Sacrifice

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one." - Spock, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

While I may be quoting Star Trek, I am actually going to talk about Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. However, before I get into the decision to start with that quote, I will tell you that the movie is visually and technically spectacular. There was enough screen time from minor characters that they were noticed, but not overdone or left out and the lightheartedness was appropriate throughout the first three quarters of the film and thankfully avoided in the last quarter for obvious reasons. Yes, a lot of the book was left out of the film, but I do not think that the lost scenes or dialogue were necessary.

In a book, exposition and explanation are used over several pages to say something that could be done on film in a matter of moments. Scenes were added, deleted and changed, but these scenes did not ruin the overall storytelling nor did it allow the core plot of the story to fall apart.

In essence, Half Blood Prince - like the previous movies - deals with Harry's understanding of the sacrifices that were made for him and because of him. I think that Harry finally comes to terms with the true meaning of sacrifice. He knew his mother died for him, causing Voldemort to be defeated the first time. He knew that Cedric Diggory died for him in an attempt to save his life in the graveyard. And when Dumbledore allowed himself to be killed by Snape (something that the reader learns in the final book had been planned for some time), Harry finally understood that he needed to survive in order to stop Voldemort.

This sacrifice is akin to Obi-Wan Kenobi allowing Darth Vader to kill him so Luke Skywalker could gain the confidence to use the Force. It is also not unlike Gandalf the Grey sacrificing himself to the Balrog in order to allow the Fellowship to escape. And, of course, it is like Spock sacrificing himself to save the crew of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek II (Wow. Three Sci-Fi / Fantasy references in one paragraph. Proud to be a geek.).

I think that Harry started to realize his mother's sacrifice in HBP when he is speaking with Professor Slughorn. Slughorn had been fond of Lily and Harry had figured that out. He begged Slughorn for the real memory to honor Lily's memory, so that her sacrifice would not have been in vain. Eventually, Slughorn conceded and gave Harry what he needed to know.

People make sacrifices every day. Some on a much grander scale than others and some that are simple and mundane. Either way, let us remember that they are all sacrifices and should never be taken in vain.

Hypocritical Cynic

You might ask yourself, what exactly is that? Well, I feel that I'm a cynic because I think that the media is oversaturating the public with information and coverage of Michael Jackson. I'm not saying that it's a terrible thing, but isn't there other news happening in the world? I mean, Kim Jung Il was firing nuclear missiles and the news doesn't care? I know they care, but it seems that now nothing else matters.

And now comes the hypocritical part.....I'm actually watching (well, listening) to the coverage live on CNN.com. I'm just like all the other people around the world that are curious about the coverage and everything that will be happening during the procession from Forest Lawn to the Staples Center and what will happen during the service itself.

Again, I'm not saying it's a bad thing that there is all of this coverage, but some people have been saying that this could be the most watched event in history - even more people watching than the inauguration of Barack Obama...in January! So, now, just six months later, we are having yet another event that will be more watched? Is that entirely possible?

There have been several events of this nature, but none as embedded as this. One of the largest events in the past was the funeral for John F. Kennedy. Yes, it was on television, but definitely not being shown live around the world. After that was the death of Elvis Presley. The coverage of his death and funeral was similar to Michael's, but again, not to the extent as to what is going on today.

Because of the social media craze that is around the world in this day and age, information spreads almost instantly. This instant information has made it much easier for people to get the facts (and unfortunately, the rumors) as quickly as you can imagine. I was reading that a lot of different streams are offering live video of the event. Everyone from Hulu, MySpace and CNN. MySpace? Really? Do people really run to MySpace for news and information? Who knew.

Lastly, despite my cynicism, I have to admit that Michael Jackson did something that only a few artists have ever done. People like Michealangelo with the Sistine Chapel, The Beatles, Elvis Presley and many other artists and entertainers that leave and indelibe mark on the world. Michael Jackson left his mark with his music. He was an amazing performer and songwriter and he deserves the honors that everyone offers.

The King of Pop, The Queen of Hearts and The Jack of All Trades

The date: 2030
The game: Trivial Pursuit
The Category: Arts and Entertainment
The Question: Who was the actress that died on the same as Michael Jackson?

Pause 15 seconds for everyone to ponder and not answer.

Farrah Fawcett.

Now, I'm not saying that the world has forgotten Farrah already, but it seemed that yesterday morning was dedicated to her memory and the fact that she lost her battle with cancer. Stories left and right on the Internet about her life and how she lived. However, when news broke of Michael Jackson being rushed to the hospital, Farrah's stories disappeared into the ether, along with her.

