Here's the first of a little catchup on some of the media that has been rolling around here. Niall told me I had to watch American Movie and I finally got around to it. It's a documentary about a geeky dirty midwestern guy Mark trying to make independent films. I think he thought I would think it was hilarious, but I was all choked up at the end. Ok there are definitely hilarious moments like when Uncle Bill recites love poetry, "I'll visit your grave every day. Well not every day but I'll visit it sometimes if I ever find it." I was all prepared to be laughing at people taking themselves too seriously, but Mark is kinda my hero. Here's why.
1 - He works in a cemetery. 2 - His movie-making skills aren't actually horrible. I dig the old school look. 3 - Sadcore glasses. 4 - He goes against the stereotype his appearance elicits--he's gentle and is so good to his uncle, children, and friends. 5 - He is excited about life. He's not afraid to fail. I wish I had more of that. I think about my friends with great talent and potential who could do or create amazing things but for whatever reason don't take the leap. I wish we would all just go for it like Mark does.
The content of this blog might be a little less frivolous if it wasn't for my field of word. As a PhD candidate in psychology, some of the most interesting things that happen to me and that I think about are related to seeing clients as a psychotherapist. But of course, because of confidentiality I just can't really talk about those things. Not that I really want to, keeping that world separated means less stress. It's just weird sometimes how my life is these two extremes: indulgent frivolity/quiet academia and seeing the dark places of people's minds and pasts. Not to be grim--everyone assumes it's such a hard job but it's actually amazing to see how resilient humans are.
Really that's just the preface that makes me feel less silly for reminding you that America's Next Top Model cycle 589 has started. As usual I'm rooting for the smart girl who as usual claims to have auditioned as a joke. She's got a great long face and long horse-book-girl hair. It's just too bad Spontaniouse didn't make it to the final 13, with a name like that you know she'd bring the drama. We'll have to settle for Tyra's deluded singing attempts and the fallout of Heather's Asberger's. Maybe the show's not as far from psych studies as I thought. If you really don't care but you've read this far, I hope it consoles you to be reminded that a new cycle of ANTM means Project Runway is not too far behind.
For some reason watching The Shawshank Redemption the other day reminded me of this video Libbie told me about a while back, of an animation from the South Park guys to a recording of philosopher Alan Watts. It gives me the chills and might just make you evaluate your life a bit.
