The Mirror & Economic Transformation

Alma 1:30 "And thus, in their ^aprosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were ^bnaked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon ^criches; therefore they were ^dliberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no ^erespect to persons as to those who stood in need."

Our economic times are obviously different and more complex. We know how to solve our problems, but not in the present atmosphere of "I'm right and you're wrong." This country has played god for so long, yet like false gods, our selfish, egocentric nature turns on ourselves. If we are to improve the quality of living we must make tough choices and build a world for the future generations. Wealth and power are ambitions which get in the way of real progress.

What does "equal" mean? It should be obvious. 1+1=2. We have been using this word in math and in reference to politics since the Gettysburg Address. How could all people in the United States be equal enough that you wouldn't have to fear walking down the street at night? How could we be free enough that we no longer worry about children going without food? Where are the intellectual sources that were overlooked when the constitution was written that provide answers that solve the human nature "fears" that make men in congress today say "people will lose their will to work in society under a socialist economy."

The answer is, we are not the USSR. We are Americans. You might say we will lose our ambition if we give ample food and shelter to everyone. Where is our ambition now? Where is the imagined world we thought we'd create? In fancy cellular phones? Where is man's ambition to explore space, build a colony on the moon, settle Mars? The moons of Saturn or Jupiter? Where are the sophisticated highways and cities of the future? Where are the electric cars and super-fast trains that criss-cross America, oceans?

That's right, we have progressed enough since the seventies because we have American football. Kevin, they can't even make original movies anymore so they're re-making ones from the 80's and ones that were TV shows...

I don't know about you, but the fire that burns in my heart hasn't extinguished. I want more and expect more. You can't stifle ambition by putting food on the table of every home in America and a roof over their heads. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who thinks this can go take a flying leap off a very high cliff. I'd like to use a different description but my intelligence is overcoming my primal nature. : )

We have been inspired for years about what my world and what your world would be like by the time we were 35, 42. How have we been inspired by our so-called government, Republican and Democrat?

We need to change! It is the only way to grow. Did you read the entry on my Wall on Facebook that was posted last night? (‎"Ruin is the road to transformation." This quote from "Eat Pray Love" is even more profound taken in context. Like Plato said, "each of us must turn around." Hard times happen, and the more you learn from them, the better you'll become. Aren't we here to learn maturity? Or are we expected to be born with it? Are we all "young" spirits? Older spirits don't learn or change as readily. This is my experience.)

The state of economic affairs is mirroring my own transformation and condition. I can grow from the experience. Can you, America?

Guilty As Charged

Driving down the road just now, it appeared that I was purposely cut off by a clean Lexus 330 who slowed down just as I approached a truck with fifth wheel pulling a huge trailer. They slowed down just as I was about to change lanes, making it impossible. The SUV had CA plates, which surprised me 'cause in California changing lanes is sacred. After we went through the next intersection, they slowed down more and got into the middle lane. I blared my horn and shouted "go back to CA" as I passed.

Through my rear view mirror, I saw that they made a U-turn and realized that their behavior had nothing to do with me. I fell into a trap for no apparent reason and behaved inappropriately. I eased back and said "look at yourself, Charlie."

I have been thinking of writing a blog for a week or two now on how narrowly we as humans judge one another without all the facts. What got me thinking about this was the realization that I personally cannot communicate everything that I am in this form, something stated in the "Ghost Writer" blog. I learn things all the time by writing; dictating what comes to me. To be a god, is to be who we truly are without the hindrance of mortal flesh (as opposed to immortal flesh), and using more of this marvelous brain that we currently use. Heresy to most Christian beliefs, but truth nonetheless.

This has also dawned on me because this blog site will get more exposure than it currently does after "Butterfly" is published, and people will judge me by taking one thing I say out of context, by not reading these blogs from the beginning, or by not taking the time to do nothing more than skim.

Especially since we are trained as a "one line headline" society by the way we receive information online, and the fact that in our fast-paced, slow to read between the lines mentality, it's easy to only see what's on the surface. (Don't worry, I'm not going to quote Machievelli again... : ).

If we lived in a utopia more stress would be put on understanding different points of view and respecting the differences. As far as I'm concerned, we waste too much time on earning a living and not enough time on appropriate education. That's why there are those who are in certain professions but not really talented in the job. Too little attention is given to vocation placement.

