Thursday, January 12, 2006

nothing to report. thank god.

no contact with princess today. i had a reasonable day, a few interruptions to work and then fell asleep in bed at around 3.30pm. until around 5.30pm. then felt like shit, but better after went for a walk with the gigi.

i'd forgotten how arvo naps can just suck your energy. i think the trick is keeping it short, like about 30 mins is perfect. will try that next time.

so, over the hump here. no further word from karen, but i imagine she might send something else. we shall see.

it's day 14

and 13 days to go.

i wanted to write about crash, a movie we watched the other night. pomgirl had suggested it as a goodie, and we already had it out.

it was good and really hooked into the reading i've been doing, and where i got that freaky list of black/not black celebs. i've been reading about language and identity, as well as biculturalism, and of course racism comes up, and how everything is measured against a white "norm".

so crash. it was brave, and not heavy handed. the acting was good. it was not predictable (i cannot stand predictability in anything other than my soap operas) and i liked it. you saw that not every one is bad (which is true), even arseholes have their own story, of pain and suffering.

it made me think of desiderata, a poem i try and remember when i am not feeling buddhist.




Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.


--- Max Ehrmann.



seems so simple doesn't it. but alot of it is really, really hard to do. for me anyway. if you read it carefully, and really think about each one (except the goddy bits, i'm not sure about them for me anyway), really try to get what he means. it is so, so beautiful.

so to say it again:

day 14
13 days to go

10 comments:

BEVIS said...

I like that poem.

Including the 'Goddy bits'.

Nice one. :)

Pomgirl said...

I'm glad you thought Crash was good, normally I avoid American films that deal with racism as I always feel that they are preaching to the converted and that the people they want to watch it are not going to bother in the first place.

I liked Crash because it also showed the racism within and between various ethnic groups and on a totally girly note, Don Cheadle is well fit!

P.S.Any suggestions for what I should watch tonight?

BEVIS said...

The Muppet Movie!

... er, ... sorry ...

Melba said...

mmm. i can tell you what not to watch better than what to watch.

i really liked sideways. it's a bit older, ie you might have seen it, and about mid-life crises types.

otherwise the upside of anger i liked. it has an ageing kev costner and is pretty soft and there are three daughters, and it's not very good, but i liked it.

also, have you seen sin city? i really liked that.

saw three dollars too. it's fairly heavy-handed and over the top and you might be annoyed by frances o'connor, or if not her, david wenham, or both. but it's worth a look.

Melba said...

yeah bevis, i guess the goddy bits are fine. it was just the connection between the universe unfolding in a way that's meant to be (i take that) and the intimation that god is handling all of that (which i don't take.) but i guess the writer does say that everybody has their own relationship or way of relating to god, and that would include no relationship, or no relating. and differences in conceptualising god. i guess that's what i'm trying to say. i have a different concept of god. ie that he is not really there. or here. or anywhere. other than for the people who believe in him. and that's fine.

Pomgirl said...

I loved Sideways, Sin City (and The Muppet Movie), will check out the other two you mentioned; I get to pick a film just for myself tonight and I'm really excited. Sad, I know...

sublime-ation said...

I have always liked that poem, thanks MG. And some of it is v much needed today, although actually the Goddy bits always irked me to, goddy bits do that....
Have been looking at Crash in videoshop (funny how we still call them that even though it's all dvd's now, 'DVD shop' just doesn't have the same ring to it) so I will get it for weekend.
Maybe we could have a food/dvd/Disneyland blog.
It would certainly be original.

Melba said...

yes desiderata is excellent. i got one at the post office a few years ago, you know the little flowery-type cards which might have things like: to my sister, or my mother etc. and they are usually pretty poxy. even though i did give my mum a mum one, mustn't have been too bad. and i've also got one- children learn by what they live, or something like that.

then i got my mum a book a few years ago, it is desiderata but with pictures... got one for myself too.

yes, watch crash. it has informed my week so much, and alot of my thinking. also (at the cinema) broken flowers has also consumed my thinking this week... has made me want to check out other jarmusch films.

i think sublime you are right. i was also thinking last night along these lines:

a restaurant blog

a separate movie blog

where all and sundry can leave their bit.

oh and of course the disneyland posse. but that's not a blog. it's a TOUR...

sublime-ation said...

Like a Rock'n'Roll tour, only nerdier and sadder. And completely infantile!

Chai said...

Like the poem etc...
Now with the pleasantries over, what is your email? Or email me your email. spamused at yahoo.com.au
I'll send u an invite regd the food bloggie.