Before it was released, I said I wanted to see the movie Woman in Gold http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2404425/. I even put aside an afternoon on my vacation to see it. That was the day severe thunderstorms moved into Lubbock, and Lubbock flooded, including in the area of the movie theater where this movie was playing, and I stayed home to stay out of the hail, without realizing the flooding would be more of a problem.
Was it last week, or the week before, that someone told me I need to get to the theater to see the movie or else it will be gone? But I kept procrastinating. Last night, I went to see the Drum Corps International season premier at the same movie theater where Woman in Gold is still playing. I had planned to go to the pool tonight, but decided to opt for going to see the movie instead. I am not sure, but I think Friday is the day they change movies in Lubbock. And, there were some storms in the area. I do not know if they closed the pool or not, but I opted for the movie. The forecast was the storms would not be severe, and if there was hail, it would be below the quarter-sized hail that causes problems. The clouds were ominous but I believed the weather forecasters.
My past movie going history is that I usually attend movies on the weekends. I was amazed last night at how few cars were in the parking lot. There were even fewer in the parking lot tonight, so movie going must be a weekend activity.
Well, I think I made the right choice. I was the only person in the theater until about 5 minutes before the movie started. A couple came in. About 10 minutes or so after the start of the movie, 2 women came in. I was sitting in the first row, middle of the row, going up from the entry ramp. These women came in, sat right next to me, and took out the food they smuggled into the theater.
We shared laughter and comments during the movie, and sat through the credits. The woman sitting next to me thanked me for being a good sport. I was not impressed: Not only did the two women talk a lot during the movie (about the movie and not about the movie), the woman next to me took out her cell phone several times, and clicked calls off. If she was not going to take calls, why didn't she silence her phone or shut it off? Or was she waiting for some specific call?. I told them I thought it was a great movie, and the other woman told me this was the second time she came to see it.
This is a movie I will watch again, if it is shown on TV.
I became a Helen Mirren fan when she did the Prime Suspect series http://www.helenmirren.com/biog.html as Jane Tennison, aired on PBS in this country. I also appreciated her in The Queen. There are several other of her movies I want to see, including The Hundred Foot Journey. I believe she has another play or series coming out on PBS in which she is Queen Elizabeth II, called The Audience https://www.telecharge.com/ScheduleAndPricing.aspx?ProductId=10486.
Well, the upshot is I enjoyed the movie, and if you did not see it, I recommend you do in the future.
Showing posts with label sacrifices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sacrifices. Show all posts
Friday, June 19, 2015
Thursday, August 8, 2013
The Butler
Once again, I will say that I do not watch Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" a lot. But I was watching tonight. Robin Williams was one of the guests, and he is in the movie "The Butler http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1327773/." As I understand it, this is a true story of a Black butler who served the Presidents in the White House. I am going to try to watch for this movie in Lubbock. I want to see it.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Hydration
I have thought to write about this before, but honestly it is one of those things that I think I have done, but cannot find evidence that I have done. If this is a duplication, then please forgive me, especially if I expressed myself better in a previous blog.
Lubbock, Texas is considered a semi-arid region, but when the temperature climbs into the 90's and 100's, who are we kidding: this is the desert, especially in the years when the rains are below 15", our "average rainfall," which happens quite frequently. Of course, I have lived in Lubbock since 1977, and in the early years, the emphasis on human hydration was minimal, but has especially increased in the last 10 or so years. As we learn more and more about bodily functions, we learn more and more about the need for hydration. However, in the nutrition classes I attended in college in the early 1970's, and perhaps, even in junior high and high school, we knew to drink at least 8 8 oz glasses of water a day, minimally. That has been a standard for quite some time.
A few years ago, I visited family in Phoenix, Arizona in June or July. I was impressed that in the downtown area, around commercial buildings where pedestrians are expected, they had "hog misters" or hoses that misted the area to help keep pedestrians cool.
The first time I had experienced "hog misters" in a commercial setting was when I was married to Lisenby, and we made a trip to San Antonio. We went to "El Mercado" and the area was repleat with "hog misters." Of course, as with Phoenix, it was so hot that by the time you walked away from the areas affected by the misters, you were neither cool nor damp.
The other things about hydration in Phoenix that impressed me included that there were street vendors lined up along the pedestrian ways, selling ice cold bottled water, at reasonable prices. We went to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game at Chase Field http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/ari/ballpark/index.jsp, and there were all sorts of ice water vendors.
