I never watched “Downton Abbey” when it was broadcast on television. I didn’t have a television for at least ten years so I missed a lot of the programs that people talk about. I did see some of the episodes at my sister Mandy’s home – she had bought a DVD of the first series.
But the other day I saw a review of the new “Downton Abbey” and I was actually very tempted to go along to see it. One of my friends has invited me to join her and a few of the gals for an early dinner and a jaunt to the cinema and I am seriously thinking about it (but in truth it is unlikely I will be able to squeeze it into my schedule).
If I did go…it would be the first time in about three years I have stepped foot in a cinema. That might not seem very significant – the Pandemic may have disrupted the cinema attending habits of a lot of people.
It’s not just that though. Going to the cinema (even creeping in during the adverts when it is dark) is a bit of a risk when you are on the arm of a household name. Yes, I am blaming Jack for my avoidance of the cinema.
If I had time…which in all truth I just don’t…I would probably enjoy this Downton Abbey film (would it matter I didn’t watch the series?) with a group of female friends.
Last night I came home much earlier than I was expecting because there was an electrical outage at the venue I was going to be spending the evening. The group I was with realized we were going to have to break off into smaller parties and enjoy the rest of the evening elsewhere. Although I was torn because I had been looking forward to a night out with great friends, I…opted for home. I was only ten minutes away from home and I dreaded the thought of heading off in the other direction and having to join the search for a restaurant or bar that was able to accommodate us without reservations.
Coming home early was the right decision. I had a bath and pampered myself., with products from the gift basket I was recently left by a good friend whom was a guest for a couple of nights in my sweet little abode. I put on my pyjamas (my pyjamas are completely the opposite to diaphanous) and my snuggly socks and I rang one of my sisters and then two of my friends. After all that, I realized I still had time to catch up with reading posts from bloggers I love.
One of my favourite blogs is Everyday Strange created by L. Stevens. Her Muse Of The Day two days ago (yes I am way way behind with my reading) in this post caught my eye:
…I have a story (another confession) which I am going to start and leave in my drafts folder to develop at a later date, of a time I delivered a zinger…and felt huge remorse afterwards. It was one evening when Jack had pushed my buttons. He seemed to think he could humiliate me in front of friends and others at social events. My feelings had been brewing, and then in response to a rather sly remark, I delivered a zinger, a perfect blend of poetry and meanness!
Jack was shocked. My friends were shocked. I was shocked! I did not know I had it in me to formulate a zinger and deliver it with such timing and precision that the whole room went quiet and Jack looked hurt to the core.
“….remorse inevitably followed!”
Oh Jack, how I wish I could take back my zinger! You are the last man on the planet I would ever want to hurt or humiliate!
Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly illustrate the subject of zingers so well:
I don’t seem to be getting older mentally! I dropped my things off at home after work on Tuesday night, and while I was getting ready to travel over to meet Jack on the other side of London, I flicked on the television. An actor I adore was on my screen and I was just on time for my favourite part of the movie.
I love the bumbling James Bond wannabe. Johnny English still makes me laugh, I especially love the irony of the hospital scenes! If you have not seen it, Johnny thinks he has landed on the building occupied by the man he suspects has stolen the Crown Jewels. But as you will see, poor Johnny is not quite as smooth as he would like to be!
CRUSHED CARAMEL (LEARNER AT LOVE) is a site where you will find love mentioned frequently. Love of all types! Love of family, friends, work, nature, food, music…and the romantic love that certainly makes life a drama, often a comedy and occasionally a tragedy!
So on this lovely sunny autumnal Sunday, I am going to respond to Rory’s Romcom tag and bring a splash of romance to the rest of the afternoon. Love and laughter make for a delightful movie plot. And Rory has given me the chance to think of some of my favourite movie moments!
I am delighted to have been tagged to take part in a SCENE CUTS! Challenge by Rory himself, the creator of A Guy Called Bloke, and also the creator of the SCENE CUTS! Challenge. You can see his original post below:
Select three film clips from the Movies Genre of the Day
Select 3 readers to take part in Scene Cuts
Movie Genre Today: “Romcom”
The first clip I am featuring is from one of the most incredible romantic comedies I have ever seen. Romantic – yes! Comedy – yes! Poignant and moving and inspirational and tear-jerking – incredibly so!
If you have not seen this film, “LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL”, where have you been? With the setting being the build up to the Second World War and the horrors of the concentration camps and the Holocaust, a beautiful love story is told in a delightful way. This movie does everything for me…I am laughing, smiling, crying, sobbing, cheering throughout it. What a story! What a movie!
