I have had an interesting few weeks. I wouldn't say they have been bad weeks, progressive weeks is what I would call them.
This life is not what it appears to be most of the time. Even when we think we see it for what it is, it seems just another level of illusion in time. This perspective can be pretty disheartening at times, but we choose to hope, to press on in our lives, to have faith that our lives will get better with each passing turn in the road. And then sometimes, life is exactly what it has always seemed to be, or what we thought it was, we had just forgotten. These observations are very broad, and obvious, but it never stops astounding me at their potency when you see it again.
Turning these corners, or growing as we like to call it, sucks. There are no two ways about it hehe. There are only two things I have ever found to make it easier for myself. 1. The love of a loved one and 2. The spirit. Unfortunately I am miles away from my family, and I find good friends so rarely that when #1 fails, I tend to fail. I wish I had the strength in me to maintain my faith, to keep it high when difficult times come. When I feel as though I am alone. Luckily I have had some amazing friends right now.
A question I ask myself is my dependency on others. If you remember, dear readers, way back when I began this blog I pondered that very idea. Also, my dependency on God. I have conceded I am nothing without recognizing his hand in my life, and there can be no lasting happiness outside of it. To contrast that Spiritual dependency, with our dependency on others, it isn't all that different. When separated by time or distance from those whom we define our lives by, I can feel the pangs of a similar void of feeling being separated from the Spirit. We can never find real happiness without the conjunction of the two relationships, a person we love, and the Father, who loves us. The fear of losing one of those sides of the recipe of happiness can seem terrifying without the other side supporting us until we balance it. This doubt has rested in the back of my mind for a long time. I get too comfortable too often with either being held up by the Spirit, and having nobody, or visa versa. It seems a great weakness of mine to sustain this balance.
I used to find replacements to balance the sides of the scale rather easily. Games allowed me to fill my waking and sleeping hours (as I often chose). Books allowed me to exit my mind and enter into someone else's. Movies allowed an easy quick escape, but 2 hours doesn't help much when you're brain is as relentless as mine is on itself. I envy people who can simply 'turn off' and go to bed.
But I have changed. Games, movies, and books no longer allow me to just not deal with life. While some might criticize me for my immature distractions, I think it's no different than anyone else's. Everyone finds cheap replacements for that balance. The balance of strength from those we love, and the Spirit that loves us. Problem is, to maintain the balance we've got to be trying, always. And I stopped trying. I got to a level I was comfortable at, and just coasted. My normal routine was to sink back into my distractions and see if I couldn't figure something out on the way down. But that's not happening this time. Because although life isn't going as great as it could be, no true companion and no immovable testimony to be doing everything I should be doing. I do have a couple awfully great friends, and the strength to keep going to church. And as rough of a balance as that is, love is there, and I feel it on both sides.
It's interesting how focused we can become when we are dropping something we are trying to balance, time slows, and nothing else matters whether they be plates of food or our lives.
-Aaron
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Wall-E
I know for most of you this movie is old news. Yes everyone said how good it was, yes everyone told me to go see it. I knew I was going to like it based on a number of other reviews and friends who saw it and told me how much I would like it. Everyone was right.
Wall-E is one of the most heartfelt movies I've seen in a long time. I am so thankful that Pixar has so much control over their movies otherwise the simplicity of the story would have been lost and trampled in the board meeting of executives that ruin a lot of movies today. Focus groups, polls, and advertising companies, there is so much money to be made from a kids film that most of them just plain suck. And I don't mean they're bad films, but the point of the story is lost in the commotion of fitting in what everyone "needs". Everyone wants to recreate the magic Pixar has, and Shrek came close (kinda), but Shrek was tuned for a more mature audience, which kids today actually want. And sadly recreating the kind of humor Shrek touched is easy and poorly executed. Kids films shot for more mature audiences have turned into nothing more than the plot of a Saturday morning cartoon with more pop culture references. And some might defend the 'Happily-N'Ever' afters and the Shrek the Thirds claiming that expecting anything more than what's given is a pointless endeavor. And nothing can be further from the truth. It is with kids films that we can obtain some of the most pure and good stories we can experience. To be relieved from the realities of the world and it's grit is a necessity.
