tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61925152012-01-31T02:51:27.202-08:00<b>The rest of life.</b><br /><br />Genealogy will be moving to its very own space: <a href="http://genweblog.blogspot.com/">Genweblog</a>. Changes or additions: <i>valoriez at zimres dot net</i> <br /><br />Lay hold of something that will help you, and then use it to help somebody else.- Booker T. Washington, 1856-1915Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.comBlogger3511100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-48372124404382660072011-10-05T01:12:00.000-07:002011-10-05T01:12:34.559-07:00

When I was a kid, a Republican president proposed and got passed the Interstate Highway system. This was passed as a non-partisan issue, and has been the backbone of the rise of the modern United States. Now, under a Democratic president, his tiny (by comparison) American Jobs bill can't even get a hearing. Before I was born, a Democratic president decided that the long-postponed racial

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-37323179688811916352011-06-29T18:50:00.000-07:002011-06-29T18:50:51.915-07:00

Just a few days ago, it was the third anniversary of Angel's death by suicide. Time has not eased our pain, although it is not so sharp and immediate. But as time goes on, I miss her more and more. There are more times when the family is all together, but we're missing her. The world is missing her strength, her smile, her laugh, her talent, her love. We are all poorer for her loss. Just now I

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-50949324491351847142011-06-12T01:43:00.000-07:002011-06-12T01:43:26.984-07:00

And I'm back from Switzerland! Today's best new thing is an old thing, TWENTY-FIVE YEARS-OLD, to be exact: Ferris Bueller's Day Off turns 25! How in the heck did that happen? In any case, the only thing that's dated is the hair and clothes, which add to the humor. What a great daydream! Finally, someone perfectly sums up my thinking on ripped jeans: http://www.ashersarlin.com/archives/2004/11/

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-60197645897443749302011-05-28T22:27:00.000-07:002011-05-28T22:27:15.033-07:00

I know I just did one, but a fresh start is good, too! Plus I want to clean up my tabs again before taking off for Switzerland Not sure if a fan video has ever *taught* me, but this one did: The Fibonacci in Lateralus (Tool) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS7CZIJVxFY GREAT Add-on to FireFox, which preserves all your tabs, but does NOT reload them until you click on them. Oh my gosh, I can't

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-29651427020165508672011-05-22T22:21:00.000-07:002011-05-22T22:21:26.713-07:00

Exciting to do this! This was supposed to be weekly, but time slid away from me. But there are so many tabs open FF is hardly working, so it's TIME. Amazing article, highly recommended: 150 Years After Fort Sumter: Why We're Still Fighting the Civil War: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2063679-1,00.html. 150 years later, it is high time to look back and learn the lessons of that

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-518847244172581472011-04-20T17:11:00.000-07:002011-04-20T17:11:03.408-07:00

This blog has gone unused long enough. I looked into using Posterous, but this is already a Link Blog, so I'm going to use it that way! I'll collect links all week, then post them once. Today, I'll simply clean out my tabs in Firefox. Google Voice: https://www.google.com/voice?pli=1#inbox. My number is (206) 801-0165. The Doctor [Who] is a Time-Lord: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobcanada/

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-28342545828401204622011-02-08T18:07:00.000-08:002011-02-08T18:07:18.992-08:00

Reading the book Song, about songwriting, one of the writers ends his interview with "don't say 'cuts like a knife.'* This morning I awoke with the beginning of a song, or a poem. Lyric for one gone I have a ginsu that cuts like a knife; I have a rock that's as hard as stone. But I no longer have you, and the empty place    can't be described. Darling, why did you leave me? Why did you leave

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-46292755494094866202009-11-07T16:04:00.000-08:002009-11-07T16:13:21.602-08:00

Maine makes me sad, but this makes me HAPPY!See http://approvereferendum71.org/ for more information. Kathy Reim of PFLAG made an important point in an email today. While many of the votes came from King County, as expected, many did NOT. If you look at the state map and statistics on the Washington State site, you'll see that we got SOME votes in every county, and 30 to 40 percent in many of the

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-13427823334319760822009-08-19T01:09:00.000-07:002009-08-19T01:49:16.164-07:00

AIDS is a scary bastard, especially to the mother of a gay son. When Silverlake Life was filmed, it was a death sentence. However, the film-maker was fiercely alive while he survived, and ensured that this powerful story would be brought to the world by his lover, and then his student. Tom Joslin was not sentimental, but he was not afraid of love, of fear, of grief. Nor was he afraid of death, of

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-74828416040986562062009-06-15T14:23:00.000-07:002009-06-15T14:37:31.503-07:00

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) is so tremendous. I've not seen any of the other versions, or read Hugo's novel, but I can't imagine a more moving or exciting screening. Charles Laughton was riveting as Quasimodo, in such a enormous contrast to the fresh innocent beauty of Maureen O'Hara, in her American debut. Her young champion Edmond O'Brien as Gringoire also stands in hearty, enthusiastic

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-16938514490813392102009-04-07T19:42:00.000-07:002009-04-07T23:41:00.637-07:00

In the last couple of days, I watched Battle of Algiers La Battaglia di Algeri (1966) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058946/ and all the extra material included in the Criterion edition of this classic film shot in 1966. I really wish Pres. Obama had seen it too, because his remarks about our goals and methods in Afghanistan seem fundamentally flawed to me. What I take away from hours of film,

