then we got into a labyrinth, and, when we thought we were at the end, came out again at the beginning, having still to see as much as ever

More accurate than a Buzzfeed quiz; less accurate than your therapist’s raised eyebrow. 🤨

 

🤔 Mindplay Friday: What Type of Puzzle Are You? 🤨

 

Some people thrive on logic. Others love patterns, mysteries, or seeing the big picture come together. Answer these five questions to discover which type of puzzle best matches your personality!

---

1. You are given a difficult problem. What's your first instinct?

A. Break it into smaller pieces
B. Look for hidden patterns
C. Gather clues and investigate
D. Try different approaches until something clicks

2. Which activity sounds most appealing?

A. Organizing a large collection
B. Solving a brain teaser
C. Reading a mystery novel
D. Exploring somewhere unfamiliar

3. Friends would describe you as:

A. Patient
B. Analytical
C. Observant
D. Creative

4. Which statement resonates most?

A. Everything fits together eventually.
B. There is always a logical solution.
C. The truth is hidden beneath the surface.
D. The journey is as important as the answer.

5. Pick a setting:

A. A large table covered with pieces waiting to be assembled
B. A quiet room with a pencil and notebook
C. An old library full of secrets
D. A winding path through unknown territory

Results in the comments!

 

[quiz generated by chatGPT; the title quotation is by François Fénelon, from The Adventures of Telemachus (1699)]

she felt like a marshmallow heading into a house fire armed with chocolate and graham crackers

More accurate than a Buzzfeed quiz; less accurate than your therapist’s raised eyebrow. 🤨

 

🍘 Mindplay Friday: What Snack Cracker Are You? 🍘

 

Crispy, crunchy, dependable, or delightfully odd—

snack crackers come in more varieties than you might expect. 

Answer these five questions to discover 

which cracker best matches your personality

---

1. Which quality do people appreciate most about you?

A. Reliability
B. Creativity
C. Warmth
D. Intelligence

2. You arrive at a party. What role do you naturally take?

A. The dependable helper
B. The person starting interesting conversations
C. The one making everyone feel welcome
D. The observer who notices everything

3. Pick a preferred afternoon activity:

A. Finishing a project
B. Trying something new
C. Visiting with friends
D. Reading or learning something interesting

4. Which phrase sounds most like you?

A. "If it works, it works."
B. "Why not?"
C. "Come on in."
D. "That's interesting..."

5. Choose a beverage:

A. Coffee
B. Sparkling water with something unusual in it
C. Hot tea
D. Whatever pairs best with the occasion

    Results in the comments!

 

[quiz generated by chatGPT; the title quotation is by Benjamin R. Smith, from Atlas]

the arts and sciences, And a thousand appliances; The wind that blows Is all that any body knows

More accurate than a Buzzfeed quiz; less accurate than your therapist’s raised eyebrow.🤨

 

⏲️ Mindplay Friday: Which Kitchen Appliance Are You? 🧑🏼‍🍳

 

Every kitchen has its stars, its workhorses, and its unexpected specialists. 

Answer these five questions to discover 

which kitchen appliance best matches your personality!

---

1. How do you usually approach a challenge?

A. Carefully and methodically
B. Quickly and efficiently
C. Creatively and experimentally
D. Dependably and consistently

2. Which quality do you value most?

A. Precision
B. Adaptability
C. Innovation
D. Reliability

3. What role do you often play in a group?

A. The planner
B. The problem-solver
C. The idea generator
D. The steady supporter

4. Your ideal weekend activity is:

A. Finishing a long-term project
B. Tackling a list of errands and crossing things off
C. Trying something you've never done before
D. Spending comfortable time with familiar people

5. Pick a motto:

A. "Details matter."
B. "Work smarter, not harder."
C. "Let's see what happens."
D. "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." 

    Results in the comments!

 

[quiz generated by chatGPT; the title quotation is by Henry David Thoreau, from Walden or, Life in the Woods]

he's not a bit like you. / And you're not a bit like you. I mean you aren't what you seem to be.

Average rating: 6.6

Star Trek: Generations [i.e. Star Trek 7] (1994) - "Captain Jean-Luc Picard faces personal loss while confronting a scientist whose obsession with recapturing paradise threatens millions of lives. At the same time, the film passes the torch from the original Star Trek crew to The Next Generation, giving two iconic captains an opportunity to share the screen. More reflective than action-oriented, it explores regret, purpose, and the temptation to escape the pain of ordinary life." 

length: 1h, 58m  |  source: my Blu-ray  |  directed by David Carson  |  why I watched: I've seen it several times, but haven't reviewed

IMDb: 6.6/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 48% / 57% Audience  |  my IMDb: 7/10  |  MPAA: PG

tone & texture: reflective, crisp & modern

notable quote: "'I hate this! It is revolting!'

    'More?' 

