Monday Meme

What is the worst movie you have ever seen?

3000 Miles To Graceland.

Although I like Kevin and Kurt, this mess was an unrelenting, serious pile of crap.

And I usually like everything.

Remember Istar with Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty? I didn't think it was all that bad, but the film broke shortly after the 1st Act and I never did see the rest of it.

Then there was Robin Hood with Kevin Costner. This time, the film broke right after the 3rd Act finale began, and as I left, I thought, I am not sitting through that again. Not realizing, at the time, that I had bigger problems, as the theater was on fire.

I caught it on video a year later.

Circus Dreams

Another thing I can’t do worth spit is sew. And, apparently, in this instance, all the desire and practice in the world makes little difference.

When I was still young and naïve* enough to listen to my in-laws, I got sucked into the won’t you want to make dresses for your little girl fantasy. Although, a little girl was distant in my future, I conceded I’d practice to be better prepared when the fabled child arrived.

Everything I made looked like clown pants. I don’t know why.

I carted the sewing machine back from whence it came, decided I had no talent for sewing and did something else.

But, every now and then, I’d try again. The result was always the same. Clown Pants.

Dreams die hard, or insanity persists, so over the years, I made enough clown pants to outfit Ringling Brothers.

I did find, however, I could make a serviceable blanket.

It will keep you warm, but don’t look at the seams or lumps or little crimpy parts.

And, scarves. I can whip out a scarf like nobody’s business. Once again, ignore the crimpy parts.

It occurred to me the other day, I am more mechanic than seamstress.

I put stuff together and make it work. Which is why, what results is serviceable. It works, leave me and my crimpy parts alone. Thank-you.

Perhaps, as a seamstress, I’ve peaked. Here, talent, I have none, a pot full of desire reaps returns that are variations of mediocre.

So, I sit here waiting for my last watercolor painting to dry while thinking about sewing, and I wonder if I’m working up to a wet version of Clown Pants?

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer

We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent.
Sophia Loren

Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Calvin Coolidge

My mother drew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that 'achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that is in you. Success is being praised by others, and that's nice, too, but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about success.'
Helen Hayes



*stupid

If You Don't Like Happy Endings . . .

Try these two movies.

The Last King of Scotland and Children of Men.

Amaryllis

Edward Weston has a series of pepper photographs that aren't about veggies at all.

As I was taking these pictures to use as painting fodder, I found myself, not thinking about flowers.

Personality Quiz

Saw the link at Sarah's blog.

I scored as Salmon. Despite first thoughts, you have wisdom abound. You rejuvenate yourself and others often just by your presence and you never give up, always pushing upstream.

Even though the Salmon of Wisdom is an Irish legend, can't say I care much for this result.

One fish, same as the next, mindlessly battering itself to death to reach someplace that is less destination, more event, but it sure is an apt image for an aspiring screenwriter.

Alas.


Which animal totem best suits you?
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Happy Birthday Baby

Seems like only yesterday to me.

Tagged

Candace tagged me for a book meme.

1) Find the nearest book
2) Open to page 123
3) Type lines 6-8 of said book

"The whites maintained that it was an impiety, when praying to God, to turn toward where the sun rises in the winter; the blacks asserted that God abhorred the prayers of men who turned toward where the sun sets in the summer. Zadig ordained that people should turn whichever way they wanted."

Candide, Zadig and Selected Stories by Voltaire.

Tag, anyone who wants to play.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

The temperature is 10 degrees below zero and the creek is freezing.


My Number 1 Fan (ok, my only fan) says, Post something every day.

Ha. I reply.

Holidailies has filled you with false expectations. Back to reality. Only the idle bored could keep up that schedule. While I am occasionally bored, I’m rarely idle.

But, I hope these few pictures tide you over while I’m thinking up something to say.

Eureka

I did it.

One post every day for a month.

The Holidailies Challenge of 2006 has been wrestled into submission.

Ta--Daaaaaa.

Happy New Year