I recently rented the movie Stop-Loss. While I appreciate the value of a military, I myself would be the last person to suit up for that type of role. I do not have a very strong sense of patriotism beyond the fact that I would like to maintain my lifestyle. In a way I envy people who can be so devoted to a nation – any nation – to the point that they are willing to put their life on the line. There is a pride in that that I have yet to experience. But back to topic. Read more “Paradise Stop-Lossed”
Category: The World
Knighted
I finally made it out to see “Dark Knight” (see my prior post to read more about my delays in getting to the theater). My sister-in-law volunteered to babysit the kids for the evening so my wife and I could step out on a date. And what better date for a couple married over 11 years than one that involves very little conversation (sorry, dear – the joke was there). She wanted to see it as much as I did, so it was a welcome retreat for both of us. Though after seeing it, I think she isn’t sure it was the retreat she had hoped for. Read more “Knighted”
Aptitude
It is coming to my attention that my son (who is currently 21 months old) may be destined to have a knack for sports. It seems that fate likes irony. I was never your typical alpha male type – I never cared much for sports or cars or any of the more macho pursuits. I’ve always been the quiet, nerdy type and I have no problem admitting it. I have always been happy as such. Similarly, my wife is not your typical girly girl. She own 3 pairs of shoes and two of them are sneakers and hiking sandals. So when faced with parenthood, we were both prepared to raise our children without prejudice or gender steering of any kind – we would always allow them to be who they want to be and try not to push them into any particular mold. Read more “Aptitude”
Wall-Eyed
A few weeks ago I took my kids to see the latest Disney/Pixar production, Wall-E. As was to be expected, it was amazing – stellar CG work combined with a heart-warming story that both kids and adults can enjoy. But I can’t help but continue to ponder the sub-text of this film (I will do my best not to ruin the movie for those who haven’t seen it yet, but procede with caution).
The setting of the movie is Earth some 800 years in the future. And what we find is a landscape riddled with garbage. And it would seem that the failure of society to avoid such a fate is directly tied to the success of american consumerism. And what is truly scary about this nihilistic outlook is that it may not be much of an exaggeration. Read more “Wall-Eyed”