Do you remember how I said I go in spurts with having a favorite movie? Well, lately I've kind of been stuck on watching Holiday Inn (minus the song and dance numbers). A person can only hear Bing Crosby sing about Easter bonnets, white Christmases, and firecrackers a few times. Depending on the person, though, maybe once is one time too many. But, my appetite for watching holiday cheese and sap usually increases around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
And, recently, I've found The Lake House intriguing. Movies have conditioned me to desire that predictable happy ending. And, a lot of times I view my life like it could be a movie. I automatically assume that I know what plot lines, characters, and climaxes are to come, but that is so not the case. And, then I find myself disillusioned, depressed, and desperately in the need of chocolate. But, The Lake House kind of got me thinking about how I need to reframe my view of life. It involves waiting, usually for something a person does not see or know will happen in the end. But, I guess that what faith is - letting go of what one can see and control and having hope that their story will end happily.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
Three magicians, a king , and a queen
I admit there's nothing really going on in my life to merit the above title. I didn't discover that I have a royal genealogy line or find that I have a new talent for disappearing. I've just been watching a lot of movies lately. (Which for those who know me well, that isn't that surprising.) But, I've actually being going to the theater to watch movies with friends instead of plugging them in my DVD player at home. So for those of you that guessed that I saw The Illusionist, The Prestige, Marie Antoinette, and The Last King of Scotland, you get a gold star.
What else have been up to since I last blogged? I bought a new pair of Converse shoes. Not the brown ones that seem to be in fashion this season. The store had chocolate brown ones, but of course, not in my size. So what do I do? I buy a pair of olive green ones to squelch my desire for a new pair of Cons. And, strangely, I wondered if I had become as bad as those people who have to have the latest pair of Nikes.
Granted, Converse shoes are a little cheaper than Nikes. But, although I was happy with my purchase (they actually have an arch support and a tread), I thought it was ironic that lately, I have been thinking about how to simplify my life and focus more on my relationships with God and people rather than material possessions. But, yet, I buy a new pair of Cons. I know that my life should be about God rather than the color of Converse shoes that I'm wearing. And, in the long-run, my relationships with Him and other people will last longer than any pair of shoes. But, stuff like Converse shoes is still tempting, and I guess my new olive green pair can remind me that I'm not immune to the tantalizing lure of materialism.
What else have been up to since I last blogged? I bought a new pair of Converse shoes. Not the brown ones that seem to be in fashion this season. The store had chocolate brown ones, but of course, not in my size. So what do I do? I buy a pair of olive green ones to squelch my desire for a new pair of Cons. And, strangely, I wondered if I had become as bad as those people who have to have the latest pair of Nikes.
Granted, Converse shoes are a little cheaper than Nikes. But, although I was happy with my purchase (they actually have an arch support and a tread), I thought it was ironic that lately, I have been thinking about how to simplify my life and focus more on my relationships with God and people rather than material possessions. But, yet, I buy a new pair of Cons. I know that my life should be about God rather than the color of Converse shoes that I'm wearing. And, in the long-run, my relationships with Him and other people will last longer than any pair of shoes. But, stuff like Converse shoes is still tempting, and I guess my new olive green pair can remind me that I'm not immune to the tantalizing lure of materialism.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
God's beauty
Sitting at this computer right now, I can't get over how beautiful God is and how he can bring beautiful people into my life. Granted, this world isn't exactly heaven. There's plenty of ugliness seeping from its walls like war, hunger, depression, and loneliness. But, thankfully he still manages to come down and meet us here. And, he can help us shine his beauty in the midst of the world.
I know this entry is a departure from my usual musings on pop culture. But, sometimes that stuff seems so meaningless to me. Yes, I do hate being left out from the usual water cooler talk about the latest TV show, celebrity, or movie. But, that stuff changes so frequently. I mean you could spend all your time in a day just trying to be a pop-cultured person, but what would that really get you? Some spotlight here and there in the midst of a group of people, but you have to constantly strive to keep up with the next "It" thing. And, when you find it, it's quickly replaced by another.
That's kind of depressing, really. Especially if that's what you make your life about - pop culture. Granted, it's there. And, I'm not saying that watching TV shows and movies and following what's going on in Hollywood is a bad thing. It's just that I'm tired of the unsatisfying taste that it's left in my mouth, and I'm looking for more sustenance. God's beauty - right now, that seems more sustaining to me than any glamour that Hollywood can offer.