Additionally, we went wandering throught the malls or stores or whatever they call them in Phoenix, downtown, and even the high dollar gift, accessory and clothing stores had small refrigerators near the cash registers. They sold cold drinks, predominately water, but sodas as well. A store of that ilk in Lubbock would have a large, unfriendly sign on the door that said "No food or drink." I did not see that in Phoenix. It may exist, but I did not see that. Human safety prevailed over merchandise security, I hope.
This reflects the awareness of the importance of hydration of humans in the desert. Accomodations such as air conditioning make desert living possible. What is so sad is that in the north and east, so many poor people do not have air conditioning, and surviving a heat waves is not possible.
Partly, that is due to their not knowing how to survive in the heat: increased fluids, moving air, ice buckets in front of fans, decreased activity, and seeking air conditioned buildings when their homes are not air conditioned. But it is also in part due to their bodies not being acclimated to the heat. How can they be? This takes time and patience.
It is also due to their not having the resources to install air conditioning, or to seek an air conditioned venue, including because the heat has so weakened the person, they cannot reach out for help.
But ultimately, I believe hydratrion is the key. I think humans need to consume at least 64 oz.of water a day, more if the temperatures are in the 90s and 100s, and more if they are working physically in heat of 80° or more.
They need to pace themselves, take plenty of breaks that include fluid consumption, and watch for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. I think the reason these are not endemic problems in Phoenix compared to Chicago, is not because the poor in Phoenix necessarily have air conditioning (they may or may not) but because they understand how to survive the desert heat.
Ultimately, utimately, hydration is so important. Seek shade. Seek moving air. And hydrate.
Lubbock, Texas is considered a semi-arid region, but when the temperature climbs into the 90's and 100's, who are we kidding: this is the desert, especially in the years when the rains are below 15", our "average rainfall," which happens quite frequently. Of course, I have lived in Lubbock since 1977, and in the early years, the emphasis on human hydration was minimal, but has especially increased in the last 10 or so years. As we learn more and more about bodily functions, we learn more and more about the need for hydration. However, in the nutrition classes I attended in college in the early 1970's, and perhaps, even in junior high and high school, we knew to drink at least 8 8 oz glasses of water a day, minimally. That has been a standard for quite some time.
A few years ago, I visited family in Phoenix, Arizona in June or July. I was impressed that in the downtown area, around commercial buildings where pedestrians are expected, they had "hog misters" or hoses that misted the area to help keep pedestrians cool.
The first time I had experienced "hog misters" in a commercial setting was when I was married to Lisenby, and we made a trip to San Antonio. We went to "El Mercado" and the area was repleat with "hog misters." Of course, as with Phoenix, it was so hot that by the time you walked away from the areas affected by the misters, you were neither cool nor damp.
The other things about hydration in Phoenix that impressed me included that there were street vendors lined up along the pedestrian ways, selling ice cold bottled water, at reasonable prices. We went to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game at Chase Field http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/ari/ballpark/index.jsp, and there were all sorts of ice water vendors.
Additionally, we went wandering throught the malls or stores or whatever they call them in Phoenix, downtown, and even the high dollar gift, accessory and clothing stores had small refrigerators near the cash registers. They sold cold drinks, predominately water, but sodas as well. A store of that ilk in Lubbock would have a large, unfriendly sign on the door that said "No food or drink." I did not see that in Phoenix. It may exist, but I did not see that. Human safety prevailed over merchandise security, I hope.
This reflects the awareness of the importance of hydration of humans in the desert. Accomodations such as air conditioning make desert living possible. What is so sad is that in the north and east, so many poor people do not have air conditioning, and surviving a heat waves is not possible.
Partly, that is due to their not knowing how to survive in the heat: increased fluids, moving air, ice buckets in front of fans, decreased activity, and seeking air conditioned buildings when their homes are not air conditioned. But it is also in part due to their bodies not being acclimated to the heat. How can they be? This takes time and patience.
It is also due to their not having the resources to install air conditioning, or to seek an air conditioned venue, including because the heat has so weakened the person, they cannot reach out for help.
But ultimately, I believe hydratrion is the key. I think humans need to consume at least 64 oz.of water a day, more if the temperatures are in the 90s and 100s, and more if they are working physically in heat of 80° or more.
They need to pace themselves, take plenty of breaks that include fluid consumption, and watch for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. I think the reason these are not endemic problems in Phoenix compared to Chicago, is not because the poor in Phoenix necessarily have air conditioning (they may or may not) but because they understand how to survive the desert heat.
