Tea with McNair

• creating for christmas

   

        { or the Holy Day of your choice }

Giving and getting,
Making and buying,
Playing and breaking,
Returning and trying
On
And on it goes,
Holiday celebrations and woes.

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The question I have for this season
Is not what's the use or the reason?
Was there a gift that you gave or you ate it,
That you didn't buy but created?

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A present you fashioned by hand,
A card that you colored so grand,
Was it something you knitted,
Or to memory committed
Then to your friends you recited or sang?

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Please tell us your story (and briefly)
Of something this season that chiefly
Was created by you–
With nails, screws, or glue–
Or a batch of Feliz Gaucamole.

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So, in the "Comments" below
Leave a story ere you go
Of a creative experience this season:
'Twas magical or clever,
Even brilliant, whatever,
Every reader you'll be certainly pleasin'.

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{I'll post my story next year.
That's just a few days, have no fear.
I think there'll be surprises
At how simple mine was
And it was challenging, cheap, and brought cheer.}

Happy 8!

McNair

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(Photo of whitler, above, is not me.)

• just take a little off the throat, please

Three Holiday Movies:

       SWEENEY TODD: That Crazy Guy Over the Pie Shop

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My review of the new Tim Burton / Johnny Depp film version of Stephen Sondheim's monstrous Broadway musical - SWEENEY TODD  - is now posted on line at HollywoodJesus.com.

 

~ McNair

A Friendlier Monster

Long after I stopped believing in Santa Clause (as a real person) I still believed in "Nessy" (a.k.a. th Loch Ness Monster in Scotland.) Now there's proof that I was right, all along, in holding on to that belief. The Water Horse is the big screen version of a small children's book from Dick King-Smith, author of Babe. This is no small film. Flawless computer generated imaging brings the monster to life. It is a personal story of a small boy during World War II who's father is off to war and the boy creates his own isolated life. When a cocky artillery battalion arrives to billet themselves  in their large home and grounds,  his world is turned upside down. Oh, and there's a monster in the tool shed, then the  tub of the spare bathroom, and then...well you've seen the trailer.  Thus,  you think you've seen the move. Not even close.

There's a stranger who comes to visit. Tension between mom and the military and hiding the monster and then whether to return him to freedom in the Loch.
The whole story "based on a true tale..." is told to us, and a couple of young travelers, in the corner of a pub. There's a  famous photo hanging on the wall of  "Nessy's" long  neck and head  sticking above the water of Loch Ness,  silhouetted against the moonlit water.

"That picture's a fake."

"That's just the beginning of the story." Says the old man in the corner booth. And the tale, our story, he tells grabs our attention and weaves an adventure that is as thrilling as any theme park ride. (This I know.) It will hold the attention of audience members of any age. (I attended with three adults and a four year old. We got worried when the story became intense enough to scare us three big kids. But my little friend, Jonah, loved it all–especially the most intense moments. (As for your own four year old, your mileage my vary.)

This is a near-perfect family film for the holidays.  Excellent cast with a bit of romance, family tensions, unexpected troubles from outside the family unit, and what to do with your children's flights of imagination. This is one flight I am glad to have taken. Get your boarding pass soon!

And showing in theatre 3...

Midnight Clear

There's an unlikely Christmas story  in the independent film , Midnight Clear (website and trailer link.) Based on a short story by my friend, Jerry Jenkins, this was originally produced as a short film.  Many folks were intrigued by who the characters were, their back stories and  what happens next. Dallas Jenkins' careful, steady directing , and Wes Halula's naturally list and spare screen play, expanded the story to feature-length to pursue these lives and the answers to some of those questions.

Scene: roadside mini-mart/gas station

Time: Late night, Christmas Eve

(Minimal camera movement) We meet five strangers who  cross paths and effect each other's lives inextricably.

Viewing the film at the San Jose International Film Festival early this year (2007) the opening night audience responded very positively. Like too many "indy" films,  the story is dark, but unlike most indies there is no splattering blood of angry, furniture-breaking moments. Through the darkness comes a strong message of hope. As such this story of broken lives, strained relationships, and empty hearts is the simple story of how each of us is connected to each other--even the stranger.

Stephen Bladwin (Usual Suspects, "Doyle" of Bio-Dome, and "Barney" in Flinstones in Viva Rock Vegas) leads a cast of pitch perfect performances by some of Hollywood's most accomplished character actors. Midnight Clear is now available on DVD (through all the customary online and retail sources) and worth more than a look. Buy a couple of copies and pass them around to friends. Watch it as a family, or with a group and talk about how we can be more attentive to those in need who are right next to us, or stuck at the mini-mart with car trouble we might be able to fix.

Watching it again, this week , reminded me that there can be glimmers of Hope in any darkness and especially during Christmas when Hope came to visit.

McNair

There are lots of great movies out right now. Let me know what you see that we shouldn't miss and what we should avoid.

• nailed it!

