When I'm doing something that doesn't require me to think (such as mowing the lawn), I sometimes play a mental game. It's kind of based on the old Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon idea. I take two movies (the more different, the better) and try to link them by their actors. For example:
Weird Science to Being John Malkovich
In Weird Science, Anthony Michael Hall played Gary. He also played Rusty in National Lampoon's Vacation. In the sequel, National Lampoon's European Vacation, the man in the bathroom was played by Robbie Coltrane, who also played Hagrid in the Harry Potter films. Which also starred Alan Rickman as Severus Snape. Rickman played Hans Gruber in Die Hard, which also starred Bruce Willis as John McClane. Willis played Frank Moses in Red, which also starred John Malkovich, who starred in Being John Malkovich.
Simple, right?
Notice that I usually take movie series as a single entity. That's just to make things easier. Usually, the same actors play the same roles in each film of a series, so it just makes sense. With this game, you can make your own rules. Can you count Wilson from Castaway in the beach volleyball scene from Top Gun? That's your choice! You can count the directors of the films if you wish. The Key Grip? The Gaffer? The possibilities are endless.
Also, many times there is more than one path to take. In the above example:
Anthony Michael Hall (Gary in Weird Science) also played Farmer Ted the Geek in Sixteen Candles. His friend, Bryce, was played by John Cusack, who was Craig Schwartz in Being John Malkovich.
I've yet to find two movies that I couldn't somehow link. (Now that I've said that...) Have fun.
When Walt Disney was designing Disneyland, he wanted to find something that would pull the crowds to the different sections of the park. Something that would get peoples attention and bring them into Adventureland, into Fantasyland, into Tomorrowland.
Walt called these people magnets "weenies." He called them that because when he'd get home late at night, everyone would be asleep. He wanted someone to greet him, so he'd go to the refrigerator and pull out a hot dog, or weenie. The dog would hear and come running for the treat.
So Walt wanted something in his parks that would attract the people, just as the weenie attracted the dog.
Each land has its own weenie. Tomorrowland has Space Mountain. Frontierland has Splash Mountain. Fantasyland's weenie became the main weenie for the entire park: Sleeping Beauty's Castle.
After Walt's death in 1966, it was decided to build another Disneyland in Florida, which became the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. They kept the same basic arrangement as the park in California, with a few changes. One big change was the main weenie: they designed an entirely new castle, naming it Cinderella's Castle.
I've started a series of paintings of these main park weenies. Now, I'm no professional artist. I don't consider myself great (or even good). I'm just doing this because it relaxes me. So, here's the first in a (hopefully) series of (at least) 4: Cinderella's Castle.
Someone's in the doorway. Who could be home?
Cinderella's Castle was completed in July of 1971. It is 189 feet (57.6 meters) high. It appears to be made of stone and brick. However, there is not one stone in use. It is entirely concrete, steel, fiberglass and plastic.
Inside, there is a shop where children can get their hair and makeup done to look like a princess called Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. On the upper levels of the castle, there is a restaurant (Cinderella's Royal Table) and a suite. Originally, the suite was designed for Walt and his family when visiting the park. After Walt died, the suite was unfinished. In 2005, the suite was finished and given as a prize to guests during Disney's Year of a Million Dreams promotion.
The castle has undergone a few changes over the years (including being turned into a big, pink birthday cake) but I prefer to view it as it is currently: Off-white, blue, grey; like a classic castle.
Coming soon: Weenie of EPCOT: Spaceship Earth!
Information on Cinderella's Castle taken from Wikipedia
I'm sorry I cut the last post so abruptly. There wasn't a really good stopping point.
Spoiler Alert: If you read any further, you may encounter spoilers to the plot of the movie "Frozen." You have been warned! As I stated in the last post, I heard the soundtrack before I saw the movie. I had this idea of a connection to depression in my head while sitting in the theater. What I saw did nothing to push the idea away. In fact, it grew stronger. Anyway, since the idea started with the music, I'm going to focus on the music here.
