Here’s To Just Passing Through

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Before Midnight, Elephant Walk, Entertainment, films, Photos, Reviews, virtual destinations

Elephant Walk

I noticed Elephant Walk in the destination guide while I was looking for Raven Lake Fathoms. Oh, the transitory nature of sims. I teleported in and took this photo, not spending much time there as I moved to nearby areas in a place called Picklefish Island. I liked the architecture and statues—the landscaping and whimsical, bright colored objects not so much. The Chapel building by POST was there and it’s always delightful to see one of those.

To Just Passing Through

Yesterday I saw the film, Before Midnight, and I loved it. I went during the middle of the day and it felt good to sit in a small theater with people who also like that sort of film.

I first watched “Before Sunset” in 2005 when I’d left my job and home to care for my sister during the last five months of her life. About half way through I thought I might die or lose my mind so I took a “vacation” by checking into a boutique hotel for one night, soaking in the bathtub, staying in bed and watching videos.  The  conversations in the film were an effective escape and it was comforting that there are people in the world who’ll make films like that.

Later I discovered the first of the films, “Before Sunrise”, which was from 1995 and I really liked it as well. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that this third film is now available.

The eighth of June was the anniversary of my sisters’ death–both of my younger sisters are gone now–and while I cultivate tolerance in myself, it’s vastly affected the amount of nonsense and bullshit that I can pay attention to.

There was a scene where the characters were talking about electronic communication and relationships. While the story isn’t a sugar-coated fairy tale, I found it to be plausible and even if somewhat open-ended it has a happy ending.

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Black and White

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films, Frances Ha, Pearl Grey, Photos

This past weekend I watched the film Frances Ha. I really liked it and am not going to explain why.

It inspired these Second Life photos of Pearl.

On Adventures and Also French Television

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choices, Entertainment, films, French television, life, Pearl Grey, Reviews

Just a little over a week ago, I visited Yordie Sands at her very new place of business for Yordie’s Excellent Adventures. It was a great environment and I was interested in her plans, which were a work in progress at the time.

Yordie’s chosen to leave Second Life since then and move on to other things. 

It was the first time I’d seen the New England area where her office/shop was located.
While Yordie was gone for lunch that day, I went to a small nearby park to read.

I believe that wherever she is, she’ll soon be planning new adventures. :-).

The Oscars and French television

This blog is about Second Life but I’ve mentioned a few television shows and films in subjective, light reviews when my virtual world experiences weren’t so good, as sometimes happens.

I also have an interest in how media affects and changes us, the effects of violence and struggle on our subconscious and also the way that women are portrayed onscreen. I’ve written about that a few times, but really I need this blog and my virtual world for escape and recreation.

That being said, I’m pleased that Argo won best picture. I really liked it, as well as Silver Linings Playbook. I also think Bradley Cooper is excellent in Silver Linings Playbook. I didn’t see the film Lincoln, about a President I admire, but I didn’t care for the way I saw him portrayed in the trailers I watched. I’m not sure why but something seems off to me.

Last year there were a lot of films I looked forward to and enjoyed. This year there’s hardly any. I’ve sat through trailers that were awful and I wonder about whether or not there will be any movies made for me in the years to come.

What I’m actually enjoying, even with the violence and horrid subject matter, are a couple of French television shows being shown oh hulu. My favorite is Spiral, as it’s titled in the US. I love the architecture, the style and grace of the actors and especially Gregory Fitoussi. Fitoussi is also in Mr Selfridge, which airs on Masterpiece the end of March.

The other French show is called Braquo. It’s grittier, about messed up cops but there’s something about it I find appealing, much more so than television here in the US.

Warm Bodies

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1920's Berlin Project, awareness, Basilique, behavior, creativity, Entertainment, films, Reviews, Warm Bodies

Me and an old friend.

I don’t know if Shakespeare would have approved of Julie and R but their story was amusing to me and worked well with my focus on a million satisfactory resolutions or a million happy endings. When I carved out time to see an afternoon movie recently, I had a choice to see Les Miserables or Warm Bodies; I made the right choice for me at the time. Of course there were cheesy lines but the brains-eating wasn’t too gross and it was heart-warming to see how the world was exhumed.

