagination makes it . . .

But seeing it on the screen is just . . .

CREEPY!

OK.

OK.

I'm done editorializing for today.

Reality TV

I've never understood the appeal of reality television.  Especially the ones filled with high drama and high jinx.

I don't have to watch TV or go to the movies to find, and/or to deal with, crazy folks. They're all around.  Family.  Friends.  Colleagues.  Why would anyone spend their precious time on this stuff?

I know.

Misery loves company . . . so you hope to see someone crazier than your crazies?

I still see TV and the movies as forms of escapism.  I want them to take me to a place I want to be, not to some hell hole I'm trying to get rid of.

But that's just me, and until now, no one has asked my opinion.

I'm confident though, that call is coming soon.

Here's wishing you a great, drama-free day.

"If You Can't Stand the Heat . . .

. . . Get Out of the Kitchen."

Things are real hot for Paula Deen right now.  The more she talks/explains/pleads, the worst her situation becomes.  She needs to just go away for a while, regroup/rethink/recharge, then come back ready to make amends.

Of course, there are many of her fans who think what she's going through is wrong. I'm guessing they're not people who have dealt with institutionalized racism.  That is, racism so ingrained in society, unless you're on the receiving end of it, you think nothing of it.

Some would argue that she's been through enough.  She's learned her lesson.  We need to move on.

I agree that we need to move on, but I have my doubts about the lessons learned.

You see, when you've been saying something, and/or doing something for a lifetime, it's hard to recognize the wrong in it.  It is just how things are, in your mind.  And if you can't see what the problem/fuss is, how can you possibly address it?

There are floods of tears and remorse now, but is it because of recognizing the wrongdoing, or is it because now that the "cat is out of the bag," it forces you to deal with it?  And since you're on the wrong side of tracks on this, you come out looking pretty bad.  Twenty, forty or sixty years ago, this would not have been an issue.  In fact, she probably would have been lauded for her conduct and her comments.

But, thankfully, times have changed.

So, the "Redemption Tour" begins.

Another Good Book

I just finished another book that I couldn't put down.  It's entitled Tell My Sons: A Father's Last Letters by Lt. Col. Mark Weber.  It's about a career military officer who is dying of cancer, but he wants to share as much as he can with his sons, while he's still here.  Although it sounds morbid, it was not at all.  Instead, it was chocked full of universal life lessons that we can all benefit from.

Fascinating History Lesson

This is an article about African-American nurses and doctors who served in the military.

From the New York Times.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/breaking-medicines-color-barrier/?hp

Forgiveness

My mantra - forgive no matter what - has been put to the test recently.  In fact, it's been a real struggle.

How do you deal with a relative (a brother), who couldn't bother to travel less than 20 miles to see you, after you had traveled over 10,000 to see him, (and others, of course)?

I know.

Forgive.

How do you deal with his wife who has made it abundantly clear that you're not welcome in their home?

I know.

Forgive.

How do you deal with his wife who has said she won't notify you in the event of his death?

I know.

Forgive.

How do you deal with someone who attempts (and succeeds) in keeping family members apart?

I know.

Forgive.

A part of me feels sorry for this brother.  If he doesn't toe the line, he has hell to pay at home.

But . . .

At what point do you say, "enough is enough."

How long do you allow someone to railroad you into doing things that you know are wrong?

I realize, if it hasn't happened by the time you're 71 years old with over 50 years of marriage, chances are, it never will.

So, I choose to forgive . . .

But what I'd like to do is kick his old a**.

Family & Friends

What a trip!

I'm on the last leg of my three-stop traveling journey back to the US, and each stop has been wonderful.

It began with a visit with Frankie and his family.  I arrived in New York after a 17-hour flight feeling fine, but went to bed and woke up with an incredible pain in my right knee.  Although I wasn't feeling well, the joy of seeing everyone supplanted this painful intrusion.  Zadie is quite the talker now and it was so much fun chatting with her, as she soundly won in the game of "negotiating with Grandma."