    'Please!'"

my notes: it's not the best movie ever, or even the best in the franchise, this is the movie version of "jack of all trades, and master of none." If it were just about Data's emotion chip, or saying goodbye to Kirk and Scotty and Chekov, or Picard's tragedy, or Soran's quest—or any of the half dozen other stories being covered—then it would be a nice, tight, entertaining movie. Instead, it's underdeveloped and scattershot, playing like a Best Of television episode rather than a feature film. Still and all, I enjoyed it, and will see it again. These are my guys, after all!

if this movie were a food it would be:  appetizer platter. There's a lot of tasty things to try, but not enough of any of them. 

themes: tradition v. change, found family, identity

overall:  recommended

 

Walking Tall (2004) - "After returning to his hometown, a former Special Forces soldier finds that corruption, drugs, and intimidation have transformed the community he remembers. Refusing to look the other way, he becomes sheriff and wages a blunt, personal campaign to restore order. Lean, fast-moving, and unapologetically old-fashioned, the film updates the classic 'one good man versus a broken town' story with modern action and a surprising amount of heart." 

length: 1h, 26m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by Kevin Bray  |  why I watched: it's another film I've seen before but did not review

IMDb: 6.2/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 27% / 59% Audience  |  my IMDb: 7/10  |  MPAA: PG-13 (LOL)

tone & texture: gritty, high-color/stylized

notable quote: "Casinos are all the same. Room full of fake boobs and real assholes."

my notes: before I say anything else: Johnny Knoxville is the heart of this movie, and he is wonderful in the role of Ray. He's a really good actor. 

     I went into it hoping for action and heroism, and that's what I got. I didn't go in looking for cinematic brilliance, and so I wasn't disappointed.

if this movie were a food it would be: Pizza Hut buffet. A variety, but all within a small range. Meaty, salty, flavorful, not at all nutritious, and weirdly enthralling.

themes: justice, found family, courage

overall:  recommended

Secret Beyond the Door (1947) - "After a whirlwind romance, a wealthy New York woman marries a mysterious architect and follows him to his sprawling estate, where she discovers that her new husband harbors unsettling secrets behind a series of locked rooms. As suspicion, fear, and fascination become increasingly intertwined, she struggles to determine whether the danger lies within the house, within her husband, or within her own imagination. Fritz Lang blends Gothic mystery with psychological drama, creating an atmosphere of mounting unease in which shadows and silence are often as revealing as dialogue. The result is a stylish, unsettling character study that rewards close attention to mood as much as plot." 

length: 1h, 39m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by Fritz Lang  |  why I watched: it was discounted by my favorite purveyor of unexpected movies, and seemed like something I might like

IMDb: 6.6/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 65% / 54% Audience  |  my IMDb: 6/10  |  MPAA: Approved

tone & texture: unsettling, noir shadows

notable quote: "I'm marrying a stranger, a man I don't know at all."

my notes: the comparisons to Rebecca (1940, reviewed here) are apt, but only as a first step. Secret is smaller and tighter. Beautifully framed and lit, with spectacular shadows and depth. I didn't exactly love the acting, and the music was 50º beyond distracting, but overall I think this is one to watch. 

if this movie were a food it would be:  there is a sandwich at a local deli called Don't Be a Chicken: Chicken breast, smothered in bacon aioli, Swiss cheese and lettuce served on ciabatta roll. Despite the deceptively simple description, it offers intricate and layered flavors. 

themes: identity, isolation

overall:  mildly recommended

The Meg (2018) - "During a deep-sea rescue mission, an experienced diver is called back into service when a scientific expedition encounters a creature thought to have been extinct for millions of years. As the enormous megalodon begins threatening both the research team and the unsuspecting public above, survival depends on a combination of expertise, nerve, and increasingly improbable plans. Mixing creature feature, disaster movie, and action spectacle, The Meg embraces its outlandish premise with a straight face and a healthy appreciation for larger-than-life entertainment." 

length: 1h, 53m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by Jon Turteltaub  |  why I watched: I'm on a Statham kick lately

IMDb: 5.7/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 47% / 44% Audience  |  my IMDb: 6/10  |  MPAA: PG-13

tone & texture: straightforward hyper-glossy action

notable quote: "Chew on this, you ugly bastard."

my notes: it's no Jaws, for sure. (That is a required line for every review of this movie.) It is entertaining, legitimately startling, and undeniably fun. The romance bits are unconvincing, and the overlong scene of happy beach-goers stretched too thin. Still and all, I liked the action and the drama. (And this is the kind of movie where "6 1/2" or "a low 7" would be a more accurate numeric rating, to differentiate it from the Statham redemption/revenge films that I so appreciate.)

if this movie were a food it would be: Funyons. Lots of people don't enjoy them, they're kind of an acquired taste, too much is WAY too much, they sometimes leave an aftertaste of onion-like chemicals—and I have always liked them anyway. 

themes: courage, sacrifice, found family

overall:  recommended

 

A Double Life (1947) - "A celebrated stage actor renowned for his immersive performances accepts the role of Shakespeare's Othello, only to find that the emotional intensity of the character begins to seep into his everyday life. As the boundaries between performance and reality grow increasingly blurred, those closest to him struggle to distinguish the man from the role he has created. Mixing psychological drama with noir sensibilities, the film explores the intoxicating power of identity, obsession, and artistic ambition." 

length: 1h, 44m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by George Cukor  |  why I watched: I've liked some of Cukor's other films, and this premise intrigued me.

IMDb: 6.9/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 88% / 66% Audience  |  my IMDb: 7/10  |  MPAA: Approved

tone & texture: unsettling, noir shadows

notable quote: "'Say, what's so funny?' 

    'It's nothing. It's a private joke between me and me.'"

my notes: this film distressed me more than I'd anticipated it might. The veil between person, actor, and character must have been very thin for Ronald Colman, playing Anthony John. The idea of walking up to the border of this kind of madness would terrify me. I almost had a hard time getting into the story because I was so fixated on how it would feel to be involved. 

