9-7, Friday

Lunch With Marian

We had originally planned to have lunch together but exogenous events intervened. After the cable came guy to figure out why my cable modem was intermittently going on the fritz, I headed out to lunch before discussing my work schedule with my new employer. But before I was to go over I stopped for lunch at one of my favorite Asian-fusion restaurants in the area. Who should be in there but Marian with two of her workmates having a girls’ lunch. I discretely sat by myself so I wouldn’t disturb them with my male ways but Marian spotted me and invited me over. A nice time but my appearance interfered with the character of their lunch. But everyone seemed gracious. And I enjoyed myself.

Employment Paperwork

It has been a long time since I’ve had a new job (1975?????) so I was a little surprised at the amount of paperwork necessary for employment, including a tripartite form from the Department of Homeland Security requiring me to confirm that I indeed was eligible to work legally in the United States. I must have written my social security number down at least 30 times.

The Assessment staff is affable and seems to be easy to get along with. The manager speculates I’ll be able to start the week of 9/17 and work about 30 hours/week. Perfect.

3:10 To Yuma

This afternoon we saw the remake of 3:10 To Yuma. Sensibilities certainly have changed since the original was filmed 50 years ago. The latest version uses a shakier camera, more close-ups, no panorama shots taking in the gorgeous landscape of the southwest, a personal crisis focused specifically on the relationship between Dan Evans and his son rather than Evans and his wife. The movie becomes a rite of passage for both the father and son — the father to reestablish control over his own life and the son to see his father’s image as a capable man restored and to demonstrate his own warrior credentials.

The original was the prototypical late 50’s western. In black and white, fixed camera shots in deep focus, virtually no close-up shots of actors, rather the actors within the perspective of the west. The Evans character in the original, played by Van Heflin, is heroically trying to save his home after a devastating drought and does not suffer through existential doubt as does Christian Bale in the re-make.

In both the Ben Wade character is pretty much the same. Glenn Ford always was a splendid bad guy but a bland good guy. His Wade is impishly evil but does not exude the commanding presence and intelligence of Russel Crowe’s Wade. Both Wade characters respect Evans but the new Wade participates much more actively in the trip to the train.