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I like this article by Ron Rolheiser.
He writes:
In brief, public life (life within family and community, beyond our private selves and beyond our private intimacies) is therapeutic because it draws us beyond ourselves into the lives of others, gives us a certain rhythm, and connects us with resources beyond the poverty of our own limitations.
I do believe that being involved in a community of people is a form of therapy. And in general, because in our society we’ve lost the art of how to be in community, we suffer.
This was one gift I got growing up in Louisiana and why what is happening now in New Orleans hurts me. The festivals, the Catholics, the football, the small-town mindedness and even the hurricanes that came through taught me community. What is happening there now is the exact opposite. How did this happen?
About weekly I’ll snoop around to see what blogworld is saying about home. And it just hurts. It’s devastating. It’s difficult to be so far away with no way to help.
The continued suffering, impossibly increased crime and violence, complete lack of ability to trust the local government- much less the federal government- and little hope of relief on the horizon has done all it can to try to ruin this city I love. Please don’t give up- Neworleanians!
I enjoy reading this guy’s blog. His “slogan” on his site is MAKE LEVEES, NOT WAR. That’s good. At least I feel like there is someone who knows what’s going on and who’s championing for the people.
Meanwhile, we pray for a radical improvement to happen sooner than later.
Well last week I was in a conversation about MOVIES with a couple of friends, Kate and Jeremy. And I had trouble remembering my favorite movies. In my defence I was suffering from lack of sleep.. but it’s bugged me a few times since. Like just when I’m trying to fall asleep, My brain is flashing through a catalogue of movies I’ve enjoyed.
So in the interest of thinking of something else before bed- I’ve compiled a list of movies I’ve enjoyed. I’m sure there are a ton more- but these come to mind.
Some of my favorite romantic comedies are A LIFE LESS ORDINARY, CHOCOLAT, AMELIE, FUNNY FACE, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, THE NOTEBOOK, PRINCESS BRIDE, FRENCH KISS, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, ROMEO+JULIET, PRETTY IN PINK, MOULIN ROUGE!, TRUE ROMANCE and WILD AT HEART.
Some other comedies: SHANGHAI NOON, 40-YEAR OLD VIRGIN, INNERSPACE, 3 FUGITIVES and A FISH CALLED WANDA.
More misc. movies: FIGHT CLUB, WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE, PLEASANTVILLE, THE BASKETBALL DIARIES, CONTACT, AI, LOST IN TRANSLATION (which is like American Beauty but w/o feeling sorry for the pathethic middle-age malaise of the lead character), MEET JOE BLACK, GI JANE (If I owned this movie I’d be in really good shape, I can’t watch it without doing sit ups and stuff- I just get into it) , THE PIANO, BUTTERFLY EFFECT, SPY GAME, EXISTENZ, THE APOSTLE, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, 12 MONKEYS, LOTR, BREAKFAST CLUB and OUT OF AFRICA.
And some historical or “social commentary” movies I like: AMADEUS, HOTEL RWANDA, ALEXANDER, CITY OF GOD, LORD OF WAR, CASABLANCA
But there are moments in a movie that I love as much as I like an entire movie. Like in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN when Michelle Williams‘ character sees her husband out of the screen door. That 10-second reaction of hers on film induces such a flood of emotions. It’s such incredible acting. Also, Meryl Streep’s perfomance in DEVIL WEARS PRADA. She reminds me of my mom so much.
And I like individual actors like Ryan Phillippe because he reminds me of Desi.
And I like Ewan McGregor because of what I’ve read of his personal character- loves his (non-glamorous) wife and loves his kids and is very protective of them. And he’s funny and seemingly a good guy. He often sings in his movies- like in A LIFE LESS ORDINARY…
Yeah. Escapism, Baby!
Okay
Don’t tell Desi. Or the couples in my small group Bible study, who I have no reason to believe read my blog…
I’ve ordered us each a copy of THIS book for us for Valentine’s.
I can’t wait to get it!
If you look to your left. You’ll see the link to Addisonrd.com. They are a group of bloggers headed by a guy, Michael, who for some reason I’ve always enjoyed reading. They are “emergent” and musical and literary and very tech savvy and funny, mostly in a sarcastic way, though… But anyway. One of their contributors is Ally. Ally for a while has been talking about this book she was writing- her second such endeavor and she’d even occasionally post excerpts. I had always expected to buy it when it came out but then I had this brilliant idea to buy it for them as well.
Anyway- I’ll let you know how it is!