I know this entry is a departure from my usual musings on pop culture. But, sometimes that stuff seems so meaningless to me. Yes, I do hate being left out from the usual water cooler talk about the latest TV show, celebrity, or movie. But, that stuff changes so frequently. I mean you could spend all your time in a day just trying to be a pop-cultured person, but what would that really get you? Some spotlight here and there in the midst of a group of people, but you have to constantly strive to keep up with the next "It" thing. And, when you find it, it's quickly replaced by another.
That's kind of depressing, really. Especially if that's what you make your life about - pop culture. Granted, it's there. And, I'm not saying that watching TV shows and movies and following what's going on in Hollywood is a bad thing. It's just that I'm tired of the unsatisfying taste that it's left in my mouth, and I'm looking for more sustenance. God's beauty - right now, that seems more sustaining to me than any glamour that Hollywood can offer.
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Feelings of Fall
Mittens and stocking hats are available in Target. Guess that's a hint that winter on it's way. Or, an attempt to capitalize on shoppers who have no mittens and stocking hats or have no idea where they stored them away after last winter.
I like fall. It's usually cool enough for me to wear my long sleeve shirts and sweaters, but not cold enough to make me worry about scraping ice off my car. I get nostalgic for the stuff like fresh apple cider and homemade doughnuts.
And, usually there seems to be something more interesting to watch on TV or in the movie theaters, but I'm not sure if that is the case for this fall. Of course, my last posting praised "Men in Trees," but ironically, I haven't watched it since then. And, I was really excited about the movie Flyboys, but then I watched it and was mad that they killed off my favorite character. I just find it interesting that sometimes I anticipate things like fall coming, seeing Martin Henderson act in another movie, and the beginning of funny new TV series and then I'm kind of left with the feeling of "now what" after it happens.
I like fall. It's usually cool enough for me to wear my long sleeve shirts and sweaters, but not cold enough to make me worry about scraping ice off my car. I get nostalgic for the stuff like fresh apple cider and homemade doughnuts.
And, usually there seems to be something more interesting to watch on TV or in the movie theaters, but I'm not sure if that is the case for this fall. Of course, my last posting praised "Men in Trees," but ironically, I haven't watched it since then. And, I was really excited about the movie Flyboys, but then I watched it and was mad that they killed off my favorite character. I just find it interesting that sometimes I anticipate things like fall coming, seeing Martin Henderson act in another movie, and the beginning of funny new TV series and then I'm kind of left with the feeling of "now what" after it happens.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Trees on the brain
I am hooked on a TV show - "Men in Trees." Yes, I know this a disappointment for those of you who were hoping for something like "Lost" or "24." There was time in my life where I would fail to admit the things that may be perceived to be unpopular or not trendy. But, then I realized that doing so stifled my freedom to be myself. So I'm just going to go out on a limb here, I like the show. It may not be that original - it kind of has that city person meets small town plot line in "Northern Exposure," but the characters are quirky and likable. And, the main character played by Anne Heche reminds me a lot of myself because she unintentionally does funny things. And, she still tries to control her life even though there are things in her life that are clearly beyond her control.
I recently finished Listen Up, Honey: Good News for Your Soul! by Thelma Wells. This passage on page 130 caught my attention.
"Listen up, honey. God is in control. As Sheila Walsh reminds her Women of Faith audiences, he's in control of our careers, our relationships, our finances, our marriages, our children, our churches, our communities, our state, our nation - our everything! It's only when we try to take control that things get messed up - and for me that's just about every doggone day."
Likewise, Thelma. I often try to control the things in my life, and the interesting thing is that I try to tighten my grip on things that are obviously slipping through my my fingers. I strain, struggle, and stress to get them back - often becoming crabby and tense in the process. I guess I'm like a tree that's trying to keep the wind from moving its branches and loosening the green leaves from its limbs. But, the wind keeps coming; the limbs move. And, the things in my life - the leaves that I've spent so much time and energy to grow fly away. In the end, I'm left with bare limbs and wondering what to do next.
So if I don't try to take control of my life and give it all to God, what does that look like? Does it mean that I don't plan anything about what to do in the present and future? It's that Mary vs. Martha dilemma. Should I be working to prepare for a meal or should I be sitting at the Master's feet? And, does it have to be one or the other or can there be a balance?
I guess I'm trying to figure out how to avoid being crabby and tense when things in my life are clearly out of control. I also want to live my life differently so I don't freak out when the duckies in my life are not in a row. I want to be the woman that God has created me to be, and I don't want to be daunted by the wind and it's power to remove my leaves.
I recently finished Listen Up, Honey: Good News for Your Soul! by Thelma Wells. This passage on page 130 caught my attention.
"Listen up, honey. God is in control. As Sheila Walsh reminds her Women of Faith audiences, he's in control of our careers, our relationships, our finances, our marriages, our children, our churches, our communities, our state, our nation - our everything! It's only when we try to take control that things get messed up - and for me that's just about every doggone day."
