J.D. Salinger

You might have heard that famed author J.D. Salinger has died at 91 years old. Salinger wrote the wildly popular novel, The Catcher in the Rye.

Now that Salinger has died, there is a great deal of speculation about what is in his safe. "Stories about a possible Salinger trove have been around for a long time. In 1999, New Hampshire neighbor Jerry Burt said the author had told him years earlier that he had written at least 15 unpublished books kept locked in a safe at his home. A year earlier, author and former Salinger girlfriend Joyce Maynard had written that Salinger used to write daily and had at least two novels stored away.

Salinger, who died Wednesday at age 91, began publishing short stories in the 1940s and became a sensation in the 1950s after the release of "Catcher," a novel that helped drive the already wary author into near-total seclusion. His last book, "Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour," came out in 1963 and his last published work of any kind, the short story "Hapworth 16, 1924," appeared in The New Yorker in 1965." (Information provided by Yahoo News).

Could he have written several other novels? Will we ever know?

I, as most of us did, read The Catcher in the Rye in high school. I hated it, could not identify with it, and still don't hold much love for it today. Did you read it? What are your thoughts on the controversy surrounding the novel (the fact that most serial or political killers seemed to carry a copy of the novel on them). I'd love to hear your thoughts!

JFK Assasination

President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while traveling along Elm Street in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. As you well know, there are several theories about who killed him. I am fascinated with this case since it still remains unsolved. Why? Who or what is trying to cover up something?

Was Jack Ruby involved? Lee Harvey Oswald was originally to blame. Was he merely a patsy? What about Joe Kennedy's mob ties? There are so many unanswered questions. My personal theory is that the mob didn't like that JFK wasn't coming through on the promises Joe made to them if he was elected.

What do you think happened? Any new ideas or developments?

Taking Chance

PFC Chance Phelps



Lieutenant Michael Strobl, who was responsible for escorting Chance Phelps Home




HBO aired a film last year about a fallen Marine named Chance Phelps. If you didn't see it, you must check it out. It is now on DVD. The film is based on a true story. The story is so touching and important, that my students are watching it today, before we start our next novel, The Things They Carried.

Chance was a great kid who was well liked by all. He joined up after 9/11 and was sent to Iraq after spending time in Camp Pendleton, CA. The following is a true account of what happened to PFC Phelps in Al Anbar, Iraq.


Wednesday, April 21, 2004 5:38 AM
Trip Report
From

Kelly BGen John F


To

Strobl LtCol Michael R

Mike,

I just read your trip report forwarded to me by CO, 11 th Marines, and having done the kind of duty you report about I know the emotions and pride. I was with the Marine you escorted, nearly right next to him, when he was killed instantly along side a road named ASR San Juan. The closest village is Jurf as Sakhr, and it sits right on the Euphrates River with Fallujah 25kms to the N, and Baghdad perhaps 45 to the NNE.

This is an ugly little section of Iraq and full of extremists that hate us for some reason. Don’t know why, but that’s the way it is. We were in five vehicles and were caught in a complex ambush. They initiated it with an IED that caught the lead vehicle, disabled it, and wounded two of the three Marines inside. After the IED there was immediate massed MG, AK, RPG, and mortar fire that certainly defined for me the term “withering.”

The second vehicle was also caught in the kill zone, but they it did a 180 and out – two WIA aboard from the initial volley. The third vehicle was outside the KZ, but seeing #1 disabled and the Marines in extremis drove in, dismounted, set up a base fire, and started to work the comms. The other vehicles dismounted outside the KZ and began to seek the flank of the ambush. Your Marine’s vehicle was called forward to try and close the back door and prevent the guerrillas escape so we could kill them, and after accomplishing the maneuver and putting his gun in action, he was hit. Over time we shot our way out of it. We collected up wounded, dead, and all equipment from the destroyed HMMWV, then walked out of the KZ shooting the entire time until we were clear. All the Marines in the patrol did what we trained them to do, did it instinctively, and as if they were born to it. Every one of them returned fire, moved to the sound of the guns, and took action. There was certainly nothing special about any of them, by the way, other than they were MARINES.

