Sunday Foodie

...because it's about time.

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by PAM

Crisp outside, light and airy inside... and many more... that is all good!

A very long introduction...

Living alone has its benefits, the most important of which - at least, for me - is the opportunity to savor solitude.  

I like solitude, I enjoy it. These days, I realized that the one company I never get bored of is my own. No, that is not being self-important, self-centered nor being selfish. It's just my love for the quiet. I'd much rather listen to the sound of my own silent thoughts, and of others' whose quiet thoughts are in harmony with mine, than to be confused in the dizzying chaos of a many multitude of opinions and 'great ideas' from so many, many (many, many... many) 'brilliant individuals'.  Today's basis of 'brilliance' has eluded me hopelessly... and I do not believe I have the energy, nor the time, to embark on a greatly futile journey and the great hopelessness of ever finding it.  So, I decided to just take the opposite route... the route of quietness - the beautiful moments of stillness of an unhurried living... with ample time to walk silently as one pays attention to one's surroundings... and be filled with wonder.  That is not to say that I don't enjoy being in the company of people with whom I share the appreciation of meaningful conversations... and fun endeavors that touch the soul and make the spirit soar!

I like reflection, quiet reflection... and I enjoy discernment. I like long walks... and prayers while I walk. These days, as I walk around my new neighborhood, I like admiring those green canopies above me that those marvelous trees make as they reach out to join their long and graceful branches from each side of the road. I like sipping coffee quietly as I read a good book at the front porch, and once in a while looking up to marvel at the clouds and the incredible beauty of the blue skies behind them. Yes, I do have time to contemplate these days... or, rather, I can afford to make time for contemplation these days... and I am, indeed, very grateful.  But that is a story for another time.  Today, I am just being the foodie me.

Finally, the 'foodie' part...

As I mentioned in another post on this blog, I now have a 'second home', which is very close to a new 'second work location'.  I usually live alone in the second home.  I was dreading it before... but now, I am beginning to appreciate it.

These days, I am discovering that another benefit of living alone is being able to choose to eat what one craves without having to feel guilty that others may not appreciate one's cravings.  The other day, I was suddenly reminded of Italy, and the unforgettable trip that I took over there some years back.

Spaghetti - Filipino style

 And that made me crave Italian food... specifically, my favorite Italian bread: ciabatta. So, I dropped by one of my favorite specialty stores, Santis Delicatessen, to pick up a loaf of ciabatta and a box of spaghetti pasta.  Ah, ciabatta is so good, especially when dipped in olive oil with a dash of balsamic vinegar.  While I love this very Italian bread for its light and airy texture inside and its crisp thin crust, I decided to make my spaghetti 'Filipino style', which is with red sweet sauce.  I tried re-living my childhood days, enjoying sweet meaty spaghetti complete with slices of hotdog.  I 'cheated' a little... and bought a ready-to-use spaghetti sauce... just to save time.  Again, this is one of the perks of living alone, you can decide whichever way you want to prepare your food without making anyone roll their eyes. Uhm, wait... are you rolling your eyes right now?  If you are, well... aren't you glad you're not living with me? 

Ah, the mind meanders and stopped at the 'Bridgerton station'...

All and all, I had a splendid time eating my Mediterranean-meets-Southeast-Asian meal while I watch "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" (QC) on Netflix for the nth time... which is a story for another time.  Ah, dear reader, you didn't think I'd stay quiet about Bridgerton - the version so 'mangled' by Netflix, huh?  No way!  I am a fan - of the original and authentic Bridgerton book series by Julia Quinn (JQ)... but not so much of the 'mangled' version by Netflix.  But I do like QC, which is not a part of JQ's Bridgerton series.  I think that the reason why QC was so good is because it stole, er, 'borrowed' many of the good things in the original Bridgerton series by JQ... which were omitted in the Netflix (mangled) version. Especially noticeable for me was how QC borrowed many beautiful moments from "The Viscount Who Loved Me" (TVWLM) - the second of the Bridgerton series by JQ.  The reason why I know... well, it's because I so loved  TVWLM in the JQ series. I read it at least five times!  And the feeling I got while reading the tenderly special moments were the very same feeling that I had while watching the special moments in QC... and which I never felt in the Netflix 'mangled' version of TVWLM.  And, the young King George III (KG3) in QC, uhm, on his sane moments, that is, is almost the exact same image of Colin Bridgerton in my head, except that KG3 did not have green eyes and his hair was not longish and curly.  But the beautiful smile, the wit, and all that charisma... ah, they're all so Colin.  

I hope that Netflix does not mangle "An Offer from a  Gentleman" - Benedict's story - as much as they did the previous books in the upcoming Season 4 of Bridgerton.  In case I have not been clear previously... let me be clear this time.  This is a 'warning' from us, avid and loyal Bridgerton fans, Netflix!  Leave the beautiful story alone!

But I digress... I did enjoy my spaghetti with my ciabatta. I think that is all the point I am making here, which took me forever to say. Hahaha... sorry, 'gentle reader'.

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Image credit:  I own all the photos in this post as I took all of them.

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Friday Night Music with JK and Train...

 ...drops of tears in Jupiter.

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by PAM

Train:  "Can you imagine no love, pride, deep-fried chicken...?" 

Me:  Yeah, I can... and 

JK:  ..."it's a hard pill to swallow...." 

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The Grammy award-winning "Drops of Jupiter (Tell me)" is one my favorite songs by Train (of the "Marry Me" fame)... maybe, one of my favorite songs ever, too.  I just love the lyrics... the melancholy that it imparts but sang so beautifully in masked sadness by the brilliant Pat Monahan in a backdrop of easy, uncomplicated, and yet, terrific music that has everything - from dramatic piano to romantic violin to a thumping rhythm section. Here, have a listen...

"Now that she's back in the atmosphere with drops of Jupiter in her hair...
she listens like spring and she talks like June..."

