The World's Fastest Indian is based on a true story about a feisty old man who spends all his time working on his 1920s Indian motorcycle. His friends and neighbours are inspired to raise funds so Burt Munro and his Indian can travel to the United States and try to break a speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
When Burt (Anthony Hopkins) arrives in Los Angeles in 1967 he gets help from some very unlikely characters and is able to make his way to Bonneville, Utah. Hopkins plays the part of Burt with naivete and down-under charm. The story of his trip is truly enjoyable.
When Burt arrives at Bonneville he learns that he needed to preregister in order to run the salt flats. Burt is not one to give up and his passion and charm draws supporters to his cause and he is allowed to run unofficially.
The story is amazing. Anthony Hopkins as Burt Munro is charming. The movie is long but I just didn't care.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) If someone suggested that I've watched this movie 100 times, I would not be surprised. This is the perfect Christmas or any other time of the year feel good movie. George is constantly frustrated whenever he tries to follow his dreams . . . to go to school, to travel, to leave his home town . . . Finally, after one more hit of bad luck, George Bailey wishes he had never been born. With the help of an angel-in-training, George comes to realizes how important he has been in the lives of his family, friends and community. He realizes he really does have a wonderful life. Academy Awards, USA 1947
I have read the novels of only two Russian authors so far. Neither was Dostoevsky. Reading this autobiography by Peter Leithart has whet my interest and I will be downloading one or two to my kindle soon.
As for this autobiography, I have to say it was a very good read. The author, Peter Leithart teaches theology and literature at the college level and his familiarity with his subject was very apparent. The purpose of this book, I believe, is to show the ways that Dostoevsky's religious beliefs aided him at the best and lowest moments of his life. Leithart doesn't try to hide his subject's vices. He just documents them and how Dostoevsky was able to overcome these vices as best he could with the help of his family and his faith.
Dostoevsky was raised a Christian but his faith became deeply embedded during his imprisonment in Siberia. This is where he came to really understand the the human condition and the suffering and need of the innocent and lower classes in Russia. This understanding formed the basis of most of his writing.
The author's portrayal of Russian society and culture is very detailed and adds to the flow of the story, making actions of various characters easier to understand.
The only car I ever bought in my whole life was this beautiful 1985 Olds Cutlass Supreme. I loved that car. I drove it until the frame finally gave up. And for those of you who have heard the story of me driving my car while it was on fire to the fire hall . . . here's the proof.
What memories are brought by the smell of pine needles?
When I smell pine needles I think of outdoors, of course. I think of Christmas. It is only since Hal and I became empty nesters that we stopped having a real Christmas tree. Pine needles also remind me of rosemary. I love rosemary in cooking, especially with roasted potatoes.
It seemed to take forever to find this movie online but I finally did. It has subtitles which is good but subtitles are difficult to read when you are watching an action scene. Of course, who cares about the words when it is an action scene?
This is the story of a village that was being attacked by a powerful gang of bandits. The villagers recruited seven samurai who were down on their luck to teach them to fight and help them defend against the bandits. Apparently the movie ends with a fantastic fight scene but, sadly for me, the streamed video ended abruptly before that point.
What I did see of the movie was very interesting, humourous in a very comic book sort of way, and I haven't given up on finding a more complete video online.
Apparently this movie has been remade at least a couple of times.
Since I was born a klutz, I could write a novel of all the clumsiest things I've done . . . but one sticks out in my memory . . .
We were at a funeral visitation and I was walking down the stairs. I missed the last stair because the railing ended just before that stair, fell sideways, and was only saved from total humiliation when my grandson caught me so I was able to remain upright.
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (1868-1963) is considered the greatest of African American intellectuals--a sociologist, historian, novelist, and activist whose career spanned the nation's history from Reconstruction to the civil rights movement. Du Bois was born in Massachusetts and educated at Fisk, Harvard, and the University of Berlin. Du Bois penned The Souls of Black Folk, in 1903. This book is still his most studied and popular work. A study of the transition of African Americans from slavery to freedom, he shares insights into their lives at the turn of the 20th century. This book examines the role of government, economics, and African American leaders in the development of the African American from emancipation through the beginning of the twentieth century. His concepts of life behind the veil of race and the resulting "double-consciousness or sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others," have become the basis for thinking about race in America. Du Bois discuss the disconnect between Americans and African Americans and suggests obstacles to that progress, and possibilities for future progress as the United States enters the twentieth century. Most of what Du Bois discusses is still relevant today, and this is a tribute to the man, not only as a scholar, but as someone who was continually adapting his views in the best image and interests of black people. Reading Du Bois collection of essays was enlightening, his prose was formal as was common in the time it was written. This is not an easy read. But I believe it is well worth reading.
