Friday, March 11, 2011
Earthquakes, tsunamis, war, protests, hunger, NFL contract negotiations, IPad 2, Charlie Sheen, and Kate Middleton's weight; most of us woke up this morning to the news of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Japan and its far reaching effects. Still others heard the news as they waited in line to be one of the first with a new IPad. As midnight EST approached, greed threatened the upcoming football season. Charlie Sheen continues to suffer from verbal diarrhea and yet more people use Charlie-isms, but couldn't explain what is happening in Libya if they could even find it on a map.
My entire day was a study in contrasts and extremes. This morning I woke up and learned that Japan had been rocked by an earthquake and then battered by a tsunami. The first project of the day at work was to auction off art work to raise money for Feeding America. I checked to see how Hawaii had fared and then I manned a table at a tag sale to raise more money for Feeding America. In the afternoon I prepped payroll for a company where the majority of employees live paycheck to paycheck and now must combat rising gas prices to continue to make ends meet. On my drive home I learned that the negotiations between the players in the NFL and the owners have dissolved and the upcoming season is in jeopardy. All this happened as unrest continues to rule the Middle East and Africa, our soldiers are still defending our country, and Apple released a new IPad.
In 2009, 50.2 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 33 million adults and 17.2 million children
We need perspective. Let's do a study in contrasts. Food insecurity is as simple as one not knowing where their next meal is coming from. It means that Joe is struggling with the decision to feed his family or pay his mortgage. Sue isn't sure where the money will come from to provide formula for her newborn. The new Apple IPad's price tag starts at $499. The value of $500 is astronomical when put into the right hands. An Apple enthusiast might possess one shiny new IPad, but "a $500 contribution will allow 100 volunteers to package 2,000 meal 2,000 meals in less than an hour." 2,000 meals!
In 2009, 43.6 million people (14.3 percent) were in poverty
The National Football League consists of two sides - owners and players. It is according to published reports a 9 billion dollar industry. Apparently NFL owners want to take $2 billion off the top instead of the $1 billion they are receiving right now to offset the cost of having teams and games. Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots, is currently the highest paid player. His contract extension for four years was $72 million dollars. The Indianapolis Colts have guaranteed that their quarterback, Peyton Manning, will be the highest paid player.
In 2009, 24.7 million (12.9 percent) of people aged 18-64 were in poverty
The average cost of an NFL ticket is $252. Minimum wage currently is $7.85/hour. If someone was only receiving minimum wage they would need to work just shy of 33 hours (with no tax taken out) in order to buy one ticket to the average NFL game. The NFL owners claim they have enough money to go two seasons without a game being played before they'll feel the financial burden.
"The median household income in the United States is $46,326."
It would take the average family 1,554 years to make Brady's $72 million. That is of course his football money. Beyond that is endorsement deals, free cars, and appearance fees. To be fair not every player is making half of Brady's money. Still is anyone really worth $72 million over four years to throw a ball?
"Finally, people should remember this won’t be over tomorrow. This will not go away in six months. Too often, cameras rush in for two weeks after a crisis and then leave. But recovery is a marathon that starts with a sprint; have no doubt, this will be a very long marathon." Robert Jensen on the road ahead of Japan.
The people of Japan in 24 hours have lost nearly everything - homes, vehicles, loved ones. They will spend the next year or two rebuilding to reach where they were moments before the earthquake. If we have learned anything from prior catastrophes is that life doesn't return to normal the minute the water recedes. The effects will be felt long term and around the world. In a few weeks we will cease to hear about Japan as military conflict arises in another country. Other natural disasters will take shape. How are the people of Haiti and New Orleans? We probably can't recall the story that moved us to tears days after the event, but we can quote Charlie Sheen in all his witless blubbering. We'll forget about political struggles (anyone remember Egypt?) but the internet will be abuzz with debate as to if Kate is too thin during her wedding to Prince William.
Still we wonder why our world is fubar. We refuse to recognize our contributions to the lopsided and often misguided issues at hand. We'll follow Charlie Sheen on twitter to be the first with the gossip at the water cooler. We argue Brady vs. Manning, but we won't know Wes Leonard or Brad Rhoades' names. We over pay athletes and celebrities and then act shocked when they get caught up in scandal. We run out to be one of the first to play with Apples new toys while passing the homeless on our way to play with it. We buy items hawked to us by pretty faces and famous names because "this season" demands we stay in stride with the changing tides.
