tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76976443926614057552024-03-18T17:03:33.823+11:00So this is 40. Really.Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-42310435615943405592016-07-26T19:43:00.001+10:002016-07-26T19:43:29.882+10:00#82 The Psychology of ItAs you might have noticed, I've been away from this blog for quite a while. The truth is, I needed a new challenge and a different way to write.<br />
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What I created is <a href="http://thepsychologyofit.com.au/">The Psychology of It</a>, my new website bringing the human back to the science of psychology.<br />
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Why not visit me over there? I'd love to have you.<br />
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<br />Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-12901680921597391912015-10-19T19:53:00.000+11:002015-10-19T19:53:11.661+11:00#81 Cool RunningIn 2005, Kylie Minogue was forced to cancel her Showgirl tour when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I could never understand why she seemed to rush back to work and finish her tour when her body and mind had been through something as gruelling as cancer treatment - surely she had enough money, right?<br />
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I attended one of her first concerts after her comeback and she struggled. She took longer breaks between songs. She had an intermission. And she continually drank some murky dark green concoction from a drink bottle. I just couldn't understand why she would do that to herself, until someone loaned me a copy of her White Diamond documentary.<br />
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In it, she spoke about the psychological importance of "finishing what I started." And then I understood.<br />
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In October 2009, I began training for my first marathon. I found the most divine running coach whose name is Alan McCoskey. Al would come and knock on my door early on Saturday mornings and he taught me to run. By January I was running 10km and by March, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Running stopped for a while and even when I was able to run again, was so deconditioned that it literally took years before I could run 10kms again.<br />
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This year marked my 5th year of being cancer free and after years of being anxiety ridden about whether or not my cancer would ever return, I reached a wonderful place of calm. Cancer is in my past. I don't worry about it coming back anymore. I am well. I am strong.<br />
<br />And just like Kylie, I needed to prove that to myself once and for all, by finishing what I started - a marathon (well, a half-marathon - come on, I am 43!). Because I was well and healthy before I got sick, I felt as though I needed to be able to physically do something to prove that I am at least as well as I was back then. I needed to run.<br />
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I have been doing shorter runs for a couple of years now, with periods of injury and laziness. I've slowly built up my fitness and endurance (not my speed!) and this October (yesterday in fact), I achieved my goal by running my first half marathon in Melbourne. And it was nothing short of wonderful.<br />
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The conditions were perfect - still and calm - we ran up St Kilda Road through tree lined streets with only the sound of the occasional voice and cheers, and the pounding of 11,500 sets of feet. As we made our way around Albert Park Lake, I caught myself thinking twice (once at 4km and the other at 14km) that my mind was clear. I wasn't thinking. I was being. And it was liberating.<br />
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I loved every second of the first 19km and I hated the last 2km - I'd hit a bit of a wall because I didn't use my last gel pack because my tummy was a bit upset and I didn't want to risk it. I visualised lollies everywhere and was craving sugar like you wouldn't believe.<br />
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When we ran into the MCG, I took the time to look around and drink it in - I was running on the MCG! But as I got to the finish line, I didn't hear my friends cheering sadly, as I was too focussed on looking for the fruit stand beyond the finish line!<br />
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Was I in pain? Sure thing, but nothing like I'd anticipated. Am I stiff and sore today? Only a little. Was it worth it and will I do another one? Oh yeah! I cannot wait and am already planning on a little run this week.<br />
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Running frees me. And I plan to do it for as long as I can. Another bucket list item ticked off! What's your next goal?<br />
<br />Here are some photos from my run including some supportive notes from some wonderful runners and friends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the most mindful man I know - Mark!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my fabulous friend and singing running buddy - Mel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjab5p4WC5cxV9f2qZznH2CX4n-aY0JWjHtTpGPb8O1kLf_WnxrI-j5UJai4ZqvbcPEvTW5xDniDD2sQDgAGxd_8IoLA6QrF-scKWd1_tNIjtx7DmqQYIUX5_KO0n66esHWN0pcm9jQKy55/s1600/FB_IMG_1445077241449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjab5p4WC5cxV9f2qZznH2CX4n-aY0JWjHtTpGPb8O1kLf_WnxrI-j5UJai4ZqvbcPEvTW5xDniDD2sQDgAGxd_8IoLA6QrF-scKWd1_tNIjtx7DmqQYIUX5_KO0n66esHWN0pcm9jQKy55/s320/FB_IMG_1445077241449.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing the night before the big race</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZOVRId6HVUwX3x2AWOBGEampkduvU5A_8Fck8ULip9JRrxbEbdjFvOUjynlmKMPyS6B3y5iUhclz7liAtq5hJvtv4aan0QAeYZOK6OlYjiI8llVRp2FI4MwAO0Kj8CzAlnauXlAZfGOI/s1600/Half+marathon+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZOVRId6HVUwX3x2AWOBGEampkduvU5A_8Fck8ULip9JRrxbEbdjFvOUjynlmKMPyS6B3y5iUhclz7liAtq5hJvtv4aan0QAeYZOK6OlYjiI8llVRp2FI4MwAO0Kj8CzAlnauXlAZfGOI/s320/Half+marathon+photo.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at about the 19km mark with fabulous Melbourne in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running in the MCG right before the finish line - I'm the one at the back</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxidOLuDPeVKqy1v_OyPaWN3MvJoVtAlFw7CV6VbI6YSpwqISCnR99ryEj8bDO4qyYhbW28gZpVRvso7-tK8sXuqxaRTvBRh1k-pEI1Gg7_o2dY3yL0qyQKBV1fpzpvJwhKQjCiYFlmgSI/s1600/20151018_111954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxidOLuDPeVKqy1v_OyPaWN3MvJoVtAlFw7CV6VbI6YSpwqISCnR99ryEj8bDO4qyYhbW28gZpVRvso7-tK8sXuqxaRTvBRh1k-pEI1Gg7_o2dY3yL0qyQKBV1fpzpvJwhKQjCiYFlmgSI/s320/20151018_111954.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ever supportive Nat who flew down from Sydney to run and cheer me on</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OoeX7ZqjpzV6nvgRrpl538VwexLMv7Zg60n1-3drMaawz-2asnjsy5BpTzD454BClfePEaS56W8x4hzMXpzOf5fFH9jC5i257cWJ_IIXbCT__9qaMgSmuid4LjafJuUZAFMq54aEcmH-/s1600/half+marathon+cert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OoeX7ZqjpzV6nvgRrpl538VwexLMv7Zg60n1-3drMaawz-2asnjsy5BpTzD454BClfePEaS56W8x4hzMXpzOf5fFH9jC5i257cWJ_IIXbCT__9qaMgSmuid4LjafJuUZAFMq54aEcmH-/s320/half+marathon+cert.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof - slow and steady finishes the race!</td></tr>
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Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-35378895487460962112015-10-11T19:02:00.000+11:002015-10-11T19:02:14.328+11:00#80 Spirituality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are three weeks into our volunteer training for Hospice in the Home and our last lesson was an enlightening, warm and comforting session on spirituality.<br />
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I was raised in a non-practicing Catholic family, next door to my Godmother Bernie, who took it upon herself to enlighten me/us (my sister too sometimes) to the traditions of Catholic mass on a Saturday night or Sunday morning, and my favourite, Christmas Eve. Despite her best efforts though, I think I decided very early on that I wasn't religious.<br />
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As I've gotten older however, my spirituality has grown and in fact, I find myself quite interested in the different religions with a distant desire to one day learn more about them all. As a part of my post-grad studies I even compared the impact of religion versus existential spirituality on the psychological adjustment to living with cancer. I think it was then that I learnt a definition of spirituality that sat well with me and that opened my mind and my life to the concept that the guilt I felt at not believing in God, could indeed be substituted by my belief in whatever I found meaningful and purposeful in my life.<br />
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That's why I enjoyed our lesson so much this week. Our instructor, a clinical pastoral care worker named Anne, helped us tease apart our thoughts about Religion Vs Faith Vs Spirituality. The differences in vocabulary that we chose for each category astounded me - words such as war and hatred were listed under 'Religion', while 'Spirituality' conjured only words like peace and calm.<br />
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We talked about the end of life, where people choose to die, who they choose to be with when they die, what brings them peace at the end and so much more.<br />
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Anne spoke of the ways she has helped people feel less scared at the end, and less alone. Comforted until after the very last breath.<br />
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I knew in part that I wanted to undertake this training in order to address my own fears of dying and I can honestly say, that in that room on Wednesday night, after that conversation, with every person in that room, I didn't feel a trace of fear at all.<br />
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I can't wait to see how I feel once the training is complete. I feel like it's already achieved my goal.Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-91820956373297726052015-10-10T10:03:00.001+11:002015-10-10T10:03:27.262+11:00#79 Dear Rocky - The Martian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Rocky,<br />
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From the moment I saw the preview of The Martian I was engrossed and counted down the days till it came to our cinema. While the rest of our nation watched the AFL Football Grand Final last Saturday, my Dad and I went to see Matt Damon in The Martian.<br />
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How ironic that a film with that title is actually a very human film. Human spirit, human connection, human survival instinct, human humour, human nature. The list goes on.<br />
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The first observation I made was during the opening scenes of just how at home the astronauts appeared on Mars. I think this speaks to our adaptability, our adjustability as humans, and of course, our evolutionary processes. Granted, they weren't living up there without oxygen, but we could easily see the steps human beings were taking to ultimately cultivate life on another planet - once we completely destroy this one...<br />
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Next, Mark (played by Matt Damian = see photo above = HOT!) regains consciousness after being knocked out during a storm and ABANDONED by his crew mates (aka second family). He is about to run out of oxygen and has to do some very quick thinking to get himself to safety. Here we already see his scientific mind at work. Faced with his mortality - and what a harsh way to go! - Mark comes out fighting.<br />
