Eunice Kennedy Shriver-A great Hero : GREAT WOMEN SERIES

Eunice Kennedy Shriver's influence has no bounds. Her work and activism on behalf of those Who would probably not have received it otherwise cannot be quantified. When Her brother-My Hero President John F. Kennedy was President, She was a major influence in His being the First President to really shed light and cast awareness on the plight of Mentally Challenged People. Eunice, Your efforts are so Christ-Like. You are A HERO to Me.

Julie & Julia-Review # 11

Julie & Julia is a film that is first and foremost about Love, I think. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart said: "Neither a Lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of Genius. Love, Love, Love-That is the Soul of Genius". Julia Child needed to find a passion-a love in Paris at the close of WWII. Her husband is certainly the most important person in Her world, but She needed something to occupy her. Childless and frustrated, She tried her hand at millinery among other things. But when Julia Child decided to tangle with the Boys in a competitive cooking class (in which the competition was made more stiff due to the population of returning soldiers-and a contrary school head), She learned more than She even did before that SHE LOVES FOOD!!!! She found her niche and Her passion. Unpolished as She was, Her status as a meticulous authority and author of her famous book(s) is legendary. Nothing less than a "cooking/food/taste scientist", She wanted to create something that would open up the exclusive world of French Cooking/Cuisine up to English speaking (mostly American) Housewives more than it had ever been. She developed the expert feel for this art with much research and hard work. She could be curt and authoritative, but She had earned that right. This fascinating story of Child's is paralleled and intertwined with the story of Julie Powell-a woman with a government job and a need to follow through with something-anything. A suggestion from Her Husband to start a blog becomes a mission to stay focused. But then it becomes so much more. Her Love for food leads her to invite the blogging world (at the very least the readers that followed Her) to read Her blog entries each day for a Year as She determined to go through and complete each recipe in the Most famous book of Julia's-Mastering The Art of French Cooking. She gave an honest account of Her Triumphs and Melt-Downs in this Year-Long quest. Her blog gained a faithful following. This kind of intertwining of two People's lives in a film screenplay is kind of similar to what was done in another Film -The Hours(based on the astonishing novel of the same title), but the difference is that this story of Child and Powell being intertwined is based on the TRUE story of Child's and Powell's as She completed each recipe in Child's Book. That gives a satisfying aspect to the film from the get-go.

First of all, Streep is NEVER less than a Revelation. Her perfection as an actress knows no bounds(Meryl Streep also stars in The Hours) . From mimicking Child's distinctive voice and nailing just about any other of Child's famous and recognizable idiosyncrasies to Her adept comic timing, Streep fills the role of Child unsurprisingly with flair and a comedic zing that is delightful. Stanley Tucci as Paul Child is in good form. There is a nice, warm chemistry between Streep and Tucci. They have worked together before, of course, but I think that this is their finest film together. Amy Adams as Powell is DELIGHTFUL. There is something always gentle and inviting about Adams. She definitely brings the Film along with Her own formidable talent. She, too is hilarious in many scenes. That is one thing that I LOVE about this movie. The important Historical themes and issues along with Philosophical ones of this film are rich-and the comedic parts of this film are MANY and really frost the cake. Streep is always so subtle and understated as an actress with dramatic elements that one feels the wallop without being beaten over the head with them. (A scene dealing with Child's sister announcing by Post that She is expecting a child-and the issue of Child not having any children is a case in point.) Yes-the acting is fabulous. The Prodigious talent of Nora Ephron as a Writer, Producer, and Director is again Manifest in this film. It is excellent work all the way around. (Ephron teamed with Julie Powell to write the screenplay based on Powell's book of the same title-along with using info. from Bios of Child.) Costuming is GREAT. I see maybe an Oscar nod for Ann Roth in that category! I, of course, won't be surprised to see Streep and maybe even Adams nominated. Nice Stuff. So Yeah. Love. The most touching aspect of the film is the Love that Julie Powell feels for Child-this woman that She felt so akin to-Her cooking Sensai in a BIG way (Even though it was just through Julia's recipe/instruction books). Both women-so thorough and precise-this teaching all that One can be thorough and precise no matter their circumstance; That one can acheive excellence despite drawbacks. It takes just the will, the desire, the FOCUS.......THE LOVE. Do Your Homework. Pick what You LOVE and do it. You will never be sorry-and LOVE the journey finding what that is no matter how long that takes. I give this film 3.5 out of 4 stars.

Thanks, Kazzy for a Kaz-Tastic time! :-)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Review #10

Why was it done to us? November 2008 was the slated release date of this anticipated Film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's sixth in her masterpiece series-But alas, We were forced to wait for eight more months. Torture. But finally, it is here. Here is my Review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. SPOILER ALERT.

