Dreaming Out Loud

Here it is, my first post of 2009. Personally, I even surprised myself on this one, only 12 days in after all.

In all seriousness, I do have a point in posting, and it has a name: Wall-E. I had the chance to watch the movie this past weekend and completely fell in love with that little tin can. By all rights, Pixar is on a roll, they haven't put a dud out yet and Wall-E is no exception. In a recent e-mail "conversation" with a friend/colleague of mine, we discussed the layering Pixar is so apt at accomplishing and how this type of writing truly delivers a final product that just may have something for everyone. In my opinion, Wall-E is the epitome of this. To say this movie is just a cute story about an adorable little robot's adventures would dramatically sell this movie short. It is in its multiplicities that Wall-E really takes stride.

To me, the great story, the humor, and warnings of the trappings of consumerism combine to create a movie that should rightfully stand out above the crowd. In 96 minutes, Pixar has delivered what few movies have done so effectively, pure entertainment mixed with pure purpose. Like I said, Wall-E very blatantly cries foul on rampant consumerism; however, it never even begins to be too preachy. This is where the character of Wall-E himself comes into play. With such a childlike innocence, all he ever tries to do is help others. Through both his programming (he's a trash removal robot) and his giving and selfless personality, Wall-E is more of a celebration of the human spirit than any of the movie's human characters.

In my mind, this is the true triumph of both the movie and the title character. Wall-E serves as an extremely profound, though deceptively (and cutely) simple, example of what will and determination can bring. He never gives up, period. In that he teaches his lesson. For a little robot, his humanity is gigantic. So gigantic that I can't figure out how to stop gushing about this movie. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Very few movies offer such a total package of genuine story, humor, and message. Wall-E never steers off-course or misses a beat for even a second, this movie is an honest celebration of all that is good in life and the world.

At risk of getting on a soapbox myself, we can all stand to learn more about ourselves and our capabilities. We can all find that will and determination to make ourselves, others, and the world what we want it all to be. It's time to celebrate the best things in life and realize that they are not things at all. To quote Bono, it's time to "dream of the world we want to live in and dream out loud." All of this from a binocular-eyed tin can with tank-tread feet named Wall-E.

That's me, right now, in the middle of everything.

Another Reason I Haven't Been to Church in Some Time

I have just recently read an article on Yahoo News about a priest in Columbia, South Carolina( Rev. Jay Scott Newman ) that has refused Holy Communion to anyone that voted for Barak Obama. Citing President-Elect Obama's views on a woman's right to choose as "constituting material cooperation with intrinsic evil" he withholds the body of Christ from many of his congregation. He also went on to say, "Voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative exists constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil, and those Catholics who do so place themselves outside of the full communion of Christ's Church and under the judgment of divine law. Persons in this condition should not receive Holy Communion until and unless they are reconciled to God in the Sacrament of Penance, lest they eat and drink their own condemnation."

Damn! Whatever happened to that Christian saying "judge not lest ye be Judged?" It has been said that there is a world of difference between being a Christian and being Christ-like, seems to me that this Padre has lost his way to Christ-like living. I thought God was supposed to be talking to people in his position directly. If this is the case, God's sending a fair share of mixed messages on what it is he wants exactly.

The problem as I see it is that, intrinsically, Rev. Newman is dealing too deeply in absolutes here. Any time someone says that there is only one way to interpret something I shudder, especially when it comes to God's Word. To re-state what I said earlier, God is talking to many people. Be it through The Bible, messages to "men of the cloth," or prophets, one thing is clear...the message is not always the same song and dance. There has been too much left to interpretation to have any one true, clear, or decisive avenue to travel.

When Rev. Newman says, "Voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative exists constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil," he is missing a very serious mark. The pro-life candidate he speaks of is most obviously John McCain and though it is true that he takes a pro-life stance on the issue of abortion, his miss comes in the form of McCain's support of the Bush administration's push to go to war with Iraq (on the premise of the WMD lie), as well as his own wishes to enter into war with Iran. For some reason, war does not seem very pro-life to me. Nor does it seem very Christ-like to enter a war on reasons proven to be built on lies and deceptions. Isn't there a Commandment about lying? Says something about not doing it if I remember right.

Does that mean that you are pro-lying Rev. Newman? I hope not. Here's the thing though, I'm not going to let some religious hypocrite ruin my hopes for the future and my happiness in electing a candidate that deserves the presidency on many levels. Barak Obama is an intelligent, well-spoken, and able-minded successor to our present presidential predicament. The icing on the cake here is that we made history this election year and no Catholic priest is going put a damper on that.

That's me, right now, in the middle of everything.

Age? When it matters...Or Does It?

