STRETCHED TOO FAR?

I never thought I'd make it this far in life. I was sure that I'd be killed in a stock car racing accident and I was okay with that. But now, since that didn't happen, I've had to think about more of life than I cared to. They say perspective is clearer the greater the distance you are from where you started. I don't know about clearer but for sure it's more informed ...actually TMI-Too Much Information. I feel like I've been stretched too far. I can't imagine what people thought about life who lived in the centuries of little change. Just think how many only knew horses and ships until the late 19th century. After awhile, life had to seem a little static. Then it all started to change, rapidly so as compared to the previous years years of history. I often wonder what a young, and there were several, Civil War veteran thought about WWI had they lived until then. It had to be quite a stretch. But over the years since then it's been an unbelievable amount of changes and developments for many people.

As a personal example, while still a teen, I was talking to an older city couple who moved into our rural area about how horses were used to do the different kinds of farm work when one of them asked, "So... how old are you anyway?" I think they meant to be funny but such was my experience. My earliest memories of farming began at the end of horse drawn era. Mainly due to my grandfather's refusal to get a tractor. His horses were named Dick and Don. I could ride Dick but not Don. He was a bit ornery. From then until the present, there have been plenty of changes (or advances) in farming and implements. So now, my memories conclude with my neighbors' equipment that has heating, air-conditioning, satellite positioning and several other needed accessories. I just have to sit down in front of my computer to marvel at how far we have come and ponder on how far we will go. But that's just in the physical realm. ...Not so much in the mental, emotional, spiritual and social realms. Compared to previous times, like two world wars before the middle of the last century, the last 150 yrs were quite full and accelerated with an an increased struggle for control and a larger fight for possible world domination, similar to Pinky and the Brain, Communists, Authoritarians or Vladimir Putin and the other Fascists.  

Technology, invention, discovery, and innovation out strips all else. Perhaps a good reason why some put all their eggs in the science basket. But I'm not about to believe that we only live in a material world. However, the immaterial world is so greatly contested that we can so easily create a hellish existence for far too many people. We have a long ways to go to where our immaterial aspect is able to determine the best usage of our material aspect. The Golden Rule or similar understanding can be found in almost all cultures and religions daily life and human interactions barely reflect that. Many times to the extent that the opposite understanding is the norm or even justified even more so or more consequential in the larger world. As an example, we can see that the mixture of politics and religion is lethal. Yet we continue on as if it wasn't.

It's not as if some progress hasn't been made, thankfully it has.   I'm still idealistic enough to hope that a majority truly do want a better world. As J.R.R. Tolkien said, "But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps the greater." But oddly, any progress made toward equality, tolerance, acceptance, compassion and all other virtues needed for a better world or human community can be, and is, reversed with interference and changing circumstances. Perhaps it's a two steps forward, one step back kind of dynamic. It seems as if one day, further advances are going to make little or no difference because we can't get out of the gutter of our insane beliefs, maniacal behaviors, knee-jerk responses, dominating selfish concerns, pervasive addictions and idealistic expectations.

I often wonder what the world would look like had humanity mentally, emotionally, spiritually and socially kept up with the progress made in the physical realm. Some, who live in their delusional little worlds, believe that they and those like them have kept up or are more evolved or are more woke, or more more spiritual or more intelligent. The prevalent sense of superiority belies the harsh realities the human condition which fits a 'better them than me' mentality. I really doubt if there's a special, people, tribe, religion, nation, or hemisphere when it comes to the fact that we all live on the same planet. The difference in which we might think we are different doesn't justify working only to make our own little Patch of Earth a better place to live and accumulate wealth by whatever means.

WEST SIDE STORY FOR TODAY

To remake or redo an acclaimed, if not beloved, piece of entertainment is risky at best. The first take has the luxurious possibility of being unfamiliar and making the biggest impression to which all subsequent productions are compared especially when it was highly received and contained so many memorable songs.