These days, listening to "Shot Glass of Tears" (SGOT) from Jung Kook's debut solo album, "Golden"... I have these nostalgic feels that take me back to 14 years ago when "Drops of Jupiter (Tell me)" (DOJTM) was released. Although the songs are completely different in terms of music, tempo and general appeal... lyrically, there are similarities.  The lyrics of SGOT and the way JK interprets it is in-your-face melancholic.  And it's amazing how JK can make even the lowest register of his voice can sound so melodic... and beautiful, even when he is singing live.  So gifted!  His singing is quite different from Monahan's powered and nicely controlled screeches in DOJTM that show his mastery of his craft.  Here, have a listen...

"She got some dangerous hobbies like chasin' after the sun
and making me fall in love."

Both songs talk about one's fascination... and love... for an incredible woman.  And it's beautiful... both.  The lyrical genius of DOJTM is subtle and sweet, "And tell me, did Venus blow your mind? Was it everything you wanted to find? And did you miss me while you're looking for yourself out there?"  So loving and indulging of one's subject of affection... and yet so tenderly longing for some affection, too. It's like a precarious balancing act between selfless love and the quiet desperation for just the smallest hint of reciprocation of one's deep affection.  One can tell that whoever wrote the lyrics (and I'm quite sure it was Monahan), possesses a love that is tamed by maturity.  

SGOT is a bit more juvenile in its hurried desire to let the subject of his affection know of his desperation to be healed by being loved, too: "Need something strong for the sorrow, something strong for the pain so I can wash it away.  I was cold, now I'm freezin'.  Stuck in permanent season, and we both know you're the reason.  I'm not the same as before, I don't feel anymore." 

Both songs are worth spending a Friday Night of music... lovely music - a "soul vacation".  

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Video credit:  The owners of the videos are indicated in the video themselves.  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

A 'personal tradition' ...

 ...as life goes full circle.

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by PAM

I think that I already established the fact of my 'shallowness' in happiness.  Simple little things make me happy... the simpler, the bigger the happiness.

Six years ago, 2017, on the same day as today, June 27, I found this wonderfully heartwarming TV movie by Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.  It is titled "Christmas with Holly", and it starred one of my fave Hallmark actors of all time, Sean Faris, who played the character of Mark Nagle, and that versatile actress, Eloise Mumford, who portrayed Maggie. The movie came out in 2012 as a 'Hallmark Hall of Fame' movie but I only got to discover it on YouTube in 2017 while recuperating from a terribly  'jealous of a flu'.  For some reason, that seemingly simple TV movie had an incredible impact on me, and I began watching it every year on the same day that I found it on YouTube.  I never talked about this favorite 'personal tradition' of mine though... until today.

Mark:  "I didn't know anything about raising a kid.

She said you just start

by loving her.

The rest will follow."

It's amazing that, after six years, I still found the movie engaging, touching, beautiful... magical!   

To me, that long-haired Sean Faris in the movie is still one of the prettiest men in the universe, from whichever angle you look at him... uhm, including his back. 🤭😅😂  He also did well portraying Mark - the single guy who lived in Friday Harbor that became an instant Dad when his elder sister, Victoria, who was a single Mom was killed in a vehicular accident in Seattle. He had to stand in as parent for his orphaned niece because he was listed as legal guardian by his sister.  I still think that the twin child actresses (well, child then, that is), Lucy and Josie Gallina, who played the role of six-year old Holly - Mark's niece, were superb.  They conveyed so much emotion even without speaking a single word - amazing acting there! The same is true with the actors who played the role of Mark's brothers, Scott (Dana Watkins) and Alex (Daniel Eric Gold).  It wasn't exactly that Hallmark 'formulaic' TV movie as it did have a wonderful story line that deviated a bit (or, a lot?) from the Hallmark 'cookie cutter' of movie production, and it's great.  This is probably because it was based on the novel, "Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor" by Lisa Kleypas. It is the first book in the Friday Harbor four-book series of the New York Times bestseller author. 

The movie counterpart had all the 'cuteness Hallmark armada': grown-up brothers who all lived in a huge dilapidated house by the water who bantered so comically on a daily basis because that was their way of preventing a deluge of love for each other lest they embarrass each other if they showed emotion; a beautifully vulnerable woman, Maggie, whose heartbreaks made her believe that she wasn't as amazing as she was... until a very good-looking guy with a heart of gold, Mark, came along to give her back her faith in herself by letting her show him how to find his own confidence in himself in raising this child who was thrown off by fate and was groping around, looking for true love to hold on to that only he can give; the cutest of all little girls who was so emotionally broken but spiritually whole because of true and unwavering love from his uncle; and a dog that knows what it wants and knows how to get it!  Simple plot, simple scenes, no deep intellectual points to ponder, no pretentions... uhm, yeah... I know, I've mellowed... and I love it!   

These days, it amazes me that one of my favorite BTS songs, "Magic Shop", which was partly produced by Jungkook, has an almost the same name as the toy shop owned by Maggie,

Magic Mirror Toy Shop. The new shop that Maggie built in Friday Harbor was pivotal in the story because that was where Holly found her inner strength to speak again after her Mom's death confused her so badly it afflicted her with temporary muteness.  She just shut down, and only trusted her uncle Mark, and later, her two other uncles.  When Mark and Holly met Maggie at the ferry, on their way to Friday Harbor from Holly's home in Seattle, Holly seemed to have opened up to Maggie.  It was a slow process of gaining trust and giving trust between Maggie and Holly... until that day when Holly fully gave her trust to Maggie... and to life itself again. Holly spoke again, and her first word was her mother's name, 'Victoria'. The safe and magical environment that Maggie created in her toy shop that encouraged Holly to hold on to the love she was offered was quite similar to the 'magic shop' of BTS for their ARMY... and it's amazing! 

Indeed, this is all that we need in life... nah, not magic. It's love.  It is central to the story... love in many forms... but in whichever form, love's effect is the same - beauty and happiness in life - in all forms.

So, yeah... this is a sweet tradition that I intend to keep for the rest of my life.  

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Video credit:  Thanks, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, for the video and photos.  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

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QOTD

 QOTD #29: The simple little things in which we find joy... and a lot of 'cheese'.

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by PAM

"...small things are the big things. The good things only happen from all the hundreds of  tiny steps you take along the way."

