I just discovered this poem in a book I'm reading.  If you've never run across this before, you're in for a treat...

Pursuit

by Stephen Dobyns, from Cemetery Nights (Penguin, 1987)

Each thing I do I rush through so I can do

something else. In such a way do the days pass –

a blend of stock car racing and the never

ending building of a gothic cathedral.

Through the windows of my speeding car, I see

all that I love falling away: books unread,

jokes untold, landscapes unvisited. And why?

What treasure do I expect in my future?

Rather it is the confusion of childhood

loping behind me, the chaos in the mind,

the failure chipping away at each success.

Glancing over my shoulder I see its shape

and so move forward, as someone in the woods

at night might hear the sound of approaching feet

and stop to listen, then, instead of silence

he hears some creature trying to be silent.

What else can he do but run? Rushing blindly

down the path, stumbling, struck in the face by sticks;

the other ever closer, yet not really

hurrying or out of breath, teasing its kill.

Since I wrote about Joel Osteen, I may as well write about another prominent Christian who appears to be doing some good in the world: Dave Ramsey. I won't try to explain his entire money management philosophy here (you can read, watch, or listen to him for that), but there's one thing he preaches that is so obvious, yet so often overlooked. It's the core of his message, and it's also the great not-so-secret to building wealth: Live below your means. Not above your means, and not even within your means, but below it.

Dave says, "We buy things we don't need with money we don't have in order to impress people we don't like." That statement sums up American consumerism pretty well for me. We have forgotten (or never learned) the difference between want and need, between instant gratification and future security, and between luxury brand markups and real quality. $300 for sunglasses? $600 for shoes that hurt your feet? $6,000 for a handbag? Dave has a term for that: "Stupid tax." J

Whether ethical or not, marketing campaigns are often designed to hook our emotions and/or insecurities and convince us we absolutely need something or life just won't be right. But guess what: Life is never going to be right if we keep spending money to fill up the holes in our psyches with stuff. We'll just end up with piles of stuff, unfilled holes in our psyches, and growing debt instead of growing retirement accounts. Not good!

Many people mistakenly believe if they could just earn more money, life would be easier. But if they don't know how to manage money to begin with, more money often equals more purchases, bigger homes, better cars, and consequently more debt. What would you do if you won a million dollars? Most people answer that question by listing several high-dollar purchases they've "always wanted," and dutifully adding they'd buy their mom a house and give to charity. *yawn* The wiser answer is to set aside up to 50 percent for taxes, and invest the rest in well managed mutual funds, so it can grow. What did you do with your economic stimulus check? Your answer to that question provides good insight into your money management skills.

Another mistaken belief is that newer is better. In some cases, this is definitely true, but I personally believe many things grow better with age, especially if they were made well to begin with and taken good care of. (See my Beauty and Truth blog for more on that.) This is especially true with vehicles, which some people pay for throughout their lives because they're brainwashed into trading cars every few years. Generally, the nicer the car, the poorer the owner… unless it's a nice, old car.

I watched 60 Minutes last night and was looking forward to the segment on Joel Osteen, whom I greatly admire, although I am not a Christian and not even religious. I do, however, believe in a higher power and believe we should live the best life we can while we are here. Be good to ourselves, each other, the planet. Be happy. Be helpful. And yes, Joel's message is somewhat in line with that, so I like watching his weekly TV show whenever I can.

As I said, I was really looking forward to the 60 Minutes segment, with my herbal tea in one hand and no-dairy-no-gluten-no-anything cookies in another. I was watching, I was eating chocolate-flavored cardboard, I was happy. Then the interviewer, Byron Pitts, started questioning Joel's approach to ministry! What the...

Here's a guy who has all sorts of denominations attending his church, watching his TV show, reading his books, etc. People continually tell him he has changed their life or inspired them, and he's currently the most successful preacher in the US. Tithes/offerings at Lakewood Church bring in over $40 million per year, while TV viewers send another $30 million. So he's obviously doing something right, right? Not according to some.

The nitpicking started almost immediately: Why is the church so big? Why doesn't it look like a church? Where are the crosses? Why is your message so positive? Aren't you just giving people false hope? Where is Jesus mentioned in your latest book?

