Malice is feeling very frustrated at not being able to move into her new apartment. Honestly, the tension and waiting around are making her feel like Elaine Stritch on crack...
Sunday 27 June 2010
Agitation
Malice is feeling very frustrated at not being able to move into her new apartment. Honestly, the tension and waiting around are making her feel like Elaine Stritch on crack...
Thursday 24 June 2010
Subversion? The line between guilt and innocence is blurred
Lately Malice has been enthralled with the story of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, the couple who were executed for treason by the United States government in 1953, having allegedly passed atomic secrets to the Soviets. All these years hence there seems little doubt that Julius was involved in espionage. However, revelations from the principle witness (David Greenglass, who was Ethel's brother) in the late 1990's seem to clear her name. It brings up all sorts of questions about defining treachery. I wonder if Ethel feels more betrayed by her brother than by her government...
Say what you want about Communism. I hate it - it doesn't work. But paranoia can create an atmosphere of hate, and any government that could do this to two children must surely question its motives.
Jean-Paul Sartre called the trial "a legal lynching which smears with blood a whole nation. By killing the Rosenbergs, you have quite simply tried to halt the progress of science by human sacrifice. Magic, witch-hunts, auto-da-fés, sacrifices — we are here getting to the point: your country is sick with fear... you are afraid of the shadow of your own bomb."
News-reporter Bob Considine witnessed Ethel's execution and gave this interview to the live television media: "She died a lot harder. When it appeared she had received enough electricity to kill an ordinary person, and had received the exact amount which had killed her husband, the doctors went over and pulled down the cheap prison dress - a little dark green printed job - and placed the stethoscope to her, and looked around and looked at each other dumb-founded, seeming surprised that she was not dead. Believing she was dead, the attendants had taken off the ghastly strappings and electrodes and black belts and so forth, and these had to be adjusted again, and she was given more electricty which started a ghastly plume of smoke which rose from her head and went up against the skylight overhead. After two more of those jolts, Ethel Rosenberg had met her maker. She'll have a lot of explaining to do."
Monday 21 June 2010
But ya ARE Blanche. Ya ARE in that chair...
The hayfever, not sleeping and recent heatwave are certainly taking their toll on Malice lately... She needs a holiday, a break from work and a decent night's sleep which is hay-fever free. No chance tonight. Shortest frickin' night of the whole frickin' year!
Thursday 17 June 2010
Sunday 13 June 2010
'Six Feet Under' Wisdom
Malice absolutely loves this show. Here are a few quotes which highlight the superlative quality and poignancy of the writing:-
"I'm just saying you only get one life. There's no god, no rules, no judgments, except for those you accept or create for yourself. And once it's over, it's over. Dreamless sleep forever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here. Really. Why not?"
"Love isn't something you feel, it's something you do. If the person you're with doesn't want it, do yourself a favor and save it for someone who does."
"Being alone is the prison, just thinking about yourself, just being trapped in this vortex of always watching yourself. Which, I suppose, is ok if you're interesting. Truth is, nobody's that interesting."
Margaret: That blouse would have worked if you had gotten rid of that bra.
Brenda: Yeah, well, your skirt would have worked if you had gotten rid of that ass.
"Everything. Everyone. Everywhere. Ends."
"This is life. People have crises. They push each other's button. They inflict pain on one another, and once in a fucking blue moon, they bring out the best in each other. But mostly they bring out the worst."
"Well, we're all wounded. We carry our wounds around with us through life and eventually they kill us. Things happen that leave a mark in space, in time. In us."
"I'm just saying you only get one life. There's no god, no rules, no judgments, except for those you accept or create for yourself. And once it's over, it's over. Dreamless sleep forever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here. Really. Why not?"
"Love isn't something you feel, it's something you do. If the person you're with doesn't want it, do yourself a favor and save it for someone who does."