- David (Tyler Hynes), "It was always you" (A Hallmark movie)

Can you keep a secret? I have a confession to make. Ah, uhm... I'm a Hallmark TV movies junkie! Shhh... don't tell.  Haha... 

Of course, I always appreciate beautifully produced full-length 'Oscar-worthy' cinematic films, especially those that are superbly directed and edited; and with excellent cinematography and musical scoring, too. Sometimes though, especially when I'm dealing with complex matters, mind-boggling films are simply not appealing.  I just want to be entertained with some light, feel-good, wholesome, uncomplicated and family-oriented 'bite-size' movies that takes my mind away from complexities. And that's what Hallmark usually offers... and they have tons of movies to choose from, albeit formulaic and very predictable.  In that pile of 'cookie cutter' movies, there are a good number that are worth watching and re-watching with deliberate plan to enjoy rather than just to mindlessly decompress.

While I 'seasonally' like sappy movies, I remain to be that 'tough little cookie' who wears that engineer's hat underneath the big Higher Education admin hat that's humbly decorated with a passionate teacher's tiny golden apples and a (wannabe) scientist's magnifying glass. There is always room for 'simple little things' that bring enormous joy in a world where people expect you to be constantly busy thinking deeply, critically and analytically. *eye roll* Haha...  In fact, I make room for simple little things in my own life... no matter what! So, whenever time allows, and especially during holidays, my favorite thing to do is to curl up in the big chair in my bedroom with a bag of chips, a bowl of hot chunky salsa dip and a tumbler of soda... and go on a Hallmark movies marathon like there's no tomorrow!  And when the situation chooses to be stingy with personal downtime, I wrestle it to make time!  

I particularly love the heart-warming Christmas themed Hallmark TV movies that revolve around family and loved ones.  I have soft spot for those that involved cute and smart kids, and/or pets, especially dogs.  I love how Hallmark movies show that nuggets of beautiful lessons in life can be picked up from these movies without the disturbing images of violence, sex, and the lust for material things... or some 'so called documentary' of a royal family's lives from the perspective of one (supposedly) love-stricken 'royal' who refuses to grow up, tirelessly tries to invade everyone's universe while (supposedly) begging for privacy because wailing on media is so much easier and obviously more lucrative than doing actual work. *sigh*  As to how one tries to heal from mental health issues by publicly humiliating and inflicting pain to one's own family members - incredibly mean and hypocritical, and I imagine, effectively burns all bridges - is terribly confusing for me. But I digress... back to wholesome Hallmark movies!  Haha... I know, I'm too 'old-fashioned'... but I do enjoy the peace of mind that being 'old-fashioned' brings. So, old-fashioned is good for me.

I have many Hallmark TV movie favorites.  Some are really old, and mostly the inspiring and tear-jerker kind... and I've watched them like five times each! And I cried each time! Hahaha... I do have one relatively newer fave that came out in 2021 - "It was always you". It stars the fabulous Hallmark 'heavy weight', Erin Krakow (Elizabeth, or Lizzy), and the always-fascinating, Tyler Hynes (the globe-trotting David).  With two of the most reliable crowd-drawer stars of Hallmark collaborating, I knew it's going to be great.  And, nope, they did not disappoint because, as usual, they both did a beautiful job! 

Erin made Elizabeth to be this funnily conflicted highly organized predictable dentist who has a deeply guarded 'adventurous side' that wants to explore the world. Her predictable Elizabeth side fits well with George (David's eldest brother who is a dentist, too), a childhood friend with whom she was engaged. Her adventurous Lizzy side, which is the one she really prefers and what makes most of herself, fits with a 'zing' with David - another childhood friend with whom she had a 'cat-dog' relationship since they were kids. A bridge mishap that cut-off George from their island town left Elizabeth to be stuck with David to tick-off her wedding plans checklist. Their new-found closeness empowered Elizabeth to muster the courage to let her true self come to the surface, and to be true to the desires of her heart.

To make the not-so-long a story short, Elizabeth broke off her engagement with George, and set out to fulfill a childhood dream to travel the world with the hope of 'rediscovering herself' and finding out what she truly wanted, one tiny step at a time, before following a meticulously 'planned' life that strictly adheres to checklists and stern focus on her dentistry practice just like George. She came back home, resolved to follow her heart, and that led her, one tiny step at a time, to David. 

It turned out that David has been pining for Elizabeth since the day he discovered her written travel wishes and lists in between the pages of a travel book in his family library when they were 13 years old. It was this that inspired his globe-trotting adventures later. He then wrote a note for Elizabeth, expressing his affection for her, and his hope to travel with her to the places that she wished to see. He put the note between the pages of another travel book.  He hoped she'd find it but Elizabeth never did until he showed her much later when they met again upon her return from her one-year travels.  Romance bloomed... you know the rest.  

This made David's family happy as they saw from the very beginning the 'zing' between Elizabeth and David even in their teenage days when they can't seem to get along.  On the other hand, George discovered 'zing' with a co-worker that he always had a soft spot for because of shared values and passion for their profession.

Tyler's David was hilarious, adorable... and extremely charming even when he tries to be annoying. He has that effortless good looks and easy acting talent - so relaxed and natural - to pull off the combination of adjectives that befit a perfect Hallmark romcom hero, too. I like Tyler a lot. I love the characters he played in every Hallmark movie that I saw him portray.  Five of the more recent ones are his remarkable team up with Lacey Chabert in "Winter in Vail" and "Sweet Carolina", the very deliciously emotional "Time for him to come home for Christmas", and the hilarious "An Unexpected Christmas" and "Three wise men and a baby".   He has such a commanding presence on screen. He either appears to have that man's man aura about him that positively fits every damsel-in-distress' vision of a knight-in-shinning-armor, a moody and distant fellow but with a heart of gold appeal, or simply, that guy that treats a woman as his equal and challenges her to discover her many strengths in a no-nonsense, humorous and supportive way without being patronizing.

Erin's own engaging acting talents and picture-perfect cuteness fit so well with Tyler's. She has grown so well to be that highly effective actress - from lots of practice in "When Calls the Heart" for sure. She can be funny, awful, funnily awful, moving, the sweetest thing... she's just captivating.