Half Moon Run is a Canadian indie rock band based in Montreal, Quebec. The group is known for their heavy use of layered percussion, group vocal harmonies, and for playing multiple instruments during live performances. Half Moon Run was formed in 2009 in Montreal's Mile End neighbourhood by Conner Molander and Dylan Phillips, who had both moved to Montreal from Comox, British Columbia. They posted an ad on Craigslist that said they were looking for a bassist and/or a drummer. The ad caught the attention of Devon Portielje, originally from Ottawa. Despite not being a bassist or a drummer, he got in touch with Molander and Phillips who agreed to let him join.
Shortly after the release of Dark Eyes, Isaac Symonds, originally from Comox, joined the lineup.
Throughout 2012 and 2013, the band played at numerous music festivals including South by Southwest, Osheaga, Canadian Music Week, Glastonbury, WayHome Music & Arts Festival, and opened for artists such as Of Monsters and Men, Metric, Patrick Watson, City and Colour, and Mumford & Sons.
In August 2013, "Full Circle" was featured in a trailer for Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. The song "Unofferable" also appears on an episode of the CBS's show Elementary as a backtracking to a scene.
In July 2014, they announced that work on their second album had begun. They announced that it would be released in fall 2015.] That same year, they were the recipients of the International Achievement Award at the annual Francophone SOCAN Awards in Montreal.
On 24 July 2015, the band announced a European tour that included shows in the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
On 7 August 2015, the band announced, via their Twitter page, the release of their second studio album, Sun Leads Me On, on 23 October 2015. They simultaneously released a teaser track, "Trust", which was available as a free download with pre-orders of their album. Pre-orders via their website offered the album signed by all band members. A deluxe version was also released.
On 1 November 2019, Half Moon Run released their third full-length album A Blemish in the Great Light. The album won Adult Alternative Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2020.
On 25 May 2020, the band announced that Isaac Symonds would be leaving the group.
Throughout May and June 2020 while the band members had been self-isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they recorded and released videos of themselves performing together via video conference. Symonds remained with the group throughout this time. That same year, they also released seven new singles, six of which were then released together as an EP entitled Seasons of Change on 17 July. They followed up in September with The Covideo Sessions, an album featuring the recordings of their May–June video performances.
On 21 August 2020, Dylan Phillips released his debut solo EP entitled Undercurrents.
On 18 March 2021, the band released a single, "How Come My Body", to promote their Inwards & Onwards EP which was released on 18 June 2021.
On 26 December 2021, Half Moon Run released Seasons of Change and Inwards & Onwards together on a compilation album.
On 10 March 2022, the band released "Fatal Line", a song they contributed to The 1969 Record. The album also featured songs from Louis-Jean Cormier, Elisapie, Les Soeurs Boulay, Jason Bajada, and Matt Holubowski.
On 3 March 2023, the band released a single, "You Can Let Go". On the same day, the band announced that they signed to BMG, as well as a tour for Europe and North America.
On 20 April 2023, the band released a single, "Alco", to promote their album Salt. On 18 May 2023, the band released another single, "Everyone's Moving Out East".
On 2 June 2023, the band released their fourth studio album, Salt.
This is a very interesting book but it was also kind of frustrating/annoying that most of the women featured came from privileged backgrounds. But I realized that they would be the only women who would have the time, finances and support to step above the norm to become pilots, doctors, opera singers, politicians and such. Not all the women were likeable and some were downright annoying but you have to give them credit for accomplishing so much.
What would the title of your biography be and why?
I have a few ideas: It Was a Dark and Stormy Night. If It Hadn't Happened to Me I Would Never Have Believed It Possible. As The Stomach Turns. Why? I Never Knew I Was Short Until My Kids Grew Up. But the winner is . . .
In My World
This is a phrase I say very often. It became the name of my blog. And then it became my email address. It is taking over my life . . . LOL.
