Living for Today:
This evening I was quite disappointed when it appeared that my evening would end with me watching a movie by my own, eating something fattening, and going to bed unsatisfied with my life. However, we had quite a night. I mean, we watched a few interesting things, talked, reminisced, caught up with a few friends I haven't talked to for a while, lounged around, etc...
I think this was the first time in along time wherein I will not go to bed regretting anything, go to bed resentful, go to bed wishing for something else, go to bed worried about tomorrow. It is a good feeling, and I forgot how good it could be.
Also, for anyone who cares to know:
GO SEE PAN'S LABYRINTH!
GO SEE NOTES ON A SCANDAL!
RENT LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE!
It's worth it. But don't watch any of them alone. Bring alone your friends, your family, your significant other(s)--but don't bring them all at the same time cuz that would just get confusing and stressful. And be sure you have some(thing)(one) to cuddle with after them, or at least a great person to talk to.
Wishing much love and happiness in the days to come...
JCM
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
I Just Have a Way...
I am completely unable to live a full life, to live for the moment, to really be happy.
I read The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Tolstoy for my Death and Dying class. If you haven't read it, you probably should because it certainly puts things in perspective. I have Ivan's problem...sort of. I mean, I certainly find myself living parts of my life for others, living outwardly while dying inwardly. However, I also have a problem of living an unfulfilled life. I mean, I have a great evening with friends...Chinese, The Office, Scrubs, plenty of laughs, a few "moments." What do I leave thinking? "Next year is going to be horrible when I am no longer living with these people." And I find myself thinking that more and more. Everytime anything good happens, I find myself thinking about how horrible next year is going to be when i am alone in Rome (poor baby I know). But that is what I think about: how much I am going to miss this when it's gone. Why do I do this to myself. I really need to stop.
Somebody help me!
Happiness for y'all.
JCM
p.s. check me out at my newest blog site with my best friends
I read The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Tolstoy for my Death and Dying class. If you haven't read it, you probably should because it certainly puts things in perspective. I have Ivan's problem...sort of. I mean, I certainly find myself living parts of my life for others, living outwardly while dying inwardly. However, I also have a problem of living an unfulfilled life. I mean, I have a great evening with friends...Chinese, The Office, Scrubs, plenty of laughs, a few "moments." What do I leave thinking? "Next year is going to be horrible when I am no longer living with these people." And I find myself thinking that more and more. Everytime anything good happens, I find myself thinking about how horrible next year is going to be when i am alone in Rome (poor baby I know). But that is what I think about: how much I am going to miss this when it's gone. Why do I do this to myself. I really need to stop.
Somebody help me!
Happiness for y'all.
JCM
p.s. check me out at my newest blog site with my best friends
Fine Outlook for Tomorrow
I was reading my e-mail version of the New York Times this morning, and I ran across the quote of the day. Usually they're funny, or slightly thought-provoking, this one was just provoking...
"- QUOTATION OF THE DAY -
"It won't stop us." - VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY, on CNN, discussing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's approval of a resolution opposing President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq. "
It's so nice to see that in our democratic republic, everything runs smoothly and our representatives are really representing us, no? This is turning into an impirical dictatorship more and more everday.
Hope you find a way out in time!
JCM
"- QUOTATION OF THE DAY -
"It won't stop us." - VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY, on CNN, discussing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's approval of a resolution opposing President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq. "
It's so nice to see that in our democratic republic, everything runs smoothly and our representatives are really representing us, no? This is turning into an impirical dictatorship more and more everday.
Hope you find a way out in time!
JCM
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
The Moron-in-Chief
Okay, so like most of informed America, I spent last night--with a few of my friends--watching the State of the Union address as performed (and I use that literally) by our esteemed (and I use that humourously) Moron-in-Chief (hereon out MiC). This was the first time in my life that watched the entire State of the Union. As well, it was the first time I watched an enitre speech as presented by MiC. I came to a few conclusions, and I don't mind sharing them with you here:
(1) Next year, when I'm legal, I definitely need to create a drinking game for the SoU since I will NEVER be able to get through another one sober without weeping for the stupidity our country has fallen to.
