It's coming, it's really coming!!!
I recommend watching in 720p HD and in full screen for the best effect.
Just in time for Christmas.....
---
May the newborn Christ Child bless you and fill your hearts with His peace, His joy, His light, and His innocence.
Enjoy this Christmas as a child.
Pax Christi,
Clare
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Dear Chico...
This is Chico.
We've had Chico for almost 11 years; my brother and I got him for our birthdays (He was turning 9 on November 29 and I was turning 7 on December 2 so we got Chico on December 5, I think it was). I almost can't remember a time when we didn't have Chico.
Chico died yesterday. He was almost 12 years old. I miss him so much...
Dear Chico,
It's hard to imagine that you're gone. You have always been such a solid part of my childhood -- a fixed and stable family member that always was there to listen even when you didn't understand. But your death is just another event to remind me that even friends don't last forever.
I will always remember every little part of your lovable personality: the way you chased Scruffy (our Maltese) up and down the dining room, the way you hung your head as if you were always afraid of being guilty, the way you wrestled with Seamus (our terrier), the way you hated to wear red ribbons at Christmastime but never complained, the way you rarely complained about anything, even in your last terrible days when you were so sick, the way you sat on Scruffy's tail and made him scream, the way my brother and I had to get our two friends to help us hang on to you when we were little and you wanted to chase after a dog, the way your tail waved like a flag when you were wandering in the backyard, the way your soulful brown eyes sparkled, the way you begged and shook hands and played dead on command, the way you loved carrots, the way you howled when someone prompted you by howling, the way you hated anyone to touch your stomach because you were so fat, the way you made beds out of random pieces of cloth lying on the floor...
Life will never be the same without you. I will always miss you because you were my puppy.
I love you, buddy.
-Clare
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Save the Whales?
I tend to stay away from current events in my blog, because they generally annoy or depress me so much. I also like to spare any readers of my blog similar discomfort. But this story, which I read in today's paper, just couldn't go by without a sarcastic comment from me.
"PETA accuses SeaWorld of enslaving orcas"
(follow this link if you'd like to read the whole story)
Here's the scoop: Some folks from PETA, concerned over the health conditions of some orcas at SeaWorld, got together and began forming a lawsuit against SeaWorld. They worked on this suit for 18 months. Why it took them that long, I don't know. Did it take folks that long to come up with the simple bumper sticker slogan "Save the whales?" At any rate, it took them 18 months -- probably because they were scrabbling for any scrap of legal law/document (like the 13th amendment) that could somehow be applied to whales instead of humans. But more on this later. For right now, suffice it to say that SeaWorld replied that PETA's suit was "baseless" -- an understandable remark, as any average pet owner with a little bit of common sense knows. (Although there seems to be a considerable lack thereof, so maybe we should call it "unusual sense"?)
As if this wasn't bad enough, read this statement from Jeff Kerr, PETA's general counsel:
"By any definition, these orcas are slaves — kidnapped from their homes, kept confined, denied everything that's natural to them and forced to perform tricks for SeaWorld's profit."
Kerr's beginning statement, By any definition, fascinates me. Interesting choice of words, wouldn't you say? I was compelled to look up the actual definition of the word "slave", as it's not a word that I've ever had to look up before. Until now, every English-speaking person seemed to agree unconsciously on the exact meaning of "slave". So here's what I found:
1. a person who is the property of and wholly subject to another; a bond servant.
2. a person entirely under the domination of some influence or person
"Person" seems to be the key word here. According to Kerr, an orca is a person. And if an orca is a person, then any animal is a person.
Quick, let's rally to the cause of the poor little house flies! These helpless persons are being trapped and enslaved in the webs of the nasty, mean old spiders!! But wait a minute -- these spiders have rights too! They're persons, after all! Stop stepping on all the spiders, you evil human beings, because they're people just as much as you are!
Enough of that. Moving on, let's look at PETA's claim regarding the 13th amendment. According to tbo.com:
"People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is accusing the SeaWorld parks of keeping five star-performer whales in conditions that violate the 13th Amendment ban on slavery. The suit...hinges on the fact that the 13th Amendment, while prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude, does not specify that only humans can be victims."
