Moving

I'm moving. It's not far, but far enough to have to pack up everything.
I donated stuff. A lot.
I love magazines. Apparently i've also brought nearly everyone with since at least 2006. I have now gone through nearly all. Mostly pulled recipes, design ideas and fashion tips. My own pinterest but in a box and on paper. The rest? Garbage. I think there were at least 200.
I've been working hard on it for a few weeks now. Feel like I should have made more progress. Feels good to purge (or weed as the librarians say) but still feel like there is much to go and much to do.
Part of goes to storage. Round two is reducing all of that.
I had a friend who fit everything she owned in her big GMC Jimmy. I felt sad for her. Now I am wondering if that is not such a bad thing after all...

"Tomorrow's Leaders Today" essay for Public Allies award

Back in June 2000, I was recognized with the "Tomorrow's Leaders Today" award from Chicago's Public Allies. The mission of Public Allies is to identify a diversity of talented young adults and create opportunities for them to practice leadership and strengthen their communities in a new alliance with people from neighborhoods, nonprofits, business and government.  Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) is just one of the ways Public Allies puts its mission into action.

Having recently found some files of older things, writings, essays and similar keepsakes, I found my essay for the award. I thought I'd post it here. I still think it all holds true today.

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Essay: What do you see as the issues facing your community? Describe your vision for addressing these issues. Explain what you have done to demonstrate your commitment to strengthen your community.

By Denise Lyons, June 2000

Mary Eisenhower recently wrote, "Ordinary citizens of different nations, if able to communicate directly, would solve their differences and find a way to live in peace. This is a simple thought-that people can make the difference where government cannot." This simple statement comes from an international organization that promotes cultural understanding and leadership experiences through personal exchanges. While she may have referred to a broader picture of international diversity, we here in Chicago have the same opportunity to take this quote to heart. Chicago is a community rich in diverse cultural and ethnic traditions. But we face a great problem: diversity and cultural understanding. The United States as a whole has always promoted the idea of the melting pot. People of various faiths, cultures, and backgrounds come to this country and blend into one nation, America. While this may be a good theory, it is not the practice. People who have come to America, and to Chicago specifically, have not blended into one cultural as Americans. This is where the struggle lies.

The concept that we are a melting pot served a time that was long ago. We no longer need to melt in order to fight a world superpower. The fight that takes place is within our own communities. Each nationality settled into a neighborhood and within these neighborhoods, there is the recognition of a common culture. The cultures and ethnic groups do not melt, they simple lay side by side. Looking at the broader picture of the neighborhoods, one envisions a quilt. While a true quilt has a pattern and logic, the Chicago quilt does not. The variety of ethnic groups often chose their neighborhood for economic reasons. They had little wish to give up their traditions and their practices. They fail to recognize the need to educate others and focus on the need for cultural understanding. This has led to misunderstanding among ethnic groups and the typical economic power struggle between those that have and those that have little.

               Those who came to Chicago many generations ago may be less connected with their ethnic heritage. More recent immigrants have not. Within the quilt of Chicago, we can witness the fraying of the edges, as groups struggle to remain within these boundaries. As the potential for economic wealth is realized, groups are being disenfranchised and neighborhoods are victims of gentrification. There is little recognition of the value in the strength of a diverse neighborhood. As the process continues over and over in various neighborhoods, the struggles and problems continue. No one group, no matter how powerful or visionary, has the ability to address the issues of the community residents. In Chicago, we have real problems: crime, drugs, health and welfare, gun control, and education. We need real people to help face them and it cannot be done alone. Now is the time for us to set aside our differences and focus on bettering and strengthening the community as a whole. Each person, each group has the ability to offer something that will promote positive changes and eventually better cultural understanding. It is a not a time to retract, it is a time to build and grow. It takes the effort of all people; serious people ready to face serious challenges.

