Hodgepodge

Pin It I wanted to tell you that I posted at Four Perspectives this morning.

I wanted tell you that I am planning a Hocus Pocus night on Thursday of this week but I don't want to come up with something creative like in years of yore. Why? Mostly because I lack the time and the creative energy right now.

But it will be fun.

We'll start out with a 'preshow' at 6:30 of It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and then begin the feature film at 7:00. If you need directions, please click the ZMail link and let me know. I'll steer ya right…

I wanted to let you know that I have let the dishes pile up in my sink for four days. It's about time to wash them because I have no bowls left.

I wanted to tell you that I realized that I haven't run a Joey post for two or so weeks. I have several, I just haven't taken the time to write them up from my Joey notebook. I will post one later this week.

I wanted to let you know that I tried making caramel apples last night and heated the caramel squares in the microwave. When it cooled, it turned into a rock. I guess I lack the caramel apple skills and should hence leave that to the experts.

I wanted to tell you that I bought 20+ boxes of Sundried Tomato and Basil Wheat Thins on sale a week or so ago. I have been downing those things like they're going out of style.

I thought I'd tell you about Halloween this year and how I am undecided at how I want to dress up. Funny, this is my favorite holiday and I just can't seem to come up with what I want to be…after all, this only happens once a year.

I thought I'd tell you that I am planning to voice the first Halloween show at ComedySportz on Friday. Of course, I might not be doing it, but I hope so since I can't do it on my usual Saturday because I'm helping a friend at their haunted house.

I thought you might like to know that I bought a fog machine last week because fog machines are cool.

It rained for three days. The wind blew and caused a lot of mayhem. I love the rain. I didn't mind when the howling wind woke me up on on Sunday night.

I made zucchini bread a week ago and it was wonderful. I found the recipe here and added the crumble topping one of the commenters suggested; I discovered that it made it even more fabulous. I bought some more zucchini at the store last night to make another loaf or two.

I thought I should tell you that it's now 7:22 in the morning and I should have headed out to work seven minutes ago.

As a final note, I thought I'd share this…however, some will consider it untasteful and you might want to consider this before pushing the button.

And don't say that I didn't warn you…

Media of the Week - Movie Title

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I have decided to add a little weekly something to Adventures & Misadventures of Daily Living; namely, a weekly media share of some type.

What kind of media, Teachinfourth?

Such a good question. This particular sharing of material might come in the variety of music, video, or any form of various and sundry web fodder which brought a smile, a tear, or perhaps even a groan of excruciating pain.

Welcome to the first of many...

Unfortunately, I cannot remember how I stumbled across said video; however, if it was through your blog, please make that known in the comments section so that way everyone knows that you are actually the real hero of the day - demoting me to the rank of trusty sidekick.

I Think This Says it all...

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Quite possibly one of my all-time favorite movies. So, what is YOUR favorite part? I have so many that I couldn't possibly list them all; however, these are two interchanges I absolutely love…

Bob: There are two types of people in this world: Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don't. My ex-wife loves him.

Dr. Leo Marvin: [pause] I see. So, what you're saying is that even though you are an almost-paralyzed, multiphobic personality who is in a constant state of panic, your wife did not leave you, you left her because she... liked Neil Diamond?

Siggy: I mean, my Dad just dropped me in the water, without warning me first. I mean, I nearly drowned! My whole life flashed before my eyes!

Bob: Wow, you're lucky you're only twelve.

Siggy: It was still grim.

Do you remember?

Pin It It was probably a long time ago for you; at least it was for me.

I had gotten up on that Christmas Eve because I had heard noises in the living room: voices, movement, and a general air of trying to be quiet.

I eased out of bed, and with carpeted footfalls, slipped from my bedroom and peeked into the dimly-lit living room—ignited with the lights which festooned the evergreen with its homemade decorations and the plate of treats left out on an endtable for the late-night visitor.

What I saw that fateful night haunts me still. It was then that I knew, knew mind you. It was like a little part of me died at that moment of time; a euphorian wonder was forever lost.

Just.like.today.

Pure, Rushing Awesomeness

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I really don't think further words are necessary...

Searching for…

Pin It In music lies power.

Emotion.

Realism.

I sit here in Washington Square Park in the late afternoon with my iPod. I love this park. It’s the location where one of my all-time favorite movies was filmed: Searching for Bobby Fischer.