Your charge started this return home with the same kind of reverence and honor you describe in your trip report, only in a very, very different way. When we rushed into the combat base in Mahmudiyah it wasn’t for him, we knew he was already with God, but for the WIAs we had aboard. The entire camp knew he was with us, however, and they all stood tall and were proud to simply be in the same shit hole with him and doing what they joined to do.

The Navy Docs went right to it with the WIAs and saved lives, at the same time we removed him from the vehicle it’s turret having been immediately manned by another Marine who’d himself been hit in the face, but pressed with the mission and the gun never went quiet in the process. The dead Marine, only just out of high school last May, was of course filthy dirty and his uniform vastly different than the one you saw him in. He obviously was not wearing any ribbons, but did have his flak and all the other accoutrements of a field Marine on when we removed him. He was also still soaked from the unbelievable sweating a fight brings on. His buddies spent a few quiet moments and we talked about the loss, and what he meant – what he was like – to them all.

Everyone offered a vignette, most were silly or funny, but that’s the kind of guy he was. We then withdrew as there was a detailed critique to conduct (actions on contact, who did what, what worked, what didn’t work, what could have done better, and all the what ifs that go with learning the trade and getting better), and then the platoon commander (himself quite a guy) got right to it as there were also weapons to clean, and preps to be made for the next patrol. Life goes on doesn’t it. This all took place, by the way, at about 1500 local on Good Friday. Thought you should know the rest of the story. Thanks for taking care of our Marine.

(Actual email taken from www.chancephelps.org)

Chance was only 19 when he died. He was much too young. According to others in his unit, he was responsible for saving their lives.

The film and the story are very touching and a must see for every American. If you are interested in donating money to the Chance Phelps Organization, please go to their website.

Jonestown

Time Magazine cover of Jonestown Massacre



Aerial view of the bodies from Jonestown



Jim Jones



I read a book a while back called Seductive Poison by Deborah Layton, one of the survivors of the Jonestown Massacre. The book was fascinating and really gave me some insight into the tragedy that took place.

If you don't know much about The People's Temple or the Jonestown Massacre, you should definitely look into it. Of course, by now, you know that I am interested in true crime. The story of Jim Jones and The People's Temple is one that even I find hard to grasp.

Jim Jones was a church leader in charge of The People's Temple in San Francisco, CA. Over the years, Jones gained a large following of many people, including African Americans. This was rare at the time, in the 1970s for a church to be of mixed races. Jones preached all about love and how we should all get along.

Little did some of his followers know, but he was having affairs with many of the church members at the time, even though he was married. As the "church" continued to grow, it reached cult status fairly quickly. Jones became very controlling, brainwashing many of his followers. He wanted them to go to Guyana to set up The People's Temple where no outside influences could bother them.

The People's temple set up a commune in the Guyanese jungle and several went over to live in what they thought would be a perfect world. It didn't turn out that way. There was little or no food, members were forced to get up at all hours of the night with Jim Jones screaming "white night!" warning members that they were going to battle. Many wanted to leave after they got there but felt trapped. Jones actually had armed guards who monitored the premises.

When many members family members began worrying about their loved ones, Congressman Leo Ryan decided to investigate. He took a trip with some of his staff to Guyana to check out the scene. What happened on that visit became a great tragedy to all those involved.

When Ryan got to Guyana some of the members expressed interest in leaving with him and his staff. They no longer wanted to stay in Guyana and feared Jones. Jones started having a meltdown and things began to get out of control quickly. Congressman Ryan and members of the temple decided to leave, but when they got to the airport, they were gunned down by Jones's guards.

After these deaths, Jones convinced his remaining members to "drink the kool aid." They were all given a drink laced with poison and were forced to take place in a mass suicide. 909 People died in Jonestown that day. There were more across town in Georgetown as well. Up until 9/11 this was considered the largest civilian non-natural disaster America had experienced.