The problem with creating a Film adaptation for these books is the same problem that was had with the Chronicles of Narnia films. There is just no real way to do the books full justice in a Film. Something must be left out. (I feel that for this reason especially, The Fourth Film installment-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is by far the weakest film adaptation so far in this series-I mean, Where is Winkie, Ludo Bagman, The Whole issue of S.P.E.W? ) But, on the other hand, as I have said in my review of The Chronicles of Narnia:Prince Caspian, I itch with curiosity to see what others can make of these stories; and what light they shed on the characters. That is the main issue that I have with adapting this kind of literature to a Feature film. Can there really be the kind of character development that these characters deserve? Having said that, The character of Albus Dumbledore has become one of the most beloved and Iconic characters in all of Fantasy Fiction-if not Fiction. His complexity and humanity has a Yin-Yang kind of juxtaposition with his serene swagger and self-awareness . He is a character that accepts the need for self-correction, but is not unaware of His abilities. As the title character, Harry Potter relies on Dumbledore heavily. There is plenty of trauma and drama for Dumbledore in this film. If You have read the book, You know that well. *Sigh* Many were in uproar at Jo Rowling for "doing that" to Dumbledore. Soooooo How did Daniel Radcliffe(Potter) and Michael Gambon(Dumbledore) do? VERY Well, I think. Gambon did better in this film than any other He has acted in in this series. I was VERY impressed. (I have to admit that I think that Richard Harris-the first to play Dumbledore in the series-fits the role better in My opinion. He oozes the serenity that I picture Dumbledore having. But the crucial cave scene was hit DEAD-ON by Gambon, Who I think has generally played the part a bit too rough.)

The relationship of Harry and Dumbledore is rich and poigniant. An Eternal Friendship. As Dumbledore faces His difficult challenge in the cave, He reminds us of this. The quotes "I am safe with You, Harry", "Your blood is more precious than Mine", and "Once again, I must ask too much of You, Harry" shows the respect and esteem that Dumbledore holds for Him. The cave scene set my mind spinning. Knowing the story in advance-(having read all the Books and proudly owning them) makes me analyze Dumbledore this way: Maybe taking Harry to the spot where the pivotal scene takes place in the cave was SELFISH of Dumbledore? Does having all this set up the way He did mean in some way at least that Dumbledore escaped his demons by taking an Easy way out? Hard to think of it that way for those who Love Dumbledore's character, I am sure. A man of style that orchestrates his own circumstance maybe was just not able to face what He knew was coming for him. He could not endure it to the end of that particular trial. But that is the Genius of these stories. They are a study of Human Nature. Of course Rowling wanted these kinds of questions raised in our minds.

Anyway, Enough of that. I am here to review a movie. The acting was fabulous. All main characters were acted well. Tom Felton has just grown perfectly in the role as Draco. And
I REALLY liked Jim Broadbent as Slughorn. He is a great character actor. Physically He wasn't as I pictured Slughorn, but He was fabulous in the role. Evanna Lynch as Luna (One of My MOST favorite characters) is a total delight. There was not Enough of Her or Tonks (-Another Most Favorite character). :'-( Of course, Helena Bonham Carter also does NOT get enough time on screen. She is eerie and dangerously perfect as Bellatrix. ( UGH! Again, that is the problem. Not enough time for character development in feature length films for this kind of adaptation! Am I repeating Myself?) Of course, this is to say nothing of My greatest Harry Potter crush, SEVERUS SNAPE! (Well, there is Regulus Black, too. But I await HIM in the NEXT film. ) ;-) Rickman is beyond DIVINE. The Cinematography is FABULOUS to look at. A visual treat. Cinematographic processDigital Intermediate (2K) (master format)IMAX Digital 3-D (some scenes) (IMAX version)Super 35 (source format) . Steve Kloves adapted the book to screenplay, and did quite a good job. (As I said, He did a MUCH better adaptation for this film than He did for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.) David Yates, who also directed Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix stepped it up a notch. Well done. There was a palpable eeriness to the film. The mood was set perfectly. It created the feeling I had reading the Book as well as a Film could, I think. The Main three Actors(Radcliffe as Harry, Rupert Grint as Ron, and Emma Watson as Hermione) have a great chemistry.
Best Harry Potter film Yet BY FAR!!!!! :-D
3 out of 4 stars.
Yay-I saw it! :-) Thanks, Aunt and Hen! ♥

Reminded of Courage While"Thelma and Louising" with Kaz, Marsha, and Tiffany!

