Friday, April 30, 2010

Day 30 → Whatever tickles your fancy

T-shirts! Yeah, I'm boring. I wear a lot of jeans and t-shirts. Mine happen to be wearing out, so I've been looking for new ones. Naturally I tend towards movie-oriented shirts , but I tend to like the subtler ones. The ones that require you know the movie to get it. Right now, I'm particularly fond of this one, as it references one of my all-time favorite movies, The Dirty Dozen, but rather slyly. I do believe I need to get me one!

And I have this version of "The Witch Doctor" stuck in my head right now. I love the disgruntled neighbors walking in a line at the end.



And that wraps up the 30-day meme!

Day 29 → Hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days

No shortage of hopes, dreams, or plans. They're the stuff life is made of! But they can be distilled down to staying happy and being with family and friends (including online friends) as much as possible. I plan to finish the revisions to one my novels and get it out the door to find an agent. I'm itching to get to work on a brand new YA fantasy novel that's not even a week old. I was brainstorming about this other novel idea, and this brand new idea dropped into my head. Isn't that the way it always goes? It's really grabbed me too, so it'll probably be my nano project this November. If I can wait that long.

I'd planned to train for a half-marathon, but the whole front yard landscaping thing really threw me off track, and I have this 24/7 neck pain that make me wonder how smart it is to be jarring around running. Still, I'd like to take a shot at it because I have a friend doing the same thing. I'd like to at least start getting out walking/jogging an hour a day on weekdays.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Day 28 → This year, in great detail

2010, so far, has consisted primarily of home improvement projects and very little else. After being cited by the City for being in violation of the municipal landscaping code for having bare dirt in my front yard (I'd dug it up to re-do it... they just cited me before I could start work), I was forced to start work ASAP or be fined. Deadlines are good things though, and it really kept me focused and on track. I did most of the work myself (other than the large lawn section) and am quite pleased with how it came out. Just need some patio furniture now so I can hang out and enjoy it.


That project was wrapping up just as I finally had the opportunity to re-do my bathroom, which took several weeks; in fact, the last bits were just completed yesterday.

I've done little new writing this year, but have been working on revising one novel following the lessons in Holly Lisle's How To Revise a Novel course. So far, I'm really enjoying this course, even more than the How To Think Sideways one. It is direct, to the point, and it meshes very well with my own goals in the revision.

I've inherited another abandoned young cat this year, Flinx. Well, two technically, but the other (Binx) stays outdoors and just wants a little food in the morning and evening. Flinx, on the other hand, wants a lot more than food. He wants love -- lots of it, and playtime, and to sleep inside at night, and more playtime, and more love. I tried to find him a good home, but that didn't work out and now I'm kind of glad because it turns out he's the best cat I've ever owned. He has the most amiable and loving personality, plays with my dog and other cats, catches gophers, curls up in my lap whenever he can, and is gorgeous on top of it all.

Day 27 → This month, in great detail

April: the month of spring flowers, spring showers, and birthdays! It seems most of my family, friends, and favorite actors are all born in April. There's even a wedding anniversary in there. It's a very crowded month! There's been a fair amount of rain this month, which has been nice for my new lawn. Not so nice because of the sheer quantity of weeds springing up in the backyard, but that's okay. I'd rather do outside chores than inside ones. It's kept things nice and cool too, which I like. The heat's coming soon enough. I visited with one out of town friend and got to show her around Los Angeles for the day. That was fun and a nice break.

Other than that, it's been pretty much my nice ordinary and routine week in detail times four.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Day 26 → Your week, in great detail

Well, the typical week includes 40 hours of the day job, household chores, walking the dog, playing with the cats, a grocery store trip or two, eating dinner and visiting with family, writing, reading, and watching movies. Intersperse that with internet browsing and lots of listening to music and that's the average week. To go into any greater detail would be rather boring, so we'll leave it at that!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Day 25 → Your day, in great detail

Today happened to be a Sunday, and it happened to be book club meeting day. We had just finished reading The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory. One person hated everything about the book, the other three of us enjoyed it -- except the ending. Can you say crappiest cop-out ending of all time? The book is about Katherine of Aragon, and right in the middle of her early life (her daughter Mary has not even been born yet)... the book jumps twelve or fifteen years for a very strange sort of 3-page interlude regarding Anne Boleyn which is really meant to be some sort of hasty wrap-up, and that's it. The end. WHAT? Are you kidding me? I mean seriously, crappiest book ending ever. It's like she just ran out of time, said "I'll end the book here, in the middle, and since most people know about Anne Boleyn, I'll throw this little moment in which has nothing to do with anything that came before..." I wanted to throw the book against the wall, which is not a good thing, because, as they say, it's the ending that sticks with you. Give your readers a bad ending and it doesn't matter how good the rest of the book was, they're going to be angry and not apt to pick up another of your books.

