Five Random Things? (NOTE: Spoilers for a film most of you weren't going to see anyway)

[snurri]

Irony overload: I'm feeling shy about posting my thoughts on shyness. I'll get there, though; probably not 'til next week, on account of I'm going to be traveling for the next few days, but yeah. I'm having thoughts.

I've been on record as not being much of a James Baldwin fan, but if you can find a copy of his story "Sonny's Blues" you ought to read it. I'm working my way through a Norton Anthology of Short Fiction that I must have bought for an English class a decade and a half ago, and that story had me nearly in tears, it's so damn beautiful.

"Don't Tempt Me" AKA Sin noticias de Dios is a film with a clever concept and a stellar cast that ultimately delivers very little. Penelope Cruz and Victoria Abril play a devil and an angle struggling for the soul of a mortal boxer who's neither likable nor interesting. The Heaven/Hell struggle is far more interesting than the story on earth--Heaven is a 1940's black-and-white Paris, overseen by God's bombshell proxy Fanny Ardant, while Hell is America, run by besieged CEO Gael García Bernal. This film, though, was written for Abril and Cruz, and it shows. They get all the meaty lines and most of the sexual tension, leaving nothing for the film's linchpin, the soul everyone wants. That, and the easily-guessed but little-explored twist of Cruz's character, made this a disappointment.

I think the league ought to investigate Roger Clemens for throwing Kryptonite. Something ain't right, there.

Finally, a last-ditch call; anyone reading this going to be in Chicago on Thursday, and want to come along to the Police concert? Due to bad planning on my part I've got an extra ticket. Speak up if you want it.

Comments

[ajjones.livejournal.com]

Curious to hear the shyness thoughts.

[snurri.livejournal.com]

Me too!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_stranger_here/]

Thursday night's tempting, but I don't want to drive to Chicago right now. If you're going to be around, though, you're so very very welcome to pop over to Madison!

Your particual personal variant of shyness is the most interesting shyness I've ever encountered. I'm totally bewildered and intrigued by it.

[snurri.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I'm taking the Amtrak directly to Chicago; I'll ask them to blow the horn when we pass through Madison, though.

Out of curiosity, how do you see my shyness as different from others you've encountered? Could help me shape my thoughts on this . . .

[http://users.livejournal.com/_stranger_here/]

We can have a conversation about it anytime you like, if you want to talk it out; hard for me to put the more subtle points into words, especially on a public website. I've said this before, but I think the way you came to WisCon for years and barely spoke to anyone -- but you kept coming -- is just the coolest (and dorkiest) thing ever. It fascinates me because you're such a bundle of hilarious non-shyness around friends, and it makes me wonder what other awesome people I'm missing because they're all locked up inside themselves.

To people who don't know you well, it may be hard for them to recognise how very shy you are, because you come across as pretty comfortable with yourself. Also, your shyness can be very... focused, on certain situations that keep parts of you shut down even while the rest of you is firing on all cylinders. At least to some extent, though, when you do stop being shy around friends, you really stop being shy. And then you have no shame.

the police

[(Anonymous)]

Wish I could go to the show...sounds like fun. Also, I relate to your brand of shyness. And while I'm commenting here, I'll say that you and your friends are very funny and smart. I enjoy reading your blog. I don't know if livejournal will identify me, but I am a friend of yours on myspace. My name is Hallie (HR).

Re: the police

[snurri.livejournal.com]

Hi Hallie! I recall you from over on that bewildering place called MySpace. Welcome :-)

It seems like there's a lot of interest in the shyness thing. Will have to collect my thoughts on it.