It’s funny, really. These are the times you want to believe in fate and destiny. “It’s out of my hands” I want to think. During those long days where there is no reward in sight, you want to believe that you make your own fate. Captain of your own destiny. It gives you a feeling of control that you so desperately crave. More importantly, when you do get something great you want to think that you earned it or that you deserve it.
The fact is; we come to believe whatever we want to believe to make us feel better. The actions of the world and others that impact us, directly or indirectly, and we shape our paradigm to fit them and understand them. Faith therefore is not a belief or a viewpoint; faith is consistency.
Your beliefs aren’t a sum total of your knowledge, because naturally you fit your beliefs to cope with the world around you.
When you achieve something in your life, what is your gut reaction?
When something unfair and awful happens in your life, what is your gut reaction?
I am saying that the ability to have the same reaction to both events is called Faith.
In essence, faith can then be known in two forms. Faith is either used by the mind as a coping mechanism or a numbing agent to produce peace and civility during the worst of times, and then used as a tool to stay humble during the best of times. The opposite end would indicate that you are the end all, be all for the events around you. You are solely responsible for your personal victories, as you are equally responsible for your endless failures.
I am not in any way discussing the validity of any particular faith. An untrained mind would read the above and assume I am talking about say, Christianity versus Atheism. It’s far to complex for that.
I am speaking of the reaction, possibly chemical, in the mind to use faith as a coping mechanism when times are bad, and glorification of Freud’s “ego” concept during the best of times.
It more likely reflects the mind’s easy addiction to chemicals released (such as Dopamine) at both ends of the spectrum. In fact, to truly act out the extremes of either end of the spectrum indicate a conscious choice against our nature that desires to make the choice that makes us feel better about ourselves.
Faith, to me, is the ability to approach each event logically and with consistency. It is a passionate belief that all things around you have been designed to be as they are since the beginning of time, or the cold acceptance that each step you take is truly your own. Any other combination is a denial of reality.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Matsui, Damon
The Source Article.
I can't even picture where Matsui would head to. Damon could head nearly anywhere with the exception of Boston. I can't assume they would welcome a Yankee back into the fold.
The runner-up Phillies have several fairly major free agents as well. Pedro Feliz had several great home runs during the world series, not to mention a couple golden-glove worthy moves. Chan Ho Park has facial hair that makes me cringe, but a decent post-season career.
Varitek a free agent as well? We are in for some major deals, which will at least keep my interest till we get going again.
NEW YORK – World Series MVP Hideki Matsui became a free agent Monday along with New York Yankees teammates Johnny Damon, Eric Hinske, Jose Molina and Xavier Nady.
Matsui and Damon both said after the Yankees' six-game victory over Philadelphia last week that they would like to stay with New York. The Yankees said it was too early to address how they want to formulate their team for 2010.
I can't even picture where Matsui would head to. Damon could head nearly anywhere with the exception of Boston. I can't assume they would welcome a Yankee back into the fold.
Phillies third baseman Pedro Feliz also filed Monday, as did teammates Matt Stairs, Chan Ho Park and Paul Bako. Feliz's $5.5 million option was declined by Philadelphia on Sunday
The runner-up Phillies have several fairly major free agents as well. Pedro Feliz had several great home runs during the world series, not to mention a couple golden-glove worthy moves. Chan Ho Park has facial hair that makes me cringe, but a decent post-season career.
Boston also declined a $5 million option on captain Jason Varitek, and the catcher now must decide whether to exercise a $3 million player option. Rather than exercise its $4 million option on Tim Wakefield, the Red Sox agreed to a $5 million, two-year contract with 43-year-old knuckleballer.
Varitek a free agent as well? We are in for some major deals, which will at least keep my interest till we get going again.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
V: Proven more effective at killing brain cells then binge drinking.
I frequently am looking for the next “big thing” in television. I am not a critic, and I don’t pretend to have any great writing skills. I am a consumer. I am a 20-something consumer who has viewed countless hours of media from sitcoms to horror, drama to porn, and sci-fi thrillers to mundane frilly nonsense on Lifetime. I’ve seen quite a bit. I’m the kind of guy who not only tunes into shows, but if truly enjoyed, buys seasons for myself and friends.
Let’s talk about V.
I can’t say “it’s a great concept” which is typically my comment for pilots. A hook, an idea, whatever it took to get through the head of a network executive is usually pretty simple to isolate. The idea of “aliens come visit earth” rings about as clearly as “no SERIOUSLY dude. We are TOTALLY going to reinvent the wheel so awesome, for sures”. Why did ABC feel this show needed to be made? Is there a huge demand out there for dragging old ideas to death in the public eye?
Ok, the idea aside, I think that casting seems decent. They managed to piece together a cast that at least seems distinct enough that I can separate them out. Still, the cast seems predominately white, with one inter-racial couple threw in for good measure. The show needs….some kind of flair that it is hard to put a finger on. Humor would be welcome.
Where the show falls flat is the writing. The lines are so awful it hurts. Entire bits of dialogue and word choices could just be left on the cutting room floor and the show would be better for it. A few examples, live-blog style:
When the leader of the Vs shows up on Television for the first time, the boys go “whoa, she's hot!!”. Great line.
The FBI agents search through a small shack, and find a piece of rope on the floor. Oh wow! A trap door! Naturally, it leads to a very well lit tunnel and terrorist hide out. There, they find enough C4 to destroy most of Manhattan. Literally, just an unbelievable amount of explosives, hundreds of millions of dollars worth. Why is this in a very well lit tunnel? Why are FBI agents looking for C4 when there is an alien race that has landed on the planet? Aren’t there some more pressing issues then rummaging through storm drains trying to find munitions? Finally, I audibly groan when they find a dead body tied to a chair and we hear “I guess we can rule out suicide”. No shit dude, thanks for the cutting-edge commentary.
The FBI mother accuses her son of “tagging”. The mom knows “graffiti” is called “tagging”. How does the straight lace, single mom, FBI agent know this? Why are they having her say these lines? Who is this bizarre character with street knowledge of urban cultures wearing Anne Klein and a stick up her ass? How does this develop her character at all? So much confusion.
Furthermore, why is the football player son so damn emo? The bangs? The mommy issues? What is this character doing? He looks 22 with the emotional maturity of 12 (and he needs a haircut).
Lisa, the tour guide, has a blue jacket on unzipped nearly to her bellybutton. Having spent an entire three weeks above earth, she naturally drops in phrases like “hang out with Vs”. How contrived is that? Oh, I know slang and I have cleavage so now you want to serve the new Alien race? I mean, as a former 17 year old male, I can identify with having desires, but it is do damn unfeasible it only frustrates me.
The “television personality” character. I seriously have to know, did somebody raise their hand and say “what this show really needs is Michael J. Fox”? Now I love MJF, I love Spin City, and he is a real-life hero for his battles with his health. No lie. But why would you choose to channel him right then and there for that role? It’s so blatant, it just makes the writers seem lazy.
The worst line in the show takes place in a coffee shop “just….don’t…read things……into things”. Who the flying fuck wrote that line?
The only GOOD actor on this show is from Firefly. I won’t say who, just look for the only actor who can pull off dialogue.
“If you have info about a sleeper cell, you call the cops. You don’t go to a meeting”. Orly?
“Oh, you are bleeding” That is a reaction to somebody who has a paper cut. He has a huge, gapping gun-wound in his side. Several inches wide.
I do have to say, the whole question of what the Catholic Church would do if an alien race appeared IS a really fantastic question. Why can’t the whole show be that creative?
The speaker at the meeting sounds like every conspiracy theory on the internet rolled into one. This is so painful to watch.
The use of the phrase “Universal Health Care” as one of those “current topic” references is just awful.
Oh shit…….oh no……….. a sleeper cell of visitors…………..
Loving the Wesley Snipes moves by the sudden hero, Morris Chestnut.
Great, the best actor on the show just got killed. Awesome.
Nice twist!!! Did not see that coming. Wesley Snipes is one of them? Awesome.
All in all, I can't see this show GOING anywhere. What is the point? The plot is so slate and weak I am already frustrated after just one show (a PILOT at that!)I probably won’t watch this.
The only "V" I will end up loving would say "remember, remember flopped shows in November".
Edit: Found a clip of the writers working on the show!!
