Tag: movie

Oracle

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends! A quick few words this Sunday afternoon before I dive into my evening reading (shall be some sort of combination of Owen, Bonhoeffer & Rowling – yes, a bit of an oddball mix, I’m well aware). Anyway, thought I’d write a few words on my viewing of the Odyssey yesterday. This movie came out a few weeks back and the discussion and furor around it has been fascinating to witness. Even today, had some conversations at church about it and been texting with Robbie about it and well…it’s one of those movies that sticks with you just a bit, for various reasons. I shan’t go into a full feature-length review, but I will make a couple comments. Firstly, I greatly enjoyed the film. Nolan almost never lets me down, and he didn’t here. He knows how to make a great movie. This 3-hour plus movie never left me bored or checking my watch and I was on the edge of my seat for almost the entire run-time, despite the fact that I very much know the story. Nolan is a master of tension and he used his skills to the utmost here. The acting was superb and the character work strong. Was this a perfect movie? By no means, but I enjoyed it. Did Nolan take some significant liberties with source material? But of course, yet are not most re-tellings of ancient stories and myths more a reflection on their own times and mores? I felt this movie was such here, reflecting on the story of the Odyssey in a very modern fashion and most certainly importing an ethical framework and understanding that is not present in the original work. If anything, it speaks well to Tom Holland (not that Tom Holland!)’s thesis on the impact of Christianity on western civilization.

Now I’m rambling on and I said I will be brief. Just wanted to write a few words on one of my favourite parts of movie and one which resonated with my soul. I very much doubt this was an intentional writing on Nolan’s part, but I very much saw the return of Odysseus to Ithaca as analogous to the coming return of Jesus Christ. Really? Yes, really. We have a kingdom in a state of disarray, trampled on and violated by those who seek kingship for themselves. We have a faithful few who long for the return of the true king. We have a pleading longing in the hearts of those who wait and yes, even doubt at times. How long? How long until the return of the king? And then, he comes. And the same sound that provokes terror in the hearts of the unrighteous causes the hearts of the faithful to leap for joy. The moment that thrilled my heart was the moment that Nolan has been building up to. Odysseus-as-a-beggar finally strings the great bow. And then, as he does, he strums the bowstring. A note rises. Penelope starts in joyous anticipation. The suitors wail as the wrath of Odysseus begins to fall upon them. The king is here in our very midst. That moment for me, that strumming of the bowstring and the reaction of Penelope and the suitors, was my favourite part of this film. Yes, I also maybe teared up a bit when Odysseus was reunited to Argos and later to Penelope. Odysseus and Penelope being reunited was probably my second favourite moment of this film. But returning to the strumming of that bowstring. It made me think on that for which my soul longs. I long one day to see Christ return in all his glory. I long to be with my Lord. And I think of that one sound that will be joy to the righteous and terror to the unrighteous. I think of the song of that last trumpet and of the joy that will fill the hearts of those who have been faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ. And I bow my head and think with sadness of those for who that trumpet call will be as the sound of death, heralding only righteous wrath and terrible woe. Oh how terrible it will be at that moment for those who hold empty lamps and wear garments of their own devising.

So I have said more on this film than I planned and I’m sure I’ve imparted a bit of my own philosophy into my reading of this movie. Yet still, I’m grateful for movies such as this, that make me think on deeper things and turn my eyes to thoughts of beauty and glory. Nolan fumbled a bit on the ending of this movie – I really wish he had ended it with Odysseus taking his rightful place as king of Ithaca and fade to black. Instead he furnishes Odysseus with a quest of further penance. Ah well. No one’s perfect. I will just meditate now though on what it means to be a faithful servant of my Lord and look for his return in glory. How long, oh Lord? How long?

