tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post6940106721389267029..comments2024-03-29T05:33:43.878-04:00Comments on Murder is Everywhere: The Beast in the BasementOvidia Yuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05749549092493567689noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-62096098639663536902010-08-29T14:58:21.860-04:002010-08-29T14:58:21.860-04:00Thanks to all who wrote. This one is a little diff...Thanks to all who wrote. This one is a little difficult for me to reply to because it's a lot more personal than most stuff I post, but here goes.<br /><br />Anonymous One -- You're exactly right, and I suppose that was the (unmade) point of what I wrote - that our knowledge of the Beast should sweeten the time we have and make us more conscious of how we use it. Your moment sounds perfect, and I doubt that muscle strain is much of a concern in eternity. My moment would certainly include my wife, and it would probably be one of the times we literally could not stop laughing. When all is said and done, writing and laughing are my two favorite things.<br /><br />Anonymous Two -- Yes, I think the whole thing is how we lead the lives we're given, which is the point of some of the world's religions, many of which I'd be okay with if it weren't for their insistence on God. That's why I'm more Buddhist than anything -- because it's really a path of life, not a theology. And reincarnation in Buddhism (remember, the Buddha lived in a Hindu world, rich in reincarnation doctrine) is not of the I-was-an-English-prince-in-an-earlier-life nature; he says that nothing that could conceivably be called "I" survives reincarnation. I'm in no hurry to meet the Beast because I love my life, and life in general, and I have to confess that I'm not so much curious as, um, apprehensive. <br /><br />Beth, that's a beautiful moment, and like you to choose a moment in which the happiness you feel is caused by the happiness of others. One of the things so interesting about "Afterlife" is the journey people take to identify their moments. I think Kore-Eda is currently the greatest writer working in film.Timothy Hallinanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00551263887774445511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-1218892957865796962010-08-29T14:02:12.441-04:002010-08-29T14:02:12.441-04:00I do believe in an afterlife but that doesn't ...I do believe in an afterlife but that doesn't mean that the Beast in the Basement isn't a concern.<br /><br />Since I read this post, about six hours ago, I've been thinking about moments that matter. One of the moments can be anyone of the Christmas Eves since my three children were, suddenly, all adults. They exchange their gifts to each other on Christmas Eve. These gifts are carefully considered, somewhat off the wall,and generally obscure, DVDs and books. They are awake almost all night watching the films. I can hear them laughing. One of the things I wanted for them as they grew older was a close relationship that would last their whole lives. Christmas Eve film fests prove to me that they know each other so well each knows what will please the other and they care enough about pleasing each other that they troll websites, second hand bookstores, and charity shops for the perfect thing; the choices are made with great deliberation and the gifts are really appreciated because they are something they would never receive from anyone outside their circle of three.<br /><br />Another moment that means so much to me occurred when my second daughter was in the third grade and my son was in kindergarten. The school had a talent show and my daughter signed up to play her violin. My son was sitting on the floor with his class and I was fortunate to be in a position where I could watch both of them. When she started to play, he got up on his knees and he never took his eyes off her. I can still see the expression on his face - he was so proud of her but he was also concerned that she would make a mistake. He was so afraid she would be embarrassed. She played it perfectly and when she was finished she looked at him and smiled. She knew he was willing her through a perfect performance. He put his fist in the air and then he sank back to the floor. He could finally take a deep breath.<br /><br />I doubt that either of them remember that moment but it is mine to keep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-20209786343760782932010-08-29T13:49:51.655-04:002010-08-29T13:49:51.655-04:00What most individuals don't realize is that we...What most individuals don't realize is that we all need to be conscious about the journey we are destined to make. Conscious of our lives, what we do that brings meaning to our existence and how we can prepare to take that walk through the curtain that separates life from death. While I am in no hurry, nor should you be, I am curious.<br /> Anonymous #2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-57451328580657606472010-08-29T12:01:55.259-04:002010-08-29T12:01:55.259-04:00This is lovely, Tim. While I hope that the Beast ...This is lovely, Tim. While I hope that the Beast in the Basement stays there for as long as you want it to I do appreciate how the Beast has a way of teaching us to savor the sweetness of life. I am not sure what moment I would choose to capture eternally. The first thing that comes to mind is when my daughter was an infant and I held her in my arms and just watched her tiny face as she slept. Would my arms and neck get tired in the Afterlife that you describe? If that's the case I better choose more wisely!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com