VIDEO REVIEW: Enchanted


Friend Fred , way back on February 23, extolled the virtues of the 2007 cartoon-and-live-action Disney film Enchanted. It starred Amy Adams, who Roger Ebert loved in Junebug. A couple months later, I went to my local library to put it on reserve. And waited and waited until, when a call came from the library saying my item is in – without actually specifying what item it might be – I had forgotten about it.

Two days later, I get the DVD and the family sits down to watch it. Big mistake. The four-year-old is terrified of the ogre, and by the time we get to the slaying of the bus dragon, she’s done.

So I watch it by myself (and later my wife, herself). You know what? Fred was correct! It’s fun! It’s romantic! It has some great songs, including “Happy Working Song” that Adams sang at the Oscars this year, a great riff on “Whistle While You Work” from Snow White. In fact, what was truly remarkable were some of the exact shots used in various animated and live action Disney films.

The art was great. I recognized the cartoon version of Susan Sarandon before I recognized her voice. The other characters that inhabited both worlds were likewise well-rendered in animated form. The DVD extras enhanced my appreciation of the moviemaking. Those birds and rats that were cleaning? NOT CGI, but actual trained animals. New York City at the climax? CGI.

In fact, the only quibbles I had the DVD touched on. A couple deleted scenes, one of which would have explained the motivation of one character better, I might have kept. But this is a minor thing.

I had forgotten that Patrick Dempsey was that McDreamy guy from Grey’s Anatomy. But, as Fred noted, the film lives or dies with Amy Adams, and she was radiant. Perhaps coincidentally, Giselle spoke to her prince (James Marsden) about what happens after “happily ever after”; a recent TV Guide promises that Grey’s will answer the very same question this coming season.

Highly recommended for people who know the Disney oeuvre or like musicals. Recommended for most everyone else who isn’t grumpy. Not recommended for very sensitive four-year olds.

ROG

Did You Miss Me? Didn’t Think So


One of the wonderful features about Blogger is that I can write posts and then have them publish on future dates. I was in Chicago from Tuesday through Saturday – more on that not just anon, but for a couple of weeks – and except for about an hour on Friday, when I could check my Gmail and AOL accounts and print my boarding ticket for my return flight, I had no access to the Internet, unless I wanted to spend 47 cents per minute. Note: I did not.

Writing ahead wasn’t all that difficult. What IS hard is getting started again. For me, there’s a blogging rhythm. If I’m posting every day, I’m probably writing at least every other day. When I came back from this trip, though, I needed to spend time with my wife and daughter, check my work e-mail (accessible from home, but not elsewhere remotely – 300 deleted on Sunday), mow the lawn (though I had mowed it Sunday or Monday before I left, the rain during the week, especially the remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna, made it necessary again), church and other tasks precludes blogging. Here’s something: my suitcase probably weighed 15 pounds on the way to the conference; it weighed 41.3 pounds on the way back, so I had to sort through all that conference swag, papers, and whatnot.

But it’s more about the momentum. A blogger in motion tends to stay in motion; a blogger at rest tends to stay at rest. I have PLENTY to write about. (Rose, BTW, has some ideas about what to blog about if you don’t.)

Oh, one thing about Chicago. I tend not to tell people I’m going away until I return. Since I changed my Blogger links, though, that was undermined. I knew in the first case it would be, so when it happened the second time, it was no big deal. Time #1 was when my colleague Amelia wrote: Blogging for Your SBDC – Roger and Amelia go to Chicago back on August 27, the cat was rather out of the bag. Then when Gordon mentions we went to a Cubs game together, well the jig was really up. As I tweeted (that’s what you do on Twitter), someone tweeted about a session I attended in Chicago in real time; I’m still disinclined.

A couple things about the Cubs game: someone from the Astros, Ty Wiggington, hit a two-run homer; he used to be with the Mets . Meanwhile, a Cubs runner was thrown out at the plate; a MOST unpopular call, and at least one Cubs fan in our section was very loud and vocal in his “appreciation” of the ump’s brain functions. But the very worst play: men on first and third for the Astros. Runner on first caught 30 feet from first base and caught in a pickle (rundown). So the runner at third heads for home. Instead of trying to tag the runner heading back to first, the middle infielder throws home, but muffs it. The one runner scores, and the other’s safe at second; Little Leaguers would have done it better. I had the Cubs going to the World series from the beginning of the season – ouch.