To really care about the characters. To really care about two little robots in their little worlds with their little wants in life. I believe I knew I was going to like this movie because in the words I read, and in the eyes of those whom I spoke to who saw it, I saw that caring. I could see the story got through, I could see that there was going to be a bond, and understanding between the characters and myself. Some might call me a cynic when I remark on the cheesiness of certain 'good' characters. I find their 'goodness' unrealistic or so plainly prepared for the story that it makes me sick. But the reality is that most story tellers today just do it with such a heavy hand that it takes me out of the story, which I despise. Wall-E does such an amazing job, it is a seamless progression and finishes beautifully. There is nothing in the back of my mind that pricks me, that says "Hey! That didn't make any sense, why wouldn't they just...why didn't he just say... etc". I'll go ahead and say it's a perfect movie. Everything it sets out to accomplish, it accomplishes, with flying colors. The secondary story of the humans is executed well too. It's sentiment is felt secondary, and fits in nicely with the two hard working robots.
I believe in balance, and Wall-E is my new favorite balance of story telling.
Wall-E accomplishes what every movie should. I just finished watching it, and I think I'm going to put it on and fall asleep to it. I believe that means that all my rated R watching has not completely damaged me, and that I am not beyond repair (as some of you might see it heh). If you have not seen Wall-E, make it your first choice as soon as possible. I loved it.
I will gladly say I love Pixar... however, I heard they are making a Toy Story 3. Sounds like milk getting squeezed out if you ask me... but I'll hold off on that thought, Wall-E has granted them the benefit of the doubt.
-Aaron
Wall-E is one of the most heartfelt movies I've seen in a long time. I am so thankful that Pixar has so much control over their movies otherwise the simplicity of the story would have been lost and trampled in the board meeting of executives that ruin a lot of movies today. Focus groups, polls, and advertising companies, there is so much money to be made from a kids film that most of them just plain suck. And I don't mean they're bad films, but the point of the story is lost in the commotion of fitting in what everyone "needs". Everyone wants to recreate the magic Pixar has, and Shrek came close (kinda), but Shrek was tuned for a more mature audience, which kids today actually want. And sadly recreating the kind of humor Shrek touched is easy and poorly executed. Kids films shot for more mature audiences have turned into nothing more than the plot of a Saturday morning cartoon with more pop culture references. And some might defend the 'Happily-N'Ever' afters and the Shrek the Thirds claiming that expecting anything more than what's given is a pointless endeavor. And nothing can be further from the truth. It is with kids films that we can obtain some of the most pure and good stories we can experience. To be relieved from the realities of the world and it's grit is a necessity.
To really care about the characters. To really care about two little robots in their little worlds with their little wants in life. I believe I knew I was going to like this movie because in the words I read, and in the eyes of those whom I spoke to who saw it, I saw that caring. I could see the story got through, I could see that there was going to be a bond, and understanding between the characters and myself. Some might call me a cynic when I remark on the cheesiness of certain 'good' characters. I find their 'goodness' unrealistic or so plainly prepared for the story that it makes me sick. But the reality is that most story tellers today just do it with such a heavy hand that it takes me out of the story, which I despise. Wall-E does such an amazing job, it is a seamless progression and finishes beautifully. There is nothing in the back of my mind that pricks me, that says "Hey! That didn't make any sense, why wouldn't they just...why didn't he just say... etc". I'll go ahead and say it's a perfect movie. Everything it sets out to accomplish, it accomplishes, with flying colors. The secondary story of the humans is executed well too. It's sentiment is felt secondary, and fits in nicely with the two hard working robots.
I believe in balance, and Wall-E is my new favorite balance of story telling.
Wall-E accomplishes what every movie should. I just finished watching it, and I think I'm going to put it on and fall asleep to it. I believe that means that all my rated R watching has not completely damaged me, and that I am not beyond repair (as some of you might see it heh). If you have not seen Wall-E, make it your first choice as soon as possible. I loved it.
I will gladly say I love Pixar... however, I heard they are making a Toy Story 3. Sounds like milk getting squeezed out if you ask me... but I'll hold off on that thought, Wall-E has granted them the benefit of the doubt.
-Aaron
Friday, October 17, 2008
The Watchmen
There's a new movie coming out called The Watchmen. It's a super-hero movie,here's the trailer.
I recently finished reading the graphic novel it's based off of. A graphic novel, for those who don't know, is essentially just a comic series condensed into one book.
It's a very dark as far as super-hero stories go, reminiscent of the Dark Knight in some ways. But it challenges more about masked vigilantism and the lives of those who choose that life. The story itself spans between the telling of a "Golden Age" of super-heroes in the 1940's and then the resurgence in the 60's. None of the heroes have super powers (with exception to one, and I'll get to that). Some are very disturbed, and are not immune to being considered murderers. It is a very realistic, unforgiving look at what would happen if we had an organized group of masked heroes. We learn the back stories of each of the heroes throughout the book and how they became what they are. Some are dark, some are light, but each is interesting.
