The Newsroom – HBO

I don’t watch a lot of television, but I decided to watch the first episode of The Newsroom on HBO simply because I was finished with my political and lgbt blogs for the day, I was caught up on Facebook and my email, and I was bored. So, after watching True Blood (one of only 3 shows in which I actually watch every episode… used to be four, but House ended), I stayed tuned in.

Jeff Daniels had me sold on his character, and the entire show, in one scene that lasts a little over 4 minutes. It was powerful, it was emotional, and it was raw, unvarnished truth. 


I hope the creative team never loses sight of it… it was sheer brilliance and if they remain on that path, this show is going to be a monster hit. I have no worries that Jeff Daniels can pull off anything they throw at him, nor Sam Waterston for that matter. I’m not that familiar with the rest of the cast, but they all seemed pretty good.


Now, I did see a couple things that might require tweaking, but, overall, it was really a great hour of television. But, this is an Aaron Sorkin series we’re talking about. I expect the things that need tweaking, have already been tweaked.


Watch this clip and then see the entire episode when it airs again.


I’m looking forward to episode 2.

“The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one. America is not the greatest country in the world anymore”. ~ Will McAvoy

I’ve Learned…

I’ve learned…

no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I’ve learned…
                               
you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I’ve learned…

making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life’.

I’ve learned…

life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I’ve learned…

you shouldn’t go through life with catcher’s mitts on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back sometimes.

I’ve learned…

if you pursue happiness, it will elude you But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I’ve learned…

whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I’ve learned…

even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.

I’ve learned…

every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch — holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I’ve learned…

I still have a lot to learn.

*Blogger’s Note: I have no idea who wrote this or why… but it moved me, so I decided to share it here.

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. ‘We must do something about father,’ said the son. ‘I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating,and food on the floor.’

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the
floor. He asked the child sweetly, ‘What are you making?’
                             
Just as sweetly, the boy responded, ‘Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.’

The four-year-old smiled and went back to work…

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

*Blogger’s Note: I have no idea who originally wrote this or why… but it moved, so I chose to share it.

The World Has Changed Before… It Can Change Again!

45 years ago yesterday, this couple was told by the US Supreme Court that their marriage wasn’t wrong and criminal charges against them for getting married were made null and void.

John and Mildred Loving

And the world changed its mind about interracial marriage forever.

Today, there are couples who have married that will only be recognized as married in 6 states and Washington, D.C. In every other state, they are “wrong”.

Lauri-Ann and Amy | Jessica Shepard (Jessie Mary Photography)*

Travis Hollenbeck and Daniel Vukelich*

Photo credit: Unknown*

Melissa and Courtney | HRM Photography*

Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer before the world changes its mind again and same-sex marriage is legal in every state and every country.

* All photos obtained by Google Image search. No copyright infringement is intended.