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By this stage, we as an audience, have already asked ourselves 67 times, "what would I do if I was left on Mars all alone?"<br />
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Mark begins his video recordings. I guess in part this greatly reduces the sense of isolation - talking to someone who may or may not be listening. And here is where Mark's scientific brain really kicks in as he evaluated his very real (except it's a movie) situation and decides to "science the shit out of it". He truly is brilliant. I mean he grows potatoes after creating water and gives himself all sorts of humorous accolades along the way.<br />
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Meanwhile, back on Earth, NASA discover Mark is still alive! Doh! And we see the struggle between the desire to cover up a big fat mistake or to create a rescue plan. So much psychology at play - I was loving it! <br />
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Finally, thanks to all the genius brains being able to read each other's intentions from different planets, communication is made and Mark knows there is at least a little hope he'll be getting off this planet. His first question is about his crew - how are they now that they know he is alive - as well as reassuring them that it wasn't their fault.<br />
<br />But, the big bad NASA people haven't actually told them yet. <br />
<br />
What!<br />
<br />
They are returning to Earth on their 19 month long road trip and no-one as let them know their mate is actually alive?<br />
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Luckily we have one emotionally intelligent character back on Earth who slips the information into a secret email! And we are on! The crew are planning their return to save their friend (who they must feel incredibly guilty about abandoning!).<br />
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There's a whole heap of cool human connection stuff that goes on in here, but this is already the longest blog post I've ever written so I'm going to cut to the important bits.<br />
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I loved that Mark would go out on his expeditions every day and still find time to take a mindful moment and sit on the top of a hill and breathe in the vista Mars afforded him "just because I can". I love that!<br />
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<br />
I adored how his spirit lifted when he was back in touch with his family (the crew), not to mention the lengths they went to, to come back and rescue him. I personally have a very irrational fear of being left in space, floating endlessly until my death, so there were times in this movie where I almost had to leave because of the suspense of those scenes. It was so well done.<br />
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This film makes me love science again and I wonder how many kids it will inspire to choose science as a career path. Maybe I could delve into some more study to be able to write some book about space! Ha! Who'd have ever thought I'd do that.<br />
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Anyway Rocky, I really loved this film. I'm still thinking about it a week later.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to read your review. I want to know where they filmed it!!<br />
<br />
Jodie<br />
<br />
You can read Rocky's review <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here!</a><br />
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Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-27340694797438180362015-09-28T20:53:00.002+10:002015-09-28T20:53:41.600+10:00#78 Hospice In The Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Did you know that on average, in Australia, only 15% are able to die at home? Granted, many people need medical assistance and are required to attend a hospital, but as I've recently learned, dying is not a medical issue - it's a natural process that isn't spoken about nearly enough. Is that why we fear it so much?<br />
<br />
Dying in hospital has large financial implications, a burden which can be removed by respecting the wishes of those who choose to die in the comfort of their own home.<br />
<br />
I am still haunted by memories of my Nana's last weeks in hospital, fearing that at the age of 92 she would be forced to move from living in her own home and placed in a nursing home. She was dying, but no-one said that. No-one told us she would never go home again and we argued with her about her need to stay in hospital. No-one listened to her. They/we all knew better. She died alone one early morning around 4am in her hospital bed. I know she would have been cold.<br />
<br />
Of all my regrets, I wish I'd stayed with her instead of saying goodbye to fly 1800km away. I wish I'd advocated harder for her and took her home one more time. I wish we'd let her go home, where she wouldn't have died alone.<br />
<br />
I guess I am just realising as I'm typing this that my latest project is very much about righting that wrong.<br />
<br />
Last week I started an 8 week training course to volunteer for Hospice in the Home, a new not-for-profit organisation aiming to assist patients and their families to have the choice to die at home when the time comes.<br />
<br />
I'm doing this in a way to give back to my community, but if I'm honest, I'm also doing it to learn more about death and dying.<br />
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If you want to read more about this amazing organisation, follow this <a href="http://www.wdchospice.org.au/">link.</a><br />
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<br />Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-65318057157498211212015-09-25T19:45:00.000+10:002015-09-25T19:45:27.578+10:00#77 Reading... and Wuthering HeightsI don't think it's a coincidence that every time I type 'Wuthering' it comes out as 'Withering'.<br />
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Let me begin at the beginning...<br />
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Children become readers by growing up around readers. Children learn to love reading after they read the first book that introduces them to the magic that is their imagination.<br />
<br />
Children who love to read grow into adults who love to read.<br />
<br />
I used to love to read in that way where you couldn't wait to finish work/run/dinner-at-friends' just to be able to get back to your book. I loved reading so much that I'd think and even talk about the characters even when the book was nowhere in sight. I could devour 3 books a week and never had a pile waiting - they didn't last that long once I got my hands on them.<br />
<br />
But, one day, I stopped reading. And I've missed it. It's been literally years since I've read that way. The last book I read was I am Malala. It took me seven countries and nine months to finish it. I initially blamed my lack of interest in reading on the fact that I was writing. For some reason, I couldn't seem to do both. But I haven't written for most of this year, so that couldn't be it. I think I just got lazy.<br />
<br />
It became too easy to be brain dead in front of the television, or to lose literal hours on social media. Brain numbing - brain dead. I don't want to do that anymore. I used to have an expansive vocabulary. I used to read in two languages for goodness sake! Until this week, I was lucky to be able to read two pages in a row and hold my concentration.<br />
<br />
So I decided this week that I would fall in love with reading again. I went on an excursion to Collins Books and I bought a handful of books. I promised myself no television and no social media - just reading - and I HAVE LOVED IT.<br />
<br />
I began by reading some Young Adult (YA) fiction - Me & Earl & the Dying Girl. I have to tell you, I hope the movie is better! Didn't matter though, because I was still motivated to read it and spent every spare moment I could until I finished it in two days.<br />
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Simultaneously, I listened to the audiobook version of Wuthering Heights just in case I really couldn't read anymore....<br />
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<br />
I also have always wanted to read the Classics. I thought this was one of them. I thought it was a love story.<br />
<br />
My very brief summary of Wuthering Heights is this:<br />
<br />
A narcissist with antisocial personality disorder torments two generations of the same inbred family. The End.<br />
<br />
In my opinion, Emily Bronte grossly overuses the words ejaculate and erect. What an ugly tale about ugly people. I don't think I can bring myself to listen to Pride and Prejudice now for fear of what it might reveal.<br />
<br />
Book-wise, I'm settling in to read The Umbrian Supper Club by Marlena De Blasi now. After just visiting Umbria, I'm excited for the memories it might evoke.<br />
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What are you reading?Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-71634601979734341902015-09-22T20:07:00.002+10:002015-09-22T20:07:36.267+10:00#76 Sometimes, when the planets align...<br />
When I feel content, centred, happy, it's never a coincidence....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbiq6VibJ_IriewNms9m0_1YUX96ZRAVFP7Amk8Nw9LUqHBeGcIn1_p0fCAh8DaSLNIsdTC8MZiK5-zLUXKiC3GOUQohyk391Sswln6892shiUp-tBR4XTXXZ373zW87eC0cAKJQVgbxN/s1600/P1170657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbiq6VibJ_IriewNms9m0_1YUX96ZRAVFP7Amk8Nw9LUqHBeGcIn1_p0fCAh8DaSLNIsdTC8MZiK5-zLUXKiC3GOUQohyk391Sswln6892shiUp-tBR4XTXXZ373zW87eC0cAKJQVgbxN/s320/P1170657.JPG" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic hanging in the sun in Tropea, Calabria</td></tr>
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That it happens when I'm feeling connected to my family and friends....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-dRSvqqezWJL46Y_W7Z7Xbqo-sEbBG1BgF12ll6fpGkq_31bSzDfjmE7ts104KHVA-I4R0TViCi4mZ_H3vEPaHal7qrge1B7vCSDHbDOBL-V-TTeZ-wNPn6OrDgj02i4Ei6r-hbu8J1o/s1600/P1170677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-dRSvqqezWJL46Y_W7Z7Xbqo-sEbBG1BgF12ll6fpGkq_31bSzDfjmE7ts104KHVA-I4R0TViCi4mZ_H3vEPaHal7qrge1B7vCSDHbDOBL-V-TTeZ-wNPn6OrDgj02i4Ei6r-hbu8J1o/s320/P1170677.JPG" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Padlocks and blue, blue sea in Tropea, Calabria</td></tr>
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It happens when I'm taking photos...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggP4coo-pytFuWO53TEKfKaOfeQ86SaEfAfzQi5QQboR73TAE4H8eUif8YhgljcXBS8DYrBaPGnny_Dd4VGZHuSvWN1urfvhJ0pxnJYHVWsUVN0ylDzZCEimy5v64Ps-snHxMptgYmoU6U/s1600/P1170656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggP4coo-pytFuWO53TEKfKaOfeQ86SaEfAfzQi5QQboR73TAE4H8eUif8YhgljcXBS8DYrBaPGnny_Dd4VGZHuSvWN1urfvhJ0pxnJYHVWsUVN0ylDzZCEimy5v64Ps-snHxMptgYmoU6U/s320/P1170656.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillis - Tropea, Calabria</td></tr>
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It happens when I'm exercising....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDptoNQQA6ffTzmqBR1wIbbPO8plL6zs-QiOolhj8PTXZjS2FODw5lc-BXZ2axipKMelaOm1rTkAO1b62JBmwQYLtKXIUGQ2xTDO95ig36IV7cIIIkOhshNEA7aR2m41fhu2g7k_T_VxA/s1600/P1170509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDptoNQQA6ffTzmqBR1wIbbPO8plL6zs-QiOolhj8PTXZjS2FODw5lc-BXZ2axipKMelaOm1rTkAO1b62JBmwQYLtKXIUGQ2xTDO95ig36IV7cIIIkOhshNEA7aR2m41fhu2g7k_T_VxA/s320/P1170509.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herbs and spices, Civita di Bagnoregio, Umbria</td></tr>
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It happens when I feel useful at work....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqgT-Jk2L5DhbRkKi5q3ib5r7UcQ_0JPYW-pZjSL6noUeqng8ZghP8x5fUY9RlfTk6IX9Vp-YRckuBkZ6tu3u0_EvFnL82MQWFlCkXyIiq8IctcctuZB8xhri9z-lad-tjpWVGAp7r_nb/s1600/P1170425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqgT-Jk2L5DhbRkKi5q3ib5r7UcQ_0JPYW-pZjSL6noUeqng8ZghP8x5fUY9RlfTk6IX9Vp-YRckuBkZ6tu3u0_EvFnL82MQWFlCkXyIiq8IctcctuZB8xhri9z-lad-tjpWVGAp7r_nb/s320/P1170425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umbria, Italia</td></tr>