               On the issue of diversity, we can all strive to celebrate our heritage while respecting our community and our country. There is a longstanding tradition of ethnic celebration in the city: Irish, German, Jewish, African, Italian, and Mexican to name a few. These celebrations must continue for the children to recognize where their ancestors came from. However, in celebrating these heritages, we must invite the greater community to participate in the celebrations and provide the educational resources so that they can learn about these cultures. Misunderstanding of cultural differences comes out of fear and lack of communication. All ethnic groups came here to begin a new life, one that recognizes the past and envisions a brighter future. It is only through cooperation and communication that we will be able to come together and see how strong our quilt can be.

               My vision for Chicago is that every person's background is celebrated and every person's contribution is welcome. This is a difficult vision to translate into practice. Many of the ethnic groups have begun to remove themselves from the Chicago quilt. They are angry that their neighborhoods are constantly shifting demographically. Many of the lower income communities feel that the only way to keep their heritage is shut everyone out. Those with economic resources in turn, see only the black and white figures that read economic wealth. They do not see these neighborhoods as filled with individuals, families, and groups. Stereotypes run rampant, each side growing stronger in their desire to move in or keep others out. There is no way that these attitudes will build a better Chicago.

               However, strides are being made. The CAPS program invites all neighborhood residents to come together to discuss issues of crime. Progress might be slow but the communication lines are broadening. A program on the southwestern side of the city, which comes out of one of the Catholic all-girls high schools, brings teenagers from the city and suburbs to discuss issues of racism. Neighborhood festivals are held and some have seen great success, as Chicagoans come together on a social level to celebrate various ethnic heritages. These examples are only a beginning. We need to go deeper; truly strive to understand each other. Listen to each person's contributions and create a vision that makes Chicago a strong and unique place to live, for us now and for the future.

               We all have a secret weapon: education. Education is the key to unlocking the anger, stereotypes, and fears that threaten diversity. Beginning at a very young age, we must teach our children that we can and must live together in a peaceful world. We must tell the stories and share the beauty of our ethnic heritage and yet promote the idea of cultural understanding. We do not have to give up our ethnic traditions to be able to respect the ethnic traditions of others. Additionally, children will mimic what they see and hear from the adults in their community. Hearing ethnic slurs or degrading language only promotes an isolationist mentality. Adults often question why children and teenagers are participating in hateful and destructive behavior. The answer is simple; they see it all around them. Promoting the idea of boundaries, keeping ethnic groups tied to one area, only fosters these negative attitudes. Young people need to see positive role models. They need to watch their parents and guardians participate in activities that build community, not rip it down. They need to see the adults come together and address the real problems present. They need to be ever mindful that those who are younger are watching their behavior.

               I consider my community to be all of Chicago. I think it shortsighted to only see my street as my community. The activities in which I participate and in which I have taken part encompass a greater spectrum. Through my graduate program at DePaul University, I participated in service activities that spread my influence beyond my street. I have gone to the north side of the city to clean up a beach littered with refuse. The beach was supposed to be a family beach and upon my arrival, I saw that it would be a dangerous place for families. We all need to take pride in our public places and work to keep them safe and clean. I went to a homeless shelter in a north side neighborhood. It was not just the serving of a meal to the people that came to the door, it was taking a few minutes to listen to their stories and empathize during a time of need. I visited a south side neighborhood, next to a highway and in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood, where I joined church and school members bring new life to their facility by painting rooms and planting flowers. Beyond the work done on that day, I learned a great deal about the heritage of the school and the commitment and pride that families have for the place that gives them solace. I am President of a woman's group that spends a great deal of time and effort to sharing the advantages that they have. We hold an annual clothing drive that supports a variety of shelters and organizations, collecting items not only from our group but from anyone willing to donate. We hold a meeting each October at the Ronald McDonald House in Lincoln Park, so members can see the positive work being done to support families of ill children right in their own backyard. We tour the facilities, donate funds from an annual wreath sale, and participate in an activity, from baking cookies to painting pumpkins, in an attempt to bring some joy to families during their difficult time. I advise Northwestern collegiate women in scholarship and career building activities, promoting my experience in the nonprofit arena in an attempt to broaden their understanding of the needs of communities beyond their own. I spent several years teaching religious education to elementary students. While my role was to strengthen their understanding of their own religious beliefs, I also thought it important to press upon them the need to understand other religious faiths. We spent time learning and discussing religions beyond Catholicism, focusing on similarities and not on differences. Even though it had never been done before, we undertook service projects. We visited the Ronald McDonald House and also the University of Illinois at Chicago children's ward, so that at their young age, they can see the need to participate in volunteer activities that serve others. I believe strongly in service and wanted them to have an understanding of what they can do. I strive to be an ambassador for cultural understanding and goodwill in whatever activities I participate.