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-4999912335735825242009-03-23T22:44:00.000-07:002009-04-08T00:01:16.438-07:00

Please do what you have sworn to do, twice. A wise commenter on Pam's House Blend says, "If the California Supreme Court rules that the majority has the right, by a simple majority vote, to deprive members of minorities of constitutionally guaranteed rights, it will mark the end of America as a political idea, as a political and philosophic bastion against tyranny."But the rule of law is not only

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-44446233868849144232009-02-26T17:20:00.000-08:002009-02-26T21:32:15.414-08:00

No, I will no advocate eating the children of the poor, as the original A Modest Proposal did. But I think we have the seeds of a good health care system in the US right now, and yet I hear of no one proposing to grow and use it. I speak of course of the Public Health Service. I believe that we should expand this service a thousand-fold, and have it work in cooperation with all other public

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-81671579018628972902009-02-24T02:20:00.000-08:002009-02-24T03:04:32.472-08:00

Diana Gabaldon's Lord John books are wonderful in every way! Of course, it helps if you are a fan of the Outlander series, but even if you are not, the historical mystery/romance/suspense mix involving the Lord John Grey will delight you. They take place mostly in mid-1700s London, although Germany is the setting for two of the war stories, which take place during the 7 Years War.Lord John is

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-56553454895348577592008-11-16T15:57:00.000-08:002008-11-16T19:28:25.434-08:00

Last night, from England, The Killing of Sister George (1968), at the time of US release, so shocking that it was given an X rating! On one viewing, I found it disquieting, since all the women were so hard and manipulative, with the exception of the small part of the neighbor, a whore, who was .... friendly, in the best sense. Since I'm still thinking this film over, and it has such high marks

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-67250127297797178532008-10-30T03:39:00.000-07:002008-10-30T03:49:30.509-07:00

Madame Butterfly (1995) is the Puccini opera presented as a film, directed by Frédéric Mitterrand. It was a bit difficult to sink into the film, with all the dialog in song. The acting was a bit stiff and artificial in the opening of the well-known story. Richard Troxell sings and acts the villain Pinkerton wonderfully, and I loved to HATE him, and felt a bit of understanding, if not pity for him

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-70287376899602841862008-10-30T03:13:00.000-07:002008-10-30T03:39:10.004-07:00

True Blood is the TV series of the year for me (HBO). I'm enjoying it so much I just had to buy the books it is based on, written by Charlaine Harris. "Goofy charm....humour and occasional terror" just about sum them up. Set in Louisiana near Shreveport, the village of Bon Temps is full of characters, but there is a murderer killing women who have been with vampires! As Sookie tries to solve the

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-36429526432607148912008-10-24T02:30:00.000-07:002008-10-24T02:55:59.075-07:00

Tipping the Velvet (2002) is the BBC adaptation of Sarah Waters' novel. I've only seen the first of three episodes, and I'm loving it so far. I'm especially happy to be seeing it in the same week as Wilde since that is also set primarily in 1890s London. However, Wilde is a biography, whereas this is a coming of age tale. Oscar Wilde was upper middle class, and this takes place around the theatre

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-12829018046214991002008-10-22T19:17:00.000-07:002008-10-22T21:00:36.794-07:00

Two great films about geniuses, who were gay! Wilde (1997) is an eloquent re-telling of the life of Oscar Wilde, who died at the turn of the century, after falling from perhaps the most celebrated person in all of England, to becoming the most scorned and accursed. Stephen Fry is perfect as Wilde, while Jude Law seems to personify the spoiled, selfish but beautiful Bosie. A small delight is

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-76465558539162354362008-10-18T02:08:00.000-07:002008-10-23T03:16:55.647-07:00

October has been bursting with art, both film and literature. I finally read The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Perhaps because I've been depressed and sad, missing those who are gone, but reading about this child's rape and murder, and how she (in Heaven) and her family on Earth learned to come to terms with their grief and finally, with one another, was just what I needed. While I was more

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-36969623842753333752008-05-16T13:48:00.000-07:002008-05-16T14:58:22.221-07:00

Small Favor (2008) was the latest in the Dresden Files series. I thought it was the last one, but evidently Jim Butcher intends to continue, YEAH! With each book, I like Harry more, and the other characters as well. In this one, he has to juggle the dangerous struggle between the Fairy factions for Winter and Summer, plus deal with his old enemy/compadre Marcone. Another delightful romp around

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-58356975065136249152008-05-16T03:24:00.000-07:002008-05-16T03:47:18.583-07:00

Romance and Cigarettes http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368222/ isn't for everybody, but I found it delightfully funny, and refreshingly different. John Turturro is a talented writer and director, and isn't afraid to take chances. His talented cast obviously enjoyed the shoot. I almost like James Gandolfini at this point! Susan Sarandon is splendid, and Kate Winslet is on fire! (almost literally).

