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Month: May 2021

David Suzuki, Walter Mosley, Stand and Deliver, Jesse Itzler, and Surah Ar-Ra’d 24


Sunday Supplement #3 (May 30th, 2021)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

I hope you take something away from this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“The way we see the world shapes the way we treat it. If a mountain is a deity, not a pile of ore… if a forest is a sacred grove, not timber; if other species are biological kin, not resources; or if the planet is our mother, not an opportunity— then we will treat each other with greater respect. Thus is the challenge, to look at the world from a different perspective.”

– David Suzuki

Book of the Week:

Devil in a Blue Dress – Walter Mosley

Mosley’s first novel in the Easy Rawlins series was an Edgar Award Nominee for Best First Novel (1991). It follows Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins, a Black World War II veteran living in the Watts area of Los Angeles in the late 1940s. He knows the neighborhood and is asked by a White man at a bar to locate a White woman known to visit jazz clubs in the area. The job turns out to be even more complicated than it initially appears. Blackmail, extortion, and secrets are just some of the many obstacles Easy runs into. 

The book is a classic in the private detective genre and delves into many different subjects, including race, money, sex, violence, and survival. It is the first of fifteen novels in the series, spanning decades of Los Angeles history and culture.

Mosley was awarded the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters in 2020 in recognition of his contributions, which include more than sixty critically acclaimed books covering various subjects and genres. His Easy Rawlins series offers an intelligent and captivating read for those who pick up the books. You don’t have to read the series sequentially, but Devil in a Blue Dress is a brilliant way to start. 

* Devil in a Blue Dress was also adapted into a movie starring Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Tom Sizemore, and Jennifer Beals.

Movie of the Week:

Stand and Deliver

Ramón Menéndez’s Stand and Deliver is based on the true story of a high school teacher, Jaime Escalante. In the 1980s, James A. Garfield High School performed below grade-level expectations and did not have high expectations placed on the student body. Escalante became a mathematics teacher at the East Los Angeles school and galvanized his students to excel in academics. He recognized the untapped potential of the class and made it a goal for the students to take AP Calculus by their senior year.

Edward James Olmos portrayed Jaime Escalante and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the 1989 Academy Awards. He was also the reason why co-star Lou Diamond Phillips landed the role of Angel. Their characters’ relationship is one of the highlights of the film and one of the many highlights in their respective careers.

In an interview with The Hudson Union, Phillips explained how he was on the verge of moving back home to Texas because he couldn’t book a part and was running out of money. His famous role in La Bamba was in the bag, but it hadn’t been released yet, so no one knew who he was. Phillips caught a break, though, and got cast in a guest role on Miami Vice. He shot one scene with Olmos, and Olmos told him to get in touch with Menéndez about being in Stand and Deliver.

The interactions between Escalante and the students make the film, but the true story it’s based on makes it more than just a film. The movie is inspirational and is a great reminder of how expectations placed on us and from ourselves can affect how we view our lives. It also shows the power of believing in yourself and having others believe in you.

I’ve highlighted Los Angeles in a few posts now and twice in this week’s Sunday Supplement. Part of the reason for that is I’ve lived in Los Angeles for four years now, and I like to watch and read about the history of where I live. I also worked and volunteered at schools in Los Angeles for three of the years I’ve lived here. This film is one of my favorite depictions of the city and an educational setting.

An outside source of validation for the movie is that the Library of Congress selected Stand and Deliver for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2011.

Brainfood of the Week:

Rich Roll’s interview with Jesse Itzler on his podcast The Rich Roll Podcast.

Rich Roll is a vegan ultra-endurance athlete who changed his life at 40 after struggling with drugs, alcohol, and unhealthy living. His podcast is just one of the many ways he provides inspiration and information.

Jesse Itzler has an unbelievable biography. He came out of college with a recording contract under Delicious Vinyl records as a songwriter/artist. During this time, he made it into the Billboard 100, made music hits for sports franchises, and won an Emmy. After that, he found success as an entrepreneur, creating and selling companies like Marquis Jet and Zico Coconut Water. He and his wife, Sara Blakely (founder of Spanx), were part of a group that purchased the Atlanta Hawks in 2015. 

