tmpiper

What They Say, What They Mean

Fri, 21 Apr 2017 14:44:30 GMT

When they say "This changes everything" they mean it may change a few minor details, but basically no significant difference.

When they say "The best ever!" they mean it was okay.

When they say "The [X] you didn't know you needed" they actually mean I am hoping you'll ignore the fact you don't actually need it, you probably don't even want it.

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Stop Making Excuses

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 15:31:46 GMT

~~Please don't get confused between my personality and my attitude. My personality is who l am and my attitude depends on who you are.~~

I profoundly disagree with this sentiment and interpret it as a copout. Here is why:

You, and you alone, should determine your attitude. To give the power over yourself to another with this excuse is to fail to accept responsibility for you. Besides that? Why give someone else the ability to influence you to that degree?

Grow up! Be the adult in a conflict! Don't let them move you from your position of peace as they rant and rave. Believe me ... this will make a far bigger impression than you childishly matching their dyspeptic mood.

Last of all? Aren't there enough assholes in the world? Why add one more to the mix?

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Some Basic Rules For Adults

Tue, 18 Apr 2017 21:04:19 GMT

Don't put it in crazy, don't let crazy in (as appropriate).
Never argue with the weather.
Deeds over words.
True friends are like diamonds, watch their backs and they'll watch yours.
Once you start shooting you can't go back to talking.
Similarly, don't pull it unless you intend to use it.
Don't let your mouth write checks your body can't cash.
If you can't take a hit, don't throw a punch.
You don't have to raise your voice to make yourself heard, and you don't have to be jerk just because someone is being a jerk to you.
Know where and with whom you're welcome. If you find yourself unwelcome? Quickly and politely leave.

Just a few random thoughts I may or may not add to.

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Of Heroes & Heroism, A Look At the Teaser for "The Last Jedi"

Tue, 18 Apr 2017 14:51:37 GMT

I watch the teaser trailer Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi and I'm filled with excitement for the new film. Of course, then the inevitable fan response starts up about how awful the film was going to be. The teaser trailer, sort of a trailer for a trailer (and what's up with that, anyway?) is about 2 minutes and some change long. And good slice of that is taken up with a fade-in to the logo and other transitional effects. And yet, based upon this, there are folks who are absolutely certain, by their own strongly stated words, this film will stink.

I don't get it, but I suppose that doesn't matter either. The likelihood is high I'll go and see 'em as long as they keep making them. I mean, I kept watching through the prequels! I just like Star Wars, I enjoy the escape from reality. This is the whole reason I enjoy the movies, as well as a great deal of the other types of entertainment I spend time and money on. I get a giant dose of reality at work, I don't go home and watch pseudo-reality television, too. Nothing like holding a dead newborn in your hands and watching hopeful parents fall to pieces as their dreams lay shattered before them to get every bit of reality you need. I want, maybe even need isn't too strong a word here, to have a bit of healthy and totally off-the-wall fantasy. A dragon is fearsome and scary, seemingly unbeatable by mortals, and yet a good fantasy always ends with the hero triumphant and the wyrm slain.

This is why I'm not a fan of whole bad boy or girl stories so many are taken with. I laughed at Deadpool's off-beat sense of humor but it wasn't my "favorite film evar" or "what superhero movies should be" as it was for a lot of folks. Similarly, I enjoyed Suicide Squad but would be fine if they never returned to that particular franchise again. I want heroes. Flawed heroes I can live with, but in the end I want to see them redeem themselves through great hardship and sacrifice and then go on to save the day.

I'm okay with what people love. Or don't love. I don't quite understand why we must either love something or hate it. I've always been okay with "it was okay but not my favorite" or "I didn't care for it but I'll watch the sequel" though I don't hear much of that from folks today. Instead, we live in a world where a visionary film-maker makes minor changes to film (ones he always wanted to be in there) and gets bona fide death threats for (as they put it) "major" changes to a beloved part of [that fan's] childhood.

Perhaps fans, both casual and hardcore, should ponder Lucas' oft-stated observation which he reinforced at the 40th Anniversary celebration of Star Wars, then try to recapture their sense of wonder.

Star Wars was written for 12 year olds.

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Welcome Back?

Fri, 14 Apr 2017 16:28:50 GMT

I'm going to try 'blogging again after some time away from it. If you knew me on LJ, I'm the same TMPiper as over there. This is just a space-holding post for now. I'll try to be a bit more meaningful in the future.

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