As an example, I saw this "shrink" once during that stage when marriage counseling wasn't working where the focus went from us to me because all their conclusions were that if change were to take place, she was incapable of it. So the burden fell on me to change, and it was concluded that I needed to take medication which would basically "numb" me into not reacting to anything she did. The diagnosis was continually thrown in my face. Like who wouldn't react negatively to certain situations?

How we decide to change society in a positive way, determines success or not. Prison reform, practicing the values this country was founded on like equality and pursuit of happiness are not questions of debate. Whether we actually practice what we preach is another story. We entertain ideas of how to achieve this all the time, but the exercise of control by the powers that be limit what is actually accomplished. The two party system must be abolished like slavery because people will continue to agree to disagree rather than change.

Ever changing is the only constant. "The more things change, the more they stay the same," but real change is to evolve rather than continually working to destroy the opposite point of views. Carl Jung proved that two opposing POV can both be correct. Also true is the fact that they can also be half truths. "Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, and don't worry about Mr. In-between." Balance is the key.

We are a country of pilots that oppose the other, taking the wheel to the left, then to the right, left, right, left, right... It's no wonder we're not accomplishing anything. We use words that mean different things to different people continually, like the growing abyss between the English language of Britain and United States. A real leader needs to speak both languages, because it is unrealistic to expect the whole of society to change.

Like my example of the drive in traffic today, each of us have to look at ourselves instead of the other to change. That is something most are afraid of, especially religious people (of which I am--again my "enigma" reference to myself stated in the "Ghost Writer" blog).

to be continued...

Galileo's Letter To The Grand Duchess-Part IIA

It is sometimes more imperative to follow a backwards motion when reading certain blogs so they are not out of context.

(This was an assignment for History: 1500-Present Day that was a presentation to the class 7/9/2010 on the Scientific Revolution)

In the words of Galileo himself, "the novelty of these things, as well as some consequesnces which followed from them in contradiction to the physical notions commonly held among acedemic philosophers, stirred up against me no small number of professors- as if I had placed these things in the sky with my own hands in order to upset nature and overturn the sciences. They seem to forget that the increase of known truths stimulates the investigation, establishment, and growth of the arts; not their diminution or destruction."

*Galileo challenges his contractors to prove to themselves his conclusions
*Seeing truth puts Bible in better light
*Challenges them to prove St. Augustine’s theory against prejudice
*Exerts them to put reason over passion

Some scientists needed to see to believe, but then came to his conclusions. Galileo produces what he calls counter-arguments which pits the field of philosophy and religion against science, bringing up that simplicity of their reason gives way under a complex system (i.e. like John Calvin, who concluded being saved by grace over every word that proceeded from the mouth of God, & Catholicism, which concocted the Doctrine of the Trinity, three in one, in the Nicene Creed in 325 A.D., central themes which can be attributed to modern religions and why they believe what they do on tradition rather than merit).

*We defile ourselves by not accepting intrinsic truth and curtail future discoveries
*Advocated leaving examinations of science to scientist-let matters of faith be separate; knowledge is the assertion of truth over belief.
*As a matter of challenge, no other claim has disputed Galileo’s facts.

If balance is the key, then each form of study will unite all truths. It is the difference in how we see from our POV, whether it is finite or infinite. (Science, psychology, philosophy, religion, politics, nutrition, and exercise --Balance of Human Medians).

