May The Fourth Be With You

Today is May 4th.

Last year at this time, there was a buzz in the air. We were anxiously waiting for Episode 7.

Considering the buzz kill that Episodes 1-3 were, many fans, myself included were naturally concerned. Episode 7 could rejuvenate the narrative and the fandom. Or it could just another overblown, special effects driven, short on plot and character science fiction film.

Last December our patience was rewarded. Episode 7 was everything that 4-6 were and much more. We were excited to meet the new characters and reunite with the old characters we’ve respected and adored for years.

To my fellow fans, I say may the fourth be with you. We will meet again in December for Rogue One.

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Today we remember the 6 million Jewish souls whose lives were taken simply because they were Jewish.

There are so many angles that I can use to approach this post.

Today I want to talk about the possibilities that were lost.

The six million that were murdered, the possibilities of their lives were endless. But we will never know what directions their lives could have taken.

Especially the children. 1.5 million Jewish children were killed at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators. An entire generation was lost before they truly had the chance the live. The children who did survive and grow to adulthood were forever changed. Imagine what these children who were murdered might have accomplished as adults. Imagine what their children and grandchildren and perhaps great-grandchildren would have accomplished as adults.  But we will never know.

Every year, we say never again. But sometimes it feels hollow, just another statement without action to back it up, especially considering that antisemitism is one more rearing its ugly head.

I’m going to say it again and perhaps it will stick with one person. I hope that is not too much to ask for.

May the memories of those murdered be a blessing to all of us, so we can remember how inhumane we can be to our fellow human being.

Happy Wednesday.

Happy Birthday Audrey Hepburn

Today is the birthday of Audrey Hepburn.

In a world of Elizabeth Taylor’s and Marilyn Monroe’s, Audrey Hepburn was a breath of fresh air.

She was and still is a fashion icon to many, is still one of the best performers of her era and a philanthropist.  Growing up Europe during World War II, she understood how important it was for every child to have three solid meals a day.

One of my favorite Audrey Hepburn movies is Sabrina (1954).

Sabrina Fairchild (Audrey Hepburn) is the mousey, tomboy daughter of the chauffeur for the wealthy Larrabee family. Unknown to the younger son, playboy David (William Holden), Sabrina has a crush on him. After a stint in Paris, Sabrina returns home looking and acting very differently.  David is immediately taken with Sabrina, but he is engaged. He could break his engagement, but that would ruin a business merger that could change the fate of the family company.

Enter Linus (Humphrey Bogart), David’s logical, levelheaded bachelor older brother. Linus is brought into the equation to ensure that David’s engagement is not broken. He expects to convince Sabrina that there are other men in the world, but, things don’t go as planned.

A classic romantic comedy that is funny, heartwarming and thoroughly entertaining, it never fails to put a smile on my face.

Happy Birthday Audrey.

One Year

One a year ago today, I started at my current position.

Sometimes you cannot see the big picture until you take a step back.

I remember who I was a year ago tonight.  As I look back on this professional journey that I have been on, I realize that while it has not been easy, it has been worth it.

Am I human and prone to making mistakes, especially when I am new to a job? Of course.

But mistakes, as I see them are there for course correction. They may vary in size and scope, but if your smart, you learn from your mistakes. More importantly, you get up, dust yourself off and keep going.

I think that is the biggest lesson of all, to get up and keep going, no matter what.  There were many times in the past year when I was ready to throw in the towel. But I stuck to my guns and that is something I think, to be proud of.

Happy Wednesday.