My Word-limited Review of "Birdman" for Fandango

    

THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF ALEJANDRO INARRITU

BY DEANNALYNNARZOLA

 WRITTEN FEBRUARY 28, 2015

How does one critique a film that so blatantly despises the critic? When one is simply describing the art to the masses. The story is relatable. In fact, it is almost historical in it's account, being told by our former "Batman", Michael Keaton, who turns out a stellar and emotional performance. Director, Alejandro Inarritu, who also wrote the film, draws from his actors raw and compelling performances as they tell the story of a former box office god who turned down the next role in the comic anthology that made him famous, an obviously regrettable decision. In an attempt to repent, prove his acting chops and come back professionally, Keaton's Riggin adapts a story by his favorite writer, long since dead, for the stage, making the dreaded Hollywood-to-Broadway leap, detested greatly by the Theatre set. This film is not for kids, and it's not for the typical movie-goer looking for explosions; this is a film for film lovers and Inarritu deserves is Oscar Triple Crown. -Deannalynn Arzola

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"The New Normal"

So, I guess I've been feeling a little crazy lately with so much time on my hands. Crazy is kind of a double edged sword in that it takes crazy to appreciate crazy, which is awesome because not only does it compel me towards my kind, where I find myself more comfortable in the company of those who need no explanation; those who never ask me, "Why?", the caveat being, however, that crazy people generally feel more paranoid, most likely due to the thoughts that never cease to rush through the maddened  mind, which, of course is why there exists such a fine line between genius and madness, however, these thoughts can be dark and drive us to expression, forcing a need to have only crazy people to share them with, as they don't think you're crazy.
The other day, I was talking with my person. This man is my person because he is the one person (in my entire life) who has never asked me why and never judged me based on my madness (he only judges my empathy, choosing to describe love in the most derogatory tone). I was in the midst of one of those episodes in which word vomit is simply uncontrollable when I let it flow. The thing about me is that I use my knowledge in my rant and some of the things I say, be they truthful, nevertheless, could easily be construed as terribly hurtful. In his response, he thanked me. He never said I was crazy, he never denied any of the things I accused him of (and I don't mean accusing him of the usual things women accuse men of and vice versa. I mean I was pointing out very substantial behavior that has impacted his life for years and has led to less than acceptable consequences) and he was not nasty at all. He simply explained why he did what he did to me and said he wasn't doing it intentionally. I cried when I read this response. Here I sat, worried how he would process my words. Worry for naught. I responded to him that I was trying to be normal. Trying, I reiterated. 
"Normal", he replied, "is a loose definition."
I thought about that statement quite extensively, obliging me to ask a couple of people with varying personalities to define normal for me. The first person I asked espouses no spirituality whatsoever. He is logical and a scientist, emotionless. This is what he said, "Normal is remaining within the social constraint. Deviating from what society deems normal is abnormal." I, not one to have ever been a conformist must have appeared straight-jacket-worthy to the masses forever. My definition of social norm is paying taxes. I also asked my daugher, who is twenty-eight and very balanced in her emotionality. She's highly passionate, but quite logical in the understanding of her passion and emotionality. She says normal is, "No drama". This tells me that Jeanine's normal is a sort of Cleaver family existence. For her, normal is a behavior. For me, normal is the opposite of insanity. I imagine normal people to be those free of clinical personality disorders, not in need of medication or therapy. When I told my person I was trying to be normal, this is what I meant. He and I are both keenly aware of that definition. We have either seen it, inherited it or felt it, that sensation of not feeling normal. What is so important to me about his statement in regards to normal being a loose definition is that I had never really looked at it that way, which is why I asked a couple different people to define it. He is right. Normal is subjective. 
Realizing that we all have our own definition of normal, I have decided, after long contemplation, that I am changing my definition of the word. Normal to me is living with what remains. What I mean by what remains is that we are the subsequence of our adolescence.  In these formative years, we become who we are. Our personalities are formed in these years and those personalities are said subsequence. It is also in these years that we gather the tools necessary to build our lives. Those tools are provided by the adults in our lives. Say what you will, I am telling you now, that statement is the most consistent piece of information you will ever hear. This NEVER changes. It is the adults in our adolescence that provide us the tools we will use to build our lives. If we have not been provided the tools we need, and the ones specifically necessary, as well, we will spend the rest of our lives playing catch up. And the subsequence of this is my normal. I am always trying to amass the arsenal necessary to slay the demons I've been given, always trying to fit in, always trying to explain to people why I'm so emotional, and this is because it is what I believe "normal" people expect from me. This makes me so uncomfortable, I am forced, compelled to handle those feelings with a lack of sobriety. Perhaps if I just practice living the life I actually have and being the person I actually am, I will begin to feel normal. My normal is my past, my mother, my fear of falling too hard, no, my fear of the landing; the falling is fun. My normal is my personality, which is just what you get when you've seen what I've seen. My normal is practicing good behavior. And yes, I have to practice it, because that behavior, that which is needed from my loved ones is not my normal. But trying to be their normal is my normal. And knowing that I must keep close to me the people who already know that my normal is my normal and that the same is true of them; this is their normal. This is who they are. This is who they are. Recognizing empirically, or at least endeavoring to do so, my people's normal is my new normal. Having not been judged on my madness by my person is, again, how I come to this conclusion. While I have always endeavored to appreciate the inevitable behavior ancillary to their normal, at times I fall short and their behavior hurts without intent. What I have learned from keeping my person in my life is exactly what I needed to learn to be able to, to be strong enough to keep him there, and it is something reiterated by my daughter without my ever having asked her for her advice on my keeping him there, she said, "Don't you dare walk away from him because of his personality, his damage. His behavior is a result of his childhood and you have to be there for him, Mom. Don't you dare walk away." This is coming come from my well adjusted daughter whom I perceive to be one of the most normal people I know. 
As a writer, I never advise judging a book by it's cover. Consequently, several things remind me daily to look beyond the superficial (and I love this word. While I don't believe my person is completely superficial with his beautifully wicked charm, his personality would be described that way, verbatim. I, nonetheless, have always found him to be understanding and deep and exposed and accommodating on many levels) and when I do, I always find beauty in the discovery and am reaffirmed, knowledge of your people is a gift to them (and you) that keeps on giving. The more I know, the more I understand. Knowledge is power in this regard, especially. Coming to know that you are reciprocally understood is the most comforting feeling in the world. No numbing necessary there.
THIS is my new normal.

