New Year = New Goals

I've been so busy the last 2 weeks, I've barely had time to breathe let alone blog. I still am crazy busy, but I thought I'd take the time to reflect today because it's my birthday.

Yes, I'm getting older. I hope gooder (lol).

I've been thinking about my life and I'm satisfied with it for the most part. I have 3 wonderful kids, excellent family support, true-blue friends, a job I love, and I'm finally on track to finish my education like I should have 15 years ago. All in all, I'm not doing too bad.

Upon reflection though, I realize that I've almost lost 2 important virtues: patience and belief in people. On the one hand, less patience is good because I've finally realized that I can't wait for people to change. People only change if it's worth it to them, not me. And less patience means I'm not willing to put up with crap. You do shit, I'm out of there! Especially if you're not adult enough to acknowledge the crap you've done and try to make amends.

As for belief in others, I feel that I was too naive before. I still think that people are inherently good and trustworthy, but I'm less likely to ignore suspicious actions. I used to refuse to even entertain the idea that people I know and trust could act dishonorably or cruelly; now it doesn't even make me bat an eye. In other words, I believe what people show/tell me about themselves. For example, if you show/tell me that you're a liar, I don't think that our friendship will change you, or that you even want to change... I certainly don't think that any talk/lecture/nagging from me will make you see the error of your ways.

See what I mean? I believe what people show/tell about themselves, which makes me believe less in people generally.

I think that the most serious side effect of my virtue deficiency (yes, I know how that sounds, but get your mind out of the gutter! lol) is what some may regard as arrogance. I don't think I'm arrogant, I just know what my strengths are and I also know what pisses me off. I really can't stand people who put up a front. Believe it or not, it's not that hard to psych out fakers. All I have to do is compare them to my real friends, because they're the gold standard in genuineness. Isn't that how analysts tell counterfeit money from real money? They study the original so they're able to spot a fake.

I don't think that acknowledging my strengths makes me arrogant. Willfully disregarding them is false modesty.
False modesty = knowing my strengths but pretending I don't have any; vs
Real modesty = knowing and acknowledging my strengths, and realizing that everyone has strengths. I don't think I'm better/worse than anyone else. I am comfortable enough with myself to let others have the limelight without malice. I'm not afraid to take the limelight if/when it's necessary.
Most important = I acknowledge my many weaknesses and am working on them.

I guess that proves that I'm not lamenting my loss of patience and belief in others. It's a (normal?) symptom of growing up (I guess).

Anyway, I'm soooo looking forward to this new year. I have 5 major goals this year. I'll let you in on 3 of them:

1. get my B.Ed. I mean get the certificate in my hand. Graduate!
2. learn to drive. I know it's shameful at my age, but better late than never;
3. lose some weight. I'm already on a diet, but I need to kickstart my exercise program.

I'll announce the other 2 when I get them. Don't want to jinx it (lol).

Avatar: what's the big idea?

The most important idea in this movie is the universal question of ‘being’ as posed by Shakespeare’s Danish prince, Hamlet, in his famous soliloquy, “To be or not to be?” Though Hamlet was debating whether or not to commit suicide, the speech has meaning that transcends Hamlet’s despair. It has become the mantra for everyman’s questioning of his higher purpose, the existential angst of finding out who one really is and then growing into that ‘best self’. The film’s title “Avatar” proves that this is the overarching idea. Naturally one asks, what does the word ‘avatar’ mean? Moreover, what connotations does the name bring to an understanding of the film? There are three definitions worth considering:

•  The word avatar comes from Sanskrit, meaning “a form of self”. It is used in Hinduism to indicate a ‘manifestation’ of a deity in human form, most often associated with Lord Vishnu. For example, it is believed that Buddha is an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
• The word can also mean ‘embodiment’, a new personification of an old idea. For example, Barack Obama can be said to be the avatar (embodiment) of Martin Luther King’s dream of equality for all races.
•  In the context of MMORPGs (massively multi-user online role-playing games) and the internet in general, an avatar is the computer user’s virtual alter-ego – his/her online representation of him/herself, whether through a 3-dimensional model, or through a 2-dimensional picture or icon. In either case, the avatar is not necessarily how the user looks or behaves in reality, but how he/she wants to be perceived. It is common for one’s avatar to embody the most valued aspects/features of oneself, as well as characteristics that one wishes to have (e.g. less weight, more hair, different skin colour, popularity, more intelligence).

In all three understandings, one’s avatar connotes one’s ‘best self’. I posit that all three meanings are relevant to understanding this film in its deepest sense.