Do You Want To Build A Snowman?
In the film, Anna originally knew about Elsa's power, but after she got hurt by it, she was made to forget about the power. But she still remembered having fun with her sister. She can not understand why Elsa has shut herself away from her and everyone else.
In the same way, someone with depression often shuts themselves off from the world and those they love. Often, they don't even realize they are doing it. The healthy person keeps trying to have a relationship with the depressed person, but keeps getting the door shut in their face.
Also, we hear the first use of the phrase "Conceal it, Don't feel it, don't let it show." This is quite close to things that depressed people hear quite often. "If you just smile, you'll eventually feel happier. Fake it until you make it. Don't worry, be happy." I've also heard "No one wants to be around someone who frowns all the time, so if you smile, you'll have more friends and be happier." As if I had a choice.
The gloves that Elsa wears help her to hide her power. In the same way, depressed people have a few things to help them to mask their symptoms. Anti-depression drugs mask the feelings one has and makes it hard to tell what you are actually feeling. Am I happy, sad, mad? Don't know. I felt like a zombie the entire time I was on the drugs.
For The First Time In Forever
Having been shut in the castle for a long period of time, Anna and Elsa have two opposite reactions on coronation day. Anna is extremely excited and runs out to meet the people, while Elsa is nervous and keeps to herself. Even when they are using the same words, they have differing meanings. When they sing "It's only for today. It's agony to wait." Anna means it's agony to stay inside, so she runs outside. Elsa, on the other hand, means that she's in agony in going out. She wants to do it, so she can get it over with. Then she can once again lock herself away where her secret will stay safe.
This song continues the theme of the depressed person wanting to lock themselves out of the public eye, away from others. They feel if they keep to themselves, they can't be hurt, or at least hurt worse than they already are.
Let It Go
Here's the song you were waiting for. Everyone knows it, so I don't really have to go into it much. Elsa's secret powers are known by the entire village, so she runs away, where she can live without having to keep that power in check.
This scene actually caused problems with my theory. My first thought was that the song is in the wrong place. It seems as if Elsa is singing about not having to worry about her problems any longer, as if the depressed person has gotten better. In this case, shouldn't the song go at the end?
Then, I realized that Elsa is still isolating herself. Nothing has really changed. When I isolated myself, I felt as if nothing was wrong. In my mind, life was going fine. But, just as Elsa didn't know that her powers were freezing Arendale, I didn't know that I was hurting my family.
In Summer
How in the world am I going to connect this song with depression? I'm not. I just love this song.
Spoiler Alert:Don't read past this point if you don't want to see spoilers... yada yada yada... plot of "Frozen"... yada yada. You get the drift. For The First Time In Forever (Reprise)
During the course of this song, Elsa is told about the consequences of her actions. She realizes that Arendale is frozen (in summer). Anna believes that Elsa can change things back to where they were before, but Elsa is sure she can't. Anna goes to Elsa, saying that Elsa can come home. She doesn't have to worry, because Anna will be right beside her. Elsa responds by saying that she's happy being alone, where she knows others will be safe from her power. Anna then tells Elsa of the problems Elsa's power has caused.
It is difficult for me to even just listen to this song, because it has the strongest connection to depression of all the songs in Frozen. I clearly remember my wife coming to me, telling me that I don't need to shut myself away from everyone. She would always be there for me to lean on. Then she told me of all the problems in my family that my isolationist attitude had caused. My reaction was about the same as Elsa's.
I can be hard to hear the lyrics when the two are singing together at the end of the song, so here's what Anna is singing.:
"For the first time in forever, you don't have to be afraid. We can work this out together. We'll reverse the storm you've made. Don't panic. We'll make the sun shine bright. We can face this thing together. We can change this winter weather And everything will be alright."