    Edmond O'Brien played Bill Friend with quiet dignity and integrity. Shelley Winters, as always, made her role crackle and spit (that's a good thing, trust me). With the caveat that I found it psychologically intense, this is one to watch again some other day. (Maybe during daylight hours.)  

if this movie were a food it would be: espresso on an empty stomach

themes: identity, isolation

Academy Awards: winner x2 (and nominee x2) 

overall:  recommended, albeit with some reserve

 

[the title quotation is from Secret Beyond the Door]

I am a cage, in search of a bird

More accurate than a Buzzfeed quiz; less accurate than your therapist’s raised eyebrow.🤨

 

🦤 Mindplay Friday: Which Summer Bird Are You? 🦜 

 

The trees are green, the feeders are busy, and the morning air is full of song. 

Answer these five questions to discover which familiar Midwestern summer bird 

matches your personality!

---

1. How do you prefer to spend time with other people?

A. In a close-knit group of friends
B. Entertaining everyone with stories and conversation
C. One-on-one or in small gatherings
D. Floating between groups as the mood strikes

2. Which quality do you admire most?

A. Loyalty
B. Creativity
C. Grace
D. Adaptability

3. Your ideal summer afternoon involves:

A. A backyard barbecue
B. Exploring somewhere new
C. A peaceful walk in nature
D. A little bit of everything

4. Which description sounds most like you?

A. Friendly and dependable
B. Expressive and clever
C. Calm and observant
D. Curious and energetic

5. Choose a place to perch:

A. A sturdy fence post
B. A hidden branch where I can watch everything
C. The top of a flowering tree
D. Anywhere with a good view and something interesting happening

    Results in the comments!

 

[quiz generated by chatGPT; the title quotation is by Franz Kafka, from The Diaries]

marriage...is a disconcerting mystery

Average rating: 7.5 (6.6 if the outlier is included)

Mustang Country (1976) - "An aging rancher and a young runaway set out to capture a legendary wild mustang, beginning a quiet adventure through the American West that becomes as much about family, responsibility, and growing up as it is about the horse itself. Along the way, both discover that courage is often found in patience, kindness, and respect for the natural world. A gentle, old-fashioned family western that values character over spectacle." 

length: 1h, 19m  |  source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection  |  directed by John C Champion  |  why I watched: I love Joel McCrea, and will take any opportunity to watch his movies

IMDb: 6.2/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: N/A  |  my IMDb: 6/10  |  MPAA: G

tone & texture: warm, textured/earthy

notable quote: "All there is, is good luck and bad. Both of them are part of livin'."

my notes: McCrea is marvelously comfortable in his own skin. This is one of his last films, and it's a wonderful counterpoint to his earlier work. He's calm, and seems more prone to listening than to waiting to speak. His relationships with people and animals are realistic and expressive. It's not the most complex plot ever, but what there is is entertaining and sensible. 

themes: found family, hope, identity

overall: mildly recommended

 

3 Days to Kill (2014) - "Terminally ill CIA operative Ethan Renner sets out to repair the family life he sacrificed for decades of dangerous work, but one final assignment forces him to balance international espionage with the far more daunting challenge of becoming a real father to his teenage daughter. Blending action, comedy, and genuine family drama, the film explores whether a man defined by violence can still learn to be present for the people who matter most before time runs out." 

length: 1h, 57m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by McG  |  why I watched: I've seen it before (previously reviewed here) and was interested in a re-view

IMDb: 6.2/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 27% / NA Audience  |  my IMDb: 7/10  |  MPAA: PG-13

written & co-produced by Luc Besson, of The Professional and La Femme Nikita fame 

tone & texture: gritty, crisp & modern

notable quote: "I'm gonna need a new suit."

my notes: this is an unsettlingly stupid movie that somehow manages to be entertaining and compelling. I f'ing HATE Amber Heard's acting, particularly in this thankless role that Meryl Streep couldn't have made comprehensible. The rest of the cast is really good, though, and manages to seem like they've got it going on. (OK, all except the CIA Director, played through a haze of cheese so thick you could stand a chip in it by Raymond J Barry.) 

    There's a moment toward the end of the film (1:44:19, if you want to look it up) where Costner's Renner is looking down over a balcony, at a party. He's lit from below with a neon green light. His face is creased and weathered, but his eyes are piercing. He's got a couple days' stubble and a more distinct mustache that hasn't been trimmed, so it's probably making his nose itch. He looks smart, capable, and like he needs a week-long nap. And this movie star's comfort in his own skin is why I like this movie. It's not the best action, comedy, or family film ever made, but it's hella entertaining and way more thinky than it seems. 

themes: redemption, love

overall:  recommended

Four Faces West (1948) - "Desperate to save his family's ranch, honorable cowboy Ross McEwen commits the one crime he believes he can still live with, leaving behind an IOU and hoping someday to repay what he has taken. As he flees westward, pursued by Sheriff Pat Garrett and aided by unexpected acts of kindness, McEwen discovers that his greatest challenge isn't outrunning the law but remaining true to himself in a world where trust, decency, and compassion are constantly being tested. More gentle character drama than traditional shoot-'em-up, Four Faces West is a quietly moving Western about conscience, honor, and the surprising generosity of strangers." 