I love football. I have shiny toys. I know about Charlie Sheen and his fallen-too-far-into-the-deep-end antics. I'm not immune nor do I confess to be above celeb gossip. I try to keep it all in perspective though. I'm a Patriots fan and feel blessed that Tom Brady is our quarterback. Yet what I want to ask professional athletes when they get ridiculous contracts is simply, "do you have no skill set beyond playing a game for when this is all over?" I want to ask the owners "what happens when the fans stop buying tickets?" Charlie Sheen made easy money mocking what turned out to be his life. He did it on camera and got overpaid to act a fool. Now he acts a bigger fool and the world will pay more attention. Who cares who is cheating, who is pregnant, who is sober, who isn't, who just made another movie. Their actions exist in a realm outside of where 95% of the population lives. I don't care who is carrying a Coach purse, I refuse to buy a purse that leaves my wallet empty.
The reality in life is simple. You won't be taking it with you. You have a choice to leave behind a legacy that improves life for those who follow behind you. It is a concentrated effort that is exerted into every decision. Is the world a worse off place because I read that Justin and Jessica broke up? No, but it isn't a better place because those three minutes didn't contribute anything. There are still entirely too many children homeless and hungry. Too many soldiers are fighting for my freedom to post my opinion online freely and dying in the process. Too many people are dying neglected and alone.
The world I live in today is not one that I want to leave for those who follow behind me.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Atonement Child
http://francinerivers.com/
The Atonement Child will ask you to answer questions about yourself that you may not want to confront. Dynah Carey's life is on track. She's attending Bible college and engaged to a future pastor. Her life is torn apart one night when she is raped. After speaking to the police and seeing a doctor, she chooses to ignore what happened. A few weeks later she realizes that she can't ignore that night. She's pregnant with a rapist's baby. Suddenly the preacher she's engaged to is asking her to get an abortion. Her roommate is pushing her to do the same. The college asks her to leave because unless she broadcasts that she was raped she is portraying an immoral image. She eventually returns home where things aren't easier.
Dynah's mother has a secret of her own that is threatening to tear apart her marriage. As Dynah's parents disagree on whether an abortion is the right answer to Dynah's situation, Dynah must decide what is right for herself.
Is abortion ever the right answer? Do certain situations call for abortion? Is God's will perfect even when we can't see it? All these questions arise through the pages of this book.
Rivers crafted an amazing book that will challenge any reader. Do we forgive past sins? Can we be faithful to God through the good times and the bad?
The Atonement Child will ask you to answer questions about yourself that you may not want to confront. Dynah Carey's life is on track. She's attending Bible college and engaged to a future pastor. Her life is torn apart one night when she is raped. After speaking to the police and seeing a doctor, she chooses to ignore what happened. A few weeks later she realizes that she can't ignore that night. She's pregnant with a rapist's baby. Suddenly the preacher she's engaged to is asking her to get an abortion. Her roommate is pushing her to do the same. The college asks her to leave because unless she broadcasts that she was raped she is portraying an immoral image. She eventually returns home where things aren't easier.
Dynah's mother has a secret of her own that is threatening to tear apart her marriage. As Dynah's parents disagree on whether an abortion is the right answer to Dynah's situation, Dynah must decide what is right for herself.
Is abortion ever the right answer? Do certain situations call for abortion? Is God's will perfect even when we can't see it? All these questions arise through the pages of this book.
Rivers crafted an amazing book that will challenge any reader. Do we forgive past sins? Can we be faithful to God through the good times and the bad?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Cyber Monday
Thanksgiving is 72 hours behind us. As quickly as it became history we immersed ourselves in shopping for the holiday season. Black Friday brings us shopping lines miles long just after midnight. We marathon shop, burning off the calories we devoured as we kicked off the holiday season. A two day break leads us into Cyber Monday. It's the 21st Century answer to Black Friday. It's the answer to keeping pace with the changing times.