-Deannalynn ArzolaTweet

"We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others, that in the end, we become disguised to ourselves."
-Francois de la Rochefoucauld 

Francois-Marie Arouet, otherwise known by his nom de' plume, Voltaire, was a French writer and social advocate. He was far ahead of his time reciting his ideas on subjects like freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. It is said that having been asked to renounce Satan whilst on his deathbed, the author replied, "Now is not the time to make new enemies."


b. November 21, 1694~d. May 30, 1778

This picture comes to me via Facebook post from A Circle of Witches. I think this is amazing because as I have accrued knowledge throughout my life, I have come to know that there are two definitions, if you will, of the word, "empath". I have also come to know that while both are really one in the same, both are a very predominate part of my make-up.
My mother hails from a long line of witches. A coven begun in the Mother land, and passed down from generation to generation. She was also a spiritual empath. While the aforementioned may not seem to be genetic, they most certainly are cultural and, as I believe inherent. In the nine short years that I shared with my mother, I also witnessed her empathy on a clinical level. I never knew her to drive past a stray animal. My beautiful mother gave me both. 
This post is referring to the spiritual empath, but it could refer to the clinical one as well. I experience these 'reasons' everyday. Every bullet point; every day.
There are days when I have cursed my empathy to no end, but here's the real deal; my overabundant empathetic nature allows me to go beyond the superficial, and not kill people in the discovery...