While Anna is singing those words, listen to what Elsa's response is.:
"I'm such a fool. I can't be free. No escape from the storm inside of me. I can't control the curse. Anna, please, you'll only make it worse. There's so much fear. You're not safe here. I can't! First of all, notice the words they choose to sing. Anna keeps using the word "we." We can work this out. We'll reverse the storm. We'll make the sun shine. We can face this thing. We can change. She knows that the key to dealing with the curse is to work together.
Elsa, on the other hand, keeps singing "I." I'm such a fool. I can't be free. I can't control. I can't. She has isolated herself so far that she can't acknowledge the fact that she no longer needs to be alone. She has someone to help, but she still feels alone.
I felt the same way. I believed I was alone, that no one could help, that I had to do this by myself. Even though my wife was right in front of me, saying "We can do this together," I was thinking "I can't do this."
When you've dug yourself deep into the pit that is isolation, it is so easy to believe you have gone too far to get out again. There seems like there is no escape. Everything you do seems to just pull you in deeper.
When you have depression, it's not just a feeling of sadness. There are also feelings of fear, exhaustion, and anger. These must be overcome in order to live a more normal life. ("Normal" is not the right word for this. I can't think of a word that truly fits here. Healthy? Productive? I still don't know.)
But, in a sense, Elsa's right. She can't do it. She needs help. And in my experience, only one thing helped.
Fixer-Upper
OK. The whole idea may seem sappy and , dare I say it, Disney-film-like, but yes love helped me get out of depression. Here's some lyrics of the song:
"We're not saying you can change him, Cause people don't really change. We're only saying that love's a force That's powerful and strange. People make bad choices if They're mad or scared or stressed, But throw a little love their way And You'll bring out their best. Everyone's a bit of a fixer upper. That's what it's all about. Father, Sister, Brother We need each other To raise us up and round us out. Everyone's a bit of a fixer upper But when push comes to shove The only fixer upper fixer that can fix a fixer upper is True Love." When my wife told me how much she loved me and I finally realized that fact, it started a turn around in my life. I finally was able to begin to let others into my life and get myself out of isolation. That "Frozen Heart" that I had created began to thaw, to melt.
I have always loved my wife more than she'll ever know. To me, she was the one that was worth melting for. For her, I would do anything, just to have the privilege to call myself her husband. For her, I am pulling myself from my kingdom of isolation and doing whatever it takes to remain in the land of Summer with her.
Now, I'm not saying that all depression can be fixed by finding true love. Far from it. Even in my own life, I still have times of depression, times where I find myself running away back into isolation. But in my experience, the love I have for (and from) my wife has made dealing with depression possible in a way that would be impossible alone.
If anyone reading this is dealing with depression, I beg you to please find help. It can be going to the doctor and talking about it. It can be just as simple as hanging out with a friend or a loved one, someone you trust and discussing it. Heck, you don't even have to discuss it. Just being there and being alive can sometimes be enough to thaw that Frozen Heart. Please, just don't give up. There are things (and people) out there worth melting for.
Recently, I lost my job. Yes, your humble storyteller is unemployed. I lost my job over a stupid mistake on my part. I won't go into details, but I admit it was my fault.
So, being me, I've been depressed and angry about it. I moped around for a few days, but eventually put on my big-boy pants and started doing what needs to be done.
During my "Mopey" period (sounds like a new Seven Dwarf), I was taking a walk and came across this guy.
It was a robin. He was a fat little booger, but now he was gone. I always feel sad whenever I see one of these guys on the ground. I understand that life has a beginning and an end, but birds were meant to fly, to be free.
I usually don't stop when I see a dead bird, but something stopped me that day. I had just lost my job that morning. It was cold and rainy. But I stopped. And a thought appeared in my mind. A couple of (unrelated) Bible verses that I had read, many times, before, but now had personal meaning.
Matthew 10:29
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father."
Matthew 6:26
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
I have read these verses many times. I believe I have even preached on them at one time or another. But the meaning behind them finally hit me like a ton of bricks.