I think that Courage is the most baffling and amazing quality. The kind of Courage that I am thinking of is the kind that is used to prove Devotion-True Belief. It is quite Polarizing for someone to use this kind of Courage, because it often must be used outside the "normal" realm of reason. It doesn't Help win any Popularity contests, that is for sure. Anyway...........I was really happy to go on a trip-a road trip-back East with My Dear Friend Karen and Wonderful, Newly-Made Friends Tiffany and Marsha; and this trip is what inspired these thoughts about Courage.

Here they are:


Courage to Show Faith and Devotion : JOSEPH SMITH

The Prophet Joseph Smith is an Exemplar and an Enigma to Me. I know that He is a Prophet. Why would anyone do all that He did unless they are TRULY convinced? Still, all that He did for the Church and His Belief in God took SUPREME Courage; But I also want to talk of His bravery all along, and how this is The Quality of His Person-The Courage He has always Showed in ALL instances . I think of Joseph Getting Bone hacked out of His leg as a Boy-Refusing Spirits for Relief, and Trusting that His father was comfort Enough-Both His Heavenly Father and Joseph Sr. as Joseph Sr. held and comforted Young Joseph through the surgery. I think of Him trying to deal with the daily stress that He dealt with When He was filled with anxiety about the Sacred Plates that He was entrusted with. Hiding Places. Getting Help. Rude, Lashing Comments-and Horrific acts against Him by Evil disposed Mobs, and on top of that- Stress that In-Laws weren't warmed up to Him at First. Family Hardships, Betrayals, .... Joseph is AMAZING.

Here is the Kirtland Temple that Joseph asked the Saints to Help Build. Courageous work and Sacrifice went into this building!

Here are More Cool sites in Church History that We Visited including the Temples that We saw!!!

A First Edition Copy of the Book of Mormon at the Hill Cumorah Visitor's Center. :-)

The Historic Johnson Residence Where the 76th Section of the D&C was Received By Joseph.
This one is SO important to Church History-The Newell K. Whitney Store!

The St. Louis Temple

Palmyra, NY Temple

Columbus, OH Temple

Nauvoo Temple

COURAGE AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS BATTLE: JOHN F. KENNEDY

Me Where Kennedy Resided-TOO COOL!!!!! Wish I could Have toured inside!!!!!! :-/

Yes. It is true. Many have tried to defame, but that is what the Courageous deal with. Kennedy is not given the credit that He deserves for his Brave and Unyielding Stance on Civil Rights. He is the FIRST President to Issue a study on the status of Women's Rights and the Equal Pay issue! Further, In an interview He stated that He was "Delighted" to have Daughter Caroline, and said that Women's abilities to serve their countries were equal to Men, and that Equally Great things could be expected of Women. He believed a Woman would one day be President.

These were NOT popular views, but Kennedy Stood Fast in support for Progressive Civil Rights Legislation and Voting Rights. Without Him, these things would not gone ahead as they did.


Here is an awesome Pic of the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. King gave his "I Have A Dream" Speech.

I am SO glad to Have been able to take this Pic! Thanks, Kaz For Letting Me Go! :-)

And FINALLY...............

Courage in the face of Snoring!!!!

Dear Marsha....She is Not addressing the Snoring issue as this Pic is taken, but I can tell You that the body language in this Photo is Pretty close to what it would be if She expressed Her feelings about the Snoring -My Snoring. :-/

*All Photos are Taken By Me in this Blog Entry Except, of Course, The Pictures of The Prophet Joseph Smith and President Kennedy with Dr. King.

Happy Father's Day, Dad! ♥

I thought I would Post these Pictures to wish My Dear Dad a Happy Father's Day! The bottom pic, of course, is of Me as a Tot with Dad.

FAMILY HOME EVENING WITH GWEN STEFANI-EXCEEDING ALL EXPECTATIONS!!!!!

THERE'S "No DOUBT" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was one of the Best and Most Surreal experiences EVER!
Gwen Gracing a Screen!

Gwen in Awesome form. I was so EXCITED to film this vid!!!!! WATCH THIS!!!!! :-D I think I did a good job!

;-)

Kay. First of all, this has been the BEST CONCERT EVER. As the title of this entry says, The No Doubt concert EXCEEDED ALL EXPECTATIONS. What a night. This will always be a treasured Experience-FOREVER! Before I recount the fabulous happenings, I need to thank People for this Experience. MOM...THANKS! :'-D WOW. The best thing ever. CLIFF And JENNA, thanks for letting Me and Mom use Your PayPal!!! You two give new meaning to the term "PayPal"!!!!! :-D KATE......THANKS FOR THE RIDE!!!!!!!! It could NOT have happened without You! I OWE YA! EM.................THANKS FOR JUMPING UP AND DOWN IN PLACE LIKE A MANIAC WITH ME!

Me and Em inside the E Center-Excitement palpable!!!!! I think that Paramore was still performing.