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-3734503363033895052008-03-10T03:37:00.000-07:002008-03-10T03:45:50.143-07:00

Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1927) is regarded by some as one of the best films ever created. I'll withhold judgement until I see a better copy; the VHS from the library was nearly unwatchable. If it is as truly great as some of the scenes seemed they could be, it is well worth a Criterion DVD. I did find it absorbing, even though it appeared to be through fog on a lake. The Moloch scene was truly

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-6121916850872236412008-03-10T03:07:00.000-07:002008-03-10T03:48:04.218-07:00

or Bronenosets Potyomkin (1925) is a hugely influential silent film, which almost was not produced or distributed because there is no romance, nor movie stars. It is based upon a historical mutiny aboard the Potemkin, which resulted in a massacre in Odessa. It was banned in some countries because it was feared that the film would instigate revolt. According to Roger Ebert, "It was banned at

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-91120356997111533552008-03-09T22:50:00.000-07:002008-03-10T02:32:45.396-07:00

Yikes. I still can't like A Boy and His Dog (1975) although it's called a black comedy. The violence against women killed any humor I might have found in it otherwise. Don Johnson did hold his own against a talking dog, who seemed to be the only HUMAN in the entire film. The dog was the woman-hunter, however, and didn't seem to regard women as humans. Their only function in the film was as

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-12855976084583282162008-03-07T22:04:00.000-08:002008-03-07T22:29:03.100-08:00

Blah. I must have been in the wrong mood for Start the Revolution Without Me (1970) because reading the IMDb quotes page brings a smile to my face, that wasn't there watching it. Perhaps Bud Yorkin, the director, is just not Mel Brooksian enough to give it that necessary oomph.It really was most dreadfully silly, and funny. Donald Sutherland and Gene Wilder playing double roles, as the

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1212598280974573472008-03-04T00:39:00.000-08:002008-03-04T01:01:54.259-08:00

Finally, a movie Bob and I could both love! Random Harvest (1942) is a perfect Hollywood film, although it is set in England. Ronald Colman, although old for the role of Smithy, is perfectly paired with Greer Garson, who plays the most patient, loving wife EVER. Of course Paula gets her beloved Smithy in the end, thank GOODNESS!!!!!! They just don't make 'em like this, any more! Adapted from a

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1809000505058885862008-03-04T00:24:00.000-08:002008-03-04T00:41:10.353-08:00

Continuing my viewing of films set or filmed in Argentina, Apartment Zero (Conviviendo con la muerte)(1989) is set and filmed in Buenos Aires, with a sub-plot of the mercenaries who killed so many in Argentina. Another theme which I loved was movie trivia and film stars. Colin Firth as the emotionally crippled Adrian LeDuc is masterful, while his opposite Hart Bochner as the mysterious Jack

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-63989557481858744832008-03-04T00:03:00.000-08:002008-03-04T00:19:37.043-08:00

Rory brought one of his favorite movies, Practical Magic (1998) for us to watch. Adapted from an Alice Hoffman novel, it has a cast of wonderful women actors: Sandra Bullock as Sally Owens, Nicole Kidman as her sister, party-girl Gillian Owens, Stockard Channing as Aunt Frances 'Fran' Owens and Dianne Wiest as Aunt Bridget 'Jet' Owens. Goran Visnjic (E.R.) has a juicy part as the sexy but evil

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-90725743897313446602008-03-03T23:52:00.000-08:002008-03-04T00:03:06.925-08:00

Ladri di biciclette (1948) AKA Bicycle Thieves, is a wonderful and depressing look at post-War Italy. A family so poor that the sheets must be hocked to get the bicycle back -- which was pawned to buy food. And then on the first day of the job that bicycle was required to do, the bicycle is stolen. The rest of the film is the futile and exhausting efforts of father and son to find and reclaim the

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-54099586553649774532008-03-03T23:17:00.000-08:002008-03-03T23:37:29.355-08:00

Nuovo cinema Paradiso (1988) might be the finest film I've ever seen. And wonderfully, the director's cut is almost a different film, and also very fine. Another film about the movies and love of movies, Cinema Paradiso follows the life of an impoverished Sicilian boy as he grows up and becomes a successful film-maker. His own father gone, he befriends Alfredo, the projectionist at Cinema

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-47587197577085638562008-03-03T23:08:00.000-08:002008-03-03T23:16:41.985-08:00

It's the Village People, so hold your hats! Over the top, strangely "de-gayed", but fun. It got the very first RAZZIE (worst movie of the year), but some people still class it as their favorite! So if you like a movie so bad it's good, with more cheese than a Big Mac, pop some corn and enjoy the movie! http://imdb.com/title/tt0080492/

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-54439109976200686872008-03-03T22:52:00.000-08:002008-03-03T23:06:58.046-08:00

Juste une question d'amour (2000) was OK. I know that parents DO agonize over their sons' coming out -- but in France do they? I thought that sort of blind stupidity was American. ::sigh:: I guess not. The boys are cute, the accepting mother is nice, and the rest of them -- I should have more sympathy, but it was very difficult to excuse their behavior. Yay for French TV though -- this was a

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-72840055307328585062008-02-25T02:07:00.000-08:002008-02-25T02:20:35.867-08:00

I've started a new project, ahead of my coming trip to Scotland with Dad and my sister Kimberly. Bob is my inspiration - he's been walking over 10,000 steps per day for over a month. I got a little pedometer like his, and have been walking now for almost two weeks. I reached 10K steps on the fourth day, and decided that I wanted to do 10,000 aerobic steps per day, 7 days per week, until March

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-55664869331378335932008-02-15T14:41:00.000-08:002008-02-15T14:49:57.169-08:00

Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006) is more than just a concert film. It is a biography of Young in concert, by masterful film-maker Jonathan Demme. With the DVD extras, you see this concert from the idea and song-writing to the actual performance. The concert itself is dreamlike and perfect. Neil Young is a genius who has enriched my life since I first heard his voice.

