We are just a group of retired spooks that discuss things that you’ll not find anywhere else. It makes us unique. Take a look around. Learn a thing or two.
I’ve been so busy lately that I forgot to provide direct links to some of the videos on You-Tube. Uh oh. Bummer! Even though, of course, those who subscribe to the You-tube videos might be able to catch them. Here’s a couple of videos for your pleasure.
This is an Patreon video that I have made public for MM followers.
It’s any hour now! Don’t you know!
Enjoy. It’s a couple of hour view time.
-MM
This is a really good movie to watch if you like silly/fun movies, parody movies, or john candy. It has a great blend of comedy, wit, action and all sorts of other things. I am pretty surprised by the low rating. Its not the best movie by any means, but greatly above standard and really enjoyable.
I used to have it on BetaMAX, which as a superior Sony product that was much, much better than VHS. I had the Super BetaMAX which consisted of a basic BetaMAX with a secondary image and sound unit that sat under it. The entire time when I was in training at China Lake NWC, we watched beta movies using this system on a tiny Sony color television screen.
This was during the early to middle 1980’s.
And yes, I know that everything is so very dated, and unknown to many of my readers, it was time, a very different time. It was a time when everyone was asking “Where’s the beef?”, drinking Strawberry coke, which later turned into Cherry Coke, and then Real Coke, and then Improved Coke, and finally to Coke classic. At that time in my life, the world-line slides were all over the place and the type of soda beverages we drank was constantly in flux.
Madonna was big.
A day did not go by where you couldn’t hear one of her songs. Same goes for Tears for Fears, cure, Cindi Lauper and Spandau Ballet.
Pee Wee Herman was outrageous. Just like David Lee Roth, and Rodney Dangerfield. If I ever decide to say “fuck it” and to construct a time machine, it would be one that would take me back to here…
But let’s get back to the movie at hand.
This is one of the movies that I had on BetaMAX and it starred one of my favorites actors; John Candy. What a true shame that he died so young. Those who find death an interesting subject will find this link fascinating about his death. It seems that he overworked himself in filming a movie, ate a late dinner at night (of spaghetti of all things), and died of a heart attack while sleeping. Do not ever work yourself to death. LINK about the circumstances about his death HERE.
As you get older you start to realize that you are no longer young and can “take on the world”. You have friends who get cancer, classmates who have died, good drinking buddies that have died, and close friends telling you of uncles that worked too hard, went to sleep and never woke up.
You start to take better care of what you do.
And so…
…you “hedge your bets”. You eat better, and are choosier bout what you eat, when and why. You exercise somewhat, and you go easy on the medications and the chemicals that you put in your body.
And you run affirmation prayer campaigns.
I personally like to use this movie to illustrate how thoughts can alter our reality, and that is exactly what the theme of this movie is. When you write up your campaign, think of yourself as Jack Gable (John Candy) writing up a script for you to experience.
That’s the way prayer affirmation campaigns work.
Delicious in parts 9 February 2007 | by hatchersan – See all my reviews The all time best line in the movie -- John Candy rescuing Emma Samms on horseback -- "This stranger knows no danger!" A bit spotty -- can't maintain a high comedy level throughout but nonetheless is enjoyable and a vehicle for John Candy to demonstrate comic range. Excited he will get to spend a romantic weekend tryst with Emma Samms (and misunderstanding her feminine wiles), he finds himself lugging umpteen of her suitcases to the taxi cab, then knocks himself out with the trunk door as he tries to load the suitcases. Wakes up in the pleasant little village where she reappears as new character, daughter of Raymund Burr, along with others in town, Mariel Hemingway et al. Plenty of lines for Candy in trying to write the new soap opera about family conspiracies with a stolen formula, and the rapid disintegration of Emma's brother while none in the family seem to notice or care. Again the highlight to me was the rescue chase by Candy when Emma's horse took her on a wild ride and Candy rides up and self congratulates later as modern day Zorro or Lone Ranger. All in all, enjoyable.
…
In New York City, Jack Gable (John Candy) grows irate waiting for the cable television repairman to arrive at his apartment.
When the signal is finally restored, he turns on “Beyond Our Dreams”, a daytime soap opera, explaining to the repairman that he writes for the show.
Later that morning, Jack goes to the production office for a meeting. There, he stumbles into Louise (Mariel Hemmingway), a demure actress who intends to audition for the role of “Janet Dubois.”