length: 1h, 29m  |  source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection  |  directed by Alfred E Green  |  why I watched: it's my favorite Western (previously reviewed here and here) and I like to watch it every year or so

IMDb: 7.0/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: NA% / 71% Audience  |  my IMDb: 9/10  |  MPAA: Approved

tone & texture: straightforward, classic Hollywood polish

notable quote: "Everybody gets law-abiding when there's a reward at stake."

my notes: it's a rare movie where there is no "bad guy", people treat others decently, there is zero cursing - and it is still engrossing and fun to watch. Joel McCrea is my vote for the best listener in cinema, and he can do it seamlessly and organically. He seems like a guy I'd like to sit on a porch with, drinking iced tea and not talking at all, just being. His McEwen character is a regular guy (who also happens to be brilliant on a horse).

themes: justice, love, courage

overall: highly recommended

Parker (2013) - "After a double-cross leaves him for dead, professional thief Parker sets out to recover both his share of the money and the principles he refuses to abandon, tracking the crew that betrayed him to an affluent Florida community preparing for a spectacular heist. Forced into an uneasy alliance with a struggling real estate agent who longs for a more exciting life, Parker must balance meticulous planning, brutal efficiency, and his own uncompromising moral code. Equal parts crime thriller, caper, and character study, Parker explores the curious honor that can exist among thieves—and what happens when that honor is broken." 

length: 1h, 58m  |  source: I owned the DVD  |  directed by Taylor Hackford  |  why I watched: Statham, of course

IMDb: 6.2/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 42% / 48% Audience  |  my IMDb: DNF  |  MPAA: R

tone & texture: straightforward, crisp & modern

notable quote: "If you don't tell me what I need to know, I'm gonna press down on this chair until it crushes your trachea. Trust me, it's agonizing. Plus, there's the posthumous humiliation of having been killed with a chair."

my notes: I watched a third of it before giving up. It never made me care at all for the characters or the storyline. Statham is at his best, in my estimation, in films where he's either part of a big ensemble working for a common mission (Lock, Stock, for instance, or The Expendables), or where he's a weary loner with great competence and an exhausting backstory (Redemption, Safe, Wrath of Man...). Movies where he's an incomprehensible hardass or a romantic hero (Death Race, In the Name of the King) are hard to like. 

themes: identity

overall: not  recommended

 

La Ronde {The Circle Dance} (1950) - "Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, a succession of chance meetings, flirtations, affairs, and fleeting romances links people from every level of society into an elegant chain of desire. As each encounter gives way to the next, the boundaries between comedy and melancholy begin to blur, revealing the fragile hopes, vanities, and longings that unite people regardless of class or circumstance. Graceful, witty, and quietly bittersweet, La Ronde is less interested in judging its lovers than in observing the endlessly repeating patterns of human connection." 

length: 1h, 33m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by Max Ophüls  |  why I watched: I'm fascinated with the films of Anton Walbrook, who plays the Master of Ceremonies, and also with this director's films

IMDb: 7.4/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 94% / 83% Audience  |  my IMDb: 8/10  |  MPAA: Not rated

tone & texture: playful, classic Hollywood polish

notable quote: "I'm the personification of your desire."

my notes: such a unique premise for a movie! My favorite vignette was 'the Count and the Prostitute', with 'the Young Man and the Married Woman' a close second. Walbrook was adorable, charming and disarming as the Master of Ceremonies. My favorite film aspects were the lighting and the framing (including various shots of female characters through their ornate head- and foot-boards). I was entertained and left to think about it all.

themes: tradition vs. change, love, hope, disillusionment, loyalty

overall: strongly recommended

 

[the title quotation is from La Ronde]

a spark in the bright flare Of the possible

Remember, every lover is a corsair seeking glory, 

An x-marks-the-spot, a longing for invisible treasure, 

 

Every lover is an end-point and a start-point 

In the history of the world, a spark in the bright flare 

 

Of the possible. Our swashbuckling lovers remind us: 

Once we were lazing children, 

 

Housebound and shoreless, 

With no concept of the sea 

 

But now there’s the ocean’s blue spool, 

Fleet-winged gulls, windblown caravels, 

 

Even spouting whales, 

Crow’s nests, and clouds like a white armada— 

 

And so, when we relinquish the body’s treasure map, our lovers 

Discover us the way the sailcloth in the rigging 

 

Fills with the trade winds, from the last of the night’s stars 

Through the lavish tangerine of dawn, our ships 

 

Gliding over sheets of light-glazed silver. 

 

[Cyrus Cassells {1957- } and Brian Turner {1967- } 'Corsair'; originally published in Poem-a-Day on November 29, 2023]

every strike brings me closer to the next home run

More accurate than a Buzzfeed quiz; less accurate than your therapist’s raised eyebrow.🤨

 

☀️ Mindplay Friday: Which Summer Olympic Sport Are You? 🏅 

 

Some people are built for speed. 

Others thrive on precision, endurance, strategy, or teamwork. 

And some of us are happiest cheering from the couch with snacks. 

Answer these five questions to discover your Olympic destiny!