The gown I’m wearing in the photo is one of the vintage dresses I got at the new shopping area near the 1920’s Berlin Project. This isn’t a shopping blog but I want to show some of the dresses and write about my shopping trip soon. My search has been for clothes to wear to Basilique, the club where the women all look glamorous, sophisticated and beautiful. The dresses aren’t quite what I had in mind, but in a way they’re appropriate for me and I like them.

Music and the arts, along with love, make life worth living and there is something for all tastes.  There are many details I don’t remember about things but what I’m least likely to forget is how something or someone made me feel. I pay attention and already give thought to ideas, expressions and viewpoints –often too much so–and I don’t need blatant overkill to get me to think. I see no good reason to care much about the miserable knee-jerk denigration of my choices by those who would choose differently.

Others can find abrasive creative expression and obnoxious demands for attention to be clever, brilliant and hip but I find it to be so last millenium.  I don’t have to stand next to tantrums and listen to bitter hypocrisy no matter how talented someone is.

Those who enjoy adrenaline rushes, reactivity, conflict and drama can go for it. When people, no matter how intelligent and creative, act bat shit crazy there’s no good reason for me to waste energy trying to understanding why.

To me, miserable bat shit crazy is just that–miserable bat shit crazy, whatever one’s credentials.

Subjective Review of Breaking Dawn pt 2

Tags

Breaking Dawn, Entertainment, films, Reviews

The picture of Pearl has nothing to do with the film I saw last week and am writing about now.

I enjoyed the movie and I’m very choosy.  Actually I don’t see many films and while I’m likely missing some that I’d like, I don’t see many that I don’t like.

The locations are beautiful as is true of the first three films. The fact that I hadn’t read the book made the ending a delightful surprise that I didn’t see coming and that was enjoyable. I tried to read the books and simply couldn’t bear them although I’m happy for the success of other people. By now I barely recall the first three films although I noticed that it’s no longer amusing to despise the acting of some of the cast now that some of their real life human pain has skirted near the edges of my awareness.

Viewing BD pt 1 was not enjoyable for me. The cinematography while Bella was giving birth gave me vertigo and whatever technology and makeup they used to make her appear so thin was all too realistic as almost anyone who’s watched a loved one die of a terminal illness would know.

This is what I liked: That Charlie Swann now has love and companionship. The beginning of the credits when they showed the names of the actors along with their images including those from the previous films. That Bella the Vampire is way more likable than she was as that annoying wishy-washy human.  And the way they show that Renesme communicates differently. O.K., she isn’t human but there are many different ways humans communicate even though some ways are validated and valued more.

It was an extremely busy week and the bit of time I spent in the theater got me far away from everything which is something I expect from a film even though I might barely recall it a month later.

My Favorite Machinima

Tags

art, creativity, Entertainment, films, machinima, Story Telling, values

There’s Work That Needs Doing

Most of the followers of my blog aren’t in Second Life. A few of them who actually read the posts, seemingly like the pictures and this post is for you. Any Second Life resident who happens to read this knows about machinima, and this points the way to my favorite one in the recent The Machinima Expo 2012. To be honest I’ve only looked at the short ones and that will work for this blog post. How has it come to ten minutes being to long to watch something? The one I’ve selected is less than four minutes long.

Machinima is cinematic production using real-time 3d computer graphics. Most of it seems to have to do with computer games, of which I know little about. This one is from Second Life, which really isn’t a game.

It’s called The Last Syllable of Recorded Time by Tutsy Navarathna. I don’t know how long these clips will be available but it’s well worth a look. This film looks and sounds amazing and I agree with the message. I like to watch it full screen.

I wish I could do this. (/me sighs.)

Samsara ~ A Subjective Film Review

Tags

Consciousness, Entertainment, films, life, Reviews, Samsara

Pearl visiting a beautiful home in Second Life which has nothing to do with this real world film.

Last Friday I went to see Samsara, a film by the creators of Baraka which you might  have heard of. Our real, human world looks more amazing and unusual that the virtual world of Second Life sometimes.

