Good Answer

I think we all do what we have to, according to who we are and where we find ourselves. We cannot preserve the delusion that we are not mere creatures of clay, or that some of us are at heart any better or any worse than anyone else.
-Morag Joss
"Half Broken Things"

SONG FOR A RAGGY BOY (Ireland, 2002)
Screened: May 8, 2003, Tribeca Film Festival
Director: Aisling Walsh

For the boys who end up at a Catholic reformatory school in 1939 Ireland, attending classes is an exercise in abuse and fear. But new lay teacher William (Aidan Quinn) whose own past has elements of the fascist terror the boys must endure, becomes the boys' protector after standing up to the school's prefect. Quinn turns in a quietly courageous performance in this chilling tale of institutionalized abuse that went unquestioned for far too long.

My Comments: 5 STARS
"Traveling...it broadens the mind."
"You are not to raise the matter with me again!"
The above quotes were just a couple that I wrote down while watching this fantastic film. The story takes one back to 1939. I had no idea it was based on true facts until the very end. It dealt with physical, mental and sexual abuse by priests on Irish-Catholic schoolboys at a reform school. This was the dark, depressing side of the story. It also touched on 'dealing with loss'. Inspiration is here for teachers as boys begin to learn the alphabet and eventually find joy in reading.

Alan said, "I see it as a Catholic priest's DEAD POETS SOCIETY."
I guess it could be seen that way. It is worth watching despite the violent side of it that we don't really want to see. We can only learn from it.

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 6, 1985
Sunday

I called Meta when I arrived home to see if she arrived home safely. Her brother answered with an uptight tone because I had called at 2:30AM. Oooops.

In the morning I telephoned Meta again while she was making quiche and watching the MIAMI Dolphins football game.
She said, "I'll call you later."
Who knows? Time will tell.

I got out of bed at 11AM and then rode my bike to mom's house. I made myself breakfast. Unfortunately, mom is still sick with her cold and not looking up to par.

I went cycling and decided to ride out to Lake Chabot. I was riding from 1PM until 3:30PM. When I returned to mom's house Helen Wong and my brother, Tony, were there. I watched the end of the SF 49er game and sipped on some sparkling apple cider, lemon lime soda and an Orange Juice milkshake. I was thirsty. Then I simply left and went back to my pad.

By 4:30PM I was beginning my nap when Meta called back. She was kind of tired as she had just awoke from a nap. I learned that she works from 4:30AM to Noon usually.
Meta suggested, "Maybe we can go on a picnic next weekend if it's nice."
I was in total agreement to the idea. Our conversation pretty much ended at that point and I went back to sleep, waking at approximately 7PM.

Paloma telephoned at 7:30PM.
"I called you last night and today and you weren't home."
"Oh? I was bike riding today and last night I was at my mom's for a while."
"Well, the body-builder stood me up."
I was pleased to hear her say this until she said, "Yeah, I was pissed at him."

Paloma then asked, "Why would you marry me?"
"For the fun of it," I laughed, "and only because I love you."
"You answered that one well," Paloma said.
Her comments made me wonder who she had spoken to for her to ask these questions. I wonder if she's been comparing notes with her friend, Monica. Monica looks a lot like Michelle Von Thaden and/or Meta (years later). Meta is twenty-nine years old.

I decided to be upfront with Paloma.
"I went out to Baxter's to dance last night. It's a fun place. We should go."
And so, we made tentative arrangements to go there together next weekend.

Cedric Green telephoned to cancel our 'going-out' plans for this Friday. Hurrah!

I placed a telephone order for the Canadian bacon pizza to be delivered. I munched out and watched THE THORN BIRDS movie on TV.

I was so busy there wasn't even time to pee!
-Julia Child
"My Life In France"