The rest of the book was easy enjoyable reading, nothing stand out wonderful, nothing bad, just entertaining. I very much enjoyed the comparisons of life in Spain vs. life in England, the day-to-day details about how exactly, people ran their homes, etc.

But the end... grrrr.

Anyway, we enjoyed lunch, and then, since it was such a lovely day, my nephew spent an hour throwing rubber duckys into the pool while we watched. Then drove home, and there's the day, nearly gone. I've walked the dog, and all that's left is dinner, some writing or reading, and then bed.

Day 24 → Whatever tickles your fancy

I just found this quiz I'd done for my sister. I'd forgotten all about it. We were talking about classic actors voices we really liked and decided to make a quick page for each other with clips of some of our actors speaking, to see how many each of us could guess. So, feel free to guess the speaker! Some are very easy, some are probably difficult.

Day 23 → A YouTube video

Yeah, yeah, it's another What's My Line, but this one's my favorite, and I watch it quite frequently.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Day 22 → A website

Jonathan Carroll's journal.

I love his writing, love his stories, love that there's always something to think about in his journal entries. He has a way of making me look at the most common situations/things through completely different eyes, and I am a bit in awe of that talent.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Day 21 → A recipe

This was posted by one of my friends just a month ago, and it was so intriguing I had to try it on the spot! They came out wonderful! They got better as they aged, as in, about five days after I made them, they were even better. Great in hot chocolate, great just to munch.

Marshmallow Candy

2 envelopes Knox unflavoured gelatin (or 15g of powdered gelatine)
1/2 c. cold water
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Sprinkle gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water and vanilla extract in mixing bowl. It'll swell while you're working with the rest of the recipe.

In a saucepan, combine:

1/2 c. light Karo Syrup (or clear Glucose syrup)
3/4 c. water
1 3/4 c. white sugar
Dash of salt

Bring to a boil until approximately 235°F (115°C) or, soft ball stage.

Pour boiling syrup onto softened gelatin and beat with a mixer at highest speeds until it becomes light and fluffy and holds a soft mound. (This takes about ten-fifteen minutes.) If you don't get enough air in it, they don't set up.

Pour into a buttered 9x12" pan or individual molds. Let set about thirty minutes.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Day 20 → A hobby of yours

"A hobby is an activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure or relaxation, often in one's spare time."

Spare time? What's that?

Watching old movies and television shows! Listening to music! Reading! Writing! Arithmetic! Wait, no. Not the last, definitely not the last. But watching (and re-watching) old movies, definitely something I do for pleasure and relaxation. Discovering "new" old movies, and new actors, is so much fun.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Day 19 → A talent of yours

Well, I tell dark, suspenseful stories, and I tell them well.

Millie and Kate's brilliantly evil asthmatic survey...


This one's from... well, duh... Millie and Kate! Sorry, I seem to be picture-less in my answers, and that just isn't nearly as much fun.

1. Which actors do you always (or did you always) mix-up?
Chips Rafferty and John Meillon (who plays Wally in Crocodile Dundee). I saw Crocodile Dundee first, and basically, every time I've run into Chips Rafferty (which is quite a lot), my first thought is always "Hey, it's Wally!" And then I have to correct myself.

2. Gidget or Beach Party?
Haven't seen either, sorry.

3. Favorite Movie Outfit?
Deborah Kerr's famous dress from her dance scene with Yul Brynner in The King and I.

4. If you could be ANY character in ANY movie...who would you choose?
Nellie Forbush, South Pacific

5. If you could marry ANY character in ANY movie...who would you choose?
I should go with someone sensible here (in other words, just about any Joel McCrea character), but I just can't. I can't help it. I want Roy Anderson (Ralph Meeker) from The Naked Spur. Who would make a terrible husband (not to mention *SPOILER ALERT* he doesn't survive the movie, ahem), but I'd marry him anyway.

6. If you could live in ANY movie...which would you choose?
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea... the Nautilus is mine, I tell you. Mine!