Ultimately, utimately, hydration is so important. Seek shade. Seek moving air. And hydrate.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Ash Wednesday
I am not a practicing Roman Catholic, but last year I made a sacrifice for Lent. I did not really think about it this year, but last night decided to do a meatless Ash Wednesday. I am not a big meat eater, but the course of my usual day often includes chicken soup for breakfast (hot, aromatic, noodles or dumplings). I frequently eat in the chow hall at the prison where I work, and the vegetables choices are sometimes slim and none, but there is usually a meat selection, but sometimes fish.
However, I have been bringing salad to work, and usually have some on hand. I opted for boiled eggs for breakfast, cheese and salad for lunch. I did not strictly fast: I had cookies for snacks a couple of times today.
So, tonight, I need to plan a dinner. I have lots of non-meat options available, including seafood, or fish (Fish is not seafood. Fish is fish. Seafood is clams, scallops, lobsters, shrimp, squid, octopus, crab, etc. But not fish.) and cheese, including cottage cheese.
The problem is, I can not decide what I want to eat, and then, when I am really hungry, I fix something fast but not necessarily nutritionally appropriate. I have been trying to cook ahead (mostly on the weekend) so I have food readily and quickly available when I get hungry.
But, I will figure this out.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season in preparation of celebrating the Easter miracles for the Roman Catholic Church. The Orthodox and Coptic Catholic churches have slightly different schedules, but parallel closely to the Roman Catholic Church. Yesterday was Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, which is a big deal in many parts of the world: a last hurrah before Lent. New Orleans and Rio De Janero are two places renowned for their Mardi Gras celebrations.
It is significant that Pope Benedict XVI decided the Monday before Ash Wednesday to announce his abdication, February 28,2013, from the papacy due to physical and spiritual health problems. The papal succession can and will occur during Lent. I wonder if the pomp and circumstance of the ordination of the new Pope might be curtailed during Lent, or if the new Pope will be elected, and prevail but not ordained until after Lent.
Any way, the Roman Catholic Church has a 2000 year history with mostly peaceful succession of leadership. A much longer history the United States. But the truth be known, there have been periods of upheaval and Popes in contention with each other in the Roman Catholic Church. Also there was the breach which created the Church of England and the other Anglican Churches. Close to Roman Catholic but not. And, there are the Greek Orthodox Churches and the Russian Orthodox Churches. And the Coptic Churches.
Many of the traditions and symbolisms exist in the Orthodox, Coptic and Anglican Churches, as well as the Roman Churches. But each has it variations.
These variations do not diminish the message of Ash Wednesday: a day of humbleness, humility, sacrifice, and preparation for cleansing and preparation for the Easter miracles.
However, I have been bringing salad to work, and usually have some on hand. I opted for boiled eggs for breakfast, cheese and salad for lunch. I did not strictly fast: I had cookies for snacks a couple of times today.
So, tonight, I need to plan a dinner. I have lots of non-meat options available, including seafood, or fish (Fish is not seafood. Fish is fish. Seafood is clams, scallops, lobsters, shrimp, squid, octopus, crab, etc. But not fish.) and cheese, including cottage cheese.
The problem is, I can not decide what I want to eat, and then, when I am really hungry, I fix something fast but not necessarily nutritionally appropriate. I have been trying to cook ahead (mostly on the weekend) so I have food readily and quickly available when I get hungry.
But, I will figure this out.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season in preparation of celebrating the Easter miracles for the Roman Catholic Church. The Orthodox and Coptic Catholic churches have slightly different schedules, but parallel closely to the Roman Catholic Church. Yesterday was Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, which is a big deal in many parts of the world: a last hurrah before Lent. New Orleans and Rio De Janero are two places renowned for their Mardi Gras celebrations.
It is significant that Pope Benedict XVI decided the Monday before Ash Wednesday to announce his abdication, February 28,2013, from the papacy due to physical and spiritual health problems. The papal succession can and will occur during Lent. I wonder if the pomp and circumstance of the ordination of the new Pope might be curtailed during Lent, or if the new Pope will be elected, and prevail but not ordained until after Lent.
Any way, the Roman Catholic Church has a 2000 year history with mostly peaceful succession of leadership. A much longer history the United States. But the truth be known, there have been periods of upheaval and Popes in contention with each other in the Roman Catholic Church. Also there was the breach which created the Church of England and the other Anglican Churches. Close to Roman Catholic but not. And, there are the Greek Orthodox Churches and the Russian Orthodox Churches. And the Coptic Churches.
Many of the traditions and symbolisms exist in the Orthodox, Coptic and Anglican Churches, as well as the Roman Churches. But each has it variations.
These variations do not diminish the message of Ash Wednesday: a day of humbleness, humility, sacrifice, and preparation for cleansing and preparation for the Easter miracles.
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