               I believe that we all have an opportunity to climb out of the proverbial box and really take a hard look at what is happening around us. Nothing can be done as individuals. We need to put aside differences and work together. Even in a small way, whether through financially supporting the outreach efforts of one's church, volunteering at a community building function, or even voting for candidates that support the diversity and community, each person has the opportunity to join with others to make Chicago the strongest tapestry, useful, bold in color and strength, and a model for other cities. I truly believe that only together can we truly make a difference. I am willing to step up and make this happen. I hope that others will join me.

 

 

Halloween Fun: FB Horror Movie

This is been on facebook and it's cute. I didn't feel like putting it there but found it funny so I figured I'd put it here.

It's Halloween! You're in a horror movie. The 9 people in your friend box on your FB timeline profile page, in order from left to right. No cheating.

Cries like a baby: Rob Lindsey (sorry RL)
The one who trips while running in the woods: Kendra Lyons Burns (but is wearing cute shoes)

The first to go missing: Heidi Betz Thornton (I'd say probably not...)
Murdered saving you: Virginia Lyons (thanks mom!)

Survives by faking their own death: Julie Gaines (of course...she's the smartest of all)

Had a solid survival plan no one listened to: Charlotte Johnston (who has a plan for everything!)

Spends all the time looking for Twinkies: Jessica Kirchen Lyons (or Diet Dr. Pepper)

Gets turned into a zombie: Allison Lyons Buck (Teen Librarian!)
Is really the killer:  Kevin Lyons (but we still love you)

Wait Wait don't tell me

I had a whole blog post planned. It had style, grace and eloquence. Somewhere along the way, I have lost it. Very sad. Hoping it comes back maybe with some rest and/or caffeine. When it does, I'll be back...

What's Going On This Summer...

So my blog has been a little light this summer. Helped my sister and her family move back to the Mitten which was sad. I'll miss spending time with them especially Carson.

I know they are having a great summer living at Lake Michigan before everything starts again in the fall. Lucky for me we have a wedding at the end of September so that's probably the next time I'll get to see him.

So until then, after the drive back to Michigan, I got to go back to one of my favorite towns, Chicago. Nine years there and I miss it all the time. ALA was back in Chicago this year. The last time it -- and I -- was there, I heard then Senator and now President Obama speak, my favorite Mayor (and friend of my work, Old St. Pat's) Daley tell everyone how he supported the libraries (and thanked another friend of OSP--Mary Dempsey, then Commissioner of Libraries). I wasn't even working for libraries then but of course, always a user and supporter of libraries. Luckily, in Chicago, they were all over.

So I thought I would share some of my favorite things about ALA and Chicago.

OK...Chicago. Ravinia of course. The Ravinia Festival -- http://www.ravinia.org -- one of the best things that goes on all summer. I had wanted to see the B52s at Ravinia but the Newbery-Caldecott banquet was that night. So that is going to have to wait for another time. Some of the best times I've had have been sitting on the lawn, watching the CSO, Lyle Lovett, Indigo Girls, Mary Chapin Carpenter and James Taylor. So many good shows in the 90s and early part of the 2000s.

Um, baseball. Wrigley. Need I say more? www.thisdayinchicagocubshistory.com.  Also the cash only HBA shop on Oak. All the diners owned by the Greek families, that remain open 24 hours. Anything open 24 hours. Brew and View at the Vic (John Travolta triple feature and watching scary movies with this sort of "mystery science theater 3000" bit going on when the audience participates). Sundays at Oz park. All the parks. Discovering new neighborhood bars--local places, good for a chat. All day graduate study sessions with DePaul friends. Concerts at Soldier Field...and turtle races, yes that is a thing. It's a really livable city.

