Monday, September 17, 2007

Polls!

I've decided to take advantage of Blogger's new blog-friendly polls and post a new one every month. For September, I did a Norma Shearer - Favorite Film Poll as you see to the right of your screen. Please vote!

Trombonology (Relative Esoterica) asked me which of the many great Norma Shearer films is my personal favorite. To answer truthfully, it is, hands down, The Women (1939). It's what introduced me to her and what's kept me a fan.

I'd love to hear your responses and your ideas for future polls.

Monday, September 10, 2007

My Road to Avonlea

Nothing of real worth ever comes completely without pain.
- Olivia Dale - Road to Avonlea




It was over a decade ago. I was a young teenager in high school when I caught my first glimpse of this other world. I was sitting on the living room floor in front of the television and I watched while on the screen, a young woman opened a copy of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield and started reading the first chapter to several boys as they sat upright on their beds. I was mesmerized and a million questions raced through my head. What was this show? What's the story about? Who is this character? Why hadn't I heard of this show before?

Then as quickly as it came it had gone away. I didn't know at the time that I had watched part of one of the last episodes of the series, Road to Avonlea. The Disney Channel had been giving cable subscribers a free preview week, thus giving me the opportunity to see this one episode. I had begged and pleaded with my parents, willingly sacrificing many a small childhood luxury in order to have that which I desired. When they finally broke down and added the channel to our subscription, it was too late. The series had ended and although I waited patiently for months, I never got to see another episode.

Fast forward to 2007. The moment when my inner child rejoiced was when I put the first DVD of the first season on my Netflix queue. I waited with baited breath until it came in the mail and since then I've been on a wonderful journey through the lives of the folks of Avonlea. I felt I owed it to myself to enjoy it with all the youthful vivacity and enthusiasm that my younger self would have done if she had been given the opportunity!

I've been watching this series for a few months, savouring the episodes as I watch them each week. I'm currently on Season 5 and I love how the series grows. My favorite character is Gus Pike, whom I have to say is probably the best romantic male character in all of history (he even rivals Austen's Mr. Darcy).

The advent of the DVD has given me the opportunity to do something I could not do as a child, and for that I'm eternally grateful.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Votre, Mon et Notre and the Crazy Schedule

The next three months of my life are going to be a trial to test my personal fortitude, strength of will and character. I will be working full-time, attending graduate school full-time, juggling a giant load of homework all while trying to maintain a healthy and sane personal life. (Not to mention planning a trip, learning a fourth language and trying to keep this blog regularly updated). The fear has started to set in my heart and I'm worried about whether I will make it through - whether I will be strong enough to come out the other side unscathed. The last time I had a crazy-hectic schedule, I had less on my plate than I do now and I came out of the experience the worse for wear.


In crazy times like these, I try to find support amongst family and friends. But I also realize that I need to be responsible for developing my own strength and tranquility. And sometimes a really good story can transport you to your comfort zone and while you are there you build up your own confidence. That story for me right now is Yours, Mine and Ours (1968).


This particular film stands out in the midst of many other "large family" stories. This particular sub-genre has two of it's one sub-categories. The first being two familys coming together while clashing and bonding in With Six You Get Eggroll (1968) and The Brady Bunch (1969-1974). The second features an excessively procreative couple such as in Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) and henceforth any sequels, remakes and remake sequels. Yours, Mine and Ours (1968) has two excessively procreative individuals coming together to combine their large families (11 and 9) into one monstrosity of a household (20!). What's inspiring is that the story is based on real life events. They successfully manage meals, clothes, ailments and personal dramas in what seems like an impossible situation. The situation is very difficult for the couple (played by Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball) but they get through it because they rely on their abundant love for their children and each other to get them through. Plus they realize the importance of organization, perseverance and strict scheduling in maintaining a hectic life and they put all of this to work at all times.


It's a heart-warming and inspiring story. When I watch this film, I think to myself if this one couple can manage raising a family of 20, soon to be 21, then why can't I manage myself. I'm only one person managing my own life, and I have no other lives dependant on me. If they can manage 20, I can certainly manage 1.

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