The avatar that we first encounter in the film is the virtual alter-ego. Using advanced drag and drop computer technology, the mind of the protagonist Jake Sully is transposed into his Na’vi avatar while his human form lies in a pseudo-comatose state. It is in this manifestation of himself, this avatar, that Jake becomes his ‘best self’.

As a human, Jake is disfigured, physically and emotionally. He is no stranger to violence, whether perpetrated upon or by him: he returned from combat as a paraplegic, confined to a wheelchair, and his twin brother was murdered “for the paper in his pocket.” One can infer that Jake Sully knows violence and death so well that they no longer have any emotional impact on him. In fact, he speaks of his twin brother’s death with such apathy that the viewer wonders whether he feels any grief at all. His Marine training has made him a fierce warrior who can face the death of his own flesh and blood with nary a tear.

Yet for all his bravado and machismo, Jake is still an emotional infant. When he is first transposed into his avatar, he runs around in childlike wonderment of his new ability to walk. His immature emotional state is reinforced by Neytiri (the Na’vi heroine with whom he eventually falls in love) when she emphasizes on their first encounter that he is “like a baby” because he does not think of the consequences that his thoughtless actions would have on the animals. (He was wondering around noisily in the forest and was attacked by animals. Neytiri had to kill them to save his life.) James Cameron – the film’s creator – poses Jake as a trope to imply that the military may make soldiers “Army strong” physically, but emotionally they remain infants. Indeed, like any well-trained soldier, Jake’s first instinct is to attack first and ask questions later. Like any well-trained soldier, he can plan the destruction of others on the word of his superiors.

It is through his interaction with the Na’vi that Jake finds his higher purpose. One can argue that these catlike aliens are the only ones who truly ‘see’ the real Jake Sully. Their spiritual connection to their land and to each other afford them the perception to realize in Jake a kindred spirit: he would be more than just another member of the “jarhead clan” to them. In fact, he learns their ways so well that he starts to view himself as they view him. He finds himself in conflict between fulfilling his military mission to infiltrate the Na’vi and fulfilling the higher spiritual calling that is opening up to him every day.

It is when Jake chooses to join the Na’vi spiritually instead of just physically that he ‘becomes’ his avatar.  He has now fully 'grown' into his ten-foot tall Na’vi body. In essence, the traditional Hindu understanding of avatar is reversed, yet strangely still applies. Instead of manifesting his ‘deity’ in human form, Jake sheds his human form to manifest his deity. His true goodness and beauty, veiled and disfigured in his human body, is freed in and through his avatar. His godlikeness is most apparent when he conquers Toruk and swoops down to plan the salvation of his people. Their response to him as the legendary Rider of the Last Shadow marks him as their spiritual leader and saviour. Their first hope for him, foreshadowed when the woodsprites surrounded him, has come to pass. He is now Avatar – god in Na’vi form, as well as the embodiment of their legendary leader – to them.

In the final scene of the movie, Jake willingly chooses to leave his human form behind. This is fitting since the spiritual change had already occurred. His frail human form can no longer contain him: he is far greater now, fully grown into himself, having resolved his conflict of ‘being’. Jake Sully’s avatar is no longer just his genetically engineered alter-ego, but a true manifestation of his ‘best self’. Ironically, it is in his avatar that Jake becomes fully ‘human’.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and find that it is the most spectacular and technically superior use of special effects that I have ever seen. Cameron has been quoted as saying that this movie took ten years to create, and this is apparent as all aspects of the film were so brilliantly executed. What was most amazing was the mixture of ‘real-life’ with 3D animation in such seamless accord. The script, written by Cameron himself, could easily be studied in literature classes. That I was able to enjoy a science fiction film (I literally scoff at The Matrix) for 3 hours attests to how superior this film is to its ilk.

However, the movie had one weakness as far as I am concerned. The plot was unoriginal and seemed sacrificed to Hollywood stereotype. Critics of Avatar claim that is Dances with Wolves on an alien planet. I tend to agree that the storyline is very predictable, having the same basic plot as movies like The Last Samurai, District 9, Dune and even Tarzan. The premise that a white warrior should come to live among a native tribe and eventually become their natural leader and saviour, is a bit offensive and implies that indigenous peoples need outside help to survive. It is called the Messiah complex. It also raises the issue of ‘white guilt’: are these movies made to assuage the guilt felt by Caucasians over the atrocities their ancestors committed against indigenous peoples? Is their guilt also because they still subconsciously feel that they should lead other races, but should do so in a ‘nice’ way as they do in these films?

