What have we learned?

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="280" caption="Agora the Movie"][/caption]

This past weekend Steve and I went to go see Agora at the Laemmle in West Hollywood.  The movie is a great film.  I would definitely recommend the movie.  It's set in Alexandria during the time that Christians were increasing in size and power.  There were clashes between the Christians and Pagan and then the Christians and Jews and then the Christians and the government (made up of mostly converted Christians).  Being Catholic myself, I was not that surprised at the portrayal of Christians as a confrontational group that "needs" to convert everyone. The story follows the astronomer Hypatia (Rachel Weisz).

On the ride home, Steve and I started talking about different aspects of the movie we enjoyed, thoughts it provoked, the usual sort of thing.  The one thing that we hit on the most was the idea that regardless of the changes in the last few thousand years we really haven't learned much.  Despite of all our advances in science, medicine, philosophy, we still haven't learned the basic lesson of tolerance.  No matter how "civilized" we are, as a group is difficult to "allow" others to believe as they see fit.  Most religions feel that they believe in the "true god", the "only god", to the exclusion of all other religions.  In the movie, the Christians mocked, fought, and persecuted members other religions because they didn't believe in what they did. In one of my favorite lines in the movie one of the former students asks Hypatia what she believes in and she says that she believes in philosophy.  She tried to teach her students that "we are all brothers" that we are more similar than we are different.  With all the fighting she refused to be pulled into the fighting fueled by intolerance.  In over 2,000 years we haven't yet learned tolerance.

Thinking inward, it amazes me that we are still fighting the same fight we did on the streets of Alexandria almost 2,000 years ago.  Is it really so difficult? Are we, as a people, so small minded hat we cannot allow others their beliefs, their god, their happiness?  Are we so arrogant in our beliefs that we are the only ones who could possibly be right?  Can minds that have built the miracles of the modern age simply not hold the concept of tolerance?  Are we so foolish? So in the last 2,000 years what have we learned?  A lot, but are we still missing?  Learning tolerance.  I'm going to work it.  Hopefully I'm not alone.

Avatar

I've always enjoyed IMAX and 3D but Avatar in IMAX 3D was amazing.  Before going to see the movie I had heard from a number of people that they enjoyed the movie based on its visual effects even though the storyline was "lacking".  Seriously? I am not sure what they are talking about.  I enjoyed the storyline.  Yes, the visuals were absolutely beautiful but I wouldn't have been able to sit there for almost 3 hours without SOME substance.  I thought the story was a good one with important questions and ideas about the implications of Manifest Destiny.

I seriously enjoyed it.  The up-charge for the 3D Imax was definitely worth it.  I would recommend it and hope you enjoy it the way that I did!  Happy movie viewing!

Julie and Julia

Last night, Steve and I watched Julie and Julia.  We really enjoyed it.  So much so that once the movie was over (even though it was about 9pm) we decided that instead of just buying dessert for tonight's Hanukkah dinner we decided to make the Honey cake out of the Joy of Cooking.  Luckily, we had everything that we needed, even though I had to reach FAR back into the cupboard to find the baking powder we needed.  I would definitely recommend the movie.  It was fun and definitely got us off our butts in the kitchen for the rest of the night.

I hope the cake came out good.  I didn't get to sneak a taste last night.  Oh well!  HAPPY HANUKKAH!

Perspective

There is always an element of perspective when we struggle. We are often "in" the most difficult times, what we are dealing with, struggling with is often the most difficult thing we've faced. Getting to college was the difficulty I was facing... getting in, finding the funds, dealing with literally striking out on my own by leaving home. Once I was in college... passing my classes, pledging, being an activist, shaping my adult identity. Once I left college, striking out even farther by moving across the country with the suitcases my mom and I could carry on the plane, no longer "acting" the adult but actually having to be the adult. In grad school, conducting research and completing my thesis even after my adviser let me know he was no longer interested in the science I was doing. Once I graduated school for the second time, finding and keeping a job that didn't make me want to crawl under my bed, paying the bills, figuring out what the hell to next. And now, I have (by a pure combination of luck and chance) found the man that I love, that I want to spend the rest of my life with, and we're starting our new life together. That now is the hardest thing I have face to date, there is nothing less romantic or relationship-promoting than vendor contracts and bankers and mortgage applications especially when dealing with individuals who not only encompass the very definition of rude but actually relish in the opportunity to subject that rudeness to all around.

I'll admit that earlier today I was quite ready and very close to that snapping point... and what was it that gave me perspective? oddly, interestingly, i had received my blockbuster movies in the mail. I wasn't really in the mood for movie about Hunter Thompson, not today. I can't remember why I even rented Lars and the Girl in the first place, that one is going right back tomorrow. But the last envelope had Rent. Rent, but the live broadway version filmed on the last day that is ran. If you haven't seen Rent, I would definitely recommend it, either the movie or the filmed broadway show. Very few things give better perspective to what's truly important than that story. The petty woman at the bank, petty and not worth my aggravation. The annoying florist who doesn't understand that when I tell him I've booked another florist that means I am no longer interested in receiving his DAILY emails asking me if I've booked a florist yet, not worth my time. Individuals who have hurt me and those I love but then pretend that if it's not mentioned it's "all good", not worth my thoughts.

The perspective I've gained is that right now it's about me and the man that I love and that's okay. It's okay for me to put myself first and be selfish even if it inconveniences those who aren't worth the aggravation anyway.

So the headache is finally fading and with that, I'm off to bed. Good night and catch you on the other side of the sun.