Repent, anti-Star Wars Prequel-ers, For Darkness Looms

I grow weary of oft-repeated opinions and claims lacking sufficient support. It is common to see the riot mentality propel a loose-footed idea into the public sphere with the intention of making it a universal truth. Some are designed as pre-packaged quips for one to utter in order to feel accepted and credible in the standing of their relevant society. Cheap tricks, I say!

Here is a list of such cheap tricks, in no particular order:

- Nickelback is a terrible, awful musical group.
- Nintendo is dead and irrelevant in the video game industry.
- The National Basketball Association lacks true defensive play.
- Cheaters. That is who the New England Patriots are.
- The Star Wars prequel trilogy was forgettable.

The last item strikes drives me anger; the second comes in a close second-place but will not be discussed here.

Star Wars Episodes I, II, and III indeed were lesser of films compared to their original counterparts, but who is to say that each of these films hold no value? Truly, there are issues and shames abound in them. Uncomfortably stilted dialogue, lethargic pacing, and an over-abundance of CGI mar the movies. I hold these complaints suitable regarding the filmmaking aspect. However, these hold no merit when it comes to the story building and the lore of Star Wars.

My annoyance with people scoffing and dismissing the Prequels with ease has been compounded with the equal of ease people have accepted Episode VII. Suddenly, planet Earth is a Star Wars enthusiast again! While this should be a joyous moment, I curmudgeonly grit against this.

I cry, "Where were you when times were difficult for Star Wars? What had you said when the Prequels were easy targets? How flimsy is your loyalty to Star Wars?"

I will cease digressing after this: those who joined in the stoning and mocking of the Prequels but now lavish in the thrills of The Force Awakens are not true Star Wars fans.

There, it is done; what was just said and written is therapeutic for me.

I understand how Trekkies must feel today. Patrons of Star Trek have the rights to a bigger gripe than mine. For years, even decades, Star Trek was derided as dorky, boring, campy and wrought with peculiarities. All of these were washed away when JJ Abrams revived the series with a shiny, fast, and mass-appealing movie entry.

Suddenly, Trekkies were cool, at least tolerated; in a flash, Star Trek was relevant. (Perhaps Abrams is to blame for all this. He is the necessary evil Star Wars and Star Trek needed?)

Admittedly, I was one such viewer gushed by the bells and whistles of the 2007 Star Trek film and its follow-ups. I saw the light of what Star Trek was, is, and could yet become. Since then, I have gone back to the source of the light and indulged in the original series. Well, mostly The Next Generation.

I am not here to cast a force field around the Prequels. It would be un-American to disallow any sort of criticism lobbed towards it. Freedom of speech is a beautiful, wonderful thing. Say what you want and hold to it, be that what you say is defensible and reasoned.

If you are to embrace Star Wars, embrace it all. Cherish what has been given to us. Like salt to a wound, endure the pain of its failures. Lo, I foresee a shroud of darkness over the future of Star Wars.

In the beginning, each Marvel film was an event, a spectacle. Now, we are bombarded with sequels, spin-offs, reboots and crossovers. A superhero movie comes and goes.

I caution against a yearly - or worse, a bi-yearly - entry into the Star Wars franchise. First was Rogue One: exciting, gritty, but misfired on human emotion. Will the Han Solo film do the same? And what of the next spinoff? When we wanted to dive deeper in the expanses of the galaxy far, far away, literature and video games assisted our Star Wars hunger. That canon has been shredded.

They will come, and they will go - an over-saturation of the greatness of Star Wars.

Less is more. More will not make the Prequels go away. Each of them served a purpose. I fear Disney dishing out new Star Wars films every year will diminish its wonder.

The video game which defined my musical tastes

I recently told someone that my only access to what is current and relevant within the music industry is what Weird Al Yankovic parodies. His albums are time capsules of the previous three to five years between his latest releases. Whenever the original song begins to play somewhere, I immediately think they are playing Weird Al’s version. Without Al, I would not have the slightest clue of who’s who and what’s coo(l).

Classical, minimalism, and video game and movie soundtracks are roughly seventy-five percent of my music collection. What fills in between the remaining 25-percent are classic rock, German metal, and lesser-known folk rock groups. 

Playing through what “regular” songs I do have a few days ago, I noticed a connection between them. Between Rollins Band, Motörhead, Del the Funky Homosapien, The Ramones, and a few others, it occurred to me that most of my favourite bands all appeared in one collection: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3. To this day, I continue to jam with Motörhead; Del, and his alternative performance moniker Deltron 3030, remains one of the three rap artists I enjoy; and Henry Rollins belongs to a list of people I would like to meet.

A few other songs and artists were sprinkled into the THPS3’s soundtrack have stuck with me. In my rare dark and angry moments, CKY’s ’96 QuiteBitter Beings’ alleviates the aggression.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are famed for a number of their funk rock hits, but ‘Fight Like a Brave’ is my favourite. In fact, it is the only Chilli Peppers song in my collection.

