A Movie You Have Got to See

Tonight we watched the movie "Taken" and I must say I was riveted and entertained for one and one half hours. Liam Neeson was wonderful and he made a great movie out of a very simple plot. His propensity for dodging bullets was a little over the top perhaps and his Irish brogue slipped through in a couple spots but it didn't distract from the movie itself. If you want to be entertained for an evening either rent it or download it on you computer from Amazon.com.. If I'm wrong, let me know.

20 Years of Darkness Discovered in Darkness

Have you ever thought about what it must be like to be blind? I give tremendous credit to those who are blind for their courage, fortitude and sheer will to overcome this handicap and function day to day. Daytime is darkness for them and darkness is as daytime. I am told that blind people become more attuned to the sense of hearing, vibration and proprioception by accommodation. The other senses are heightened and more keen due to the loss of another.

Image now, if you will, that after 20 years of social and emotional blindness you found out that suddenly now you could see... but the time had been lost and the events that occurred during those years forever forged your indelible stamp on other human beings. You might say to yourself, "Wait a minute, I was kept in the dark, secrets were revealed, and one certainly would have forged a different stamp had he been able to see himself as a select few saw him." "After all, mistakes can be rectified, right?" However, the die was cast, your mold was made and the die destroyed forever. It was too late. It was too late. It is too late.
I always enjoy watching movies about trials and what occurs in a courtroom. The prosecuting attorney may say something very inflammatory about the defendant and immediately the defense council bolts to his feet and says, "move to strike, your honor....inflammatory". The judge says, "sustained; the jury will disregard the prosecutor's last remark". But the fact is.....the jurors ears and mind already heard the inflammatory remark and that was the prosecutors intent all the time. He knows their mind cannot just forget forever what was said. I'd take a hundred " sustained " decisions from the judge just so that people in the jury box could hear what I wanted them to hear. Whatever happens after that is of no consequence because people just can't forget. Here is an example. For the next twenty four hours, do not think about a pink elephant on white roller skates holding an umbrella in its trunk. See what I mean? As hard as you try to not think about it you have to actively think about not thinking about it.....and then you are thinking about it again. Me too!
The person or persons for whom this particular blogs message was intended are not blind and sit behind a prosecutor's table all to themselves. Their closing argument is this: "Your honor, this defendant did irreparable damage to my client and deserves punitive time to think about what he has done and how the past he created in blindness he will now be relived over and over and over again." The jury sits mute, waiting for the defence's closing statement. The defence counsel demands a mistrial on the grounds that his client was unfit for trial because he was blind for the last 20 years and could not possibly have known the consequences of his actions. He was blind since he was six months old and that blindness still prevails today. He also has the constitutional right to face his accusers and he cannot because he is blind and can not see them." The judge tapped his gavel and gave his own decision in lieu of a jury decision. The judge stated," It is not a crime to be physically, socially or emotionally blind or ignorant or unsure unless said person committed actions with malice afore thought. "I don't feel that is the case here". "Let's be careful not to be too demanding and stringent on past mistakes one makes out of inexperience or ignorance or faulty ingrained family values." "If we do, we all are guilty at one time in our lives." "This case is closed"!

Back Again Finally and a Recent Heart Breaking Loss

At times like these, THIS is where I wish I were. I know I haven't been very up to date with my blog but I'll get better. I have a couple things to tell my friends and anyone who cares to listen. By the way, this castle is in Germany at Swan Lake in Bavaria.
On the first of this month we lost our precious Scottie whom we had for almost ten years. Her name was Maggie Mae and her death was of acute onset and shockingly sudden. Upon CT we found she had a glioblastoma of the brain and the damage was already done so she went to the rainbow bridge that day. The rainbow bridge is a place just on this side of heaven where our pets who have left this earth before us go to wait for our arrival. Then we all go across the bridge together into heaven. The story of the rainbow bridge is of Scottish lore and has been told since anyone can remember. I'll have five beloved babies waiting for me: Bonnie, Kelly, MacKenzie, Patrick and Maggie Mae. Maggie was the toughest to lose because she was with me every day since I became disabled and just her presence gave much comfort. I shall miss her a lot.
Hope does help the situation. I WILL get another Scottish Terrier puppy after this grieving process is over. We are just the type of people who have to have a Scottie. I had a room mate for a short time in medical school who had a Husky who was just absolutely beautiful. (the dog was beautiful). I'm sure Ray will know where I am coming from when it is Nanook's time. Unless you've been there you cannot really understand.
In a lot of ways dogs can be better companions than people. They give unconditional love and all they need is some food, water and a little love back. They have no hidden agendas, no ulterior motives and they are loyal. Also, one thing I have noticed about dogs...with the exception of Snoopy...is that dogs don't think absurd thoughts, have paranoid delusions, assume that what other people think about you is more important that what you think about yourself and never need risperdol or seroquel for any delusions that may present. Good thing, I couldn't afford the drugs. Talk to you later.