Monday, September 22, 2014

Underrated Blogfest / You're never too old to set another goal/FD & Captain Ninja

Everyone has a favorite movie or band that no one else has ever heard about. For whatever reason, they remain undiscovered and underrated. Now is your chance to tell the world about this obscure treasure!

When Alex J. Cavanaugh organized this Blogfest I thought it was a great idea to join since I had not done a bloghop in a long time. And then I spent several amazing hours staring at the blinking cursor, searching in my brain for something to list here.

Actually, my choice for today is not an underrated movie but I think it's a treasure. El Estudiante (The Student) won several prizes and nominations but I'm going to list it here because being a Mexican movie, it's very likely you haven't heard about it or seen it.


Storyline:
"Chano (Jorge Lavat), a retiree in his seventies, enrolls at a university to follow his long-deferred dream of studying literature and in the process he tears down the generational gap with a group of youngsters. In a clash of diverse customs and traditions, they share their hopes and dreams, overcoming the challenges of life, romance and friendship." IMDb.

***

Probably I just chose this movie because it echoes with what happened in my life the last two weeks... or two centuries, I'm not sure. Fifteen days ago, I had come to a point when I didn't expect much of life. I had a vision of what my future would be and it wasn't much different from my present. I knew what to expect and what not to expect. My dead dreams would stay dead. My new dreams were fuzzy clouds that came and went. I manage my present the best way I can and same way I would manage my future. There was little chance for something new to happen that would take me out of my routine and the safety of my dragon cave. 

For many MANY years I've struggled with my personal demons. I knew my limitations and all the impairments that kept me hidden in the cave. Safe from the world. Safe from people and their judgement and prejudices. In my book, the least contact I had with the world and the less they knew about me, the better. After all, I was old and I was odd (half dragon-half human). I had bad temper and worse health and, on top of that, I'm allergic to some kind of people. I also suffered of crowd-intolerance. Although some ninjas stubbornly insist they are older than the Dragon, truth is in many aspects I'm like Morla, The Ancient One.

On Monday, two weeks ago, I got a call from a dearest friend of my distant past. A person I thought I would never hear from again because we didn't part in the best of terms. He made me an offer. One I thought I would never consider again because of my many issues. Two days later I left the cave to go to a place I swore I could not return because (according to my experience) I couldn't handle it. The people, the traffic, the noise, the pressure, my confidence, my health... all concerns were left behind on an unexpected rush of courage. An inner voice instigated me to try and stand on the battlefield where I had been utterly defeated in many levels so many years ago.

"It doesn't matter if you accept the offer or not. Just be there. Find out where you are standing right now. Maybe it is not where you think you are." This voice told me. "You're not the one you were before."

"That's right. I'm older. Way older, and rusty, and crazy, and outdated... and very much frightened." I thought. 

"Just stand on the field. You don't have to stay. You don't have to say yes. Just don't say no before listening. Whatever happens, be confident it's the best that can happen."

I stood on the battlefield. I heard my old friend out. I spoke my mind. Slowly, I opened up to possibility. For a short while, I even dreamed of what could be. And I thought that yes, I could give *that* battlefield another try. I was ready to jump in. I had not just grown old, but I had grown wiser and stronger and more balanced.

In the end, it didn't happen because of the one problem I had not foreseen. I hid from the world for so long and so well that I had become a ghost. I wanted the world to leave me alone and, in return, the world kept little record of me. There was no proof of the things I've done, because I did everything under the cloak of anonymity. Saddened of not getting the offer I feared at first, I came back to the cave. I'm aware being a ghost is a consequence of my own decisions, though. 

The funny thing is that despite of the result, I feel more alive than two weeks ago. I feel like doing new things, challenge myself and reactivate my brain capacity. Dead dreams came back to life. I didn't get to study high-school and my attempts in the past were interrupted by different reasons. Maybe now is the right time. I might be The Ancient One but C.S. Lewis said you're never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream. Life doesn't end until you stop breathing, and until then, you can keep learning new things. 

The experience of the past two weeks taught me I'm no longer the one I thought I was. I'm indeed healthier and more in control of myself. Old wounds have healed and I've grown stronger but I didn't know it because I was resting in my comfort zone. I am a ghost but I don't want to stay a ghost anymore. I wouldn't have realized all of these things, had I not dared to attend that meeting. The only way to realize if you're strong enough to return to the fight is by facing your fears and stand on the battlefield again.

My inner voice told me that whatever happened in that meeting, it would be the best thing that could have happened. It was true. 

****
Talking about challenges, I overtook the challenge to sculpt using a different material than those I've used before, and a totally unknown technique as well. I needed the help of the dwarves and every brain cell inside my head to figure out how to take the vision in my head and put it out there...with yarn. 