Five Dozen Eggs

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Brief entry this morning. It is Thursday…and like most Thursdays of late, it is extremely busy with work meetings and then community group tonight, so I’m already breathing in deep in preparation for the plunge. But shall I complain? Not I, I say – especially not while I have hot black coffee steaming away in front of me, honey fragrance strong. For sure though, I can say that although I didn’t really get good sleep last night(because I went to bed far too late!), I much enjoyed the evening…went to Miller Outdoor Theatre, where a beautiful night was had watching the classic Disney movie – Beauty and the Beast. My second-fav Disney movie, I’ve always said, even though I haven’t seen it in oh so many years…but it held up and did most certainly not disappoint! The artistry was stunningly gorgeous(the rich colours! the landscapes!) and the music was just as good as I’d remembered…love it so. I remembered one of the reasons I loved it so much…Belle is a book-lover and her scene when she is shown the grand library…so much happiness!! A quality movie all around, I say. And of course – to watch it with good friends makes it all the more fun…there with John, Emily, Erica, Meagan, Amanda and others…so yes, it was a most fun midweek activity. God is good, for blessing me with such dear friends. Truly.

And now I suppose I should prepare myself for the frenetic day ahead. Peace, my friends. Peace and love.

Sons of Scotland

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About to head out from Starbucks, but Saturday post is deserved!  It’s been a nice morning…got to sleep in a bit, and then as I started drinking my coffee, realised there was a World Cup game on!  So got to watch the Argentina/Iceland game, which was a beautiful game and in which Iceland shockingly managed a draw!!  Go Iceland!!  I really don’t have any other country I’m rooting for…no America…no Scotland…no Ireland…so really I’m just hoping for good games and beautiful football.  That’s my sports news of the morning!  Later today, going to meet up with Julie – going to be fun to hear all about her recent France trip.  And will just be good to see her again, since it’s been so long!!  Later this afternoon…going over to meet up with Earnie, then we’ll go downtown to see the Scotland/USA rugby match YES.  I am honestly slightly torn who to root for(yes, I am a terrible American).  It’s probably good I don’t have a Scotland rugby top or I would probably wear it.  So that shall be tonight and I’m psyched.  Oh right – and last night was fun too…Erica and Meagan came over and we had a lovely time of dinner – Chinese take-out for the easy Friday night dinner win – and chat and laughing and finally movie watching – yay Jumanji which never ceased to make us laugh…haven’t laughed that much in a while!! – and yeah it was just a very fantastic chill Friday night with friends.  My favourite kind.  Now I should probably get some errands done and then maybe if I feel like it clean my room a bit.  We shall see.  I’ve also been meaning to write something for a while – these past few months have been shockingly poor in terms of poetry output!! – but I feel super antsy now(probably the espresso..) and so definitely not staying here in Starbucks any longer to write.  Sorry not sorry.

Now I’m off, friends.  Have a gorgeous day – delight in the Lord!  Peace and love.

Clarissa

James HoganLeave a comment

So I am really quite sleepy and I am definitely going to bed soon(well, after I write this.  Oh and after I read some of my book as well).  But thought it was proper that I write at least a few words(seriously, very few!!)  I write this as I currently sit(well, sit/lie) on my bed in my room here at home in Tampa…glorious.  This bed is super comfy, I gotta say – hence why I have no idea how long I’ll stay awake.

Today was a wonderful day here with the fam…from waking up not-as-early-as-normal and having an encouraing reading/coffee time….to chocolate chip pancake time with Dad and Laura and Caisson and Mom and talking about love and life and the blessings of the Lord…to mall adventures involving many fragrant roses on display and cheeky express shopping with expert Mom assistance and chicken meal consumption with again – Laura/Caisson/Mom – and just laughingly good times at the old classic Citrus Park…to attempted car-fixing-adventure-but-sadly-failing with Caisson…and then attempted rose-mulching-adventure-and-actually succeeding with Caisson…to getting far too many birthday half-presents from the parents and Laura and Caisson…finally dinner with the fam – mmm roast beef and buttery potatoes and tender carrots and onions – and then enjoying the perfectly delectable chocolate sheet cake while we watched the classic and inspiring and truly beautiful Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, in which Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur are simply magnificent…and finally more talking and relaxing times with Laura and Caisson while me and Laura gave each other back massages…and now it really should be bedtime because I have half-perused this current sentence/paragraph and oh dear it is a mess.

