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.

Great Article on Siblings

In the New York Times today, there's this wonderful article about the power of the relationship of siblings.  The link is below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/opinion/sunday/bruni-the-gift-of-siblings.html?src=me&ref=general&_r=0

I thank God for my brothers.  I had three.  Now there are two.

I was closest to Terry (decreased) because he was a year older than me, so we literally grew up together.  Willie is fourteen years older (71) and Forrest is ten years older (67).

Willie left home when I was four, heading to the military.  I didn't really get to know him until I was an adult.  His choices in life have made it more difficult to be close, but we still try.

Forrest has been like a father to me.  Much more so than our father ever was.

He's the one we all turn to for advice.  He can see things clearer than anyone I know.  He's also the one who will call you on your sh*t.  Everyone needs someone like him in their lives.

When it was time for me to go to college, he convinced Mom to let me leave Texas and go away to school, to his alma mater, Florida A & M University.  Believe me when I say, this was HUGE, MONUMENTAL!  Not only that, when the two year scholarship money that I received ran out, he paid for the remaining three years for me to complete school and earn my degree in pharmacy.

I don't know where I'd be without Forrest, and the positive influence he has had, and continues to have in my life.

When I want to laugh, I call Forrest.

When I want to vent, I call Forrest.

When I want to celebrate, I call Forrest.

Would it be different if I was married or in a relationship, maybe.

Here's what I know for sure.

I wouldn't be the person I am, without him.

The author of the above article lamented that we recognize Mother's Day and Father's Day, but we don't recognize our brothers and sisters.

Let's declare today Siblings Day.

Here's to you Forrest!

Fahrenheit vs. Celsius

Most businesses, including the medical profession, work split shifts here on most days.  Their hours are from 8:00-1:00, then again from 5:00-9:00.  Once a week they rotate having a regular 8:00-5:00 day.

I had a 7:30 pm dental appointment tonight.  At 8:00, it was still 100 degrees outside.

If you put your oven on full blast, and put a fan near it to blow the air out, that's what it feels like when you leave the comfort of air conditioning.

It's blazing hot, even in the shade, and even at dusk.

It seems like everywhere else in the world measures temperature using Celsius. Somehow, it just doesn't hold the "wow" factor that Fahrenheit does.

For instance, 100 degrees F equals 38 degrees C.

Which sounds hotter to you?

Exactly!

We're told not to hurry in the heat.  That you just make yourself hotter when you do.

Well, that's advice I don't heed.

When I have to be outside, I'm racing to get to the next air conditioned spot.

Am I hotter because of it?

Who knows?

I'm fortunate though.  I've acclimated to the area better than most.  There are plenty of folks who suffer with respiratory ailments (because of the fine dust) and the heat.

I know what you're thinking.

People are never satisfied.

Folks living in hot weather, want cold.  Those in rainy areas, what dry.

So, given that scenario, I'm working on my gratitude.

I'm trying to be thankful, in spite of the heat.

It's something I have to work at . . . everyday.

Sightseeing

There is an article today in The Root, about a bus tour in the Bronx, that until very recently, was called the "Ghetto Tour."  I wonder how many people thought this was a good idea, and how many folks actually signed up for it?

http://www.theroot.com/buzz/interested-real-new-york-ghetto-bus-tour

I'm forever grateful for the many places I've visited since living abroad.  In many of them, the poverty was overwhelming, and right in your face.  In the interest of preserving the memories, photos were taken.

But . . .

Do you take pictures of the dirty toddles with flies all over their faces?

Do you take pictures of the squalor living conditions?

Do you take pictures of the people who seem content in their wretchedness?

At what point does it go from documenting the trip, to exploiting the locals?

I think it's fair to say that few people want their misery broadcast to the world.

On the other hand, maybe it's through this broadcasting that help can be found.

It's a touchy subject, but I think erring on the side of dignity should be the ultimate goal.

Movies

I like going to the movies.  Always have.

Ben and Frankie used to tease me about going alone.  I always responded by reminding them I watched movies at home alone all the time.  So, going to the theater alone was no big deal.

They thought I, and the whole notion of going alone, was pretty pathetic though.

Anyway, going to the movies here takes more effort.

There are no marquees announcing what's playing.  All of the malls have theaters, and most of the hotels, too, but you wouldn't know that unless you ventured to the top floor and stumbled across them.  There are no outside, or street level, ads for the theaters.

The lack of advertising what's playing makes finding something to watch pretty colorful.