This also intrigued me, so I decided to look up the 13th Amendment as well and see how PETA could get evidence for their claim from this integral part of our constitution. They are right on one point, that the Amendment indeed does not specify that only humans can be victims. (I'm sure Abraham Lincoln did not feel that such detail was necessary.) It does, however, say that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude" shall continue in the United States. Involuntary, hmm. Do whales really have the will to make voluntary choices?
In case you're wondering, here is the meaning of the word "voluntary":
1. done, made, brought about, undertaken, etc., of one's own accord or by free choice
2. of, pertaining to, or acting in accord with the will
"Free choice", "in accord with the will" -- these seem to imply that slavery is only slavery when the person (or maybe PETA would say the creature) involved would choose to do otherwise than what he is currently doing but is forcefully prevented from doing so.
Sure, the whales would immediately swim for the open ocean if they were given the opportunity. But is this not merely the act of instinct? Could you really imagine the whale keeper standing in front of the whales with a bucket of fish and saying to them in a reasonable tone, "Now you can choose between freedom and food; which would you like to have?"
The point is, WHALES DO NOT HAVE FREE WILL, because they do not have sophisticated intellects like humans do. They do not have reason. They can't look at the whale keeper's bucket of fish and say, "Oh, that looks really tasty, and the open ocean is too dangerous, so I think I'll stay here." (On a more spiritual level, they also do not have immortal souls, but that's beside the point.)
Perhaps I am getting too wound up about this. But it's hard to see something like this going on, and know that millions of unborn babies have been murdered because they do not have rights. It's also hard to see fellow Americans disrespect the dignity and sacredness of our Constitution by lowering it to the level of mindless beasts.
This is not to say that I don't love whales. I think they are beautiful creatures, but please don't ask me to treat them like human beings. This is just taking "Save the whales" a step too far. Instead of "Save the whales" it should be "Save my sanity" -- please!
Lady Clare
Monday, October 3, 2011
The True Woman
Currently reading: "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo
Most recently watched movie: "Clue"
Current favorite quote: "Being a tiger just isn't all it's cracked up to be." -Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes
--
Just a few words I wrote down one time while in prayer...
The True Woman
Let me be as the woman at the well, and allow You to read my heart.
Let me be as the adulteress, and accept from You a pure heart.
Let me be as Magdalen, and give my all to wash Your feet.
Let me be as Martha, and serve You with my life.
Let me be as Mary, and make my heart Your listening spouse of silence.
Let me be as Elizabeth, and recognize Your hiddenness in others.
Let me, O Jesus, be as Queen, accepting Your Church with the love of a mother, waiting at the foot of the Cross, loving You even when my soul is lost in dark night, because these are the moments when You are closest to me.
--
Pax,
Lady Clare
Most recently watched movie: "Clue"
Current favorite quote: "Being a tiger just isn't all it's cracked up to be." -Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes
--
Just a few words I wrote down one time while in prayer...
The True Woman
Let me be as the woman at the well, and allow You to read my heart.
Let me be as the adulteress, and accept from You a pure heart.
Let me be as Magdalen, and give my all to wash Your feet.
Let me be as Martha, and serve You with my life.
Let me be as Mary, and make my heart Your listening spouse of silence.
Let me be as Elizabeth, and recognize Your hiddenness in others.
Let me, O Jesus, be as Queen, accepting Your Church with the love of a mother, waiting at the foot of the Cross, loving You even when my soul is lost in dark night, because these are the moments when You are closest to me.
--
Pax,
Lady Clare
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Some (almost) Philosophical Thoughts
(I realized that my current book, movie, and quote are pretty much the same as my last post, so I'm not even going to bother re-posting those. :P)
--
Have you ever considered the notion that you don't know yourself very well?
