Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Work Work Work

It's that busy time of year!

I did go visit dad and sister and neice last Sunday. Good visit.

Back to work work work!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Vespa



In a recent blog entry, no narcissus talks about getting a scooter. This took me back to the first time a scooter registered in my memory. It was Don and Prudence (Troy Donahue and Suzanne Pleshette) on a red Vespa in that 1962 classic Rome Adventure.

I can't imagine going to the movies when I was that young to see this movie when it was new. And if I saw it when it made it to tv several years later in 1965, it was in black and white. Okay, so maybe I didn't know the vespa was red until today but the whole romantic image has stayed with me for more than four decades.

The premise of the story is that Prudence takes her own advice and sets out for adventure and to find love. I found a little of the beginning on YouTube and heard a good quote. When Prudence's parents are seeing her off on her sea voyage to Italy and her mother is fretting and says, "What if something happens to you?" Prudence replies with a big impish grin, "Oh Mother, what if NOTHING did?"

A thirty-year old Angie Dickison plays the older woman who complicates everything. And there's that song "Al Di La". Even Al Hirt is in it.

When not on the Vespa, Prudence and Don are strolling hand-in-hand, water skiing or even suspended by cable car, or just gazing into each others eyes with absolutely stunning scenery of 1960's Italy as a backdrop.

Did I mention that Prudence almost always wears a skirt and rides daintly perched with her legs to one side? All the more reason to hang on tightly to her leading man I guess. Incidentally, the actors did fall in love and got married although in true Hollywood fashion it only lasted about eight months.




I found the whole non-English version in eleven parts on YouTube and watched it to get these screen shots. I wouldn't mind seeing it again (next time in English though) when I'm in the mood for a romantic movie. It's a classic one!

Some Photos From Last Weekend

All you dial-up fans, go get a cup of coffee and come back later.



Nice Grassy Banks.



Judy.



Hey.



Olympic Floaters, JudyA and T.J.



The Judys.



Yours Truly.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Hello and Howdy

Went to San Marcos last weekend. Went to the outlet malls (tax free weekend on clothes) and to Blue Hole (natural spring fed swimming hole) in Wimberly. Best part of the weekend was visiting with friends. Will try to put up some photos later.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Wanted To Post Yesterday

Wanted to post yesterday but access was unavailable. Back today but what was it I was going to blog about? Lost that gravy-train of thought.

But I can tell you about a site I came across yesterday. It's slydial.com. You call their number, listen to an ad (that's how it's free) and then dial the number you'd like to call and leave a voice mail. That's right folks, you can leave a voice mail on someone's mobile number without taking a chance to actually have to speak to them! Technology is something, isn't it?

Also, I found it interesting that an entire new population of lowland gorillas have been discovered in the congo. They estimate that there are more there than the total in the rest of the world. There is a story on npr.org if you're interested. LINK.

What else? I really like this piece of music. LINK. It is Dvorak: String Quartent No.12 in E Flat Major. (The whole album is wonderful - link.) I like to listen to it on www.deezer.com. Actually I like to listen to Deezer a lot. It's free.

The other day I checking out a recent Tom Waits concert that was on NPR. I'd been in and out of my office and not really paying attention to it but two co-workers happened into my office and both made a face and said, "Eww." I had to laugh and agree that Tom has entirely blown out his voice. But it made me want to hear some of his old tunes that I used to really enjoy. Yes, I had one of his albums ... that's LP ... you know that big round vinyl thing. But I found most of those songs on a Deezer "station" and here is the LINK for you if it works.

I guess this week has been about music for some reason. I enjoy music but not one of those that's gotta have it. But this week, I've been seeking some particular pieces out and have actually purchased a couple. Random choices of course. Come to think of it, I heard both of them in movies first. Curious what they are?

Oh yeah, and I downloaded some fine marches from the Marine Band website. More free downloads. Also there are fanfares and flourishes available. I downloaded "Hail to the Chief," started it playing rather loudly in my office and could hear the curious chatter out in the main reception area, to which I answered by walking out of my office giving a presidential wave to everyone as I walked through. I couldn't bring myself to download "Stars & Stripes" yet as that is too sad still, but "King Cotton" and "Semper Fidelis" are quite fun. If you love marches, need a fanfare, flourish or your own copy of "Hail to the Chief" then here's the place. LINK. (The President's Own also does symphony performances which are recorded there, too. Patriotic, Ceremonial, Educational and Web Exclusive are your choices.)

Okay. Gotta run.
free hit counter