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<br />
It happens when I read....<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrQgtS-6GI56PJlnTolVfO8uzqfU_rmYgJIz6WXGZUj-b9M4Is9CB2mkYlmVp-UcXgDFpylw_ezkOx5R4Isr9E5Wvjtl5s3NSanfBCKC3QPcDcRWCGUM-biYOtL3AF83UKOJU6aw8H0Ag/s1600/P1170406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrQgtS-6GI56PJlnTolVfO8uzqfU_rmYgJIz6WXGZUj-b9M4Is9CB2mkYlmVp-UcXgDFpylw_ezkOx5R4Isr9E5Wvjtl5s3NSanfBCKC3QPcDcRWCGUM-biYOtL3AF83UKOJU6aw8H0Ag/s320/P1170406.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umbria, Italia</td></tr>
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It happens when I have great things to look forward to....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLaeNHe6AtmlVw3Pnw2ioNJhnZ4g8b6oBEzreMU3ha38iB-l3sldgXffRBdm-83t43ntRQXH0PSnXDiY2tTc0qCv8uzM5t0mrPlTiQ2fY7FoXQgJM4VmIZ4-ApcbrHe05_1xOr0d5sEEd7/s1600/P1170397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLaeNHe6AtmlVw3Pnw2ioNJhnZ4g8b6oBEzreMU3ha38iB-l3sldgXffRBdm-83t43ntRQXH0PSnXDiY2tTc0qCv8uzM5t0mrPlTiQ2fY7FoXQgJM4VmIZ4-ApcbrHe05_1xOr0d5sEEd7/s320/P1170397.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umbrian Farmhouse, Italia</td></tr>
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It happens when I feel on top of things like work and the housework....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGO8Crf3BXfAKJrlFtV5gkaX1P89NYnk7QiNe_IcYPz81sE0yqVWcKD9QaLEt36BfTKLRLFscXDxY8Ao4KMbhk3nxMIjeYctQRHym-55QClKBdRzplNDnXug1TavrQ6MVAVj9YafQsg2I3/s1600/P1170383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGO8Crf3BXfAKJrlFtV5gkaX1P89NYnk7QiNe_IcYPz81sE0yqVWcKD9QaLEt36BfTKLRLFscXDxY8Ao4KMbhk3nxMIjeYctQRHym-55QClKBdRzplNDnXug1TavrQ6MVAVj9YafQsg2I3/s320/P1170383.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chapel at Mel & Ant's - Acqualoreto, Umbria</td></tr>
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It happens when I watch movies....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ll99pt9htSUTSo9OveauYaW6XJsjOQqjMaOOz9rt8d6Kvn4Wo_eO4ZNfHec_xZNgRD8MbccEDM7yl_SdIxXdLI3AWkksW4SaJqmvvHGYTKn1tHm8TlMaOynHWEWo7CRmV0DFJh9P532o/s1600/P1170356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ll99pt9htSUTSo9OveauYaW6XJsjOQqjMaOOz9rt8d6Kvn4Wo_eO4ZNfHec_xZNgRD8MbccEDM7yl_SdIxXdLI3AWkksW4SaJqmvvHGYTKn1tHm8TlMaOynHWEWo7CRmV0DFJh9P532o/s320/P1170356.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the garden at Mel & Ant's, Acqualoreto, Umbria</td></tr>
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It happens when I travel....<br />
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It happens when I feel part of something bigger than myself.<br />
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Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-56098488575345798332015-09-15T18:46:00.000+10:002015-09-15T18:46:30.396+10:00#75 Dear Rocky - The Breakfast Club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Rocky,<br />
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In 1985 when The Breakfast Club enjoyed its Australian release, I entered my first year of high school, still a twelve year old.<br />
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I'd already met Molly Ringwald in 16 Candles the year before, I had only one more year to wait until Pretty in Pink enhanced my adolescence in a way on Hollywood can.<br />
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My teenage years were defined by movies like these - they helped shape us and introduce us to so many aspects of life - I'm sure many of them passed right over my head.<br />
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In the past few weeks, one of our television stations has been playing back-to-back Molly Ringwald films and I'm so happy to say, I stumbled across The Breakfast Club one cold wintery night.<br />
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Not only did I sit down to watch an iconic film from my past, I flew back in time to 1985 at a time in my life when I discovered boys and the importance of fitting in with my peers.<br />
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Those themes are still so important and maybe even more so in some ways for teenagers today. Goodness knows, teenagers today have more technological challenges than we ever had to face - but the themes are the same.<br />
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The Breakfast Club is about teenage roles and relationships - the Athlete, the Princess, the Brain, the Criminal and the Basket Case. We might use different terminology now, but the moulds are the same.<br />
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I want to share some of my favourite quotes and lessons that continue to resonate today:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S3LgdhmQHKgpXKK5jJzWnM0Z6rNRoyiddBTNp8ybHrkXPqBbJXOCFLPzJbVsGMFZLLBU8RhBn3zApwy_sHOTk5Q7wHijxrhNE8MG7P2aMEbkohp14DQSul53FnCoAkYQ8xQwCGtG-0sd/s1600/breaky+club+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S3LgdhmQHKgpXKK5jJzWnM0Z6rNRoyiddBTNp8ybHrkXPqBbJXOCFLPzJbVsGMFZLLBU8RhBn3zApwy_sHOTk5Q7wHijxrhNE8MG7P2aMEbkohp14DQSul53FnCoAkYQ8xQwCGtG-0sd/s320/breaky+club+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I can only rate a film that meant so much in my life at the time a 10/10.<br />
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I can't wait to read your thoughts Rocky. Read Rocky's review <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here.</a><br />
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Which movie will we tackle next?<br />
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Jodie<br />
Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-875502213902466922015-08-10T21:27:00.000+10:002015-08-10T21:27:00.152+10:00#74 Dear Rocky - 84 Charing Cross Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGlqe41cAPS9zAC88_660mr1KxVk0CaCDEpeksLc26Cym5bkT7NvkVrcPRuaRnVqwgH_nss8sGjdPNhAQD_cm7b5JeUYa3thfQVfvWbM-IQUXIo3tqINzaqDfhXz3HDduMoxD-j_8wAsp/s320/968full-84-charing-cross-road-poster.jpg" width="224" /></div>
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Dear Rocky,</div>
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I am so glad you chose this film for us to review, my only wish being that I wish I knew about it a couple of weeks ago while I was in London so I could go looking for the iconic address.</div>
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Well, if nothing else, this is a film about relationships. And books. You know, there are so many similarities between the friendship that is struck between Anne Bancroft's character Helene and Anthony Hopkin's FDP and ours! The friendships were both created through correspondence stemming from a mutual love of the written word. We've sent packages (you more than me!) and supported each other through life and although we have never met face-to-face, the friendship is real and enduring.</div>
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In the film, Helene forms deep friendships with all of the staff at the book shop and they with her. She sends them lifelines of food at times of hardship and they send her a lifeline through the English classics she is unable to source in New York.</div>
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She spends her life longing to see her England - the England of English Literature - and although her friends are able to travel and visit the shop, she does not until it is too late.</div>
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Judi Dench, whose blue eyes are not shining in this film, calls her Helen. Why is that? I was curious about how she saw this friendship between the American and her husband, but just like everyone else, they formed a connection that saw Nora (Dench) comfort Helene when Frank died - through written words.</div>
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My favourite scene was of Helene dusting her book shelf, surrounded by the numerous books the shop had sent her over the decades and her voiceover, describing their importance.</div>
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Not sad, the ending had Helene walking through the abandoned book store and instead of us regretting the timing, she showed us her connection to the place was as real as ever - letting Frank know, she made it.</div>
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To tell a story through the two sided correspondence is one of my favourite ways of watching a film. This movie is gorgeous. It made me miss London. And New York. More importantly, it reminded me to write.</div>
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I give this movie 8/10. Can't wait to hear your thoughts and your stories about this film.</div>
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<br />Jodie</div>
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Read Rocky's Review <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here.</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxJr9vKCkaFPGYT4NXIlsZhlPqAnrXczEPCH_OPz3kyKHj4RBS5Lh2yjOllQxzFvolgvDwXKrVgdFo3bIvr9YEO2XrxljyoJT-fAcWPwAPI4YK2J4Il7tnnTXqR78ITJiqRRNmMHPP5A-/s1600/84-Charing-Cross-Road-496x295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxJr9vKCkaFPGYT4NXIlsZhlPqAnrXczEPCH_OPz3kyKHj4RBS5Lh2yjOllQxzFvolgvDwXKrVgdFo3bIvr9YEO2XrxljyoJT-fAcWPwAPI4YK2J4Il7tnnTXqR78ITJiqRRNmMHPP5A-/s320/84-Charing-Cross-Road-496x295.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">84 Charing Cross Road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3c4yLxYHSbu_joy0ARna2TMw-oEMQRPA3diHij6qG4tdOCMCo6CxzvxAeM-QfxZSfHkcnnKgWqeD2YrjdUBdQ0qpFi-SFQ6ldziLgS630BHm5SatBI0EkqUABs2FVBwt3skqjI62dupl/s1600/84-charing-cross-road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3c4yLxYHSbu_joy0ARna2TMw-oEMQRPA3diHij6qG4tdOCMCo6CxzvxAeM-QfxZSfHkcnnKgWqeD2YrjdUBdQ0qpFi-SFQ6ldziLgS630BHm5SatBI0EkqUABs2FVBwt3skqjI62dupl/s320/84-charing-cross-road.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scene from the film when the staff at 84 receive a care package from Helene.</td></tr>
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Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-42675907565441646652015-06-16T00:00:00.000+10:002015-06-16T00:00:00.922+10:00#73 Dear Rocky - Hector and the Search for Happiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicsxhx81ch9XyvqYjxwlwYe3bKR9WrQcAkQU2xhIQVdboDts7Mc4F1Xsz83YKwCQdeV1II32Fkyg6k4-yQs7dTsKXma2qv73KAL1qRiG1dATnx9vA-Ab5Aqt6iEgT-Kfk0BU_VRyNVJZv/s1600/hector+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicsxhx81ch9XyvqYjxwlwYe3bKR9WrQcAkQU2xhIQVdboDts7Mc4F1Xsz83YKwCQdeV1II32Fkyg6k4-yQs7dTsKXma2qv73KAL1qRiG1dATnx9vA-Ab5Aqt6iEgT-Kfk0BU_VRyNVJZv/s320/hector+3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Read Rocky's review <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here!</a><br />
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Dear Rocky,<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for indulging me with this film that was recommended to me by my ex-husband - he knows me well.<br />
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I loved this film. Everything about it. Firstly, I identified with Hector, not because I'm a psychiatrist, but as a psychologist I have at times found myself opposite my clients, feeling involved in their lives at times when I haven't felt so involved in my own. So I understood Hector's research, especially since I think I've done my own versions of that over the past few years.<br />
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The second part I loved was Hector's notebook. He writes and draws and it's simply divine. I would buy that book!<br />