It's an interesting thought. Your initial reaction might be that you know yourself better than any other person in the world. It must be so, you may declare, because you are the only person who knows your innermost thoughts and feelings and you are the only one who knows what you are going to do next. Most of the time, at least. You will perhaps acknowledge that God knows all these things as well (better than you do, in fact) but speaking in terms of mortals, you're pretty much the best source of information on yourself.
I contend that this is not true, strictly speaking. In fact, in my own personal experience, I've discovered that my family and close friends often know me better than I know myself.
But more on that later. For now, let's consider the question of knowing yourself. I believe that it is a life-long process. There are few -- if any -- natural wonders of the world more spectacular than the human being, and humans have spent all their time since the beginning of their existence in delving deeper into themselves, whether they know it or not.
Let me get one thing straight here. I'm not talking about Buddhism or Hinduism or yoga or some other Eastern-type religion or practice that might make you fidget in your seat with all its talk of being one with yourself and the earth. I'm not asking you to go outside and lie down with the flowers and close your eyes and try to bring out your inner spirit, and in the meanwhile attempt to ignore all the creepy-crawly bugs that decide to use you for a playground. (Let me add, however, that I myself enjoy yoga and see nothing wrong with meditation -- just so long as you are meditating on truth and the one true God. I also have absolutely nothing against Eastern religions [in fact, I am somewhat fascinated by them, and I appreciate many of their qualities], so please don't label me as a racist. I just know that there are many people in the world who are prejudiced against another group of people, and that group of people are prejudiced against another group of people, and I wish we would all learn to accept and listen to each other, because even the most seemingly-misled people have some truth to offer.)
So. Where was I? Oh yes, I was talking about humans diving deeper into themselves in order to find out more about themselves. Well, this is nothing new or foreign. The ancient Greeks, the basis of our modern civilization and culture, had a common maxim among them. You may have heard it before:
Know thyself.
Many of the famous Greek philosophers used this admonition as the inspiration for some of their dialogues. Socrates, in particular, comes to mind (but that's just because he's pretty much the only Greek philosopher I know very well, and whose work I've read). So what meaning does this have for us today?
It may be a tempting thought to believe that we 21st century folk are a completely defiled culture, devoid of any logic and reason and art. It may be tempting to think that our generation could care less about morality or philosophy or truth. I used to think this way myself. While it may be true that we are a lamentably degraded culture, it is good to remember that there are still many people who wish for a higher lifestyle, and who strive for a more enlightened mind -- like you and me. (Thank God for my upbringing that made me who I am now!) It is also somewhat comforting to remember that sin has been in the world since almost the very beginning, and there has never been a culture as pure and undefiled as we would like it to be. (Take the Middle Ages, for example. They were in pretty bad shape, and the people of that time were rather corrupt. I think that's why they needed chivalry and the knighthood and all those noble morals and guidelines, because they needed to balance out the evil. I don't really know, but that's my impression.) But most importantly, we should remember that the search for truth is timeless and universal and we will never know enough about the world and ourselves to be satisfied. Humans are very curious creatures. Have you ever noticed that we ask a lot of questions?
This is a very long post, so I think I will make this a part one and write a part two later. But for now, in regards to the meaning of Know thyself...I think part of the "knowing" lies in the "being".
Pax,
Lady Clare
--
Have you ever considered the notion that you don't know yourself very well?
It's an interesting thought. Your initial reaction might be that you know yourself better than any other person in the world. It must be so, you may declare, because you are the only person who knows your innermost thoughts and feelings and you are the only one who knows what you are going to do next. Most of the time, at least. You will perhaps acknowledge that God knows all these things as well (better than you do, in fact) but speaking in terms of mortals, you're pretty much the best source of information on yourself.
I contend that this is not true, strictly speaking. In fact, in my own personal experience, I've discovered that my family and close friends often know me better than I know myself.
But more on that later. For now, let's consider the question of knowing yourself. I believe that it is a life-long process. There are few -- if any -- natural wonders of the world more spectacular than the human being, and humans have spent all their time since the beginning of their existence in delving deeper into themselves, whether they know it or not.
