Back in the Saddle Again

After reading some absolutely brilliant blogs and then some devastatingly boring ones, I decided that mine would probably fall somewhere in the middle. And I feel pretty good about that. So, I decided to try this whole business again.

In the past month I've watched 4 Clint Eastwood movies. The reason for my astonishment is that I seem to sense some sort of a change taking place in my life. Maybe it has to do with the fact that my wife and I moved 1000 miles from our home of 4+ years leaving my parents and all of our beloved friends behind. Maybe it's the fact that my wife and I are constantly preparing for our son due in February by discussing baby products and parenting styles (not to mention the mood swings; I'll have to start a second blog on that entitled anonymous-husband-with-preggie-wife). Or maybe it's the fact that I've sold out on my life of leisure wearing t-shirts and shorts and traded them in for regular 8-5 wearing a shirt and a tie. But I'd like to think that the change began and ended with Clint Eastwood films.

Today my wife and I were babysitting for an adorable 4-year-old whose favorite movie happened to be Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron. I found myself completely fascinated with the movie. I didn't want to stop watching. When it skipped I was filled with a righteous anger that such a thing would happen during the movie. I was on the edge of my seat when the stallion was being chased by the evil Cowboys and jumped the canyon with the kind Native American on his back. I felt true joy when the horse reunited with his girlfriend and mother and they all galloped free once again. The reason I bring this up is the first line of the movie: "They say that the story of the West was told from the saddle of a horse..." Which brings me back to Clint Eastwood. The man whose made a living trying to tell stories from the West (fictitious or not).

My change is . . . wait for it . . . I kind of like Westerns. That's my embarrassing admission. With all my artistic integrity thrown out the window, all of my critical analysis of film discarded, I really like to see a really tough guy with a just cause and some great one-liners shooting all the bad guys dead. It's all because of Clint Eastwood modeling all of the ideals of traditional America and the way people wish it was.

Anyway, speaking of those one-liners this entry turned out to be so much longer than I ever imagined it would. I'm very impressed if your still reading. So here's a scene with a one-liner that I just love:

Bounty Hunter: Are you Josey Wales?
Clint: Are you a bounty hunter?
BH: A man's got to do something to make a living these days.
C: Dyin' ain't much of a livin', boy.

What a great line! And so true. Try to work that one into an everyday sentence. "I work at _______ ?" respond, "Dyin' ain't much of a livin', boy." "I'm on my way out to get some coffee," respond, "Dyin' ain't much of a livin', boy." "I'm so tired, I think I'll sleep in today," respond, "Dyin' ain't much of a livin', boy."

It's late, and I need some sleep. Dyin' ain't much of a livin', boy.