REFLECTIONS

The other night I watched the 1994 movie The Professional on TV.  I thought it was an excellent gangster movie.  There could have been a better ending instead of the typical shoot out. You know the impossible scene with one man killing dozens of others in a prolonged gunfight:  -his bullets always hit their target -their's always miss -his gun never runs out of bullets -their guns jam -he's a clever acrobat -they are stupid and clumbsy Yet I still enjoyed it, especially the song they played while showing the credits.  It was "The Shape of my Heart" by Sting. Here is the song with its poetic lyrics:

I've read that schools may stop teaching handwriting! Cursive takes more room and is less legible than printing. But it is faster, has a personal style and is easier on the hand. Here is the link for the original blog post:  Thinking About Cursive

I feel handwriting is important for children to learn. It's faster, easier on the hand and has a unique personal style. The more we learn the better. I find it can be relaxing if you write as slowly and as smoothly as you can.  It's just the opposite of  sending a text message with your two thumbs jerking back and forth as if having a seizure.  Abbreviating and using numbers for words ( "2" for two or too or to) is not as precise.  It substitutes speed for spelling and grammar. Here's the blog link: Is Cursive Obsolete? | Seconds

Kaleidoscope: A toy consisting of a tube containing mirrors and pieces of colored glass or paper, whose reflections produce changing patterns that are visible through an eyehole when the tube is rotated. Image via Wikipedia I remember having these as a child.  It was fascinating and magical for me. Try this link.  The images move quickly so be prepared.  If you move your mouse it changes even faster! http://inoyan.narod.ru/kaleidoskop.swf I found this on the"Aging Gratefully" blog http://aginggratefully.blogspot.com/2011/07/no-thought-thursday.html

Here is a site I found with unbelievably expensive pens. You have to have a look. Who can be rich enough to buy one of these pens?  If I was that rich I'd donate my money to help build something useful like a hospital wing. But the ad photos and narrative are fun to watch! Click on the "Historical" pens like: The Houdini has a melt of silver and metal from his keys. The Babe Ruth which has part of one of his bats. The Lindbergh pen cap has a piece of the motor from The Spirit of St.Louis. There are no prices listed.  I guess if you have to ask for the price you can't afford the pen. What a waste of money. Here is the link Krone Pens

A Fantasy For some unknown reason a fantasy about the "Wild West" combined with feelings from The Godfather movies overtook me.  Here are two photos I found which fit in well with this feeling. The Brothers "M": Antonio and Giovanni came from Italy to the Wild West. Armed with their Italian super fast and powerful Berettas, they were no match for anyone who crossed their path. I then did some research on the Italian Beretta handgun: This was the gun used by the SEALS in the recent attack on bin Laden. This is the gun used by James Bond in the 007 movies.  In April of 1985, the Beretta Model 92 beat out the Colt .45 to become the U.S Armed Forces chosen handgun. There is a legend about a SEAL motto: "You're not a SEAL until you taste Italian steel," referring to the Beretta brand's Italian heritage. History: Beretta (Owned by the same family for over 500 years) 16th Century Origins The home of Fabbrica D'Armi Pietro Bere

Image by sarahgb(theoriginal) via Flickr Here is a a link to a short video about reality and spirituality. It got me to thinking about what's really important. The music is soothing and the visual interesting. Let me know what you think. Click on this link:   What is real?