Sharon M. Himsl - Shells, Tales and Sails: movies

Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts

Sunday, October 28, 2018

National Chocolate Day: Shoes Are Like Chocolate

Just had to say a few words about chocolate today, since I'm such a chocolate fan. One nice thing about being older is not worrying about the pimples (and cramping) chocolate caused me in my younger days. 😐

Quote Typographic Background about shoes

(FreeImages.com)

Thought it was funny someone had compared chocolate with shoes. Well, maybe, I'm thinking.....if I had a larger closet. I could certainly find more to buy if I had the room.

If I did, I want the closet actor Kurt Russell built in the 1987 movie, 'Overboard' for actress Goldie Hawn. Did she not play the perfect 'rich bitch'??? Just loved those two together and the fact they had married in real life. I hope they are still together. Don't tell me if they aren't. It's one Hollywood fairy tale I'd like to believe 😃.

How about these shoes?

A woman can be sexy, charming, witty or shy with her shoes. - Christian Louboutin

I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes. - Oprah Winfrey

Be well dressed, behave like a gentleman, and keep your shoes shined. - Joseph Abboud

Monday, November 13, 2017

Remakes Blogfest - One Song Remake I Was Surprised to Like: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Remembering the song made famous by Judy Garland as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Every November, my husband and I would camp in front of the tube with our two children to watch the antics of Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. Would the Wicked Witch win? Would Aunt Em find Dorothy? Who was the wizard? I lost track of how many times we watched this pre-Thanksgiving film. Everyone I knew, it seemed, looked forward to the television event.

Looking back, the evening must have spanned three hours or more. Watching the movie years later without commercials I somehow felt gypped. Was it really only 2hr 5m long? Unlike today, commercials of the past never bothered me. I'd run to the kitchen and get the popcorn ready or cut the dessert. Later during commercials, the kids would get their PJs on and brush their teeth, while I cleaned up the kitchen. It worked somehow.

MGM released this film classic in 1939. It was based on the book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum in 1900. Theater viewers liked the film well enough when it was first released, but it was only a modest success in the beginning. In the end, the movie and its music had a long lifespan. When it came to television years later, mostly during the period 1956 to 1980, its popularity soared.

Judy Garland's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is perhaps the most famous and known song from the movie. Music and lyrics were the creation of Harold Arlen and E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, and it won an Academy Award for Best Song that year. I knew all the lyrics and often sang the song, and it was a popular favorite with my family on road trips (kids weren't plugged into electronics back then). It was Judy Garland's trademark song, and whether she enjoyed singing it for the umpteenth time or not during performances, her fans demanded it.

Skip ahead to ..... 2010. I'm listening to NPR's 50 Great Voices Series on the radio. The host is describing a song by Izzy someone from Hawaii, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World." Izzy's full name is Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. NPR calls him "The Voice of Hawaii." I've already heard snippets of the song in commercials on TV, but never in full. I'm mesmerized when I hear it in full and surprised how much I like it. His performance on the ukulele gains recognition across the U.S. According to Wikipedia it had already passed the 2 million mark in downloads by 2009. By 2011 it had sold 3 million.

Judy Garland - "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

There's a place that I heard of

Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true

Some day I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far behind me

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why then oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly

Beyond the rainbow why

Oh why can't I?

Izzy - "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World"

Is this not the best remake of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" you have ever heard?

Eva Cassidy "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Eva Cassidy's remake is a close second so I include both,

but Izzy's version is my favorite.

What do think?