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I know you struggled with it in the beginning and I have to agree that it was pretty far-fetched, especially in Africa. But... and it's a big BUT... Hector's note book saved all of those moments for me.<br />
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When Hector finds himself in China with the immediate temptation and excitement, at first I felt disappointed that he could so quickly move on, which detracted from his relationship with Rosamund Pike even though it appeared bland and mundane. But I found the fact the young woman was a prostitute organised by the sceptical businessman from the plane very poignant and a real learning curve for Hector.<br />
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Of course I agree with you about the profoundness of the scene on the aeroplane with the dying woman and her line "listening is loving" made me again consider what it is I do everyday and reminded me not to minimise the importance of that in other people's lives.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmuMCvDztefNUX_pXulqrut6oiuF7Sqc-NgbuZVY-v3TTQWI-B0dh7sLJ_Fy73tKCP1_Cj-wcOlKWBW9-MGJPABj0aC6PLbIfyJQ80nMKuzWvB5iVdSrYLSFVFB2NVVVmpq88ZcTlJiSM/s1600/hector+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmuMCvDztefNUX_pXulqrut6oiuF7Sqc-NgbuZVY-v3TTQWI-B0dh7sLJ_Fy73tKCP1_Cj-wcOlKWBW9-MGJPABj0aC6PLbIfyJQ80nMKuzWvB5iVdSrYLSFVFB2NVVVmpq88ZcTlJiSM/s320/hector+2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know you loved Toni Collette's character, as did I, and I think we can all relate to the daydreaming about the one that got away - what if...? I also think this storyline was handled so beautifully and played wonderfully by Toni Collette who seemed so, well, happy.<br />
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But of course, my favourite storyline was that of the Buddhist monks and the prayer flags - happiness is all of the colours - which of course tied in with one of your favourite parts of the movie, and mine too. They are all there.<br />
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<br />
So maybe I'm a bit more taken with this one than you Rock, but I'm a sucker for so many of the things they've included in this film.<br />
<br />
I loved your comparison to the Wizard of Oz by the way. But how true is it that "there's no place like home."<br />
<br />
I give this film a 7.5/10.<br />
<br />What next Rock?<br />
<br />
Jodie<br />
<br />
<br />
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Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-78458514658111624292015-05-31T00:00:00.000+10:002015-05-31T00:00:00.977+10:00#72 Dear Rocky - The Woman In Gold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Read Rocky's review <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here.</a><br />
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<br />
Dear Rocky,<br />
<br />
I apologise for my absence - thank you as always for keeping our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dear-Rocky-Dear-Jodie-The-Actor-and-The-Psychologist-At-The-Movies/709775409062896?fref=ts">Facebook Page</a> alive and well!<br />
<br />
I finally have a breather from uni teaching and I've been able to watch some movies. <br />
<br />
<u><strong>Gush Alert:</strong></u><br />
<br />
I'm going to try to contain myself here, but Helen Mirren has most definitely become my new Dame Judy Dench. What a brilliant actor. Wow.<br />
<br />
There is so much to love about this true story set in Vienna during World War II. Maria Altmann (Mirren) is the Jewish niece of Adele Bloch-Bauer, The Woman in Gold. Her uncle had commissioned the artwork by Gustav Klimt which hung in their family home until stolen by the Nazi's when the young, newly married Maria fled the country with her husband.<br />
<br />
This is one of the best movies I have seen in such a long time. I know you'll write about the production, but I thought the way they interweaved the past and the present was very clever.<br />
<br />
Of course, the main plot is that of Maria hiring young lawyer Randy Shoenberg, brilliantly played by Ryan Reynolds who did not rely on his good looks to carry him in this role. How incredible that Shoenberg's grandfather was also from Vienna and a friend of Maria's family, not to mention also a famous composer. Together, the dynamic duo take on the government of Austria to regain possession of the now incredibly valuable heirloom ($100 Million).<br />
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What struck me the most in this incredible story were the relationships. Firstly, those of Maria and her family. We were shown the intimate details of her childhood and the importance of her aunt and uncle in her life - reading the storybook, dressing up, the necklace. And of course, Maria and her parents and her new husband.<br />
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<br />The wedding scene conveyed such love and romance and the entire plot about Maria and her husband escaping Austria was incredibly suspenseful. Although I found that the chase scene occurred in the movie alone and not real life, I was surprised to read that Maria's husband Fritz was held at Dachau for 2 months prior to their escape and it took them three attempts before they successfully made it out.<br />
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Of course, the most sad of scenes for me was when Maria had to farewell her sick father and mother, knowing they would never see one another again - her father giving his blessing and urging her to leave and live and "never forget us". Heart breaking.<br />
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While Helen Mirren, with her perfect Austrian accent, blew me away once again with her precision acting, the young Maria, played by Tatiana Maslany also stole my heart. Her beautiful face conveyed so many subtle emotions throughout the story that my heart sang and broke time and time again.<br />
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It's also amazing to compare the actors with the real couple and see the similarities:<br />
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I don't know that I have ever hated a government as much as I hated the Austrian government while watching this film. Not only did they make it near impossible for anyone to fight for the justice of having their family belongings returned to them, they were downright unfair about it.<br />
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The process was fascinating and the impact it had on Randy and his family financially that was later rectified by the successful outcome was so just. To further endear us to Maria, she sold the painting to Neue Gallery in New York with the stipulation that it be accessible to the public everyday, forever.<br />
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I haven't mentioned Katie Holmes yet. She was okay. <br />
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I think I give this movie a solid 9/10.<br />
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Anyway, I'm off to cook some brownies. Over to you Rock!<br />
<br />
Jodie<br />
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Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-66855406807418582322015-05-30T15:19:00.001+10:002015-05-30T15:19:39.352+10:00#71 LifeWow, I can't believe I haven't written on here since March 9th this year. <br />
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It's funny - for the past five years I have struggled to strike a balance in my life. As I've written previously, since having breast cancer, I have swung between the extremes of trying to fit in as much life as I can per minute (you know, just in case...) and trying to live a calm and stress free existence.<br />
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I'm happy to report, that I think I'm just about as close as ever to the elusive 'B' word - Balance.<br />
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I really only have two free weeknights - Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have inevitably been filled with exercise, appointments, my nephews, uni preparation and up until this year, alternating between salsa classes and camera club. So you see, really, I had no nights off.<br />
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This year, although most of that still happens, I've managed to come to the understanding that you just can't do everything and so, I no longer stress out if I don't feel like going to salsa and I haven't been to camera club all financial year. It took the pressure off in the best way.<br />
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I've managed to finish my book after 2 1/2 years and although my literary agent is yet to find a publisher for it, I'm remaining optimistic and am even thinking about what I can write next. Maybe a couple of blog posts!<br />
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March 9th coincide with the beginning of the university trimester and I was lucky enough to teach a subject called The Human Mind for the coolest class of students. I've had a ball. It's finished now and I have some spare time again.... until next trimester that is. I've found it so important to have some variety in my work and although it's stressful, I've very much enjoyed and become comfortable in my sometimes role of Academic. Who would've thought....<br />
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The other thing I've been able to do, is binge watch some movies.... stay tuned for some movie reviews.<br />
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Hope you're all great!<br />
<br />
xJodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-41782651488824750702015-03-09T19:55:00.000+11:002015-03-09T19:55:04.682+11:00#70 Dear Rocky - Still Alice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vwxVeDVr7OKcC32uU4UKrVSoC5JhfUynnIc_fWJgKvZStv8LldxTu3PELKpf-HMBEe0EGR_6xYNty9NMC9h6X6XC9y2hhmxr-yFq1fZ6G6c6-egbzbAhDFOzw7tsWOy_kAPpXdoiJwko/s1600/Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vwxVeDVr7OKcC32uU4UKrVSoC5JhfUynnIc_fWJgKvZStv8LldxTu3PELKpf-HMBEe0EGR_6xYNty9NMC9h6X6XC9y2hhmxr-yFq1fZ6G6c6-egbzbAhDFOzw7tsWOy_kAPpXdoiJwko/s1600/Book.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="color: orange;">Read Rocky's Review </span><a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here.</a><br />
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Dear Rocky,<br />
<br />
I'm so glad we decided to review Still Alice, but more importantly, I'm so, so glad we decided to review the book as well as the movie.<br />
<br />
Not so long ago, I caught a short flight. I've often found that some of the best books I've read have been those chosen spontaneously at the airport and read during stop-overs and flights. Still Alice was no exception. In fact, I would go so far as to say, Still Alice is the best book I've read in the last ten years.<br />
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Big call? Well, maybe, however I fail to recall any book that penetrated my psyche the way this book did.<br />
<br />
As the author cleverly introduces us to the symptoms and progression of early onset Alzheimer's disease through the experiences of Alice and her family, I began seriously questioning whether they were Alice's symptoms or mine! This wasn't helped by a trick played on me by a houseguest - adding an unfamiliar photo to my heavily photo-laden fridge - while I was away. I came home and noticed it early on, completely perplexed at how I had no recollection of ever seeing the photo much less pinning it to my fridge!<br />
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This book got me in, massively. It took no time at all to read it and I felt every emotion portrayed on the pages. <br />
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Needless to say, I couldn't wait for the movie version, for which of course, Julianne Moore won her Best Actress Oscar.<br />