I loved this film. It was about an hour and half and seemed longer, in a good way. There’s no narrative with the original music and shows stunning images from all over the globe. It was shot with 65mm film according to the actual movie; the website says 70mm. Shot in twenty five countries over a period of five years, it screened at Sundance last year and is in select theaters now. I saw it in a small art house theater; it must be even more awesome on a bigger screen.

There were unusual things I found beautiful, things I was surprised that I wasn’t disturbed by and I had to examine my feelings about quite a lot of it. It isn’t judgmental and while everything looks artistic it isn’t all pretty.

The natural world shown is beautiful, of course. Some of the areas of civilization that have been affected by natural disasters some time ago and have not been reclaimed are eerily beautiful, interiors frozen in time. I was particularly moved by an old house that was partially filled with silt and sand.

There are people in the film, often staring right at the camera for a long time, mostly unblinking and unsmiling. I don’t know how the creators were allowed to film some of what is shown.  There are amazing shots of ancient, sacred places with modern buildings having satellite dishes nearby. There are shots of crowded, poverty stricken areas with luxury high rise condos next to them, pools on each  balcony.

Many of the beginning scenes have a timeless feel and then there are more images of modern humanity rushing about in a very patterned and creative way, all set to music that is kind of hypnotic. I noticed that I wasn’t feeling too awful about that but the people were beginning to seem….less human. The life-like Asian robots were a little creepy and I began to be on guard somewhat. Then came the scenes in modern factories, food production in poultry, dairy and other meat plants, all looking choreographed and set to music.

There ares scenes of workers in what looks to be a sulfur mine, ladyboys in Thailand and poor, young children sorting through mountains and mountains of disgusting trash, all non-narrated and with the wonderful, original music. Responsibility and awareness regarding interpretation seem to be required of the viewer, which I like.

One of the most amazing scenes to me was a huge group of prison inmates doing a dance routine in the yard. Another was of African villagers that looked as though they’re from another time with traditional huts, all the paint and body modifications yet some are posed with guns–men, women and children.

The military scenes are sobering as are young men on guard duty with clenched fists.

The cinematography is amazing and I was reminded of the wide diversity of expression in this world. Humans seemed to be more fragile and temporary in these settings yet I wasn’t really disturbed or feeling burdened by the time the film was over. A woman near me said that we’re doomed but I didn’t see it that way at all. Likely everyone will have a different perceptions and I can see that this isn’t for everyone. I’m pleased that I got to see this.

A neighbor and I were talking this weekend about the film Cloud Atlas. He made a remark about how intelligent and deep I must be (he didn’t seem to be sarcastic) because I get something other than confusion from these kinds of films. There are many kinds of intelligence and tastes in the world and since I’m trying to not be overly critical of myself I didn’t tell him about how hard it was for me to figure out how to clean the different filters on my new vacuum cleaner.

A Day Of Rest; Freedom Isn’t Free

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awareness, behavior, Consciousness, creativity, Entertainment, fiction, films, Story Telling, values, Writing, writing

Pearl Grey visits an exhibit by DACO Monday in Second Life.

Time for a day to regroup and allow the synapses to repair.  I’m keeping up with my NaNoWriMo novel, mostly pleased with how the election turned out and I want to be outdoors. Still I’m liking showing up here to blog everyday, mostly about Second Life.

My involvement in Second Life began for several thoughtful and introspective reasons, another tool for evolution and transformation. That’s still true, although I haven’t been writing about that part mostly because the actual living and doing of it is work and so the extra steps of attempting to explain it in writing here is one I’ve been unwilling to make. But yeah, behind the scenes all that is going on.

I’m still very interested in story telling and have concerns about the role modeling and images put out there for us in films, books and other entertainment. There’s a queasy feeling I get when I notice the quality of television writing which seems to me to be more and more by young people who grew up on television, video games and rarely read books or went outside and sat around under a tree for a few hours. I’m dismayed at what’s being presented as ways for young women to be.