(This is a blog hop)

1. Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh	2. Heather M. Gardner	3. Diane Burton - Adventure & Romance
4. Christine Rains	5. Tamara Narayan	6. Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
7. CineMarvellous!	8. Tossing It Out	9. Stories I Found in the Closet
10. Spunk On A Stick - Diane	11. Pat Hatt	12. The Write Game
13. PepperWords	14. XmasDolly aka Marie Moody	15. Writing Off the Edge
16. Sharon M. Himsl - Shells, Tales and Sails	17. The Warrior Muse	18. Michelle Gregory at Dust Kittens in the Corners
19. Elizabeth Seckman. Author	20. Birgit	21. The ToiBox of Words
22. Shah Wharton	23. Spacerguy	24. Michael Abayomi
25. Stephen Tremp Breakthrough Blogs	26. Madly-in-Verse	27. Sandra Ulbrich Almazan
28. Patricia Lynne	29. RBPublishing	30. The Faux Fountain Pen
31. Just Jemi	32. Michelle Wallace	33. Birgit

Thursday, April 28, 2016

X is for X-Wing Starfighter - Pioneer Women in Aviation: A-Z Challenge

The X-Wing Starfighter of the fabled Star Wars movies was the aircraft flown by the fighter pilots in the Rebel Alliance.

Versatile, equipped with deflector shields and hyperdrive, it was exceptional in combat. The X-Wing Starfighter was flown by Luke Skywalker in the climatic scene where he destroys the Death Star.

That's about the most you'll get from me on the description of this fictional starfighter, and I only mention it, because I am desperate for an "X" post for my aviator series, and discovered something curious about the Star Wars pilots in my search.

The X-Wing fighter pilots were all male, at least in the original Star Wars trilogy, but did you know that the third film, Return of the Jedi, had cast three female rebel pilots in the attack against the Death Star? George Lucas cut their scenes at the last minute.

So if I may jest, pardon my corny attempt at a poem. Kenda at Words and Such has been instructing me on the basics of haiku. I have the 5 - 7 - 5 syllable rule down, but the rest is a bit of a stretch. I've combined two sets.

Hello George Lucas
I hope you'll forgive my fuss
Females you chose not

Not one girl aboard
Those X-Wing fighters that soared
In your lofty corps

--Sharon Himsl

source:
http://io9.gizmodo.com/5968305/george-lucas-cut-female-x-wing-pilots-out-of-return-of-the-jedi-at-the-last-minute
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Revealed-Star-Wars-Originally-Had-Female-X-Wing-Pilots-34581.html

Friday, February 20, 2015

Celebrate the Small Things: A Snoozy Post

I crammed in a lot this week, in addition to sitting at the computer and working on my writing, so I feel a bit like Garfield right now. I'm calling this a snoozy post, because I could use a nap.

Here's a mishmash of things of going on:

Attended my first Garden Club meeting. I'm officially an Earth Angel! A guest speaker talked about how to prune roses. Turns out, roses do really well in hot climates. Then I jumped off the deep end and volunteered for a Garden Show today. What was I thinking? But don't get me wrong, I love this stuff. It's my second outlet, next to writing.

Flew to Pullman, WA and spent the night with friends; a leisurely dinner out, and flew home the next morning. It was fun visiting our friends and "old stomping grounds."

View of area where we now live, flying off in hubby's RV8. Land sections are fruit orchards and vineyards (it's wine country here!).

Close up view of Sentinel Gap & the Columbia River

Connected with another writer online, who is published with Poisoned Pencil, and decided I really like this publisher.

Entered Pitch Madness today, just to see if I can make the final cut (no luck last year).

Getting ready to do taxes. Ugh. I have done the family's taxes for many years now. The prep work in advance is more time-consuming than the actual forms.

Saw The Tourist with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. Missed it in the theaters. Absolutely loved it! The surprise ending is worth the whole movie, and of course, those two together.....I'll let your imagination fill in the rest :)

Started two Grow Boxes outside, with Swiss Chard and Spinach. Planted daffodils in ground. Started seeds in house for lettuce, petunias, and sunflowers

Tomorrow morning, watching a Webinar based in New York, sponsored by Inland Northwest SCBWI. Keynote speeches by authors, Keynote Editor's Panel Marketplace 2015 (Report from the Front Line), and Keynote Agent's Panel (Charting Your Career Path). Should be good.