If you watched the clip and it didn’t make complete sense, watch the whole movie – please do! But I will explain a few things for you. Dora is engaged to a man who thinks only of the advancement of his own career. So he is courting popularity and favour with the wealthy and influential of the Italian glitariati. Of course, at that time in history Italy was friendly with Hitler’s Nazi party. Dora’s engagement party is turning into a political display.
But some time before the engagement party, Dora has met Guido, an Italian Jew, who has made a big impression on her. He works for his Uncle as a waiter, and on this occasion he is serving at Dora’s engagement party. The horse you see in this clip – well, at the start of the scene, the horse (which belongs to his Jewish Uncle) has been graffitied with racist taunts, just in case you were wondering why the horse is green and has symbols painted on it. The first part of the movie which tells the story of how they fall in love, gives you hints of the challenges that they will face. For the second part of the movie, you need a box of tissues with you and chocolate, lots of chocolate!
This movie tells a very moving love story. It shows how love moves a man to do everything in his power to protect his family from the horrors around them. He tries go on caring for them in every way he can…and to help them be sure that truly, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL.
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As for my second choice…I have not actually seen this movie in full – too much swearing for me! My friends have likened me to Bridget Jones. Those who know me best say I am a combination of Bridget Jones and Maria Von Trapp. I think it would be fairer to sat, I am aiming, aspiring to be like Maria Von Trapp, but sometimes things go wrong and somehow my efforts turn out to be more Bridget Jones than Maria Von Trapp. From the clips I have seen, I can see why my friends tease me about reminding them of Bridget.
As someone who seems to end up getting herself in all sorts of trouble, in style, yet has nothing but loving motives and is full of sunshine…I can see why my life can be at times entertaining to my friends! Here are a couple of clips that friends have used to tease moi – Bridget Von Trapp is what my friends call me.
Believe me…I am always concerned that there is some bizarre drama waiting around the corner for me…and it is something I worry could cause twists and turns in my relationships. Does Jack have any idea what he is letting himself in for?
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Well my last choice of clip is the ending (so if you have not seen the movie “YOU’VE GOT MAIL” do not watch this as it might spoil the film for you!) of a movie I could happily watch over and over despite having seen it twenty times or so!
This is not so much a comedy moment…nope, we are going to end this challenge on a romantic note. Because after misunderstandings, miscommunications and misinterpretations – sometimes, wonderfully, beautifully, miraculously…love wins the day!
And how wonderful it is when that happens! I am in a state of amazement at the twist in my own romantic story. Jack! Jack, who I thought despised me…it turns out I was very very wrong about him! And I am so glad!
I am so glad romantic love exists! So glad romantic comedies exist! Thank you for all the laughs, the smiles, the tears! They have made us daydream about romance, made us at times a little crazy, at times a little creepy, at times a little rash and impetuous. But nonetheless, whether we are in or out of love…it is great to curl up on the sofa, and watch a good old romcom – especially on cold wintery weekends!
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And the three bloggers I am nominating to take part in Rory’s SCENE CUTS! Challenge are:
On Monday I published a post with my answers to questions that were part of the GETTING TO KNOW YOU challenge. In response to one of the questions I included a video of two wonderful opera singers dueting the beautiful Barcarolle – “La Nuit D’Amour” – from Offenbach’s “Tales Of Hoffman”.
It is a very beautiful song in itself…but I wondered how many other bloggers become choked up by it because of it’s connection with a film that many say is one of their favourite all time films. “La Vida Es Bella” or “Life Is Beautiful” – the story of Guido, a Jewish Italian waiter and later bookshop owner who falls in love with Dora and fathers a son named Giosuè (Joshua).
If you have never seen the film, I have added a trailer right at the bottom of this post. If you have seen this film, you totally understand why I felt teary-eyed listening to the Barcarolle! Although full of comedy, make no mistake, this is an incredibly moving film, exhibiting the courage and love of a father who seeks to protect his family from the horrors that surround them.
When I think of what others have suffered…it makes all my woes seem petty and insignificant.
Here are two clips – the night on the concert theatre … followed by a scene from the concentration camp.
Well, we are brightening up a damp chilly November weekend with yet another ray of sunshine, Tales from the mind of Kristian who has kindly nominated me for another Sunsine Blogger Award (Yaaaay! – awards are not only fun but also a good sign that someone out there is enjoying your blogging presence so I am always grateful for them).
• Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to them – thank you Kristian!
• Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you.
• Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 new questions.
• Notify the nominees by commenting on one of their blog posts.
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo on your post.
Kristian was very kind and replaced three of the original eleven questions for me (as I think I was in danger of causing no little offence to Halloween enthusiasts with some of the original questions – and why should I be belligerent?)
1) Do you have a favourite Autumn themed film/movie?
I can’t think of anything specifically autumnal. The only thing that came into my mind was this line from “You’ve Got Mail”.
