Another new decade

I remember when the 60s became the 70s, the 70s became the 80s, the 80s became the 90s, and then the turn of the century. But I remember those occasions as seeming much more significant than the beginning of a new decade seems to me now. And I wonder why this is?

Is it just because I'm getting older? Or does it have to do with leaving behind a decade that still doesn't quite have a name? Was it the Oughts? The Oughties? The Ohs, or the OhOhs? And what are we entering? The Teens?

You rarely hear references to the 20th century's teen years as the Teens. Why is that? When we refer to "The Turn Of The Century" do we mean the years 1900-1909, or does it go all the way to 1919?


I have a hard time imagining how the years 2010-2019
might distinguish themselves from the years 2000-2009. Though I'm sure they will, and I'm sure it will be interesting.


How funny to think that there will be a day when photos taken in the Oughts and the Teens will be as distinctive and representative of their decade as the photos on this post are of theirs.

I think another reason the change from one decade to another seems less significant to me than it used to is because new decades now make up much smaller percentages of my lifetime.

I was 25 when the 70s became the 80s - so the ten years of the 70s had comprised nearly half my lifetime. In contrast, the Oughts took up less than one fifth of my life so far. And the Teens will be even less.

There's a cheery thought for the new year

The Holiday Season

I'm not a person who generally enjoys "the holiday season". The holidays are something I approach with dread and try my best to get through. Though some years, of-course, are better than others. Some years are okay. Some have even been fun and happy. This year Santa brought a mixed bag.

But one good thing about every holiday season is the release of a slew of new movies. I always look forward to that, and this year is no exception. Except, I'm not at all interested in the alien world of Avatar. Or Sherlock Holmes, which has been described as having "intensely exaggerated fight scenes, played out in graphic slow-motion or at hyperspeed."

So far this season I've seen two new movies, The Blind Side, and Up In The Air, both of which I can recommend. Especially Up In The Air. It's not quite as great as its hype, but definitely worth seeing. The story goes places you don't expect, the characters are complex, the visual are a treat, the two supporting actresses are very good, and George Clooney is as charming as usual.

You ve Got Mail

I watched You've Got Mail on TV last night, and even though it was probably the 5th or 6th time I've seen it, it was completely enjoyable to see again.

It's true that I'd like you to think I have pretty high taste when it comes to films; that I prefer my movies to have done well at Sundance or Cannes. But the fact is, I'm a sucker for a really good romantic comedy - though the good ones are so rare.



In spite of the fact that the plot of this movie is convoluted and unbelievable, every moment rings true for me. And it doesn't hurt that I'm in love with the stars, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Plus it has a great supporting cast: Dabney Coleman, Parker Posey, Greg Kinnear, Jean Stapleton, and Dave Chappel. What fun. Not to mention, it's set in New York City, AND it features music by Harry Nilsson! What's not to like?

You've Got Mail only got a B- on Yahoo Movies, and 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, but I think it's destined to be a classic. I'm sure I'll watch it again and again.

When this movie was released in 1998 I'd just recently seen the old 1940s movie it's based on, which made it all the more fun. If you haven't see The Shop Around The Corner with Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan I highly recommend it, especially if you like You've Got Mail.