Sunday 9 June 2013
The Chase
Jerry had never been the same since the accident. If he wasn't keeping busy he was thinking about it. So he kept himself by working, which meant he had to travel a lot. He had to travel a lot for his work and made his way to New York City quite often. He was just leaving the airport consuming his thoughts with work when a young guy walked up by Jerry and bumped into him and began to run. Confused, Jerry started to check his belongings and realised his phone was missing. He saw the young teenager running and weaving through the crowds. Without even thinking about it Jerry started to chase the kid. The teenager stole a cheap older flip-phone from Jerry. A type of phone that Jerry could easily replace, it wasn't essential to his work, but Jerry had other motives for chasing his phone. He was running after the kid with every fibre in his being to retrieve this cheap phone. The young boy that was being chased was quite confused. The reason that he would target business men such as Jerry was because he would usually get very expensive phones, which he didn't in this case, and because they normally give up after a while because they know they can replace it, but Jerry was not giving up. The kid was peeling in out of alley ways, hopping garbage cans, dodging taxi's, and every time he would look behind him Jerry would be right there gaining more and more distance. The kid was started to wonder that there might be expensive information on this phone. Jerry's heart had only been pumping this fast one other time. The accident. He started to think what it would be like if he lost this phone and started to run faster and faster. Jerry went back to that day when he lost everything. He thought about how it was before and how it is was now in that moment and was close to tears. He thought about how he already lost everything, he couldn't lose this phone, it was all he had left. As he came back to the present moment he realised he was in reaching distance of the teenager. He stretched his arm out and grabbed his jacket, just as he finally caught him the teenager fell into the doorway of a building. Jerry and the teenager fell on the ground, the boy quickly tossed the phone to another guy waiting their for him and tried to make a run for it, but Jerry immediately caught him. He threw him on the ground. He threw his hands around the kids neck and ordered for him to give the phone up. Both of the young guys were in shock. They were terrified at Jerry's determination to retrieve this ordinary phone. He immediately gave up the phone. Jerry scrambled to see if it was still there. He opened up the phone and clicked on the small camera icon. He started to scroll through his pictures. The other guys were frozen in confusion. They just stood there waiting to see what Jerry was gonna do. He was looking through all of his pictures and started to panic when it didn't appear right away. And then he finally came to it, he clicked on the picture and it took up the whole screen. A flash of relief came across Jerry as he stood there gazing at the only picture he had of his late wife and three week old daughter together. He always thought he would have his whole life to capture those memories of his lost daughter. They were both taken from him three weeks after the birth of of his daughter in a horrible accident. This picture of his two beautiful girls was all he had left of them. He looked up and saw the fear in those boys eyes, he smiled at them and threw them all of the money he had in his wallet and walked away with his priceless phone in hand.
Saturday 11 May 2013
The Alley Way
John had enough. He hit his breaking point. He always knew what he was capable of, but he taught himself to control it and promised himself never to use it. However, he hadn't expected to be bullied either. He always thought of himself as a good guy, a nice guy, a friendly guy, but he had no friends. He didn't know why he was bullied. He maybe didn't look like a popular guy, but they couldn't bully him just because of that, right? It was the worst with Mack. He took it way too far with John. He is the sole reason that John got to the point that he did. Mack had made a mistake. A big mistake. John was shy to begin with, but with his capabilities and his desire to hide them he became even more shy. On this day John was no longer going to take it. He was angry and was looking forward to it. School ended and John started to walk home just like he did everyday. And Mack stopped him in an alley just like he does everyday. But today events did not take place like they did everyday. Mack walked up to John calling him horrible names and making jokes about him. Mack pushed John against the wall with all of his force. John hit the wall. A smirk appeared on John's face. It was almost in slow motion that John could see Mack's left fist coming towards his face. John saw his chance and took it. He stopped Mack's fist inches from his face. And with that simple touch of his hand touching Mack's he brought Mack to his knees. John very calmly and confidently moved his hand on to Mack's chest where he made him lay flat on his back in complete and utter pain. He left Mack laying there on the ground in pain. He knew the pain would subside, but long enough for John to take his time walking out of that alley with a smile on his face. He knew that would have scared Mack enough to leave him alone. John knew he had taken it too far, but he was fed up. He didn't deserve to be treated like that, so he decided to do something about it. He told himself it was a one time thing to get Mack off his back, but it made him feel good. It made him feel respected. It made him feel powerful. It became his go to move. Any time someone tried to mess with him or was even a little rude to him he would simply rest his arm on their shoulder and they would fall to their to knees because John had the capability to force pain upon anybody he touched. This was the reason that John never used his ability, because he knew what kind of person it would make him. But it was too late, he had already become that person. He became greedy for power. It became a way that he would get what he wanted. Nobody bullied him anymore, in fact, he was now known as the bully. Mack became the shy one. He stayed as far from John as he could and never told anyone what happened because he was too scared. John had hit a knew breaking point, but that was about to change. John knew he had been given this divine ability, he knew that it could have been used for good, but he abused it. But this power was given to John for a reason. This reason was found out on the most important day of John's life. It seemed like a normal day. John went through his normal routine. He started walking the same way as he always does. He was approaching the alley and saw that Mack was near the end of the alley with another man. The man pushed Mack up against the wall similar to John's previous position. John thought to himself that Mack was getting what he deserved. Then the man pulled out a gun and shot Mack. The man ran away as soon as it happened. Mack slowly slid down the wall with a streak of red making a path down to the ground. John was in shock. He didn't know what to do. He ran over to Mack and dropped to his knees. He held Mack in his arms. The blood seemed never ending. He couldn't help but think it looked like a scene right out of a movie, but this was reality. He kept telling Mack he would be alright. He thought he was lying. Mack suddenly opened his mouth and very slowly tried to talk to John. John was able to make out the words; "I'm sorry". John started to cry. He was disgusted with himself, but in that moment, that moment of shame, he finally knew the reason he was given this powerful ability. It was not to help himself, but to help others. As he held Mack in his arms and his tears rolled off his face on to Mack he placed his hand over Mack's wound. John could feel it. He could feel the wound appearing inside of himself. You see, his ability was not to give people pain, that was his curse, his ability was that he could take pain away. He finally knew that as the wound disappeared from Mack and appeared in himself. The blood started to pour out of himself. But he wasn't scared. He simply layed down knowing this was what he was meant for. John knew that if he realised his potential earlier he could have saved many more, but he died with the satisfaction of saving at least one. And that was enough.
Sunday 28 April 2013
A Final Day With Death
Jimmy was woken up several times throughout the night because he felt the sickness he was told so much about coming on. It's been like this ever since he started Chemotherapy. He had cancer for a couple years now. He woke up this morning feeling more sick than usual. He walked into his kitchen half-awake and half-asleep and went to the sink and took a drink right from the tap.
"Gross." said a voice from behind Jimmy. Clearly startled and scared, Jimmy yelled and jumped back. He saw a man wearing an old Rolling Stones t-shirt and a Yankees hat with ripped jeans. This guy was clearly passed his time. Very confused, Jimmy asked;
"Who are you and why are you in my house?", the man finished his toast and peanut butter and drank his orange juice before he spoke.
"Listen Jimmy there is no easy way to say this, so I am just going to come right out and say it... I'm death!". The man was completely surprised by Jimmy's reaction. Jimmy didn't even react, his facial expression didn't change, he didn't start to cry and freak out like most people. He simply continued on with his routine, went to the toaster and put some bread in.
"Are you okay Jimmy?"
"Ya, I'm okay. I mean the doctors told me I didn't have long, so I expected this eventually."
"Wait, you expected me?"
"Ya, your like an angel aren't you? Wait, I am going to heaven aren't I?"
"Oh ya of course Jimmy, you did everything the Big Man and the Good Book asked, I'm just used to people freaking out, they know it's going to happen, but it still scares them."
"Well I guess I can understand that, I mean I can kind of understand, I'm not really ready to go myself."
"Well here is the thing, the Big Man said you can have one day."
"For real?"
"Yes, so I would suggest using it wisely."
In the world's eyes Jimmy didn't have much to live for. He was 26, he was single, no children, and his only family was his mother. Jimmy really had no idea what he should do, he seriously contemplated just going in to work, but death convinced him to spend it more wisely than that. Jimmy was a columnist for the New York Post. He had a very good job, but spent a lot of his time by himself writing and reading. He was a fairly good-looking man, very kind, humble, good job, a great lifestyle, so it wasn't like he was single from lack of female interest. He was just simply content being alone. Some people may not agree with his choice of lifestyle, but he enjoyed it and did his part for the world and in his will all of his money went to charity. However, now that he has this one day, he has no family or friends to spend it with. His mother was losing her memory and by now didn't remember him. He wanted to go visit her one last time. He spent the majority of his day with her, she spent most of that time reading, so he read too. She was about to fall asleep, he went over to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. With tears beginning to roll down his cheeks he told his mom how much he loved her and said goodbye.