When I first entered the grounds, I was changing up my playlist to listen to something a little bit different—I wanted something a little less…sonorous; after all, I was leaving the bustling streets and thoroughfares. This is when the thought occurred to me: why shouldn’t I listen to the soundtrack for one of my most treasured movies? One which had had some major scenes filmed right here?

As I called up the soundtrack by James Horner, I approached the men playing chess at the permanently-set tables. The familiar notes began to play, and as I watched the well-known landscape and scenes before me, I found myself completely blown away.

This park is suddenly no longer just a place to me; it now carries a whole other dimension to it; like sunlight so someone who’s been trapped inside all day, like a drowning man’s first gasp of cool, fresh oxygen into hungered lungs.

It is as if I am more here than I really am. This is one of the most powerful moments I have experienced while out here on this trip. Even now as I write this, the pigeons move about my feet, the sunlight patterns the ground and chess boards, and the players watch over their matches intently as their hands fly to their clocks and pieces. During this entire process the projector plays the film—not only in my head, but all around me

It.is.magical.

I am the movie.

This is life.

I find that as I write all of these things down that this moment is elusive, it refuses to be penned down with words—I try to find the right phrases and expressions which will describe what this is and how it feels, but they are slow in coming.

I could live this moment forever.

Your Tr"ge"ek is showing...

Pin It About a month ago I agreed to go to the opening of the new Star Trek movie, mostly just to get out of the house and feel better about attending the theatre again—after all, my last big-screen experience consisted of “Race to Witch Mountain” which was a cinematic catastrophe if ever there was one.

I’m not kidding—I not only wanted my money back—but also the two hours I’d wasted. I know what you’re thinking, “Well, Teachinfourth…it’s really your own fault, after all if it were so dreadful then why didn’t you leave the theatre sooner?”

To answer your question…I tried…the friend I’d gone with (who will remain anonymous so as to protect her identity—got you covered, Janelle) kept insisting that it was bound to get better and that we should ‘stick it out.’

She was so wrong.

However, I digress.

Surprisingly, there wasn’t a long line so we snagged tickets and joined the relatively small group. I thought the line was so undersized because it was a somewhat ‘unadvertised’ early opening. But this was a welcome treat.

While we were waiting, I was warned by my sister to, “Forget all you know, or think you know about the Star Trek universe.”

What the heck was that supposed to mean?

I was mulling over her statement when we were ushered into the theatre; this is where the true chaos began. The theatre was full; Trekkies—like Tribbles—were everywhere. We found ourselves looking out across the vast sea of people already seated and wondering just how they all got in there.

While we were looking dejectedly on, we were greeted by Captain Kirk who directed us to some empty seats in the nosebleed section which, consequently, ended up being saved. After a quick inventory we found ourselves in the second row viewing the movie from a nearly ‘Imax perspective.’

It was hard to enjoy the film at this particular vantage point, but enjoy it I did.

Suddenly I began to understand; all I knew—or thought I knew—of the Star Trek universe was now irrelevant. While this was a bit refreshing, I was also a bit heartbroken at the same time. After all, who doesn’t have fond memories linked to at least one of the shows over the years?

So, did I like the movie? Yes. Would I go see it again? I did. Would I recommend it to others who aren’t Trekkies? Yes. Will I still always like Star Trek: Voyager? Is Seven of Nine hot?

Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Pay it Forward

Pin It This is the 'Thought' of January for my students. I decided that I'd share it with my blogging friends as well...

Recently I’ve been thinking about the way we treat others and the kindness we show. When someone does something nice for us, what do we do afterwards? Often we thank them, feel good inside for a while, and have good memories about the event. But what happens after that? What type of difference do we make in the lives of others once someone has done something nice for us?

It’s often too easy to pass up untold opportunities each day in which we can make a positive difference for somebody else. I’m sure that we’ve all had a time in our lives when we were feeling low, depressed, or was just having a terrible day. Nobody else knew what a hard time we were having; and yet someone, sometimes anonymously, left us a kind note, a plate of cookies, gave us a phone call, or did something that just made our day a little brighter. We all remember how that felt, and yet do we give back that good to others?