Now, as to that one "hero" that has super-human powers, he is actually not human. He gets trapped in a radiation chamber and transforms. He is more of an observer with limitless power who just happens to be talked into helping America and it's goals through the 60's difficulties (Vietnam). He also keeps every other country in check from doing anything too stupid with nukes. But like I said, he doesn't actually care about human life, so his unlimited power is limited because he just doesn't actually care to fix everything.
The plot is a murder mystery within a political thriller. Finding out who is removing all the "heroes" from the country and why. So, while you're trying to figure out what is going on with that, The Missiles of October is happening, only with Russia instead of Cuba. It's a very interesting narrative with lots of threads running in and around the back stories of each of the masked heroes.
I really enjoyed the book, I had a hard time putting it down, but the end wrap up didn't quite hit it home for me. I think it's one of the most fun and interesting stories I've read in a while, I would have just preferred something more subtle towards the ending, something more cerebral. But it's still really good, and I'm very interested in how they are going to transform it into a movie. The narrative is so heavily crafted for reading accomplishing the same task visually is going to be very difficult.
I don't think I read a single curse throughout the book, there were three sex scenes, not graphically explicit, but contextually heavy (a rape and a boy discovering his mother was a hooker). Violence however is very present and you feel the pain and the deaths around the characters. The mortality of everyone is very palpable.
So, my verdict? Good if you can stomach through some violence and you enjoy the themes I talked about earlier. It's famous for it's original narrative style and unique characters in my opinion, and if you want something new and different from a super hero story I'd say definitely read it.
I recently finished reading the graphic novel it's based off of. A graphic novel, for those who don't know, is essentially just a comic series condensed into one book.
It's a very dark as far as super-hero stories go, reminiscent of the Dark Knight in some ways. But it challenges more about masked vigilantism and the lives of those who choose that life. The story itself spans between the telling of a "Golden Age" of super-heroes in the 1940's and then the resurgence in the 60's. None of the heroes have super powers (with exception to one, and I'll get to that). Some are very disturbed, and are not immune to being considered murderers. It is a very realistic, unforgiving look at what would happen if we had an organized group of masked heroes. We learn the back stories of each of the heroes throughout the book and how they became what they are. Some are dark, some are light, but each is interesting.
Now, as to that one "hero" that has super-human powers, he is actually not human. He gets trapped in a radiation chamber and transforms. He is more of an observer with limitless power who just happens to be talked into helping America and it's goals through the 60's difficulties (Vietnam). He also keeps every other country in check from doing anything too stupid with nukes. But like I said, he doesn't actually care about human life, so his unlimited power is limited because he just doesn't actually care to fix everything.
The plot is a murder mystery within a political thriller. Finding out who is removing all the "heroes" from the country and why. So, while you're trying to figure out what is going on with that, The Missiles of October is happening, only with Russia instead of Cuba. It's a very interesting narrative with lots of threads running in and around the back stories of each of the masked heroes.
I really enjoyed the book, I had a hard time putting it down, but the end wrap up didn't quite hit it home for me. I think it's one of the most fun and interesting stories I've read in a while, I would have just preferred something more subtle towards the ending, something more cerebral. But it's still really good, and I'm very interested in how they are going to transform it into a movie. The narrative is so heavily crafted for reading accomplishing the same task visually is going to be very difficult.
I don't think I read a single curse throughout the book, there were three sex scenes, not graphically explicit, but contextually heavy (a rape and a boy discovering his mother was a hooker). Violence however is very present and you feel the pain and the deaths around the characters. The mortality of everyone is very palpable.
So, my verdict? Good if you can stomach through some violence and you enjoy the themes I talked about earlier. It's famous for it's original narrative style and unique characters in my opinion, and if you want something new and different from a super hero story I'd say definitely read it.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Communism is fun!
Well, to make a review blog I would need to watch, read, or listen to something to review it. Interesting enough, I haven't done any of those things in the past week. I've been working on finding work with little success. I still have my part time employment in which I do little, but make enough to live, but it doesn't quench my hunger for a project to sink my teeth into.
I've got a little side project I want to do. It was my idea for the final project for one of my classes but I didn't have a key component (an online database) to make it work. It's essentially a mini social networking site, but its focus is lending, renting or sharing movies or books within an apartment complex. You sign up and add into your profile all your movies and books or whatever you're willing to share (music even I guess) and then people in the complex can come by and borrow it. I'd have restrictions on checkouts, personal notes like "don't lend it to them, they scratch it!" or something like that so that there would be some accountability. But it seems like you could even have a barter account you know? Like you trade me season 1 of Heroes and I trade you two books and Hitch for a couple weeks. Not only does this save everyone money in the apartment but it also will produce friends that would be worth having so close. I think I can actually do it (most of it's already done I did for my class), it's just a matter of whether it would be worth it I guess, and would it really work? Would people really use it? It would be free of course.
