Good morning

Hope you’ve all been well since my last blog.  Snow on the ground this morning!  Life just isn’t fair.  But I’m sure it won’t be with us for long.  We just have to be patient.  On a more cheerful note I’m going to show you a few pictures I took at Ripley’s Aquarium last week.  It’s a great place to visit.

A friend and I saw a thriller yesterday afternoon.  #Eyeinthesky  with Helen Mirren, and Alan Rickman.  It was Mr. Rickman’s last screen performance. Well done Mr. Rickman.  Perhaps not the best movie choice for Good Friday, but certainly the most entertaining one.  I’m always game for any movie that stars the talented and versatile Ms. Mirren.  And I certainly was not disappointed yesterday.  She plays British based Commanding Military officer, Katherine Powell who is in charge of a top secret drone operation that is commanded from a remote site.  Her goal is to bring in a British radicalized woman who she has been tracking for six years.  When surveillance inside the safe house (via a camera embedded in a flying bug, in real time), in Nairobi, Kenya  shows suicide vests being placed on two new recruits the mission changes from “capture to a drone strike kill.”

The challenge for the Commander is to get all the political players and military higher ups to approve the strike.  But a moral dilemma comes into play when a young girl wanders into the kill zone to sell bread.  And then questions regarding “collateral damage” come into play.

“The audience should come out and talk about it.” Helen Mirren said about the thriller.

To her the movie isn’t about the ethics of drone warfare, “but how, specifically is it right here in this way or is it right over here in that way?  We have to think about the implications of using it and regulate in which they’re used.”

There is an excellent article written by Brian Wheeler, entertainment writer for the Globe and Mail, in yesterday’s paper.  It is titled: Eye in the Sky.  Thriller highlight complicated morality of drone warfare.  He said “the military and covert war-wagers are getting better and better at killing from farther and farther away, and film makers seem to be getting better and better in the drone-warfare genre.”

This movie I’m sure will elicit some interesting debates.  And if you’re looking for a movie that’s an entertaining thriller I suggest you see it.  But if you’re looking for a light hearted comedy, this is not the one for you!

Have a great day,

Talk soon

Hello:

Well it’s Friday.  I hope the week went well for you.  Not so for many others, whose lives were touched by tragedy.

And there were many newsworthy events, as well as people who made the headlines this week.

One name in the news was Jian Ghomeshi.  What can I say.  I do have an opinion I assure you, and  I wasn’t surprised by the final verdict:  not guilty on all the charges.  Neither were many others.   All you have to do is read a newspaper, or listen to the news.  Where many are talking about the case.  And will continue to do so when in June  he faces accusations from a fourth woman, involving an incident in 2008.  There were a few interesting articles in the Toronto Star today.  One written by Rosi DiManno, titled “Treating women like victims not the answer.”  And one written by Vinay Menon  in the GTA section of the Toronto Star, titled: ” In the end, not a tough call at all.”  Mr. Menon quoted Judge Hoskins: “Even if you believe the accused is probably guilty or likely guilty, that is not sufficient,” said Hoskins, near the end.  “In those circumstances you must give the benefit of the doubt to the accused and acquit, because the Crown has failed to satisfy you of the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Well that’s all for now everyone.  So please stay healthy and well.  Enjoy your holiday weekend.  And stay safe whether you’re driving or walking.

Talk soon

Marjan

Hello

Hope your all fine.  I was at Allan’s Gardens.  “Yes, again”, admiring and taking pictures of the gorgeous flowers.  And your homework will be trying to identify the names. Or just look at my pictures, and enjoy.   If you have an opportunity please  visit the gardens.    It’s quieter during the week of course.  Busier on the weekends.  But a great place to sit on a bench and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the place.  Please beware of the squirrels.  They seem to have the run of the place, and rightly so.  And like to make these unusual sounds, noises.  Perhaps talking to themselves.    But of course they are the only ones who know what they are saying.

I just read that Rob Ford passed away.  And would like to take this opportunity to share this news with my readers, and extend my condolences to the family for their tragic loss.

Marjan

Hello Everyone:

Today I toured Allan’s Gardens in Toronto.  I love the tranquility, and  gorgeous flowers and plants.  Which I will share with you today.  But sorry I will not give you their names . Since I decided to give you some homework and see if you could figure it out.

I hope you also had an opportunity to enjoy our wonderful weather today.  I think spring is around the corner, don’t you?  And it won’t be long now before the temperatures continue to increase.

So keep well.  And don’t work too hard.

All the Best.  Talk soon.

Marjan

Hello Everyone:  It’s International Women’s Day today, so lets support all those women who need a voice, and an opportunity to be heard.

Have a great evening.  And I hope you are doing well.

Marjan

Hello everyone:

I hope your week went well, and your enjoying the weekend.  I received exciting news this week.  My memoir was

a best seller, and I couldn’t be happier.  Thank you all for your support and encouragement.

If you haven’t been feeling well, get better.  And stay healthy.  Viruses have been active lately, and don’t really care who they take as hostage.

All the best for the coming week.

Talk soon.

Marjan

Hello everyone:

Please check today’s  blog on Goodreads:

The blog is about an article written by columnist Heather Mallick in today’s Toronto Star.

The title of the article is “The Men of the Oscars humiliate a brilliant woman.

If your wondering about the flower.  I totally apologize that I don’t know the name.   But the picture

was taken on my visit the other day to Allan’s Gardens.

Have yourself a wonderful evening.  Stay well.

Talk soon,

Marjan

Hope everyone is keeping well.

The meet and greet was a great experience, and I met many wonderful people.  And I wish to thank all of you who had a moment to drop by and say hello.

My memoir reached #1 on amazon ranking yesterday under the category: grief and bereavement.   And it is free for download over the next few days.  So if you have haven’t had a chance to read it this may be a good time.

I watched the Oscars on Sunday.  And would love to make a few comments in my next blog.

Please say safe and warm today.  They expect some snow.  And some chilly weather once again.  But I’m sure spring is just around the corner.

Talk soon.

Marjan