Posts Tagged ‘memory

26
May
23

Thank you, Tina (Turner)

By writingbolt Leave a Comment
Categories: Confessions of the Rabbit Kind and Uncategorized
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She’s beyond Thunderdome, now.  

Tina Turner.  Anna Mae.  Aunty Entity.

Powerhouse of rhythmic rock and roll.  You had some of the finest legs ever known.  And, your look…s were distinct and, most, memorable.  If you set any trend, it was the driving force that gets someone on stage to sing with all of their strength and heart.  You were a powerful inspiration to many, including myself, to whom you remain a torch, a torch of courage to go on with this life.  Unlike others in your rabbit shoes, you didn’t submit to death.  You didn’t extinguish your own torch.  You fought on and lived as long as you could, mistakes and all.  You endured.  And, you will endure in loving memory.  

Elton John sings that song about Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana living their lives like candles in the wind.  But, you, you danced like a candle in the wind.  You were a dazzling flame, a respectable Sagittarius Earth Rabbit.  

I Don’t Wanna Fight, but I would not say you were The Best, to be completely honest, if you Ask Me How I Feel.  And, I am not a Typical Male saying this.  I am a bit of a Private Dancer, so to speak, A Fool in Love with your vitality.  It’s too easy for imitators to flash their legs, wear big wigs or belt out tunes as powerfully as you did.  I can already see a few black women trying to be another you.  But, you certainly remain among the best female performers to move me.    

Looking at those imitators, you might say We Don’t Need Another Hero.  But, we do.  And, now that you are gone from this world (not gone from our hearts or in spirit), now that The Heartache Is Over, for you, now that you are no longer One of the Living, we need someone to fill those powerful shoes of yours, someone who can still do good for this world as a living person, while your spirit goes on doing what it can from wherever you may be.    

I think of what you can still do for us, for me, now that you ride the clouds with Silent Wings.  I never got to meet or spend any time with you, in person.  So, I cannot whole-heartedly say I’ll be Missing You.  But, I feel like your energy is infectious, and all it takes is to think of you with respect to feel you near me. 

Paradise Is NOT Here.  I hope it is where you are, now, with a direct line to wherever I may be, so I can always connect with you.  I’m sure you’ll say It’s Gonna Work Out Fine; I wish I could believe that.  The most I can do, right now, is hang on and keep fighting through this life.

What’s Love Got to Do With It?  I’m not sure.  But, a part of me still loves you, sister rabbit.  I cannot lie about that.  And, I don’t ask much, but you’d Better Be Good to Me.

Shine on, Tina…Anna Mae.  Shine on.  Keep on turning.  No pride required.  

 

12 Jun 1987, Wembley Arena, London, England, UK — Tina Turner in concert at Wembley Arena in London. — Image by © Richard Olivier/CORBIS
02
Apr
19

Thank You, Christina Applegate

By writingbolt Leave a Comment
Categories: Concerns and Alerts, Creations and Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

*****

Have you ever had a thought escape your mind when someone decides to interrupt or distract you while you’re thinking of something? And, have you struggled to hang onto that thought or trace it back to its source only to forget what you were trying to say or do in the first place? Have you ever felt like letting whatever thought that was go and saying, “Goodbye, Garfield.”

If you have, then you, like me, remember a very brief moment in TV history, when Christina Applegate played Kelly Bundy on a slimy, groan-worthy yet periodically amusing TV show called Married with Children. There was one special episode when Kelly had to appear on a game show and answer some trivia questions. She complained about having limited memory capacity. When anyone–especially her dad–tried to cram new thoughts into her head, she forgot something. And, at a precious moment, she says goodbye to her memory of Garfield, the cartoon/comic strip cat.

[Apparently, it’s impossible to find this episode/clip online? Is it because she uses the name Garfield? Really, Jim Davis?]

I tend to refer back to that moment whenever my mind forgets what it was trying to say, which is often enough due to the interruptions that come my way. Too often I cannot complete my thoughts when accompanied by just about anyone. It doesn’t matter if its kids or adults. It’s like I can hold my breath for five minutes, but I only have 2 minutes to breathe before someone else takes the air or jabs me in the gut.

Anyway, I’d just like to take a moment to thank Christina Applegate for getting lodged in my memory as an example of the sad condition I and others I know have been facing for a number of years, now. I know her character was just supposed to be especially dumb for some juvenile reason. And, I’m not exactly losing critical childhood memories every time I learn something new…not that I know of, anyway. And, back when I first saw that episode, I didn’t think much of it other than laughing at Garfield leaving her head. But, now, it seems so relevant.

So, again, thank you, Christina.

And, thank you, Garfield, for being one my first inspirations to take up drawing cartoons/comic strips. I once took a tour of a newspaper (office building) and received sample strips for Garfield and Marvin. I don’t know what happened to those. But, I remember holding them.

Ah, memories.

