| Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. William Ernest Henley
Commentary
The title for the movie “Invictus” is the same as one of William Ernest Henley’s poems. The movie is about Nelson Mandela’s rise from being a prisoner to the president of his country. He showed by the way he lived his life that he was the “master of his fate” and “captain of his soul.” As president, he turned enemies i
Confession is goodfor the soul, and good for the blog—perhaps! I have nothing to confesspersonally about J.D. Salinger. I know he’s not doing a lot of writing rightnow, but I have been waiting for some new stories by him—stories that he agreedcould be published after his death. I wish the lawyers involved would gettheir acts together. I am looking forward to those stories.
But I dowant to take some time here to applaud Salinger for what he did for me when Iwas 16-years-old. It changed my life.
I confessthat I wasn’t always a book lover. The book that changed my life was Catcher inthe Rye. I couldn’t believe how authentic J. D. Salinger was as a writer. And Iread Catcher at the perfect age, thesame age as Holden. I wanted to be like Salinger as a writer, and never be aphony. He really turned me on to reading and writing.
0 Comments on Confession Is Good For The Soul or Blog as of 1/1/1900
By: Joe Sottile,
on 1/13/2010
Blog: Joe Silly Sottile's Blog
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I think that’s a wild and crazy picture of Hillary, and I figured it was a good way to get your attention. I always loved the quote, “Our eyes are windows to our soul.” I heard that many moons ago, yet I think about it a lot as watch people come and go daily in my life. I am highly attracted to people who have a passion in their eyes that declare, “I love the work that I do! Just watch me do my thing!” Of course, I love observing them. I was worried about my cataract surgery last night, and I had to be at the Surgery Center at 6:30 a.m., which is long before I usually jump out of bed in the morning. And what was I doing with my valuable time? I was watching Charlie Rose interview Morgan Freeman. It was a very gentle, relaxing, and honest interview. Tears could be seen rolling around in Morgan’s eyes, and perhaps, Charlie’s. Both men have deep respect for one another and their talents. Both men admitted that they could have been better family men had they give more time to the role. But they sought happiness through perfecting their talents in the media with total determination. Both were happy with the way their lives have unfolded.
But Morgan said that he is trying to do better as a father now. Morgan shared a poem that meant a great deal to him that learned in his youth and is a pivotal part of his latest movie. Can you imagine that?—poetry being important in the mainstream? The movie? The movie is Invictus, starring Morgan as Nelson Mandela, who rallies South Aftrica’s underdog rugby team as they strive to do the impossible: win the 1995 World Cup Championship match. The movie is named after a poem. Can you believe that? Charlie said at the end that there’s always a great story if you can get someone to talk about why they leap out of bed in the morning. In the morning, I leapt out of bed, even though I had a significantly less amount of sleep than usual, a
"DEAD WRITES" (Revised) by Eleanor Tylbor SCENE I
SETTING: A funeral parlor - Early afternoon
AT RISE: A funeral chapel. A group of people chat between themselves while waiting for the service to begin. A coffin is situated on an elevated stand in the middle of the room
FELICIA PEMBROOK, wearing a diaphanous dress, sits on the floor next to a coffin examining her surroundings. Slowly, she examines her body, touching her dress
LIGHTING: Dim lighting, except for a coffin in the middle of the room, which is spot-lit with a white light.
SOUND: somber organ music.
FELICIA What the hell… Really must'a tied one on last night. Weird though. No hangover like usual… No feelings, period
Staggering to a standing position she walks around the coffin, touching the surface while trying unsuccessfully to peer inside. A somberly dressed male passes by, seemingly without noticing or acknowledging her presence
(cont’d) 'Scuse me…hello'?'
Man continues to ignore her, focusing and fixing the inside of the coffin
(cont’d) Is this a… for real funeral parlor? Shoot! What’s the matter with me? Duh! This is another of Phil’s dumb jokes. Wait ‘til I get him…
Man continues to ignore her
Don’t bother answering me or anything… Fine – suit yourself. I'll find out on my own!
A man (JOSIAH) enters and stands directly behind FELICIA. He has white hair, is dressed in a white shirt and matching white pants that glitter
JOSIAH Perhaps I could be of assistance in some way?
FELICIA Ho-ly shit… What do we have here? A human Christmas tree ornament
SOUND: thunderclap
JOSIAH I beg your pardon?
FELICIA Do you come with sound effects, too?
JOSIAH Just a suggestion here and take it for what it’s worth but your colorful language could prove to be problematic
FELICIA You an agent for the grammar police? Do we know each other?
JOSIAH Excuse me? Police? You certainly experienced life to the fullest, didn't you?
FELICIA A little nervous are we, when I mention “po-lice”? Perhaps you’ve dealt with them on occasion?
JOSIAH In my business we deal with all types and police officers are very common in my milieu
FELICIA Not surprising. You earn your living dressed like… that?
JOSIAH Sorry?
FELICIA I bet you are
(Cont’d.) Wigs? Makeup? That kind’a stuff? Do I have to draw you a picture?
JOSIAH (puzzled) I’m not sure of what you’re getting at…
FELICIA You don’t have to be shy with me. I’m very liberal when it comes to life style choices. Different strokes for different folks I always say
JOSIAH There is no moral conflict with my calling. Actually, I chose this because white is such a pure color and the glitter sort-of attached itself to me. Don’t quite know why
FELICIA Your family doesn’t know anything about your life style, do they?
JOSIAH By family you mean - of course they’re very much aware of my work down here. In fact they rely almost entirely on my input. I’m an important source of information
FELICIA And they’re okay with it?
JOSIAH Of course. Why wouldn’t they be? I have to admit I do enjoy my job
FELICIA You’re not one of those people who – you know - like to get up close and personal with dead bodies.
JOSIAH If you’re asking me if I mind being present among those that have passed…
FELICIA Shi
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