presidency

Bush Inauguration
Originally uploaded by aesthetic realist.

Here is a picture that I took from my silver-level seating at the inaugural parade. This is really random, but I'm already considering who will be next. My uneducated prediction is that either Condoleezza Rice or Jeb Bush will be the next Republican candidate for presidency. There are quite a few major problems with both ideas, but still, that is what I think. There! I said it...

ridiculous love

Yesterday ended up being a very relaxing day. Church, was very convicting… Judah, Judah, Kyle and I went out for breakfast afterward and talked about some of our after-sermon thoughts. The two main things that hit me, as we listened to the reading of Charles Spurgeon, were the verses on loosing our first love and also the allegory of the wedding guests who where to make sure their lamps were full for when the groom came. I was thinking about how all of the deepest and most important loves in life can often seem like the most ridiculous things; they are somehow beyond our understanding. There must be something divine and eternal in the reality of love that that makes it so incomprehensible to humans. Like…it is something that we can and want to feel but at the same time we can’t grasp it…and it then seems ridiculous because we don’t understand it. As with other ridiculous things in life…we often dismiss our earthly and heavenly loves. Anyway, my conclusion was that “confusing” and “ridiculous” are not bad symptoms…and that I need to thrive in my incomprehensible and ridiculous Christian walk. Just as men and women transition from ridiculous lovers to mature and seasoned couples, I also want to embrace all that I don’t understand in my Christian faith and grow into maturity in Christ.

Finally, this applies to college (and everything I guess…) because my soul is the lamp that I am filling and keeping full for the day of Christ’s return. To me, college is another one of the filling stations of my lamp. As with many previous times; I was inspired to higher dedication; to read many books (especially the Bible), to speak less and think more, to pray often, and to look for opportunities to serve. I remember when I was little and one of my greatest desires was to be like Enoch or Noah; a man who “walked with God.” Yesterday, I was definitely reminded of that desire. Consequently, I’m feeling just a little ridiculous over here (lol). Life is good and I sure am enjoying it...

garden state

garden state
Originally uploaded by aesthetic realist.

My most recent favorite movie is Garden State. Before I say anything else about it, I would like to express to my wide and diverse audience the prevalence of objectionable contents and messages. In short, I would not recommend this movie... I am commenting out of personal interest and for the edification of a narrow sector of my readers. Please don't be offended by my enjoyment of this movie (LOL). In Sam's words, Ohmigoodness, "you're totally freaking out. You're, like, bolting for the door."

The artistic value is very high, the acting is excellent, the storyline is pretty good, it is well caste, and the sound-track is awesome (a bunch of my favorite Indi bands!!!). It had a very pleasing compilation of comedy, simple pleasures, and seriousness.

The movie begins as Andrew Largeman is going home for his mother's funeral; and interestingly, it is the first time he has been home in many years. He has been on mood-controlling drugs for almost as long as he can remember. He stops taking the drugs and quickly begins to realize the beauty of tears, happiness, and emotion in general: "I know it hurts. But it's life, and it's real." In his new (and natural) awareness he observes the meaninglessness of the perversion and substitute existences in the various lives of his old friends. As is so often the case; his redemption comes through the influence of a woman. The gist of the story is that he finds "truth," meaning, and belonging in romantic love.

The ending is a little bit of a letdown, there is a lot bad language, and there are two scenes that should be fast-forwarded through. That said; along with a few grains of salt, I really enjoyed this movie. It made me smile! The scene where Sam is tap-dancing for Andrew was great (you have to see the movie to know what I'm talking about "guys"). I was entertained by the quirky individuality efforts: "This is your one opportunity to do something that no one has ever done before and that no one will copy throughout human existence. And if nothing else, you will be remembered as the one guy who ever did this" (LOL). I could definitely relate to their random urge to stand on top of the tractor and yell into the rain. I'm sure y'all have done that sort of thing before... again; you have to have seen it to know what I'm talking about.

Below are a few more good quotes:

"Hey Albert? Good luck exploring the infinite abyss."

"I'm okay with being unimpressive. I sleep better."

"If you can't laugh at yourself, life is going to seem a whole lot longer than you'd like."

"This isn't a conversation about this being over. I'm not like, putting a period at the end of this. I'm putting like... an ellipses on it."

"Ooh, great job man! I really thought you were retarded. I mean, you're better than that Corky kid and he's actually retarded. If there was a retarded Oscar you would win, hands down, kick his ass!"

"Sam: We're not gonna make out or anything, okay?
Andrew: What?
Sam: Oh, I'm sorry. I just totally ruined that moment, didn't I?"

"I can tap dance. you wanna see me tapdance?"

"He's defending me. He's my knight in shining armor."

"Saying goodbye is important. I'm glad you could fit it in."

face to meet the new year

face to meet the new year
Originally uploaded by aesthetic realist.

"So this is the new year.
And I don't feel any different.
The clanking of crystal
Explosions off in the distance.

So this is the new year
And I have no resolutions
For self assigned penance
For problems with easy solutions."

Considering that I've failed all of last year's resolutions, it seems very daring of me to again be aspiring to new-year's resolutions. But, such is life... To start with, I've decided to be less naïve! No, I am not perfect and neither should I pretend to be. This, my first resolution, directly affects my following resolutions, in that I will make every attempt at not being naïve in my resolution aspirations. Second, I resolve to only resolve to things that I will likely fulfill. Third, I resolve to overload my brain with uselessly intriguing information, while reading countless books and listening to selective Jewish philosophers. Fourth, I resolve to procrastinate on at least one paper, while drinking a shocking overdose of coffee. Fifth, I resolve to not fall in love (very straight forward). Sixth, I resolve to object to multiple personality traits of all of my friends and be markedly opinionated in countless situations. Seventh, I resolve to hide in my dorm room and remain as irritably unsociable as possible. Eighth, I resolve to get off this stupid blog, like right now(!), before I discover any more any more disturbing things about my personality...

Cheers! And happy 2005!