THE SUBSTANCE

Last night, we watched, "The Substance," the new Demi Moore film, for which she has been receiving critical acclaim. It is a horror film, but it also attempts to describe the pain and challenge of growing older as a woman in Hollywood, a topic Moore knows quite well.

The movie includes some science fiction aspects that are quite astonishing, but these aspects seem to be allegorical. Margaret Qualley, in a breakout performance, plays Moore's younger alter ego named Pam, and she steals the show, in my opinion.

The movie is worth watching, but I recommend having the remote handy so you can fast forward through the many gory parts. 

Let's hope we as a society become more comfortable with our aging and our mortality than these characters. I, for one, will not be ordering the Substance!

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

This weekend we saw, " A Complete Unknown," the new Bob Dylan movie that describes his early days in New York and how he became a folk superstar. Timothee Chalamet does a wonderful job starring as Dylan, even singing all the songs in the film. He is supported by an all star cast, including Edward Norton as Pete Seeger and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez.

Not a traditional biopic, this film is focused on a four year period of the early sixties. At that time, folk was the main protest music that young people flocked to during that turbulent time marked by the threat of nuclear war, a presidential assassination, a racial reckoning, and an impending war that would take thousands of American and Vietnamese lives. During that time, there was also a split in the musical community as the traditional folks performers sought to turn back the oncoming tide of rock and roll.

The film does not explain why Dylan chose to go electric despite being based on the book, "Dylan Goes Electric," but it is clear that his doing so was quite divisive to the musical community. At his heart, though Dylan was his own man, a true rolling stone.

I left the film with a much greater appreciation for the times in which he got his start, his life, and his music. I think you'll enjoy it, too!

SAY NOTHING

The Civil War in Ireland, known as "The Troubles," was one of the defining events in Western Europe at the end of the 20th century. While I was aware of that history on a cursory basis, I did not appreciate the full tragedy of that war or the impact it had on the people of Northern Ireland. Therefore, it was wonderful to see that Patrick Radden Keefe's book, "Say Nothing," had been adapted to a limited series for Hulu.

I had not read the book. However, after watching the series, I am very tempted to pick it up. Rather than providing a 10,000 foot view of the Troubles, the series drills down on the lives of several key participants. Two sisters are featured prominently, and it is incredible to see them literally grow up in front of our eyes as time passes and to see them take very divergent paths. I will not spoil the story, but "Say Nothing" humanizes war, terror, injustice, and desperation like few books or shows I have seen. I highly recommend it and look forward to seeing what Mr. Radden Keefe writes next!

INTERMEZZO

 

Sally Rooney has been called the first great Millennial writer. I am not sure about that claim, but I do know that I love her writing. I have read her previous books, "Conversations with Friends," "Normal People," and "Beautiful World Where are You." Recently, I also finished her newest book that was just released, "Intermezzo."

On the surface "Intermezzo" is a tale of two brothers - Ivan and Peter Koubek. However, there are several other important characters - most notably the brothers' love interests. In the book, Ivan begins a relationship with a much older Margaret while Peter is ensconced in a love triangle of sorts with his former girlfriend and soulmate, Sylvia, and a much younger woman near Ivan's age named Naomi.

The men are clearly damaged - from their upbringings, the loss of their father recently, and the harshness of life and the world. Neither knows how to navigate this complexity, and each struggles mightily to overcome his demons.

"Intermezzo" feels like the best of Rooney so far, but it is also her saddest book. However, that saddens is undergirded by a hopefulness. As the story unravels, the reader learns that one way - perhaps the only way - to survive the pain and chaos around us is simply by being with other  people and letting them into our lives fully. It is a valuable life lesson for someone so young and with so much life ahead of her to impart. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

NEGATIVE REVIEW OF SYSTEMS

Today, I had my colonoscopy. The lead up and drinking the prep fluid was as unpleasant as I remembered from my prior procedure. However, I know the importance of this test and gladly presented to the ambulatory center today after cleansing my colon.

When I was waiting to be taken back for this procedure, I was queried by several medical providers in the pre-op area nabout my medical history. In response to question after question, I answered, "no," because I do not have medical problems currently and am not taking medications currently.

My heart rate was in the 40s, which would normally cause alarm in a medical visit. My providers though inquired if I exercised vigorously. I explained that I did run every day and that my heart rate is usually in the 50s. They marked that down and moved on.

