The end of the world as we know it

You may or may not know that Warren loves post-apocalyptic films and books. We spend a great deal of time together and I too have developed a love. I also like to think of it as research for prolonging my life after something bad happens. If you were wanting to gather skills and knowledge about living in a post-apocalyptic world. Here is a list to get you started. *Note: A few of these are as the apocalypse is going down but there are lessons to be learned none the less.

The Stand-Steven King mini-series- Lesson: plagues bring out the worst and best in people.

Blindness- Jose Saramago novel. I don't know that this counts but I have mentally filed it into this genre. This is really about the breakdown of society when things get bad. Lesson: Don't trust anyone!

Idiocracy- it seems dumb but it makes some valid points. I think of it quite a bit when I see people who are doing stupid things--the break down of society if you will. Lesson: Read Books now!

WallE- think about it people are too lazy to care or see what is happening. Lesson: We could be our own undoing (A lot of these have that as the lesson.)

Minority Report-Lesson: Don't hang with Tom Cruise. (I don't think that is really the lesson. I just don't like him.)

The Island-good looking clones to keep you alive forever. Yes! Lesson: Make lots of money to pay for the clones.

The Day After Tomorrow- Lesson: This is what happens when we don't take care of the environment

Children of Men- The book is better than the movie. Lesson: Make friends with a cabin/home off the beaten path.

I, Robot- Lesson: Be nice to your appliances

I am Legend - Lesson: What can I say? Will Smith gets it/Zombies are mean.

Planet of the Apes- an oldy but a goody. Lesson: Don't trust animals. Also, don't watch the Mark Wahlberg version ( I love him but don't kid yourself).

The Road- I think this was going to be/is a movie but I only read the book (kind of a bummer. that is really saying something for this genre)

Zombieland-comedic look at post apocalypse. Bill Murray is in it. Need I say more. Plenty of lessons to be had.

The Happening- this time Mark Wahlberg does get it (although he seems kind of funny to me when he is trying to be serious) Lesson: Plants are not to be trusted either.

The City of Ember and subsequent books- yes, these are children books but they are amazing none the less. Lesson: When faced with darkness don't wait to die. Go out and see what you can find. What do you have to lose? Also, kids are helpful in this area.

The next apocalypse movie that I will be reading: Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

Reinvention

I have been thinking a lot about reinvention. What if you could change a lot of things in your life? or what if you had to make a major change in your life? Stupidly enough I have been thinking about it because I have been watching television shows that have gotten me to ponder this question. My Name is Earl, he was not a very good guy, he was in an accident and learned about Karma and now is trying to make right all the things that he did that were wrong. The show is silly but I think it is a neat idea. I also just started watching Samantha Who? She was in an accident and has amnesia. She was not a very nice person either and is now trying to change/learn things about herself. This one I think poses an interesting question: Do you like everything about yourself? If you forgot everything would you like what you learned? If you were going through a big life change would you see it as an opportunity to try again to make different choices? It really has me thinking about things in my own life. What would you change in yours?

Travel wish list

As of this August, Warren and I have begun to incur a large amount of debt and busyness making travel a nice diversion but not a very real possibility. If I could go anywhere in the world here is my current list of places to go.
Africa, Kenya to be specific

Paris, Italy, and Britain

Costa Rica

Seychelles

*I know that whining about this makes me sound like an ass. I was talking to someone about this and felt a little ill when I really heard what I sounded like. So forgive me. I know this is a rich person’s problem and am trying to keep this perspective.

The Song that I can't get out of my head (in a bad way)

I am sitting in Les Swab tires getting my snow tires removed, as the deadline is looming and yet it is still cold and snow still seems it may come, and listening to the radio. They have told me that I will have to wait for at least an hour and forty five minutes so I have plenty of time to think about my dislike of one particular song. I am sorry to say that the” I Was Born This Way,” Lady Gaga song is so annoying to me. There are number of things about it that bother me including the fact that each time I hear it I sing the words to Madonna’s Express Yourself and they fit perfectly. Perhaps it is an homage to Madonna and that would please me more. It also is one of those songs that is on all the time now and is easily stuck in your head because of the pulsing and repetitive nature of the music style. I can’t help but think that this is clearly pandering to her audience. I mean, I can appreciate that she really feels that way and she wants every to feel proud and acceptant of our unique differences but is this surprising that she feels that way? Not in the least. (I also don’t want it to seem that I feel or think counter to this. I feel that way too.) I think if Toby Keith was singing this song it would be much more powerful and shocking (and probably not well received by his typical fans). As a student of the protest/political songs of the past ( I wrote a culminating paper about this senior year of high school and got into Mount Holyoke because of it. Clearly I didn’t go.) I can appreciate how music can have a profound influence on social consciousness. I just do not like this song. I will just hold my breath and wait for the country music remake.

Wedding to Watch

I am getting excited about the upcoming nuptials of Kate and William. I know it will be on very early in the morning and am wondering if it would be appropriate for me to wake up and enjoy some Champagne as I watch/stay home from school that day to celebrate. Does that sound silly or ingenious? You be the judge.

An Ode to Seattle

I miss you Seattle. I was able to travel across the state very briefly to kick off my Spring Break. Although the weather was quite rainy, gray and dull, I can’t help but miss my home. Spokane is getting it done. I mean there are restaurants and shopping but nothing can compare with the place where I spent my late teens and twenties. It doesn't help that my closest friends live there to make me miss it even more. Until next time my old friend, I will be missing you and wishing to be home.

Don't miss your chance to dance

So perhaps it is the conspiracy theorist in me, or that I have been listening to the radio more, but I am really noticing a sort of dark/ominous theme in the hits. I rather enjoy both of these songs but I get a little freaked out when I am being told that I should enjoy this dance because it could be my last. Although I will admit that it does make me want to dance a little harder. So maybe it just means that you never know what will happen and that you should dance while you can.

Usher-DJ Got Us Falling in Love Again
"Let's dance like it's the last night of your life"

Britney Spears-Till the World Ends

"Keep on dancing till the world ends"

I have really been enjoying finding things on youtube to add to my posts. I find that the medium is a little more interactive and gets my point across that much more quickly. I think I got the inspiration from a new blog that I am following called moveon.org. (thank you Ian) It is definitely a liberal place but I find at least two or three interesting things on there each time I check it out. They are absolutely pro teacher and I really like that.