Anything we could possibly want is at our fingertips. Including, but certainly not limited to, a spouse. No matter what your taste there is someone out there. And there are a variety of sites to choose from to meet your specifications. As much similarity as there is in dating and interviewing, there are striking similarities to shopping for a pair of boots or a new husband in one browser.
No matter what website you are looking at there is the option to join a mailing list whether you are getting boots or a man. You can also set your preferences so that you only receive suggestions that will appeal to you. No booties. Yes, to the guy who enjoys football. No heels higher than four inches. No, convicted felons. Yes, to the black, brown, and gray boots. I only want to see guys who want kids. No, to the guy who has more piercings than I do. Banker? Boring. Mechanic? Dirty. Yes, yes, yes. No, no, no. You can build a profile tailored to stimulate your fancy.
Of course this can also work to your advantage as you describe yourself. I am so a size 6 jeans. I'm arm candy. Yes, I'd look great in spandex because there is not an ounce of flab on me. Usher would freakin' love me. He sings about me all the time, "measurements was 36-25-34." And yes, I can work it. I am sure I won't get a muffin top if I go with the hip hugger jeans. No, I don't have any emotional baggage from the last piece of crap I dated. I am completely content with myself and don't pop diet pills to lose another three pounds so I can fit into my skinny jeans.
Every site you shop on is going to offer you images too. You can pull up a picture of that purse you want and zoom in to see the pattern. Your e-mail announces you have new matches and six of the eight have photos. If we can't see a good picture of what we are looking to buy we are more than likely going not even give it a second glance. Who cares if there is a 100% review rating and everyone is claiming this is the best purse you'll ever invest $175 in. It doesn't matter that the potential suitor wrote from his heart and really laid it all out there and previewed his soul. Nope. We move on to find something that we are "attracted to." We won't discuss that there are no reviews for potential suitors. I'm sure that'd be entirely unfair. However, for some it might help. "I know his profile picture looks like a mug shot but he is so much cuter in person."
Internet shopping makes it easy to shop around because there are no eager sales people/suitors to look in the eye as you reject the product/them. With one click you can move on until you find something that you like better. These boots are almost what I want, but I'm not in love with them. Let's head over to DSW.com because I got a coupon in my email. He's 6'1", makes over a hundred grand a year, drives a BMW. Crap. His favorite band is Metallica. Who listens to that crap? Next? Oh look this one loves quiet walks on the beach, dancing in the rain, pina coladas, and apparently crappy 70s music. Next. Holy crap!!!! Payless is having another BOGO. Should I get these? I don't really love them but they are 50% off. Even if I don't love them I didn't spend that much on them. And if when they arrive I hate them, I'll just return them.
Yet, the thing missing from internet shopping is the personal experience. Going into the dressing room and trying on the jeans. Finding out that yes, you are a size 8 and your butt looks fab in those jeans. Sitting with a guy and realizing that his favorite movie is Fight Club, and you freakin' hate it but you'll sit with him anyway just to be with him. Pulling on a pair of shoes and realizing you need a half size larger so you can wear warm socks though the winter. Talking to a guy covered in car grease who has a really great smile and will clean up nicely if he just uses that goop that smells like oranges. Spending time with a friend going through every rack and just enjoying a few hours of girl time. Learning to change the tire on your car not because he'll ever make you do it but because it means you get to be together.
In the past week I've received four pairs of boots in the mail. (Shut up! I beat the crowds even the ones doing the online shopping.) The first two pair that arrived I didn't get too excited over. I've worn one pair and I'm debating returning the other. I received two other pair today and I can't wait to wear them to work tomorrow. The hardest part is going to be choosing which ones to wear and then finding the clothes to go with them. I'm pretty sure that everyone else would appreciate it if I wore clothes with the boots tomorrow. It was hit-or-miss with them. I always had the fail safe of returning them which probably helped to keep the apprehension at bay as I hit the "submit order" button.
It is a lot harder to return the guy. When you've brought him home you can't just throw him back in the box and send him back. The boots will never know they didn't have a home with me. Someone else will come along and take them home. (Surprisingly there are more woman that I thought that have feet as large as mine.) Guys are more like puppies. They may not eat your shoes but they'll complain about how many you have. They have to be fed, watered, and encouraged to bathe. And they have a tendency to know when you've about reached your limit. They'll turn those sad eyes on you and offer up a lick (the puppies get your mind out of the gutter) or an apology and you can't help but give them one more chance. They'll end up staying until they've grown on you and you can't imagine your life without them. Even as you walk them in the middle of winter in the middle of the night in the middle of a snowstorm.
