And In Between…

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.  Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.
—     Cherokee Proverb
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On This Day In:
2022	To / Two Christmas…
2021	Everything Good In You
	Within Your Heart (It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas)
2020	Keeping Christmas
	What Will You Give? (Little Drummer Boy)
2019	Looking Forward To Tomorrow (2019 Version)
2018	Not One Cent!
	Looking Forward to Tomorrow
2017	Make Glad The Heart Of Childhood
2016	Sincerest Flattery
	The President-elect: Making Spirits Bright
2015	What Are You Looking At?
2014	Ite, Missa Est
2013	I Hear Voices
2012	Positive Thoughts
	Hope Works
2011	Look! Up In The Sky…
	Humility Before The Unknowable

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Usually For Someone Else’s Wealth And Proffit

However different the holy causes people die for, they perhaps die basically for the same thing.
—     Eric Hoffer
From the Preface to his book: “The True Believer:  Thoughts On The Nature Of Mass Movements“
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On This Day In:
2022	A Duty To Disobey
2021	Vote NO In The California Recall
	On And On (Don’t Stop Believin’)
2020	The Importance You Can Have
	Slow Dancin’ (Let’s Get It On)
	Trump Reaffirms His Administration Is The Cause Of West Coast Wildfires
2019	A Lifestyle
	Day 16: Cheat Day
2018	The Children Are Our Future (The Greatest Love Of All)
2017	And Three
2016	Nine Parts Mystery
2015	Little Or No Common Ground
2014	Just Between Me
2013	Beyond The Strings
2012	Saving The Union
2011	Still And Too Often

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Build Trust In Yourself

Death comes to all, but great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold.
—     Ralph Waldo Emerson
He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.
—     Ralph Waldo Emerson
Always do what you are afraid to do.
—     Ralph Waldo Emerson
All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen.
—     Ralph Waldo Emerson
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On This Day In:
2022	Every Morning
2021	In My Unending Story
	Say You Will (Shout)
2020	A Day With No Sun
	A Beautiful Thing (Too Much Heaven)
	A Moment To Rejoice
2019	Where And Why
	Day 12: Pause Or Plateau?
	Eating Later
2018	Here And Hope
2017	Choose
2016	All I Ever Wanted
2015	Compassionate Toward Yourself
2014	All And None
2013	Voices In The Dark
2012	Does Uncommonly Flexible = Flip-Flopping?
2011	A Modest Review Of A Modern Day Classic
	Encouragement Is The Path To Immortality

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An Equally Urgent Conclusion

I see many people die because they judge that life is not worth living.  I see others paradoxically getting killed for the ideas or illusions that give them a reason for living (what is called a reason for living is also an excellent reason for dying).  I therefore conclude that the meaning of life is the most urgent of questions.
—     Albert Camus
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On This Day In:
2022	Exceed YOUR Own Expectations
2021	Losing One’s Edge
	Can I Get An Up Front Seat? (Rock And Roll Heaven)
2020	Are You Sure?
	Who Could It Be? (Believe It Or Not)
2019	Living Art
	Day 7: Week 1 – Mathematics
2018	Hey, #45: Are We Sick Of Winning, Yet?
	Day 40: Wrists
2017	Heart Vision
2016	A Labor Day / Pre-Election Hope
	Trust Me, Too
2015	Without Hope
	Things Known And Unknown
2014	A Wall Too High, A Bridge Too Far
2013	Glory = Danger
	Chicago Magic
	Feelin’ It
2012	How Did We Get Here?
2011	Labor Day Weekend Mishmash
	More, More, More

