I really don't have one thing to comment about, but several. I went to see the movie Avatar tonight. This is a rarity, since I'm usually annoyed that I spent the money to see a movie that turns out to be very dissapointing to me. I was not dissapointed by this movie, it was excellent. A great movie for everyone, even a sourpuss like me. I don't want to spoil anything at all about it, I just want to say go see this movie! This is quite possibly the only movie I will go see in theaters this year. But I had to see what all the hype was about, and for once my expectations were more than met. (Nate if they ever do WoT movies, James Cameron has to be in on it.) A beautiful movie and message as well.
This was a very pleasant change of pace. I have watched several movies lately where the theme has been about drugs, and the culture that surrounds them. Many of these movies glamorize the lifestyle and use of drugs. The ones that don't still usually have a happy ending, because people usually like the happy ending. And then there are the really gritty ones, without the happy ending. The ones that seem to leave a feeling of despair and filth seared right into your soul. As a person who has spent many, many, wasted years (pun intended) within that culture, I find these movies to be the most accurate. Sure a Cheech and Chong movie is entertaining, totally unrealistic, but funny. Some aren't so pleasant, these are the ones where nobody wins in the end, the drug wins. It is the main character or the anti-hero of the story. You might ask, why are you watching such movies? I'm not really sure why myself. I think this started when I found out that someone I had met overdosed and died recently. I didn't know this person well, but it was still a suprise. I have known many people over the years who have died because of drugs and alcohol, or at the very least have completely ruined their own lives and hurt the people who have loved them, deeply. I guess another reason for this is that on occasion I forget why I quit. I start to feel that longing or craving pull at me. So I find ways to remind myself of the horrors and the lows, which last far longer than the highs. And sometimes putting this out in the open kills that desire a little bit more. I would like to put it all down on paper one day in the hopes that it could help people, if it made me some cash as well I really wouldn't mind.
Now I would like to address the topic of sarcasm. I love sarcasm, as do all my siblings and my son. I have a sneaking suspicion that many of my cousins and aunts kind of like it themselves. But I think many don't like it when it's directed at them. So to any of you out there who have been offended or hurt by some of my statements, I apologize to you. My intent is never to hurt. I live within a curious circle of people, where biting sarcasm is a form of affection. Kind of like the little boy who keeps pulling on some little girl's braid, because he likes her and has to get it out somehow. It really doesn't make sense when you think about it, but then again neither do many of the things we do. So if I poke fun at you in this manner, just try to understand that it just means I like something about you, and think you can take it. I have to confess that I have a love of debating, and playing devil's advocate also. I am a walking contradiction all the time. I will state something I don't really believe just to see the reaction from others. One of my life's ambitions is to start a full scale riot in the nations capitol with words only, just for kicks. I'm totally kidding, it's really to see if I can start a cult based around pho. I would love to enlist the help of Mike Shannon in this endeavor.
Bizarre! I know. I've had to live with my own strangeness my entire life, and I'm still amazed at the convoluted trains of thought that come out at times. Speaking of strange, I was curious about what some of your weirdest obsessions or compulsive behaviors are. One of mine is scotch tape. If there is a roll in front of me I will tear off piece after piece to play with. I go through so much tape when wrapping presents that I started giving them to people in gift bags or unwrapped. And speaking also of trains of thought, I think this one just derailed. I just surveyed the wreckage and I'm officially in rare form this morning, and that's putting it nicely. On that note I bid you all good night, and I hope that you all enjoy your glimpse into the world of insomnia that I visit rather frequently.
The night owl, Jonathan
This was a very pleasant change of pace. I have watched several movies lately where the theme has been about drugs, and the culture that surrounds them. Many of these movies glamorize the lifestyle and use of drugs. The ones that don't still usually have a happy ending, because people usually like the happy ending. And then there are the really gritty ones, without the happy ending. The ones that seem to leave a feeling of despair and filth seared right into your soul. As a person who has spent many, many, wasted years (pun intended) within that culture, I find these movies to be the most accurate. Sure a Cheech and Chong movie is entertaining, totally unrealistic, but funny. Some aren't so pleasant, these are the ones where nobody wins in the end, the drug wins. It is the main character or the anti-hero of the story. You might ask, why are you watching such movies? I'm not really sure why myself. I think this started when I found out that someone I had met overdosed and died recently. I didn't know this person well, but it was still a suprise. I have known many people over the years who have died because of drugs and alcohol, or at the very least have completely ruined their own lives and hurt the people who have loved them, deeply. I guess another reason for this is that on occasion I forget why I quit. I start to feel that longing or craving pull at me. So I find ways to remind myself of the horrors and the lows, which last far longer than the highs. And sometimes putting this out in the open kills that desire a little bit more. I would like to put it all down on paper one day in the hopes that it could help people, if it made me some cash as well I really wouldn't mind.
