Hello Beautiful Souls ♥️
Hope finding life interesting despite all odds around the world!
I often think about the days of innocence that I lived not long ago. I think it’s just hardly three decades ago when world was peaceful place as compared to today. I mean don’t you feel that certain desperation , ruthlessness and selfishness have been rapidly growing recently?
I know that world was never a utopian place ever since it’s been created. But things were not that bad,specially before the arrival of media and internet. Like everything is made in pair knowledge comes with price of depression,anxiety and constant stress over what is happening and what can happen next . When look carefully it seems so obvious that few power seeking individuals are pushing the world to the edge of destruction!
Anyway I was thinking about days of innocence. Actually hubby and me watch an interview show regularly,one episode daily while having our morning tea. The guest actor was answering why new movies are not being made in Pakistan anymore. Specially when our country had fair and very successful history of creating beautiful and great movies rich in cultural flavours and moral values.The golden age of Pakistani movies is considered from 1960 to 1980. The guest replied that the downfall of success ratio accrued when basic way of entertainment available to the masses was snatched away by capitalism. The old cinema building were demolished or converted into something else. Those cinemas were easier and cheapest source for the public to escape the physical and mental hurdles of reality struggles . The new movie theatre were built in the other highly maintained locations called cineplex situated in shopping malls. Such places are great attractions for rich to show off but are simply beyond the approach of common people specially the labourers and those working on daily wages. This was heartbreaking change for those who were deeply attached to this mode of entertainment since years . This shift hurt the self confidence and self esteem of a common man. He felt that he was unable to provide his family a simple way of pleasure and enjoyment!
Today only some can take advantage of cineplexes that are few and in big cities only. Filmmakers spend so much on making and marketing but loosing main audience is stopping them from making new movies.
Hubby and me have talked on this topic many times before, specially when we go to cinema in Islamabad and watch movie. It makes me feel sad because I remember that not much longtime ago I also once was among those people who would enjoyed going cheap cinema on regular basis for long. Yes as I mentioned many times that I belonged to lower middle class family but luckily my parents and hubby’s as well fond of cinema. Both families were neighbours for few years . I was little girl then ,according to hubby less than six maybe. My parents and his parents both loved watching films. And because it was only way to enjoy after hectic day so it was a regular routine after dinner to watch movie together .Even this small city had three cinemas can you believe. Our families would repeat the movie if all three movies in different places were watched. These are the memories told by hubby. When we moved to our native village my parents visited hubby’s family once or twice a year. So in my memory chest I too have very shiny pearls when we would stay here for a month or two during summer holidays ( my mom hated increasing heat afterwards but she said back then heat was bearable so she wouldn’t mind to stay for a while)
We would spend days in playing with girl cousins but evenings would bring lots of vibration of family get together and outing adventure of movie watch. We children feel so excited about our coming adventure. Elders would get busy in choosing what to wear.Dinner was made and served before 8pm and everybody was dressed up and ready to go for theatre.That joy and excitement was something so priceless I miss today. It makes me think how important is being carefree attitude in life and having days of innocence when our minds were pure and quiet,no noise of worries or unrest in emotions because thousands of crazy things to deal with.
I wonder if you all or few friends have witnessed similar or any other kind of such sad transition ?
Thanks for bearing with me dear friends π₯°π
Health Peace and Happiness to you all and to all you love π₯°♥️π
It's completely understandable to feel that growing sense of desperation and ruthlessness in the world today, isn't it? It's a sad truth that more knowledge can bring constant stress. That specific transition you described, the loss of affordable, local cinemas and their replacement with expensive cineplexes, is a heartbreaking example of how capitalism can snatch away a simple source of joy from the common person.
ReplyDeleteYour husband's memories and your own childhood trips to the cinema sound so precious, a true adventure where the joy and excitement were priceless, a real pearl in your memory chest. It perfectly illustrates how important that carefree attitude and those days of innocence are to human happiness. I certainly agree that many industries, like local shops and small farms, have faced a similar sad transition. Thank you for sharing such a profound observation, I hope you find some peace today.