Let me get one thing straight here. I'm not talking about Buddhism or Hinduism or yoga or some other Eastern-type religion or practice that might make you fidget in your seat with all its talk of being one with yourself and the earth. I'm not asking you to go outside and lie down with the flowers and close your eyes and try to bring out your inner spirit, and in the meanwhile attempt to ignore all the creepy-crawly bugs that decide to use you for a playground. (Let me add, however, that I myself enjoy yoga and see nothing wrong with meditation -- just so long as you are meditating on truth and the one true God. I also have absolutely nothing against Eastern religions [in fact, I am somewhat fascinated by them, and I appreciate many of their qualities], so please don't label me as a racist. I just know that there are many people in the world who are prejudiced against another group of people, and that group of people are prejudiced against another group of people, and I wish we would all learn to accept and listen to each other, because even the most seemingly-misled people have some truth to offer.)
So. Where was I? Oh yes, I was talking about humans diving deeper into themselves in order to find out more about themselves. Well, this is nothing new or foreign. The ancient Greeks, the basis of our modern civilization and culture, had a common maxim among them. You may have heard it before:
Know thyself.
Many of the famous Greek philosophers used this admonition as the inspiration for some of their dialogues. Socrates, in particular, comes to mind (but that's just because he's pretty much the only Greek philosopher I know very well, and whose work I've read). So what meaning does this have for us today?
It may be a tempting thought to believe that we 21st century folk are a completely defiled culture, devoid of any logic and reason and art. It may be tempting to think that our generation could care less about morality or philosophy or truth. I used to think this way myself. While it may be true that we are a lamentably degraded culture, it is good to remember that there are still many people who wish for a higher lifestyle, and who strive for a more enlightened mind -- like you and me. (Thank God for my upbringing that made me who I am now!) It is also somewhat comforting to remember that sin has been in the world since almost the very beginning, and there has never been a culture as pure and undefiled as we would like it to be. (Take the Middle Ages, for example. They were in pretty bad shape, and the people of that time were rather corrupt. I think that's why they needed chivalry and the knighthood and all those noble morals and guidelines, because they needed to balance out the evil. I don't really know, but that's my impression.) But most importantly, we should remember that the search for truth is timeless and universal and we will never know enough about the world and ourselves to be satisfied. Humans are very curious creatures. Have you ever noticed that we ask a lot of questions?
This is a very long post, so I think I will make this a part one and write a part two later. But for now, in regards to the meaning of Know thyself...I think part of the "knowing" lies in the "being".
Pax,
Lady Clare
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Back again
Currently reading: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Most recently watched movie: North and South
Current favorite quote: "No one is so advanced in prayer that he does not often have to return to the beginning." -St. Teresa of Avila
--
Well, I'm back. It's deplorable how unfaithful I've been to blogging. How long has it been since my last post? I don't even know. So many things have happened, I don't know where or how to begin. I suppose this will be one of those random, incoherent posts... :P
First of all, and perhaps most importantly...I'm an aunt!!! My brother and his wife just had their first baby, and the first grandchild in our family. Here she is:
Isn't she adorable?? Just as cute as a button. *cue awwwww sound*
What else? School is starting up soon. It's hard to believe how quickly the summer went by -- I don't think I really got anything done that I wanted to get done this summer. I just didn't have time because of work. Yes, I now have a job! I work at the store of this shrine near us, so mostly I work in customer service -- you know, answering phone calls, directing people to the right transfer, giving them information, taking orders. I also work in the gift shop. It's been a really great experience, and I love working a job where I get to help people out. I never realized just how much I would like it. You'd think that it would inspire me to be more helpful around the house, but it seems that strangers are easier to help out than your family. Do you ever feel the same way? It's funny how the people you're closest to are oftentimes the hardest ones to get along with....
