creep

Former President of Israel is Convicted of Rape (Source)

A panel of three judges convicted Mr. Katsav of raping an employee while he was minister of tourism, a post he held from 1996 until 1999. The court also convicted Mr. Katsav of sexually abusing another complainant and of harassing a third while he was serving as president.

“This is not a happy day or an easy day,” said Ronit Amiel, the state prosecutor in the case, as she left the courtroom on Thursday. But expressing the mixed feelings of many Israelis, she said the verdict represented a “badge of honor for Israeli democracy.”

UPDATE: Katsav was sentenced to seven years in prison.

miss representation

Humanitarian - Dr. Karen Woo



Dr. Karen Woo

Watched Restrepo last night. It's a documentary about U.S.soldiers fighting in one of the most remote and dangerous places in Afghanistan. Good film. Today, I read about a young woman who lost her life (she was killed) while providing humanitarian services to Afghan citizens.

Here are two links to a couple well written items telling her story. I look forward to viewing her film someday.

The Telegraph - Afghanistan: murdered doctor Karen Woo about to marry
New York Times - Renaissance Woman

I wish I felt that peace in Afghanistan was at the top of the list for our government. It could be if we demanded it. It will be beyond tragic if Dr. Woo's sacrifice and the daily sacrifices of the men and women serving and who have served in Afghanistan and their families were for nothing.

See this film - True Grit

Lives up to the hype. Fantastic!

sparkle

Shine on you crazy ornament.

my first frenemy

That's me on the left.
Cindy, the daughter of a fella my dad worked with (and neighbor) appears to want me out of the picture.
My first frenemy at the tender age of 6 months.

winter solstice

One of my favorite days of the year. Here comes the sun!

early habits

Quotable - your life feels different

"Your life feels different on you, once you greet death and understand your heart's position. You wear your life like a garment from the mission bundle sale ever after -- lightly because you realize you never paid nothing for it, cherishing because you know you won't ever come by such a bargain again."

~ Louise Erdrich

Monday Movie -- we are family

Oh boy! We have a fantastic theme this week at the Bumbles blog -- favorite films featuring fascinating families. I have six this week. All but one share a common aspect, the families are dealing with loss in the past or an impending loss of one of its members. The exception is the most recent film, The Kids Are All Right, which looks at the impact the addition of a person can have on family stability.

Join me in a toast to all the great films about families?

• Rachel Getting Married (2008)
• Ordinary People (1980)
• The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
• The Accidental Tourist (1988) - loved this eccentric family's "vaccination" card game
• The Kids Are All Right (2010)
• Pieces of April (2003)

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.
Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

Rest in Peace, Elizabeth

Quotable - tasty and tawdry

"His book has everything deliciously tawdry you want from a pop-star memoir. It attempts naked honesty about his roller-coaster career, marriage, depression and sex addiction. If that's not enough, there are plenty of beefcake photos. Springfield is 61 and looks 38. Sadly, he writes like he's 19."

~ Susan Jane Gilman Sex, Drugs And 'Life' — The Year's Best Guilty Reads

We caught some of Springfield's show at the California State Fair this summer. It was also "deliciously tawdry."

Thanksgiving at the beach

The sisters took in the sunset while enjoying a glass of Fog Catcher wine.

Thanksgiving went really well. Loved seeing my nieces and nephews. I was able to have some time alone with my sister and we caught up with each other. I feel like I understand her and her life much, much better. She has asked me to join her when she goes to Washington DC this spring with my nephew (he's been selected to participate in a leadership program). I hope we do this trip together.

some warmth

In case it seems a little chilly in here with this new winter template.

And, the cure?

See this film - Winter's Bone

This is the best film I've seen this year. The performances are superb, especially Jennifer Lawrence's. She is in just about every scene I believe. Read the novel last winter and have nothing but admiration for the adapted screenplay.

inquiring minds

I've been busy asking family members about their favorite Christmas songs. No surprises really. I've put together a mix CD that I'm sending to them. It's been a fun project.

So, this leads me to what the inquiring squirrel wants to know...

What are your favorite & least favorite Christmas/Solstice/Hanuka songs?

Monday Movie -- peevish

This week's theme over at the Bumbles blog are those things that make going out to the movie theater a less than magical experience. I used to count going to the movies as one of my favorite things to do. Sadly, this  is no longer the case. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Dolts and their cell phones.
• People hacking up a lung (or two) -- stay home if you're sick. Please.
• Hard of hearing person in the seat directly behind or in front who has his/her friend repeat every line of dialogue.
• Seat kickers (there's a special place in hell)
• Loud talkers who think they are sharing great insights with the world. Eediots!
• Commercials before the show.
• It's usually cold. That makes for an uncomfortable 2 hrs if I forget to dress in layers.

Since I'm a bit concerned that the list above makes me seem like a grinch, here are two things I really like about movie theaters:

• The shared experience. Hearing a bunch of strangers finding the same thing funny or sad.
• The amazing sound and visual quality in new theaters.

So there you have it...why my movie going has dwindled down to a few times a year.