One a day ...

Challenged myself to write something every day. It will not always be interesting, entertaining or upbeat but it is just a way of telling you what I learned today. Everyday can teach you something new, or remind you of something old.,

[bionicruth-blog]

The Force with be with you, always

Today I read that Daniel Fleetwood passed away, just a few days after Disney/Lucasfilm and JJ Abrams granted his dying wish to see Star Wars The Force Awakens.

Whilst a sadness fell upon fans worldwide, there is a great sense of pride in knowing that wishes can come true.

Star Wars fandom and social media provided the impetus for the movie makers to grant that wish, even though the movie is shrouded in secrecy.

Social media has it’s downsides and I realise that not everyone is a fan, but I think they are doing it wrong. Social Media can work in positive ways, like raising awareness, being a force for change. 

If you use it in a positive way, positive things will happen. If you post, make sure it is something that you want the world to read, then you have no need to do so privately. Whilst the written word can often be misconstrued, you need to read it with positivity too. 

Daniels campaign “#ForceForDaniel took hold fast as millions of Twitter-using Star Wars fans retweeted his story. Cast members also stood with fans, asking for his wish to be granted. There was no negativity, only love. Love for a man whom none of us knew, but we felt a connection with. He is a fan, just like the rest of us, if he could have sat in a cinema on December 18th, he would have loved to but he couldn’t, and we all wanted him to see the movie. 

Less than a week ago JJ Abrams made the call himself, invitied Daniel and his wife to a private screening of the rough cut.

Daniel got his wish and saw Star Wars The Force Awakens. He didn’t come home and blow the ending, he didn’t take to twitter and tell us all about it, he saw it, he got his wish and being a Star Wars fan, he didn’t want to take that excitement away from anyone else.

I am proud to be a Star Wars fan, a lifelong Star Wars fan. Star Wars fandom is more than just loving a franchise,so much more. Star Wars fandom is about acceptance, it is about stomping out bullying, it is about granting wishes, it is about stormtroopers visiting sick kids in hospitals, it is about supporting communities, it is about strong role models,  it is about giving kids the courage to be who they want to be, it is about friendship, it is about support, it is about love.

A passion for anything is something to be proud of. Never let anyone tell you it is less than that. Never be afraid to be who you really are. As Daniel and his family will tell you, life is short and unbelievably precious. Don’t waste it being scared to be yourself. Don’t live a life that makes you unhappy, live the one that makes you smile everyday. Don’t be negative, negativity eats away at you. Don’t hold on to grudges.

 Be grateful for those that you love, be grateful for all that you have, be passionate about whatever it is that fills your heart with joy and excitement.

Daniel enjoyed every last minute of his life, and so should you.

Think about it .....

.. and May The Force Be With You 

[bionicruth-blog]

Day 6

As plans I had made had been cancelled, I took myself down to the beach to investigate the “mussel festival”. Living in the South West of the UK, 250 miles away from the cool urban culture of London, you witness all kinds of festivals, and one about locally sourced Shellfish are not surprise. 

I learned that anyone in this town will rock up if there is live music and a beer tent and they barely need an excuse to dress up as a pirate.

I also learned that “It Follows” is not (in my opinion) the terrifying horror film that certain reviewers claim it to be. It is long, drawn out and boring, not even remotely creepy.

[bionicruth-blog]

Day 5

Today I learned that St VIncent is not a comedy in the traditional sense of the word. You would be forgiven for assuming that it was, given that it stars Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy and also stars Naomi Watts as a Russian “lady of the night”

Whilst it has light hearted moments, it is essentially and incredibly well written and performed heart wrenching drama, worthy of all the accolades that it received last awards season.

Bill Murray’s performance was quietly beautiful as the cantankerous neighbour hiding a secret. Melissa McCarthy pulled out all the stops as the single monther struggling to make things work on her own, in a role with no crass language or toilet humour and she did a fantastic job.

Check it out

[bionicruth-blog]

Day 4

I learned many new things today. I learned that sunshine warms the soul, I learned that the old adage of “if you love them, let them go” is true and I learned that sometimes you can make a “moment” in someone’s life, in someone’s day, just by sending a quick text to say “hey, I’m here for you”.