After insisting that “Janet” is no longer part of the story, Jack storms into Lou (David Orbach) and Arlene Sherwood’s (Renee Taylor) office. The two executives distract him by reminding him to “kill off” the character of “Rachel Hedison,” played by the temperamental Laura Claybourne (Emma Sams). Jack, who has a crush on the beautiful actress, refuses.
Lou pats him on the shoulder and tells Jack that everything will work out. After Jack leaves, Arlene calls writer Arnie Fetterman, who assures her that the “Janet Dubois” scenes are complete, and that he is working on writing “Rachel” out of the show.
After “Beyond Our Dreams” wraps up shooting for the day, an infatuated Jack asks Laura Claybourne what she thinks of the future story-lines he created for her, but the self-absorbed actress is unhappy with how he turned her rich heiress character into a working girl.
Jack returns home and packs for a weekend trip to Vermont. Laura Claybourne calls, seeking Jack’s attention. When he tells her he is about to leave, she invites herself along. Jack is thrilled, until she changes her mind at the last minute.
En route to Vermont, Jack gets into a car accident, awakening in the hospital on “Beyond Our Dreams.” The doctor (David Rasche) introduces himself as “Paul Kirkwood,” amusing Jack, who presumes that the actor, Dennis Graham, is playing a trick on him.
However, when the writer goes to the window, he is shocked to see the town of “Ashford Falls” bustling with activity.
Jack deduces that he is dead and living in hell.
When the nurse threatens to give him a shot, Jack plays along and insists he is feeling better.
Leaving the hospital, he encounters “Janet Dubois,” who recognizes him as Wall Street tycoon “Jack Gates,” a character created by Jack, but who has yet to be introduced on the show.
Across the street, a man with an eye patch (Charles Rocket) observes Jack and Janet, before driving away to a mansion.
There, he proudly informs his father, billionaire Carter Hedison (Raymond Burr), that Jack Gates is in town.
Carter Hedison dismisses his son, Ty, as a dreamer, and asks Ty’s yuppie brother, Blake, to investigate.
Meanwhile, Jack tries to make sense of his situation in his hotel room.
Janet informs him that he is in Ashford Falls to purchase her father’s pharmaceutical formula, which Carter Hedison also hopes to acquire.
Jack insists he is a writer, not a businessman, provoking Janet to retort that he should write his life as he sees it, rather than argue with her.
She storms out, and Jack decides to test her advice.
He types a scene on his typewriter, and realizes that whatever he writes comes true in this alternate reality.
After encountering a dismissive “Rachel Hedison” downtown, Jack decides to use his newfound power to make her fall in love with him.
A decent Candy vehicle LCShackley10 January 2007 This is a much more watchable film than many of the lightweight vehicles Candy took part in in his post-SCTV career. His part could have been played by any number of comic actors, but John steps in and gives it his best shot. He's always fun to watch on screen, and he has a good time here without going over the top, which he tended to do. DELIRIOUS is a weird mixture of Groundhog Day, Soapdish, and various Rod Serling scripts in which the characters in a story are being controlled by someone at a typewriter. It's a workable premise, and the actors make the most of the stock soap opera characters they play. David Rasche, Emma Samms, Raymond Burr et al were well-chosen for their parts. Bit parts by Robert Wagner and Marvin Kaplan (the voice of Choo-Choo on TOP CAT) are also memorable. Mariel Hemingway takes some flak on this comment board for her part, but she seemed suited for the role and moved smoothly from her gawky character to the soap opera "devil woman." This is a pleasant comedy but not as consistently funny as SOAPDISH. The script by veteran writers of Gilligan's Island and Bewitched suffers from a lot of unnecessary "language" (for what could otherwise be a family film) but moves along at a brisk pace (except for the longish horse-riding scenes).
That afternoon, Rachel goes horseback riding with her boyfriend, Dr. Kirkwood. Suddenly, her horse breaks into a gallop. Just as she is about to careen over a cliff, Jack appears on his own horse and rescues her.
He does not reveal his identify, and Rachel swoons as he rides away.
That night, Carter Hedison and his three children-Rachel, Ty, and Blake-discuss making a fortune from a new fat-burning pill.
Blake notes that their scheme will be ruined if Jack Gates acquires the drug formula.
Later, Janet Dubois calls Jack and informs him that someone broke into her father’s laboratory.
She accuses him of working for the Hedisons, but Jack protests.