7. Black & White movies you wish were in Technicolor, or vice-versa?
Babes in Toyland 1934, with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. I'd love it if this one had been made in color! (the colorized version does NOT count)

8. Favorite Movie Soundtrack?
The Wind and the Lion, Jerry Goldsmith

9. Favorite Movie Dance Sequence?
Any time George Raft dances with anybody. LOL! I'm also quite partial to Fred Astaire dancing on the walls and ceiling in Royal Wedding, but I think I actually have to go with Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner's big number in The King and I. If only because it is the most exhilaratingly happy and romantic dance ever. And I really can do without the movie otherwise. That's the only scene I'll wach.

10. Coolest Movie Star?
Steve McQueen

11. Sophia or Gina
Gina! (besides, her last name is cooler to say)

12. "Isn't It Romantic" in most Billy Wilder films, or "Red River Valley" in most John Ford films.
er... um... huh?

13. If you could re-cast ANY role in ANY movie, what would it be?
I'd put ANYBODY into the role of Fletcher Christian instead of Marlon Brando in the 1962 Mutiny on the Bounty.

14. Favorite movie character with your first name?
Um, can't think of a single one actually. How about actress instead... Debra Paget! I always wanted to look like her.

15.One movie that should NEVER be remade? (under THE THREAT OF A SLOW, PAINFUL DEATH!)
Star Wars

16. Actor or Actress who you would love to be best friends with?
Barbara Stanwyck

17. Are you an Oscar or a Felix?
um... never watched this either, movie or series, so haven't a clue.

18. Actor/Actress you originally hated and now love?
Nothing so dramatic as love/hate, but I didn't appreciate Robert Mitchum or Robert Ryan when I was young. Thought they were both stick-in-the-muds. Now, while I don't exactly love either, I certainly don't steer clear of their movies anymore, and I think both are damned good actors.

19.Actor/Actress you originally loved and now don't like?
Again, nothing very dramatic, but I used to like Cary Grant, and I seem to be far less tolerant of him (particularly his early films) the older I get.

20. Favorite performance that was looked over by Oscar? (Not to be confused with the aforementioned Oscar of Felix fame.) .
Dana Andrews, The Best Years of Our Lives.

21. Bewitched or I Dream of Jeannie?
Bewitched

22. Hannibal Heyes or Kid Curry? (Hint for those who don't know who they are: pick Hannibal Heyes.)
Kid Curry

23. Favorite Style Icon: Fred Astaire or Cary Grant?
Fred Astaire

24. Single most favorite movie scene EVER?
Boy, this one is tough tough tough. I can think of a whole bunch of favorite scenes and favorite moments, but picking just one of them?? Oy. Okay, I'm going to go with a more modern film here. The kidnap/rescue scene from the middle of The Wind and the Lion. I don't think it gets much better than that.

25. Movie you really "should" see, but have subconsciously avoiding for who knows what reason?
The Godfather (and sequels)

26. Movie quote you find yourself most often repeating in real life?
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time I do what I have to." - Cicero, from Gladiator (2000). I tell myself this all the time, and this quote will get me through the rough days.

27. 50's Westerns or 60's Spies?
50's Westerns, only because cowboys trump spies. However, the real answer here would be "60's Westerns." LOL!

28. Favorite splashy, colorful, obnoxious 50's musical?
Er... don't think I like any of the obnoxious ones.

29. Favorite film setting (example: Rome, Paris, Seattle, Siberia, Chile, Sahara Desert, etc)
Sierra Mountains, but any outdoor setting: forests, deserts, mountains, lakes. Anything but city.

30. If you could own the entire wardrobe of any film, which would it be?
Nellie Forbush's outfits from South Pacific. Simple, cute, with one lovely dress for going out. Of course, I'd have to have her build to be able to wear them, but I wouldn't mind that!

31. Carol Burnette or Lucille Ball?
Lucy!

32. Favorite Voice. Ever. Period?
Lee Marvin

33. Favorite movie that takes place in your home-state?
Sunset Blvd.

34. Which actors would you want for relatives? (Mother, Father, Grandma, Crazy Aunt, annoying cousin, older brother, etc...)
Hah! One could have a lot of fun with this one...
Mother - Barbara Stanwyck

Father - Glenn Ford
Sister - Anne Baxter
Brother - John Lupton
Grandfather - John Wayne
Grandmother - Maureen O'Hara
Uncles - Van Heflin, James Whitmore, and Ray Walston
Aunts - Elsa Lancaster and Dorothy Lamour
Cousins - Bobby Darin and William Campbell

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Day 18 → An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)

I love realistic landscape paintings (whereas I don't really like photography -- there's a whole level of imagination to paintings that I don't get looking at most photography). Landscape paintings always inspire me to want to write a story. My favorite painters include Peter Ellenshaw, Albert Bierstadt, Frederic Edwin Church, Thomas Moran. This past Friday I spent some time at the Huntington Library, where they currently have this original painting by Church on display.

Chimborazo

The original is huge, like a window into a world you can step into. I always think prints are wonderful -- until I see an original. Then I remember how a print cannot capture the depth, vibrancy, or color of the original. I could spend ages staring at pictures like this, absorbing the detail, (and coming up with stories for the setting).

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Day 17 → Whatever tickles your fancy

I'm swapping Day 17 and Day 18 because today is William Holden's birthday and that more'n tickles my fancy, and I don't feel like waiting until tomorrow. :-D

Friday, April 16, 2010

Day 16 → A song that makes you cry (or nearly)

Okay, this is a weird one for me, probably because I don't listen or care about lyrics. And I can't think of a single song that moves me to tears on melody alone. I went through my iTunes listings searching and couldn't turn anything up. That's in the true "song" category. The closest would have to be my favorite Bobby Darin song, "I Will Wait for You." Now, in operas... there's quite a few arias that make me cry, however usually only when I'm listening to the full opera. And not just because the aria is sad, I often cry when it's beautiful too.

And there's quite a few orchestral soundtrack pieces that make me cry, usually Jerry Goldsmith (the scores to Lonely are the Brave, Masada, The Blue Max, The Edge, The Chairman are big culprits), but not always. Frank deVol gets me just about every time I listen to The Flight of the Phoenix score with "Gabriele's Death." It's a case where the music affects me far more than the actual scene in the film. The finale of George Bassman's Ride the High Country score usually gets me, but that one's definitely context-related. Miklos Rozsa makes me tear up with Ben-Hur and Ivanhoe. The Egyptian (Newman/Hermann). I think I cry far more in music because it's beautiful than because it's sad. I'm just a sucker for beauty.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Day 15 → A fanfic

Ahhh, fanfic. Where else can you read "new" episodes of your favorite tv show after it's been canceled or off the air for forty years? Where else can you "cast" your favorite classic actors in a 1960's tv show like Combat! or Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea or Bonanza and have fun imagining roles they might have played? Fanfic is a fantasy playground that produces some of the best fiction I've read -- and some of the absolute worst. It gives people a chance to author stories who might never have written a word of fiction in their lives otherwise, and gives them an encouraging audience to boot. Some of those go expand and write non fanfic stories, get published in the "real world." It brings fans together and has given me some of the best friends (and best vacations to get together with them) I've ever had.

Now, for a single fanfic? I'll go with my favorite Combat! story, The Weight, written by a talented lady nicknamed Ricochet. When I write fanfic, I mostly write as if I were a screenwriter in 1962 contributing an episode to the show. I fail to think outside that box, and that's why I love this story so much. It's outside the box, and yet still true to the characters as we got to know and love them. It works on so many levels and is just plain satisfying to read.

Day 14 → A non-fictional book

Again, assuming they mean a non-fiction book...

I have so may non-fiction books I had a hard time picking just one. I was going to go with the volcano one, but I opted to stick with film and go to one of my longest owned and most read books: Michael Parkinson and Clyde Jeavons A Pictorial History of Westerns. I've owned this book for probably close to thirty years. It was loaded with pictures, but it also talked about all the movies, the stars, directors, even TV Westerns. I'd spend hours looking at the pictures and reading the book. I remember picking out which movies I wanted to see someday.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Day 13 → A fictional book

I'm going to assume the creators of this meme mean "a book of fiction" and not a make-believe book. Well, we already covered my favorite book of all time, so now I'll list my favorite book in fantasy/science fiction genre. Golden Witchbreed by Mary Gentle. Oddly, I've read other books by her, and haven't really liked any of them, with the sequel to Golden Witchbreed ranking as one of my most hated books of all time. But she got absolutely everything right in Golden Witchbreed. Characters, world, plot, her style and language... everything about this book just blows me away. I might even re-read it more frequently than I do The Secret Ways. I own multiple copies and have one right here at my desk, in easy reach. Great book.

Day 12 → Whatever tickles your fancy

German raspberries! Far and away my favorite candy. Love them!

And I could watch What's My Line clips of mystery guests all day long. These just never get old, and they never fail to make me smile and laugh.

This one was new to me, however, and has the bonus of having Van Heflin on the panel! I love that Richard Boone's wearing his Paladin outfit. Funniest question: "Are you associated with a horse?" And I love Boone's reaction after one of the contestants asks if he's James Arness. Too funny.



(hm, doesn't seem to fit too well in my journal, sorry 'bout that.)

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Day 11 → A photo of you taken recently


Okay, so I haven't mastered the art of aiming a camera at myself. I still actually like this picture because of the pile of unbrushed out pin curls, and my smile actually looks nice here. This was taken last year before I chopped my hair off, when I was trying to learn how to do those pin curls properly. I'm still trying to learn how to do that.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Day 10 → A photo of you taken over ten years ago


C'est moi... twenty plus years ago, wishing desperately the submarine was my mine. I was touring the USS Pampanito, a favorite visiting spot of mine when I was in college in San Francisco.

Friday, April 09, 2010

Day 09 → A photo you took


This is a Spring pic of my front yard at my last house, the tulips and bulbs in full bloom. I used to love the riot of color every spring! We're having beautiful weather out here, so this seemed appropriate.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Day 08 → A photo that makes you angry/sad


I wanted to post a picture of my grandfather, but I don't have one. He died when my mother was thirteen and I never got to meet him, and it makes me so sad. Instead, here is a picture of one of my great-uncle's purple heart. I have two sets, for two great uncles, brothers, one in the Navy, one in the Army, who died within a week of each other during WWII. One at the Battle of the Bulge, one in a plane crash in the Bermuda Triangle (!). No anger, it just makes me sad that I never got to meet these men, my relatives who fought for our country and didn't make it home, that I only have a very few vague stories of them from my dad.

But I'm proud to be the keeper of their purple hearts.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Day 07 → A photo that makes you happy

So many photos I could post here that make me happy, particularly movie-related, but right now, I'll put up this one, as I have beloved pets on the mind. Three of my cats, from left to right: Kit, Elanor, Rosie -- piled in the top basket of the cat tree.

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Day 06 → Whatever tickles your fancy

Coincidence! Two George Raft films were playing at the Egyptian theater this past Saturday, and I was all lined up to go when plans unfortunately unraveled at the last minute. So what showed up in the mail yesterday? Not one, but two George Raft films from Netflix. I'm only on the one-at-a-time plan, but some of the top items in my queue are on short wait, and the next available item had to ship from somewhere else in the US, so they shipped the item after that as well to tide me over. Both ended up arriving the same day, no delay at all. So now I have Mr. Ace and Outpost in Morocco to watch. Missed two, got two others. I am bummed I couldn't get to the theater, but I'll be keeping an eye out and hopefully will be able to catch the next ones.

Monday, April 05, 2010

Day 05 → Your favourite quote

Okay, this one's really really really hard for me. I don't know that I have a specific favorite quote. It's mostly movie dialogue quoted frequently, and there is an awful lot of that quoted every single day around my house. I mean the entire The Dirty Dozen movie basically qualifies as one giant quote fest for my family. I don't think a day goes by where something isn't thrown out from it. If I start on that one, I can't stop. I don't think I have any non-film-related quotes I can remotely remember off the top of my head, though I do keep a little book with memorable quotes in it.

Okay, okay. Pick one already. Er. Um. I'll go with one my favorite quotes from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea then:

"But there is hope for the future, and when the world is ready for a new and better life, all this will someday come to pass, in God's good time." - Captain Nemo

Day 04 → Your favourite book

The Secret Ways by Alistair MacLean. Read first sometime when I was in my early teens. Was my favorite book from that moment on. Re-read it regularly, and there's always a copy by my desk. The ideal fictional read for me, pushes all the right buttons. It's just a perfect match for my reading needs. One of the main characters, the Count, is also my favorite fictional character. It's one of those books of which I own several copies, featuring different covers, because I'm a dork and do things like that. :-D

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Day 03 → Your favourite television programme

Combat! (1962-1967). WWII show, following a squad through Normandy. The show has better written and acted episodes than many WWII movies. The actors are all top notch, and a slew of great actors guested: Lee Marvin, Richard Basehart, James Coburn, Charles Bronson, John Cassavetes, Ramon Navarro, Gilbert Roland, Luise Rainer, and a host of others. Favorite episodes include "Far From the Brave," "One More for the Road," "A Gift of Hope," "The Long Way Home," "The Bridge at Chalons." Only tv show for which I maintain a fansite. A great show.

