Big Fish

Big Fish (Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, 2003) is an imaginative and quirky movie about the art of storytelling; and how “A son tries to learn more about his dying father by reliving stories and myths he told about his life.” (imdb.com) The main character (Ed Bloom) is portrayed in two aspects, one as the older father figure who is dying, the other as the young version of himself, living out the stories he has told his son for years. The relationship between the father and son (Will Bloom) is rough as time goes on, with Will eventually declaring his father to be conceited and constantly hold to the idea that his Ed is hiding the truth surrounding his birth. On a fateful night, the son and father separate and it is said they don’t speak for three years.

The art of the story is presented in this unique film with every memory the father retells. Most of these stories we would call ‘Tall Tales’ – to which Ed replies, “Well, it is hardly a short one...”

As the movie progresses, we see life from the eyes of young Ed Bloom. As a young boy he meets a witch who shows him how he would die, which gives him the courage to overcome obstacles one would otherwise never even attempt. He relies heavily on his faith in his destiny, judging everything around him as a truth to his future, and all worries he regards as fallacies. In his life, he meets and ensemble of strange and unique characters, each with an important role in his life story.

As Will continues to beg for truth from his dying father, who continues to hide it, he begins to investigate the stories personally. This leads him to a deeper understanding of his father and his own life. Ed claims (roughly), “We are both story tellers, we are alike in that way. I tell my stories out loud, and you write them down. But we both tell stories.”

As we near the end, Will realizes how important the relationship was between him and his father, and in the final act, we see him sacrificing his ideals and values for his father's final happiness and rest by telling the only story that had not been told: Ed's death.

I wish you could see the way McGregor displays this brilliance in his eyes of courage as he presses on. We see the way that imagination can make even dull situations a little brighter, and give hope where we see impossibility.

Defiance

I watched the movie Defiance (Daniel Craig, Liev Schriever, 2008)

IT takes place in Belorussia, during the Holocaust. The Bielski brothers, Jewish natives, form a fighting force over time due to the need to survive. Tuvia Bielski (Daniel Craig) states at one point, "We are hunted like animals, but we will not become animals. Our vengeance will be to live."

As they proceeded, they found and provided safety, shelter and food for many Jews. Many missions were performed to retrieve food and weapons from the German army. A camp was created and ultimately abandoned in a retreat to survive an invading attack. This is the part where I started thinking, "God, why does this part of history exist?" So many people were killed. The level of hatred was so unnatural.

This movie does what most every other WWII-related media does not: it resolves with a focus on the positive ending. The Jews survived. They helped save 1200 people. Two of the Bielskis moved to America and started a business. Both lived normal productive lives until they died naturally at an old age. Their efforts, their drive, was successful.

I pray that those personally affected by the Holocaust can find peace. Every moment lived pushing into the future is a healing step.

"Yeah we lost our way but found it.
Yeah we will live to see it out.
Oh hearts may break to make more room:
yeah, but love will find a way to bloom;
love will find a way to bloom;
love will find a way to bloom"

OMG This warranted a blog

Whoa there was an earthquake. In VA. The epicenter being somewhere like 40 miles north-west of Richmond. Everywhere on the east coast you could feel it. Well, as I call it, "selective sensation," since it was felt by everyone *cough*.

Building shook. People got scared. And nobody is dead. We think..

So what could have caused this phenomenon? Theories range from terrorists to global warming to an early 2012 Apocalypse . What ever happened to good old science saying there are no tectonic plates faults located on the east coast? Does this mean we'll start having volcanoes? Oh snap.

I didn't feel diddly. My house still stands. I still have internet and phone connections. And I also have freshly cut grass.

speak

Have you ever noticed that when someone stands to speak, usually If they aren't a regular public speaker, that they start with 1) some scrutiny of their physical appearance 2) troubles they had while in preparation of the items being covered in their speech, and 3) their first reaction to being asked to speak. It goes like this:

--“Good morning. I was on the way in this morning, and this is slightly funny, but I found that my tie was on backwards. So, when [person] asked me to speak, I was [insert emotion]. And while getting things together for this, I encountered [problem].”

It's depreciating of themselves, so that you are not looking forward to something all that great.





On the flip side, we have those over-enthusiastic speakers that don't really write well, they just deliver well. When they speak, it starts like this:

--“Hey everyone! Isn't it a great day? Even if it isn't, we're gonna have a good time. How many of you...”

Those people get you all pumped and then can't follow through. So either way you end up leaving kinda like “huh?”

On the occasion you encounter an awesome speaker, you'll know right away. It works just like music and books: a smooth, enticing introduction, great substance, a slight left-hook, finishing with a closing that leaves you better than before and craving more.

I stick to a concept: people are stronger at some things than others.
In America, we try to round everyone out.

When God made us, he made us versatile but designed for a purpose – NOT to be like everyone else.