Just then, she realizes someone is still in the lab.
Hearing her screams, Jack quickly types a rescue mission featuring himself as the hero.
Afterward, the love-struck Janet invites Jack to have dinner with her.
A few days later, the Hedison family hosts a benefit auction in the town square. Jack stuns everyone when he drives up in a flashy sports car.
Against her father’s wishes, Rachel leaves with Jack, who tries to impress her by driving recklessly at high speed while blindfolded.
That night, Janet grows despondent while waiting for Jack to arrive for dinner.
Someone knocks on the door and introduces himself as “Jack Gates,” but he is not the Jack she knows.
The two confront Jack at his hotel.
The writer recognizes the stranger as Robert Wagner (himself), a prime time soap opera star who was originally to be cast as Jack Gates.
Unknown to the trio, Ty Hedison lurks outside with a gun, stalking Jack Gates. However, he misfires, and Robert Wagner is killed.
Jack grabs his typewriter, reviving Robert Wagner and sending him away on a trip.
Out of concern for Janet, Jack writes her a new story line in which she is a research scientist in Africa.
In the days that follow, Jack sequesters himself in his hotel room, where he drinks alcohol and writes preposterous scenes in hope of winning Rachel’s affection.
During a party at the Hedison mansion, Jack plays a virtuoso piano piece, saves a choking man’s life, and performs a dance routine with Rachel.
Much to his surprise, Janet Dubois returns to Ashford Falls.
She makes an elegant appearance at the party, before learning that she, not Rachel, is Carter Hedison’s daughter.
Chaos ensues as the Hedison family turns on each other.
When Janet is accidentally shot by Blake Hedison, Jack admits his feelings for her.
As she is rushed to the hospital, Blake informs Jack that Dr. Kirkwood plans to botch the surgery.
The writer returns to his hotel room, but before he can write a new scene, Robert Wagner walks in and shoots him.
Jack awakens in a hospital bed on the set of “Beyond Our Dreams”.
Actors Laura Claybourne and Dennis Graham comfort him, but he accuses them of being insincere, before realizing he is back in New York City, with the whole experience in Ashford Falls just a dream (similar to the twist ending of ‘The Wizard of Oz’).
The next day, Jack confronts the Sherwoods at their office and insists they allow him free reign in writing the character of “Janet.”
Arlene chokes on her sandwich, and Jack forces her to agree to his terms before rescuing her with the Heimlich maneuver.
After arranging for Louise to be cast as “Janet,” Jack writes “Rachel” off the show and looks forward to creating new narratives for the residents of “Ashford Falls.”
The film ends with Jack and Louise going ice skating in Central Park as the end credits roll.
It's...Groundhog Day! Only This Time, The Master Of Comedy, John Candy... MovieAddict20164 December 2002
John Candy made this film. The story involves a soap opera writer (Candy) who gets knocked out, and enters his own, type-written, created world, where all the characters are alive and playing their roles - or so he thinks. They are actually living them. So, Candy finds that whatever he writes on the 'ol typewriter happens in the world he's in, because, after all, he created it on the typewriter, right? Built off the same foundation as "Groundhog Day," Delirious is by no means great, and not John Candy's best, (I give that to Planes, Trains and Automobiles) but it does have an actual soap opera feel to it - that cheap feel - and has some laughs along the way. Not great, but worth watching. Candy was one of the best comedians of his time, God rest his soul... John "Candy" Ulmer
Take a moment and watch the movie if you want some pointers on how the Affirmation Prayer Campaign operates. It’s an old silly comedy, but yeah… this is the way that it works.
There is nothing wrong with reaching for the wildest and craziest dreams, but keep in mind that the further away they are from your reality, the more world-lines you must traverse to reach them. In addition, there will always be discomfort with change. And many people do not like a great deal of discomfort in their life.
There are techniques that you can use to mitigate the effects of everything, but in all cases be calm, consistent, and steady. And whatever you do, do not write out your affirmations with spelling errors like the guy did in the movie. Yikes!
Good luck you all.
I have more posts in my Movie Index here…
MOVIES.
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Here, we continue on our exploration of China from the comfort of our own personal computer, personal laptop, or personal media device. This is a multi-part post because too many videos will prevent the post from loading, and also, I tend to get sidetracked on various issues.
Sorry.
As a quick reminder, to all the new comers here…
Please kindly note that this post has multiple embedded videos. It is important to view them. If they fail to load, all you need to do is to reload your browser.