---

1. Which quality best describes you?

A. Determined
B. Precise
C. Adaptable
D. Enthusiastic

2. You are given a difficult challenge. What is your approach?

A. Push through and outlast it
B. Study it carefully before acting
C. Adjust as circumstances change
D. Find the fun in the process

3. Which environment appeals most?

A. Open roads and long distances
B. Quiet concentration
C. Fast-moving action
D. A comfortable chair with a good view

4. Which accomplishment sounds most satisfying?

A. Finishing something extremely difficult
B. Executing something flawlessly
C. Succeeding under pressure
D. Experiencing something memorable

5. Pick a motto:

A. "Keep going."
B. "Aim carefully."
C. "Stay flexible."
D. "Life is meant to be enjoyed."

    Results in the comments!

 

[quiz generated by chatGPT; the title quotation is attributed to Babe Ruth]

so many hungry years after

Why not a meadow? 

Why not a little clearing and a stream 

to wade in? Why not take our pants off, 

a little respite from our partners 

who couldn’t see us, who’d never see us 

no matter what we did? What we did was wrong, 

the way we did it. It was miraculous, 

it took hold long after 

we trudged back to our spouses. 

So many years harboring a secret. 

Thank you for telling me 

about growing up in Queens, daddy’s 

milk truck skittering about Northern Boulevard 

looking for your favorite ice cream. 

And the darkness: how shades were drawn, 

how your mother would never recover 

from your father. How many of us 

have been stymied by those early dramas 

until we married them? So many years, 

so many hungry years after. 

Thank you for the apricots in the mail, 

thank you more for appearing at my door 

with so little time left: no going back 

to field our regrets. Old 

as we are, you are here and now, 

why not a meadow and a clearing? 

 

[Ira Sadoff {1945- } 'Thank you', originally published in Poem-a-Day on December 1, 2023]

a good night sleep, or a ten minute bawl, or a pint of chocolate ice cream, or all three together, is good medicine

More accurate than a Buzzfeed quiz; less accurate than your therapist’s raised eyebrow.🤨

 

🍨 Mindplay Friday: Which Ice Cream Topping Are You? 🍦 

 

Some people are classic hot fudge. Others are rainbow sprinkles chaos. 

Answer these five questions to discover which ice cream topping best matches your personality!

---

1. You have a free Saturday afternoon. What sounds best?

A. Visiting a favorite place you've loved for years
B. Trying something adventurous and unexpected
C. Spending time with friends and family
D. Curling up with a book, movie, or hobby

2. Which quality do people most appreciate about you?

A. Reliability
B. Creativity
C. Warmth
D. Thoughtfulness

3. Your ideal vacation involves:

A. A well-planned itinerary
B. Exploring somewhere new
C. Sharing experiences with others
D. Quiet beauty and reflection

4. Which animal appeals to you most?

A. Horse
B. Parrot
C. Dog
D. Owl

5. Pick a color:

A. Rich brown
B. Rainbow mix
C. Bright red
D. Deep blue

Results in the comments!

 

[quiz generated by chatGPT; the title quotation is by Ray Bradbury, from Dandelion Wine]

you can always start over, saddle a fresh horse and take another trail

More accurate than a Buzzfeed quiz; less accurate than your therapist’s raised eyebrow.🤨

🤠 Mindplay Friday: Which Western Hero Are You? 🤠 

The frontier can be a lonely place. Some heroes rely on grit, some on wisdom, some on courage, and some on sheer stubbornness. Answer these five questions to discover which Western hero rides closest to your trail.

---

1. A stranger arrives in town with trouble following behind. What do you do?

A. Hear them out before deciding anything
B. Keep an eye on them and gather information
C. Offer help immediately
D. Tell them trouble follows people for a reason

2. Which quality matters most?

A. Integrity
B. Competence
C. Courage
D. Independence

3. Your ideal horse would be:

A. Dependable and steady
B. Smart and responsive
C. Fast and fearless
D. Tough enough to survive anything

4. How do you handle conflict?

A. Try to prevent it if possible
B. Study the situation before acting
C. Face it directly
D. Let others underestimate you

5. Which landscape appeals most?

A. Open grasslands
B. Rolling hills and hidden valleys
C. Rugged mountains
D. Desert country stretching to the horizon

Results in the comments! 

 

[the title quotation is by Louis L'Amour, from The Proving Trail]

living in reverse

It’s autumn, and we’re getting rid 

of books, getting ready to retire, 

to move some place smaller, more 

manageable. We’re living in reverse, 

age-proofing the new house, nothing 

on the floors to trip over, no hindrances 

to the slowed mechanisms of our bodies, 

a small table for two. Our world is 

shrinking, our closets mostly empty, 

gone the tight skirts and dancing shoes, 

the bells and whistles. Now, when 

someone comes to visit and admires 

our complete works of Shakespeare, 

the hawk feather in the open dictionary, 

the iron angel on a shelf, we say 

take them. This is the most important 

time of all, the age of divestment, 

knowing what we leave behind is 

like the fragrance of blossoming trees 

that grows stronger after 

you’ve passed them, breathing 

them in for a moment before 

breathing them out. An ordinary 

Tuesday when one of you says 

I dare you, and the other one just laughs. 