Sgt. Saunders (Vic Morrow)

Lt. Hanley (Rick Jason)

Caje (Pierre Jalbert)

Kirby (Jack Hogan)

Doc (Conlan Carter)

Littlejohn (Dick Peabody)

Friday, April 02, 2010

Day 02 → Your favourite movie

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. (1954)


It's been my favorite since I was a wee thing. Other movies have come close, but nothing has ever displaced it from that top slot. I've seen it more times in the theater than a lot of newer movies. I never tire of this film. Everything about it captivates my imagination. The story. The music by Paul Smith. The characters and the actors who bring them to life. James Mason, Kirk Douglas, Paul Lukas, and Peter Lorre. The giant squid, Esmeralda the sea lion, the organ, cannibal island, Vulcania.... The movie has the most amazing underwater footage, the most exquisite matte paintings from Peter Ellenshaw.


20,000
is also quite dark for a Disney movie, despite the adventurous overtones. Murder, vengeance, suicide pacts, cannibals, atomic energy, much death and destruction... and yet it is also filled with the most amazing sense of wonder and beauty and hope. Without the latter, this movie would be nothing. It's the mix of dark themes with the hope and beauty that makes it so satisfying. I know this movie shaped who I became, particularly as a writer. Between it and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea television series, I developed a lifelong obsession with submarines and would be in the Navy right now commanding one, if women had been allowed to serve on subs back then. I had my application to Annapolis all ready to go.

This is an absolutely gorgeous movie. The submarine interior sets are sumptuous, rich and elegant, and technicolor just makes them look even more lovely. Captain Nemo does "do right well for himself," as Ned Land observes. Seeing this in the revival theaters growing up, I always wanted the shots of the salon, in particular, to linger and linger so I could just drink in the beauty of it. I covet that submarine!


When I was little, Ned Land was my favorite character. But as I've aged, Captain Nemo has become my favorite. There's so much complexity in him. I never tire of watching the little things James Mason does, of how he delivers his lines, the emotion, both hidden and apparent. There's also much unspoken complexity going on underneath the surface. His irritability with Ned Land vs. the way he lights up when he gets to talk about the ocean with Arronax. There are also many tiny visual things that are never explained. Such as his relationship with his first mate (played by the wonderful Robert J. Wilke). The first mate is the only one Nemo allows to touch him physically, the only one he truly trusts, even though any of the rest of his crew will give their lives for him. It's subtle and very interesting.


I also never fully appreciated Professor Aronnax or Paul Lukas when I was young. Now, I love his character, his optimism and hope, his enthusiasm to make the world a better place. And Peter Lorre, of course, is always wonderful.


This is a movie I never wanted to know how it was made. I never wanted the magic of it lessened by the reality of movie-making. Though I would give anything to go back in time and walk through the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea exhibit at Disneyland. They had the sets, etc. My mom tells wonderful stories of hanging out in the exhibit. One of my fondest memories is of meeting Kirk Douglas, telling him how much I loved this movie, and having him sing part of A Whale of a Tale to me!

Already a day late

So, I'd set aside this meme after several Live Journal friends started it March 1st for me to do in April... and what happens? April 1st comes and goes!

So... here's the daily line up that I'll be following.

Day 01 → Your favourite song
Day 02 → Your favourite movie
Day 03 → Your favourite television programme
Day 04 → Your favourite book
Day 05 → Your favourite quote
Day 06 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 → A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 → A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 → A photo you took
Day 10 → A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 → A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 → A fictional book
Day 14 → A non-fictional book
Day 15 → A fanfic
Day 16 → A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 → An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 → A talent of yours
Day 20 → A hobby of yours
Day 21 → A recipe
Day 22 → A website
Day 23 → A YouTube video
Day 24 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 → Your day, in great detail
Day 26 → Your week, in great detail
Day 27 → This month, in great detail
Day 28 → This year, in great detail
Day 29 → Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 → Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 01 → Your favourite song
Hm. Are opera arias and soundtrack cues included? Of course they are, cuz I say so, and they're my music of choice. If so, this is easy. I've probably said this before, but "Winter March" from Patton by Jerry Goldsmith is my favorite piece of music of all time. No matter how much I love everything else, it's still the one I come back to, the one I've listened to the longest. It went on the first cassette tape I ever owned. Alas, I can't find this piece online anywhere. Sorry.

But for the sake of being fair, I'm going to force myself to think SONG. In which case, I'd have to go with my favorite Beatles song, which is "The Night Before."