I'd Rather be Reading

 

It has been a little while since I last blogged.  The job has been keeping me busy.  I can't believe I am still at it since I've enjoyed my "spare time" reading and running to libraries.  I miss Mom and BB.  I can't believe I am not part of Queens Library anymore.  I really love working there because I've met such nice people even though sometimes the public can be crazy and demanding.  I may never work at a public library again...  😞😞😞😞😞

Anyway the book above is interesting and light.  I feel the same way about films.  I'd rather be going to the cinema.  When will the cinemas open here again?  It's so depressing.  I want a life that allows me to travel and go to movies.  Now I have nothing and no one to confide to.  Marie is the last person I want to confide to since she has grown ever so radical about politics and current events.  I don't mind meeting new people but we are still in the middle of a pandemic and there's no way I can make friends.

The only thing I can do is escape into books.  I have read quite a few and thank God for MOMA, I was able to stream so Oscar contenders.   Soon life will be back to some form of normalcy and I long to be in NYC for that.

Mom's Birthday

 We Miss You Very Much!

You will be missed as long as I live.  I miss buying you a birthday card and eating cake together...

I am glad I was able to spend your last nine months together.  I came back in time to be with you...

I know you want me to be happy.  I will try to do my best doing the things that I love.  It's a lovely day out today..  I will look up to the sky and see you and grandma together.

Librarian Tales

 

I am surprised these kind of "tales" can be made into a book.  I can certainly relate to most of the tales here.  Library life is much more diverse and difficult in a big city library.  There are certain things I miss most about working in a public library and some that I truly dread.  Anyway public library life may be in my back mirror now since I've started the job in the college library.

It has been a week since I started my new job. I clearly enjoy not being supervised but I miss being able to go out during the day.  I don't know how long I will be staying on this job and I don't feel obligated to be with this school long term. The pay is not great.  I like the flexibility for now since I don't have to report to work and it gives me some income during this time.

MOMA Film Festival 14: Druk (Another Round)

I really enjoyed this film!  I was never a fan of Thomas Vinterberg's previous films but this one was certainly the exception.  The film explores the mid-life crisis of four school teachers and has a great sense of humor.  I find myself drawn to these four men as they coped with their drunkenness.  Who knew Thomas Vinterberg (part of Lars Von Trier's group of directors) would finally make a film that I actually would enjoy wholeheartedly?

 Mads Mikkelsen was great as always in his role.  I don't understand why I tend to favor his films in general.  Can't explain it.  

MOMA Film Festival 13: The Mauritanian

 

What happened to Jodie Foster?  She looks 80!  I liked this film even though most reviews were only lukewarm.  It has a good narrative and does not play any games.  It would work well as a made for TV movie.  

There are two films left that I want to see from the MOMA Film Festival.  I feel privileged that I was able to see these films during these uncertain times.  I am a little jealous that movie theaters are opening next Friday in NYC. Who knows when I will be able to step into a movie theater here?  Who knows when I will be able to get a jab before I can relatively feel safe to travel again?

I dream about NYC all the time.  I want to be able to visit my favorite stores and walk on the many streets that I love.  I miss it so much 😿😿😿

Reading Haruki Murakami

What an interesting book!  A great peak at all my favorite translators of Murakami's fiction.  These translators are so much better than the Chinese translator that Murakami used for the Chinese translations.  I swear I've given up on all the Chinese translations once and for all...

Sadly, I don't think Murakami's new fiction is not as good as his old works.  His short stories are still worth checking out but his novels have lost their quirkiness!  Nevertheless, I am looking forward to his new short stories anthology "First Person Singular" coming out in April.  But David Karashima's book on his translators was such a good read that I didn't skip any of the sections!

 

Vogue on Location

 

I grew up reading and loving Vogue.  This is a mediocre collection of Vogue photographs.  I was expecting more and this is simply a way of Conde Nast making a quick buck of coffee table books.  

I do miss Stella Tennant.  She is a great British model and I heard she died from suicide this year.  I was a fan of so many Vogue models in the 90s..  I miss the 90s and the models in Vogue.    

MOMA Film Festival 12: The White Tiger

 

The White Tiger is not a bad film.  It has a good story since it is based on a novel. This is not another Slumdog Millionaire but it does have a good dose of humor. I would recommend it as a good film festival film and I am glad I have a chance to view it now that there won't be a film festival until September (fingers crossed).  Pacing is good and it's neither too fast or too slow.  

MOMA Film Festival 11: The Nest

 

How should I describe a middle age Jude Law? He's no longer the eye candy he once was but he's still better looking than some boozy American his age.

This film is another mediocre film about a failing marriage.  It's heartbreaking to see so many of these stories are being made constantly.  Are all marriages so depressing?  

The Film Festival is ending soon and the only two films that are still sticking in my mind are "The Father" and "Minari".  "Mank" was disappointing even with Gary Oldman in the lead.  I am not looking forward to seeing the Golden Globes, SAG and the Oscars this year with this roster of films.

Six Word Memoir About Love

 

My All-Time Favorite One is:  (Drum Roll)

He Was The One, But I Wasn't