And does that mean anything? I do not know, it just came to mind. It has been raining here, but it stopped now.
In the afternoon I visit a friend of mine, who lives nearby. She still has to get her christmas-presents, especially since I have mine already.
Today I thought I start an attempt on Benjamin Franklins 13 virtues. He started with Temperance and in German, this can be translated into Enthaltsamkeit and Mäßigkeit. Since there is also the virtue of Moderation, which also means Mäßigkeit, I decided on the translation as Enthaltsamkeit. Mr. Franklin defined this as: Don't eat to dullness, don't drink to elevation.
Now I don't drink alcohol, so I decided to use Temperance on food, cafeine, sleep and computer-use.
It is only for a week, then silence is on, I will write about this next week.
I start today, before the beginning of the new year, because Mr. Franklin started each week on a Sunday. And this being Sunday, right before the new year, it seemed fitting.
And I already failed. Didn't get up at 5.00 am as planned, more like 10.00 am. Also I have been playing on Facebook and on My little farmies. BUT: I only had one black tea, freshly pressed Orange-Juice, a spoonfool of Lecithin (good for concentration) and a bowl of bread and milk. So at least I didn't eat to dullness.
For lunch I planned a salad with fried sea-fruit and a baguette with herb-butter. No dessert. I thought of buttermilk for dinner or carrots. Don't know yet and it is not interesting to you anyway.
As you can see, I am trying something new for the new year and I am curious how long I will pull that through. But it is worth a try. At least, every virtue will have to be followed a week only.
At any rate, I will end this on a happy note, me thinks.... :-)
It is christmas time, the fourth noel and no snow in sight in my part of Germany. BUT we have Little Lord Fauntleroy, in Germany known as "Der kleine Lord". This is the only true version of the 80ies with Sir Alec Guiness and Rick(y) Schroeder. It is heartwarming and funny and just lovely. And this year I watched it twice. On Friday and today. And I loved every minute of it and cried at the same scenes. There are films, that just make you cry. Or just me.
At any rate: I read in an online article, that there will be NO Sissy Film in any of the german TV-stations. Fortunately we will have Predators and other like-films. Otherwise it might be cozy.
Now, Sissy is of course schmalzy, but for me it is like herring-salad and Little Lord Fauntleroy. I only get it once a year. So I want my Sissy... Anyway: starting Tuesday I will boykott the german christmas TV-programme. I will watch DVDs or YouTube, but I will not endorse this like of Sissy.
In case you do not know Sissy. She was the Empress of Austria and in the 50ies there was a Film (three actually) made in Austria with Romy Schneider, Karl-Heinz Böhm, Josef Meinrad and Magda Schneider. Really very schmalzy and certainly not extremely close to the real life and times, but for that, one can watch the news. So, these three films are - in my humble oppinion - ideal for christmas.
Obviously, not everyone thinks that way. Well, it's a democracy. One cannot always take the good sides of it. And if this is the worst, that ever happens to me, I will easily survive christmas without Sissy.. I'll see if I can find some Sissy for you on YouTube and some Fauntleroy. I will not own it, you know that.
Starting with the wedding scene. She is marrying the love of her life. Unfortunately she has the world worst mother-in-law. That must be the reason for the face..
The first part of the 80ies Version. Isn't he a cutie? Yes he is.
Wishing you all a happy fourth noell. Oh: I hope, that Inspiration for the continuing of my story will strike over christmas... Can' promise though..
This series started in 1993 and ran about at least four seasons. I recently bought season three and four and have this week watched the complete season three.
I liked about it, that Lois is not just a strong character, as she usually is in the comics or films or whatever: she is a real person with faults and insecurities, but with great charm and whit as well.
And she was wonderfully portrayed by Teri Hatcher. Teri Hatcher I think is somehow undervalued as an actress, but this is my personal opinion.
Dean Cain is a very charming, definitely handsome guy, with talent and charm as well, as whit. So it was a good combination.
As I wrote, I recently watched it and I was surprised to find two topics, that had been generall discussed, at least in Germany: the first was - albeit it only in a headline - that the Democrats and the Republicans were at a standstill about the budget/etat, you name it. We had this in this year and it forced a lot of state-employees to stop work and go without payment.
The topic of a part was a guy from a secret service, who wanted to rule or the secret services in the states. His was called the NIBA. And he used a lot of bugs to be in the know of what is going on.
Now this was definitily discussed here, after it turned out, that Mrs. Merkels mobile phone had been bugged as well.
I found it interesting, that these topics were brought into a TV-Series of the 90ies and to my oppinion, it must have been interesting then already. Though I was not interested in it.
Anyway: how many secret services does a country need? Just a question.
At any rate: Lois and Clark had adventure, intriegue, fun, romance, friendship and a lot of other things in it. I loved it and watched it, whenever I could. This being the reason for my buying the DVD-boxes. Took me the whole night and made me almost fall asleep at my desk. But I didn't. It did give me a major headache though. Not a nice thing to have. The reason, why I waited until now to write, had to let the headache disappear.
