We have artists with no scientific knowledge and scientists with no artistic knowledge and both with no spiritual sense of gravity at all, and the result is not just bad, it is ghastly. | |
— Robert M. Pirsig | |
From his novel: “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Let Me Tell You An Amusing Story… |
2021 | Together Forever |
Think It Over | |
Small But Fun | |
2020 | Still Learning |
2019 | Almost Hallmark |
Beyond All Reason | |
2018 | Daydreams And Wanna-Be’s |
Or Work For #45 | |
2017 | Summer Pale |
2016 | Ain’t It Funny |
2015 | At Both Ends |
2014 | Whiner(s) |
2013 | Just Passing Through |
2012 | Dog-gone Heaven |
2011 | Occasional, Sad Results |
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes | Tagged American Politics, Artists, Philosophy, Quotes, Robert M. Pirsig, Scientists, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance | Leave a Comment »
We always condemn most in others, he thought, that which we most fear in ourselves. | |
— Robert M. Pirsig | |
From his book: “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Just Chill Dude… |
2021 | Don’t Let The Violent Take It From Us |
Scratch Me | |
2020 | Or Frightens Us |
2019 | The Best Gifts |
2018 | Sweep!!! |
We Must Be Living In TRULY Historic Times | |
2017 | The Best? |
2016 | Timely Opinions On “The Donald” |
Even Allowing For Coincidence | |
2015 | First Things First |
2014 | Without The Other |
2013 | Earn This |
Seeking A View | |
2012 | Stumblin’ Along My Way |
We’re Proud Of You, Jr! | |
Union Card | |
Two Philosophies | |
2011 | Simply Unpredictable |
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes | Tagged Condemnation, Fear, Philosophy, Quotes, Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance | Leave a Comment »
Pride And Prejudice — BBC TV series review (1980) | |
Starring David Rintoul as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet, this is the five episode (4-1/2 hour) BBC version which can be purchased on DVD. Because I enjoyed my recent viewing of the 1940 version, I went looking for this version to add it to my watchlist for viewing and / or potential purchase. Lo and behold, this version is currently (as of June 2023) available as a playlist on YouTube for free. Although the YouTube playlist version is patchy – 60-plus mostly 3-to-5 minute videos – the transitions between episodes are fairly smooth. Most only re-show the final few second or two of the previous video before continuing afresh. While “smooth”, I was left with the feeling I’d not seen the entire series because, in a number of the videos, there was a near simultaneous change in scene. My reaction was: “I think they’ve edited something out or put the episodes in the playlist in the wrong order.” (So much for my comments of the playlist editing.) | |
The story is essentially: small village with landowner family of five female daughters is thrown in a tizzy over the arrival of a very “suitable” bachelor. Even better, the bachelor comes with a friend, who is also a very suitable bachelor (Darcy). Lizzy takes an immediate dislike to Mr. Darcy while the oldest sister (Jane) falls madly in love with the first bachelor (Mr. Bingly). Blah, blah, blah, happy ending. The book – and its movie adaptations – is supposed to be a romantic-comedy / drama. Like the book, this adaptation is more romantic than comedic. There are no “ha-ha” laugh scenes, at all. It’s mostly sarcasm in the dialogue which is, to me, amusing, but not “funny”. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this version of P&P in terms of casting and adherence to the original book. I am a big fan of this book (subject material) and, because I’m so familiar with the story, I’m always looking forward to my favorite parts being portrayed in / with varying interpretations. As mentioned in my 1940 version review from earlier this week (ok, it was yesterday), I read the original novel (and reviewed it) by Jane Austen back in 2018. | |
