tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.comments2023-05-11T04:20:31.601-04:00Steven E. Belanger: <br>Writing It DownSteven E. Belangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comBlogger569125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-2746601060778856282018-11-17T14:45:46.217-05:002018-11-17T14:45:46.217-05:00P.S.--This pic was the easiest to take of all the ...P.S.--This pic was the easiest to take of all the ones I've gotten lately. Makes me feel so badly, I could cry into my watering can and water my 10 plants with it.Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-47861474093247702152017-05-01T16:58:39.769-04:002017-05-01T16:58:39.769-04:00Funny first comment, Diane. And poignant second on...Funny first comment, Diane. And poignant second one.Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-14330003841665400702017-04-22T18:05:08.347-04:002017-04-22T18:05:08.347-04:00Lots of dirt bags, scumbags, sociopaths, and just ...Lots of dirt bags, scumbags, sociopaths, and just plain stupid folk making the news. And that's just United Airlines. <br /><br />At least Prince doesn't have to read these unsightly headlines. Hopefully he's somewhere enjoying the purple rain. Diane Barretohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443175243624951706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-415380453411011482017-04-21T23:51:36.584-04:002017-04-21T23:51:36.584-04:00Ha! Made me smile. Indeed it is very, very sad. An...Ha! Made me smile. Indeed it is very, very sad. And scary!Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-28446578854111427832017-04-21T23:49:44.353-04:002017-04-21T23:49:44.353-04:00Hasn't it been terrible lately? Actually beyon...Hasn't it been terrible lately? Actually beyond words. Orwell would say, "See? I told you so." Thanks for commenting, Elissa.Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-17214959505638516692017-04-21T19:46:10.240-04:002017-04-21T19:46:10.240-04:00Agreed.Agreed.Elissa Piercenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-46770677605225983622017-04-21T19:43:31.881-04:002017-04-21T19:43:31.881-04:00SAD!SAD!Elissa Piercenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-66590786825379925272017-03-15T19:42:49.894-04:002017-03-15T19:42:49.894-04:00Thanks for commenting! Yes, I agree with your stat...Thanks for commenting! Yes, I agree with your statement that this Kong was a pure popcorn action flick. You also agree with my better half that the Jackson Kong was overall better, but not for those only in the mood for a popcorn action flick. Jurassic Park was in the same vein, but deserves extra kudos for being the first of its type, and still hard to surpass for what it is. Spielberg was making Schindler's List at the time as well, so he certainly had his depth movie going on. Jurassic Park was probably a vacation for him away from all that incredible sadness.Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-29702020101897999482017-03-15T12:20:56.728-04:002017-03-15T12:20:56.728-04:00Comedies are great when they are advertised as com...Comedies are great when they are advertised as comedies. What's so funny about a 100 foot gorilla stomping around trying to kill you? When I heard those comedic one liners in Skull Island, I just couldn't help but cringe. <br /><br />Sure Jurassic Park was the same way, but I was never a big fan of that movie either. I saw it in 1993 along with everyone else and while I enjoyed the roaring sounds of the T-Rex, I couldn't tell you a damn thing about the characters. They were just stand ins much like the ones in Kong. I need a little more depth which Peter Jackson provided in his version. I rarely cry when watching a film, but the end of Jackson's King Kong made me tear up. That's what I remember most. That a CGI giant gorilla actually touched and moved me.<br /><br />Kong: Skull Island is a pure popcorn flick. It's enjoyable for what it is and makes no apologies for it. That's great. More power to all those involved and I will likely watch the next installment. But I forgot about it as soon as the lights turned on.<br /><br />I look forward to your Get Out review. Now that was a movie that made me ponder afterwards...and it was fun/creepy to boot! Diane Barretohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443175243624951706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-26575432794398812132017-01-30T13:59:13.131-05:002017-01-30T13:59:13.131-05:00Rob, isn't it incredible? Eight years. Where h...Rob, isn't it incredible? Eight years. Where has it gone? Now we have history happening of a different sort...But we'll get through it, somehow. Glad to hear from you. I need to drive up there and we'll toast to the times.Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-9197815539353860162017-01-30T12:50:12.807-05:002017-01-30T12:50:12.807-05:00Steve, you know the other day - inauguration day -...Steve, you know the other day - inauguration day - I was thinking that the day we first met was the day that Obama was inaugurated for his first term. I remember us all in the Worcester Writer's Group discussing what an historic day it was. Here was are 8 years later...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03174522102051779267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-27212553186804294122017-01-17T15:41:03.383-05:002017-01-17T15:41:03.383-05:00Thanks for commenting, Diane. This is a good descr...Thanks for commenting, Diane. This is a good description of why you like the movies that you do. Glad to know another mnovie lover!Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-7880618181335676722017-01-17T14:38:59.638-05:002017-01-17T14:38:59.638-05:00Movies are my escape. When I look back on my life ...Movies are my escape. When I look back on my life I can tell you what I do was doing based on the movies that were released that year. Each of those favorite movies I have made a connection with. That's what I look for. I want to be touched in some way I can relate to. I want to put myself in the situation of the characters I'm watching on screen and ask myself how I would have handled things differently? That's what I look for when I pay $9 to see a movie. I can do that with a film like Ordinary People. I can't do that with a film like Full Metal Jacket or Star Wars. Those movies, while fascinating and sometimes entertaining, are fantasy. War is real, but it could never happen to me. I was never in Vietnam. I was never in the army. I was never in outer space. I never will be. Will I meet some aspiring jazz artist? Maybe. Maybe I'll meet an aspiring writer. While I watched La La Land I continued to ponder would I have left someone amazing like Sebastian behind to follow my dream in another country? I can't exactly relate to Mia since I don't share her enthusiasm for acting, but I can connect with someone drifting away and leading a separate life. Those are the movies that make me excited and get me thinking. I'm certainly not denying it's sad ending, but in a movie that as romanticized as this I'm surprised it had the guts to not make it happily ever after. It's positive message of pursuing your dream still stands strong despite the ultimate sacrifice. Some people drink. I like to watch sad movies and listen to sad songs. Whatever gets you through the moment!