(2) MiC is getting desperate. I'm sorry to say that our esteemed leader who was (chortle) doing such a wonderful job running our country, is not floundering, and kowtowing to those who got smart--whether after the fact or beforehand.
(3) There is hope for the future. If (and I laugh evn as I write this) MiC had any sincere "thought"(does he have any of those ever?) in his speech; if he "meant what he said and said what he meant;" if he cares at all about those things he called to mind in his speech, things may finally be on the upswing. Now, if that is not true, I have hope that we cannot sink much further.
Now, let me recap and comment on a few of my "favorite" parts of the speech.
(1)"We're not the first to come here with a government divided and uncertainty in the air. Like many before us, we can work through our differences, and achieve big things for the American people. Does he mean himself? Cuz I'm not sure that is possible. Our citizens don't much care which side of the aisle we sit on I do. -- as long as we're willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done. "And as long as you Democrats come to our side, I'll work with you." (Applause.) Our job is to make life better for our fellow Americans, so he sends more of our fellow Americans to die in a war that we are losing? and to help them to build a future of hope and opportunity for more war-- and this is the business before us tonight."
(2)"And, finally, to keep this economy strong we must take on the challenge of entitlements. Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid are commitments of conscience, and so it is our duty to keep them permanently sound. Yet, we're failing in that duty. And this failure will one day leave our children with three bad options: huge tax increases, huge deficits, or huge and immediate cuts in benefits. Everyone in this chamber knows this to be true -- yet somehow we have not found it in ourselves to act. So let us work together and do it now. With enough good sense and goodwill, you and I can fix Medicare and Medicaid -- and save Social Security. Is he still stuck on this? I though America was overwhelmingly against this. Of course, when did things like that ever matter to the MiC(Applause.)"
(3)"Now the task is to build on the success, without watering down standards, without taking control from local communities, and without backsliding and calling it reform. We can lift student achievement even higher by giving local leaders flexibility to turn around failing schoolsFINALLY he got the message, and by giving families with children stuck in failing schools the right to choose someplace better but make them pay for it? (Applause.) We must increase funds for students who struggle -- and make sure these children get the special help they need. (Applause.) And we can make sure our children are prepared for the jobs of the future and our country is more competitive by strengthening math and science skills. The No Child Left Behind Act has worked for America's children -- and I ask Congress to reauthorize this "good law." (Applause.)"I was rolling on the floor laughing about that adjective.
(4)"In order to make progress toward this goal, the Iraqi government must stop the sectarian violence in its capital. But the Iraqis are not yet ready to do this on their own. So we're deploying reinforcements of more than 20,000 additional soldiers and Marines to Iraq. So is he using the impirical "we..." kind of like the royal we, but when used by a dictator/emperor. The vast majority will go to Baghdad, where they will help Iraqi forces to clear and secure neighborhoods, and serve as advisers embedded in Iraqi Army units. With Iraqis in the lead, our forces will help secure the city by chasing down the terrorists, insurgents, and the roaming death squads. And in Anbar Province, where al Qaeda terrorists have gathered and local forces have begun showing a willingness to fight them, we're sending an additional 4,000 United States Marines, with orders to find the terrorists and clear them out. (Applause.) We didn't drive al Qaeda out of their safe haven in Afghanistan only to let them set up a new safe haven in a free Iraq. Because AlQuaeda is completely out of Afghanistan, and Afghanistan is a complete victory."
(5)"American foreign policy is more than a matter of war and diplomacy. Our work in the world is also based on a timeless truth: To whom much is given, much is required. We hear the call to take on the challenges of hunger and poverty and disease -- and that is precisely what America is doing. We must continue to fight HIV/AIDS, especially on the continent of Africa. (Applause.) Because you funded our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the number of people receiving life-saving drugs has grown from 50,000 to more than 800,000 in three short years. I ask you to continue funding our efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. I ask you to provide $1.2 billion over five years so we can combat malaria in 15 African countries. Did anyone actually do the math on this one? I did. He is proposing to give 13.3mil/mo./country. This seems like alot, I'll give you that, but weight that number by ~5.3bil/mo. for the Iraq War, and the ~0 given to rebuild after Katrina/Rita/etc. (Applause.)"