Apparently I really like ellipses and hyphens when I’m sleepy??  But hey – I shall let this stand as a memorial stone to this wonderful day that my God has granted me.  Being with my wonderful family is a gift I shall always treasure – may I never cease to thank my Lord for blessing me so.  I wish Maryanne could have been here too…but apart from her not being here, today was perfect.  Truly.

Now time to close this computer and think and meditate on how good it is to abide in Christ, for in Him is my great love.  Forever and always.  Peace and love, my friends.  Peace and love.

Wishmaster

James HoganLeave a comment

So finished another book last night.  Read:

11.  The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan.  I’m not going to overly detail my thoughts on this book, other than it’s another fantastic Wheel of Time book…full of high drama and delicious fantastical elements.  This is the book where Rand is barely ever in it, but he does show up at the end in time to defeat Ishamael and claim the Stone of Tear, prompting both Aiel and Defenders of the Stone alike to shout out in acclamation.  And this book also contains the beginnings of Mat being awesome…as well as Perrin meeting Faile.  For somer reason, the more I read these books, the more I like reading Perrin & Faile’s story…and this is where Perrin first discovers his falcon and their love story is beautiful, as messy as it later becomes!  In this book it ends with her wiping his blood off his face, the blood he shed to save her life.  Romantic to the core.  Now I apologize – for any of you who have not read this book, it sounds most confusing…and trust me, even reading it can sometimes be confusing.  But wonderful all the same.

What else shall I discuss today?  I suppose I could mention that myself and John are planning to go see newest Avengers movie – Infinity War – later tonight.  It should be epic, as it has approximately 23 superheroes in it.  And…I believe that’s not that much of an exxageration.  Excited for that!!

Also been for some reason in a Nightwish mood lately…listening to it both at work and in my drives to and from.  I forgot how much I love them and just how gorgeous their music is!!  And thankfully, I have Laura who I can call and we can go into great detail discussing our fav albums and singers (obviously Tarja is amazing….but I do like both Annette and Floor in their own way, as well!!)  Been remembering the times I saw them live(first with Jackie, second with Laura!) and it has renewed my desire to one day soon chronicle my all-time favorite concert experiences, of which surely Nightwish show will be near the top.

Now it is about time for me to take my leave, but firstly (note, I should really probably leave off that last stanza…but can’t help it – love it even though poem would probably be better ending stanza sooner…)…

The morning warm and dark breaks
like the darkened sea upon the shattered shore,
and though I think there is no beauty left to find,
and no more dawn song tripping through my mind,
I turn the key and turn my head and turn and see
her entering,
and the gate swings open, open
and the streetlamps’ light descends upon her
faintly.

Faintly yes
but enough for me
to see

Chocolate curls cascading,
Snow white dress shimmering,
Her eyes liquidly
Dark and full of magic,

and though I approach but softly
her lips quirk up in sheepish smile,
our eyes brush past each other
and touch oh so gently
and lips murmur
courteous nothings
in the wind.

And lo her eyes smile and dip and dance away
and so I bow and take my leave
and so
and so
the dawn song breaks upon my heart once more
as the foamy sea cast its waves
upon that golden shore.