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Just One Night

“City of Angels” (1998) — movie review
Today’s review is for the romantic / fantasy / drama “City of Angels” starring:  Nicolas Cage as Seth (an angel);  Meg Ryan as Dr. Maggie Rice (Seth’s human love interest);  Andre Braugher as Cassiel (an angel and friend of Seth);  Dennis Franz as Nathaniel Messinger (a former angel who fell in love with a human and who chose to be human).
Basic plot:  Seth is an angel of death whose job is to escort the souls of the dying / dead to “somewhere” (we assume heaven).  Dr. Rice is a surgeon trying to save lives.  When an operation goes bad and her patient dies, Dr. Rice is heartbroken and Seth wants to comfort her.  He starts stalking her and falls in love with her.  Gradually, he begins appearing to her more and more frequently and for longer durations.  Messinger is a patient Rice does save and he begins talking to Seth.  He realizes Seth has fallen in love with the doctor and discloses to Seth that even “angels” have free will and can choose to be human.
Blah, blah, blah…  Seth chooses to be human.  He spends one night with Dr. Ryan.  The following day, the doctor is in an accident and dies in Seth’s arms.  Cassiel asks:  “Knowing what you do now…  Would you do it again?”  Seth replies that he would, even if it was just to hold her for a minute.
So, is this a good movie?  How’s the acting?  How about the drama?  Special effects?  And, would I recommend this film?  In order:  yes;  okay;  so-so;  and, yes.
Any good:  This is a decent movie.  I put it a couple of notches above the “Lifetime” / “Hallmark” Channels level.  It addresses a few things I never really thought about.  One – how does this whole “guardian angel” thing work?  In this film, angels just kind of hang around (libraries and beaches) and if someone dies, one of them goes and takes the person’s spirit (“soul”?) to somewhere cloudy and well lit.  Two – do angels communicate with God?  Yes.  They gather at various places (mostly beaches, hill and roof tops) to watch sunrises and sunsets, and, when they do, God sings to them.  Like I said, I never really considered these things.  But after watching the film, I thought both (the escort and the singing) were kind of “cool” and angelic.
How’s the acting:  To be honest, I’m not a big fan of Nicolas Cage.  I guess he’s always / mostly been ok in the roles I’ve seen him in, but he’s always struck me as John Wayne playing John Wayne.  I really liked him in “Guarding Tess” and “Windtalkers“;  I liked him in “Next“, “Con Air” and the “National Treasure” movies . After that, I feel Cage really drops to “I’m Nicolas Cage” acting mode.  (Before anyone jumps on me, I’ve never seen “Moonstruck“.)  So, my opinion is what it is.  If the roles fit his range, he’s okay in the film;  otherwise, moderate to weak.  Not an actor I’ll go to see;  but, not an actor I’ll write off before seeing the film.
On the other hand, there’s Meg Ryan.  For me, Ryan has always been one of the big “girl next door” actresses.  The “funny” thing for me is that although I struggle to think of a role I didn’t like her in, I have to look her up to see the number of films she’s been in.  In defense of her career, because until recently, I rarely watched rom-coms, Ryan was never very high on my radar list.  For me, Ryan’s “most remembered” role was as the helicopter pilot in “Courage Under Fire“, which I thoroughly enjoyed (the film and her role in it).
Braugher has a rather small role in this film as Seth’s friend and he’s okay in the role.  Franz is Franz.  I first saw him in “Hill Street Blues” on TV and he kind of is what he was then:  a gruff but kind character actor.  The thing is, some actors excel in that kind of role and Franz does it (for me) in this movie.  I can see him as an angel who has chosen to become human for love.
Drama:  This move is a cut above a simple love story, although that is the basis for the film.  Now, are there really a lot of beautiful, young, single, successful, female surgeons out there who are willing to fall in love with quiet young men who dress just slightly better than the homeless?  I doubt it.  Well, the movie works anyway.  The two leads carry the movie and deliver the goods (acting).  Both actors seemed good in their roles.  I just didn’t feel a “spark” between them.  So, while you (I) could understand them falling in love, without the chemistry “click”, what might have been a great movie was really only a good movie (for me).  That’s not a bad thing.  It’s just not a BIG thing.  And, again, that’s just my opinion.
Special effects:  the special effects were minimal and at best “okay”.  There were several scenes with the angels at locations and it was obvious they were in front of “green screens” because they had the characteristic edging around them that a lot of movies had back then (and some bad ones still do).  The “best” effect was Seth cutting his thumb off while cutting lettuce for a salad.  Since he was an angel, there was no cut (and no blood).
Final recommendation:  good to strong.  I’ve come to like romantic movies and I liked this one.  Is it great?  No, but how many movies are GREAT?  Not many.  It is entertaining and both leads (and Franz) are very good in their respective roles.  I also liked the message that love is precious – even if it only lasts for a single moment (or night) of your life.  That moment / night can be cherished for the rest of your life…
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On This Day In:
2022	Bees And Flowers
2021	Revolutionary Protest
	‘Cause Dreaming Can Make You Mine (Dream Lover)
2020	Too High For #45
	Talkin’ ‘Bout Her (My Girl)
2019	Little Things…
2018	Have Thee Paid Yet?
	Day 9: Fingertips
2017	Hopefully, I’m Good Company
2016	Maybe Not Most
2015	Differences That Matter
2014	But Sometimes It Takes A Village
2013	Laughter > Grief
2012	Pioneers
2011	It Is Free

