June 28, 2006

• Superson!

  It’s a bird, it’s a plane…

  It’s Conor!

  Conor has recently made a particularly remarkable achievement from my perspective! It is another Conor’s FIRST! Many mark physical growth and major landmarks like talking, sounds, body functions, etc. However, Conor is reaching the point now where he will begin to understand consequences- that is, the fact he can alter the state of something and cause a result. For those computer geeks out there, he can work out an if/then statement- “IF I do this, THEN this will happen”.

  Conor has already begun to realise that if he flips himself over in his crib during a nap time and stays quiet, he can entertain himself and not have to sleep. Of course, this results in a long ritual of flipping Conor over, letting him cry until he flips himself back, etc, etc. However, today I came into check on him after he had been quiet for a while. I was just a little suspicious since he had not been in there long enough to work out his resistance yet- he was very resistant today. I noticed he was on his back and came forwards, realising at the same time he was kicking at the side of the crib.

  I stopped, however, when I realised this was not a normal kicking. There is a mobile on the edge of the crib with a button to start it, and then three choices of music buttons. I was startled to realise he was kicking specifically at that pannel. He that unique, focused look of incredible interest and concentration on his face that he can get- and apparently I used to get as well. I silently watched and cheered him on, as his foot got lower- and within seconds, bam! He hit it, and the mobile turned on! He watched with glee and fascination as his mobile began turning to Mozart. He never ceases to be entertained by it.

  Is that it?

  No, not by far! Once he figured this out once, he tried again until he turned it off. Then I heard a while later it turn back on. Pretty soon, he was turning it off and on- all with his feet and toes! His toes are becoming VERY nimble. This is odd, because I have to wonder if it is something genetic. My sister and I have always had unique dexterity with out feet. We will pick up dropped objects with them, I might open a door sometimes, etc. Well, he was doing some fancy footwork! I am not sure, but he may have even figured out how to change the music already- we’ll have to see. That would be quite some brilliant work for one day! He works a LOT like I used to- he will watch and analyse something for a long time, and then when he feels he has it down he will begin experimentation.

  I am so proud of him! This is the first sign of truly unique problem solving I have as yet seen in our son. He hasn’t reached the point of “above-animal” intelligence yet visibly, but I know it is coming.

  Superman

  I saw Superman last night at 10 PM. I expected it might be an interesting movie, a little like X-men. It truly surprised me! It was not just a fun ride, but it was a brilliantly done movie. It was an enjoyable trip that really seemed to pick up where I remember the “feel” of the original movies left off. This is the first movie of the Summer that I truly feel fits up to the expectation of a “movie blockbuster”. And I did not even expect it! Please, if you feel like seeing a movie soon, SEE Superman Returns! I will give my thoughts on it later, but most of my thoughts will have to be included under a spoiler section to truly make sense.

  I think, however, I can safely say that Superman Returns not only has an enchanting story that takes up with good, clean Superman fun and action but also has a very thought-provoking plot. Just as Superman has the “Fortress of Solitude” and his home planet is based on a crystal-growing technology that results in a land of cold, empty crystaline type rock formations- so too do they focus on the idea that Superman is alone and apart and his home destroyed. Yet when an element of his crystaline civilization is present on Earth, it is realised that this is NOT his true home. A home is based on family and people, not on a place or planet.

  There is also one very delightful line I can attempt to paraphrase/quote from the movie. Louis wrote an article on “Why the world doesn’t need Superman”, and Superman took her up into the sky to look down on the planet. She says that the world doesn’t need someone to save it, and she doesn’t need a savior. He looks out on the planet and asks, “What do you hear?” “Nothing at all, it’s completely silent.”

  “I hear everything. You say the world doesn’t need a savior, but everyday I hear people everywhere crying out for one.”

  Wow. Now that is a phrase worth remembering.

  -Patrick

  • 7:54 pm
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