The Catcher In the Rye

So far this book seems somewhat interesting. The writing style, stream of conciousness, seems to appeal to me. I like how holden is so sarcastic in his thoughts and how he is brilliant in his own way. I admit it is kind of hard to follow at some points, but the random dry humor brings you back to reading which makes it easier to follow. I'm sure it is one of those books that get better as you read.

Morrie Movie Assignment

While having some differences the book, the ABC News interview, and the movie based on the book also have quite a few things in common. They all depict Morrie's unbelievable disposition towards his inevitable death. In each he is comfortable talking about his disease, his imminent, yet slow, demise, and the hardships he faced in living the life that brought him to where he was then. What caught my attention when watching the movie were some differences with it compared to the book. For starters Mitch and his wife Janine fight in the movie where as in the book there is hardly a mention of her except for in the beginning. Also, Mitch talked to his wife about seeing Morrie. This we didnt read in the book either. A few minor differences were Morrie only reached 12 on his breathing test and the beginning of the movie went a lot faster than the beginning of the book.
What makes the ABC interview and the movie helpful is it allows us to get a good visual of what Morrie looked like, how he acted towards people, and the body language he used.

The love that makes me stay, the pain that never goes away

(Written January 3, 2008)

I lay awake night after night wishing that the one puzzle piece missing would slip back into place, and fill the giant hole left in my forgiving heart. The pain that's so unbearable makes my nights and days terrible. Unyielding as it is, the want and need for my true happiness to come back to me never recedes into the empty shadows of my heart. The memories, so deep, are like keys to my eyes…unlocking the tears inside and letting them fall as listless misery. Escape from the never ending pain is pointless. The love is constant and reminding. These feelings of love, pain, misery, and hopelessness are all given new yet even more painful definitions that are just as much a lesson as they are a realization. Understanding and compassionate I am towards my father who not only has dealt with these pains of love, but is still dealing with them. The feelings of being whole and content completely vanish as your days are spent worrying and your nights spent awake in the dark crying while asking yourself what you did to deserve such a burden on your life. The sudden wish for the ability to turn back time and undo what was done to possibly fix the inevitable becomes a constant yet futile hope. Slight pleasure is found from old love notes or pictures that have caught you and your true love in a frozen theme of happiness and comfort. Then to be suddenly ripped from the figment of heaven to the harsh reality of an empty ache in your heart telling the true story of a hell instead. The thought of insanity creeps into your mind as you are constantly tormented with memories and images of your inescapable plight to cling to the one important thing in your life. The person who not only stole your heart and soul, but unknowingly never gave it back. Her voice. Her smile. Her piecing eyes. These and many things are reminders of what was once had and now possibly forever lost. The dull and empty feeling of never having it again makes life and everything else seem even more pointless each day. Everything is a reminder of her. From the quiet cat naps I cherished so much on those calm afternoons to the ever so faint smell of her perfume on my clothes. Memories never forgotten, frozen in a heart with miniscule drops of hope based on love and desperation. My life, once referenced as being punctuated by difficult cross roads, is now one big and never ending downward spiral of emotional downfall and pointless attempts to progress through it all. Many chances to try at a new love are passed up and overshadowed by overwhelming feelings not yet forgotten nor relented. Peace is an unreachable goal as it is never seen much in my life. The number of shoulders left to cry on seem to diminish at an alarming rate once things begin to weigh you down. As my hope and resolve fade, my love for her stays forever strong and unwavering. Out of sheer desperation prayer spills from my mouth with hopes of regaining something…anything that would help me get her back. Like a scar on my heart, the love I have for her will always be a part of me and will always be a reminder of the pain caused by loving someone who doesn't love you in return.

A War Within

(Written July 15, 2008)

I feel like a river. Calm on the surface but with a strong current below ready to sweep me away if I let go. Building walls is what I've become good at. Trying to prevent what caused so much pain and heartache once before. But even the strongest walls sometimes crumble. This happens with harsh words or a devastating blow. Mine seem to topple with nothing but a glance and a simple hello. Its worth it really, just to let her in for even a second. To reach out and touch a memory. To offer, once again, my heart and every other part of me. A futile attempt but an attempt nonetheless. She's my human kryptonite if there ever was one. An addiction with a beauty brighter than the sun. The definition of perfection with so many flaws. Im eager for the heart-racing hellos and cast down by the time-stopping goodbyes. All the result of a failed negotiation of compromise. I want to tell her I miss her. I want to tell her I love her. But I've beaten the poor dead horse for far too long, and to my misfortune...she's moved on. Alone, and with the comfort of her memory rapped around me like a blanket, I wait. I wait for something. I wait for nothing. Cherishing the past and the thought of what might have been. All the while Im waging a war with myself. A war within.

Morrie Interview

As in the book, it seems Morrie is very wise and open to sharing his feelings. It's amazing how, even in the situation he was in, he held his head high and presented himself with a rare confidence not seen in many people. I really liked listening to his "Life Lessons". Morrie cut everything down to what really mattered. He focused his limited time left on this earth towards his friends, family, and teaching anyone who will listen to his amazing story of what its like to travel the one-way road towards death.
I believe what Morrie said is true. A person should be compassionate towards themselves and other people. Its not your fault, nor anyone elses, that you are in this situation so there is no need in taking it out on yourself or anyone for that matter. Despite knowing it is all true, whether it being Morrie's story in general or the things that he taught to people, it still takes me back at how comfortable he has become. To be completely honest, I would have loved to talk to this man.