Rollins Band

'What's the Matter Man' propelled my fandom of Rollins Band and further piqued my appreciation for the 90s grunge music scene. Understanding that Rollins Band was not a grunge group, their repository of hard-hitting rock songs led me to find Alice in Chains. 

The first time I heard Motörhead’s 'Ace of Spades' welcome me to the next stage, I was mesmerised; I had never heard an opening guitar riff like that. My Dad overheard the track while I was playing. “Hey, I remember those guys,” he said.

“You do?” I asked, thinking how could he know of such a new and hardcore rock group?

“Yeah, Motörhead. They were big in the 70s.” Shortly thereafter, I went to my local Hastings (may you rest in peace) and bought 'Aces.' Lemmy Kilmister (may you also rest in peace) remains my only rock and roll icon.

Thanks to my cousins, I knew about The Ramones during camping trips. Being older, they were more astute and in-tune to what was cool. The Ramones was a top pick of theirs, making 'Blitzkrieg Bop' the only song I knew before playing THPS3 for the first time.

Del the Funky Homosapien

The biggest wildcard of the track list was Del’s ‘If YouMust.’ This song proved to me that hip-hop and rap was not always as it’s generally portrayed. Rap could be funny and amusing, albeit often bizarre. Del opened the door to a very small room of rap artists whom I enjoy. Mos Def shares the couch with the Del here.


While THPS3 was fun, it was not the game itself that impacted me. There are plenty of other video game titles which made a stronger impact in that department. Rather, the skateboarding title's song list defined my musical tastes for the years to come.

Di-brine Intervention - A Poem

They were hunted down, taken, and sent asunder.

When unwanted was there placed ignominy.

Long had their presence, their aura, their existence disgusted me.

An abhorrence, a detestation were both to them a moniker.

 The cries of thousands of their brothers I left in a brown paper cemetery

would go unheard, unregistered in my ears and soul.

I would never need them, I would say, they will fulfill no goal.

Ever silent, ever patient, they stood unitary.

 Whether maturing together in small glass homes filled with life-inducing water,

or commissioned individually along with a feast,

they tried to win my favour without cease.

They followed me to the ends of the earth, attesting their devoir.

 Then, under the heat of foreign sunshine

they saved me: this man.

I was betrayed by one from our clan.

Lo, I could consider him one in our line.

 For in my native land, his kind were sturdy, dusty orbs of starch.

By them, notoriety and honour were bestowed on my people.

Yet adored and savoured, these sub-earth dwellers are deceitful.

Bathed in the riches of oils, they hasten your death march.

 Distilled into a fluid state, they exchange confidence with your salubrity.

The latter of tricks on me they often inveigle.

Afar, I had imbibed too much of their crystal clear fettle.

When tongue and soul thirst, they entered my body.

 It was my own fault; I willingly invited them in.

I trusted them to make me less phlegmatic.

Instead, they threatened my stomach to become erratic.

Direly, I needed help; urgently, I needed restitution.

 The one who came to save me from self-induced sickness,

was the same one I had rejected for so long.

Innocently laid upon a bland quilt of white, our paths had crossed anon.

It cast no judgments on me, as I had done for such lastingness.

 I made no bargain with the spokesperson.

Delusion and disease forced me to accept their charity

No apology issued, their aid I needed urgently.

Their zest of life saved me from destruction.

 Time had passed; I thought no more of that day

until I had seen them again presenting their service without menace.

They saw me and casted not a single glance of sourness.

A quarter of a century later, their worth revealed to me right away.

 Now, when asked if I desire their presence at meals -

they accepted a submissive apology of mine

while stewing in their domes of vinegar and brine -

"Yes, please,” I say with a grin, “and with extra pickles."

The "Showing Up Mentality" - by Ashleigh Vella

I am so proud of my fiancée. Her personal and spiritual development has likewise re-kindled my personal and spiritual development. I want to share with you something she recently wrote for me to read. We all can relate to and learn from what Ashleigh has written; it applies to every aspect of our lives. Enjoy! 

___ 

So I have decided to take over Johnny’ s blog again I guess in an effort to 1) overcome the monotony of my life and 2) to make an invested interest in using my brain for something other than basketball. My first point can become a danger or pitfall of my occupation. Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact that I get paid to play basketball; seriously it’s a dream come true. However, with that being said I am afforded a considerable amount of free time between practices, and whilst this sounds appealing, napping and Netflix can only entertain you for so long. To my second point, in my previous invasion of Johnny’s blog I highlighted my somewhat of an identity crisis I had half way through last year. When you are paid to play and coach basketball your life essentially becomes consumed with basketball. Although I often claim to just be a dumb jock I recognise that there is a need to use my brain in an intellectual way, away from the basketball court. The brain, being a muscle like the rest of my body, was tending to succumb to the boredom and inactivity of my life. So, with this all being said, I am trying my hand at writing.  