I share the result with you. Ladies and gentlemen, they are Father Dragon and Captain Ninja.





Further details, if you still have time...

Dragon Hugs!

30 comments:

  1. Love the Ninja Captain & the Father Dragon pics :)

    It's good to challenge ourselves even if it makes us realise we were very happy how we were, thanks very much. We can at least say we gave something a chance.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Al - great thoughts - yes we can do, and sometimes when we thought we really couldn't - when you are never too old. El Estudiante ... looks a fun movie .. and great you've given us something we've never seen .. Congratulations to the Father Dragon and Cap'n Ninja - fun to see and very clever - love Father Dragon's eyes ... and they are devoted to each other! .. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  3. LOVE Father Dragon and Captain Ninja.
    Gob and smacked, Flabber and Ghasted. You have been hiding yet more of your talents under a rock - deep in a cave.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LOVE you are a very talented Dragon!! Well done!!
    I have never heard of this movie but it's sounds like a really great movie!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are coming out of your shell, my friend. And even if the offer didn't pan out, you are stronger because to stepped out and tried.
    Will look for that movie. Sounds cute. Thanks for participating in my blogfest.
    And a million thanks for the AMAZING Dragon and Ninja!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The only way to overcome fears is to face them. You did that.

    Love the dragon and ninja. They are adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi, Al. An interesting choice of movie for the Underrated Treasures Blogfest. I haven't heard of it before today but the storyline sounds good. The dragon and the ninja are awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good for you, Al. Stepping out of your comfort zone takes so much courage. Now everything else seems a little easier.

    I can't believe you created the ninja and dragon. I was marveling at them on Alex's site. WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your secret project turned out amazing! They are gorgeous masterpieces.

    I'm glad to hear you're feeling more alive lately. That is wonderful. I hope things continue to invigorate you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You're so clever! Love, love Ninja and Father Dragon. :)

    shahwharton.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm in awe. They're gorgeous. Good job!
    Hiding is easy. Stepping out of what we know and feel comfortable with is not. You are indeed a brave dragon.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm in awe of your crafting skills. Hope you keep finding new dreams and going after them.

    ReplyDelete
  13. OMG Father Dragon!!! You are so very amazing. Thank you for sharing not only your voyage of discovery and courage, but also what you found while taking on that challenge. Thank you for showing us the dragon and ninja sculpture!!!! More than beautiful. You are the light...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dragon is cool, I wish I were that cool... great film choice, not heard of it... I will and the photos you shared awesome.

    Jeremy [HWR:OLM]
    Howlin' Wolf Records: On-Line Magazine

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the little ninja you made to go along with the dragon. You are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Good for you!

    Al, you are just too talented for words. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. First let me tell you that I love the ninja you made with the dragon. My cute dragon is absolutely talented and adorable. Hugs.
    Nice choice for the underrated treasures blogfest.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Al, I'm going to see if I can find that film....it looks like something I can relate to, as well.

    Also, awesome job on the Ninja and Dragon plushies. They're amazing.....sort of like you :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a great day for you! Re-entering. Re-charging. Re-Connecting. Huge and wonderful.

    It seems that has also enhanced your creativity. Love the soft and cuddly Ninja with Dragon.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you for telling us about this movie. I want to watch it now! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Just saw that dragon on Alex Cavanaugh's blog and had to come over to learn more. It's a beautiful creature. I'm impressed!

    ReplyDelete
  22. The results are out of your control but the will to face new challenges is clearly still there and commendable.

    mood

    ReplyDelete
  23. Father Dragon, I will never get tired of telling you what an inspiration you are to me. I love your ability to overcome whatever difficulties you face and come out stronger and so much wiser. You've become another mentor to me. :)

    I still can't get over the awesomeness of the Dragon and Ninja that you created! It's utterly fantastical! Thanks for the movie recommendation...I'll look for it on Netflix. Hopefully it'll have sub-titles. My Spanish isn't what it used to be. :( Hugs. Eva

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful craftsmanship - in more ways than one! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  25. It is scary to step back out there. I am glad you decided to do it and came away invigorated.

    I am in awe of the dragon and mini-Alex. I would ask how you did it, but I fear you might tell me. And I wouldn't understand a word of it. Just amazing, Al, truly!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'd like to see that film. I assume it's in Spanish though. I am so glad you are feeling better about things and that you took that all important step. Love the dragon and mini ninja. Muchos abrazos mi nieto.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I've had a few reassessment in my life, too. We grow from those events. I say you are never too old unless you let yourself believe that. Some are old at 25, some at 92. It's all in the mind, but also in the heart. Bravo for you. That Ninja and Dragon are great examples of what we can do when we decide we can! Great job by the way. . .

    ReplyDelete
  28. We all face our own battlefield Al and we conquer them in our own way.

    ReplyDelete