Submitted by Fred on

Straight On

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Lifestyle

One of my earliest memories is hiding my eyes, looking away and cowering behind a movie seat upon watching the appearance of the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz with my mother.  Truth be told, the shock and horror has never left me.  

I looked away and my over stimulated youthful imagination nearly destroyed me.  The same thing happened years later while watching Psycho.  

Well, last Saturday night I saw a mashup of the Wizard of Oz and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and for the first time I watched the Wicked Witch scene all the way through.  Maybe it was the great music or maybe it was maturity or maybe a combination of both, but watching the green hued Wicked Witch straight on was not daunting.  In a way she was actually beautiful.  

A late life lesson: take your challenges straight on, do not cower, confront them and you will see them clearly for what they are and usually find a way to deal with them and prevail!

Comments

Paul Napolitano

The album and the movie match up so perfectly! But you have to start it right after the third MGM Lion roar!

Submitted by Judy_Mauer on Thu, 04/25/2019 - 21:37

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Judy Mauer

Always be fearless and Curious - and you never miss out.

Submitted by Fred on Thu, 04/25/2019 - 21:43

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Fred Klein

There will never be a fearless Fred.
Shelley Simpson

For those of us with unbridled willing(or unwilling) suspense of disbelief, movies and theater do have an impact. Facing challenges straight on can happen once we start to believe in our own resilience and perhaps that comes after we realize that we control how we react to things that scare us. Thanks for sharing.

Submitted by Liz_Saldana on Thu, 04/25/2019 - 22:21

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Liz Saldana

My Grandfather once told me fear is a thought, danger is real. Fear, unless associated with danger, should be faced and a conscious choice made.
Michael Jakob

The good witch was scarier. At least when they are green you can guess what you’re in for. The other witch is stealth.

Submitted by Fred on Thu, 04/25/2019 - 22:45

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Fred Klein

Great distinction! Thanks
Cayce Crown

So happy to read this. I heartily suggest you go see the musical Wicked. It had a profound effect on me when I saw it the first time, seeing things from a completely different perspective and so much different from the long established perspective. She is more than beautiful she is heroic. Defy gravity.

Submitted by MarilynGenoa on Thu, 04/25/2019 - 23:21

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Marilyn Genoa

A message I’m happy to hear over and over. As usual your timing is impeccable. Where do I find that mash up?
Fred Klein

I saw it in a theater and people had costumes!

Submitted by JohnEvans on Fri, 04/26/2019 - 02:18

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John Evans

A great life lesson - - and never too late. In the UK kids were VERY scared of the Daleks (from Dr Who). I doubt that they would "cut it" now, with all the special effects!!
Fred Klein

Welcome to my blog and thanks for worldly comment!

Submitted by NeilHollander on Fri, 04/26/2019 - 05:51

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Neil Hollander

Maturity ? I don’t qualify . But I’ll tell ya this Derf ..... you’re spot on . The mind aka the brain controls more than we’ll ever know . In that vein I am living proof . Fall off the horse and get the F back on ! Mind over matter . The teachings of Mary Baker Eddy . Back in the 50’s I took a solo trip to Chicago by air to visit my aunt . We hit severe turbulence . It freightened me beyond the beyond .The way I conquered it was to become a pilot . Phobias can be conquered . The fact that I’ll never be right after my TBI ? I fight every day with a clear mind and a will that surprises even me . Cowboy up I say . Pain is weakness leaving my body . No easy day . The Trinity . NO FEAR Derf . NONE .

Hollander Sends
Fred Klein

You write so well. You should write a blog about a UFO from a pilot’s point of view!
Liz Saldana

Cayce, I loved Wicked. There are two sides to every story and this told another.
Corey Bearak

Interestlngly I have Neil Young's Don't Be Denied playing in background. Old version but just released. Watch Gotham RockRap.

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