O.K. Here are Pics and Highlights!!!!!! :


Excitement could NEVER more palpable at any concert for Me than this. A really nice tall Lady that was Dressed as Gwen stood By Me and Em for a while, and took this pic for Me. When the sihlouettes first showed as Gwen and the Boys were announced, THINGS WERE HAPPY BEDLAM! We were all "out of control". X-D

AWESOME HAIR, HUH?????????

Ohhhhhhhhhh Man. How COOL IS SHE?????????????????????? AMAZING ENERGY!

Things that happened at the concert that were AWESOME: (ERRR...The WHOLE THING WAS AWESOME!)

1. The audience sang "Happy Birthday" to Gwen's darling son Kingston James. :-D What a cool thing! That kid is ADORABLE!!!!!♥ Gwen brought him on stage and Held him as we all sang! Too bad My batteries ran out of juice before this happened! X'-(

2. I was hit on the shoulder by a water bottle that Gwen threw-(YES, GWEN HERSELF!) into the audience along with t-shirts and stuff. The sad thing is that I didn't get the momento.

:-( Some lady snatched it before I could grab it right as it hit Me! X-( Needless to say this was not at all dangerously done or painful-Welll.....It actually is painful -There's the memory of the bottle that Gwen threw and hit Me with that got away!!!!!! UGH!

x'-/

3. The Drummer Guy Adrian Young wore a TUTU! LOL! Sorry-I didn't get a pic :-P LOL. I prefer guys to be in stuff other than Tutus, but Adrian is ALWAYS ENTERTAINING.
He has rather a Punkish look that exceeds all others in ND-Here is a pic of darling Adrian that shows that he is one to dress to the HILT. This Picture is a post from the official No Doubt Site taken before a TV appearance-of course it isn't by Me. This is the only pic I didn't take (Well, there were the tall People that Helped Me)besides the official pic of the group that I posted at the top-that, too is from the official site and ND Web FanClub, of course.

4. Gwen is so kind to People. There was a darling little girl that she called out of the audience to come up on stage. The girl was dressed to the hilt as Gwen Herself. The girl had the thrill that will never leave her as Gwen hugged her and made her feel FAB meeting her fave singer and fashionista, ........GWEN, OF COURSE. Awwwwww, Man. :-)

5. I will always fondly think of the moment when Gwen asked only the Men in the audience to sing "I'm just a Girl" along with her! LOL
That was beyond awesome-especially when she went in Riot-Girl mode after and all the Ladies sang it!!!!!!! :-D AHHHHHHHHH....SISTAHHOOD!

Finally.......Stuff For the Scrapbook, etc!!!!!!!

My ticket, wristband,and the cool shirt My Buddy Em bought for ME!!!! EM, YOU ROCK!!!! The two pics below that: Back view of my shirt, and a better front view pic.

Happy Mother's Day-Mother's Day Special

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS!!!!!! ♥ :-D



Ms. Holm wishes all Mothers a Happy Mother's Day. Here is a Special link I would like to share in honor of all "Mums". :-) http://www.twotuttles.com/scarlet.html PLEASE take time to look at it. I think it is sweet-and very moving! It is almost hard to look at, but Look at it and You will know Why I posted this link.



Here is a Pic of My own Mom. :-) It is of her (and Me as a Baby).

ELIZABETH CADY STANTON-FIREBRAND---CHERRANNE'S GREAT WOMEN SERIES

****CHERRANNE'S GREAT WOMEN SERIES****

Elizabeth Cady Stanton-Hero and Firebrand

I have always felt that there are as many brands of feminism as there are feminists. The world over, Women's lots have been SO varied especially compared to men. There are a few great women in history, however, who have had the vision to bring women together in a common cause despite the diametric differences among them-Elizabeth Cady Stanton is foremost among them. The only problem is that when a woman claims that furthering women's rights and opportunities benefits all humanity, She is immediately under scrutiny and criticism if she seems to put all emphasis on the issue of feminism as opposed to other social issues. This is the problem that Stanton faced when Frederick Douglas and other suffragettes of her age thought it more important to emancipate African-Americans rather than put effort into the cause of women (which at that time was basically the issue of the right for Women to vote). Stanton is a Hero of mine. Her writings and speeches are among the greatest(and most underappreciated) stuff ever written. If You haven't read Stanton's "Solitude of Self", read it NOW!!! She lays out her philosophies about human rights and Women's rights in astounding clarity with the astuteness of a Seasoned Lawyer. Here is a link that will take You to it: http://www.pbs.org/stantonanthony/resources/index.html?body=solitude_self.html -it is sublime. Before that, She drafted the Declaration of Sentiments numbering the injustices that women faced and declaring a bill of rights at the 1848 Women's Rights Convention-The link: http://www.pinn.net/~sunshine/book-sum/seneca3.html .