And...of course, over all, I found something to say about everything else he said, but I just couldn't do that to you. I picked a few of the more abhorrent points and expounded for myself. I could go on, and if you want to discourse on any one point let me know. But, here they stand, for all to see, that's what I think. Thank the Lord for free speech.
Happiness, freedom, and a world without other MiC's for all y'all.
JCM
(1) Next year, when I'm legal, I definitely need to create a drinking game for the SoU since I will NEVER be able to get through another one sober without weeping for the stupidity our country has fallen to.
(2) MiC is getting desperate. I'm sorry to say that our esteemed leader who was (chortle) doing such a wonderful job running our country, is not floundering, and kowtowing to those who got smart--whether after the fact or beforehand.
(3) There is hope for the future. If (and I laugh evn as I write this) MiC had any sincere "thought"(does he have any of those ever?) in his speech; if he "meant what he said and said what he meant;" if he cares at all about those things he called to mind in his speech, things may finally be on the upswing. Now, if that is not true, I have hope that we cannot sink much further.
Now, let me recap and comment on a few of my "favorite" parts of the speech.
(1)"We're not the first to come here with a government divided and uncertainty in the air. Like many before us, we can work through our differences, and achieve big things for the American people. Does he mean himself? Cuz I'm not sure that is possible. Our citizens don't much care which side of the aisle we sit on I do. -- as long as we're willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done. "And as long as you Democrats come to our side, I'll work with you." (Applause.) Our job is to make life better for our fellow Americans, so he sends more of our fellow Americans to die in a war that we are losing? and to help them to build a future of hope and opportunity for more war-- and this is the business before us tonight."
(2)"And, finally, to keep this economy strong we must take on the challenge of entitlements. Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid are commitments of conscience, and so it is our duty to keep them permanently sound. Yet, we're failing in that duty. And this failure will one day leave our children with three bad options: huge tax increases, huge deficits, or huge and immediate cuts in benefits. Everyone in this chamber knows this to be true -- yet somehow we have not found it in ourselves to act. So let us work together and do it now. With enough good sense and goodwill, you and I can fix Medicare and Medicaid -- and save Social Security. Is he still stuck on this? I though America was overwhelmingly against this. Of course, when did things like that ever matter to the MiC(Applause.)"
(3)"Now the task is to build on the success, without watering down standards, without taking control from local communities, and without backsliding and calling it reform. We can lift student achievement even higher by giving local leaders flexibility to turn around failing schoolsFINALLY he got the message, and by giving families with children stuck in failing schools the right to choose someplace better but make them pay for it? (Applause.) We must increase funds for students who struggle -- and make sure these children get the special help they need. (Applause.) And we can make sure our children are prepared for the jobs of the future and our country is more competitive by strengthening math and science skills. The No Child Left Behind Act has worked for America's children -- and I ask Congress to reauthorize this "good law." (Applause.)"I was rolling on the floor laughing about that adjective.
(4)"In order to make progress toward this goal, the Iraqi government must stop the sectarian violence in its capital. But the Iraqis are not yet ready to do this on their own. So we're deploying reinforcements of more than 20,000 additional soldiers and Marines to Iraq. So is he using the impirical "we..." kind of like the royal we, but when used by a dictator/emperor. The vast majority will go to Baghdad, where they will help Iraqi forces to clear and secure neighborhoods, and serve as advisers embedded in Iraqi Army units. With Iraqis in the lead, our forces will help secure the city by chasing down the terrorists, insurgents, and the roaming death squads. And in Anbar Province, where al Qaeda terrorists have gathered and local forces have begun showing a willingness to fight them, we're sending an additional 4,000 United States Marines, with orders to find the terrorists and clear them out. (Applause.) We didn't drive al Qaeda out of their safe haven in Afghanistan only to let them set up a new safe haven in a free Iraq. Because AlQuaeda is completely out of Afghanistan, and Afghanistan is a complete victory."
