Off the Record, Vol. 4

(August 31, 2006)

I attended a Business Seminar on Tuesday; one of those conventions that "trains" on how to be successful (i.e. make more sales, be a better leader, etc.). Normally I wouldn't attend--these conventions typically reek of artificiality-- yet my company had free tickets, so I didn't need to pay $225. Quite the array of speakers; Steve Forbes, Rudolph Giulliani, Robert Schuller, Zig Ziglar, John Stockton, etc. After lunch, prior to Rudy Giulliani coming on to speak, they had one of those little "competitions" to help CEOs and their employees relax. This was a dancing competition, to see who can most rile up the audience. I didn't know anybody there, so decided to go for broke. Was one of the 12 who competed in front of this 15,000 person audience, and won the competition. The audience voted by cheering; I know how it feels to be a pop star now. Anywhoo, I won a free vacation for Elise and myself to Disneyworld in Orlando. How 'bout them apples?

School commences anew this coming Tuesday. This was the first year I purchased all of my books online at Half.com, and I ended up saving around $150. I'm cool with that.

Any of you familiar with that Terrence Malick film "The New World?" I need to plug this movie. One of the most beautiful, poetic, unique, and evocative films I have ever come across. This film, to me, defines why cinema exists. If you enjoy the typical Hollywood fare, don't bother; it's one of those you'll either absolutely love or hate. Malick is a modern transcendentalist; he does for cinema what Emerson did for words. It isn't a movie told by words as much as its told by how you feel. I've never seen a film where the face expresses so much, instead of words. Blows away every other historical epic I've seen, except for maybe Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. It's what Braveheart wanted to be. James Horner (Braveheart, Beautiful Mind, Titanic) is disappointing, I admit. He regurgitates some melodies from Titanic and Braveheart, yet his music isn't even the main music in the film. Wagner's "Vorspiel" and Mozart's "Piano Concert #23" are what carry the movie entirely, and they enchant you; they magnify every angle and shot in a way I never thought possible. Visual poetry. It's heartbreaking that movies like this aren't recognized anymore; I haven't been this entranced by a film for probably five years.

And In-N-Out now owns land in Utah. Just a little north of St. George. [tear] Hopefully they won't wait too long. Call me a fanatic. I just like good things.