Muse – Randomness (4-30-2004)

Curves

I noted an entry by a fellow diarist which was interesting. It involved Curves, a female only fitness chain that has enjoyed incredible success since it’s start in 1992. What is questionable about it is the owner, Gary Heavin, and his support of pro-life groups.

It stands to general reason that some of the profits of his company go toward that and hence through some determination, the money women pay to be a part of this fitness chain goes toward such pro-life causes. As it seems, many didn’t know about this. And as such I think it a good idea to spread the information. Not to defame Heavin, but to educate those who are a part of Curves. As they spend their money to be a part of this franchise and avail themselves of it’s services, it behooves those in the know to note to them what their money is used for after it is spent. Those who dislike the charitable contributions of Heavin enough to stop being a part of Curves can then make their decision. Those who would not let it effect their choice to be a part of the chain can also act according to their personal wishes.

So I ask my readers to, if they know of those with Curves memberships or have other means to disseminate this information, spread the knowledge.

DVDs

Note to self: Update DVD listing for the new ones bought since the start of the year.

I’ve shifted in my DVD buying venues. Where before I bought many DVDs retail, I’ve started looking for used ones. I spent far too much over the last few years on retail and have found it a delightful feeling to pick up some used DVDs for 5 to 15 dollars less than they would cost retail.

One of the cheapest recently was a copy of End of Days for less than five bucks. When it gets to prices under that line, there’s little reason to not pass a few dollars to take a peek. It was an interesting flick and entertaining. Even more so after paying so little for it.

Respectcopyrights.org

Still no response. Though really I didn’t think they answered all their mail. Still, it would have been nice to get some sort of response out of them. Oh well, perhaps someday.

Moviesbased off truth

I’m musing whether or not I’ll see Godsend this weekend. Looking at the positive and negative reviews, it takes some musing to decide if I’ll spend the time and money to take a look. Though even as I do there are other aspects I muse.

From time to time there come movies which by design or accident have political undertones that could possibly outshine the movie itself. Those that deal with historical events such as wars or skirmishes(such as Black Hawk Down) and those that deal with issues, like Godsend(cloning) or The Passion movie.

I usually have a quiet, visceral reaction to movies like this. Though the instinctive reaction is more or less smothered by my rational mind after being acknowledged and filed away for consideration. By and large, I don’t take movies as utter truth because the mere presence of creative license nullifies that. Especially from the standpoint of the viewer, not knowing(unless they already have good knowledge of the event or situation at prominence) where truth and fiction factor in.

I’ve found that DVDs have come forth to settle some of this. A while ago I invested in a big, three disc edition of Blackhawk Down. Partly because I did like the movie from a mere entertainment value standpoint and for the wealth of factual data that the disks included. Not just about making the movie, but about the incident in Mogadishu. The ability ot pack on hours of fact to movies that brush against real life topics and events is a remarkable thing. It allows a movie watcher to enjoy the fiction and respect the truth that was the bones for the theatrical representation. Pirates of the Carabean was also good for that as they had an edition with a wealth of information on real pirates, as well as the Disney ride that the movie was modeled after.

Unfortunately, the DVDs with a real wealth of information are usually only the ones based off real world events. I doubt a DVD version of Godsend would have a wealth of information on the current cloning debate.. I wish they would pack on some info like that, though I suppose I’m of a minority who would find that sort of thing fascinating to have instant access to.