Archive for February, 2004

kat and I went to see “The Passion of the Christ” last night. I still feel weird and we only watched the first hour before we had to leave. I understand the historical significance of this movie, I even understand the pain and suffering this man supposedly went through. But this movie is over-the-top with violence and portrayed barbarianism. We left after the 20 minute torture scene. It was enough to turn our stomachs, and it doesn’t even matter who it was suppose to be. Just watching something like that in so much detail, and every detail was there, was just too much for peaceful people.

We left. I can’t believe how many people stayed. Then I realized that most of the people that are going to see this movie are probably very strong believers in Jesus, and all these things that go along with being strong believers in Jesus, and that it somehow had some symbolic importance, to them. Though I can only imagine that they didn’t like it either but felt obligated to watch the rest, because of their faith. Mel Gibson was apparently was trying to make a point that I just don’t get. Why this needed to be portrayed now, and in such a violent way, does not make sense to me. Yes, yes I know this is how it supposedly happened. That doesn’t mean that I want to see it on 20×30 screen with surround sound and a bucket of popcorn.

It was just plain freaky, and the worst part is that I can’t stop thinking about it, can’t get the images out of my head. Maybe that was Mel’s plan. But it doesn’t make me love Jesus, or hate the Jews, or anything. It really just makes me sick to my stomach. This is only the second movie I ever walked out on in my life, and I went back to see the other one by myself. Not this time.

If you haven’t seen it, be wary.

Welcome to the White House – WWW.WHITEHOUSE.ORG

This has to be one of the funniest and coolest anti-white house sites I have seen in a while. If you are sick of the politics this will help.

“Next!”

Counter person at a DMV is a job that I have decided I never want. These are some of the most jaded and heartless people I have ever met. I am sure that at some point they were nice people, but somewhere along the line things went awry. Maybe they were picked on in school, or dumped at the Senior Prom, or some other sort of life scarring event that keeps then locked comfortably behind counters with marble etched looks of contempt on their faces. Their only comfort is knowing that they control my life for the next hour.

You would be amazed at the amount of strategy required to get your almost expired Oregon license to a Connecticut one (after three years of procrastination). You really only have one shot to get into the DMV (one half hour before it opens) and get in line before it becomes unruly and painful. But I am ready, old license, passport, piece of mail with address, two blank checks, the form and a……… pen. Oh no! I don’t have a goddamn pen. This is not good. You are not allowed to make mistakes, look tired, weak, or stupid, or these sadistic people have you. Trust me they are waiting. Pen…stupid pen…sitting on the table at home….why? Now I have to make first contact.

“Excuse me, do you have an extra pen?” Shudder

“No. We gave them all out on Saturday.” Blank Stare.

“Did you consider asking for them back?” Fear.

Blank stare. “There is a pen machine in the other room.”

“A pen machine, what the hell is a pen machine?”

Blank stare.

DAMN IT! I have to get out of line. The whole reason why I got there a half an hour before was to avoid this very situation. Pen machine…what the hell is a pen machine? No coffee…still tired….cranky…..pen machine…..grrrr….other room. Ohhhh…pen vending machine…I see. 25 cents for a pen, that’s reasonable. No quarters. Buy $1.50 coffee. Put in one quarter, no pen. ggggrrrr….crappy coffee…still tired….no pen. Second quarter. EUREKA! I am now the proud of owner of a 50 cents pen that probably doesn’t even have enough ink to finish the form.

Back to the end of line behind the poor bastard that doesn’t realize that he can’t pay with checks that are made out to himself. Oh they rip him apart, even call in reinforcements so that everyone gets a chance to condescend. Ouch. Run man! Run!!!

My turn. I have everything ready, on the counter, and poised to right a check before they could even say “Good Morning”. Assuming of course that they intended to say good morning. Which of course they were not. “Please take a seat sir…..”

“Garth”

Go to the counter. Write a check.

“Please take a seat sir….”

15 minutes pass.

“Garth”

Go to counter. Write a check.

“Please take a seat sir…..”

15 minutes pass.

“Garth”

“Read this line”

“92356thisisstupid345nocoffee”

“Please take a seat sir”

15 minutes pass.

“Garth”

Without word or I eye contact she hands me a license. I look down and let out a little “oh Jesus”. I look like shit, that is the worst of picture of me that I have ever seen. Oh wait…..that’s not me. This is the license of the poor ugly bastard behind me. Phew. Exchanges licenses, go onto to the rest of my day a slightly more responsible citizen then I was an hour and a half ago.

As tears in the cosmic fly paper go car accidents suck, stolen cars suck, and broken cameras suck.

I was rearended by someone doing at least 50mph faster than I was. I now have a new doctor, orthopedic, physical therapist, and an attorney. None of them I particularly like, none particularly care about me either. We are all just a means to end and we all understand that. I have had more polite conversations with State Troopers giving me speeding tickets than I have with my physical therapist, whose daily highlight apears to be getting rid of me so she can surf the web. I haven’t heard from my attorney since the day I hired him. It took a month for the other guys insurance to actually find the jeep and go look at it. Even then I am not sure they found the right one. THe other day I was shooting some fruit with my camera when it decided to turn off, never to be turned on again.

With every action there is a reaction, through the chaos comes clarity, and all that cup half full shit.

Kat’s stolen car turned up, after its 2 month vacation, just one mere mile from our house. The car was just missing it’s stereo and a small piece of it’s pride. I have a new car, that is cheaper, faster, and more fuel economic than the jeep. The broken camera still sucks, but it has forced me to dust off some old gear, and break away from the comfort that a familiar camera and medium gives.

So all in all the last month was a test of patience, sanity, relationships, and the urge to binge drink. Having survived them all now I can just look forward to turning 30 and accelerated male paterned baldness

For those of you that frequent daydreammedia.com and have noticed that I have not made updates lately…THIS is why:

But I am back in the saddle….so look for regular updates again.

Garth