UGLY BUT INTERACTIVE



My friend, Vic, feels that this is the ugliest piece of "art" he has ever seen and it saddens him that it holds such a prominient place in the city. I understand his viewpoint, but I kind of like it. It is so odd that I enjoy looking at it. In addition, it is an interactive fountain which is designed so that you can walk inside and around the structures as the water pours forth. You can't see this due to my lacking skills as a photographer. Also, for some reason, the fountain was off. They are setting up for some sort of event. It is either going to be a jazz festival or a special farmer's market. ...at least that is what the homeless guy told me.

Update on interviews: My interview today went well -- ran for just over an hour and I made "the cut" and am being asked to return next week to meet with one of the firm's officiers. However, I'm not sure I "bonded" or "connected" that well with the individual who interviewed me. Tho, I must have done well enough to still be in consideration --- I think I have a much better shot at the job for which I have my second interview tomorrow. So we shall see!!! This will be another committee interview. It is a good thing I am not shy.

I was not at all nervous -- until AFTER the interview as I was walking down Market Street and I had a mini-panic attack. I'm such a loser. I phoned Milford and Alan -- but got Milford's voicemail and Alan was busy working -- I could not calm down. I was just upset. So, I spent money I didn't have and saw a movie.

Sometimes, it is the only thing that works for me.

I saw Bergman's SARABAND --- his final film and continuation of SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE (a must see for anyone who has ever been married or in a serious relationship -- if you haven't yet done that, this film will only horrify you) If you like Bergman or Liv U --- then you do not want to miss this movie. I do not cry in movies. Actually, I hardly ever cry. Like Alice Cooper, my heart's a virgin. It ain't never been tried... However, there were two scenes where this amazing actress almost brought me to tears. She certainly had this impact on my fellow film-goers.

Is there a point? Well, I think Bergman has always made the same point over and over -- ultimately relationships suck. They are heartbreaking and, in the end, it often seems that nothing works the way it should when two souls connect --- however, one can never lose sight of how very important these connections are for all of us. ...whether we want to admit it or not -- we all want to be in love and loved back.

Woody Allen, who has adored/copied/glorified Bergman for the run of his film career said this sweetly in films like ANNIE HALL and MANHATTAN -- and, so have countless other film makers -- but few manage to cut to the core of it without any fear the way Bergman tackles this fragile human puzzle. Painful, tragic, sad -- but ultimately poetic and beautiful -- I loved this movie. And, from a purist standpoint, it was cool to see how the characters I fell in love with turned out 30 years later. As with life, they didn't turn out the way I would have imagined or liked -- but I suspect that they turned out the way they were meant to. ...and, we all know that Bergman's films are reflections of his own life, feelings and relationships. His work has always been quite personal and confessional. This might be why Liv Ullman is so effective --- I suspect, in many ways, she is playing out what she has lived. I read a short interview with her about this film and she summed up the experience of returning to Bergman to make this film as both magical and cruel. Interesting.

...Oh, those wacky folks from Sweden with their niffty cars, ABBA and fearless views of human relationships. Maybe I could get a job in there!