I went home. Dried myself off and got to work looking for a job. So now, even though I'm still unemployed, I'm not worried. Things will work out for the best.
I was listening to "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys today. I remember when it came out back in 1988.
I remember thinking, "Who are these old guys? And Uncle Jesse from Full House is with them." The song was huge. I just couldn't see what the big deal was.
At the time, I listened to 1980's rock. Groups like Van Halen, Def Leppard, and Twisted Sister. My musical tastes were limited, to say the least.
I remember watching MTV (back when they actually played music) and saw this video.
I remember thinking "Who's the old guy with Michael Jackson?" (Now that I'm in my 40's, Paul, at 41 in the video, doesn't look so old anymore.)
Since that time, I started reading the liner notes included in the albums. Usually they would list people that helped in the making of those albums. Also, bands would sometimes list those other bands who influenced them. So I determined to find music by those influential groups and artists and listen to them. By doing this, my mind was blown!
It started slowly. The groups I listened to we're influenced by groups such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd (which is still my favorite). So I got into those groups and also found out who influenced them. The Beatles, the Beach Boys.
So, what's my point? You should keep your mind open to new (or old) experiences. By finding out those things that inspired my favorite artists, I was able to move beyond them and discover new favorites. Instead of being bound to the 1980's hair bands, I've moved on and now I listen to quite a number of genres. Even Disco.
Additional Note: Those who know me know that I'm an extreme Disney-phile. If I'm able, I turn most any conversation to the Disney parks or movies. So here goes...
The video for Kokomo was filmed at the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World, which hadn't even opened to the public. The Beach Boys were the first guests ever to stay there.
I've been putting this post off for quite a while. This should actually have been one of my first posts, but I didn't want to finish. If you asked why I'd have to say it's because it was too personal and would tell too much about me. But recent events in my life have shown me that I need to get this out.
I'm a Disney freak. I admit it. My family knows it. They accept me for what I am.
I also have depression. I admit that, as well. My family knows it, too. The acceptance was harder to get, but eventually came.
Recently, Disney released Frozen. This has quickly become one of my favorite movies. I actually heard the soundtrack before I saw the movie, so I had the opportunity to learn the songs long before I went to the theater. I realized that the movie, especially the songs, have a meaning that can be applied to the subject of depression.
Wait. You've seen Frozen, right? You haven't? Ok. Go get the Blu-Ray or DVD and watch it. I'll wait.
You're back? Great! Now, you paid attention to the lyrics to the songs, right? No? Go back and watch it again.
Ok. Ready? Good.
Spoiler Alert: I mean it! Go watch the movie before you read any further!
Disclaimer:I am not affiliated with Disney or any of its subsidiaries. I'm just a huge fan. They don't pay me. Although if they wanted to reward me for my loyalty, I'm willing. Also, All characters from Frozen are owned by Disney. The ideas on depression discussed are mine, based on my own experiences. If anyone at Disney wishes to discuss this post, I'll be at Disney World in January.
In my interpretation, the main character is Elsa, the Snow Queen. She represents someone with depression, represented by her power to freeze. It is a power that she cannot control.
Then there is Anna, Elsa's little sister. She represents loved ones who are in the life of the depressed person and support them through their good and bad times.
Kristoff and Sven are friends of Anna. They (along with the residents of the village of Arendale) represent others who are affected by the depression of the main character.
Hans is Anna's fiance. He turns out to be the antagonist of the movie. He represents those who claim to be friends, but use the depressed persons weaknesses against them.
Then there's Olaf, the snowman (obviously). He is an innocent, completely childlike. He represents unconditional love. Just as the character is both an outsider yet made from Elsa's power, he represents love from those around the depressed person and the depressed person themselves.
I just wanted to introduce the characters before I got too far into the interpretations. With this getting as long as it has, I believe I'll have to split this up into 3 parts. Part 2 will be out very soon.
