Flesh and Spirit by Carol Berg
The Red Tree by Caitlin R. Kiernan
photo by me
“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery ~
I’m stupid. That’s kind of why I haven’t been writing.
I’m stupid. And I’m hiding [...]
photo by me
american life in poetry: column 057
by ted kooser, u.s. poet laureate
Midwestern poet Richard Newman traces the imaginary life of coins as a connection between people. The coins–seemingly of little value–become a ceremonial and communal currency.
Coins
My change: a nickel caked with finger grime;
two nicked quarters not long for this [...]
photo by me
Originally published on my main site: life inchoate
I think I need a little divine intervention into my life.
I’ve been out of work the last two days with excrutiating back pain. I ended up in the emergency room because I was hurting so badly.
I couldn’t even [...]
photo by me
I think I need a little divine intervention into my life.
I’ve been out of work the last two days with excrutiating back pain. I ended up in the emergency room because I was hurting so badly.
I couldn’t even get online long enough to write – and that tells you [...]
photo by me
american life in poetry: column 056
by ted kooser, u.s. poet laureate
When I complained about some of the tedious jobs I had as a boy, my mother would tell me, Ted, all work is honorable. In this poem, Don Welch gives us a man who’s been fixing barbed wire fences [...]
Year: 2003
Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Producer: Paul Thomas Anderson
Length: 95 minutes
Category: Drama
Media: DVD
Studio: Sony Pictures
Rating from : R (Restricted)
UPC for dvd: 043396027640
ID in Amazon.com: B0000DGKI6
I wanted to love this movie. I did. Afterall, I have really enjoyed Sandler in his serious and/or quirky movies: Spanglish and The Wedding Singer, to name two. And I have loved Emily Watson’s acting for years. The first time I saw Breaking the Waves, I sat staring at the television, unable to get past her outstanding acting. Paul Thomas Anderson has directed two excellent movies: Magnolia and Boogie Nights, both of which I’d recommend to anyone.
So, for me, this movie had all the makings of a “punch me in the gut, blow reefer smoke in my face, and leave me spinning, asking for more” movie (yeah, that’s the kind of movies that I’m expecting out of this trio).
It didn’t happen.
Instead, I was asking, “Is there any more because this is really lame.”
I’ve read a dozen reviews that say this is a heartbreaking, powerful movie. I’m all for heartbreaking and powerful. This movie was not in those ranks.
It was dull.
There is so much running in this movie that it left me gasping for air, wondering if I could find an oxygen tank anywhere near. It is kinetic but in a twisty, gangly, “I haven’t figured out how to use these limbs I’ve got” kind of way.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the Mattress/Phone Sex king is superb. Watson is quirky and intense, as to be expected. Sandler is likeable but angry.
Punch Drunk Love is less about love and more about being punch drunk.
photo by me
Originally published on my main site: life inchoate
My beloved state of Arizona is in the national news again.
Nothing to be proud of, to be sure.
Earlier this week, we made the national news because a local case is being presented to the Supreme Court.
In the summer [...]
photo by me
My beloved state of Arizona is in the national news again.
Nothing to be proud of, to be sure.
Earlier this week, we made the national news because a local case is being presented to the Supreme Court.
In the summer of 2000, in the neighborhood next to mine (at the time), Eric [...]
photo by me
Originally published on my main site: life inchoate
I’ve written about my drives to work and how scary they can be because I’m surrounded by huge pickups and SUVs my entire drive.
Things have changed recently. I’m still surrounded by all of those vehicles but my driving [...]
I think that Florida was that place that sealed our poverty. The military doesn't pay well. Having two very young kids saps what money you do have.
While we had one half of a duplex at that time, it doesn't mean we weren't poor.
I remember a hurricane. I don't remember which one. But I remember the [...]