Contradictory Wildcats

James HoganLeave a comment

 Happy Thursday friends!!  It’s very sadly not cold outside anymore(not close to cold, even.  It’s approximately 75.  Ugh)…but I still can’t complain.  I have my peppermint mocha here, which is…not traditional for Thursdays, but that’s just because tomorrow I won’t be going to work – no, tomorrow at this time I’ll be in airport awaiting my flight to Charlotte to see Maryanne.  Hurrah!!  Can’t wait for that.  We shall have a glorious weekend of being together and doing adventerous things…mostly I just am looking forward to good chats.  Anything else going on here in Texas…?  Not terribly much…last night was a relaxing evening hanging out with John.  Had sushi and watched Rogue One, which is a very good Star Wars movie indeed.  Even if everyone does die(oh – spoilers much?  My apologies.  Not really, it came out over a year ago – no excuses!)  It was more emotional than I remember it being…and it has one of the best combined space/land battles in all of Star Wars.  Much explosive, laser-filled fun!  This morning had a nice breakfast at home while I continued my read through Acts.  Sadly I’m over closer to the end than the beginning of the book….am much enjoying reading about Paul and his missionary journies presently.  Today read about his trials and travails in Corinth, Ephesus and a few other places.  Was encouraged by seeing the works of the Lord in saving so many…also convicted by how the people of Ephesus responded.  They burned over 50,000 pieces of silver’s worth of “magic books”, etc. If only we all were so serious about our sin and what distracts us from loving and honouring God with all our might.  Truly – as I read last night in Edwards biography, “…the love and the pursuit of true holiness is the enduring mark of the true Christian.”  Lovely.  I definitely am most enjoying reading this biography lately – I now remember why it is one of my all-time favorites.  Oh that I might live with even a tenth of Edward’s passion and desire to know Christ more.  And…as I continue to ramble, I think ’tis too late to start a new paragraph now, so shall just leave this all messy and of one piece.  Honestly, it is probably time I end this and sip my peppermint mocha in peace as I meditate on the goodness of God and look forward to what He shall do this day.  Oh!  And speaking of mochas, while at Starbucks today, got a surprise Katie sighting…she is only working one day a week lately due to nursing school, etc – and apparently got switched to Thursdays.  So we enjoyed chatting for a couple minutes – this past Sunday she was at Bethel on a panel talking to middle-schoolers about dating and all that…they definitely need it!!!  (I probably could have used something similar back in the day, honestly…)  Anyways, we had solid people on all these panels(at least on the girls’ side – know it was Megan, Emily, Erica & Katie…can’t go wrong!).  Now I continue to type and yet there is no point.  So I shall rest my fingers and think and ponder for real.  Peace, my friends.

reaching yet Falling

James HoganLeave a comment

It’s…a Monday.  Horrors!  It’s actually not that bad of a day(yet) although I am very tired nonetheless as my weekend was very busy(with fun social things!) and I am most sure I did not get enough sleep.  Alas.  And even last night..though it was a free night and I should have probably gone to bed early, I was silly and decided to watch one of my recent fav movies(Dan in Real Life, which although silly and somewhat ridiculous for multiple reasons….is much loved by me, so says I).  Now I’ve been wanting to write something for a while, as it’s been too long since I’ve been creatively writing…yet once again my muse fails me and my lack of sleep haunts me and so yet once again there will be nothing pretty written this day.  Someday.  Someday I will yet write of those diaphanous clouds floating through the silken skies, blue so bright the eyes water and head spins and yet the heart sings of bare-branched trees and sunlight brilliant, unwaveringly poured down upon the earth as honey upon the bread and yet – and still – the song is heard through the rustling of the dancing limbs of trees unfettered by grave-countenanced dusky shadows.  Someday beauty comes.

Fluffy

James HoganLeave a comment

And so I return to this posting apparatus, though not as quickly as I thought when I wrote last post. It is now Thanksgiving Eve and I sit with my mug of coffee here, about to do some more reading…but thought I should continue my chronicle first, while it is still fresh in my mind! I must say as I type this, I am much enjoying the Tampa home keyboard…it is very mechanically responsive and fun to type on. Much more bouncy than my laptop keyboard, I approve. This may or may not contribute to my being even more verbose than usual…apologies in advance.

Anyways! I think I ended my last post talking about game night with Laura and Caisson and friends and getting to bed far too late. Thankfully the next morning we were able to sleep in a little…had some coffee together, then we went out to get breakfast(/brunch?) at one of their favorite breakfast spots – a diner that had definitely not been around when I was in Gainesville! Actually…this was a running theme throughout my time in Gainesville…so much had changed since my residency there, even though it’s been less than nine years. Whole new roads had appeared and new shopping centers and other things have replaced woods and fields(my favorite open field at corner of University and 13th is now a shining uber-modern apartment complex – the horror!). Progress(in shape of concrete and steel) marches on unimpeded by more poetic concerns…

