What Shingles taught me...

Getting shingles kinda sucked. I got it on the right side of my head right at the beginning of this semester. From beginning to end, it lasted about 6 weeks, with differing levels of pain/annoyance. This is what I learned from this experience...

1. I learned what shingles is: It is a flare up of the virus that causes chicken pox. Apparently when you get chicken pox, the virus never dies and stays dormant in your body...and it randomly manifests itself in the form of shingles. It attacks a nerve strand (or two), which is why mine had a definite line down the middle of my forehead. It isn't clinically proven, but the cause of shingles is usually stress related.

2. I learned that drugs can really mess you up: Yes, I definitely needed the drugs to get through it, but narcotics and ambien and steroids can do a number on you. My attitude was changed, and in the words of my boss, "Richie, it's like you're not the same person anymore." Don't abuse drugs, because I'm pretty sure it will mess up your life.

3. I learned to go to sleep after taking Ambien: A few times I stayed up talking to a friend, or working on homework. I ended up "drunk dialing" people a few times and leaving absurd messages. I also sent out a few emails that I don't really remember writing. I even made a facebook group in my comatose.

4. I learned that I'm loved: The response from family and friends was amazing. I've always known that I was loved, but having this support just validated it.

5. I learned the power of prayers on your behalf: I actually could feel that people were praying for me. I felt strength and I didn't feel alone a lot of the time. I gained a testimony of receiving help from the prayers of others. I also realized how important it is for me to pray for others, because it DOES help.

6. I learned how much I love to smile and laugh: The sickness was such that it actually physically hurt to laugh or even smile. The headaches were bad, but after laughing, they just got worse. Being "chill" for that long got depressing and I missed being happy-go-lucky.

7. I learned to take it slow: It's ok not to run through the flashing hand at an intersection crosswalk and wait for the next green light. I don't have to run in between classes.

8. I learned how expensive it is to go to the doctor's even if you have insurance: good thing I did though. I would probably be blind in my left eye if I didn't.

9. I learned that I really need to rely on the Lord: I was definitely humbled, and when I began to think that I was doing great (emphasis on the word "I"), the Lord reminded me that He is in control.

It was hard, and I don't think I would ever want shingles ever again, but I am grateful for these lessons learned. I hope I got everything I needed to out of it and that the pain was not in vain.

Mary on U.S. Airways

On one of my many flights this summer, I met Mary. Mary was one of the flight attendants (I think that is the PC term). She was probably the least attractive flight attendant I have ever seen. Her hair was frizzy, she had a large nose, scarred skin, and large glasses. With this being said, I couldn't help but notice her countenance. She was a real person and she was soaking with sincerity. When she talked to people, she wasn't overly polite. Believe it or not, I have had the opportunity to work with many people this summer who are the exact opposite; I never realized how much insincerity and fakeness bothered me.

I didn't get in a conversation with her; the only time I talked to her was when I was ordering my drink, so I didn't have much interaction with her, but I was still very impressed. As the flight was coming to an end, I felt as though I needed to communicate to her these thoughts and impressions that I had. I pulled out a piece of scratch paper and basically wrote--

Mary,

I just wanted to say thank you for who you are. In the two hours that I have been on this flight, I have noticed how genuine you are. I can tell that you have a sincere concern for others. Thank you for being so real, I truly appreciate it.

-Richie Uminski

As I was leaving the flight, she was standing in the back, so I reached past a few people and had someone pass it down to her. She looked confused as she opened the paper. As I was walking away, I heard her say, "That is so sweet." She then got on the intercom and said, "Thank you for the note. That really means a lot to me. That really is special."

It pretty much made my day. As sappy as this all may sound, I really was walking on clouds for the next few hours knowing that I was able to make someone's day a little brighter. I was just honestly appreciative to see someone who wasn't trying to be something that they weren't.

Addictions

I hear people can get addicted to the blogging world, so I afraid to begin. Maybe it will give me a reason to not be on facebook so much...or play Ticket to Ride online. I've recently started playing, and it's so easy to not be productive and kick the cyber world's trash.

I am not addicted to Diet Coke, as opposed to what others may think. I put a 12 pack in my fridge on Monday, and didn't open it until just yesterday (friday).

