Reflective Essay

What place will reading and writing have in my future? That is a rather broad question to answer. I definitely have a renewed interest in reading poetry. I have used the composition of poetry for quite some time as a means of personal therapy and creative expression. My reading of poetry, however, has been sporadic at best. It is a vastly under-appreciated art form that I intend to explore with much more fervency. Hopefully through this exploration I can not only gain enjoyment but also develop and improve my own work.
I have also acquired a taste for reading graphic novels. Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis was an intriguing tale and it opened my eyes to a culture I was almost entirely ignorant of. The mention of Art Spiegelman's Maus peaked my interest as well. I am still considering writing (and illustrating) children's books but I like the concept of using a similar medium to convey more mature ideas/subject matter. It is an avenue I had not previously considered.
I'd like to say that I am capable of writing an actual novel (and one worth reading at that) but I'm afraid it isn't true. If the composition of little three and five page papers overwhelms me than I highly doubt I would ever complete a book of any considerable length. My interest in writing is limited pretty much exclusively to the creative end of the spectrum. With that realization in mind I certainly won't be pursuing a career in journalism or the like. I suppose my only hope is to not quit my "day job" and to spend what leisure time I have left (after indulging my love of reading) with pen in hand.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

If I were to do a presentation on a film, my first choice would probably be Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The movie, directed by Michel Gondry, has not only an extremely inventive plotline but incredible cinematography as well. I have watched it numerous times and am always thrilled to discover little nuances that I had previously missed. The use of color, camera angles, sound, and light all add a wonderful texture to the movie. And the idea of being able to start a relationship from scratch (and CHOOSING to do so despite the knowledge that you are both terribly flawed) is an amazing notion. Yet the loss of memories, good and bad, is like losing part of your soul. Who are we but the summation of our experiences? I, for one, though not devoid of regret, would hate to forget any portion of my life. The thought hits heartbreakingly close to home... my grandmother's Alzheimer's progresses more rapidly each day.

A few thoughts on No Country for Old Men that I was unable to get out in class:
The boys at the end of the film seemed at first to be the very picture of morality. Clean cut and willing to give up the shirts off of their backs without asking anything in return. Yet their willingness to lie to the police was startling (they agreed to say that Anton had already left the scene when they arrived). Not to mention the squabbling over the $100 as they walked away. They did not seem the least bit concerned that this strange man was fleeing the scene of an accident.
Also mentioned during our discussion of the movie was the notion that "we are all old men." Every generation is in disbelief of the actions, preferences, etc. of the generations to follow. I emphatically agree. I am only twenty-seven years old and I find myself gawking at young girls today. "I can't believe she's wearing make-up/high-heels/THAT at her age!" It seems like the things I concerned myself with as a child (climbing trees, catching frogs, playing "dress-up") have been replaced with far more "grown-up" activities (shopping, gossiping, dating). Apparently this is no country for young women either.