Why rent a tug boat, when you can just doggie-paddle up the river?
China is watching a steam-shovel doggie-paddle up a river…
To many Americans, who have been fed a steady diet of “Save the Children” commercials, war in Yemen, War in Somalia, and War in Afghanistan, it seems that the rest of the world still farms with oxen, and owning a shovel is a rare thing. It isn’t. High quality (and low quality, as well) tools and earth-movers are all over the world. We’ve been too busy playing in the mud in the primitive cultures around the world to notice what the rest of the world is doing.
Life is far too short not to enjoy some chicken and beer with your friends. Why not? On a nice evening, how about cooking some chicken, and drinking some beer (make sure it's icy cold - it's best that way) and just hamming it up with your friends. What's stopping you?
China is all about eating out with your friends outside on the porch, and having some delicious chicken and beer…
People like to eat. Humans eat. We also like to eat chicken. Chicken is domesticated all over the world and it is a rare, rare thing to be in a place where you cannot eat chicken. We have spent so much of our time thinking so much about our “American uniqueness” that we have lost sight that many things aren’t all that unique about America. They are common all over the world… What is unique is our Constitution and those of us that follow it as it was written. That is what makes us special.
China is about having “depth charges” through a straw. (Nope, China won’t ban plastic straws. Only liberal progressive nations do that.)
A bomb shot typically consists of a shot glass of hard liquor that is dropped into a glass partially filled with beer but sometimes with some other beverage. Many variations exist. When the shot is dropped into a superpint it is commonly known as a "Depth Charge," because it resembles the anti-submarine weapon being dropped on a target.
Oh yes. Please take notice of the poodle sitting on the chair to the left. Yes, in China you are allowed to bring your pets into the restaurants with you. In America you would never see any of this.
There are three reasons…
While America has been raising taxes, again and again, over and over. Then throwing the money over military actions in near-poverty stricken third-world nations. In order to improve the lives of Americans, the money is now missing, so the only thing left to do is to improve things without money – by regulation and law. Thus, not only are Americans poorer, the money is getting squandered, but we are being regulated and taxed to a level unheard of in the rest of the world (though the UK is trying hard with “catch-up”).
This is a pretty common thing. I wouldn’t bring it up except that it has happened to me time and time over and over in China. Yet not once in the USA. I mean, there are tons of pretty American girls, and all sorts of hotels in the States. It must be a cultural thing. I guess.
Anyways, China is all about having a pretty girl take you by the hand up to the hotel room…
And, at that… here’s to happy endings.
Happy endings are legal in China. They are illegal in America. Is anyone surprised?
All over the world, people enjoy playing sports. If I were to criticize anyone, it would be that they are not having enough fun in their life. You should have fun first, and work on a career second. Putting a career first to the extend that your life becomes dull and lifeless is a wasted pursuit.
China is about playing basketball in the High School gym…
How about instead of spending billions of dollars blowing up mud huts, and terrorizing poor farmers having sex with their donkeys, why don’t we all just settle our differences over some friendly games of basketball, or soccer, or billiards. Heck, I’d even vote for dominoes, or a cut-throat game of poker than have another trillion wasted in Afghanistan, don’t you agree?
China is all about synchronized light displays. Even in small towns and rural villages. Don’t ask me why. I have no idea. But, it is a fun and creative thing to do. Not to mention that it increases the life of the LED’s used in the streetlights.
When you are no longer focused on problems, you can find other venues for creative activity. Like disco streetlights, glow in the dark automobiles, or robotic sex dolls. It doesn’t always have to be about killing other folk.
OK. At numerous videos for this part, let’s go and move on to the next part of this post which covers more videos and further commentary about China.
If you want to go to the start of this series of posts, then please click HERE.
This is the real deal. Forget about all that nonsense that you find in the British tabloids and an occasional write up in the American liberal press. This is the reality. Read or not.
This is a series of posts that discuss contemporaneous popular music in China. It is a wide ranging and broad spectrum of travel, and at that, all that I am able to provide is the flimsiest of overviews. However, this series of posts should serve as a great starting place for investigation and enjoyment.
The parks in China are very unique. They are enormous and tend to be very mountainous. Here we take a look at this most interesting of subjects.
Here are some posts that discuss a number of things about China that might seem odd, or strange to Westerners. Some of the things are everyday events, while others are just representative of the differences in culture.
