Lady Bird

Last night we saw the movie, Lady Bird, at Cineopolis in Del Mar. The film isn't about Lady Bird Johnson, but rather is a coming of age story about a young girl in a dysfunctional family in  Sacramento. Saoirse Ronan as the daughter is wonderful as is Debbie Metcalf, who plays her mother.  The movie tracks the vicissitudes of adolescence with authenticity and poignancy. It is a must see.

Columbo: The Master of Communication

Many teachers, parents, and others trying to impart information have trouble getting beyond stony silence from their students. Why is this? Is it a motivation question or something else? Often it is the latter.

If you watch some parents talk to their children that is often what you see. They talk to and not with their children. Too often people in charge lecture and criticize. If you see a quiet classroom, most likely the teacher isn't very interested in what his or her students have to say.

For stymied teachers and parents I would recommend several episodes of the old Columbo show, starring Peter Faulk. The reader may be thinking, "What, are you nuts?" Let me explain.

Columbo was a master communication strategist. He knew that accusations put people on the defensive and made them clam up. His style was to play dumb and place the problem within himself while asking his suspect to help him solve it. For example, he might say," I have a problem. Can you help me solve it? I am confused about a couple of things. You said you were here, but your wife says you were there. I just don't understand."

Using this model a parent might say," I am confused. You have told me that you want to go to Stanford, but I never see you do homework. How does that work? You seem to be going in the opposite direction you have told me many times you want to go in. Help me understand this."

In the classroom teachers who ask more questions in a curious way will have a livelier classroom. Statements like, " That is an interesting point that seems important. Elaborate on it so I can understand it," will excite and motivate students. Make the students the teachers and see what happens!

The Bureau: A show to see

The Bureau is a riveting, spy show from French television. The company that made the popular show, Spiral, has produced it. A French agency, which is that country's version of the C.I.A., is tasked with gathering intelligence and carrying out missions in Syria. Locations in this fast, past smartly written show include Paris, Damascus, Cyprus, and Ankara. The writing and acting are excellent, and whoever was in charge of casting is a genius!

A friend lent me his CDs of the three seasons of the bureau. You may have to search here and there to find the show, but it will be worth the hassle.

In Vegas

We parked on the second level of the South Pointe garage before taking the elevator down to the Casino on the second floor. We would meet our dinner companions in 45 minutes, so we decided to walk around the casino.

The people who work the tables always seem bored and detached to me. I can't think of a worse job. It is based on suspicion and distrust. I am sure they would get fired if they were too friendly. There are a lot of overweight people smoking and drinking while they play the slot machines. The lights and bells are alluring, and people are easily drawn into the action.

Suddenly the place is full of cowboys. There is a rodeo at the South point Equestrian arena, and the guys from Texas, Montana, Colorado, and Oklahoma are all here. The uniform is somewhat standard: big belts, wide-brimmed hats, jeans, and boots. The cowpunchers look good, and some care has been taken with their outfits.

I find the cowboys more interesting than the gamblers, and I study them for a long time before heading up to our restaurant for the prime rib special. For $19.95 we are served a salad, prime rib, and a baked potato. Our waitress looks older than she should.  I think Vegas must be a tough place to make a living.


After dinner, we set out GPS and wind our way across the city to our motel. Even with a GPS this isn't easy as the matrix of roads is complex, and the traffic is heavy. At our motel, I reflect on the evening and the odd nature of this place called Las Vegas.

Stopping the Bad Guys

Bad guys want time, darkness, and quiet to do their work. Let's not give it to them. Here are some suggestions to stop them. Please add more.

1.  Lock your side gates.  If the bad guys can't get into your backyard, they will have a harder time gaining access to your house. Brackets, which take a lock, are easy to install.

2.  Motion detector lights are a good deterrent. The crooks hate light.

3.  When an alarm sounds, watch them run.

4.  Get some cameras. No bad guy wants to be a film star.

5.  If possible, keep your cars in your garage. Then lock them. Don't leave any valuables in your cars whether in or out of your garage.

6. Locking mailboxes are a good idea. It is very easy to rob someone's mail.

7.  Have some lights on timers when you go away.

8.  Make sure your neighbors know your comings and goings. Look out for each other. Know who belongs in the neighborhood and who doesn't. Be aware!

9.  A "Beware of dog” sign makes them wonder.