What are your thoughts on the Jonestown massacre? Anyone remember your reaction at the time?

Sherlock Holmes 2009

Hello friends...feeling a bit better today, but had to do tattoo removal this morning and that laser is not fun! I saw Sherlock Holmes and was blown away. I loved everything about this film, but most of all the costumes. Rachel McAdams looked gorgeous as usual and Robert Downey, Jr. is such a fabulous actor!

Here is some fun trivia about the film and pics to go along with it. Hope you are having a great weekend lovelies!

--Colin Farrell was in talks to play Watson before Jude Law was cast.

--The first Sherlock Holmes film to reach U.S. movie theaters in over twenty years, since the 1988 comedy Without a Clue (1988) with Michael Caine as Reginald Kincaid/"Sherlock Holmes".

--Robert Maillet accidentally knocked out Robert Downey Jr. while filming a fight scene.

--Robert Downey Jr. read many Sherlock Holmes stories and watched "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" (1984) by Granada Television (starring Jeremy Brett) in order to learn more about the character.

--Sienna Miller was in talks for a role before her ex-fiancé Jude Law was cast as Watson.

--The set for Sherlock Holmes's home in this film was previously used as Sirius Black's home in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007).

--The part of Sherlock Holmes has been previously played by Michael Caine, while Watson is played in this film by Jude Law. Law took over Caine's role in Alfie (2004) and Sleuth (2007), appearing together with him in the latter film.

--There were rumors that Brad Pitt has been cast as Moriarty and re shoots have taken place, but the rumors were quickly denied.

--Watson's line to Holmes, "You know that what you're drinking is for eye surgery," is an obscure reference to Holmes's cocaine usage. At the time, cocaine was used as a topical anesthetic for eye surgery. In the stories, Holmes injects cocaine.

--At the end of the film, Mary asks Watson if she could read his journals of his adventures with Sherlock Holmes. Of the 60 Doyle penned stories of Sherlock Holmes, all but four have Watson serving as the narrator.

--Although Irene Adler plays a large role in the movie, she only appears in one Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, "A Scandal in Bohemia", briefly referenced in the movie.

--The four symbols referred to in the movie, the Man, the Lion, the Ox and the Eagle, are also attributed to the four Evangelists of the Bible: Matthew (Man), Mark (Lion), Luke (Ox), and John (Eagle).

--Rachel McAdams and Robert Downey Jr. reportedly did most of their own stunts.

--Attempting to escape the clutches of wearing a tight corset every morning, Rachel McAdams would trick the costumers by pushing her stomach out or eating a big breakfast of oatmeal before being laced up. However, they eventually caught on to her ruse.

--The three murders of the men and the attempted murder of Parliament coincide with the four Greek elements. The first was a burial crime scene (Earth), second was drowning (water), third was immolation (fire), and fourth was poison gas (air).

Keira Knightley

I'm battling the flu again and feeling miserable, but wanted to get my Friday post out for you friends. I have been wanting to do a post on Keira Knightley. I think she is so beautiful, even though she is a little too thin for my taste. I also think she photographs extremely well, so it was easy to find gorgeous shots of her.

I am so in love with Johnny Depp (as many of you know), so naturally one of my favorite movies is Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl. Since I look to discuss Johnny every chance I get, here are some fun facts on the film as well. Have a great weekend friends.

--On August 10, 2002, a fire started on the soundstage where the movie was shot. Nobody was hurt and the damage was estimated to be $350,000.

--Stick around after the credits for an additional scene.