Both Garvie and Rintoul are very good in their lead roles individually, and, to me, demonstrated just enough chemistry to make the story believable, while not trying to bring our current societal standards to the 19th century (the book was published in 1813 AD) where they would have been inappropriate. Rintoul’s portrayal differs from Olivier’s by playing the role of an English landed-lord with a graceful gentlemanliness, which came across (to me) as effeminate by when done by Olivier. This portrayal is much closer to the “no grace at all, stiff but manly-man” portrayal of Matthew Macfadyen in the 2005 movie which introduced me to P&P. A third main point and definite positive for me was the return to character (vis-à-vis the 1940 version) of Darcy’s aunt who refuses to accept the marriage of Darcy to Lizzy for reasons of societal class difference and because the aunt believes Darcy to be “given / promised” to her own daughter since childhood. The aunt appears as the haughty unredeemable character, which I believe she was meant to be in the original book. | |
Final recommendation: Strong to very strong. This is a very arguably the best interpretation of the book I’ve seen to date. Rintoul is more manly than Olivier yet still more proud / refined than Macfadyen. Garvie is not as photogenic as Keira Knightley (2005), but far more so than Greer (1940) or Jennifer Ehle (1995). Two more thoughts which are probably only of significance to me: the costumes (women’ dresses) are far better (more appropriate) than the 1940’s verson. They don’t appear “US civil war era” Southern Bell, like the 1940 movie, but nor do they appear as simple / sturdy as the 2005 movie. The 1940’s version runs 112 minutes (1 hr 52 min), this 1990 version runs at 265 minutes (4-1/2 hrs), the 1995 runs at 506 minutes (8hrs 26 min) and the 2005 version runs at 129 minutes (2hrs 9min). Should the run length / duration matter? I would hope the quality of each version would make them comparable, but, on reflection, it’s probably not so and I am actually comparing apples to oranges. And, finally, I still think I need to sit down and binge these and some of the other versions (“Bride” and “Zombies”), not to do more head-to-head comparison reviews, just to enjoy them again. I will almost certainly purchase this version if it ever comes close to my price point and if it is available in a standard US viewing format. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Taking The Chance To Improvise |
2021 | A Bit Like Politics |
How About Tonight? | |
2020 | Independent Isolation |
2019 | This Pilgrim Has Had A (Mostly) Happy Road |
2018 | And Men, Too |
2017 | Damned If You Do |
2016 | A Storm Over The Horizon |
2015 | What About Today? |
2014 | Idiot, n. |
2013 | Temporary Reality |
2012 | The Great Objective |
2011 | Read A Book |
Posted in Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, Series (TV or Streaming) Review | Tagged BBC, David Rintoul, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennet, Elizabeth "Lizzy" Bennet, Elizabeth Garvie, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jane Austen, Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Mr. Bingly, P&P, Pride & Prejudice 1980 BBC series review, Strong Movie / TV Series Recommendation, YouTube | Leave a Comment »
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. | |
— Albert Einstein | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2022 | Taking The Chance To Improvise |
2021 | A Bit Like Politics |
How About Tonight? | |
2020 | Independent Isolation |
2019 | This Pilgrim Has Had A (Mostly) Happy Road |
2018 | And Men, Too |
2017 | Damned If You Do |
2016 | A Storm Over The Horizon |
2015 | What About Today? |
2014 | Idiot, n. |
2013 | Temporary Reality |
2012 | The Great Objective |
2011 | Read A Book |
Posted in Quotes, Philosophy | Tagged Albert Einstein, Balance, Bicycle, Life, Moving, Philosophy, Quotes | Leave a Comment »
Pride And Prejudice (1940) — movie review (update of 2017 review) | |
Starring Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy and Greer Garson as Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet, this is the black and white version which appears on cable channels periodically – which is where I first viewed it one afternoon while casually channel surfing. Because I enjoyed my previous viewing and the cost of a streamed copy has recently fallen, I picked up a copy to re-watch. The story is essentially: small village with landowner family of five female daughters is thrown in a tizzy over the arrival of a very “suitable” bachelor. Even better, the bachelor comes with a friend, who is also a very suitable bachelor (Darcy). Lizzy takes an immediate dislike to Mr. Darcy while the oldest sister (Jane) falls madly in love with the first bachelor (Mr. Bingly). Blah, blah, blah, happy ending. | |