Yes, I turned 30 a month ago. No, I never thought on my thirtieth birthday I'd be single. I figured by now I'd be married with at least two kids or maybe four. Somehow though I can't bring myself to browse the online dating websites looking for "The One." I'd probably miss a great one because it is so much easier to be shallow when you are reading a profile. And despite the probably massive number of grammatical errors that are floating around in this entry, a large pet peeve is misspellings and lack of punctuation. I'd move on quickly if there were no definitive paragraphs. I may buy my boots online but maybe if I start buying them in stores there'll be a chance encounter in aisle six with a really great guy that doesn't look good on paper but is beyond irresistible.
Anything we could possibly want is at our fingertips. Including, but certainly not limited to, a spouse. No matter what your taste there is someone out there. And there are a variety of sites to choose from to meet your specifications. As much similarity as there is in dating and interviewing, there are striking similarities to shopping for a pair of boots or a new husband in one browser.
No matter what website you are looking at there is the option to join a mailing list whether you are getting boots or a man. You can also set your preferences so that you only receive suggestions that will appeal to you. No booties. Yes, to the guy who enjoys football. No heels higher than four inches. No, convicted felons. Yes, to the black, brown, and gray boots. I only want to see guys who want kids. No, to the guy who has more piercings than I do. Banker? Boring. Mechanic? Dirty. Yes, yes, yes. No, no, no. You can build a profile tailored to stimulate your fancy.
Of course this can also work to your advantage as you describe yourself. I am so a size 6 jeans. I'm arm candy. Yes, I'd look great in spandex because there is not an ounce of flab on me. Usher would freakin' love me. He sings about me all the time, "measurements was 36-25-34." And yes, I can work it. I am sure I won't get a muffin top if I go with the hip hugger jeans. No, I don't have any emotional baggage from the last piece of crap I dated. I am completely content with myself and don't pop diet pills to lose another three pounds so I can fit into my skinny jeans.
Every site you shop on is going to offer you images too. You can pull up a picture of that purse you want and zoom in to see the pattern. Your e-mail announces you have new matches and six of the eight have photos. If we can't see a good picture of what we are looking to buy we are more than likely going not even give it a second glance. Who cares if there is a 100% review rating and everyone is claiming this is the best purse you'll ever invest $175 in. It doesn't matter that the potential suitor wrote from his heart and really laid it all out there and previewed his soul. Nope. We move on to find something that we are "attracted to." We won't discuss that there are no reviews for potential suitors. I'm sure that'd be entirely unfair. However, for some it might help. "I know his profile picture looks like a mug shot but he is so much cuter in person."
Internet shopping makes it easy to shop around because there are no eager sales people/suitors to look in the eye as you reject the product/them. With one click you can move on until you find something that you like better. These boots are almost what I want, but I'm not in love with them. Let's head over to DSW.com because I got a coupon in my email. He's 6'1", makes over a hundred grand a year, drives a BMW. Crap. His favorite band is Metallica. Who listens to that crap? Next? Oh look this one loves quiet walks on the beach, dancing in the rain, pina coladas, and apparently crappy 70s music. Next. Holy crap!!!! Payless is having another BOGO. Should I get these? I don't really love them but they are 50% off. Even if I don't love them I didn't spend that much on them. And if when they arrive I hate them, I'll just return them.
Yet, the thing missing from internet shopping is the personal experience. Going into the dressing room and trying on the jeans. Finding out that yes, you are a size 8 and your butt looks fab in those jeans. Sitting with a guy and realizing that his favorite movie is Fight Club, and you freakin' hate it but you'll sit with him anyway just to be with him. Pulling on a pair of shoes and realizing you need a half size larger so you can wear warm socks though the winter. Talking to a guy covered in car grease who has a really great smile and will clean up nicely if he just uses that goop that smells like oranges. Spending time with a friend going through every rack and just enjoying a few hours of girl time. Learning to change the tire on your car not because he'll ever make you do it but because it means you get to be together.