Get in coordination with God.
Start paying attention to what He has made you for.
Ask questions.
Focus on being the best of the best.

embuscade

I haven't been writing much lately, haven't been documenting much of anything at all. Since I was about to quit Bonefish I was so stressed out and not interested in taking notes anymore. I had missed about 2 months of church, which was a big promoter of note taking for me.

So lets recap on my last few months of life.

Heidi and I are officially together. Guess that's not too hard to believe.

I quit Bonefish and was hired at Relay Electric. They're out of Suffolk and do work everywhere in Southeast VA. Currently just a 'helper' but will be starting an apprenticeship this coming year. Looking forward to that. I've learned so much already and its only been 2 months. Don't even get me started on how much better it is than Bonefish.. WOW.

Just turned 20. Its pretty awesome.

When I went to renew my license the woman at DMV told me I /really/ needed a new photo. Apparently men change significantly between the ages of 15 and 20.

Just took a trip to Belle Isle again. Every time I go there I'm happy.. It's quite difficult to feel like I spent enough time there. Theres something about the rapids that just ease your mind and body. The waters are cool and the sun is hot.

I think I may have narrowed down on the cause of not writing so much. I'd rather talk about stuff than type. I have thought for a long time to try getting something like the Dragon Speech to Text software. It's a bit expensive though, and that's the only reason I haven't bought it. Not saying I'd write a whole lot more just because I could say it out loud instead of hitting keys, but I would certainly be more direct in my thinking patterns. Probably would mean a whole lot more editing, since I'd ramble on and on..

Currently listening to The House That Fire Built by Mae. So excited to go see them in concert Nov 27 at the NorVa. Been over a year since I last saw them perform. That last concert was in VA Beach. I just recently went back there for Heidi Mirz' wedding. Was doing the video for it. She got married on the beach, in front of the Ocean Beach Club (something like 35th St.)
I absolutely love the beach. That whole day was so beautiful. The weather was amazing. The air felt so refreshing and pure. We did the wedding, went up to the room for a toast, and then to Catch 31 for dinner. Fine-dining seafood, if you're not familiar. Which isn't /too/ bad for me, but Heidi is not a very big proponent for seafood. Luckily they served other stuff, like chicken. I had the Caesar salad with chicken, which was probably the best dressing on a salad I've ever had. Heidi Mirz gave me the second of 2 crab-stuffed flounder cakes. I'm usually not one for crab meat, but this was exceptionally not traditional crabby flavored crab, and the whole package was so tender and moist. The sauce on top was also top-notch, some buttery creamy goodness..

So, to this day, something haunts me about a blog I posted. In the blog I quoted a song by Switchfoot, to which the quote was so terribly not correct and I made no effort to correct it. I can't believe how bad that turned out..
"In this life you're the one place I call home. In this life, you're the feeling I belong. In this life you're the flower and the thorn. You're everything that's fair in love and war"
-Head Over Heels (Switchfoot)

Music maintains a huge role in my life. Not playing as much as I would like, but then again I never have the opportunity to jam with anyone. Ethan and I had tried a few things with MowkyCowskie, which was crazy fun since they are both really talented guitarists. I think Ethan has a creative mind and would love to see him capitalize on those skills.
I myself am not that creative with music. I can wrap it up and flip it down, but when it comes to writing original stuff, that's just not me. More of a producer. I have a natural ability to hear talent. And not much makes me happier than a track or album that's had every bit of effort poured over it until it was as smooth as possible. Some albums would include Mae's The Everglow, Sherwood's Qu, and The Decemberists' The Crane Wife.

I just had the second cup of coffee tonight, and it was the second cup in a long time.

Heidi and I discovered Berry Body, a frozen yogurt shop (which currently only has 3 locations, one in the Governors Green Shopping Center, best known for Rt 5 Farm Fresh in Williamsburg). I've had 2 chances to indulge there, and both times were rather nice. They;re simple - only 3 flavors, and like 20 different toppings, but it's supposedly all natural ingredients and healthy for you. Tastes good.

Going to La Hacienda. Time to get my Mexican on

Belle Isle

Meander your way to South 5th street in Richmond, and follow the signs to Brown Island. Take a right at the T-Intersection, and pass the war memorial. Park just before the main bridge, and walk across the suspension bridge to Belle Isle. This is where Heidi and I spent Monday. One of the best days in a long, long time.

Back in the early 1800's to 1900's, Belle Isle was used for a number of things, including factories used to create tanks and cars, handle raw steel, and even create electricity. Though everything is now either missing, rotten or rusted, the amazing level of history is still in tact. I think the most common use of the island now is leisure activity. There are trails for bike riding or hiking, rapids for kayaks and tubes, and massive, smooth stones creating the riverbed, where one can relax and listen to the water.

I have been to Belle Isle three or four times already, but each time only explored a little of the island. I'm not sure it is still so much an 'island' anymore, but if the definition of island is, as Merriam-Webster defines it, “an isolated group or area,” then Belle Isle is certainly isolated, though no longer surrounded by water. At the head of the isle, the part most upstream, a dam was built to divert water to the south side of the island, where the VEPCO Hydroelectric Power Generating Plant had 3 turbines powered by the water, which in turn powered the trolley system in south Richmond from 1904-1963. In 1963, a hurricane broke part of the dam on the north side, and the flow was restored entirely to the north and has been that way since.

