I rented a movie called “Seeking a friend for the end of the world” staring Keira Knightley and Steve Carell. Heads up! Here’s your spoiler alert…..if you have not seen this movie. With the knowledge of the past projects that both of these actors have been apart of, I was expecting a light-hearted comedy, regardless of the plot… the fact that there is a huge asteroid shooting into our planet on the cover of the flick was irrelevant.
The internet Movie Data Base (IMDb) describes the film, “As an asteroid nears Earth, a man finds himself alone after his wife leaves in a panic. He decides to take a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. Accompanying him is a neighbor who inadvertently puts a wrench in his plan.” Perfect setting for a romantic comedy, eh?
I don’t know why I thought that the movie would end differently. Knowing that a 70 mile wide asteroid is en route to earth and it’s determined that the end of world will happen in approximately 21 days, doesn’t leave a lot of hope for a happy ending. Maybe it is due to the fact that I am an optimist and believe that even though things get bad, they will always get better. I mean, sure a rock from our galaxy is in our direct path, but maybe someone has forgotten about the crazy homeless man living near Roswell, that has created a laser gun from household objects that could obliterate the stone.
Throughout the movie you see that everyone handles the news of the impending death differently. Some deny the truth which resorts to violence, drugs and theft, while others stay close to loved ones and cherish their remaining time. In the last scene, the main characters embrace, and share their feelings of love as the asteroid hits and kills everyone, our planet, our world and our existence as we know it…I know I am being dramatic, but i was still waiting for the crazy homeless man with the laser gun to show up.
When you have Parkinson’s, you can experience anxiety knowing that your time is limited. That the end of the world as you know it is in hanging in the balance… This got me thinking… If you knew that you had 21 days to live and there was no hope of altering the future, what would you do differently? Who would you spend the remaining time you had with, and what would you say?
I would spend the time w/ my caregiver who also happens to be my partner and whom I dearly love. ❤️
Great Plan!
I would go to Maui and take a long open water swim into the old Lahaina Roadstead.
Unless they are sure that they can atomize an asteroid or comet head the idea is highly controversial and goes back quite a few years. Which is worse, 1 big hit or dozens of shotgun hits from a broken up body? Asteroids are highly variable in density and makeup from iron boulders such as the one that made Meteor Crater in Arizona to rubble piles which are going to come apart on entering the Earth atmosphere and the deployers of bombs better be sure of the makeup of the item they decide to use bombs against. Also a comet coming out from rounding the sun may give minimal warning. The whole comet and asteroid defense scenario is still very much a large can of worms.
That was very detailed… thank you for clarifying.
I don’t know what i would do differently except start drinking beer and coffee again. i’m an old guy so i’ve had a great life, and already feel i’m on “borrowed time.” i practice what i call “positive denial” but, to be honest, i’m fairly easy to knock off balance. i’d want to see the poets i work with at the prison again. i would spend long hours at home w/my wife, making vegan feasts, watching Longmire again, and cuddling more. i can’t stand to go long w/o hearing my grandson giggle. i’d keep making poems and put as many as i could in a fire-proof lockbox just in case they might survive and tell some visitor in the future about my little parkie life. not very heroic or epic, but suits me fine.
Me I would seek out all the people who have crossed my path of life and make me who I am today, spend time with them and thank them, the amazing thing is some of those people, may have only been in my life for a few hours or a few days, yet change my life for ever.
Actually that is such a good idea I put it in motion…..thank so much for the post…Cheers Dave.😘🌷
Hi Perky Parkie,
I like how you can merge and make the movie and all of our different Parkinson’s condition tie together.
From the moment we are born our lives evolve with time…counting the days to our first word, our first step and so on.
As time goes on we loose focus on the time we have to enjoy our lives due to distractions and responsibilities. Then Parkinson’s appears out of nowhere and changes our focus which brings us right back to “how much can I accomplish with the time I have left before my PD takes complete control.”
If I had 21 days left, The first thing I would do is tell my partner that I love them dearly and that I truly appreciate them, Then I would spend it with the people I hold dear to my heart expressing to them how important they are to me and how much I appreciate them. I would also show people that in spite of my condition, I can have a fulfilling 21 days to the end.
Time is of the essence whether you have PD or not, so lets all agree to start today by telling the most special person in our lives what they mean to us, be vulnerable and let your feelings flow.
I enjoyed reading all the comments, I like the different perspectives and points of view of everyone.
Let’s not forget….our Pd does not define us, we define us.
CHEERS!!! to everyone.
Cory
I like your comment that Parkinson’s doesn’t define us. Sounds like a great plan for your remaining 21 days.
An amazing woman I know taught me about that line of our PD does not define us.
Keep the blogs coming, I look forward to them.
Cheers!
Cory
Sounds like an amazing woman!
I would have all my family come to our house in Wareham, Mass. And mean everyone. I would sit there surrounded by loved ones and be a Queen.
Love it!
I’m thinking that our time isn’t so limited from Parkinson’s but it is different than if we didn’t have it. I’d like to come to a relationship to PD where I don’t regret it so much and appreciate the experiences I do have. Right now I’m going to see my wild grandsons, tremor and all. I would do that anyway. But I am trying to let myself slow down, not try to be a human do-er as far as career goes, and stay engaged in a different. way than I used to. I don’t know quite what that means yet!
I love the way you view slowing down… just being present for the moment… appreciated your wild grandsons! Thank you for your comment!
Well you know me Allison, I’m in denial about it all….the parkinsons, and now the psoriatic arthritis, the shorter time on earth. But if I knew for sure that I had days left, I would go to the beach, rent a great big beach house and invite everyone I love. and enjoy
a chill party, talk and listen to the waves.
I love your idea of a beach house… I’m in!
Hey Sharon I’m in too💕💗❤️
Such a good topic! I don’t know how I missed the film–will check it out. If you like this, you might also want to check this out:
http://www.quirkbooks.com/page/last-policeman-series-ben-h-winters#
It is very entertaining that “the scientists” say they are tracking these giant rocks in space… no worries and then we get surprised by repeated explosions from impacts. My special place to spend the end is among the giant redwoods near the sea. I would ask the wife to pack up to leave, but that would take 22 days!
Ha! Well of course us women take a long time to pack! And don’t even ask us to only bring one suitcase to the end of the world!
Wow. So much for small talk. (Say, how’s that new med working out for ya?) I think I’ve shared with you before that I already f eel like I’m on borrowed time and I’m trying to make the most of it. But, if I only had 21 days, I guess I would want to be with my wife and kids – maybe go somewhere to enjoy the wonders of nature that are everywhere to be seen and appreciated on this planet.So, why don’t I do that now? Because I’m running out of time and there is so much left to do. I know, it makes no sense at all, but that’s where my head is at.
Ha! I like to just get to the point, our fear. I liked that you would choose to be out in nature. We take so much for granted on this earth, even the very fact that a plant can grow a beautiful flower is such an amazing event, and it’s happening around us everyday. I guess it shows that we need to slow down and appreciate every minute we have. Thanks for sharing!