Oh, Oscar... Oscar... Oscar...

Roger Ebert put it well-- ''This was the worst Oscar show I have ever seen.''... Very true. The Oscars have always been a source of pleasure to me. As many of you know, when I was younger I was an actor. So the awards were of interest to me besides watching the stars. How a film was made, the politics behind the deal, was always fascinating to me. But, I have always wondered why the average viewer watched it. The show is an endless stream of technical awards involving people we don't know. And, the thank you's, however well intentioned, have no use for us. Yes, the stars and what they are wearing or who they are with is of some interest, but, after the first hour, is there a need to watch further? But, we watch every year and every year say the same thing, ''That was very boring!!!'' This year the Academy decided to go younger with the hosts. The younger viewer has always been the target. So, the Academy got James Franco and Anne Hathaway. They got their young stars, but, clearly they were in over their heads. Ms. Hathaway was trying too hard to be ''cute'', while Mr Franco seemed to be ''Altered''. His performance may hurt his career-- Letterman is still trying to live down his hosting in 1995[ although I thought he was very funny]. The Oscars have always been an ego walk for the entertainment industry. It is a fascinating car crash to watch. If you put stock into their choices, that is incorrect. The Oscars have always gone with the ''safe'' movie instead of the daring. Examples: Kramer Vs Kramer beating Apocalypse Now, Ordinary People over Raging Bull, Dances With Wolves beating Goodfellas, etc... But, we watch every year. Next year, when the Academy chooses the host, don't make the mistake you made this year. Don't just go young, also, go appropriate. There are older people who can do it-- young and hip do not always go together. Which leads to my final thought--- what is Billy Crystal's deal with hosting? He did well, they like him, his career is not that hot. Billy, you can't work one day a year?

You Say You Want A Revolution...

Like everyone else, I have been watching the regime changes in the Middle East. And, I don't know which dog to root for in these revolutions. Mubarak in Egypt was a tyrant and thug. He has exploited his people for personal power like Napoleon, Hitler, Saddam, etc.. History is sadly full of these people. But, he was among our strong allies, so he served our purpose. Now he is gone and the killing he and his minions did is gone. As history has also shown us, there will be a group of people to pick up where he left off. Revolutions have always thrown off one power and replaced it with the promise of' ''change'' for the people--sound familiar? Good intentions by some always are trampled by the charge for power in others. The American Revolution was fought with the mantra of ''No taxation without representation!!!'' .. For over 200 years we have had the representation-- along with the same taxation... Meet the new boss, same as the old boss... In Libya , Gadhafi will be overthrown-- and, he should be brought back here to stand trial for the bombing of the plane over Lockerbie in 1988. But, what takes over after he leaves? A Stalin or a Gandhi? This Brothehood of Islam does not feel good to me. There is a lot of blood lust in that area. Sanity is in short supply. Again, look at history and recent changes. The Shah of Iran taken out in 1979, the Ayatollah takes over. Hostages are then taken in Iran. Released after 444 days when America is brought to its knees in shame.  Gadhafi should be gone soon--along with his wardrobe he wears that looks like The Beatles wardrobe on the Sgt. Pepper's album-- but, as always, Be Careful Of What You Wish For...                        

To Be Young....

I remember, as a kid, having more fun with less stuff. Working at a high school, I see what passes for fun with teenagers, and, most of it doesn't sound like fun. After a beautiful weather weekend, I will ask students what did you do over the weekend. After the initial, ''Nothing'' answer, I will press them and they will say that they stayed in all weekend and played video games.I have nothing against them- I played them in school too, remember Atari?--- But, there doesn't seem to be anything involving going outside and enjoying the weather or your friends. I find this sad.                                                                                          As a kid, summertime was all about enjoying every moment of the day. After sleeping late-- its allowed in  the summer--- a quick breakfast with Mom and then outdoors with my friends. Most of the time was spent playing baseball and pretending that someday we would be playing for the Cubs or Sox. Who knows, when you are a kid anything seems possible. Then back on my ten speed, and, have lunch with Mom-- Mom was always home,by the way. After the grilled cheese with Velveeta, back out with some friends for more ball, and, this was always important, to play baseball where you knew the girls would be. That was when you were at your sharpest-- the worst thing to do was to drop the ball in front of a cute girl!!! You were gone all day, there was no danger in the neighborhood and your parents knew your friends parents. Home for dinner, Dad came home from work, my sister and brother were there. Some warm conversation around the table, and, usually an argument with my brother was commonplace. Evenings were family time and since there were only 3 channels, everybody in the family, and everybody in your friends family, watched the same t.v.shows. I would go to bed late .The whole process would start over again the next day.                                                                                                                                       This was fun. I don't get that sense of fun with the kids now. I see kids with every electronic device under the sun telling them what fun is. I don't see the natural ability to ENJOY. The suggestion to try to have fun with less is met with a blank stare. And I feel bad for them. Childhood and young adulthood should be filled with joy and possibility. First love, cementing life long friendships, and, the freedom that comes with the young is paramount. Where did all that go? Has the world changed so much that simple things are lost? I hope not. I wouldn't trade my youth with today's youth in a second.

hello from me!!

I guess some thank you is expected from me to you. After all, you have taken some time to come here to read my ideas and thoughts. This first one will be simple and brief. It is more of a test instead of what will be my regular schedule blogs. I hope you will be interested in anything that will be here. Sometimes, you will. Sometimes, you won't. Please give me whatever feedback you want. My thoughts are stimulated by others. I will comment on what is happening in the world, past and present and future. There will be mistakes along the way. That is human nature. Hopefully, they will be minor and correctable. The posts will be hit and miss. So, I hope you will come along for the ride into the deepest parts of my brain. Have no fear!!!!