There was a movie that came out a few years ago called Pay it Forward; it was about a young boy who decided that he would do something nice for five people. This thing that he would do would be something that those five people couldn’t do for themselves. When these individuals asked if they could pay him back, he would instead tell them not to pay it back, but to pay it forward. In other words, continue on the chain of kindness to others and help make a positive difference in the world.

A few years ago, some of my students and I were sitting in the lunchroom talking about this movie—and just how much we liked it—when a thought occurred to me. We watch movies like this, we enjoy their message because it makes us feel good, and more often than not we don’t take it any farther than that. We don’t incorporate what we’ve learned into our everyday behavior.

It is my hope that we will all be a little more aware of those around us. I hope we will reach out a little more, and remember that Christmas is not the only time in which we can show kindness to others. A school program I attended once proclaimed the motto, “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me.” Let’s all try a little harder to make a positive difference for those around us.

Free to Be, You and Me

Pin It “Ladies first!”

Have you ever heard anyone say that before? To me, it was something I was raised with as a common rule. Girls were supposed to be first when going into a building, getting a meal, or choosing a seat at a party or theater.

However, is the idea of girls always being first really a good idea?

When I was in elementary school, my teacher brought in a movie one afternoon which had come out back in the seventies. To be honest, movies were a rare thing when I was a kid, and I was excited to see what it would be.

She told us that it was called, “Free to Be, You and Me.”



I remember watching this film with my friends and laughing, wishing that the magical carousel horses would spring to life and come to find me…they never did, but the segments of this show were entertaining—especially to a group of elementary-aged kids.

It was about a decade ago that my sister found a copy of this on VHS and presented it to me on my birthday. I couldn’t believe she’d found it…I remember watching it shortly after it was given to me and it still made me laugh.

One of my favorite segments is about a little girl who is convinced that she should always be the first…she’s a little bit stuck on herself, and thinks she’s greater than she really is.

I could tell you all about it, or simply let you watch.

I choose to let you discover all on your own.

Just a little Hocus Pocus...

Pin It Teachinfourth, I've got nothing to do on Thursday...

What? You have no plans?

Unfortunately, no.

Well Congrats! You’ve just made some!

Wait, what is it I just planned?

The Thursday night 6:00 “Hocus Pocus” big screen event!

What? You mean the movie is returning to the theater after nearly fifteen years?

Yes, it is. To the Teachinfourth Underground Cinema to be exact.

Well, how can I come?

Well, hopefully you’ll drive…oh, you mean to get in?

Just knock on the door...and say, “Halloween rocks!”

That’s it?

Yep, we’ll let the digital projector and home theater system do the hard part.

Should I bring something? You know, Halloween treats? Stuff like Cobweb Cookies and Harry Potter Punch?

If you want to. However, remember that this is an invitation, not an expectation.

What if nobody shows up?

Well, then I'll be watching the movie all by myself.

How do I find the place, Teachinfourth?

Well, if you don't already know the address, mention it in the comments section and I'll be sure to email you the coordinates so you can look it up on Google Earth and find your way from there. It'll be just a few seconds before you'll be clicking your heels and you and Toto will be right here.

Rock on, Halloween!

See you on Thursday.

Don LaFontaine-like voice-over

Pin It It was at my “Christmas in September” party last night that we watched a commercial with Don LaFontaine (the movie voice-over guy). After the video was over, a few people commented with things like, “Teachinfourth, you could do that…you’ve got a good voice.”

Well, I decided to give it a crack.

I downloaded a copy of the trailer of The Dark Knight and added in a voice-over. This was mostly just to see how well (or not well) I could do it. I started off pretty serious, and then slowly degenerated...



So, what do you think?

Batman is the property of DC Comics, Warner Brothers, and all subsidiaries. No copyright infringement is intended.

BTW, a higher-quality version is available for viewing HERE. Be sure to click, "Watch in high quality" just beneath the "TV" window for this option.

Vacation - Saturday Visit

Pin It Okay, are you able to guess which town I went to on Saturday morning from the images? AND do you know what movie was filmed here?






Sorry that the shots aren't so great...I was in my car for all of them. They aren't the best, and I do have to admit that I was a bit underwhemled visiting this town and the house. It was much more impressive in the movie, to be honest. By the way, if you couldn't guess the movie, you can find out what it is by going HERE.

I did, however, also go to Silver Reef, an old mining town, and found a few mine shafts (all blocked...bummer). In fact, this one goes straight down for as far as you can see, and then vanishes into blackness. Even though I was standing on a strong grate, I felt a bit leery when standing over it. Old mines and old towns intrigue me...