"Being alone is the prison, just thinking about yourself, just being trapped in this vortex of always watching yourself. Which, I suppose, is ok if you're interesting. Truth is, nobody's that interesting."
Margaret: That blouse would have worked if you had gotten rid of that bra.
Brenda: Yeah, well, your skirt would have worked if you had gotten rid of that ass.
"Everything. Everyone. Everywhere. Ends."
"This is life. People have crises. They push each other's button. They inflict pain on one another, and once in a fucking blue moon, they bring out the best in each other. But mostly they bring out the worst."
"Well, we're all wounded. We carry our wounds around with us through life and eventually they kill us. Things happen that leave a mark in space, in time. In us."
Saturday 12 June 2010
Lost Love
An incredibly moving assessment from Miss Routledge on what it means to love, and lose that love but be all the richer for it...
"I fell in love two years ago, and it looked as though the gates would open and that one would, in fact, be blessed with a wonderful partnership of some kind. It was the beginning of something which really opened me up. I mean, it just opened me up, and it was real love because it spread everywhere. It was just extraordinary. I was taken completely by surprise... I was absolutely winded by it, and the moment I realised it had happened, I wept, because I was frightened by my happiness and the potential of that happiness.
"I was alive, I mean really alive, but within five weeks of my having met this person, who was at the beginning of a heart condition and was overworking - he died very suddenly in the night. And that was so very hard. But I was blessed. I still am. I carry the power of that love with me.
"Life is tough. But you know, some people never touch that experience. Some people touch it and are burned up by it, or cannot rise to it. So I consider myself very fortunate."
"I fell in love two years ago, and it looked as though the gates would open and that one would, in fact, be blessed with a wonderful partnership of some kind. It was the beginning of something which really opened me up. I mean, it just opened me up, and it was real love because it spread everywhere. It was just extraordinary. I was taken completely by surprise... I was absolutely winded by it, and the moment I realised it had happened, I wept, because I was frightened by my happiness and the potential of that happiness.
"I was alive, I mean really alive, but within five weeks of my having met this person, who was at the beginning of a heart condition and was overworking - he died very suddenly in the night. And that was so very hard. But I was blessed. I still am. I carry the power of that love with me.
"Life is tough. But you know, some people never touch that experience. Some people touch it and are burned up by it, or cannot rise to it. So I consider myself very fortunate."
Tuesday 8 June 2010
I do like a random questionaire!
Q: What was the last book (s) that you read?
R: Debbie: My Life, by Debbie Reynolds
Q: How was it?
R: She's no Hemingway, but let's just say she didn't hold back and I find gossipy ranting quite fulfilling.
Q: Do you have any pets?
R: Thankfully no, I like my apartment to smell of clean things - not shite and oily unwashed fur
Q: What's your favourite non-alcholic drink?
R: Coffee
Q: What would be the preferred manner of your death?
R: Christ, that's dark. Ummm, in the arms of someone I love more than life.
Q: What is the oldest article of clothing that you still wear?
R: I have some pyjamas that must be about 12 years old...
Q: What is your favourite kind of weather?
R: Crisp, sunny, fresh winter - slight frost, but not too brass-monkeys
Q: What is the least touristy place you have ever been?
R: New England
Q: What place names make you laugh?
R: Budleigh Salterton (those who have seen the movie 'Blithe Spirit' will understand why)
Q: Have you ever been personally involved with someone born on an island smaller than Taiwan?
R: No, sadly not
Q: Do you prefer to use chopsticks, knife and fork, or hands?
R: Cutlery of course. Backwards civilisations fail to use cutlery. Eating with chopsticks is like trying to plough a field with a snooker cue.
Q: Have you ever walked out on a film in the cinema, and if so, what was it?
R: I can't even recall the name, but it was some god-awful cheap horror movie released in about 2003, about a kid bouncing a ball in the underground. Utter shite.
Q: What's your least favourite cartoon and why?