I just typed into my Google search engine “autumn films” and of a long list, there were only three I had ever seen! One was “You’ve Got Mail” and another is one of my favourite films “Dead Poet’s Society” (which may be hard-going for some viewers towards the end).
2)What method of murder do you most like to see in films/movie?
The type that don’t work…you know when the bumbling police duo surprise the “baddie” before he can carry out his dastardly deed.
3) Horror or Comedy?
Not horror….so I guess we will go with comedy. I am sooooooo fussy about comedy though. I can’t stand anything that is lewd or offensive or full of bad language. I like light-heated, family fun. I love the Pixar animated movies because they are lighthearted comedy.
I like a movie the whole family can sit down and watch together.
I know we all have different tastes…but here is one little clip that encapsulates the myriad of little scenes I love in Pixar movies.
4) What’s your favourite thing to do with a pumpkin?
Probably roast it along with a ton of garlic and some sage and onion and then blitz it into soup.
To be honest, I think I only ever tackled pumpkin soup once. But I often make butternut squash soup which is lovely. I made a huge batch earlier this week and filled my freezer with soup – yum yum yum.
5) If you could choose between ruling the world or living in paradise which would you choose?
I have to admit this was the question that really caught my eye, I have read posts from the other bloggers who have answered these questions already and they have all said “living in paradise” and I quite agree. I was designed to live on this earth. I was designed for paradise.
This is a subject that fascinates me because I think most of us have the desire to live on earth. We see pockets of paradise and our heart leaps. The whole earth should be like that. Not many really want to rule as kings over the earth. Which makes sense doesn’t it. We only need a small number of rulers to govern. Those rulers should be deeply concerned with the welfare of all creatures on earth and not motivated by greed.
It is so interesting because all my life I have been asking my friends and workmates what they believe and what their hopes are for the future of mankind. Most are animated about our beautiful home and humans having a very long and lasting and wonderful future. Even if people say they believe that they will go elsewhere once they die…what their heart seems to yearn for is a paradise on earth. That makes so much sense to me because of what I have read.
6) What human trait do you like the most?
Kindness / Unselfishness
I know that is two…but sometimes people are kind for selfish reasons.
7) Which human trait do you dislike the most?
Arrogance / Conceit
Two again…but I guess I am adding flavour to what it is I dislike.
8) If we discovered an inhabitable planet and had the option to start a new life there, would you?
I don’t think it would be a matter of… “oh we found an empty planet with water and a breathable atmosphere which can sustain human life and we want to populate it. Let’s build a fancy space-ship and get a wriggle on.”
But once we have fulfilled the original purpose for the earth, for it to be a paradise full of happy healthy humans…well…that is the point – we are not there yet. We need help. The earth is not looking like it should. We are all bunched up in cities where we can’t breath in pure air, or see the stars in the sky at night.
Once the earth is FULL and we are living in harmony with it according to the Creator’s purpose, then perhaps He will consider allowing us to populate another planet. Will we be allowed to go to another planet and trash it? OH NO OH NO! Not on your nelly!
If you can’t keep a bedsit clean and tidy, why trust you with a house? Once we get our act together, and are living in a way that makes us and other creatures we share earth with thrive, maybe we will be allowed to use what we have learnt on another planet. But we are not in a fit state to be trusted with another planet right now are we!
I would not necessarily volunteer myself for being amongst the first to move to a new planet, but if He assigned me, I hope I would be willing and eager. Sure I would miss home, but both myself and members of my family have lived away from home on volunteer assignments for months, or years at a time. You get used to it and you build a family-like network amongst the people you are working with in your new assignment.
9) Have you been to a fancy dress party? What did you go as?
Several clowns, the Von Trapp children (with my siblings – there being seven of us), a teddy bear, a cat, a footballer, a nurse, a pirate, Moses’ sister Miriam, Tina Turner, a french maid, a Bollywood dancer, Carmen Miranda and I was once half of a horse (don’t ask me which half)….I can’t remember much more off the top off my head…I am sure there were other fancy dress parties and themed parties. I have been to a lot of parties.
There is a video…(Mandy’s husband’s mum has it in her possession)…of me strutting like Tina Turner in my tassel dress and an outrageous wig and belting out “River Deep Mountain High” at the top of my voice. If I were rich, that video is material they could easily use to bribe me with.
Of course I won that karaoke contest…no need to ask the question. No shame on stage! Give me the microphone and you more than get your money’s worth. I just wish videos didn’t exist because I am sure there must be more material out there I could be bribed with. Thank goodness I don’t own much.
10) Have you ever had a recurring Nightmare? Share it with us, if so.