All of the silly comic book character movies usually open here at same time as in the US, but really, who would pay money to see that?

I know.  Lots of folks.  But hopefully no one over 50.

I've made enough blank trips to have had a recent "aha moment" of finally getting the phone number of the two most convenient theaters, so now I call ahead to find out what's playing and the show times.

I'm always looking for good movies to watch.

Any suggestions?

A Dapper Dude

I love this guy!  He makes 83 years old look really good.

From the Huffington Post.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/17/what-ali-wore-tumblr_n_3294222.html?ref=topbar#slide=2468387

A Woman Making a Difference

Below is a powerful story of a retired teacher who has opened her home to the neighborhood kids in Watts.  If you don't have time to read the story, watch the two minute video about halfway down the article.  It's inspiring.

http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/01/11/mama-hill-profile?cmpid=tp-ptnr-upworthy

Miss Israel 2

I heard (thanks Frankie) that there was a problem viewing this post.  My apologies.  A link to the story is below.

Enjoy!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/amyodell/the-incredible-rise-of-yityish-aynaw-the-first-black-miss-is

Miss Israel

Miss Israel
(When I was in Ethiopia recently, I was surprised to learn about Ethiopian Jews who had settled
in Israel.  The new Miss Israel represents them beautifully.  Hat tip to Forrest for sharing this).

President Obama Meets with First-Ever Ethiopian Crowned Miss Israel. Israel is putting its best face forward for President Obama, and what better face to put forward for America’s first black president than Israel’s first black beauty queen? The newly crowned Miss Israel is an Ethiopian Jewish immigrant to Israel. She is joining Obama Thursday for the official state dinner in Jerusalem. Ethiopian immigrants have struggled to integrate into Israeli society, but Obama will be getting a taste of some of their recent success stories. A few weeks ago, more than a quarter of all Israeli TV viewers watched the judges announce the new Miss Israel of2013. Titi is her name, short for Yityish Aynaw. She was the only black finalist in this year’s beauty pageant and she has become Israel’s first black beauty queen. She’s tall, commanding, and outspoken. “It’s time that someone from my community, someone with my skin color, who is Israeli just like everyone else, represent the country,” Aynaw said. What captivated the judges was not only her beauty, but also her life story. Born in a small town, Titi was orphaned by the time she was about 10. She moved to Israel to live with her grandparents, who had already left Ethiopia for a new life here. Titi said as an Ethiopian Jew, she grew up with stories about the Land of Milk and Honey, but her new life in Israel wasn’t all milk and honey. Titi hardly remembered her grandparents. She was sent to an Israeli boarding school without knowing a word of Hebrew. Some of her classmates made fun of her Ethiopian name, Yitayish. “What is ‘Yitayish?’ This is my name. but it sounds weird,” she says. “There were times they’d call me ‘Tayish.’ In Hebrew that’s a kind of animal. You know?” But she was proud of her Ethiopian heritage, and unlike many other Ethiopian Jewish immigrants who took on Hebrew names, she kept her own.

"I wanna be a policeman."

Lots of the kids say that in Dubai.  It might be because they drive some of the coolest cars on the planet.

The fastest street-legal car in the world is the Bugatti Veyron, and the Dubai police just acquired it.  This car joins a fleet that includes a Lamborghini, and a Ferrari.

Check them out in the link below.

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/bugatti-veyron-is-latest-addition-to-dubai-police-supercar-fleet?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Daily%2BNewsletter%2B17-05-2013

Wrong Link!

Clearly, yesterday was not a good day for blogging.  Forrest just shared that I put the wrong link for the shower app.

The good news though, is you might have found news ways to make grill cheese sandwiches.

Anyway . . .

Let me try this again.

From Salon.com

http://www.salon.com/2013/05/12/app_of_the_week_fake_shower/?source=newsletter

Blazing Hot!

It's 5:00 in the afternoon and it's 109 degrees outside.  Please send cool thoughts my way.

Side note - In yesterday's post about the cool "shower" app, I was only going to forward the info about the app, but decided at the last minute to send the article, to fully appreciate how awesome it was.  In doing that, I forgot the change the verb tense from "is" to "are" in the second sentence.

Sorry.

If I wrote about the many errors I commit in my writing, it would be a very long post. So, how about a blanket apology for how I butcher the written English language.

Please forgive me for all of my prior errors, and the ones I've yet to commit.

Thank you, in advance, for not holding my feet to the fire . . . too long.

Now, might I suggest you also thank God, because chances are really good, wherever you are, it's cooler that 109.

