I hate the Oscars!
I'm very tired today because I spent the night on my sofa, watching the Oscars - and boy, was I first bored and then outraged! I mean, Ellen DeGeneres (sp?) did a good job as the host - the woman's got a kind of humour I like and she's - at least in my humble opinion - easy on the eyes. I like her "boyish" look. Actually her style of clothing is pretty much alike to mine though I'd probably done the "tuxedo thing" to the max - I would have worn a tie too.
Ellen DeGeneres was nice and I really liked Al Gore's appearance. It's wonderful to know that America starts to think about the environment too and that there is such a strong personality (and highly intelligent man) like Al Gore to lead the movement. As an European out of the "green generation" (yeah, I was there with a sunflower in my hand as the Germans started to protest against nuclear power) I only was a bit amused about the speech this lady gave. This generation can be proud to be the green one? Well, dearie, I have news for you: The first green generation is already becoming old and grey. What you're just promoted as the "new thing" is an old hat to most Europeans.
Yet the environment thing certainly wasn't my reason to watch the Oscars. And the entrance on the red carpet was it either though I was amused by it. The ladies - well, I really, really liked Helen Mirren's dress. She looked great and showed the world that a woman can become older and get wrinkles and nevertheless be a beauty. Other ladies in the meantime ... oh heavens! I think the worst dressed was this one:
She made me giggle because I own a blanket (it was a gift my mother got as she bought something else) just like this dress. I keep it in my closet in the stables - it's the spare anti-sweating blanket for our horses and only used when all others (which are all looking nicer) are wet.
And then - could perhaps someone tell me what's so great about Nicole Kidman?
In my opinion she looks like a beanpole with a bow and chive hair! And the lady next to her - I'm sorry, but her dress looks like a triumph of the dress maker over gravitation. What did she want to show? That she's able to tape her boobs for not losing the dress?
But what really, really got me was the thing with Peter O'Toole. I haven't seen "The Last King of Scotland", so I don't have an idea how good this Forest Whitaker was. Yet about one thing I'm convinced: When he's as good as they say, he will get another chance to win a Oscar while O'Toole - who certainly was damn good in "Venus" - will never have another one. He was for the eight time in his life let down - and I think it's a shame what the Academy did to him. Why nominate him if he is to be let down for an eight time? Why making the old man bother with a big pr tour and sitting through a boring show only for humiliating him again?
As I've said: I don't know how good this Forest Whitaker is (his speech in every case wasn't good, but embarassing. The "Oh, I'm so surprised, I can't find words" thing was badly acted - for heaven's sake, the guy has taken all the awards home this year, so his "surprise" can't have been so great! Besides he really sounded as if he'd be convinced that he and only he deserved to win. Helen Mirren had the grace to say that all her nominated colleagues would have deserved the Oscar too, but this Forest Whitaker obviously didn't think for one moment that he'd won over the great Peter O'Toole and that he should perhaps pay him at least a little bit of respect), but I know that O'Toole is one of the greatest actor alive and a living legend. He will - so he said already - never play a leading role again, so I think for his last one he would have deserved the feckin' Oscar! Eight times nominated, eight times lost - that's not fair to a man who gave us movies like "Lawrence of Arabia" (this Oscar he lost against Gregory Peck - and yes, Peck was great in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and so this lose of O'Toole is the one I can understand and live with), "Becket" (it should have been an Oscar for him and Richard Burton), "The Lion in Winter" (didn't he lose than against John Wayne? I'm not sure, but the idea of an actor like O'Toole losing against John Wayne who never was an actor, but only played himself is actually a joke), "Goodbye Mr Chips", "The Ruling Class", "My favorite year" and many, many more.
The only comfort I can find in this case: O'Toole is kind of "above" the Oscars. It doesn't need a competitive one for him to show the world how great an actor he is.
Although I was very tired this morning (I really hadn't slept more than two hours. I went to bed at 6:30 h after the feckin' Oscars, but two hours later the phone was ringing. A friend of mine wanted to rant about the Oscars too), I went to the stables where I was already expected. Robin stood on the threshold of his box, looking out for me and greeting me with a big whiny.
