***GROOVY MOVIES*** 11/3-11/16

Iani and Ruth and whoever has been watching Impeachment, do you think the grand jury was as empathic toward monic Lewinsky during the discussion of the FBI questioning her? It seemed like a very sympathetic reaction from them. I do think the FBI was harsh, but am surprised that the grand jury was almost friendly toward Monica. I'm curious about what the rest of you thought.

I don't know where to talk about this, but if I remember correctly at least one of you went to a Beatles concert. Terry Gross on FRESH AIR interviewed Paul McCartney today as he has written a new book and a film of the Beatles recording together is about to come out. I was a big fan of theirs and think they wrote and performed some beautiful music together. I recommend the podcast.

One thing he talked about very briefly was his experience with meditation and how important it was for all of them to get out of the craziness of sex, drugs and music and into themselves. I started meditating on a regular basis two weeks ago and it is already having an impact on my life. I was getting panicked about some things I need to do and I am finally getting unstuck and getting them done. I also feel much more relaxed and am sleeping better. I started this with a woman who is teaching a short series here once a week. She is amazing and has given us some good materials to read. I am learning from the other participants as well. There are just under 15 participants and we share what is happening with our practices, do some meditating, then discuss a new topic. The only thing stopping me is my cat. I have to find a way to keep her in another room while I do this. After 20 minutes today I felt a tickling in my nose (whiskers) and then she started nudging me...hard. I did get 20 good minutes in though.

If you care to share, I am interested. Do any of you meditate? How do you do it? Where, when, for how long, guided or not?

Yes, I do think they were more sympathetic towards Monica, but not at first. I also agree that the FBI was very harsh on her. 

woolworker , I saw the episode in question last night.  I thought the Grand Jury questions were far-fetched in both testimonies, and it calls into question for me just how accurate the rest of the series is.  (A lot of it is public record, of course.  For example, DH read a book by a former Secret Service agent, and he confirmed that they heard Hilary smashing the vase, as was shown on the series.)   Grand Jury testimony remains secret forever on the part of the Grand Jurors.  The testifiers can speak about it if they wish.  It seemed like what was filmed was the Grand Jury experience that Monica wished had happened.  I have read that members of a Grand Jury can ask questions, but most often they do not.  

I have more, but Mr. Lani is kicking me off the computer so he can buy stock.  He's finally done.

Gail in SC , yes, I saw the Beatles in 1965 in Minnesota.  Paul did hang in with the ganja until he gave it up because he didn't want his grandchildren seeing him smoking pot.

I've been meditating for many years.  I started doing unguided, then did many Deepak Chopra 21 day sessions (and have purchased quite a few).  Currently I'm doing the 10% Happier app that Dan Harris (formerly of GMA) runs.  It has really helped my practice.  It's $99 a year (why can't they ever just round up?) but on the other hand DH's therapist, who is out of our insurance network, charges $150 a session.  And DH can do all the meditations on my phone, so we're getting two for one, I figure.

I watched THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG for this week's film class. I saw it many years ago and enjoyed it even more this time. It is a French film, directed by Jacques Demy and starring a very young and, of course, very beautiful Catherine Deneuve (was she ever not?). It is a very different kind of musical in which every word uttered is sung. The music is beautiful. I had forgotten that it was composed by Michel Legrand, a wonderful composer and jazz pianist. The palette is in very bright colors. This film class is all about Palme d'Or winners at the Cannes Film Festival. The jury is truly international so we are viewing some from all over. So far Japan, France, Italy, Germany and Austria.

The one after this will be the 1974 U.S. film THE CONVERSATION, starring Gene Hackman. I loved it the first time I saw it and look forward to discussing it with this group as the classes are always enriching. The instructor asked me to work with her again. YAY. You always learn more when you teach.

Iani: Thanks for the Info about the Grand Jury questions. That is helpful and seems right to me. It is a LITTLE understandable that Monica might want to change SOME of the story. Her poor decisions at age 25 ruined her life. It doesn't sound like she made great decisions before the age of 25 either!

Gail: I loved Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Such a lovely film. Would you share the whole list of the films you are watching in your film groups?

DD and I got a subscription to the virtual Boston Ballet performances and watched the first program this morning. It was stunning! The first segment was performed on Boston Common and the dancers looked so free, so delighted; lots of energy and exhuberance. They also performed the Romeo and Juliet Pas do Deux, Appollo and a Balanchine ballet. We loved all of them. Many years ago we got season tickets to the Boston Ballet and we've taken our grandchildren to their Nutcracker performance a few times.

Last night we watched my New Jersey granddaughter perform in her play, The Argonouts. It was also a virtual experience. It was futuristic and wierd, but GD did a great job!