A little V, a little that

I decided to try to ease back into regular blogging. And regular living. I'm finally rid of my kidney infection. I was sick from about Christmas until last week. It wasn't pretty. The only reason I got better is because my dear friend in Philly sent me some super expensive antibiotics. He's an intern/doctor and was appalled when I told him the treatment I received for my complicated upper UTI. So 10 days of that stuff, a severe cold and a 30th birthday later, things are looking up.

For my return post, I shall review the movie I saw last night, V for Vendetta. Good picture, entertaining, beautiful and moving. However, there were some spots when you just wanted the characters to shut up already and do something. The dialogue got heavy and boring in parts, reminiscent of the Matrix sequels, but the rest of the movie made up for the slow spots. The other beef I have with the flick concerns the kiss between V and Evey. Give me a break. She kissed his mask. Truly an eye-rolling moment which cheapened the relationship between them. They loved each other so I don't see why it had to be sexual. Can't people love each other without sex? Yes! That's what this blog is all about. But the kiss was unbelievable and distracted from the friendship. And not at all sexy either. Other than that I liked the movie a lot. I saw it on IMAX and at times it was breathtaking. It makes me less ashamed to be American. Yes, we voted that buffoon in office but we also make pictures like this one.

Before anyone gets up in arms about my 'ashamed to be american' comment, hold on to your horses. I love this country. I'm proud of what it stands for. But I'm not proud of our administration. The president's fumblings in front of the press and his insulting dependence on cheap rhetorical tricks to get out of answering questions horrifies and shames me. Because I'm partly at fault for his election. I didn't vote for him and I bribed my urban students to vote with extra credit but I probably could have done more. So could we all. That's all I'm saying, I'm ashamed of our leader and mea culpa.

Tomorrow I kind of have a date with someone I've never met before. He's coming in from out of town to see me. Don't worry we're meeting in public etc etc. I'm not sure what to make of this so I'll just try to enjoy myself. He seems like a good guy. I don't have any expectations, I'm going to try to be open to whatever life brings me. The past two years I have been running away from life. That hasn't given me what I wanted so it's time to stop.

One scene from the movie really struck me. Evey chose death over the alternative and was told "You aren't afraid of anything anymore. Now you have real freedom." Me too. Socially I'm there. In terms of my job and teaching, I'm there. I thought I had achieved that for my research but I'm not sure yet. I don't fear failure anymore, I've already failed and survived. Now I have to re-learn ambition and desire, but keep it in context. It won't destory me again.