Brain is mush. Edited 5 chapters of Novel last night. Wrote seriously long blogs on two successive Thursdays. Don't have much more in the mental gas tank - and the cost of what I have keeps going up.
That being said, let's get on with this blog thingie...
First, some parting shots at the week that was.
I find myself actually changing my mind on two very serious issues - Troops in Iraq and the suitability of our Governor. I also have a wonderful new view on scripture thanks to Donald Miller's Book, "Searching for God Know's What".
For those of you who don't know, and I haven't exactly been making it common knowledge, I was an Intelligence Specialist for the Navy during the first Gulf War. My area of expertise is the Pacific Rim, the Indian Ocean, and the Persian Gulf. I've been against the war since the idea was first presented. I knew that we were only mucking around in Iraq to fulfill some sort of macho Presidential fantasy and that it had nothing to do with any real threat to the United States. That being said, there is now a real threat to the United States and the world in that region and its name is Iran. Because we've destabalized the region with our blundering attempts to steal the Iraqi oil, we've actually strengthened the hardliners in Iran. The Leader of that country has called for the eradication of Israel and has said that the holocaust never happened. Unfortunately, that now means that U.S. ground troops can't possibly leave the region - because we would so destabalize Iraq by pulling out now that Iran would simply walk in to the country and have it handed to them on a platter. Its gut check time for the weenie in the White House. This is a serious brewing international crisis. If he pulls out now, it only shows just how much he really could care less about the war on terror.
I also happened to see the last ten minutes or so of Arnie's State of the State speech last night and I thought it was absolutely fantastic. I don't for once think that he's a better politician than he was six months ago. But I think he's starting to ignore his Republican cronies and do the job he was supposed to do when elected. If he stays on this course for the next year or so until the next election, I might even vote for him. We'll see... we'll see...
Donald Miller's book, which I will get back into writing about next week, includes the tail end of a scripture passage that we all know and love - "Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone." I guess I'd probably read this thing so many times that I'd just glossed over the ending of the story. I read it last night and I actually found it more poignant than the first part of the story. After some serious grumbling, everyone drops their stones in the street and walks away. Then, Jesus turns to the just saved prostitute and says, "Go now, and sin no more." I read that and I just felt Jesus's love and compassion for us all. He literally saved her from a horrible death, but instead of taking her in his arms and hugging her or telling her that it was alright, he said, "Go now, and sin no more." And you can bet that she did. What a beautiful story.
Okay, quickly, my silly stuff...
Top Ten Favorite Movie Scenes from 2005
10. Every scene with Marv in the film Sin City.
9. La Vie Boheme in the film Rent.
8. Anakin Skywalker kills the kids in Star Wars - Ep. III.
7. The Crash Landing at the end of the film Serenity.
6. Santa Fe in the film Rent.
5. Order 69 (or whatever it was)in Star Wars - Ep. III.
4. The Dinner Scene in Wedding Crashers.
3. The Initial Attack in War of the Worlds. (The rest of the film stunk!)
2. Obi-Wan vs. Anakin in Star Wars - Ep. III.
and
1. King King vs. the T-Rex's in King Kong.
See you on Monday with a little limelight I like to call The Virtual Church Service.
15 comments:
Once again, Will, another solid post. That dude in Iran is one crazy dude, in the purest sense of crazy, too.
The story of Jesus and prostitute is just so powerful. It really is foreshadowing of what is to come.
Movie scenes from 2005 (in no order) - that was Order 66, by the way...
- Kong vs T-Rex, clearly awesome.
- Anakin vs. Obi-Wan
- Bruce Wayne vs. Ra's Al Ghul in the monastery
- The final dance competition in Mad Hot Ballroom
- The opening march of the penguins across Antarctica - beautifully shot
- Jimmy Fallon making his buddies dance for Yankee/Red Sox tickets in Fever Pitch
Didn't see Fever Pitch...
But I forgot Batman - knew there was another solid summer movie... but couldn't remember it.
Yeah, I'd have to add as my #11 then, all the scenes between Batman and Morgan Freeman... classic stuff!
Also, as I was thinking about it... #12 - The Why I'm A Marine Scene from Jarhead. Absolutely brilliant cinematography and writing in that scene.
And as for order 66 - I thought 69 was more appropriate, seeing as how the Jedi's were getting screwed! ;)
I should add War of the Worlds - the whole film, simply because I haven't had that much fun trashing a film in a really, really, really long time!
I didn't see too many movies this year, so I would only add one scene. If you didn't see the movie, you really should:
The final boxing match in Cinderella Man. But, of course, only if you've seen the whole movie. It is brilliant. In the same way James Cameron had you watching to see if the boat sinks, Ron Howard had you watching to see if Braddock wins the match. You KNOW the outcome, but you are still riveted. Great flick. ANd I hate boxing and Russell Crowe.