Pardon that interlude – but onward! We had a lovely time eating breakfast(I had a delicious breakfast pie with eggs and cheeses and meats and it was wonderful alongside the good strong coffee) and of course talking. We had so much good talking times throughout this trip that I shall soon neglect to mention them, but just know they happened because Laura and Caisson are truly both so dear. Following breakfast, I’m trying to remember what we did next…if I recall correctly, it was a trip to campus! We spent a few hours wandering the gameday-crowded campus, seeing old spots(the Bunker at Graham! the new-(and improved??) Union! the Florida bookstore – I think we spent the most time there perusing random books!) and eventually ending up at Pascal’s Coffeehouse. Oh Pascal’s – truly the holder of so many memories. I even have an old adolescent lit story I wrote back in ’09 where this coffeehouse was featured prominently. And I am actually wearing one of their shirts as I write this now, randomly! Anyways – it was great fun being there again, walking past the table where Laura remembered first getting a text from Caisson, peeking into the room where so many good Creekside College Ministry Wednesday night meetings were held…and eventually, we got some drinks(a hybrid London-fog/peppermint mocha for me!) and ended up talking there for a while, the three of us. Expounding on the power of poetry and the characteristics it should contain. Caisson has a good “Three Laws of Poetry” summary that I really need to heed when I’m writing. I have discovered that I’m not really that good in presenting a clear and easily understandable theme to my audience in my works. I may know what’s there, but the readers most definitely do not always understand what I’m getting at! But I shall not attempt to summarize our whole conversation here.

Eventually, it was time to part ways…for I had told Laura and Caisson that I had wanted to spend a few hours by myself. These hours that I spent wandering campus…I don’t know if I can fully and properly put them to page here as it is something maybe best left to my heart and soul alone. But I had long desired to undertake what I have now called a pilgrimage back to the lands of my youth. And so I did walk through campus, stopping at the sites of so many hallowed memories. At each spot I was able to sit and reflect and think and meditate and pray on what God has done in me and for me and through me these past years. And as I brought back many memories…some bitter and some sweet…I could not help but thank my Father God for holding me fast throughout every dark night and every raging storm. I was able to write various things in my little notebook throughout this pilgrimage and while I shan’t reproduce them all here(partly because they’re very crude and quickly written and not at all amenable to proper editing and partly because I want the majority to remain truly personal), I will put down one…

Lake Alice
gleams prettily
in glow
of setting sun –
its quiet beauty
thrills my soul.
A heron rests
atop the stillness.
I shiver
at the
crickets’ song.

That is the least emotional(and/or personal) so I think it’s ok for sharing here!

Now eventually I realized that even over two hours of walking around by myself was not sufficient for my purposes…but I knew I must return to Laura and Caisson’s place for dinner! Laura came and picked me up and after a quick detour to Target(where asparagus and…er…the long desired new Taylor album reputation were acquired), we returned to the apartment. Caisson was in the middle of crafting a delicious Guinness-beef stew..full of beef and carrots and onions and parsnips and other savoury ingredients. This was poured over mashed potatoes and it was definitely a proper and hearty dinner! After we enjoyed that, we eventually decided a quiet movie night was in order. It may have taken us a while to decide on a movie, but eventually we did settle on an old classic I’d never seen before…10 Things I Hate About You and it was much enjoyed – full of classic Shakespeare references and fun 90s nostalgia! I do so love fun high school movies from my era and this is a well-deserved classic…Heather Ledger and Julia Stiles..simply perfect.

Now…this entry is far too long and I’ve decided to end it for the now. Going to go off with my coffee and have more reading time. Also listening to some classic hymns(And Can It Be currently playing) and I just can’t focus on writing anymore. Peace and love.