(5)"American foreign policy is more than a matter of war and diplomacy. Our work in the world is also based on a timeless truth: To whom much is given, much is required. We hear the call to take on the challenges of hunger and poverty and disease -- and that is precisely what America is doing. We must continue to fight HIV/AIDS, especially on the continent of Africa. (Applause.) Because you funded our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the number of people receiving life-saving drugs has grown from 50,000 to more than 800,000 in three short years. I ask you to continue funding our efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. I ask you to provide $1.2 billion over five years so we can combat malaria in 15 African countries. Did anyone actually do the math on this one? I did. He is proposing to give 13.3mil/mo./country. This seems like alot, I'll give you that, but weight that number by ~5.3bil/mo. for the Iraq War, and the ~0 given to rebuild after Katrina/Rita/etc. (Applause.)"
And...of course, over all, I found something to say about everything else he said, but I just couldn't do that to you. I picked a few of the more abhorrent points and expounded for myself. I could go on, and if you want to discourse on any one point let me know. But, here they stand, for all to see, that's what I think. Thank the Lord for free speech.
Happiness, freedom, and a world without other MiC's for all y'all.
JCM
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Musings on a Terribly Depressing Musical Comedy...
So last night I saw Pippin with a friend of mine. I had just recently discovered the music for it, and was intrigued, and then I found out that a national tour which started VERY near my hometown and it came here to Philly, he invited me and I jumped at the opportunity...I always jump at the opportunity to see theatre at student-rush prices. Anyway, it was PHENOMENAL. I say that because that is the strongest word I can think of to describe it. Of course, I had never seen it before so I have nothing to compare it to, but it was big and flashy when appropriate. I left thoroughly satsfied.
But then my friend and I got talking about what was really going on in the story.
And I got terribly depressed. I mean, if you've never seen it...you should...and I won't spoil it by talking about an analysis of it...which is that we all have dreams, and that they are good things, but that we will never really fulfil our dreams. But they'll always be there. They'll stick with us, in our mind, until we are tempted to kill ourselves or suffer some long, painful, horrible death.
Now that you REALLY wanna go see it, let me tell you...it is VERY powerful and very much worth it. And, at first I got that message, but ever-the-optimist, I took the message to be that we should strive to be exception and live our dreams. Not quite so, explained my friend (whom I consider the expert on anything musical theatre). But, read what you will when you see it.
Whatever...just see it.
But not the high school version (says my friend) since that one gives you a happy-sappy-ending. See the cynical version from Fosse, himself.
Anyway, my favorite song (cliche as it is), is the show-stopping, audience participation, sing-along, No Time At All. I'm going to leave the lyrics here so that you can read them. Take them to heart. I think there is very good philosophy herein.
[BERTHE]
When you are as old as I, my dear
And I hope that you never are
You will woefully wonder why, my dear
Through your cataracts and catarrh
You could squander away or sequester
A drop of a precious year
For when your best days are yester
The rest'er twice as dear....
What good is a field on a fine summer night
When you sit all alone with the weeds?
Or a succulent pear if with each juicy bite
You spit out your teeth with the seeds?
Before it's too late stop trying to wait
For fortune and fame you're secure of
For there's one thing to be sure of, mate:
There's nothing to be sure of!
Oh, it's time to start livin'
Time to take a little from this world we're given
Time to take time, cause spring will turn to fall
In just no time at all....
I've never wondered if I was afraid
When there was a challenge to take
I never thought about how much I weighed
When there was still one piece of cake
Maybe it's meant the hours I've spent
Feeling broken and bent and unwell
But there's still no cure more heaven-sent
As the chance to raise some hell
Everybody....
[ALL]Oh, it's time to start livin'
Time to take a little from this world we're given
Time to take time, cause spring will turn to fall
In just no time at all....
Now when the drearies do attack
And a siege of the sads begins
I just throw these noble shoulders back
And lift these noble chins
Give me a man who is handsome and strong
Someone who's stalwart and steady
Give me a night that's romantic and long
And give me a month to get ready
Now I could waylay some aging roue
And persuade him to play in some cranny
But it's hard to believe I'm being led astray
By a man who calls me granny
[ALL]Oh, it's time to start livin'
Time to take a little from this world we're given
Time to take time, cause spring will turn to fall
In just no time at all....
