As the day passes by, more and more modern technologies are being introduced to make life easier and convenient for everyone. For one, instead of bringing your notebook to do some work or to surf the web, you instead use your tablet pc which is more portable than and almost as functional as your laptop or mobile phone. In a way, novels, thanks to modern technology, have been made more accessible for everyone to read. While on the go, reading can set you at ease or a great way to pass through time. Novels too are also informative and give you something to ponder about which can challenge your beliefs such as the animal farm where in the author describes the problems of corruption as well as differences in beliefs affects what society has or has been fighting for. Reading novels can also increase your vocabulary as well improve your writing skills which is good for readers and writers alike.
I Talk to God when I Go Fishing
I talk to God when I go fishing. As the film character Mick Dundee pointed out, God was a fisherman, just like me.
It all begins pre-dawn. Senses are sharp. Expectancy is in the air regardless of weather, swell, tidal variation. Superstition takes over and warps all logic. “When conditions are foul the big fish come out” and “the biggest fish are caught at dawn” etc. Coffee assumes an elemental role, a sacrament, as if the world could not be faced without its blessing. A quick check that last night’s backpack-stuffing and considered trace-rigging between stubbies displayed at least a vague regard for order.
Then its not long until the backpack is hauled on, the favourite 12 ft. Fibreglass selection shuffled for and aft in the carry hand until the balance point is struck, and the jagged cathedral of wave washed platforms appears ahead . I’ve read about holy men undertaking pilgrimages, prophets wandering the desert to test their faith, monks fasting for months on end. I am glad this is the extent of my spiritual wanderings. Only forty minutes walk from the car. This is far enough to escape the weekend warriors (even though I’m one of them). Far enough away to get the all important isolation needed for this kind of worship.
You hear about rock fishing being one of the most dangerous sports in this country. I don’t doubt this at all. If you think about it, the risks are numerous and mostly vicious in severity. However, when you’re on a divine mission, risk taking is part of the game.
I should clarify that talking with God doesn’t take the form of a conversation as such. Its more of a sub-conscious thing. I’m actually there to catch fish, the bigger the better and the more the merrier. In my mind I’m a hunter, beating my chest and honing my skills, a seasoned veteran in a dangerous game. In reality however, I’m just putting in the hours and playing the odds that something decent will show up and give its life to me. So much for being a hunter.
During the great hunt or the hopeful attempt, whichever it may be, there is a discovery, time and again, of the most precious aspect of the whole exercise, a cleansing of the soul. Not in a conscious way. Nor is it in a typically religious way either. There are no major pieces of the puzzle laid in lace, no awakenings or flaming swords. Things just seem to settle in their natural place. The mania of human nature is paused. Worries are just worries, they’re not trying to jump the fence and wreak havoc. The noise in the head, although still heard, is more like its coming from far off. I’m in the backyard of a far greater presence now, God is somewhere here. It’s time to step back and just ‘be’ for a minute. Have a look around, let it in, it’s now that the meaning of life seems real simple. Sounds like a neo-hippie sentiment I’m sure, but the time spent looking past the rod tip into what lies beyond fills you with an assuredness like no other. You feel you have room inside your soul again, that you could really enjoy the uncomplicated company of another.
Sometimes if I’m lucky, as I leave, God puts on a show for me that warms the soul. A sunset, a summer rain shower, a school of dolphins bobbing by, something on the magical side, as if he’s saying “that was pretty good don’t you think?, thanks for the chat, think you can give life a good go until we talk again?” The answer invariably is “yeah, sure I can, I’d love to”.
Just Starting out
I’m just starting out in the screenwriting world. I have written four or five scripts. One for TV, one for the internet, and a couple of feature length movie scripts. The feature length movies were definitely the hardest scripts to write. In fact, I hired a professional script consultant to provide some script analysis for me on my last feature. He gave me tons of good notes. Lots of great ideas for how to develop my story and plot, and he even pointed out parts of the script that he enjoyed. That kind of encouragement is really inspiring. I will definitely continue to use this consultant in the future. He has been a writer in Hollywood for almost ten years. He has written for Disney and HBO, and he’s an amazing comedy writer. You’d laugh at his jokes if you heard them. Definitely. And the best part is, I’m getting a lot better after he helped me with my script.