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Can I just put it out there from the get-go. I have never been so disappointed by a movie - EVER. Well okay, maybe it's close second to the disappointment I felt by Gone Girl.<br />
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First - the casting. Who in their right mind thought that Alec Baldwin was the best choice for John? Where in the book John struggled to cope with his wife's illness and couldn't step-up when she and the family needed him to, I found him to be a little week of character, a little pathetic if I'm honest. In the movie though, Alec just oozed arrogance and I found it gave a completely different feel to that sub-plot. It's controversial and thought provoking, isn't it. What would we do if our spouse was suddenly diagnosed with a degenerative, terminal illness.<br />
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I also couldn't come at the casting of Kate Bosworth as Anna. Yes she filled the role of the high achieving oldest offspring, lawyer, perfectionist, but I found her performance cold. I didn't feel anything about Anna, and so therefore I wasn't invested in her genetic test result nor her IVF success. It wasn't the only time I didn't 'feel' during the movie. Nothing about Alec Baldwin's performance moved me either. This is why I was so disappointed. I wanted to be moved. The book had me scared and crying all over the place!<br />
<br />
The storyline was so rich and ripe for compelling, moving performances, but I'm afraid to say that Julianne Moore's performance gave me nothing either. Nothing. Except maybe in the very, very last scene, when she could no longer talk. But no tears. <br />
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I also couldn't understand why they changed the setting for the story from Boston the NYC and why was their favourite diner now a Yogiberry? <br />
<br />
So I've already mentioned I found the book dealt with the spousal coping scenario much more thoroughly and satisfactorily. I also thought it dealt incredibly well with the concept of genetic testing and all of the children's dilemmas regarding testing and their results. I know books have more scope to deliver background information about internal processes, but I almost felt like the film skimmed over it.<br />
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There were a couple of scenes that I could empathise with, I suppose. In the photo below, we see Alice standing in front of her psychology class about to give a lecture that she had given hundreds of times before. But she can't figure out which lecture she is supposed to give. We see her scrawling through her folders, and she doesn't have any idea which to click on. That's painful to watch from the perspective of a psychologist and a university lecturer - one of my teaching nightmares in a way.<br />
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I could also relate to the scene depicted below involving Kristen Stewart who I think was brilliantly cast and ironically, the most likeable character. In this scene, she asks her mother what it's like when she doesn't remember. I think it's poignant and human and also a question I think I'd find myself asking.<br />
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I can't believe Julianne Moore won best actress. I'm sorry because I know you wanted her to win. But for me, that performance was lacking. I think Felicity Jones did a much better job.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to rate the film Rocky, other than to say, I clearly loved the book more!<br />
<br />Over to you.<br />
<br />
JodieJodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-65232673567189107392015-02-24T23:55:00.000+11:002015-02-24T23:55:00.269+11:00#69 The 2015 Oscars
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<span lang="EN-US">Read Rocky's review first <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here.</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Dear Rocky,</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">I completely agree with you that the 2015
Oscars were incredibly impressive.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">I had a huge laugh while still on the red
carpet at the exchange between mother and daughter, Melanie Griffiths and
Dakota Johnson. Did you see it? Melanie was asked if she had seen 50 Shades of
Grey and was adamant that she would not. What ensued was a "One day she'll
see it" vs "No I won't" argument before Dakota finally said
something like "for f#%@ sake" and eye rolled. You have to watch it -
such a normal mother/daughter discussion. Here's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va_7pbHax5k">link</a>.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Enough can't be said about John Travolta
"the creepy uncle" and the innumerable GIFS going around today. Here
is my favourite that fits with your quote from Neil Patrick Harris.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I don't feel fully qualified to comment on
the winners and losers - I'd only seen 3 of the nominated best films, so bear
that in mind. Having said that, I am looking forward to seeing the ones I
missed.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I completely love that Eddie Redmayne won.
I agree with you that it was a truly physical role and he played it to
perfection. What kind eyes he has and such a beautiful smile. I loved his very
heartfelt speech. Just brilliant. Did you know he went to Eton with Prince
William?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I liked J. K. Simmons speech as well. I
haven't seen that film either, but I will. And I will call my mum.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I loved Common's and John Legend's
acceptance speech for the Best Song Oscar too, it was really moving, but I
didn't find it any less political than Patricia Arquette's. I agree that theirs
related to Selma and hers did not relate to Boyhood - but she's not the first
person to use the stage to make a point. I have to say it was nice seeing Meryl
so animated.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I loved Julianne Moore's acceptance speech
too, but I didn't love her performance in Still Alice. I had such high hopes
because I ordered the book, yet the movie did not move me until the very last
scene and that disappointed me.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Although, I don't know who I would have
preferred to win best actress. I did like Reese in Wild and I did like Rosamund
in Gone Girl, and of course I loved Felicity in the Theory of Everything -
actually, as I write that, I would choose Felicity Jones. I don't know how much
of that choice is her acting ability or the character she played. Perhaps both
were amazing.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Rocky, did Joan Rivers really have anything to do
with making movies Rocky? I missed that whole section but of course would have
loved to have seen the part about Robin Williams. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
love Neil Patrick Harris and I adored the opening number with Anna Kendrick and
Jack Black. She's incredible. <a href="http://nph-anna-kendrick-musical-open-academy-awards-2015/">Watch it here.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
is the first year I haven't watched the Oscars from start to finish. I don't
know why - they started late and I was tired. I'm going to make a promise for
2016 to start earlier, watching all of the nominated movies before the ceremony
and drumming up as much enthusiasm as I can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
To make up for my lacklustre performance this year, here are a few of my favourite moments.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/reese-witherspoon-pinches-jennifer-anistons-butt-on-the-oscars-2015-red-carpet-20150224-13n4ak.html">Jennifer Aniston/Reese Witherspoon - so cute!</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI87Dau7I87a3dnVsEeItUkBIAX0aqNgWguX5o3bccFhD5XDuX2gk3UwYnHsTXbj76-68Mcu51CCW4nabj5zwFXqWjdPD_KCBvXjbpCgFU8RwtxXmrzm3QdVzTzD-RwZB-VXTUvQEpah0/s1600/314536-9e48dae0-baf8-11e4-a5f5-f6d8716b3afa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI87Dau7I87a3dnVsEeItUkBIAX0aqNgWguX5o3bccFhD5XDuX2gk3UwYnHsTXbj76-68Mcu51CCW4nabj5zwFXqWjdPD_KCBvXjbpCgFU8RwtxXmrzm3QdVzTzD-RwZB-VXTUvQEpah0/s1600/314536-9e48dae0-baf8-11e4-a5f5-f6d8716b3afa.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just love Jen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kwuKpLkYF8IrVvVGy68R-Kl7wR5AXSn_ANwBtFSPWOZ867vcf84VByTwxMHFrQM9RRE29cDaKJuwwqaJmIEFWHxFF187t5sz4UpUOzDVoOuD9wEsIFHHyJ92DMIi4VCuPZEJ9skUzL8w/s1600/eddie-redmayne-oscars-best-actor-reuters-230215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kwuKpLkYF8IrVvVGy68R-Kl7wR5AXSn_ANwBtFSPWOZ867vcf84VByTwxMHFrQM9RRE29cDaKJuwwqaJmIEFWHxFF187t5sz4UpUOzDVoOuD9wEsIFHHyJ92DMIi4VCuPZEJ9skUzL8w/s1600/eddie-redmayne-oscars-best-actor-reuters-230215.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How gorgeous is this friendship.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks
for your review Rocky. What will we take on next? Still Alice?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jodie</span></div>
Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-50451971767614162052015-02-03T22:21:00.000+11:002015-02-03T22:21:20.942+11:00#68 Dear Rocky - The Imitation Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4LxNzQBsgmYxHlgsZNkI2vrxTktmgggOxK8wZn4-0acyV7_1a_0j0M6V5ftt5CgX8x3_yl4VvN65lDXKdat-fWmhwLRVIN_-y28OH6uPFGrJWfHmdXC0Cr0wYJl6oBwbVQ65tcX2WTzP/s1600/Imitation_Game_ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4LxNzQBsgmYxHlgsZNkI2vrxTktmgggOxK8wZn4-0acyV7_1a_0j0M6V5ftt5CgX8x3_yl4VvN65lDXKdat-fWmhwLRVIN_-y28OH6uPFGrJWfHmdXC0Cr0wYJl6oBwbVQ65tcX2WTzP/s1600/Imitation_Game_ad.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Dear Rocky,<br />
<br />
I am not a Sherlock Holmes fan - let's just get that out there. I can't say I have been captivated by Benedict Cumberbatch - but what a name!<br />
<br />
This is a true story, an amazing story, about World War II. But that is not the fascinating part for me - although I did have a great history lesson. I love it when that happens.<br />
<br />
What fascinated me mainly was the portrayal of this character who is clearly a genius, and obviously on the autism spectrum, lacking all social skills and possessing an inability to read social cues. He seemed oblivious to the impact of his behaviours on others - check. So then, what I found most brilliant were the reactions to him by the other characters. They couldn't read him. They couldn't understand him. They resented him and found him rude and obnoxious. Arrogant.<br />
<br />
Flashbacks to school, to the horrendous bullying and torture and to his first love, provide us with all the background and understanding we need. So well done.<br />
<br />
And then along she came. I'll leave most of the character names and actors to you - but can I just say, this is the first movie I've ever enjoyed watching Keira Knightly in. They fumbled through their friendship come relationship and highlighted his sexuality. This character not only had to struggle through his genius, his difficulty in living in the world, not to mention surviving World War II, but he also had to cover up his sexuality.<br />
<br />
One could be forgiven for lying in the foetal position, rocking back and forth, but instead, Alan Turing cracked the enigma code using a machine named after his first love - Christopher - and won the war. Okay, a few other things happened in between, but that was essentially it. <br />
<br />
Finally, human nature. A story of his time. Rather than be admired for thriving despite all of his adversities, he is persecuted because of his sexuality and treated with hormone therapy. What? Thank goodness for living in 2015. <br />
<br />
The end of his life, we read about. Alan Turing killed himself in 1954 after a year of the treatment. It took until 2013 for the Queen to pardon him. Too little, too late.<br />
<br />