Your bloggin' buddy . . . signing off.

Ingenious!

Below is an article about a new app that simulates a shower running.  The article and the app are pretty cool.

Enjoy!

From the Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/11/best-grilled-cheese-recipes_n_3247054.html#slide=more296530

Going Home

First . . .

Happy Mother's Day!

Second . . .

I'm really starting to get excited about my June trip home.  I'll be in New York to catch up with Frankie and his family, and other relatives in the area, beginning on the 7th.  Then I'll head to San Francisco to be with Ben and his family and friends as we celebrate his getting his PhD in civil engineering from UC Davis, on the 13th.  I'll get to meet his little girl Milu, too.  I can't wait!  My last stop will be in Houston to visit my brothers.

Like last year when I was in New York for Frankie and Cara's wedding ceremony, I'll have to come back to close the school year out, so I'll be in the US for two weeks.

Ben's graduation is a huge deal in and of itself, but it is especially so because he began the program while he was recovering from his accident.  In fact, at one of his lowest points, when he was healing from the physical ailments, but still couldn't see past his present state, a dear friend (a psychologist we've known for years), suggested that he return to school and pursue a PhD in his field.  This was the motivation Ben needed to move forward.  So, he applied to UC Davis, explained his predicament of having to schedule classes around surgeries, and his journey began.

There will be so much to celebrate, and thank God for, as he walks across that stage.

Guess who will be the proudest momma there?

Eureka!

I found it!

I found a crock pot.

In a furniture store.

Don't ask.

The reason it would be there, doesn't make sense to me either.

Anyway . . .

I know you think this excitement is a bit much, but it's funny how the mind works. As long as it figures out you want something that you can't have, you then become obsessed with getting it, whatever "it" is.

Or, maybe it's just me.

So, of course, I made a pot of red beans to try out this new kitchen tool/toy.  In fact, I made three.  The first two I threw away because the beans were as hard as bullets. I googled solutions to the "hard bean" issue, and the best explanation was the beans were old. That makes sense.  Red beans are not a part of the local cuisine, so God only knows how long they had been on the shelf.

The first batch I tried soaking overnight.  The second batch I didn't soak, but brought them to a boil, then let them simmer for hours and hours. Both were recommendations from the internet.

They were still hard as a brick.

Then, viola!

I picked up a different brand, cooked my third batch, and they were delicious.

Yes!

Victory!

Also today, I had the maintenance guys over to change some light bulbs.  The ceilings are way too high to venture up that road.

Talk about "let there be light!"

It's 8:00 at night, but it's so bright in here, it feels like midday.

Now I realized I had been living in the dark for months.

By all measurements, today was a good day.

Here's hoping yours is too.

Everyday Kindness

Below is a link to a video clip of a beautiful display of human kindness.  It was filmed in Russia and it reflected my experience there.

Even though the taxi system was kind of shady, each of the drivers I rode with made sure I was safe when they dropped me off.

The tour guide went out of his way to help me find something.  He was also the one who encouraged me to take the subway, which was an awesome experience.

Of course, I don't mean to suggest that there aren't kind people all over, but I think it's especially surprising (for lack of a better word) that this kindness was evident in Russia.  I expected the people to be cold, like the weather, and they were not.  At all.

Enjoy!

http://www.upworthy.com//what-do-hidden-cameras-reveal-about-humanity-something-amazing-2?c=upw1

Great Message

I hope you're able to access this YouTube video entitled, "Meet A Muslim Person."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4U1dWtmHBM

If not, just go directly to YouTube and type the title in.

It's a powerful message from some young kids.

"When I Was Your Man"

This little four year old is giving Bruno Mars a run for his money.

What a cutie!

From the Huffington Post.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/08/kai-langer-when-i-was-your-man_n_3240862.html

Screws in My Head

I know.

You're thinking I have loose screws in my head.

Probably.

But the ones I'm referring to are actual screws, drilled into my gums.

This is what happens when those years of not taking care of your teeth catch up with you.

It's dentures or screws.

I chose screws . . .

As in those used in dental implants.

I went through phase two of the four part process on Saturday, and was in bed for two days afterward.

I'm not sure why it didn't register that drilling screws in head might be painful.  Even with anesthesia, it was no joke.

So, as I've shared many times before, make your dentist your friend and visit often.

Of course, brush and floss.

Believe me, the alternative to good preventive care, is . . .

Dentures or . . .

PAIN.

Here's to good dental health, so that you won't have to choose either.