This year ALA was there too. I enjoyed the hustle and bustle, and hopping from hotel to hotel for events. I discovered some new places I'd not been before (Untitled, a real live speakeasy thanks to my brother) as well as old favorites (Cafe Iberico for tapas and Francesca's on Taylor for Italian.) The Movers & Shakers event at the Firehouse. I met some wonderful authors, heard great speakers and sessions and got to bond with friends old and new.

Then back to Michigan. Some lovely days on the beach. The evening with the "couch on wheels" at my brother and sister-in-law's house. It was a fun night. I could have done with some better weather but  had so much fun with my family, dance parties with Carson, mah jongg with mom and Kendra, 4th of July with the whole family, visit with my Godmother and some other nice relaxing nights with the doors open, falling asleep to the sound of waves.

Summer has gone by in nearly a blink. I was able to get a redo of the best place in my house (or technically out of the house), my porch, thanks to my aunt who can sew and my great taste in fabric.

I had a great night at the "last summer on earth" tour with Ben Folds Five, Guster and Barenaked Ladies at the Family Circle Cup on Daniel island. So much fun.

So it's August in SC. It's hot. It's humid and we're all scrambling to get stuff done while still pretending that we have summer left. Soon students come back to school and traffic picks up for my morning and evening commute.

But summer is not over yet and a few fun things ahead. And maybe some surprises. Until then...

StoryfestSC

http://statelibrary.sc.gov/storyfestsc-2013

Don't miss it!

StoryfestSC 2013

StoryfestSC 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina State Library is proud to announce award winning authors Peter Brown and Will Hillenbrand will be featured at StoryfestSC 2013—the state’s summer reading program kick-off event. Families from across the state will be able to celebrate the 2013 Collaborative Summer Library Theme Dig into Reading! at a free event for families held at the State Museum in Columbia on June 1, 2013.

 StoryfestSC exposes families to children’s authors and the art of story and fosters an excitement for reading, especially throughout the summer. All of South Carolina’s public libraries participate in the State Library coordinated summer reading program.

 

Details at http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/storyfestsc-2013

Travel

There was a cool quote on my hotel Le Meredien this weekend. It was from Pico Iyer. I will read more of his work later but found another quote I love. Lately, My wanderlust is kicking in. Been in one place too long and dying to get out...

If travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it's a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end. 

Quote from Pico Iyer

I have a Hobby

I cannot even think where to begin. This was a two year old resolution. It finally came to fruition which is exhilarating and a little scary at the same time. I have sticks and no idea how to hold them (thank you Internet). I still need to get the cymbals set up but I am already thinking of the songs I want to learn. 

I put together a playlist but I don't think I'm ready for any of it but one can dream...

Seven Nation Army

Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

In the Air Tonight

Baba O'Riley

Hard to Handle

Little Favours

Love Spreads

Are You Gonna Go My Way

This is just a start. The drummer librarian needs to do some research.

March 2013 Ipod Today

I find this interesting...
[N.B. I do have a lot of classical so I did skip over those because they don't really have titles]



Here's How It Works:
1. Open Your Library (Itunes, Winamp, Media Player, Ipod, Etc.)
2. Put It On Shuffle
3. Press Play
4. For Every Question, Type The Song That's Playing
5. When You Go To A New Question, Press The Next Button
6. Don't Lie About The Songs (They Can Be Funny If You Just Leave Them)