Originally, West Side Story (WSS) was going to be East Side Story with a rivalry between Catholics and Jewish groups which might have been quite interesting but not as poignant as mostly Irish and Puerto Rican street gangs fighting over ghetto turf. In the Broadway musical, William Shakespeare's take on great love was played out in an inexplicable tragedy as obsessed lovers are wont to do.

I didn't see the first movie until several years after its release in 1961. My first wife and I made it a date. We had to go to Elmira, NY. After eating at Schanaker's Diner, we only had to go up the street to the Colonial Theater. But before that memorable evening, I did have the sound track of the movie, as well as a recording of the original broadway production. Both of which were well played. Much later I saw a theater production here in Denver. To say the best, it was quite disappointing. So after everything, I really didn't want to like Spielberg's remake of the WSS because I had held the original in such high regard for so long. 

BUT, I did like more of it than I predicted. I appreciated the realism, the cinematography, the music and songs, and the credits. The changes represented more of how far we have come as a society more than a new take on a classic story. The new plot line seems more disjointed but takes the same suspension of reality, mainly due to  so much drama and intimacy compressed into such a short time period that couldn't be covered up by great singing and dancing. Perhaps the grittier and more authentic Spielberg film belies the musical flow that fits so well in the Broadway influenced 1961 production.But if the original movie was first made today, it most likely would have looked more like this remake than not. 

Even though I remain somewhat ambivalent about the changes and adds in the new production, I truly loved Rita Moreno's new role as Valentina especially her reflection scene, which is likely contrary to some critical reviews. Although I'm not convinced as to what the reflection actually means or was meant to express, my subjective response was quite enough. But that's as far as it goes. My review easily falls into the category of "Who Cares?" Which reminds me of the old adage, "Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one."

"THE COMING WAR WITH RUSSIA"

I first met my wife at a Jack Van Impe tent meeting in a field near Erwin Junction, NY. Once the accordion music and life story ended, I went to the back of the tent to play in the proverbial sawdust with some other children. 

I can't recall ever using the line, "Haven't we met before?" with her but I knew we probably had. However the main point is that JVI, later known as the "Walking Bible," recorded a sermon titled "The Coming War With Russia." If he was still alive, I suspect he'd be awfully tempted to do the "Told You So, Told You So" dance. To be honest, even after an embarrassing long time of studying Biblical prophecy, I never did get how it's all supposed to come together but lately I've begun to lose some of my skepticism ...for a moment anyway.

Since that fateful day, I have gone to a couple more Jack Van Impe meetings both in auditoriums with bigger crowds. JVI was quite popular until he criticized Rick Warren and Robert Schuyler for something called Chrislam, which is supposedly a mixture of Muslim and Christian religious practice per Wikipedia. I wouldn't know if this is true or not but I don't ever remember either Rick or Robert being in Muslim garb.

I, as perhaps many others, am dishearten by the cruelty of the baseless and needless invasion that is postulated more on personal gain than anything else. How slow to respond to a murderous, insane idiot does the West need to be in order to deal with such an evil threat? Nothing was done in Crimea, nothing done about Syria, nothing done when Russia first amassed forces on the Ukrainian border except increased sanctions. Apparently, that doesn't work as well as is expected in a world that is learning to live without the West and is relying more and more on Russia and China.

Obviously, the situation is complicated by the centralization of wealth in Russia, the inter-investment of businesses that have been growing, the severely limited power of the Russian people, the threat to use nuclear and chemical weapons along with a possible nuclear reactor melt down, the number of western people living Russia, the extent that those who import Russian oil and gas might be effected, generalized economic loss whether small or large except for arms manufacturers, and by a governmental system that puts most of the power in one person's hands.

So apparently, the complications override the death and displacement of innocents, the lack of supporting a democratic country on its way to be an important part of Europe, what a nuclear accident or event would do to the area and beyond, the hard sacrifices that will come, the affect of severe sanctions on the Russian people, and the renewal of the cold war that seems inevitable regardless of how this war is settled.