School. Yes. I'll be a senior this year, so I have to start thinking about applying to colleges. Actually, there's really only one college I want to apply to. I fell in love with it ever since I first heard about it and I've been wanting to go there ever since. Here's the website: wyoming catholicollege.com
So for my senior year, I will still be homeschooled (of course!), and I will again be taking some classes at the community college near us. I don't know all the classes I'm taking yet, but here's what I know so far:
(College) Drawing I
Intro to Psychology
(Homeschool) Church History
Algebra II
Latin
American Literature (possibly only in the spring semester)
I'm also supposed to be taking the SAT for the second time in October. Hope that goes well (yikes!). The first time I took the SAT, I got a pretty decent score, but I thought I may as well try and up my math scores (where I scored the lowest). So I'll be doing some Algebra I review before the SAT, and really getting into Algebra II after the SAT.
This is probably all rather boring, but I'm not sure what else to write about! Until I get into my blogging groove, my posts will be mostly random updates like this. Oh, I got a laptop! That's what I'm using right now. I need one for college next year, but my parents got me a laptop now so I could use it for the psychology class I'm taking this year at the community college (it's an online class).
So anyway, that's my life. Not in a nutshell. Just kind of...a generalization. It's hard to express everything you've gone through in a few months in a few paragraphs. Ah well.
Pax,
Lady Clare
Most recently watched movie: North and South
Current favorite quote: "No one is so advanced in prayer that he does not often have to return to the beginning." -St. Teresa of Avila
--
Well, I'm back. It's deplorable how unfaithful I've been to blogging. How long has it been since my last post? I don't even know. So many things have happened, I don't know where or how to begin. I suppose this will be one of those random, incoherent posts... :P
First of all, and perhaps most importantly...I'm an aunt!!! My brother and his wife just had their first baby, and the first grandchild in our family. Here she is:
Isn't she adorable?? Just as cute as a button. *cue awwwww sound*
What else? School is starting up soon. It's hard to believe how quickly the summer went by -- I don't think I really got anything done that I wanted to get done this summer. I just didn't have time because of work. Yes, I now have a job! I work at the store of this shrine near us, so mostly I work in customer service -- you know, answering phone calls, directing people to the right transfer, giving them information, taking orders. I also work in the gift shop. It's been a really great experience, and I love working a job where I get to help people out. I never realized just how much I would like it. You'd think that it would inspire me to be more helpful around the house, but it seems that strangers are easier to help out than your family. Do you ever feel the same way? It's funny how the people you're closest to are oftentimes the hardest ones to get along with....
School. Yes. I'll be a senior this year, so I have to start thinking about applying to colleges. Actually, there's really only one college I want to apply to. I fell in love with it ever since I first heard about it and I've been wanting to go there ever since. Here's the website: wyoming catholicollege.com
So for my senior year, I will still be homeschooled (of course!), and I will again be taking some classes at the community college near us. I don't know all the classes I'm taking yet, but here's what I know so far:
(College) Drawing I
Intro to Psychology
(Homeschool) Church History
Algebra II
Latin
American Literature (possibly only in the spring semester)
I'm also supposed to be taking the SAT for the second time in October. Hope that goes well (yikes!). The first time I took the SAT, I got a pretty decent score, but I thought I may as well try and up my math scores (where I scored the lowest). So I'll be doing some Algebra I review before the SAT, and really getting into Algebra II after the SAT.
This is probably all rather boring, but I'm not sure what else to write about! Until I get into my blogging groove, my posts will be mostly random updates like this. Oh, I got a laptop! That's what I'm using right now. I need one for college next year, but my parents got me a laptop now so I could use it for the psychology class I'm taking this year at the community college (it's an online class).
So anyway, that's my life. Not in a nutshell. Just kind of...a generalization. It's hard to express everything you've gone through in a few months in a few paragraphs. Ah well.
Pax,
Lady Clare
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Movie Review: The King's Speech
Currently reading: Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Most recently watched movie: Batman Begins
Current favorite quote: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!" -Dory from Finding Nemo (I love love LOVE Dory!!)
---
This movie just came out in late 2010, but it is one of the best movies of the year.