The other two structures left on the isle are a Rolling, Milling and Slitting Manufactory, where scrap iron was forged into nails, wire and horseshoes, famous in the South; and the factory for vehicles. I failed at taking notes on the vehicle factory.

I would definitely suggest reading the RichmondWiki history section.

One thing not well documented is the quarry. The sign posted at the site says prisoners carved giant slabs of rock out of the hill, but eventually hit the river in two places, thus flooding the quarry. It's now a huge pond with turtles and other aquatic animals.

Most of this journey I spent without a shirt and carrying a backpack, which only really provided me with one thing: looking sexy as the sweat made me glisten.

Oh, and while we're at it, one BIG turn off is the smell. So if you have the chance, go after it rains and is high tide, cause it can wreak like septic.

After about three hours of hiking and exploration, we finally made it to the rapids for some relaxation. There was a large party going on on the largest rock, and the alcohol level was so high you could smell it from a long ways off. We found a nice little area that wasn't festering and set up camp. Our area of rapids was rather strong, and provided for an interesting 'swim' as we kept taking turns being swept away. Always be sure you know where to put your butt.

As the sun went down, we quickly realized that you can't very well see the sunset from the isle, as there is a large population of trees on the river side.

Suggestions for you, should you plan a trip:
Ask your mother to make a list of “Things you might need on a swimming/hiking expedition.”
Pack light, or light enough that everyone in your party can carry everything for at least a mile one-way.
Bring lots of fluids. Frozen waters last about 3-4 hours and double as ice packs.
Plan for a long day. Cause you have to walk everywhere you want to go.
Bring anything you might need for the duration, since the closest convenience store is far off.

Mother's Freakin Day

Let me precede this with a note that I love mothers. And don't hate Mother's Day. Just this day, which happens to be from hell.



I am currently on the ferry going to work. I believe the end of this blog will take place after work.

Last night was a long night. I don't usually work more than 5 hours at a time at Bonefish, but last night it was Mother's Day Eve, so everyone and their mom was out eating dinner. I had an ungodly amount of work to do in a short amount of time. And Matt made it so no one could leave til everything was done. I don't mind the hours, and quite honestly don't mind the doing work part, but the making salads part is just not going well. My ticket times were getting high, mostly from the onslaught of orders in such a short time. I used almost everything I had in stock at my station, restocked and used it all again. That's a lot of tickers. Got a Creme Brule to go. I hate crème Brule to go. It came in and Matt said, “Do you know how to make a Cremem Brule to go?” to which I answered yes, and he said, “Good, cause I don't. Make it, and I'll handle these salads” Matt and I are similar, very similar. And he's kinda crazy. Told me last night that his mother dropped him on his head when he was a baby. It was out of a moving vehicle. Actually, it was more like he jumped from a moving vehicle onto his head.

We moved some tables after we closed. Some pretty heavy junk there. Trying to make some more seating for Mother's Day. Opened at 11, I missing the 11 ferry by 2 cars, and it's projected to be the busiest day of the year. Needless to say, I don't look forward to it very much. It's not that I don't like mothers, it's just that I don't want to deal with mothers' lunches being possibly not correct. There are so many ways to honor a woman, and making her food is one of them. But I never get any one-on-one with any customers. I'm so used to making the food, and seeing them, or getting feedback from the people, eating it.

Theres a lot of wind on the boat today. Lately theres been a large amount of sea spray while on the ferry. Today is not exception. I am currently getting pelted with water from the front, even though I am not the first in line. I guess I should be glad I'm not on foot or a bike. Or in a convertible. Or one of those jeeps with no doors.

____________________________________________

So now, over 12 hours later, I am laying in bed and not the least bit of me is in a pain-free state. As Dave said, “We got our asses kicked tonight. Everyone was a zombie at 7:30” and we closed at 9:40. Not only was it the busiest freaking day of the year, I had to stay there from an hour passed open to close. In my opinion, that was a bad move on the part of the management. You see, I was pretty much dead by the time Fonzy got there, and then instead of being my replacement, he just helped for a little bit then went to do something else that Matt had for him. Basically, instead of being like any other Sunday, it was awful. I also tore my thumb nail off, which hurt(s) really bad.
I promised [an unmentionable person] that I would blog about him spilling a ton of chowder on the counter / floor. He tried to pour it from a pan into a big pot, and it wasn't a successful transfer.
We moved those giant tables again. I basically took down and moved the whole dining room bu myself. Then got some help from Jo, Fonzy and Z-dawg on the tables. Even Mommy got involved and moved ONE BAR STOOL. The whole place is kinda creepy when it's empty and almost resembles a dance club. And I'm trusting Dave when he says this only happens once a year..