• To be content with myself.
• That I cannot hide with myself.  Which sometimes can lead to moments of reflection that can be painful.
• There is great freedom in many ways.
• To reach out to people.
• To take a hard look at things.
• To take risks.
• To be cleaner and more organized because this is, after all, my own space.

and  there are a lot of things to say... But unfortunately, I don't have internet at home! :(

Hopefully, I will get the router, and break these past two weeks down.  Stay tuned.

Yesterday, I watched a movie that is unsettling on an emotional level, but it is interesting on an intellectual one.  The name is The Wicker Man.

I would call it more a violent thriller than a horror movie.  The violence in this movie is sort of mild for today's standards of violence and gore.  On an intellectual level, I think this movie will be open to interpretation.  I read that the screenwriter of this movie (his last name is Schaffer, if I remember correctly) was an Atheist and he was trying to make a point of the absurdity of religious beliefs.  And this is very specially clear at the end to me.  I spoke about it to S.  "It might be a bit too arty for your taste, but the thriller lover and the Atheist in you might at least find it worth watching," I said when he asked me whether he would enjoy it.  Oddly enough, some Christians find it to be pro-Christian because of the ending, but I personally do not see how is this pro-Christian.  

From this non-Christian believer's standpoint, this still has an undertone that deals with religion, although I see it more from anti-fanaticism point of view.  I acknowledge my bias, of course.

On top of that, the acting was good.  I will join the herd of sheeps and say that Christopher Lee was the best thing in the movie!  I already saw him as two other charming and smart villains: as Dracula and as Saruman in Lord of the Rings.  To add more, I recommend the director's cut in which Lord Summersile (Lee's character) talks about why he prefers Animals to humans (the scene in general is terrific; and it is uploaded in Youtube if you are interested). In addition, there are enough musical scenes to make you think this is part musical (but in a different way than other horror/thriller musicals, like Sweeney Todd).  In fact, the songs relate to the existential tone and religious commentary that goes throughout the film.  I also would recommend to watch it if you are not prone to have stereotypes about Pagans (and especially modern ones).

 I won't watch it often just because it is too unsettling to handle, but this film will stand as a favourite.
As for the new version with Nicholas Cage...  I saw the trailer as well as some bits in Youtube.  Not only his acting was bad, but there were too many elements taken away, including much of the religious/existential commentary.  So I am not too crazy about watching it.
(And shame on Ellen Burstyn trying to play the female version of Christopher Lee's character!  She could have done it a lot better than she did!)

The Spitzer cheating with a call girl has caused a heated debate. Some attribute this to human nature coming from prehistory , others think it has to do with his having Narcissistic Personality Disorder (this, I watched on TV), and even bitches like Dr. Laura stepped in to blame women!!!  Yes. you read it correctly.  Let alone the sex and power mix from most people.  I am not linking that one, because you can find links from that one around every corner of the web.

Now, back to Schlessinger, I am not one to say that the men cheating have only at fault either.  My problem is that you cannot categorize each marriage and its infidelity problems on things like this.  It is not right.  The key, in my belief, is that both people would ideally examine what lead to this.  In some case is the men, in some case it is the women, in some cases, both share the blame.  And what when the women cheat?  Each marriage is different and should not be judged.  But realistically speaking, it is hard when you either are a public person (such as Spitzer) or when you live in a small community).  Even some seemilgly happy couples might be shaken by that.

There is also a theory that, just as men tend to be attracted by physical beauty, women tend to be attracted by power.  I am still following with interest how much might be true in this theories.  The sex and power combo is a very interesting topic.

What are your thoughts about the situation?  I am craving for new thoughts for real life people.

 

I was doing a whole entry and it was errased by my mum's computer.  I don't feel like writing again.

I had an awesome day today at the Chicago Institute of Art.  More on it and other stuff tomorrow.

BTW...  What do you people think about the tap water contaminated with meds?

Ohhh And another thing.  Hello Goodbye by the Beatles watered down in a commercial for Target is one very crappy thing to come in TV.

brownfemipower

mujeres, hermanas, mamis, tias, hijas–know your blessedness. know that you are sacred. know that the world needs you, your skin, your hair, your face, your fists, your fingers, your womb, your brain, your stomach, your intestines, your fierce loving heart. know your blessedness, breath it in, soak it in, rub it in with tender palms and much love. know the world mourns when you are not here.

feel safe, if only for a moment.

feel safe, and know you are sacred.

In loving dedication to all my female friends, Latinas and not Latinas alike. :)