In the past week I've received four pairs of boots in the mail. (Shut up! I beat the crowds even the ones doing the online shopping.) The first two pair that arrived I didn't get too excited over. I've worn one pair and I'm debating returning the other. I received two other pair today and I can't wait to wear them to work tomorrow. The hardest part is going to be choosing which ones to wear and then finding the clothes to go with them. I'm pretty sure that everyone else would appreciate it if I wore clothes with the boots tomorrow. It was hit-or-miss with them. I always had the fail safe of returning them which probably helped to keep the apprehension at bay as I hit the "submit order" button.
It is a lot harder to return the guy. When you've brought him home you can't just throw him back in the box and send him back. The boots will never know they didn't have a home with me. Someone else will come along and take them home. (Surprisingly there are more woman that I thought that have feet as large as mine.) Guys are more like puppies. They may not eat your shoes but they'll complain about how many you have. They have to be fed, watered, and encouraged to bathe. And they have a tendency to know when you've about reached your limit. They'll turn those sad eyes on you and offer up a lick (the puppies get your mind out of the gutter) or an apology and you can't help but give them one more chance. They'll end up staying until they've grown on you and you can't imagine your life without them. Even as you walk them in the middle of winter in the middle of the night in the middle of a snowstorm.
Yes, I turned 30 a month ago. No, I never thought on my thirtieth birthday I'd be single. I figured by now I'd be married with at least two kids or maybe four. Somehow though I can't bring myself to browse the online dating websites looking for "The One." I'd probably miss a great one because it is so much easier to be shallow when you are reading a profile. And despite the probably massive number of grammatical errors that are floating around in this entry, a large pet peeve is misspellings and lack of punctuation. I'd move on quickly if there were no definitive paragraphs. I may buy my boots online but maybe if I start buying them in stores there'll be a chance encounter in aisle six with a really great guy that doesn't look good on paper but is beyond irresistible.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Learning
Karenkingsbury.com
Learning As a loyal reader of Karen Kingsbury's books and an avid reader, I've read every one of Kingsbury's books on their release date. I adored the Baxter family series and found the Take series to be harder to get into. When Bailey Flanigan's story was set to come out I found myself anticipating stories of struggles and temptations applicable to a life-long Christian girl who must move from the comfort of her home and the protection of her family to a world that is always tempting and trying to overthrow the presence of God. I found myself sorely disappointed.
I flew through these books quickly. There wasn't a lot to stop and think about what I would do if in that situation. Bailey can't shake Cody from her thoughts. The only time she isn't thinking about him is when there is a substitute or distraction in Brandon. Brandon isn't in her thoughts unless she is caught up in his "energy." Bailey dwells on Cody. Brandon is more out of sight and out of mind.
Bailey is an irritating character at best. After being brow-beaten into believing that Bailey is a good-Christian girl with no faults, we are treated to her brief moments of "struggle" that end nearly as soon as they begin. Her anger at Cody is quickly diminished. Her guilt over her friend is over-ridden by Brandon coming to visit. People around her are envious because she is just so amazing. She's more Jamie Sullivan of A Walk To Remember than the girl down the pew from you on Sunday morning. Authors often times have a hard finding a balance between being unique so that the world notices the difference between non-Christians and Christians or portraying them as the too perfect to be real Christians that the world despises.
Cody is perhaps the best example of a real Christian. We get into his head and see his struggles. We understand he doesn't want his life to touch the Flanigans and especially Bailey. However, perhaps there in lies the issue. Cody's imperfect life would be a blemish on the Flanigans. Oh they love him for sure. But why doesn't he trust that they'd support and protect he and Bailey from his mother's addiction and boyfriend? Maybe there is the fault in why so many find Christians to be hypocritical. However, I cheer for Cody. He made a bad decision in not being honest so that there wasn't a chasm of silence between he and Bailey. He picked up though. Found purpose.
Brandon Paul is perhaps the largest contradiction in the book. He pursues Bailey with worldly possessions and experiences that money provides, yet he has become too perfect. Where is the struggle he has with picking roles? Is he seeing them through fresh eyes? It isn't that I don't want to see Redemption for Brandon Paul (or the entertainment industry he represents) but you can't walk in two worlds or serve two masters. Dayne at least struggled more.
