Electric Ladyland

An observation on cinematic catastrophe

I went to see The Day the Earth Stood Still on the IMAX yesterday.  Overall, good film.  Don't understand why Rotten Tomatoes has given it such a low rating.  Wanted to make one observation -- that we may be witnessing the beginnings of an expression of the American relationship to catastrophe in a very particular sense.  Hard to put my finger on it but just as I was learning about anime's relationship to the A-bomb in Japan Society's Little Boy exhibition a few years ago, I found myself watching the dust cloud rush forth from that sphere yesterday and I knew just what that meant to me.  We saw a similar dust cloud enveloping everyone last summer in Cloverfield.  Now I doubt that the imagery and symbolism will ripple through here quite as thoroughly as they did in Japan but I do see these signs and wonder if they aren't signaling something that will be studied and commented upon in the future.  Rushing dust.  It still scares me.

A haiku and a gratitude - 12.07.08

A haiku:

Overcast morning
That's outside, though.  Inside, clear
Sunday is for dreams

And a gratitude:

Realization points.  By which I mean moments when you realize that you're being too hard on yourself, that it's not all bad in the least, and if you just let the critical voice within you give way to your creative voice it can spark positive developments.  Through a combination of journal writing and conversations with good friends I've realized I can trust myself more than I have and you know what?  Everything will be all right.  The world will keep turning.  Nothing will implode.  So no need for letting anxiety rule the day.  Worries have their place.  Recently I read some sage advice on this topic:  "Worry once and do it well."  I think that should be the order of the day.  Channel the concerns into a positive forum.  Don't let them take over but give them constructive airtime.

But the same goes for your creative impulses.  They need a bigger voice, a seat at the table.  Think this can be arranged.  Realizations like these come to us as flashpoints and often it takes time to integrate them into your way of living but with a little dedication that can well happen.  So I'm grateful first for the realizations, without which none of this could go on to happen.

A haiku and a gratitude - 12.03.08

A haiku:

Insomnia rules
Body out of alignment
Need to heal myself

And a gratitude:

That despite the above (was up all night feeling unwell after a bout with some undefined nastybad bug on Monday) I can say that, having bounced my plans off a good number of friends and family, I've gotten 100% positive feedback and nothing but support.  I asked Dad to be my reality check over the Thanksgiving break but he gave it a green light too.  After hearing me say last week that I'd kick myself for not going ahead with this, my big brother Jo said "I'll kick you if you don't go ahead with this!"  Last night another solid reality check friend vetted my plan and said he was full-on excited to see me making this next move.  Now I've got a critical mass of smart friends and family showing a bright green light.

Only thing left is to keep on working the plan.  I check my financial targets every morning and yesterday I discovered two wonderful things worthy of celebration: (A) I now am going to have enough savings to do this the right way after a couple of minor adjustments and (B) I will be 50% done paying off my credit card on the 15th of this month.  Go me.  I am going to have a little party for myself.  Something that doesn't cost anything (we're on a budget now people) but recognizes the good places these choices are going to be taking me. 

A haiku and a gratitude - 12.02.08

A haiku:

Back from Thanksgiving
Sweet potato pie with Dad
Grateful for family

And a gratitude:

For a wonderful vacation.  I had some terrific time off and it took me no time at all to downshift from work mode into a more relaxed way of living.  Got a lot of personal projects launched and am well on my way to making progress on my personal plan.  So excited!  I do believe right now that anything is possible and I'm setting my sights high.

A haiku and a gratitude - 11.23.08

A haiku:

Close friends are treasures
Priceless gems that reflect truths
Sparkling in their smiles

A gratitude:

I'm grateful for my closest friends.  People who love me just as I am.  Being with them, with no filter whatsoever, is so very refreshing and energizing.  I got to reconnect with a dear friend back home in the old neighborhood today.  We traded war stories and dreams for the future.  Anytime we get together is a moment to cherish.  Now I have another memory to add to the glittering collection.  Good friends, priceless insights.

A haiku and a gratitude - 11.22.08

A haiku:

The music is back
De La Soul Saturday here
Smiling smiles so free

And a gratitude:

Vacation!  I give thanks for being on vacation, for having such a thing (not everybody does in this world).  I'm waking up to my third consecutive Saturday feeling so joyous, impish and celebratory now.  Today I have the feeling that not only is everything gonna be all right but it's gonna be fun from here on out.  This is the satisfaction that comes from following the melody in your soul and actually doing the things that make you happy instead of whining that you never get a chance to.  Bada bada bada, tap tap tap...

A haiku and a gratitude - 11.14.08

A haiku:

Your liberation
Is my liberation too
In this world, always

And a gratitude:

In this approaching American season of gratitude I am grateful for the cultural flowering that has returned to my daily life.  For the first time in perhaps 7-8 years I am creating my own poetry, art and prose so often now that it just arises of its own accord.  It's been bottled up for a long time.  In thinking about the future I am starting with the dream rather than the compromise.  Reaching for what my soul yearns for.  Someone described it to me as "coming home to yourself."  It feels so familiar and yet so new.

A haiku and a gratitude - 11.07.08

A haiku:

Crinkling leaves cascade
Brown in the crisp breeze tonight
Winter approaches

And a gratitude:

Soup.  I'm not much of a soup person or a salad person but after a full day at work it was restorative to warm up with a big bowl of Tuscan white bean soup (complete with a tablespoon of olive oil and parmigiano reggiano to top of off).  Some meals are just that -- meals full of nourishment -- while other occasions could more aptly be described as feeding sessions.  A meal is the real deal.  Feeding, not so much.  Grateful to be nourished and restored as I curl up on this Friday night to rest up for an enjoyable weekend.

A haiku and a gratitude - 11.05.08

Today's haiku:

Yes we can, he said
And when we did, tears of joy
I believe again

And a gratitude:

That Barack Obama was elected President of The United States yesterday.  That's more than enough to be thankful for in one day.  Thank you, Barack, for running.  And thank you, America, for electing him.  Now let's rebuild our country.  I'm fired up!  Ready to go!

A haiku and a gratitude 11.01.08

Today's haiku:

Catching up with life
Order settling here now
Grateful to relax

And a gratitude:

Well, the gratitude is actually folded into the haiku this time, but I'll just add that after a long, tiring and spiritually depleting week it's great to have a chance to sleep in, then get a jump start tidying up my home environment so I can really relax and recharge.  I feel more myself, less scattered.  Also did some Pointillist-style watercoloring on the theme of fall foliage last night.  That creative endeavor did so much to restore my spirits.