Is it any wonder this true story made it to the big screen. It tells a tale of the extremes of the human experience and sadly, of intolerance. <br />
<br />
What a movie. I'll be interested to see how it fares at the Oscars Rocky. I give it a 9/10. What about you?<br />
<br />
Jodie<br />
<br />
You can read Rocky's review <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here.</a>Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-14093251396378493302015-01-06T09:43:00.000+11:002015-01-06T09:43:00.054+11:00#67 In the Summer timeLucky enough to grow up on the coast, my childhood Summer memories involve hot days, Summer fruits, days at the beach or swimming in our backyard pool, and barbecues. Lots of barbecues. We were either in water or we were eating. So much fun. Mindful fun. Calm. Bliss.<br />
<br />
We had a couple of really hot days here this past weekend and I joined my sister and brother in law and my nephews at the beach. We had body boards and a blow up raft and we had a ball. I haven't spent that much time in the water in years. We squealed with delight as our raft crashed into waves and when we caught the long ride in on a wave on our body boards - the boys taught me how to use one and now I'm hooked!<br />
<br />
We then got take away and sat in my front garden for hours, chatting with mum and dad. I was in heaven and we asked ourselves why we would ever consider going away on holidays at Summer when we have this in our backyard.<br />
<br />
I also got to spend an afternoon with some friends in their pool after a barbecue lunch. I felt like a kid again. What a weekend.<br />
<br />Today is Monday and I'm back at work, but I still feel so refreshed and calm. I'm making my resolution right here to spend more time in and with the ocean this year. I've heard there's an 'old ladies' group that meets Sunday mornings at the beach to go body boarding together. Maybe I'll give that a try.....<br />
<br />
This Wednesday I'm off to count penguins again on Middle Island - I'll keep you posted!<br />
<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV0-DRmgd1qSvVwHOyNN1zHcR8bI_AwXSje6dvba7172obL_Q9OI0TB1Q8ZjY6C3cE5OVWn10PdlRwpP62gvKByfxYO7Yxh6x6z8E8p2rg3hbyhSTLmRdnIYmBHspmUxB2rWfoI3lFR-C/s1600/Warrny.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV0-DRmgd1qSvVwHOyNN1zHcR8bI_AwXSje6dvba7172obL_Q9OI0TB1Q8ZjY6C3cE5OVWn10PdlRwpP62gvKByfxYO7Yxh6x6z8E8p2rg3hbyhSTLmRdnIYmBHspmUxB2rWfoI3lFR-C/s1600/Warrny.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beach - Warrnambool beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-59569165701096450882015-01-05T19:00:00.000+11:002015-01-05T19:00:01.386+11:00#66 Dear Rocky - To Kill A Mockingbird<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IXQojoP4RS2pQMghAwzP6nAw1sVIskQOBeTyn-pZ8Y9AFotwkhnZLlr9qMP0DBf7okt5HxjsXdWRP45MEaVV5xPWiqjd0hGnANgx7W7z19zsgyNfjBRnV5nATlHY2MrV9YwTisuPCSlz/s1600/to-kill-a-mockingbird-trailer-title-card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IXQojoP4RS2pQMghAwzP6nAw1sVIskQOBeTyn-pZ8Y9AFotwkhnZLlr9qMP0DBf7okt5HxjsXdWRP45MEaVV5xPWiqjd0hGnANgx7W7z19zsgyNfjBRnV5nATlHY2MrV9YwTisuPCSlz/s1600/to-kill-a-mockingbird-trailer-title-card.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Dear Rocky,<br />
<br />
I cannot believe it took me until the end of 2014 to watch this classic film. I also must admit, I have never read the book. I think it sat on my bedside table for about 6 months in 2013 as I was going through one of my "must read the top 100 books in the world before I die" phases, but I didn't even pick it up. I might now though after seeing this most brilliant film.<br />
<br />
I don't mean to be the film critic here, but in my opinion (and please point me in the right direction if I am wrong) the acting in many of the old classic films is quite overdone - do you know what I mean? As if the actors were on stage in a pantomime and needed to over-accentuate their performance delivery. <br />
<br />
I guess I expected something similar from TKAM, but how wonderfully wrong I was. Each of those child actors who played Scout, Jem and Dill were shere genuises! Did they win academy awards?? I think they should have.<br />
<br />
Add to the mix a classic tale of good versus evil and at least three major themes highlighting intolerances (of race, gender and differences in general) and we were in for a fantastic story about the human condition and compassion.<br />
<br />
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<br />
The court scene was so well written and played that it rivalled any of our current television court drama action. I'm currently a big fan of The Good Wife and thought that the dialogue between the lawyers and their witnesses could've fitted in perfectly today.<br />
<br />
I also loved hearing the narration through Scout's character and the sense we had of her maturing towards the end of the film. I found the attack scene horrifying as I'd really connected to the kids and didn't want anything to happen to them. I had so enjoyed their innocence and freedom to explore up until that point.<br />
<br />
And then of course, the point of the whole movie for me came when Scout was able to leave behind her fantasy monster version of Boo Radley and see him for what he was, another human being.<br />
<br />
Two more points - why did they call their dad Atticus? Did I miss that? Also, I just loved the cigar box collection and the way it was used at the start of the film and throughout.<br />
<br />
All up I'm giving this a 9.5/10.<br />
<br />
How about you Rocky? You can read Rocky's review <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here!</a><br />
<br />
JodieJodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-90813322169237874572014-12-21T19:20:00.002+11:002014-12-22T10:38:17.362+11:00#65 Dear Rocky -Calvary<img src="http://unitedmethodistreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/calvary-pic.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Dear Rocky,<br />
<br />
Well, it's better late than never, wouldn't you agree? I apologise for the huge space in time between reviews but am happy to be writing one more at least before the end of 2014.<br />
<br />
You'll remember that we spent some time working through Graham's Top Ten Movie suggestions earlier in the year. Did we ever finish those? Well, the other day I stumbled across a post Graham put on his Facebook page asking people for their favourite films of 2014. One that kept coming up was Calvary.<br />
<br />
I hadn't really heard much about it, I'm embarrassed to say, so I took myself off to the video shop and picked up a copy for Saturday night.<br />
<br />
The cover had a photo of a priest on it, so I gathered the film had something to do with religion. What I wasn't prepared for was such a dark look at human nature.<br />
<br />
The opening scenes are spine tingling. A threat to kill the priest "because he had done nothing wrong" - Sunday, by the water.<br />
<br />
I found the conversation with the senior priest afterward about the rules of confidentiality so fascinating. What an incredible concept. I also found the role of the priest within the town to be no different to that of a psychologist - albeit in different clothes. The additional storyline of the priest's suicidal daughter to the already desperate stories within the town was genius. As was the modernisation of the priest's role in the town, juxtaposed with his old fashioned religious attire. <br />
<br />
The more we saw the town's folk resist his help, and the closer we got to Sunday, the darker the movie became. I almost couldn't stand it anymore when the priest's dog was killed and as he stood atop the cliff with Dylan Moran (who I always see as Bernard Black no matter who he plays) I almost willed him to jump off. Life couldn't get much worse, could it?<br />
<br />
Throughout the entirety I played the "who is it" game, and I was wrong. I was surprised to see Chris McDowd (is that his name?) show up on the beach. I was more surprised he shot the priest and then finally killed him, when I guessed he'd turn the gun on himself.<br />
<br />
The final scene in the jail with the daughter - genius. I'm so glad they didn't speak, although I was sure she would say "I forgive you" after her final conversation with her father.<br />
<br />
The only time I was confused was when the priest went to Dublin - but that was a flash forward? Was that his coffin. I'm still confused.<br />
<br />
I felt sorry for the priest. And I thought the film was brilliant.<br />
<br />
I'm giving it 10/10.<br />
<br />
How about we review "To Kill a Mockingbird" next?<br />
<br />
What did you think Rocky? Read Rocky's review <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com.au/">here.</a><br />
<br />
JodieJodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-67399272870361860112014-12-15T20:25:00.003+11:002014-12-15T20:25:30.590+11:00#64 The Terrorist at the Lindt CafeMy parents are gorgeous. They were so worried that my recent trip to Central America would spell disaster for their eldest child, namely in the form of kidnapping or a life imprisonment for drug trafficking. Don't ask me why.... and sorry to all of my Central American friends.<br />
<br />
Parents worry about everything, and of course that is their right. But sadly, they needn't worry about us having to leave the country for any crisis to occur. No. Today I could have been sitting in the Lindt café in Martin Place in the centre of Sydney. Just like any other coffee date any of us could have been on.<br />
<br />
Sipping on our hot chocolate, slowly stirring our chocolate through our warmed milk, indulging in something rich and sticky. Would we have even noticed when he walked in? The gunman I mean. Would he have demanded our attention straight away?<br />
<br />
What would we have done? How would our bodies have reacted, our survival instincts kicking in?<br />
<br />
I imagine my parents sitting at home watching the news as I am now. They wouldn't even have a clue if I was in the café. I'm clearly not. I'm not even in Sydney. But I could've been. And just as likely, the gunman could've been anywhere. In any café.<br />
<br />
There is no way for us, the ordinary people, to know when, where, what or how these things will happen. I'd like to think our government, our police, our army have more of an idea. They've certainly managed - are managing - the situation today. This is not 9/11. But it's just as scary. We don't know what will happen next. Nor do we know where. Which means we don't know what to do to prevent it from happening, nor how to protect ourselves.<br />
<br />
I don't know what else to say except I hope the remaining hostages are freed soon, unharmed, and have access to quick and effective support when they are released.<br />
<br />
Our thoughts are with you and your families.Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-26640685995973917392014-12-15T20:09:00.002+11:002014-12-15T20:10:30.116+11:00#63 Working to live??? I'm trying!Well hello there, it's been quite a while and I have to admit, I've missed blogging!<br />
<br />
Where have I been? Where haven't I been? It's a long story and I'll be happy to share over the coming weeks. But, essentially, and unfortunately, I have fallen deeper into the trap that I promise to avoid each and every year. I have taken on too much!<br />
<br />
Since having cancer almost 5 years ago, I've battled with the urgency of fitting every possible opportunity that comes my way into my life. I have struggled with saying no. I mean, what if there isn't that much time left and I (gasp!) miss out on something! <br />
<br />
So, in the past six months I: <br />
<ul>
<li>decided to add university lecturer to my busy schedule</li>
<li>continued to write my book</li>
<li>planned and held an amazing fundraising event (with a lot of help from my friends - I'll write about that too)</li>
<li>planned and went on a trip to Mexico, Cuba and Nicaragua</li>
<li>built a house for a Nicaraguan family</li>
<li>oh, did I mention I also had a fundraiser to raise the funds for the house!</li>
