I'm really not a very good Latter-day Saint, or Mormon to those of you who choose to go that way. I believe in the Church, the Book of Mormon, and having a living prophet on the Earth. I believe that families can be together forever (and yes, I chose to say it that way), and that it is possible for us to perform the rituals required for salvation (baptism, etc) on behalf of our ancestors who have passed on. I believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three separate entities, who together form the Godhead, otherwise the Bible begins with a lie that God made man in his own image. I despair at the ministers of other Christian churches who call my religion a "cult," or deny that we are really Christians because we don't recite the "Apostles Creed" or "Nicene Creed," oaths of allegiance written by men, not given by God. I pay an honest tithe and make a "fast offering," I wear my garments day and night, I am honest in my dealings with others; I just can't deal with the concept of "Every member a Missionary".
Make no mistake, I like to talk to people, and enjoy the times I get to accompany the full-time Missionaries assigned to Vacaville Second Ward (our congregation, as it were). I really enjoy meeting people who are "investigating" the Church, because I can relate to all of the apprehension and doubts they may be having. I like to meet the ones who are "on the edge," but are hung up on some technicality. I love to teach, particularly when I know such a great deal about my subject, and have had personal experiences that are relevant. I am just no good at starting a "gospel discussion," because I am not confident of my scriptural knowledge. Certain passages stick out, and I can remember them, but I couldn't tell you where they were or anything.
I guess it should be easy, particularly with a Church-member on the verge of being a Presidential Candidate, so I should try to get involved with more people, and talk about the Church. We have been asked to look for "Missionary Opportunities," and to pray for them to happen. Our Stake (a collection of Wards) has been asked to dedicate our fasts on June 3 to seeking more opportunities to teach the gospel, and to kneel in prayer at 8am, as a sign of unity. It's just likely to work; I've seen it happen before. Maybe it's time for me to step out of my comfort zone.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
My Take on "Sherlock"
I will make no bones about it, I am a fan of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle's super-sleuth and his partner Dr. Watson. I have read all of the stories, I even transfered some to my Kindle, after I got it at Christmas, so I could, when the time seemed appropriate, re-read the stories. This was all before I found out about the series, simply titled Sherlock, that aired on BBC, and can be seen on PBS's Masterpiece Mystery on the next two Sundays at nine pm. My youngest child, Jacki, actually brought the series to my attention, giving me the DVD set for Season 1, for Christmas. Mary and I watched the first episode, A Study in Pink, and have been "hooked" ever since. The producers are making three 90-minute episodes per season, and we are currently getting Season 2 on PBS.
The series stars Benedict Cumberbatch (how's that for a Brittish name) as Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Esq, and Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson, who chronicles the exploits of the world's first "consulting detective," a position that Holmes proudly creates himself. The story lines are straight from the Conan-Doyle manuscripts, but that is where all similarities to the "old Sherlock Holmes" ends. Rather than dashing about 19th Century London, the writing team of Steven Moffat, Steve Thompson, and Mark Gatiss have brought the detective team into the 21st Century, making Dr. Watson an Afghanistan veteran (rather than India), who blogs about his amazing roomate at 221B Baker Street.
I'm not one to sit and nitpick, so I haven't compared things like dialogue against the original works, I'm not much of a purist in that regards. In fact I didn't even flinch when the famous Sherlock Holmes line, "The game is afoot!" was changed to "The game is on!" I noticed it, surely, but there probably isn't a person in the world who uses "afoot," so the adaptation seemed perfectly natural, to me. With Sir Arthur's stories as a framework, this new Sherlock is well worth watching.
One of the most notable features of this new series is the use of the digital technology that allows the viewer to "see" what the world's greatest detective sees. It doesn't give you what he observes, but it helps the viewer to understand how he collects clues. In the end, as Sherlock explains the crime, it seems logical enough to appeal to another fictional character, this one of Vulcan origins.
The acting is supurb. Cumberbatch is a delightful Sherlock, who is referred to by the people at Scotland Yard as "The Freak". He denies an accusation of being a psychopath by claiming, "I am a high-functioning sociopath, learn the difference." The dynamics between Sherlock and the often befuddled Watson is very engaging, and is often the source of much of the "dry Brittish humor" that many Americans find so delightful (me included).
I am a fan.
The series stars Benedict Cumberbatch (how's that for a Brittish name) as Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Esq, and Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson, who chronicles the exploits of the world's first "consulting detective," a position that Holmes proudly creates himself. The story lines are straight from the Conan-Doyle manuscripts, but that is where all similarities to the "old Sherlock Holmes" ends. Rather than dashing about 19th Century London, the writing team of Steven Moffat, Steve Thompson, and Mark Gatiss have brought the detective team into the 21st Century, making Dr. Watson an Afghanistan veteran (rather than India), who blogs about his amazing roomate at 221B Baker Street.
I'm not one to sit and nitpick, so I haven't compared things like dialogue against the original works, I'm not much of a purist in that regards. In fact I didn't even flinch when the famous Sherlock Holmes line, "The game is afoot!" was changed to "The game is on!" I noticed it, surely, but there probably isn't a person in the world who uses "afoot," so the adaptation seemed perfectly natural, to me. With Sir Arthur's stories as a framework, this new Sherlock is well worth watching.
One of the most notable features of this new series is the use of the digital technology that allows the viewer to "see" what the world's greatest detective sees. It doesn't give you what he observes, but it helps the viewer to understand how he collects clues. In the end, as Sherlock explains the crime, it seems logical enough to appeal to another fictional character, this one of Vulcan origins.