Frankie's daughter, Zadie Faye @ 2.5 years old

Next stop . . . San Francisco.

Here I met my newest granddaughter Milu, and what a treat that was!  She's an absolute sweetheart.

Ben's daughter, Milu @ 5 months

I made this trip at this time to attend Ben's PhD graduation (in civil engineering) from UC Davis.  There was no doubt, of the 1000 graduates, 800 of those being PhDs, I was the proudest mother in the building.  

Ben and Milu

The graduation day began with a luncheon to recognize and celebrate those people who were instrumental in helping Ben to reach this goal.  More specifically, the people who helped to save his life and point him in the right direction.  Although this may sound dramatic in retrospect, to those who lived the painful period with us, these words aren't strong enough.  If I thanked them every day for the rest of my life, it wouldn't be enough to show my appreciation.

Then I raced from the ceremony to meet other friends in Sacramento.  With each person I reconnected with, I realized all over again, just how blessed I am to have such marvelous people in my life.

People I've known for years.

People who were there with me through the good times and bad.

People who have made my life richer and more meaningful.

I send my sincere thanks to all.

Next . . .

Final stop . . . Houston, to see my brothers.

I am one of the luckiest people in the world to call these guys family.

Forrest and I at Joel Osteen's Church today

In two days, I'll be headed back home for the last two weeks of school.

Although I've tried to express it, I lack the articulation to share just how meaningful this time in the US has been. I return to Abu Dhabi with my heart filled with joy and thanksgiving.

Sending smiles across the miles . . .

Your blogging buddy.

Powerful Stuff

I finished the book, Defending Jacob, and loved it.

It's the kind of book that makes you think, what if?

Would I respond like they did (the characters), or would I have seen the writing on the wall and gone the other way?

This is a good, good book.

Very highly recommended.

Now to movies.

One of my all-time favorite movies is 12 Angry Men.  The original came out in 1957, starring Henry Fonda, L. J. Cobb, Jack Klugman and a host of other great actors.  It was remade and released again in 1997, this time starring Jack Lemon, George C. Scott, Ossie Davis, and a colorful cast of characters.

The entire movie takes places in a jury room where these men are deliberating the fate of a young man accused of murder.

Once more, it sets the stage for reflection, and more, what if's?

In music, Sean Hayes has a song called, "Powerful Stuff," that was used in a Subaru commercial.  I can't find the commercial, but here's a link to the song.

file://localhost/Users/fayesharpe/Desktop/04%20Powerful%20Stuff.m4a

Now, you're probably thinking, do I care if Faye likes this or that?

Well, if you know me, you know that I missed my calling.  I should have been in sales because when I like something, I want the world to know it and experience the joy of it with me.

Seriously, I should be paid for my endorsements.

Anyway . . .

On Friday, I begin my journey home.  First stop, New York City.

Until then,

Cheers.

Good Book

I found myself doing something I have not done in a while - I went to bed reading a book, and anxiously picked it up first thing this morning to see what happened next. And this was a workday morning, no less.

The book is entitled, Defending Jacob by William Landay.  It reminds me a lot of The Dinner by Herman Koch.  Both are suspenseful, in a quiet sort of way.  There're no gore or scary parts.  The suspense comes from the pealing back of emotions and how the characters deal with life changing events they must face.

After re-reading my endorsement, I realized there's nothing I've said to make you wanna grab one of these books, but don't dismiss them because of my wanting literary critique.

They're better than I've described.

Promise.

Now, so you don't mistake me for a some bourgeois literary giant . . .

Know this . . .

For every thought-provoking book I read, I wallow in the shallow end of the reading "pool" devouring at least five romance novels.

Yes.  

They are mostly . . .

Mindless,

Plot-less,

And . . .

Gratuitous.

Yet,

They are my literary junk food.

As soon as I conquer overcoming actual junk food, I'm gonna work on this.

Promise.