The Boundlessness of Crazy
Absolutely crazy.
The world changed forever after the horrific attacks occurring on 9/11. In fact, it’s surreal just how much the world seemed to change on a dime following that heart-wrenching September morning. But that’s a much longer post for another day. Along with New York City, Washington D.C. forever altered its security protocols, procedures and precautions after that day. Traveling to, driving and walking around our nation’s capital pre-9/11 and post 9/11 have been starkly different experiences. The former felt relatively open and relaxing while the latter has felt armed and distant.
And that’s okay, because we are not fighting another country, but Islamic extremists who cowardly attack using disguised guerrilla warfare. The war is not with the collective, but the individual. Accordingly, the proper defense demands acute awareness at all times.
Or so we thought.
Reading reports and watching videos that reenacted the White House intruder’s path has been mind-boggling. How in the hell did this happen? It’s more difficult to steal a book at Barnes and Noble than it is to enter the front door of The White House with a knife in hand and then run from room to room looking for the President of the United States of America. Think about that! The intruder, Omar Gonzalez, was one turn away from the stairs that lead up to the first family’s living quarters.
So, somebody in the secret service please remind us: If you’re not even going to lock the front door or even guard the outer perimeter of The White House, the most important building and symbol in the nation, then what’s been with all the extra security all these years? This is just another instance of when people are again forced to answer the question of, “can you believe this happened?” with “actually, yes, yes I can.” I was in Washington, D.C. this past Monday afternoon and stood with a group of tourists behind extra barricades to The White House across the street from the iconic St. Johns Church. Looking around, it’s still inconceivable how someone could jump the fence, run across the lawn and then into The White House.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg with the Secret Service and this is all combined with the myriad of domestic and global events the past few years that are causing the world to spin out of control with increasing lack of trust in vital institutions and people. But if this of all things happened, what can we possibly expect to take place next? The world continues to get more and more nonsensical. Things are just crazy.
Absolutely crazy.
Starlight’s Goldberg Express
Spoiler Alert: This post contains content from the October 1, 2014 episode of The Goldbergs:
“Jesus Christ Superstar” is a famous play with the most divine leading man. As a matter of fact, what has every person who has played the part of Jesus said immediately after hearing the good news (likely on a Friday)?
“Jesus Christ, are you kidding me!”
Anyways, Beverly’s most delicious snuggle monster Adam gave a spirited audition to play Jesus in the school play, but, sadly, it wasn’t enough. Instead, the part went to Data Dave Kim. Consequently, when Adam and girlfriend Dana Caldwell checked “the board” for the assigned parts, Adam’s finger devastatingly had to scroll onto the dreaded second page/second string of performers to discover his new role (literally).
“Sometimes, you just gotta be Todd the Apostle.”
Too distraught to properly congratulate Dana on getting assigned to play Mary, Adam went biblical to seek guidance from the only person who could help him in this tragic situation: His Smother. This led to a contentious meeting with the principal (who owed Beverly for introducing he and his wife years earlier…) and the casting director/director of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” In true Goldberg fashion, Beverly utilized some verbal jiu-jitsu to allow a second, rival play to open.
And would this be a second showing of “Jesus Christ Superstar” with a new cast? Well, let’s put it another way: what would make that play even better? Try adding skates and a killer disco soundtrack…
Yes, Adam was the new lead in a school production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Starlight Express!”
For anyone who has seen “Starlight Express,” all the characters sing, act and roller skate in perfect harmony. Yes, it’s just mildly ambitious for kids in middle school to master such skills in about a week or so. Enter the laughs!
Now, this part of the plot was personally satisfying because when I was around Adam’s age, I actually saw “Starlight Express” in Las Vegas with my family! The music, the flashing lights, the roller skating and the story was unforgettably fantastic. It was one of the coolest things I had ever seen and heard in my life. During the episode, Beverly bribes her daughter Erica to play the female lead and “thunder mama” herself served as the skating choreographer. While the rehearsing for “Starlight Express” was a disaster, the comedy was gold (as you’d expect). Unfortunately, Adam got too involved and too intense and a competitive streak developed with the rival play co-starring his girlfriend Dana. Eventually, both Adam and his mom came to their senses, conceded to the reality of “the board” and her precious angel returned to his supporting role as a made up apostle to Jesus.
As you do.
While the secondary storyline of this episode featured Barry and Murray leaving hockey games early to beat traffic, the storyline with “Starlight Express” between a loving mother and her baby boy rang especially true for this writer. It reminded me how a mom and her young son can genuinely relate and bond over a disco musical with roller skating while that boy is at that awkward age of not wanting to hang out with his parents. Thankfully, like Beverly, my mom was (and is still) willing to be goofy and silly with her son to spend time beyond just helping with homework and going clothes shopping.
I’d like to say more, but I don’t think I could do it as well as others:
The Goldbergs continue to show “there’s a light at the end of the tunnel” with family.
A Wonderful Wednesday
It’s Wednesday and since the name of the fictional band below starts with the letter “w,” it seems fitting that this video clip should be posted today instead of tomorrow (Throwback Thursday).
Do you find yourself just doing that thing you do each and every day?
And remember, if someone asks you why you’re wearing sunglasses, just say, “because I’m the drummer.”
Space & Time
“We’ll find a way…we always have”
Dedication to a particular craft is essential to those who aspire to making something that transcends the ordinary and moves us into a space in the extraordinary. Movie director Christopher Nolan continues to build his resume of critically acclaimed movies that excel in acting, production, writing, creativity, intelligence and a gravitas most films fail to reach. One explanation is that Nolan is an independent filmmaker who succeeds in making blockbuster hits with the acute skills of an independent filmmaker, but with crazy blockbuster budgets and expectations.
True story.
Another hypothesis is that because he dedicates himself to one movie at a time, it translates into an investment that proves to elevate his films above the rest. Fans know that when a Christopher Nolan movie is released that it will be something grand in scale, thought-provoking and visually stunning with a pulsating soundtrack courtesy of his longtime musical collaborator Hans Zimmer.
Another teaser trailer has been released for Interstellar and it’s worthwhile to see. There’s one detail in particular that’s revealed that will undoubtedly be a string that will pull at our hearts throughout this space epic. It has to do with a conversion of time.
Christopher Nolan’s singular cinematic commitment is truly reaching for the stars in Interstellar.
Will you be so tenacious come early November?
Jimmy's Daily Planet 