"Will I see you next week as usual?", his mother so innocently asked. Jimmy was conflicted, but he knew the Big Man would forgive him, especially this time.
"Yes mom, I'll be here!". Jimmy so passionately said. In a way he wasn't lying because he will be with her in spirit, he will be with her every day now. He gave her a big hug and walked out. It was about 7:00 pm, Jimmy and death were tossing a football. Death stopped and asked,
"Jimmy, you are a twenty six year old man, you have one more day to live and you are playing catch with death, there has to be something you want to do for your last night."
"You're right, a diner down the street makes the greatest burgers, the perfect last meal."
"A burger? Alright, if that's what you want."
Jimmy and death were devouring their burgers. Jimmy had a huge smile on his face. It didn't take long for death to realise that Jimmy wasn't smiling because of the burgers. He followed Jimmy's eyes and it led him to a beautiful waitress.
"So that's why you wanted this be your last meal." Jimmy started to blush when he was caught in the act of staring at this gorgeous young girl. "Why haven't you ever asked her out?"
"I'm not very good with women, I'm always afraid I'll say something stupid."
"Well it's your last night, who cares if you say something stupid."
"You mean now? I can't talk to her now, I'm going to die in about three hours!"
"Why not? That's the best way to end it all, talking to the girl of your dreams."
"I can't."
"Alright, if you want to end your night with this crappy pie and staring at this girl instead of acting on those feelings, than so be it."
"I'm too nervous, especially with all of these people."
"Alright, we will wait til everyone leaves then."
Jimmy and death waited in that booth for hours. They talked about everything, Jimmy told death his whole life story. They were becoming close even though Jimmy was telling the stories and Death just listened, but he was intrigued, he loved it. Death was living vicariously through Jimmy's stories. They laughed, they smiled, and enjoyed every minute in that booth. Jimmy started to think that his life could have been better if he had more friends, just as he started to wonder the last customer left and the last three people in the diner were Death, Jimmy, and his dream girl.
"Alright now is your chance go talk to her." Jimmy's heart suddenly dropped to his stomach and was beating twice as fast. Jimmy suddenly understood the concept of your life flashing before your eyes as it happened to him in seconds. He saw his whole life, though it was great, he had regrets, some of which were opportunities. This was an opportunity, an opportunity to make the last minutes of his life a moment that he won't regret. He got a big smile on his face as he knew what was waiting for him in about twenty minutes. He knew he had nothing to lose.
"Alright, but I need you to do something for me...". Jimmy walked over to the waitress.
"Hi, my name is Jimmy. You probably don't recognise me, but I come in here a lot and it is because of you, the food kind of sucks.This might sound weird but I think you are gorgeous, I see the way you treat other people and you are the sweetest person ever, and you have a smile that is out of this world. When I think of the dream girl, I can't help, but think of you."
"I'm Lucy.", as she said with a big smile and blushing cheeks. Jimmy knew he had succeeded when he saw that beautiful smile appear. Hearing her name was Death's cue. Frank Sinatra's, "The Way You Look Tonight" started to play.
"Would you like to dance?" Jimmy said very nervously as he stuck his hand out for her to take. She just looked at his hand for a little while, but the smile never left her face. She hadn't said another word, but Jimmy knew he caught her attention.
"I would love to." She reached out and grabbed his hand. Jimmy was spinning her and picking her up and spinning her around and they loved every minute of it. They were both laughing and having the time of their life. The song was coming near the end and she suddenly stopped the energetic dancing and came close to him. She wrapped her hands around his neck and rested her head against his chest. Jimmy never felt so happy in his life. He couldn't think of a better way to spend his last moment. Death tapped Jimmy on the back, he told Lucy he had to go, but how much this night meant to him. He walked out of that Diner and she never saw him again. Jimmy left that Diner with a huge smile... and he left this world with an even bigger one.
"For real?"
"Yes, so I would suggest using it wisely."
In the world's eyes Jimmy didn't have much to live for. He was 26, he was single, no children, and his only family was his mother. Jimmy really had no idea what he should do, he seriously contemplated just going in to work, but death convinced him to spend it more wisely than that. Jimmy was a columnist for the New York Post. He had a very good job, but spent a lot of his time by himself writing and reading. He was a fairly good-looking man, very kind, humble, good job, a great lifestyle, so it wasn't like he was single from lack of female interest. He was just simply content being alone. Some people may not agree with his choice of lifestyle, but he enjoyed it and did his part for the world and in his will all of his money went to charity. However, now that he has this one day, he has no family or friends to spend it with. His mother was losing her memory and by now didn't remember him. He wanted to go visit her one last time. He spent the majority of his day with her, she spent most of that time reading, so he read too. She was about to fall asleep, he went over to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. With tears beginning to roll down his cheeks he told his mom how much he loved her and said goodbye.
"Will I see you next week as usual?", his mother so innocently asked. Jimmy was conflicted, but he knew the Big Man would forgive him, especially this time.
"Yes mom, I'll be here!". Jimmy so passionately said. In a way he wasn't lying because he will be with her in spirit, he will be with her every day now. He gave her a big hug and walked out. It was about 7:00 pm, Jimmy and death were tossing a football. Death stopped and asked,
"Jimmy, you are a twenty six year old man, you have one more day to live and you are playing catch with death, there has to be something you want to do for your last night."
"You're right, a diner down the street makes the greatest burgers, the perfect last meal."
"A burger? Alright, if that's what you want."
Jimmy and death were devouring their burgers. Jimmy had a huge smile on his face. It didn't take long for death to realise that Jimmy wasn't smiling because of the burgers. He followed Jimmy's eyes and it led him to a beautiful waitress.
"So that's why you wanted this be your last meal." Jimmy started to blush when he was caught in the act of staring at this gorgeous young girl. "Why haven't you ever asked her out?"
"I'm not very good with women, I'm always afraid I'll say something stupid."
"Well it's your last night, who cares if you say something stupid."
"You mean now? I can't talk to her now, I'm going to die in about three hours!"
"Why not? That's the best way to end it all, talking to the girl of your dreams."
"I can't."
"Alright, if you want to end your night with this crappy pie and staring at this girl instead of acting on those feelings, than so be it."
"I'm too nervous, especially with all of these people."
"Alright, we will wait til everyone leaves then."
Jimmy and death waited in that booth for hours. They talked about everything, Jimmy told death his whole life story. They were becoming close even though Jimmy was telling the stories and Death just listened, but he was intrigued, he loved it. Death was living vicariously through Jimmy's stories. They laughed, they smiled, and enjoyed every minute in that booth. Jimmy started to think that his life could have been better if he had more friends, just as he started to wonder the last customer left and the last three people in the diner were Death, Jimmy, and his dream girl.
"Alright now is your chance go talk to her." Jimmy's heart suddenly dropped to his stomach and was beating twice as fast. Jimmy suddenly understood the concept of your life flashing before your eyes as it happened to him in seconds. He saw his whole life, though it was great, he had regrets, some of which were opportunities. This was an opportunity, an opportunity to make the last minutes of his life a moment that he won't regret. He got a big smile on his face as he knew what was waiting for him in about twenty minutes. He knew he had nothing to lose.
"Alright, but I need you to do something for me...". Jimmy walked over to the waitress.
"Hi, my name is Jimmy. You probably don't recognise me, but I come in here a lot and it is because of you, the food kind of sucks.This might sound weird but I think you are gorgeous, I see the way you treat other people and you are the sweetest person ever, and you have a smile that is out of this world. When I think of the dream girl, I can't help, but think of you."
"I'm Lucy.", as she said with a big smile and blushing cheeks. Jimmy knew he had succeeded when he saw that beautiful smile appear. Hearing her name was Death's cue. Frank Sinatra's, "The Way You Look Tonight" started to play.
"Would you like to dance?" Jimmy said very nervously as he stuck his hand out for her to take. She just looked at his hand for a little while, but the smile never left her face. She hadn't said another word, but Jimmy knew he caught her attention.
"I would love to." She reached out and grabbed his hand. Jimmy was spinning her and picking her up and spinning her around and they loved every minute of it. They were both laughing and having the time of their life. The song was coming near the end and she suddenly stopped the energetic dancing and came close to him. She wrapped her hands around his neck and rested her head against his chest. Jimmy never felt so happy in his life. He couldn't think of a better way to spend his last moment. Death tapped Jimmy on the back, he told Lucy he had to go, but how much this night meant to him. He walked out of that Diner and she never saw him again. Jimmy left that Diner with a huge smile... and he left this world with an even bigger one.
Thursday 18 April 2013
The Man With Slicked Hair...