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Two More From Eleanor

It isn’t enough to talk about peace.  One must believe in it.  And it isn’t enough to believe in it.  One must work at it.
—     Eleanor Roosevelt
When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.
—     Eleanor Roosevelt
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On This Day In:
2023	Two More From Eleanor
2022	Get Outdoors More
2021	Re-institute The Wall Between Church And State
	Once In My Life (For Once In My Life)
2020	Early Knowledge
	Seen Any Messages Lately?
2019	I Don’t Think We’ll Be Serving Them Cake
2018	New And Old
2017	Ever
2016	At The Center
2015	True Value In Life
2014	A Potential To Be Concerned
2013	Fine No More
2012	Have You Checked Your Height Lately?
2011	Are You Convinced?

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And I Always Will

October 17, 1946
D’Arline,
I adore you, sweetheart.
I know how much you like to hear that — but I don’t only write it because you like it — I write it because it makes me warm all over inside to write it to you.
It is such a terribly long time since I last wrote to you — almost two years but I know you’ll excuse me because you understand how I am, stubborn and realistic;  and I thought there was no sense to writing.
But now I know my darling wife that it is right to do what I have delayed in doing, and that I have done so much in the past.  I want to tell you I love you.  I want to love you.  I always will love you.
I find it hard to understand in my mind what it means to love you after you are dead — but I still want to comfort and take care of you — and I want you to love me and care for me.  I want to have problems to discuss with you — I want to do little projects with you.  I never thought until just now that we can do that.  What should we do.  We started to learn to make clothes together — or learn Chinese — or getting a movie projector.  Can’t I do something now?  No.  I am alone without you and you were the “idea-woman” and general instigator of all our wild adventures.
When you were sick you worried because you could not give me something that you wanted to and thought I needed.  You needn’t have worried.  Just as I told you then there was no real need because I loved you in so many ways so much.  And now it is clearly even more true — you can give me nothing now yet I love you so that you stand in my way of loving anyone else — but I want you to stand there.  You, dead, are so much better than anyone else alive.
I know you will assure me that I am foolish and that you want me to have full happiness and don’t want to be in my way.  I’ll bet you are surprised that I don’t even have a girlfriend (except you, sweetheart) after two years.  But you can’t help it, darling, nor can I — I don’t understand it, for I have met many girls and very nice ones and I don’t want to remain alone — but in two or three meetings they all seem ashes.  You only are left to me.  You are real.
My darling wife, I do adore you.
I love my wife.  My wife is dead.
Rich.
PS  Please excuse my not mailing this — but I don’t know your new address.
[The above letter was written by Dr. Richard Feynman.  To quote the origin site / blog:  “In June of 1945, his wife and high-school sweetheart, Arline, passed away after succumbing to tuberculosis.  She was 25-years-old.  16 months later, in October of 1946, Richard wrote his late wife a heartbreaking love letter and sealed it in an envelope.  It remained unopened until after his death in 1988.“
Disclaimer:  The above (letter and quote) are posted here on my site without prior permission or approval by either the originating site or whomever may own the rights to the actual letter.  My posting is being done without claim of ownership and without any attempt to solicit or obtain monetary compensation for myself.  I just think both the letter and the site deserve a wider distribution and this is my small effort to “spread the word”.  If either the letter owner or the originating site object to my post and request removal of this post, I will, of course, comply.
Found on one of the blogs I follow:  Letters of Note
The specific post is located at:  https://news.lettersofnote.com/p/i-adore-you-sweetheart
Please visit the original site if you have a few minutes.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2023	And I Always Will
2022	What You Know
2021	Some Doctors Are Better Than Others
	Lessons (Love Don’t Love Nobody)
2020	A Liar As President Corrupts Us
2019	Is It Dark And Quiet For You?
2018	Undeniable Requirement
2017	Orange Corrosion
2016	Both Particle And Wave
2015	Deep In Debt
2014	The Difference
2013	My Heart Is Described
2012	Keen To Be Alone
2011	The Ideal Business…
2010	55

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#45: The Biggest Loser’s Self-Image

Death is not the greatest loss in life.  The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.
—    Norman Cousins
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On This Day In:
2022	You Ought To Be Having Fun
2021	Certainly Ending
	The Moment When (When I Fall In Love)
2020	#45: The Biggest Loser’s Self-Image
	Happy Thanksgiving 2020!! (I Hope You Dance)
2019	Defining Trumpism In Today’s Republican Party
2018	#45: It’s Tougher Being President
2017	Consequences
2016	Shouting At The Void
2015	Crab Feed
	Happy Thanksgiving (2015)
2014	Beyond Proof
2013	Poor Students Of History
2012	Between Two Worlds
2011	Common Humanity
2010	The Last Two Olympians