He was very eager to come out of his box. He could hardly wait for me to put him his holder on - he was really fidgeting. And then he was out with a big jump and me hanging on him with my heels in the ground and already nagging: "Robin - not so quick! Have you forgotten your manners?" (I must forgive him when he has. I trained him to come calmly and slowly out of his box. Yet Andy and the girls at the Birkhof find it "sweet" when he jumps out, therefore he probably really has forgotten what I taught him). Besides we didn't go to work immediately. He's still bare footed and because he was so often outdoors at the Birkhof, he'd got three hoofes frayed. The farrier was just there, so he was our first stop.
The welcome was nice: We came around the corner, Frank (the farrier) looked at Robin, smiled and said: "Boah - he looks great! What did you do with him?" I told him I did nothing, but he was at the Birkhof. "Ah, so - then Walter Steinsberger did his hoofs? Robin, let's see what the colleague did." I just raised his first hoof as Renate came around too - and immediately took over. "Let me do that - it's easier for me as for you!" That was very nice - for me and my back holding Robin's hoofs is always a bit much.
Luckily it only needed a few minutes before he was done (the farrier on the Birkhof did a good job) - and though he was so eager to move, he was a good boy. As a reward I ran down with him the circle - and he enjoyed it while I noticed that I'm really not very fit. I was already out of breath as we arrived and for a moment thinking: "It wasn't a good idea to run with him. I should have spared my breath for the work in the circle." Only I didn't need to "work" there. I let Robin lose - and then I stood in the midlle of the circle, leaning on the whip and watching, how my horse ran. Well mannered as he is he started with walk - big walk, eagerly forward. After a few minutes I called out to him: "Robin, trot!" Robin looked at me as if he'd want to say: "Sorry, mommy, trot just isn't what I need!" Then he bucked and started to gallop. The next three minutes I became almost dizzy. Something big, dark was flying around me - all muscles and power and almost losing his feeting in the corners. "Oh laaaa, ooooh laaaa, Robin! Calm down! Trooot!" He obeyed - and I was close to tears. I've of course known that Robin has great gaits, but I've never seen him like that before. He was totally "round": Head down, neck up, back up - and the longer he ran, the more he "presented" himself. The trot became bigger and bigger, the forelegs almost vertical in the air, the hindlegs going wide under his body, supporting most of his weight. It was a wonderful picture and I only was annoyed about me being such an idiot - I still can't handle the camera in my cell phone. I'd so have liked to take a few pictures of him!
There were times in the past when I really hated having watchers. When Robin was so though and I needed to drive him so much with the whip I always thought: "People must think me an animal torturer!" And when he was running with his head up and against his back and idiots like our second trainer "advised" me to get him "over his back" - I could have cried and yelled: "Show me how and I do, idiot!"
Today I absolutely didn't mind the audience though the first person who showed up was Viola - the lady who told me six weeks before that Robin would be "unridable" (she most know. She never rode him, she's a lousy rider, but she knows everything about horses). She watched for a few moments and then she called out to me: "He looks great! The Birkhof did a fine job!". I only nodded and smile. The next one was Philipp then (Mr "Robin isn't a horse for a formidable rider!"), watching him quite for a while and then saying: "I'm sure he jumps greatly! I mean, if you like I can prepare him for the show Andy's doing in autumn." Yeah, my dear Philipp - perhaps I'll take up your offer (and I won't remind you that he isn't a horse for a formidable rider like you ... for me and my modest demands it's enough that he's a horse for a probably less formidable rider as Thomas Casper. Only Thomas has won his share of big jumpings while dear Philipp just hopes to win his first middle class jumping). If Andy needs someone to ride Robin over a few obstacles I certainly will take up Philipp's offer because he's a fine rider - even if he sometimes talks a bit of bull*** (well, the boy is 15 years old. He's very adult for his age, but nevertheless - he's a boy).
Next one: Belli. She didn't say something, but stood there, smiling out of her beautiful green eyes. And as Robin stopped next to her, she cuddled him and said: "It's wonderful to see him like that! I'm so glad." It was a moment I could have hugged her (she wouldn't have liked it - she isn't much in cuddling humans. She rather cuddles horses). With her 18 years she's already great enough to admit that the Birkhof riders are doing better than she (well, they're professionals with some experience) and she's even happy that Andy has got him and loves him.