Anyway, maybe I'll work on that and that's how I'll review stuff! Again, who knows.
I've got a little side project I want to do. It was my idea for the final project for one of my classes but I didn't have a key component (an online database) to make it work. It's essentially a mini social networking site, but its focus is lending, renting or sharing movies or books within an apartment complex. You sign up and add into your profile all your movies and books or whatever you're willing to share (music even I guess) and then people in the complex can come by and borrow it. I'd have restrictions on checkouts, personal notes like "don't lend it to them, they scratch it!" or something like that so that there would be some accountability. But it seems like you could even have a barter account you know? Like you trade me season 1 of Heroes and I trade you two books and Hitch for a couple weeks. Not only does this save everyone money in the apartment but it also will produce friends that would be worth having so close. I think I can actually do it (most of it's already done I did for my class), it's just a matter of whether it would be worth it I guess, and would it really work? Would people really use it? It would be free of course.
Anyway, maybe I'll work on that and that's how I'll review stuff! Again, who knows.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Condiments and Conference
I feel like a glass Heinz Ketchup bottle. I've got a lot stored up in me I can feel it, but as hard as I might try I can't seem to shake it lose onto my plate for a delicious additive to my meal. Once someone told me to tap it on the embossed 57 on the neck of the bottle and it comes out. So, that's what I'm going to try to do.
...tap
I listened to all of General Conference thanks to some good friends. I wish I would have prepared myself for it more. It felt good, but not as good as I need it right now in my life. Things are going well in retrospect, but honestly no matter how well things are going it never seems like worries ever lessen. My good friends the Hansen's were kind enough to invite me up to their cabin to listen with several other family friends from their ward. We ate very well and lounged around listening and coloring (yes, like in coloring books heh). It was really good and I got a taste of some very special magic syrup that when combined with strawberries caused a fruit fusion of a sweet sugary release inside ones mouth. It was good. I am very, very thankful I am so welcome in their home and in their lives, they are good for me in unprecedented levels.
...tap
Avarie has been hospitalized. I was up at the cabin and didn't get the call immediately, however my heart is full with hope and prayer for her. Jenell and Craig I want you to know I am praying for your family and I love you. I don't know what to write quite honestly, I am at a loss, which might be an overreaction considering how little I actually know about the diagnosis and treatment. However, the fear I feel is paralyzing me in which I cannot express my worry and my love adequately.
...tap
I have begun to write this last "tapping" several times about me. I can't seem to write anything I should at this juncture. Even though I tapped several times, it seems it's not going to all come out, sorry, I'm just as disappointed as all of you. And no, I'm not going to get a knife and work it out of there, you always end up with ketchup on your hand and too much on your plate.
I believe my blog is going to become a review of books, movies, and music. I think it would be a fun change and a challenge as well. I think I'll always have more intimate posts here or there, but I think it's going to be more channeled... I don't know, just an idea for now. It's late, and I'm tired.
-A
...tap
I listened to all of General Conference thanks to some good friends. I wish I would have prepared myself for it more. It felt good, but not as good as I need it right now in my life. Things are going well in retrospect, but honestly no matter how well things are going it never seems like worries ever lessen. My good friends the Hansen's were kind enough to invite me up to their cabin to listen with several other family friends from their ward. We ate very well and lounged around listening and coloring (yes, like in coloring books heh). It was really good and I got a taste of some very special magic syrup that when combined with strawberries caused a fruit fusion of a sweet sugary release inside ones mouth. It was good. I am very, very thankful I am so welcome in their home and in their lives, they are good for me in unprecedented levels.
...tap
Avarie has been hospitalized. I was up at the cabin and didn't get the call immediately, however my heart is full with hope and prayer for her. Jenell and Craig I want you to know I am praying for your family and I love you. I don't know what to write quite honestly, I am at a loss, which might be an overreaction considering how little I actually know about the diagnosis and treatment. However, the fear I feel is paralyzing me in which I cannot express my worry and my love adequately.
...tap
I have begun to write this last "tapping" several times about me. I can't seem to write anything I should at this juncture. Even though I tapped several times, it seems it's not going to all come out, sorry, I'm just as disappointed as all of you. And no, I'm not going to get a knife and work it out of there, you always end up with ketchup on your hand and too much on your plate.
I believe my blog is going to become a review of books, movies, and music. I think it would be a fun change and a challenge as well. I think I'll always have more intimate posts here or there, but I think it's going to be more channeled... I don't know, just an idea for now. It's late, and I'm tired.
-A
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