a little guy with a big dream...

So I guess I caught a bit of a cold or something a few days ago.. Anyway, I spent time sleeping and trying to get over this thing, reading, writing a bit, and I did some painting too. :) I will post that soon.
Then last night, Ron and I watched Ratatouille on dvd. It was really great. I was struck by two dialogs in particular in the film (not to mention the awesome animation and art!), and I thought of you and your quest for life as an artist (which you are already living, by the way.. in response to your “I feel very ready to start my life as an artist.”) You already are. You were since I met you. but I understand what you mean.

First, here is a turning point in the movie, a talk between Remy (main character/rat) and Django (Remy’s dad). Imagine this being a dialog between you (as Remy) and your 3-hour coffee break “I don’t want to influence you” teacher. (The only difference being that his dad eventually does come around, and this teacher you had has completely given up, and now simply exists from day to day – needles to say, he has influenced you by showing you what not to become, and thankfully you are able to see that). I could also replace these two characters with a couple of people as well, and you may find that you will be able to again from time to time...

Django: [showing the exterminator shop to Remy with the dead rats in the window] The world we live in belongs to the enemy, we must live carefully. We look out for our own kind, Remy. When all is said and done, we're all we've got.
[Django starts to walk away]
Remy: [defiantly] No. Dad, I don't believe it. You're telling me that the future is - can only be - more of this?
Django: This is the way things are; you can't change nature.
Remy: Change is nature, Dad. The part that we can influence. And it starts when we decide.
Django: [Remy turns to leave] Where are you going?
Remy: With luck, forward.

And the second quote from the movie is at the end..
The antagonist in the film, the food critic Anton Ego, writes a very poignant and insightful review...In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations, the new needs friends. Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous motto: Anyone can cook. But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau's, who is, in this critic's opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteau's soon, hungry for more.
what have you been up to lately?...