Notwithstanding these flaws, Avatar remains a brilliant example of storytelling.


What's your take on it?

Sign of the Times

Here's a story I wrote for my Short Story course. Comments/critique welcome....

SIGN OF THE TIMES

“Yuh see dat sign outside there? That is the sign of power, meh boy. Yuh know what I mean? Is the power to heeeeal you seeing there. When a man or woman coming with they problems and ailments, dat sign is like water to their thirsty soooouls, boy. Yuh understand what I saying?”

The apprentice nodded eagerly and his mentor discerned the bright light of complete devotion shining in the young man’s eyes. He smiled as his young charge turned toward the imposing sign that had adorned his yard for the past fifteen years. He was particularly proud of the sign: not having had the option of formal schooling - had he been given the opportunity, he was sure he would have been the brightest in the class; and he was doubly sure that even in his unschooled state, he was ten times brighter than those rich fools who came to him for spiritual guidance - he was glad that he could acquit himself in such a scholarly manner. It would have devastated him to be classed with the idiots and pyah-pyah obeahmen who ply their trade to the poor and powerless.

Though the paint was flaking in a few places and the red colour of the lettering was not as brilliant as the day he painted it freehand, Uncle Popo still felt pride and vindication that he had so elevated himself to be advisor of the rich and powerful. He felt the power surge in him anew. Today he felt especially compelled to  share his thoughts.

“Yuh eh see dat sign boy?” Uncle Popo asked with pride and expectancy. The apprentice contemplated the sign as if it held the secret to life and his own future. It read:

POWERFULL SPIRITUAL HEALER

Ye Wary and Disconsolate, find REST for your SOULS.

UNCLE POPO will SOLVE all your problems and ailments

He agreed that it was a very impressive sign and that his mentor did wield a great deal of power. His acceptance of this fact pleased Uncle Popo.

“I been watching you, yuh know,” the older man said to his apprentice. “You eager to learn but yuh know yuh place. You is not the first apprentice I take on, yuh know. Dem others was too boldface and disrespectful. As soon as they learn a little thing or two, they feel they could run me out of my own business. Well I deal with  them forthwith!

“But I notice that you different. Is a nice change after dem other bloodsuckers. I feel I should reward you. I will show you a little trick in the trade. Hear this…”

“Uncle Popo, before yuh tell me, let me bring something for you to drink nah. It making real hot and I know you must be thirsty.”

“Thank you, meh boy. Bring some of that fancy ice tea you does make. Put plenty ice in it, yuh hear?”

“No problem, Uncle Popo.”

In a matter of moments Uncle Popo was savoring the first sip of the iced tea. His eyes rolled over in delight as the cold, sweet, delicious beverage soothed his parched throat.

“What yuh does put in this thing boy? Oh God it niiiice!”

Uncle Popo smiled when he saw his apprentice blush. He congratulated himself on his excellent choice of understudy. When the time came – ten, maybe fifteen years in the future – he could close his eyes and turn over the business to this worthy young man. The fire he saw in this one…..

The apprentice kept steady focus on his mentor as he listened to him reveal the secrets of the obeah ‘profession’. The light in his eyes seemed to glow brighter the more he listened. He was careful to keep the look of humility and dumb awe on his face, so that Popo would not suspect his dark musings. Foolish old man, he thought, and smiled as Popo drank deeper of the poisonous brew.

One week later…

Mabel couldn’t handle this damn man again nah! Everywhere she turn somebody was telling her how they see she husband with some woman. How much he really expect she to take?! But she know what to do for him – he feel he bad? - she will tie he blasted foot! Uncle Popo accustom fixing she business for her.

But what is this?! Uncle Popo get a new sign? What the hell….

POWERFULL SPIRITUAL HEALER

Ye Wary and Disconsolate, find REST for your SOULS.

                        I

UNCLE POPO will SOLVE all your problems and ailments

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Bloggers without Makeup

This event almost passed me by! Luckily I saw it just in time. Jodie Ansted of the Mummy Mayhem blog had this terrific idea that today should be a makeup-free day. I totally dig that!

Jodie, I see you on the no-makeup thing, and I'll go one better: No combing hair!

So here's my awful pic. Not having much shame, I'm not too embarrassed to publish this online. It's for the greater good I figure....

Awful! You can't say I didn't warn you....

I'm adding another picture because the first one isn't very bright. So here I am again sans makeup....

Michelle Dennis Evans: Bloggers Without Make-up!

Michelle Dennis Evans: Bloggers Without Make-up!

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