-Deannalynn Arzola

Photographs by 
 Deannalynn Arzola

Hillsboro, Oregon
 February 23, 2015

  Photographs taken by Deannalynn Arzola in Hillsboro, Oregon~February 23 & 24, 2015

Amy sat down to her computer and stared at the blank screen for too many minutes. She was trying to string her words together carefully, as Dex was one to need the words he received to be clear, concise and most especially non-hurtful. Amy was so angry, however, and her particular vice had always been to get the words out of her or they would voraciously consume her.
"Dex", she began to type, "I am not trying to change you; in fact, who you are is who I fell in love with. But here I am, a girl with a borderline personality in love with a guy with an antisocial one, and that knowledge should make me run away from you as fast as I can, but I don't want to. I love you and I am not one to allow any disparaging entity prevent me from having the life I know I should have. I simply view the result of our personalities, our behavior, if you will, as a challenge, not a roadblock, just a hurdle, that with the proper tools and training can be cleared without too much trouble. I realize my perception of everything is vastly different than yours, darling, however, I attempt to reconcile your behavior everyday. When do you reciprocate? I'm estimating approximately twenty percent of the time. I am keenly aware; allow this letter to do the same for you. And please, by god, darling, please do not let the fact that I am so aware, or that you may be, as well, create more distance than in the lack thereof. We should know. I love you."

Amy waited, as she does, for a response, which was rather quickly forthcoming. 
"Hey. I just have a few things I'd like to clear up. You say you know me, if you do, you know that your saying I am 'crazy' is only gonna piss me off. I know you're crazy. We've talked about this before. I am not trying to hurt you. I would not try to hurt you. So there's my two things. And here's a few more...Amy, you're the smartest, most creative, loving and empathetic person I know. I know you choose to stay, and I am keenly aware of who you are, too. You're strong and tough and you have faith that we can change our damning behavior. I view you as someone who can handle all of this. And I am sorry for all that space that I tend to keep between us. Thank you for making me aware and I will work on this, and Amy, I am glad you're here, too..."


And that, ya'll, is why they call it 'creative' writing...

A short story by Deannalynn Arzola

12th Annual Lose A Pound Memory Walk

Posted on October 25, 2012 by hcwsblog

Deannalynn Arzola
It’s hard to believe, but another Lose-a-Pound Memory Walk has come and gone. This year’s festivities were a howling success.

The day began for our volunteers at 7am, with the setting up of booths and stages. And what a lovely fall Sunday it was.

Wayne Bunker Family Park was a flush with vendors, dogs, Memory Collars, and even Elvis.

Some of our terrific vendors included Pet Psychics offering paw readings, Bone Appetite, A Pet’s Bakery and A Purrfurred Pet Care Service. We wish to thank the many vendors who donated to HCWS during the event.

Other businesses that helped raise money on Sunday were Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, who donated gift baskets which were raffled off to guests who purchased winning tickets.

Other than the Memory Walk, which took place on the park’s surrounding walking track from 10 to Noon, our event held our wildly popular Halloween Pet Costume Contest. This year’s first place prize went to “Fat Elvis”, an absolutely adorable Basset Hound. “Schitzo” held the honor of this year’s Silliest Pet Trick. Our friends at Smarty Paws set up an obstacle course for all of our four-legged guests to try.

Team Misfits won this year’s distinction as the team that raised the most money for our beloved charity, pulling in a stunning $3500. The volunteers at Misfits used social media and networking as their means of raising such a remarkable sum. Congratulations Misfits. Your perpetual efforts are greatly appreciated.

Our appreciation also goes to the teams from Quest Diagnostics, NV Energy and In Corp who worked to raise donations for HCWS.

The 12th Annual Memory Walk was a resounding success and woofs and woofs of fun for all.

There are many more folks we wish to thank for their support in making our annual fundraising event such an important part of our mission to prevent pet-overpopulation in our community.

Thank you to all of our faithful volunteers who share their time tirelessly, all year around. Thank you to all of our Memory Walk participants and our vendors. Thank you to the City of Las Vegasand Wayne Bunker Park, to all of our guests, our DJ and emcee, “Elvis” and to In Corp.com for mingling with the crowd and providing home baked treats to our most important guests, for without whom, none of this would have been possible; our loveable, furry familymembers.

Our next Lose a Pound Memory Walk is less than twelve months away and we can’t wait to see you all again, then.

Today, I am starting my photo journal. I am a writer who believes that every story, by god, should paint a picture; I try to do this with my writing all the time. Hope some of these pictures tell a story for us, as well...

Photographs taken by Deannalynn Arzola~February 21, 2014~Beaverton, Forest Grove & Portland, Oregon, USA