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What one thing...
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:14 pm
by MomH
If money and time were not an issue -- what is the one thing you would like to do most in your life.
I would rent a large motor home and driver, gather up my two youngest (oldest is going into the service soon) grandchildren, and wander the US for a summer seeing all those wonderful places America has to offer. We would go where we liked, stop when we wanted, see natural wonders, historical sites, beautiful beaches, lakes, rivers and waterfalls, and enjoy each other. The motor home would, of course, be equipped with a computer with wireless internet hookup (can't do without S2K) and TV for the kids. We would take lots of books, marshmallows, hot dogs, T-bone steaks, and peanut butter, my art supplies and digital cameras for all.
Sounds like heaven to me. 
What ONE THING would you do?
MomH
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:16 pm
by kmanWX
All the things above and than some!
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:22 pm
by GalvestonDuck
At one time, there were two things.
First and foremost -- Work with Patty Duke and/or Tom Hanks on a movie.
The other thing -- well, that's been done now.
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 10:24 pm
by azskyman
If time and money were not a consideration, I think I would drop off to a part time commitment at work and write one of the three books I have in mind. Two are fact-based non-fiction but would be so much fun to pull all the information together. They would both require a great camera, time to travel and gain the knowledge and stories of real folks like you and me.
The third is fiction...and in part based on characters here and there I have come in contact with over the years...but with a twist of mystery and drama.
And if time and money were not a consideration, I'd like to go back to Thai Thong Elementary School in Nha Trang, Vietnam, if it still exists and sit among the staff and children there and talk of the days I spent there with teachers and kids back in 1970...
...and sit and ponder the banana trees and that past that surrounded the playground there.
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 10:28 pm
by streetsoldier
Sign on as a military consultant for a WW II film (German side)...God knows the authenticity in most of those flicks is sadly lacking.
Besides, I could use the $$$$.
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 10:46 pm
by CentralFlGal
I'd take up spelunking as a hobby!
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 10:57 pm
by CentralFlGal
streetsoldier wrote:Sign on as a military consultant for a WW II film (German side)...God knows the authenticity in most of those flicks is sadly lacking.
Besides, I could use the $$$$.
I can't speak for the quality of presentation in this movie, but you just reminded me to check Amazon for this film (I've been trying to get a copy for 4 months):
http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&cf=info&id=1808642134Downfall (Der Untergang) (2005)
In the dead of a November night in 1942, SS officers through the woods escort a group of young women to Wolf's Lair, Hitler's headquarters in Eastern Prussia. They are candidates for the post of personal secretary to the Fuehrer. Among them is 22-year-old Traudl Junge, a fresh-faced girl from Munich. Traudl is chosen for the job and she is overcome with joy at the thought of serving beside her Fuehrer. BERLIN, APRIL 20, 1945: Hitler has retreated to a bunker system under the German Chancellery. Traudl Junge is asleep in her room, deep beneath the ground. She is awakened by tremors from artillery fire. The enemy is getting closer. Charting the last 10 days of Hitler's life, from his 56th birthday on April 20th, 1945 to his suicide on April 30th, the film uses multiple characters to show the chaos of a country coming apart at the seams, from Hitler's henchman under the streets of Berlin, to the soldiers and civilians fighting and dying as the Soviet Army ravaged the ! city above.
Genres: Art/Foreign and Drama
Running Time: 2 hrs. 34 min.
Release Date: February 18th, 2005 (limited).
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence, disturbing images and some nudity.
Distributor: Newmarket Films
http://www.der-untergang.de/fuehrerbunker.php3*Edited to include: Finally, a release date at Amazon!
Downfall
List Price: $29.95
Price: $20.96 and eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details.
You Save: $8.99 (30%)
Availability: This item will be released on August 2, 2005. You may order it now and we will ship it to you when it arrives.
Putting my pre-order in now.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009RCPUC/002-6293416-6544044?v=glance
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 10:59 pm
by CajunMama
I'd love to spend just one afternoon with a best friend i've lost touch with. She lives in the sacramento area but she's remarried and i have no clue what her last name was. I just loved her like the sister i never had. We were supposed to have met up when i was in san francisco back in 1990 but she made up an excuse not to come in. She divorced that husband since...i have a feeling it was an abusive relationship. Oh...just to spend an afternoon with Erin.
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 12:24 am
by streetsoldier
CentralFlGal wrote:streetsoldier wrote:Sign on as a military consultant for a WW II film (German side)...God knows the authenticity in most of those flicks is sadly lacking.
Besides, I could use the $$$$.
I can't speak for the quality of presentation in this movie, but you just reminded me to check Amazon for this film (I've been trying to get a copy for 4 months):
http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&cf=info&id=1808642134Downfall (Der Untergang) (2005)
In the dead of a November night in 1942, SS officers through the woods escort a group of young women to Wolf's Lair, Hitler's headquarters in Eastern Prussia. They are candidates for the post of personal secretary to the Fuehrer. Among them is 22-year-old Traudl Junge, a fresh-faced girl from Munich. Traudl is chosen for the job and she is overcome with joy at the thought of serving beside her Fuehrer. BERLIN, APRIL 20, 1945: Hitler has retreated to a bunker system under the German Chancellery. Traudl Junge is asleep in her room, deep beneath the ground. She is awakened by tremors from artillery fire. The enemy is getting closer. Charting the last 10 days of Hitler's life, from his 56th birthday on April 20th, 1945 to his suicide on April 30th, the film uses multiple characters to show the chaos of a country coming apart at the seams, from Hitler's henchman under the streets of Berlin, to the soldiers and civilians fighting and dying as the Soviet Army ravaged the ! city above.