 

[Dorianne Laux {1952- } 'I Dare You'; originally published in Poem-a-Day on April 4, 2023]

as close as we're ever likely to get

        Somewhere between what it feels like, to be at 

one with the sea, and to understand the sea as 

mere context for the boat whose engine refuses 

finally to turn over: yeah, I know the place—

stumbled into it myself, once; twice, almost. All 

around and in between the two trees that 

grow there, tree of compassion and—much taller—

tree of pity, its bark more bronze, the snow 

        settled as if an openness of any kind meant, as well, 

a woundedness that, by filling it, the snow 

might heal.... You know what I think? I think if we're 

lost, you should know exactly where, by now; I've 

watched you stare long and hard enough at the map 

already... I'm beginning to think I may never 

not be undecided, about all sorts of things: whether 

snow really does resemble the broken laughter 

        of the long abandoned when what left comes back 

big-time; whether gratitude's just a haunted 

space like any other. This place sounds daily 

more like a theater of war, each time I listen to it—

loss, surprise, victory, being only three of the countless 

fates, if you want to call them that, that we don't 

so much live with, it seems, as live for now among. If as 

close as we're ever likely to get, you and I, is this—this close—  

 

[Carl Phillips {1959- } 'The Way One Animal Trusts Another', from Wild is the Wind]

a foraging wild creature, intent above all upon survival, is as strong as the grass

More accurate than a Buzzfeed quiz; less accurate than your therapist’s raised eyebrow.🤨

 

🐾 Which Wild Creature Calls to You? 🐾

 

Some animals embody quiet depth, others fierce independence, others playful curiosity or soaring freedom. The natural world reflects many ways of being. Which wild creature resonates most with your spirit? Take this quiz to find out which call you hear most clearly.  

---

1. The landscape that feels most like home is: 

    A. Vast open ocean under a wide sky. 

    B. Dense jungle where every movement matters. 

    C. Rocky cliffs where the wind carries you forward. 

    D. Wide grasslands full of motion and life. 

 

2. Your natural approach to challenges is: 

    A. Move with patience and deep awareness. 

    B. Focus intensely and strike decisively. 

    C. Rise above the situation and see the whole picture. 

    D. Adapt quickly and keep moving. 

 

3. Others tend to see you as: 

    A. Calm, deep, and quietly powerful. 

    B. Intense and fiercely independent. 

    C. Observant and free-spirited. 

    D. Curious and energetic. 

 

4. Your energy in the world feels most like: 

    A. A deep current moving beneath the surface. 

    B. A focused presence that commands respect. 

    C. A soaring sense of perspective. 

    D. A lively spark that keeps things in motion. 

 

5. The feeling that resonates most with you is: 

    A. The vast mystery of the deep. 

    B. The thrill of quiet strength. 

    C. The freedom of open skies. 

    D. The joy of movement and discovery. 

 

Results in the comments! 

 

[the title quotation is by Richard Adams, from Watership Down]

excuse me

I go down to the shore in the morning

and depending on the hour the waves

are rolling in or moving out,

and I say, oh, I am miserable,

what shall—

what should I do? And the sea says

in its lovely voice:

Excuse me, I have work to do. 

 

[Mary Oliver {1935-2019}, 'I Go Down to the Shore', from A Thousand Mornings]

go beyond the restrictions of your era, forget about purpose or meaning, separate yourself from historical limitations

More accurate than a Buzzfeed quiz; less accurate than your therapist’s raised eyebrow.🤨

 

⏳ Which Historical Era Are You From? ⏳

 

Every era of history carries its own spirit—times of exploration, invention, elegance, and dramatic change. Some people feel drawn to quiet intellectual ages, others to bold periods of discovery or creativity. If your personality belonged to another century, when might you feel most at home? Take this quiz to discover your historical era.  

---

1. Your ideal way to spend an afternoon would be: 

    A. Debating ideas with thoughtful people. 

    B. Exploring somewhere new and unfamiliar. 

    C. Creating art, music, or literature. 

    D. Enjoying a refined social gathering. 

 

2. The kind of story you enjoy most is: 

    A. Philosophical or intellectual journeys. 

    B. Adventures across unknown lands. 

    C. Dramatic artistic movements. 

    D. Intricate social relationships. 

 

3. The atmosphere you’re most drawn to is: 

    A. Libraries, academies, and lively debate. 

    B. Ships, maps, and distant horizons. 

    C. Studios, cafés, and creative circles. 

    D. Ballrooms, gardens, and elegant conversation. 

 

4. Your friends might say you are: 

    A. Thoughtful and intellectually curious. 

    B. Bold and adventurous. 

    C. Creative and expressive. 

    D. Graceful and socially perceptive. 

 

5. If you could witness one historical scene, it would be: 

    A. Philosophers exchanging ideas. 

    B. Explorers setting sail into the unknown. 

    C. Artists unveiling bold new works. 

    D. A refined gathering full of wit and conversation. 

 

Results in the comments! 

 

[the title quotation is from Santoka Taneda, in Mountain Tasting: Haiku and Journals of Santoka Taneda]

the world won't last. What are You? What am I?

    This is the newest in a recurring series called The Interview Game, the first of which was conducted by Michael and posted here, and the most recent of which was conducted by The Onion and posted here. These questions were posed by my mysterious friend Elliott.     

    Questions are always welcome, to appear in future posts. Add in the comments or send them directly to me by private message.

---

1. You inherit a perfectly ordinary house from a mysterious relative. In the attic, you discover one locked trunk. Inside can be anything except money. What do you hope is in it, and why? 

    a novel, handwritten, never published. Preferably hand-illustrated as well. To be able to read something that is essentially secret until that moment would be amazing. Even if it's not the best work ever written, it would be an honor and a gift. 

