NBC / eHarmonyMarriage / 2006 Conference photos/ Reviews, please - 3/26/07

[Smartmarriages]

- NBC NEWS "STATE OF OUR UNIONS"
- FREE WEBINAR ON THE NEW eHARMONY ON-LINE MARRIAGE PROGRAM
- PHOTOS FROM 2006 SMART MARRIAGES
- CHRIS ROCK: I THINK I LOVE MY WIFE
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- NBC NEWS "STATE OF OUR UNIONS"

This week, NBC Nightly News is running a series on "The State of Our
Unions".  Tonight, Monday, was on money.  I think Tues will be the Commuter
Marriage feature for which we were searching for couples on the list serv.
Tune in. Gotta cheer that marriage is on the table. Nice of Popenoe and
Whitehead to lend them their title. ;)  - diane

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- FREE WEBINAR ON THE NEW eHARMONY ON-LINE MARRIAGE PROGRAM

Learn how to use the new On-Line marriage program created by the Parrotts
and eHarmony to reach healthy, pre-marital, and troubled couples more
effectively.  Due to technical problems during last week¹s event, the
Webinar has been rescheduled:
Thur, Apr 12, 2007 - 11am Pacific/2pm Eastern, (click the link below)
https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/150245614

For more info also attend their workshop in Denver and visit the eHarmony
exhibit:

> 318 - Friday, June 28, Denver
> Eharmony Marriage
> Les Parrott, PhD, Galen Buckwalter, PhD
> Use this private, convenient, engaging, on-line marriage-strengthening program
> as an adjunct to your community work or practice. Assessment, exercises,
> knowledge, skills.
 
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- PHOTOS FROM 2006 SMART MARRIAGES

> Hi Diane, 
> We finally got our Smart Marriage conference photos posted on our website.
> Maybe you'd like to share them with potential attendees to let them see how
> great the conferences are and what to expect in Denver.
> http://www.strengtheningmarriage.com/photosmartmarr2006.php

> Laura Brotherson, Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE)

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- CHRIS ROCK: I THINK I LOVE MY WIFE

Several have written in about the Chris Rock movie. I don't want to give
away the plot but will share just a bit to see if I can prime the pump and
hear from more of you.  First, this one to searve as a warning.  It is not
PG:   

> Diane: 
> Chris Rock directs--and stars in--"I Think I Love My Wife" which reflects the
> lack of productivity in the work place as people consider or engage in
> infidelity. If you can get past the use of the "F" word and the "N" word (that
> he defends in a recent news magazine interview as being part of the culture),
> I recommend the film.
> Elizabeth Einstein

A few of you wrote but don't want to be identified.  One comment was in
strong reaction to the clumsy mixing of "vulgar, slapstick" humor with such
a serious and painful subject.  I saw both the Rock adaptation and also
"Cloe in the Afternoon" ­ the original 1970s high-brow French film on which
Rock based his adaptation. I find his version amazingly true to the original
message - which I believe is a powerful and useful message.  People who
attend will expect a Chris Rock film and the word-of-mouth buzz will only
develop if there's humor.  If we want it to have a large audience, we have
to hope some will attend just because they've heard about the Viagra scene -
knowing they will also see the "ties that bind".  I saw it on a weekend in a
packed "sold out" theater in Washington DC and I sensed that everyone was
dead serious - eyes cast down, quite sober and quiet - as they streamed out.
There was lots of laughter during, but as we left, wasn't anybody joking.
So, I don't think the humor weakened the message. I also heard from people
that thought it was unrealistic - the sex, didn't like the singing, hated
the violence, hated the Viagra scene, didn't like the way marriage
therapists were portrayed, hated the ending, and were uncomfortable with
some of the message especially about how to "define and handle infidelity in
a marriage". But it is a movie (not a marriage ed teaching tape or a
documentary) and it is a Chris Rock comedy. I was impressed that a comedian
could direct a sex scene like that - I think he got it right. And, hot. I
think his chemistry set was working - the slow build.  And, as Elizabeth
says above, it is set in the home and the workplace.  There's a classic
Divorce Busting girlfriend scene - I felt like he had rented a tape of the
Weiner-Davis '02 "Guerilla" keynote when he wrote that scene in (it wasn't
in the original French film).  He also addresses racial stereotypes as only
he can. And the film certainly made clear the need to restigmatize certain
behaviors. There might be a few nits to pick, but he tackled a tough topic
and I think my vote would be to try to get more of the public to see it.
Wish more of you had seen it so I could be more specific, but don't want to
ruin it.  Also, I realize I'm a girl and everyone that's written in is a
girl.  I want to hear from the guys! Should we recommend it? Give it an
award?  Have any of you seen any interesting blogs discussing the film?
Anything?  I promise I'll keep your comments anonymous if you request that
and I promise I won't mind if you disagree with me.  Even strongly. This is
a coalition.  -diane


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11th Annual Smart Marriages Conference, Denver Adam's Mark Hotel,
June 28-July 1, 2007
Downlaod a brochure: http://www.smartmarriages.com/Brochure.07.pdf

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http://www.smartmarriages.com

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http://www.iPlaybackSmartMarriages.com

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Diane Sollee, Director
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