Starring Colin Firth as Prince Albert (later to become King George VI), Helena Bonham Carter as his wife, Elizabeth, and Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue, this movie has been nominated for 12 Academy Awards. It is a simple, quiet story about a man of great position and responsibility, whose stutter prevented him from giving encouragement to his people when they needed it. It is a movie about friendship and true love, about morality and respect for the age-old traditions and values. It is a movie lacking nudity, sex, violence, and crassness. Rarely does Hollywood hand movie-watchers such a gem.
(Note: May contain spoilers!)
King George V (father of George VI), is an elderly man with a problem on his hands. His oldest son, Edward (known as David to his family), is the heir to the throne, but he is an irresponsible, morally-lax playboy. The more steady Albert, George V's younger son, is his father's only hope. Unfortunately, Albert has a solid stammer that makes him something of an embarrassment to the family when he speaks in public.
Albert, however, has come to terms with his stammer -- somewhat. A pathetic stream of bumbling doctors has led him to believe that his stammer cannot be cured, but he doesn't allow it to prevent him from telling stories to his little girls, Elizabeth and Margaret.
Albert's acceptance of his situation has become what it is mostly from the support of his loving wife, the elegant Queen Elizabeth. Determined to find help for her husband, Elizabeth manages to find a man whose fine reputation as a speech therapist is not tarnished by his commoner status: Lionel Logue.
Lionel Logue's methods are "unorthodox", but he has a steady faith in his abilities to help those with speech impediments. His first session with Albert turns out rather badly, however, as Albert becomes increasingly frustrated by Lionel's quirkiness and odd questions. Lionel makes a bet with Albert, laying one shilling on the belief that Albert can read a few lines from Shakespeare without stumbling. Albert, incredulous, neither takes the bet nor wishes to read; but Lionel insists. He further places headphones on the Prince's head, blasting Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" in Albert's ear while Albert reads. Albert throws off the headphones in annoyance a few minutes later; but before he can storm out of the room, Lionel hands him a record with a recording of Albert's recitation of Shakespeare.
Albert listens to the record later, his curiousity overcoming his initial fear and doubt. He places it on the record player and sits down to listen. Loud and clear comes the soliloquy "To be or not to be...", read without a single stammer by the unsuspecting Prince. Next scene, Albert is again sitting on Lionel's couch.
Beginning with basic breathing and speaking exercises (such as tongue-twisters), Lionel begins working with Albert. Although at first their relationship as patient and therapist is somewhat superficial, Lionel begins digging deeper into Albert's psychological mindset. He says that no child learns to speak with a stammer, and finds out eventually that Albert's stammer and abuse from Albert's nanny started about the same time, when Albert was 5 or 6 years old. Although both Albert and Lionel make mistakes, their friendship deepens as they continue working together. It is ultimately Lionel who pulls the King out of his fear and doubts into confidence and peace. In the beginnings of World War II, in one of England's most critical hours, Albert is able to be the role model of courage and gentleness that his people need.
(Picture of the real King George VI and Queen Elizabeth)
-
It is hard to find words to properly describe this movie. It is pure crystal. Do not let the R rating turn you off! The only reason it is rated R is because of a little bit of bad language. The S word and F word are repeated over and over, but I have to say that the context is actually rather funny. Lionel discovers that when Albert swears angrily, he doesn't stammer; so he asks the King to repeat all the swear words he knows. It is a brief scene, and not meant to be insulting or crude. I can think of many PG-13 movies that are infinitely worse, and should have been rated R.
Anyway, as I said, this movie is pure crystal. The pacing is quiet and gentle, and the acting is superb. It is a movie worth seeing over and over again, for it is beautiful, good, and true. It is one of the most inspiring movies I have ever seen. Definitely makes it to the top three movies of 2010, in my opinion. ;)
Pax,
Lady Clare
Most recently watched movie: Batman Begins
Current favorite quote: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!" -Dory from Finding Nemo (I love love LOVE Dory!!)
---
This movie just came out in late 2010, but it is one of the best movies of the year.