Dear Melody heartfelt thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic π₯°
DeleteI want to add that feels like capitalism has set the world on fire , people attached to capitalism have changed the world with their ever growing lust of money and sadly for worst. They have started to invent “ human needs “ endlessly with irresistible ideas to trap us all in dark web of false desires.
Our slavery to these injected desires is their service and we all know it. Targeting certain weak points of Human psychology is biggest achievement they have made.
Even the world is facing wars here and there only because weapons owners can be more rich can you imagine how below such people can fall
Hugs and best wishes π₯°
Movies were really part of your lives. When I was young in the UK there were movie houses all over. My aunts used to go twice a week, because the program changed that often.
ReplyDeleteDear Boud those were amazing times aren’t they π₯Ή♥️
ReplyDeleteSuch great memories, Baili. So much has changed for many families. I fear we are on the brink of extraordinary change as AI is developing. Such a sad loss!
ReplyDeleteI agree dear Marie,you have used just perfect words here .yes world is stranger and dark place for families who have lived happier times together here not just long ago.
DeleteI so loved how you enjoyed the visit of your brother’s family lately and freshen up so many old memories together with chats and sweet picnics π€♥️
The world is a particularly horrible place these days because so much stability and predictability have been lost and replaced with chaos and uncertainty. The worst people seem to be in charge.
ReplyDeleteWisely said dear Debra , what I feel is missed is peace of mind that people had because they were in position to think calmly, act smoothly and have faith in justified results of their actions which seems impossible because everything seems to go crazy and rapidly changing for bad . It has left not in one’s hand to stay happy because he has not done anything wrong but circumstances around are pushing him towards the negativity which is not his fault at all.
DeleteTreasure old memories.
ReplyDeleteπ₯Ή
DeleteI too see the breakdown. There is so much hatred in the world and it seems to be getting worse. I do not believe that capitalists are the only greedy ones controlling the world's wealth. Controlling wealth is what is used to keep us subsrvient. Hatred is used to keep us apart so that we have no way to successfully free ourselves from relying on the wealthy. We need to love. That makes us strong.
ReplyDeleteDear Emma you nailed it perfectly π
DeleteNo matter how hard we try to keep focusing on positive side of the life .it seems too difficult to avoid how powerful is toying with people only to achieve his target. I keep wondering whether it can stop at some point in future or as I see things will remain same because this is the pattern of game we are stuck in
I have to say that Melody summed it up perfectly. Memories of the movies. My dad, as a part time second job, delivered the movie canisters to all of the drive inns in our town. We got to see all the movies free. It was so much fun in those days.
ReplyDeleteDear Nichole now you have made me feel little envious here π
DeleteWow that was quite a privilege your family had back in old days π€π♥️
What a lovely remembrance!
ReplyDeleteThanks dear Kathyπ₯°
DeleteI recognize your stress, when something could or should be happy , it is sadder. Globalization has speeded things up.
ReplyDeleteLovely memories you have of times gone by, Baili. Seems good times were had by everyone until people changed it all, progress they call it from people who think they know best.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have a movie theater here in our city called the Tatler, 1 hour movies back then and you could pop in anytime of the day or evening and fill in an hour - all gone but they were the good old day.
I really appreciate your honesty and understanding of this issue dear Margaret π♥️
DeleteI so agree that our excitement to invent mindlessly has created so much mess .no doubt greed is the biggest reason behind such tragedy.
We learned to preserve heritage and our history but totally forgot to keep our valuable traditions in which people cherished each other and celebrated everything with deep sense of togetherness. New technology has informed the people well but stolen their creativity and ability to socialise like they used to do earlier.
The one hour cinema sounds very new thing to me my friend because all the movies we have watched until now are not less than two hours or more .
Yes they were good old days and I feel really blessed to have them in mind π₯Ή♥️
As a child I went to the cinema every saturday to see films put on during the morning for kids, it cost a few pencce so everyone could afford, was wonderful, safer in those days so kids didn't need a chaperone like they do now. Those times will never return although the cinema thrives in the UK - there are still sessions like this for kids but the joy and excitement kids used to feel and the build up of anticipation for that Saturday morning are missing, because kids are saturated with technology (films/tv at home, computer games, social media, etc). Betty
ReplyDeleteDear Betty I am shocked how I missed seeing your comment!