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-10233757489518423942008-02-11T02:41:00.000-08:002008-02-11T02:52:34.829-08:00

Terry Pratchett deserves his own post, so I'm excising stuff from previous posts. (from a 2005 post) Thanks to Thomas I have fallen in love with Terry Pratchett, and recently finished Monstrous Regiment (2003). Hilarious, as usual! A send-up of war, and gender politics, quite needed in these dark days as we close in on the elections. [hmmmm -- how much has changed?]According to Terry Prachett

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-754949350830605422008-02-10T19:07:00.000-08:002008-02-10T19:08:49.102-08:00

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-29575566420057007852008-02-10T16:04:00.000-08:002008-02-10T16:22:36.857-08:00

Marcel Carnes's Children of Paradise (Les Enfants du Paradis) (1945) is a miracle of film-making, created under the most extreme circumstances of Nazi occupation and political and economic stresses, but appearing a light and perfect as a wedding cake. Every element of the film combines to create an artistic whole, although Carne had to create two films because of Nazi edict. I've put the

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-28701503638970800142008-02-09T03:06:00.000-08:002008-02-09T03:25:39.436-08:00

Writer, director, producer and composer weren't enough for Joss. When his Buffy The Vampire Slayer went off the air in 2003, he wasn't done with the saga. So he decided to write a comic book series, or as they are now known, graphic novels! I've read the first collection, issued as Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight Volume I, and Fray, which I checked out in one book which collects issues one

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-44118662807069066572008-02-09T02:56:00.000-08:002008-02-09T03:04:34.999-08:00

Under the Cherry Moon (1986) was good, and I'm not a Prince fan. I enjoyed the acting, the dancing, the humor, the music, the black and white look of Nice on the French Riviera. Prince directed and stars, and of course wrote and performs all the music. His female lead is a very young Kristin Scott Thomas, in her first film role. Altogether a fun experience. http://imdb.com/title/tt0092133/.

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-66016785745250275252008-02-09T02:40:00.000-08:002008-02-09T02:55:59.915-08:00

Zachariah (1971) was a completely unexpected pleasure. I couldn't figure out who the strangely familiar CUTE guy was, until I read the DVD box -- Don Johnson! In a film with Country Joe and the Fish! Actually, I couldn't stop shaking my head throughout the entire film, which looked just as fun as all get-out to make, on the lowest budget possible. Well, they did spend some money on great

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-34703202777382522602008-02-06T03:55:00.000-08:002008-02-11T02:40:54.732-08:00

Stardust (1999) is the latest Neil Gaiman book I've finished. Quite different than the movie of the same name, it is a delightful short novel. Coming of age by going to Fairie, and then never being able to go home again -- it's hardly a new plot. But Gaiman creates a hero who grows and changes, who has a history, who learns to love, and to change. As does the Star, who learns to live upon the

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-88880515044402957332008-02-06T03:43:00.000-08:002008-02-06T04:26:10.355-08:00

City Lights (1931) is a nearly perfect film. Chaplin didn't want to make a "talky," even though that's what the public clamored for. The only "talking" is in the opening (hilarious) sequence, when some city blowhards voices are quacked through a reed -- by Chaplin himself. In fact, he composed the film score, also, so it is not a "silent" film. While this film is so funny that occasionally I

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-41851832845152260832008-01-31T17:06:00.000-08:002008-01-31T17:46:41.878-08:00

I'm going to try a new way of doing this, since I'm noticing that I'm interested in more book/film pairs. Or more films by one director, one producer, following one actor, etc. Too complicated to group all the films and books together by when I watched 'em, so from now one I'll group them in a more logical fashion, or do one-off posts. So: Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story (2005). Certainly

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-13106378474991149292008-01-07T02:39:00.000-08:002008-01-29T19:58:38.311-08:00

Nuala O'Faolain's first book was actually completed in 2008, but I included it in 2007, since I started it then, and read the rest of her books in 2007 also.On to Peter Segal's funny Book of Vice: Very Naughty Things (And How To Do Them) (2007). Sex clubs, houses full of swingers, obscenely expensive and delicious food (food porn?), gambling, strippers, porn stars. Fun, fun, fun! Who knew NPR

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-56218668483542816952007-12-22T01:50:00.000-08:002008-01-30T02:51:41.285-08:00

Started my winter viewing with a bang, by watching Evita (1996). I thought Madonna was wonderful as Evita, and Jonathan Pryce was delightful as Juan Perón. Antonio Banderas can sing -- who knew? He plays Che, the voice of the people/narrator. The IMdb board is still busy with debate about this film, contrasting it with the original stage play by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, and also

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-63246144079662197402007-09-25T01:01:00.000-07:002008-01-09T04:36:40.344-08:00

Not a strong beginning for the season, sadly. Premonition (2007) is a Sandra Bullock vehicle all the way. She gives a strong performance, but the plot weakness works against her, unfortunately. Still, I found lots to like about this film and wish it had all hung together. http://imdb.com/title/tt0477071/. See Wikipedia for the best explantion of the plot and theme I find.Next up, About Schmidt (

