The Most Frustrating Thing

"I-- I don't think I can do this..."

"What's the matter, hon?" She grabbed a napkin to wipe her mouth.

"I just don't think I can do it tonight... it's not happening." His face was flushed with embarassment as he turned away.

"Hey -- look at me -- it's okay." She turned his head by his chin. "Let's just try again tomorrow."

"ARGH! It's so-- ARGH! frustrating when I can't..."

"Shh, shh... I know, dear. It's okay... it's okay." She reached up to stroke his furrowed brow, to run her fingers through his hair. He was perspiring.

"We waited a whole week to do this!"

"I know, I know. It's okay if you can't... This doesn't make you any less of a man."


"Actually, yes, I think it does!"

"You're just frustrated right now. Why don't we take a break and try again in a little bit? Or I can help--" She reached down.

"No. No." He caught her hand and gently pushed it away. "I'm sorry. It's just something I have to overcome mentally."

"Was it something you had for lunch? I don't know why this time is any different from all the other times..." She picked up the discarded wrapper and crumpled it.

"I guess I'm just not as young as I once was. I have to work a little harder now."

"Well, don't hurt yourself. Like I said, it's okay to try again tomorrow."

"I think it's because it got cold."

"I could warm it back up for you."

"I think it'll be alright. I'll just get some ketchup."

"Yeah, that should help."

"This is so embarassing. I mean, how often is a guy unable to finish all of his onion rings?"

That's very informative!

In lieu of actually writing my own post-material, I'd like to share this gorgeous piece of work with you.


Slagsmålsklubben - Sponsored by destiny from Tomas Nilsson on Vimeo.

Future Sight

I'm a terrible person to watch movies with. Especially in theatres.
This is because I like predicting what will happen next...


and then telling anyone within earshot what my guess is.

It goes a little something like this:
[***SPOILER ALERT***]
Spider-Man ACT II
In a heated argument with his Uncle Ben, the man who took him in after his parents were tragically killed in an accident, Peter Parker blurts out (with teenagey angst), "You're not my father!" and leaves his uncle at a loss for words.

me: Too bad that's the last thing he'll say to his uncle.
theatre neighbour: WHAT?!

A few scenes later, a botched mugging results in this prediction* coming true.
*granted I was already familiar with the Spider-Man backstory and the tragic death of his father-figure that spurred Peter towards vigilante heroism.
[***END SPOILER ALERT***]

Every story has a pattern and every genre has conventions it follows. I like it when I'm right; I'm also delighted when my expectations are subverted. Win-win for me. Sorry to all the people I've ever sat next to in a movie theatre.

Life is also full of patterns and conventions, infinitely harder to decipher and decrypt. It continues to surprise me.

Is this something we should all be discussing?

It's that time of year again

when the birds fill the air with their call,
when the snow begins to thaw.
the chill in the air abates and
the Sun breaks through overcast greys.

It is March;
there will be rain.