Rae Roy's Blog, page 57

Theatrical Tuesday – R.I.P. Jerry Lewis

[image error]Watching the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon was a tradition around my house growing up. I was young, so I don’t remember it vividly, but they often had performers on it or did comedy skits to help raise money. To see the kind of programming they did in between pleas for funding, check out the Muscular Dystrophy Association channel on YouTube.

One of the films we enjoyed most was The Disorderly Orderly. He played a hospital orderly who was always dropping things and making mistakes. I was young when I last saw it and I think it’s time to rewatch it because the plot description and what I remember are rather like opposite cliffs of the Grand Canyon. I just thought he was clumsy or squeamish.

He did a lot of good while he was here and I’m sad he’s gone.

More on his passing here.

Rest in peace, Mr. Lewis.

R~

Filed under: News

Merry Monday – A Good Day

I had a wonderful day yesterday. 

In the morning, I surrounded myself with people who advocate love and kindness. They use actions to back up their words and helped drive the criminal elements out of my neighborhood.

On Tuesdays they help refugees run a farmer’s market, which brings high quality vegetables to residents at low prices. This benefits the community and helps the refugees contribute to the economy. 

There was a good chat with my significant other. 

Later, I also got hugs from friends and my toddler buddy. Four-year-old hugs are the best. 

Later in the evening I watched a terrible movie with my B movie club and we had many laughs about it.

The night was capped off with a chat with a friend. 

It was exactly the kind of day I needed. 

The only bad thing was missing martial arts,  but I’ve gotten very little sleep lately and needed to at least try and nap. 

I need to make more time for self care and have more days like this one. 

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

Filed under: Musings

Symphonic Saturday – History

[image error]History is something that can override logic at times. Sentimentality is an emotional attachment. It makes it hard to get rid of things like sweaters. Often it’s a longing for a time when life was different and seemed wonderful or at least better than what one is living right now.

I grew up in a time where children played outside and rarely were seen by their parents except at meal time. We were too busy playing in the neighbourhood. Street hockey, Hide-and-go-seek, Grounder, Redass, 21, and so many more games. But it wasn’t all good. There was more bullying. I think that helped me become a strong adult today, but it certainly wasn’t fun to go through. Also, I definitely can’t pretend laws that let parents send their kids to buy cigarettes for them were a good thing. We were also poorer and I remember my parents constantly worried about the mortgage and other bills in those days. It was before my mom became a hoarder though, so there’s that.

I collect vinyl records. Often, I’ll get new-to-me ones cheaply at thrift stores. Especially classical records as I can get them for $1.99 and instrumental music is great for background noise that helps one focus. I also just enjoy orchestral music.

Sometimes, it’s necessary to preserve history. We know the dangers of not remembering the past.

So I let my emotions guide the purchase of an album. It’s called, “Travellin’ the Northland.” On it’s cover is an Ontario Northland train. Ontario Northland was my favourite workplace and it’s an important part of the northern transportation sector, so it’s neat having this piece of history. The trains run behind my parents house, so it’s something that really speaks to me on a deep level.

I’m unsure, but I suspect these men worked there too. I’ll have to get in touch with one of my friends that still works there to find out.

It’s in good shape, but much of it is in a style of music that I wouldn’t normally choose for myself: country. In fact, I’m usually more likely to listen to anything but country music. There’s also some polka on it that isn’t terrible. It was recorded at the local TV station and manufactured in Oshawa, where some of my friends live. The recording quality could be better, but it makes me smile thinking about my old workplace and my hometown.

I think it’s important to be careful when following your heart in general though. It’s really common to wonder why one ever dated certain individuals. The heart doesn’t know everything and often refuses to listen to reason.

As far as consequences go, emotions guiding me to a country/polka music album rather than jail or death is pretty good, so I’ll take it.

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

 

Filed under: Music

Frisky Friday – Hope

[image error]Normally, I write about sex on Fridays as you know. As you’re also undoubtedly aware, it’s been a hell of a week.

I wasn’t originally intending for Fridays to only be about sex, but also generally fun.

Today, however, I want to announce a new main section of my site.

It’s a place that holds links to stories that offer hope in the fight against racism through non-violent methods.

It’s in the main bar, but I’ll link it here as well.

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

Filed under: News Tagged: Compassion

Thoughtful Thursday – Charlottesville

[image error]Every time I have sat down to write this post, I have struggled to find the words.