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-37481074809905485862007-09-17T22:08:00.000-07:002007-12-28T16:07:01.591-08:00

What I can remember from summer and fall 2007. I guess I'll start a new list on the Equinox!An amazing film to end summer with, was Good Night, and Good Luck (2005). Wow, the guts it took to create the reality this film was based upon, and then the courage to make the film NOW -- immeasurable. David Strathairn was beat by beat perfect as Edward R. Murrow, but George Clooney wrote AND directed. It

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-72731858892262731552007-09-15T15:00:00.000-07:002008-01-07T02:38:58.409-08:00

Been reading lots of books lately. The Front Runner: a novel about love by Patricia Nell Warren first, so I can return it back to the library. Checked it out because it was listed as one of the top 5 books in the 40th anniversary issue of The Advocate. I enjoyed almost every word of this book, although some of the language is a bit cold and clinical ("homosexual" is used a lot), but perhaps that

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-34150011088287668842007-06-30T16:58:00.000-07:002007-06-30T17:16:09.516-07:00

If you can wait, fresh peach yumminess in the WinterA great way to use a box of ripe peaches. Put four peaches in a freezer bag, and suck out the air before freezing. I use four because they are easy to stack and use. If your family likes this as much as mine did, you can freeze TWO boxes of peaches!When you want fresh ice cream, take out a peach or two, and run under warm water until the skin

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-81058702139153585722007-06-18T22:26:00.000-07:002007-06-18T22:54:35.731-07:00

Loving for AllBy Mildred LovingPrepared for Delivery on June 12, 2007,The 40th Anniversary of the Loving vs. Virginia AnnouncementWhen my late husband, Richard, and I got married in Washington, DC in 1958, it wasn’t to make a political statement or start a fight. We were in love, and we wanted to be married.We didn’t get married in Washington because we wanted to marry there. We did it there

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-21698399517042302162007-04-28T23:26:00.000-07:002007-04-28T23:38:21.847-07:00

Translation of German sex-ed book for pre-schoolers:"Here you see a baby. Do you know how it came into the world ?""Here you see a mother and father. They are going to have a baby together.""Here Father and Mother have no clothes on. You can see Mother's breasts and Mother's * . People call it the vagina. {* word for female genital that a child would use}"You can see Daddy's **. People call it

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-40485856185636646962007-04-19T02:22:00.000-07:002007-04-19T02:24:17.117-07:00

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-21136984037697220372007-02-01T16:32:00.000-08:002007-02-01T16:38:18.256-08:00

Sleepthe nothingnessWhere I used to be© Valorie 2007

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1162604849988011452006-11-03T17:42:00.000-08:002006-11-03T17:47:30.006-08:00

Thanks to Cheryl on MySpace for this list!1. Never put yourself last.2. When you extend a helping hand to one person, be careful not to kick someone else in the teeth.3. Always own a pair of old, faded jeans.4. Count your blessings every day.5. Acknowledge your successes along with your downfalls.6. Burn the candle that has been in storage for the last two years.7. Strive for progress, not

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1161821950546251792006-10-25T16:15:00.000-07:002006-10-25T17:36:06.370-07:00

Changes in eligibility for WA State's "Take Charge" (free birth control services for low-income folks) to change November 1Young people who need Family Planning Services may be eligible for free contraceptive services under the TAKE CHARGE Program. TAKE CHARGE is a Medicaid Demonstration project with the goal of reducing unintended pregnancy in Washington State. STD screening and treatment is

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1161081795394647112006-10-17T03:27:00.000-07:002006-10-17T03:43:15.423-07:00

New York Times, October 15, 2006The Gay Old Party Comes OutBy Frank Rich - Op-Ed ColumnistPAGING Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council: Here's a gay Republican story you probably did not hear last week. On Tuesday a card-carrying homosexual, Mark Dybul, was sworn into office at the State Department with his partner holding the Bible. Dr. Dybul, the administration's new global AIDS

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1160551178765594022006-10-10T22:42:00.000-07:002008-01-09T02:53:16.322-08:00

Films for Gay-Straight Alliances For the Bible Tells Me So by Daniel Karslake, 2007, 99 min, Color, DVDFilmmaker and Duke graduate of '87, Daniel Karslake's new film has been short-listed for an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary in 2007.ABOUT THE FILM:Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross?

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1160440043314634802006-10-09T17:14:00.000-07:002006-10-10T22:34:49.616-07:00

I didn't write this, and don't know who did -- I got it as an email forward. It stirred up a lot of memories, though.Cleanliness is next to Godliness is an adage that you don't hear much today. Almost everyone unconsciously has cleanliness high on their list of priorities. However, cleanliness was not so easy to achieve in generations past. Whoever did the wash, women and Chinamen mostly, can

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1159998097204680232006-10-04T14:33:00.000-07:002006-10-04T14:42:21.246-07:00

Hilarious email forward from my dear sister Kimberly:I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. Early one morning, I received a call from the doctor's office to tell me that I had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 am. I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45 am.The trip to his office took about 35 minutes, so I

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1153820187342714162006-07-25T02:35:00.001-07:002006-08-01T14:55:30.046-07:00

