Shawn's Movie Reviews. . . Arrogant, aren't I?

Hello All:

One of my favorite things to do when I need a little "brain candy" break from studying is to view a film at the nearby movie theatre. I live literally 2 minutes away. A matinee is only $5.00. So I thought I would keep track of the films I see and add a little blurb about it. This entry will be kept up to date.

April 2009

State of Play. B. I've been interested in political thrillers lately, it seems.  Guess I'll just go with it.  This film is about a journalist and Congressman that have been friends since college.  The journalist happens upon a story of murder with a big scoop of political ambition, hence the involvement of the Congressman.  Some fun twists and turns.  Enjoyable. Russell Crow was solid. Ben Affleck was very Ben Affleck.  

January 2009: 

Charlie Wilson's War. A-. If politics and true stories can be taken together, we have Charlie Wilson's War.  I recommend watching it. Very witty and intellectual.  Charlie Wilson, a flawed, "good time charlie" Texas Congressman, having been cajoled into helping Afghanistan win their war against Russia by a wealthy, politically savvy and socially passionate woman. . . .and remarkably close to the real story.  This is another argument for finishing what we started in Afghanistan.  

Rachel's Wedding. C+.  If you tend to get motion sickness, you may want to reconsider watching this film.  You will leave with a serious headache wondering if it was really worth it. It is supposed to have the documentary style of filming, replete with its too quick panoramic views, blurred in and out focusing, and close ups that are way too close or too far away from the subjects. Yeah, I get it. It is supposed to be a really realistic depiction, right? The story: Anne Hatheway is a very troubled girl coming home from rehab for her sister's wedding. She's been grieving for months now, half tortured, half belligerent, and thinks like an addict. . . but her intentions are well-meaning. There is a wedding party with a Caucasian woman, African American man and hindu spiritualism (who knows where that comes from?).  Lots of artists, musicians and dancers in the mix but one has to wonder: Did anyone remember to edit this film? 

December 2008. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. A-.  Brad Pitt is Benjamin. An aging 50 something is still pretty hot, even to a 30 something!  So Robert Redford(esque). Yummy!  For completely separate reasons, I really liked this film. A man born elderly and grows to his peak backwards and ages to infancy. Even though Benjamin Button's life is done in reverse, he learns basically the same things: That timing is key. . . That real love doesn't die but changes form. . . That feelings of inadequacy, which we all feel, can rob us the joy of fully inhabiting our lives.  . . And if we live long enough,  we all end the same way, utterly dependent. 

December 2008. Bolt. B+. I saw this with my Little Brother Alex. He and I loved it! Great message for kids. That unconditional acceptance and love is better than anything else anyone can give you. And. . .belief in yourself can have almost unlimited power for good.

December 2008. Seven Pounds. B+. I can't go into plot. It's one of those films that you don't want to ruin by discussing any part of it. I will say this: I had to watch Will Smith suffer for a very long time before I was allowed to understand why.  That was hard to watch. I'll never see it again. But I am glad I saw it. I believe the film has something worthwhile to say.

November 2008. Twilight. C+. I love vampires. I couldn't resist. Something about the notion of living through generations of time . . . and the utter loneliness that comes from living that long. . .and the intimacy or at least perceived intimacy between vampire and prey. Dark, macabre, isn't it?  A guilty pleasure of mine.  At any rate, this film was more about teenage angst than about vampires. It was decent for what it was. Entertaining. All of the actors were beautiful.  The actress playing Belle was not very effective. What was particularly annoying about the plot was that a pretty and smart teenage girl loved by both parents, liked by all at school, and possessed the freedom to do as she pleased, couldn't seem to see anything positive about her life. Is that the way normal teenagers feel?  I really just don't get it. But hey, maybe that's just me.

A Vegas Girl's Dance Club Etiquette Lesson

1. If you feel the need to dress slutty, then be sure to dance demurely. . .If you tend to dance in a sexy/sultry manner, be sure to dress modestly.