Nothing much else happened so far, so I will stop here, with a clip, that is related to L&C and not owned by me. Not, that you thought, it would be..
Before that though: what I wrote before are only statements, not judgements on happenings. Just to make it clear.
This is a word by word translation from the german title: Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel.
Not everybody may know the story of Cinderella, though I doubt it. A version of it, I am sure,
can be found in every fairytale book around the world. Just under another name.
To give a hint, here is the story in short: Once upon a time (German: Es war einmal) a widower with one daughter, who marries a widow with two (or sometomes just one) daughter(s). After his death, Cinderella is relegate down to the ranks of servant.
Of the lowest kind, working in the ashes mainly and sleeping there, too.
At one time after that, a prince comes into town or the prince of the country is to search a wife among the young ladies of money in his country. Every single ladie is wild to catch him. Cinderella would just like to go to the ball. And so she does, with the help of (here's a choice): three nuts, a very Godmother, three fairies or any other good person...
At the ball of course, she is the most beautifull of the ladies and naturally, the prince falls for her. The trouble ist though, that she has to live by midnight, or just rather hurriedly and on her run looses one of her (glass or other material) slipper. The prince, running after her, finds it and on the next day goes on a hunt for her, taking the shoe to find the lady, who's foot fits it. But it takes quite a while. Then he comes to her stepmothers house and by some unfortunate (from the stepmothers point of view) accident, Cinderella appears, tries on the shoe, can produce the other one and if the didn't die, the live on happily ever after. Or, as we end in Germany: und wenn sie nicht gestorben sind, dann leben sie noch heute.
And under the above-mentioned title, there exists a film from the Czech Republic of the eighties, I think. Since then it has been shown on german TV every year around christmas. It's like the Sissy Films or Dinner for One on New Years Eve. A tradition. Just lovely. Today I saw it again after several years. And it was really gripping, even though I know the story and have seen it very often in the past 30 years. Gosh, am I old.
Of Cinderella of course, there are several famous film versions, two of them are "Cinderella" by Walt Disney and "The Glass Slipper" with Leslie Caron. Another favourite and I am sure, about every country with a film company has produced a version of this fairy tale or any other.
So today is fairytale day...
This is the theme song, you could say, from "The Glass Slipper". I like it. Even though you might not. I certainly don't own the clip. But do I ever? Not as yet.
What would interest me: do you know the story of Cinderella and under what name do you remember it? One could put together an nternational version. Not me, because I am still struggling with my own story. Didn't get any further with it since Friday either.
Anyway: I wish you all a good pre-christmas week, if you have christmas. Or a happy time preparing Hanuka or other religious or other feasts, I do not even have an inkling about, but would be interested in. So If you'd like to tell about those: my eyes are open to read them.
The open eyes are a nice change, because I seem to be in hibernation-mode right now. By the way, I do prefer the german word for it, because it says, what it is: Winterschlaf = wintersleeping.
I am not sure, wether I mentioned it here, but I really have a hard time with some technical aspects in life. I can install stuff like games and my i-Pod, but it took me about an hour to get some money on my mobiles sim-card. All because I had zero € on my account and therefore couldn't do it by calling the number on the bon. Ah well. It is done and I learned and so maybe it was meant that way. Though I do have some strong doubts about it.
At any rate: recently I kept very late - or early - hours. Today I schlepped into bed at about 3.30 am. And out of it at 7.00 am. Not a lot of sleep and believe me: it is not true, that civil servants sleep during office hours. We simply don't have the time. Which was good really, because work kept me from missing the time to go home. :-) And it was interesting as well. So no complaints. I even got some new workline. So I'll survive.
My poor colleague is ill and today until Friday at least, he was written off sick. I hope he gets better soon. Though he did not miss very much, I suppose. Yesterday I bought some new computer speakers and since he wasn't in, I listened to the music on my i-Pod. He's not likely to have enjoyed that. On the other hand: I would not have listened to my i-Pod-Music had he been in.
But he also misses our teams christmas-dinner. Though not feeling good, he would hardly have enjoyed it. Let us just hope, that he gets well soon, because otherwise it is likely, that a lot of work will pile up. And no one really can't do much about it.
Apart from that, let us get some music on. Maybe som Bing Crosby? Yes. And I think I combine it with Dean Martin AND Frank "The Voice" Sinatra. The latter mainly, because it would have been his 98th birthday tomorrow. Since I don't write on Thursdays and on Friday it is crime-post-time, I don't congratulate (he's dead anyway), but I remember him.. Oh: es ever: I do not own the clip...
I can write to posts in one. It appers, that my splitter didn't work, because I got a new one, installed it and hey presto: i'm online again.
So I can write about another line of books I like. That is about frugal living, as the Tightwad Gazette or "The simple life" or others in that style. And I also like the books by Dale Carnegie.
Just recently I downloaded the autobiograhie of Benjamin Franklin, who seems to have been into the simple life as well.