Both these experiences remind me how lucky I am to have my health and to have lived a healthy and mostly problem-free 51 years. One never knows when that might change, so I will celebrate my health today and try to remember to celebrate it each and every day!

BRRR!

This week saw sub-zero temperatures for several days that were even colder when one factors in wind chill, as evidenced by the thermometer in my car shown above.

We all hunkered down, and I even skipped my daily outdoor runs on several days due to fear of frostbite. Fortunately, temperatures climbed today into the balmy 20s. I was back out there again with multiple layers! I am not sure I can take these temperatures on annual basis for the rest of my life, but I consider myself grateful that we have been spared these temperatures the past five winters.

Needless to say, we will be going someplace warm for Spring Break this March!

ANORA

Many movies focused on sex workers are either depraved downward spirals or Hollywood feel good stories. "Anora" is neither of this, and quite possibly the best film ever to tackle this subject matter. It is the best movie from 2024 that have seen!

At its core, the movie is about the American Dream and who gets to live that dream. Unless one is born into privilege and has the backing of one's family or extended network, achieving financial security and social stability is nearly impossible. Fundamentally, I believe those were the key issues that people voted on last year and that ushered the least qualified president in human history back into office.

The title, "Anora," is the name of the main character, who prefers to go by Ani. She comes from modest means, living in Brooklyn with her sister and earning a living as a stripper. When the son of a Russian oligarch offers her a way out, she leaps at it!

I will not divulge more details. However, what follows is partly a home invasion thriller, road movie, and a love story all rolled into one. That the director, Sean Baker, is able to seamlessly cover so much ground and keep the audience riveted during the the two plus hours of the film is quite remarkable.

See "Anora" to understand the time we live in now and to understand more about yourself. There is a humanity and a universality to Anora, and I find it hard to get this movie and its namesake out of my mind.

SEIZING THE DAY

Sometimes it is difficult to appreciate how quickly one's children are growing up. This was not one of those days. 

Cate left for a soccer tournament in Arizona on Thursday with Kathleen. The Tigers played their first game yesterday. Cate scored the first goal. After the other team pulled one back, Cate converted a penalty as cool as you like to make it 2-1!

The Tigers added a third to secure a 3-1 victory.

Beyond the win, though something even more important had been taking place behind the scenes. We were aware that there would be several college coaches attending the tournament to scout players. However, unbeknownst to us, Cate had reached out to one of the coaches from a highly selective school beforehand and expressed her interest in that school and that team. As a result, the coach came to see her play. 

What happened afterwards was even more astonishing. Cate went up the coach and introduced herself and shared her interested in the school and the subjects she was passionate about. He complemented her, talked about the academic advantages of the school, and invited her for a school visit. She was so excited afterwards that she called us from the car to let us know what had happened! I was in awe!

I could not be more impressed by Cate's proactiveness and her self-advocacy. Pursuing your dreams is scary, especially when one does not have a good guide who has navigated that terrain, themselves. I know I often struggle with putting myself out there due to imposter syndrome. However, I have learned time and time again that achieving one's dreams is 90% hard work and just showing up. The other 10% is about luck, but we make our own luck! 

I am so proud of this young woman, who is growing up before our eyes. I know she has a bright future ahead of her, and I feel so lucky to be able watch her grow and take off!

THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Today is Nicholas' last day of winter break. It has been wonderful having him home these past four weeks, and we definitely fit a lot in!

We traveled to Texas, where we celebrated Christmas and New Years together. We went on many walks together. We watched a ton of movies. My favorite was "Real Pain." We listened to many podcasts - particularly those from Pop Culture Happy Hour, reviewing the movies we had just watched. We went out to to eat. Indeed, this morning we headed downtown and had a wonderful brunch at Sava's. Afterwards, we headed to Starbuck's for a drink.

These quotidian moments are what I miss the most when he is gone - that and interacting daily with a close friend who understands and accepts me.

I will miss Nicholas these next two months until his Spring break, but I know that he has an exciting semester ahead of him with amazing classes, journalism opportunities, and college life. 

Life is about letting go, but it also about holding on to the simple but beautiful experiences we are fortunate to share with our loved ones everyday. I consider myself very lucky to have had nearly 20 years with this fine young man. I hope I get at least 20 more!