1. What's My Mood Like Right Now?
Everyday Now—Texas


2. How's Tomorrow Going To Be For Me?
Cry Me A River--Michael Buble (THAT'S ominous!)


3. What Kind Of Person Am I?
Speak to me Someone-Gene


4. Am I Loved?
Glasgow Love Theme--Graig Armstrong from Love Actually


5. How Can I Achieve My Highest Potential?
Wonder-Natalie Merchant


6. What Should I Do With My Life?
Round Here-Counting Crows


7. Is Everything Really Going To Be Alright In The End?
From this Moment On--Jimmy Somerville


8. What Is My Best Quality?
Forever-Chris Brown


9. How Does My Social Life Look?
Train in Vain-Annie Lennox


10. What's The Meaning Of Life?
Baby now that i've found you--Alison Krauss & Union Station


11. What Do People Think Of Me?
How To Be Strong--Rosanne Cash


12. Would I Make A Good Lover?
Just Haven't Met You Yet-Michael Buble


13. How Crazy Am I?
Smile--Lily Allen


14. Will I Have A Good Life In General?
Take Back the City-Snow Patrol


15. Can (Insert Name Here) Ever Really Love Me?
Miles Away-Madonna


16. Can Me And (Insert Name Here) Ever Be More Than Friends?
It Takes Two-Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock


17. What's Going To Happen To Me This Week?
Voices Carry-Til Tuesday


18. Where Will I Be A Year From Now?
New Style-Beastie Boys


19. What Is My Fondest Wish?
U Want Me 2-Sarah Maclachlan


20. What Is The Love Of My Life Doing At This Very Moment?
I Never Loved A Man the Way I Loved You-The Commitments


21. How Did My Parents Meet?
Love Is Stronger than Pride-Sade


22. How Will I Die?
Low-Cracker


23. What Song Will Be Played At My Funeral?
Carry On-Fun.


24. What Will Happen After I Die?
When You Dream-Barenaked Ladies


25. What Will I Dream About Tonight?
Love My Way-Psychedelic Furs


26. What Should I Be Working On Right Now?
More Than This-Roxy Music


27. What's My Roommate Up To Currently?
Jolene-The White Stripes


28. What Did I Do Last Weekend?
Jump than Fall--Taylor Swift


29. Describe Me?
I'm No Angel-Dido

30. What Does My Music Player Think Of Me?
Unwritten-Natasha Bedingfield



The last three for fun:
Gimme Shelter--Rolling Stones
Giftshop-Tragically Hip
Maybe-Ingrid Michaelson

Feb 2009 Ipod vs Today

This was Feb 2009
I have decided that there is a little person inside my ipod because there are some pretty ironic things here!


Here's How It Works:
1. Open Your Library (Itunes, Winamp, Media Player, Ipod, Etc.)
2. Put It On Shuffle
3. Press Play
4. For Every Question, Type The Song That's Playing
5. When You Go To A New Question, Press The Next Button
6. Don't Lie About The Songs (They Can Be Funny If You Just Leave Them)


1. What's My Mood Like Right Now?
Fly Me To The Moon—Bobby Darin

2. How's Tomorrow Going To Be For Me?
Go On Say It-Blind Pilot

3. What Kind Of Person Am I?
My Stupid Mouth-John Mayer

4. Am I Loved?
Love Remains The Same—Gavin Rossdale

5. How Can I Achieve My Highest Potential?
Time—The Greencards

6. What Should I Do With My Life?
I Wonder-Chris Isaak

7. Is Everything Really Going To Be Alright In The End?
The Lucky One-Alison Krauss & Union Station

8. What Is My Best Quality?
This Time Of Year-Better Than Ezra

9. How Does My Social Life Look?
Please Send Me Someone To Love-Fiona Apple

10. What's The Meaning Of Life?
When You Know-Shawn Colvin

11. What Do People Think Of Me?
Haunt You Everyday-Weezer

12. Would I Make A Good Lover?
Your Body Is A Wonderland—John Mayer

13. How Crazy Am I?
Leaving On A Jet Plane-Chantal Kreviazuk

14. Will I Have A Good Life In General?
Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves—Annie Lennox & Aretha Franklin

15. Can (Insert Name Here) Ever Really Love Me?
Running Up That Hill—Kate Bush

16. Can Me And (Insert Name Here) Ever Be More Than Friends?
Dream A Little Dream Of Me-beautiful south or enzo enzo (cover from "French Kiss")