Stanton, a mother to seven children is known as a "girly-girl" type in manner and dress, but intellectually is without peer. Her writings are the foundation of Modern Woman's suffrage. She dealt with gross treatment and disrespect. The bravery She is famous for has paved a smoother road for Women in this country. She also was involved in the Emancipation movement for African-American slaves, and the Temperance Movement. I honor Stanton. She is without a doubt one of the Greatest People in History; and for sure one of the most underrated. I highly recommend that anyone and everyone watch the Ken Burns film Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. It is SO well researched and fabulously well-done (as are all Burns films). It is gratifying to see this kind of tribute.

Treasures Found Stored in a Cardboard Box- Pictures of Dad on His Mission

DAD went on his mission to Taiwan. His Cardboard box revealed these treasures from his mission-rolls of film!!!!!!!! :-D Pictures are beyond precious and then some to Me...and that's just any good photo-but these.............................

My Dad called his Mission a great adventure. Here he displays talent as a troubadour! :-D I am sure he was called on often to sing and play on his mission.




Dad is on the left. :-) Wish I could name the others offhand!

Cool Dude, Dedicated Missionary!

Dad and a companion
.

Love Dad in this. He is, of course, on the right.

The Lord, I know, is pleased with this missionary. Dad's deep Love for the People of Taiwan is legendary. I Love his stories, his Chinese handbooks, his funny way of Speaking Mandarin and the funny poems he learned in Mandarin. He has always been Studious and Dedicated. I Love You, Dad. Your Example has been so important to Me. You have always viewed service as a privilege. We all need to do that. :-) ♥ Thanks.

Honoring Bill Orton

I get a wistful, idealistic feeling when I think of My experience Volunteer Campaigning for Bill Orton. I was in High School and met Orton at Gene Faux's home. He spoke for a while to us, (campaign volunteers) and I was kind of starstruck. Orton's enthusiasm, gentlemanliness, and utter brilliance stuck Me deeply. There was no pettiness or dirty Political Down-talking of the other guy. He sent us on our way to hand out literature and make a personal connection with potential voters. All positive and can-do. Very cool and business-like with a head for facts; he was equally engaging and personable. I was really impressed.

Before John McCain became famous for coining himself as a "maverick", Bill Orton was the original maverick. He voted against Party lines routinely and voted his conscience. When I wrote him to encourage him to keep funding for PBS safe, he replied and assured me of his commitment to that important issue. He never used idealistic rhetoric to cloud issues. He worked with sweat to make ideal things happen. His reputation as one of the smartest guys in congress was unquestioned. His courage as a Gubernatorial Canidate was added to with grace, reason, and conviction. His brilliance in Law impresses Me to no end.

I am honored to have seen him at a Political Convention followed around busily in the halls between speeches by many people who obviously knew Orton knew his stuff. A Brilliant Doer, Mover, Shaker; He is a legend of Utah politics. I will never forget his win to congress the first time He ran. What a beautiful moment for Utah.

Bill is A Beloved Husband, Father, asset to his Faith and community-beyond reproach in the eyes of his colleagues. Thanks, Bill Orton-for everything! Bless You and Your Family.

Once In A Great While.........

Once in a Great While someone comes along and puts theirself out there and teaches Great Humility in the nicest possible way. Susan Boyle, YOU ROCK. I just barely saw this and will NEVER be the same. :-D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nox2DRCAKxk

So Sorry-Embedding was disabled on ALL posts of this performance, but click on the Link and watch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carrie-Review #9-Cinema Saturday Make-Up

If You haven't read Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser, do it. As for Carrie-the 1952 film based on the classic Dreiser Novel, This is a film that has dissapointed Me a bit. First of all, the ending was ALL wrong. It is at best confusing and at worst completely skims important parts of the story-but that happens all the way through. Sister Carrie is a story I would LOVE to adapt to screenplay and direct. I have read it twice, and will read it again and again. It is a fascinating tale (a cautionary one, too) about the effect of the world and how one views what is neccesary relative to what lifestyle they are used to, and how desires can easily drive someone awry.