DeleteHeartfelt thanks for letting us know how beautiful and wonderful was your childhood experience to watch movies in cinema π€π₯°
The genuine happiness comes from simplicity I believe and those old days had that simplicity in abundance π€
I totally agree that children of this generation are far mature than we used to be. That was actual childhood and now what we see is smartness,intelligence,sharpness but hardly any childhood innocence where a little thing can make you feel wonder excitement and happiness π₯Ή
I feel bit sad that we snatched that innocence from the children of new age and gave them complex and tough life to experience.hugs
Dear Red you are so write, I personally believe that to be genuinely happy people don’t need much but as their needs are growing faster life is getting complicated and far far away from it’s natural beauty and peace. Nature works in certain ways slowly and smoothly,when we are getting away from nature and breaking her laws .She is taking away our natural gifts of wisdom ,love and inner peace π₯Ήπ₯°π
ReplyDeleteHi Baili it was nice to hear of your very fond memories of outings to the movies and the family time that went with it. It brought back memories of how when I was quite young my parents used to send me and my siblings to the movies every Saturday afternoon. They thought that movies were good entertainment for us children but they didn't come with us. We had fun going to the movies which in the afternoons was geared towards children's interests. Mom would give us enough money for admission and also the money to have snacks. It was fun and something innocent and simple. I was looking at movie prices in the Cineplex as you say. I wanted to see a movie a few days ago but even for seniors it was well over $20. which in Pakistani rupees is over 4000. That's a lot. This is actually more than the standard price for seniors due to some extra special loud effects or other kinds of effects which I really don't need. I'll wait until cheaper day which are usually on Tuesdays for something called 'standard'. Going to the movies has certainly gotten a lot more complicated.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for sharing your beautiful childhood memories with us dear Joyfulπ₯°
DeleteI loved how your parents encouraged you watch movies on Saturday afternoon π€ here it was rare that parents would take children along to the movies. But thankfully mine were exception like many others who wouldn’t mind their children watch movies. I think the movies you were recommended to watch were specifically for children? Here we had no children movies at all. So some parents letting their children watch movies with them was quite a privilege. It’s because despite we have strict rules and conservative beliefs our movies were made for adults “above 18” and had little romance and romantic songs included. Yet my parents allowed us to watch movies since little age only because they had faith in their upbringing and I feel grateful for that π₯Ή
Your mother was very sweet and considerate to give you some money as well so you can enjoy your show fully π€π
Your comment reveals how things changed on your side too. Thank you for sharing again, I really feel bad for those who can’t approach this facility anymore. It’s true that smart tv has solved the issue to some extent but going to cinema together was fun from other level honestly π₯°
Here we bought our recent film tickets in 2000 per head which is very costly specially if you have big family ☹️
I think my parents were more open minded than many as I don't recall too many other children I knew, including relatives who were able to go to the movies so often and especially without their parents. But the shows on Saturday afternoon were specifically for children to attend. I don't remember too many of the titles but I guess you would say they were 'family' shows. For example, I remember seeing one James Bond movie with Roger Moore and another movie was starring Elvis Presley. The only other one I can remember was Pink Panther with Peter Sellers. Yes, I feel fortunate to have had the experience because other than playing with friends there wasn't much to do in our small town on Saturdays.
DeleteYour parents were very open minded and understanding to let you go to the movie with them. I see that movies there are quite expensive nowadays too. I guess for the North American movies the actors are all paid very well and the movies are full of so many effects and shot in many exotic locations around the world. It all costs a lot of money which is now reflected in the ticket prices. However I see that the cinemas are struggling. People are not going to movies as often any more due to the very high costs of tickets and snacks. They can also just rent the same movies and watch on their smart TVs. times have certainly changed.
Precious friend Joyful π₯°
DeleteMany thanks for your additional supportive words to my postπ
It really means lots to me π₯Ή
Having sensible and understanding people as parents is truly a blessing dear Joyful,being from little village of 33 houses totally I feel utterly grateful for having wise parents who knew the importance of education and a balanced amount of freedom to their children. If my mother wasn’t a brave and dedicated mother we would have had lived our lives ignorantly without learning so much about life ,it’s reality and everything else π₯Ή
You indeed are a lucky person to have wise and supportive parents as child π₯°π
Like you I too can’t remember anyone around who had such bright mindset towards their children specially back in our village. Though here hubby’s family lived in a city so they were broad minded thankfully enough to not stop children from watching movies.