Oh, I even found another rattlesnake; however, I saw this one LONG before it saw me.

Searching for Bobby Fischer

Pin It Have you ever had a movie which, after watching, you just wanted to stand up and start cheering?

While I admit, these movies are very far and few in-between, there are a few which have made their way into the annals of my mind. I was recently contemplating which, if any, movies I’d recommend for anyone and everyone; there was one movie which came to my mind which I would recommend without any hesitation whatsoever:

Searching for Bobby Fischer.

Never heard of it?

It’s odd to me that most people have never heard of this truly amazing film. Whenever I watch it, I find myself totally blown away; not only from the brilliant cinematography and the wonderful score, but from the fantastic acting. Ben Kingsley (as Bruce Pandolfini) and Joan Allen (as Josh’s mom) both play their roles well, and I always find myself amazed at their deliveries. Additionally, Laurence Fishburne (Josh’s “potzer” friend and mentor, Vinnie) does a great job and is very likable. However, the most surprising is the unbelievable performance from Max Pomeranc AKA: Josh Waitzkin.

A brief synopsis of this movie could be written as thus:

Josh Waitzkin is an average boy. He loves baseball, pizza, and playing in the park. Also, he’s 7 year-old chess prodigy, only nobody realizes it. When Josh’s newfound ability is discovered, his father immediately thrusts him into an unfamiliar world of competitions where winning is everything. Though Josh’s instructor tries to get him to be as aggressive as Bobby Fischer, and to win at any price, Josh is determined to not succumb and lose himself in the process of becoming the best.

There are many scenes which I love in this film, but there is one which really stands out where Josh is having a lesson with his instructor, Bruce Pandolfini:

Bruce: Do you know what the word contempt means? It's to think of others as being beneath you, to be unworthy of being in the same room with you.

Josh: I don't feel that.

Bruce: Well, you better start. Because if you don't think it's a part of winning, you're wrong. You have to have contempt for your opponents. You have to hate them.

Josh: But I don't.

Bruce: They hate you...They hate you, Josh.

Josh: I don't hate them.

Bruce: Bobby Fischer held the world in contempt.

Josh: I'm not him.

Though this film contains many thoughtful scenes, as well as those of humor, it is not about chess. Well, it is, but not really. It’s more about the lesson of decency, family, and doing what is right, no matter the consequence. I could go on for pages about this extraordinary movie, however, the best thing you could do is to watch it yourself. In this I can make you a promise…you won’t be sorry you saw it.

Speechless...

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What more can I say?

Kind of leaves you speechless, doesn’t it?

IF that can’t, then I have a feeling that this will...

I know...

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Okay, this is lame.

I know that it is lame.

I just want you to know that I know so that you knew what I know. What is it that that I know you wanted to know? Well, I just want you to know that I know that this is not the greatest piece of cinematographic work ever to be produced…in fact, it doesn’t even come close…believe me, I know. 

How could I not know?

Well, what more could you expect from 4 missionaries, an old, VHS video camera, and one day to shoot? Well, this is exactly what you get when you put all of that together…of course you need to understand that all of the original edits were done by pushing the “pause” button on the camera and the original music was dubbed in from having a stereo next to the camera while we were filming. Doesn’t make for the finest quality of film now does it? Even with a few “modern” edits and dubbings put to the original film, doesn’t make it massively greater either. However, this is something my buddies and I made about ten years ago, and it was a lot of fun at the time for us…I just thought that I would share.

Just remember before going any further that I didn’t force you to push the play button or to sit here and spend 15 minutes of your life watching this, now did I? Just take this into consideration BEFORE you push play…

Wow, that sounds like something you’d read on the “extras” portion of a DVD, doesn’t it?

“The opinions expressed herein are those of the individuals and do not necessarily represent the views of What’s their Bucket Inc. or their affiliates. What’s their Bucket Inc. does not warrant the…blah, blah, blah…”

You get the point.

Now, with all of that out of the way, do you remember how I talked about wanting to be a superhero when I was a kid? Well, I would say that that really helped to bring this short film into existence—that, and wanting to make a movie on my last field day in Missouri. For this, I apologize in advance.

Just remember, I told you it was lame.

And yes, I know.