Tyler and Erin's acting timing together was always perfect in this movie, and with just the right amount of seriousness, humor and, of course, romance. It's so adorable how they banter relentlessly only to warm up to each other, one tiny step at a time, in the end - everytime.  Their screen chemistry is fantastic, too. They didn't have to try hard to make falling in love with each other so believable. And the gorgeous location of the movie adds to the sweet atmosphere that's made for falling in love.  In the end, I was fretting that the movie was too short!

So, if you are looking for uncomplicated entertainment that makes you laugh, teary-eyed... and can provide you with your fix of falling giggly in love, this movie is highly recommended. You'll find yourself 'grinning that silly grin' without knowing it - promise. Go for it!

"...you can't force 'zing', and you can't deny it when it's there..."

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Image credit: All photos featured in this post were screenshots from watching the featured Hallmark movie. Thanks, Hallmark.

Video credit:  The video featured in this post belongs to Hallmark Channel.  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

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Sunday night, movie night...

...and just about right!
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by PAM

Okay... so I am officially an 'old lady'!  Hooray! 😉🎉

I used to pass the time, or take a break from work, scanning clothes or shoe stores, or scanning songs in record stores, or checking out new restos, or adding to my Precious Moments collection. Lately, however, I'd rather just stay being cozy in bed. I feel tired... exhausted, even! 😫 I simply do not have the energy to do the things that I used to do... I've become really boring and 'uninterested' because all my braincells seem to be overloaded with concerns... that aren't even my personal concerns! I feel like I'm living the proverbial "spinster's life"! 😐I'm not in the stroking-the-head-of-cat-while-in-my-pajamas phase yet, I must say, but that's only because I am a... dog person. 😂

So, in bed, I stay this Sunday night. But then, I may have become boring but not completely so, that staring at the ceiling still drives me insane.  So, I had to do something without pushing my braincells to overheat!  Solution: movies!  The feel-good ones... naturally, Hallmark movies come to mind.  And, boy, am I lucky... 'cause I found one that really warmed the heart.  The movie was "The Last Bridesmaid", and it starred the talented and lovely, Rachel Boston as Becca, and Paul Campbell as Kyle.  It's a very well-acted TV movie.  The editing was good, too - short and snappy, but it seemed long enough to have that natural development of character, and the natural blooming of feelings between the two leading characters. Or, I guess the actors were just very good, especially Boston.

"Or, if you spend all your energy looking for something so specific,
you might not recognize it (love) when it arrives." 

The story was simple.  Becca, the 10-time bridesmaid-never-the-bride gal, was set to inherit a thriving Accounting firm from her retiring parents who built it from scratch.  With her focus and determination, everybody thought she fits the bill perfectly... until she met this wedding videographer of an inspired and inspirational artist, Kyle.  They were a very unlikely pair, until the kind and optimistic Becca, empowered by Kyle, found herself boldly letting her love and natural talent for jewelry designing and making come through through all those layers upon layers of Accounting Firm owner forced coat.  The naturally talented film maker, Kyle, in turn was positively influenced by Becca to allow his film making genius shine forth. It was a lovely movie... it wasn't an "Out of Africa" sort of a film, but it was enough to make being lazy in bed worthwhile.  I enjoyed Boston's Becca... her fashion sense, pretty face and stance, and her projection of this composed lady under pressure.

Sweet... but too short!  Therefore, a second movie is in order!  

I luckily found another one by just clicking here and there, and I am glad. The movie is called "Hearts of Spring", starring the talented Lisa Whelchel as Carly - single mother, florist and a Mom blogger, and the versatile, Michael Shanks as Andy - single father, pediatrician and an accidental blog nuisance to Carly.  What caught me the first time was what Carly said about flowers, in which she quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson, "the earth laughs in flowers".

Andy (Dad) to Troy (son):  "When did you get so smart?"

Carly (Mom) to Sadie (daughter):  "You've grown up to be an incredible person,

and a really great friend."

At about 1:20:00, my tears were flowing non-stop. And, it's a 'Mom-and-Pop' sort of a movie... a TV movie, too, at that!  Didn't I say 'old lady'?  And so, it's been perfect!  I saw in the movie what I am experiencing now... that you can learn many very good things from  young people - if you just open your mind - and heart, too - to what they have to say and what they wish to share on matters that involve them in the first place.  Sometimes, when you are open enough to accepting the validity - and wisdom - of their experiential learning, it might just add to your own learning as well, making you a better person.  

I may not be a parent to fully understand what the movie was trying to impart to parents out there, but I can relate based on what I have been experiencing with 'my kids' at School.  Those beautiful kids who make learning - about life - to be such a wonderful experience for me - addictive even... that I keep thirsting for more. 

So, yeah... we do not have to always struggle for sophistication in the things that we do and prefer.  We just have to know what we are looking for... or, at least, open to what life has to offer, and believe that every single life's 'package' that comes our way has a value... we just have to keep scratching the surface, and work our way down to the heart of it, until the heart reveals that grain of an invaluable gem of a message that can enable us to continuously transcend ourselves until we become what God has willed for us to be.

My rating:  If you have time to spare, these movies are worth your every minute.

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Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the links to the movies.

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Wednesday Nostalgia

A legendary couple: greying... but not fading in brilliance.
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by PAM

And we thought we've seen the last of Robert Redford and Jane Fonda on celluloid screen sometime back.  But, no, it simply is not possible for these two to rest on their laurel, and watch time pass them by.  They ventured into another film... not a masterpiece, alright, but it's able to spread the warmth that only brilliance in acting can do in a film buff's heart, that's for sure.  The film is "Our Souls at Night", produced and distributed by Netflix in 2017. To date, it garnered 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 38 critics' review.

"I just want to live out my day

and then come to tell you about it at night."

While I am not a Netflix sort of a person... until recently, that is, I am thankful that films like this could be enjoyed with just a few clicks on one's laptop, or smart phone, and allow nostalgia to spread its warm blanket around one, especially when the nostalgic feels involve the glorious Sundance kid and the 'original workout queen', Barbarella. 