Oh, it's time to start livin'
Time to take a little from this world we're given
Time to take time, cause spring will turn to fall
In just no time at all....
Sages tweet that age is sweet
Good deeds and good work earns you laurels
But what could make you feel more obsolete
Than being noted for your morals?
Here is a secret I never have told
Maybe you'll understand why
I believe if I refuse to grow old
I can stay young till I die
Now, I've known the fears of sixty-six years
I've had troubles and tears by the score
But the only thing I'd trade them forI
s sixty-seven more....
Oh, it's time to keep livin'
Time to keep takin' from this world we're given
You are my time, so I'll throw off my shawl
And watching your flings be flung all over
Makes me feel young all over
[BETHE AND BOYS]In just no time at all....
But then my friend and I got talking about what was really going on in the story.
And I got terribly depressed. I mean, if you've never seen it...you should...and I won't spoil it by talking about an analysis of it...which is that we all have dreams, and that they are good things, but that we will never really fulfil our dreams. But they'll always be there. They'll stick with us, in our mind, until we are tempted to kill ourselves or suffer some long, painful, horrible death.
Now that you REALLY wanna go see it, let me tell you...it is VERY powerful and very much worth it. And, at first I got that message, but ever-the-optimist, I took the message to be that we should strive to be exception and live our dreams. Not quite so, explained my friend (whom I consider the expert on anything musical theatre). But, read what you will when you see it.
Whatever...just see it.
But not the high school version (says my friend) since that one gives you a happy-sappy-ending. See the cynical version from Fosse, himself.
Anyway, my favorite song (cliche as it is), is the show-stopping, audience participation, sing-along, No Time At All. I'm going to leave the lyrics here so that you can read them. Take them to heart. I think there is very good philosophy herein.
[BERTHE]
When you are as old as I, my dear
And I hope that you never are
You will woefully wonder why, my dear
Through your cataracts and catarrh
You could squander away or sequester
A drop of a precious year
For when your best days are yester
The rest'er twice as dear....
What good is a field on a fine summer night
When you sit all alone with the weeds?
Or a succulent pear if with each juicy bite
You spit out your teeth with the seeds?
Before it's too late stop trying to wait
For fortune and fame you're secure of
For there's one thing to be sure of, mate:
There's nothing to be sure of!
Oh, it's time to start livin'
Time to take a little from this world we're given
Time to take time, cause spring will turn to fall
In just no time at all....
I've never wondered if I was afraid
When there was a challenge to take
I never thought about how much I weighed
When there was still one piece of cake
Maybe it's meant the hours I've spent
Feeling broken and bent and unwell
But there's still no cure more heaven-sent
As the chance to raise some hell
Everybody....
[ALL]Oh, it's time to start livin'
Time to take a little from this world we're given
Time to take time, cause spring will turn to fall
In just no time at all....
Now when the drearies do attack
And a siege of the sads begins
I just throw these noble shoulders back
And lift these noble chins
Give me a man who is handsome and strong
Someone who's stalwart and steady
Give me a night that's romantic and long
And give me a month to get ready
Now I could waylay some aging roue
And persuade him to play in some cranny
But it's hard to believe I'm being led astray
By a man who calls me granny
[ALL]Oh, it's time to start livin'
Time to take a little from this world we're given
Time to take time, cause spring will turn to fall
In just no time at all....
Oh, it's time to start livin'
Time to take a little from this world we're given
Time to take time, cause spring will turn to fall
In just no time at all....
Sages tweet that age is sweet
Good deeds and good work earns you laurels
But what could make you feel more obsolete
Than being noted for your morals?
Here is a secret I never have told
Maybe you'll understand why
I believe if I refuse to grow old
I can stay young till I die
Now, I've known the fears of sixty-six years
I've had troubles and tears by the score
But the only thing I'd trade them forI
s sixty-seven more....
Oh, it's time to keep livin'
Time to keep takin' from this world we're given
You are my time, so I'll throw off my shawl
And watching your flings be flung all over
Makes me feel young all over
[BETHE AND BOYS]In just no time at all....
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