<li>and, I kept up with my usual life too!</li>
</ul>
I was exhausted. Thankfully my trip provided much needed reflection time. I've made some big decisions for next year. Scary decisions. Decisions that may impact on my financial stability, which as a single person (eeeeeekkkkk!), is really very scary. But you know what, they are decisions I needed to make for my own health and wellbeing. For my quality of life. No matter how long it is.<br />
<br />
Wednesday morning yoga classes..... I'm coming for you!<br />
<br />
Have any of you had to make life choices like this too? I'd love to hear how it's turned out for you.<br />
<br />
So good to be back. Thanks for reading me.<br />
<br />
xJodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-56574565750219161092014-06-30T09:23:00.002+10:002014-06-30T09:24:35.376+10:00The True Intentions of a Curious Soul - by Diana Kirk - Guest Blogger<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404018964433_3521" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><em><span style="color: white;">Let me introduce you to Diana Kirk, one of the most inspirational writers and people I know. She's the person responsible for us building a house in Nicaragua a little later in the year - there's a blog post on that waiting to write itself. You can find her on Facebook - Diana Kirk - or read her travel blog </span><a href="http://www.bluedaisyiii.blogspot.com.au/"><span style="color: white;">here.</span></a></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Everyday, every single day I'm hit over the head with media telling me that everybody is insensitive to everybody else. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404018964433_3520" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Are we, as a society, beginning to lose our ability to speak anything outside of what is accepted by the masses? Our media has begun a witch hunt on words, phrases, for political correctness. When a piece of jewelry worn by a musician is a weeklong media frenzy, I'm wondering what the intent is by both the artist and the media is. I'm gong to assume the artist's intent was either to shock or to wear something cool and hip. The media's intent is to sell shame. Then Lana del Rey says a five word comment during a two hour interview and she becomes the poster girl for young suicide. I'm gonna say it outloud and hopefully stick to it but in this movement of sensitivity retraining, I'm beginning to think we are going to lose our edge for art, for individual</span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404018964433_3377" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">ity, for freedom of speech, on both sides if this witch hunt continues in its verocity.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404018964433_3527" style="color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">And now this media frenzy is growing and attacking young people that barely know what they're doing. A fifteen year old Justin Bieber video shows up with him saying a racially insensitive joke and it goes viral. He issues an apology. People hate him. People get angry. People call for deportation. I'd like to find these people and have a talk with them about what they were like when they were fifteen. I was a mess at fifteen. I did all kinds of dumb things and thank goodnes nobody was recording me at the time. My intention though was certainly not to offend anyone as I doubt Justin Bieber's was, at fifteen. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Yesterday I read an article that said talking about sex positively, offends some people who don't think of sex positively. It suggested we not talk about sex which now in this new sensitivity retraining means we return to what, the 1950's bedroom? Are you fucking kidding me? We hide sex now? We return to the world of shame? While we're at it, should we also hide the beauty of a multicultural society? Can I not think that a woman of color is gorgeous without being called a racist because I noticed she was a woman of color? Which is the actual definition of racism, to separate races. But what if I think she's gorgeous, because I'm not considered, in my country to be a woman of color and her friggin' hair and eyes rock my GD world. I mean when I travel to different countries, I notice the women and what they wear and their hair and their clothes and therefore, I am a racist. But really, is that my intent? My heart doesn't feel as though my intent is anything more than observation itself. I'm not suggesting we separate as races or that her or I should be limited because of our race, only that she is beautiful because she is so different to me. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">So, what can I talk about? Am I only allowed in this culture to talk about feminism because I'm a white woman and that's all that is to be allowed amongst my "hetero caste and color"? It certainly seems to be popular amongst my peers. Danger and inequality for the female gender is one that I do take seriously. Until it degrades to making fun of mens' mustaches or the color of their whitey white skin. Then the hypocricy begins. I mean, w</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">hat if the speaker was a young African American woman with dreadlocks who said feminism was dead? Would it be appropriate to make fun of her then? I think the hypocricy is just too much. It makes me merely roll my eyes and probably dismiss probably arguments. But at this point, I can barely follow the rules. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Which leads me to Scientology. Which is a religion, for some people. A belief in something of a higher power in an organized fashion. It has become absolutely acceptable to bash this religion because white rich people in Hollywood follow Scientology. Except, that's not true. That's only what we see in the media. Many people have found peace following the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard. They've kicked drug addictions, mental illnesses and a plethora of others issues in their lives. Whether or not the teachings are correct, whether or not we think you can kick a mental illness, sounds like so many other religions out there that I wonder why it is OK to bash this one in particular. Granted other religious practices that follow these same principals are bashed upon in the media as well but this one in particular, gets the most scrutiny for being almost ludicrous. I myself think the parting of the Red Seas is ludicrous but that would outrage people if I said that. </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404018964433_3532" style="color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Can you imagine if some of the most famous artists of all time were alive now? Da Vinci taking bodies apart? Salvador Dali spying on his wife having sex? Seriously, how do you live freely when there are millions of people ready to tell you how insensitive you are, or sick in the head for merely thinking outside of the box. How does one have an open conversation about anything relevant without being jumped on for not phrasing it properly? I just watched photographer Terry Richardson get completely maligned as a pedophile in the media for taking provocative photos of younger women - famous women. He directed the Miley Cyrus Wrecking Ball video. Terry Richardson is a longstanding photo journalist that has been portraying society's obsesson with sex for decades. How people jump from that to a pedophile is a gross inaccuracy. But nobody picks up on that. Or the fact that Miley Cyrus is 21 years old, not a child and wanted the attention to launch her new album. It worked. She got it. I'm fairly sure Salvador Dali was a sick sick bastard. But did he hurt anybody in the process? Have you seen his art? Where do you think those kinds of thought processes come from? They come from living on the sharp edge of a knife. </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404018964433_3537" style="color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Which is where I want my art to come from. From that space between intelligence and lunacy. A place where brilliance is born when we reach to the outer cortex of our brains and find new shapes and colors. We all should have that freedom to explore, to say what we feel without the judgment that comes forth in tsunamis. How will one be comfortable enough to write that story, your story, that's deep down in the nether regions you've hidden it in if not to expose themselves, makes themselves vulnerable. So this witch hunt for shame, this hunger to point fingers isn't going to do anything but shame the art, shame the vulnerability that it takes to create art and wash it all away in politcal correctness. Or the media's idea of political correctness. Perhaps we could all just use our brains and think about intent now and again. Use your brain and see if there is malice towards you, an intention of malice or are these all just observations of a bunch of curious souls?</span></div>
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Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-18205137489811018722014-06-29T15:49:00.001+10:002014-06-29T15:49:42.222+10:00#62 Dear Rocky - The Lion KingDear Rocky,<br />
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A couple of weeks ago now, I watched the Lion King - another of Graham's Top Ten films of all time. I have to admit, this is another title that I hadn't watched until now.<br />
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I'm not entirely sure why I hadn't watched it. It's not like I'm against animated films. Far from it. In fact, Up would have to be in my Top Ten all time films.<br />
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Another confession - I pushed play on the dvd player and didn't even look up from Facebook until the stampede scene about 30 minutes into the film. I was listening though, and up until that point it <em>sounded </em>like your average kiddie flick.<br />
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My interested was sparked when Simba found his voice, and then I was hooked. Glued to the screen then, I was petrified as he ran amongst those fearsome hooves - Please don't die Simba!! <br />
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Then that awful Scar finds Mufasa and alerts him that his son is in danger - I wonder why Scar, you horrendous beast!<br />
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And when James Earl J...... I mean, Mufasa goes to save his son, my heart was in my throat.<br />
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I would have to say that last part where Mufasa is climbing the cliff and Scar puts his claws in his paws and says "Long live the King" is hands-down THE MOST villainous line in any movie, any where, any time. Wow.<br />
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The way he throws Mufasa back and the way he falls and screams..... most heartbreaking scenes ever. And of course, he is dead. And little Simba curls up beside him. <em>Sob. Sob.</em><br />
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It's incredible how moving animated characters can be isn't it. When Simba was escaping through that jungle of thorns, escaping from the hyenas, I felt so sorry for him. So small, and alone in the world.<br />
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Then I tuned out again, until the last fight scene with Scar. What a battle. First, I was surprised that the Scar was given the opportunity to walk away and I didn't see his retaliation coming - I love that I could still be surprised by this movie. Then the bitch slapping made me giggle. And finally, the beautiful karmic end with the hyenas. <br />
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While, it clearly didn't engage me completely, the two scenes that I did watch engrossed me entirely. Because of that, I give this film an 8/10.<br />
