The bitter lesson that may be drawn from this tragedy is that eternal vigilance is the price of civilization. A nation must love peace, but keep its powder dry. | |
— Will Durant | |
From his book: “The History of Civilization: Our Oriental Heritage“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | Start By Trying |
Day 4: Difficult Day | |
2017 | Outlasting Division |
2016 | Said The Man Who Trained To Fight For A Living |
2015 | Tripping On Treasure |
2014 | The Flower Of Light |
2013 | Eye Catching |
2012 | The Holstee Manifesto |
2011 | Three Crooners For The Shower |
The Soldier’s Faith | |
Vacation, Books And Lots Of Movies | |
Archive for July, 2019
What Is True For War Is Also True For Elections
Posted in History, Politics, Quotes, tagged Bitter Lesson, Civilization, Dry Powder, Elections, Eternal Vigilance, History, Peace, Politics, Quotes, The History of Civilization: Our Oriental Heritage, The Price Of Civilization, Tragedy, Will Durant on July 31, 2019| Leave a Comment »
And I’m Not Letting Go
Posted in Included Video, Poetry, Song Lyrics And Videos By Others, Videos, tagged A Place We Knew -- music video, Dean Lewis, Included Song Lyrics, Included Video, Poems, Vevo on July 30, 2019| Leave a Comment »
A Place We Knew |
|
I can picture you now, | |
taking your makeup off | |
You come into my room | |
and you kiss my lips | |
But this hotel life, | |
I’m not used to it | |
And you wear your heart | |
right on your sleeve | |
But it took you a while | |
to open up to me | |
I still love the way | |
that you smile when you leave, | |
mm | |
And I know you get scared | |
when I’m away | |
But I think about you | |
almost all the day, yeah | |
And I promised you that I’d | |
be back again | |
Just can you remember? | |
Oh can you remember when we were | |
Dancing in hotel rooms | |
It was just me and you | |
And we wouldn’t sleep all night | |
With you sitting by my side | |
And every moment | |
we had stolen was a feeling | |
‘Cause it never mattered | |
Where we were, | |
’cause we were falling in love | |
‘Cause your heart is my home, | |
your heart is my home | |
Your heart is my home, | |
and I’m not letting go | |
When I was feeling down, | |
you always picked me up | |
It didn’t matter what | |
I was doing wrong | |
’cause | |
I’ve lived my life without you | |
for too long | |
But when I walked in the door | |
and I saw your face | |
Ooh, I knew in that moment, | |
that my world had changed | |
How can I live my life | |
since you’ve been and gone? | |
But can you remember? | |
Just try to remember when we were | |
Dancing in hotel rooms | |
It was just me and you | |
And we wouldn’t sleep all night | |
With you sitting by my side | |
And every moment | |
we had stolen was a feeling | |
‘Cause it never mattered | |
Where we were, | |
’cause we were falling in love | |
‘Cause your heart is my home, | |
your heart is my home | |
Your heart is my home, | |
and I’m not letting go | |
But in any single moment you can change | |
‘Cause I’ve been gone so long and I can feel you slip away | |
but I’m getting closer and closer | |
Can you remember? | |
Just try to remember when we were | |
Dancing in hotel rooms | |
It was just me and you | |
We wouldn’t sleep all night | |
With you sitting by my side | |
And every moment | |
we had stolen was a feeling | |
‘Cause it never mattered | |
Where we were, | |
’cause we were falling in love | |
‘Cause your heart is my home, | |
your heart is my home | |
Your heart is my home, | |
and I’m not letting go | |
‘Cause your heart is my home, | |
and your heart is my home | |
Your heart is my home, | |
and I’m not letting go | |
‘Cause your heart is my home, | |
and your heart is my home | |
Oh, your heart is my home, | |
and I’m never letting go | |
Performed by: Dean Lewis | |
Songwriters: Dean Lewis, Grant Loaney | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | The Continuing Failure Of Speaker Paul Ryan |
Day 3: Approaching The Half Way Point | |
2017 | Orange Comb-Overs Unite! |
2016 | Speaking Of Which |
2015 | Complexity Has A Strict Architecture |
2014 | Just Support |
2013 | Wandering Free |
2012 | Contribute = Paying Taxes |
2011 | How Will You Be Judged? |
And Yet, I Believe
Posted in Faith, Faith Family and Friends, Quotes, tagged Faith, Illusions, Proof, Quotes, Religious Doctrines, Sigmund Freud on July 28, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Religious doctrines … are all illusions, they do not admit of proof, and no one can be compelled to consider them as true or to believe in them. | |
— Sigmund Freud | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | Beats |
First Step: Starting Cleansing (Again) | |
2017 | Effective Stimuli |
2016 | Dave’s Not Here, Man |
2015 | Blink |
2014 | The Struggle To Educate America Continues… |
2013 | On Elections |
2012 | Warm Smiles |
Pick Your Poison | |
2011 | Straight Shooters |
Speak Up / Call Out