I remember watching movies and shows you mentioned here ,my parents father particularly and husband both enjoyed James Bond movies a lot!
I agree that film making costs huge money and it’s also a reason behind high ticket prices. But what I really don’t get that why simple cinema buildings are not allowed to exist so people with low income which is more in numbers throughout the world can afford to buy a space for a while to enjoy and feel good π₯Ή
When I was a young child, my hometown city in NJ had 3 movie theaters and I can recall going to them a few times. But by my early teens, all had closed down most likely for economic reasons as a couple of major stores had also closed. Shen shopping malls became popular, most had movie theaters, and still do, so as a young adult that’s where I went to watch a film. My family never went together, so you are fortunate to have the memories of yours going to films. Now, my husband and I rarely go together movies with some exceptions like the final Downton Abbey film that we saw a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteHeartfelt thanks for you shared your personal experience dear Dorothy π₯°
DeleteThis sounds sad how familiar things disappear with time ☹️ as you said you have gone to old theatres to watch movies so I might have missed them for a while.we still miss them badly because we don’t have any cinema here since one and a half decade can you imagine. We are hearing since many years that a cineplex is under construction but no clue where and when it will be available. We wait for our visit to Islamabad for going to cinema π
Seems like tradition of replacing old cinema with cineplexes started in western countries and America first like everything else mostly. This is nice that you and Patrick go to watch movie though rarely. As I know you have more interest in travelling which seems more meaningful hobby no doubt π€π
Oh, I don't go to the movies like I used too, either. It's so expensive these days here. Snacks are crazy expensive at the theater, too. And of course, the worries of strange happenings put me off as well. Back in the day at the movie theaters back in TEXAS, one would sit through a Mexican movie first (we lived near a border town) and they were quite adventurous ones which influence Hispanic director Rodrigues with many of his movies) but it was the Disney ones we would go to with other families who would bring the best popcorn. Unfortunately, many of the old movie houses in small towns have decayed. Some are still refurbished and offer indie movies which is great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the memorable post. I hope you are staying well and having good weather.
Big thanks for your detailed response dear Ellie π₯°
DeleteYes inflation has affected our lives badly everywhereπ
The snacks and coffee are two hundred times expensive in malls than other places and we mostly avoid to have unless kids buy something for them.
From your description of present cinema condition in your area I assume that there are no cineplex until now and therefore people still can watch movies on affordable price .it sounds nice actually.
Our weather is loosing heat slowly which means least sweat only in kitchen time or when you have to walk in sunlight.if stay inside weather is pleasant by the grace of Godππ₯°
Best wishes ♥️π
A lovely remembrance.
ReplyDeleteThanks dear Linda π₯°
ReplyDeleteThings are forever changing and evolving ... sometimes not always for the best but our memories of good times and bad are important and they should be shared.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Siempre es bueno recordar con cariΓ±o y amor nuestro pasado y apreciar todos los momentos de nuestra vida.
ReplyDeleteBlog de Bea- recomendaciones, animes, juegos & mΓ‘s!.
Baili, I am sorry to see that the above spam comment is apparently making the rounds as it was left on my blog as well. I reported it to blogger and hopefully others have done the same. My suggestion is to report as spam and delete it.
ReplyDeleteOh sorry to see this late dear Dorothy,very busy these days here ,I am going to delete it now π
DeleteIt's a sad topic. Nevertheless, I read about it and think it's really important that it's being written about. Like here in your blog.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I don't have a solution, but I think — no, I'm convinced —that it starts on the smallest scale, whether people get along with each other or not.