Genres: Art/Foreign and Drama
Running Time: 2 hrs. 34 min.
Release Date: February 18th, 2005 (limited).
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence, disturbing images and some nudity.
Distributor: Newmarket Films
http://www.der-untergang.de/fuehrerbunker.php3*Edited to include: Finally, a release date at Amazon!
Downfall
List Price: $29.95
Price: $20.96 and eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details.
You Save: $8.99 (30%)
Availability: This item will be released on August 2, 2005. You may order it now and we will ship it to you when it arrives.
Putting my pre-order in now.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009RCPUC/002-6293416-6544044?v=glance
There are SO many things to consider; the ability to
"read" German ranks by collar tab or shoulderboard, ditto with cufftitles (would this man actually have BEEN in the bunker at that time?)...knowing the intricate pecking order within Hitler's circle, etc., etc.
I've spent a lifetime doing just that...but I'm equally at home with Normans, Crusaders, Moors,
Landsknecht mercenaries, H.M.'s Foot of the Line, "Johnny Reb" and "Billy Yank"...all the way back to Sumer/Akkad, and all the way forward to tomorrow.
Those around me ask ME to "review" movies with soldiers or warriors, whatever age they are supposed to be within...I have found VERY few to live up to historical expectations. ONE stands out...
The War Lord, with Charlton Heston, Richard Boone and Rosemary Forsyth.
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 12:45 am
by Swimdude
This will probably sound odd coming from someone my age... But even if I had all the money in the world, i'd like to have a normal, civilized family. A wife whom I love, and kids who love me. And if I had ALL that money, i'd make sure my family didn't live a spoiled life.
In other words, if I had every cent in the world, I would want to be no more than a good father.
=)
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:02 am
by CentralFlGal
streetsoldier wrote:There are SO many things to consider; the ability to "read" German ranks by collar tab or shoulderboard, ditto with cufftitles (would this man actually have BEEN in the bunker at that time?)...knowing the intricate pecking order within Hitler's circle, etc., etc.
I've spent a lifetime doing just that...but I'm equally at home with Normans, Crusaders, Moors, Landsknecht mercenaries, H.M.'s Foot of the Line, "Johnny Reb" and "Billy Yank"...all the way back to Sumer/Akkad, and all the way forward to tomorrow.
Those around me ask ME to "review" movies with soldiers or warriors, whatever age they are supposed to be within...I have found VERY few to live up to historical expectations. ONE stands out...The War Lord, with Charlton Heston, Richard Boone and Rosemary Forsyth.
Keep talking like that and I'll have to fly you down here to watch it with us!
The film was produced by a German (unscathed by base Hollywood interests), so we'll see how it goes.
In one customer review somewhere on the 'net, there was some curiosity about the instrument panel in the bunker (possibly more modern-looking). So far, that's the only gripe I've encountered. Everything else has read "authentic" "closest to reality", etc.
Haven't heard much about Der Untergang here in the States; I'm guessing it has to do with the subject material. I would have loved to have experienced this in a theater first, but I guess gratuitous boobs and blood are generally less offensive to moviegoers than history is.
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:03 am
by CentralFlGal
Apologies to MomH for the thread veering just a little off-course!
I'm still going to be a spelunker when I hit the lottery!
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:40 am
by azskyman
Swimdude....I hope your dream comes true. For your wife, your kids,
AND for you!
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:13 am
by Miss Mary
Well if money or time wasn't a concern, then I would take my entire family to Hawaii and visit as many islands as we could. We had a trip planned in 99 but I got diagnosed with cancer. And had to cancel it. Somehow that money went for other things, hospital/doc bills, etc. It just went.....so that is the one thing that popped in my head - Hawaii. We still talk about it and wonder if it will ever happen.
Mary
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:52 am
by gtalum
Buy a ~50' sailboat and sail around the world with my wife for a few years.
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:54 am
by gtalum
CentralFlGal wrote:Haven't heard much about Der Untergang here in the States; I'm guessing it has to do with the subject material. I would have loved to have experienced this in a theater first, but I guess gratuitous boobs and blood are generally less offensive to moviegoers than history is.
It's soon to be available, with the english title of "Downfall". It's in my Netflix queue. It's due to be released on DVD August 2.
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:24 pm
by Miss Mary
gtalum wrote:Buy a ~50' sailboat and sail around the world with my wife for a few years.
That's kind of my husband's plan too, if we had the money, he was retired and our kids were grown, having graduated from college and moved out. Trouble is he may have to load me up on Dramamine!!! I get seasick and I'm not really into swimming. But he says it would be a wonderful way to see the world or parts of it, laid back, care free. This is a pipe dream though....
Mary
Re: What one thing...
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:54 pm
by Kim_in_MN
MomH wrote:What ONE THING would you do?
MomH
I would go back to being a full-time stay at home mom. While I am working on getting my income from home to the level that will allow that I still have to work outside the home 4-5 days a week (depending on how busy we are at work LOL). I miss being there when my kids get home, and it seems like there is never enough time to get all of the stuff I need to do at home done when I get home from work.
Kim
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:08 am
by GalvestonDuck
Duh! Need to correct my answer. The one thing I'd really, really, really like to do (that I would most likely never get a chance to do) --
Fly (and land) in one of these babies!!!
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:11 am
by Miss Mary
Wow, Shawn - that is very brave of you!!! You'd have to drug and strap me into one of those things....he he. But maybe in your lifetime you'll get to board one....you never know.
Mary