Today's Daily Motivation

We employ the mind to rule, the body to serve.
Sallust

Thought for the Day (It's Showbiz Time)

I always say that you should remake flops, not hits.
Richard Benjamin

Today's Daily Motivation

You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. Marcus Aurelius

Today's Daily Motivation

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
Marcus Aurelius

Today's Daily Motivation

We ought to do good to others as simply as a horse runs, or a bee makes honey, or a vine bears grapes season after season without thinking of the grapes it has borne.
Marcus Aurelius

Today's Daily Motivation

The universe is transformation; our life is what our thoughts make it.
Marcus Aurelius

Today's Daily Motivation

Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.
Marcus Aurelius 

Today's Daily Motivation

A ship in harbor is safe - but that is not what ships are for.  ~John A. Shedd, Salt from My Attic

Today is Constitution Day

Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.
Abraham Lincoln

Today's Daily Motivation

Our life is what our thoughts make it.
Marcus Aurelius

Today's Daily Motivation

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.
Marcus Aurelius

Today's Daily Motivation

Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future, too.
Marcus Aurelius 

Today's Daily Motivation

In Genesis, it says that it is not good for a man to be alone; but sometimes it is a great relief.
John Barrymore

Today's Daily Motivation

Forward, as occasion offers. Never look round to see whether any shall note it... Be satisfied with success in even the smallest matter, and think that even such a result is no trifle.
Marcus Aurelius

Today's Daily Motivation

Each day provides its own gifts.
Marcus Aurelius

Today's Daily Motivation

Dig within. Within is the wellspring of Good; and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig.
Marcus Aurelius

Begin - to begin is half the work, let half still remain; again begin this, and thou wilt have finished. 

Marcus Aurellius

Today's Daily Motivation

I used to watch the world as if it was a performance and I would realize that certain things that people did moved me, and certain things didn't move me, and I tried to analyze, even at that age, six and seven and eight, why I was moved by certain things they did. Alan Arkin

I watched a violinist play

Took a ride upon the BART today; I watched a violinist play

With passion she did strike her strings; Within her heart I watched her sing

Pain and rapture her face did say; Every stroke a demon she would slay

Her eyes were closed the music played; Her Ipod earbuds led the way

Her magic bow, a plastic pen, the music became a wondrous thing

Took a ride upon the BART today and watched a violinist play

Wrapped in gauze and plastic tape; the hand won’t hold a violin that way

Just like a bird on air she sings;  She fights to play with broken wing

Pain and rapture her face did say; Every stroke a demon she would slay

Across from her a dunce did sit; Drums of air he made a mimic play

Her fingers plucked an invisible string; that magic pen upon a perfect sling

Took a ride upon the BART today and watched a violinist play

First chair in a symphony she did play; with a broken wing there is no way

Lucky chance, the dunce did leave; Closer now I watch an iconic thing

Pain and rapture her face did say; Every stroke a demon she would slay

Faster Faster the plastic pen did fly; Still watching sound, close but far away

Grand finale I want to see; but here is my stop the exit door will ring

Took a ride upon the BART today and watched a violinist play

Pain and rapture her face did say; Every stroke a demon she would slay

Paul Mize © 2011

Today's Daily Motivation

In the hands of a great poet, words have ways of affecting us in ways we don't understand.
Kenneth Branagh

Today's Daily Motivation

Actors are the best and the worst of people. They're like kids. When they're good, they're very very good. When they're bad they're very very naughty.
Kenneth Branagh

Today's Daily Motivation

I have no desire to prove anything by dancing. I have never used it as an outlet or a means of expressing myself. I just dance. I just put my feet in the air and move them around.
Fred Astaire

Today's Daily Motivation

Many a man owes his success to his first wife and his second wife to his success.
Jim Backus

Original Work

EXT. GRIFFETH PARK - MORNING

Two uniformed LAPD OFFICERS stand around the prostate body of Brando. 

LADY IN CROWD

Doris... I never believed those stories, but Oh my goodness.

DORIS a 50 plus Jewish matron nods and smiles 

OFFICER #1

Bob don’t we have a towel or something in the trunk?

BOB slowly taps Brando in the side with his BOOTED TOE.  

Brando SNORTS and flinches. 

The two cops grab his arms and cuff him.    

DORIS

Here, you can use my poncho.

OFFICER #1

I’ll get you a receipt.