An update. A long one.

[theatokos]

Life has been very full lately. It isn't as if I am doing anything important or exciting, or even anything at all in the evenings. Work is busy, it's registration time and the calls are non-stop. I love my job and the people I work with, so often coming to work is the most peaceful place I can be, oddly enough. It's quiet and away from the sounds of traffic and passers-by. What is so full is my head and my heart. Process, process, process. I meant to use this journal as a place for discussion and exploration of Important Theological and Artistic Ideas. Well, the best laid plans.... good intentions.... and all of that.

I seem to be desiring only time by myself these days. At least 3 people close to me are dealing with depression, two are facing hard truths about themselves, and one is chronically ill. It is very hard to continue buoying them when I am in need of buoying, too. I'm crying a lot these days too - about twice a week it seems. For some one who can go six months or more without tears (not counting the occasional sappy movie), this feels like a deluge. But pleasantly relieving. I even wish I could cry more.

In other news, Adam and I have new addition to our home: Nigel, the orange tabby kitten. He followed us home over the weekend, we posted and no one replied, and now he's ours. Elliott, always a dog lover himself, is learning to play with other living things once again. Nigel is a welcome distraction in our home.

Speaking of orange, I came into work today to find the orange jack-o-latern had gone from fuzzy to squishy and sinking in. It's for the best anyway. One of my co-workers joked that the pumpkins were depressed because they weren't in a welcoming environment. (Jews think Halloween is a Christian holiday. I kid you not.)

Lastly, two interesting military notes. Firstly, I read today about the McCain bill to ban torture (yay!). I also read that Ted Stevens of Alaska was one of three senators to oppose the bill. ?! The second item of military interest is Jarhead, the movie based on the book by Anthony Swofford. Adam and I went to a press viewing last night and it is excellent. There are two small flaws that don't allow it to be a full 10 out of 10, but I thought it was an excellent film about what it's like to be a soldier. Jake Gyllenhaal does a great job, as does Jamie Foxx. The direction, by Sam Mendes, as well as the editing, sound design, and music are also well done. A war movie without the war. Highly recommended. I won't say too much more, becuase Adam is sure to write a review that will say everything, and more eloquently.

However, don't take children to see a movie about war, people. One couple brought their 2 year old. What were they thinking?? They obviously weren't.

Comments

[voidoidandroid.livejournal.com]

Nigel is a delightful cat! So is Elliot, he's obviously the bulwark.

[erinya.livejournal.com]

From the previews, Jarhead looked interesting and very powerful, but I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to see, especially since I have trouble watching war movies. But if you say it's that good, than I definitely want to see it.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

It's not really a "war" movie, rather it's about war, and about what combat and being a soldier does to a man. It's really more about characters. I liked it a lot. Very "war screws people up" without being hyper-passivist or moralistic, which it easily could have been under a different director. Plus, very timely for our current national situation.