Likewise, Thelma. I often try to control the things in my life, and the interesting thing is that I try to tighten my grip on things that are obviously slipping through my my fingers. I strain, struggle, and stress to get them back - often becoming crabby and tense in the process. I guess I'm like a tree that's trying to keep the wind from moving its branches and loosening the green leaves from its limbs. But, the wind keeps coming; the limbs move. And, the things in my life - the leaves that I've spent so much time and energy to grow fly away. In the end, I'm left with bare limbs and wondering what to do next.
So if I don't try to take control of my life and give it all to God, what does that look like? Does it mean that I don't plan anything about what to do in the present and future? It's that Mary vs. Martha dilemma. Should I be working to prepare for a meal or should I be sitting at the Master's feet? And, does it have to be one or the other or can there be a balance?
I guess I'm trying to figure out how to avoid being crabby and tense when things in my life are clearly out of control. I also want to live my life differently so I don't freak out when the duckies in my life are not in a row. I want to be the woman that God has created me to be, and I don't want to be daunted by the wind and it's power to remove my leaves.
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Puddle Philosophy
On Sunday, I saw an interesting thing occur outside the window of a Chili's restaurant. It was pouring down rain, and there was this little girl wearing a pink rain coat, jeans, and matching pink, rubber boots. She was puddle-jumping. You know, jumping in the puddles to see how big a splash she'd make. It made me smile to watch her because each time she jumped, she'd grin, and then she'd look around to see if anyone would stop her from doing it again. She repeated this cycle several times. At one point, she fell down, but she picked herself up and kept puddle jumping.
I am not sure why I'm telling you about this puddle-jumping girl that I saw Sunday evening. Maybe the fact that she was blonde like me reminded how, as a kid, I could easily spend an afternoon riding my bike or roller skating. I hardly do that anymore. I guess I spend too much time worrying about what will come or what I should do next instead of seizing the opportunities to puddle-jump like the little girl did. What world we'd have if we all took a moment to puddle-jump, eh? Not that I'm putting down those Type A types like me who liked to plan ahead. It's just that sometimes those simple pleasures (there's a reference to Amelie for all you movie buffs) like puddle-jumping happen when you least likely expect them. And, unless you're looking out the window, you might miss them.
I am not sure why I'm telling you about this puddle-jumping girl that I saw Sunday evening. Maybe the fact that she was blonde like me reminded how, as a kid, I could easily spend an afternoon riding my bike or roller skating. I hardly do that anymore. I guess I spend too much time worrying about what will come or what I should do next instead of seizing the opportunities to puddle-jump like the little girl did. What world we'd have if we all took a moment to puddle-jump, eh? Not that I'm putting down those Type A types like me who liked to plan ahead. It's just that sometimes those simple pleasures (there's a reference to Amelie for all you movie buffs) like puddle-jumping happen when you least likely expect them. And, unless you're looking out the window, you might miss them.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Seeing the signs
This week I've been fascinated M. Night Shyamalan's movie, The Village. For those of you who haven't seen the movie, this posting may spoil the plot.
Watching the movie again, there were several things that I noticed.
1. M. Night Shyamalan's cameo. Oddly enough, I recognized his voice before seeing his reflection in the medicine cabinet.
2. Noah's mischief to try to keep Ivy and Lucius apart. Obviously, I saw the stabbing the first time I watched it. But, I'm wondering if Noah saw Lucius find the red plant and then skinned the dead animals to get Lucius in trouble and away from Ivy.
3. William Hurt's character, Edward Walker. Since I knew why the village was created, his simple statement to the elders about the preservation of innocence became more poignant. And, for the first time, I saw the irony of how Edward Walker was trying to protect Ivy from seeing a loved one harmed by violence and how it still came about, despite his actions.
Perhaps I'm late in seeing these things. A more logical movie-watcher might have seen the three things above right off the bat. When I watch movies, I become so absorbed in the plots, the characters, and the movie soundtracks (which this one was creepy as hell) that I don't analyze or question what's going on. This time, though, it was different.
And, it's made me wonder. How often do I live my life at face value without analyzing or questioning what I'm doing? Like movies, I become absorbed in my life (going to work, getting groceries, doing laundry) that I wonder if I miss seeing things in my life from a deeper level. Of course, the things that I saw in The Village partly came from previously knowledge of seeing the movie before. It's kind of different with my life because I don't know exactly what plots, characters, and hopefully, soundtracks it will contain before it ends. I also can't press rewind, fast-forward, or pause either.
