More Classics

A little while back I re-watched the original “Tron” movie (1982).  I picked it up with the latest version, “Tron:  Legacy“, some time ago, but have not sat down to watch them both together.  Well, I still haven’t.  But I did watch the first to see what I remembered – not much.  Well, not much about the movie anyway.  What I took away from the re-viewing was the sense of deja vu from knowing but not remembering a movie.
The word “tron” comes from the programming contraction of “trace on”, which is a programming tool for helping to see what’s going on in a running program.  “Tron” turns the process on and “Troff” turns it off (“trace off”).  Yes, programmers are an original lot when it comes to naming things.  None of this is mentioned or explained in the movie.  That would have been TOO geeky for the average audience.
Anyway, I went to see the movie at the theater (back in ’82) because I was (am, but less so now) a computer geek.  A programmer.
Setting aside the geek factor, is Tron a good movie?  No.  Not even for its day.  Did that really matter to me?  No.  Not even to this day.
It’s a “cool” movie with reasonable special effects which incorporates a number of Sci-Fi and Computer Science related terms and I loved being on the “inside” of knowing what it (the movie) was about.
The real question is can I give the movie a “High” or “Strong” recommendation or not.  Well, if you’re of a certain age and certain background (geek), you will probably really enjoy the movie the same as I have.  If you’re not a historic geek (too young) or not a computer geek (a user not a programmer), you probably won’t get much out of the movie except as the prequel to the “Legacy” version.  So, where does that leave me…  I highly recommend this movie because it reminds me of what it was like to be geek before geek was normal.  We knew we were “cool”, before our future became everyone’s present.  (Resistance was futile…)
Somehow, looking back like this only makes me feel older…  Maybe if today had happened sooner, I’d be able to enjoy it longer (still).
Today’s second review is:  “Streets of Fire“, which came out in 1984.  This is a “rock & roll fable”.  I’m not sure what that means, but that’s how it was advertised to us way back then.  It’s a simple movie:  girl gets kidnapped by bad-guy, girl gets rescued by good-guy, big fight at the end.  Simple.  What’s good about the movie?  Well, aside from the stylish filming, there are a couple of well done fight scenes – a short one at the beginning to introduce the hero, and a longer one at the end – the crescendo.
There’s also a couple of pretty good songs (MTV videos in the old days) in the movie.  The best one (“I Can Dream About You“) is the main song for the lead-in group and the final song is “Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young“) is performed immediately afterwards with the lead-in group singing and dancing backup.  Because of a bizarre twist of fate, “I Can Dream About You” was showing on MTV all the time the year I met my wife, I fell in love with her, she went back home to England, and it (the song) became my theme song until she returned to me.  Twenty-eight years later and I still dream (day dream) about her…
If you’ve never seen this movie, it’s well worth the viewing.  If nothing else, you get to see a young Michael Pare (good-guy) and a young Willem Dafoe (bad-guy).
It also has Amy Madigan in a terrific supporting role as good-gal, side-kick.  She almost steals the movie.
I highly recommend this movie for anyone interested in early adaptations of MTV to movie cross-pollination’s.  If you haven’t seen either song in the movie, both are available on YouTube.  I highly recommend “I Can Dream About You“, but then I would, wouldn’t I?
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On This Day In:
2022	Five Down, Two To Go
2021	Four Down, Three To Go
	It Still Ain’t (Fortunate Son)
	Boosted
2020	Three Down, Four To Go
	Twenty-Four ‘Til You (Roundabout)
2019	Two Down, Five To Go
2018	Year One, Done!
2017	First Day Of Retirement!
2016	Revere And Criticize
2015	Global Climate Change May Test This Statement
2014	Adaptability Won
2013	Disappeared
2012	Fuller
	Life On The Range
	More Classics
2011	Stoned Again?
2010	Insubordination… And That’s Why I Love Her!
	Losing – Week One

