Sleeping dogs

Some things are best left up to the Japanese.
And not re-made for the Western Audience.
Certain movies, f'rinstance.

Case in point: 'Hachiko: A Dog's Tale' (2009).

Perhaps American film makers should have left well enough alone with the original Japanese film from 1987 - titled 'Hachiko Monogatari'.

The story of Hachiko is a true account of a dog's loyalty to his human owner/friend/soul mate.

The 2009 movie is certainly sweet, and the re-make has its good points. First of all, it looks yummy: with pleasant photography, lighting and even a novel 'dog's POV'. It features a cast of talented actors in what seemed to be supporting roles to a beautiful Akita dog (who performed his role well by always being on his marker and jumping up on 'his people' at the appropriate moments). However, the connection between dog and humans seemed, at best - contrived. It just wasn't convincing. That, or the heart of the film was inadvertently edited out.

It was only by a stretch of MY imagination that brought the desired emotional tear jerker response to this man-loves-dog-loves-man story. It was what I struggled to see in Hachiko's sad doggy eyes as he watched for his Never Ever to Return Again Master to come through those station doors...
Even so, one shouldn't have to work so hard for the sentimental magic that should have been crashing forth in waves of emotion from the movie itself. Blame it on the direction? Editing? Acting?

The movie is only an hour and a half long, but oh - what a long hour and a half to slog through whilst awaiting 'the bond' to take hold and deliver.

Another example: The original Japanese 'Shall We Dance' (1996) ~ a charming film.
Then it got Hollywood-ized (coincidentally ??? - starring Richard Gere) and the Hollywood high-gloss polish slicked over some very subtle and beautiful points offered by the Japanese film.
Once again, something very clear and dear to the original feel of the story was lost in the re-making of it for the western audience.

Query: why not just allow for the original Japanese versions of films to stand alone on their own merit? Only a very special few can make the grade when re-made, y'know.

Perhaps my expectations were too high for 'Hachiko: A Dog's Tale'.
Whatever.
My one word movie review, then =  Zzzzzzzzzzz

[image of sleeping dogs from hellokids.com]

Pantyhose - to wear or not to wear?

That is the question.

As evidenced by the plethora of opinions found on the internet, the subject of pantyhose is not a new topic. The most popular pondering on the topic of full lower body hosiery seems to be whether or not women wearing pantyhose (of the 'nylon' variety) aka tights - is still considered stylish. Also - if donning pantyhose is as practiced as once was. To go bare-legged is one fashion statement. To wear hose is another. The former is most often considered chic/young/free. The latter has been deemed one of two extremes: SexySleek (depending on the type of hose) or Old-Lady (more in keeping with what's in my closet).

I've yet to address the subject of pantyhose on b's blog. It is fashion after all, and we occasionally speak of wearables here, and so it goes. Those who are not interested may click away. Now. Here's a little not-about-pantyhose vid to send you on your merry way.

Here then, is my missive on the might and right of the humble pantyhose. On a personal note, this may not be a question of 'to wear or not to wear'. Rather, this may be a thinly disguised conversation with self about my ongoing quandary of 'keep'' or 'do away with?' superfluous stuff. With little doubt, it's a re-organizational query. No matter. Onward.

This morning, as I was putting some freshly laundered, air-dried and neatly folded socks (hand-knitted, BTW) away in my sock storage area, I had to - once again - shift a virtual mountain of pantyhose over to make room.

Having to shove a 2' high pile of folded pantyhose over to make room for precious hand-knitted socks has become a source of irritation to me. This may seem trite, and it is - but everyone knows how the little things add up to become major irritations, grouchiness, bitchiness and et cetera.

In speaking of pantyhose, do understand that I'm not addressing fun, pretty leg coverings to wear when one feels like being a hottie. Not going down the lacy garter belt, seamed and patterned super sheer hosiery route. We're talking about practical, regulation nylon pantyhose with cotton crotch and full spandex panty-like top. Full length lower body stretchy clingy hosiery. Thin to thickish knit elastic - at the same time - delicate to the point of easy breakage...

To keep or not to keep? To wear or not to wear?

Here are my facts:
(1) the substantial stack of still-new-in-the-packages (truth be known, these were probably purchased over a decade ago!) as well as slightly worn (then laundered) pantyhose (the last time worn might have been 5 or more years ago) in my possession has been kept clean/stacked beside my ever growing sock (did I already make mention that they are hand-knitted?) collection.

(2) I possess pantyhose in 'nude and suntan' tones, as well as in colors (gray-purple, black, navy, brown and I even have a muted green) are still being stored away with my accessories wardrobe for the sheer (obvious, but acceptable pun?) reason that I may someday wear them again.

To be sure ...

