Tonight, I saw The Last Samurai. I must say that it is one of the best movies I have seen. Well, maybe, and maybe not, but it was quite thought provoking. And that's what I like in a movie.

   First of all, I was sitting alone in a large single seat in the balcony level at the Boca theater. That, alone, is just that - alone. Anyway. It got me to start doing a lot of thinking. This was essentially a Japanese Bravehart movie. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, and I do highly reccommend it, but watching this had me reviewing all kinds of things in my idle head. First of all, I do not consider myself religious. This means that I do not follow any popular belief system. However, I was able to relate to many of the beliefs of the samurais in Japanese culture. I am not saying that this is my belief, nor do I feel that I am Japanese in my heart or anything like that. But there are parallels. And this brings up another issue. Just because I feel that this is the closest existing representation of my attitude, this does not mean that I am tied to it in any way. I believe that every individual is unique in their own right, but are typically tied to their social surroundings.

And there is also the issue of how this story is about a man who fights for what he believes in, and makes things happen. Well, I, and I believe in some way many people, have their own beliefs and drives in life as well. But there are only a few "great men" in history. We are always told that one person can make a differene, and to fight for what you believe in. And we see it happen in the movies all the time. But what about everyday life. What about you, what about me? I find myself with just as strong wants and desired for life. But I am not out there slaughtering people or doing a whole lot about it, and neither are many people. Is it because they are lazy, or incapable? I don't think so. Well, some, yes, but it is not the general reason why. For one, it depends on what you want or believe in. Some believe in some pretty crazy things, and do some pretty crazy stunts for it. Others have no idea what they want or believe in. And there are those who are just plain confused. But I pretty much know what it is I want out of life. Not exactly, but a pretty good idea. And I believe I am on the right path towards getting there one day. And too look back on my life, I don't have any regreats. Maybe a few "oh I wish I had done this instead (in retrospect)"'s - but for the most part, I do not think I have done anything downright wrong that I am ashamed of. And that is a good feeling - and I plan to keep things that way. But am I going to change the world? I don't think so. I don't want to change the world. At least not in any particular way. Sure, it could use a good changing, but I don't believe it is up to me to do so. Who then? That is best left up to the leaders who we, as a collective people, decide we want to make such decisions - and they want to do so. Basically, this is government, but not as we know it. Why don't I (or any Joe Schmo for that matter) lead a revolution to change the world? Well, I would first have to answer with the question "Change it to what?". I know what it is I want in life, and I am not afraid to do what I need to do to get it. But I also have my guidelines which keep me from making mistakes I would later regret. That, and I am bound to the social structure in which I am a part of. I need to play by the rules of it, or make the decision to get out of it. That is what keeps me from carrying a samurai sword and lopping off the head of someone who so deserves it. And there is my set of personal moral beliefs. This is what keeps me from doing things like taking advantage of people.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I feel so little and petty after watching something the likes of this. Yet not. Circumstances dictate for me the best thing to do is just stay on my course of action, and see where that takes me for the time being while things work out. There is no magic cure, or quest for me to take at this point to get ahead. I should be doing things to help me obtain other goals in life, such as finding someone to share it with, but that can be tricky business and best not rushed. I just sometimes feel like my life has stagnated, and needs a little stirring up. I am quite optimistic about things, and have faith that things will eventually work out. While things may have stagnated a bit, at least I am no longer my own worse enemy, stuck in a cloud of doom and misery. And I have someone else's kind heart to thank for that! Time will tell where things lead.

So, as you can see I was quite intreagued by this film. It has caused me to rant on and on late at night after I got home had had to clean the "stuff" off my shoe I had stepped in when dropping Nana off (yummy). Unfortunately, I am tired now, and not quite as coherent as I was earlier when things were fresh in my head. I may at one point write a new post to replace this one that makes much more sense and covers more of the points I had hoped to - and make sense in the process. I am feeling now that I am missing something, but my swiss cheese brain dosen't know what. Ah, well, it will hit me later.