You’ll not find any big banners or popups here talking about cookies and privacy notices. There are no ads on this site (aside from the hosting ads – a necessary evil). Functionally and fundamentally, I just don’t make money off of this blog. It is NOT monetized. Finally, I don’t track you because I just don’t care to.
One of the things about China is that they are not afraid to experiment. There just aren’t legions of nay-Sayers or guardians of regulations and red tape that you need to fight to do something new. There are no overweight social justice warriors in bureaucratic positions that love to say “No!” to new ideas, or committees of well-entrenched stogies that say “pay me my fees so that I can study this matter“.
They just go ahead and do what they want.
If they want a water fountain with playful water they just go ahead and make it.
That’s right, and if some old busybody gets wet and complains, they will report that person to the police so that they can have their mental health examined. In such a large populous nation such as China there is absolutely zero tolerance to busybodies, social justice warriors or people with mental issues. Once they become dangerous, such as disrupting the lifestyles and fun of others, they are segregated from society.
They are then isolated, and studied to see if they need to be “corrected”.
Anyways, here’s a water fountain in China. Why not have fun with the water like everyone else is? I think it’s a great playful fountain. You betcha!
I really like how the mothers are with their children and the kids scatter when the water ceiling starts to collapse. It’s so very cute and awesome! What fun!
Having fun in China can mean going to parks. It can mean playing in the KTV’s. It can mean having fun off-road in a vehicle. It can mean fishing, or eating fantastic food. It can mean all sorts of things. Not just natural scenery at parks.
It could mean exploring all the many, many cities…
People, life is about living it and having experiences. It is not about falling into habits at the mercy of your boss… or following the rules that box you in. You need to go out and make your life count.
Do you remember what it was like when you were young? Do you remember what it was like when you would hang out with your friends? Do you remember talking with your friends about your hopes and dreams and what you would like to do someday? I do.
I really do.
And, yes, I did have a tree house. My friends and I did have a club house. Yes. We did ride our bikes all over the countryside into late at night. That is what life used to be like int he USA. It was a land of freedom.
I remember one such day.
We had rode our bikes on a long all-day excursion. It was August, and it was pleasant. Maybe 81F, and low humidity. The trees were getting apples and the blueberry bushes were all laden with fruit. We had rode up to the top of one of the hills. It was all planted with wheat, and it was a beautiful golden field that the wind would blow back and forth.
The sky was brilliant blue with the white cotton ball clouds and we just laid in that field and talked about music, and what we would do when we would eventually have a girl friend. For some of us, it didn’t happen for a number of years.
What was so important, was not what we were talking about. It was not what our dreams were. It was not the beautiful day, nor the amazing scene that laid around us. It was the time spent with our friends.
That was what was the most important thing that I remember to this day.
Life is short. You need to make it count. Spend it with your friends. Laugh. Cry. Swear, and make a scene if you want. But by all means do it with those you care about.
All these experiences won’t magically appear one day. They will not happen once you get “all your ducks in a row”. They will not happen once you get a raise. Or, more money in the bank. Or when your next pay check clear the bank. Or, when the trash is cleared out of the garage. Or, when you finish that project that you have been working on.
Now is your chance. Now is your opportunity. Now.
Please don’t squander the wonderful life that God has gifted you with. You have two arms. You have two legs. You have money in your wallet. Go forth and use that life that you have.
You know, life is not one-dimensional.
People. People! You can’t just segregate traveling and experiencing the parks of China and leave out who are experiencing it or why.
Life is not a Facebook post, a Google listing, or a Wikipedia listing. It cannot be narrowed down to facts and figures. It’s about all of the senses, not just one or two. It’s about all your experiences, your relationships, your knowledge and prior experiences and how they all coalesce when you experience a new adventure with your friends.
That is what parks are all about.
Now, let’s go to the next part of this post. (If I throw in too many micro-videos nothing appears and the post takes forever to load.) So to continue, please go follow this arrow…
If you want to go to the start of this series of posts, then please click HERE.
This is the real deal. Forget about all that nonsense that you find in the British tabloids and an occasional write up in the American liberal press. This is the reality. Read or not.
This is a series of posts that discuss contemporaneous popular music in China. It is a wide ranging and broad spectrum of travel, and at that, all that I am able to provide is the flimsiest of overviews. However, this series of posts should serve as a great starting place for investigation and enjoyment.