Then some "theologian" referred to Joel's preaching style as "cotton candy gospel" and possibly even "dangerous," to which Joel replied, "I don't know what can be so dangerous about giving people hope [or] causing people to have better relationships. I'm not leading them to some false God…"

I was disappointed by the segment, but it only reaffirmed my long-held belief that religion is a human (not divine) creation, based on and sustained by fear and power. Some Christians are threatened by Joel's message—and by his success—because it doesn't fit their definition of "the Word." It doesn't dwell on sin and sacrifice and guilt. It's too positive.

But that's precisely the reason I like him so much, and that's precisely why I don't like organized religion. I spent many formative years as a Southern Baptist and can remember hearing basically the same message every Sunday: "You pathetic sinners are going to rot and burn in hell unless you repent!" And every week we still weren't good enough; we were still sinners. How is that helpful, exactly?

Anyway, unless Joel starts handing out poisoned beverages during his sermons, I say leave him the hell alone and let him do some good in the world.

Whatever you do, don't drink the singularity.

:)

This charming film makes such a true statement about the human condition: We all need to be good to ourselves and to each other, but first to ourselves, then the "other" part comes naturally. There are other lessons too, but I don't want to reveal too much about the story. As for the photography, it is top-notch. Paris is spectacular to begin with, but there are some really great shots in this, enhanced by a lovely blue and white (not quite black and white) tint. The storyline is slightly similar to Wenders' Wings of Desire, but Angel-A has an undercurrent of humor, thus is much lighter than Wings.

1.      Make signs that say "Yes!" and hang them throughout your home and/or studio.

2.      Actually come out and say "Yes!" at random times.

3.      Write or draw on every available surface, including the walls. Bonus points if it's some obscure mathematic proof.

4.      Wear tee-shirts with obscure band names, political messages, or things like "Man-Whore." Designer logos are not advised, unless you let everyone know you bought the item at a thrift store.

5.      Wear flip-flops all the time, no matter the weather. Or combat boots with Capri pants.

6.      Wear lots and lots… and lots of black. Blackity-black black.

7.      If you're feeling perky and decide to wear colors, make sure your clothes don't match. Bonus points if they don't fit either.

8.      Wear your hair over both eyes, or at least covering one eye, for driving and such. Oh and dark glasses too, in case the hair accidently moves.

9.      Better yet, just stop giving a damn about your hair. Who needs shampoo and brushes!

10.  Act pissed off all the time. Or sad. But pissed off is more interesting.

11.  Poke your head outside, sniff the air, sigh, then slink back inside.

12.  Design and present an ostentatious clothing line during Fashion Week, and then walk onto the stage (for your applause) wearing jeans and a ratty tee-shirt. Shoes optional.

13.  Get signed to a record label, then disagree with everything they want and insist they respect your "creative freedom." End up breaking your contract to go off and make crappy music.

14.  Paint a bunch of scary looking stuff that resembles women's body parts but not in a flattering way. This goes for sculpting too.

15.  Invite someone dangerous to tea.

16.  Throw (and attend) fantastic parties and call everyone "darling."

17.  Master the air kiss technique while simultaneously saying, "Oh my God you look fabulous!"

18.  Get a muse.

19.  Get an OCD.

20.  Dart madly around your house singing the "I Feel Pretty" song. Yes, guys too.

21.  Assign yourself a dramatic stage/pen name, and refer to yourself in the third person, such as "HaloBlu does not like!" Bonus points if said with a French accent.

22.  Fall in love in Paris, or pretend you did and tell stories about it.

23.  Get thrown out of a bar.

24.  Cause a scene at the grocery store: "WHERE are my goddamn calcium tablets?!" Bonus points if you're wearing pj's and flip-flops.

25.  Refuse to be anywhere "on time."

26.  Refuse to own an iron.

27.  Whenever anyone calls, say, "Oh hey, I was just working on a project," and when they ask what, say, "Oh, just a little something. Nothing major."

28.  If you smoke, squint when you inhale, then tilt your head up and to the left when you exhale. This may require practice, but you'll get it.