In the interview description, Roll asks the question: how does this guy have such an extraordinary life?—watch and learn. 

There are certain principles and perspectives Itzler shares that are nuggets of wisdom you can incorporate into your life. He tells many hilarious stories and gives insights into how he views life and the decisions that have improved his way of thinking.

Check out the interview; I’m sure you’ll pick up at least one useful tool from it.

Closing Prayer/Passage:

“Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.”

– Surah Ar-Ra’d (24)

In high school, I had my first exposure to the Muslim religion through one of my best friends. I didn’t have many deep thoughts at the time, but looking back, I’m grateful for this exposure. And I’m glad to have had examples of good people from all faiths in my life.

There are literal breakdowns of passages and prayers, but I enjoy the metaphorical examinations as well. For me, this passage speaks to the benefits of reflecting and responding vs. reacting. The final home is the excellence of peace. It isn’t something I always embody, but I continue to work on incorporating that mind state.

Have a blessed week ahead, and may you find peace in it!

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Muhammad Ali, Rock Me on the Water, Princess Mononoke, Brené Brown, and a Jewish Creation Prayer


Sunday Supplement #2 (May 23rd, 2021)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

I hope you take something from this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.”

– Muhammad Ali 

Book of the Week:

Rock Me on the Water – Ronald Brownstein

The subtitle of this book is 1974 — The Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Television, and Politics

The book is divided into twelve chapters as months of the year and recounts highlights from each month. Brownstein breaks down how musicians, television shows, movies, and political figures shaped the times and the future.

Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Tom Bradley, and Jane Fonda are some of the people highlighted in the music and political arena. All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Chinatown, and Shampoo (among others) are used as examples of TV shows and movies that challenged the previous standards and created a discussion of the current times.

Brownstein did a fantastic job capturing and describing a year in history that reshaped American life. The book is full of rich history and entertaining stories. It also has poignant examples of parallels to today’s times.

Movie of the Week:

Princess Mononoke 

If you haven’t heard of Studio Ghibli, there is a whole roster of beautiful Animated films for you to explore. An expert tribute to their movies is a quote from ex-Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Disney, John Lasseter— “Whenever we get stuck at Pixar or Disney, I put on a Miyazaki film sequence or two, just to get us inspired again.”

Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke tells the tale of Ashitaka as he searches to find the source of the curse put on him by a demon that attacked his village. His journey “to see with eyes unclouded by hate” brings him to the middle of a war between forest gods and a mining colony. 

The visuals are stunning, and like the majority of Studio Ghibli films, were mostly hand-drawn. Another one of the great attributes to their company is its strong female characters, which Princess Mononoke is a prime example of.

Both the English dubbed and subtitled versions are excellent. Author Neil Gaiman penned the English dialogue for the screenplay with approval from Miyazaki. And Studio Ghibli famously sent Harvey Weinstein an authentic Japanese sword with a note stating “no cuts” after he suggested edits for the film. 

Regardless of what version you choose to check out, you will experience a wonderful tale. 

* This is one of the more serious films on Studio Ghibli’s roster— the only one rated PG-13. There is some violence, but that shouldn’t detour any viewer. The messages of the movie are clear for all, and the film itself is brilliant.

Brainfood of the Week:

Russell Brand’s interview with Brené Brown on his podcast Under the Skin.

Russell Brand originally came to public notice as a comedian and an actor. While he continues to act, he has done a lot of work on self-improvement over the years and has delved into different arenas as a result. One of his ventures is a podcast where he interviews leaders and specialists across various fields.

Brené Brown is the guest on this episode. She is a 5x New York Times bestselling author and is an expert on vulnerability, courage, and empathy. Any of her books are worth checking out, as is her TED Talk, “The Power of Vulnerability.” In this interview, she and Russell have a great back and forth and discuss various topics, including perception, parenting, and communication. 

If the length of the episode detours you, check out the (20 min) TED Talk to get a feel for her and to see if you’d be interested in delving into more of her material.