Great Lists and how to get them* Safe Schools Coalition - all-around GREAT list!, local, state and US: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org, click on "LISTSERVE" on the bar on the left side.Local* GLSEN Puget Sound for the Puget Sound region; King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties: mailto:glsenpugetsound-subscribe@lists.riseup.net* Seattle Young People's Project / Queer Youth Rights: http://

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1153387404108141442006-07-20T02:12:00.000-07:002006-07-20T02:23:24.140-07:00

I signed this manifesto, after reading it on Tom Head's blog, which is part of the Jackson Free Press. Be warned -- this is long. It has to be long, to be clear and complete. Once you are done reading it, don't forget to SIGN IT.A. Preamble We are democrats and progressives. We propose here a fresh political alignment. Many of us belong to the Left, but the principles that we set out are not

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1152670153975488592006-07-11T19:07:00.000-07:002006-07-11T19:09:14.033-07:00

COMMENTARYby Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task ForceI never expected New York’s high court to rule for us on marriage. For a lot of solid legal reasons, New York was never in the first tier for marriage test case litigation and I distinctly remember having the unpleasant task 10 years ago of dissuading couples from going to court to press the issue. So when I read

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1152005237737547442006-07-04T02:25:00.000-07:002006-07-04T02:27:17.756-07:00

Thanks to Matt of Equality MySpace for this:"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...And for the

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1149805334419744132006-06-08T14:33:00.000-07:002006-06-08T19:22:40.586-07:00

Remarks of President Bush on the Marriage Protection AmendmentCorrected and Annotated by Mark Agrast, Sam Berger and Brodie ButlandCenter for American ProgressJune 5, 2006Thank you all. Please be seated.Good afternoon and welcome to the White House. It is a pleasure to be with so many fine community leaders, scholars, family organizations, religious leaders, Republicans, Democrats, independents.

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1148968695809482672006-05-29T22:57:00.000-07:002006-05-29T23:03:11.213-07:00

I couldn't believe this, so I googled a bit. It appears to be true, and just now, 20 years later, coming to light. NONE of the American executives responsible have been indicted, or even asked to own up to what they have done. See:http://www.ahrp.org/infomail/0503/22.php

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1148720445173311632006-05-27T01:59:00.000-07:002006-05-27T02:03:35.006-07:00

From the original Mother's Day, actually. Spoken by the woman who called for Mother's Day in the wake of the U.S. Civil War. Listen to Julia Ward Howe as we approach Memorial Day: Arise, then, women of this day! Arise all women who have hearts, whether our baptism be that of water or of tears! Say firmly: "We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1148273213347007442006-05-21T21:43:00.000-07:002006-05-21T21:46:53.363-07:00

What a great list! Stolen from Cheryl's blog:The Seven Areas of Self-EsteemPhysical prowess: Feeling confident in your bodys ability to meet the demands of daily life through physical strength, endurance, and flexibility.Social skills and social comportment: Knowing how to present yourself well and to act appropriately and graciously in a variety of social situations. Becoming someone others want

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1147669393600786962006-05-14T21:40:00.000-07:002006-05-14T22:04:09.720-07:00

What Is the Best Work of American Fiction of the Last 25 Years?Beloved, by Toni Morrison, center, was chosen as the best American fiction of the last 25 years. Runners up were Philip Roth, Cormac McCarthy, John Updike and Don DeLillo. By THE NEW YORK TIMES: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/21/books/fiction-25-years.htmlPublished: May 21, 2006Early this year, the Book Review's editor, Sam Tanenhaus,

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1146866385056181952006-05-05T14:51:00.000-07:002006-05-08T08:44:40.476-07:00

I just heard about the following story from Planned Parenthood. I hope you'll join me in taking action to put a stop to the outrageous practices of fake "clinics" by clicking on the link at the bottom of this post.An Indiana mother recently accompanied her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend to one of Indiana's Planned Parenthood clinics, but they unwittingly walked into a "crisis pregnancy

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1146813112479002332006-05-04T22:53:00.000-07:002006-05-05T00:11:52.563-07:00

I have to file this under news and politics, although the problem is that it is NOT news. My friend Bruce has written an explosive blog, full of stuff you have to read! However, he tells the story in a very calm, reasoned manner. Everyone who cares about the state of equal rights around the world, and within the United State, should read this blog. And leave a comment, and blog about it, talk

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1145938773833980052006-04-24T21:18:00.000-07:002006-04-24T21:19:33.856-07:00

According to the Treasury Department, the forty-two presidents who held office between 1789 and 2000 borrowed a combined total of $1.01 trillion from foreign governments and financial institutions. But between 2001 and 2005 alone, the Bush White House borrowed $1.05 trillion, more than all of the previous presidencies combined. Having inherited the largest federal surplus in American history in

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1142671593851272772006-03-18T00:44:00.000-08:002006-03-18T01:19:49.086-08:00

Go see it!'Remember, remember the fifth of November, the Gunpowder Treason Plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason…should ever be forgot.' – VThis visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is it vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished, as the once vital voice of the verisimilitude now venerates what they once vilified. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1139477836426997092006-02-09T01:29:00.000-08:002006-02-21T02:04:40.760-08:00

On Air, The Universal GlueFrom David Suzuki's book, The Sacred Balance; Rediscovering Our Place in Nature, Greystone Books, 1997The eminant Harvard astronomer Harlow Shapley once performed another thought exercise about air. He pointed out that while 99 per cent of the air we breathe is highly active oxygen and mildly reactive nitrogen, about 1 per cent is made up of argon, an inert gas. Because

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1138762371536140962006-01-31T18:48:00.000-08:002006-03-18T01:27:19.866-08:00

Bill Signing Remarks from the Office of Governor Chris GregoireCivil Rights Legislation, ESHB 2661January 31, 2006Governor Gregoire:In 1977, a group of thoughtful citizens took the first steps toward adding "sexual orientation" to the state's law against discrimination. We owe these citizens a tremendous amount of gratitude because it was their first steps that brought us to where we are today...