ROG

Birthday songs

My birthday is March 7, so in honor of my unbirthday, here are the #1 Billboard songs on my birthday.
2008 … “Low” by Flo Rida featuring T-Pain – don’t know what this is
2007 … “This Is Why I’m Hot” by Mims – don’t know
2006 … “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt – even I know this one, and in fact managed to become sick of it
2005 … “Candy Shop” by 50 Cent featuring Olivia – don’t know
2004 … “Yeah!” by Usher featuring Ludacris & Lil Jon – heard this song a couple times, but wouldn’t say I KNOW it
2003 … “In Da Club” by 50 Cent – ditto
2002 … “Ain’t It Funny” by Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule – don’t know
2001 … “Stutter [Double Take Remix]” by Joe featuring Mystikal – must have heard it, but not sticking to the brain
2000 … “Amazed” by Lonestar – ditto
1999 … “Believe” by Cher – classic Cher histrionics
1998 … “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion – real histrionics. And I own it.
1997 … “Wannabe” by Spice Girls – fluff. Spice Girls didn’t offend me; I just didn’t much care.
1996 … “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – this song was number 1 for something like 16 weeks. It showed up on JEOPARDY! when I was on in 1998, and for the life of me, I couldn’t remember the title. (I kept thinking One Fine Day, but I knew THAT was wrong. Category was Songs By the Numbers for $200.) When the Regis Philbin-hosted Who Wants to be a Millionaire was on, I think it was involved in a $250,000 clue. Oh, the song itself? It’s OK. I like the B2M harmonies.
1995 … “Take a Bow” by Madonna. Not remembering.
1994 … “The Sign” by Ace of Base. Annoyingly catchy.
1993 … “Informer” by Snow. Heard, don’t recall.
1992 … “To Be with You” by Mr. Big. Don’t know.
1991 … “Someday” by Mariah Carey. All of Mariah Carey’s songs from a certain period sound exactly the same to me.
1990 … “Escapade” by Janet Jackson. I like Janet actually, but this was pretty lightweight.
1989 … “Lost in Your Eyes” by Debbie Gibson – heard it, not remembering.
1988 … “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley. Actually, I’ve probably heard more often in the 21st Century than at the time. Meh.
1987 … “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. Never was a big Bon Jovi fan. Own none of their albums. It was as good a song as they did, I suppose.
1986 … “Kyrie” by Mr. Mister. Recall liking this, but I’d need to hear it again.
1985 … “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon. It became popular to dump on the Spudwagon, but it’s no worse than that corporate rock sound of any number of songs of the era.
1984 … “Jump” by Van Halen. My fondness probably comes from David Lee Roth on the video.
1983 … “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson. Classic tune. Own.
1982 … “Centerfold” by J. Geils Band. I always liked the storyline. Own.
1981 … “I Love a Rainy Night” by Eddie Rabbitt. Dopey.
1980 … “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen. Lesser Queen; still, I used to try to imitate it. Own.
1979 … “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor. Anthemic. Still, I still hear Jim Carrey do Tony Clifton, singing “I Will Surveeve” in the Man on the Moon movie. Own.
1978 … “(Love Is) Thicker than Water” by Andy Gibb. Andy Gibb was born on March 5, 1958 (and died March 10, 1988). You’d think I’d remember a big hit from a fellow Piscean, especially a dead one, wouldn’t you? I really don’t.
1977 … “Love Theme from ‘A Star Is Born’ (Evergreen)” by Barbra Streisand. Like Barbra’s voice. What can I say? Oh that the movie was filmed in part at the Union College campus in Schenectady, NY, which gives it special props. Own.
1976 … “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” by The Four Seasons – guilty pleasure, for sure. Own. (n.b., I see that some people don’t believe in guilty pleasures. OK.)
1975 … “Have You Never Been Mellow” by Olivia Newton-John. Dopey song, pleasant voice. Own.
1974 … “Seasons in the Sun” by Terry Jacks. Hated this song. Its sing-songy verse, its pretentious lyrics.
1973 … “Killing Me Softly with His Song” by Roberta Flack. Saw Roberta sing this live. A fan. Own.
1972 … “Without You” by Nilsson. For some reason, when he wails “Can’t li-i-i-ive…” it always gets to me, as though he really WOULD die. Own.
1971 … “One Bad Apple” by The Osmonds. This especially annoyed me, this faux Jackson Five song.
1970 … “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel. Beautiful instrumentation, practically tear-inducing singing by Artie. Own.
1969 … “Everyday People” by Sly & the Family Stone. My first favorite Sly song. Why CAN’T we all get along? Own.
1968 … “Love Is Blue” by Paul Mauriat. A lovely instrumental. Own.
1967 … “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone” by The Supremes. I’m not much on people talking in songs. This is a rare exception. “You stripped me of my dreams…” Own.
1966 … “The Ballad of the Green Berets” by S/Sgt. Barry Sadler. I hated the politics of the song, yet had a grudging admiration for its unambiguous sincerity. It did inspire a truly dreadful 1968 John Wayne/David Janssen film that I saw at the time.
1965 … “Eight Days a Week” by The Beatles. The verse is pretty basic, but the chorus with the brief a cappella bits is nice. Own.
1964 … “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles. The chorus and verse are good energy. But it’s the bridge that really makes it work. Own.
1963 … “Walk like a Man” by The Four Seasons. I was ten at the time, and a guy singing “walk like a man” in that register just cracked me up, I’m afraid to admit. A greater appreciation came later. Own.
1962 … “Hey! Baby” by Bruce Channel. I have at least three versions of this song, but I’m not particularly remembering his take.
1961 … “Pony Time” by Chubby Checker. Only vague recollection.
1960 … “Theme from ‘A Summer Place'” by Percy Faith. Another pretty instrumental. Own.
1959 … “Venus” by Frankie Avalon. Liked this, actually, in spite of myself.
1958 … “Don’t/ I Beg of You” by Elvis Presley. Like Don’t; not remembering the other. Own.
1957 … “Young Love” by Tab Hunter. The Sonny James version of this same song also went to #1 in 1957, and I like it a lot, but I don’t know the Tab Hunter version at all.
1956 … “Lisbon Antigua” by Nelson Riddle. Don’t know.
1955 … “Sincerely” by The McGuire Sisters. Lovely harmonies. Think Andrews Sisters or Lemmon Sisters. Own.
1954 … “Make Love to Me!” by Jo Stafford. Don’t know.
1953 … “Till I Waltz Again with You” by Teresa Brewer. Don’t know.