Bobby woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of a gunshot. He ran over to the window to see a man standing over the body of a woman with a gun in his right hand.The man looked towards Bobby's house and they made eye contact. Bobby quickly ducked down below his window hoping the man would go away. A young teenager who was friends with Bobby came running into his house through the back door. He told Bobby that he saw the whole thing from start to finish and that the man saw him. The young boy started to cry in fear. The boy had been involved with a gang and did some time at a juvenile detention centre, but he didn't deserve to die, Bobby knew this. He pulled the boy close and told him to go through the back door, to take his car and drive home as fast as he could and wait for his call. He knew that if the boy went to the police alone they wouldn't believe a gang member. As the boy left, Bobby ran over to his phone. He quickly called 911 and told them what he saw. Suddenly he heard a light knock on the front door. Bobby knew who it was. He could tell just looking at this man that he wouldn't leave the scene knowing there are loose-ends. Bobby waited a little while praying the man would go away. Another light knock at the door. Bobby was surprised at this man's patience thinking the door would be kicked down by now. A couple tears rolled down Bobby's face, still kneeling on the ground he dropped his head into his hands, he prayed a prayer unlike anything he has ever prayed. He raised his head from his hands. The quick, but powerful prayer gave him a sense of peace. He accepted whatever his fate was. Bobby slowly walked over to the door and opened it. At the door was standing an averaged size man, he was clearly very fit, probably in his early to mid thirty's, his hair was slicked back, he was wearing old sunglasses even though it was night and a leather jacket, in his mouth was an unlit cigarette. He gave Bobby a smile. He politely asked Bobby if he could come in. Bobby hesitated and then let the man in his house. The man walked into the house and pulled out a gold lighter and lit his cigarette. Bobby was about to tell him to put it out, but thought twice before talking and decided not to. The man told Bobby what was going to happen, his directions were very clear.
"I know what you saw and I know what the boy saw who came in here and then conveniently drove away I'm guessing with your car, don't try and deny it because I know the truth and I don't like being lied to. So here is what's going to happen. The police are going to be here in a few minutes because I am assuming you have already called them. So you are going to come with me and we are going to go for a drive."
Bobby followed the man to the back door where he was then led to the man's car. It was a 1970 black camero. Despite the situation Bobby still mentally recognised the beauty of this classic. They drove for about ten minutes until the man parked underneath an old bridge. Bobby was terrified looking around the surrounding landscape hoping someone was watching and would call for help, but there wasn't a soul in sight. They sat there in silence for a few minutes, the man then pulled his gun out of his jacket pocket and very slowly and gently placed it on the dash board. Then in his other jacket pocket he pulled out a picture frame with a picture of Bobby's family in it. He then very politely laid Bobby's options in front of him.
"Here's the thing; I know you aren't going to tell the police what you saw otherwise you will never see these lovely people again, the boy on the other hand, well he is a loose-end. Nobody likes loose-ends. So here are your options: you can tell me where I can find the boy and you and your family can be free to go or you can not tell me where the boy is and I shoot you. Choose wisely."
Tears started to roll down Bobby's face again. He closed his eyes, he's never prayed so hard in his life.
"God what do I do in this situation? Do I just tell him where he is and then I can go peacefully? But he might still kill me anyways. Or do I not tell him and risk my life, but save the boy's?
The tears very quickly stopped.
"Alright, where is the boy?"
With complete peace and contentment, Bobby just shook his head. He knew what was coming and he accepted that. In one swift motion the man took the gun off the dashboard and shot Bobby in the head.
Bobby sat up in his bed sweating profusely.
"Holy crap, it was a dream!"
"I know what you saw and I know what the boy saw who came in here and then conveniently drove away I'm guessing with your car, don't try and deny it because I know the truth and I don't like being lied to. So here is what's going to happen. The police are going to be here in a few minutes because I am assuming you have already called them. So you are going to come with me and we are going to go for a drive."
Bobby followed the man to the back door where he was then led to the man's car. It was a 1970 black camero. Despite the situation Bobby still mentally recognised the beauty of this classic. They drove for about ten minutes until the man parked underneath an old bridge. Bobby was terrified looking around the surrounding landscape hoping someone was watching and would call for help, but there wasn't a soul in sight. They sat there in silence for a few minutes, the man then pulled his gun out of his jacket pocket and very slowly and gently placed it on the dash board. Then in his other jacket pocket he pulled out a picture frame with a picture of Bobby's family in it. He then very politely laid Bobby's options in front of him.
"Here's the thing; I know you aren't going to tell the police what you saw otherwise you will never see these lovely people again, the boy on the other hand, well he is a loose-end. Nobody likes loose-ends. So here are your options: you can tell me where I can find the boy and you and your family can be free to go or you can not tell me where the boy is and I shoot you. Choose wisely."
Tears started to roll down Bobby's face again. He closed his eyes, he's never prayed so hard in his life.
"God what do I do in this situation? Do I just tell him where he is and then I can go peacefully? But he might still kill me anyways. Or do I not tell him and risk my life, but save the boy's?
The tears very quickly stopped.
"Alright, where is the boy?"
With complete peace and contentment, Bobby just shook his head. He knew what was coming and he accepted that. In one swift motion the man took the gun off the dashboard and shot Bobby in the head.
Bobby sat up in his bed sweating profusely.
"Holy crap, it was a dream!"
Sunday 14 April 2013
This Is Church...
Myself and my three friends were sitting in a dark room. We were unused, ignored... empty. Just six days ago hands were all over me. So I was feeling used and abused until a glimmer of light silhouetted me in the dark. In walked a stranger toward me, us. He carried us out of the shadow and into the light to centre stage. It seems that we are featured under the lights. As the music played and the holy words were spoken we knew our five minutes of fame were approaching. The music was rising to a crescendo as we were lifted to our place of honour. The hands held us as though we were sacred. They turned for the crowd to see as they decorated us with their riches. It had begun, as we were on parade for all to see. Immediately someone tried to upstage those who had previously decorated me. Another tried to fool me with empty offering for all to see. I found myself beside one who had little to benefit me. But she dug into her meagre means to bless me abundantly. In that moment I realized it wasn't about the spotlight on me. There was a greater power at work in this show that anyone could sense. Then there was one who dropped his head in shame as I came his way. The one who led me passed him over despised by the mans lack of riches. From all appearances he was rugged and worn, it was clear he was feeling as I did previously ; used, abused, and empty. My calling was clear as I jerked from the hands that held me. I flipped myself, an offering plate, emptying all the riches bestowed upon me. They landed in those hands, rugged and worn, where it was truly needed. This is church...
Co-written by Lance Schubert and Leighton Schubert
Co-written by Lance Schubert and Leighton Schubert
Monday 8 April 2013
Light After Some Dark
I just finished watching the movie 500 Days of Summer. Yes, it is a chick-flick, however, throughout this movie I couldn't help but think that the story was fantastic. Allow me to give you the quick synopsis; the story goes through the 500 days that Tom knew Summer (a girl, not the season). It starts on the 488 day of the 500 days where it makes it seem that they end up together even though at the beginning of the movie the narrator assures us that "this is not a love story". The film goes back and forth from the first days they met to the days near the end. While watching this movie I started to get quite frustrated because this girl kept pushing the guy away until she broke up with him without a proper explanation. On the first days that they started to get to know each other, Summer told Tom that she didn't believe in love and Tom said that he disagreed, she asked how one could even know what love is, he replied by saying that you'll know when you feel it. This is kind of the basis of the film because throughout the story Tom is falling in love with Summer, but Summer continues to push him away until she ends it for good. I know that it sounds like a really sappy and depressing love story, but it is actually a great one. In order for me to express my thought I have to give away the ending; Tom continues to be in love with Summer and thinks there still might be hope for them until he finds out on the early four hundreds of their relationship that she is engaged. Right away I began to think that this story sucks because it is incredibly depressing and the guy gets screwed over. Then on day 488, Summer sees Tom at a park bench and goes to talk to him (by this time she is happily married to another guy). Tom, who is clearly depressed by the whole situation, tells Summer that she was right at the beginning, that there is no such thing as destiny or fate and ultimately no such thing as love. Summer smiled and said that he was wrong, that it was fate and destiny that she met this other guy and fell in love with him, so in the end Tom was right at the beginning by saying she had found her true love, still Tom was in disbelief. At this point I am starting to think that this is so true, that sometimes there is really crappy and depressing stuff that happens in life that makes you want to give up and stop believing in stuff such as love. But that is just life. There is no other way to explain it, sometimes stuff just happens that you can't make sense of or explain, that's life, but that doesn't mean you should give up on the things you believe in; fate, destiny, love. It means you continue on with your life, you continue to enjoy because that one thing that happened, whatever it was whether it was big or small is not the end of the world. Which I believe is a great lesson, however, that is not how the movie ended. On day 500 Tom went to an interview to pursue his dream of becoming an architect (moving on with his life), while in the waiting room he met a beautiful girl (much better looking than Summer) who he then asked out for coffee in which she agreed, as he was about to leave he asked her name; Autumn... So then after watching the whole movie I then began to think that sometimes unexplainable crappy things happen, you just have to continue on enjoying life. However, sometimes things in life happen for a reason, sometimes something that seems horrible happens because you are destined for something much greater. Sometimes in life when it seems like love, destiny, or happiness is such a foreign concept, joy is found at the end of that dark tunnel.
