Finding Brokeback Mountain

Today I find myself in a strange mood. Last night was the opening for Ang Lee's new film, Brokeback Mountain.

Many weeks ago I read this story and was so moved by the author's sparse use of language to convey such deep emotions and yet travel vast miles of life.

I remember writing to a close friend that "I could not put it down for it's pain and honesty was truly breathtaking. Here I sit at work, having secretly completed my book and I am on the edge of tears. This is beautifully devastating literature. I think one would be hard pressed not to moved by such an amazing story."

Having just seen the film’s interpretation I still feel the same way.

As an artist I must always be honest by honoring the glow of the heart and allow these feelings to pierce my soul with the light of truth. The path these emotions carry me are much like the rolling terrain Jack and Ennis wander through on Brokeback Mountain.

One cannot help but be moved to those private moments in each of our lives when we feel a connection to another. It is a feeling that defines all labels and in becoming is our own.

There is one scene in the film where Jack reunites with Ennis after many years. Their embrace spans so much time and the kiss that follows is like a powerful stream’s current that pulls our bodies in a direction where we have no control. When we let go and just flow in this moment a kiss can take us places our feet cannot travail.

And a kiss is the one thing that will haunt us for many years even after the sweet taste has left our lips. We will remember this moment through the embrace of time as history changes the present to iconic.

Our feelings will rise and fall and will take many turns over time. Sometimes we bury them under the sands of times and other times they may actually take flight allowing us to reach new heights. Most of all it is nice to carry these memories with us of a time when we connected with something...someone.
In the end the theme of “what you can't fix, you have to stand it” can take over. The standing is hard, painful, sorrowful, but it may be all it was meant to be in the first place. And in between the landscape we will travel to this destination can be breath taking...all the while reminding us that we are alive.

“You must remember this a kiss is still a kiss” – As Time Goes By


Brokeback Mountain Movie Site

High Hopes On The Middle

If one was looking for witty insights from this blogger then one may fare better to hit "Next" button on this screen and move on.

However, if one is looking for what it feels like to spend the first two days of the new year in bed, then look no further I am your man.

When I take a sick day I am sick. I hate it when folks take a sick day and then you hear about how they got all this stuff done around the house. Not in my case, I spent the past two days trying to fight off a bad cold and in between battles I downed hot fluids, Vernors and many hours of sleep. Again, it is great to be home but when you are really sick you really get nothign done but a lot of thinking.

So while in bed at the infancy of 2006 I start to think it is strange that we line up these New Year's resolutions right at the height of our decadence. It is about a crazy as a heroin user saying I am going to go cold turkey tomorrow buy tonight let watch me shoot up until my veins explode. I think you see my point that it just isn’t right to be making resolutions as you head out the door to violate them.

This year I kept it simple. No longer will I say I will conquer my world with images/wit or even the low items like holding the door more often and being nicer to kitties. Today I aimed for the middle - my midsection.

Recent studies show that the midsection of the male anatomy can be the cause of the most trouble. Recent views of me departing the shower have me racing for a towel...a big one.

With a bulging midsection means one is forever going through their wardrobe looking for pair of slacks that not only hide one's gut but will actually fasten after zipping up the jewels.

But the quest for a thinner me is more than just fashion. In a men's health magazine they reported that the opposite sex finds a guy with a STD rated higheer in attractiveness than a guy with a gut. I guess a burning crotch is better to some woman than having their picture taken with a teddy bear of a man.

The scariest part is that what we jokingly refer to our guts as a life preserver when in fact they are actually an anchor of fat directly linked to many life threatening diseases.

So as I look up from the bed sheets where I have spent the past two days being sick, thinking way too much, I know my first steps will be back to the gym. By keeping things simple, I am aiming for the middle and shooting for the stars.

If I fail, I can always get an STD and look fabulous!

HAapy NRe YEaser!!!!!!

.....NOw godo NIghght.