Holiday break - and another heart break

Over the holiday break I watched some movies and read most of a book. In these stories, a recurring theme of 'follow your passion' or 'use your time, here it's precious' presented itself to me at the end of year. Telling me to get to it in 2009, I suppose. 'It' meaning my own life's true passion and calling.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" was a wonderful movie . I want to watch it again. During the movie he mentions a few times that opportunities taken or not, fateful turns and being true to oneself are important to pay attention to, time marches on and there are really no second chances. So we best get to being our own true selves NOW - is what went unsaid. The F. Scott Fitzgerald short story this movie is based on would be a fun read. The movie is long, but without a wasted moment and I highly recommend it.

"Man on Wire" was an incredible documentary on DVD. For me, someone who is terrified of heights, whoa, it is, as they say in the Princess Bride, inconceivable. Almost hard to believe what this man and his team pulled off, but it's all true! And if there was ever a person on this earth who lived purely in the moment and unflinchingly followed his passion, well Phillipe Petit is the guy. This Frenchman is the real deal, and thus begs the question: is this guy a role model or clearly insane or both. I don't think he cares what you think - he's in love with what he does. Must be.

"Ghost Rider" is a book by Neal Peart, the drummer and lyricist for the Canadian classic rock band RUSH. His memoir is about his lengthy journey on a BMW motorcycle all over the western hemisphere in search of himself shortly after suffering the loss of his daughter and then his wife in the span of 12 months. Neal also talks about his admiration for the writer Jack London, his hero, who's credo is simple: life is short, time is precious, so use it well. Jack died at the age of 40. Neal, the 'ghost writer' and 'ghost rider' talks a lot about the 'that person he used to be' but is no longer and his need to find a place in real life again. Wow, a lot of his statements are seemingly taken directly from my own mind.

Then, earlier this week, the real world reared back and returned with a bitch slap to the face which stings worse from the salty tears.

I wrote this email Tuesday (1/6/9) night:

Chris Proffitt is a former x-country team mate of Charlie's. He and his family have been a big source of encouragement and support through the years. Chris ran some training runs and races with me before the SF Marathon two years ago and has always had kind words and great memories to share of Charlie and our trips to the freshman XC meets together. He's on the UC Irvine track team and keeps me posted. His mom, Trish, organized the talent show at the middle school where Charlie's garage band, Scrap Metal, won first place. She let me know this sad news yesterday...

Another one of Chris' friends and XC H.S. team mates (same class as Charlie), Jerry MacCallister, had a dirt bike accident on Jan 2 and is currently paralyzed. He's had two surgeries, but so far all he can do is blink. I don't know Jerry personally but I have seen him run. I will visit him in the TCU at Santa Clara Valley Med Ctr (same hospital, same wing Misao was in) tomorrow after work to give him some encouragement.

If you think 2009 is going to be tough for you (..and pretty much I think we all do!), just stop and think for a moment what this young man and his family are fighting for right now.

You never know.

http://followingjerry.blogspot.com/

Please take care,
--Scott;
""

Further info:

Here's what happened:
http://www.riderdown.org/forum/showthread.php?s=d6ffe176c06109a5d2beb6d5edc5eb73&t=1460


And the Facebook group to follow Jerry:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44783796493

And I posted this just tonight after visiting them.
""
I met Jerry, Dennis and Katie for the first time at the hospital this evening. The SCVMC hospital that's all too familiar to me, since I watched my own wife walk out of there after a serious car accident just ten months ago. Jerry looked me in the eyes and seemed bright and alert, but a bit perplexed by the strange man with too much to say who came to visit. Jerry - I hope to let you do all the talking on my next visit. Dennis and Katie both are strong, courageous and very compassionate parents who obviously have tremendous faith. We all want to see the miracle happen here and see this brave young man continue to recover. Take it one day at a time and feel the love from everyone pulling for you.
Be Well!
--Scott;
January 8, 2009 12:02 AM
""

Katie, Jerry's mom, posted a blog entry about finally being able to communicate with Jerry enough to know he wanted to hear his Zune, and he wanted to hear music for 'Death Cab for Cutie'. I saw the post and googled for the group and from a list of about 50 songs clicked on one of them randomly to see the lyrics.

These are the lyrics I read:

http://www.metrolyrics.com/all-is-full-of-love-lyrics-death-cab-for-cutie.html

All is Full of Love (apparently a remake of a Bjork song)

you'll be given love
you'll be taken care of
you'll be given love
you have to trust it
maybe not from the sources
you've poured yours
into
maybe not
from the directions
you are
staring at
twist your head around
it's all around you
all is full of love
all around you
all is full of love
you just ain't receiving
all is full of love
your phone is off the hook
all is full of love
your doors are all shut
all is full of love


And here it is on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqHPgFygMkk

Wow. Is that both powerful and haunting, or what?

My thoughts and prayers are with Jerry and his family. Godspeed in your recovery.
You are one brave young man.