Laurence Olivier is a sublime actor and plays the role of George Hurstwood very well-to the hilt, in fact. Jennifer Jones is the title character, Caroline Meeber. She does well. These two Oscar winners are amazing to watch despite the poor screenplay adaption. Eddie Albert plays the Role of Charles Druet, and does pretty well. (If I casted a movie based on this story, Tom Cruise would be begged by me on bended knee to play Drouet.) I think that the acting is the strength of the movie. The plot involves the coming-of -age of Young Caroline Meeber. "Carrie" as she is called makes her way to Chicago to live with her sister and her sister's family while she begins to seek her fortune. There are many slaps in the face for Carrie-Reality is a harsh companion along the way, but is edged out again and again because Carrie's naievete and good looks make her prime pickings for men of the world. She descends gradually and easily into her predicaments and finally is immersed in a lifestyle wholly disconnected from reality and the values she arrived with in Chicago. Jennifer Jones is great. She is Queen of the Doe-in-Headlights look and the innocent and Earnest Heroine is what she plays best-but can Carrie be called a Heroine? You make the Call. It is worth a look for the performances. Directed by William Wyler. I give this film 2 out of 4 stars.

*Blogger's Note-This is a Make-Up for this past Easter Weekend's break. Ms.Holm will be back on schedule!

Happy Easter

Ms. Holm is contemplating all that Easter Is and Means-and Encourages You to do the same. There will be No Movie Review for this Weekend.

ROSALIND E. FRANKLIN-CHERRANNE'S GREAT WOMEN SERIES

****CHERRANNE'S GREAT WOMEN SERIES****

ROSALIND E. FRANKLIN-Scientist(molecular biologist)







Where to begin. Rosalind Franklin is a Fave-She just blows Me away. The moment I heard about her, I wanted to scream to the World: "GET THIS-THIS GENIUS IS ROBBED"! >:-( She immediately gained HERO status for Me. This high-brow British Scientist from Jewish descent is fascinating to the hilt; Her contributions to humanity are baffling to say the least, but sadly unsung. The thing is, however, She doesn't really care. She is too cool to "need" the adulation of anyone, but has Mine whole-heartedly anyway. And as for being a feminist icon, She stands on her own as one of the VERY BEST scientists EVER. Being compared to Sylvia Plath as a "wronged woman" in her field doesn't fly with Me because These are Two diametrically different women in so many ways. (Love Sylvia-She will have her own "GREAT WOMEN" profile soon here on Ms. Holm's Soapbox.) Rosalind simply has no self-pity or involvement in Mental Self-Torture. Gutsy, Determined, and laser-focused on her work; She is never anything but cool-headed and analytical. She defies being a victim of circumstance. She just raises an eyebrow and moves to the next project.


Crick and Watson???? BAH. Sure, they contributed................WHATEVER. THIS IS THE REAL HERO OF DNA SCIENCE!!!!!!! And for Me-all science period. Watch this amazing snippet from the NOVA special entitled "The Secret of Photo 51"!!!!!!!

Here is the YouTube link-You can watch the whole thing!!!!! (You will easily find each section.) I recommend it!!! I know it is a bit of a tease to just post the first opening section, but DO sit down and watch the whole thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0SEuOcnoOw





ALSO, These Books are a MUST for Franklinites:




The first is By Brenda Maddox who inspired the NOVA special, and the other is by Anne Sayre.


Here is a cool Quote:

"In [The Double Helix, Watson] tells about how happy they were, he and Crick, that my husband was not allowed to come because had he come, he would no doubt have seen these excellent photographs that Rosalind Franklin made and had and which, when they saw them, with their other data, they were able to work out the structure of DNA...[If] ever there was a woman who was mistreated, it was Rosalind Franklin, and she didn't get the notice that she should have gotten for her work on DNA."Ava Helen Pauling. Interview with Lee Herzenberg. September 1977.

Nobel in 1962 for Watson, Crick, and Wilkins??????? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. >:-( That makes Me PULL OUT MY MAD face...but I must remember to take a lesson from Rosalind. Only expend energy on important stuff! What others do and think should never control what You do or think. Keep Your Cool and be EXCELLENT-that is the best "revenge". Thanks, Rosalind. Thanks for those lessons, and for giving SO UNBELIEVABLY MUCH TO HUMANITY for so little.

;-) Not that You were asking for any thanks.

Brightness of Faith=Brightness of Future! The Prophet at the 179th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Brightness of Faith=Brightness of Future...........

At first glance the equation would probably seem a bit too baffling or even simplistic for those who don't have the benefit of the knowledge of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ-and indeed probably might seem that way for many who do. When the Prophet Thomas S. Monson said in the Sunday Morning Session(April 5th) : "Fear Not, Be of Good Cheer-Your Future is as Bright as Your Faith", it was as if a lightbulb was turned on again for me. The fact that My Future would indeed be as bright as My faith was in a way disconcerting at first-There is a LOT of ugliness out there to distract and dampen. The Fog of discouragement is often thick. But as we grow and push as hard as we can toward making our faith as bright as we can make it, the Future part of the equation will be something to thank Our Heavenly Father and Savior for. I thank My Heavenly Father for this Prophet. He is a man who loves You and Me. He is sensitive to Suffering of others. He is a supernal representative of Our Heavenly Father and Savior in every way. He loves Literature. He Loves Learning. He has held positions in the Church and has served and sacrificed for others in many ways that will most likely remain unknown. He shirks his own comfort when others are in distress. I am thankful for this Prophet. :-)

Here is a Cool Link to a story I found about the Prophet. Take time to read it!

