Posts from — January 2006

Having been under the weather for Sylvester, I watched a couple of movies including Flyerman, a 2003 “official selection” at the Toronto International Film Festival.

I highly recommend this documentary. It covers five years of the life of a soidisant “superhero” who has a flyer and photography business. At first, it seems to be the study of a relationship (and classic disconnect) between a dedicated artist and his more pragmatic father, but it soon reveals something more complicated and distressing: a man eaten up inside for not trying that which he most desires to do, and an understandably frustrated father who may in fact still desire to see his son fulfill his dreams, even if he lacks faith in his ability to do so.

Many of us have burning regrets for not having attempted to succeed in one way or another; the protaganist of Flyerman is unique in that he is candidly aware of his shortcomings. He does not live in denial or blame others, but he still has difficulty altering his bizarre behavior.

This story is inspiring because of its message that even if it is too late to do something great, it is not too late to change your life for the better.

So as Jewschool readers know, I retreated from my earlier position of not celebrating Chanukah, and lit a candle for the final night. And no sooner had I lit when miracles in my own life began to emerge.

For instance, today I went to Old Navy and spent a mere $116 on eleven (that’s right, eleven!) articles of clothing. Now granted, most of these garments were essentially long sleeve T-shirts, but this includes tax!

I love the post-holiday season.