Where Are We Headed?

I have been reading Bible Verses and I have been enjoying the perspective of someone that is not, what I would call, a traditionally spiritual person, read through the New Testament and comment on his observations. Because of my upbringing in a conservative religion, my mind was closed to all those that believed differently than myself. Since my Great Awakening (that is my new label for whatever the hell happened to me), I have opened my mind to all kinds of thoughts and ideas and gave them their rightful attention. I gotta tell ya, that is very freeing. It is as though my brain began to be used and not just put in neutral.
At one point in my life, I would have labeled Hugh a heretic and been overly critical of everything he had to say. What a shame! Those most different from us have the most to teach us. Aren't we better able to make decisions when we have all the facts.
Until more people are willing to open up and at the very least listen to some new ideas and thoughts and beliefs, we will never get past where we are as a global people.
Let me change gears just a little.
Everyone would like world peace(Well except those who profit off of war). The only way that I can see that ever happening, is if those that are currently closed-minded to become open-minded. I believe the solution is really that simple. I believe that is what happened to me in my G.A. I am way more accepting of others, regardless of their beliefs or actions, than I ever was before. I would never except the condemning or killing of people because they are different than I am. WHO AM I? Who am I to condemn others? Have I walked in their shoes and seen what they have seen? WTF was I thinking?
Closed-mindedness. What leads us down this dark path? Where do we hope to end up? Everyone believing what we believe? What kind of nonsense is that? But alas, there are too many who believe that their way is the only way and too many who believe that that other group is wrong. What are we all 4 year olds?
Thank you Lord for not letting me live my whole life as a closed-minded asshole!

Break Time

I decided to take a break for a little while. I have been writing about motivation and decided to keep it light in this entry.
I have been watching a butt load of movies, mustly DVD's. I thought I would rate a few movies. I don't want to make a list from 1 to 10 are anything like that, just rate 'em likes I sees 'em.

I'll start with Babel starring Brad Pitt. This movie reminded me of Crash. There were four different story lines going on at the same time with all of them sharing a common thread. The order is not chronological but I was able to follow enough to keep up. I liked the movie because of its complexity. I would not buy the movie and probably will not watch it again, but a good way to burn up 2+ hours.


The Prestige is next up. I was really intrigued by this movie based on what Mike said at Gotthammer . It had the same feel as The Illustionist, same time period, etc. but is was a darker movie. This movie had a rich complexity also. It reminded me of a coil of wire tightly wound until the end and poof! it all comes together. This is a movie I will definitly watch again. One time is not enough I don't believe to catch all the subtleties. Excellent movie.

Castle in the Sky. What can be said about this animated movie about a floating castle and a quest by both nations and pirates to possess the power of the castle. A pretty good movie for both child and adult alike. It is pretty long for some small kids, but my 8 and 5 year olds were very captivated by it and watched from beginning to end. Good family flick.

Driving Miss Daisy. I have never seen this movie. I know I am a weird-o, but I never have. I was thinking about Morgan Freeman movies that I have never seen and this was one of the only ones. This was a feel good movie. A good movie though. The acting was great. The characters were excellent. I don't know if I will ever watch this movie again, but I will probably not forget it.

Bridges of Madison County. Here we go again, a movie that I probably should have watched long before this past week but just never have. The recommendation by Lyndon at WLS really pushed me to see it. I really liked it. Clint Eastwood in a romantic movie, odd but good. Meryl Streep played a very sensuous lady from Italy transported to Idaho through marriage to a vetern. The movie is very thought provoking. What is marital love? Dedication to a spouse both mentally and physically is difficult if you entertain certain notions. Good movie to help you answer those questions or at least start the process of discovery.

2001: A Space Odyssey. I watched bits and pieces of this through the years but have never sat down and watched stem to stern in one sitting. This movie is puzzling, at times gut-wrenchingly quite, bizarre, thought-provoking, and terrifying. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, so it took some time and research on line to figure out what was going on. After a better understanding, it really is a movie ahead of its time. Certainly a good sci-fi, or should I say "sci-non"?

Running with Scissors. I listened to the audiobook some months back and found out later that they were making it into a movie. Augusten Burroughs is laugh out loud funny to me. He may not be that funny to everyone, but to me he really is. He did the book narration so I was able to hear his voice. Until you hear his voice, you really can't appreciate the fullness of his comedy. Running with Scissors the movie helped me to enjoy the characters better, but it was more supplemental to the book to me. The movie may be OK by itself, but I don't know.

The Departed. There is no doubt this movie won Best Movie at the Academy Awards. It has been my experience with all star casts (all star sports is the same) that there is too much ego to make the movie (sports) work. This is certainly an exception to the rule. This was a movie that was very complex, layered. There was some questions that didn't get answered till the end of the movie. I like movies like this. It keeps me interested till the end. If I can figure out the end in the first half hour, I lose interest quick. Well worth your time to watch this one. I will probably watch it again and appreciate the characters more.

I will continue later with more movies as I watch them.

Already 2007?!?

Another year has come and gone. My boys are a year closer to being on their own. I've been married another year. Life just won't stop! Jane! Stop this crazy thing! Well I will try to do better with my blogging this coming year. I have really slacked off. I haven't been reading as much lately. Been watching a lot of movies though. I have Blockbuster's online movie service, I recently subscribed to HBO, plus what has been playing on regular TV for the holidays. LOTS of movies! I guess I should do something like my friend, Gotthammer, and do some kind of movie review, list, etc. I don't know, I'll have to think about that some.
Well, while I was perusing other blogs, I came across this quote and thought it was a good one for the new year:
Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.
-William Faulkner