“I don’t concern myself with what people might say about me, that’s their choice, not mine.
Instead, I focus on living my life with integrity, empathy, respect, and responsibility. Those are the values I hold myself accountable to.
Validation need not apply.
I’ve lived long enough to let go of fixating on what others might think of me. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about myself or how I present myself, it just means I prioritize my own standards over external opinions.
This mindset can inspire others to follow suit, but it may also lead to inner truths and needs being overlooked.
Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.
There were many milestones and each were like stepping into a stream of possibilities, adapting moment to moment.
First time moving out and finding an apartment in Boston. Stepping out into a different state than I grew up and against the wishes of my father. Without the help of anyone.
It was both challenging and exhilarating. Carving out true independence for the first time in my life.
Taking on the responsibility to build myself and character with integrity. A commitment to authenticity and growth in becoming a man.
Taking the time, learning who I am.
Later I moved to Los Angeles by myself and am still here.
I jumped in my 2000 Ford Focus with, Brando my Akita puppy and drove from Rhode Island to Los Angeles.
Another milestone was becoming a father for the first time.
Witnessing his birth and holding my son for the first time was an amazing moment and milestone. Each child was the same feeling with the exception of the firstborn because he was the one who transformed me into being a father.
There are many others because growth should be a constant process in life.
An ever evolving story with many chapters, encounters and characters.
Each day and milestone contributes to who I am, with more to come.
When you cave in to materialism, you forfeit your freedom to simply be, to ponder, to exist unbound.
The flash and sparkle that seize your attention, manipulating your mind with coercive persuasion, feeding the soul with vain acquisitions that offer no true fulfillment.
Must-have gadgets, their purpose dictated by the perpetrators of the gadgets. Superfluous items provide hollow sustenance, offering only an illusory solace of fulfillment.
Minimalism offers a chance to truly appreciate what you have, yourself and the time to spend with you. The intangible beauty of life, complimentary and profound, that can transform your experience in and of the world.
To contemplate, unrestrained and free from unnecessary distractions, not suffering the hypnotic pull of meaningless mental turmoil.
Not suffering the stress and anxiety of bill payments, nor the added financial challenges that sustain the perpetual cycle, bound by conditional restraint.
Sidestepping the blue light, breathing in the scent of daylight, this is the prescription.
Break the grip of commercialism and embrace the influence of Mother Nature, a vast spectrum of beauty, a sensory buffet.
Take a walk and notice the beauty right in front of you, free from the programming that obscures the obvious.
Materialism fosters a sense of emptiness and unfulfillment, while minimalism creates space for deeper connections.
As a longtime fan of independent film, I was eager to see this movie after stumbling upon a Facebook ad for it.
Michael Pitt immediately caught my attention. I’ve missed his presence since his character was killed off in Boardwalk Empire after season two. Seeing Steve Buscemi and Joe Pesci in the trailer only heightened my anticipation. Given its limited release, I took my oldest son along for the experience.
From the moment the film began, I was drawn in. The story kept my attention throughout, though it offered an unexpected perspective on the day of a big boxing match.
Instead of the usual gym scenes or mental preparations, the protagonist, Michael “Irish” Flanagan, is running around completing step nine of Alcoholics Anonymous, making amends despite not having fought in a decade. It was a fresh and unconventional approach, albeit surprising.
Michael Pitt delivers a compelling performance as Irish, a once-great boxer whose life spiraled into chaos due to fame and alcoholism.
Through brief, poignant flashbacks, we glimpse at his rise and fall, as well as the toll it took on his family and career. Now, he’s a shadow of his former self, struggling to reclaim what little remains of his dignity.
The soundtrack is a standout feature, especially Nicolette Robinson’s unique rendition of CCR’s, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” which plays as Irish races to the fight. The song’s melancholy tone perfectly mirrors the protagonist’s state of mind and adds depth to the scene.
While the film is not groundbreaking in its story or script, it’s an enjoyable experience, a grounded, heartfelt movie without the distractions of special effects, high-speed chases, or explosions.
Once scene reminded me of the classic, “On the Waterfront,” a poignant scene where Irish speaks with his ex-wife while walking in a park, evoking the iconic park conversation between Terry Malloy and Edie Doyle.
The beat down landscapes and backdrops are a pivotal component of the films story.
Overall, I left the theater feeling satisfied. It’s not a perfect film, but it’s one worth watching, especially for those who appreciate character-driven stories and the charm of indie cinema.
After the first fifteen minutes, the story begins to die a slow death.
The script’s characters are written so stereotypically, it’s cliche and you never really care about these people.
Once box office magic, Julia Roberts once again played Julia Roberts. I was more interested in knowing if she really looked that old in person or if it was theater makeup.
And you get to see her try and dance. Cringeworthy.
The rest of the cast just walked through their stereotypes without any dimension.
One scene the son starts pulling out his own teeth and all I can think about is, “how is he going to eat corn on the cob?”
The storyline of racial tensions between black and white drags out unbearably, making it dull and tedious. Halfway through, I ended up fast-forwarding it to the end, this movie was so boring.
And the pay off was very soft dog $hit.
Good concept that dies after the first fifteen minutes.
It is a bad script, characters, character development, mediocre acting, horrible execution and with a pay off of straight trash.
And two of the executive producers were Barack and Michelle Obama.
Chu The Cud 