Tuesday 26 March 2013
A Divine Conversation
Ed is a typical man.
He has a normal life,
he goes through the motions, day after day.
He wakes up, goes to work, goes home, goes to sleep.
His current existence consists of routines;
everyday Ed walks to and from work,
he goes the same route at the same pace and stops at the same coffee shop.
This has been his routine for five years.
Ed continues his routine even on weekends,
stopping to get his coffee.
Every morning, after he comes out of the coffee shop,
he gives his left over change to a homeless man despite the mans sign;
on an old piece of cardboard it reads,
"Don't want your money, just want your time."
Time is one thing Ed doesn't have.
His job forces him to dedicate his life to it,
a small sacrifice for wealth, women, and fame.
He hasn't always been like this, he changed.
On one particular day, Ed's life completely changed.... again.
He was on his usual routine,
everything started normal like it usually does.
He left his building and started to walk,
he stopped at his coffee shop, bought his coffee and came back out.
He reached his hand into his pocket and pulled the leftover change out,
Ed usually places the money in the mans beer stained hat,
however,
today the man reached his open hand out,
About to drop it in his hand, the man had quickly grasped on to Ed's hand.
He pulled Ed close and said to him, "all I want is your time".
Ed kept the money in his hand and started to walk away.
For the first time in five years Ed had stepped outside of his routine,
about a hundred feet down the sidewalk, Ed stopped.
He walked back to the man and sat beside him.
The man was like a little kid in a candy store with a smile from ear to ear.
With a big of sigh of confusion, Ed looked to him and said,
"alright you have my time"
The man stretched his hand out, "Hi, I'm Mike"
"I'm Ed".
"Tell me about yourself Ed"
"Why would I tell you anything about myself? that doesn't make any sense"
"Neither does you giving me your time, but you did"
After a long pause,
"Well, I work down the street, not married, don't have kids, and I enjoy being alone"
"Why did you sit down Ed?"
"I really don't know, just felt like I should"
"Well I am glad you did"
"Ya sure whatever, well I should get to work"
Ed stood up and was about to start walking;
"Have you ever been in love Ed?"
Clearly angered, Ed responded, "WHAT?", but also intrigued as he sat back down.
"Oh that must be a sensitive subject for you"
"What kind of a question is that, I don't even know you"
"Well are you gonna answer it or not?"
"Alright, I'll answer it if you answer one of my questions"
"Fair enough"
"Why don't you get a job, for the past five years that I've lived here, you just sit here with that sign"
"I have a job and I am doing it right now"
"Oh ya, your job is that you're a homeless person?"
"Ya, something like that"
"Oh please, what were you addicted to drugs? alcohol? lost everything? what was it?"
"Okay, you want the truth Ed... I'm an angel!"
"Alright, drugs it is."
"Okay I answered the question, your turn"
"Whoa, you still haven't actually told me why you are here"
"I just did"
"Pffff, but fine, yes, I have been in love"
"What happened?"
"Why do you assume something happened?"
"Because you don't seem to live a life of a man in love"
Ed immediately grabbed the collar of Mike's jacket and pulled him close,
"I have NEVER stopped loving her"
"Who?"
"My wife, I will always love her!"
"You aren't wearing a ring."
"Because I'm not married anymore, she died."
"How did she die?"
"Car accident, a truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and they both died"
"Is that why you are like this?"
"Like what?"
"Angry"
"You know other people they just ask how I am doing with it and apologise, but your different"
"Well I'm not like other people"
"Ya, that's probably why I am still sitting here"
"Can I ask you something?"
"I think that it is my turn to ask a question"
"Alright, go ahead."
"Why did you say you're an angel?"
"Because I am, that was a stupid question"
"If you are an angel why are you dressed like a homeless person?"
"Because descending from the heavens in white with wings seems to attract a lot of attention"
"Okay, but why a homeless person, I mean why not a doctor or a minister?"
"Because a homeless person allows me to sit here and observe people and complete my mission, purpose"
"Your mission?"
"Yes, I have a purpose for being here"
"And what is it?"
"Its you"
"Of course it is, then what is your purpose with me?"
"Its my turn for a question"
"Fine"
"Why do you always give me change?"
"Because its something my wife would have done, it would have made her happy"
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Are you happy?"
"Why would I be happy, my wife is dead!"
"Well maybe she is in a better place, wouldn't that make you happy?"
"Yes, if I believed there was a better place"
"Why don't you?"
"Because there is so much evil"
"There is some good in the world"
"Oh ya, like what?"
"People like your wife... people like you"
"I'll never be like my wife"
"You might, if you ever allow yourself to be happy again"
"I can't"
"Why?"
"Because it is my fault that she is dead"
"Why do you say that?"
"Because we got into a fight and she got angry and drove away, and I never saw her again"
A tear slowly appeared in the corner of Ed's eye, it grew and touched his skin and fell down his face.
"Trust me Ed, you are not the reason she died"
"You don't know that"
"Yes, I do"
Ed quickly turned from sad to angry.
"Mike don't try that angel crap with my wife"
Neither one of them said anything for a very long time,
they both sat there in silence.
Ed's face grew more and more wet while Mike sat there thinking.
Mike knew this was his chance and had to act.
"If you had the chance to talk to your wife before she died what would you have said?"
Ed's tears were no longer subtle, he began to cry.
"I would tell her that I love her and that I will always love her"
Mike had a very gentle and innocent smile on his face,
he leaned in really close to Ed,
his mouth was an inch from Ed's ear.
He began to whisper very softly;
"She loves you Ed, she never stopped loving you and she wants you to be happy"
"who?"
"Jane....... your wife!"
Ed's face went pale,
Mike stood up.
"You can be a good person Ed, if not for yourself than for her!"
Mike walked away and Ed never saw him again.
To this day Ed doesn't know if Mike was an angel,
but he does know that he has never been the same.
The next day Ed didn't follow one of his routines;
he slept in, made his own coffee and didn't go to work.
Ed walked down the same street as always,
he walked to the coffee shop and stopped in front of it,
he sat down in Mikes place and lifted up his sign;
"Don't want your money, just want your time!"
He has a normal life,
he goes through the motions, day after day.
He wakes up, goes to work, goes home, goes to sleep.
His current existence consists of routines;
everyday Ed walks to and from work,
he goes the same route at the same pace and stops at the same coffee shop.
This has been his routine for five years.
Ed continues his routine even on weekends,
stopping to get his coffee.
Every morning, after he comes out of the coffee shop,
he gives his left over change to a homeless man despite the mans sign;
on an old piece of cardboard it reads,
"Don't want your money, just want your time."
Time is one thing Ed doesn't have.
His job forces him to dedicate his life to it,
a small sacrifice for wealth, women, and fame.
He hasn't always been like this, he changed.
On one particular day, Ed's life completely changed.... again.
He was on his usual routine,
everything started normal like it usually does.
He left his building and started to walk,
he stopped at his coffee shop, bought his coffee and came back out.
He reached his hand into his pocket and pulled the leftover change out,
Ed usually places the money in the mans beer stained hat,
however,
today the man reached his open hand out,
About to drop it in his hand, the man had quickly grasped on to Ed's hand.
He pulled Ed close and said to him, "all I want is your time".
Ed kept the money in his hand and started to walk away.
For the first time in five years Ed had stepped outside of his routine,
about a hundred feet down the sidewalk, Ed stopped.
He walked back to the man and sat beside him.
The man was like a little kid in a candy store with a smile from ear to ear.
With a big of sigh of confusion, Ed looked to him and said,
"alright you have my time"
The man stretched his hand out, "Hi, I'm Mike"
"I'm Ed".
"Tell me about yourself Ed"
"Why would I tell you anything about myself? that doesn't make any sense"
"Neither does you giving me your time, but you did"
After a long pause,
"Well, I work down the street, not married, don't have kids, and I enjoy being alone"
"Why did you sit down Ed?"
"I really don't know, just felt like I should"
"Well I am glad you did"
"Ya sure whatever, well I should get to work"
Ed stood up and was about to start walking;
"Have you ever been in love Ed?"
Clearly angered, Ed responded, "WHAT?", but also intrigued as he sat back down.
"Oh that must be a sensitive subject for you"
"What kind of a question is that, I don't even know you"
"Well are you gonna answer it or not?"
"Alright, I'll answer it if you answer one of my questions"
"Fair enough"
"Why don't you get a job, for the past five years that I've lived here, you just sit here with that sign"
"I have a job and I am doing it right now"
"Oh ya, your job is that you're a homeless person?"
"Ya, something like that"
"Oh please, what were you addicted to drugs? alcohol? lost everything? what was it?"
"Okay, you want the truth Ed... I'm an angel!"
"Alright, drugs it is."
