First I lost my job. Now, I lost my freaking handbag along with my wallet and cellphone. I didn’t really lose them but someone stole them from right under my nose, so to speak. Somebody out there must be having a laugh at my expense. Yes, I’ve heard about the movie A Series of Unfortunate Events but I never really thought it happens in real life. Well, I do now.
Last Friday, a friend of mine and I went to the movies to watch Wanted. With everything that’s happened in our lives lately, our minds were crying out for a scapegoat and entering another world for just a few hours was just what we needed. The movie was good (the Jolie factor is always a plus) although quite unrealistic. Perfect scapegoat material. James McAvoy played his part so well that you can see the transition from him being an anxiety-plagued nothing to someone who made a difference in the world or at least to the characters involved in the film. What drew me most to the movie was the last line he said before the cast and production credits. “This is me taking control of my life. What the fuck have you done lately?” I made a mental note to answer this question when I have the time to sort out my thoughts. I felt that the answer was somewhat like a key to unlock life’s mysteries. Yet that night, even until the brink of sleep, I came up with nothing.
Today, I read a column written by a former colleague of mine. She said that people often miss out on the simple things in life because most of the time, she and perhaps one third of the Philippine population, are very busy. Well, I’ll tell you something. I’d rather have sleepless nights, hideous eye bags and down-the-drain social life than having NOTHING to do at all. I’d change what I have now for yours in a heartbeat. You do not know what it’s like having something taken away from you; to wake up one morning and realize that everything you’ve worked hard for in the past year amounts to nothing but a priceless piece of paper, crumpled and thrown away. Granted, this experience made me stronger and wiser but this has shaken me to the core.
Now you ask me, what have I been doing lately? Still nothing, sadly. It’s like the reigns of my life are somewhere abandoned and unattended. But I do guarantee you this. The Wanted experience has changed my life forever. I am now determined to search for that key or that answer in every nook and cranny even if it takes a lifetime.
Uhm, that’ll take a really long time, right? Maybe I’ll just go back to drooling over Mr. McAvoy’s abs. Or thinking of ways to torture the faceless robbers that’ll leave them screaming for me to end their lives…Yeah. Much better.
Just kidding!