--References to the Disneyland attractions include (but are not limited to): - three uses of the song "(Yo Ho, Yo Ho) A Pirate's Life for Me" by X. Atencio and George Bruns in the opening scene (sung by young Elizabeth), when Jack and Elizabeth are marooned on the island, and in the end by Jack. - The jail scenes, in which the prisoners try to tempt the dog who holds the key to their cell. Jack says, "That dog is never going to move" - although the movie dog eventually does, the one in the ride doesn't. Jack later tries to tempt it with a bone, as does one of the audio-animatronic pirates in the ride. - The "burning town" sequence, and within it, the redheaded prostitute (who slaps Jack), and the "stuffed pirate" drinking the rum spurting out of a barrel - Jack's initial discovery of Gibbs sleeping with the pigs - The line "Dead men tell no tales", said by the macaw, which is repeated throughout the ride's narration - A quick shot of a skeleton sprawled on the beach of the Isla de Muerta, with a crab nearby - During the raid on the town, seen is a man being dunked into a well. - A skeletal Barbossa drinks wine, which trickles through his exposed ribcage, as one of the skeletal pirates do. - During the battle scene between the two ships, Black Pearl and the Interceptor Captain Barbosa refers to his crew as "bloomin cockroaches" just like the captain in the ride does when his ship attacks a local town fort. - In Tortuga, we see a pirate drinking rum on top of two barrels and is wobbling just like in the ride. - There are references to cursed treasure in the ride: old pirates speak of cursed treasure and how you probably don't believe in it, and the line "Who knows when that evil curse will strike the greedy beholders of this bewitched treasure." - The woman wearing a red dress at Tortuga island that slaps Jack and he wonders if he deserved it is a character in the ride. - Part of the Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is called "Port Royal".

--The skull and crossed blades flag was the flag of "Calico" Jack Rackham, captain of the Revenge and longtime lover of notorious female pirate Anne Bonny.

--This was the first PG-13 release under the Walt Disney Pictures label in the United States. The Walt Disney Company, however, has released R rated films under the Touchstone Pictures label since the 1980's.

--Keira Knightley wore colored contact lenses like Johnny Depp's in the last scene of the movie. But since her eyes are lighter than Johnny Depp's, they had to be dark in the center and light on the outside. She complained they made her so dizzy that she threw them away the night after shooting.

--When returning from a night shoot on one of the Caribbean islands, Keira Knightley's boat struck a reef and went down. The only people aboard were Knightley, her mother and the boat's skipper, all of whom escaped unharmed and were rescued within a few hours. However, the incident ultimately determined that the rest of the island night shoots needed would complete filming in a studio, rather than on location.

--The title was originally just "Pirates of the Caribbean" but the name was changed in the hope that it would do well at the box office and a sequel could be made.

--The movie's world premiere was located at Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort in California, home to the original Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, on June 28, 2003. This was the first ever movie premiere at Disneyland.

--Johnny Depp's character, Captain Jack, is portrayed as having gold teeth in the film. These are real and Depp had his dentist implant those and others into his mouth for the production. Disney executive 'Michael Eisner' thought there were too many and asked him to remove all but a few.

--Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski wanted to use the massive water tank in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico used for Titanic (1997) and Pearl Harbor (2001), but Peter Weir's film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) had the tank booked during the time Pirates was scheduled to shoot.

--Clothing and smears of charcoal were used to conceal Johnny Depp's numerous tattoos. The "Jack Sparrow" tattoo on his arm in the movie is a fake, but he got a real replica after finishing the film, in honor of his son Jack.

--The "Fort" in Port Royal is actually not on St. Vincent's, but at a closed down amusement park (Marineland) in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

--Having decided that pirates were the 18th century equivalent of rock stars, Johnny Depp's characterization of Sparrow was inspired by close observation of his friend Keith Richards, though he emphasized in interviews that it was not an impersonation.

--Johnny Depp improvised Jack Sparrow's catch phrase, "Savvy?"

"The Rock"

TCM is doing a month of films based on one of my favorite places, Alcatraz! I am so excited. I have been to Alcatraz a couple of times years ago, and am dying to go again. It is one of those places I find so fascinating and such a part of our history. One of my favorite films is Escape from Alcatraz with Clint Eastwood (1979). It is the true story of the only possible successful escape attempt on the island. Here are some fun facts about the film. It is on tonight TCM 10 p.m. eastern or 7 p.m. pacific time. Have a great day friends!

--During filming, tourists were still allowed onto the island, and a new boatload would arrive every half-hour. They became so much of a distraction that the majority of filming was moved to night shoots.