The acting is supurb. Cumberbatch is a delightful Sherlock, who is referred to by the people at Scotland Yard as "The Freak". He denies an accusation of being a psychopath by claiming, "I am a high-functioning sociopath, learn the difference." The dynamics between Sherlock and the often befuddled Watson is very engaging, and is often the source of much of the "dry Brittish humor" that many Americans find so delightful (me included).
I am a fan.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Getting Over Myself
I seem to be getting into my own way, lately. I'm not really sure what it's all about, but everytime I turn around, there I am (and no, that's not that old joke). I seem to be going in circles, getting very little done. It's like I've lost my energy, my drive. I don't like being limited in the things I can do, and completely resent the fact that the things I can do get fewer every year. It's all a part of aging, I guess. I played hard and fast as a young man; now I'm just pudgy and slow.
It isn't much fun, getting older. Don't get me wrong, I know what the flip-side is, and I'm not ready to have six of my friends... Do I have six friends?... cart me around by the handles. I am grateful for every day I wake up and my back hurts. At least that way, I know I'm still alive. At this point, if there was a therapy that could take away all of my pain, I'd be scared to death every morning. I know there are people out there who are in worse pain than what I am in, and they have my deepest sympathies, but when your "best days" still register on the "pain meter" every f-ing day, day-in; day-out; 24/7, 365 (or 366) days a year, for more than a decade, you have an understanding of pain that normal people just don't get.
When I was teaching at my old alma mater, I had a student tell me he would have liked to have been around Vacaville in the late '60's. I told him, "No, you don't." Indicating how much he'd be paying for it now. That was ten years ago. Darn I'm old.
I guess that will become my next Pastime, sitting around bitching about how much stuff hurts. I hope not, because I think I'm better than that. But, what do I know? I'm trying to write, and have at least three working drafts on my word processor, and a few blogs, letters to the Editor, that kind of stuff. Trying to keep my mind active; trying to focus on something other than pain. I play computer games, and Wii, anything to keep moving, and not think about pain.
I am supposed to be relatively "pain-free" a week after my ESI treatment, and normally I am, but there's now an arthritic pain that seems to be with me all of the time. I would take Motrin, or Alieve, or whatever NSAID's available, except I took them for so long, it would be like taking an M&M, and, frankly, M&M's taste better. I have been taking Norco for the last six months, and it helps to mask the pain a bit. I have had conversations with both my Primary Care Physician and an Interventional Radiologist as to the appropriateness of narcotics in my pain management therapy, and both of them think it is still on the good side. I take the medication in accordance with the instructions of the doctor, and sometimes not at all. If I am not in pain, I do not take the medicine. Thus far, there have been no apparent side-effects, nor do I attempt to abuse it in anyway.
It's not about me, though. Well, maybe it is; my own self-consciousness about my limitations, and a desire not to suffer in public, but I think of other's first. I ask myself if I was going to be able to be social, due to my pain, or if I am going to become an object of pity. I might stick it out as a social antagonist, but I will be pitied by no one. I don't want anyone to be "sorry," sorry doesn't help. I would like it if people could be a little more understanding of why I don't get out often. I can straighten myself up, and look kind of normal, but dig it, people, if you aren't looking at me laying in a box, I'm in pain and I don't want pity.
It isn't much fun, getting older. Don't get me wrong, I know what the flip-side is, and I'm not ready to have six of my friends... Do I have six friends?... cart me around by the handles. I am grateful for every day I wake up and my back hurts. At least that way, I know I'm still alive. At this point, if there was a therapy that could take away all of my pain, I'd be scared to death every morning. I know there are people out there who are in worse pain than what I am in, and they have my deepest sympathies, but when your "best days" still register on the "pain meter" every f-ing day, day-in; day-out; 24/7, 365 (or 366) days a year, for more than a decade, you have an understanding of pain that normal people just don't get.
When I was teaching at my old alma mater, I had a student tell me he would have liked to have been around Vacaville in the late '60's. I told him, "No, you don't." Indicating how much he'd be paying for it now. That was ten years ago. Darn I'm old.
I guess that will become my next Pastime, sitting around bitching about how much stuff hurts. I hope not, because I think I'm better than that. But, what do I know? I'm trying to write, and have at least three working drafts on my word processor, and a few blogs, letters to the Editor, that kind of stuff. Trying to keep my mind active; trying to focus on something other than pain. I play computer games, and Wii, anything to keep moving, and not think about pain.
I am supposed to be relatively "pain-free" a week after my ESI treatment, and normally I am, but there's now an arthritic pain that seems to be with me all of the time. I would take Motrin, or Alieve, or whatever NSAID's available, except I took them for so long, it would be like taking an M&M, and, frankly, M&M's taste better. I have been taking Norco for the last six months, and it helps to mask the pain a bit. I have had conversations with both my Primary Care Physician and an Interventional Radiologist as to the appropriateness of narcotics in my pain management therapy, and both of them think it is still on the good side. I take the medication in accordance with the instructions of the doctor, and sometimes not at all. If I am not in pain, I do not take the medicine. Thus far, there have been no apparent side-effects, nor do I attempt to abuse it in anyway.
It's not about me, though. Well, maybe it is; my own self-consciousness about my limitations, and a desire not to suffer in public, but I think of other's first. I ask myself if I was going to be able to be social, due to my pain, or if I am going to become an object of pity. I might stick it out as a social antagonist, but I will be pitied by no one. I don't want anyone to be "sorry," sorry doesn't help. I would like it if people could be a little more understanding of why I don't get out often. I can straighten myself up, and look kind of normal, but dig it, people, if you aren't looking at me laying in a box, I'm in pain and I don't want pity.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)