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I still want to see the stage musical.....<br />
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How about you Rocky? Read Rocky's review <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here.</a><br />
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Jodie<br />
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Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-81002944914729623392014-06-27T15:51:00.001+10:002014-06-27T15:51:44.145+10:00#61 Conscious UncouplingI've been thinking about this blog post ever since I listened to <a href="http://www.coldplay.com/">Cold Play's</a> new album Ghost Stories on repeat during a four hour car ride recently.<br />
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Ghost Stories is thought to be Chris Martin's version of a mixed tape for Gwyneth Paltrow - in reverse. Normally, mixed tapes come at the beginning of a relationship, not the end. <br />
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After listening to the album though, one could easily be mistaken that this is one massive love letter. <br />
Take <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPRjCeoBqrI#t=11">Sky Full of Stars</a> for example. I dare anyone to watch this film clip and not smile widely, feeling the love.<br />
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Magic is no exception to my theory that the album is all about love. So where does love fit into divorce?<br />
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What is this concept of "conscious uncoupling" and does it lessen the pain?<br />
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This is what Dr Habib Sadeghi and Dr Sherry Sami had to say about it on <a href="http://www.goop.com/journal/be/conscious-uncoupling">Goop.com.</a><br />
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"To change the concept of divorce, we need to release the belief structures we have around marriage that create rigidity in our thought process. ... The idea of being married to one person for life is too much pressure for anyone...If we can recognize that our partners in our intimate relationships are our teachers, helping us evolve our internal, spiritual support structure, we can avoid the drama of divorce and experience what we call a conscious uncoupling. <br />
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A conscious uncoupling is the ability to understand that every irritation and argument was a signal to look inside ourselves and identify a negative internal object that needed healing. Because present events always trigger pain from a past event, it’s never the current situation that needs the real fixing. It’s just the echo of an older emotional injury. If we can remain conscious of this during our uncoupling, we will understand it’s how we relate to ourselves internally as we go through an experience that’s the real issue, not what’s actually happening.<br />
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It’s conscious uncoupling that prevents families from being broken by divorce and creates expanded families that continue to function in a healthy way outside of traditional marriage."<br />
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I do believe it is the human condition to avoid pain. What if consciously and respectfully recognising when a relationship has run its course and mutually agreeing to end it could actually avoid the anger part of grief?<br />
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I'm assuming no-one would want to avoid the sadness. No grief would surely equal no love - wouldn't it??<br />
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What I wonder though, is that while it's all blog posts and album releases now, what will happen to Chris and Gwyn when we fast-forward 5 years. When one wants to live in a different country with the children. When the other moves into a new relationship or relationships. When missed opportunities require blame in some direction.<br />
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What will conscious uncoupling look like then?<br />
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Would love to hear your thoughts? Have you consciously uncoupled and pulled it off - or not?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband and I, after we 'consciously uncoupled' in 2010.</td></tr>
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Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-44582183245491426662014-06-10T19:36:00.000+10:002014-06-11T20:45:01.842+10:00#60 Dear Rocky - Schindler's List<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Read Rocky's review <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here.</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Itzhak Stern and Oskar Schindler</td></tr>
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Dear Rocky,<br />
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As we move through Graham's Top Ten (11) List of favourite films, here we are reviewing Schindler's List.<br />
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Graham will be disgusted by this, but I had never seen the entire movie until this weekend. Just before my 22nd birthday, I left work sick and went home to rest up as the next day I was flying to New Zealand - my first overseas trip! My aunty owned a dvd shop at that stage and so I grabbed Schindler's List on my way home to watch on the couch. Needless to say, whatever medication I took knocked me out cold and I only saw the first 30 minutes of it.<br />
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Watching it now, 20 years later, I can't say I was a very willing participant. The first two hours in particular (it goes for 3 hours) were very difficult to watch due to the heartless treatment of the Jewish people.<br />
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I noted to ever present photographers, at the parties mainly, and thought to myself, they were recording history and they probably didn't even realise it. I found myself wondering where all of the clothes and jewels and family heirlooms ended up once they were robbed from the unknowing Jewish people as they boarded those fated trains.<br />
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Oddly, I'm sitting on a train as I write this. The air is cool due to the Winter's night outside, but I don't let myself complain. Remembering the scenes on the trains throughout the movie send shivers up my spine.<br />
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It wasn't until the last hour that I could grow to like Oskar Schindler. When he began to become less self-focussed and put himself and his safety on the line for his workers.<br />
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The true hero of this film for me was Itzhac Stern. He was one step ahead of Schindler all the time, keeping his eyes open for those he might save by adding them to what would become, Schindler's List.<br />
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I also wondered, in the scene where they are found with the chicken, whether or not the man who is shot was really responsible, or was that little boy just extremely quick thinking. I like to think he was.<br />
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At the end, I felt like Schindler showed too much remorse, far too soon. Comforted by Stern. Reassured that he did an amazing thing in saving 1100 lives. As of course, he did. Perhaps it wasn't until he went to Auschwitz to save the women that he truly realised the ramifications of that war - to the human race.<br />
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Oh, and how about that glorious scene in the showers at Auschwitz when the showers came on and the women showed their relief that they weren't being gassed. So powerful.<br />
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I truly loved at the end when the actors led the real life people on Schindler's List to his grave to lay a stone. 6000 descendants from the survivors. In spite of his flaws, Oskar Schindler certainly left his mark on the world.<br />
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This is a film that has me thinking still and I know it will for a while to come.<br />
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I'm giving this one an 8/10 Rocky.<br />
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JodieJodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697644392661405755.post-89402513386321982502014-06-01T19:01:00.001+10:002014-06-01T19:01:13.679+10:00#59 Dear Rocky - As Good As It GetsRead Rocky's review of As Good As It Gets <a href="http://talesoftherock.blogspot.com/">here.</a><br />
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Dear Rocky,<br />
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I'm still singing the closing tune as I write this review, "Always look on that bright side of life...."<br />
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Some films you should only see once, and some you should see at regular intervals throughout your life. It has been remiss of me to wait until now to see As Good As It Gets again, since it was first released in 1997.<br />
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In 1997 I was 25 years old, and while I would have understood most of the blatant concepts in this film, I sure missed a lot of the true gold.<br />
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This is a film about our relationship with our very own mind. More than that, it's about how powerful our mind is and how often it gets in our way.<br />
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For example, after Simon is beaten to within an inch of his life, his fear prevents him from being able to return to his painting - his art - his lifeline. We see him so distressed, his world falling apart around him, alone. Even Vedell doesn't want a bar of him. Fear can stop us in our tracks, but in an effort to 'protect' ourselves, we often withdraw from, well....life, to varying degrees. What is the point of saving ourselves for a life not lived?<br />
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Luckily, there's that Carol bathroom scene that triggers off his artistic instincts again and life is restored.<br />
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Then of course, we have our main protagonist, Melvin. Can I just say that for me, Jack Nicholson as Melvin is more like Mel Gibson as himself. Maybe OCD can explain all of Mel's issues too?<br />
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Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a pretty extreme example of a mind getting in the way of life. I don't need to describe Melvin's symptoms, they were very clear. Can I just note however, that I have never met someone with OCD who has the cleanliness obsession as well as a counting or checking compulsion. Add to the that, not standing on cracks, and poor old Melvin was well up against it!<br />
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My favourite part of the entire film is near the end, when he pauses at his door, on his way to win over Carol's heart. <br />
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"I forgot to lock the door."<br />
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That moment tells us everything about his readiness to be with her. She made him want to be a better man. He took his medicine. He forgot to lock the door (five times). Gold.<br />
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I am so glad I watched this film again. Thank you Graham.<br />
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I give it a 9/10.<br />
<br />Rocky?<br />
What's up next? <br />
<br />
Jodie<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I so loved this scene!!!</td></tr>
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Jodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845903138221024662noreply@blogger.com1