(3) I hate wearing pantyhose. Always have. Always will. The elasticized or snug fit waistband works itself into the creases of my muffin top belly. The intersection where the legs are attached to the 'panty part' pinches. Pantyhose will, and this is inevitable - get snagged on things - causing runs and holes - which ruin a pair of hose immediately. Especially when wearing brand new pantyhose, the wearer must be very wary to keep safe distance from jumping dogs, kitties (even for a cute stretch, they extend their claws), the edges of old wood coffee tables, woven baskets and other rough edged or pointed objects. Suffice it to say that it would be unwise to sit on a rustic wooden bench if you have a new pair of pantyhose on, with exposed legs peeping out from under skirt or dress. Even crossing one's legs may mean the pantyhose fabric grazing against one's own shoes - which can easily cause a snag. Snags = the bane of existence for the wearer of pantyhose. Sometimes I'll punch a hole in a brand new pair with thumb or forefinger - in the simple act of pulling pantyhose on. Arrrggh.

Points 1, 2 and 3 thus stated --- pantyhose, or better yet - the thicker weave of knit leg coverings that Americans differentiate from pantyhose by calling 'tights' - can actually be excellent leg coverings when worn for cooler weather, when bare legs need a bit of warmth under skirts. Legs are protected from cold fall and winter drafts. Keeps ya cozy. Yet, for me - there's still the problem of that strangulating elastic waist band digging into my mid-section.

I feel everything on my clothing. Tags, folds, loose nylon threads, fibers with any itchiness.
I also don't like dressing in layers. Pantyhose add one more layer to the dressing mix.
Wearing it can feel like a sausage casing for some of us who are sensitive to every shift of fabric as it tries to bind itself onto another fabric.
Yes, though relatively thick-skinned and indelicate (I really relate to my Southern Chinese Cantonese Farmer ancestry) -- I do have a little Princess & the Pea thing going here.

Given a choice, I'd live on a tropical island.
Wear a wonderfully loose fitting muu-muu type shift every day. The fewer layers the better.
Go bare-legged.

Well.
I guess that more or less settles the questions of both to wear or not to wear as well as to keep or get rid of.
Goodbye to the many practical, nude to deep brown to black colored nylon pantyhose in my sock storage area.

I don't need you no more.
Been there. Done that. Wore it. Sooooo over it.

(Ssshhhhhhhh - still keeping a couple pair of the warmer tights....)
(Just in case)

[pantyhose photo from treehugger.com]

(New Label) > Photo-Play

Introducing a new label (not that I keep up so well with categorizing past posts that it justifies adding another label...). I'm calling this one Photo-Play.

At times I find myself high and dry and at quite a loss to create a brand new chatty blog post. When this happens, I'll typically post a music or movie vid, courtesy of youtube, Hulu or the like. Otherwise, I am silent. Consequently, days and weeks go by without a post. Bloggers with big gaps between posts start to lose touch with their blogs. Loyal readership wanes. Few bloggers, including myself, don't want either to happen.

Although blog concepts may be few and far between on occasion, there's still likely inspiration (of the visual variety) to be found in my ever increasing stockpile of new/old photographs. These pictures are all over the place. Most prints are stored in boxes on the closet shelf. The digital ones are scattered about, hopelessly unorganized, in my computer. Even so, it's still possible to pull together a couple/few images that qualify as 'playful' (or poignant) and share them here. My goal with photo-playing is to create a wee vignette of two or more pix that has meaning to me. If it prompts a smile from you, or idea jumping-off-point for you, so much the better.

Aside from this lengthy intro, for future Photo-Play posts, pix will appear sans explanation.

This first Photo-Play essay is titled 'Kids in Kar Seats'.

Enjoy.

Kid in Kar Seat, 1977

 

Kid in Kar Seat, 1982

Kid in Kar Seat, 2010

Jacks

Jacks.
Jump Rope.
Marbles.
Dodge Ball.
4 Square aka ABC.
Hop Scotch.
Red Rover Red Rover.
Chinese Jump Rope (always with a homemade 'rope' of rubber bands)
Tag.
Roller skating. 
Hide n' Seek.

This is the short list of street and playground games I used to play as an elementary school kid, growing up in the North Beach/ Chinatown/Nob Hill district of San Francisco. The backyard of our rented flat was small, yet sufficient in size for roller skating in an oval configuration, or to stage mini versions of Big League Baseball games. Urban playgrounds were few, far between and small in size as well. But life was simple and we didn't require much to have fun. We just went out - and played. Every day.

Times have changed, but have the games?

How do children play on the playgrounds/streets of SF today?
Are they still exercising both small and large motor skills with the simplest of props/toys? Practicing solo, as well as interacting with their buddies?

Or -
are kids, even when in the company of their peers, 'clicked' into a self-imposed solitary confinement via their iPhones or mp3 players?

[ image of jacks and ball is from http://www.zazzle.com/tokyo_jacks_pop_art_poster-228906404180477513 ]

Bonus pic/caption:

Oh, how I miss my roller skates (circa 1950's), which were metal clamp-on style Union brand, with leather straps padded with plaid-design foam strips and ball-bearing wheels (a fascinating study in and of themselves when they fell apart, with ball bearings spilled everywhere). They came with a skate key to tighten the nuts. I wore the key on a string 'round my neck.