So I got to thinking the other day after a conversation with my roommate. We were discussing her schedule for the next day. She unfortunately had a physiotherapy appointment the next morning at 7:15 am - I mean, seriously, what physio do you know that works at 7:15am? - and then directly after she had school from 8-11:45 then again at 1:45-4:00. I am extremely happy my college days are behind me. When discussing her schedule she jokingly said:  

Roommate: “I think I will sleep in class at 8am” Me: “Then why go? Why not just come home and sleep in your bed? At least it’ll be more comfortable.”  Roommate: “Yeah, but at least I am there (in class).”  

Whilst she said this in a very joking manner it really struck a chord with me. Let me first preface by saying my roommate is an extremely hard working young woman. She has what I would deem a ridiculous schedule. On top of the fact she is at training twice a day, along with physiotherapy sessions and a booming social life, she also accomplishes all of these things with a smile and minimal complaining. Whilst her comment was said fairly flippantly, it really got me thinking: since when did “being there” or “showing up” become enough?  

This idea of "Well, at least I am in class but I am going to sleep through it" is just the beginning to this behaviour. We see it in all facets of life: “I’m going to class, but I’ll be sleeping or on my phone the whole time”, “I have practice tonight but I don’t really feel like being there and I’m really thinking about work tomorrow”, “I go to church on Sunday’s but really I’m thinking about what I’m having for lunch after” or “I’m hanging out with my *insert significant other* but really I’m thinking about something or someone else." This behaviour is like a poison that seeps into all facets of our lives and so inconspicuously that we don’t even realise it. I’d like to think of this behaviour as the “showing up mentality." I may be here physically, but mentally, emotional and even spiritually I’m M.I.A. 

My college coach, whom I have the upmost respect for, was not only a great coach but a master of the one liners. Two of my personal favourites of his was the term “clock-watcher” and the ever quotable “Are you trying to thrive or you just trying to survive?” (6am conditioning; the answer is always survive!) As funny as these lines were at the time, I don’t think I truly appreciated or understood these sentiments until later on in life. How many times have we been at work/practice/with friends and just watched the seconds and minutes tick by? When you adopt a “showing up” mentality you become a clock-watcher, you don’t utilize where you are and thus your opportunity for self-improvement or relationships development. Whilst the adage of “survive or thrive” is a tad corny, it’s true. If you are surviving you are embracing the “showing up” mentality of "I am here" it but doesn’t mean I am getting anything out of it. Whereas if you embrace the “thrive” mentality you are engaged in what is happening, you are trying to do something meaningful with your time.  

I think this mentality is the most dangerous to your relationships; firstly, to the most important relationship you will ever have: with God. We have all at one point or another been found wanting when it comes to our relationship with God; sin is in our nature after all. How many times have we been at church, or reading our Bible and instead of solely focusing on the good word we are worrying about something else. I have found myself more times than I am willing to admit reading my daily devotional which is talking about “resting in God” and “seeking Him with everything I do” whilst simultaneously thinking about what time my bus will leave and what I will wear for practice. Unfortunately, committing yourself whole-heartedly and just “showing up” are two mentalities you can’t have at the same time. It’s like saying I’m going on a diet and then eating four meat lover’s pizzas; the intention and the act are at odds with one another. There are many scripture verses that say over and over again that the Lord is with you always (Deuteronomy 31:6, Romans 8:28, Isiah 41:10, Romans 8:38-39 to name a few). Therefore, if we have a God who is always with us, who is always devoted and invested in us, why would we not do the same in return? It is my duty as a Christian to be invested in the Lord at all times, that I should always put God first and foremost (Matthew 6:33) and to cast my anxieties or worries on Him (Philippians 4:6-7). I think Jesus in Matthew 22:37 summed it up perfectly “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” He doesn’t say "love the Lord sometimes when you are thinking about Him, love him with most of your mind, but don’t forget about the groceries, the homework and the pile of laundry you have." The love God has for us is an all or nothing kind of deal, so why would we think our reciprocation of our love for God be anything less?  

This mentality is also toxic in our everyday relationships and is one reason why we see this shift from face to face communication to digital communications. It is so much easier to not be present or mentally invested in a person or conversation when you are having it on the phone. This is something both myself and Johnny have been guilty of. We will be having a FaceTime conversation, yet I am reading through emails while he is checking the news. Yes we are “having a conversation” but I mean is either one of us actually invested in what the other is saying? This generation is so technologically advanced and whilst this has seen many great improvements in all facets of our lives it has also been a huge factor in the deterioration of interpersonal relationships, because we no longer have to physical, emotional, socially or mentally be with someone to converse with them. I now no longer have to look my Mum in the eye in Melbourne, Australia to talk to her from St Brieuc, France. So when Mum messages me and asks how am I, I can quick type out “I’m fine, got to go to practice, love you” in less than three seconds and continue my activity. But have I really engaged with my family? Have I really worked on my family relationship?  

I guess the true meaning behind this post was to have a bit of a rant, but ultimately as a reminder or “mentality check.” Are you showing up to places and merely “clock-watching” or are you going to places and fully socially/emotionally/mentally/spiritually engaging with the people and things around you? At the end of the day, you only have one life to live and it’s your duty to live it to the fullest. I truly believe the only way to do that is to be there; truthfully and faithfully be there.