ROG

Take Good Care of Yourself

I’ve been reading about that “sandwich generation” of people, usually women, who both have their own children and are taking care of their aging parents. My “baby” sister, who has a daughter who just turned 17 late last year, is in that situation vis a vis my mother. I’ve been down to help, my wife has, my other sister has twice in 2007, but I’m sure it’s not the same as dealing with the every day stuff.. My mom’s 81, and in reasonably good health, though she takes enough pills that, instead of using those containers that separate one’s daily doses, it separates the morning pills from the afternoon from the evening on a weekly basis.

From the Census: “The 65 and older age group is projected to increase to 88.5 million in 2050, more than doubling the number in 2008 (38.7 million). The 85 and older population is expected to more than triple, from 5.4 million to 19 million between 2008 and 2050.”

One of the things the younger sister came across is this from various sources, which I’m posting on Grandparents’ Day:

Likely the best thing a caregiver can do for their loved one is to take care of themselves.

Caregivers tend to put their own needs on the back burner – – – but if you’re not healthy, you can not provide assistance to another.

– When did you last have a medical check-up?
– When did you last engage in a fun, favorite activity?
– When did you last get together with friends or family for some fun?
– When did you last sleep all night?

It’s okay and important to take care of yourself!

Research indicates that 46% – 59% of caregivers are clinically depressed. When did you last talk about your feelings with someone?

Pay attention to . . .eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising some!

Check out . . . the Caregiver Stress test.

Is There Some Equipment That Will Help?
“Having the right equipment can make caregiving tasks simpler, faster and more efficient. Discuss needs with your doctor. Ask for a physical or occupational therapy evaluation. Contact agencies from the phone book under Hospital Equipment and Supplies or under Medical Equipment and Supplies.”

Where Can I Find Some Support?
“I’d just like to know I’m not in the boat by myself! Support groups, training and counseling may be the answer. Groups meet at various times in different locations all over the country. They are all different – – – one size does not fit all!”
Two quick hints:
1. Have a job jar and when the well-intentioned friend or family member says, “Let me know what I can do to help.” Have the suggestions ready!
2. Tell the family – “The doctor wants Mom to have X,Y, and Z. I can do Y and Z. Who can do X?
Transportation, Food and Finances Are Real Problems
Being a caregiver can exhaust not only physical and mental resources but financial reserves as well.
Tips for getting the information you need:
– Be specific and to the point
– Be prepared with all the information you may need in front of you
– Leave a clear message if necessary
– Get the name of the person you speak with
– Be prepared for some delays – the system may work slowly
– Plan ahead when possible
– Try to call early in the morning; avoid Mondays and Fridays, if possible.