The film is based on the novel of the same title by Kent Haruf, which I haven't read, so I can't really compare the film and the book. I just know that the film version's plot is very simple and straight-forward. It was about two lonely people of advanced age with tangled pasts that needed undoing, making sleep a bit troubled at night.  Addie (Jane Fonda's character) boldly offered Louis (Robert Redford's character) to share her bed - in platonic company, to make sleep come easier, to which Louis agreed, albeit very reluctantly at first.  Later, friendship developed... and love  blossomed.  The plot was easy enough to follow and rationalize... and the pace was good that, I'm sure, the audience can feel how the bond of friendship was slowly forming between Addie and Louis, and how affection started to precipitate from all the honesty of bearing their souls to each other at night, which eventually bloomed to love and loyalty to each other.

I'm not quite impressed with the quality of direction courtesy of Ritesh Batra, a young Indian film Director from Mumbai. I think that so much of Redford's and Fonda's genius in acting were not quite 'optimized'... those long shots, for instance, when the visibly ambivalent Addie came to Louis's home to make the 'sleeping together' proposal, did not help. Fonda obviously tried to conjure the perfect blend of courage, daring and weirdness that led her Addie to Louis's door to pop the odd 'proposal'. Considering that that was the 'trunk' from which all the interesting 'branches' of the story sprang from, it was weak and almost unremarkable. How I longed to see all the facial muscles and expressive eyes of these great actors convey the depth of their feelings... and emotions that the scene was so worthy of!  The long shots wasted the supposed profundity of the scene and the incredible depth of the actors to lend the needed genius to make the scene something to celebrate about by film lovers in the many years to come. Batra missed the opportunity to make that happen, and it was almost heartbreaking!  And yet, the Redford temper and self-control, conveyed so vividly through facial expressions that didn't need a single word, was so beautifully captured in that scene where his Louis was being made fun of by his men friends over the 'sleeping with Addie' gossips. His jaws just tightened... he sighed, stood up, and walked away - taking with him all that angst, a supposed perfect blow on one of his man friends' gloating face, and the eruption of bottled outburst to express protective instinct for and loyalty to Addie.  Just genius!

Yes, if only to watch Redford and Fonda shine acting greatness, this film is so worth those 103 minutes of a film lover's life.

Review Summary: Go for it!


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Image credit: Screen capture from the IMDb website - thanks!

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Something different...

...just because they 'can' feel good, too.
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by PAM


No, I am not tired of listening to the songs in my playlists on Spotify (I have a few). 

When I add songs, I usually ask myself if I'd still love the song in five or ten years' time. My mind... heart and soul... would do some iteration, and when the answer is 'yes', then I add the song. Uhm, nah, I'm not usually this extremely dorky... just a little bit... but I try to be as reasonable and as accurate as possible.  And then, the rest of the time, I just let go... let my 'gut feel' do the job.  I am a fierce believer of that faithfuls' sentiment that if you pray hard enough every single day, God would usually speak with you through your 'gut feel'! I know that sounds a bit like 'Catholic smug', but if you're demanding honesty from me... then honesty, I give you!

But I digress.... I was talking about my playlists on Spotify. Recently, I created a new playlist, which comprised of songs of artists that I don't usually listen to, but strike my fancy in those moments of sheer openness to 'something different'.  Today, it's this song, "Georgia" by that talented Australian artist, Vance Joy.

🎶 "You build me up like steps

eyes innocent and wild...

I never thought your love was worth its wait

Well, now you've come and gone

I've finally worked it out...." 🎶

I'm not sure that I understand what the song meant... what's it about and what for.  It's just way too melancholy to be ignored... with hope and despair haunting the listener alternately. Well, at least, this listener. And, in the deeper layers of the song, you sense hopeless romanticism desperately pushing its way through the thick cloud of brokenness and uncertainty. In the end, reason still prevails... and it just "worked (it) out". How a songwriter can do that... and how a singer can interpret it with such accuracy as the songwriter envisions it to be is simply amazing! It's a very interesting piece of pop musical art, indeed!  

Would I still love the song in five or ten years' time?  Not sure... therefore, add in "something different' playlist.  We'll see if it gets pushed one notch higher to "love songs" or "ultra romantic'... or "good stuff" at some point... and "classic" in another.  For now, it's "good listening".

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***

Saturday evening music...

...because a sweet inspiration came rushing in.
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by PAM


It's that wonderful season again... a season that comes only after every four years: FIFA World Cup!  Naturally, my days and nights (mostly, nights and wee hours of mornings) are full of World Cup 2018 (WC18) thoughts... and musings. 😊  It's exhilarating... disappointing sometimes, surprising most of the time, but overall, it's too beautiful!  I just love it!

But tonight, my heart is totally devoid of WC18 excitement... but I'm excited just the same. One person reminded me of my inclination towards love songs, and the beautiful feelings that they evoke. 💓 Some songs are sappy and oozing with  cheesiness... and yet, for a heart beating devotedly for someone special, only the beauty of the melody, which beats in synch with one's loving heart, is all that matters.  It's like being surrounded by all that refreshing fragrance in a magical garden where flowers bloom in unison with one's love for someone special, and fill the air with scents that match our loving feeling... and it's beautiful, indeed!

When the same person wanted to know what comes to mind when asked about a favorite love song, my mind automatically pointed to "Feels like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk, after scanning years and years of avid fandom of love songs in my head... and heart.

🎶 "If you knew how happy you are making me

I never thought I'd love anyone so much.

It feels like home to me... 

...it feels like I'm all the way back where I come from." 🎶

I absolutely love the lyric!  That sweet realization of how incredibly joyful it is to find 'that one perfect match' whose heart beats in unison with yours... in contrast to the edgy feeling of restrained desperation as one waits for 'the one' with much anticipation... a perfect metaphor for 'home'.  This song captures a multitude of intense emotions... but, they all converge to a peaceful, blissful feeling of loving... and being loved. Beautiful!

But my 'love song buddy' pressed for more!  And, at the very bottom of my heart, I found this one song that has been sitting there for three decades now, burning quietly a light of persistent hope... for a love that will burn an 'eternal flame'.

