Sunday, May 25, 2008

Rearranging things

2006 - Mom throws a fit to end all fits and I decide to convince Audrey that it is time we move out. We do, almost coinciding with our grandparents' deaths.

2007 - I get fired from my first job. We get internet at our apartment. Audrey meets Shaun. I get a new job. Audrey brings Sharon to live with us. Audrey and Shaun's relationship deepens. I get hired back from the same job I'd been fired from earlier in the year. Audrey decides to move in with Shaun and leaves to do so on Christmas Eve.

2008 - Tim informs me of the issue of my living with Sharon and how it affects my standing as a youth leader. Instead of doing as he said, I give in to the temptation of Sharon's aid. I later abuse my youth leader status by letting a youth girl visit me while we are both unchaperoned. I am asked to step down. Sharon leaves.

And suddenly, I can think again. I didn't really need Sharon's assistance. And something was up with her finances: $7 an hour she was making with 40 hours a week, yet she remained broke. I once had similar hours and pay rate, and I was making over $250 a week. If I was making that now, I'd really have no financial worries. But no matter, the important thing is she is gone, and so are her annoyances and overuse of my utilities.

It was reccomended to me that I join my Church's college and career group, but for a long time, I resisted. I'd remembered one time I had attempted to join, but I felt unwelcome. However, this time, a member of the group reached out to me and I have already been attending the cell group for two weeks.

I am still attempting to re-organize my life after everything that has changed. However, I am also aware that life never gets to a state of "normal." I suppose the option of returning to youth leadership may be open now, but I would prefer to wait until I enter employment that will allow me to accompany the youth group on more of their trips and events. It is really unfair that I wasn't allowed by circumstances to do so before. I know those kids miss me.

I've rambled enough.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Picnic at Hanging Rock

So, I recently watched this brilliant film from Australia. It was brought to my attention by Sam Milazzo, an e-mail friend of mine from Maroubra, Australia.

The film centers around the mystery of the disappearance of three schoolgirls and a teacher on Hanging Rock, or Mount Diogenes. After the dissappearance, which happens about thirty minutes into this two-hour spellbinder, the film continues to deal with the students and staff at the college, as well as the local townspeople who are affected by the dissappearance of the girls and the teacher.

The film's slow pace for once works in it's favor, creating a bewitching viewing experience. It is even more highlighted by the beauty of Australia, and the beauty and terror of Hanging Rock itself.

We are never told in the film what became of the missing people, although one of the girls is recovered.

One wonderful thing about this film is how differently it can be interpreted. Is it an actual tale, or an allegory? And if it is, what does it mean?

One interpretation could be drawn from one of the lines in the opening scenes, spoken to the orphan Sara by the bewitching Miranda (who is one of the girls who disappears), "You must learn to love someone else apart from me, Sara. I won't be here much longer."

It could be seen as an allegory on growing up. Miranda could be seen as Sara's best childhood friend who walks out of her life, warning Sara that it will happen. Maybe the vanishing represents death or a loss of contact. Despite these warnings, Sara doesn't adjust and the loss of Miranda hits her hard.

In this case, headmistress Mrs. Appleyard is similar, except she frivously tries to follow the missing people and meets her own death because of it.

Thus, we see that "Picnic at Hanging Rock" is a multi-layered alloegory: there is no one meaning to it.

Definitely a classic.