Just Need A Break!
Res-pite (rés·pit) a break, relief, breathing space.
Caregivers need time for themselves and breaks are a necessity to maintain good physical and emotional health.
Possible sources for respite – Experiment till you find the right fit!
– Family Members
– Faith community care-teams

Quick Tips
– For a mini break, try this relaxation technique. . .
– Do some deep breathing:
Breathe in through your nose to the count of four,
Hold your breath for four counts,
Blow out slowly through your mouth. Repeat several times.

What Can I Do About Important Legal Issues?
One of the best things to do to avoid a crisis is to Plan Ahead!
– What is the plan if you get sick or are injured in an accident?
– What are your care-recipient’s wishes for end of life care ? (examples: tube-feeding, ventilation, Do Not Resuscitate)
When you or your loved one can no longer make decisions – who can and who will make those decisions?
Issues to consider:
– Living Wills*
– Durable Powers of Attorney*
– Guardianship
– Health Care Power of Attorney*

Consult with an Estate and Elder Law Attorney.
* Remember documents are not official until they have been notarized.
Keeping a caregiver notebook:
As tedious as this may sound to some people, it can be a blessing when needed. Good record keeping can document tax deductions for dependent care, explain financial costs to siblings, and be a guidebook for substitute caregivers. We suggest the following be kept in your caregiver notebook:
– A copy of the Durable Power of Attorney and any medical advance directives.
– Insurance information regarding Medicare, Medicaid, supplemental insurance and any long-term care insurance.
– Names, telephone numbers and addresses of friends and clergy of your loved one.
– Emergency contact information.
– Contact information for health care including doctor names, specialty, and telephone numbers: information (i.e. patient advisory handouts) and hospital preference or limitations. Include any home health agency you regularly work with or prefer.
– A schedule of a typical day. This will help any respite friend or worker follow and know what to expect. Include information on topics such as naps, mealtimes and TV or radio programs.
– Dietary information including favorite foods and dislikes as well as any allergies.
– Description of problem behaviors such as wandering, agitation, locking him or herself in the bathroom.
– If your loved one has some dementia and asks repeated questions, make a list of the correct answers for any homecare worker or friends to follow.

How Will I Know If It’s Time for Long Term Care?
Long Term Care (LTC) describes residence in one of the following:
– Family Care Home
– Assisted Living Facility
– Nursing Home

Residents receive supervision/assistance 24 hours each day. You continue to be a caregiver and advocate, but the care is a shared responsibility.

There is a range of care from independent living to nursing home residency with many care possibilities in between. Caregivers need to be realistic about how much care their loved one needs. Talking honestly with the doctor is very important.

Note the tell-tale signs that indicate the need for a change. . . The loved one may need more care than you are able to provide.
– How often is care needed?
– What type of care is needed – non-medical, skilled nursing or Hospice?
– Are the financial needs a burden?

– – -The Caregiver may have reached her/his limits.
Are you:
– Snapping at the loved one over little things
– Being constantly irritated
– Seldom laughing anymore
– Feeling constantly tired or pressured
– Losing sleep, sleeping too much, sleeping restlessly
– Yelling or screaming, having crying jags or rages
– Withholding affection
– Withholding assistance to the care recipient
– Blaming the care recipient for being in this situation
– Refusing to go out anymore
– Withholding expenditures for goods, services or loved one’s needs because he/she is going to die soon and it is wasted money?
(Adapted from Senior.Mag.com, 2002)

Be honest with yourself!

Local Training Is Generally Available
Learning more about your job as a caregiver can give you more confidence in your role and more success.

There is wonderful information on the internet that you can use to educate yourself. We highly recommend the following sites:

National Family Caregiver’s Association

National Alliance for Caregiving; alternate site.

Family Caregiver Alliance

AARP

Community-based training is also often available

What’s Wrong With My Loved One?
The more you know about the care-recipient’s illness the better prepared you’ll be to deal with behaviors and needs. You’ll have some idea about what to expect.

A good evaluation by the doctor is essential for making a care plan. The doctor will need input from the caregiver about their observations and concerns.