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1138761727348191662006-01-31T18:40:00.000-08:002006-01-31T20:20:14.913-08:00

I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice... But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King, Jr., said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere'.... I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1138189593208016012006-01-25T03:10:00.000-08:002006-02-06T02:27:59.583-08:00

Finally, after a bit of a drought, I've seen some films. Probably have seen some and neglected writing about them, but there you go. Not all of life fits into the blog! Tonight I finally watched Another Woman (1988), http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0094663/. Gena Rowlands was wonderful, riveting. I had forgotten that it was a Woody Allen film, and it was masterfully done. Anyone approaching a mid-life

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1137915474418153452006-01-21T23:24:00.000-08:002006-01-21T23:37:54.446-08:00

Dorodango, the latest rage among Japanese preschool through elementary school-age children. Seriously! Short instructions: http://bitsandpieces1.blogspot.com/2006/01/how-to-make-shiny-ball-out-of-mud.htmlMuch more complete instructions, including short video clips: http://www.kyokyo-u.ac.jp/youkyou/4/english4.htmThey are amazingly beautiful Professor Fumio Kayo of the Kyoto University of

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1137661736396342672006-01-19T01:06:00.000-08:002006-01-19T01:08:56.410-08:00

The difference you makeYou'll rarely be able to make things perfect. Yet you can always make things better. You'll never be able to improve the past. Yet you can always improve right now. Get in the habit of adding value to each moment. And those moments you enhance will soon add value to all that is around you. Get in the habit of being a positive influence on the people you encounter. And bit

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1137284205091694172006-01-14T16:14:00.000-08:002006-01-14T16:16:45.110-08:00

From: Jim MaloneySent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 9:12 PMSubject: Urge Your Elected Officials To Take a Stand Against Dont Ask, Dont TellAs a new year unfolds, please take a moment to write your elected officials to urge them to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."Only one law in the United States mandates firing someone because of his or her sexual orientation. That law is 10 U.S.C. 654, also known as

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1137240093271668212006-01-14T03:59:00.000-08:002006-01-14T04:01:33.283-08:00

The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1136765209669029132006-01-08T16:06:00.000-08:002006-01-08T16:06:49.683-08:00

After more than 50 years in the military and politics, I am still amazed to see how upset people can get over nothing. Lifting the ban on gays in the military isn't exactly nothing, but it's pretty damned close. The conservative movement, to which I subscribe, has as one of its basic tenets the belief that government should stay out of people's private lives. Government governs best when it

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1135333040558309412005-12-23T02:16:00.000-08:002005-12-23T02:17:20.566-08:00

I think you should. Sign up to become an organ donorSave a life once your own is over.

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1135293048427708302005-12-22T15:00:00.000-08:002005-12-22T15:10:48.453-08:00

The Independent, UK, December 21, 2005: http://comment.independent.co.uk/commentators/article334427.eceWhy we should all share in these celebrationsMuch of the opposition to equal rights for gays was downright spitefulTony BlairAcross the country this week, hundreds of couples will be celebrating a major milestone in their lives. They will be followed by thousands more in the coming months as

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1134362293003493242005-12-11T20:15:00.000-08:002005-12-14T22:50:50.526-08:00

I've just read something so disturbing that I felt it had to be blogged here and on MySpace. Occasional emphasis added by me.'Never Before!' Our Amnesiac Torture Debateby Naomi KleinIt was the "Mission Accomplished" of George W. Bush's second term, and an announcement of that magnitude called for a suitably dramatic location. But what was the right backdrop for the infamous "We do not torture"

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1134353840351636942005-12-11T18:10:00.000-08:002006-03-21T00:10:47.653-08:00

I promised a friend to tell him how to improve privacy on the profile page. Anyone who is not out, but wants to join some groups with "gay" in the name, should not display their groups publicly. To privatize your group memberships, go to Home > Account Settings > Profile Settings, and uncheck Display Groups belong to if you want to hide links to the groups you've joined on MySpace. Your MySpace

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1134001397256193402005-12-07T16:21:00.000-08:002005-12-07T16:23:17.266-08:00

I am done with great things and big plans, great institutions and big successes. I am for those tiny, invisible loving human forces that work from individual to individual, creeping through the crannies of the world like so many rootlets, or like the capillary oozing of water, yet which, if given time, will rend the hardest monuments of human pride. - William James (thank you John D for this

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1133522314596048122005-12-02T02:53:00.000-08:002005-12-02T03:19:39.870-08:00

Today is World AIDS Day. HIV/AIDS is a disease that continues to affect millions across the United States and abroad. Take a moment today to reflect on those who have been lost to this terrible disease and think about what you might do to help, even if it's as little as visiting Bristol-Myers Squibb. They are donating a dollar to AIDS research for every candle that is lit on their