In this version, I was left with a “satisfied” grin. It was enjoyable to watch, and, because I’m so familiar with the story, I’m always looking forward to my favorite parts. I read the original novel (and reviewed it) back in 2018. Unfortunately, while Olivier and Garson “seemed” good in their roles individually, to me, they lacked the chemistry to make the story believable. Also, while I realize Olivier is playing the role of an English landed-lord from a prior century, this is the only Darcy portrayal I’ve seen where he (Darcy) comes across as effeminate rather gentlemanly. I imagine this is Olivier’s attempt to be theatrical rather than masculine “method” acting. There are also a couple of changes in the film which I found curious. For one, the costumes seemed more modern and more American than British. This impression may be just in comparison to the 1995 version. Another difference was that Darcy’s aunt refuses the marriage to Lizzy as a test of her love, whereas in the other versions, the aunt is doing it for reasons of societal class difference and because the aunt believes Darcy to be “given / promised” to her own daughter since childhood. Basically, it makes the aunt a redeemable character, which I don’t believe she was meant to be. (Having read the original book (annotated version), neither it nor any of the other film versions portray the aunt as redeemable.) | |
LoL! At some point, I will have to sit down and binge watch through as many versions as I can manage. I still have to purchase the “Bride and Prejudice” and the “Zombies” versions. I have never seen the 1980 BBC version and, at the moment, it is both priced beyond my price point and I believe it’s still only in UK / European format, so even if I could find the DVDs, they won’t play on this side of the pond. There is also another “Utah” version set in the modern day, but I don’t know how much interest I really have in that one. I guess it’ll come down to “one in, all in”. | |
Final recommendation: moderate to strong (upgrade). It’s an okay version – better received on this second viewing. I guess anything with Olivier is considered a “classic”. I say this version has historical interest, particularly if you are a fan of the production period (1940), the lead actors, or a big P&P fan (like me). Just a final note: As mentioned above, I’m a P&P fan, and I wanted to “own” a copy of this for future / repeated viewing. I’ve priced it online and over various streaming services since my initial viewing (2017) and it always ran about $15US. I was not going to pay that amount for movie approaching 80 years old, particularly since it’s NOT my favorite version. Anyway, the price has fallen to $5US, on my preferred streaming service, so I bought this copy. The movie has not been enhanced. So it is still presented in “SD” (4:3 TV quality) format. Which seems to me to be a shame. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | My Conservative View |
2021 | Are We Getting Close To Uncertainty? |
How It Could Be | |
2020 | Two Loves |
A Short Count | |
2019 | Don’t Forget: Fire Burns |
2018 | Especially In The Middle East |
2017 | A Good Local |
2016 | Life Unlimited |
2015 | Still Trying |
2014 | Destiny, n. |
2013 | No Apologies |
2012 | Utterly Convinced |
2011 | A Key To Effectiveness |
Posted in Movie Review, Movies, Reviews | Tagged Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennet, Elizabeth "Lizzy" Bennet, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Greer Garson, Laurence Olivier, Moderate To Almost Strong Recommendation, Pride & Prejudice (1940) -- movie review, SD Format | 4 Comments »
I think one of the noblest projects for anyone in age is to find a shape in his life. It was a drama in how many acts. How can he make the last act worthy of the earlier ones? He is the author, the protagonist, the audience and the critic. He has to work under handicaps while the stage hands fidget and the audience is eager to go home. But perhaps he can succeed in acting out “I was” or even “I was this.” | |
— Malcolm Cowley | |
Letter to Thomas Ferril, 30th Aug 1978 | |
