Chaplin

I clearly remember the first time I saw a Charlie Chaplin film.

Up until that point, I honestly had no interest in ever investigating his films because for some reason I thought they would be boring - being silent films.

A friend of mine in Florida has always loved Charlie Chaplin and had several of his movie posters framed in her apartment. I would always look at them and think, “I wonder why she likes Chaplin so much?”

Until finally she told me that I just HAD to rent one of his classic films called, City Lights, to REALLY understand why she admired his work so much.

Well….one day I did rent City Lights, and it was at that moment I also fell in love with Chaplin.

She was right. He was a genius.

Chaplin had a way of expressing so much emotion through his face and eyes, that he really didn’t need to speak in order to convey.

You simply felt the emotion through his body language.

He was both a brilliant comic and dramatist.

Also, a musician.

Since then, I’ve rented many of his others films and have enjoyed them all. However, City Lights will always be my favorite because it was my first. Plus, it’s such a beautiful and touching story.

But I have to admit, it felt odd at first watching a silent film because I immediately noticed that I had to pay very close attention with my eyes because there was no audible dialogue. Yet after some time, I found myself magically drawn into the film; understanding the simplistic power of just a few printed words on the screen.



Many years ago, I saw the movie Chaplin starring Robert Downey Jr. and really got a sense of who Chaplin was, not only as an actor and director, but also the man. Downey did an AMAZING job embodying Chaplin. Watching him as Chaplin is like watching Chaplin himself. To this date, I still think it’s Robert Downey Jr.’s finest and most challenging performance. If you ever get the chance to rent it, I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did - even if you know nothing about Chaplin or his movies. It’s a gorgeous film, in which the last 15 minutes leaves you touched beyond belief.

I just recently watched it again, therefore the reason for this post.

Please allow me to share a few Chaplin films.



City Lights (my favorite!)

City Lights (ending)

Modern Times (also starring his once wife, Paulette Goddard)

Modern Times

Gold Rush

Gold Rush (eating his own boot - HILARIOUS!)

The Kid (what a tearjerker this one is. and look at the EYES on that kid!)

Charlie Chaplin himself.


I leave you with a tender musical tribute to Sir Charles Chaplin.

Smile, written by Chaplin and sung by the great Nat King Cole.

Wishing you many SMILES this weekend everyone!

X

My Street Mailbox Worry

Do you know how we all have certain things we worry about, even though it makes no sense?

Well, I’m about to share one of my silly worries that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, but here it is…..

Usually (98% of the time), I walk directly to the post office whenever mailing anything important, such as a bill, because I want to make sure it gets to wherever it needs to be going as fast, safe, and efficiently as possible.

And I do this for two reasons.

One, because some months I have to wait until right before the due date and I don’t want it to be late.

Yet, seeing how the mail system in this country has gradually turned into a hit or miss, there’s no telling WHEN or IF your mail will ever get to where it needs to go in a reasonable amount of time.

But don’t you think it’s ironic how you always get your BILLS delivered to YOU on time?

And my second (and most important) reason for doing this is that I’ve always had a ‘worry thing’ about using a street mailbox, because I mean come on…it’s right in the city street where any HEATHEN could easily reach inside by using a string and a piece of bubble gum to extract my bill from the box, and then throw it into a trash can so that it never gets to Chase Manhattan Bank. Whereupon, I’m charged a late fee. Just to be mean.

I also worry that whenever I place a bill into a street mailbox it’s going to somehow get stuck midway going down the mail slot, never making it completely inside the box. So, I keep opening the door and peering inside; BANGING the mail slot several times, just to be sure it gets DOWN in there.

People on the street must think I’m one of those crazy and colorful homeless characters with tourette syndrome, who enjoys being abusive to mailboxes.

Open…BANG…“Fuck!” Open…BANG…“Fuck!” Open… BANG…“Fuck!”