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Your Challenge

Death is a challenge.  It tells us not to waste time…  It tells us to tell each other right now that we love each other.
—    Dr. Leo F. Buscaglia
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On This Day In:
2022	My Impatient Desires
2021	Cabbage Looking
	Burning Up The Night (Night Fever)
2020	Your Challenge
2019	The Tragedies Are About To Get Worse
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…

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No Fear

To fear death, gentlemen, is no other than to think oneself wise when one is not, to think one knows what one does not know.  No one knows whether death may not be the greatest of all blessings for a man, yet men fear it as if they knew that it is the greatest of evils.
―    Socrates
[I do not fear death, but neither do I welcome it’s cold embrace (just in case).    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	Stuck Feeling Rich
2021	Choose Strength
	Release Your Fears
2020	No Fear
2019	Propaganda vs. Art
2018	What Did You Bring Up?
2017	Waiting For My First Strike
2016	Mostly Just Masticating
2015	Don’t Mess With Mosa
	How Long Is This Run?
2014	The Importance Of Being Forgetful
2013	Anyway
2012	Habit Forming
2011	And In The Other Hand(ful)
	In Love With Words
	Boundless Naïveté
	Who Did You Say Signed Off On This Treason, Pat?

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Or Live For It

A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it.
––    Oscar Wilde
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On This Day In:
2022	Two Happiness
2021	Still Trying To Understand
	V Memories From Saudi Arabia (Ho Jayegi Balle Balle)
2020	Sometimes Just Being There Is Enough
	And I Owe It All To You (The Time Of My Life)
2019	Or Live For It
2018	Happy Thanksgiving (2018)
2017	Grateful Humility
2016	Obstacles
	Election + 2 Weeks
2015	Done What You Could
2014	Impossible To Other Men
2013	Just In Case
2012	Isn’t This Just Pleasant?
2011	No Void In Sight

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Love And Leave

Only love can be divided endlessly and still not diminish.
—    Anne Morrow Lindbergh
They are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind.
—    Native American Proverb
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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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One Before I Go

I would rather have one rose and a kind word
from a friend while I’m here
than a whole truck load when I’m gone.
—    William Blake
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On This Day In:
2022	A Very Few
2021	Or Blog Every Day
	Every Woman Should Have One
2020	Where Are We Going?
2019	One Before I Go
2018	And Blog Posts, Too
2017	Just Doin’ It
2016	Definitely Not Bell Shaped
2015	Dreadful Pity
2014	Worse Than Useless
2013	Personal Prisons
2012	So, Not Yet Then
2011	Real Love

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I’d Bet On Taxes

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
―    J.K. Rowling
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On This Day In:
2023	Everybody Has One…
2022	Dozing In The Backyard Hammock
	10 (40)
2021	Still Learning (And Practicing) Guitar
	Still Ain’t Quite Right (What Is Hip?)
	More Changes…
2020	Remembering…
	You KNEW That Man Was Trippin’
2019	Kingslanding
2018	I’d Bet On Taxes
	Ooops! I Spoke Too Soon
2017	A Cautionary Wish
2016	Slogging
	It’s About…
	Man / Man
2015	Memorial Day – 2015
	Content People Love To Share
2014	I Resemble That Remark
2013	Long Range Exploration
2012	UBI
2011	Opportunity

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No Pride There

Death, Be Not Proud
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure;  then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke;  why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more;  Death, thou shalt die.
—    John Donne
From:  “Holy Sonnets“
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On This Day In:
2023	Searching For Meaning As Well As The Path
2022	Think Global, Act Local
2021	Even The Tiniest Hole
	Turn Your Back To The Wind (Life Is A Highway)
2020	I’m Tired Of “Winning”
	If You Could… (If You Could Read My Mind)
	The Economy Or Your Life?
2019	Impeach #45 – (#TraitorInTheWhiteHouse)
	Time For Loving
2018	No Pride There
	London To The Hague
2017	At Least Twenty To Go
2016	A Sweet Smelling Blog Post
	Pre-Reacher
2015	Getting The Story Right
2014	Like Shells On The Shore
2013	More And Why
2012	How To Gain Effective Fire
2011	Patriot Act

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