…What was I saying a minute ago? Before the bit about how I had a comic strip proof in my hands? I was just talking about… Ah… Nope. Forget it. It’s gone. Goodbye, Garfield.

thankyou-christinaapplegate-kellybundy-marriedwithchildren-gameshow-episode-garfield-memoryloss_ap-cspp-2

30
Mar
17

I Miss You, Chocolate House

By writingbolt Leave a Comment
Categories: Concerns and Alerts, Creations and Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

*****

MissYou-ChocolateHouse-pianomansurprise_ap-1J

*****
What iIiIiIs Easter fun without you?! What iIiIiIs?! I don’t know anymoOoOre!

 

And, what…what will tomorrow bring? In a world…where you don’t exist?
What…what will I eat on holidays? Well, I know…I know what is missed.
Love bring you back where you belooong. Where my spirit flies…on whipped-cream-mountain highs. Love bring you back where you belooong. Where the chocolate flows. Where the clear favorite goes. [My mouth…is where I was going with that one.]

 

We used to have something special, you and I.
You were the sugar daddy to my childhood dreams.
You were countless flavors of whipped cream magic wrapped up in a thin layer of heavenly sweet milk or dark chocolate.
You were Easter morning surprises in a colorful basket lined with plastic grass.
You were the company that kindly answered the first formal letter I ever composed with an awesome care package.
You were the legalized pot of gold shop my family visited annually to keep everyone happy at an otherwise gloomy time of year.
You were the McDonald’s of desserts without a line of mascots; fast food that brought great pleasure and always put a smile on my face. [Well, maybe not those maple cream eggs…or the fruit and nut ones. Those were kinda gross.]
You were bigger than minty “shamrock” milkshakes.
You were bigger than Cadbury…to me.

And now, you’re gone?

I mean, you’ve been gone a few years now. But, I still get withdrawal pains. And, every time I see a picture of you or hear your name…? Every time I see one of your lesser competitors? I ache. I weep just a little. I have to stop myself before I break down and cry. Because you were just that big to me.

So, I’m sending out this love letter, hoping it serves me…us well. Please, come back to my area. Or, if you could…if you would…please send me another glorious care package with the glossy cards featuring all the products you produce and the cases of whipped cream eggs I like, particularly the mint, chocolate and vanilla ones.

Thank you.

If I never see you, again, I’ll at least have the memory…albeit a painful one when I have to think about how it all went away.

Come back.

[Fingers touching the screen.]

*Sigh*

09
Feb
17

“Smart” Devices, Security Threat

By writingbolt Leave a Comment
Categories: Concerns and Alerts and Uncategorized
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*****

“Smart” devices promising convenience; dumb inconveniences just like pills that result in lackluster results and/or more side effects.

Yes, I am at it, again! I am livid about the latest and upcoming “smart” technology! If you have any brain cells left to digest some food for thought, dig in.

Those talking speakers–which are supposed to make life easier and answer all of your questions so you never have to use your brain for more than uttering words and pushing a button–are a potential security risk IF you have devices–including phones, appliances, door locks, home computers (which might hold tax/income files, insurance records, bank/retirement account links, etc.)–connected to the same WiFi network.

Local news reporters recently suggested hackers could do some serious damage to your records, resources and even your home if this is the case. They recommended creating separate networks for each branch of technology and extra complex passwords, “ones you might not even remember.”

…Wait. Did you just hear/read that right? Yep. Passwords you might not even remember.

WHAT FREAKING SENSE DOES THIS MAKE?!

First, they make technology to simplify life. And, like so many new inventions these days, these conveniences ask you to link every aspect of your life together, put everything online and/or in one digital storage unit. How convenient…for thieves!

You don’t have to think much. You can turn everything on and off from the small nuclear reactor you keep in your purse or back pocket. You can get money wherever, whenever. Why do your own taxes or even send a check when you can link the IRS to your bank account and let them do the draining–er, work–for you? But, those who want what you have (and know how to program the very things you put your faith in) will make stealing and/or ruining it easy.

Need I mention the latest thing in American credit cards (not new to Europe, among other places)? Those wonderful “smart chip” cards that are supposed to be better protection for your credit/money. Yet, as quickly as they get “mandated,” there are commercials for thieves with devices that can scan them much the way the latest designs for retail/grocery stores without cashiers (among other employees) can scan your card and send the bill to your house (to save you the hassle of waiting in a line with other human beings with whom you no longer seem able to socialize and/or tolerate). As an added security feature, there are ads for wallets with metal mesh protection layers…if that does the job. But, if you are protecting your wallet from thieves with scanners and camera phones and “skimmers,” how are those locations that detect your card and send the bill to your home supposed to read your card? Heaven forbid you have to stop, pull out your bulletproof wallet, dig out the credit card for that store and swipe/scan it. Oh, that would be too much work. Wouldn’t it have been easier to just not invent credit cards? Or, here’s a novel idea, STOP MAKING EVERYTHING COMPUTER-DEPENDANT!

