Monthly Archives: November 1999

Nov 27 1999

Thanksgiving 1999

It’s been another great year!

##It’s A Wonderful Life

I just finished watching [[It’s A Wonderful Life]]. What a wonderful movie. What an appropriate movie for Thanksgiving! If we pay close attention to the message of the film, we can realize that as long as we have friends and have been a good person, we can’t be a failure in life.

George Bailey considered himself to be a failure because he was never able to “make it” financially and get out of the two-horse town that he grew up in. But when he got a chance to see what life would have been like for everyone around him had he not been born, he realized that he was in fact a huge success. What an incredible gift to be given!

I heard an interview with Jimmy Stewart in which he said that the movie almost didn’t get made because it was too far fetched. But Frank Capra convinced the studio to let him do it. Jimmy didn’t need any convincing. “If you’re making it Frank, I’m in!” What a gift they gave us! Wherever you are Frank and Jimmy, thank you for reminding me of the important things in life!

##A time for reflection

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the life that we’ve made for ourselves, and to appreciate all the goodness that has come back around to us from those around us that care about us. It’s a time to remember the truly important things in our lives, the important things. It’s a time to remember that life is so much more than what we have. It’s about how we live and how we affect those around us.

Looking back on the year since[[Thanksgiving 1998]], I find that I have a lot to be thankful for.

###Some things to be thankful for:

  • A wonderful vacation to Nova Scotia: [[August 1999 Trip Report]]
  • A trip to the Montreal Jazz Festival: [[July 1999 Trip Report]]
  • [[1999 Ryder Cup Thoughts]]
  • [[Requiem For A saxophone]] It was time. And since I got the new one, I’ve had nothing but compliments about my playing. I guess sometimes new equipment can boost your confidence and help you play better.
  • Good schools! I have to say that I’m tremendously happy with the schools that my children attend.
  • My family! I can honestly say that I have nothing but pride in my family (both immediate and extended). They are all some of the best people I’ve ever known (especially you Mom)!

###Some things to remember:

  • [[When You Least Expect It]]
  • [[Requiem For A saxophone]]
  • [[January 1999 Trip Report]]
  • [[Payneful News]]
  • Mel Torme. I can’t believe he’s gone! He had one of the most spectacular voices I’ve ever heard. His range and subtlety were amazing.
  • Kenny Kirkland. Great piano player… he will be missed.
  • Frank Sinatra. ‘Nuff said.
Nov 25 1999

It’s A Wonderful Life

Did you ever wonder what the world would be like if you had never been born? Well, George finds out how much better his life has been than he thought.

###It’s a Wonderful Movie

Rarely do you come across a movie that’s so universal in it’s message that anyone can watch and enjoy. This is one of those rare movies.

###A little history

I read somewhere that this movie almost didn’t get made. Frank Capra had recently finished “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington” (which is also a tremendous film), and had this idea for a guy that gets discouraged about his life and gets saved by an angel.

He’s thinking about suicide, when his prayers and those of his friends and loved ones are heard, and an angel is sent to save him. I heard that Frank Capra described this rough outline of a plot to Jimmy Stewart, and his response was “that sounds kind of depressing Frank. But if you’re doing it, I’m on board whatever the project is.” The problem was that the studio also thought it was too depressing and fantastical to be a popular hit. How wrong they were!

###The story

The story begins quite naturally at the beginning. The beginning of George Bailey’s life, that is. He’s a young kid in Bedford Falls, growing up in Pre-WW I smalltown U.S.A. His goal, right from the beginning is to get out of this one horse town, and see the world. Unfortunately, for him, the universe conspires against him, and he’s never quite able to get out.

###Significant Events

  • Saving Brother
  • Discovering Poison
  • Running the family business