I think I am addicted, however, to Little Miss Sunshine. Why did no one introduce me to this movie long ago? I saw it for $8 and thought it looked interesting and had a good cast, but I have decided to be better. I have a borderline addiction to buying movies, and I have a fault where I buy cheap movies I've never seen and then they turn out to be horrendous (aka Made of Honor, Drillbit Taylor, Rumor Has It). I told Amber this and she said, "that was dumb. Little Miss Sunshine is amazing."

So the next time I was in the store, I bought it.




I trust Amber's taste. We are sometime the same person, just in male/female form. I also have a habit (I'm not really sure if it's an addiction though) to falling asleep to movies. So that night (tuesday), at 2:00 in the morning (after having played 10 games of Ticket to Ride ), I decided to fall asleep to my new movie. Did I fall asleep? The answer would be no. I was SO enthralled the entire movie.

The next night (wednesday...in all reality 16 hours later) I watched it again with Mark and Kristen.

The following night (thursday) I watched the first commentary.

The following night (friday-last night) I watched the second commentary.

I wish there was another commentary I could watch tonight. Maybe I'll watch it in fullscreen.

I even spent the most on a t-shirt that I have ever spent, and I don't even look good in yellow.


Why do I love this movie? Let me list the ways, and I'll try not to give away any spoilers for those who have not seen it--


1. It is real. Nearly everything about this movie speaks reality. Even when circumstances are extreme, they are portrayed in such a way that they are believable.



2. The acting is unbelievably entertaining, consistent and true. The six main characters are so much fun to watch and see how they interact and react with each other. I want to be a part of this family. And everyone else, from the two cops, to the grievance consultant, to the waitress and to the pageant technician Kirby- all do an amazing job at being committed to their characters.



3. The pictures. I can't express how beautiful almost every single shot is. I'm not an expert at film making, but the little experience I have, I understand how hard it is to get such expressive and interesting shots. Maybe you don't know, but it is hard to hit your mark, ok? My favorites include when Richard is talking to Olive right after dinner, the walk up the stairs in the hotel room, and with Dwayne on the side of the highway. I could watch this movie without any audio and I would still love it.


4. After watching the commentaries, I love this movie even more. It took six years from start to finish to create. It was directed by a husband and wife (Jonathon Dayton and Valerie Faris) and it was their FIRST feature film. unbelievable. It was written by Michael Arndt...also his first time writing. It had an extremely low budget, and it was shot in 30 days...with a child actress who could only shoot during certain hours of the day. It was shot completely on location...and all of the van scenes were extremely uncomfortable for the cast and crew...but they never complained (at least to the directors).

5. The themes presented are real, they are important, and they are applicable. Here, every character has a dream crushed in some way...some of them are huge dreams...and in the end, well, I won't say.

6. The characters are so easily connected to. Each one I relate to in a different way from different moments in my own life. Dwayne's facade, the way Richard's good intentions go wrong, Sheryl's efforts to keep everything connected, Frank's sudden humility, Grandpa's bluntness, and Olive's innocence.


7. The music. It's perfect. Absolutely perfect.

8. The colors. From the black and white in Dwayne's bedroom, to the matching colors of Richard and Sheryl's shirts in the kitchen, to the cloudy harbor, to the bright yellow BMW bus. They all add to the film.

9. This might be one of the things I love most of all-- the dialogue is not indicative. One of the things that bothers me the most in TV and Movies is when people say things to establish plot or history or foreshadowing. We all know people would not really speak like that. "Remember that one time that we said..." or "So so-and-so did that because he thought..." When the characters speak in this movie, it is legit and it is real. Yes, exposition takes place in the dialogue, but you don't pick up on it because of how well it is written. Maybe that's why it won an Oscar for it's writing?

10. The facial expressions and the glances between characters.


11. The journey and arcs of the characters. I began absolutely detesting one of the characters, but by the end, my thoughts had completely changed.

12. The clarity of the exposition, the inciting incident, the rising action, the climax (and what an AMAZING climax it is), and the denouement.

13. The fact that it is funny because it is real, not because they are trying to be funny.

14. I love how this a mature film, but you're not depressed by the end of it.

This film almost makes me want to go into film. almost.