Basic Facts About Adult Day Programs
Adult Day Care and Adult Day and Health Care programs are services designed to provide group care and supervision in a place other than one’s home on a less than 24-hour basis to adults who may be physically or mentally challenged. These programs consist of organized activities and services, during the day, that support an adult’s personal independence and promote his/her social, physical and emotional well being. The Adult Day and Health Care program differs from Adult Day Care in that an on-duty nurse provides health care monitoring, immunizations, medicine administration and various other nursing related activities supporting each participant’s health. Normally meals (breakfast, lunch and an evening snack) are served daily, transportation to and from the facility is provided or arranged and off campus trips are conducted several times a year. A typical Adult Day Program will begin as early as 6 a.m. and end as late as 6 p.m. Throughout the day the participants engage in various arts, crafts, aerobics, music programs, religious programs and recreation programs. Some programs offer gardening. Specialty services (physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy; manicures, pedicures, hair styling and dental screenings) are arranged on site by many programs. Ideally, the Adult Day Program helps care providers by meeting all of their loved ones needs during the day, so that the working care giver can work, the fulltime care giver can get a break and the participant can enjoy life to its fullest.

Adult Day Programs costs range from $35 to $60 per day depending on the degree of care and services a participant needs. Some programs cater to seniors while others serve people with a variety of challenges (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Downs Syndrome, ALS, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke Victims, Mentally Retarded, Diabetics, Brain Injury Survivors, amputees, paralyzed, etc.). All programs require a medical examination with a doctor’s recommendation for participant enrollment.

Advantages for Caregivers and Participants:

Caregivers are Able To:
– Return to fulltime employment.
– Continue their education.
– Gain valuable respite or breaks from fulltime care giving.
– Acquire much needed to time to raise their own children.
– Acquire valuable time to cultivate their marriage.
– Acquire much needed time to plan long term care events.
– Receive much needed financial relief.
– Acquire much needed time to grieve.
– Connect with a support system to help manage loved ones.

Adult Day Care Participants are Provided:
– A safe and stimulating environment daily.
– Medical monitoring daily rather than annually.
– Medicine administration daily.
– A well balanced nutritious meals daily.
– Life enhancing and educational programs daily.
– Physically and mentally challenging exercises daily.
– Personal care/hygiene services daily.
– Rehabilitative services daily.
– An environment that promotes self-esteem and self-worth daily.
– The ability to return to their own home and own beds each evening.

ROG

THREE QUESTIONS: Did you watch? Will you watch?

I hear the Olympics were on a couple weeks ago. I was so busy that I FORGOT to watch the Opening Ceremonies, and watched very little of it until the next weekend when my wife and daughter were watching female divers. Then the Monday of my wife’s jaw surgery, I caught three hours, mostly men’s volleyball vs. Japan. That Wednesday evening, my wife taped some programming we watched a little on Friday.

1. How many hours of the Olympics did you watch? I’d say I did about six, all told.

I realized that I seem to have lost the ability to watch television in real time. A nest of commercials come on and I grab the DVR remote to zap through them, all in vain.

The next spectacle was the Democratic convention. No, I did not watch.
OK, I did watch, but none of it in real time. I saw John Kerry show a lot more moxie on behalf of Obama than anything he said on his own behalf four years ago. I saw Hillary Clinton’s good speech, but oddly, I was more affected by the theater of the roll call vote. Finally, on Monday, I finally saw Obama’s speech, which said what it needed to say, outlined specific positions that comforted me , specifically regarding the rights of gays, and took some velvet glove shots at McCain. I’ll probably seek out speeches by Michelle Obama, Joe Biden and especially Dennis Kucinich, who apparently gave a real barn-burner.

After that, the Republican convention, which I also did not watch. But I will see Sarah Palin and John McCain’s speeches in due course..

2. How much of the conventions did you see? So far, Dems about 3 hours, GOP zero, but that’ll change.


Besides, I was busy getting ready to go to Chicago for a different convention, that of the Association of Small Business Development Centers where a colleague and I gave a presentation this past Thursday on “Blogging with the SBDC – Implementing Web 2.0 Technologies at Your Center”. We rehearsed it the previous Friday in front of the other librarians, which my colleague liked but I hated, because it makes it seem more stale to me. How did it go? I’ll tell you later.

This fall’s new programs are coming up. What I’ll watch its what I watched last year: various news programs, JEOPARDY!, Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, The Office, and in the vain hope they’ll kill off the Izzie Stevens character, Grey’s Anatomy. I may try 30 Rock again, if only to placate a couple people. My wife will watch Dancing with the Stars, and inevitably I’ll get sucked into it, if only to find out what this Misty May person looks like in ballroom attire.

3. What will you watch this fall?

ROG

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