2. If you want a dance partner (or someone nearby sharing the dancefloor) to come closer, then while dancing raise your arms above your head. If you want people to let you have your space, then while dancing subtly place your hands at shoulder length with elbows out or hands in front of your chest, palms out.

3. Always leave with the person you came with unless he or she is drunk and stupid.

4. If the person you came with dances more than two songs consecutively with another person, dance with everyone, enjoy yourself, catch a cab and delete his phone number from your cell phone.

14 Day Yearly Cleanse for Disease Free Life

I have brought 3 ideas together for a yearly cleanse. I have done all three in the past but this year I am going to do them together and extend the cleanse to 14 days. The result will likely be a reduction in fat weight of at least 8 lbs and a cleansing of the colon, kidneys, and skin. When these organs are cleansed of build up waste products, the bodies chances of many kinds of cancers and heart disease are greatly reduced. During the cleanse you can work out normally so long as you drink lemonaid often throughout the day. The following is very safe and healthy.

Lemonaid: one 12 oz bottle of water with 2 oz. poured out. Add two tbsp +/- lemon juice, and 2 tbsp +/- grade B dark maple syrup. Drink at least 5 per day for 14 days. A tiny pinch of cheyenne pepper, if you can stand it helps a great deal with the cleanse. If you can't then take that pinch with a little water sometime during the day. Take two Spurilina (brain food) in the morning. For the entire cleanse drink cleansing/slimming tea every night.

For the first 7 days, eat raw fruit in the morning with nothing else but lemonaid. For lunch, eat raw vegetables or vegetable soup and more lemonaid. For dinner, vegetables again with lemonaid. If you are hungry, drink more lemonaid. There is nutrition in the maple syrup.

For day 8, and 9 only drink the lemonaid. Add 4 more bottles. Take spurilina.

Day 10, 11, 12, 13 Eat the fruit, vegetables and 4 bottles of lemonaid, but add a serving of the following two times per day: 1/4 cup any kind of yogurt (grind the following first in a cofee grinder) 3 tbsp. flaxseeds, 2 tbsp. wheat bran, 1 tbsp. rice bran).

On the last day drink various fruit juices including orange and cranberry, lemonaid and vegetable soup. One the first day after the cleanse, don't over do dairy products or meat.

When I arrive back in Kerrville I am going to begin my cleanse. I'll post my progress and hopefully I will reduce as I predict. If anyone decides to try it, please feel free to post your comments! Here's to your health!

What does a BETTER LIFE mean to me. . .

Everyone wants a "better life". We all want to be safe, comfortable, anxiety free, and pain free. We want to be happy, right? What does that mean? I used to think that meant to "fulfill my potential as a child of God", that if I was doing those things that others told me would make me happy, I would find that place. I did not find it in the Mormon church (but this is not to say that I am not grateful for the religious education and wonderful friendships made therein); I did not find it in a fancy dinner with a glass of Chateau Latour or the 18 minute Roys Chocolate souffle with two scoops of ice-cream. I did not find it in an overly generous husband (although his friendship is the most dear of my life). I did not find it when I allowed myself to be the lighthouse for what I believed to be a very sad and broken man. I did not find it when I was "faking it to make it", nor when I told everyone that I didn't care what they thought. I did not find it in the counselor's chair; I did not find it when I gave my mother another undeserved chance to be in my life. I did not find it when I was telling other people what to do so they could find it. I did not find it in books (although many of them helped me to grow and learn) and I did not find it in keeping the commandments as I was told I would (although I am sure I have fewer regrets because of those efforts). I am not sure that I would have known what happiness was when or if I ever found it because I didn't know what it really looked like/felt like. And doesn't it mean different things to different people? What about love? I am good at loving plutonically. When it comes to romantic love though, that elludes me. I don't know if I really know how to love someone romantically with courage and unconditional compassion and positive regard. Historically, I have lost myself in the caretaking of others. Mostly, I have chosen poorly so I have decided, for now, I am not going to allow myself any romantic attachments until further notice. I have learned that happiness isn't found in another person either.