I'd love to see Ashley and Landon receive a book of their own. Ashley's heartbreak was palpable. It was out of place though in a book about the story between Cody and Bailey.
Overall, this books is a nice diversion but I'm anxious for the Bailey Flanigan series to come to an end. For Bailey to ride off into the sunset with her prince (whomever he may be at this point I don't care). I want to get back to the struggles of real Christians.
Learning As a loyal reader of Karen Kingsbury's books and an avid reader, I've read every one of Kingsbury's books on their release date. I adored the Baxter family series and found the Take series to be harder to get into. When Bailey Flanigan's story was set to come out I found myself anticipating stories of struggles and temptations applicable to a life-long Christian girl who must move from the comfort of her home and the protection of her family to a world that is always tempting and trying to overthrow the presence of God. I found myself sorely disappointed.
I flew through these books quickly. There wasn't a lot to stop and think about what I would do if in that situation. Bailey can't shake Cody from her thoughts. The only time she isn't thinking about him is when there is a substitute or distraction in Brandon. Brandon isn't in her thoughts unless she is caught up in his "energy." Bailey dwells on Cody. Brandon is more out of sight and out of mind.
Bailey is an irritating character at best. After being brow-beaten into believing that Bailey is a good-Christian girl with no faults, we are treated to her brief moments of "struggle" that end nearly as soon as they begin. Her anger at Cody is quickly diminished. Her guilt over her friend is over-ridden by Brandon coming to visit. People around her are envious because she is just so amazing. She's more Jamie Sullivan of A Walk To Remember than the girl down the pew from you on Sunday morning. Authors often times have a hard finding a balance between being unique so that the world notices the difference between non-Christians and Christians or portraying them as the too perfect to be real Christians that the world despises.
Cody is perhaps the best example of a real Christian. We get into his head and see his struggles. We understand he doesn't want his life to touch the Flanigans and especially Bailey. However, perhaps there in lies the issue. Cody's imperfect life would be a blemish on the Flanigans. Oh they love him for sure. But why doesn't he trust that they'd support and protect he and Bailey from his mother's addiction and boyfriend? Maybe there is the fault in why so many find Christians to be hypocritical. However, I cheer for Cody. He made a bad decision in not being honest so that there wasn't a chasm of silence between he and Bailey. He picked up though. Found purpose.
Brandon Paul is perhaps the largest contradiction in the book. He pursues Bailey with worldly possessions and experiences that money provides, yet he has become too perfect. Where is the struggle he has with picking roles? Is he seeing them through fresh eyes? It isn't that I don't want to see Redemption for Brandon Paul (or the entertainment industry he represents) but you can't walk in two worlds or serve two masters. Dayne at least struggled more.
I'd love to see Ashley and Landon receive a book of their own. Ashley's heartbreak was palpable. It was out of place though in a book about the story between Cody and Bailey.
Overall, this books is a nice diversion but I'm anxious for the Bailey Flanigan series to come to an end. For Bailey to ride off into the sunset with her prince (whomever he may be at this point I don't care). I want to get back to the struggles of real Christians.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Yeah, it is a movie review
I cried for an hour last night. And everyone in my life should be grateful they didn't receive phone calls at 2am when I stopped. I watched Remember Me last night. I am so glad I didn't watch it in the theater. I cried at the end and then I needed to absorb. I was aware of the premise and the ending so there weren't many surprises.
Stop reading here if you don't want to know details. This is not a blow-by-blow description but rather my observations.
Except - the whole stinkin' movie. I'd been told the beginning starts out kind of slow but then the movie gets good until the end which sucks. I wholeheartedly disagree. If you are looking for a feel good movie with a happily ever after then don't bother seeing this movie. If you like movies that mean something and can twist you up then Remember Me is for you.
The beginning of the movie represents the reality of how mundane life can be. Each character is struggling with something. Tyler, the male lead, is not perfect to complement Ally, the female lead. They are both flawed characters with struggles, internal battles, and real life issues. They understand each other.
