Thursday – 22 March 2007
Four down, one to go.

Today was a rather decent day. It started with frozen mocha goodness and a trip to the SLC office. Neither of which is a bad way to start the day. Then, it was on to the south office. The day was relatively problem-free; and it was slow enough to allow for two constitutionals. The lunchtime workout was good, too – a focused triceps workout.

Post-work, I skipped picking up my four-color shwag and got home a little before six. I was in a Barbacoa mood, so I had a steak burrito for dinner and watched V for Vendetta. (March Madness = CSI: ) Good movie and a nice way to wrap up the day.

Random Access
We’ve taken care of everything
The words you read
The songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure
To your eye

One for all and all for one
Work together
Common sons
Never need to wonder
How or why

Whenever I watch V for Vendetta (1, 2, 3, 4), I am struck not only by its similarities to George Orwell’s 1984, but also to the Rush concept piece/rock opera, 2112. The three of them are set in dystopian societies where the government provides all of the necessities and good things in life. And they would never mislead their citizenry. And everyone works for the betterment of god and country.

In the three stories, we are introduced to “the outsider,” the one who sees between the cracks of the grand facade and recognizes that all is not well. In two of the stories, he is also the one who wishes to bring change and freedom to his blissfully ignorant brethren: V and the “narrator” in 2112. In 1984, Winston Smith is not necessarily out to overthrow The Party and/or Big Brother, or even enlighten his fellow citizens, as much as he enjoys subverting the system by partaking in restricted/forbidden pleasures.

The stories differ in their resolutions and in how their protagonists end up:

  • In V for Vendetta, V sacrifices himself, knowing that he has shown people the way to free themselves. We are shown that V represented ideas or ideals – greater than any one person – and it didn’t matter who was behind the mask: V was everyone… and no one, at the same time. He represented the unspoken – and in some cases, unimagined – hopes, dreams and ideals of the faceless masses and the forgotten.
  • In 2112, the narrator, realizes that he alone cannot fight the power of the Priests and the Solar Federation. In desperation/despair, he commits suicide. Ironically, just after this act… the “Elder Race,” the enlightened, legendary forebears of the Solar Federation who left (Earth) return, with the proclamation: “We have assumed control…”
  • In 1984, Winston Smith is captured by Party loyalists and reprogrammed to follow convention and embrace the love of The Party and Big Brother.

I also find it… oddly amusing that I wound up watching the “Vote Different” parody of Apple’s 1984 Mac ad earlier and then watching V for Vendetta tonight.
Stray Toasters

Quote of the Day

It seems strange that my life should end in such a terrible place, but for three years I had roses and apologized to no one. I shall die here. Every inch of me shall perish. Every inch, but one. An inch. It is small and it is fragile and it is the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it or give it away. We must NEVER let them take it from us. I hope that whoever you are, you escape this place. I hope that the worlds turns, and that things get better. But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that, even though I do not know you, and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I love you. With all my heart, I love you.

Valerie Page, V for Vendetta

Namaste.