17. What's Going To Happen To Me This Week?
Lowdown-Boz Skaggs

18. Where Will I Be A Year From Now?
All These Things I’ve Done—The Killers

19. What Is My Fondest Wish?
The Day Before I Went Away—Texas

20. What Is The Love Of My Life Doing At This Very Moment?
The Hurting Time—Annie Lennox

21. How Did My Parents Meet?
Something Good This Way Comes—Jakob Dylan

22. How Will I Die?
Wishing Heart—Lisa Loeb

23. What Song Will Be Played At My Funeral?
Good—Better Than Ezra

24. What Will Happen After I Die?
Knowing Me, Knowing You—ABBA

25. What Will I Dream About Tonight?
When I’m 64—The Beatles

26. What Should I Be Working On Right Now?
Son Of A Preacher Man—Natalie Merchant

27. What's My Roommate Up To Currently?
Coney Island—Van Morrison

28. What Did I Do Last Weekend?
Baby Love—The Supremes

29. Describe Me?
I’ll Fly Away—Alison Krauss

30. What Does My Music Player Think Of Me?
The Lion Sleeps Tonight—The Tokens

Thinking About the Music

I have been thinking about getting some concert tickets for a friend. It's not a band I'm super familiar with but have enjoyed watching on You Tube and online.

There are a few of those lately. I was thinking about Band of Horses. They are playing locally. There are a bunch that I want to see live: Mumford & Sons, Of Monsters and Men, Fun. After all these years, I am dying to see Morrissey. I can't even figure out how that will happen since all his shows are sold out! Maroon 5 too. I have tickets to the Avett Brothers with Old Crow Medicine Show. That'll be fun. And I want to see a friend in Nashville so I'm dying to go to the Ryman.

So I started to think back about a few of the best shows I've seen. And there are many...hard to rank. TBC...

Feelin Good

Got a lot done today. Tedious but useful. I played no music today but if I did I would have played...
In a Big Country by BC and The Pogues. Also Dropkick Murphys. I have a whole bagpipe or like bagpipe sound going on right now. There is a guitar I read about that I plan to find out more about. Terrible Grammar but it's late.
What else? Long Way to the top if you want to Rock & Roll. JCM's I Need a Lover. Beastie Boys...She's Crafty. Jump Around-House of Pain. Belly. Liz Phair. Lenny Kravitz and lots more.
There's always tomorrow.

Taking a Minute

So I have started trying to get back into the practice of writing. It is both hard and easy at the same time. When I feel stressed or sad, it is hard to write. I need creativity to fuel creativity but it also may be that the hardest thing about writing is the honesty. If I want to just write, I can do that--you lose yourself in a world that is more of an expanded reality. That is sort of the beauty of writing. It is the reason that I have been writing since the second grade. The challenging part for a person like me is that it can be a slippery slope. The idea of creative writing is to be able to move seamlessly back and forth but that in itself can be challenging. So as I continuously think about what I really want to write, I will write about things that are sort of around me.

I saw Silver Linings Playbook yesterday. It was amazing, really well done. It's not the best movie I have ever seen but it had some honest, poignant moments. I was impressed by the acting-- less about Jennifer Lawrence being Vanity Fair's most desirable woman and Bradley Cooper being People's sexiest man alive. I appreciated that. Sure they were good looking but they were also knee deep in it and the performances felt real. I also appreciated that a mainstream film chose to present family issues and mental illness as not a debilitating mess but something to work through and work on. I liked that they showed a variety of family relationships like the OCD father, the sensitive mother and the "friend" couple with some power-struggle issues. Plus I love football (lots and lots of Philly Eagles in this movie.)

One of the other things that I really liked about the film is that there were some moments that Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) just spoke her mind. I really appreciated that. I wish that there were more moments where we all could be so truthful. I don't feel that as a woman that my honestly or candor may be appreciated. It is the challenge of the modern day. It doesn't always help personal relationships. The dance about what to say and what not to say, and when. At least in the movies you know that whatever they say (and do) will be wrapped up somewhat in about two hours. It reminded me of another movie I love so much...The Family Stone. There is a point where Sarah Jessica Parker--the girlfriend--yells back at the mom and sister..."what makes you all so great. you're not so great" and Diane Keaton says "I know, but we're all we have." I think that is what I love best about my family. No matter what, they are there. We might complain about each other sometimes and God knows that you need to be prepared to everyone all up in your business. But "we're all we got" (even though we've added a few over the years) and I know that I am lucky in many ways. Knowing how many surrogate siblings we have had over the years (youngest or only children or child of a divorced family) there is something to be said about a big family, lots of love and support, laughter and stories.