I learned that rather than dwell on the past, or what is missing from the present, it is often better to fill the void and do something for your future. Now is the time to stop procrastinating, to do those things you have been meaning to finish, to see if you can make a better future for yourself and those you care about.

I learned that everyone fights, and sometimes a family member will show up at your door with an overnight bag and ask to stay .... and that often those fights can be mediated and resolved with a calm attitude and a bit of humour.

I learned that everyone struggles from time to time and that life is rarely easy but on the eve of 9/11 it is worth remembering that life is precious and can be cut short with no warning at all. Love with all your heart, take risks when you can, and never leave an argument unresolved.

[bionicruth-blog]

Day 3

Today I learned that people can surprise you in all kinds of ways.

There are negative surprises, when people who love you suffer such a change in behaviour can leave you confused and upset, when there is such a massive u-turn in their personality that you can’t help but scratch your head and wonder what the hell is going on.

There are positive surprises, when people who love you send you surprise gifts in the mail because they know that you heart is broken and hope that they gift will help you smile.

Life is full of highs and lows, and sometimes the pain in your heart can make you lose your smile, but you can find it again, you just have to dig deep

[bionicruth-blog]

Day 2

So today I learned things, not all good but I learned things. I learned that sometimes what you think is the absolute truth is not absolute. I learned that sometimes you have to be patient, that your happy ending is not necessarily out of reach but if you sit tight and stay positive, it may still come true. I learned to have faith in love, that people often bet on the underdog and that this time the underdog is me. I have seen enough movies to know that the old adage of “nice guys finishing last” is not always true and that there could be a turn around in the last act that leaves the audience smiling and happy.

I learned to take a deep breath, in and out and not to let my raging anxiety win, instead to look at the bigger picture and know that I am doing the best that I can for the people I love.

I learned to stop thinking so that I could think clearly.

I learned that a decent hair cut can do wonders and that my body can cope without food for over 48 hours (so far) as long as I am fuelled by tea.

I learned that my craving for a cigarette can be dissuaded by trying to be positive about everything and not letting the urge win. 

And I learned that Disney have moved the release date of Star Wars; The Force Awakens forward by a day in the UK leaving me, my brother and thousands of other geeks clambering to book another days leave that close to Christmas! My boss is not back until friday .. I hope he is in a good mood!

[bionicruth-blog]

Day 1

Due to unexpectedly finding myself with nothing better to do, I have set myself a challenge to writing a blog entry everyday. It may not be long, it may not be interesting but I threw myself a gauntlet so to speak. Why do I have such a crippling amount of free time? ... well I won’t go into detail but let’s just say I used to spend all my time thinking about, talking to or being with someone special, but now that someone special no longer finds it that much fun having me around.

I guess you could say I have learned lessons about trust, love and loss that I thought I had already learned but I find even more painful this time. And yes I have tried all that I can without looking too desperate *ahem*

Life is hard and love hurts. These are things we all know to be true, but it doesn’t make them any easier to deal with. Maybe things will go back to the way they were? People break up and get back together all the time right?! *crosses fingers** Maybe I will never hear from her again, the pain will subside and life will move on regardless. I have survived before and I will do it again.

So instead of wallowing in self pity all day, I am going to concentrate on other things, things that still make me smile when I think of them. 

I am going to write a blog every day about movies, or family, or people so stupid they defy the ability to function as a human being!

So let us end this blog with something up beat shall we? 

My Niece started “big school” today at what they call reception. I thought that was the room inside the main entrance where the secretary sits, but apparently it is the class that comes between pre-school and year one. She had the obligatory photo taken in her first day uniform and she was beaming a smile that was infectious. I am in awe of that kid, because when I started school, I cried my eyes out .. this was not just year one, oh gosh no! Most years, in September I cried my eyes out. At four years old, my niece is braver than I could imagine, knows no fear. I guess I am a little envious and wonder how different my life would have been if I had been the same at four years old. Would lifes challenges affect me as badly as they do now?

Anyway, tomorrow is another day, I will start looking for my self esteem again, just one more evening wallowing and eating ice cream

until tomorrow avid readers!