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Free Speech, Martin Luther King Jr, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Silence on July 27, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter. | |
— Martin Luther King Jr. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | Does Smiling Count? |
2017 | Giving Much |
2016 | Sounds Like Class |
2015 | Inert Ideas |
2014 | Worth Anything? |
2013 | Bruises Before Bed (Or Why You Didn’t Answer) |
Revealed Riches | |
2012 | Extra Gears |
2011 | Say What? |
2010 | Hello Frogs… |
Paint-By-Numbers
Posted in Faith, Faith Family and Friends, Quotes, tagged Art, Christian Fundamentalists, Faith, Paint-By-Numbers, Quotes, Robin Tyler on July 26, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Fundamentalists are to Christianity what paint-by-numbers is to art. | |
— Robin Tyler | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | #45: Still Trying To |
Oh, Well… | |
2017 | Two Views Of The Starting Line |
2016 | Never Had It, Never Will (Donald Trump) |
2015 | 20/20 |
2014 | All Of My Best Ideas Come While Walking… |
2013 | Learn To Learn |
2012 | I Remind You |
2011 | Respect And Prestige |
2010 | Living Legends (Willie Nelson) and the Gettysburg Address |
The Tragedies Are About To Get Worse
Posted in Leadership, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Bassem Youssef, Columbine, Egypt, Egyptian Politics, Leadership, Philosophy, Quotes, Revolution For Dummies, Tragedy on July 25, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Egypt was living through one tragedy after another. People were killed every day because of something. This became our own Columbine reality on a weekly basis. There was always this challenge of trying to make people laugh amid such terrible circumstances. But what could we do? If we closed up shop every time Egypt lived through another tragedy or unrighteous killing, we might as well not have a show at all. Nonetheless, my team implored me to cancel the show. They were worried about how we would be perceived. I was already stressed out because I still wasn’t used to the timing of a live program and found myself shouting in the control room, “I can’t just go and cancel the show every other episode! This is the country we are living in. Death has become a mere statistic. You will always find trolls who will say to you, how dare you laugh at whatever tragedy is going on in the country. Well, guess what, the tragedies are about to get worse and the trolls will watch us in secret anyways. There are people out there who need this. I am doing the show.” | |
— Bassem Youssef | |
From his book: “Revolution For Dummies“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | Plunge |
Time To Meet God | |
2017 | Wealth Within |
2016 | Soaring |
2015 | Gone To The Library… |
2014 | Choose To Lead |
2013 | Not Sent Yet |
2012 | Wall-Crawler Reboot |
Learning To Count | |
On Worshiping God | |
2011 | Emancipated Differences |
2010 | A Little More Technology, Please… |
An Accidental Escape
Posted in Quotes, tagged Failure, Institutional Truths, Quotes, Robert M. Pirsig, Traps, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance on July 24, 2019| 3 Comments »
He came to see his early failure as a lucky break, an accidental escape from a trap that had been set for him, and he was very trap-wary about institutional truths for the remainder of his time. | |
— Robert M. Pirsig | |
From his book: “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | And I Thought It Was Just My Deodorant |
2017 | Hannity And Limbaugh |
2016 | Or He Could Just Be Lazy |
Small Hero | |
2015 | Seeking Cultured Leadership |
2014 | Examining Failure |
2013 | Driving Passion |
2012 | Cannibal, n. |
2011 | Moments Of Truth |
Where Today’s Republican Party Is Failing America (And The President)
Posted in Leadership, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Mary Waldrip, Philosophy, Political Leadership, Politics, Quotes, What Do You Stand For? on July 23, 2019| Leave a Comment »
It’s important that people should know what you stand for. It’s equally important that they know what you won’t stand for. | |
— Mary Waldrip | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | Either / Or |
2017 | Redemptive Power |
2016 | On Calls To Renew Waterboarding / Torture |
2015 | Still Struggling |
2014 | How To Become A Saint |
2013 | Not Much Change |
Our Biggest Fear | |
2012 | Brain, n. |
2011 | Styles Of Leadership |
2010 | Face Front! |
A Long Slog
Posted in Leadership, Politics, Quotes, tagged 2020 Presidential Election, Phillip Elliott, Political Leadership, Politics, Quotes, TheBrief TIME with..., Time Magazine, U.S. Representative Time Ryan on July 22, 2019| Leave a Comment »
The reality of his candidacy comes through as a kind of humility bordering on fatalism. Before sitting down for a beer with TIME, Ryan fielded questions from potential Iowa caucusgoers gathered on the brewery’s concrete floor. “This will not be easy,” Ryan told his crowd. “I’m not a superstar. I’m not a savior. I will tell you I will jump in the foxhole with you, and we will get this done. We are smart enough, we are creative enough, we are courageous enough, to pull this off. But it will be a long slog.” | |