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1131707537994643372005-11-11T03:09:00.000-08:002005-11-11T03:12:18.006-08:00

It is ... for us, the living, to here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1127808022879895562005-09-26T23:31:00.000-07:002008-01-15T03:28:20.430-08:00

I gathered these together for Colin's GSA, so thought I would post them here, too.PFLAG Seattle: http://www.seattle-pflag.org/links to PFLAG meetings and other resources. National: http://www.pflag.orgPFLAG Helpline: 206-325-7724Crisis Clinic: http://www.crisisclinic.org/Crisis Line - 24-hour hotline: 206-461-3222Teen Link Helpline: 206-461-4922 answered by teens from 6-10 PM every dayFoster Care

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1127723840402186972005-09-26T01:33:00.000-07:002006-07-14T00:30:35.326-07:00

Moved to http://genweblog.blogspot.com/2006/07/thomas-cowan-wwi-attestation.html

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1127723182444443232005-09-26T01:03:00.000-07:002006-01-29T03:09:39.163-08:00

Any updates to this post will be found on the Genealogy blog: http://genweblog.blogspot.com/2006/01/cowans-and-neighbors-1911-puslinch.htmlPage 7 Puslinch Twp. Sub-Dist. # 27Scott, ArchScott, Mary Scott, Robert? Scott, James Scott, Lisabeth/Elizabeth Scott, Walter Scott, Andrew Scott, Margaret McDonald, DonaldMcDonald, Catherine McDonald, Edith McDonald, Francis McDonald, Anna?[unreadable],

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1126259558740440472005-09-09T02:26:00.000-07:002005-09-09T02:52:57.090-07:00

Self-actualization: being knowledgeable, emotionally aware, self-directed, and at peace with the world. Who wouldn't want that? A nice list of the traits from Psychological Self-Help.They see reality, and knowing "the facts are friendly," they accept reality more than most people. They see through phoniness, deception, and "games"--and avoid them. They cope with problems, rather than avoid them.

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1126042457416001622005-09-06T12:47:00.000-07:002005-09-06T14:34:42.486-07:00

ClassicNotes: http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/NovelGuide: http://www.novelguide.com/SparkNotes: http://www.sparknotes.com/PinkMonkey: http://www.pinkmonkey.com/index2.asp 400 study guidesBibliomania: http://www.bibliomania.com/ 2000 texts; free registration requiredIf you think education is expensive, try ignorance. - Emma Goldman, 1869-1940

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1125458922233705602005-08-30T20:27:00.000-07:002005-09-09T02:57:02.210-07:00

If you have never used Opera to browse the web, you owe it to yourself to download it *today*. Why today? It is their tenth anniversary as a company (Norwegian) and they are offering free downloads of the no-ad version just today. [note: if you didn't already do that, you are too late for the free no-ad version. But the free version is still worthwhile! I used it when I still used Windows, and

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1124833480364867632005-08-23T14:29:00.000-07:002005-08-23T19:07:56.463-07:00

Excerpts of speech by Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on the occasion of the historic vote legalizing both gay marriage and adoption of children by gay couples.We are not legislating, honorable members, for people far away and not known by us. We are enlarging the opportunity for happiness to our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends and, our families: at the same time we

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1124359196458986842005-08-18T02:57:00.000-07:002005-08-19T01:59:57.380-07:00

WOMEN GIVEN SUFFRAGE BY TENNESSEE RATIFICATION. . . .SUFFRAGE VICTORY ENDS LONG BATTLEfrom the Trenton Evening Times, Trenton, New Jersey, 18 August 1920,page 1:Maryland Woman in 1647 First to Demand Equal Rights with Men(Associated Press)Ratification of the suffrage amendment to the Constitution ends a struggle which began in this country before the Colonies declared their independence. It will

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1124343806350494742005-08-17T22:05:00.000-07:002005-08-18T03:02:18.936-07:00

Consumer Reports is online: http://www.consumerreports.org/main/home.jsp but use it in the library. The subscription online is a bad deal. Also try Epinions.com: http://www.epinions.com/, reviews at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/, and Judy's Book.com: http://www.judysbook.com/Computer equipment: http://www.pricewatch.com/, http://www.pcworld.com/Other stuff: http://www.pricegrabber.com/

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1122103609960281262005-07-23T00:06:00.000-07:002006-07-17T03:49:55.326-07:00

The up-to-date version of this post will be maintained at: http://genweblog.blogspot.com/2006/07/google-earth-and-moon.htmlFun, and practical! The latest from Google is Google Moon, which debuted on the 30th anniversary of "one giant step for mankind." Be sure to go to full magnification!Next, a program you must download from Google (9MB, free): http://desktop.google.com/download/earth/; Google

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192515.post-1121904776646806092005-07-20T17:04:00.000-07:002005-12-22T15:13:19.793-08:00

President Bush's administration is under fire from both his own party and the Democrats because of his apparent shielding of Carl Rove who evidently conspired to commit TREASON. So instead of choosing a moderate woman to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court bench, he chooses a right-wing ideologue! Thus he guarantees that TREASON will be moved off the front page, since the national

Valorie Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08390727972738204487noreply@blogger.com0