A woman was killed. She sounded like a nice person. I didn’t know her. She was younger than me and probably had a bright future.

It’s sad, but not shocking as it was only a matter of time. Actually, I thought it would happen sooner.

A lot of white people are being stupid about it.

When I was a child, I used to wonder why wars happened at all. I used to think the two sides should just talk things over and make some agreed upon concessions then live and let live.

I’m not a child anymore, but I’ve always seen this as an option.

Some don’t believe that option exists and prefer bloodshed.

There’s a movement in Charleston, South Carolina by people on both sides agreeing to debate openly rather than taking to the streets with weapons.

Anyway, this isn’t a political blog and I have no intention of turning it into one.

I hope they can set an example that brings about peace.

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

 

Filed under: News Tagged: Compassion, Courage, Honesty, Honour

Warrior Wednesday – The 7-5-3 Code

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Image created using Bitmoji

Being a martial artist is about being a good person rather than destroying another person.

The 7-5-3 Code is a guide for living The Way. You may have seen images referencing it online. I charged myself with discovering the deeper meaning behind the words.

The 7 Virtues of a Warrior

1. Rectitude is living morally. The Golden Rule, to do unto others as you would have them do unto you comes in a few flavours. Some say that if you wish ill upon another, you are wishing that same ill upon yourself. Moral living means to do no harm, to prevent harm, and to do good.

2. Courage, according to Wikipedia, comes in several forms. Physical courage is where one chooses to act despite known, resulting, physical threat, which may include death. Moral courage is about choosing the proper path even if it isn’t popular, will damage your reputation, or cause some other personal loss. It is also a choice between extremes. One cannot avoid action, nor can they be reckless. It is not simply charging at the threat. One should make conscious choices to do the right thing in the best possible way.

3. Benevolence, per Wordnik, has several meanings. One meaning is simply gift-giving. More commonly, it is the inclination to do good out of a love of other humans. This doesn’t mean becoming Mother Theresa as her life was one of extremism.

4. Propriety, is about conforming to accepted standards. Etiquette exists to ensure we treat others with respect and dignity. Wars are often started by slights against the wrong people. That being said, one doesn’t busy themselves with sword bows when their opponent is actually coming at them with a sword.

5. Honesty isn’t just about not telling lies. It’s about seeking the full truth of a situation rather than overhearing something at the office or reading one obviously slanted article online and thinking that is good enough. Opinions and feelings are not facts and evidence. Truth is better than a pretty lie.

6. Honour, according to Wikipedia, is “an abstract concept entailing a perceived quality of worthiness and respectability that affects both the social standing and the self-evaluation of an individual or institution such as a family, school, regiment or nation. Accordingly, individuals (or institutions) are assigned worth and stature based on the harmony of their actions with a specific code of honour, and the moral code of the society at large.”

7. Loyalty is about sticking with your loved ones, but not blindly. Loyalty needs other virtues to balance it.

The 5 Keys to Health

1. Rational Nutrition: Extreme diets DO NOT lead to long term good health.

2. Sensible Exercise: Too much or too little isn’t good for the body.

3. Efficient Rest: Not all sleep is equal.

4. Proper Hygiene: Cleanliness reduces stress and increases contentment.

5. Positive Attitude: There is some good in everything, but don’t be blind to the bad.

The 3 States of Mind

1. Zanshin (Alertness, Awareness)

Zanshin is a relaxed awareness. In martial arts it means to stay calm, but always be ready for a fight. It means to be aware of your surroundings.

2. Mushin (Clear Mind)

Mushin is a state where one is unattached to any particular outcome and is thus open. In this state one can react appropriately to whatever they face. One can also learn better if they are open.

3. Fudoshin (Emotional Balance)

Fudoshin is the act of keeping your emotions under control. When you react based on emotions, you make mistakes that will either get yourself killed or someone you love.

 

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

Filed under: Martial Arts

Theatrical Tuesday – Whatever It Takes Review

[image error]I watched Whatever it Takes when I was visiting my parents this past weekend. It wasn’t a good movie, but it could have been.

**** Spoiler Warning: I’m going to talk about the plot in depth. ****

It’s biggest issues stem from two things I’ve been reading about; genre conventions and complexity.