It fascinates me, though I do not see, how I could implement it into my life. I seem to have developed into a spendthrift. That written: if I have developed, I might be able to redevelop, couldn't I? I keep trying. So starting wednesday I will take my food again. I can't start tomorrow, as I already made a date for lunch. But you'l see me start on Wednesday. Well, you would, if you knew me. And if you do, you can check on me... :-)
Today I did some chrismas-shopping, for aunts and uncle (only have one uncle left) and niece and nephew and my parents. And for dear me as well. I got me a CD with Christmas songs sung by Rod Stewart and a box of classic Country singers. I like the old country songs. And I like Rod Stewart as well. He has a sort of Raspy voice. I'll see, if I can find a YouTube film, that has him in to finish.
As always, I do not own it. So be keep that in mind.
I will also add to more links concerning the duggars. These two links are rather more critical, but I think, one should keep both sides in mind...
This one is with the Isley Brothers, who sang it originally. If you live out of Germany, you might find "Baby it's cold outside" with Dolly Parton. I have it on CD but can't get the video here, as it has content not available in Germany. I could write something about this, but education forbids. :-)
The next day Linda got an e-mail from the studio. It simply stated, that due to the latest problems with machines it would have to stay closed until further notice. Member would be informed, as to progress and when the studio would re-open. There would be a reimbursement of fees, should the studio be closed for more than a month. Administration could be reached via e-mail and tlephone. Still, it would be considered kind, if members would not call and ask for more information, as there couldn't be given any more just yet.
She had hardly finished reading, when the phone rang . Rhea a friend who went to the same studio, albeit at other times than Linda, wanted to know all about the incident on the treadmill and otherwise just gossip about the latest happening in the "turture-chambers", as they both called them. So they had a "nice coze", as Jane Austen would have called it.
Just before they finished, Rhea asked:"Who was it, that told Lyle about it, you said?" "Lyle thought, it was someone called Thorben. You know, the creepy guy, who used to come with his girlfriend. Looks as if he just got off his Harley right off Route 66. Hardcore biker, weird blondized beard, dangerous scowl." "Oh, that one. Why does his woman come no moere?" "She's pregnant, someone said." "Well, Thoren will be happy then" Somehow Linda doubted that, since it was Seans b aby, sh e was havining, not Thorbens. "I wonder, Thorben still goes to the studio then," Rhea mused "or did they split long ago?" "I think, they split about 6 months before she got at it with Sean."
They hung off then and the niggling thoughts came back to Linda. Something to do with Thoren....
What was wrong about it? Well, maybe just the fact, that Thhorben entered a bookstore of his own accord. He didn't strike her as an avid read. "And that", she told herself, "is downright snobbish. What do you know about him or bikers in general? He's probably just as astonished to see you in the studio."
Anyhow, she had to get dinner ready and prepare the kids sports bags for the afternoon, so she did.
The niggling thought was pushed into the background, where it stubbornly remained and kept niggling.
So I have to wait until I can transcribe the next installment of the story. Right now the connection does not stay long enough. I hope, long enough for this....
from WW II. Near where I work and near where my train-station goes. And the people who have a say where deliberating about closing a vital bridge. Vital for all people commuting to work by train, that is, one of them being me, another my friend. So we decided to get the hell out of there, before they actually did it.
My friend got out right when we arrived. I had just missed one train, but the next was due 20 Minutes later. So I hoped and I was lucky. My train came and I got home. Lucky me. I did look black for a little while, when more and more police and fire department and ambulance rushed to the bomb. Only audible to me. Oy, I thought. But as I wrote, I got out there. Now I am curious, wether I'll get in there tomorrow, without any hitch. More than anything else though, I hope and pray, that nothing bad happened. Certainly not to those people who dealt with the bomb.
So far it is only known of one person who died in dealing with such an old bomb, so I hope for the best. You never know though. Only praying and hoping therefore.
Anyway, since I was home earlier than anticipated, I decided to just write this post a little earlier as well. Actually I had planned to write about another TV-Series. But I forgot which one and life came in between. Therefore I won't today. Instead I write about my new i-Pod having arrived and loaded up as well. Very nice. Now I can listen to two different I-Pods. Only one is with light and the other without. And I can listen to the stuff on my PC over the new (used) i-Pod. Nice.
And since that is exactly what I want to do, I will only write, that Dolly Parton will be in Germany and I am thinking to go to her concert. If I can afford the card. But reading, that the VIP-package would be 600 €, I do have my doubts. Well, whatever, let us still have some Dolly. In her younger years, I'm thinking, because I do think, that though her voice is still wonderful, she had a bit to much nip and tuck. Well, to my personal taste that is. As long, as she is o.k. with it and feels happy:fine.
I found this one (don't own it, of course). It is just and simply funny. And it is of her younger years, so there it is. PLUS it has Carol Burnett in it and boy is SHE funny... :-) YES!
Enjoy it. I'll work on my story for Friday meanwhile.