R: The Flintstones. The theme tune annoys the heck out of me. Yabba dabba don't, frankly.
Q: Who is the world's funniest comedian?
R: A guy who never fails to make me laugh is Robin Williams.
Q: What do you want to do next week?
R: Not be at work, and move into my new apartment
Q: Have you ever admired someone for political reasons?
R: Oh yes, lots of people. And also Harriet Harman (for not so political reasons)
Q: What is the most psychologically formative event of your life before the age of nine?
R: Nearly drowning in the nursery school swimming pool.
Q: Where did you last go for a daytrip and why?
R: I'm always going on day-trips for work. Does that count? If so, grotty Birmingham.
R: Debbie: My Life, by Debbie Reynolds
Q: How was it?
R: She's no Hemingway, but let's just say she didn't hold back and I find gossipy ranting quite fulfilling.
Q: Do you have any pets?
R: Thankfully no, I like my apartment to smell of clean things - not shite and oily unwashed fur
Q: What's your favourite non-alcholic drink?
R: Coffee
Q: What would be the preferred manner of your death?
R: Christ, that's dark. Ummm, in the arms of someone I love more than life.
Q: What is the oldest article of clothing that you still wear?
R: I have some pyjamas that must be about 12 years old...
Q: What is your favourite kind of weather?
R: Crisp, sunny, fresh winter - slight frost, but not too brass-monkeys
Q: What is the least touristy place you have ever been?
R: New England
Q: What place names make you laugh?
R: Budleigh Salterton (those who have seen the movie 'Blithe Spirit' will understand why)
Q: Have you ever been personally involved with someone born on an island smaller than Taiwan?
R: No, sadly not
Q: Do you prefer to use chopsticks, knife and fork, or hands?
R: Cutlery of course. Backwards civilisations fail to use cutlery. Eating with chopsticks is like trying to plough a field with a snooker cue.
Q: Have you ever walked out on a film in the cinema, and if so, what was it?
R: I can't even recall the name, but it was some god-awful cheap horror movie released in about 2003, about a kid bouncing a ball in the underground. Utter shite.
Q: What's your least favourite cartoon and why?
R: The Flintstones. The theme tune annoys the heck out of me. Yabba dabba don't, frankly.
Q: Who is the world's funniest comedian?
R: A guy who never fails to make me laugh is Robin Williams.
Q: What do you want to do next week?
R: Not be at work, and move into my new apartment
Q: Have you ever admired someone for political reasons?
R: Oh yes, lots of people. And also Harriet Harman (for not so political reasons)
Q: What is the most psychologically formative event of your life before the age of nine?
R: Nearly drowning in the nursery school swimming pool.
Q: Where did you last go for a daytrip and why?
R: I'm always going on day-trips for work. Does that count? If so, grotty Birmingham.
Scary prospect, yet strangely alluring....
Could Harriet Harman ever possibly become Prime Minister?!
And why couldn't she be called 'Prime Mistress'? ... kinky,
Okay. Stop now.
Seriously though, she's got to be the most attractive woman in politics. Or is it just me???
A big "eff you"
... to all the clients who pissed me off today. Ungrateful load of bastards, who in comparison to others in the world, really have nothing to complain about.
Hyacinth says "F*ck off"
Sunday 6 June 2010
An Englishman In New York
Malice really hopes that John Hurt wins the best actor BAFTA tonight for his portrayal of Quentin Crisp.
A favourite Quentin quote of mine:
"If there was no praise and no blame - who would I be then?"
How very, very wise.
"It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile, be yourself no matter what they say"
A favourite Quentin quote of mine:
"If there was no praise and no blame - who would I be then?"
How very, very wise.
"It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile, be yourself no matter what they say"
Seek and ye shall find.
Saturday 5 June 2010
Oh Fran!
Malice is a big fan of the TV series 'Six Feet Under' and recently acquired the whole 5 series boxed-set. What's not to love about this show? Witty, thought-provoking dialogue which is oft-times funny but dark as obsydian; realistic yet intriguing characters, and music/cinematography which makes your spine tingle.