So some of my recommends today are these. Go see Silver Linings Playbook. Also rewatch or rent Little Miss Sunshine. The Family Stone, Because I Said So and National Lampoon's Vacation. Start on season one of Downton Abbey, which you can download or get from the library and also Brothers & Sisters. Barefoot in the Park, Sixteen Candles, Sense & Sensibility, With Six You Get Eggroll and the original of Yours, Mine and Ours.

That should be enough to make you laugh, cry and think a little more.

Oscar is more than a cat...

It's getting to be that time again...Oscar time! I am writing this on the day of my sister-in-law, Jess's birthday and she was fortunate to be a seat filler at the Oscars in 1996 when living in California. So here's a little tribute.

I have always loved movies and for a number of years, had a great Oscar party complete with friends, costumes/dressing up and even prizes. Hey--an Oscar party is a good reason to bust out those old bridesmaids dresses. Even with the number of times where I've hunkered down with AMC and friends or family members to watch one of those Katherine Hepburn or Hitchcock marathons, it just never gets old. Love a rainy day, PJs and a movie marathon.

If you go to the Oscars website, there is a lot of great information including a photo archive. They have a library (the Margaret Herrick Library) and you know how important film archiving has become. Check out the site at: http://www.oscars.org/awards/index.html.

Now I have disagreed with some of the Academy's choices in the past. I feel that the best movie of the  year should be something that should be timeless and everyone should see and enjoy. That is how I felt about "Hugo" last year. It was a gorgeous film, such wonderful cinematography plus an excellent story. Unfortunately, the Academy did not take my advice but that happens quite a bit so I'm used to it.

I think some of the movies that really didn't deserve the top spot include The Artist, No Country for Old Men, Crash, Lord of the Rings, Chicago (which I HATED...not going to lie), Gladiator and the one I really really dislike that keeps coming back to haunt me...Titanic.

However, I found that Slumdog Millionaire, although depressing, was quite a good film. Million Dollar Baby was not necessarily the best film but it was good. Braveheart might seriously be the best film of the last 20 years. It is not just because I lived in Scotland and that my aunt's family is the Wallace family, but it was a masterful piece of storytelling. So visual...and there are kilts.

As I get older, I understand "film" better. When I saw The Last Emperor with a friend in a movie theater in Detroit, I think I may have fell asleep. But seriously, I was also 16 and it was the 80s. I think that Ferris Bueller and 16 Candles were also pretty much award winners in my book. Oh and St. Elmo's Fire. I went to Catholic school and I didn't remember any St. Elmo but it was the brat pack so that was as close to God as I was going to get!

In terms of contemporary movies, I thought that Out of Africa was absolutely poetic. I just wanted to go and live in Isak Dinesen (pen name)'s world.  I fell in love with Dances with Wolves and the unraveling of the story. That felt timeless.

Now the 80s were a time to cry. Terms of Endearment...really? Not a dry eye in the house. Ordinary People--one of my all time favorite young adult books--was one of the saddest and most haunting of films. I am sure to people today, it probably feels like that teen angst wasn't much but I can tell you that at the time...heartbreaking. Kramer vs. Kramer. What can I say? My brother and I had watched it several times on HBO. I didn't know a lot of families who were struggling with the broken family situation, the push and pull of divorce so it seemed all so tragic to me.

Lovely films? Storytelling crafted well? Snappy reparte and outstanding music? Amadeus, The Godfathers, Annie Hall and The Sting. A run of outstanding musicals...the soundtracks I listen to over and over in my car AND used to wait to have them come on TV (and eventually cable or VHS): The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady and West Side Story. The visual beauty of Gigi's Paris and the south's Gone with the Wind, along with the majesty of the score, vivid costumes and tragedy of the times make them some of my all time favorite films. Plus Leslie Caron never ages. I realize that she is French but seriously, never ages.