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Life On The Range

Many years ago, I used to watch an interview show called: “The Dick Cavett Show“.  The host (Dick Cavett) was an intellectual who interviewed a wide variety of people.  If you saw the movie “Forrest Gump“, Dick Cavett was the guy interviewing John Lennon and Forrest Gump and implied this is where John came up with the idea for the lyrics to the song “Imagine“.
Anyway, in the show I was watching, Cavett was interviewing a couple of Cowboy poets.  Now, I never imagined there were such folks, but they read a few of their poems and I remember being very impressed.  I remember thinking, “If I ever get a chance to pick up one of their books, I will.”
Well, decades have gone by and I’d not found any (nor had I seriously looked), but about six weeks ago I had a dream in which the memory of the interview re-played.  As it rarely happens that I remember my dreams, I thought it amusing to have had this particular dream.  The following afternoon, I had to go to the bank which is immediately across the street from the used book store I frequent (Half-Price Books), so I thought I’d take a quick gander at the $2.00 closeouts.  Lo and behold, I found “Cowboy Poetry: A Gathering“, (1985©) edited by Hal Cannon.  As a firm believer in serendipity, I bought the book.
Some of the poems are intended to be humorous, some serious; but all have a “stuff of life” simpleness about them.  Friends, drinking, being alone, feeling loneliness (which is different), danger, and mainly freedom.  The freedom which comes from a sense of being part of the cycle of earth and nature and just getting “it” done – whatever “it” happens to be that day.
If you want to understand the “Western” mentality of Cowboys in America, this kind of work is a very good place to start.
It’s not Shakespeare or Nashville, but very much Chris LeDoux.  Recommended reading.
PS: if you’re not familiar with the works of Chris LeDoux, just YouTube his name.   Unfortunately, he has passed away, but his music remains…
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On This Day In:
2022	Five Down, Two To Go
2021	Four Down, Three To Go
	It Still Ain’t (Fortunate Son)
	Boosted
2020	Three Down, Four To Go
	Twenty-Four ‘Til You (Roundabout)
2019	Two Down, Five To Go
2018	Year One, Done!
2017	First Day Of Retirement!
2016	Revere And Criticize
2015	Global Climate Change May Test This Statement
2014	Adaptability Won
2013	Disappeared
2012	Fuller
	Life On The Range
	More Classics
2011	Stoned Again?
2010	Insubordination… And That’s Why I Love Her!
	Losing – Week One

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Fuller

Even the most gifted individual, whether poet or physicist, will not realize his full potential or make his fullest contribution to his times unless his imagination has been kindled by the aspirations and accomplishments of those who have gone before him.
—   Commission on Humanities (1963)
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On This Day In:
2022	Five Down, Two To Go
2021	Four Down, Three To Go
	It Still Ain’t (Fortunate Son)
	Boosted
2020	Three Down, Four To Go
	Twenty-Four ‘Til You (Roundabout)
2019	Two Down, Five To Go
2018	Year One, Done!
2017	First Day Of Retirement!
2016	Revere And Criticize
2015	Global Climate Change May Test This Statement
2014	Adaptability Won
2013	Disappeared
2012	Fuller
	Life On The Range
	More Classics
2011	Stoned Again?
2010	Insubordination… And That’s Why I Love Her!
	Losing – Week One

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The Ruler

Life is not measured by the time we live.
—    Crabbe
[Duration is one of many rulers used to measure length, but not quality…    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	Wild Geese And Open Doors
2021	Well Within Our Power
	Hammer Time (If I Had A Hammer)
2020	3 November Is Coming!
	Bee Gees’ing (Jive Talkin’)
2019	Senate Republicans: Impeachment – Because It Is Right!
	Dave’s Not Here, Man!
	Mixing Business And Pleasure
2018	Intensity Doesn’t Make It Correct
	HF2: 1940’s Grapes
2017	Proof Sits In The Oval Office
2016	Tragic Determinism
2015	Maybe It Should Be Clearer
2014	Make It Your Strength
2013	Four Score
2012	The Ruler
2011	Forever
2010	Just Cuz
	How Do You Mend A Broken Heart?
	It’s Alive!! (3rd Pair Shoe Review)

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B8

The business executive was taken down a peg:
“You may well feel proud of yourself, young fellow,” he said to the life insurance agent, “I’ve refused to see seven insurance men today.”
“I know,” said the agent, “I’m them.”
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On This Day In:
2022	Seeking The Same Thing
2021	Climate Change Deniers
	We Don’t Listen Anyway (Time Has Come Today)
2020	Nothing New Here
	Talk To Me (What’s Going On?)
	Register And Vote
2019	Love And Leave
2018	Smiling If Not Laughing
2017	Chilled And Smooth
2016	But Sometimes You Have To Stand In Front
2015	The Key Shift
2014	Remember ISIS / ISIL?
2013	What Have You Done Lately?
2012	B8
2011	I’m Definitely Not In Control