So I guess I'm in the same boat as Ivy. I'm just running blindly down the road and trusting my Father that the road will lead me where I need to go even though I can't see it.
Watching the movie again, there were several things that I noticed.
1. M. Night Shyamalan's cameo. Oddly enough, I recognized his voice before seeing his reflection in the medicine cabinet.
2. Noah's mischief to try to keep Ivy and Lucius apart. Obviously, I saw the stabbing the first time I watched it. But, I'm wondering if Noah saw Lucius find the red plant and then skinned the dead animals to get Lucius in trouble and away from Ivy.
3. William Hurt's character, Edward Walker. Since I knew why the village was created, his simple statement to the elders about the preservation of innocence became more poignant. And, for the first time, I saw the irony of how Edward Walker was trying to protect Ivy from seeing a loved one harmed by violence and how it still came about, despite his actions.
Perhaps I'm late in seeing these things. A more logical movie-watcher might have seen the three things above right off the bat. When I watch movies, I become so absorbed in the plots, the characters, and the movie soundtracks (which this one was creepy as hell) that I don't analyze or question what's going on. This time, though, it was different.
And, it's made me wonder. How often do I live my life at face value without analyzing or questioning what I'm doing? Like movies, I become absorbed in my life (going to work, getting groceries, doing laundry) that I wonder if I miss seeing things in my life from a deeper level. Of course, the things that I saw in The Village partly came from previously knowledge of seeing the movie before. It's kind of different with my life because I don't know exactly what plots, characters, and hopefully, soundtracks it will contain before it ends. I also can't press rewind, fast-forward, or pause either.
So I guess I'm in the same boat as Ivy. I'm just running blindly down the road and trusting my Father that the road will lead me where I need to go even though I can't see it.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Wisdom from Wisconsin
Life is a journey, not a guided tour. This saying on a sign that I saw over the week-end has given me plenty food for thought. I mean, on the one hand, there are times when I would rather have my life be a guided tour. Or, actually just a movie reel that runs with all the climaxes, characters, and plot points established. But, where is the fun in that, right?
Then again, the journey thing isn't always a barrel of laughs. The uncertainty factor in a journey can be annoying because who knows what twists, turns, mishaps, and complications the journey will have before it ends? The tour thing is a breeze because it's already mapped out, but what interesting and exciting experiences will a person miss while being on the tour?
Personally, I used to think that gearing my life towards the planned travel destinations was what I should do, but now I'm not so sure. Twists and turns can be a lot of fun, and if they are not at the time, they sure leave you with interesting stories later.
Then again, the journey thing isn't always a barrel of laughs. The uncertainty factor in a journey can be annoying because who knows what twists, turns, mishaps, and complications the journey will have before it ends? The tour thing is a breeze because it's already mapped out, but what interesting and exciting experiences will a person miss while being on the tour?
Personally, I used to think that gearing my life towards the planned travel destinations was what I should do, but now I'm not so sure. Twists and turns can be a lot of fun, and if they are not at the time, they sure leave you with interesting stories later.
Friday, August 4, 2006
New kid on the block
It's my first weblog entry...and I'm not quite sure what to write. I suppose I could philosophize about how my life has turned out differently than I would have imagined. As a kid, Oregon was the place to be - with its mountains, streams, and the often stormy, but gorgeous when it's sunny, coastline. I really did not imagine myself being a librarian, either. Marion the librarian was the last person I wanted to be. The nerve of her falling for a con man, singing the most cheesy songs about him, and then kissing him - yuck.
But, I am a librarian. Despite Marion's affections for Harold Hill, I realized that I liked learning about things, and I enjoyed helping others learn as well. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I am a Minnesotan. I appreciate the state's lakes and trees as well as the people's concern to preserve them. However, the day anyone hears me mispronounce Oregon in the typical Minnesotan fashion - please ship me back there.
Anyway, so I guess what I'm trying to say is that this weblog will probably dabble in a lot of different things: experiences with God, comments about pop culture, or just paragraphs about how much I love my Converse low top shoes. A wide range of stuff, but, hey, feel free to come back and visit if you want.
But, I am a librarian. Despite Marion's affections for Harold Hill, I realized that I liked learning about things, and I enjoyed helping others learn as well. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I am a Minnesotan. I appreciate the state's lakes and trees as well as the people's concern to preserve them. However, the day anyone hears me mispronounce Oregon in the typical Minnesotan fashion - please ship me back there.
Anyway, so I guess what I'm trying to say is that this weblog will probably dabble in a lot of different things: experiences with God, comments about pop culture, or just paragraphs about how much I love my Converse low top shoes. A wide range of stuff, but, hey, feel free to come back and visit if you want.
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