Another one of my concerns is that when the mail person comes to collect the contents in the mailbox, he or she will accidentally drop my bill on the ground and then someone will pick it up and find a way to CASH my check without any identification, and then use that money to pay one of THEIR bills.

One of my other worries is that what if the mail person is suddenly MUGGED by a lunatic while collecting the mail, and then the lunatic uses my bill money to buy a couple grams of CRACK?

The other 2% of the time, I WILL use a street mailbox to mail things, such as, greeting cards or letters, but even then I think about the above mentioned and WORRY.

See! Didn’t I tell you that my worries make absolutely no sense whatsoever?

I'm insane.

But, I think if I lived in a place like Little House On The Prairie, I wouldn’t be as worried about using a street mailbox, because the people on Little House On The Prairie don’t even know what crime is.

However, I live in Philadelphia, where crime is a fine art….

Picture Parade Pt. 2

Hey there, folks!

Well, once again I am excited and proud to share the remaining 10 images from this photo series.

No doubt, I will be doing this again in the future. So, for those of you who missed this round, no worries, I look forward to sharing your photographs in the next one!

I had quite a few of you say that you had a hard time deciding what ‘type’ of photograph to send. Therefore, next time I may pick a ‘photo theme’ to make it a bit easier, and to also change it up a bit.

So, without further ado, allow me to present your fantabulous images.

Lights! Camera! Shutter Snap!



Greece by Expat From Hell



Bromeliad by Katherine

Sunset by Nitebyrd

"Moo" by Babs

Hummingbird by Mel

Beach by Katherine

Infinity Pool, Cancun by Mary

Silver Miners by Mania Ravings

Pacific Sunset by Mark

Before The Ring by Jen

Once again, thank you for participating by sharing your favorite photographs. They are all unique and diverse! (Picture Parade Pt.1).

If you have some time this weekend, please drop by these blogs so you can enjoy them as much as I do!

Wishing you a picturesque weekend everyone!

X

Note: Photo entries, please feel free to respond to comments left on your photograph.

Blogging and Being True To You

Last week, I had the immense pleasure of getting together with fellow blogger and friend, Jen @ When Pigs Fly while she was in Philly. And of course, we discussed blogging and some of the challenges we all seem to experience at one time or another.

Things like: readership, comments, writers block, change, and motivation.

I’ve only been blogging for five years, therefore am by no means an expert in the ways of how or how not to blog.

Yet, there is something I’ve observed when it comes to blogging that I would like to share.

Does this scenario sound familiar?

You start a blog. You begin by writing posts you feel inspired and passionate about because this is the whole reason why you started blogging - to create your own personal space where your voice and creativity have wings.

At first you have no readers, so it’s easy to express yourself because there is no feedback through comments. It’s simple. It is just you, your thoughts, and your space.

Then, after a month or so you start to get readers who are leaving comments.

YIPEEEEEEE!

Because let’s be honest….we ALL enjoy comments.

Then, after several months or even a year, you start to get MORE readers. MORE comments.

However, as your readership begins to grow you notice that not all your readers are the same. Meaning, they don’t have the same interests. Some may comment on certain posts because it touches them in some way, while others don’t comment because what you’re blogging about may not prompt them to respond, or they simply enjoy reading and not commenting.

And then you begin to wonder….

“Yikes….I’m not getting as many comments as I use to, what’s happening?”

“Am I doing something wrong?”

“I’m losing readers, what can I do to keep them?”

So, you start to conform what you share in your posts to your readers, but at the same time you realize it’s going to be a challenge because not all of your readers enjoy the same topics.

And you know this because you’re judging it by how many comments you get on each post.

You unconsciously start grading yourself on how good or bad your posts are by the amount of comments you get.

Slowly, you begin to question what you share because you don’t want to lose readers.

And then before you know it, you’re not writing your blog to express your voice anymore….you’re tailoring it to your readers; trying to please everyone.

Now I’m going to say something that may sound a bit blunt, but I have found it to be true.