I wonder if these writers and film makers and clothing designers and such realize that when we’re all older the world will be run by children who were exposed to all this crap.

Actually, I’m optimistic about the future, and at least I’m focusing on proactive things and where I can make a difference instead of lingering too long looking at the train wrecks.

Yeah, this post is too long but I just want to put a little of my opinion out there about technology, attention spans, entertainment, and role models in a bigger picture sort of way on my very own blog.

In appreciation to Veterans; thank you.

A Subjective Look at Cloud Atlas

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awareness, Cloud Atlas, Entertainment, films, Reviews

flickr photo; Cloud Atlas; by Lyricis

flickr photo by Lyricis

This part reminded me a lot of Second Life and living in virtual reality.

flickr photo by Lyricis

I’ve really been looking forward to this film since I first saw the trailer and I wasn’t disappointed at all. My concerns that it would be depressing and hopeless were relieved; it’s amazing and uplifting for me and fits in with my agenda for inspiring, transformative and happy endings. I loved everything about it except for some of the reviews I read by people who experienced the film much differently than I did. I’ll quit reading reviews.

One of the things I liked best were the worlds created. Seoul in the 2100’s is fascinating and  scary; I loved the historical scenes and the off-world of the future was lovely.  I’d prepared adequately for an almost 3 hour film and after concentrating a bit much to catch on in the beginning I was soon really getting into it.

The costumes, make-up, music and cinematography are excellent. There’s no need to work too hard to figure out which famous actor is under the make-up because that’s shown when the credits roll at the end.

The messages about how we’re all connected, how our kindnesses and cruelty are creating our futures, about boundaries being conventions for us to transcend and how important it is to speak up and do the right thing for freedom are all something I can get behind. I’ve seen that ridiculed in reviews as being simplistic but when I look around I see that many of my fellow humans haven’t got the word yet, what with all the narcissists around and the sociopaths running corporations and running for public office.

Most of the film is beautiful and I simply closed my eyes at the gross, bloody and scary moments. There are some disturbing scenes but as a whole the film worked well for me.

It was intense much of the time and by the time the painted cannibals were looking for their comrade who’s throat had been slit in the hut I was wondering if I could take much more. But it all worked out and I left the theater feeling energized instead of drained.

For those who like explosions and chases there’s plenty of that too. And sometimes  I laughed, mostly when the old people broke out of the old people’s home and then went to a Scottish bar.

Hugo Weaving makes such a splendid bad guy.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and mostly I wrote this just to express myself. I have no idea if anyone else I know or who reads this will like it. Doesn’t matter to me right now. There’s no accounting for taste.

The Memories of This Day

Tags

autumn, films, Health, nature, The Station Agent

Time Spent Shut Away in the Tower of the Mind ~ Darkmoon Isle

Today I was outdoors most of the time. It was an almost perfect autumn day and I left things undone at home. The memories of this day will need to last me through the winter. After the usual hot and dry high desert summer, there was heavy smoke hanging in the air through most of September. Then I had difficulty standing up and walking for awhile and most recently a bold mountain lion has been hanging about where I usually walk. The four leggeds aren’t strangers to me but I haven’t felt up to being up close to one with an attitude.

Today I went out no less than three times. Rain and wind are expected tomorrow  and Tuesday and while there’ll be days ahead with their own kind of beauty, today was the day to be out and enjoy.

Lately I’ve had to spend too much time working in my head, up in that tower of accounts and goals so I’ve made sure I took some time for my senses too. In Second Life, Pearl has looking around sims with no blogging posts in mind. I went to see Argo which was awesome and at home I watched one of my very favorite films again, The Station Agent. If ever there was a vibe from a film I’d like to experience in Second Life it would be that of The Station Agent.

My favorite food of the last two months, watermelon with feta crumbles and chopped mint leaves, is giving way to my new favorite, hummus crusted chicken. I’ve made it twice since I saw it here five days ago. I marinated mine in lemon juice and the kalamata olives makes it taste amazing.

It took a bit of effort to put my work out of my mind, especially the numbers crunching, but taking time for my senses and my everyday human life lets me know I have one.