"Okay I answered the question, your turn"
"Whoa, you still haven't actually told me why you are here"
"I just did"
"Pffff, but fine, yes, I have been in love"
"What happened?"
"Why do you assume something happened?"
"Because you don't seem to live a life of a man in love"
Ed immediately grabbed the collar of Mike's jacket and pulled him close,
"I have NEVER stopped loving her"
"Who?"
"My wife, I will always love her!"
"You aren't wearing a ring."
"Because I'm not married anymore, she died."
"How did she die?"
"Car accident, a truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and they both died"
"Is that why you are like this?"
"Like what?"
"Angry"
"You know other people they just ask how I am doing with it and apologise, but your different"
"Well I'm not like other people"
"Ya, that's probably why I am still sitting here"
"Can I ask you something?"
"I think that it is my turn to ask a question"
"Alright, go ahead."
"Why did you say you're an angel?"
"Because I am, that was a stupid question"
"If you are an angel why are you dressed like a homeless person?"
"Because descending from the heavens in white with wings seems to attract a lot of attention"
"Okay, but why a homeless person, I mean why not a doctor or a minister?"
"Because a homeless person allows me to sit here and observe people and complete my mission, purpose"
"Your mission?"
"Yes, I have a purpose for being here"
"And what is it?"
"Its you"
"Of course it is, then what is your purpose with me?"
"Its my turn for a question"
"Fine"
"Why do you always give me change?"
"Because its something my wife would have done, it would have made her happy"
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Are you happy?"
"Why would I be happy, my wife is dead!"
"Well maybe she is in a better place, wouldn't that make you happy?"
"Yes, if I believed there was a better place"
"Why don't you?"
"Because there is so much evil"
"There is some good in the world"
"Oh ya, like what?"
"People like your wife... people like you"
"I'll never be like my wife"
"You might, if you ever allow yourself to be happy again"
"I can't"
"Why?"
"Because it is my fault that she is dead"
"Why do you say that?"
"Because we got into a fight and she got angry and drove away, and I never saw her again"
A tear slowly appeared in the corner of Ed's eye, it grew and touched his skin and fell down his face.
"Trust me Ed, you are not the reason she died"
"You don't know that"
"Yes, I do"
Ed quickly turned from sad to angry.
"Mike don't try that angel crap with my wife"
Neither one of them said anything for a very long time,
they both sat there in silence.
Ed's face grew more and more wet while Mike sat there thinking.
Mike knew this was his chance and had to act.
"If you had the chance to talk to your wife before she died what would you have said?"
Ed's tears were no longer subtle, he began to cry.
"I would tell her that I love her and that I will always love her"
Mike had a very gentle and innocent smile on his face,
he leaned in really close to Ed,
his mouth was an inch from Ed's ear.
He began to whisper very softly;
"She loves you Ed, she never stopped loving you and she wants you to be happy"
"who?"
"Jane....... your wife!"
Ed's face went pale,
Mike stood up.
"You can be a good person Ed, if not for yourself than for her!"
Mike walked away and Ed never saw him again.
To this day Ed doesn't know if Mike was an angel,
but he does know that he has never been the same.
The next day Ed didn't follow one of his routines;
he slept in, made his own coffee and didn't go to work.
Ed walked down the same street as always,
he walked to the coffee shop and stopped in front of it,
he sat down in Mikes place and lifted up his sign;
"Don't want your money, just want your time!"
Tuesday 19 March 2013
"Seize The Day"
Just do it, come on get up out of your chair and just go do it! This isn't life or death, its not like this
will be my last chance to go for it, I mean I'll see her again some other time, right? Wrong... well you
might see her again, but... you might not. So now I have to make a decision, grow a pair and just go
talk to her or continue to sit here pretending to drink this horrible coffee, which tastes like crap by the
way, and possibly miss my one and only chance. Snap out of it man, this isn't the movies, its not like
you will leave here today and learn tomorrow that she got hit by a car and died, I mean that kind of
stuff doesn't happen in real life, right? Frig I watch too many movies. And now I am sitting here
talking to myself, its happened, I have finally gone nuts. Okay seriously, you have been here for
almost a half an hour... but real life isn't like the movies, a guy can't just come into a coffee shop see a
beautiful girl and randomly go talk to her and then they strike up a conversation, real life isn't actually like that, right? What are you afraid of? I don't know, what if she thinks I'm a nut job and tells me to go away? Then you turn around pay for your crappy coffee and leave and your life goes on. But what if life doesn't go on, what if this is like destiny or fate or something and she is the one and this is my only chance? Well if that's the case than your gonna miss your one and only chance at the "one" because your a wimp. Okay now I am just reading way too much into this, shes a normal girl, I am a normal guy, so we can have a normal conversation. Wait, what if she is the nut job, what if we hit it off and she ends up being a runaway criminal? Wow I think too much, its not that complicated, just seize the opportunity, Carpe Diem "seize the day", make use of opportunities and live life to the fullest, right? Although, the main character in Dead Poets Society followed Carpe Diem and ended up killing himself... I need to get out more, or I could just try watching more documentaries. Crap, I lost track of time I have to go. What are you doing? You sat here thinking of every reason not to go talk to her and convinced yourself not to, now you have from here to the door to convince yourself to do it. I can't do it, I have places to be I don't have time for this. I could be spending my time better than contemplating whether or not to talk to a girl. Than stop wasting time and do it. I can't. What if she is the one and you've missed your only chance? What if she isn't? Than you missed the chance to have a good conversation with a beautiful stranger!
Screw it........... "Hi, I'm Leighton"...
will be my last chance to go for it, I mean I'll see her again some other time, right? Wrong... well you
might see her again, but... you might not. So now I have to make a decision, grow a pair and just go
talk to her or continue to sit here pretending to drink this horrible coffee, which tastes like crap by the
way, and possibly miss my one and only chance. Snap out of it man, this isn't the movies, its not like
you will leave here today and learn tomorrow that she got hit by a car and died, I mean that kind of
stuff doesn't happen in real life, right? Frig I watch too many movies. And now I am sitting here
talking to myself, its happened, I have finally gone nuts. Okay seriously, you have been here for
almost a half an hour... but real life isn't like the movies, a guy can't just come into a coffee shop see a
beautiful girl and randomly go talk to her and then they strike up a conversation, real life isn't actually like that, right? What are you afraid of? I don't know, what if she thinks I'm a nut job and tells me to go away? Then you turn around pay for your crappy coffee and leave and your life goes on. But what if life doesn't go on, what if this is like destiny or fate or something and she is the one and this is my only chance? Well if that's the case than your gonna miss your one and only chance at the "one" because your a wimp. Okay now I am just reading way too much into this, shes a normal girl, I am a normal guy, so we can have a normal conversation. Wait, what if she is the nut job, what if we hit it off and she ends up being a runaway criminal? Wow I think too much, its not that complicated, just seize the opportunity, Carpe Diem "seize the day", make use of opportunities and live life to the fullest, right? Although, the main character in Dead Poets Society followed Carpe Diem and ended up killing himself... I need to get out more, or I could just try watching more documentaries. Crap, I lost track of time I have to go. What are you doing? You sat here thinking of every reason not to go talk to her and convinced yourself not to, now you have from here to the door to convince yourself to do it. I can't do it, I have places to be I don't have time for this. I could be spending my time better than contemplating whether or not to talk to a girl. Than stop wasting time and do it. I can't. What if she is the one and you've missed your only chance? What if she isn't? Than you missed the chance to have a good conversation with a beautiful stranger!
Screw it........... "Hi, I'm Leighton"...
Sunday 17 March 2013
A Comforter, A Best Friend, A stranger, A Saviour...
I sit in the dark day after day gathering dust with the hopes of being revealed to the light... maybe even a desperate face now and then. The drawer is slowly opened, a hand reaches inside and it rests on top of me for a little while, the man closes his eyes with his hand just resting there, then he takes his hand off and closes the drawer. The hopes of being opened after so long is ripped away.
A man and woman come into the room, the same man and woman as always. They go along with their weekly routine, only this time was different because the man left, but the woman stayed behind. She was quite young, very beautiful, long wavy brunette hair, gorgeous blue eyes. Then out of no where she suddenly started to cry. She placed her hands over her face and continued to cry, it must have been twenty minutes that she sat there with tears streaming down her face. She pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket, she searched for a pen and finally opened the drawer, I suddenly became spotlighted by the glare of the sun coming from the window. She reached into the drawer with the intention of grabbing a pen, but pulled her hand out with me in her small but tight grip, her small hand with those fake purple fingernails were desperately grasping my exterior. She sat me on her lap and just stared as the tears began to stop. After sitting there for a few minutes, all within a split second she yanked me up to her chest and tightly wrapped her arms around me and the tears started to pour, it felt like she was holding on for her life. She gently tossed me on the bed, walked over to the night table and grabbed the money that the man left, counted it, placed it in her purse and walked out.
