RyanHarne.com

If I were to count how many…no wait. If I were to break a bone for everything there is…no, that doesn’t work either. Ok. If I were to break and/or destroy some piece of my body for every opportunity that is not available for a youthful individual like myself here in Lynchburg, then I may not walk away from that procedure. Ok…well. That was still a gross exaggeration. But anyways…

Jeremiah and I found something to occupy our entire Tuesday with: movies. Seventy-five cent Tuesdays are a blessed thing and we took full advantage of it. After strategically mapping out our films and breaks and such and such, we met up for the first flick.

Ray was fantastic, again. That movie is just too good to handle. I already sang the praises of that film in an earlier entry so I’ll leave to you to meddle with the past. But one thing new to point out: what other movie could win the Best Use of Former Lost Boys Award? Pockets and Thud both make appearances in Ray; of course, they weren’t starring as their former roles but it’s the performer that counts. It’s interesting that IMDB has not updated their personal entries for Ray, oh well.

Following that re-telling of a brilliant man’s life, we took our largest break over at the nearby mall. Scouring GAP’s big year-ending sale, we found a few things, kind of. Then some grub at Chick-Fil-A - my first fast food meal in a while. J wanted to go ring hunting, so out for Easter Island we went. After that successful endeavor it was back to the movie trail for us.

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is a mediocre British romantic comedy. End of story. But, before I end my story, I’d like to pose the same question i asked myself. Does Renee Zellweger put on a ridiculous amount of weight for these Bridget films? She was a frail thing in Chicago and all of a sudden she’s carrying a significant amount more of…body. I am curious to see how that works.

::sigh:: The next film, The Forgotten, exemplifies how this film should be remembered. Immediately after Bridget, Jeremiah and I sat in for this horrid excuse for a screenwriter’s work. While not being stupid enough to laugh at and retaining just enough plot to grasp meaning with, this film just bores you to no end. Julianne Moore did fabulously in The Hours; why was she casted for this?

Luckily, we had some time to wash our brains free of those memories before our final flick. We grabbed a small bite to eat at The Drowsy Poet and enjoyed a dimly lit setting once again. But it was just a break, and our work was not finished yet.

Shaun of the Dead capped off our day/night beautifully. I’ve never had such a fun time of watching zombies tear apart characters one by one. The British can do some things right, and this is a fine example. Clearly, the approach is less serious than the average horror film, as the characters do dim-witted things throughout the film for jest. I was very impressed with the level of thought put into the scenes and, especially, the make-up/costume work. And actually, there are a few topics that are subconsciously addressed that have good philosophical relevance if you took the time to dissect them. Honestly, there are. But I don’t want to ruin the few deep moments for you. Go see this one for yourself! A fine ninety minutes, indeed.

That was it. Four movies in 9+ hours. We could have threw in another on after Ray but we needed a break at some point. That certainly was a very entertaining day.

Lynchburg does have a few things to keep people occupied. And I guess I am saying that watching movies without ceasing is one of them. ::is more confused than ever::

The only casualty to the MD trip was my iBook. Due to its weak knees, I will be taking part in the Apple Logic Board Replacement Program that is offered to iBooks of my serial number type. I had assumed the wonderful VT Computer Service Center did what I told them (”…and also my iBook is under the logic board replacement program, so I’d like for that to get fixed as well…”) but…NO.

I listened to two fabulous cds this weekend. First was the latest from TobyMac. Welcome to Diverse City is a consistent fix of strong urban and hip/hop beats with lyrics focused around the recurring topic of accepting and cherishing diversity. And I thought his first album was good. Diverse City is amazing; I was so shocked but pleased. It kept me still for the full length of the album while the Triports punched through each turn-table bump.

The next album that I am all praise for is the soundtrack to the Cowboy Bebop t.v. series. There were times listening to it where I literally smiled from cheek to cheek in admiration of the musical composition and performance. Apart from a few insertions of vocals for effect, most of it is performed by some heavenly symphony that takes an anime television show to a new level of entertainment. I am just amazed at this music; truly, I am confounded for better diction to elaborate on it.

I just noticed that I have yet to really get things unpacked around my room since I’ve been home from this past semester. ::thinks of ways to get magical results::

One thing I have yearned for recently is to experience a simple Christmas. A simple Christmas – containing only moderate materialistic pleasure while capitalizing on the more elusive facets of togetherness and communal enjoyment. I must say that my simple Christmas is still in production, and I’m sure that more characters and twists of plot have yet to surface, but things are looking out for the best so far.

I am really looking forward to getting back to Lynchburg [: : let me finish, now…] so Jeremiah and I can finish the plans begun. Ok, I’m being heralded.

Merry Christmas to everyone! Enjoy family, friends, food, and the various entertainments you each have prepared for your festivities.

I’ll be back in a few.

This holiday season I reflect on all of the lucky breaks, fortunate endeavors, and gracious forgiveness that I’ve experienced this past year. I know it’s not New Year’s yet, but this holiday is just as potent for serious reflection. With that said, in the spirit of Thanksgiving (or rather, in the day-to-day spirit that we must all live by, as breakable beings), I wish to express my gratitude in regards to my friendship with Jeremiah.

I picked up the H&M-clad guy himself from the Charlottesville airport this morning. The last time I had seen him was for an uncomfortably brief time while he was in town for his sister’s high school graduation last summer. We spent the next two hours talking and catching up on a year’s worth of excitement. A loud (old), diesel Jetta isn’t the proper way to spend time talking with a friend, but outside circumstances intervened against our will.

Luckily, he will be in town for part of next week. Even more luckily, so will I. Oh my, the plans we have! And Rianna! She’s in for the fun as well

This week will be eclectic. I hope. I really hope. Otherwise, this will be the usual pre-holiday nothing-to-do week. Mind you, Wednesday is already upon me and I’ve apparently misplaced the first two days available for productivity.

No, I take that back. I was very productive for both Monday and Tuesday. Mark needed some help with his cabinetry business and I jumped at the opportunity to get out and about for part of my week. It was also mutually beneficial on the conversation front; we don’t see each other often so being able to talk with him throughout the day was very nice. So indeed I was productive Monday and Tuesday.

Now, now, now it is Wednesday. Today is my sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Kellan; there will be a celebration tonight. Comment to Kellan: I want to take that Latin examination as you offered, I will likely fail, but I can accept failure as easily as I accept success.

Currently, I am in Barnes & Noble here in Lynchburg. It is very busy here, understandably because of the holidays and the subsequent shopping flux but busy nonetheless. Salt: A World History is my current read; it highlights all of salt’s effect on the world as we know it. Quite a contrast from The Canterbury Tales but I really am enjoying it.

Ok, I am clearly too distracted at the moment to write. Although, this provides for certainly intriguing writing, particularly that of the brief and abrupt type.

Side note; my iBook’s harddrive is bubbling over. I need a LaCie.