The Emporer's New Clothes

For any of you who know what a big stink was made over the production of the movie, "The Tree of Life", I'm assuming you were somewhat curious about it too.  All anyone knew for the longest was that it starred Sean Penn and Brad Pitt.  Previews were cryptic and rare.  It was supposed to be an epic masterpiece.

So I rented it a couple of weeks ago and settled in to watch what I assumed would be an excellent film.  That saying about what happens when you assume has never been more true in my life.  I turned it off after 15 minutes.  It was the most pretentious, existential piece of crap I've ever seen.  There were few, if any words spoken, and those that were you couldn't even understand.  The cinematography was frustrating to say the least.  And at one point (right before I turned it off), I shit you not, all that was on the screen for 5 minutes straight were alternating images of lava flowing and celestial clouds set to the music they play when you get a massage.

That was a cinematic triumph?

I consider myself a pretty intelligent person.  Actually, most of my friends, especially guy friends, say I border on pretentious.  But all I could think watching that movie was "what. theeeee fuck?"  Just because something is abstract doesn't make it genius.  As my brother-in-law, who also gave the movie 15 minutes himself, put it, it's like The Emporer's New Clothes.  Everybody's afraid to say they don't like it because then they're afraid it makes them look stupid, like they missed the point or something.  But there is no god damn point to showing a muted woman crying and then 3 minutes of clouds passing by to peaceful background music.

Another example (I feel at least) is William Faulkner.  I've only read one book by him before and that's because I was forced to for some class: As I Lay Dying.  I picked up The Sound and the Fury earlier today to see if I had grown up a little more and had misjudged him.  Turns out no.  It's too much to put here, but just go ahead and read the first few paragraphs online.  Go ahead.  I dare you to make sense of it.  Faulkner jumps around to the past and back to the present, then to a different past without any warning.  To be honest, I've read books where authors have done this type of thing and I've still enjoyed them.  However, they at least lead you a little bit and their diction isn't as confusing as Faulkner's.

The point being, if you like something, like it.  If you don't, don't lie just to seem smart.  Because eventually, someone's going to call a bullshit flag on your play while you're trying to explain how "esoteric and brilliant" "The Tree of Life" was.  And then you're REALLY gonna look stupid.

Alpha

So at the suggestion of my sister and brother-in-law I am starting a blog.  I'm trying to take a step away from drinking/partying and actually do something that might produce a positive effect.  Not that I judge those who party; nor am I saying I never will do those things again.  But for the month of December, in the year 2011, I am taking a break.  The one vice I am going to keep is smoking hookah simply so I don't go immediately insane.

That being said, I am at a hookah bar currently and there are some drunk people sitting across from me.  I'm trying to keep from being judgmental but I am using it as positive reinforcement for this commitment.  These people, and especially one girl in particular, are fucking annoying lol.  She's loud, repeating herself, and I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and believe she's not normally as stupid as she's making herself seem right now.  But maybe this is her normally.


Another thing to know about me would be that I am currently about 60 lbs away from my goal weight.  It's a long story I may post in detail here sometime later but I'll briefly explain right now.  I have always been in shape my entire life.  I spent 22 years being athletic, toned, and fit.  Then something happened that changed me forever and I turned to alcohol to self-medicate.  After 12 packs a night for months and not being active, I gained about 90 lbs in 2009.  Since then I have lost 30 lbs, but as I've said, I still have a ways to go.  So let's see how this no drinking thing works with that in mind.  I've told myself I will give it till New Years Eve, and maybe a day or two before then just so I don't get alcohol poisoning that night but I started yesterday and that's a solid 25 days or so to exercise, and generally just do things other than drink.  The sad part is I have only come up with a couple ideas to fill my weekends with that don't involve bars or drinking.  This is what I have so far.  Feel free to contribute.  Wish me luck.

Go see a Movie (Muppets anyone?)
Night fishing (if it's not too fucking cold)
Visit a museum (hopefully I can get my boyfriend to go)
See a play (see above)
Exercise
Cloud watch at the beach (I know this sounds gay but it's actually incredibly relaxing, makes time goes by quickly and truly, it is fun)

Happy almost holidays,


Katie