The usual maid walked into the room, she was about to begin her cleaning when she saw that I was left on the bed. She walked over to the bed and leaned across gently lifting me off of the bed, she held me in the air and wiped the dust off of me. This woman treated me like a precious jewel, as if I was a rare and fragile masterpiece, she walked me over to the drawer, opened it up and very gently, with as much care as one person can give something, placed me back in my corner and locked me back into the isolated darkness.
This room hadn't been used in a very long time when one late and rainy night a middle-aged man walked inside. He looked depressed, lonely, angry, sad, lost...broken. He had two large bags with him, he slowly walked around the room a little bit, he stopped at the end of the bed and leaned over gathering something from his bag standing up with a large bottle of whiskey. He opened up the bottle and swallowed as much as he could before coughing, he continued this until the bottle was nearly empty, his body went limp and fell onto the bed dropping the bottle on the floor. Hours later he awoke and slowly sat up, he quickly brought his hand to his temple realising any movement shook his pounding migraine. He saw the nearly empty bottle laying on the ground, he stared it down as if he was going to attack it, or perhaps the other way around. In one swift motion he quickly picked the bottle up and hurled it at the wall with as much force as his body could handle. The bottle hit the wall and shattered into a million pieces splattering the last little bit of whiskey on the white sheets. He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and opened it up pulling a picture out of it letting the wallet fall to the ground as if it no longer had meaning, he sat on the bed and stared at the picture of his lost family. His beautiful wife wearing that purple dress that he loves so much, she had one of their adorable daughters in each arm, smiling at their cheating daddy taking the picture. Similar to the woman he suddenly began to cry, but not like a usual cry, this man was sobbing because he finally realised he had lost the three gems God had placed in his life. Still crying he stood up and ripped his suit jacket off, took his tie off and threw them on the ground still holding the picture with the same grip the woman had on me. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, he looked back at his life and was disgusted with himself. He opened his eyes and looked around the room, he began to take his anger out on everything in his sight. Everything in this room he began to destroy, the television, the lamp, the mirror, the walls, the bed, the night table. He ripped the lamp that was sitting on the night table and chucked it across the room, then he lifted the night table beside the bed and followed it behind the lamp. He ran over to what was left of it and began stomping on it, he pulled the drawer out and tossed it across the room. I was revealed to the light flying across the room and tumbled on the floor. He walked over to me, standing right over top of me he fell to his knees. He picked me up, he opened my cover and began to read the first page, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"...
A man and woman come into the room, the same man and woman as always. They go along with their weekly routine, only this time was different because the man left, but the woman stayed behind. She was quite young, very beautiful, long wavy brunette hair, gorgeous blue eyes. Then out of no where she suddenly started to cry. She placed her hands over her face and continued to cry, it must have been twenty minutes that she sat there with tears streaming down her face. She pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket, she searched for a pen and finally opened the drawer, I suddenly became spotlighted by the glare of the sun coming from the window. She reached into the drawer with the intention of grabbing a pen, but pulled her hand out with me in her small but tight grip, her small hand with those fake purple fingernails were desperately grasping my exterior. She sat me on her lap and just stared as the tears began to stop. After sitting there for a few minutes, all within a split second she yanked me up to her chest and tightly wrapped her arms around me and the tears started to pour, it felt like she was holding on for her life. She gently tossed me on the bed, walked over to the night table and grabbed the money that the man left, counted it, placed it in her purse and walked out.
The usual maid walked into the room, she was about to begin her cleaning when she saw that I was left on the bed. She walked over to the bed and leaned across gently lifting me off of the bed, she held me in the air and wiped the dust off of me. This woman treated me like a precious jewel, as if I was a rare and fragile masterpiece, she walked me over to the drawer, opened it up and very gently, with as much care as one person can give something, placed me back in my corner and locked me back into the isolated darkness.
This room hadn't been used in a very long time when one late and rainy night a middle-aged man walked inside. He looked depressed, lonely, angry, sad, lost...broken. He had two large bags with him, he slowly walked around the room a little bit, he stopped at the end of the bed and leaned over gathering something from his bag standing up with a large bottle of whiskey. He opened up the bottle and swallowed as much as he could before coughing, he continued this until the bottle was nearly empty, his body went limp and fell onto the bed dropping the bottle on the floor. Hours later he awoke and slowly sat up, he quickly brought his hand to his temple realising any movement shook his pounding migraine. He saw the nearly empty bottle laying on the ground, he stared it down as if he was going to attack it, or perhaps the other way around. In one swift motion he quickly picked the bottle up and hurled it at the wall with as much force as his body could handle. The bottle hit the wall and shattered into a million pieces splattering the last little bit of whiskey on the white sheets. He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and opened it up pulling a picture out of it letting the wallet fall to the ground as if it no longer had meaning, he sat on the bed and stared at the picture of his lost family. His beautiful wife wearing that purple dress that he loves so much, she had one of their adorable daughters in each arm, smiling at their cheating daddy taking the picture. Similar to the woman he suddenly began to cry, but not like a usual cry, this man was sobbing because he finally realised he had lost the three gems God had placed in his life. Still crying he stood up and ripped his suit jacket off, took his tie off and threw them on the ground still holding the picture with the same grip the woman had on me. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, he looked back at his life and was disgusted with himself. He opened his eyes and looked around the room, he began to take his anger out on everything in his sight. Everything in this room he began to destroy, the television, the lamp, the mirror, the walls, the bed, the night table. He ripped the lamp that was sitting on the night table and chucked it across the room, then he lifted the night table beside the bed and followed it behind the lamp. He ran over to what was left of it and began stomping on it, he pulled the drawer out and tossed it across the room. I was revealed to the light flying across the room and tumbled on the floor. He walked over to me, standing right over top of me he fell to his knees. He picked me up, he opened my cover and began to read the first page, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"...
Sunday 3 March 2013
Why I Love Movies...
Why do I love movies? It is a question that, surprisingly, I have never been asked or asked myself. I love movies probably more than any materialistic thing. For as long as I can remember I have loved movies and could sit and watch one after another. From adventurous movies to comedies to thrillers, even the odd chick-flick, I love them all. And no matter what movie it is, whether its a good film or not, they all put a smile on my face because they take me away for those couple of hours.
I guess you could say that movies are my escape, the stories in particular. For those couple of hours I experience something that I most likely will never experience in my lifetime. I become someone that one can only dream of. In the movies; for that short period of time I become these fantastic characters like superman, Forrest Gump, John Coffey, Braveheart, Marty Mcfly, Maximus Decimus Meridius, Luke Skywalker, Rocky Balboa... I become these heroes and amazing characters that go on amazing adventures. A movie like the Gladiator or Braveheart where it takes you back into the past through some of the most amazing historical events. For that short period of time I get to imagine myself as some the worlds greatest heroes; whether it's as Braveheart shouting out "FREEDOM" before he takes his last breath, or as Maximus fighting that final battle to avenge the death of his family. For some people a movie is simply just entertainment, but for me movies give me a whole different aspect of life and the world. A movie can take an event and make it come to life and allows someone to understand it and feel it and experience it. The best example of this that I can think of is The Passion of the Christ. An event such as this one that many people perhaps don't understand or don't realise what exactly happened makes it come to life. And for anyone who has seen this movie will agree that you certainly experience it and cringe and can't help but look away at such brutality, it brings such an incomprehensible action to life. Another good example that perhaps more people can relate to is Schindler's List. This movie takes an event that shook humanity and gives people in this time a very small idea of the human cruelty that occurred. However it is also movies like this that gives one hope. Schindler's List is often criticised for making light of the Holocaust and all of it's atrocities, but I watch this movie and that is not at all the feeling that I get. Perhaps this is because I did not experience such a thing at first hand, but when I watch this film my heart absolutely breaks watching some of the ways these people were treated and what they went through, however I think the intention of this movie is to give humanity hope. Because through possibly the most horrific event in history we see the evil and inhumane acts that humanity is capable of, but we also see that through this darkness people can rise up and this gives us a little bit of hope... at least it did for me. Because even though this world is really screwed up, there are still good people in this world! Another movie that could also give one hope, although completely different and incomparable, is Forrest Gump. How can this movie be in the same category as Schindler's List? A man with all odds against him rose up and became a hero, a legend, a millionaire, a champion, an icon, a husband, a father... I don't know about you, but I get all warm and fuzzy inside every time I watch it because it is the best example of an underdog story. This gives me hope because it shows that one can go against the odds and become whoever they want to be and may make all of their dreams come true.