Now I would like to address the topic of sarcasm. I love sarcasm, as do all my siblings and my son. I have a sneaking suspicion that many of my cousins and aunts kind of like it themselves. But I think many don't like it when it's directed at them. So to any of you out there who have been offended or hurt by some of my statements, I apologize to you. My intent is never to hurt. I live within a curious circle of people, where biting sarcasm is a form of affection. Kind of like the little boy who keeps pulling on some little girl's braid, because he likes her and has to get it out somehow. It really doesn't make sense when you think about it, but then again neither do many of the things we do. So if I poke fun at you in this manner, just try to understand that it just means I like something about you, and think you can take it. I have to confess that I have a love of debating, and playing devil's advocate also. I am a walking contradiction all the time. I will state something I don't really believe just to see the reaction from others. One of my life's ambitions is to start a full scale riot in the nations capitol with words only, just for kicks. I'm totally kidding, it's really to see if I can start a cult based around pho. I would love to enlist the help of Mike Shannon in this endeavor.
Bizarre! I know. I've had to live with my own strangeness my entire life, and I'm still amazed at the convoluted trains of thought that come out at times. Speaking of strange, I was curious about what some of your weirdest obsessions or compulsive behaviors are. One of mine is scotch tape. If there is a roll in front of me I will tear off piece after piece to play with. I go through so much tape when wrapping presents that I started giving them to people in gift bags or unwrapped. And speaking also of trains of thought, I think this one just derailed. I just surveyed the wreckage and I'm officially in rare form this morning, and that's putting it nicely. On that note I bid you all good night, and I hope that you all enjoy your glimpse into the world of insomnia that I visit rather frequently.
The night owl, Jonathan
Gotcha beat on the night owl front
ReplyDeleteOh Jon, I do like it when you get "real" and share a part of your heart that I see quite often, but others may not be privy too. Thanks for sharing today, you made me smile, cry, laugh, chuckle and then diagnose you with ADD all in one small moment. That is what I love about you. The sarcasm? Well, I do love to dish it out myself, not sure I take it that well all of the time. I know you well enough to pretty much see when you are joking, others may not. But thanks for the apology. Oh and yeah, a book about your life? Not a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm just now going to bed and you are two hours behind me.
ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy your posts, Jon-boy. I loved Avatar - went to see it with Roni. I bawled so much, I got saline (from my tears) on my glasses I wore underneath the IMAX goggles. Upon exiting the movie, Roni and I went back to the ticket booth and she purchased tickets for the next showing with perfect seats (which was 24 hours from when we first saw it). The movie moved me in so many ways, I haven't figuered out all of them yet. I muse and ponder throughout the day. And I think I see your tactics in many of your posts, and I laugh. If any of them were meant as a poke to me, I guess I didn't notice. V
ReplyDeleteUnless you live in the Central time zone, there is only one hour difference.
ReplyDeleteFor all those out there who may not know Jon very well, think of him as a giant stuffed Teddy Bear dressed in bad ass biker gear. He may look like he's supposed to be mean and tough, but he really is just a big softy.
Hi, Jon - I just re-read your post and I don't know if you'll ever read this comment. As stated, Roni and I loved Avatar; so did Mike and Jess. A favorite scene was where they were all seated before their sacred tree, and they all were physically connected - had each of their hands on a shoulder of a person seated near them, forming a network.
ReplyDeleteRegarding weird compulsions. I really couldn't think of anything as richly weird as your cellophane tape compulsion. I have habits that don't serve me, though. But I used to have a compulsion to count the lines on the road on trips, sometimes getting up to hundreds. I would start over at pre-determined markers (mile markers, a certain kind of vehicle going the other direction, etc.). Goofy, but it did pass the time. Victoria