From: “The Long Voyage“ | |
[Found at one of the blogs I follow: https://news.lettersofnote.com/ | |
The specific post is: https://news.lettersofnote.com/p/i-think-one-of-the-noblest-projects | |
Please visit the original site and support it if you are able. — kmab] | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2022 | My Conservative View |
2021 | Are We Getting Close To Uncertainty? |
How It Could Be | |
2020 | Two Loves |
A Short Count | |
2019 | Don’t Forget: Fire Burns |
2018 | Especially In The Middle East |
2017 | A Good Local |
2016 | Life Unlimited |
2015 | Still Trying |
2014 | Destiny, n. |
2013 | No Apologies |
2012 | Utterly Convinced |
2011 | A Key To Effectiveness |
Posted in Other Blogs, Philosophy, Quotes | Tagged Letter to Thomas Ferril, Letters Of Note, Malcolm Cowley, Other Blogs, Philosophy, Quotes, The Long Voyage | 2 Comments »
To err is to wander, and wandering is the way we discover the world; and, lost in thought, it is also the way we discover ourselves. Being right might be gratifying, but in the end it is static, a mere statement. Being wrong is hard and humbling, and sometimes even dangerous, but in the end it is a journey, and a story. | |
— Kathryn Schulz | |
[This quote was found at one of the blogs I follow: https://aponderingmind.org/ | |
The specific post was located at: https://aponderingmind.org/2023/05/18/todays-quote-8/ | |
Please check out the original site if you have a few spare minutes… — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | I Want His Job |
2021 | I Better |
The Way I Will | |
2020 | Necessary Events |
2019 | I May Have Started Too Soon |
2018 | But Me |
2017 | A Little More, Please |
2016 | In Full Vigor |
2015 | A Good Lad |
2014 | Who Dare Not Speak |
2013 | I Love Beer |
2012 | Trial By Jury |
2011 | First Class |
Got Knowledge? | |
Posted in Other Blogs, Philosophy, Quotes | Tagged A Pondering Mind, Discovery, https://aponderingmind.org, Kathryn Schulz, Other Blogs, Philosophy, Quotes, Wandering | Leave a Comment »
We live in a society absolutely dependent on science and technology and yet have cleverly arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. That’s a clear prescription for disaster. | |
— Carl Sagan | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Appearances Can Be Deceiving… |
2021 | Here’s To… |
Tweet, Tweet | |
2020 | Why My Dentist Loves Me |
Live, Learn And Teach Goodness | |
The Lesson Of Trump’s Life | |
2019 | You Really Don’t |
No One Can Imagine | |
2018 | Until Integrity, Decency, Wisdom, And Humility Return |
Just Tell (And Re-tell) The Big Lie Often Enough On Fox News | |
2017 | To Laws, Not Office Or Individuals |
Beast / General / Civil | |
2016 | Patronage |
2015 | For Blogs, Too! |
2014 | Righteous Anger |
2013 | An Irish Blessing |
2012 | But Is It Worth It? |
2011 | Let Us Start |
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes | Tagged Carl Sagan, Disaster, Education, Philosophy, Quotes, Science, Society, Technology | 2 Comments »
In science it often happens that scientists say, “You know that’s a really good argument; my position is mistaken,” and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn’t happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion. | |
— Carl Sagan | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Just Smart Enough |
2021 | For Some Of Us Anyway |
Sh-Boom | |
Glarry Green | |
2020 | Role Reversal |
Time To Defend The Constitution (Part I) | |
Time To Defend The Constitution (Part II) | |
2019 | Right Or Wrong |
2018 | Open Doors |
2017 | When It Deserves It |
2016 | Expiation For Rest |
2015 | You’ll Get Through It |
2014 | A Special Kind Of Fall |
2013 | Very Rewarding |
2012 | MIB3 – The Team Is Closer Than Ever |
Yet | |
2011 | Little By Little |
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning | Tagged Carl Sagan, Changing your mind, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Religion, Science | Leave a Comment »
I have been in those rooms with [Trump] when he met with those [world] leaders, I believe they think he’s a laughing fool. | |
— John Bolton | |
Former National Security Advisor to President Trump | |
But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright Brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown. | |