We are introduced to Tyler's divorced parents, his artistic little sister, his quirky roommate, and his stepfather. Ally's mother died when she was a child and she lives with her detective father. Each character is flawed and the relationships flawed. Tyler resent his father for his part in his brother's death. Tyler's father disregards his sister, Caroline, which angers Tyler and continues to widen the gap between them.
Through a series of events Tyler and Ally meet. He's tortured to her free-spirit. She orders dessert first in case she chokes on the entree and dies. She wants to enjoy the part that she most desires. He doesn't enjoy much.
We walk through their lives as their romantic relationship grows and their familial relationships change. Tyler is Caroline's champion. He'd go to the ends of the world for her. Case in point the phone call and dinner he makes on her behalf to ensure that his father is present at her art showing. He'd clearly do anything for her including suffer through time spent with his father. Tyler is a support to his mother who relies on him when their father disappoints Caroline. Ally is loved by an overprotective father who can't let his 21 year old daughter gain her independence. He fears losing her so he holds on too tight. Eventually he loses her for holding on too tight. Aidan, Tyler's roommate, is a catalystic sidekick. (Did I just make up a word?) His presence jump starts pivotal situations that lead us down this road.
We watch these characters and their various views and expectations on love. Tyler is aggravated by his father's lack of affection for Caroline. Tyler's father believes she knows of his love because of the material things he provides her. Tyler is present for his mother and sister when they need him. Ally and her father make it work since it is just the two of them. Tyler tolerates Aidan's antics.
This movie is as much about the interpretation of love as the perception of love. Sometimes you have to know the person you are with so you don't miss their displays of affection. And sometimes you have to know the person you want to express affection for so they don't misunderstand your affection. Tyler's father loves him with a tough love and works to give Caroline a privileged life. Caroline wants her father to acknowledge her. Ally wants freedom and her father doesn't want to lose her.
Stop reading here if you don't want to know details. This is not a blow-by-blow description but rather my observations.
Except - the whole stinkin' movie. I'd been told the beginning starts out kind of slow but then the movie gets good until the end which sucks. I wholeheartedly disagree. If you are looking for a feel good movie with a happily ever after then don't bother seeing this movie. If you like movies that mean something and can twist you up then Remember Me is for you.
The beginning of the movie represents the reality of how mundane life can be. Each character is struggling with something. Tyler, the male lead, is not perfect to complement Ally, the female lead. They are both flawed characters with struggles, internal battles, and real life issues. They understand each other.
We are introduced to Tyler's divorced parents, his artistic little sister, his quirky roommate, and his stepfather. Ally's mother died when she was a child and she lives with her detective father. Each character is flawed and the relationships flawed. Tyler resent his father for his part in his brother's death. Tyler's father disregards his sister, Caroline, which angers Tyler and continues to widen the gap between them.
Through a series of events Tyler and Ally meet. He's tortured to her free-spirit. She orders dessert first in case she chokes on the entree and dies. She wants to enjoy the part that she most desires. He doesn't enjoy much.
We walk through their lives as their romantic relationship grows and their familial relationships change. Tyler is Caroline's champion. He'd go to the ends of the world for her. Case in point the phone call and dinner he makes on her behalf to ensure that his father is present at her art showing. He'd clearly do anything for her including suffer through time spent with his father. Tyler is a support to his mother who relies on him when their father disappoints Caroline. Ally is loved by an overprotective father who can't let his 21 year old daughter gain her independence. He fears losing her so he holds on too tight. Eventually he loses her for holding on too tight. Aidan, Tyler's roommate, is a catalystic sidekick. (Did I just make up a word?) His presence jump starts pivotal situations that lead us down this road.
We watch these characters and their various views and expectations on love. Tyler is aggravated by his father's lack of affection for Caroline. Tyler's father believes she knows of his love because of the material things he provides her. Tyler is present for his mother and sister when they need him. Ally and her father make it work since it is just the two of them. Tyler tolerates Aidan's antics.
This movie is as much about the interpretation of love as the perception of love. Sometimes you have to know the person you are with so you don't miss their displays of affection. And sometimes you have to know the person you want to express affection for so they don't misunderstand your affection. Tyler's father loves him with a tough love and works to give Caroline a privileged life. Caroline wants her father to acknowledge her. Ally wants freedom and her father doesn't want to lose her.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)