Cool blog

Read this really cool new blog

The item about running a marathon reminded me on my activation day when my CI was turned on. I was asking when I will be able to hear something. A friend kidded me, saying "when you train for a marathon, start with step 1 instead of starting at step 25". It was funny the way it was said. It is true that when you are learning a new language or anything new, you start with step 1 instead of starting at step 25. For example, after many years of not hearing, I knew that even if I could "hear" with the CI, it would take a while for me to learn how to hear again. Started listening to little books on tape and reading along AFTER I started voice training. I also learned how to listen to different stresses on each syllable.

One of the best gifts I received was from another friend, an ESL teacher, who gave me a book written with English as Second Language students in mind. It was perfect for me!

Insight 101

Thank you! Tried to link to the blog but could not so here is an excerpt from the other blog....

"
And whenever I stick up for myself after being attacked and told to shut down, it's always the same reaction: shock that I have an opinion, and hurt that I wasn't thrilled to be talked down to and set straight by his kingly wisdom.

Usually by someone whose opinion I don't respect. Someone who doesn't have the education and life experience I seek out in a person whose advice I'm actually asking for. Certainly not the type of person who sees the world in such black and white terms they would have the lack of boundaries to come into your world and tell you you're an idiot and only they are right. Wow. Just...wow. Must be nice living in Candyland.

I have so many friends with differing opinions, and I would DIE for their right to have them. I love them for it. But I respect them by not telling them they're wrong, or by telling them what they should think. And this blog is just where I say what I think. You can read or not read, agree or disagree...it's my space for my opinion.

I can't figure out where they're coming from. What do they want to achieve by telling me I don't have a right to free speech? Do they care about me and want to protect me from my own opinion? Do they really think only they are right and no one else can think for themselves, particularly women with their little bird brains? What do they think they're going to accomplish with their patronizing speeches to me?


Because what happens is: I see fucking flames! After all we've been through as women to get the ability to vote, to sit at the same table, to speak our minds... a guy telling me I can't say what I want to, especially in my own hard-earned webspace I've built is such a horrible, threatening personal attack it's just, just arrrrrrgh!!!....

It totally invalidates my core values I believe no human can live without...self-expression, partnership, empowerment, love, fun, enthusiasm...

Then there's the whole I'm the youngest child thing, so my opinion has already been invalidated most my life...and there's the public head injury thing, so you can SEE how I would find it utterly charming and winning to be told by a man that my brain doesn't work. Sign me up for more of that!!


Finally getting this. And now I need to stop falling for it. And just let it slide by.

Delete comment. Delete "friendship." Boundaries up! "

June schedule

May 20 - May 24 New York
May 25 - June 3 San Francisco
June 4-June 10 Paris
June 10- June 14 Monaco
June 15-June 22 London
June 23-June 28 Scotland
June 29-June 30 San Francisco

short Italian film

For the romantic in you

Food for thought

Read this article by another blogger - it makes you think!

A dear friend was suspicious of me in the beginning because he never met anyone like me. I remember giving him a hug and he gave me a funny look. I do not play games. Some people are masters at manipulation. That is not part of my psychological makeup. He had good reason to be suspicious in general because there were certain people who took advantage of him. The highest compliment he gave me was on my birthday. He said that I am genuine. In the beginning, he said something about my being very friendly. I learned a lot from him. Although I am very gregarious, I learned that it is a good idea to back off. Sometimes the line can be blurry between being friendly and having healthy boundaries. I worry that my friends will think I do not like them if I do not call them. Another friend once said that I respond too quickly to emails instead of waiting 24-48 hours.

And I understand where the blogger is coming from because I've made mistakes too. Although these experiences could have turned me off on future friendships, I saw them as learning experiences. For example, when a friend offers me a ride somewhere, I always offer to chip in gas money. I think some people do not know how to be genuine.

early April's Fool article????

Not sure what to make of the comments to Defamer article about female screenwriters

I agree with the above blogger's reaction to the vitriol against women. Reading the comments, it looks like some people did not really read the NYT article but looked at the photos only. Wonder if the reaction to the article would have been different if there were no photos in this article? What was the goal of the article?

