Mercury's futon

For you, loyal readers, who worry that I'm relegated to Dog Status [i.e. dog-in-the-manger] in the Roushanzamir household, I've provided this [minor] evidence to the contrary.

True, I could wish for better things: a fine china bowl for my food and Waterford crystal stem-ware for water [in lieu of the green plastic cat dish & water in an absurdly large blue container]; three meals per day [instead of two] with a greater variety of menus [it could hardly be less since I eat the same--premium--dog food day after day]; a couture gem studded collar [the jewels wouldn't have to be diamonds]; an 18- or 22-carat gold or platinum name tag, and so forth. I could also hope [and do] that Mama would stop dressing me in sweaters, hats, raincoats and t-shirts [but she hasn't-- as yet-- sunk so low as to insist upon frilly dresses or frou frou hair styles].

Dear fans, do not despair or worry unduly [your steadfast concern is appreciated]. Here, pictured, a green futon, Mercury's futon, which is [however slight] concrete proof that Mama et Papa contrive to construct a proper environment, maximizing what resources [admitedly scant] they possess to ensure [a measure of] my comfort & pleasure .

***Forthcoming: my entry about the friends, both dogs & humans, with whom Mama et Papa permit me to associate.***

[Re]Noir

Below, as promised in yesterday's entry, my Top Five list of Best Film Noir. Go to Imdb for complete information such as stars & directors, synopses, awards, etc.: http://www.imdb.com/

The Third Man

Perhaps the Perfect Movie; without peer. The Third Man wins highest honors on the Mercury Rating evaluation system.

Sweet Smell of Success

Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis and the Chico Hamilton Quartet. No word wasted. Marred only by its sappy ending. Watch this film; but listen too. Sweet Smell of Success wins an Honorary First on the Mercury Rating evaluation system.

Double Indemnity

This one frightened me to death. The film's first line, "Well, hello there Mr. Neff," belies Double Indemnity's nervous tension. But read the book, by James M. Cain, for an even more devastating ending.

Sunset Boulevard

This film contains all the elements of film noir; and extras like a dead monkey residing in its white casket. Note: Jack Webb, of Dragnet [the TV show] fame, plays Artie Green.

Laura

Cocktail film noir. The tag line: "The story of a love that became the most fearful thing that ever happened to a woman!" I simply adore this film.

Noir

Film Noir

stands alone as my preferred film genre. From the devasting, cynicism of "Sweet Smell of Success" ["match me, Sydney"] to the debonaire, almost gay murder mystery "Laura," film noir exemplifies the edgy paranoia of the 2nd half of the 20th century &, presciently, exposes the shadowy underbelly of the infotaining postmodern 21st.

I'm posting these photos early Saturday morning as a sort of trailer of what's to come: an annotated list of a few of the Great Film Noir According to Mercury.

Please visit my blog tomorrow to learn which films make the cut, which are required viewing, and which win the Mercury Rating Award for Best Film Noir.

Witness The Absurd

I have donned a Santa hat, a pink boucle sweater, endured monthly visits to the beauty parlor [nothing against Kelly Noonan, truly a Master of Doggie Styles] and recently submitted to Mama's daily combings.

The picture at left, however, speaks for itself: the Absolute Limit.

Wintery Mix: the scandals

As winter's chill moves across the United States of America, brushing California, dumping on Oklahoma [cousin Susan's homeland], that chill also descends on the Deep South.

And yet.

Scandal 1, Disappointing: The wintery mix predicted consisted of a chilly rain plus........ zip! No black ice, no trees burdened with heavy icicles, not even hail, much less snow. Perhaps needless to say, schools were not closed.

Scandal 2, Outrageous: Jackson County, GA, more a la mode than Clarke, apparantly did experience a bit of a wintery mix. The result, schools, Closed. But wait! Disaster. The abysmal administrators of the Jackson County school system Changed Their Collective Mind. Schools, open. In consequence, I fully expect-- and will do my part in urging-- that this travesty be fully explored as a priority item in the coming GA State Legislative session. I trust the good servants of the State of Georgia will enact into law the promise that: Once closed for a "snow day" [however defined], school remains officially closed until further [at least 24-hours ahead] notice.

Scandal 3, Overbearing: Mama insisted. A pink boucle sweater to be worn & photographed. With me in it.

Caption for photo below: It's a dark day for dogs.

However, even pink's not all bad. As evidence, 2 [quite disparate] examples.

This stunning example, a delicate Korean graphic of young girls dancing presented to Mama by a former student.

This plush pink purse is fantastic. Stiff rope handles, fleccy top knobs, and surrounding ruffle provide satisfying chewing opportunities, each different, each delightful. Furthermore, if carried absolutely correctly it makes a smooching noise & says, "I love you."

So, perhaps the day's not so dark. Despite the scandals, disappointments and the overbearing pink color scheme, I welcome the day with a smile and a flash of my [brushed! but that's a story for another day] pearly white smile.

Celebrating: 2007-squared

*************

In the Roushanzamir household, almost every holiday is celebrated twice.

Of course, New Year's/Noo Ruz is no exception.

On January 1, 2007 I, like many the world over, welcomed the New Year with a lazy & thankful delight that --apparently-- extended well into January. [thus, this my first entry of 2007]

To my faithful fans, and to my new readers, I send my best wishes for health & happiness, peace & prosperity in 2007.

Soon I shall send another New Year's greeting, this one according to the Persian/lunar calander, when Noo Ruz is celebrated toward the end of March. [expect further details as that holiday nears.]

Among the other festival days of the Roushanzamir family, Mama's et Papa's wedding anniversary. The first, 12/16 [1998], shamefully, passed unnoticed and unsung by me. This omission will be rectified on May 19th [1999] as I pay due homage to the happy confluence of energies that united Elli & Saeid-- thereby preparing for my safe, secure entrance into their world. Thus far, my treatment has been highly satisfactory. [11/05]

Throughout 2007 special attention will be accorded to holidays-squared [Papa's birthday is another example], those satisfying occasions which our family recognizes with double-significance.