🎶 "I used to have a wish

one day I'd feel like this

Now I know love exists

'Cause it's standing right next to me." 🎶

It's "Standing right next to me" by Karla Bonoff.  It's too beautiful, it just melts the heart in sweet surrender... to love, isn't it?  While the lyric does not match the passionate tapestry of emotions conveyed by "Feels like home", KB's voice has that hypnotic quality about it that surrounds one with that incredible bliss of being in love, and getting one's strong feelings reciprocated in equal intensity.  It conveys the beginning of a union made in heaven... with a promise that it will last - forever. 💕😍   

So, yes... it is a beautiful evening, indeed - a time well-spent with a kindred spirit who never fails to inspire heartfelt reflection... with lots of humor, and shared interests and beliefs, on the side.  I am absolutely grateful for my 'love song buddy'! 😇💖

***

Video credits:  Thanks, YouTube ("Feels like Home") and Daily Motion ("Standing right next to me"), for the video links.

***

(Belated) Happy VDay...

...to ALL!
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by PAM


I have to admit that Valentine's Day is truly a special day... forget the 'commercial' aspect of it, and just focus on the warmth that one feels from one's toes to one's head just imagining those cute little red and pink hearts that 'fly' around us on 'VDay'... like electric

Roses are red, er, pink... violets are blue.
It's Valentine's Day, therefore, happy Vday to you!

current flying around, occasionally touching us, and making us 'giddy' with teenage love feels.  It seems that the day warrants heightened loving and the feeling of being loved... and that's just beautiful!

Having said the above, I truly do not understand all those 'anti-Valentine' sentiments... and I'm single!  Okay, I wasn't about to join the bandwagon of smug 'in-a-relationship' peeps who cling to their partners in rather scandalously conspicuous manner just to get the best selfie to be posted on all sorts of social media platform on VDay season... just to be "in".  I do believe in being proud of one's loving feelings for someone... but I don't believe in deliberately flaunting it - for no apparent reason. Furthermore, I do believe that Vday is not exclusive to celebration of love between couples.  There is enough space on Valentine's for love of family and true friends, love between spiritual parents and kids, and love between kindred spirits... just because sometimes these kinds of unconditional love are the ones that get us through life's complex twists and turns... those unfathomable mysteries that can only be uncovered and conquered by love.

And here's one song that somewhat captures that warm feeling of loving... and being loved... at whatever age, under whatever circumstance, in spite of distance and time zones, no matter how painful sometimes, through all the good times and bad... 

🎶 Oh, you can fit me

Inside the necklace you got when you were sixteen
Next to your heartbeat where I should be
Keep it deep within your soul. 🎶

Oh, boy, so beautiful! So, yes, Happy (belated) Happy Valentine's Day to all... of us! 💘😍

***
About the Photo: Thanks, from the bottom of my heart, to the UST Engineering Student Council (ESC) for this gorgeous bouquet of flowers. 

***   

Saturday photo

"Put 'em in the wash.  They'll be grand."

I have been wondering about Ireland, dreaming a bit about Ireland... and how I gave up an opportunity to live there for at least a couple of years to... well, to respond to a 'loud call'.  

I chanced upon this 2010 film, "Leap Year", on YouTube, which involved Ireland.  It really had very little to offer, aside from the beautiful Irish countryside that served as a backdrop in almost the whole film.  Just the same, it was a really cute rom-com... most of it was because of the excellent performances of the very talented Amy Adams (Anna Brady from Boston), who happens to be one my favorite actresses, and that 'beautiful Brit', Matthew Goode (Declan O'Callaghan from Dingle, Ireland).  Of course, their characters started out on wrong foot, clashing like two wrecking balls in the beginning (don't they always?)... but Adams and Goode are so good they didn't really overdo it.  Therefore, Anna and Declan's conflicting personalities: Miss Organized-even-in-romance and Mr. Romantic-actually-but-cheated-on-before-therefore-skeptical-of-love, around which the movie revolved didn't come across too much as tired-and-old corny story, etc., etc.  

Somehow, Adams's tenacity in acting and Goode's cool take on Declan found a way to bring some freshness to an age-old plot, that it felt worthwhile to be taking some 100 minutes from my rare "me time" to watch the film.  I particularly loved the expression on Anna's face when, after leaving Declan who fell asleep on a bench while waiting for her bus to Dublin, to get coffee and bus tickets for the two of them, and Declan waking up disappointed thinking that Anna has gone on board the leaving bus without saying goodbye, she beamed at the thought that maybe, just maybe, he cared about her.  

"Declan: You're joking me.

Anna: You can deduct the coffee from my bill. (smiles)

Declan: Deduct away.  Don't forget to add on for a new pair of shoes... pukey. (smiles)"

It was beautifully acted by both actors. It's either that, or I was just too stressed out that I was totally back to being 16 years old again!  I suspect it's the former.  Perhaps, that's really all that the film was aimed at... to bring some respite to 'tired souls'.  And ya know what, it was right on target!

The film had many little surprises here and there.  As if the cute performances of Adams and Goode were not enough, when things were really looking a bit warm and 'grand' between Anna and Declan, and I was really 'warming up' to the characters as they quite obviously were falling for each other, the makers of the film snuck in with a Neil Young classic, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", interpreted by Gwyneth Herbert...

  🎶 "When you were young and on your own

How did it feel to be alone?

I was always thinking of games that I was playing

Trying to make the best of my time.

But only love can break your heart..." 🎵

*sigh*  Uhm, wow... speaking of 'tired souls', I felt like I just 'died' and went up to heaven. What a song!  How so melancholy, how sweet, how true... how beautiful, indeed!  To me, that 'nailed' it.  I officially love this film... never mind that I'm seven years late.

So, yeah, "Leap Year" was one 'grand' a-tumbler-of-popcorn-worthy rom-com! :)

My Rating:  Good "me time" material.  Go for it!

***

Photo credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the screen shot and the video link.

***

'Pictures, pictures.'..

...and more 'pictures'!
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by PAM


I saw this 2012 'chick flick' on Star Movies called, "The Vow", just now.  It featured Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum in a sort of predictable plot that, to be fair, had a few quite touching moments.  