Nothing Gained My Friend

I wrote this in my blog Knowledge In Reverse. "I often try to imagine the world through the mind of Neil Peart because his lyrics have greatly influenced my life. You could say I care what I think he thinks. He and I are opposite, however, and were we to meet I'm sure my personality would be foreign to him."
I have been reading Neil's third book Traveling Music that I bought at Rush's 30 year anniversary tour at the Hollywood Bowl. I skipped his second book because I didn't want his real life experience to taint my imagination for the story I'm now writing Ellison & Amos. But I've changed my mind about our personalities.
We are so alike it's funny. There are obvious differences, but that is to be expected. He's 12 years older than me, matured much faster, comes from a strong family and upbringing, and is a musician. In regard to these items I'm the opposite.
I have not yet needed to guard my life as he has, obviously, and though I ironically met the Michael he speaks of who handles his security in L.A., passed several books on to him, I respect the distance that is morally ethical for the fan-mentor relationship as he would with Keith Moon, his childhood idol.
The similarities are interesting. We both regard bullies the same way, having had our fair share of abuse heaped onto us at an early age. Mine was in the form of this mindless ape named Ron Rovaki in the 7th grade who cold-cocked me in front of a crowd that disapated entirely by the time I regained consciousness (I won't do the others justice by mentioning their names). I walked around high school with my head down for fear I'd attract the attention of any number of athletic drones. Despite the fact that I was really good at football, it was never known outside P.E. and the games that I fondly participated in on Thanksgiving & Christmas breaks during college down at the high school stadium.
That high sense of consciousness was evident in our fear of nuclear war because of our geographic areas growing up, mine just 10 miles from Hoover Dam and the other side of the montains separating Boulder City from Nellis Air Force Base.
The most obvious similarity is the fact that Neil used his fondness for philosophy and his intellectual id, the way I did the LDS religion. Both of us seemed to desire a strong obligation to improve ourselves and increase our wisdom out of a pure intention to become more than we were. I love the fact that I read books on philosophy and political science now like the one on its way from Barnes & Noble, "The Prince." "I know perfects not real, I thought we'd get a little closer."
I usually wake up early, especially Sundays. Yesterday was no acception, and I went to Wal-mart to buy my son an Iron Man action figure before I send his other gifts to Georgia. On the way back from Orem I stopped at the Village Inn for coffee. The fondest memories of my childhood were waking with my Grandpa when visiting Boulder City from S. California before the sun rose and have morning coffee with him (lots of cream and sugar, of course).
I sat facing four elderly men and felt a familiarity in their manorisms and demeanor as they interacted with each other. I had always associated with adults better than my peers growing up, and they reminded me of Grandpa and his friends. Ironically, the ring I glanced down at, which belonged to him, on my left hand bearing the symbols of the Masons was a tribute to a time when these men were only 20-30 years old. But they were the range of age my Grandpa was back at the time I knew him. He died of colon cancer at 64. I was 10. My cousin Freddie (how he has changed in time from being the golden boy of the family) carried me out of the funeral as I was so distrout to move on my own. I can still hear another cousin taunt me just hours before because I hadn't cried. "You didn't love him."
So I was trasported back in time, looking out the window into the void of utter loneliness, and back at these men who were so secure in who they were that it reminded me of another time when I had few worries, and a stronger sense of security. The silver lining is the fact that despite my age, I had amassed experience because of the number of changes in my life. Ignorance is bliss, but consciousness brings madness. My life is somewhere in between.
I've found solace the study of science and psychology to rid my inner self of its hyposcrisy. I've been lucky to incorporate my studies of Buddhism, Hindu teachers, and Islam with those of Carl Jung and Wayne Dyer. It's not enough to "think" I'm knowledgable just because I can interpret scripture. It's important to discern different points of view and put them into daily actions. How many times has this ideology kept me sane in an insane, unnatural world.
Neil spoke a lot in his book about how he didn't fit in with his peers, and how he was not coordinated in sports. I can imagine and laugh at the irony of this, considering a person who's primary talent is for all four limbs to act independently, going off into all directions in his mastery of the drums. This describes the way my brain works, cataloguing details and abstract thoughts amid storylines and character. I think this means that I am coming into my own now, as Neil has experienced a wonderful lifetime of success. To my lifelong mentor, I am honored to see his world as he has shared his truth with us.

Emeritus

Emeritus is retiring from something earned
Usually by means of education.
The opposite of a college education
Can be an education of experience in life
Proving as Carl Jung did that two opposites
Can lead to two obvious correct truths.

Learning from experience out of necessity
Shapes a different reality.
Both can develop empathy for people
And the experience you share is based on
An infinite wisdom rather than something read.
A good book without practical use
Is more likely forgotten than real life.

This is the difference between
Being book-smart and street smart.
Both paths lead to the same conclusion
But the defining attribute is the presence of humility
As these opposites prove themselves…

But intelligence is not based on a degree
It is the unlearned man gaining his degree in life…

It is a beautiful thing to find two persons on the path to wisdom with whom you can learn from and teach as well. Both have truth beyond their years, and will take what they’ve learned with them wherever they should go...

American Beauty vs. The Ice Storm Part II

"See, Doctor. God didn't kill that girl. Fate didn't butcher her. Destiny didn't feed her to those dogs. If God saw any of us that night, he didn't seem to mind. From then on I knew... God doesn't make the world this way. We do." (Rorshack from The Watchmen)

Much of what boys learn growing up is built upon the foundations of the comic book. Heroism, self-sacrifice, and even the power of the family are the most prolific aspects. Like real people, you only need to look a little deeper to see that its characters are more than just the super powers they possess. We’re all given our own talents which make us unique.