         ...and now for something completely different:

An artist friend sent a series of photos showing the remarkable work of a true craftsman-artist.  Once again the important point is made that you don't need paint brushes, paints, canvas, or fancy, soft pencils and expensive linen-rag paper in order to create.
    I have been looking at these photos for a few days now and I have yet to grab a hammer and nails. None the less, I am very inspired by this man's skill and artistry. 

( Follow pictures left to right and then down, like reading a comic strip/storyboard. Click on any photo to enlarge–especially fig. 4 to see that it appears as though no paint or colorized nails were used.)

 

 

 

I would be fascinated to hear what old Leonardo (da Vinci) would think of this shimmering new interpretation of his famous, and masterful, self-portrait (reproduced in fig. 10.)

Onward!

McNair

• to write,or not to write

      

               Making a Habit of Creativity

I write everyday these days. (And surf Mr. Gore's world-wide-web for a job, sort through boxes from my now-empty storage unit, answer emails, contact more friends who might assist with the job search, and . . .)
    Now and then I get an email from a regular reader at Tea With McNair asking if I am okay, alive. MIA? They tell how they enjoy this site and are eager to hear (read more from McMe.
    Then it hit me. I don't blog more because I am writing more on magazine articles (cash flow during the permanent-job search) and I am working on four new books: one for the business community on creativity as a team sport, one for pew people, and two are targeted at younger audiences. So my scribbling genes are being used up, or nearly so, daily.
    Fear not, little squirrels, I am devising a plan to use some of my book words–in little slices–as blog posts, or post its...postets.  Bit I don't want to be serializing one of my new books. If a post is from one of the books I will note it.
    Meanwhile, I find that I don't have a better day than those days that I get to write--creative writing. This includes editing existing verbiage in these projects. Books are mostly rewritten , not written. My experience is if I just write, without giving it to much arduous thought along the way, the scribble moves along more freely.
    With my book that is targeted to pew people, faith folk, I have already had several occasions where I had an idea to write on a particular subject and started in on it. Then, somewhere early on, the writing shift to another subject, different tact for handling the chosen subject, or different characters entered the story to handle the telling. In every instance where this sort of a shift occurred, the piece turned out better than my original idea.
    We don't write alone. Our imagination, our experiences, talent, and our Creator Spirit are all sitting in: suggesting, encouraging, nudging, pointing, clapping along when the words become a song without music.
    Developing this writing-as-habit is one of the better developments in this period of lots of new developments in my life. Even if it's just an hour or two at my new local coffee house (in an actual old Victorian hotel) it restores my soul.
    As I am attempting to put in four to six hours each day on work that builds toward finding my new career spot, having a creative outlet is the opened window of fresh air that blows through and reminds me that I can do more than dash of mounds of emails, leave voice mails, and scour the newspaper and Internet for available positions that fit my carnival of skills, experiences, and abilities.
     Job hunting has become a habit, too. And developing a pattern, a daily routine, of "going to work" (on getting work) is a good habit just about now.
     But I need something to do that felt like I was accomplishing something, creating...anything. I try, too, to sketch something in my sketchbook everyday. This week that has included a sketch of radio talk show host and film critic do a live remote from Fior d'Italia, one of San Francisco's great eateries (Est.  1886.) Here again, I don't put high expectations, if any, on my sketching. Just sketch. I am not trying to make art, and sometimes I do.
   Find a way, even in small bites of five of fifteen minutes each day, to develop a habit of creating. Dig your college marching band trombone, violin, or oil paints, out from under the sleeping bags in the garage.

    Get moving. No expectations other than to do.

    I'll meet you back here sooner, rather than later.

McNair

• beautiful

         

             Two film recommendations

Without saying too much (that gives away plot), I want to commend two little films. The first is growing in popularity, Bella.

    This is the kind of film we don't see much of in the current age of Hollywood blockbusters and studio "tent pole" mega-pics. I try to include a number of  smaller, indie films as a part of my regular diet as an avid film goer. (Though these days I am more a film seer-at-home, on DVD, as the time and cost of movie-going is so bloated. Here in the San Francisco area a movie ticket can be $9.50, plus parking for two to three hours, $6-12, and I smuggle in my own snacks: water and nuts.)

    Back to Bella (Italian for beautiful), it is the first time, in a long time, that I have attended the public screening of a movie, where the audience paid their way, where there was vigorous  and immediate  applause at the close of the film.  I was clapping, through tears, along with probably 90% of those in attendance. The theater, though not huge, was nearly full--about 200 people.

    Bella is a film about family, loyalty, redemption, and stepping in to assist a friend or stranger where there is a need–even if the need is to just be there and listen. When a friend, or stranger is in crisis we have all become either desensitized (I saw that TV show where the guy tried to help and got kill, too), or we have trained ourselves to over think the situation and, while we are running a cost analysis spread sheet in our brain, the opportunity to help has passed us by. "Oh, well...maybe next time." (shrug)

    This would be a great evening out for a family, youth group, college or singles group, group of friends. Go early-enough to plan time after for a conversation and a bite, a sip (coffee, tea, wine...) I am a huge believer in talking about every film I see–even if I just call a friend and say WARNING: The trailer is a lie! But with Bella, there is a rich opportunity to consider a few very important issues of life that we need to run through the filter of our personal value system. Those values usually govern our behavior, even when our feelings in the moment suggest a different course of action.

