The Holidays
The last time my family celebrated the holidays was when I was around four. I have some very vague memories of a Christmas tree (all lit up). I also remember going trick-or-treating with my mom and staring at the incredibly spooky jack-O-lanterns (which were lit up). And somewhere in the far recesses of my brain is a memory of my fourth birthday cake. I distinctly remember the candle, in the shape of a number “4″ and (you guessed it) lit up. [Apparently lights and flames always intrigued me!]
I commented on all of this, because shortly after that my parents joined a very serious religion that taught against most holidays. The interesting ways this affected us is a very large topic, for another day. As to the holidays, we just never celebrated them. Even after we left this church (in the early 90’s), we never really re-acquired the habits.
My brother celebrates with his wife and her family. I participate with my girlfriend and hers. I suspect (though I cannot honestly speak for my brother) that we are “playing along” for the sake of those in our lives we care for.
What the holidays (especially Christmas) meant to my family, as I grew up, was time off of work and school. My mom could expect us to be home, so she would make a nice dinner. We’d eat together, and spend the time afterwards in some quiet activity … usually trying to find something on TV that wasn’t Christmas related (not easy)! My best friend, Bob, would be eager to come over to my house after having eaten with his family. I never understood this. I mean, why hang out with us - we weren’t doing anything special? Later I learned, he just enjoyed the (relative) quiet and peace. We didn’t have a bunch of people over, there weren’t noisy relatives or arguments between feuding family members. He liked hanging out with us for the same reason I enjoyed my holidays, too. It was a peaceful time spent with family.
Now that I am Thirty-Three and participating with others who take Christmas much more seriously then I do, I notice how good I had it. Some of them still dread the holiday season when they “have to” put up with noisy and irritating relatives and friends, others dread the expectation of expensive gifts. But, what do they enjoy the most? The same things I always did: a quiet evening, the fellowship of those they care for, and a nice meal.
Secret Number 1
Remember here, when I said I had two secrets to share? Well, I am going to reveal one of them. I have been on the Atkins diet, and it has been working very well for me. A few months before my planned trip back to Michigan, I weighed myself and discovered that I had put on even MORE weight. I was a whopping 307 pounds (at only 5′ 6″ tall)! On the one hand, I had, had enough. This had to end. On the other hand, the thought of seeing my family again and barely being able to fit in my already oversized clothes, was frightening.
So, I quietly started to diet. I only told Lisa, she was (and continues to be) highly supportive. By the time I traveled to Michigan, I was down 30 lbs. I told my mom right before my trip, because I knew she would have to know about my dietary requirements, since I would be staying with her. I did not tell anyone else, and no one else in Michigan really noticed. That is more then fine with me, the real test is as this continues. I have another (shorter) trip planned for March and fully plan to be (at least) another 20 lbs. lighter by then. In the most realistic assessment, I will not reach my goal weight until Q4 2004.
I think, if nothing else, this is one sign of maturity. Before, the very thought of embarking on a project that would take 15 to 18 months to complete, seemed incredible. Now, it’s no big deal. To be honest, this is the most weight I’ve ever lost IN MY LIFE. I know that, statistically, very few adults are able to maintain permanent weight loss (some say less then 5%, though this is also debatable). I also know that I am not even 25% there, yet. Still, enough people around me know what I am working on, that revealing it here should not come as too much of a surprise to anyone. So, from time to time I’ll record my progress … as much for myself as anyone else.
As for the second secret, that will stay mine for a while longer.
Movie Review: Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
I was able to make the necessary arrangements, to get to this movie on opening day, and see a midnight showing. So, I saw the movie at least eight or nine hours before any of my friends. The theater was packed, with at least three screens dedicated to LOTR, maybe 600 to 800 people. From what I saw, most seemed to be college kids from any of the 15+ colleges in the Worcester area. It was fun to watch the movie with such dedicated fans.
There were some technical problems. Near the middle of the movie, the sound began to “warble,” especially during prolonged musical notes. At first, I thought it was just me … that I was somehow hearing it “off” … maybe due to my seat so near the front of the theater. But, within an hour (may 45 minutes) the film locked up within the projector and burnt. They turned the lights back on, and a lot of people began grumbling and complaining (and got up to use the restrooms)! It was here that I heard others complain about the sound, as well - it wasn’t just me. The theater staff had the film re-threaded within 15 minutes and the movie going again, and it ran without problem until it’s end.
The bad sound made much more of an impact on me then I would have assumed. It really stole a lot of the emotional power from several important scenes. I could hear the dialog fine, and of course everything looked fine … but the music was ruined in those parts and a lot of the ambience was ruined along with it. After the film was re-threaded, and the sound restored, the remainder of the film had a much more significant impact on me then the portion I had watched up to that point. Anyway, when I see the movie again (and hopefully with no problems, front-to-back) I’ll be able to experience it as it was meant to be.
As for the story, it was wonderful. The battle scenes were beyond amazing, and have set the bar very high for future epic movies. The monsters were truly monstrous, and the hero’s truly heroic. The movie was a little long, but perhaps that was only because of the film delay (that 15 minutes of re-threading) and the time (3:30 AM). When I see the movie again, I may feel very differently about the length.
I think, as does nearly everyone else, that Peter Jackson did a fantastic job of adapting the books to the screen. I’m not really sure how anyone could have done a better job. If you really want the full “novel” then go read the novel … movies will never be able to carry the level of detail that a novel can. But, if you want the most beautiful scenes and serious attention to visual detail - enjoy the movies.
Movie Review: Last Samurai
I had heard this movie had some of the most beautiful location shots, and they were right. What I really appreciated was the level of subtlety and nuance. I am grateful there was no extraneous sex scene … but that the romance in the movie was gradual, complex, and natural. The acting was top notch, including Tom Cruise, whom some feel were not appropriate for the role. All I can say, is that it was $10 and 2 hours well spent.