Let’s talk about V.
I can’t say “it’s a great concept” which is typically my comment for pilots. A hook, an idea, whatever it took to get through the head of a network executive is usually pretty simple to isolate. The idea of “aliens come visit earth” rings about as clearly as “no SERIOUSLY dude. We are TOTALLY going to reinvent the wheel so awesome, for sures”. Why did ABC feel this show needed to be made? Is there a huge demand out there for dragging old ideas to death in the public eye?
Ok, the idea aside, I think that casting seems decent. They managed to piece together a cast that at least seems distinct enough that I can separate them out. Still, the cast seems predominately white, with one inter-racial couple threw in for good measure. The show needs….some kind of flair that it is hard to put a finger on. Humor would be welcome.
Where the show falls flat is the writing. The lines are so awful it hurts. Entire bits of dialogue and word choices could just be left on the cutting room floor and the show would be better for it. A few examples, live-blog style:
When the leader of the Vs shows up on Television for the first time, the boys go “whoa, she's hot!!”. Great line.
The FBI agents search through a small shack, and find a piece of rope on the floor. Oh wow! A trap door! Naturally, it leads to a very well lit tunnel and terrorist hide out. There, they find enough C4 to destroy most of Manhattan. Literally, just an unbelievable amount of explosives, hundreds of millions of dollars worth. Why is this in a very well lit tunnel? Why are FBI agents looking for C4 when there is an alien race that has landed on the planet? Aren’t there some more pressing issues then rummaging through storm drains trying to find munitions? Finally, I audibly groan when they find a dead body tied to a chair and we hear “I guess we can rule out suicide”. No shit dude, thanks for the cutting-edge commentary.
The FBI mother accuses her son of “tagging”. The mom knows “graffiti” is called “tagging”. How does the straight lace, single mom, FBI agent know this? Why are they having her say these lines? Who is this bizarre character with street knowledge of urban cultures wearing Anne Klein and a stick up her ass? How does this develop her character at all? So much confusion.
Furthermore, why is the football player son so damn emo? The bangs? The mommy issues? What is this character doing? He looks 22 with the emotional maturity of 12 (and he needs a haircut).
Lisa, the tour guide, has a blue jacket on unzipped nearly to her bellybutton. Having spent an entire three weeks above earth, she naturally drops in phrases like “hang out with Vs”. How contrived is that? Oh, I know slang and I have cleavage so now you want to serve the new Alien race? I mean, as a former 17 year old male, I can identify with having desires, but it is do damn unfeasible it only frustrates me.
The “television personality” character. I seriously have to know, did somebody raise their hand and say “what this show really needs is Michael J. Fox”? Now I love MJF, I love Spin City, and he is a real-life hero for his battles with his health. No lie. But why would you choose to channel him right then and there for that role? It’s so blatant, it just makes the writers seem lazy.
The worst line in the show takes place in a coffee shop “just….don’t…read things……into things”. Who the flying fuck wrote that line?
The only GOOD actor on this show is from Firefly. I won’t say who, just look for the only actor who can pull off dialogue.
“If you have info about a sleeper cell, you call the cops. You don’t go to a meeting”. Orly?
“Oh, you are bleeding” That is a reaction to somebody who has a paper cut. He has a huge, gapping gun-wound in his side. Several inches wide.
I do have to say, the whole question of what the Catholic Church would do if an alien race appeared IS a really fantastic question. Why can’t the whole show be that creative?
The speaker at the meeting sounds like every conspiracy theory on the internet rolled into one. This is so painful to watch.
The use of the phrase “Universal Health Care” as one of those “current topic” references is just awful.
Oh shit…….oh no……….. a sleeper cell of visitors…………..
Loving the Wesley Snipes moves by the sudden hero, Morris Chestnut.
Great, the best actor on the show just got killed. Awesome.
Nice twist!!! Did not see that coming. Wesley Snipes is one of them? Awesome.
All in all, I can't see this show GOING anywhere. What is the point? The plot is so slate and weak I am already frustrated after just one show (a PILOT at that!)I probably won’t watch this.
The only "V" I will end up loving would say "remember, remember flopped shows in November".
Edit: Found a clip of the writers working on the show!!
Friday, November 6, 2009
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