Golden Age

James HoganLeave a comment

Lovely weekend and not enough time to fully describe it as I enjoy my mocha americano this beautiful morning as the fresh light begins to seep in the windows but I shall at least mention the wonderful capstone of last night in which myself and Emily and Erica went and watched a showing of Casablanca at cinema and oh it was so wonderful seeing one of my all time favourite movies on the big screen with loads of other people and just being able to enjoy it as we laughed at the funny parts(mostly all of Claude Rains’ lines!) and enjoyed the deeply romantic and movingly patriotic themes woven throughout(and something I realised just now as I looked up the cast is how many of the actors are non-Americans which surely contributed to its emotion for so many of them were refugees from war-torn Europe and were from countries such as Russia and France and Austria-Hungary and Germany and some of them were Jewish and even had family members in concentration camps and so the emotion you see in this film in certain scenes is far from faked) and as I write this I realise it is only one sentence so far so I am determined to keep it that way and also have decided to finish sentence sans commas and it will be magnificent(my apologies) but I suppose I must confess the best part of the night was the conversation I had with Emily and Erica after the movie in the parking lot in which we discussed many things but all of them honestly and deeply and my heart was much encouraged by them and now I suppose I really shall close this sentence as it is far too long(but I think rather successful in its lack of commas) but wanted to share a few words that have been haunting my thoughts these past few weeks and been keeping me stuck in the same chapter for quite a while now and this not at all a bad thing and so as I sat on my couch this morning with blanket wrapped around me and read these words yet again just know how my soul was warmed and enlightened by the truth and by my regenerated heart understanding that these words are Real in the sense that little else is:

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the
Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit
of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though
the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of
righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead
dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give
life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
-Romans 8:9-11(oh what beautiful words – we are indwelt by the very Spirit of God)

Redux

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This post written yesterday, February 20th…thought I may as well post it today!

Good morning all!! I am writing this from work this morning(well, as I guess I usually do on Monday mornings?) But feels a bit weird now, as I’m writing this on a Word doc and not in livejournal itself. The whole network is down at work right now, so no internet, no emails…almost no work of any kind is possible right now! Hopefully the internet comes back soon, because (sadly or not!) I really do want to get some work done today. Also, it is pouring buckets outside and I very much appreciate the fact that I am inside where it is warm and dry just now! And since I can’t do anything online, I figured I may as well write a few words now and then post them on livejournal once the network comes back online. If it ever does.

Anyways, what shall I write about? Hm, I know! Earnie and Mandy’s wedding this past weekend! They got married this past Saturday at Bethel and it was glorious. I can’t express the joy that was in my heart at seeing them being knit together as one! Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Terrell, congratulations!! Oh what bliss and oh what love!! The ceremony was gorgeous and I shan’t describe it in detail. We drove out to Plantersville for the dinner and reception – where much delicious barbecue was consumed and much awesome dancing took place!! Good times with so many good friends. I do so love weddings and this one did not disappoint. And just to see God’s work in the life of Earnie and Mandy. I’ve known Earnie for a few years now, and I remember when he would talk about Mandy and be yearning after her…even though she had no thoughts for him! And now…to see how God has brought them together is truly amazing. And they are brought together not just by their love for each other, oh no! They are brought together and bound by their love for Christ. Amazing love.

Now, the network is still down, so I guess I can keep writing! Yesterday was a joyous time at church, worshiping God and offering praise to the One from whom all blessings flow. Afterwards, had a good meeting with Sammy and some of the other young leaders at church – talking about millennials – oh that fickle, silly and irksome generation! Eventually made my way to the store for some dinner materials, then homeward bound! While my spaghetti sauce simmered on the stove, finished my 1 Peter study for next week(vss. 1-2 – keeping it real, keeping it slow!) while I listened to my prime study muse – Lorde – don’t ask me why. Then did my workout and afterwards, got to talk to Maryanne for a while!! We hadn’t talked in ages – so it was very well worth it. About time. Sorry for the wait, sis!!

Finally, it was almost dinner time, so made meatballs while John and Camille hung about and watched me do so. I don’t know why meatball making is so fascinating…but there you go. Julia came over and we all watched Dr. Strange(fantastically fun movie, with so many good actors…Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong – all the Benedicts!! …now I want some eggs benedict…mm…) ANYWAY. It was a beautiful relaxing night, enjoying a delicious dinner and watching a fun movie with friends. Can’t get any better. Me and John had a good talk before I went to bed and I daresay I’ve been feeling very encouraged lately. I am at peace and I feel oh so blessed by God my Father. How should it be that I am blessed so? I know not. I simply lift my eyes to the heavens and pray with adoration in my heart to my Father. Abba Father – hear my cry.

Now, dear friends…I end this. Still network outage here, but going to tear my eyes away from the computer screen and talk to some of my friends here at work. Be warm and safe and dry this day, fellow Houstonians!