And then there are movies that just simply put a smile on my face and sometimes (most of the time)that's all it takes to turn a bad day into a good one. These movies are usually not the ones that will win Oscars, but they are the ones that end with uplifting and happily ever after endings or just leave you a little happier than when it started. Movies that come to mind with these aspects in mind are ones like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Goonies, Hook, Jurassic Park, and my personal favourite, Lord of the Rings. All of these movies I would consider classics because they are one-of-a-kind films that are possibly simple ideas, but powerful. An archaeologist searching for priceless treasure while avoiding capture by Nazis, it doesn't seem like too much of an abstract idea, but it will forever go down in history as a great film because they always left you feeling like you had just ventured on an amazing journey and you cannot help but have a smile on your face when it ends completely as expected with the girl in one hand and the treasure in the other. How about a movie about the adventure of a bunch outcast kids searching for lost treasure, it probably doesn't get much simpler than that, yet I would consider The Goonies to be in my top ten. That's because it is a fantastic film filled with adventure, booby traps, goofy humour, and an unforgettable happy ending. And then there is the Lord of the Rings which is anything but simple. The Lord of the Rings is a very complex and amazing story, one in which I could talk about forever so I will simply say that this movie/story could be in every category that I have talked about, it speaks of the truths of evil in humanity, it gives the aspect of hope as we see the hobbits rise up to the task of saving the world, and overall it is an amazing adventure filled with out-of-this-world creatures and not just a happy ending, but the happy ending.
I don't really have a specific category for these next films, but they are my absolute favourite movies of all time and therefore have to be in this blog so I will just give you my thoughts. The Shawshank Redemption is clearly not a surprise that it would be one of my all time favourites because it is widely known as one of the best. However, these are just the reasons that I love this movie. The Shawshank Redemption is the story of a wrongly accused man spending his time in jail alongside his elderly best friend. It's actually quite simple why I love this movie because it has every thing that a great film needs: a likeable main character; Andy is an innocent and intelligent man who pursues his freedom in any way necessary, A kind and loving best friend; Red is an old man that's been in prison for most of his life and is all he knows, an evil antagonist; the warden is a greedy man after his own selfish desires, a prison break; realising his freedom cannot be earned and that it must be taken, Andy devises a plan to break out of prison, and an unforgettable ending; not long after Andy has broken out of jail and long fled the United States, Red is released from prison and follows Andy's note and arrives on a tropical island where he sees Andy fixing an old boat in the distance, the film ends with two with smiles on their faces from ear to ear. The Green Mile is like no other film, it's another one that I could go on and on about because there is so much content and value in this masterpiece. To avoid rambling on about this movie all I will say is that this movie makes you see life in a new way... respect life in a new way and yes I know it is just a movie, but The Green Mile is not just another movie. I have seen this movie many times and every time I see the ending of when the innocent giant or possibly angel that is John Coffey take his final breath I get shivers down my back and any movie that can do that must be special.
As you can see by the length of this blog that I can talk forever about movies. Movies are what comfort me, when I have a bad day, I watch a movie and I escape this world for a short while and I come back happier than ever. That is why I love movies.
I guess you could say that movies are my escape, the stories in particular. For those couple of hours I experience something that I most likely will never experience in my lifetime. I become someone that one can only dream of. In the movies; for that short period of time I become these fantastic characters like superman, Forrest Gump, John Coffey, Braveheart, Marty Mcfly, Maximus Decimus Meridius, Luke Skywalker, Rocky Balboa... I become these heroes and amazing characters that go on amazing adventures. A movie like the Gladiator or Braveheart where it takes you back into the past through some of the most amazing historical events. For that short period of time I get to imagine myself as some the worlds greatest heroes; whether it's as Braveheart shouting out "FREEDOM" before he takes his last breath, or as Maximus fighting that final battle to avenge the death of his family. For some people a movie is simply just entertainment, but for me movies give me a whole different aspect of life and the world. A movie can take an event and make it come to life and allows someone to understand it and feel it and experience it. The best example of this that I can think of is The Passion of the Christ. An event such as this one that many people perhaps don't understand or don't realise what exactly happened makes it come to life. And for anyone who has seen this movie will agree that you certainly experience it and cringe and can't help but look away at such brutality, it brings such an incomprehensible action to life. Another good example that perhaps more people can relate to is Schindler's List. This movie takes an event that shook humanity and gives people in this time a very small idea of the human cruelty that occurred. However it is also movies like this that gives one hope. Schindler's List is often criticised for making light of the Holocaust and all of it's atrocities, but I watch this movie and that is not at all the feeling that I get. Perhaps this is because I did not experience such a thing at first hand, but when I watch this film my heart absolutely breaks watching some of the ways these people were treated and what they went through, however I think the intention of this movie is to give humanity hope. Because through possibly the most horrific event in history we see the evil and inhumane acts that humanity is capable of, but we also see that through this darkness people can rise up and this gives us a little bit of hope... at least it did for me. Because even though this world is really screwed up, there are still good people in this world! Another movie that could also give one hope, although completely different and incomparable, is Forrest Gump. How can this movie be in the same category as Schindler's List? A man with all odds against him rose up and became a hero, a legend, a millionaire, a champion, an icon, a husband, a father... I don't know about you, but I get all warm and fuzzy inside every time I watch it because it is the best example of an underdog story. This gives me hope because it shows that one can go against the odds and become whoever they want to be and may make all of their dreams come true.
And then there are movies that just simply put a smile on my face and sometimes (most of the time)that's all it takes to turn a bad day into a good one. These movies are usually not the ones that will win Oscars, but they are the ones that end with uplifting and happily ever after endings or just leave you a little happier than when it started. Movies that come to mind with these aspects in mind are ones like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Goonies, Hook, Jurassic Park, and my personal favourite, Lord of the Rings. All of these movies I would consider classics because they are one-of-a-kind films that are possibly simple ideas, but powerful. An archaeologist searching for priceless treasure while avoiding capture by Nazis, it doesn't seem like too much of an abstract idea, but it will forever go down in history as a great film because they always left you feeling like you had just ventured on an amazing journey and you cannot help but have a smile on your face when it ends completely as expected with the girl in one hand and the treasure in the other. How about a movie about the adventure of a bunch outcast kids searching for lost treasure, it probably doesn't get much simpler than that, yet I would consider The Goonies to be in my top ten. That's because it is a fantastic film filled with adventure, booby traps, goofy humour, and an unforgettable happy ending. And then there is the Lord of the Rings which is anything but simple. The Lord of the Rings is a very complex and amazing story, one in which I could talk about forever so I will simply say that this movie/story could be in every category that I have talked about, it speaks of the truths of evil in humanity, it gives the aspect of hope as we see the hobbits rise up to the task of saving the world, and overall it is an amazing adventure filled with out-of-this-world creatures and not just a happy ending, but the happy ending.
I don't really have a specific category for these next films, but they are my absolute favourite movies of all time and therefore have to be in this blog so I will just give you my thoughts. The Shawshank Redemption is clearly not a surprise that it would be one of my all time favourites because it is widely known as one of the best. However, these are just the reasons that I love this movie. The Shawshank Redemption is the story of a wrongly accused man spending his time in jail alongside his elderly best friend. It's actually quite simple why I love this movie because it has every thing that a great film needs: a likeable main character; Andy is an innocent and intelligent man who pursues his freedom in any way necessary, A kind and loving best friend; Red is an old man that's been in prison for most of his life and is all he knows, an evil antagonist; the warden is a greedy man after his own selfish desires, a prison break; realising his freedom cannot be earned and that it must be taken, Andy devises a plan to break out of prison, and an unforgettable ending; not long after Andy has broken out of jail and long fled the United States, Red is released from prison and follows Andy's note and arrives on a tropical island where he sees Andy fixing an old boat in the distance, the film ends with two with smiles on their faces from ear to ear. The Green Mile is like no other film, it's another one that I could go on and on about because there is so much content and value in this masterpiece. To avoid rambling on about this movie all I will say is that this movie makes you see life in a new way... respect life in a new way and yes I know it is just a movie, but The Green Mile is not just another movie. I have seen this movie many times and every time I see the ending of when the innocent giant or possibly angel that is John Coffey take his final breath I get shivers down my back and any movie that can do that must be special.
As you can see by the length of this blog that I can talk forever about movies. Movies are what comfort me, when I have a bad day, I watch a movie and I escape this world for a short while and I come back happier than ever. That is why I love movies.
Wednesday 13 February 2013
First World Problems... Are Not Problems
When I first watched this video I felt ashamed because I have actually complained about some of this stuff... absolutely pointless stuff. I think people living in first world countries such as Canada with myself, know that our issues are not even issues in comparison to the third world, but we are selfish and greedy and ignore this. We ignore the fact that our little problems of not being able to fit all the groceries in the fridge because it is too full or complaining over the fact there is no more juice left so you have to resort to water are not problems. Real problems are waking up every morning not knowing if you will eat that day or have clean water. Real problems are living in massive slums that are infested with diseases. Real problems are having your entire family murdered by rebel groups or waking up to find your child has died from a curable disease such as diarrhea. Real problems are 12 year old girls having babies because it isn't safe for her to leave her home at night to get water because she will get raped or because she needed the money for her family. These are real problems; the so called issues that we complain about are blessings... not problems. I think we know that our issues are completely minuscule in comparison to real problems, but we ignore it and we block it out of our minds because perhaps it is too hard to deal with or we feel too guilty like myself. That is not to say that people in first world countries never have real problems because they do, but in regards to our lifestyle and the luxury that we get to live in... we should have no complaints, in fact we should feel guilty and want to make change. So the next time we go to complain about the weather or too much mustard or bad internet... think about real problems.