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Take Time

Take time to play…
it is the secret of youth.
Take time to read…
it is the foundation of knowledge.
Take time to work…
it is the price of success.
Take time to think…
it is the source of power.
Take time to dream…
it hitches the soul to the stars.
Take time to laugh…
it is the singing that helps life’s load.
Take time to love…
it is the one sacrament of life.
Take time to enjoy friends…
it is the source of happiness.
[The above list was copied from a birthday card I was given many years ago.  The words are still worth the time taken to read and enjoy them.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	Sculpted Souls Can Change The World
2021	An Impossible Situation
	I Fear It Is (For Us If Not The Planet) (It’s Too Late)
2020	#45 Never Shuts Up
	Walkin’ In The Rain With The One I Love (Alabama Rain)
2019	Silly Pooh Bear
	Dominoes Or Jenga?
2018	Very Few
2017	Or The Candidate Who…
2016	The Happiest People
2015	Jumping Into The Dark
2014	I Would Be Sillier
2013	It Keeps Happening Anyway
2012	Take Time
2011	A Mother’s Lesson
2010	3rd Pair – Shoe Review (DOA and Final)

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Slow Me

Pity me that the heart is slow to learn
What the swift mind beholds at every turn.
—    Edna St. Vincent Millay
From:  “Pity Me Not“
[For whatever reason(s), this quote reminds me of the lyrics from “Bless The Broken Road“.  If you’ve not read them in a while, check them out and let me know if you agree…
There are unknown reasons why things happen in each of our lives.  Sometimes, we cannot appreciate the flower until after the winter – or the reason for lost love until true love arrives.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	I Resemble That Remark… (9)
2021	Buying Time In A Fixed Game
	Dedicated To: Messrs. Rubio And Pompeo (Waste Deep In The Big Muddy)
2020	What It Takes
	Every Sign Was A Northern Star (Bless The Broken Road)
2019	Stuff Happens
	Whistleblower Complaint Regarding President Trump And Ukraine
2018	Looking Into Golf
	Goin’ Yard
2017	Improvise
2016	Got Leisure?
2015	It’s Been Hurtin’ For Quite A While Now
2014	Curious Talent
2013	Eureka
2012	Slow Me
2011	He Said What?!?
2010	Gritty
	3 and 3
	Just A Hunch
	Wall Street – Movie Review
	2nd Pair – Shoe Review (Aborted and Final)

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A Lover

I am the lover of uncontained and immortal beauty.
—    Ralph Waldo Emerson
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On This Day In:
2022	Tiny Matters
	A Life Well Lived, A Story Well Told
2021	MAGA Choice: Reality Or Lies
	You Seem To Be (The Great Pretender)
2020	A Good Reason To Blog
	Finally Enjoying The View (I Can See Clearly Now)
2019	Living Free
2018	Relative Imagination
2017	Thank You, Senator McCain (So Far Anyway)
2016	What About Friends?
2015	It Tastes Good To Me
2014	Others’ Footsteps
	The Not-So-Modern Samurai
2013	Doin’
2012	A Lover
2011	What Have We Found Here
	Words

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Looking Up

But if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars.
—    Ralph Waldo Emerson
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On This Day In:
2022	Why Does ANY Conservative Still Support #45TheTraitor?
2021	The Mirror Would Know
	Mamasaydobeddyalong (Send Me On My Way)
2020	Why #45 Is Always Crying
	Watching #45 Hold A Rally (Smiling Faces Sometimes)
2019	I Think Reading Books Is A Good Place To Start
2018	And Pay In Full
2017	If Only
2016	Equal Justice
2015	Not Enough
2014	Are You Even Listening?
2013	Namaste
2012	Looking Up
2011	Et Tu Brute?

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2012 National League Western Division Champions!!!