— Phillip Elliott quoting U.S. Representative Tim Ryan | |
From Elliott’s interview / article: “TheBrief: Time with… Presidential Contender Tim Ryan“ | |
Appearing in: Time Magazine; dtd: 22 April 2019 | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | There Is No God But God |
To The Uncommitted Reader | |
2017 | Not Yet That Well-Organized |
2016 | Probably Whatever Was Sought Yesterday |
2015 | What We Choose To Divide Us |
2014 | Peace With Honor |
2013 | Dangerous Systems |
2012 | Useful Science |
2011 | Say It, But Please Don’t Make Me Listen |
Original Chips
Posted in Movie Review, Movies, Quotes, Reviews, tagged A Classic Movie, Aeneid, Arthur Chipping, Best Actor, Gone With The Wind, Goodbye Mr. Chips (1939) -- movie review, Greek, Greer Garson, Haec olim meminisse iuvabit, Quotes, Robert Donat, Very Highly Recommended Movie, Virgil, Vivien Leigh on July 21, 2019| Leave a Comment »
“Goodbye, Mr. Chips” (1939) — movie review | |
Haec olim meminisse iuvabit. | |
— Virgil | |
From the “Aeneid“ | |
(Translated: “Someday, perhaps, it will be delightful to remember even this.“) | |
Today’s review is for the black and white classic from 1939: “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” starring Robert Donat in his Best Actor Oscar winning performance as Mr. Arthur Chipping a classics (“Latin and Greek”) subject master (instructor) at a British boarding school. The movie was up for six other Oscars but was mightily steamrolled by “Gone With The Wind” (GWTW). Greer Garson plays his wife Katherine Chipping and Garson was nominated for best Actress. (She lost to Vivien Leigh in GWTW, steamroll remember.) | |
Anyway, at the start of the film, an elderly Chipping falls asleep in front of a fireplace and dreams of his life (68 years teaching at an all-boys “public” school). The memories trace his rough start at the school; his early years of struggle in the profession; his falling in love and brief marriage which results in his personal and professional blossoming; and, then the long years where he becomes a virtual institution at the school. His longevity provides him the opportunity to teach multiple generations of young boys / men from the same families. From our perspective, we see him age (and grow) as a teacher and as a man. | |
Although this movie only garnered one Oscar, it is a “CLASSIC” in every sense of the word. It addresses friendship, loyalty, romance, shyness, love, loss, education standards, and last, but not least, the inherent value of morals, of commitment and of perseverance. | |
Final recommendation: very highest! This is a movie everybody should see (and almost all will enjoy). It is definitely among the top ten of my all-time favorite movies. | |
The quote from Virgil (above) is from the movie. It is the line Chips relates in his retirement ceremony before the assembled school. | |
As a side note: This story (along with “Pride & Prejudice“) is one of my favorites in all of cinema. There are several other versions / adaptations of the original book (1934 — reviewed here), which include a musical version (1969 — reviewed here) starring Peter O’Toole and Petula Clark, a BBC version (2002) starring Martin Clunes as Chips, and an earlier BBC version (1984) starring Roy Marsden as Chips. The book review, linked above, is the same link for the BBC versions. All four (book and three adaptations) were reviewed in posts by me back in February, earlier this year. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | Still Blogging |
2017 | Reliable Vision |
2016 | Still Walking |
2015 | Steps |
2014 | To Be Greatly Good |
2013 | Limited Capacity |
2012 | Two Ear Ticklers |
Justification | |
2011 | To Avail The Nation |
I Will Try Again
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Courage, Dragons, Mary Anne Radmacher, Philosophy, Quotes, Roar, Tomorrow, Trumpets on July 21, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Some days there aren’t any trumpets, just lots of dragons. Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow. | |
— Mary Anne Radmacher | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | Still Blogging |
2017 | Reliable Vision |
2016 | Still Walking |
2015 | Steps |
2014 | To Be Greatly Good |
2013 | Limited Capacity |
2012 | Two Ear Ticklers |
Justification | |
2011 | To Avail The Nation |
Historic Contact
Posted in History, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged 1st Moon Landing, Buzz Adrin, Charles Duke, Eagle, History, Houston, Mission Control, NASA, Neil Armstrong, Quotes, Science, Tranquility Base on July 20, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Fifty (50) years ago today, the first words were spoken by a human being on the moon (technically, in a vehicle on the moon’s surface). The two astronauts were completing their landing maneuver checklist before speaking to Earth: | |