Again, I'm not saying that it's wrong to talk about Michael Jackson. Plus, people will say that Farrah had been in the media spotlight for some so sorry news broke of her cancer. But I feel so sorry for Farrah's family and friends who were already in mourning just to be pushed aside by the media as they rushed to cover the death of the Pop Icon.

Now, despite Michael's personal troubles (the scandals, the debt and everything else), I still liked his music. He was a good soul that tried to help everyone and so was Farrah. They were so different and so alike at the same time. They share a death day, but they also share a passion for what they loved.

And as much as I was not a teenager in the seventies with a poster in my room, I think we all need to remember Farrah in all of this as well.

And let's not forget that deaths usually come in threes. Who was the first of this trio? Ed McMahon, of course. He was a consummate professional that sat at Johnny Carson's side for thirty years. He was considered a sidekick for a long time - first to Johnny and later to Dick Clark, but Ed McMahon was a comedic strongman. His timing was impeccable and his laugh was unforgettable. He, along with Farrah and Michael will truly be missed. They are three legends who could never be replaced, though many will surely try.

Rest in peace to three amazing people and two that died way before their time.

A New Layout

I was getting bored with the other layout and saw on another blog a link to PYZAM.com. It's a pretty cool website with A TON of backgrounds for blogger and myspace. I would have preferred a background of Ireland (and not Kathy Ireland), but I couldn't find anything. Instead, I went with my something else that I love - castles. If I could live in a castle, I would - modernized, of course, but I would still live there.

Anyways....not much to report today, just felt like changing my background.

To Boldly Go . . . . .

I went and saw Star Trek over the weekend. Being somewhat of a Trekkie, I knew what was different from the original series and movies and what was similar and my own personal opinion of those differences. However, I also knew that J.J. Abrams (of LOST fame) was directing the film and that gave me hope that the movie would not fall flat on its face. Let me tell you . . . it did not.

It was a great film, visually, of course, but the story itself was magnificent. Abrams and his writers did a great job of creating a story that allows the viewer to see moments that refer back to the original series and the character's mannerisms, but it was also a story that could stand on its own, even without anyone needing to see any of the original series or movies.

I found myself mesmerized by the new take on the characters that each of the younger actors brought to the film and can see them making several more with this "new" crew.

Almost every person that I have talked to also enjoyed it, and I have a lot of friends that liked the original series and movies, so that's a testament to the ability of Abrams and his team for making a movie that would be suitable to reboot the franchise once more and appeal to the millions of people from the past two generations that have loved it.

Live long and prosper.

The Guy Next Door beats out Guy-liner

Okay, I admit it. When I first heard that Kris Allen had been named the American Idol, I was disaappointed. Maybe not as disappointed as Joanna, but still. However, after listening to both young men in interviews afterward, I have come to realize that Kris, while not the right choice, is still a good choice. He is very talented and versitile in his abilities. However, there is something about the overly theatrical, crazy-haired, nail polish wearing guy from San Diego. He's got an amazing voice and I think that America wanted to hear him do an album that he wanted to do, not an album that Clive Davis (the guy who produces each debut album of the winner) wants.

As some people know, Clive Davis has been very controlling when it comes to those debut albums, picking music that may or may not be something that the Idol would choose. But the opinion of the Idol doesn't count. As long as they are under contract (usually averaging just over a year and one album), they have to do what Clive Davis says.

In this way, America was saving Adam from having to have his musical ability stunted and deflated by a guy that probably looks at him and his willingness to change classic songs as more of a "scream contest entry".

Let America have Kris Allen. He's a good person with great values and a good head on his shoulders. Plus, he seems more willing to take the advice of Clive Davis. Not that Adam wouldn't, mind you. I just think that Adam would be more prone to not listening to that advice and Kris is more apt to listen to him.

Red Bull - It Gives You Wings

Sometimes when I’m extremely tired, and I get a Red Bull, it doesn’t always work. And yet, it should. Liquid Speed is supposed to wake you up. Liquid Speed is supposed to help you concentrate. But I’m still tired. And I just want to go back to sleep. What is it about Red Bull that makes people think it works? Maybe it never worked, but all of the advertising and marketing has led us to believe in the hype. Maybe it’s all psychosomatic and it doesn’t help us at all. We just think our energy is increasing and therefore we work a little harder, do more and keep going.

It’s all a conspiracy, then, with all of the energy drinks. Though, honestly, I haven’t tried any of the other energy drinks. Maybe it’s just with Red Bull. Or maybe I’ve had it so many times over the years that I have built up immunity to Red Bull’s effects and therefore it no longer provides me with the energy that I require to get through the day. Who knows?