So what if Hollywood is not interested in telling women's stories? That is why we have independent filmmakers. It is not only women. Look at another community. For example, Hollywood is not interested in telling stories of a certain group either. Hollywood is not interested in telling stories of deaf and hard of hearing people either. For example, look at the Camille Belle film. Hello! CB did not have a hearing loss but she played a character with a hearing loss. When was the last time you saw a movie with Marlee Matlin? FYI, MM is NOT the only actor with a hearing loss, but that is the only one most people know about. For those who watch TV and saw Jericho, maybe some of them know about another actor with a hearing loss - Shoshannah Stern. Check out imdb and google Marlee Matlin, Shoshannah Stern, Julianna Fjeld, Bernard Bragg, Shoshannah Stern, Howie Seago, Heather Ferrell, Deanna Bray, Phyllis Frelich, Linda Bove and Ed Waterstreet.

After finding the original NYT article about the four screenwritiers of the "fairer sex", I have to say that the article was the opinion of one writer. To play the devil's advocate, the article had a good point there: "Just a thought: If you don't want people to fixate on your sexuality maybe don't blurt out to a Times writer, "We've all seen each other naked." If you do not want people to focus on the sexuality, then do not make comments like that. Here's a hint: whenever you talk to a reporter, never, never assume that anything you say is off the record. You have to chose your words with care. That is why celebrities have press secretaries to help them out. Sounds like the PR people should have prepared these screenwriters better before the interview. Reporters do not always remember correctly and they can take things out of context. They should have double checked with the screenwriters before publishing the article.

From what I understand, there were objections to the emphasis on looks and the sexuality of the women featured in the article. The editor of the NYT should read Naomi Wolf's the Beauty Myth. I was reminded of a comment that Naomi Wolf made many years ago. She mentioned that when a powerful woman is photographed, the editors use the "plain" photo instead of the "beautiful" photo. She said that in our society, powerful women are not allowed to be beautiful too. I could have misread this. There was a brief mention in the NYT article that these women screenwriters work hard!

It's strange about the article because there were women filmmakers from the beginning. I believe that any filmmaker, regardless of their sex, who is serious about their craft, is passionate about their subject, and works with a great team, should receive notice for their work, not the other trivialities.

Happy 75th, Gloria Steinem

Happy birthday to one of my favorite people

And she is also known as Christian Bale's stepmom.

what do men/ women want?

Read this on another blog

This is only my opinion:

First of all, I was really sorry to hear about this blogger's good friend's painful confession of love. Hope this good friend moved on and found someone else who returned his feelings.

It makes you think. Someone said that people with low self esteem issues want what they cannot have. Someone told me a long time ago as a "dating tip" - pretend that you do not care when you really like someone. That was BAD advice because if the other person really likes you, then that person will think they do not have a chance with you, then move on! There is a fine line between getting too attached to someone and acting like you do not care. Perhaps a happy medium is "Enjoy the company of the person you are with and be reasonably realistic."

People in happy relationships know what they want and know what they can have. Instead of wasting time with people who reject them, they chose to spend time with people who like them for the right reasons.

Some people click with certain people and do not click with other people.

Quotes part deux

"My Mom brings me warm milk. Beat that, Mary Poppins"

- Madeline


"Live an authentic life"

- a life coach


"you sound like a broken record"

- 4th grade teacher's response to a classmate's nagging nonstop all day


"I think I am rather more romantic than that and still hope to find someone, not who will complete me, but who will enhance me and make me a better man."

- CNWS


"Don't glare at me, Michael"

- Catherine Banning "Thomas Crown Affair (1998)

2009: So Far, So Good

As many of you know, for years now I have declared on the 31st of December: "This year HAS to be better." And that I have usually been disappointed, often cruelly. Well, this might just be the moment, my friends! Even if it's only comparative. But let's keep the good thoughts for the New Year for all of us--we deserve it.

New Year's Eve has never been my favorite holiday, but NYE 2008 was fun for a change. The charming Chase S. invited me along on a house party in the mountains (great skiing conditions) with a bunch of really nice folks from Savannah. We had several days of skiing (in my case), snowboarding (in everyone else's), drinking, homemade breakfasts (one memorable one included cheesy eggs, English muffins, rib-eye steaks, and...pizza), mocking of infomercials (especially the "Snuggie"), and camaraderie.