Archive for August 2007
Yesterday we went to Chinatown. There were sidewalk salespeople selling a fruit I had never seen before - a fruit they called “dragon fruit.”
I wondered if the name of this fruit was what the fruit was actually called or if this was some kind of marketing gimmick. I looked it up online and found that sure enough, wikipedia has an entry for a fruit referred to as the “pitaya” but that also goes under the name “dragon fruit.”
Looking at the outer appearance, I thought it would be hard to get past the peel to the fruit - but the outer layer peels off very easily - more easily than an orange. The inner fruit is white with black seeds. The texture, consistency and perhaps even the taste are very comparable to the kiwi fruit - though it isn’t as sweet as the kiwi. It tastes good.
Every day in New York City I see people asking for something. However, this week I’ve witnessed some examples that were a little more dramatic, poignant … I’m not sure what the best word is to use.
A few days ago I was walking out of a pizza place and a man said to me: “I am so hungry! Could I just have a bite of your pizza? I haven’t had anything to eat in two days!” This is someone I’ve seen a few times before. He’s what you might call a regular in the area. I suspect that he may not be telling the whole truth. Still, the phrasing of his request caught me off guard and made me feel terrible inside. He wasn’t asking for money. He was asking for food.
Last night we were on the subway and a man without any legs was shuffling along on the floor, using his arms to propel himself forward on his hands. As he went, he was pushing along a large metal can with some bills and change in it. I marveled to think of the fact that this man was getting around the New York City subways in this fashion - and that he was moving between subway cars while the subway was still moving. Maybe he knows what he’s doing - but that struck me as just a bit dangerous. I wondered where he lived, how far he traveled each day, etc. A lot of people ask for money on the subway - again this is something I see every day. But this time I saw that more passengers were willing to give him something.
Seeing so many people here in the city who are asking for a handout, I can’t help but regularly think of the following Book of Mormon verses from Mosiah, chapter 4:
16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—
18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
This scriptural passage actually continues and has more to say on the subject. At first I was going to try and include it all - but I think those words are sufficiently powerful to get across the main message. King Benjamin’s words are so practical, straightforward and true.
Personally, I don’t typically think of myself as a rich or wealthy person. I’m consciously aware of many people out there who earn more than I do - people who seem to live very exciting lives. However, in all honesty, I have never lacked for a roof over my head, a healthy and enjoyable variety of food, good clean clothing to wear, the ability to pay for some entertainment or toys or books or electronic equipment I need, etc. I’ve enjoyed living in various parts of the world for extended periods of time. From the perspective of having always had all that I need and enjoying much of what I could possibly imagine or want, I have been very wealthy. I have no right to complain about anything. God has been very generous and good to me.
So when a person on the street asks me for some change or a dollar or whatever it is they are asking for, I try to give them something. It isn’t typically that much - I easily spend much more on movie tickets or eating out or whatever. However, I have noticed something - 99% of the time that I give a dollar or whatever the trifling amount is, to one of these people, the following words come out of their mouth: “God bless you.” Call me superstitious, but hearing those words almost knocks me over every time I hear them.
We went and saw this movie tonight and we loved it.
While some reviewers say the third film is the best of the series, I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary to take the step of drawing that conclusion. Each of the three films is excellent and this third one fits very well with the others. If you enjoyed the the Bourne Identity and the Bourne Supremacy, chances are you’ll really like the Bourne Ultimatum as well.
Before seeing the movie I read a bunch of reviews. Five or six critics loved the movie and rated it very highly. Only one was negative and for some reason he said he hated it. I suspect the one negative review had more to do with the critic not liking a certain kind of movie, rather than the movie itself being a problem.
I think this might be my favorite movie of the summer. Quality-wise, the only other summer movie I find comparable is Rescue Dawn. But that’s a different kind of show and the comparison probably isn’t all that helpful - except as a suggestion to go see that movie as well.
I was just having a discussion with someone about the Hebrew Bible and it was suggested to me that I get a copy of “The Living Torah” - an English translation of the five books of Moses by a man named Aryeh Kaplan. I have to say, after reading a bit about Aryeh Kaplan, he seems like pretty interesting personality.