Renate watched for a moment standing in front of the stables and as I came back with Robin, she nodded: "Looks really good - they did a fine job!"
Robin got a big bowl full of carrots (Andy and I have decided that he won't get as much treats anymore because he's in such a great shape now and we want to keep him like that. But carrots luckily don't fatten up) and munched them happily while I cuddled him.
In the afternoon I was having a nap as the phone rang - Andy. A very excited Andy: "Oh, Max - he's sooooo great! We were out in the woods and then we did ground work - and you can't imagine how wonderful he was! He's the best and you know, he still loves groundwork and he was so happy and as we came in to the hall and started he looked at me as if he'd want to say 'Oh, great to be back with you - let's play!' And you know what: I only needed my little finger to get him through. He reacts to every little thing - he never was so sensitive before and he wants to learn and to move and in the woods - Max, it was amazing! There were a lot of trucks and guys with chain saws and he was looking and sometimes he even twichted, but he was so good and you know what? He wants to move! I even galloped him and there was a truck just on the middle of the way. I actually wanted to walk along with Robin, but he galloped - very slowly, totally collected, totally in control. And I felt all the time that he wants to move and that he enjoys himself!"
She swooned over him for almost five minutes - and announced that she'll do more ground work with him. "He's so much fun at the hand - and he loves it so much! I think that's my way of getting him."
After talking with her I called Thomas. We hadn't had an opportunity to talk at Saturday because he was so busy, but I wanted to thank him. But I first I joked: "Thomas, are you sure I've taken the right horse with me on Saturday? I mean, I got you a black horse with a little belly who was rather slow six weeks before and always went against his back. Now I've got a black-brown, very tender horse who loves to run and is always round." He laughed: "That's your Robin as he should be!" And he hopes to see him again in summer ("or whenever you need us - it was a pleasure to work with him") - with me on his back. "And in summer I'm not so busy as now anymore, so we can hack out together." I don't think we will - Thomas is always busy, but it's a very nice offer.
Only before we go to the Birkhof again, I must get in shape. So on Wednesday I'll ride Robin. Andy will be there and work him first because in the moment he's really too hot for me. But when she's done with him and he's warm and the first air is out, I'll take over. I'm so looking forward to it and I'm sure: We'll come together again and in summer we're up for hacking out on the Birkhof.
Ellen DeGeneres was nice and I really liked Al Gore's appearance. It's wonderful to know that America starts to think about the environment too and that there is such a strong personality (and highly intelligent man) like Al Gore to lead the movement. As an European out of the "green generation" (yeah, I was there with a sunflower in my hand as the Germans started to protest against nuclear power) I only was a bit amused about the speech this lady gave. This generation can be proud to be the green one? Well, dearie, I have news for you: The first green generation is already becoming old and grey. What you're just promoted as the "new thing" is an old hat to most Europeans.
Yet the environment thing certainly wasn't my reason to watch the Oscars. And the entrance on the red carpet was it either though I was amused by it. The ladies - well, I really, really liked Helen Mirren's dress. She looked great and showed the world that a woman can become older and get wrinkles and nevertheless be a beauty. Other ladies in the meantime ... oh heavens! I think the worst dressed was this one:
She made me giggle because I own a blanket (it was a gift my mother got as she bought something else) just like this dress. I keep it in my closet in the stables - it's the spare anti-sweating blanket for our horses and only used when all others (which are all looking nicer) are wet.
And then - could perhaps someone tell me what's so great about Nicole Kidman?
In my opinion she looks like a beanpole with a bow and chive hair! And the lady next to her - I'm sorry, but her dress looks like a triumph of the dress maker over gravitation. What did she want to show? That she's able to tape her boobs for not losing the dress?
But what really, really got me was the thing with Peter O'Toole. I haven't seen "The Last King of Scotland", so I don't have an idea how good this Forest Whitaker was. Yet about one thing I'm convinced: When he's as good as they say, he will get another chance to win a Oscar while O'Toole - who certainly was damn good in "Venus" - will never have another one. He was for the eight time in his life let down - and I think it's a shame what the Academy did to him. Why nominate him if he is to be let down for an eight time? Why making the old man bother with a big pr tour and sitting through a boring show only for humiliating him again?