I don’t have nightmares. I sleep like a log! Even after sleeping all night, after my head injuries, I find that if I lie down on my bed for a five minute snooze during the day-time, I might wake up and discover it is tomorrow!
When I was very young, I used to dream about a bright blue lion that chased us and we were all hiding with our neighbour’s children from the blue lion. One by one the lion caught them. The only way I escaped is by walking upside on the ceiling and then climbing out onto the roof.
I sleep so very heavily that I very rarely dream. When I do dream, well, my dreams are normally rather odd, sometimes funny. Normally my brain is trying to make sense of something new. For example if I start a new job, I tend to have a dream where I am interacting with my new workmates in a movie scene – something like Robin Hood with his merry men. Nightmares…not so much. On occasion I have dreamt that I have overslept and been late for work.
I have had flashbacks (of the night in the park) but they were when I was wide awake usually when something triggered a memory.
11) What was the last film you saw at the Cinema?
I know it might not be for everyone…but there were parts I was crying with tears. The combination of physical comedy and comic timing of Rowan Atkinson’s lovable, yet make you want to cringe, characters is a treat for me. Give that man a medal for making me laugh until I have bellyache.
That was fun! Thank you Kristian and special thanks for changing three of the questions for me.
Here are my eleven questions for my nominees:
WHAT WAS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT OR ACCOMPLISHMENT?
DO YOU HAVE ANY PHOBIAS?
IS THERE A POST ON YOUR SITE THAT IS REALLY SPECIAL TO YOU?
WHO DOES MOST OF THE CLEANING IN YOUR HOME?
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE COMEDIAN OR COMEDY SHOW?
WHAT IS YOUR TOP CHOICE OF RESTAURANT CUISINE?
DID YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE TEACHER AT SCHOOL?
HAVE YOU HAD DREAMS WHERE YOU WERE WALKING ON THE CEILING?
ARE THERE ANY BLOGGERS WHO CHEER YOU UP REGULARLY?
HAVE YOU EVER HAD SOMEONE YOU HARDLY KNEW TELL YOU THEY WERE IN LOVE WITH YOU? WHAT DID YOU DO?
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING FOR?
My eleven nominees:
Eleven bloggers who are like sunshine, producing very beautiful posts!
I am jumping on the bandwagon with what looks like a fun challenge:
10 movie challenge. You are to post just an image, no explanation, from 10 movies that had an impact on you. 10 movies, 10 images, no explanations.
You might not think much of my ten…but take a look at other bloggers below who have pubished posts with ten movies that had an impact on them. Even better, have a go yourself. Publish a post with images from ten movies that had an impact on you – no explnation. Send me a message so I can look out for your post and add a link to this post. Have fun!
Coming home early was the right decision. I had a bath and pampered myself., with products from the gift basket I was recently left by a good friend whom was a guest for a couple of nights in my sweet little abode. I put on my pyjamas (my pyjamas are completely the opposite to diaphanous) and my snuggly socks and I rang one of my sisters and then two of my friends. After all that, I realized I still had time to catch up with reading posts from bloggers I love.
CRUSHED CARAMEL (LEARNER AT LOVE) is a site where you will find love mentioned frequently. Love of all types! Love of family, friends, work, nature, food, music…and the romantic love that certainly makes life a drama, often a comedy and occasionally a tragedy!
It is a very beautiful song in itself…but I wondered how many other bloggers become choked up by it because of it’s connection with a film that many say is one of their favourite all time films. “La Vida Es Bella” or “Life Is Beautiful” – the story of Guido, a Jewish Italian waiter and later bookshop owner who falls in love with Dora and fathers a son named Giosuè (Joshua).
Probably roast it along with a ton of garlic and some sage and onion and then blitz it into soup.
6) What human trait do you like the most?
But once we have fulfilled the original purpose for the earth, for it to be a paradise full of happy healthy humans…well…that is the point – we are not there yet. We need help. The earth is not looking like it should. We are all bunched up in cities where we can’t breath in pure air, or see the stars in the sky at night.
If you can’t keep a bedsit clean and tidy, why trust you with a house? Once we get our act together, and are living in a way that makes us and other creatures we share earth with thrive, maybe we will be allowed to use what we have learnt on another planet. But we are not in a fit state to be trusted with another planet right now are we!
There is a video…(Mandy’s husband’s mum has it in her possession)…of me strutting like Tina Turner in my tassel dress and an outrageous wig and belting out “River Deep Mountain High” at the top of my voice. If I were rich, that video is material they could easily use to bribe me with.
When I was very young, I used to dream about a bright blue lion that chased us and we were all hiding with our neighbour’s children from the blue lion. One by one the lion caught them. The only way I escaped is by walking upside on the ceiling and then climbing out onto the roof.
Caramel 