In Fact, The Ice Storm starts with Tobey Maguire's character reading from an issue of The Fantastic Four (co-created by the magnificent Jack Kirby & the self-aggrandizing Stan Lee. That's for you, Mark.) where Sue Storm & Reid Richards' son is in jeopardy. The setting as he rides alone late at night, then the power dies and the train creeps slowly to a halt, sets up the entire movie and hooks you into the foreshadowing peril that is to come.

The incredible way the faults of the parents of the two families in the story are mirrored by their children is perfectly symmetrical and profound. While Kevin Klein and Sigourney Weaver's characters engage in an affair, his daughter and her son explore sex as a matter of fact, without the passions of real feeling. Thus, the end of innocence is neither profound or romantic. So the human condition is more like the biology of the nature we study in school, and the highest life form on the planet is no different even though he has relatively limitless powers.

The story beautifully unfolds scene by scene as Joan Allen's character finds solace in the obvious freedom she perceives in her own daughter, but the decisions each of them make leads them down a dark and very "adult" path. The only true romantic in the story is Maguire’s character, and it is pure irony that he pursues love alone as a hero would. His character offers balance to the rest of his family, and it becomes all too bittersweet that when he rejoins them at the end of the movie, it isn’t until extreme loss is witnessed by both families. Elijah Wood is perfectly cast because we’re so used to seeing him in roles that are more “stock,” and love him despite his fallacies in the story.

This poetic sequence is far more poignant than with American Beauty. It’s characters are unreal, contrived, and the gag at the end of the story makes little sense. Still, whenever I see a plastic bag circling in the air, I say aloud, “look, American Beauty.” Sure, who wouldn’t want to drive a vintage Trans Am, waste your day away at a dead end job, and smoke marijuana in the garage? Well, some people would, I guess. But teenagers don’t sit naked in front of one another just to be naked, and a career man in the armed forces isn’t gay for no reason, especially when he isn’t born that way. American Beauty was a collage of indiscretions, though amusing to the world because it’s characters broke rules we would spend time in jail for, but was hardly even worth the attention of the Oscars.

“I don’t care what anybody says. That was a great movie.” I knew then why my employer put it that way.

“Would you smile if I admit I was wrong?”

“About what?” says Laurie.

“Miracles. It ends with astronomical odds of occurring, like oxygen turning to gold. I’ve longed to witness such an event, and yet, I neglect that in human coupling. Millions upon millions of cells competing to create life, for generation after generation. Until finally, your mother loves a man, Edward Blake the Comedian. A man she has every reason to hate, and out of that contradiction, against unfathomable odds, it’s you; only you that emerged, to distill so specific a form from all that chaos. Like turning air into gold. A miracle. And so I was wrong...” (Dr. Manhattan from The Watchmen)

Life isn’t poetic and symmetrical by any means. But it is up to human intelligence to derive and create order from the chaos. Hopefully, we can do so in an entertaining way...

“Now I lay me down in Dreamland

I know perfect's not for real

I thought we might get closer” - Neil Peart

American Beauty vs. The Ice Storm Part I

I don't want to get sucked into debates that are not worth the energy and thought that might go into them. Especially when neither side will change its position. This applies to religion, politics, and even art.

The fact of the matter is, some people really love the world as it is. Not everyone shares the point of view expressed in the title song "Far Cry" from Rush's Snakes & Arrows album. "It's a far cry from the world we'd thought we'd live in..." I thought we'd be a heck of a lot more evolved, and technology would've pushed it farther along. But truth be told, that's why there are movies made to appeal to every clientele. Some people like crazy, silly movies, some like horror and graphic violence, and some like drama and romance. Some like it hot...

Ironically, I'm a huge Batman fan but didn't like "The Dark Knight" when I saw it at the theater because I'd been used to watching innocent "kid movies" with my children. Though I saw it alone, I was sensitive to their POV as if they were sitting beside me. I eventually got over it, and with the exception of it being a little long with the circumstance on the two ferries (and the fact Hollywood still can't cast someone who actually fits the Batman description), I think it's as close as they've ever come to the comic.

I promised when I started my blogsite in the "You've Got Mail" post in December (http://publishing-literaryagentswatch.blogspot.com/2009/12/youve-got-mail.html)

that I'd do a comparison between "American Beauty" and "The Ice Storm." So this should serve as a preface to that undertaking perfectly. How my comments are received depend greatly on what type of person you are, and what you expect. That line from "Return Of The Jedi" is just as true now as it was in 1983. "Luke. You're going to find that the truths we cling to depend greatly upon our point of view."

