Shine (1996) Starring Geoffrey Rush, Noah Taylor, John Gielgud, and Lynn Redgrave Written by Jan Sardi, from a story by Scott Hicks Directed by Scott Hicks If this movie doesn't make you respect Rachmaninoff, I don't know what will. Shine tells the (supposedly) true story of pianist David Helfgott, who overcame a severe upbringing and … Continue reading 3 Movies: Shine / Ambulance / Beetlejuice
Category: Uncategorized
True Blue in Red States
I'm back from a trip to Arkansas, where the last of my husband's four brothers got married! He's the oldest in a large family of seven children, all of whom have strong personalities and deeply-held beliefs. One brother loves hunting; one sister is super-athletic; another sibling voted for Trump; yet another is a staunch Christian … Continue reading True Blue in Red States
New Tattoo! (CW: Suicide)
I'm traveling home today from a week-long visit with the in-laws, but it's also been two whole weeks since I've checked in here. I don't feel pressure to keep the Content Monster fed, but it's also important to me that I try to keep a regular practice of writing and posting. So -- my apologies … Continue reading New Tattoo! (CW: Suicide)
Difursity Review: Come So Far, But So Far to Go
The social justice reckoning in our little corner of the Internet has been inspiring to see. Furries have listened to and amplified the voices of its BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) population, and we can speak up about our unique experience in the fandom more than ever. But the cultural divide we're trying … Continue reading Difursity Review: Come So Far, But So Far to Go
(Buddhism) Smile, Breathe and Go Slowly
We're living in a time where fear is a completely natural and understandable response. It feels like the world is perilously close to the edge of ruin -- nuclear tensions between the world superpowers are higher than they've been since the Cold War; our governments are doing very little to deal with the environmental problems … Continue reading (Buddhism) Smile, Breathe and Go Slowly
(Personal) What I Brought Back From Europe
In August and September, work sent me one of their headquarters officers in Belgium for training on the product we support as part of an effort to foster more collaboration between the Support teams in Europe and the US. I was there for two weeks, with a "gap weekend" in Paris visiting a dear friend … Continue reading (Personal) What I Brought Back From Europe
(Personal) Accountability Report, January 2017
At the beginning of last month, I made three resolutions: I wanted to meditate and write every day, and I wanted to avoid added sugars if at all possible. Well, the first month of the year has come and gone, so I thought I'd take a look back on the last 31 days to see … Continue reading (Personal) Accountability Report, January 2017
(Personal) The Semester That Was: Fall 2016
Earlier this year -- with some encouragement from My Husband, The Dragon -- I decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in Psychology. I've gotten to a very good place with my mental health, but there are so many people who grew up the way I did without access to mental health … Continue reading (Personal) The Semester That Was: Fall 2016
(Buddhism) Right Action
For my own spiritual practice, I'm writing about each "spoke" on the wheel of the Noble Eightfold Path for a while. Reviewing what I know and think about each step of the path helps me clarify my understanding, expose any misunderstandings, and allows me to take a snapshot of where I am in my Buddhist … Continue reading (Buddhism) Right Action
(Politics) Feeling the Bern, But I’m Still With Her
In 2000, the very first year I was old enough to vote, I turned to Ralph Nader. I was a young voter and fairly liberal, but Al Gore just wasn't inspiring me. Nader, the Green Party candidate for that year, spoke my language with a passion that I could really get behind. Of course, since … Continue reading (Politics) Feeling the Bern, But I’m Still With Her