29.  Throw your head back and laugh, loudly and often. Even if no one is around to hear it except your (by now) terrified neighbors. And if all else fails…

30.  Channel Jeff Bridges' character in The Big Lebowski.

Apocalypto

This fantastic film showcases both the good and bad constituents of humanity: our devotion to family and our survival instinct, along with our insatiable greed and our capacity for cruelty toward each other. There is barbaric violence throughout the film, and it's difficult to watch at times, but you'll be on the edge of your seat nonetheless. The suspense is perfect (lots of chasing and escaping), and the attention to detail (costumes, scenery, photography) is amazing. And where did they find the lead actor? Wow! I gave this film four stars (instead of five) because of the gore---I realize the free-flowing blood and rolling heads were necessary for authenticity, but I don't think I could watch the film again. Not that anyone would need to: Once is enough to get the point, loud and clear.

Broken Flowers

It took me a few days to "digest" this film, especially with the non-ending, but it's actually a clever film... and hilarious if you like dark comedy: the wardrobe of tracksuits, the "stalker in a Taurus" reference, the "forensic investigation" of the letter, the swank jazz CD Don's neighbor gives him as the soundtrack for his life-changing journey, and the characters---Don's neighbor is an absolute trip. Bill Murray is perfect as Don Johnston, but Jeffrey Wright almost steals the show as the neighbor. As for the message, Mr. Jarmusch delivers it brilliantly, even with the disturbing non-ending, because the empty silence throughout the film and the desperation of the ending are the reality of an emotionally distant life. In all, I found Broken Flowers to be funny, charming, and refreshingly different.

Capote

This is a meticulously made film. Even though the story left me a bit unsettled, I appreciate the fine film-making. For example, the scenes blend into each other so seamlessly, it's like watching a delicate, graceful waltz. And the decision not to use red or blue throughout the film is impressive---they could have used a green filter and cheated a bit, but they didn't. This kind of artistry and attention to detail is rare.

The Departed

Oscars, stellar cast (Nicholson, DiCaprio, Damon, etc.), master director (Scorsese), great plotline, major action and surprises, one of the best endings ever... This film just has it all. See it. Now.

The Guardian

Some would call this a predictable bit of melodramatic fluff, but I really enjoyed it. I was thinking, Ashton Kutcher as a rescue swimmer? Huh? But he surprised me, and Kevin Costner was great. It's interesting to see how Coast Guard rescue swimmers train and what their jobs sometimes entail. I know it's over-dramatized in the film, but still, it's not easy battling waves, currents, wind, rain, cold, darkness, etc., during a storm... Props to anyone who chooses to have a job like that. This film is an adventure, dramatic fluff and all.

Shooter

So far, this is my favorite from Antoine Fuqua and the best character work I've seen from Mark Wahlberg, although I haven't seen all of Mark's films. Michael Pena does a great job too. Based on Stephen Hunter's Point of Impact, the storyline is excellent, packed with suspense and lots of action and explosions. We also get an inside look at the physics and forensics of sniping, thanks to experts behind the scenes who taught Mark how to shoot and made sure the film was accurate (within the limits of Hollywood). The survival skills are interesting too, and reminded me of Friedkin's The Hunted. I almost didn't rent this because of earlier reviews saying it was too predictable, but that turned out to be malarkey: This is a great movie!

(inspired by The Last Samurai)

There is no single, perfect petal

to spend your life searching for.

There is no need for this

tireless insistence on perfect beauty,

as you dismiss

what lies within reach.

The flowers have known this forever,

but we still need to learn:

Every petal is perfect,

and beautiful.

© HaloBlu 2005

Truth is poured slowly
like the first martini of the evening—a perfect concoction.
It's placed in front of you like a gift
and you drink it, savor it.
Slowly at first.

You recover quickly from the subtle burn,
and as the cold night crawls onwards,
sundry truths are ingested
between peals of laughter
and sobs of lament.
As lies drip from strange tongues,
truth steals through your veins,
saturates you,
and allows you brief illusions—
a bittersweet compensation
for its later eruption from your abused body
during a repulsive scene that will leave you
whimpering into a stained toilet,
kneeling in filth,

and empty.

© HaloBlu 2005