The happily married couple, Paige (McAdams) and Leo (Tatum), met a vehicular accident.  This caused Paige to suffer brain trauma, resulting in her losing a few years of her memory, including how her life with Leo began and came about.  For some reason, she remembered her past before Leo, including a past relationship.  This caused her to reunite with her rich family, which she deserted before meeting Leo because of her father's infidelity in which he cheated on her mother with Paige's closest friend. But even this, Paige did not remember.  Leo had never met Paige's family before the accident, and meeting them made him realize how different Paige's old life was compared with the one she lived with him.  Rather than imposing himself to her, being her husband, Leo respected Paige's request for space as she traced her way back to her life with him before the accident.  He tried to remind Paige of their love instead - by courting her all over again, which warmed Paige's heart as she was drawn to him naturally.  I admit, that's sweet. 💖  All the time he was spending in making her fall all over again took a toll on Leo's financially precarious new business though.  Paige's rich father, who wanted to take advantage of her condition to win her back, offered to save the business if Leo divorced Paige.  Leo resisted, but then when Paige started to feel frustrated by how she was unable to recall her life with Leo, moving closer to her family and farther away from Leo, he let her go by agreeing to the divorce.

Paige picked up the pieces, starting from what she can recall from old life with her rich family, including her old plan to study Law with prodding from her father.  But, it did not work because she kept gravitating to her real interest, which was art - the same thing that led her to Leo, who was into music production and owned a recording studio.  Later, when her best friend approached her to apologize for her affair with Paige's father that caused Paige to turn her back on her family in the past, she was shocked.  She questioned her family on how they used her loss of memory to regain her favor.  The same is true with her previous boyfriend, who used her loss of memory of her marriage to Leo and her memory of their previous relationship to his advantage.  Realizing how she is being gently manipulated, Paige turned him down all over again. 

And then she realized Leo's patience and sincerity in helping her find her way back to her life - in her own terms.  As she started to miss Leo's presence in her life, she found 'the marriage vow' that she wrote in her wedding with Leo.  She realized his love to her... and she fell in love all over again.

The End.

I think there was very little chemistry between McAdams and Tatum.  And, Tatum was doing 'his acting thing' again - the emotion not reaching his eyes.  And because the eyes are the windows to the soul, that deprived the audience from looking into Leo's soul.  The grief, the love, the frustration, the excitement, the joy - they simply lacked depth in Tatum's portrayal of Leo... although he seemed to try.  It's a good thing that he is really good looking, 😅 otherwise, it would have been unbearable to watch. But McAdams... ah, she's great - as usual! 👏  She always brings the character she plays to life.  She is awesome like that.  However, in spite of McAdams' beautiful portrayal of Paige's character, the movie is not all that great.  The best that I'd probably remember about it is hearing The Cure sing "Pictures of You" while the credits rolled.  Oy! 💓

"Remembering you standing quiet in the rain

as I ran to your heart to be near...

Looking so long at these pictures of you

but I never hold on to your heart."

My goodness, what a song!  How melancholy, but, man, so beautiful!  They don't make songs this beautiful anymore these days. But then, even in those good old days of brilliance in music, The Cure was truly exceptional.  So, yeah... past, pictures, memories.  🎵"There is nothing in the world that I ever wanted more." 🎶 And you wish you'd just drown in them for a moment... drown in the beauty of it all rather than stare at this present ugliness, this imposing monstrosity called 'reality'.  

Then again, aren't we responsible of our own 'reality'?  In that case, I choose to move on from this ugliness.  WELCOME, HAPPINESS!

***
Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***

Escape...

...a much needed one!
=======================================================================
by PAM


Uhm-hmm, yeah... the going gets tougher and tougher everyday!  There is too much 'excitement'.  As a natural consequence, work is relentless, and my brain seems to bleed from exhaustion.  You can just  imagine how the whole body might be screaming, "break, break, break... I need a break!"

More than any part of my body, my brain needs some time outside the 'pressure cooker' - to be refreshed, re-calibrated, and renewed.  And, what can be more refreshing than a trip back to "teenage days" when all we had in the beautiful world we lived in then were science fiction, fantasy and the 'middle earth', James Bond, silly romance books, and lots of '80s music?  And so, I put on my 'teenage slippers'... and took a walk down my beautiful teenage road.

There were a few interesting 'crossroads' down the path... and I bravely took one of the 'rosy' ones leading back to the future. Guess who I met as I did?  It's the Harvard-educated Regency Romance phenom, Julia Quinn!  And guess who were present in my first 'meeting' with this #1 NY Times best selling author?  Well, it's none other than the adorable Bridgerton family, of course! :)  Ha, trust JQ to bring her biggest guns to shoot you straight in the heart... as she did to me!  And, guess what... I didn't mind, not at all!

The adorable Bridgerton siblings, circa 1813 ("The Duke and I" by Julia Quinn)

(Image credit: bechedor79.  Thanks for the loan of the image.)

It's funny that I've not been one for Regency romance, even when I was past my teenage days, and yet, here I am, writing about a whole regency romance series!  Yes, I of all people, I know! :)  Oh, OK... so I confess to owning a few historical romance by Barbara Cartland when I was in my late teens... but those were 'inherited' from a relative who was a romance freak, and did not know what to do with her horde of books.  So, I took pity and helped alleviate her burden by accepting her old books.  What else can I do?  And yet, BC's stuff, at least those I read, can hardly be considered "regency romance" just the same.

For one who is trying to find a breather from the extreme pressure at work, Quinn's Bridgerton series is worth investing time on - for the witty banters that usually get extremely funny, described in a scene that puts the imagination on full throttle.  They simply lift the clouds over one's head, and allow the cheerful sun to do wonders on one's disposition.  I'd often find myself convulsing with laughter in the dark at night with my iPad... and wake up with a smile on my face the next day... the exhaustion from the previous day almost forgotten, all because of the Bridgertons.  There are wonderfully crafted characters in the series as well that lights up a 'scene' each time they appear.  One example is the extremely adorable Colin Bridgerton.  Ah, how I wish he did exist in the 'real world'!  Escapism to the max, indeed!  

