The Art of Deception
Current mood: curious
Category: Life

So I've been silent for a long time.  I really don't know why I feel compelled to blog now.  I've just been sitting back observing the world at large (myself included) and these are some random thoughts.

 What's in a name?

I'm amazed at the incredible show of ignorance by individuals during this historic campaign. Actually, I'm not amazed at the ignorance itself.  I'm amazed people can show it with such indignation.  Did you know that your name is directly associated to terroristic tendencies?  Funny.  "Timothy" (as in McVay) never sounded that threatening to me.  You?  Then again, I don't know what his middle name was.

Whichever candidate you support is your business.  I would just hope you base it on something a little deeper.  As a Canadian on a visa, I have no voting power.    I'm really counting on you.  Thanks.

We've been hoodwinked…

The ads for the medication Lipitor were recently pulled from the air.  The reason being that the spokesperson for the product, Dr. Jarvik, isn't a practicing doctor. His endorsement could be seen as misleading to the general public.  Imagine that.  A commercial being misleading?  Nooooooo.  It can't be so.

Are you telling me that cellulite cream doesn't work…because the woman in the ad has flawless thighs...I've seen several television and magazine ads and the thighs are always perfect.  The creams obviously must work.  No?

And where the hell is my free iPod?  The ad said if I clicked here or answered the question correctly, I would win a free iPod.

I'm just saying if we removed every ad because it was misleading, the advertising industry would cease to exist as we know it.   

Chasing Romance (or the illusion thereof…)

Oh yes.  I almost forgot what set me off this evening…an article about celebrity wedding locations on the MSN homepage.   "Where to Tie the Knot like a Star."  The accompanying picture is one we've all seen a million times.  Prince Charles and Princess Di engaged in a kiss on their wedding day.   

Hmmm…Correct me if I'm wrong. Wasn't his true love/mistress/current wife at the wedding ceremony?  Didn't he and Di have a virtually loveless marriage while he continued his affair and she became bulimic or something…?  There was an eventual divorce right? 

It didn't exactly turn out like Cinderella.  They probably are not the best representation of a happy union.  Then again, the article really is only about the wedding, not the marriage. After all, it is the most important day in your life.  Forget about all the days before or all the days after.  Apparently, they don't count.  Just make sure the wedding looks right.

Turns out these random thoughts aren't so random after all.  They all relate to the theme of deception.  So many of the choices we make and actions we take are based on who deceived us and who we're trying to deceive. 

We're a strange bunch.   

"Smiles, smiles everyone," Mr. Rourke would say. (If you're under thirty, you may not get the reference.)    

11:42 PM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Mistakes and Missed Takes
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Life

I just came back from seeing the movie "Evening".  I'm not even sure whether I liked it or not.  However, some things did stick with me…so perhaps, the film did the job. 

Thought A

One of the characters utters the overused axiom, "There are no mistakes."  I have to wonder if this is really true.

I believe that out of any situation a lesson can be learned – if one is sought.  So in that regard, there are no mistakes if wisdom is gained.  However, I now make an amendment to that statement.  If you fail to act on the wisdom obtained, that becomes the mistake, does it not?

Thought B

As I watched the main character utter those words on her deathbed after leading an unfulfilled life, I actually felt pissed.  "You're DYING!!!" I wanted to scream at the screen. "Heaven may be cool but you wasted much of your time and talent down here!"  I am well aware that I'm actually talking to myself and not the character. 

Anyways…her "mistake" turns out to be a catalyst for her daughter's actions - which brings me to my second issue.  The dying woman basically played a supporting role in her daughter's blossoming life.  Decades of half-assed living culminating in a pivotal point for someone else's story.

Don't get me wrong.  Each of our experiences potentially serves as an example for others.  However, the thought of NEVER starring in my own production is horrifying and yet so many of us do it.  Granted, at different times in our lives we play different roles. 

So I ask each of you.  Are you a star, a co-star, a supporting role, or an un-credited extra in this performance called life?  