As I've said: I don't know how good this Forest Whitaker is (his speech in every case wasn't good, but embarassing. The "Oh, I'm so surprised, I can't find words" thing was badly acted - for heaven's sake, the guy has taken all the awards home this year, so his "surprise" can't have been so great! Besides he really sounded as if he'd be convinced that he and only he deserved to win. Helen Mirren had the grace to say that all her nominated colleagues would have deserved the Oscar too, but this Forest Whitaker obviously didn't think for one moment that he'd won over the great Peter O'Toole and that he should perhaps pay him at least a little bit of respect), but I know that O'Toole is one of the greatest actor alive and a living legend. He will - so he said already - never play a leading role again, so I think for his last one he would have deserved the feckin' Oscar! Eight times nominated, eight times lost - that's not fair to a man who gave us movies like "Lawrence of Arabia" (this Oscar he lost against Gregory Peck - and yes, Peck was great in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and so this lose of O'Toole is the one I can understand and live with), "Becket" (it should have been an Oscar for him and Richard Burton), "The Lion in Winter" (didn't he lose than against John Wayne? I'm not sure, but the idea of an actor like O'Toole losing against John Wayne who never was an actor, but only played himself is actually a joke), "Goodbye Mr Chips", "The Ruling Class", "My favorite year" and many, many more.
The only comfort I can find in this case: O'Toole is kind of "above" the Oscars. It doesn't need a competitive one for him to show the world how great an actor he is.
Although I was very tired this morning (I really hadn't slept more than two hours. I went to bed at 6:30 h after the feckin' Oscars, but two hours later the phone was ringing. A friend of mine wanted to rant about the Oscars too), I went to the stables where I was already expected. Robin stood on the threshold of his box, looking out for me and greeting me with a big whiny.
He was very eager to come out of his box. He could hardly wait for me to put him his holder on - he was really fidgeting. And then he was out with a big jump and me hanging on him with my heels in the ground and already nagging: "Robin - not so quick! Have you forgotten your manners?" (I must forgive him when he has. I trained him to come calmly and slowly out of his box. Yet Andy and the girls at the Birkhof find it "sweet" when he jumps out, therefore he probably really has forgotten what I taught him). Besides we didn't go to work immediately. He's still bare footed and because he was so often outdoors at the Birkhof, he'd got three hoofes frayed. The farrier was just there, so he was our first stop.
The welcome was nice: We came around the corner, Frank (the farrier) looked at Robin, smiled and said: "Boah - he looks great! What did you do with him?" I told him I did nothing, but he was at the Birkhof. "Ah, so - then Walter Steinsberger did his hoofs? Robin, let's see what the colleague did." I just raised his first hoof as Renate came around too - and immediately took over. "Let me do that - it's easier for me as for you!" That was very nice - for me and my back holding Robin's hoofs is always a bit much.
Luckily it only needed a few minutes before he was done (the farrier on the Birkhof did a good job) - and though he was so eager to move, he was a good boy. As a reward I ran down with him the circle - and he enjoyed it while I noticed that I'm really not very fit. I was already out of breath as we arrived and for a moment thinking: "It wasn't a good idea to run with him. I should have spared my breath for the work in the circle." Only I didn't need to "work" there. I let Robin lose - and then I stood in the midlle of the circle, leaning on the whip and watching, how my horse ran. Well mannered as he is he started with walk - big walk, eagerly forward. After a few minutes I called out to him: "Robin, trot!" Robin looked at me as if he'd want to say: "Sorry, mommy, trot just isn't what I need!" Then he bucked and started to gallop. The next three minutes I became almost dizzy. Something big, dark was flying around me - all muscles and power and almost losing his feeting in the corners. "Oh laaaa, ooooh laaaa, Robin! Calm down! Trooot!" He obeyed - and I was close to tears. I've of course known that Robin has great gaits, but I've never seen him like that before. He was totally "round": Head down, neck up, back up - and the longer he ran, the more he "presented" himself. The trot became bigger and bigger, the forelegs almost vertical in the air, the hindlegs going wide under his body, supporting most of his weight. It was a wonderful picture and I only was annoyed about me being such an idiot - I still can't handle the camera in my cell phone. I'd so have liked to take a few pictures of him!
There were times in the past when I really hated having watchers. When Robin was so though and I needed to drive him so much with the whip I always thought: "People must think me an animal torturer!" And when he was running with his head up and against his back and idiots like our second trainer "advised" me to get him "over his back" - I could have cried and yelled: "Show me how and I do, idiot!"
Today I absolutely didn't mind the audience though the first person who showed up was Viola - the lady who told me six weeks before that Robin would be "unridable" (she most know. She never rode him, she's a lousy rider, but she knows everything about horses). She watched for a few moments and then she called out to me: "He looks great! The Birkhof did a fine job!". I only nodded and smile. The next one was Philipp then (Mr "Robin isn't a horse for a formidable rider!"), watching him quite for a while and then saying: "I'm sure he jumps greatly! I mean, if you like I can prepare him for the show Andy's doing in autumn." Yeah, my dear Philipp - perhaps I'll take up your offer (and I won't remind you that he isn't a horse for a formidable rider like you ... for me and my modest demands it's enough that he's a horse for a probably less formidable rider as Thomas Casper. Only Thomas has won his share of big jumpings while dear Philipp just hopes to win his first middle class jumping). If Andy needs someone to ride Robin over a few obstacles I certainly will take up Philipp's offer because he's a fine rider - even if he sometimes talks a bit of bull*** (well, the boy is 15 years old. He's very adult for his age, but nevertheless - he's a boy).
Next one: Belli. She didn't say something, but stood there, smiling out of her beautiful green eyes. And as Robin stopped next to her, she cuddled him and said: "It's wonderful to see him like that! I'm so glad." It was a moment I could have hugged her (she wouldn't have liked it - she isn't much in cuddling humans. She rather cuddles horses). With her 18 years she's already great enough to admit that the Birkhof riders are doing better than she (well, they're professionals with some experience) and she's even happy that Andy has got him and loves him.
Renate watched for a moment standing in front of the stables and as I came back with Robin, she nodded: "Looks really good - they did a fine job!"
Robin got a big bowl full of carrots (Andy and I have decided that he won't get as much treats anymore because he's in such a great shape now and we want to keep him like that. But carrots luckily don't fatten up) and munched them happily while I cuddled him.
In the afternoon I was having a nap as the phone rang - Andy. A very excited Andy: "Oh, Max - he's sooooo great! We were out in the woods and then we did ground work - and you can't imagine how wonderful he was! He's the best and you know, he still loves groundwork and he was so happy and as we came in to the hall and started he looked at me as if he'd want to say 'Oh, great to be back with you - let's play!' And you know what: I only needed my little finger to get him through. He reacts to every little thing - he never was so sensitive before and he wants to learn and to move and in the woods - Max, it was amazing! There were a lot of trucks and guys with chain saws and he was looking and sometimes he even twichted, but he was so good and you know what? He wants to move! I even galloped him and there was a truck just on the middle of the way. I actually wanted to walk along with Robin, but he galloped - very slowly, totally collected, totally in control. And I felt all the time that he wants to move and that he enjoys himself!"
She swooned over him for almost five minutes - and announced that she'll do more ground work with him. "He's so much fun at the hand - and he loves it so much! I think that's my way of getting him."
After talking with her I called Thomas. We hadn't had an opportunity to talk at Saturday because he was so busy, but I wanted to thank him. But I first I joked: "Thomas, are you sure I've taken the right horse with me on Saturday? I mean, I got you a black horse with a little belly who was rather slow six weeks before and always went against his back. Now I've got a black-brown, very tender horse who loves to run and is always round." He laughed: "That's your Robin as he should be!" And he hopes to see him again in summer ("or whenever you need us - it was a pleasure to work with him") - with me on his back. "And in summer I'm not so busy as now anymore, so we can hack out together." I don't think we will - Thomas is always busy, but it's a very nice offer.
Only before we go to the Birkhof again, I must get in shape. So on Wednesday I'll ride Robin. Andy will be there and work him first because in the moment he's really too hot for me. But when she's done with him and he's warm and the first air is out, I'll take over. I'm so looking forward to it and I'm sure: We'll come together again and in summer we're up for hacking out on the Birkhof.