Whilst most individuals may swoon over the red-headed actress Lauren Ambrose, I actually find myself more drawn to Frances Conroy, the supremely talented actress who played matriarch of the fisher family, Ruth. Several of her scenes in the show literally made my heart stop for a second or two - the POWER is immense.
So, here's to Fran!
Post Script....
What Malice wouldn't do to get her grubby mits on a copy of Patricia Routledge's extremely rare LP..................
The Beauty of Accomplished Acting
Malice has recently been taken with the superlative talents of a favourite British actress, Patricia Routledge, who sadly is probably only remembered today for her role as Hyacinth Bucket in the sitcom 'Keeping Up Appearances'.
It may surprise people to learn that Patricia started her career in musical theatre and won the Tony for best actress in a musical for her starring role in 'Darling of the Day' - a little known Jule Styne masterpiece, which only ran for 32 performances on Broadway.
Anyhoo, Malice recently found some very astute and moving quotes from Patricia which really resonated with me:
"I'm quite at home with the thought of death, but one has to learn the secret of living for the present. You have to, in order to live fully."
"I didn't make a decision not to be married and not to be a mother - life just turned out like that because my involvement in acting was so total. Now, I think it's a pity I didn't have children. But I'm not sure that you can have a career and a family and do both satisfactorily. I always knew, deep down, that everything has a cost and I would have hated to short-change any little soul that I brought into the world."
On losing love: "It was devastating. But we never possess anything or anybody - that's a great lesson to learn. People you have loved very much are part of you for always."
And my favourite quote about the true skill of comedic acting:
"There's enough tragedy about; it's more important to help people to laugh."
How very, very true.
We salute you Miss Routledge!
It may surprise people to learn that Patricia started her career in musical theatre and won the Tony for best actress in a musical for her starring role in 'Darling of the Day' - a little known Jule Styne masterpiece, which only ran for 32 performances on Broadway.
Anyhoo, Malice recently found some very astute and moving quotes from Patricia which really resonated with me:
"I'm quite at home with the thought of death, but one has to learn the secret of living for the present. You have to, in order to live fully."
"I didn't make a decision not to be married and not to be a mother - life just turned out like that because my involvement in acting was so total. Now, I think it's a pity I didn't have children. But I'm not sure that you can have a career and a family and do both satisfactorily. I always knew, deep down, that everything has a cost and I would have hated to short-change any little soul that I brought into the world."
On losing love: "It was devastating. But we never possess anything or anybody - that's a great lesson to learn. People you have loved very much are part of you for always."
And my favourite quote about the true skill of comedic acting:
"There's enough tragedy about; it's more important to help people to laugh."
How very, very true.
We salute you Miss Routledge!
Thursday 3 June 2010
RIP Golden Girl
Malice was saddened today to hear that Rue McClanahan has passed away. RIP Rue, one of my favourite funny ladies.
Betty White you'd better not go anywhere anytime soon. Losing Bea, Estelle and now Rue in the space of just a year.
To quote from the final episode of 'Golden Girls':
Rose: "I guess this is it. What can you say about seven years of fights and laughter, secrets and cheese-cake?"
Dorothy: "... It's been an experience I'll always keep close to my heart. And these are memories that I will wrap myself in when the world gets cold and I forget there are people that are warm and loving. I'll love you - always."
Betty White you'd better not go anywhere anytime soon. Losing Bea, Estelle and now Rue in the space of just a year.
To quote from the final episode of 'Golden Girls':
Rose: "I guess this is it. What can you say about seven years of fights and laughter, secrets and cheese-cake?"
Dorothy: "... It's been an experience I'll always keep close to my heart. And these are memories that I will wrap myself in when the world gets cold and I forget there are people that are warm and loving. I'll love you - always."
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