• Another course of action is to see The Pixar Story –a new and fascinating documentary. Here is a thurough, behind-the-magic look at the history, developement, and philosphy of the studio that revolutionized animation. Using rare home video footage that takes us back to Disney Animation Studios, Lucas Film, and early days of Pixar we see how the current leadership began their careers, crossed paths, and perculated the ideas that became Pixar. The bulk of this very watchable and well crafted documentary was created by Leslie Iwerks. Her grand father, Ub Iwerks, worked side-by-side with Walt Disney in the earliest days of the creation of film animation. He is one of many Disney Legends that Disney Studios have honor for the landmark contribution.

    Using brand new interviews, shot for this film , with Pixar Execs, John Lasseter and Ed Catmull, as well as Monsters, Inc. director, Pete Docter, as well as many other Pixarians. Also interviewed are several Disney folk, including: Roy Disney (Walt's nephew), Michael Eisner (photo: Eisner, Lasseter, Jobs), Glen Keane, Ron Clements (Aladin, Little Mermaid, and others), Don Hahn (Lion King, Hunchback of Notre Dame), and the legendary duo Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnson (two of Walt's now-famous nine old men). Of course there are interviews with George Lucas and Steve Jobs and many others. 

    Not just "talking heads" (although they are well lit) there are film clips, inside workings of Pixar, and more. If you have ever seen a Pixar film (from Toy Story to Ratatouille) you will be engaged by this story.

    Far more than a brilliantly executed documentary, The Pixar Story is filled with inspiring and insightful moments about pursuing our creative dreams–in spite of the evidence and conventional wisdom (which often isn't.) John Lasseter's on screen comments are particularly good.

     I saw this fun and fascinating film at the opening night of the San Francisco International Film Festival (11.8.7) and there is a showing next Tuesday night  (12.11.7) at the Egyptian Theater  in Hollywood, CA. Meanwhile, check the film's website, HERE, for a trailer and screening schedule. Watch for it on DVD–sooner rather than later.

Please, stop back by here and post a comment when you have seen either of this delicious little films.

~ McNair

P.S. Next on my movies-to-see list: August Rush and then, my most-anticipated movie of the year, Tim Burton's film version of my all-time favorite musical,  Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.  Visit the richly designed and feature-packed website (click film title for link) if you haven't already seen one of the ubiquitous trailers on TV in recent days. Imagine John Depp in Victorian London, singing. This is a Gothic, "R" rated musical. Load the van and bring the whole family!

• world's easiest quiz

   

        .  .  .  What do y'know?

{ Passing requires getting 4 answers correct. Don't use Google, Encarta, or the old family encyclopedia. Great for holiday parties. Divide into teams of two or three people–not married couples, but strangers–to pool their wisdom. Remember what we all learned in elementary school: if it looks too easy, it probably isn't. Answers to follow. }

1. How long did the Hundred Year's War Last?

2. Which country makes Panama hats?

(Like the one being worn by Mr. Connery in the photo)

 

3. From which animal do we get cat gut?

(Don't fiddle around, think.)

 

4. In which month

do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?

 

5. What is a camel's hair paint brush

--like those in the photo--made of?

 

6. The Canary Islands  are named after what animal? (Click map to enlarge. Not that it will help with the answer, but big maps are better than little ones.)

7. What was King George VI's first name? (You remember him, the uncle of the current Queen Elizabeth II.)

8.  What color is a purple finch?

9. Where are Chinese gooseberries from?

10.  What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane?

Remember, you need 4 Correct answers to pass.

Go back and recheck your answers and finish the ones you skipped. Remember FOUR correct answers earns a passing grade.

When you are ready or stumped, you may check your answers below.

ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ

1. How long did the Hundred Year's War Last? 116  Years (Really!)

2. Which Country makes Panama hats? Ecuador

 

3. From which animal do we get cat gut? Sheep and horses

4. In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution? November

5. What is a camel's hair brush made of? Squirrel fur (You can't make this stuff up, folks.)

6. The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal? Dogs

 

7. What was King George VI's first name?   Albert. His full name was Albert Fredrick Arthur George of the House of Windsor. He was the last "Emperor of India" and the last "King of Ireland." He became king (in 1936) when his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to marry an American woman, Wallis Simpson. George VI ("Edward") was followed by his daughter, Elizabeth II in 1952, who is the Queen of England today.

8.  What color is a purple finch?   Crimson








9. Where are Chinese gooseberries from?   New Zealand











10. What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane?  Orange ( Of course. Everybody knows that.)

How'd you do? What do you mean you failed?  (Did not even get four right.) If it will make you feel better, try it on your friends and family.

McNair