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695265219,00.html

Blogger's Note: Ms. Holm apologizes for the lateness of this entry!

BLOGGER'S NOTICE:No Movie Review this Weekend-There will be a LDS General Conference Entry Tomorrow.

My Dream Concert! ARGERICH-CHERRANNE'S GREAT WOMEN SERIES

****CHERRANNE'S GREAT WOMEN SERIES****

MARTHA ARGERICH- ♫Pianist♫

This is a YouTube video of Ms. Argerich performing the First movement or so of the fabled "Rach 3" in the early '80's.

Martha Argerich is one of my HEROES. The effortlessness with which She tackles the Piano keys is SO UNREAL!!!!!!! I have heard tell that she memorizes music to be played in concert on a plane (without practice), and then PERFORMS without a hitch. I am APPALLED at that kind of sight-reading and memorization skills. I didn't mention, of couse, her EXPRESSION, feeling and technique. For her mastery of those, there are NO WORDS. She, in My opinion is the GREATEST PIANIST EVER!!!!!!!! If I got to pick ANYONE TO SEE IN CONCERT, IT WOULD BE HER THAT I WOULD PICK FIRST. Just to watch her fingers race across the keyboard in a way no other can touch would be truly something that I would LOVE to experience in concert.-JUST WATCH THE VIDEO!!! :-O AMAZING!

I LOVE THIS QUOTE:

"Argerich brings to bear qualities that are seldom contained in one person: she is a pianist of brainteasing technical agility; she is a charismatic woman with an enigmatic reputation; she is an unaffected interpreter whose native language is music. This last may be the quality that sets her apart. A lot of pianists play huge double octaves; a lot of pianists photograph well. But few have the unerring naturalness of phrasing that allows them to embody the music rather than interpret it." - Alex Ross for The New Yorker in a 2001 article-(copied from Wikipedia)

Martha was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on June 5, 1941. If Anyone fit the description of musical prodigy, it is her. She debuted at age eight playing Beethoven no less! She is PURE GENIUS.

MERE YAAR KI SHAADI HAI (My Friend's Wedding)- Review #8

The Film by Yash Chopra-Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (My Friend's Wedding)-is pretty much My introduction to "Bollywood Film". As I sat down to watch it, I was sucked in by this entransing film even with the kitsch. Of course in this film, I am happy to say, there are ample Life lessons about the nature, shades, and complexities of friendship and love hidden under the kitsch.

The characters are ingratiating. A main character Sanjay(Uday Chopra) is a happy-go-lucky guy living in Mubai, but his one problem is that he CANNOT develop a relationship. He feels secure and is complacent, however, until he receives the phone call that shakes him to the core. His Dear Friend from childhood who he has shared most of his life with informs him that She is getting married. Her name is Anjali(played by Sanjana)-The reason no other relationship with any other girl will work . He gushes about her from the depths of his subconscious to a Friend, Ria(Bipasha Basu) just prior to recieving this call, and directly after the call confides to Ria that he will go directly to Dehradoon to her wedding party and break the wedding. The first great Lesson from this film that struck Me is this: "Some things can only be comprehended out of loss". (This is word-for-word or at least very close-a line from Ria as Sanjay laments Anjali's wedding.) How true this is! But Sanjay has hope! As he meets the wedding party, he is his usual fun-loving self, but his worries mount as he meets the prospective bridegroom. Rohit(Jimmy Shergill), Anjali's fiancee, is a debonair charmer-and very successful as a doctor in the U.S. Handsome and worldly, Rohit is adored at first sight by the whole family (although a hilarious scene with photos of an ape before he is met is too funny-a situaton orchestrated by Sanjay, this scene is a classic-but I will discuss the music interludes shortly). There must be soul-searching and revelation before the Triangle is resolved. (I can't say that it compares with the Japanese film/literature obsession with repressed feelings and duty and honor above all as in Remains of the Day, but the quote in Howard's End, the great Novel seems to apply-"Only Connect"! I guess all of us at one time or another keep feelings that we either were not fully conscious that we have (in which it is sometimes too late) or even more common are repressed to avoid hurt or rejecton. In this particular story, the prospect of loss is the catalyst for action, but the remedy is the same for all cases: BE HONEST AND UP FRONT WITH YOUR FEELINGS. CONNECT.