The West is trying to bleed Russia into some kind of peace. I have my doubts as to what that might look like. It likely will open the door to even more terrorism. Or as JVI and others might say, "The End Is Near."  

Any peace that lasts depends on whether or not Russia can get rid of those who continue to hold onto a communist mentality. A certain trouble is that so many are caught in between dominate forces. It's not as if as individuals we don't take a side but more often we are just trying to get through life with simple joys and undistinguished accomplishments. It will be very telling when the war ends who had the courage to do the right thing and the roles that were played by those who had no courage. In the meantime, some "REAL" wisdom is needed before the young having to do the evil bidding of old men finally ends.

REALITY ISN'T VERY IDEAL

We all live on the same planet but in many different nations and even more "little" worlds. So for most, it's hard to make our own little world (or perhaps realm) wonderful when others are so badly failing to do so. But regardless of how great you might think you are or the space you occupy is, reality, sometimes harsh reality, is always a limiting part whether in a positive or negative way. 

Using our ongoing inner process that's dominated by thought and emotion, we act and react to the life experience with responses and choices. Which we usually hope to be the best we can do but too often we come up short. Needless to to say, we should live beyond our basic instincts and inclinations as much as we can but does that mean that ideals or highest values are something which are always needed, stand as our greatest expectations? If so, are they ever really accomplished on any consistent basis? A few lines from Lancelot's song C'est Moi in "Camelot" come to mind.

C'est moi
So admirably fit
A French Prometheus unbound
And here I stand with valour untold
Exceptionally brave amazingly bold
To serve at the Table Round
The soul of a knight should be a thing remarkable
His heart and his mind as pure as morning dew
With a will and a self-restraint
That's the envy of every saint
He could easily work a miracle or two
To love and desire he ought to be unsparkable
The ways of the flesh should offer no allure
But where in the world
Is there in the world
A man so untouched and pure?
(C'est moi)
C'est moi
C'est moi I blush to disclose
I'm far too noble to lie
That man in whom
These qualities bloom
C'est moi c'est moi 'tis I
I've never strayed
From all I believe
I'm blessed with an iron will
Had I been made
The partner of Eve
We'd be in Eden still
C'est moi
C'est moi
The angels have chose
To fight their battles below
And here I stand as pure as a prayer
Incredibly clean with virtue to spare
The godliest man I know
C'est moi

There's the illusion of virtue, rightness, purity and innocence then there's the reality that we have to deal. Being able to take a good look at ourselves does not occur automatically or with any efficiency. I get, as you may as well, some extremely idealist platitudes usually in a short meme like this one.

I have trouble seeing how this kind of idealism works in a real world and may I say, in real people. Perhaps I'm wrong, but so far I find myself still waiting to be proved so. ....Not that I haven't heard quite a few of claims. As for the world, it seems to work on various levels but even the best examples have their faults, some of which are very glaring or no longer can be covered up. Even so, I think most would agree that those at the lowest levels of inhumanity shouldn't have any power to inflict their insane, selfish evil on others.

It's rather interesting that the death and misery caused by a murderous war criminal has bought some previous opponents together and made an even clearer difference between good and evil in our world and in mankind. Now if only we can remember this and not drift back into a one-sided toleration that is embraced regardless of their actions, their beliefs, their mentality, their sense of exceptional superiority and their perceived God-given right to rule the world.

Many remember the line at the end of Camelot where King Arthur says to the boy Tom, "Don't let it be forgot..." When he starts to return to behind the front lines, King Pellinore asks, "Who is that, Arthur?" With, I think, after a brief reflection, he replies. 

“One of what we all are Pelli. Less than a drop in the great blue motion of the sunlit sea. But, it seems that some of the drops sparkle, Pelli. Some of them do sparkle. (To Tom): Run Boy! Run boy! Run! Oh, run, my boy.”