 

2. You've written before about films, books, objects, places, and even rooms that seem to gather emotional weight over time. What's something you own that has become far more important to you than it had any right to be when you first acquired it? 

    putting aside the obvious things like letters from friends who've died... the first thing that comes to mind is my wedding ring. I've long since traded away the engagement ring (for the diamond earrings I'm wearing right this moment, in fact). The wedding band, I had made smaller so it fits my pinkie, and also had the inscription buffed out. I wear it on a chain with some other charms. The ring seems to stand for affection and loyalty, and the idea that I was once the kind of person who could be so loving, and so loved. 

 

3. You have one free day, no obligations, no errands, no guilt, and a modest amount of spending money. What does the day actually look like from waking up to going to bed? 

    sleep, eat, read, sleep, eat, movies, sleep. My desires are simple.

    If it had to involve going out, I'd wander the downtown bookstore near the financial company where I used to work, then get red beans & rice from the BBQ place. I'd come home, eat spicy food, and read - probably poetry. 

 

4. What's a belief or assumption you held at twenty that you now find charming, misguided, incomplete, or surprisingly correct?

    charming: love wins in the end

    misguided: "I deserve it" is sufficient reason for whatever indulgence appeals at the moment

    incomplete: any phrase starting education is..., education will..., or education justifies...

    surprisingly correct: living away, at least for a while, is the right thing for me to do 

 
5. Suppose a friend who knows you very well is asked to describe you in one paragraph. What's the thing you hope they mention, and what's the thing you suspect they'd mention instead?

    I would hope they would mention sometimes-surprising thoughtfulness, e.g. well-chosen cards. I would suspect they would mention organization or detail (which I consider a thing that I do, but not necessarily a thing that I am).

 

6. What's the most beautiful thing you've ever bought for a completely impractical reason?

    this photo print ("Couples, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh (1966)") by Robert Blomfield, upon which I splurged—big time—and that I never, ever regretted. It hangs in my bedroom (now with a tiny watering can and an even tinier glass cat perched on the frame) and always, always brings me peace and joy to see. (Read this post for more on the subject.) Owning something purely for the feelings it gives to look at it is highly impractical, but by no means irrational. 

 

7. What subject could someone accidentally get you talking about for three hours?

    houseplant care

8. What's something you've become better at letting go of?

   tangible evidence of affection. Sometimes it's better to appreciate a memory as a memory and not by way of a thing.

 

9. Which movie scene would you most like to step into and inhabit for one hour?

    the ending scene of This is Not What I Expected (2017). Quiet sunset,
congenial company. Possibility. 

10. If future historians were reconstructing your life from the contents of your home, what conclusion would they get spectacularly wrong?

    it seems like my eBay inventory might give the idea that I'm a scholar, a tech geek, and maybe a machinist. And that I wear an extremely strange array of clothing and shoes.

[the title quotation is by Yunus Emre, from The Drop That Became the Sea: Lyric Poems]

there was never any substitute for those friendships of childhood that survive into adult years

More accurate than a Buzzfeed quiz; less accurate than your therapist’s raised eyebrow.🤨

 

🛝 What Kind of Childhood Friend Were You? 🛝

 

Childhood friendships had their own special magic. Some kids organized grand backyard adventures, some provided steady loyalty, some were the creative dreamers, and some were the quiet companions who made everything feel easier. Looking back, what role did you play in your childhood friend group? Take this quiz to find out.  

---

1. On a free afternoon as a kid, you were most likely to: 

    A. Invent a big game or adventure for everyone to play. 

    B. Hang out and chat while doing something simple together. 

    C. Build or draw something imaginative. 

    D. Be the dependable one who showed up every time. 

 

2. Your friends probably counted on you to: 

    A. Come up with fun ideas when everyone was bored. 

    B. Listen and keep conversations going. 

    C. Add creativity and imagination to everything. 

    D. Stick by them no matter what. 

 

3. Your ideal childhood hangout spot was: 

    A. A big yard or park where games could unfold. 

    B. A quiet corner where friends could talk for hours. 

    C. Somewhere that sparked imagination—treehouse, art table, blanket fort. 

    D. Wherever your closest friends happened to be. 

 

4. When a problem came up in your group, you usually: 

    A. Turned it into part of the game. 

    B. Talked it through calmly. 

    C. Found a creative solution. 

    D. Stayed loyal and supportive. 

 

5. Looking back, your friendship style was: 

    A. The adventurous ringleader. 

    B. The thoughtful conversationalist. 

    C. The imaginative creator. 

    D. The loyal best friend. 

 

Results in the comments! 

 

[the title quotation is Alexander McCall Smith, from The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency]

you don't. give FIRE. to a kitten!

Average rating: 7.25

My Blueberry Nights (2007) - "After a painful breakup, a young woman leaves New York and drifts across America, forming fleeting connections with wounded strangers while searching for a way to heal her heart and rediscover herself. The question isn't 'Where is she going?' but 'How does a person become open to love again after being hurt?'"

length: 1h, 35m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by Wong Kar-wai  |  why I watched: I'm working through the director's films

IMDb: 6.6/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 45% / 61% Audience  |  my IMDb: 8/10  |  MPAA: PG-13

tone & texture: melancholic, lush & romantic

notable quote: "'You know, I didn't even think you'd still be here.'

