LEAVE the WORLD BEHIND

Leave the World Behind (2023) directed by Sam Esmail, is a dystopian black comedy that visits territory similar to that of Melancholia, White Noise, and Don't Look Up. We never have all the answers to what is going on because we inhabit the same chaos and lack of control as the characters. (And there's plenty for everyone.) There is a bit of hope injected into the fray as an innoculation, but whether or not it works for you will depend upon your worldview. Getting to watch Julia Roberts play a misanthrope was worth the price of admission for me. "I fucking hate people." The four principal actors were great, as was Kevin Bacon.

Streaming on Netflix.

2023 ADVENT BEER CALENDAR

Klosterbräu Bamberger Rauchbier. Advent Beer Calendar day sixteen.

500 ml/16.9 oz. • 5.3% abv. • *****

I love me some Rauchbier, and this particular beer does not disappoint!

The pour is a dark brown (almost black) body capped with a thick tan head.

The smell is of smoked sausage. (Yes!)

The flavors are campfire, smoked meat, roasted malts, and a hint of cocoa.

The mouthfeel is medium, with a smoky and dry finish that lingers.

Most excellent. My favorite of the box so far.

DARUMA

This is the fourth "Daruma doll" I've made. It is cut paper, mailing labels, art marker, and adhesive gems on a spray painted beer coaster. 

I ended up claiming this one for myself because I was smitten with him, and have already put him to work, hence the pupil colored in on his left eye.

What is it that he sees for me? Time will tell.

2023 ADVENT BEER CALENDAR

Husaren Trunk. Advent Beer Calendar day fifteen.

500 ml/16.9 oz. • 5.3% abv. • ***½

Golden yellow body and a generous white crown appear on the pour.

Primary notes are graham cracker, bitter leaves, and leather. There are also some light caramel notes.

Medium mouthfeel. Good.

2023 ADVENT BEER CALENDAR

Schnitzlbaumer Lagerbier Hell. Advent Beer Calendar day fourteen.

500 ml/16.9 oz. • 5.0% abv. • ****

The pour provides a clear light yellow body and a white head.

The flavors are lemon, light and airy (yes, it's a flavor), leather, hint of leafiness, light spices.

Medium mouthfeel and a short, fleeting finish.

This is good.

THE FORTRESS

The Fortress (2017) directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk is a film of court intrigue as the king of Joseon (Korea) and his people hunker down in the fortress of Namhansanseong during the 1636 Qing invasion. Battle scenes are few and far between, but when they occur they are brutal. The story moves at a glacial pace (to mirror all of the snow) but is a perfect match for the siege the characters endure. It's as though we are behind the walls with them. This won't be for everyone, but I was intrigued throughout and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Streaming on Netflix.

LIGHT

We attended LIGHT: A PLU Christmas this afternoon. It was two hours of holiday music performed by Pacific Lutheran University's Choir of the West, University Chorale, and University Symphony Orchestra. We got to watch our favorite violinist play, as well as other students we know that participated in the performance.

MAY DECEMBER

May December (2023) directed by Todd Haynes is a slow intense burn of a character study. It's both an allusion to the relationship between Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau and a meditation on acting. The acting by Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman is phenomenal, especially in scenes where they share the screen. There's a Single White Female undertone at play. Cinematography is spectacular, with a bright, bleached, desaturated tone throughout. And, as with most films by Haynes, plenty of nods to other films and directors. I will definitely be seeing this again.

At times, the movie is uncomfortable to inhabit as it explores damaged individuals, family dysfunction, the nature of truth (and lies), but all aslant.

See this!

Streaming on Netflix.

ADVENT QUIET MORNING

This morning, I presided over my annual Advent Quiet Morning prayer service. The 2023 version of AQM was one of the most difficult to put together, but I think it was ultimately one of the best presentations. The content was probably the most "conservative" of those I've put together but I think that worked in its favor. It was also the most structured version of AQM, with each of the three sets structured in the same manner: song stanza, scripture passage, devotion/reflection, prayer, poem as part of each.

I used the three verses of the carol "What Child Is This" as the departure point and (loosely) built upon them.

—

The set lists:

Mother

• Verse one of "What Child Is This."
• Psalm 139:13-16.
• "Vulnerability" from Honest Advent by Scott Erickson.
• "Prayer for Women Who Endured Abortions" from A Book of Uncommon Prayer by Brian Doyle.
• "A Penitent Considers Another Coming of Mary" by Gwendolyn Brooks.

Manger

• Verse two of "What Child Is This."
• Luke 13:31-35.
• "Jesus Our Mother" from Unscheduled Grace by Katherine Fleck and Matthew Marohl.
• "God Became a Child" from God Is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
• "The Infant Jesus of Prague" by Paul Claudel.

Myrrh

• Verse three of "What Child Is This."
• Matthew 2:10-12.
• "Christmas Joy" by Emmy Arnold, as found in Watch for the Light.
• "As a Child Enters the World" from To Bless the Space Between Us by John O'Donohue.
• "Star of the Nativity" by Joseph Brodsky.

—

There was a joint baby shower for three young couples who are expecting infants in December and/or January that followed a couple of hours later in the church. The theme of Advent Quiet Morning was selected prior to this event being scheduled, but the connection was perfect!

 

 

 

MINDFULNESS in McDONALD'S

Practicing mindfulness in McDonald's. Seriously. Trying to be present in the moment and engage the meal for what it is.

These are probably the worst two (McDonald's) cheeseburgers I've ever had. Is it because I'm focused on them as food? Because my awareness is directed upon them? Or because they were simply bad this time around? (Or all of the above?) They were overcooked and the edges were burnt. Is the equipment they were cooked in to blame? Or the person operating the equipment? Were they cooked more than once?

•

I need to do better than indulging an appetite that is addicted to sugar, salt, and fat.