Currently reading : Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting By Robert Mckee Release date: 17 December, 1997

5:55 PM - 10 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Emelia revealed
Current mood: playful

So I've been missing in action for a minute…trying to engage in some different activities, change up my reality little by little.  I'm definitely on some path, but I'll blog about those things some other time.  This blog is owed to "Nefarious Jackson" who tagged me yesterday.  If you want a good belly laugh, I suggest you read his blog.  I have never read anything so amusingly honest, so human.  Anyway, back to ME.  Here's ten factoids about yours truly…oh, and I'll be tagging 10 of you to carry it on. 

1. I dislike raisins – intensely.  I hate the way they look, can't stand their taste, and I find the smell repulsive.  Yes, raisins have a scent.  Do not argue me on this fact.  See #2.

2. I'm always right.  Just listen to me and things will go much easier. 

3.  I love the taste of condensed milk.  It's been a long while, but I have been known to open a can and serve it to myself as is. Yummy!

4.  I think I have some form of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).  I have this thing with letters and numbers.  I rearrange the order of letters and come up with new words, or find words within words, come up with acronyms...or I find mathematical relations amongst random numbers.  Strange, I know, but I've done it since I was a kid. License plates are a mutha***…

5.  I was born in a small Ukrainian town in Canada.  Visitors came from around the county to see the little black baby with the pierced ears.  My parents should have charged admission.

6.  I've been studious for as long as I can remember.  I used to look up random topics in the dictionary b.w. (before Wikipedia).  I started this practice around the age of five.  When kids were trying to figure out what sex was about, I'd already read about it, positions, and all.  I was probably around seven.  And no, I was not promiscuous or sexually precocious.  I just liked facts.

7. I love, love, love, love music and I love to dance.  Play some soulful house and I have been known to stay on a dance floor for hours without a break.  It's a spiritual experience for me.  And if you see me in the zone, please don't try to dance up on me.  Look, but definitely don't touch.  Those are the rules.  See #2. 

8. I will work out intensely 4-6 times a week but I'll be damned if I have to walk across a parking lot.  I will circle around and waste time until I find a spot to my liking.  It's the principle... 

9.  I'm extremely nearsighted…couldn't make out my own breasts without squinting.  Seriously.

10.  I take showers in the dark…There's no need for light.  I mean, I know where everything is, right? Besides, I'm nearsighted, remember.  If I don't have my contacts in, I can't see shit .  Anyway, I highly recommend it.  It's extremely soothing.  

And there you have it.  Now who will I tag amongst all of you?

Currently listening : Aquarian Angel By Blue Six Release date: 13 March, 2007

10:57 AM - 8 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Ticket for One
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Life

I took myself to a movie this evening.  Some people may find that strange but to tell the truth, I would rather go by myself than with someone who would annoy me during the film.  You know…talking over critical points, popping gum, noisily crunching popcorn, or obliviously opening wrappers…you get the point.  The way I see it, it's no different than watching TV by oneself.  It's a practice I picked up a long time ago.

So I went to my not so popular spot and made myself comfortable with only six other people in the theater…just the way I like it.  The movie was "Notes on a Scandal" starring Helen Mirren and Judi Dench.  I was definitely drawn in by the story. (Don't worry….no spoilers ahead.)  Not directly because of the subject matter, but because I thought it was quite the commentary on the lengths humans will go to in order not to be alone.

For those of you who have seen the film, of course, the majority of us will never go to the extremes these particular characters did…however, I couldn't help but think of all the things we do on a regular basis to avoid being alone. 

We talk incessantly on cell phones, keep pets so the house isn't so quiet, stay in bad relationships for fear of not finding another...I remember a news story about supposed "cabin fever" from which individuals were "suffering", after being snowed in for one lousy day! 

I think too many of us equate being alone with being lonely and/or being dysfunctional.  Most of us are always looking outside of ourselves for the next distraction. What are we really avoiding?

Yeah, we're undoubtedly social beings, but where do we cross the line from just staying connected to being dependent? 

Maybe these are just the ramblings of a chick gone crazy from spending too much time alone…

8:39 PM - 17 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment