Finally, took me long enough!

So I put off writing for a while as there has been little to write about. So apparently, this is an exception, and a worthy one I think.

Last years big blockbuster, James Cameron's Avatar offers much commentary on militarism, capitalism, racism and the influence those factors have had on the political climate of decades and centuries past where few have brought guns and germs devastating the landscape and the people who lived on them. This story takes place far from our home planet, but in a way, not so far from home, as it is in a way, a very human story.

The Na'vi and their way of life depend deeply on the health of the forests they call home. They live without concern for economy and social class. Their concern is the forest, the lush and gorgeous world of Pandora, where the geography bares similarity to Earth's tropical rain-forests. The creatures and people of Pandora so strange to our eyes much like the flora and fauna of the tropics may have been to European explorers in centuries past.

And much like the conquerors of times past, people from earth, a powerful corporation using military personnel and weaponry, have come for one thing: extracting the mineral unobtanium. Oh so expensive, and whose purpose to the Na'vi remains a mystery, but like the conquerors in history, they cared none about whatever uses petroleum, copper, gold and other minerals had to the indigenous people they took these resources from. Their "need" for X-mineral trumped all concerns for human rights and environmental impact, but who cares? Someone's getting rich!

So, would I say go see it? I'm no cinephile, nor a huge Cameron fan, but I'll say, the effects render a gorgeous looking film, however the character development is alright, though I thought the antagonist Quaritch, to be much like characters in Cameron's other flicks, I.E kind of un-real, they can be sometimes to evil, to smarmy, etc. The change to humans as invading aliens and the Na'vi as defending their home is pretty well executed and not often seen in Sci-Fi.

The other main aspect, the modern man becoming part of a tribal society, and gaining greater respect for the natural world that is his new home. Well, that's been done often before, I.E Ferngully and Dances With Wolves, and while not done poorly, it's not done in a stunningly original way either.
Overall, I liked this film.

Going into 2010, some reflections on 2009

2009 had been my year of change, in that I didn't just try doing a handful of things I had done before, but I lived a new life that gave me direction.

Moving out from home for six-months April to November 2009 to take a job on an organic farm.

Thinking back, I like aspects of the country life. But enjoy it much more so when an exciting city is close by.
In Virginia, the closest small town required a car to get too, 6-miles one way on a very hilly road. In PA, the small town, which had all the necessities we needed, a mile away, accessible by bike, but like W-Town VA, a hilly ride on not so bike-friendly roads either. The exciting city, el capital de estados unidos, 50+ miles away. Compared to el ciudad de bromance, a short, easy train or trolley ride courtesy of SEPTA. All in all though, I'd never want to live for to long a time outside the city, in the country, as well, I get kind of bored, and need to find things to do, restless? maybe, but it's who I am.

Though I started and ended the year with the same change in status: single. But more importantly, I gained something from beginning to end I always needed, and built up what I already have. More confidence, direction, clarity, happiness with oneself.

Losing more weight, starting the year at 185, and ending at 168-172 makes me happy.

I blogged very little, mostly on bike-related stuff, little on much else.
I'm not that much of a blogger I guess, I like writing blogs, though the quirky aspects make them feel odd to write at times, but whatever I still will.

Speaking of writing, I'd like to engage in that more productively. Even learn how to teach it someday, but always make time to just write, write non-fiction, fiction, occasional poetry, whatever, just write! Keep writing! as the Empress with three Fs in her name once said.

Enough for now...
I'm going to do all I can to embrace and enjoy this new year for what it will be. A New Year!