Genre Conventions: The movie was supposed to be a typical teen film where boys pursue girls to try and get laid. The twist? Two boys are setting each other up with girls that are outside their social circle. One is best friends with one and the other is related to the other girl. Naturally, the best friend finally realizes he’s in love with the girl he’s setting the other guy up with. Now, there are often humorous components to these films, but they’re usually like shaving mishaps or awkward conversations with parents. What did we have instead? Hot girl must be crazy. She invites him to shower with her then freaks out at him when he tries to join her, then they’re in the bedroom later and she has a funky rash on her toes. Later, she’s camping out on his lawn begging pathetically to get him to go to prom with her after he dumped her when he realized he’s in love with the other girl. Boy bringing guitar or accordion to serenade his love is depicted as good, while girl not ready for relationship end is crazy.
Complexity: You know the prom is usually the moment when love is professed and then it’s followed by the happy ever after. Not in this one. Nope, we have to go to the hotel after to figure out her answer to his accordion serenade because they were naturally having the dance on top of a hard pool cover, which opened up and swallowed a bunch of kids.

I’ve been reading a lot and these are things they recommend not doing. There are specific pieces that should be in a film based on it’s genre and when you deviate, it makes it hard to sell and viewers get pissed off because they got something different than they were marketed. It’s like selling someone a BMW online and when they get it, they have a Ford Fiesta instead.

There was also the way they depicted geek virgins. They had 3 stooge like characters that followed the protagonist around trying to do what he did to get the girl, which was to be an a-hole. Except they were extra bad at it to the point of setting one girl on fire. Because geeks are really dumb enough to think burning someone will get them laid. That was sarcasm in case it’s not translating through text.

What this movie suffered from to me was a lack of picking one genre and realism. What school would sanction a prom dance on top of a pool cover? Not one I’ve been to. I was on prom committee and many other committees for cancer walks, mini-Trojan Day (Trojans as in war horses, not condoms), formals, sport banquets, drama festivals, etc and there would be no way in hell. It doesn’t take that much for keys to get into the wrong hands. Liability is rather a big deal in terms of insurance and what not.

Other problems include casting an attractive and strong male as the geek guy. It’s also chock full of stereotypes. The movie requires too much suspension of disbelief to be enjoyable and there aren’t really any awesome lines or moments that connect with anyone who isn’t shallow. There aren’t many funny moments either that are genuine.

All in all, it didn’t do whatever it takes to make a solid teen rom-com.

Anyway, that’s my take. You might feel different though. The world is full of diverse viewpoints and that’s generally a good thing.

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

Filed under: Reviews Tagged: Movies

Merry Monday – My Retro Weekend

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I arrived in North Bay in the late afternoon on Friday, my brother’s 40th birthday. I gave him his card in which I started I couldn’t tease him about his age because it was too close to my own, so I’d tease our other brother instead

Symphonic Saturday – Musical Plans

I’m back in my hometown this weekend to celebrate my brother’s 40th birthday. I figured that one was kind of an important one. He’s pretty relaxed about the whole thing. We all figured he’d be wanting to go on a drunken adventure, but he’s saving that for the work golf tournament next weekend. 

Anyway, most of the friends I hang out with when I come to town have all flown the coup.

My brother managed to get through torrential downpour to get me a ticket for the finale of Big Fish performed by TOROS. This group is called Theatre Out Reach On Stage and I was part of them back when I was in high school. Most of the actors are high school students. They do musicals. The music is also mainly played by high school students. They practice nearly every evening for about two months and put on a spectacular performance in August. 

I usually miss when it’s happening. I haven’t seen a TOROS production for about a decade, so I’m excited!

Hopefully, the weather calms down as parts of my hometown have seen some canoeing-in-the-street level flooding. Luckily my parent’s house is not in that area of town. 

I wonder if I can get a run in before more rain hits…

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

Filed under: Music Tagged: Family, Plays

Frisky Friday – Innuendo

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Image created using Bitmoji

Innuendo is a lot of fun and it can add a layer to your writing that only those in a certain age group will understand. It’s one of the things that can make a story rereadable too.

There are so many examples of it around if you know what you’re looking for.

Sometimes you just need to laugh at the things that are made on this planet.

I hope there’s enough innuendo in the above to get you through the rest of the workday and weekend.

I’m off to visit family as my just slightly older brother has turned 40 today!

Guid cheerio the nou,

R~

Filed under: Musings Tagged: Sex