wobble

I watched "Last Kiss" with Zach Braff just now, and it's a Monday night. I'm wild and crazy like that. The flick is thought-provoking in an almost suffocating way. Life is lots of gray. It was a hard movie to watch: slow and painful. The characters are very believable. And, the theme of a crisis at one's 30th birthday seemed relevant when I bought it. There's a strong family (or theme) resemblence between it and Garden State. My brother has never watched Garden State all the way through... and he's tried several times. I took several breaks tonight, but always came back. When I watch or read movies or books with these themes and worldview, I'm so glad I can pray to a God who listens. I always agree with their portrait, but I just there's more than what meets the eye. And, I can deal with this starkness better than forced, unearned happy endings. I think the Christian world view is remarkably spacious thanks to the doctrines of sin and creation. We don't need to be shy around depravity or beauty. As for the movie, I recommend it with some reservation. There's gratuitous sex scenes and it shows a lot of unhappy relationships. But, it shows amazing friendship and raises pertinent questions. Not a good date movie, but maybe a good breakup movie. idk.

I'm not teaching tomorrow!! Even better, I'm staying home to grade writing assessments. I've been loaded down with this dread, and I've been putting it off (yes, the very behavior I chastize my students for). But, on Friday, my principal asked me if I'd like her to get me a substitute and take a day to grade them. I told her yes. I had a much better weekend knowing I had time to do it-- I didn't feel guilty going on a hike. I have ambitious plans for my day-- I don't think it'll take eight hours. But, knowing me, I might be working tomorrow night. We shall see.

As I walked, I realized as ambivalent as I am about my job that I'm happier engaged in a project (teaching 7th grade) than roaming in search mode. I'm more productive and emotionally balanced when working 50+ hours. Perhaps, this has to do with my Scottish genes.