Dear Erica π₯°
DeleteHeartfelt thanks for your sweet visit and beautiful words π
I really appreciate it ♥️
I agree that it hurts a lot when certain changes in environment become an obvious reason for others to feel low and bad π₯Ή such transformation should not be made that bring negative restrictions to common people and block their access to basic right of enjoying little things in life☹️
I also want to add that yess I too believe that there are countless little things that can be first step for people to enjoy each other’s company. But it’s also very true and important that a “wish” to make it possible must be exist in our hearts to do so. If such wish is planted in us deeply people can find a way to be together otherwise distractions are numerous and blaming them is easier thing to do
I really enjoyed reading about the older days when families would go to the movies. I love reading about your family memories. So sweet to read. Yes I see it all the time here in California. One of the craziest things is the amount of new homes and condos being built in every city. Right now - in an area called Silverwood lake, which is down the back side of our mountains to another somewhat mountainous or high desert area, they are building basically I believe I read 300 new homes...this is happening all over and yet California has never figured out how to save its' rain water from flowing into the ocean so there is always the thing that "Oh my California is in a drought again. Anyway, I could keep going on but I think this is happening all over.
ReplyDeletePrecious friend Sandy thank you for your sweet words and concerns π₯°
DeleteI fully agree that with growing population throughout the world including our country the people who have money finding it easier way to double their wealth through buying cheap plots from government authorities to building apartments and housing colonies. Like California here as well,wherever we travel such buildings are seen under construction. Worst part that most of such societies lack proper roads and basic supplies except capital city Islamabad.
I sometimes wonder that how would have our planet looked like when people were few in the beginning π₯Ήπ₯Ήπ₯Ή and how would have looked sky and everything in nature back then π₯Ή even this thought gives me deep sense of serenity π₯Ή♥️
O mundo estÑ cada vez pior. E aquilo que gostÑvamos estÑ a desaparecer. O melhor é guardarmos na nossa lembrança aquilo que nos fez felizes.
ReplyDeleteUma boa semana.
Um beijo.
Absolutely true dear Grace π₯°
DeleteAs they say change is the only permanent thing in the universe and it happens no matter what good or bad .or even a good change has it’s own side effects as well.
So let’s be grateful for having witnessed the time when things were pleasantly different and that we have those memories in our heart ,a most sacred place to have such precious treasure π₯Ήππ₯°
Hi Baili! ♥ The age of innocence. I remember going to the drive-in movies as a kid, it was always so exciting. I don't go to the movies anymore because holy moly the prices!! One of my friends took her 3 daughters to a movie in the "big city" last month and it was $150 for tickets and snacks. Crazy! She said it looked like an amusement park in there. There is a drive-in theater here but it's about an hour's drive away and I don't like driving in the dark anymore! PS: I'm back on Blogger now!
ReplyDeleteDear Rain it was lovely to hear from you π₯°
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience π
Aren’t we so fortunate to have age of innocence though for a while at least. I feel for children who came to the world so much facilitated and equipped with comfort and sedentary life style. No doubt that too much modernity has snatched away the livelihood and innocence of children and i doubt what kind of nostalgia they gonna have in future.
Your friend must be shocked how pricey was everything in the theatre. This is terrifying
Dear Rain how nice you are back to blogger my friend π€ welcome back,I will visit you asap hopefully ♥️π
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ReplyDeleteHi, Baili! I agree: desperation, ruthlessness, and selfishness have grown more and more in recent years. There have been days that I don't want to get out of bed and learn what new awful thing has happened. Some people I know have stopped watching the news, but I think I need to know as much as I can. We can't help bring about change if we don't know what is going on.
ReplyDeleteThere are wonderful things that are happening because of social media ~ like me finding you, one of my best friends ever. But social media has a horrific cost, as it has been manipulated to divide people and to spread untruths. Too many people are frittering their lives away on social media. Others are driven to depression, even suicide, because their lives can never match the perfect lives they see online.
Thanks for sharing your movie memories. I loved going to movies when I was growing up, and I was rarely accompanied by an adult. My brother and I even went to movies at night together. What an innocent and lost world that feels like now.
I feel like my sense of a secure world is gone forever. I have no control over almost anything. I could bury my head under the blankets and ignore everything. But that is no way to live. So I move forward with hope and take pleasure in each day that I am given. I try to spread smiles and kindness. We can only count on the moment we're in. I'm praying a lot more too. I have to have hope because of all the beautiful young people that I love. Much love and big hug to you and your family, Baili!