Another thing I like about your writing, Will, is it is thought provoking. I was thinking about your last two postings and I thought, “What is it about writers?" Is it their artistic nature that allows them to feel so deeply or are they simply able to convey their thoughts better than most people? When you write about your political views, and how you are appalled at some of the things happening in our country and abroad,or when your write about your relationship with God, I can certainly agree with you 100%. But when you gave us your views on “sex”, I was bit taken back. Anyway, not a subject I care to write about—maybe because I never understood what the big deal was. (Now, I am not implying that it is not enjoyable and or that it is “bad” in itself. I just don’t understand how some people get consumed by it).
But I had to laugh again when you said your date broke into tears when you came to her door. It reminded me when I was a young girl (age 13) and a young Latino man (age 17) came to my door looking for me. My mother punched him in the eye, figuring he must be up to no good. He may have been but it was still very embarrassing for me. Just like in your situation, it probably was an unpleasant experience for him….but funny.
It also reminded me of an Internet relationship I had with someone a few years back. We wrote back and forth , exchanged photos and I liked him very much. When we finally agreed to go on a date, I was astounded at how much weight he gained. He must have been 350 pounds or more! It made me very sad because I suddenly realized how really shallow I really was. It was disconcerting because I never thought I was shallow and when I realized I was, I didn’t think I could change.
So Will, I look forward to your next blog so that I can think some more.
Dear Will,
Jason here. I'm a regular commenter on Pastor Peter's Blog and a ministry friend from church awhile back. I've been reading his "partner blogs" including yours. Thought I'd introduce myself.
You are quite the vulnerable, transparent, and honest person. Commenting on Andy's blog, you said you weren't sure how honest you wanted to be/could be. In my opinion you're far ahead of me. I appreciate how and what you share.
Keep going and sharing as the Lord leads... I am sure you will come to a comfortable place, being at peace with yourself and the wide world of the net, in how much you decide to share.
Personally I think it's wise to have some boundaries regarding what is to be shared. My really personal and gut-wrenching stuff is best left for non-internet interactions with trusted friends. As Andy has said, though, blogging can be a tool to develop those trusted friendships beyond the net that will allow for honesty, transparency, and vulnerability.
Well, I did title the blog entry as Things Unmentionable... that should have been a clue ;)
Really, I try not to internalize things. The name of my blog is ICON, short for I con noone but myself. It means that I have the capacity to accept the fact that no matter how you see me, I am infintely worse, or better. It means that I accept the fact that the only person who can judge me is God. So even if I get totally down on myself - and I do on occasion - I'm usually fine the next day. Judgment Day isn't here yet, people... so let's keep trying to get better!
will, judging by your top ten list, i can see that you are desperately in need of some cinematic expansionism. i recommend you visit the video store at the linda mar shopping and pick up my "45 Great Foreign Films List" (on the table on the right as you enter). start watching these foreign films immediately. meditate on them. buy some candles or something. drink a glass of sparkling apple cider. if you do these things, in ever-increasing measure, it will help you with the ladies (i gar-an-teee it).
Peter -
My list didn't include Netflix - just first run Hollywood movies. Hey, if I'm gonna pay $10 to see a movie, it better have a whole of stuff blowing up, if you know what I mean ;)
But I can tell you that I'm a great cinema-buff. I watch films from all over the world and in all different genres. My favorite foreign films include: Wages of Fear, anything by Jean Jeunot, Amelie (of course), Night in the City (Jim Jarmusch, but still mostly foreign), Europa Europa... oh there are two many to name off the top of my head. And it hasn't helped me with the ladies one iota.
are you good with a bow staff?
You both sound kind of nerdy to me... ;)
Sue, you don't know the half of it. Put me and Will in a room together in conversation and guaranteed we'll be talking Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, baseball, other Sci Fi, King Kong, other movies...
The story of our life from about the age of...4? 5? We can't remember...
Sue -
Don't believe a word of it. Its a character assassination. Andy and I like to get together for the Opera, symphony, and the occasional cricket matches on the tele. (BBC1, of course;) I don't even know what this Star Trek thing is - never heard of it. And before this year, I have never seen a science fiction or fantasy film in my life. Mostly, I like to sit at home and weave baskets for the homeless and read poetry in front of the fire.
And then, when I'm done with a nice relaxing evening of Whitman, I say, "Freeze program," and the holodeck shuts off and I return to my starship command module where I fight the dreaded Cardassian empire who are trying to eradicate all human life in the Alpha Quadrant ;)
And Peter -
What's a bow staff?
See, how ignorant I am?
what's a bow staff? are you so uncultured in cinema that you have not seen the epic drama "napoleon dynamite"?
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