THEN, you’re supposed to separate everything you just learned how to connect AND lock it away with a complex password you may not remember. Exactly where are you supposed to safely put all of these passwords you may not remember? Isn’t one of the thoughts behind designing a password to make it something you’ll remember and not need to write down? Will you remember where you put the passwords you have to hide from any wandering snoop that may come along?

Will someone please hold my shoulders so the room stops spinning?

How stupid do humans have to be until the whole world explodes or shuts down? Seriously. No, not Sirius-ly or Siri-ously. Seriously. A word you can find in an actual paper and cardboard dictionary if you can make the effort to find one and use those things you call fingers to do more than swipe right.

Back in my youth, the least intelligent technology–aside from the occasional invention that died out before every “average joe” knew about it–came in yellow and black books, guides for “dummies,” to make life easier and save students the chore of reading actual literature. Then computer classes began, and the whole world started going down the tubes as fast as it was making global connections.

You don’t hear much about those “dummy guides” anymore because you or people you know are likely already the dummies talking to the devices that are now capable of doing your homework for you. The dummy guides are now “help” buttons (which are practically useless due to the fact idiots sometimes compose the “simple” text and diagrams they provide), search engines and digitized voices. Don’t you feel educated?

What’s the sense in spending money on education when technology is going to rob everyone of their brains? I would not be surprised if some tech heads are doing calculations to figure out how many human brain cells are required to get the robot revolution underway before humans are no longer able to program and repair said robots. Won’t we all feel better when we no longer exist and some white plastic-faced box is turning everything we lived for into fertilizer.

NOT ME!

Unplug, now, people. Unplug, now. Think before you compute. And, someone help us all if any more of this crap is forced upon us.

12
Nov
15

The Shirley Zone…Submitted for Your Discussion

By writingbolt Leave a Comment
Categories: Concerns and Alerts and Movie Reviews
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

*****

Yesterday, I posted my “love letter” to Shirley MacLaine.  And, as I wrote it a few days ago, I found myself saying…I’ve done this before (again).  As I edited one bit just yesterday, I could predict a comment I would receive.

Then, last night, I watched Terms of Endearment for what I thought was the first time.  [I can’t recall ever seeing the film.  I just remember the award shows for that year when the cast was on stage.]  And, I heard this little voice saying…”Wanna watch it with us?”  Then my own little voice said, “No.  I don’t want to spoil my view of Shirley from her earlier work.”  And, then the first voice said, “Oooh.  I didn’t know you had an interest in her earlier work.  What is this fascination you have with her?”

And, though I heard these voices as the movie started, I sat through it, anyway. It wasn’t the worst thing she could have done.  But, for a character named Aurora, she looked anything but colorful.  It was a very raw, emotional and modern slice of problematic life.  She was at a pivotal moment in her real life and apparently working it out in this film.  I think age was getting to her; thus she aged herself a bit…or felt a need to “act her age.”  I suspect at this time or soon after she stopped joking around as much and took a new look at herself…or felt “desperate” to try some new things while still holding tight to the reins of selective control.

I gotta say…the movie makes me like John Lithgow and Danny DeVito less. Strangely, the film gave Jeff Daniels depth and didn’t make him appear so terrible to me for what he did.  What was more upsetting was Debra Winger not confessing her secret before the end.  Yet, I think, she did what she did to lessen the pain of what was to come.  But, what if what she suffered would have passed her by had she confessed to her hubby?

As for Jack…you know Jack…he is pretty much the same guy I like/dislike from his other films.  There is one scene in which Shirley invites his astronaut character into her bedroom to “see a painting.”  And, when he enters the house, he just looks so grubby and shady like a thief in the night without the cat burglar costume/skills.  His best moment–the lucky bastard–was groping Shirley at the beach.  I wanted her to rip his arm off! 😛

Getting back to Danny…who is he supposed to be??  He just pops up in a few scenes, not saying much but taking an interest in Shirley’s character.  Is he an old ogling friend?  A husband of a female friend?  It just irked me seeing him pop up.

Looking at the theatrical trailer, it was one of those lousy versions that shows a near-complete synopsis of the story, leaving out the tragedy at the end.  A hard sell.

Seeing Debra Winger yell at her kids reminded me of my family, one member in particular.  And, as I confronted that member today, she shared a shocking little moment she had yesterday which made her think of me.  The two ripples collided, leaving an unsettling feeling running through me to this moment…

I did not have an easy time getting to bed and now know I probably should not have watched that movie.  Yet, a tiny part of me thinks it was like a rock in the sea on a sailing voyage.  I could have avoided it if I listened to word of mouth.  But, I faced it and steered around it best I could.  How it will impact my voyage is yet to be seen….

Perhaps, in the Shirley Zone.

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