Film Feelings

Watching clips describing what films mean to various actors and actresses - on their BIG night. The
Academy is handing out Oscar tonight. Like the movie memory clips of Reese Witherspoon, Robert Downey, Morgan Freeman to name a few - I searched my brain to try and put words to the feelings I have for their art.

Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman recalled the first films they saw. I cannot remember my first. There are sweet memories of my entire family piled into the baby blue station wagon with pillows, blankets and Mom's homemade popcorn in a paper shopping bag. We'd go to a local drive-in theater... but, for the life of me I don't know each movie.  Oh, wait - I believe one time it was to see Cat Ballou. Oh geesh!

As a teenager, I'd walk with girlfriends to our downtown theater, and sometimes stay for the movie... sometimes NOT.

How have these cinematic experiences made me feel? What do I adore about them? Without sounding dramatic {which would be apropos for a post about acting}, or silly even - movies carry me to another time and place. Movies bring emotions front and center. Movies open up experiences, even though fictitious, for things you would otherwise never get to do. You can travel to another place, another time, to a world that really doesn't exist at all. What's not to love about opening up your horizons? Meet all types of people, get caught up in history.....

For many years the Awards show would be watched with me in the mix of girlfriends. Many times we'd rent a hotel room just for the night. The red carpet fashion was a big hit with us. Alas, that tradition has changed a bit. But, on this night, I am thinking of you, my fellow Oscar loving friends! If I could I'd do a little song and dance number, or read the perfect line; I'd take a part from each of my favorite movies and give a heartfelt, soppy, I LOVE & MISS YOU SO!

Yesterday my friend {the one who's been "missing" from my life lately} had a small movie story for me. She had been driven on an outing. When they arrived she was in another city at a movie theater. This is a place in the middle of our two homes where we would meet ONLY to catch a movie. When she got in the theater she realized where she stood and began to cry.....
 We will get back to that place and view the big screen sometime soon!

Quizzical Look

Should I, or shouldn't I? That is the question. Frequently difficult to come up with a clear answer.

Do I treat my life like a multiple choice quiz? For so many daily decisions I look at the 3 to 4 options before me and hope to pick the one right answer that suits the subject best. I had a multiple choice question before me this weekend.  The difficulty came in doing what was right for me, because that option doesn't feel so good when I am missing time with some of my very favorite women...



 Specifically time and distance were the points that dissuaded me from play time with the SF gals. Funny that something so right, can feel so wrong. Isn't that lyrics to a song?

The word balance is spoken frequently in our home. Unsure if that buzz word has come about because of age, or the family-health-issue year we've endured. Either way - multiple choice answers and balance seem somehow aging! Yet, also smart... when I'm being kind to myself.

HELLO?... Spontaneity, are you in there?? Periodically, YES! Like for instance the posts I've done while playing traveling photographer. (another one to be posted soon) Most days are planned out and occasionally monotonous. That too is good for me. I've talked about and waited for those times to show up in my life again.  Yet, it truly feels unfortunate when my heart says YES!, and my brain disagrees!

Coulda, shoulda, woulda been ->



celebratory cocktails

But, option "C" on the multiple choice quiz was: choose health over bubbles (until told otherwise)..



Question  7 on today's quiz made me choose between PARTY and quiet again.....
Hate missing out on fabulous finger food and laughs with a really fun gal!

She's my fellow Hollywood enthusiast! She's the yin to my yang during conversation... hmmm - maybe not actually, not sure that she or I get a word in edgewise. Man can we talk! So, I ask you, how did I choose to stay home for the big awards event - THE GOLDEN GLOBES ? Not an easy choice. Believe me, I nearly drove on over to her place during the red carpet. We'll compare notes over the phone and review, and review, and rehash again tomorrow!

The above TV show decision is one of the lighter subjects to come across my quiz radar.....
Trying, trying to keep it light around here...
Ever hopeful that spontaneity keeps it's position as choice "A" on each daily quiz.

Now, off to watch Ricky Gervais skewer himself one of the beautiful people... HA!! :-)

Star Shine

What is the draw for so many to tune in each year for Hollywood's big bash? Myself included ....
Just as with the movies that the Academy is honoring, I find the ceremony similarly fun, entertaining and a far stretch from the life that I lead! What I wouldn't give to be in Los Angeles and watch the goings-on.

This year on the red carpet I swooned over Matthew McConaughey
I want the hair-do on Reese Witherspoon - for an event anyway
Nothing new here, but I wish for the body of Halle Berry
Dream of the grace & beauty of Helen Mirrren
Long for the youth of Jennifer Lawrence
Applaud the spirit of Sandra Bullock
Give credit to the moxie of Helena Bonham Carter
Bow to the fortitude of Kirk Douglas
Find sweetness in the pixie-ness of Michelle Williams
Stand up for the transformation of Jennifer Hudson
Walk in awe (with a book atop my head) of the poise in Gwyneth Paltrow
And I am forever transfixed by those with that little, special -Je ne sais quoi - they truly do just have
"IT" : Robert Downey, Jr.
                Colin Firth
                Jude Law
                Jeff Bridges

 Anyway that's my Oscar's list and it won't be found in any form of print, just a silly pastime from a silly gal with maybe too much time on her hands?? So much time that I surprised a friend and went to her house dressed up for the occasion of Academy Award watching!



I think Lucille Ball wants her jacket back!