Have a Nice Weekend!

Thank you Lexa Cain for hosting this blog hop!

And co-hosts: L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge

and Katie @ TheCyborgMom

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011.
Published with Evernight Teen:
~~The Shells of Mersing

Thursday, May 1, 2014

A-Z Theme Reveal: Yummy Fruits

A day late on my A-Z reveal.

After last year 's success with Stereoviews A-Z, I wasn't sure if I could come up with anything as entertaining and fun. Well, as is always the case in the blog world, I found something I could wrap my thoughts and (ahem) stomach around for 26 days.

Announcing YUMMY FRUITS A-Z!

Join me in April for a bit of fun, as I choose a representative fruit (out of many!). I guarantee a Free Recipe, some fruit facts and history, songs, books, and movies with said fruit in the titles, and even a joke or two. A light-hearted way to enjoy fruit, one of my favorite foods to eat....and hopefully yours, too! For those of you who have never done the A-Z before, hold onto your computer chairs. You are in for quite a ride. See you there!!

A is for Apple

B is for Banana

C is for Cantaloupe

D is for Durian

E is for Elephant Apple

F is for Fig

G is for Grapefruit

H is for Huckleberry

I is for Ice Cream Bean

J is for Japanese Persimmon

K is for Kiwifruit

L is for Lime

M is for Mango

N is for Nutmeg

O is for Orange

P is for Peach

Q is for Quince

R is for Rhubarb

S is for Strawberry

T is for Thimbleberry

U is for Ugniberry

V is for Vanilla

W is for Wax Jambu

X is for Xigua

Y is for Yantok

Z is for Zig Zag Fruit

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011.
Published with Evernight Teen:
~~The Shells of Mersing

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Z is for Zig-zag Fruit: Yummy Fruits A-Z

The zig-zag vine, also known as "acid drop vine"and "wild banana,"
has a curious growth pattern. In the wild, it starts at the bottom of a host tree and zig-zags up the trunk until it reaches the sunlight at the top.

In a controlled setting, the zig-zag vine makes a nice evergreen shrub, growing from three to twenty feet high, but in the wild, the sky is the limit.

Zig-zag fruit is the size of a peanut.

The Zig-zag vine is native to the rain forests of eastern Australia. It also grows in New Guinea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Borneo, and Indonesia (Malesia).

Zig-zag vine flower

When the zig-zag vine blossoms, it is a yummy soft yellow, and the rain forest is filled with the scent of ripe bananas, but the fruit is probably the best part of all. It tastes like orange sherbet, people say, a tangy flavor that is quite pleasant. Picked locally, it is sometimes used to flavor sauces and liqueurs. I'd like to taste this fruit. How about you?

"Orange sherbet anyone?"

Zig-zag Books

--Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal
by Ben Macintyre (2009)

--Zig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity by Keith Sawyer (2013)

--Zigzag by Ellen Wittlinger (2012) (fiction)

--Zigzag: The Incredible Wartime Exploits of Double Agent Eddie Chapman by Nicholas Booth (2007)

--The Zigzag Principle: The Goal Setting Strategy That Will Revolutionize Your Business and Your Life by Rich Christiansen (2011)

--Inga's Zigzags
by Vica Miller (2014) (fiction)

--Architects Make Zigzags: Looking at Architecture from A to Z
by Diane Maddex (1986)

--Zigzag (2005) (picture book)
by Robert San Souci

Zig-zag Movies

--The Zigzag Kid (2012)
(Nono wants to be like his father, the best police inspector in the world) (Adventure, family)

--Zig Zag (2002) (An autistic 15-year-old boy steals money from his boss to pay rent for his abusive father) (drama)

Zig Zag Story (1983) The lives of three parisians, a color-blind painter, a radio show host, and a perverted photographer interwine hilariously. (Comedy, Drama)

Zig-zag Song

"Zig Zag" by Miley Cyrus (video)