My first post in more than a month, hopefully it's a good one.
Through a debate/conversation I had many thoughts slam into my brain at the speed of a bullet train. Some centered on many issues relating to the state of things, most on my age. I think I can do them justice, so here goes.

I got "reminded" again that my age, as long as I am younger than others, will forever mean that I'm a naive, idealistic, know-it-all a-hole who goes through life second guessing his elders. My age was brought up again as a "shut up kid, what do you know?" dismissing that sometimes makes me wonder why I ever bothered registering to vote some 13 plus years ago. Obviously, I have no idea what I'm ever talking about, so I guess I'm wasting a vote every time.

Honestly, what I really thought was the opposite. Presently I am 31 and some change and the last time I checked, eligable to run for president in less than four years. Hell, I believe I can already be a congressman, senator, or some sort of local elected official. With that said, let me ask this: Why can't I have an opinion on things that matter to me, my life, my daughter, and the rest of the world? I may be half the age of the person in mind, but does that mean I haven't seen and experienced the world in a way that allows me to have and express my convictions?

Like I said, I'm 31, I work (therefore pay taxes), I'm a father, I've educated myself to vote in every election since I've been a legal and registered voter. In short, I think it may be my turn now. If not, when? I like to think that I keep myself informed and educated and that I have a viable point of view here and there and that age should not matter.

The catch is this though, and what a catch it is...As long as I'm younger than someone and my viewpoint doesn't match up, I have no right, not even in America. A country that has allowed my the right to vote since the age of 18, a country that has been taking income taxes from me since my first job at 15, a country that despite its current leadership and its mistakes, I stand by and love. To close, no matter my age, I loath the word "queer" unless it's used in its correct context, I will always oppose this war and support my troops, I will always have my opinions, and my hopes are that my daughter can someday feel the same.

That's me, right now, in the middle of everything.

Five People I'd Love to Have a Beer With

I was just recently asked this question, "If you could have a beer with any five people; living, deceased, or fictitious, who would they be and why?" A hard question to answer, I even have honorable mentions. Being in a Deadwood frame of mind, three characters come to mind; Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock, and Al Swearengen. It was difficult to narrow it down. In short, here is my attempt to answer that question.

Out of the gate I'll say the late and great Kurt Vonnegut. For starters, there is no author on the planet I have read more of. Of my large book collection, no author takes up more room on my shelves. Though, his books don't stay long as I am always re-reading my favorite passages, if not entire books. American literature was certainly changed for the better with his arrival and surely there is an unfillable hole since his departure. Talks of politics, society, humanity, all over good beer. What could be better? God Bless You Mr. Vonnegut!

Here's the thing, Vonnegut is a no-brainer for me, come to think of it, this guy is too. The Eyeball Kid, the Nighthawk at the Diner, Mr. Tom Waits. I'm hard pressed to think of another musician that has his unique brand of gusto. I heard an NPR interview Tom Waits did on Fresh Air a few years back. This man is a walking, talking metaphor. In the same interview, he also gave me two (amongst numerous others) of my favorite quotes of all time. "Music is a powerful thing. It can often be beautiful melodies telling you terrible things." And, "If you hit your baseball into my yard, you have to earn getting it back. You have to share some stories." Based on his songs and attitudes about life itself, how could having a beer with this guy be boring?

On a different end of interesting, I would love to share some suds with Robin Williams. How much fun would that be? I'm not sure how much beer I would be able to drink in this case. In fact, I might miss quite a bit if I were to drink too much. This guy is so quick that even lightning stands back and says, "What did he just say? What did he just do?" Every time I see Robin Williams perform I am in absolute awe of his wit and genius. He is nothing less than a hero to me.
In all the books I have read there have many characters I have loved. Holden Caulfield, Simon from Lord of the Flies, Atticus Finch, Kilgore Trout, Max from Where the Wild Things Are, to name a few. Seeing that some of these characters are underage and some just not the go out get a beer type, I'm going with someone different. From Joseph Heller's Catch 22, Yossarian. I also think he would be the most likely to come out with me too. Let's face it, he would be much more content going out for a beer with me than partaking in bombing missions. Though that would make him sane, therefore, he would have to fly. Which is insane. Which would mean his only clear choice would be beers with me. But...I think you get it. At least I hope you do.

Lastly, though certainly not leastly (it's a word to me), I think a beer with this guy would be very fitting. One Irish guy to another, my last pick would be Bono. To dismiss him as a pompous self righteous rock star would make whoever is labeling him as such those very things (minus the rock star). He has, perhaps more than any celebrity, an honest and earnest desire to not only change the world, but save it. How could anyone really be against that? Or him? Say what you will about the music of U2, after all, there is no accounting for taste (I'm a huge fan by the way), but Bono really is making the world a better place. If for nothing else, his tireless efforts. He's using his celebrity for good, he's living the Spider-Man mantra, "with great power comes great responsibility," and he also exemplifies the "Golden Rule." He makes my Irish heart proud. We need more rock stars like him. We need more people like him.

