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August 26, 2005

procrastination

Alright.

I'm starting World and English Lit co-ops on the 6th of September. I know what I want to cover, I done the book lists, I've written out the authors, etc. Now I have to sit down and do a plan. You know, divide everything up through the year so I know what I'm covering. I've put it off. That would be why I now have to do it. I put it off because i absolutely hate this part of teaching. Then I have to start working on lecture notes, etc. That I don't mind so much. Unfortunately I can't do that until I do the first. Why? Why in life must the unpleasant things happen before the pleasant? It's always this way. If you want to enjoy a roller-coaster, you have to drive to the theme park and stand in line. If you want dessert, you have to eat the beets. If you want a relationship, you have to go through the tortorous process of a first, awkward conversation. Arg. [pause for a corny joke told to me by J.C.: Where to pirates go to eat? Aarrrrrrrby's] I should, in fact, being planning now. Instead I'm making fliers for a kick-off meeting tomorrow where, hopefully, I'll pick up some more students.

Added into all of this mix, I'm coming up with a stretching routine for basketball practice. That's harder than it sounds as it consists of looking at multiple routines that different good coaches use and deciding what will work for us. And then, the reader's theatre that the youth group is doing under my direction performs in church on Sunday. The props aren't finished. There isn't a whole lot, but with the dress rehearsal tonight, I have to get that done. I'm not a very good delegator, either. Plus, there's some minor sewing involved and my sister doesn't like to sew.

On top of it all is the lingering issue of what I'm to do with myself after this school year. I know it isn't imminent, but my brain keeps popping it into the foreground when I have regularly minimized it so I don't have to look at it, yet. [you know I'm a little loopy when I start using computer metaphors] I'll be very glad when the youth drama is finished because that will be one less thing on my plate. Then the basketball. Then I get to add trying to write. I'm not really even sure where to begin. Do I just start writing something I like and then try to get it published? Do I look for small freelance jobs that I can do at home? ARG. I think too much.

On that note, I must off to paint hilts on wooden swords and sew sashes for angelic beings. Then I get to start on procrastinated lesson plans. I need a schedule. I'm not very self-motivated. Sigh.

August 16, 2005

blog entry worth reading

August 08, 2005

Hero

This is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. The cinematography is phenomenal. Of course, even beautiful cinematography can’t give you a truly beautiful movie (The Horse Whisperer. . . .). The characters, story and direction of this are also stunning.
The story takes place during the time of the 5 kingdoms in China. One king, the ruler of the Qin empire (later to be emperor Ying Zheng), has a vision to unify China by conquering the other kingdoms. This, of course, engenders rage, bitterness and vengeance against him as the other kingdoms don’t necessarily wish to be unified. In particular are the three most famous assassins from the Zhao kingdom: Sky, Broken Sword and Flying Snow. As the story begins, we meet a prefect called Nameless who has apparently defeated the three assassins and is traveling to an audience with the king of Qin. When he arrives at the palace, the king asks him to recount his story, finding it hard to believe that a mere prefect could have defeated three well-studied assassins. The story progresses in flashbacks, each flashback beautifully distinguished by a different color scheme: lighting, costumes and set pieces. Each story enlightening the audience with more and more of the truth.
Although the central theme of the story concerns the unification of China (thus not truly universal), the ideas of willingness to die for a belief, of sacrificing for the good of all, of a true warrior knowing the ultimate goal is to be able to lay down the sword are touching and applicable to all. And the sheer beauty of the film is overwhelming. The fight sequences are precise, tao-filled and beautifully choreagraphed. It is a very Eastern film, so be prepared for that. (non suspension-of-disbelief-ers may not really appreciate it) Although it is reminiscent of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, it is also very different. You know what, just go see it.