Starring Colin Firth as Prince Albert (later to become King George VI), Helena Bonham Carter as his wife, Elizabeth, and Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue, this movie has been nominated for 12 Academy Awards. It is a simple, quiet story about a man of great position and responsibility, whose stutter prevented him from giving encouragement to his people when they needed it. It is a movie about friendship and true love, about morality and respect for the age-old traditions and values. It is a movie lacking nudity, sex, violence, and crassness. Rarely does Hollywood hand movie-watchers such a gem.
(Note: May contain spoilers!)
King George V (father of George VI), is an elderly man with a problem on his hands. His oldest son, Edward (known as David to his family), is the heir to the throne, but he is an irresponsible, morally-lax playboy. The more steady Albert, George V's younger son, is his father's only hope. Unfortunately, Albert has a solid stammer that makes him something of an embarrassment to the family when he speaks in public.
Albert, however, has come to terms with his stammer -- somewhat. A pathetic stream of bumbling doctors has led him to believe that his stammer cannot be cured, but he doesn't allow it to prevent him from telling stories to his little girls, Elizabeth and Margaret.
Albert's acceptance of his situation has become what it is mostly from the support of his loving wife, the elegant Queen Elizabeth. Determined to find help for her husband, Elizabeth manages to find a man whose fine reputation as a speech therapist is not tarnished by his commoner status: Lionel Logue.
Lionel Logue's methods are "unorthodox", but he has a steady faith in his abilities to help those with speech impediments. His first session with Albert turns out rather badly, however, as Albert becomes increasingly frustrated by Lionel's quirkiness and odd questions. Lionel makes a bet with Albert, laying one shilling on the belief that Albert can read a few lines from Shakespeare without stumbling. Albert, incredulous, neither takes the bet nor wishes to read; but Lionel insists. He further places headphones on the Prince's head, blasting Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" in Albert's ear while Albert reads. Albert throws off the headphones in annoyance a few minutes later; but before he can storm out of the room, Lionel hands him a record with a recording of Albert's recitation of Shakespeare.
Albert listens to the record later, his curiousity overcoming his initial fear and doubt. He places it on the record player and sits down to listen. Loud and clear comes the soliloquy "To be or not to be...", read without a single stammer by the unsuspecting Prince. Next scene, Albert is again sitting on Lionel's couch.
Beginning with basic breathing and speaking exercises (such as tongue-twisters), Lionel begins working with Albert. Although at first their relationship as patient and therapist is somewhat superficial, Lionel begins digging deeper into Albert's psychological mindset. He says that no child learns to speak with a stammer, and finds out eventually that Albert's stammer and abuse from Albert's nanny started about the same time, when Albert was 5 or 6 years old. Although both Albert and Lionel make mistakes, their friendship deepens as they continue working together. It is ultimately Lionel who pulls the King out of his fear and doubts into confidence and peace. In the beginnings of World War II, in one of England's most critical hours, Albert is able to be the role model of courage and gentleness that his people need.
(Picture of the real King George VI and Queen Elizabeth)
-
It is hard to find words to properly describe this movie. It is pure crystal. Do not let the R rating turn you off! The only reason it is rated R is because of a little bit of bad language. The S word and F word are repeated over and over, but I have to say that the context is actually rather funny. Lionel discovers that when Albert swears angrily, he doesn't stammer; so he asks the King to repeat all the swear words he knows. It is a brief scene, and not meant to be insulting or crude. I can think of many PG-13 movies that are infinitely worse, and should have been rated R.
Anyway, as I said, this movie is pure crystal. The pacing is quiet and gentle, and the acting is superb. It is a movie worth seeing over and over again, for it is beautiful, good, and true. It is one of the most inspiring movies I have ever seen. Definitely makes it to the top three movies of 2010, in my opinion. ;)
Pax,
Lady Clare
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Re-Return of the Procrastinating Poster
Currently reading: Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy [For those of you who have seen Inkheart, do you remember this quote? "Well, for the love of Thomas Hardy!"]
Most recently watched movie: Casablanca
Current favorite quote: "You Yourself contain all things and it is by containing things that You fill them. For those vessels which are full of You do not, as it were, keep You in a fixed condition; since, if they were broken, You would not be dispersed. And when You are poured out over us, it is not You who are brought low but us who are raised up, not You who are scattered but us who are brought together. You who fill everything are wholly present in everything which You fill." -from St. Augustine's Confessions [Yes, I'm reading that, too!]