Closing Prayer/Passage:

And God saw everything that He had made and found it very good.
And He said: This is a beautiful world that I have given you. Take good care of it; do not ruin it.
It is said: Before the world was created, the Holy One kept creating worlds and destroying them.
Finally, He created this one and was satisfied.
He said to Adam: This is the last world I shall make. I place it in your hands: hold it in trust.

– Jewish Creation Prayer

When I read this prayer, I think of the impact we all have on this Earth. It is a good reminder for me to be aware of my actions and how they can have a positive effect if I am conscious.

Have a blessed week ahead!

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Mark Twain, The Pleasures of Reading, Murder on the Orient Express, Mr. Money Mustache, and Matthew 22:39

Sunday Supplement #1 (May 16th, 2021)

This is my first blog post. In it, I will discuss a quote worth pondering, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

I hope you take something away from this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks and starting on the first one.”

– Mark Twain

Book of the Week:

The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction – Alan Jacobs

This book dismisses what has been referred to as the “right books” or “classic books” you should be reading. Jacobs gives an informative account of reading in America and delves into the many ways reading has been made into a dull affair. He then disarms this notion with the knowledge of how beneficial it is to read at whim, whether that is Harry Potter on repeat, Jane Austen, or comic books. His witty 162-page book about books helps remind any reader or former reader of the joy of reading a good book.

Reading Jacobs’s book helped me dismiss negative notions I had about what books I was reading. It also aided me in picking up a steady reading habit. I currently read a book a week on average. I mix it up between non-fiction and fiction, and I will provide recommendations for both in the future.

Movie of the Week:

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Murder on the Orient Express follows detective Hercule Poirot as he is tasked to solve a murder on the Orient Express train service. The train is stopped by heavy snowfall, and a body is found in a compartment the following morning. Poirot investigates his remaining fellow passengers to find out who the murderer is. 

The film is an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic novel helmed by Sidney Lumet. I love Lumet’s films, but I wondered if his movie would do my favorite Christie work justice. I read that the recent Branagh version wasn’t great, so I set my bar lower in case time wasn’t kind to the 1974 version. Thankfully, Lumet brought the story to life faithfully and wonderfully on the screen, and the age of the film helped make the look more realistic for the 1935 setting. 

In Lumet’s book Making Movies, he discusses a few interesting details about the production of this classic film. The all-star cast was full of movie and theatre heavyweights, including Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, Jacqueline Bisset, Michael York, and Vanessa Redgrave. Lumet revealed in his book that both the theater and film icons were in awe of each other and needed to be prompted by the director to speak up at the first reading.

Another great story relating to acting was the choice Ingrid Bergman made in regards to who she was going to play. Lumet wanted her to play Countess Andrenyi, but Bergman was adamant over the role of Greta. She went on to win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. That would be the only award the movie won at the 1975 Academy Awards, but with films like The Godfather: Part II and Chinatown in the mix, it had tough competition.

Although Murder on the Orient Express might not be the most remembered film from that year, it certainly is one worth watching. If you’re looking for an excellent classic mystery film, check it out!

Brainfood of the Week:

Tim Ferriss’s interview with Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache) on his podcast The Tim Ferriss Show.

Both Ferriss and Adeney are bloggers. Tim is famous for his “life hack” posts and interviewing many top performers across various industries. He also has six best-selling self-help books on various topics. Adeney runs a famous blog with a focus on tips and lifestyle advice to maximize your finances.

In the podcast interview, you learn about Adeney’s life going up, his early career in tech, and retiring at age 30. All of this is explained in further detail thanks to Tim’s insightful questioning and Adeney’s candid and meaningful answers.

The 2-hour interview is worth checking out and is perfect for listening to on a walk or the commute to work.

Closing Prayer/Passage:

Matthew 22:39 – Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

I wasn’t raised under any denomination, but I did go to Catholic school and a Jesuit high school and college. This passage always stuck with me throughout the years. 

In the past year, I was shown how this phrase indicates that you must love yourself to love your neighbor. If you don’t have love for yourself, you won’t have any to give.

Make sure you’re filling your cup first, so you are full and can give to others.

Have a blessed week ahead!

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