— Carl Sagan | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Sowing The Future |
2021 | Unmistakable Progress |
Dom-De-Doo-Be Dom | |
Reviewing Austen | |
2020 | A Better Synthesis |
2019 | It’s Only Funny If You’re Old Enough To Know What “Film” Was |
2018 | Bourne Wicked Blonde |
First Things First | |
2017 | This Explains A Lot |
2016 | Me Too |
2015 | A Proper Price |
2014 | Well Hard |
2013 | Because I Can |
Eloquence, n. | |
2012 | Why Bother? |
2011 | Peculiar Notions |
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes | Tagged #45DonTheClown, American Politics, Bozo The Clown, Carl Sagan, Genius, John Bolton, Laughter, National Security Advisor, Philosophy, Quotes | 2 Comments »
Personally, I would be delighted if there were a life after death, especially if it permitted me to continue to learn about this world and others, if it gave me a chance to discover how history turns out. | |
— Carl Sagan | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2022 | Traveling Faster Than ‘c’ |
2021 | Maybe “Creation” Wasn’t That Difficult After All |
C’est Chic | |
2020 | #45: Time Is Ticking Away |
#45 Claims COVID-19 Defeated To Open The Economy | |
2019 | Belief Buffet |
2018 | Change Is Law |
2017 | A Dog Day Of Summer |
2016 | Chances Are |
2015 | Truer Spoken |
2014 | Not Quite There Yet (Either) |
Many Colors | |
2013 | Distance, n. |
Less Can Be More | |
2012 | Rise Up! |
The Gift | |
2011 | Artful Courage |
2010 | A Handful of Lessons… |
Posted in History, Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning | Tagged Carl Sagan, Discovery, History, Learning, On Life After Death, Philosophy, Quotes | Leave a Comment »
Believe in miracles but don’t depend on them. | |
— H. Jackson Brown, Jr. | |
Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday. | |
— H. Jackson Brown, Jr. | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2022 | I Learn The Hard Way |
2021 | I Ask For Two Minutes… |
Always | |
2020 | At Least A Lot More Gray |
2019 | Walking The Lonely Path |
2018 | The Ultimate Trial |
2017 | Vain Expectations |
2016 | Or Of One Thought |
2015 | What’s In Your Future? |
2014 | Light In Darkness |
2013 | How ‘Bout Just Obeying The Law? |
2012 | Or Maybe Not |
2011 | My Interval Is Too Short! |
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes | Tagged Giving Up, H. Jackson Brown Jr., Miracles, Philosophy, Quotes | 2 Comments »
You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul. | |
― George Bernard Shaw | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Three Treasures |
Memorial Day 2022 | |
2021 | How Trump Won The Fringe Right |
Hold My Hand | |
2020 | I’d Include Health Care |
2019 | Accustomed To It |
2018 | Booking My Trip Into The Expanding Universe |
2017 | Fear Instead Of Convictions |
2016 | Memorial Day – 2016 |
2015 | A Handful Of Reviews |
And You Can Quote Me | |
2014 | Get Wisdom |
2013 | Enjoying The View? |
2012 | Adam’s Rib |
2011 | I’m Sure I Remember That… |
Memorial Day, 2011 | |
Posted in Guitar, Humor, Music, Philosophy, Quotes | Tagged Art, George Bernard Shaw, Guitar, Humor, Mirrors, Music, Philosophy, Quotes, Soul | Leave a Comment »
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. | |
— Victor Hugo | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2022 | Stumbled On This Memory (Of High Notes) |
2021 | A Chance Meeting Finds A Way |
Over 50 Years Ago! | |
2020 | The Magnitude Of The Challenge |
2019 | Still Tearing, Still Being Rewarded |
2018 | Nothing More, Nothing Less |
2017 | Memorial Day – 2017 |
No Wonder I’m Smiling | |
2016 | Thinking Science Fictional |
2015 | Dawn Is Coming |
2014 | Back When I Was A Firebrand |
2013 | Pen In Hand |
Word Up! | |
2012 | Disturbing |
Trying To Keep Up | |
2011 | Unreliable And Selective |
2010 | Adult-Onset Athlete |
Posted in Music, Philosophy, Quotes | Tagged Music, Philosophy, Quotes, Victor Hugo | Leave a Comment »
Moving Like A Tremendous Machine
June 9, 2023 by kmabarrett
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Posted in General Comments, Included Video, Sports, Videos | Tagged 1968 Mexico Olympics, 29 Feet, 31 Lengths, Athletic Achievements, Belmont Stakes, Bob Beamon, Horse Racing, Long Jump, Quotes, Secretariat, Sports, Triple Crown, Videos, World Records, YouTube | Leave a Comment »