There it is, my wish list of beer buddies. Some variety, but for those who know me, probably not a surprise. That's me, right now, in the middle of everything.

Check This!

Like the title implies, just click the link provided here! It's a cool pic!
http://4jaarabudhabi.blogspot.com/

Manny Being Manny...Encore Edition

Just when you think enough is enough and a saga is over, a jackass swoops in to save the day. In true Manny Ramirez fashion, just about a week after the Red Sox office finally gave him what he's asked for on an annual basis, right after he says he wants to retire in a Dodgers uniform, Manny reportedly announces that he wants to file for free agency in the off season so he can sign with the Yankees.
Of course, this means Hank and George Steinbrenner will go crazy to placate his statements and sign him, just to prove they can. If for nothing else, to make yet another stupid dig on the Red Sox and us fans. An effort to turn the screw if you will. Johnny Damon anyone?
Since I'm on the the subject of the Steinbrenners I believe it necessary to mention two blatant nuggets of Red Sox envy. To quote Hank, "Red Sox Nation, what kind of s**t is that?" Sounds like he's a little worried about us to me. Secondly, I saw in a MLB catalogue, a shirt that simply said, "Yankee Universe." Here's how I picture the Yankees front office meeting that landed on that little goldmine... "Let's think people! What's bigger and better than a Red Sox Nation? I got it! Yankee Universe! There's nothing bigger than the universe!" Sounds like that guy who buys a Lamborghini to compensate for shortcomings in...ah, personality. I know you hear me on this one ladies.
OK, tangent aside, Manny going to the Yankees would only prove one thing as far as Manny is concerned. No matter what he says about not being a fan of the media, he has certainly made a one man circus of himself recently. To me, this further proves that regardless of how great a hitter he is, he is only in the game for himself. He finally gets what he has said he's asked for repeatedly over the years and he's still flinging muck at the Sox. Does he want us to hate him? Despite all good that he has said about us fans, going to the Yankees by his choice is a slap in the face of Red Sox fans everywhere. By the way, that is why we boo Johnny Damon, he's in serious denial if he thinks he hears cheers when he comes to Fenway.
As I said in my last Manny related post, good luck L.A. I like you guys and I understand the frustration you must be feeling already and can only sympathise. But, if Manny lands in the Bronx, that will most certainly be a case of "you two deserve each other" as far as I'm concerned. The Yankees and Manny might be a perfect fit. Where else would a player with an over-inflated self worth go? At this point, I'm thinking about putting Manny in the same bucket as A-Rod, Damon, and Clemens. In other words, lumping him with players who somehow think that they are more important than the rest of the team.
Go where you may Manny, at least you're not our headache anymore.
That's me, right now, in the middle of everything.

Bittersweet

Have you ever worked the skin off of your hiney, all the while having the sensation of running a marathon, felt like only a coma sized nap will cure your exhaustion and yet, somehow, said to yourself and others, "hell, I can do another five to ten miles?" If so, that's where my mental state is at right now.
I've just completed the latest of seven, count 'em seven, summer therapeutic programs I have led and I can't seem to shake this feeling that I've only just begun. Crazy, I know. Here's the thing though, despite the tone of my last post I actually saw evidence that the skills I was trying to teach these kids were taking hold. Some of it stuck after all!
For the last few days, leading up to the program's last, I caught myself thinking I wanted more. I even dared say it out loud.
See, the thing is, I'm a very social person and socializing is my fuel for fun. Basically, if you can't find me, I'm talking to strangers. I love people and being around them. So the end of camp (the summer program's unofficial non-Medicaidese name) brings the Webster's definition of "bittersweet" to life. Yeah, I'm freakin' tired. Yeah, those kids frustrated me on a regular basis and at break-neck speed. Yeah, I hated the Jeep Commander I had to drive 100 plus miles a day this summer for reasons too numerous to count, most notably that its MPG is hovering in the low to mid teens. And yes, the rancid blueberry muffin that almost snuffed the life-force out of my trusty co-pilot and myself on yesterday's camp kid pick-up run quickly became my least favorite culinary experience of late. However and honestly, minus the the harbinger of death that was that muffin, this type of work was made for an extrovert like myself. I'm completely in my element and though it's not humanly possible to love every minute, I love most. I already miss it and will til next summer.
That's me, right now, in the middle of everything.