Thursday 31 January 2013
"If you believe in your God, tell people about it..."
I came across this video while looking through youtube videos and was immediately intrigued when I saw that it was Penn Jillette with Piers Morgan. I felt this way because I knew before this video that Penn was an atheist and very open about it and before this video I was not a big fan of Piers Morgan, mainly just from Americas Got Talent. After watching this video my thoughts on Piers Morgan had changed because I thought as a believer he handled that topic very well and stood up for what he believed and expressed what he believed. He felt angered by Penn's recently released book, " God, No!", and he told him that and told him why. And I agree with that, as a believer myself, I would hope that if I was in that situation I would be able to do the same as Piers and stand up for what I believe in, but not only be defencive, but explain why I disagree and why I believe that he is wrong, which I think that Piers did. However, I found myself after watching this video respecting both of these men more, including Penn. As a Christian and him being an Atheist, we have very different beliefs and lifestyles, but he is open and public about what he believes and that is more than many Christians can say, including myself... which is very unfortunate. I respect Penn because he not an Atheist who hates every religious person (I don't know if any Atheist's are like that), he respects people who will stand up for their beliefs and try to explain it to him and possibly convince him. It's the people who say they are Christians or religious and do nothing about it who he does not respect and I agree. My favourite part of this video is near the end when Penn is talking about how he loves when people speak out about their beliefs and their religion and he says, "If you believe in your God, tell people about it, pray for me, explain it to me". It is people like this and hearing things like this that should make Christians want to go out and express their belief, I know it does for me.
Thursday 24 January 2013
Cornel West vs. Obama
My professor showed this video of Cornel West, a professor at Princeton, in my International Development class the other day. President Obama was inaugurated on Monday and he swore the oath on the same bible that Abraham Lincoln did and on the personal bible of Martin Luther King Jr. To give you some background, in 2009 the government of Haiti passed a law that raised the wages of workers from 24 cents an hour to 61 cents an hour or 5 dollars a day. Because the companies that have factories in Haiti like Levi Strauss, Haynes, and Fruit of The Loom are American companies that are not willing to pay that amount to the workers of Haiti. So, the Obama administration pressured the President of Haiti not to increase the minimum wage, they eventually came up with 3 dollars a day, which is about a 7 cent increase per hour. This is the example my professor used to help explain to us how President Obama is clearly not trying to rid the world of extreme poverty. In this video Cornel West provides more examples of how President Obama has not supported the beliefs of Martin Luther King Jr. and therefore does not deserve to use his personal bible according to Cornel West. And I must say that I do agree with West that Obama has made a point to use Martin's bible, but he does not follow the morals and beliefs that Martin Luther King Jr. did. He is known widely for standing up against racism and dying for it, but he also stood up against war crimes and especially poverty and poverty in America. I do not do it justice in trying to explain it myself so you must listen to Cornel West because he explains it very well and is clearly a very good speaker.
Tuesday 22 January 2013
A day in the life of a dog (if he could speak)
My name is Cuddles and I am a dog. If I could speak the first thing I would say is Cuddles is a crappy name. I am a dog not a gerbil. Why not Paul? Petey? or even Barney? Since I can speak for only a limited time, my name for now will be Ralph... and this is a day in my life...
The first thing I usually do is wake up, sometimes to the first sound of people or just to yell through the window at the less superior animals making a mess in my backyard. On this particular day lets just say that I woke up to my humans walking around up stairs. So of course I race up stairs as fast as I can and get a good scratch from every person I come in contact with. I know I don't really have a full understanding of people, but to me it seems that in the morning (or anytime during the day for that matter) everyone is so busy and is always rushing, nobody just sits and takes the time to enjoy the beautiful day. I don't understand it, but myself on the other hand, I do take the time to relax, might have a quick snooze before the female lets me roam outside for the day where I, unlike people, will enjoy this wonderful morning. I usually do a few laps around my fence chasing a few birds, maybe even a plane or two, then once I know everyone has left the house I relax again and stop pretending like I am actually guarding the house. Then I will do my daily butt cleaning and give it a good scrub, yes, with my tongue, it's a natural part of life, just accept it. After that I might do a little more running and then sleep and sleep and sleep... Then I usually wake up to the sound of my people arriving back home where I am then allowed to come back inside. At this time of day I get a much more thorough and longer belly rub, which makes me quite happy. Once everyone has arrived back home and given me a good scratch or two I go back to sleeping and they go back to being busy where they come and go and are running by me not realising how beautiful the sunset is. They spend most of their time on funny looking gadgets and very little of it interacting with each other or playing with me (which is very important). Then night time comes and each person eventually goes off by themselves until there is one person left, usually the man of the house, this is my favourite part of the day because throughout it nobody really has time for me or for anyone and in this last moment of the day the man will lay down beside me and give me a really nice scratch and he will even talk to me. I have no idea what he is saying, probably about his day and why he was in such a hurry and what everyone in the family is up to these days, but I am still a good listener, maybe that's just what he needed, a good listener. But then he goes to bed seeming a little happier and I go off to my bed knowing I did my job (man's best friend). If I could speak to a person and tell them something, I would tell them to slow down. I would say slow down and relax, don't take your time in this life for granted. I would also say to enjoy the little things of this world, the beautiful sunny days, the bright green grass, the singing birds (which I find extremely annoying, but you guys seem to enjoy it for some reason), the hot summer days, the rare time of the day you get to be with your family (dogs included), and even your lonesome dog who all he wants is to play with you. I think people could learn a lot from dogs, we might not have the best values or exciting lives, but we certainly know how to enjoy life.
The first thing I usually do is wake up, sometimes to the first sound of people or just to yell through the window at the less superior animals making a mess in my backyard. On this particular day lets just say that I woke up to my humans walking around up stairs. So of course I race up stairs as fast as I can and get a good scratch from every person I come in contact with. I know I don't really have a full understanding of people, but to me it seems that in the morning (or anytime during the day for that matter) everyone is so busy and is always rushing, nobody just sits and takes the time to enjoy the beautiful day. I don't understand it, but myself on the other hand, I do take the time to relax, might have a quick snooze before the female lets me roam outside for the day where I, unlike people, will enjoy this wonderful morning. I usually do a few laps around my fence chasing a few birds, maybe even a plane or two, then once I know everyone has left the house I relax again and stop pretending like I am actually guarding the house. Then I will do my daily butt cleaning and give it a good scrub, yes, with my tongue, it's a natural part of life, just accept it. After that I might do a little more running and then sleep and sleep and sleep... Then I usually wake up to the sound of my people arriving back home where I am then allowed to come back inside. At this time of day I get a much more thorough and longer belly rub, which makes me quite happy. Once everyone has arrived back home and given me a good scratch or two I go back to sleeping and they go back to being busy where they come and go and are running by me not realising how beautiful the sunset is. They spend most of their time on funny looking gadgets and very little of it interacting with each other or playing with me (which is very important). Then night time comes and each person eventually goes off by themselves until there is one person left, usually the man of the house, this is my favourite part of the day because throughout it nobody really has time for me or for anyone and in this last moment of the day the man will lay down beside me and give me a really nice scratch and he will even talk to me. I have no idea what he is saying, probably about his day and why he was in such a hurry and what everyone in the family is up to these days, but I am still a good listener, maybe that's just what he needed, a good listener. But then he goes to bed seeming a little happier and I go off to my bed knowing I did my job (man's best friend). If I could speak to a person and tell them something, I would tell them to slow down. I would say slow down and relax, don't take your time in this life for granted. I would also say to enjoy the little things of this world, the beautiful sunny days, the bright green grass, the singing birds (which I find extremely annoying, but you guys seem to enjoy it for some reason), the hot summer days, the rare time of the day you get to be with your family (dogs included), and even your lonesome dog who all he wants is to play with you. I think people could learn a lot from dogs, we might not have the best values or exciting lives, but we certainly know how to enjoy life.
Friday 18 January 2013
Superman's "Bucket List"
1. Climb Everest within a minute.
2. Beat every strong man record.
3. Show Lois the view of the world from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
4. Witness a miracle rather than always creating them.
5. Kill Chuck Norris.
6. Have a family.
7. Have a normal life.
8. Beat Usain Bolt's world record (only by a split second of course).
9. Build a house on the moon.
10. Actually dig to China.
11. Change the world.
2. Beat every strong man record.
3. Show Lois the view of the world from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
4. Witness a miracle rather than always creating them.
5. Kill Chuck Norris.
6. Have a family.
7. Have a normal life.
8. Beat Usain Bolt's world record (only by a split second of course).
9. Build a house on the moon.
10. Actually dig to China.
11. Change the world.
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