The spectacle was fun and a visual treat. The actors all did well in their parts. The music was fun, the dancing was spectacular (Man.........I wonder if ALL Indian actors have to dance that well as well as act. Is it a prerequisite? Uday was fabulous.) The parts that were musical were often funny. The Triangle of Anjali, Sanjay, and Rohit was dealt with in such a gentlemanly way by the characters. Sure, there is competition, but If only there could be more of that kind behavior in "reality". Just watch the film. Thanks for hooking Me to this exciting new genre, Kaz!!!!! :-D

The Parent Trap(1998)- Review #7

As I promised, I am reviewing a Film that Natasha Richardson has appeared in, and will continue to do more!

The Parent Trap(1998) is a movie that has all the qualifications of a movie that I wouldn't be interested in(especially at first sight and also seeing snippits of the Hayley Mills version as a kid and not being impressed didn't help). I don't do well suspending My dis-belief, so it is easy to see how a movie about two eleven-year-old girls meeting at a summer camp who just happen to be separated-at birth identical twins separated in VERY unlikely circumstances (O.K.-IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN!!!) -meaning that their parents separated and "felt" that they wanted no more contact with each other. To make things as "painless" as possible for each other, they each take one of the twin girls and vow never to let the knowledge of this reach the daughters. WHAT THE........ LOL. WOW. Again, seeing the 1961 version turned me off of the story and hearing about a remake passed through my consciousness well......Not at all. I guess I really never even cared to see it until now. So that is when I sat down on the living floor, popped it in......and was really pleasantly pleased with Lindsay Lohan's Performance(s)! Sure. There is My personal fave Jodie Foster, and also others like Tatum O'Neal, and a slew of other child actors who give performances that are infinitely more remarkable, but Lohan was fun to watch. She emoted well, and was never really out-of-synch playing the two girls. As far as the clicheted stuff that was BOUND to come with the movie, the scenery of California and a little bit of London are beautifully shot-and I daresay make up for some of the cliche baggage. What also REALLY helps is the performances of Dennis Quaid(as Nick Parker-the girls' father-he raises the rambunctious twin Hallie on a vineyard in California) and a deliciously mean Meredith Blake(Elaine Hendrix) who might just be the chink in the plan for the twin girls to reunite their birth parents. Yeah-the story is well known by many, so spoiler alert is not really warranted too much, but what I really recommend, again, is the fun the actors bring to this movie-Which brings Me to Natasha Richardson. Natasha is in the role of Elizabeth James-the girls' bridal-dress designing and proper british mother (who raises the twin Annie as a proper Little Brit )-again, separated from the father that they want her reunited with after they bond at camp and find every need possible to put their family back together. Natasha has recently been described by Meryl Streep as the "Sun" in Her circle of Friends. There is no reflection here-Her warmth, talent and professionalism are just straight from the source. For real. Natasha is luminous, fabulous, funny and ingratiating. Just check out the part where she is in melt-down mode when.........LOL. Just watch the movie. I give it 2.5 out of 4 stars. This film is directed by Nancy Meyers, who also was one of the screenplay adaptors.

*Blogger's Note: There will be a special post Monday Reviewing a Bollywood Extravaganza thanks to "Kazzy" Burton. :-) Be sure to check in on that! ;-D

Curious George, the Four-Year-Old Wonder. ♥ Happy Birthday, GEORGE!

♥Newborn George-My First Nephew♥

An "Armed" George with Granny.

The man of the hour bouncing on the couch in a post-cake sugar high!

Auntie Meg Gave George this adorable wind-up Monkey. Can You Guess what I am thinking???? This little wind-up monkey reminds me of the beginning scenes of the film Rebel Without A Cause where a young James Dean clings to a little Wind-Up toy Monkey as he is taken to task in a Police Station. That film is a classic dealing with teen angst. Hopefully George avoids serious angst as he matures. :-) Maybe this Little Friend can be a good talisman for "Curious George"?

This Rebel Has a Cause!!!!!....Trying to wait patiently for his piece of Cake.

Criminy!......Did they HAVE to give George a toy GUN?????? Cutest little Black-Hatted Cowdude EVER.

Me and George, the Birthday Boy.

Sunday the 22nd of March marked four years to the day that I was home alone and able to answer the phone and be the first person in the family to hear the news that George D. Holm was born. What a sweet boy! This year as we celebrated with a now four-year -old "Curious George", (two days ago-the same day that the Draper Temple was dedicated) there was a wistful, happy feeling of hope as we watched him bounce off the walls with sugar shock and play with his new loot. Thanks, George, for being a joyous force for Me. You are a sweet, unspoiled, and tender boy who has healed Me, made Me laugh, and made Me proud to be Your Aunt! LOVE YOU, GEORGE!