It was 1997 and I was taking a course in screenwriting at UCLA with Judy Burns. I can't say enough good things about her, her contributions to television and film, and the class. What she taught us has made a huge impact on the content of these blogs, and the way I've created stories as a writer. The one book she was emphatic about was Lajos Engri's The Art of Dramatic Writing. "The rest of Hollywood uses it, so you may want to as well." I would add Ray Bradbury's "Zen & the Art of Writing" to that list.

The funny thing was, when The Ice Storm came out at this little theater just west of the 405 on Santa Monica Boulevard, she and I both ran to see it before the next class met. She spoke about this movie extensively.

I read an article at that time where Katie Holmes' mother cried when she read the script her daughter was going to act in, shocked at its content. I might be rationalizing, but the theme of the picture had such a valuable lesson, it's portrayal of its characters though full of questionable vices, it was so real and worth the ride. But the film, directed by Ang Lee, fit Judy's formula for writing to a tee, of which I described in my first blog.

When American Beauty surfaced in 1999, two years before meeting my future wife, I was employed as a nanny and babysitter through a service in L.A. One of my repeat clients and his wife had just seen it, and made an intersting comment. This is how he put it. “I don’t care what people say, that was the best movie I’ve ever seen.” So I went to see it the following week at a theater just off Ventura Blvd. on Van Nuys.

What ruined it for me was a Mom there with her two young children. I knew from the rating it would be inappropriate and asked her why she’d brought them. “Well, their uncle had worked on the film.” Another person in line, who obviously read Huxley’s “Brave New World” and subscribed to descensitizing children by letting them run naked in the courtyards together, resented my question and asked how it was my business. But the whole movie, and you know what I’m talking about if you’ve seen it, I was overly conscious of the fact there was a 7 and 9 year old girl watching.

4:26 A.M.

I awoke with the shock of my cell phone playing "Stairway To Heaven," head too heavy to be fully aware of what was happening. The distinguishing names of my children lit the small screen, bringing an Adrenalin rush to all parts of my body. The voice was unrecognizable but stated flatly, "please call 911!" She repeated it again as I blurted out, "hang up the phone, and dial 911!"

The phone went dead and I dialed 911 in Utah, my mind frantically playing scenario after scenario, as to who this women was, what she was doing with my Ex-wife's phone, and what could be the emergency. Where were my children hurt? Was she sitting with my kids at 6:26 a.m. East Coast time?

I explained what happened to my local 911, and she worked to find the number in Georgia. I remember anxiously asking her to hurry. "I am," she said worried herself. "Do you have a pen?"

"Yes, I'm ready." I hung up the phone and dialed GA. I explained to the man again what had happened, and with speedy resolve, he said, "I'll transfer you to our 911."

The phone rang twice, and as soon as a voice entered my ear I told her she needed to send the police to the following address, which I gave her. Then at the first pause, I told her what happened.

I gave her directions to the right building in the apartment complex, and she said she typed it in. She asked for my number, then said that a car was arriving and several more on the way. I waited. Then she said that another operator had the other woman on the phone, too.

"Are they alright?" I said.

"Yes. The call is to apartment "B."

"My kids are in apartment "A."

A few more moments went by, and she said "he's there."

"Is everyone alright?" I said.

"Yes. Your family is fine."

"What should I do, call back?"

"Yes," she said.

"Thank you."

I hung up and called my Ex-wife, who was surprised I was calling.

A neighbor borrowed her phone to call the police on her husband. She had dialed my number instead because it was her "my fave" with T Mobile. She actually apologized to me, and we hung up.

Needless to say, I was awake for hours after that, imagining if it had been an emergency, I would not be able to get to Georgia for hours. Even though I knew my children were safe, a dark cloud haunted me until I finally slept back...

Hours later the Ex called back and explained that this woman had woke her up, and her husband had threatened her with a knife. She had given her the phone, and locked the door again. She retrieved it after the police arrived.

This was truly a unique experience, but par for the course given the past year. Being a father, a parent, it makes you vulnerable. More than I'd like to admit. Of course nothing was discussed about the incident with my kids on the phone tonight. They slept through it all. But the experience made me even more aware of how badly they need me, and how I need them.