The series is about the eight Bridgerton siblings: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth... yep, from eldest to youngest - named alphabetically. :) It's all about how they found the love of their lives... and how they made it work, 'cause there were challenges along the way, of course.  There were minor characters

A little sample of what goes on in Anthony's head.
(Source:  Julia Quinn's website.  Many thanks, JQ!)

who are equally adorable and funny that I liked very much: the dowager Viscountess, Lady Violet Bridgerton - the awesome mother of the Bridgertons, and their family friend, the indomitable Lady Danbury.  Both ladies were predictable as their characters are so defined... and yet, they end up surprising you each time they make an appearance in a scene that often proved to be the turning point of the story.  They did make their presence felt in the whole series.

I like all the eight books in the series, including the ninth, "The Bridgertons: Happily Ever after" (the collection of 2nd Epilogues for the first 8 books).  I read and re-read them all in six weeks as a much-needed 'escape' from daily excruciating work.  My favorite book is the first in the series, "The Duke and I", just because the Bridgerton banters were at their best, and JQ did a very good job in introducing and defining the characters, which were to bloom in the next seven books... well, eight, including "Happily Ever After".  But, I did like very much Anthony and Kate's story in "The Viscount who Loved Me".  Their story developed and ended in the most unexpected way, with many laugh-out-loud hilarious scenes, therefore, very interesting... and, in the end, compelling... even when both did not agree on anything in the beginning.  There were so many extremely funny scenes where the two sparred in wits and humor that made it impossible not to believe that Anthony and Kate were a perfect match.  And there were many, oh, so touching moments, too, that did melt the heart.  Anthony was very romantic, and it was wonderful that he did not have a clue that he was; and Kate imagined herself to be cold and too practical to be attractive, but she was adorable.  That Pall Mall game was a 'readers-only' sort of Bridgerton 'memorabilia' stuff.  Having read it made one feels like a part of a 'lofty' exclusive club. Really swell!  Ha! :)  

As for the eight Bridgertons, while I really adored Colin, I liked Anthony's character best. As the head of the mighty and hugely popular Bridgerton family, who inherited the Viscountcy at the age of 18 after the untimely death of their father, yes, he can be quite arrogant, and close to being imperious at times - especially inside his own head... but he was unselfish, responsible, and truly loved his family... not to

It's all about having powerful brothers... trust the
Bridgerton brothers to take matters into their own
hands when the reputation of any one of their sisters
might be in peril.
(Source:  Julia Quinn's website.  Many thanks, JQ!)

mention well-educated and very intelligent, and funny without even trying, especially when he lets his heart out in the open.  As for the sisters, Daphne seemed the wisest and the closest match to his older brothers in terms of strength and the ability to make sound decisions.  However, I love the sense of adventure of Eloise in "To Sir Phillip, with Love"... and her usual tenacity whenever she decided to pursue something.  She might have started with many insecurities... what with seven very charming siblings, but she rose above her own insecurities and took charge of her life.  It was hard not to applaud her in the end.  It did help that Anthony and she had "that talk" to help her navigate the complex workings of her own mind, of course.  I really enjoyed "that talk"... I loved Anthony even more after that.  It's almost as heart-warming as the scene when he and Daphne had a brother-sister bonding in "The Duke and I" as they drank cold milk in the middle of the night while Daphne tried to figure out how he felt for Simon... and that "talk" Anthony's had with Simon ("the Duke") himself when he was helping to patch things up between the Duke and Daphne when the two met a sticky situation in their marriage. Come to think of it, there were many heart-warming Bridgerton moments in the eight books where Anthony was at the center of it all.  It just went to show how he really cared about his family, and how he took the happiness of each of them to heart even when he outwardly tried to be severe and 'preachy'.  As Simon himself thought, 'Anthony had responsibilities Simon had never even dreamed of.  He had brothers to guide, sisters to protect.  Simon had a dukedom, but Anthony had a family'.    

While Hyacinth's character was "overdeveloped", I think, throughout the first six books - and she just completely "growled" fiercely in "It's in His Kiss" (her book) - it's a pity that Benedict's was not as developed in the first two books.  He was not even a participant in the Pall Mall game in the second book.  Therefore, I read (and re-read, I must confess) "An Offer from a Gentleman" (Benedict and Sophie's story) with such ferocity and voracity to discover more about Benedict.  As it turned out, he's the silent type but with a depth of character that simply takes one's breath away.  He was passionate of his convictions and

A little bit of mystery, some enchantment and fun...
...a lot of love - the kind that lasts a lifetime.
(Source:  Julia Quinn's website.  Many thanks, JQ!)

devotion to the people he loved, albeit silly at times, and shallow when left unchecked; he was dependable and kind... and I loved it that his mother thought him to resemble their late father (Viscount Edmund Bridgerton) the closest, and that he, too, will make a very good father in her opinion.  And Sophie, the wonderful woman who stole his heart in their "Cinderella story", brought out the best in him... aided some by his own mother... and, at times, by his own sisters.  It makes one realize how unselfish Benedict was, just leaving the rein of leading their huge family to Anthony rather than competing with him for attention and leadership.  He tried to find his place in the world silently and unassumingly instead.  As it turned out, he was a talented artist.  In the end, he lived the life of a quite withdrawn but renowned artist, content and happy with his wife and family in the peace and quiet life in the country... while still maintaining the air of a mighty Bridgerton about him.

There were so many good things about the Bridgerton series, but the very best is the love and familial loyalty that bind the Bridgertons together.  They were a TEAM... and a formidable one at that!  It was always heartwarming when they all come together to rescue one of the family members in times of peril... even imagined ones. And this is probably the attraction of the Bridgertons to me... it's all about family... and love, of course... and lots and lots of laughter!  Indeed, reading the series is one unforgettable experience.

Alright... work 'calls', I'm going to have to end here.  Make no mistake though, I should like to talk about the Bridgertons again - sooner than later.  Yes, that's how extremely stressed out I am these days.  Thanks, Julian Quinn, for the respite - you're my hero! :)

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day to all, by the way! :)

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