So before the Oscars 2012 come come calling at the end of February, you may want to take a look at the movies below. There are some fantastic ones and an excellent way to spend some time. As for this year's race, I am on my way to seeing as many as I can. I think that many from the beginning of the year are often forgotten by the time the announcements come out, but there are still good ones to see. Argo might be my favorite. I remember that time...I remember the helpless feeling, the nation's struggle and when I learned about what really happened, I felt like there is so much history to really learn, or relearn. Zero Dark Thirty was better than I had thought and again, much to learn, even though it wasn't that long ago. Lincoln was outstanding...what a champion for his time. Not sure it's the best film of the year, although I wouldn't be disappointed if it wins, but Daniel Day-Lewis's performance is absolutely magical, perfect, amazing. Next up for me is Beasts of the Southern Wild and Silver Linings Playbook, which is finally coming here. I didn't like the book Life of Pi and hoping I can actually sit through the film. Same with Les Miserables. I've seen the stage musical and not a fan of the film, but feel I need to see it. Unlike most people, I actually like Anne Hathaway. Also I like Naomi Watts so that film may also be on the list.

Cheers to you this Oscar season. Enjoy!

2011 - "The Artist"

2010 - "The King's Speech"

2009 - "The Hurt Locker"

2008 - "Slumdog Millionaire"

2007 - "No Country for Old Men"

2006 - "The Departed"

2005 - "Crash"

2004 - "Million Dollar Baby"

2003 - "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"

2002 - "Chicago"

2001 - "A Beautiful Mind"

2000 - "Gladiator"

1999 - "American Beauty"

1998 - "Shakespeare in Love"

1997 - "Titanic"

1996 - "The English Patient"

1995 - "Braveheart"

1994 - "Forrest Gump"

1993 - "Schindler’s List"

1992 - "Unforgiven"

1991 - "The Silence of the Lambs"

1990 - "Dances With Wolves"

1989 - "Driving Miss Daisy"

1988 - "Rain Man"

1987 - "The Last Emperor"

1986 - "Platoon"

1985 - "Out of Africa"

1984 - "Amadeus"

1983 - "Terms of Endearment"

1982 - "Gandhi"

1981 - "Chariots of Fire"

1980 - "Ordinary People"

1979 - "Kramer vs. Kramer"

1978 - "The Deer Hunter"

1977 - "Annie Hall"

1976 - "Rocky"

1975 - "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest"

1974 - "The Godfather Part II"

1973 - "The Sting"

1972 - "The Godfather"

1971 - "The French Connection"

1970 - "Patton"

1969 - "Midnight Cowboy"

1968 - "Oliver!"

1967 - "In the Heat of the Night"

1966 - "A Man for All Seasons"

1965 - "The Sound of Music"

1964 - "My Fair Lady"

1963 - "Tom Jones"

1962 - "Lawrence of Arabia"

1961 - "West Side Story"

1960 - "The Apartment"

1959 - "Ben-Hur"

1958 - "Gigi"

1957 - "The Bridge on the River Kwai"

1956 - "Around the World in 80 Days"

1955 - "Marty"

1954 - "On the Waterfront"

1953 - "From Here to Eternity"

1952 - "The Greatest Show on Earth"

1951 - "An American in Paris"

1950 - "All About Eve"

1949 - "All the Kings Men"

1948 - "Hamlet"

1947 - "Gentleman's Agreement"

1946 - "The Best Years of Our Lives"

1945 - "The Lost Weekend"

1944 - "Going My Way"

1943 - "Casablanca"

1942 - "Mrs. Miniver"

1941 - "How Green Was My Valley"

1940 - "Rebecca"

1939 - "Gone with the Wind"

1938 - "You Can't Take It with You"

1937 - "The Life of Emile Zola"

1936 - "The Great Ziegfeld"

1935 - "Mutiny on the Bounty"

1934 - "It Happened One Night"

1932/1933 - "Cavalcade"

1931/1932 - "Grand Hotel"

1930/1931 - "Cimarron"

1929/1930 - "All Quiet on the Western Front"

1928/1929 - "The Broadway Melody"

1927/1928 - "Wings"