<br /><br />The song you are referring to is Taxi by Harry Chapin. Surprisingly it's not one I am familiar with. But I gave it a listen to on YouTube. <br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qYU9b5OF8M<br />Diane Barretohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443175243624951706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-54963867778384063562016-12-27T17:53:23.547-05:002016-12-27T17:53:23.547-05:00Very kind of you to donate and to spread the word,...Very kind of you to donate and to spread the word, Diane. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-19350127106002772382016-12-27T11:46:26.913-05:002016-12-27T11:46:26.913-05:00I just donated to the Go Fund Me page for Angus! I...I just donated to the Go Fund Me page for Angus! It's so hard to deal with sick/injured pets as it is, so I will gladly donate what I can to make it easier. I'm pretty cynical too, but this story was extremely heart warming. Kacy was brought home on Christmas Eve. It doesn't get any better than that?!<br /><br />I re-posted the Go Fund Me page on my Facebook to help spread the word! Diane Barretohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443175243624951706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-16701368594717927872016-12-05T10:23:37.046-05:002016-12-05T10:23:37.046-05:00Those are all awesome things to be thankful for. A...Those are all awesome things to be thankful for. And it's never a bad time to be thankful! Thanks for commenting!Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-36378989094575291002016-11-30T18:21:35.223-05:002016-11-30T18:21:35.223-05:00It's been almost a week since Thanksgiving, bu...It's been almost a week since Thanksgiving, but it's still November so I figured a comment would still be acceptable. <br /><br />I am thankful for those in my life who mean the most to me. My special someone and my pet. Having those two to come home to have been such a blessing.<br /><br />I am thankful for the roof over my head, the food on my table, the heat that comes on when it's cold, the walks I take with my dog, the safety I feel in my neighborhood, the supervisor who I get along with, the text messages and facebook posts that keep me connected to my sisters, the phone calls I'm still able to share with my mother, the poor eyesight I have which is better than no eyesight, for all the great movies I watched this year, those summer nights at McCoy Stadium, and for the bay window I can put my Christmas tree in front of.Diane Barretohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443175243624951706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-570751010189134012016-11-24T10:25:25.170-05:002016-11-24T10:25:25.170-05:00Thanks, Dreki! BTW, where've ya been? Drop me ...Thanks, Dreki! BTW, where've ya been? Drop me a line sometime, say Hello!Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-69382867690959627872016-11-20T16:26:22.668-05:002016-11-20T16:26:22.668-05:00Funny you say that, Diane. I quoted that exact lin...Funny you say that, Diane. I quoted that exact line last week. Whether I meant it in earnestness, or as a doomsayer, I can't quite tell. <br /><br />I'm not female, Mexican, gay, retiring, or a minority, so I can afford to say such things.<br /><br />But.Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-65939438474108621652016-11-16T16:49:18.900-05:002016-11-16T16:49:18.900-05:00To quote Keeping The Faith (like everyone else on ...To quote Keeping The Faith (like everyone else on the internet in the last week) "The good ole days weren't always good. And tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems."Diane Barretohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443175243624951706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-14651651425718159682016-11-10T21:37:38.575-05:002016-11-10T21:37:38.575-05:00Thanks for commenting, Alexia. And best of luck wi...Thanks for commenting, Alexia. And best of luck with your recent book! (Everyone, go click on her avatar to check it out!)<br /><br />Yeah, I was numb and angry, and I'll write a blog sometime soon, when I can think and write about it without vomiting all over my keyboard, about what this election taught us. But let's be frank: While we are railing against the apparent wingnuts in his fanbase, let's also remember that 53% of voting white women voted for him, too. Hillary did not get the female or the minority vote she just assumed she'd get. In fact, lots of Obama supporters did not vote for her. (I'm guessing that most of those did not vote at all.) The bottom line is: If Hillary had won over the female and the minority vote, she would've won in a landslide. That didn't happen, even when those people had the most to lose if she lost. That's the head-scratcher.Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-6966010586437596742016-11-10T20:37:49.646-05:002016-11-10T20:37:49.646-05:00I'm SO with you. I felt like someone had died ...I'm SO with you. I felt like someone had died yesterday. I was in a numb, angry, sad daze all day. <br /><br />But I'm going to finish grieving and then I'm going to get to work changing things. Though moving to Europe would be excellent.alexiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07122487552931794871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-33126666948107732432016-11-09T20:41:36.333-05:002016-11-09T20:41:36.333-05:00Well played, Diane! Hence, the Darth Trump clip.Well played, Diane! Hence, the Darth Trump clip.Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-36145614323154742842016-11-09T20:40:41.484-05:002016-11-09T20:40:41.484-05:00Indeed, Diane. Really, I'm beyond words. When ...Indeed, Diane. Really, I'm beyond words. When I look at those things, I feel revulsion and disgust, much like I am now.Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629896210066218248.post-39215054749755716882016-11-09T13:36:15.422-05:002016-11-09T13:36:15.422-05:00Apparently it's a state law to have your name ...Apparently it's a state law to have your name read out loud when voting to prevent "voting fraud". That being said when I voted last night my name was not called out. So I don't get it.<br /><br />I think we all would have been better off voting for Hoder. He's a man of a few words which our elected President is absolutely not. Diane Barretohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443175243624951706noreply@blogger.com