Monthly Archives: November 2017

Bitch on Wheels Careens out of Control

November 28, 2017movies, race, the art of narrativeDavid

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, a film by Martin McDonagh. With Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Lucas Hedges. ****1/2 If I could sue a trailer for false advertising, I would sue the one I saw for Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing Missouri, which seems to promise a hilarious comedy in which Frances McDormand releases … Continue reading Bitch on Wheels Careens out of Control →

Mother Battles Daughter. Both Win.

November 22, 2017art, movies, religion, sexDavid

Lady Bird a film by Greta Gerwig. With Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Lucas Hedges, Beanie Feldstein. ****1/2 I was signed up for this movie as soon as I heard it was by Greta Gerwig. Gerwig is a fundamentally odd performer: her roles are weird, her characters offbeat; she is slightly awkward physically, though beautiful and … Continue reading Mother Battles Daughter. Both Win. →

Why Volunteer

November 21, 2017aging, Buddhism, Christianity, religionDavid

I had finished my Thursday volunteering stint at Urban Ministries and was tidying up when Brittany came back. “David, would you mind taking one more person? She says she’s sick.” I said I’d be happy to. I wasn’t in a hurry. “She’s a new client,” she said. The woman who came back didn’t look … Continue reading Why Volunteer →

People Left Behind

November 16, 2017movies, sexDavid

The Florida Project a film by Sean Baker. With Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Prince, Bria Vinalte, Christopher Rivera. ****1/2 The Florida Project is simultaneously a touching tribute to the innocence of childhood and one of the most nerve-wracking movies I’ve ever seen. As these adorable children walked around the grungier parts of Orlando, I kept expecting … Continue reading People Left Behind →

True Love

November 10, 2017aging, Buddhism, death and dying, meditation, religion, sex, spiritualityDavid

Single White Monk: Tales of Death, Failure, and Bad Sex by Shozan Jack Haubner. Shambhala. 208 pp. $14.95. I was not a big fan of Shozan Jack Haubner’s first book, Zen Confidential. I thought it was overwritten, and that he often seemed to be trying too hard. I did appreciate his honesty, and the way … Continue reading True Love →

Can’t Face It Anymore

November 3, 2017aging, Buddhism, Christianity, death and dying, meditation, religion, spiritualityDavid

When the Life Force Can’t Fight the Death Wish I was talking to a friend I meet every week for lunch and we were catching up before we ordered. “I had to go to a funeral this weekend,” Tom said. “I told you my neighbor died, didn’t I?” “I don’t think so,” I said. “How … Continue reading Can’t Face It Anymore →