Go GIANTS !!!
SF Giants 2012 Western Division Champs (Front)	SF Giants 2012 Western Division Champs (Back)
(Read it and weep, Dodger Fans.)  Last night the San Francisco Giants won the MLB National League West Division title!!!  On to the playoffs…
In honor of which, today I had to go out and get my T-shirt.  The front states the obvious and the back lists the members of the team by position.
We are ORANGE inside!!!
It’s been a long year – and it’s not over yet…  Stay tuned, sports fans…
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On This Day In:
2022	Moments Make A Lifetime
2021	Strong Women Make Them Too
	Gather Moments (Times Of Your Life)
2020	Another Opportunity
	Stand Up, Shout Out (I’m Coming Out)
2019	Birthday Gifts For Our Daughter
	Feeling Age
2018	Seeking To Make A Difference
2017	Happy BD, Bec!
2016	BD Quotes
2015	Princess
2014	Optional
2013	Happy Birthday, Rebecca
2012	Be Not Old
	2012 National League Western Division Champions!!!
2011	What Kind Of Work Do You Do?
2010	Another Loser… And Come November

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Be Not Old

may my heart always be open to little
birds who are the secrets of living
whatever they sing is better than to know
and if men should not hear them men are old
may my mind stroll about hungry
and fearless and thirsty and supple
and even if it’s sunday may i be wrong
for whenever men are right they are not young
and may myself do nothing usefully
and love yourself so more than truly
there’s never been quite such a fool who could fail
pulling all the sky over him with one smile
—    e.e. cummings
[Happy Birthday, Rebecca!   Listen for the birds each day…   Love, Dad   —   kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	Moments Make A Lifetime
2021	Strong Women Make Them Too
	Gather Moments (Times Of Your Life)
2020	Another Opportunity
	Stand Up, Shout Out (I’m Coming Out)
2019	Birthday Gifts For Our Daughter
	Feeling Age
2018	Seeking To Make A Difference
2017	Happy BD, Bec!
2016	BD Quotes
2015	Princess
2014	Optional
2013	Happy Birthday, Rebecca
2012	Be Not Old
	2012 National League Western Division Champions!!!
2011	What Kind Of Work Do You Do?
2010	Another Loser… And Come November

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Enquiries

Let us enquire, to what end is nature?
—    Ralph Waldo Emerson
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On This Day In:
2022	Choose Hope Today
2021	What Will You Become?
	Life’s Illusions (Both Sides Now)
2020	Rules Of Morality
	Tempting Fate (Tears On My Pillow)
2019	Good People On Both Sides?
2018	Schedule, Please
2017	No Hope For #DumbDonald
2016	Do Something
2015	What Are You Making Now?
2014	Like Fire Burning In My Heart
2013	Oh Yes He Can!
2012	Enquiries
2011	The Prize: Understanding
2010	Can You Tell My Scanner Works?
	Rebecca – The Early Years
	James – The Early Years
	Brothers By Another Mother

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Like You

Don’t despair if
Your job is
Small and your
Rewards are few
Remember that
The mighty oak
Was once a nut
Like you.
[Graffiti I saw many years ago…    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	Just Waiting
2021	I’ll Keep Trying To Anyway
	She Knows (Something)
2020	Respond
	Still Trying To Adjust (Just An Old Hippie)
2019	The Limits Of My Knowledge
2018	Even Tiny Progress
2017	Real Conservatism
2016	The Business Of Life
2015	Alone Again, Naturally
2014	Agreed
2013	Smile From Your Heart!
2012	Like You
2011	Got Days?
2010	K9 Humor – Has Anyone Seen My Setter?  (Must read!!)
	A Longer Blog Than You Want To Read (Probably)
2009	Back and Forth and Round Again…

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Greater Love

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
—     New Testament, John 15:13
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On This Day In:
2022	Try
2021	20 / 20 History Lessons
	I Waited (The Longest Time)
2020	The Blind Squirrel And The Suppression Of Uncomfortable Ideas
	It’ll Start Getting Cooler. You Just Watch. (Eve Of Destruction)
2019	Future Tools
	Three Swedish Girls
2018	Four Loves
	Favorite Westerns
2017	Faith In Science
2016	What The World Calls
2015	Say What?
2014	Start Today
2013	Fly!!
2012	Greater Love
2011	Before

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Make Both

He will never have true friends who is afraid of making enemies.
—    William Hazlitt
From his essay:  “Characteristics“
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On This Day In:
2022	Dream, Dare, Live
2021	It Doesn’t Rain Forever
	Thoughtful Stroll (Walkin’ In The Rain)
2020	An Act Of Faith
	Born And Sold Fairy Tales (Ghetto Child)
2019	Fostering Debate
2018	The Births Of Spring
2017	Drug Epidemic In America
2016	Word Up, Chuck!
2015	Sometimes I Wonder About Things
2014	Still Racing
2013	Anew
2012	Make Both
2011	Are You Happy Yet?

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