Picture of the day:
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Well, folks, it has been awhile, hasn't it? I have to say that I am just about the worst blogger ever. :P Ah well.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all that!! I can't say I'm less busy than I was last year (see all the complaining in my last post), but I'm determined to not let it bog me down. My classes this year consist of:
(Homeschool)
Theology of the Body (again)
British Literature (again)
Chemistry (again)
Economics
Algebra II (not a co-op class)
Latin (not a co-op class)
Home Economics (not a co-op class)
(College)
College Composition I
Guitar
Yoga
So yes, I'm still busy. I'm pretty excited about this semester, though. I just had my first College Composition class at the college yesterday, and it looks like it will be really cool. My teacher rocks, which always helps. ;) I'm super excited about my guitar and yoga classes. I actually was supposed to have my first guitar class today, but I was late because I couldn't find the building, so I missed it. Eh, story of my life. :P I have to say that I'm a little bit leerie of my yoga class, if only because of the "spirituality" that generally accompanies yoga. But I'm doing it for the sake of exercise, and hopefully I won't have a very "spiritual" teacher. Cross your fingers. ;)
I really want to get back into writing. I didn't have much of a chance last semester to do any of my own writing; it was mostly for school. Our computer is also currently getting "fixed", and of course all my writing files are on that computer, so I can't access them right now. My book is calling to me! That isn't to say I've been paying much attention to it lately, anyway, because I haven't. ;)
Well, I hope I'm not being boring, just going on and on and on. But I guess I have to make up for all those lost months, right? Please forgive me for neglecting this blog so long....I don't mean to sound repetitive, but I really do hope to get back into the swing of things!!
Pax Christi,
Lady Clare
Most recently watched movie: Casablanca
Current favorite quote: "You Yourself contain all things and it is by containing things that You fill them. For those vessels which are full of You do not, as it were, keep You in a fixed condition; since, if they were broken, You would not be dispersed. And when You are poured out over us, it is not You who are brought low but us who are raised up, not You who are scattered but us who are brought together. You who fill everything are wholly present in everything which You fill." -from St. Augustine's Confessions [Yes, I'm reading that, too!]
Picture of the day:
--
Well, folks, it has been awhile, hasn't it? I have to say that I am just about the worst blogger ever. :P Ah well.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all that!! I can't say I'm less busy than I was last year (see all the complaining in my last post), but I'm determined to not let it bog me down. My classes this year consist of:
(Homeschool)
Theology of the Body (again)
British Literature (again)
Chemistry (again)
Economics
Algebra II (not a co-op class)
Latin (not a co-op class)
Home Economics (not a co-op class)
(College)
College Composition I
Guitar
Yoga
So yes, I'm still busy. I'm pretty excited about this semester, though. I just had my first College Composition class at the college yesterday, and it looks like it will be really cool. My teacher rocks, which always helps. ;) I'm super excited about my guitar and yoga classes. I actually was supposed to have my first guitar class today, but I was late because I couldn't find the building, so I missed it. Eh, story of my life. :P I have to say that I'm a little bit leerie of my yoga class, if only because of the "spirituality" that generally accompanies yoga. But I'm doing it for the sake of exercise, and hopefully I won't have a very "spiritual" teacher. Cross your fingers. ;)
I really want to get back into writing. I didn't have much of a chance last semester to do any of my own writing; it was mostly for school. Our computer is also currently getting "fixed", and of course all my writing files are on that computer, so I can't access them right now. My book is calling to me! That isn't to say I've been paying much attention to it lately, anyway, because I haven't. ;)
Well, I hope I'm not being boring, just going on and on and on. But I guess I have to make up for all those lost months, right? Please forgive me for neglecting this blog so long....I don't mean to sound repetitive, but I really do hope to get back into the swing of things!!
Pax Christi,
Lady Clare
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