Film Recommendation

An offhand (but enthusiastic) comment from Maya -

By the way, have I told you to see There Will Be Blood yet? If not, Go see There Will Be Blood. It's absolutely fucking amazing. Daniel Day-Lewis expands my conception of what a human being can be and do. It's as though he has discovered a new way to exist. If I were to found a religion, I would base it on this performance. He's... I saw it a month ago and I still can't figure out the words to describe his performance. You know how every year there's some performance that people sort of casually say, "It ranks among the greats," etc.? Well, Daniel Day-Lewis doesn't rank among the greats - he is better than Brando or De Niro or whoever. He makes them look silly. I cannot overstate this: He kicks the greats' asses in this movie. Go see it.

A taste of Maya

I was working late and had the TV on in the background, when on came the Actor's Workshop or whatever James Lipton's show is called. He had John Cusack on, whom I liked in Grosse Pointe Blank and Being John Malkovich. But I had never heard of Say Anything or High Fidelity. So I asked the family expert. This is a small taste of what you get when you ask Maya.

Where have you been? You had three kids -- they were watching these movies.

If you see Say Anything, you will be witnessing the precise romantic and emotional conditioning of the women my generation (and the previous generation). John Cusack's character grew to become the absolute, secret ideal of every woman I knew from high school to college. Songs were written about it in the 90s. Most of these women have since grown somewhat -- but I can't overstate the influence of this character.

The movie itself is a pretty good small movie directed by Cameron Crowe -- Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire, etc. -- before he "sold out." That is, it has the feel of an independent film before they sold out too. The characters are human and funny, the acting interesting, etc. Incidentally, I think you've seen this: I have a vague memory of watching it in the theater with you and Cadyn when I was maybe... nine?

High Fidelity has a similar relationship to music obsessives. I still hear them making references to the movie to explain aspects of their life or taste -- privately, though, because since the movie became widely popular, they're too cool to admit to liking it.

It has a before-he-got-big Jack Black, it's about neurotic, self-obsessed, selfish, and pretentious men who simply cannot understand women. But they have really, really good taste in music. There used to be theories that this is who Lloyd Dobbler (the character from Say Anything) may have become after having his heart broken too many times.

Anyway -- between these two movies and a couple of other random ones, John Cusack's recent decline takes on tragic dimensions. He was for a while - and had the chance to be forever - the cultural ideal of the men and women of an entire generation. Then he made Must Like Dogs and America's Sweethearts. Tragic.

Give her a try.

New Addition

I know I didn't tell everyone, but Brandon's girlfriend, Tiffany, was pregnant. She had her baby in early December. (I found out yesterday.) She had a boy, Tristan Michael Harrison. That's all the details I have. I'll let you know if I get any more information.

For those who missed the snow...

This is out the front door. Remember when we could walk out with ease?

Here is the garage roof Sunday morning.

This is the top floor balcony

A wonderful reunion!

Thanks to everyone who made Gary's birthday evening the best, yet! He was touched and will never forget it.

We heard from Michael today (1/6/08) and were glad to hear that everyone made it down the mountain and to their destinations. We spent yesterday on the road. We left at 3:00 AM to get Justin to Reno for his plane - we knew the original flight had been canceled, but had him on one later (7:00) - We woke up to snow, wind and no power. The trip was slow going, but we made it safely to Reno, and Justin got on his plane. He waited two hours to takie off and just made his connection in Atlanta. He called us last night and was home safe and sound!

We hope that Karen is happy with her snow! We are glad to have it in the mountains, and will take it here also, to help ease draught issues.

Tomorrow, it's back to reality. Jobs - etc. I guess the good times can't last for every.

Happy New Year to everyone! We love you all. Terri and Gary

What is the number one issue in the election?

Poll: Bullshit Is Most Important Issue For 2008 Voters

So why do atheists celebrate Christmas?

It’s not the gifts, it’s not the gaudy decorations. It’s the spirit.

When I was a child, Christmas time meant so many things. Parties in school, snow on the ground, snooping around my parent’s bedroom for hidden presents. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and joy that was not present most of the year. The calendar was marked down with X’s on the dates of December, and every new X meant that special day was coming.

Of course, I loved the presents. But I loved the atmosphere, too. My parents are very social people. During the holiday season, there would be friends and relatives dropping over to say hello, have a drink, maybe a bite to eat. The Christmas tree glowed and sparkled and the windows were covered with those plastic, colorful decorations depicting Santa and snowmen and angels.

Christmas is about traditions. For as long as I can remember, we would gather at my aunt’s house on Christmas Eve - we still do - enjoying an Italian feast of fish and pasta, at least 40 of us crowded into the fully decorated basement. We exchanged presents and Santa came and the grownups were all happy and carefree and festive. We would go home late, get tucked into bed and then lay there for what seemed like hours, too excited to sleep. It was a great night to be a kid.

Ada Calhoun, editor-in-chief of Babble

A message from 138 Sunni, Shi'ite, and Sufi scholars

[It notes that Christmas came just after the Muslim haj pilgrimage to Mecca and the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al Adha) recalling how the Prophet Abraham almost sacrificed his son.]

"Al-Salaamu Aleikum, Peace be upon you, Pax Vobiscum

God's refusal to let Abraham sacrifice his son ... is to this day a divine warrant and a most powerful social lesson for all followers of the Abrahamic faiths, to ever do their utmost to save, uphold and treasure every human life and especially the lives of every single child.

May the coming year be one in which the sanctity and dignity of human life is upheld by all... May it be a year of humble repentance before God and mutual forgiveness within and between communities."

A Christmas Message from Buddha

May All Beings Be Happy!

Whatever living beings there be: feeble or strong, tall, stout or medium, short, small or large, without exception; seen or unseen, those dwelling far or near, those who are born or those who are to be born, may all beings be happy!

Let none deceive another, not despise any person whatsoever in any place. Let him not wish any harm to another out of anger or ill-will.

Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, even so, let him cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings...

Ho Ho Ho

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful, peaceful, and delightful day. We are looking forward to seeing everyone on the 30th. (As long as it doesn't snow!)

Jan and Steve