--Film debut of Danny Glover.

--The windshield wipers on the two front windows on the boat at the very beginning of the movie were installed specifically for that scene. Originally, the two front windows had bars going vertically down the center, similar to the numerous other windows surrounding the pilothouse.

--The guard to whom Doc shows off his "accident" in the carpentry shop is named Mr. Zimmerman. "Zimmerman" is German for "carpenter".

--The dangerous escape down the prison wall and into the water was performed without stunt doubles. Director 'Don Siegel (I)' twice thought that he had lost his actors to the treacherous currents.

--Fifteen miles of cable were required to reconnect the island to the city's electricity, and a great deal of work was required to restore the prison to its 1963 state. Many of the improvements were kept intact after the film.

--Visitors to Alcatraz Island may be interested in viewing the actual cells that had been home to the real-life inmates by Clint Eastwood (Frank Morris), Fred Ward (John William Anglin), and Jack Thibeau (John's brother Clarence Anglin). Their cells #138, #140 and #144 are located in B Block ("Michigan Avenue") along the bottom row. The cells used in the film, however, are located in the C Block, middle cells on the Broadway side along the bottom row.

--The Warden, who is never named during the film, at one point refers to his "predecessors, Wardens Johnston and Blackwell." Warden Blackwell was the actual warden at the time of Frank Morris's escape, and this script reference was clearly done to avoid legal trouble.

--Fresh water had to be hauled in by boat to create the rain in the opening scene. Using saltwater would have damaged expensive equipment.

--The boat bringing Morris to Alcatraz in the very beginning of the movie (M/V Warden Johnston, named after the first warden of Alcatraz) was actually used to transport prisoners to and from Alcatraz and was not a mock-up. The boat was built by prisoners in McNeil Island in Washington for this specific purpose, and was used for much of the time Alcatraz was in service as a prison. The makers of the movie borrowed the Johnston from the Sea Scout crew who was operating her at the time (Sea Scout Ship #145, based in Redwood City, CA). Gary F. Warren, who is listed in the credits as a guard, was in fact the boat operator, and was also the leader of the Scout crew at the time.

--The television show, "MythBusters" (2003) proved that this escape worked (or was at least plausible). They recreated the entire escape right down to using the same materials to which the cons had access. They even used the same type of raincoats from which the boat was made. They successfully crossed the bay and reached the shore in exactly the spot that the cons were supposed to have reached.

--In the actual escape, it is now known (or at least, alleged) that Morris and the Anglin brothers were picked up by a motor launch during their swim. Coast Guard records state that a motorboat without running lights did exit the Golden Gate on the night of the escape. Also, several months after the escape, one of the guards in the Anglin brother's cell block received a blank postcard from Brazil.

R.M.S. Titanic

I watched yet another special on Titanic today and realized I haven't written about my obsession with the ship. I have read everything there is on the ship, seen every film or documentary about it, and even did a senior paper in college on it. Ok, I'm a little obsessed.

Most of you know the tragedy of Titanic (if you don't, you were probably living in a cave the past 100 years lol). I think the reason I am so interested in the ship is because of the lack of common sense involved. I can't believe the Captain sent lifeboats that weren't full off the side of the ship. I can't believe there weren't enough lifeboats for everyone because there wasn't a regulation. I can't believe 1st class were considered more important and got to live over 3rd class passengers. I can't believe Captain Smith was in such a hurry to finish his final voyage that he disregarded the safety of his passengers and crew.

Such a sad, unnecessary tragedy. Here are some photos of the ship. I'm so sorry I am behind in my comments. I'm working on getting back on track friends!

Golden Globes Fashion

Hello friends! I have been absent for a few days recuperating after a terrible migraine, but I'm back now, feeling better. I watched a little of The Golden Globes last night, but was only impressed with a few outfits as usual. Why don't these stars get someone to help them look fabulous? I'll never understand it!

Oh well, here are a few of my favorite looks of the evening. What did you think?