Buzz Adrin: | “Contact Light.“ |
Neil Armstrong: | “Shutdown“ |
Buzz Adrin: | “Okay. Engine Stop.“ |
Buzz Adrin: | “ACA out of Detent.“ |
Neil Armstrong: | “Out of Detent. Auto.“ |
Buzz Adrin: | “Mode Control, both Auto. Descent Engine Command Override, Off. Engine Arm, Off. 413 is in.“ |
Charles Duke (at Mission Control in Houston): | “We copy you down, Eagle.“ |
Neil Armstrong: | “Engine arm is off. Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.“ |
Source: | Apollo 11 Lunar Surface Journal, NASA |
First word spoken on the moon: “Contact“ | |
First person to speak on the moon: “Buzz Aldrin” | |
First word spoken on the moon directed towards Earth: “Houston“. | |
First person on the moon to say a word directed at Earth: “Neil Armstrong” | |
First word spoken by someone on Earth to someone on the moon: “We“ | |
First person on Earth to speak to someone on the moon: “Charles Duke” | |
Date of first manned landing on the moon: 20 July 1969 | |
Date of first human stepping on the moon surface: 21 July 1969 | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | History Judges Incompetent Presidencies, Too |
2017 | Our Confident New President |
2016 | Ways |
2015 | Be Happy, Too |
2014 | At Least Smile |
2013 | Comfortably Bound |
2012 | Certainty |
Thinking About Fathers | |
2011 | And In Every Level Of Media |
All Good
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Proverbs, Quotes, tagged Philosophy, Proverbs, Quotes, Religious Belief, Zoroastrianism Precept on July 20, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Good thoughts, good words, good deeds. | |
— Zoroastrianism precept / saying | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | History Judges Incompetent Presidencies, Too |
2017 | Our Confident New President |
2016 | Ways |
2015 | Be Happy, Too |
2014 | At Least Smile |
2013 | Comfortably Bound |
2012 | Certainty |
Thinking About Fathers | |
2011 | And In Every Level Of Media |
Bigger Jaws
Posted in Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged Jason Statham, Jaws, Jonas Taylor, Moderate To Almost Strong Recommendation, RottenTomatoes.com, The Meg -- movie review on July 19, 2019| Leave a Comment »
“The Meg” (2018) — movie review | |
“The Meg” is basically a “Jaws” remake / update starring Jason Statham as Jonas Taylor. It’s a science-fiction / action movie. There are, of course, a bunch of other actors in the film, but the movie is really about Statham killing a big fish. Unlike “Jaws“, where the other two main actors contributed to the story line, these folks are just chum or wanna-be chum. | |
A supposedly extinct “shark” (technically a “Megalodon”) gets free from its entrapped environment and kills some scientists. Taylor escapes the attack and wallows in survivor guilt. Shark / Meg starts attacking other people. Taylor gets a call for help. “No, no, no. Okay, I’ll help.” (Not the actual dialogue, but close enough…) | |
Shark / Meg continues to attack ships, people, whales, beaches, small dogs, more people. Blah, blah, blah. Taylor kills shark / Meg. And they all lived happily ever after. | |
Is the movie any good as a “Jaws” remake? Is it any good on its own? No and yes. Statham is okay in the lead role. It’s not great acting, but it is serviceable. The action scenes / special effects are ok to very good, but like most of these “larger-than-life” monster movies, the director / producers don’t quite settle on the size of the monster. This is acceptable because it is so common. Heck, even the original “Jaws” suffered from this problem. For me, even though the updated effects were good, the movie lacked tension and really felt like it was just going through the motions for those who were too young to have seen the original. | |
Final recommendation: moderate to almost strong. The action is ok. The acting is ok. The effects are ok to good. The movie is what it is: “OK”. The movie just flat out lacked the pizzazz / suspense of the original. If you are going to watch this movie, view the original first. It won’t detract from this version and you’ll get a grounding in understanding that better technology doesn’t always make a better movie (remake). The movie is rated about a 4.5 on RottenTomatoes.com, which I think is probably a bit low. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | Hoping For A Blue Wave In November |
2017 | Garden Dreaming |
2016 | Well, Maybe Not “No” Talent |
2015 | An Appetite For Life |
A Trip To The Library | |
Great Expectations | |
2014 | Pass The Soul |
2013 | Zapping Music And Art |
2012 | Not Quite Fantastic |
That Kid Is Back | |
2011 | Wolves At The Door |
2010 | I’m Feeling Patriotic… (Well, more than usual, anyway.) |
Beating the Heat… | |
Happy 10th Anniversary — Thoughts On My First Decade Of Blogging
Posted in General Comments, Quotes, Writing, tagged Excelsior, Happy 10th Blogging Anniversary, Images, Quotes, Resistance Is Futile on July 29, 2019| 9 Comments »
My first decade of viewers…
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