    'Why'd you come?' 

    'I guess I just wanted to see if I could remember what it felt like."

my notes: gorgeous, charming, contemplative. It falls somewhere between Romantic Drama and Philosophical Exploration/Indie, despite the well-known cast. Norah Jones, in her cinematic debut, blew me away as Elizabeth. She really does seem to be a natural actress. I also particularly enjoyed Jude Law (Jeremy) and David Strathairn (Arnie). 

themes: transformation, loss, love

overall: highly recommended

 

RED 2 (2013) - "Former CIA black-ops agent Frank Moses and his old partner, Marvin Boggs, are caught in the grip of retirement—but that soon changes when a powerful Cold War weapon known as Nightshade resurfaces decades after its disappearance. With assassins hot on their trail, Frank and his team set out to find the one scientist who can unravel the mystery of Nightshade and help them save themselves—and the world." 

length: 1h, 56m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by Dean Parisot  |  why I watched: I've seen it before, but have not reviewed it

IMDb: 6.6/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 44% / 63% Audience  |  my IMDb: 6/10  |  MPAA: PG-13

tone & texture: playful, hyper-glossy action

notable quote: "'She has talents you and I will never have.'

    'What talents?' 

    'People like her.' 

    'If she lives, this'll be good for your relationship. You're right.' 

    'And if there's one thing I know, it's women and covert ops.'

    'That's two things.'

    'No, grasshopper. It is not.'"

my notes: kiss of death for an action movie: it's boring, and I didn't really care how it turned out. I think that Catherine Zeta-Jones killed this one for me, as she did for Ocean's Twelve (2004, reviewed here); her characters are all surface, no substance. 

    I love the interplay between Bruce Willis and Mary-Louise Parker, and even more I love that between Willis and John Malkovich; their grumpy, reluctant affection is completely adorable. And I understand that this film, even more than the original, is about the effects of aging on one's abilities and perceptions. And I really dig Lee Byung-hun. But.... 

themes: loyalty

overall: weakly recommended

War {Rogue Assassin} (2007) - "John Crawford spends years chasing Rogue, the assassin responsible for murdering his partner Tom Lone  and Lone's family. The hunt drags Crawford deep into obsession, hollowing out his marriage and turning every criminal operation into personal theater. Rogue resurfaces in San Francisco and engineers escalating warfare between Chinese Triads and Japanese Yakuza syndicates, exploiting greed, pride, and ritual loyalty to destabilize both empires. As bodies accumulate and alliances fracture, Crawford closes in on the assassin while unknowingly circling the collapse of his own moral identity. Every confrontation tightens around concealed guilt, damaged masculinity, and the unbearable weight of unfinished grief." 

length: 1h, 43m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by Philip G. Atwell  |  why I watched: I've seen it many times, but never reviewed it

IMDb: 6.2/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: 14% / 51% Audience  |  my IMDb: 7/10  |  MPAA: R

tone & texture: gritty, hyper-glossy action

notable quote: "Pain can be a weapon, if you so choose."

my notes: it's not the best film Jet Li or Jason Statham has ever made, but it's for sure the best of the five they've done together (also including the first 3 'Expendables' and The One, {2001, reviewed here}). And there's a moment (49:55) that makes the entire thing worthwhile, where the exquisitely controlled, precise, and withholding Rogue, watching through a window as a woman plays with her child, lets loose the emotions. It is startling and beautiful, perfectly lit and shot and acted. 

themes: revenge, identity, loss

overall:  recommended

The Major {Mayor} (2013) - "On a cold winter’s day Sergey Sobolev, a major at the local police office, is driving to the hospital where his wife is about to give birth to their child. High from happiness, he’s driving too fast and runs down a boy on a passage walk, who dies. Now the major has only two options: go to prison or conceal the crime. Sobolev decides to compromise with his conscience and calls on a colleague to help him out. But the case turns out to be messy and when Sobolev finally changes his mind and tries to make up for his deed, it might already be too late." 

length: 1h, 39m  |  source: my DVD  |  directed by Yuriy Bykov  |  why I watched: I found a listing a catalog of movies, and it caught my eye

IMDb: 7.2/10  |  Rotten Tomatoes: NA% / 70% Audience  |  my IMDb: 8/10  |  MPAA: not rated

tone & texture: bleak, grit & grain

notable quote: "Stop sniveling."

my notes: this is the most grim movie I've ever seen. I couldn't watch it all in one sitting, but had to keep stopping it to clear my head. 

themes: moral ambiguity

overall:  recommended only to someone who is fully prepared for dark. 

 

[the title quotation is from RED 2]

we brighten in a blaze of rhymes

Such figures if they succeed are beautiful 

because for a moment we brighten in a blaze of rhymes 

and yet they always fail and must fail 

and give way to other poems 

in the endless approximations of what we feel 

Hopeless it is hopeless     Only the wheel 

endures     It spins and spins winding 

the was the is the willbe out of nothing 

and thus we are     Thus on the wheel we touch 

each to each a part 

of the great determining reality     How much 

we give to one another     Perhaps our art 

succeeds after all our small song done in the faith 

of lovers who endlessly change heart for heart. 

as the gift of being     Come let us sing against death. 

 

 [Hayden Carruth {1921-2008}, 'The Wheel of Being II', from Last Poems]