I just finished reading Sidney Pointier's autobiography. In this book he asks: "What does it mean to you to have a better life, not your neighbor, or your business partner's definition, but yours? I have been thinking about his question for many days now. I think I am ready to define it for myself. You, poor reader, are an innocent bystander to my ramblings. Please forgive all of this candor. . .This is today's contribution to the process of growth and learning that I find myself in. Not the sum total of my values or the end of my ramblings. So here is my list of what I think a better life would include for me:
1. Reach my education potential: For me, this means a PsyD in Pschology.
2. Excel in a profession that helps people.
3. Make my heart judgment free.
4. Have healthy boundaries.
5. Live honestly and speak the truth with love.
6. Give a child the love, life and coping skills, and values I was not given.
7. Have the courage to defend MY values.
8. Have enough discomfort so I won't become complacent.
9. Keep my hope in humanity alive so I never give up on others.
10. Freedom from debt, except a mortgage.
11. Acheive MY idea of physical fitness.
12. Never allow fear of personal failure to daunt me.
13. Never allow success to seduce me into inaction.
14. Continually challenge myself to grow.
15. To acheive self-actualization (as Maslow describes it) before I die.
I started this entry thinking that perhaps I would be able to think of 10 elements to describe, but find I want more for myself than I originally thought.

Final Grades for Semester 1, 3 semesters to go!

Exercise Science -

(A lot more work than you think. I got some As and some Bs on quizzes and exams.  I may get an A for the class but it will be close. I took the final today. Should know by tomorrow the final grade.)

EXSI course grade: A (whew! That was close!)

Math 0303- Final grade - B

But I want an A anyway.  I have set aside 2 full days to study and a high school student to tutor me on Sunday afternoon.) Turned out the high school student could not help me out so I did not get an A on the final exam. 

Theories of Personality - A

The instructor's policy is to drop the lowest exam grade. Since all of mine have been As. I don't have to take the final and have an A for the class.)

Health Psychology- Take Home Final Due Monday. Final Grade A

(I have gotten all As so far.  No reason why the final should be any different. Update: I just got the take home essays. The last question requires me to justify my A! All that legal persuasive writing will come in handy here!)

Critical Thinking- B for the course

(This class has given me fits, even though it is one of my favorites. Crazy huh?  Dr. F. is great!  I dig him.  But his tests are %&$#@! hard and a lot of the material can be easily confused. I have gotten Bs on tests.  Wish I could get inside his brain and sift through his filing cabinet. But alas! Since no one got an A on the last test, and much to his chagrin, Dr. F.  has reluctantly given us the opportunity to correct our last test for additional points. I may earn an A on the final. I have set aside an entire day to study and a study session Thursday night with Tracy W. Material is limited. Test is this Friday. I'm worried about this one. Wish me luck!)

Christian Theology- Final Next Wednesday. Final Grade A.

(This class is one of my favorites.  I have enjoyed it tremendously. I have received all As on all tests and all As on all papers so I anticipate the last test will be similar. I foresee an A for the class.) 

I shall know all of the above grades by December 19th, so check out this entry then. I am so grateful that this semester I have been lucky in having only one final exam each day! 

Cumulative GPA: 3.7

Hey! Tracy White!

What a compelling human you are!  I just wanted to say that I enjoy my time with you.  Always a deep discussion to be had when you are around!  Looking forward to our "poly-sci" class next semester.  "Get thee a blog!"

Postscript on Dec. 18th: Tracy's blog can be seen at: trwhitesnotebook.blogspot.com.  He is a great person and brilliant!!!  But, due to lodging difficulties, Tracy decided to finish up his BA at UT Tyler. "Bye Man. Don't forget to come visit me."