You’re never going to please ALL your readers ALL the time.

Never.

And honestly, there is nothing you or I can really do about that.

The only thing we can do is share what we feel passionate about.

And I know this because in the five years I’ve been blogging, my readership and comments have fluctuated greatly.

And do you know what?

None of that should matter, because I can’t possibly help what my readers will enjoy. The only thing I know is that I enjoyed sharing it.

I’ve learned that I must be aware and considerate of my readers, but at the same time remain true to me.

Most of us are not getting paid to write our blogs. Most of us are doing this because we simply love to blog, express our creative spark, share stories, and meet people from all over the world.

Having a blog is like a newspaper. Some days people will read it daily, then there are others days when not as many people will. But that still doesn’t make any of our posts less news worthy.

So, if I can share any advice with those of you who have ever questioned your ability to sustain a blog, or begin to doubt yourself in anyway, I say this….

Don’t ever be afraid to take chances and share topics you assume your readers may not enjoy or initially understand. Because not only will you be denying your voice, but also the chance for your readers to discover something they might have never known.

Therefore, take chances. Change. Expand. Like life itself.

And just remember WHY you started blogging in the first place.

To express yourself.

Allow readership to be readership. And comments to be comments.

Because they will naturally flow like the ebbing of the sea.

And know in your heart….you are being true to YOU.

Blog on, everyone!

Picture Parade Pt. 1

Well, I was BEYOND happy with the response I got from my previous post, asking that you send me your favorite photographs.

Thank you! You guys are the BEST. And I’m so proud to show off each and everyone of them!

In total, I received 20 photographs. Therefore, I’ve decided to post them in groups of 10.

I will be posting the other group sometime next week.

So, without further ado, allow me to share your AWESOME captures.

Lights! Camera! Snap!



Hay Rolls, Hemet, California by Herman Trump


The Sun Shines On The Righteous by Valerie

"Howdy" by Misfit In Paradise

Sunset at the Marina, Rockport, TX, a sleepy little fishing town on the Gulf coast by Diane

Sunset by Peg

Jalopy by Linda

Sunbathing in the surf in the Maldives by Akelamalu

Monument Valley, Arizona by Bijoux

Cool Winds On The Hudson by Valerie Morrison

Eiffel Tower and the Yoga Pose by Susu

Again, thank you so much for sharing your photographs. And please take a moment to stop by these blogs, so you can enjoy them as much as I do!

Wishing you a picture perfect weekend everyone!

X

Note: Photo entries, please feel free to respond to comments left on your photos.

Let's Step Into The 1940's

There is something about the 1940’s that has always held a special place in my heart.

It’s odd, because I can actually feel that time period within my soul. As if I know what it was like to live back then.

A past life perhaps?

And even though it was a decade involving war and uncertainty, it was a time when people pulled together, supported one another, and discovered precious moments of joy and happiness.

There was something very innocent and simple about life back then, but also something extremely mature and wise, because people had a sense of what really mattered.

My favorite movies are the ones that take place during the 1940’s. Where the men went to war, while the women stayed home working hard, keeping the family together and in high spirits. It was a time when family life was very strong and united.

Men and women had their roles, most definitely, but they respected one another because each understood their unique power.

I adore so much about the 40’s.

The fashion, the music, the dance, the whole stylistic ambiance.

The 1940’s was a decade that was tough in many ways, but somehow people were able to create glamour.

Sadly, there seems to be no such thing as glamour anymore.

So, allow me to take you on a 1940’s sentimental journey…..



The Glenn Miller Band - I love the sound of the big band era and swing dancing.

Women’s fashion - love the shoes, the seamed hose, the dresses, the hats, the gloves.

The 1940’s hair and makeup - back then it was all about perfectly coiffed hair and eyebrows. And red lips.

Men’s fashion - practically every photo you see of the 1940’s, men had on a suit, a tie, and a hat. They were dapper (as my grandmother use to say).

The automobile

The telephone

Air plane travel - this was when air travel was special.

I would like to leave you with one of my favorite songs. It was actually written in 1938, but did not become popular until the 1940’s.

I give you, Jimmy Durante, singing, “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

My Tarot Card Reading

It’s been YEARS since I’ve been to a psychic or tarot card reader.

There was a period in my life (back through the 80’s) when I went to psychics and card readers because I was exploring various esoteric things. The 80’s were a huge search decade for me. And that’s not to say I still don’t search and explore new stuff, but several of the things I use to rely upon for assistance no longer hold the same interest.

I’ve come to a point in my life where I don’t want to know my future. I’d rather just be surprised.

However….

(and now I’m going to contradict myself)

Two weeks ago at work, we had a cosmetic and fragrance event in which the store hired a tarot card reader as a special gift to those customers who made a purchase within my department.

I thought that was a VERY cool and original idea on their part.

And it’s funny, the second I met the woman who did the readings, I liked her. I found out she was a Reiki practitioner, so we had something in common to talk about. But there was something else I really liked about her. She was very honest and unfluffy in her readings, sharing not only things that were pleasant, but also things that were challenges in your life. Things you needed to face and address.

She was a native New Yorker, born in Brooklyn. And being someone who loves New York and its natives, I figured that was probably why I instantly felt comfortable around her.

New Yorkers are very upfront. And I respect that.

Anyway, later in day just before she left, I asked if she wouldn’t mind sharing a quick reading for me. She said, “Of course….come over to my table.”

Allow me to say, I think some psychics and tarot cards readers are full of baloney, bullshit and horsefeathers. And that you could probably get a more accurate reading by asking a Magic 8 Ball.

But, I also believe there are others who are truly gifted and very accurate.

Such as it was with this lady.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a reading more spot on than the one she gave me.

She was so accurate that she even named NAMES.

And she was fast, never hesitating to think about the cards. She just allowed herself to trust their messages.

The whole reading took less than 10 minutes, but she told me more truth in those 10 minutes than any other card reader.

When getting a tarot card reading, the person who is having the reading begins by shuffling the deck and then cuts them into three piles, choosing one of the piles to work with.

Typically, you’re suppose to ask a question before the reading, but I requested that she allow the cards to simply tell me whatever they felt like.

Here’s some of the things she conveyed to me:

Love.

She started by telling me that I am very loved. And not by anyone in particular, but rather that the people who are in my life sincerely love me. I got a little teary-eyed when she expressed that because it’s true. I DO feel loved and very blessed. I’ve got a lot of love in my life.

Also, she sees someone coming into my life in March (a relationship), which totally shocked the hell out of me because for the past few months, I can feel someone coming into my life. And she actually told me who it was, by NAME. So….we shall see! But I have to admit, it’s kind of scary because it’s been so long since I’ve had a relationship. I fear a relationship because I know how selfish I can be.

She also told me something about certain family members, which I can’t specifically say who they are because they've discovered my blog. However, what I can tell you is that she said I need to make closure with these 'certain' family members (and she knew WHO they were). She was right….I do need to make closure with them because I’ve been avoiding it out of anticipating a bitter confrontation.

She told me that I need to stop placing such high expectations on people because I get disappointed a lot. Yup…she was right. I place way too high expectations on people (AND myself) and that’s really not healthy - for them or for me.

She said I’m a neat freak and a perfectionist. HA! That’s understatement!

She also said she sees me writing, and to start journaling.

She ended the reading by throwing out the remainder of the cards, saying, “LOVE…LOVE…the cards keep telling me you’re so loved.”

To me, love comes from many places. Family, friends, intimate relationships, co-workers, and yes….even our fellow bloggers.

So, I would like to end this post by thanking each and everyone of you who shares your love and friendship with me through the energy of your words. And please know, that you are loved and greatly appreciated in return.

Wishing you a love filled weekend everyone!

X

Send Me Your Photographs

I know I don’t normally post on Wednesdays, but I suddenly got a fabulous idea the other day. Actually, I stole this fabulous idea from The Pioneer Woman who highlighted photos from her readers on her blog last week. And I can’t tell you how much fun it was to look through all of them.

So, I thought it might be a fun thing to do on my own blog because I know that MANY of you guys and gals share a passion for photography.

And please don’t be modest, because I’ve seen wonderful photographs from all of you.

Okay, here are the guidelines:

-I ask that you email one of your most favorite photographs. It can be of landscapes, people, pets, flowers, anything.

-But no self-nudies, please. I’m saving that for next month - HA!

-I ask that the photo be pre-sized no wider than 575. Height size doesn’t matter.

-Free Online Resizer Lunapic

-Your photo can be enhanced with photo editing, or just as is.

-Color, or black and white.

-Also, please include your name or blog name, and a link you would like me to use when I post your photograph, so I can credit you.

-I will post your photographs in the order in which they are received.

-Deadline for entries will be this Sunday, Sept. 11th before midnight EST.

-My email address can be found by clicking the Contact link below my blog header.

I will post ALL photographs mailed to me. But depending on how many of them I get, I may have to scatter them within the next couple of weeks.

I’m not sure which days I’m going to post the photographs, it’ll just be a surprise.

If you have any questions, feel free to express them in your comments.

Please know that this is not contest, I’m just doing it for fun.

So, come on folks. Don’t be shy. Send your photographs and allow me to show them off for everyone to enjoy!

Thank you.....X

Update: PLEASE remember to include a link when sending your photograph. Thank you so much.

P.S. I will resume my normal posting schedule on Friday.

A Tragedy!

A terrible tragedy has occurred in my life.

And no, this tragedy has nothing to with the fact that they discontinued my favorite face wash from Oil of Olay.

No….it’s MUCH worse.

Worse than the time I found out that Lady Gaga wasn’t really a man in drag.

And worse than the time I got caught FORGING my report card in Catholic grammar school because I didn’t want my parents to find out I had gotten 7 red F’s.

Last week, while heading over to my favorite video store I discovered this sign….


Now I want you all to try and visualize a 55-year old man (acting like Joan Crawford) throwing himself against the door and banging his fists against the glass, screaming, “NO! NO!…THIS CAN’T BE TRUE! PLEASE TELL ME THAT I’M SLEEPING AND WHEN I WAKE UP THIS WILL JUST BE A DREAM!”

But I wasn‘t dreaming, it was a harsh reality.

(like the harsh reality of when MGM Studios fired Miss Crawford)

TLA Video CLOSED!

And quite frankly, I don’t know what I’m going to do because it was the last video store in this city. Blockbuster went out of business years ago, along with Hollywood Video, so TLA was the only place I could rent movies.

Well, I guess there’s always Netflix, but I’m not one of those people who can rent a video and then wait for it to be mailed to me. No way. I’m the kind of person who spontaneously feels the desire to watch a movie and wants it NOW.

It’s called instant gratification.

OMG….I’m utterly devastated about this!

However, I did find out from someone at work that there’s an adult video store (which means they rent DIRTY movies and sell glow-in-the-dark CONDOMS) about five blocks from where I live, which also rents selected Hollywood films. Which might not be a bad idea because I can rent “Gone With The Wind” and “Danny And Steve Gone Wind Surfing” on the same night.

*insert snicker*

But I ask you……what the hell is HAPPENING to this world?

First, all the music stores are closing down because of the Internet.

Second, all the bookstores are closing down because of the Internet.

And now, all the video stores are closing down because of the Internet.

I’m so mad at the Internet right now, I could spit rusty razor blades out of my mouth.

I HATE YOU INTERNET!

Oh wait. That’s right. I can’t hate the Internet.

I blog.

I LOVE YOU INTERNET!